Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall

In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with independent reggae artist Caleb Hart for a focused conversation on longevity, discipline, and building a sustainable creative career outside the traditional music industry.

Caleb shares his journey as a fully independent artist — from touring and live performance to adapting his hustle in the modern streaming era. Throughout the conversation, he breaks down the difference between short-term attention and long-term artistry, the role of feedback in growth, and how artists can stay grounded while navigating criticism, pressure, and changing industry expectations.

This episode explores what it...

Duration: 01:19:04

Stress, hormones, fertility, burnout… and the stories we tell ourselves about all of it. In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Sabrina Souto, an acupuncturist and comprehensive health practitioner who helps people untangle their nervous system, belief systems, and biology the right way.

Sabrina has spent years working with stress, hormonal issues, fertility and cancer support, blending Traditional Chinese Medicine with a grounded, education-first approach. This isn’t fluffy “holistic” word salad — we get into what actually happens in a session, why “natural” isn’t always better, and how your identity and beliefs can quietly shape yo...

Duration: 01:28:59

Katanya Timinsky returns to Solo Spotlight for a deeper look into her evolution as a storyteller and the creation of her long-form interview series, The Ethos of Humanity.

Our first conversation explored her humanitarian photography in Ukraine and how she learned to hold space for voices affected by conflict. In this follow-up episode, we shift into the present: Katanya has launched her own talk show and has already recorded multiple emotional, philosophy-driven conversations that explore human identity, emotional labor, lived experience, and the art of connection.

Whether you’re a creator, host, filmmaker, listener, or so...

Duration: 01:09:33

Edmonton’s got talent — and Vintage $oul is proof. In this episode, we sit down with the Edmonton-born artist to talk about conscious, self-aware, old-school leaning hip-hop, why he wants listeners to take a hard look at their lives, and how his music pulls from real experiences like homelessness, family history, and survival-mode independence.

We also get into the behind-the-scenes reality of being an artist here: being picky with the craft (sometimes to the point of five masters on one song), switching producers, stepping away from “flex” music into meaning-first records, and the financial grind of tryin...

Duration: 01:02:00

Join us for a powerful conversation with Tea Fannie, one of Alberta’s most unique and compelling hip-hop voices. From growing up across Canada as a military kid, to discovering poetry, to finally stepping into the spotlight as a rapper and songwriter, Tea breaks down the real story behind her creative evolution.

We dive into the making of her debut full-length album “It’s All Love”, how she found confidence through vulnerability, and what it means to build a career in the Prairie hip-hop scene. This episode is equal parts artistic inspiration and human storytelling — a must-wat...

Duration: 01:09:35

In Solo Spotlight Episode 72, Ryan sits down with Edmonton storyteller and creator Lincoln Ho — the mind behind @yegventures

For more than a decade, Lincoln has been documenting Edmonton’s history, culture, food scene, architecture, and hidden corners. This episode dives into how he built YEG Ventures, why he documents the world the way he does, and the ethics and discipline behind being a trusted voice in a growing city.

If you love Edmonton, storytelling, or hearing from someone who’s stayed committed to their craft for years, this episode is worth every minute.

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Duration: 01:31:39

In Episode 71 of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Adven Villa, creator of the Long-Term Podcast, psychology student, street-interview storyteller, and rising Edmonton creative.

This episode dives deep into:

Growing up in chaos & building discipline from scratchHow podcasting became a tool for self-improvementImposter syndrome & interviewing older, more experienced guestsWhat street interviews taught him about human connectionThe role of vulnerability in long-form conversationBalancing school, work, content creation, and personal growthHow to stay consistent when nobody believes in youThe psychology behind confidence, community, and storytelling

If you're a podcaster, creator, or anyone on a self-growth...

Duration: 00:59:28

In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Edmonton hip-hop veteran Arlo Maverick — a storyteller, mentor, and cultural architect whose 25-year journey mirrors the evolution of Canadian hip-hop itself.

From his early days founding Politic Live to his solo albums Maybe Tomorrow, Soul Merchant, and Blue Collar, Arlo has spent decades building community through music and mentorship. As the current Chair of the Juno Awards’ Rap Advisory Committee, he continues to shape the future of Canadian hip-hop while documenting its past through film and storytelling.

This conversation dives deep into Arlo’s creative evolut...

Duration: 01:24:34

A year after running for Edmonton city council, Jesse Watson returns to Solo Spotlight to talk about life after the campaign.

He shares what the experience taught him — the scrutiny, the pressure, and how it changed the way he looks at politics and people. Ryan and Jesse get into accountability, trust, and the reality of putting yourself out there in a public way.

If you care about leadership, community, or what it’s really like behind the scenes of local politics, this one’s worth watching.

About the Guest

Jesse...

Duration: 01:10:06

In this episode, Ryan MacDougall sits down with fellow host Joey Stoneburgh—the creator and voice behind Prime Joe Time, the newest series under the Spare Bedroom Studios network.

Joey’s journey has been defined by resilience, discipline, and the pursuit of something real. After more than a decade working in corrections, he’s now using his platform to spotlight the kinds of stories that rarely get told—the working-class wins, the late-night lessons, and the everyday people rebuilding their lives with purpose.

This conversation is about how authenticity builds trust, how purp...

Duration: 01:22:29

Before You Vote: Andrew Knack on Edmonton’s Future

In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with mayoral candidate Andrew Knack to talk about what’s at stake in Edmonton’s upcoming election — from affordability and housing to safety, transit, and local leadership.

Recorded in Edmonton, this unfiltered conversation offers real context and clarity for voters who want to make an informed choice.

🎙️ Solo Spotlight – Honest conversations with real people shaping our communities. Hosted by Ryan MacDougall, produced by Spare Bedroom Studios.

#SoloSpotlight #EdmontonElection2025 #AndrewKnack #YEGPolitics

Duration: 01:01:07

If half your commute is just escaping your own neighborhood, this one’s for you.

Jon Morgan (Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi — ih-PEE-koo-kah-nih-bee-OW-tsee) spent 18 years inside ETS (bus → dispatch → LRT control). We get brutally practical about reliable routes, LRT station safety, Southwest choke points (41 Ave, Ellerslie, Heritage Valley), and infill that doesn’t pretend parking and transit don’t exist—plus why Jon’s running independent (serve people, not parties).

Find Jon

Website: https://www.jonmorgan.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonmorganyeg/

Subscribe, then drop your neighborhoo...

Duration: 01:12:44

In this episode, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Troy Pavlek — software developer, civic watchdog, theatre reviewer, and co-host of Speaking Municipally — to unpack Edmonton’s 2025 municipal election and the bigger picture of what’s happening inside City Hall.

Troy shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how local politics really work

Connect with our guest:

Twitter / X: @troypavlek

Personal site: tpavlek.me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troypavlek/

YouTube: @troypavlek

Follow Spare Bedroom Studios

YouTube: @Sparebedroomstudios

Instagra...

Duration: 01:32:09

From the tatami to the coaching floor, Greg Cooper shares the systems that beat motivation, his 24-hour reset when discipline slips, what he’s building at Kodokwai Judo Club, and practical steps for men’s mental health—plus three non-negotiables and the red flags he wants you to avoid.

Topics: judo origins; discipline vs motivation; coaching systems; Kodokwai; MenTELL; mental-health tools; habits & red flags.

Links:

Greg’s IG @coachgreg.cooper;

Kodokwai Judo Club (Edmonton) — site & detailsWebsite: https://www.kodokwaijudo.com/ Kodokwai JudoClub profile (Edmonton Judo): https://edmontonjudo.com/local-clubs/kodokwai-judo-club Edmonton Y...

Duration: 01:31:27

Local government isn’t sexy, but it’s where your life actually changes. Colin Reid walks through what he’s hearing at the door (roads, response times, cell coverage), how he prioritizes “two right answers,” and what a councillor really does (liaison, set priorities & funding; admin executes). We also cover signage rules, social media as a civic feedback loop, and why he’s in for the long game.

Topics: outreach mechanics; rural infrastructure; EMS/RCMP response; cell coverage; budgeting & prioritization; council vs. admin; respectful campaigning; 20-year vision.

Links:

Colin Reid – campaign/contact: https://www.votecolinr...

Duration: 00:57:44

Uncle Hack @DangerCats69 pulls up to Solo Spotlight and we get into the whole arc—oil patch shifts → sketch grind → “Rules of the Patch” blowing up → sobriety reset → first open mic → building Danger Cats → and the infamous 3-venue fail-safe for canceled shows. If you’re chasing stage time (or just love good chaos), this one’s for you.

Guest:

Uncle Hack — Comedian, Danger Cats

🎟 Tickets/Merch: dangercatshop.com

📲 IG: @unclehacks69

YT - @dangercats69

Duration: 01:14:35