From early-morning training to late-night recovery, CFL pro Tyrell Richards ( Alouettes de Montreal ) opens up about the realities of life as a professional athlete—how sleep, food, mindset, and community shape everything from performance to personal growth.Presented by Birckenstock in support of the GOAL Initiatives Foundation, this special episode is about more than just football, it’s about building a lifestyle around wellness, resilience, and giving back.🧠 What does recovery really look lik...
Aug 14, 2025•6 min
6’7” forward Abdul Mohamed of the Montréal Alliance joins The 1st Half Culture Show to talk hoops, heritage, and how football culture shaped him off the court. From growing up in a Somali-Canadian household to playing pro basketball across Germany, England, and Norway, Abdul unpacks how sport built his identity, and why football has always been part of his story. We dig into African influence in the global game, how football showed up in every country he played in, and why the streets—not the sy...
Aug 06, 2025•42 min
Canadian media icon and cultural connector George Stroumboulopoulos joins The 1st Half Culture Show presented by Breville, in collaboration with evenko and CULTMTL, for a no-holds-barred conversation about football, music, media, and community. We talk Spurs heartbreak and Bob Marley, why football supporters aren’t just “fans,” how stadiums tell stories, and what it means to live out your values in a system that doesn’t always care. George also drops gems on storytelling, Canada’s evolving ident...
Jul 24, 2025•59 min
Canadian alt-pop artist Emi Jean joins The 1st Half Culture Show to talk about her journey from singing opera at age 7 in Quebec bars to touring Asia, going solo, and performing on the grid at the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix.We dive into her love of football, her Osheaga 2025 stage debut, why storytelling is at the heart of her music, and how discipline and teamwork connect athletes and musicians. Emi also opens up about staying grounded, the pressure of performing, and why her fans feel like ...
Jul 23, 2025•17 min
In this week’s episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, we sit down with Italian-Canadian independent artist Gion, a rising voice in North America’s alt-pop and R&B scene. From charting with “Je Ne Veux Personne” to consulting for major brands, Gion shares how football culture shaped his creative outlook, why identity matters in his music, and what it means to tell authentic stories through art.If you’ve ever felt the connection between football, music, and community — this one’s for you. 🎧 Wa...
Jul 16, 2025•42 min
Fabio & Dan of Bossa MTL join The 1st Half Culture Show to share how their modern Italian café and market became a cultural landmark in Montreal. From their fresh take on Italian street food to building a warm, vibrant community hub, they talk about staying authentic while creating something truly their own. We get into what Italian culture means today, why football and family go hand in hand, and how Montreal’s food scene continues to inspire their work. 🎧 Watch the full episode now — new ...
Jul 09, 2025•29 min
From Romania to Montreal, Robert Rositoiu has dedicated his career to developing young football talent and shaping the future of the game in Canada. As head coach of the Montreal Roses FC, Robert talks about winning in Ligue1 Québec, his time at CF Montréal, and what it takes to build players who can compete on the international stage. ⚽ “Coaching is more than tactics — it’s building people, not just players.” 🎧 Watch the full episode every Wednesday on YouTube & Spotify. Listen wherever yo...
Jul 03, 2025•42 min
From the markets of Haiti to the kitchens of Montreal, Chef Paul Toussaint has never stopped bringing culture, community, and soul to the table. In this week's episode, Paul opens up about why he chose food over football, his deep love for the Haitian community, and how he built a BBQ concept inspired by Texas smokehouses and Caribbean soul.🔥 “When you cook, you should do it with the same love you’d show your family.”⚽ “I love football—but food took me.”🎶 “There’s always a party somewhere in o...
Jun 27, 2025•42 min
🎭⚽ From house league heroics to Netflix screen time — Montreal-based actor, writer, and sketch comic Nir Guzinski joins The 1st Half Culture Show to talk football, acting, and how the city shaped his creative hustle.He opens up about:Getting his start in football with the NDG PanthersDealing with setbacks, including the team not making Triple-AHis dad secretly watching games after being asked not to comeScoring the winning goal in high school and other unforgettable momentsWhy acting is a grind...
Jun 25, 2025•31 min
From university parties to Paris Fashion Week, Schuyler Mota has helped shape Canada’s experiential marketing scene. As President and Co-Founder of CRUEL, he’s led cultural campaigns and branded activations that stretch across Canada and beyond.In this episode of The 1st Half on TSN690, Schuyler sits down with Paul Desbaillets to talk about building CRUEL from the ground up, launching Sports Illustrated’s Circuit Series during F1 Weekend in Montreal, and growing up with football in his DNA. With...
Jun 18, 2025•37 min
🇨🇦⚽ From Wigan to CF Montréal, Tom Pearce shares the ride: growing up near Liverpool, switching academies, getting capped for England, and embracing the poutine life. In this exclusive sit-down, Tom reflects on culture shock, surviving relegation, and how Montreal is reshaping his game. From Full English breakfasts to playing in the Toulon Tournament, this convo runs deep. Plus, we hit him with the fan-favorite "12 Questions"—his takes on fashion, stress, and why his younger brother is his bod...
Jun 11, 2025•28 min
Rocco Placentino’s story is a journey through passion, grit, and grassroots football power. From playing professionally in Italy to becoming Technical Director at CS Saint-Laurent, Rocco is now helping rewrite Canadian soccer's trajectory—one player, one pitch at a time. In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show with Paul Desbaillets on TSN 690, Rocco shares what it was like playing in truffle towns in Italy, how missing a penalty in a promotion final shaped him, and why local moments—like Sa...
Jun 03, 2025•39 min
This week, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Fred and Marco — the beloved faces behind Montreal’s Satay Brothers. From slinging Southeast Asian street food at the Atwater Market to becoming culinary legends on Notre-Dame Street, the boys dish out their origin stories and how football has been a constant thread in their journey.They talk about the multicultural roots of their football passion, the Impact players who used to swing by, and how food, football, and good vibes built a lasting community ...
May 28, 2025•37 min
This week, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Emilio Zaga Mendez, the Senior Branding Manager at evenko and the creative force behind Canada's premier Latin music festival, Fuego Fuego. From his Peruvian roots and football heritage to shaping the visual identity of major festivals like OSHEAGA, Emilio shares his journey of blending culture, sport, and music into unforgettable experiences.Discover how his uncle, Nolberto Solano, a former player for Newcastle United and West Ham, influenced his passi...
May 21, 2025•40 min
In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, comedian and reality TV alum Kevin Lapierre shares how his path from Occupation Double South Africa and Big Brother Célébrités led him to a growing stand-up comedy career.Kevin opens up about his early days working bars, his influences, and how his time in South Africa wasn’t just about reality TV—it also included an unforgettable football experience at Cape Town Stadium. Plus, he tells a wild story about getting too close to AS Roma ultras at the St...
May 14, 2025•35 min
From the Streets of Paris to Football Glory & Mental Health AdvocacyThis week on The 1st Half Culture Show, we sit down with Hassoun Camara, former CF Montréal defender turned speaker, entrepreneur, and TV personality. In this raw and revealing conversation, Hassoun talks about the hustle of trying to make it in Europe, the emotional highs of playing in the CONCACAF Final at Azteca, and the lowest point in his career when he had to rebuild from injury and self-doubt. He opens up about mental...
Apr 30, 2025•35 min
Chef Antonio Park returns to The 1st Half Culture Show to talk food, football, and feeding the world’s elite athletes. From cooking for the X-Men to AC Milan players, Washington Capitals, Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Checo Perez, PK Suban, Thierry Henry, Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau, Nick Suzuki , Alex Albon and international A-List Celebrities to his love for Tottenham Hotspur and his Argentina football roots, this is a conversation that serves flavor and fire. He shares how trust is everyth...
Apr 23, 2025•31 min
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show , former CF Montréal fan favorite and current Columbus Crew veteran Evan Bush joins Paul Desbaillets via call-in for an honest look at life during and after MLS. A 17-year professional, Evan shares deeply personal reflections on overcoming multiple injuries, his transition into front-office roles, and what football has taught him about resilience, identity, and community. From the heartbreak of missing the CONCACAF Champions League Final due to a yellow car...
Apr 09, 2025•36 min
"If I did well, I was supposed to. If I played bad… how could you be this bad? When your dad's that guy and your brother's this guy." — Bradley Wright-PhillipsIn this exclusive Breville-featured episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with MLS legend and football royalty Bradley Wright-Phillips. Presented by Breville in collaboration with evenko and CULTMTL From growing up in one of England’s most iconic football families, to carving his own legacy in MLS with the New Yo...
Mar 27, 2025•39 min
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show , host Paul Desbaillets sits down with Danny Marinelli—co-owner of the beloved Marinelli Brothers Café and the face behind Montreal’s official AS Roma supporters hub. From a legendary family-run business rooted in Italian hospitality to unforgettable moments like seeing Chiellini and Bonucci walk into his restaurant during Grand Prix weekend, Danny opens up about the realities of running a café in today’s ultra-competitive market, staying true to football f...
Mar 26, 2025•31 min
On this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show , Massimo Lecas shares his journey from launching Buonanotte in 1991 to shaping Montreal’s food and nightlife scene for over 30 years . We dive into his vision of blending food, entertainment, and football culture —hosting football legends like Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba , and more. "We feed you, but we also entertain you. It’s about creating an experience, not just serving food," Massimo reflects on his career. We also discuss how Gen...
Mar 20, 2025•34 min
On this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show , we sit down with the Darby Magazine crew , the team behind Canada’s leading independent football publication. They share their mission to capture the untold stories of Canadian soccer, celebrate its culture, and document the sport’s evolution through high-quality storytelling and print media. Key Topics We Cover: 0:00 – The Origins of Darby Magazine & Why Print Still Matters 5:30 – The Rise of Canadian Soccer & The Impact of the 2026 World C...
Mar 12, 2025•37 min
In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show , host Paul Desbaillets chats with Kei Kamara , one of MLS’s all-time top scorers. Kei opens up about his remarkable career, his ambition to play in the 2026 World Cup for Sierra Leone , and balancing family with football. “I want to be the Roger Milla of my generation,” Kamara shares as he reflects on his journey and what’s next.
Feb 19, 2025•37 min
On this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show , host Paul Desbaillets sits down with Chien Champion , the Montreal-based visual artist known for his Nike Dunk Bagel box design, CF Montréal murals, and street art that brings the city to life . What we cover: 0:00 – How the Nike Dunk Bagel collab became a love letter to Montreal 2:15 – The connection between football, identity, and artistic expression 5:30 – His Chilean roots and how family influenced his work 9:45 – From local murals to global exp...
Feb 12, 2025•28 min
On this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show , host Paul Desbaillets sits down with Laurent Courtois , head coach of CF Montréal , to explore his transition from player to coach, his leadership philosophy, and what it takes to succeed in modern football. What we cover: How growing up in Lyon’s street football scene shaped his playing style The pressure of signing a pro contract at 16 and the reality of expectations His transition into coaching and why he wanted to be the coach he never had The c...
Feb 05, 2025•32 min
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, host Paul Desbaillets sits down with Stefano Polillo & Marcello Furgiuele, hosts of Milan Weekly Podcast and key figures in Milan Club Montreal. 🔥 These two die-hard AC Milan fans break down: ⚽ How Milan Weekly Podcast became a go-to for English-speaking Milanisti 🏟️ The rise of AC Milan’s global fanbase & the club’s international brand moves ⚡ The impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Canada’s football culture 👕 AC Milan x Off-White x PUMA—what ...
Jan 29, 2025•41 min
Join The 1st Half Culture Show as host Paul Desbaillets sits down with Jonas Tomalty of Jonas and the Jaguar Moon. From sharing how a dream inspired the band’s name to discussing the creative challenges in today’s music industry, Jonas offers an authentic and captivating perspective. This episode dives into Jonas’ love for football culture, his time in Germany soaking up the St. Pauli and Dortmund fan energy, and the magical connection between music and sports. Plus, hear about his latest album ...
Jan 22, 2025•30 min
To launch the new year, The 1st Half Culture Show collaborates with Soccerex Miami to bring you a conversation with the masterminds behind Lyle & Scott . Celebrating 150 years of British design and their enduring connection to football culture, we dive into their evolution from crafting knitwear in Scotland to becoming a symbol of terrace culture and innovation in football. Discover how their Kits for Clubs initiative is reshaping grassroots football and why authenticity remains at the heart...
Jan 15, 2025•11 min
We'll be back January 15th with NEW Episodes of the 1st Half Culture Show. Until then, enjoy our 12 Questions segment! In the 12Qs with Benoît Gagnon , TV and radio host, entrepreneur, and community advocate, answers rapid-fire questions that reveal his passions, quirks, and favorite moments. From his go-to drink to his dream travel destination, get a deeper glimpse into one of Canada’s most charismatic personalities. 🎧 Watch the full 12 Questions segment now, exclusively on YouTube as of Febru...
Jan 08, 2025•5 min
We'll be back January 15th with NEW Episodes of the 1st Half Culture Show. Until then, enjoy our 12 Questions segment! In the 12Qs, we get an inside look at the personalities behind FLTK Collective —the masterminds curating unforgettable Latin music experiences. From their favorite live performance memories to what inspires their unique style, this Q&A is a glimpse into what drives their passion for music and culture. 🎧 Watch the full 12 Questions segment now, exclusively on YouTube as of F...
Jan 01, 2025•5 min
