In this episode, we sit down with Chris Sandre, Senior National Manager at the Mark Anthony Group, to talk about brand-building, sports, and fatherhood. Chris shares his journey from studying sports management at the University of Florida to helping lead the Canadian launches of White Claw and Mas+, the new hydration drink backed by Lionel Messi.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Chris opens up about his love for sports—not just as a pastime, but as a powerful way to teach kids about discipline, teamwork, and life. From the field to the boardroom, this conversation dives into how sports shape character and how branding can influence culture.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Chris' experience studying sports management at the University of Florida

• Alcohol consumption behaviours between generations

• The story of White Claw’s launch in Canada

• Bringing Mas+ (Messi’s drink) to the Canadian market

• How sports are a great tool to teach kids about life

• The importance of sports and how they build core life memories

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Stevenson to talk about loss, healing, and fatherhood. Matt opens up about the death of his father by suicide—a moment that changed everything. He shares what it was like navigating grief, the guilt he carried, and how he eventually found a way forward through therapy and inner work.

But this isn’t just a story about pain. It’s about resilience. Matt talks about the promises he’s made to himself, how he’s chosen to show up differently for his own kids, and the importance of being a present, supportive father. His story is raw, honest, and full of wisdom for anyone who’s ever faced loss and wanted to break the cycle.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• How Matt became a narrator for the Toronto Blue Jays

• Reflections on fatherhood, divorce, and showing up for your kids

• Losing his father to suicide and learning to heal

• How Reiki, therapy, and mindset work helped him rebuild

• Stories from his days as a national canoe racing champion

• Matt’s journey into music, voice acting, and public speaking

• Lessons on wealth, legacy, and preparing your family for the future

• Building community through the Burlington Dads and charity events

Episode Description:

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Fox, a longtime Canadian radio host and now the voice behind the hit podcast Scott Fox After 9. With over two decades in radio—most notably at Z103.5 and Energy 95.3—Scott shares how he transitioned from live FM broadcasts to building a national podcast audience.

We explore Scott’s passion for news, politics, and current events, his thoughts on mental health and fatherhood, and how he balances his role as a step-parent. He also shares the journey to getting your own radio show and how he transitioned to having his own podcast show.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

The evolution of Scott’s career from DJ to morning host

Why he left FM radio to launch Scott Fox After 9

The importance of unbiased and thoroughly explained content in today’s media landscape

The public's attitude on Canada's political situation

Navigating mental health and vulnerability as a man and father

Being a step-parent and supporting kids through modern challenges

Behind the scenes with the Toronto Rock and local sports broadcasting

In this episode, we sat down with Dave Knight, a police officer, real estate investor, and financial strategist who is helping first responders build lasting wealth. As the founder of 911 Wealth Network and First Responders Wealth Network, Dave combines his first-hand experience in law enforcement with his deep knowledge of real estate investing and financial planning to help others secure their future. Dave has a hands-on approach to real estate investing, from single-family homes to duplex conversions and larger multi-unit properties. In this episode, we dive deep into how to force equity, smart investment strategies, and where he believes the market is headed—insights that are valuable for anyone looking to grow their portfolio.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• How Dave balances a full-time police career with real estate investing

• The evolution of his investing strategy—from student rentals to multi-family development

• Why he shifted from conversions in Hamilton to ground-up builds in Barrie

• The importance of pivoting in changing market conditions

• The concept of the “missing middle” in housing and why it matters

• Mental health, mindset, and maintaining balance as a first responder

• Why investing in yourself is the first step for new real estate investors

Episode Description:

Jim Germanakos is a man with many stories. His dad said that Jim had done more things by the age of 21 than he had done in his entire life. He has been a NYPD officer, 9/11 first responder, actor, and Super Bowl commercial star. He served as a police officer in New York during the 9/11 attacks. He shares a detail that was missed by many during that time. After years in law enforcement, Jim made the leap into acting, landing roles in major productions like Amazon’s hit series Reacher and appearing in various Super Bowl commercials.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

The story of how he would drive from NYC to Burlington to see his wife.

Serving as an NYPD officer during 9/11

How his experience differed from being a cop to being cast as a cop

Dirty cops in Coney Island

Making the most of every opportunity

In this episode of Shit My Dad Taught Me, we sit down with Richard Fast, the creator of the hit game MindTrap and a best-selling author. Richard shares how a $17 million loss from his failed video game venture led to one of the most successful games in history. He also dives into insights from his books, discussing misconceptions about obesity and how to approach difficult decisions.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

- Navigating a failed video game venture and the aftermath

- The story behind the creation of MindTrap

- Why failure can be the best teacher in business and life

- Insights from Richard’s books on obesity misconceptions

- How to approach difficult decisions with confidence

- What makes a product go from idea to bestseller

- Lessons on staying resilient and adapting after failure

Episode 8: Ryan Gallagher on Addiction, Mental Health, and Resilience As An Endurance Athlete

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Gallagher, a firefighter, mental health advocate, and endurance athlete, to discuss his journey through addiction recovery, overcoming grief, and building resilience. Ryan opens up about the loss of his father at 16, how it shaped his career, and his struggles with alcohol before becoming 558 days sober. He shares how running became a tool for mental clarity and how he's now using it to give back—by running 21 half-marathons in 21 days to raise $21,000 for youth mental health.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• How losing his father led Ryan to firefighting
• The struggles of addiction and the path to sobriety
• The impact of mental health in first responder careers
• How running became a powerful tool for healing
• The importance of finding your support system and true friends
• Ryan’s 21-day running challenge for youth mental health