The Generators with Trent McClellan

Dwayne De Rosario is one of the best soccer players Canada has ever produced. He was always a legit threat to score a goal or create a chance for all the clubs he played for including Toronto FC as well as being a constant offensive presence for the Canadian National Team. Dwayne and I discuss how looking back on your childhood can be therapeutic as he's done in his new book DeRo: My Life. You'll learn plenty about him in this chat regarding his motivations and mentality. Here we go! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. David Suzuki has been showing us ways to be kinder to the earth and wildlife since I was a kid and at 85 years of age, he still displays the same passion for his work. This episode shows a more personal look at the man behind the science and he reveals what keeps him going. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just me rambling this week in a solo episode as I go off about the European Champions (that's soccer for you who don't know), the beauty of short-distance day trips, ill-timed construction, and how summer has a slow leak. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tragically Hip guitarist Rob Baker joins me this week and we get into the band's artistic process and work ethic. He describes his early relationship with the guitar plus the Hip's mentality when touring and recording. I ask some questions from listeners but we learn what Rob's musical plans are going forward. This is a rare look inside the workings of Canada's most iconic band through a very open and honest conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One piece of advice has served me well in my career and I share that this week. I also take some time to reflect on the life of the late comedian Kevin Mcgrath. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Geoff Mackay is a talented standup comic out of Ottawa who I met many years ago. Geoff has always been a very together guy and even then he gave me the sense he would go on to do bigger things. Although he still has a foot in the standup world, he's gone on to found a new clean tech company called The Aggressive Good which looks to change how bulk products are distributed in grocery stores. This new system is far more economical and much better for the environment. Find out how Geoff is not just looking to make us laugh, but also making us rethink our grocery store experience. Do it up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barry Katz has managed some of the most talented comedians in the business namely Dave Chapelle, Bill Burr, Dane Cook, and Whitney Cummings. He was also an Executive Producer on the long-running series Last Comic Standing on NBC. Barry shares the secret to making a successful career in show business. If you wanted a glimpse into the business side of an art form then this episode will provide it. This is a fascinating chat about some of the greatest of all time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joey Serlin and Daniel Greaves are one half of The Watchmen and 100 percent of the new duo Serlin Greaves. Both guys felt they had fresh songs in them and it spiraled into a brand new album called Sad Songs For Sale. I've heard the album already and I honestly think it's some of the best work they've done to date. It's beyond catchy but non-repetitive with various changes of pace and arrangements. We get into the origins of this new project and walk through each track individually. This is as up close and personal as I've ever seen these two so if you're a fan you'll really enjoy this one. If you're not already, then you will be. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Lisa Moore takes us inside life as a writer on this episode. She shares her process and her journey to creative work. We met during my time on the show Canada Reads back in 2013. I defended her book February and it won the competition but she's gone on to write more amazing books and plays. In addition, she paints and is a professor at Memorial University. Today we chat to a true artist! Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I share a story that I've not told too often. Many people know about my first experience on stage but not about how I finally decided to become a full time comedian. Even when you know what you want to do with your life it can be terrifying to chase it with no safety net. My decision to leave a steady job and dive into standup comedy was definitely not an easy one.In this episode I take you inside my decision and inside my head at that point in my life. The biggest decisions come with the biggest doubt. Enjoy and thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arthur Simeon is a Ugandan-born, Toronto-based comic who is as funny and clever as comedians get. We met several years ago in Ottawa and hit it off right from the start. His standup special The Blackest Panther is available now and playing to rave reviews. If you need some laughs, then this episode is for you as we get into the oddness of comedy club dynamics and how fragile a comedian's set can be. Basically, you're about to listen to two friends catch up who happen to be comedians. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natasha Staniszewski is a sports broadcaster from Edmonton, Alberta. She's best known for her ten years on TSN as an anchor on SportCentre. We get into her early life and how she had to recalibrate her career goals after graduating with a business degree. Find out why she was willing to leave what she knew to follow a brand new career. She also reveals why she decided to travel to different cities to hone her craft and what her plans are after her surprise departure from TSN. You've heard her tell you the score for many years but now let her tell you her story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Jennifer Chung earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and completed residency training at New York University Langone Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. She is currently a physician at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati specializing in many areas including non-surgical spine and musculoskeletal medicine and regenerative medicine. We talk candidly about a million things including the Asian experience in America, the Covid-19 vaccine realities, and how empathy is vital to being a good doctor. This might be as interesting and informative a conversation as you'll hear this week! Enjoy and have a great week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Leslie is a broadcaster who acts as the fan's eyes and ears for all that happens with the Calgary Flames. Ryan's job is to walk the line between asking the questions fans want answers to, while also maintaining trust with the Flames players and management. We learn about Ryan's road to this unique job at Sportsnet and how he approaches his work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kris Versteeg has won two Stanley Cups and has had a long career in the NHL. He reveals how much of his success is the result of some mental training he did very early in his career. Kris believes the Blackhawks team in 2010 had a certain swagger that led to their success and how coaches trusted players in the moment to change the game plan. We also get into what all players want from a coach in terms of communication. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we change it up with an episode called “He Said, She Said.” Christine Goudie and I give our advice on advice! How do we handle it? What's the worst we've received? What's the best? How do you offer it? Hope you enjoy this one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laurie Kilmartin has been doing standup since 1987 and has appeared on CONAN, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Comedy Central. Her Seeso special "45 Jokes About My Dead Dad" made Vulture's list of Top Ten Comedy Specials of 2016. She's written two books, Shitty Mom (2012) and Dead People Suck (2018). She is currently a writer for CONAN on TBS, and previously wrote for Tough Crowd w/Colin Quinn (Comedy Central) and The Late Late Show with Craig Fergusion (CBS). She has also appeared at the Montreal Comedy Festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I take you back and behind the scenes of the first 12 episodes of the podcast. We started TGP back in May of 2017 and hit the ground running with a dozen great guests. Today I recap each episode, tell you the lead-up to each one, describe the episode that had to be done a second time, and my mindset going into each chat. If you are just discovering this podcast then this episode is a great guide to the early shows. Tell your friends and share on your socials because there's some great stuff for everyone in the first 12. Enjoy the inside stories! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ron Maclean has been the face of hockey and broadcasting in Canada for 35 years. Such an iconic and lengthy career brings with it many experiences that shape a life. Ron and I discuss his early days in radio, his influences, work ethic, and how now is a time to listen instead of talk. I think this is a side of Ron you may not have heard before because even though we talk a little about sports, we talk more about life and how we've both tried to navigate the valleys of public opinion. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Russell Kennedy is a physician and a stand-up comedian. For many years he was doctor-by-day, comedian-by-night. Dr. Russ is also a neuroscientist who specializes in an atypical approach to treating anxiety. In his interview with Trent and in his newly released book Anxiety Rx, he talks candidly about his own healing from decades of anxiety, resulting from the trauma that resulted from growing up with a dad who suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They also discuss why there is so much anxiety in the world, why men suffer in silence, and the steps both men and women we can take to ease the emotional pain they feel in this challenging time in human history. Dr. Kennedy says laughter is truly the best medicine unless you have an STI and then he says Penicillin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Brown is a broadcaster, producer, and comedy writer/performer based in Edmonton. During his successful 25-year career with CBC Radio, he hosted local and national shows and led the creative team on the award-winning national comedy program The Irrelevant Show. He may be the only person who's appeared multiple times on both Ideas and The Debaters. In his post-CBC life, Peter has been speaking and emceeing conferences and events, writing comedy, and producing podcasts among other things.His radio documentary about the science of laughter, Laughing Matters, aired across North America in November. You can find it here:https://castro.fm/episode/q7K0Si?fbclid=IwAR0xRQwwio1a482cK3GDOhiRgqIWQpYFxipuXmeMRb9aF1720DoqKmNiey8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Virzi is a standup comedian out of New York who is known for his standup special "Bill Burr Presents Paul Virzi, I'll Say This" on Comedy Central and his podcast "The Virzi Effect." He opened for Bill Burr and realized he wanted to keep taking his career to a new level. This hour is a candid conversation about following your gut, believing in your potential even when you're having success, and battling your insecurities. This one will fire you up to start 2021 so enjoy my chat with Paul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todd Ness is a comedian out of Calgary who has really started to make a name for himself. Much of his success is attributed to talent obviously but his work ethic and self awareness has pushed him to another level. He seems to always have great new material but is also constantly looking for new ways to create. His latest endeavor is the Nessin' Around Podcast which sees Todd comedically go off on whatever has happened to him that week. Check it out where podcasts live and check out our conversation about the undeniable work that goes into being a comedian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two of the funniest comedians in the country have joined together to create their own hilarious podcast. The Microdose Comedy Podcast is the creation of Paul and Damonde and is heading into its second season. These two have both done all there is to do in the Canadian comedy world as well as being major acts on the Snowed In Comedy Tour. We catch up and share some old comedy stories on the fun episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joshua Green is the CEO of MYSA Smart Thermostats out of St.John's, Newfoundland. Josh and his brother created a successful tech company that has come out of the gates flying. Through some creative product marketing and customer engagement, MYSA found a way to make an idea a reality. This episode provides insight into the wild world of entrepreneurship and proves once again that an idea is not enough. Execution is king. I promise you'll be smarter after this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bob Saget is a comedian, actor, director, and executive producer in Los Angeles. Bob is best known for his role as Danny Tanner on Full House and Fuller House. He was also the host of America's Funniest Home Videos and the director of the film Dirty Work. Bob also published the book "Dirty Daddy" and has his own podcast called "Bob Saget's Here For You." This was our first time chatting in many years and it was cool to see him doing so well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christine Goudie is the CEO and Co-Founder of Granville Biomedical. Her company is looking to transform women's health simulation and medical device design. The company has also gone into swab design to combat the global Covid-19 pandemic.Christine tells us about her journey to starting her own company and reveals lessons learned along the way. You'll be inspired after this one and may just want to follow your own dreams as a result. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry Dee is a hugely successful comedian and actor out of Toronto. He is currently the host of Family Feud Canada and was the star and creator of Mr. D which ran for eight seasons on CBC. He was a finalist on Last Comic Standing on NBC and has three one hour comedy specials. Gerry has had an incredible career in entertainment and always seems to pop up with a new project. We catch up in this chat and Gerry reminds me of the time he pranked me in front of a thousand people. We have plenty of laughs in this one but also have some interesting reflection on our careers. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Wright joins me this week on the podcast and we go deep on a ton of stuff! Matt is an incredible standup and writer and he joins us from St.John's, Newfoundland . His latest special Existing Is Exhausting is out now and he just finished a killer bunch of sets at the Halifax Comedy Festival. He's appeared at Just For Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and appeared on The Debaters on CBC Radio. He's made two short films as well. The films Snowstorm Roulette Snowstorm Roulette received high praise in film competitions. We get into meditation, comedy, and dealing with career anxiety. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda Brooke Perrin joins me this week and we discuss her versatile comedy career. Amanda is a talented standup comic and writer originally from Calgary but now living in Los Angeles. She started in the front office of a comedy club and has gone on to make her way through the business in fine fashion with performances at Just For Laughs and JFL 42. She's also become an accomplished writer for projects with Netflix, HULU, CTV, and CBC. Enjoy our chat as we get all caught up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Abdu Sharkawy is an infectious disease expert out of Toronto. He has been on the front lines to see much of the damage caused by Covid-19. I ask him some straight up questions about this virus and he prescribes the long way forward. He debunks some popular theories and warns us of the danger of social media. This episode is light on laughs but heavy on learning and I'm all about that right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Critch joins me this week on TGP and even though I know him, I learn plenty. Mark has just begun his 18th year on This Hour Has 22 Minutes and is coming off an extraordinary run with best selling book "Son of A Critch." He has interviewed several Prime Ministers and traveled all over the world in search of a comedic moment. Find out how he approaches his work as well as why doing what you love is vital to happiness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Power is best known as the host of the program "Q" on CBC Radio, but you'll know far more about him after this deep chat. He's a talented musician as well and a member of the band "The Dardanelles" who have quite a loyal following of their own. Tom reveals how the tone from his guests has changed this year, how he fell in love with music, and what he looks for in the guests he talks to each week. He chats to me in between days where he spoke to Alanis Morrisette, John Bon Jovi, and Jerry Seinfeld so I felt right special! I like this one a lot and I think you will too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Steve Patterson joins me this week on TGP. Steve is the host of the popular CBC Radio show The Debaters and is one of the most successful comedians working in the country right now. Steve lets us in on his start in standup, early lessons learned, and the inspiration and process of writing his upcoming new book “Dad Up". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Buddle is a fantastic standup comedian and writer currently living in Vancouver, BC. She began her standup career at 15!!! It was a wise choice as she's gone on to perform at Just For Laughs and is also the first ever female to win a Juno Award for Comedy Album of the Year! Sophie has been a writer on 22 Minutes for the last number of years and is working on her own show ideas as well. We catchup to this busy lady and find out what she's been up to over the last bunch of months. It's a lot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Roberts is a Canadian rock and roll man out of Montreal. His crew, The Sam Roberts Band have had countless hits over the last two decades and are one of the best live acts I've experienced. I caught up with Sam via Zoom in Montreal and we get into the vibe the world is in right now. His new album is out October 16th and is available now for pre-order. I've got an advanced copy of it and it's literally an open letter to the times we're living in. The lyrics are full of nostalgia and the music is packed with great riffs. Check it out but first hear the story behind the album right here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former NHLer Matt Stajan joins me this week on the podcast. Matt played for the Toronto MapleLeafs and then the Calgary Flames. He joined me from his home in Calgary and we got into his early career, life for the Calgary Flames in the playoff bubble, how the trade from Toronto to Calgary affected him, and the importance of players believing in each other and their coach. Enjoy and thanks for listening Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali Hassan is a great standup comedian and actor who's really built an impressive career in Canadian entertainment. He's had numerous roles in film and television as well as hosted Laugh Out Loud and Canada Reads on CBC Radio. He's toured his highly successful show "Muslim Interrupted" across Canada and starred on the Just For Laughs "Comedy Night In Canada" Tour.  We catch up and talk about how he started in the biz and found his way. He also drops some game-changing advice for people looking for their own road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nathan Macintosh is a killer standup from Canada currently living in New York City. He's performed at every major Canadian comedy festival and gone on to make big waves in the United States. He's appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Conan. This episode is really just two comedic pals catching up but it may be just what you need. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quinn Teecham is an actor, photographer, and podcaster living in Calgary. She is one of the stars of the new indie film "February's Dog" which has made a huge impact in the international film world and has been an important gateway for discussions around mental health. Quinn has furthered this discussion with her podcast that encourages guests to talk about their own personal journey to maintaining their mental health. Quinn is always seeking new challenges and she'll share what's up next for her as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is MOMENTUS because it marks my first ever returning guest in RORY SCOVEL! Rory is an amazing comedian, actor, and now producer! He has a new show called "Robbie" which is available on YouTube right now. Rory stars in the show with his wife Jordan and he PRODUCES it. Robbie is based on a character he had come up with many years ago. This show brings us into the world of this insecure basketball coach and reveals his ability to cope or not cope. We talk about surviving this uncertain time and trying to figure out who the hell we are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hockey's Almost Back with Brian Burke!You know him as a stern, gruff, wearing a tie like a scarf character but you will know far more about him after this episode. Brian Burke has been in management with the Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Calgary Flames. He's now stepped over to the broadcasting world but he's just as opinionated as ever! I like when interviews reveal another side of someone you only get to see on TV. You'll enjoy this talk and learn more about the person behind the personality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week there was nothing else I could think about. I reached out to some of my black friends in the Canadian comedy community and wanted to hear their honest experiences. Aisha Brown, Kenny Robinson, Arthur Simeon, Sterling Scott, and myself share what we've experienced in this country as black people and ponder what the next steps are. This discussion is raw and honest as reality often is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jill Maria Robinson does it all. She acts, has her own magazine called "I'm Here With Magazine” and has her own podcast. We actually met for the first time at a liquor store in Calgary but we'll get into that. This chat is mostly about mindset and learning some cool things about each other. We also discuss a new film she's in called February's Dog which has a focus on mental health. Press play and enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaaaaaaand we're back!Brendan Dunlop is a popular sports broadcaster from Windsor,Ontario and has been giving us the score on our TVs for years. Brendan takes us back to his early days growing up and trying to find his way career wise. We break into why The Last Dance documentary series was so amazing and more importantly: why do  sports networks air dog shows! This episode's got some funny and some serious so do check it out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The importance of self care on the road with Cory Tetford. Relentless travel is a challenge that many performers have to navigate. Musician and producer Cory Tetford talks about what he does to stay well on the road and why he walked away from his former band Crush. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I'm joined by musician and producer Cory Tetford. We go deep on creativity, the myth society has sold us, and how to listen to your inner voice. This is a great chat that I think many need to hear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I take your questions about standup comedy and the entertainment biz. I give my honest answers about how to recover from bad sets, helping others in the industry, finding your voice on stage, and other questions. Hope this helps and entertains ya! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue my chat with Cavalry FC player Nik Ledgerwood. We discuss the first season for Cavalry FC and the special moments the team enjoyed plus the culture that has been put in place for next season....and I do mean "built." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy 2020 everyone! We kick off the year with a great soccer chat with Cavalry FC standout Nik Ledgerwood. Nik has played pro soccer in several different countries but started in the Lethbridge minor soccer program. This is a Canadian soccer success story and in part one we see how he got his start and what his mindset was from an early age. Anyone interested in what it takes to be a pro athlete should take a listen. Nik walks us through it all in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Sir is a former college basketball star who's had an interesting road to the standup comedy world. Now living in New York City, Henry has gone all-in on his comedy career and we discuss his unique journey in this episode. We'd never met before but I really appreciated how vulnerable he was in this chat. I think you'll like this one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.