The Weird Canadian

The Weird Canadian
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Tired of playing it safe? Feeling boxed-in by the 9–5, mainstream media narratives, or a life that just doesn't fit? Welcome to The Weird Canadian—where smart-but-stuck Canadians come to wake up, break out, and get real. This is your permission slip for weird, wild, soul-aligned living. We’re not here to sugarcoat. We’re here to shake things up—with truth-telling conversations, rebellious ideas, and raw explorations of what it really means to live on your own terms. Like sitting around a campfire with a philosopher, a healer, and a stand-up comic—all trying to burn down the status quo (in plaid). If you're craving something deeper, truer, and way more alive—you belong here. 🌀 It’s time to remember who the hell you are.

  1. 1D AGO

    He Turned Star Trek Fandom Into a Movement for the Future of Space

    Episode Notes In this episode of The Weird Canadian, I sit down with Dan Deevy for a long-form conversation about Star Trek, representation, Gaaays In Spaaace, the Galactic Diversity and Inclusion Con, and the future of space. Dan is an entertainment journalist, interviewer, and community builder whose work sits at the intersection of fandom, storytelling, identity, and cultural change. What starts as a conversation about Star Trek quickly opens into something much bigger: how the stories we tell shape who feels welcome in the future, and how science fiction can influence real-world communities, ambitions, and industries. We also talk about Dan’s path into media, the turning points that shaped his work, the emotional impact of building spaces where people feel seen, and the later conversation around AI, creativity, and culture. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dcbd-7Ytu24 Links mentioned in the episode: Dan Deevy: https://www.dandeevy.com/ Gaaays In Spaaace: https://www.gaaaysinspaaace.org/ Galactic D\&I Con coverage: https://blog.trekcore.com/2023/04/galactic-diversity-inclusion-convention-may-2023/ The Debrief feature: https://thedebrief.org/lgbtq-space-industry/ Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Read transcript

    1h 31m

  2. 3D AGO

    Brimstone: Building a Podcast Empire, AI Warnings, and the Brutal Reality of Entertainment

    Episode Notes What does it take to survive in the entertainment industry for over four decades? This week on The Weird Canadian, Cody sits down with Brimstone—a true Renaissance man who went from child acting on Sesame Street to taking bumps in pro wrestling rings, to building The Grindhouse Radio into a syndicated podcast empire with millions of weekly listeners. Brimstone shares the brutal truth about what it takes to build a lasting legacy. We dive deep into why every creator MUST own their trademark, the looming threat (and opportunity) of AI in entertainment, and the stark difference between a viral social media influencer and a real, grinding entertainer. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creator, or just someone trying to find your lane, Brimstone's 40 years of experience is the reality check you need. Topics Covered: • The "Expressway of Lanes" career strategy • Why actors don't own their brands (and why you need a trademark) • The AI Arena show and the future of digital likeness • Real entertainers vs. fake social media influencers • A legendary backstage story about Stan Lee Links Mentioned in this Episode: • Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKa8EJlMr-I • Check out Brimstone's Autobiography & Projects: https://www.therealbrimstone.com/ • The Grindhouse Radio: https://www.thegrindhouseradio.com/ • Listen to Dana Pereira's Loreplay Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iuDw8h8GfBfNOP6tpvwFO • Stan Lee Presents Legacy Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@StanLeeUniverse/podcasts • Brush Brigade Animated Series: https://brushbrigade.com/ • Chris Notarile / Blinky Productions: https://www.youtube.com/user/Blinky500 Stay weird! Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Read transcript

    58 min

  3. APR 22

    From Chef to AI Founder: Building the "Anti-Social Network" with Joshua "Eli" Pancamo

    Episode Notes He went from running a restaurant to building a voice AI operating system from scratch — all by himself. Meet Joshua "Eli" Pancamo, the solo founder behind Loqui Auris. In this episode of The Weird Canadian, we sit down with Eli to discuss his incredible career pivot and the concept of "Brutalist AI Design." We explore why artificial intelligence shouldn't mimic human emotion, his AI Dungeon Master project, the future of the "anti-social network," and how anyone can use AI to solve real-world problems without a massive team or funding. In this episode, we cover: • [00:00] Introduction: What is Brutalist AI Design? • [02:45] The AI Dungeon Master • [08:41] The Anti-Social Network • [20:34] From Chef to Coder • [26:54] Multi-Parallel Tasking • [41:47] Reconnecting With Your Inner Child • [58:08] Steering the Ship • [62:58] Outro Links & Resources: • Check out Loqui Auris: https://loquiauris.ai • Contact Eli: eli@loquiauris.ai • Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nDEY2xOA-Zk Connect with The Weird Canadian: Subscribe for more conversations on Canadian entrepreneurship and challenging the status quo! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more people find the show. Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Read transcript

    1h 3m

  4. APR 20

    8 Out of 10 E-Commerce Stores Fail. Here's Why. (with Krisztian Kiraly)

    Episode Notes 8 out of 10 new e-commerce stores go bankrupt in their first year. Why? Because they rely on "Hope Marketing" instead of strategy. Today, we're fixing that. In this episode of The Weird Canadian, Cody sits down with Krisztian Kiraly, a digital marketing strategist and International Partnership Manager at OptiMonk. Krisztian breaks down why getting more traffic is a waste of money if your website is a leaky bucket, and how Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) can literally double your revenue overnight. We also dive deep into how small businesses can use $40/month AI tools to completely level the playing field against massive giants like Amazon and Temu. If you're an entrepreneur, founder, or creator trying to survive in 2026, this is the playbook you need. Key Takeaways: • The harsh reality of the e-commerce failure rate • Why "Hope Marketing" is bankrupting small businesses • How to use AI to do the work of a full-stack marketing agency • The math behind CRO and how to double your revenue • Why the "fast fish" eats the "slow fish" in 2026 Exclusive Listener Offer: Get 50% OFF OptiMonk for your first 3 months! Use code WeirdCanadian when you sign up at https://www.optimonk.com/ Connect with Krisztian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-kiraly/ Email: krisztian.kiraly@optimonk.com Support The Weird Canadian: Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A5DxKmMeKXg Website: https://theweirdcanadian.ca Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Read transcript

    45 min

  5. APR 15

    He Stumbled Into Defense Contracting and Now Builds Navy Weapons | Nick D'Ambrosio

    Episode Notes He didn't plan to become a defense contractor. It started with a BP oil spill, a case of mistaken identity, and a one-way ticket to Bahrain. Today, Nick D'Ambrosio is the CEO of NOMADICS, a national defense and geospatial intelligence firm that has worked on virtually every unmanned system in the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. In this episode of The Weird Canadian, Cody sits down with Nick to discuss the realities of building a multi-million-dollar defense firm from the ground up. They dive deep into the ethics of artificial intelligence, the geopolitical forces reshaping North America, and the digital literacy crisis that is quietly threatening the modern workforce. In this episode, we cover: • How Nick went from an ecologist to a Navy unmanned systems expert • The truth about AI sentience and autonomous weapons • Why traditional "boomer knowledge" is becoming irrelevant in the modern economy • The reality of federal contracting and government infrastructure • How to navigate a world that is changing faster than we can map Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/taCzcNiUk2s Connect with Nick D'Ambrosio: Website: https://nomadics.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-m-dambrosio Connect with Cody: Subscribe to the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Weird_Canadian Stay weird! Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Read transcript

    51 min

  6. APR 13

    Why a 30-Year Innovation Expert is Quitting the Industry | Robert B. Tucker

    Episode Notes Is the world speeding up, or are we just not built for this pace? Futurist Robert B. Tucker has spent 30 years advising companies like IBM and Google on innovation, but now, he’s warning that our obsession with "what's next" is breaking us. In this episode, he reveals why he’s backing away from the word "innovation" and offers a new framework for thriving in the chaos. Robert is a bestselling author and legendary keynote speaker who has been tracking the future for over four decades. His latest work, "Build a Better Future," outlines 7 crucial mindsets we must adopt to navigate the age of acceleration and reclaim our human agency. In this episode, we discuss: • Why Robert is officially "backing off innovation" after 30 years • The D.I.T.O. framework (Direction, Implications, Threats, Opportunities) • How to develop the "Futurist" and "Adaptability" mindsets • Why leaders consistently get the future wrong • The Wyoming Story: A lesson in taking massive professional risks Links mentioned in this episode: • Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H146n4qOVtg • Robert's Website: http://www.innovationresource.com/ • His new book, "Build a Better Future": https://www.amazon.com/Build-Better-Future-Navigating-Acceleration/dp/B0FNBPRTQX • Contact Robert directly: rTucker@innovationresource.com • Robert's Forbes articles: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertbtucker/ Follow The Weird Canadian for more conversations on entrepreneurship, authentic branding, and challenging the status quo: theweirdcanadian.ca Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Read transcript

    37 min

  7. APR 8

    I Met Saddam Hussein in My Underwear: Confessions of a CBS News Fixer (with Amjad Tadros)

    Episode Notes The Middle East is on fire, the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and the 2026 oil crisis is here. But what is actually happening on the ground? Former CBS News producer and "fixer" Amjad Tadros joins The Weird Canadian from Jordan to explain the US-Israel war on Iran, the reality of missiles overhead, and why the global supply chain is breaking down. For 33 years, Amjad was the person you never saw on screen—the ultimate insider who made the biggest stories in the Middle East happen. From surviving missile strikes to meeting Saddam Hussein in a hospital bed, Amjad reveals the truth about the Middle East that the mainstream media misses. In this episode, we cover: •The reality of living under missiles in Jordan •The US-Israel war on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz blockade •How warfare has changed and the devastating aftermath of regime change •Finding hope in the Middle East •AI, truth, and owning your story Links Mentioned: •Amjad's Website: https://www.amjadtadros.com •Get his book "The Fixer" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Fixer-Journalists-Accidental-Journey-through/dp/B0G4RFWG9Z 📺 Prefer to watch? See the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9Zodm_bTQEk Subscribe to The Weird Canadian for more authentic entrepreneurship and unconventional ideas! Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Read transcript

    29 min

  8. APR 6

    Why Gen X CEOs Are Failing at Personal Branding (And How to Fix It) with Marina Byezhanova

    Episode Notes What if being your true, authentic self was your most powerful business asset? In this episode of The Weird Canadian, I sit down with Marina Byezhanova, co-founder of Brand of a Leader and pioneer of "Radical Authenticity." Growing up in the Soviet Union taught Marina the dangers of censorship and sameness. Today, she helps Gen X founders and CEOs find their unique voices, stop self-censoring, and build thought leadership that actually drives business results. In this episode, we cover: • Why "hacking the algorithm" doesn't work for real leaders • The critical difference between an Influencer Voice and a CEO Voice • How to handle online criticism and the fear of judgment • Why visibility is no longer optional in 2026 If you've been holding back from sharing your true thoughts online, this episode will give you the playbook to stand out, speak up, and be radically authentic. Connect with Marina Byezhanova: Website: https://www.brandofaleader.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmarina/ Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZHYAsP2yuWc Connect with The Weird Canadian: theweirdcanadian.ca Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Read transcript

    24 min
See All (121)

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Tired of playing it safe? Feeling boxed-in by the 9–5, mainstream media narratives, or a life that just doesn't fit? Welcome to The Weird Canadian—where smart-but-stuck Canadians come to wake up, break out, and get real. This is your permission slip for weird, wild, soul-aligned living. We’re not here to sugarcoat. We’re here to shake things up—with truth-telling conversations, rebellious ideas, and raw explorations of what it really means to live on your own terms. Like sitting around a campfire with a philosopher, a healer, and a stand-up comic—all trying to burn down the status quo (in plaid). If you're craving something deeper, truer, and way more alive—you belong here. 🌀 It’s time to remember who the hell you are.

Information

  • Creator
    The Weird Canadian
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    The Weird Canadian