Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall

Spare Bedroom Studios

Solo Spotlight is where real people get real time. Host Ryan MacDougall sits down for unfiltered, long-form conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, athletes, and out-of-left-field thinkers. No scripts, no fluff—just honest stories, hard-won lessons, and the kind of moments you replay later. Expect deep dives, left turns, and a host who actually listens. Episodes run 45–90 minutes and favor substance over sound bites. Recorded in Edmonton, built for anyone who likes their interviews candid, curious, and occasionally spicy. New episodes weekly. Produced and published by Spare Bedroom Studios.

  1. Dogboys on Brotherhood, Sobriety & Edmonton’s Dark Rap Scene

    5d ago

    Dogboys on Brotherhood, Sobriety & Edmonton’s Dark Rap Scene

    Ryan MacDougall sits down with Edmonton rap duo Dogboys for a raw conversation about brotherhood, sobriety, faith, family loyalty, and building an independent music career from the ground up. Dogboys open up about how music brought them closer as brothers, the making of their album When It’s Finally Dark, their early influences, finding their sound, and what it means to create dark, aggressive music with real emotion behind it. They also talk about navigating the Edmonton music scene, live show chaos, performing for small crowds with full energy, why fans bark at their shows instead of clapping, and their long-term dream of building something bigger than music. This episode goes beyond the image and into the story behind the duo: recovery, creative growth, loyalty, faith, independence, and the grind of building your own lane.

    1h 20m
  2. Martin Brooker on Trust, Pressure, and Real Leadership

    Jun 17

    Martin Brooker on Trust, Pressure, and Real Leadership

    In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Martin Brooker, a retired Commodore from the Royal Australian Navy, leadership speaker, coach, and advisor, for a conversation about what real leadership looks like when the stakes are high. Martin joined the Navy at just 15 years old and went on to serve for 37 years, leading people through complex, high-pressure environments. But this conversation goes beyond military rank and career accomplishments. It explores the human side of leadership: earning trust, managing pressure, admitting mistakes, asking better questions, and learning how to lead with self-awareness. Ryan and Martin discuss the difference between authority and actual leadership, why technical skill alone is not enough, how leaders build trust with their teams, what happens when personal struggles affect the way someone leads, and why leadership starts with confronting yourself before expecting others to follow. Martin also shares lessons from stepping into leadership with a crew that had returned from war, the concept of the “accidental leader,” and why the standard you walk past is the standard you accept. This episode is for anyone interested in leadership, team culture, personal responsibility, military experience, emotional intelligence, or becoming the kind of person others can actually trust under pressure. Learn more about Martin Brooker: martinbrooker.com Follow Spare Bedroom Studios for more episodes of Solo Spotlight and The Conversationalists.

    57 min
  3. Why Your Best Ideas Don’t Happen in the Office with David Graham

    Jun 10

    Why Your Best Ideas Don’t Happen in the Office with David Graham

    On this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan is joined by David Graham, founder and Chief Exploration Officer of EDGE3, Master Certified Coach, Royal Roads faculty member, TEDx speaker, and program director at Ivey Business School for Executive Education. David shares his journey from acting and cruise directing to marketing and executive coaching. The conversation explores burnout, career change, the difference between coaching and advice, and why time in nature can help people find clarity. David also discusses his TEDx talk, Why Your Best Ideas Don’t Happen in the Office, and explains why leaders often do not need more information — they need more space. Follow Solo Spotlight for more conversations with people sharing the stories, lessons, and turning points that shaped who they are. If this episode gave you something to think about, leave a rating, share it with someone who could use more clarity, and check out the full video version on Spare Bedroom Studios.

    1h 3m
  4. Illiam on Fake Streams, Confidence & the Craft of Hip-Hop

    Jun 10

    Illiam on Fake Streams, Confidence & the Craft of Hip-Hop

    On this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Edmonton hip-hop artist Illiam for a conversation about confidence, craft, live performance, fake streams, collaboration, and the reality of building as an independent artist. Illiam opens up about his journey from performing as Hades to becoming a more authentic version of himself, the years he spent writing hundreds of songs before feeling confident in his music, and the process behind sharpening his pen through rhyme drills and thousands of pages of rhymes. The conversation also explores backing tracks in live rap shows, soundcheck struggles, touring with Junk, the Edmonton hip-hop community, fake playlist promotion, and the pressure artists face to look successful online before the foundation is actually built. This episode is a grounded look at the work behind the music, the person behind the artist, and what it takes to build something real in independent hip-hop. Follow Solo Spotlight for more conversations with artists, creators, entrepreneurs, and everyday people with stories worth hearing. New episodes continue to spotlight the people building something real from the ground up.

    1h 11m
  5. Summit Fever, Burnout & The Adventure Mindset: Ben Popplestone

    May 27

    Summit Fever, Burnout & The Adventure Mindset: Ben Popplestone

    In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Ben Popplestone, a keynote speaker, strategist, and adventure mentor who brings together two worlds that may seem completely different at first: high-growth corporate leadership and high-risk adventure. Ben has spent over two decades working inside fast-moving technology and e-commerce companies, helping organizations grow, adapt, and navigate change. At the same time, he has built a life around adventure — climbing mountains, trail running, spearfishing, sailing, and exploring environments where pressure, uncertainty, and risk are not just theories. They are real. If you are a leader, entrepreneur, creator, athlete, or someone trying to grow without burning out, this conversation is worth your time. Check out Ben Popplestone: LinkedIn: Ben Popplestone Adventure Mentors: adventurementors.com Email/contact: letsgo@adventurementors.com Subscribe for more long-form conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, athletes, leaders, and people with stories worth hearing. #SoloSpotlight #SpareBedroomStudios #BenPopplestone #AdventureMindset #Leadership #Burnout #PersonalGrowth #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #RiskTaking #LeadershipDevelopment

    1h 5m
  6. Nick VonDub Returns: The Moon YEG, Comedy Chaos & Building a Scene

    May 12

    Nick VonDub Returns: The Moon YEG, Comedy Chaos & Building a Scene

    Nick VonDub returns to Solo Spotlight for Episode 93 — and this one goes deep. Since his last appearance, a lot has changed. The Moon YEG was forced into a major move after the building it operated in was sold, putting one of Edmonton’s most unique comedy spaces at risk. In this episode, Nick breaks down what happened behind the scenes, how the community rallied together, and what it took to keep The Moon alive without missing a beat. Nick is a comic, podcast host, showrunner, and a key part of The Moon YEG comedy community. This episode is part comedy conversation, part behind-the-scenes breakdown, and part love letter to the people keeping local creative spaces alive. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe to Spare Bedroom Studios. Follow Nick VonDub and The Moon YEG to keep up with upcoming comedy shows, podcasts, and live events.

    2h 44m
  7. From the Court to Culture Building: Greg Clink’s Leadership Journey

    May 5

    From the Court to Culture Building: Greg Clink’s Leadership Journey

    In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Greg Clink, a longtime college basketball coach, former head coach of Chico State men’s basketball, and current speaker focused on leadership, communication, and building culture. Greg shares his journey from growing up in California and falling in love with competition, to playing college basketball, coaching for over 30 years, and eventually leading Chico State into one of the strongest Division II programs in the country. Throughout the conversation, Greg breaks down what it really means to build culture, recruit character, develop players, and lead people beyond the X’s and O’s of the game. Ryan and Greg discuss the difference between talented teams and successful teams, how coaches evaluate players beyond skill, why leadership requires humility, and how lessons from athletics translate into business, public speaking, family, and everyday life. This episode is for coaches, athletes, team leaders, business owners, and anyone interested in leadership, culture, accountability, communication, and personal development. If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more long-form interviews on Solo Spotlight. #SoloSpotlight #GregClink #Leadership #Coaching #Basketball #ChicoState #TeamCulture #PlayerDevelopment #SportsLeadership #SpareBedroomStudios #PodcastInterview #CultureBuilding #LeadershipLessons #CollegeBasketball

    1h 3m
  8. From Open Mics to Headlining: Jamie Randall’s Comedy Journey

    May 1

    From Open Mics to Headlining: Jamie Randall’s Comedy Journey

    Comedian Jamie Randall joins Solo Spotlight for the first time to talk about the real work behind stand-up comedy. In this episode, Ryan and Jamie get into his journey from music into comedy, finding his voice on stage, writing and testing new material, bombing in front of a crowd, the difference between open mics and paid shows, and what it takes to move from hosting to headlining. Jamie also breaks down the role of a comedy host, how crowd work can shape a set, why recording your performances matters, and how different comedy scenes — from Vancouver to Edmonton — can force a comic to adapt and level up. They also talk about Edmonton’s growing comedy scene, The Moon Comedy Café, local rooms, upcoming shows, and the community of comics building something real in the city. Jamie gives a shoutout to YEG Comedy Shows, his upcoming professional comedy nights, and The Moon’s new venue. This conversation is a great look into what stand-up comedy actually takes behind the scenes — not just getting laughs, but learning how to write, fail, adjust, and keep showing up. Go support out guest: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_randell/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp7Hgf1A4pN-mfdyzEo29sQ #SoloSpotlight #SpareBedroomStudios #JamieRandall #EdmontonComedy #YEGComedy #StandUpComedy #CanadianComedy #ComedyPodcast #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #LocalComedy #TheMoonYEG #YEGCreators #CanadianComedian #ComedyScene

    1h 33m
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About

Solo Spotlight is where real people get real time. Host Ryan MacDougall sits down for unfiltered, long-form conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, athletes, and out-of-left-field thinkers. No scripts, no fluff—just honest stories, hard-won lessons, and the kind of moments you replay later. Expect deep dives, left turns, and a host who actually listens. Episodes run 45–90 minutes and favor substance over sound bites. Recorded in Edmonton, built for anyone who likes their interviews candid, curious, and occasionally spicy. New episodes weekly. Produced and published by Spare Bedroom Studios.

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