Harmonious Gentlemen

Fan-favorite guest Peter Rockhold returns to the Harmonious Gentlemen for a long-overdue catch-up. Starting with the buzz around The Magician’s Nephew trailer and what makes a book-to-movie adaptation work, the conversation naturally pivots to adapting in real life. Peter shares an honest update on moving from Canada to the US, rebuilding community, navigating shifts in his church denomination and personal beliefs, and his recent dating adventures.

Modern life promised us ultimate freedom: instant doorstep deliveries, endless streaming feeds, and frictionless comfort without leaving home. But what did we trade away to get it? In this episode, we dive into the death of “third places”, from local pubs to community halls, and examine how classic sci-fi literature predicted our hyper-connected, deeply isolated reality. Grounded in real-world stats and timeless fiction, we explore why stepping back out into the messy, unpredictable world might be the most radical choice we can make today.

In this episode of the Harmonious Gentlemen, we sit on the porch, shuffle the possibilities, and start brainstorming a custom deck of playing cards designed around the lore, running jokes, and history of our podcast.

What starts as a fun concept quickly turns into a broader conversation about the creative process itself. Beyond suits and card art, we dive into the vulnerability required to put original ideas into the world, the power of artistic accountability, and how turning shared memories into tangible art keeps our creative fires burning.

In this episode, we share our thoughts on the upcoming Alberta referendum. Is this a golden opportunity for modern democracy or an expensive investment in divisive politics? We aren't experts, but we hope to shed some light on the questions we'll all be asked to answer in a few weeks, and demystify the context in which the questions are being asked. Despite some strong feelings, we keep it relatively harmonious and share some laughs along the way. Check out the episode and let us know what you think - and if you live in Alberta, don't forget to get...

Kick off the new season of Harmonious Gentlemen with a deep, candid, and hilarious dive into our complicated relationships with food, drink, dining out, and the wild world of the service industry.

In this season premiere, we’re joined by special guest Rieley, owner of the iconic Alberta restaurants Cilantro and Chive (Lacombe & Red Deer). Together, we pull back the curtain on what really goes into creating a standout dining experience, the psychology behind our favorite comfort foods, and the chaos, passion, and community that drive the modern restaurant scene.

Whether you’re a lifelong food...

Join the gents at Phil’s as they discuss the intricacies of childhood over eggs, bacon, and shredded hashbrowns. They exchange stories, discuss the reliability of memory, and a few philosophical questions as well. How would you define childhood? When does it end? Can we ever get it back?

In this episode, the Gentlemen attempt to reflect, reset, and reharmonize. It’s a casual conversation, meandering between the professional, personal, and podcast aspects of life - but in the comfy taproom of Blindman, they stumble dangerously close to wisdom. Is the world changing in a way that makes it harder to be harmonious? After years of doing this, does anyone even know what harmonious means?

In this special summertime episode, the gents talk about travelling from different locations on the globe. What are your thoughts on travel? Is it something we should all do? How do we travel harmoniously?

What makes someone worth following?

This time, the Harmonious Gentlemen wrestle with the messy reality of leadership. Why do some leaders inspire while others divide? Is leadership earned or simply claimed? Do titles matter, or are the best leaders the people no one notices?

From history to everyday life, the conversation challenges what we think we know about influence, power, and responsibility; and asks whether all of us are leading someone, whether we realize it or not.

In this episode, the gents are joined by Elliot, the funniest teenager in Canada. They talk about the art and sport of improv, and how it makes us into better human beings. It’s a great conversation about openness, vulnerability, and saying yes. Stick around until the end when Elliot coaches Tyler, Chris, and Graham through their first improv drill. It goes about as well as you’d expect it to.

Elliot competed with Lindsay Thurber’s High School improv team, which took home gold at this year’s Canadian Improv Games National Championship.

Follow Thurber...

When did you first realize you were getting older? Was it the gray hairs, the sore back, the changing priorities—or simply the realization that time keeps moving whether we’re ready or not?

In this episode, the Harmonious Gentlemen take a break from Alberta politics to reflect on the experience of aging and ask some big questions along the way. Why do many people report becoming happier as they grow older? What does our culture get wrong about ageing? What can we learn from the world’s longest-lived communities? And how should the awareness of our own mo...

In this episode the gents were lucky enough to sit down with Dr. Jared Wesley, political scientist, commentator, and author of numerous posts on the Substack aptly titled, Decoding Politics. They talk about the need for getting back to the basics of democracy and three rules for helping us all make sense of what’s going on politically. Then, Jared shares about his work with a project called, “Common Ground”, in which he explores what it actually means to be Albertan.

Check out Jared’s Substack at: https://drjaredwesley.substack.com/

In this episode, the Gents are joined by Nate Pike - a paramedic, political commentator, and the creator of "The Breakdown," a popular independent media platform focused on Alberta politics and holding government officials accountable. They discuss his experiences in this field, and the recent proposed changes to Alberta’s electoral boundaries and this impact on our democratic rights. They also talk about his investigation into controversial government medical procurement contracts involving MHCare Medical, which led to a $6 million defamation lawsuit and a temporary court injunction against him in early 2025.

Dogs are known as "man's best friend", but do we know why? It turns out dogs and humans have been evolving together for thousands of years, and it looks like we're in it together for the long haul. The gents dive into various theories of domestication, chemical explanations for bonding, and the ethical challenges of owning a "fur-baby". What does it say about humans that we chose companionship with another species? Why do humans love dogs more than… other humans sometimes? It seems that our canine fellowship has a lot to teach us about harmony.

This episode was originally recorded and released in September, 2022.

Join the gents in their conversation about morality and ethics. First, they try to define the terms and question where these things come from. Then, they dive into different scenarios challenging their sense of loyalty, honesty, and justice.

Thanks to Blindman Brewing, Cilantro and Chive, the King’s University, and Birdy Coffee Co. for sponsoring this episode.

Thanks to Phil’s restaurant for the breakfast.

Thanks to our listeners and subscribers.

In this episode, the gents are joined by Jon Davies - Clinical Counsellor at Social Shift Therapy and Wellness. They explore pressing topics such as mental health, masculinity, relationships, emotions and feeling, resilience, and influences on boys and men. In addition to providing perspectives on these issues, they explore practical tools for supporting adolescent boys and what it means to be a harmonious man in today’s society.

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Learn more about the HuMan project and check out Jon’s Therapy and Counselling Collective at www.socialshiftwellness.com

In this episode, the Gents are joined by Mark and Witty Sandle. Dr. Mark Sandle is a professor of History at the King’s University in Edmonton, and Witty works as a Spiritual Director. They discuss the challenge and importance of navigating difference in our lives and relationships. Some look forward, while others look back, for hope and inspiration. What can we do to foster long-lasting, fruitful relationships, when it feels like we aren’t even looking in the same direction?

Dr. Jeffrey Dudiak is Professor of Philosophy at The King’s University in Edmonton, one of Tyler’s favourite teachers of all time, and a great podcast guest. In this episode, the second in what they’re calling, “the King’s Series”, the gents explore the definitions, challenges, and applications of truth and wisdom in today’s world.

Part One of the King’s Series with Jonathan Nicolai-deKoning. In this episode, the gents sit down with Jonathan to talk about justice, mercy, humility, and his role as Program Director for the Micah Centre at the King’s University in Edmonton.

Explore Justice and Development through King’s Micah Centre

Through internships, special lectures, experiential learning, relationship building, and more, the Micah Centre at The King’s University explores ways of seeking justice in today’s local and global contexts.

The resources and activities of the Micah Centre are open to all students a...

Andrew Wakefield’s 1998 study linking the MMR vaccine to autism sparked one of the most influential—and damaging—public health controversies of our time. In this episode of Harmonious Gentlemen, we unpack how flawed science, media amplification, and misplaced skepticism helped popularize vaccine hesitancy. This is a conversation about evidence, accountability, and why responsible science communication matters now more than ever.

NOTES AND RESOURCES:

Overview

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3136032/

Wakefield Study

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(97)11096-0.pdf

https://share...

‘Twas a cozy night in Lacombe, and the Gents and their families reflected on the year that was while looking ahead to the year that will be. In this short, but special, episode you’ll hear a few additional voices with unique perspectives on what’s truly important.

Why is doing the right thing together so hard? In this episode, we’re joined by Ross Smillie, who brings wisdom and clarity to a conversation about collective action—its promise, its pitfalls, and its unintended consequences. We dig into the Tragedy of the Commons, real-world examples of shared responsibility breaking down, and what this means for everything from environmental issues to social change. A thoughtful, grounded discussion about why cooperation matters—and why it so often fails.

This episode is a bit different. Recently, the Gents were asked by their friends at Red Hart Brewing to host their famously-fun quiz night. This sounds like a lot of fun, and it was, but it’s difficult as well. With the pressure mounting, the Gents got together to go through their trivia questions in preparation for the great event. They don’t discuss much, and aren’t challenged to be harmonious, but they ask a lot of medium-to-hard questions about people and their accomplishments! If you like trivia, this episode is for you - it’s designed for you to p...

As miscellanea means, in the usual sense, “a miscellaneous collection of different things”, a single miscellaneum is logically impossible because variety and diversity (in their usual senses) are attributes of groups of things, not of individual things; for example, a populace can be varied and diverse, but a person cannot be various or diverse. Nevertheless, this is an episode about a miscellaneous collection of different things.

To put it simply, we’ve been going through some stuff lately, and hope, whatever it is, has been difficult to find. Where does hope come from? What happens when it runs out? How can we turn things around? Can hope exist without a little bit of despair?

Want to win a prize pack? Become a subscriber to our Substack and fill out this short (2 minutes) form about hope. It’s the one Chris sent to Tyler and Graham in preparation for the episode.

Wiebo Ludwig was a fiercely committed anti-oil and gas activist who moved his family to Trickle Creek in northwestern Alberta to live simply and resist what he saw as the destruction of the land. In the 1990s, his confrontation with the oil industry escalated into a series of controversial events that divided Canadians. Was he a defender of the environment or a dangerous extremist? His story forces us to wrestle with uncomfortable questions: How far should protest go in the face of perceived injustice? When does conviction cross the line into violence? And what do we risk, or gain...

The internet has changed the world in so many ways: Politically, socially, and economically. Our lives are very much “online” these days, and there isn’t really anything we can do about it. The internet is extremely powerful, but is it moving civilization forward in a positive way? Is the technology we use every day getting better, providing a more efficient service, or improving our lives? Does the internet open doors or does it have us trapped? It seems like a topic we’ve touched on over the years, but this time we’re diving in a bit deeper - thanks t...

We (Graham and Tyler) got together to chat about the ongoing teacher strike in Alberta. The intent of this episode is to shed light on current events from the perspective of local educators, ourselves included, and to provide some context for our non-teacher listeners. The topic hits close to home for us, and challenges our ability to remain harmonious, but we try. Our desire is to be honest, transparent, and hopeful throughout - this last part being the most difficult - and we hope the episode is helpful. Thanks to our colleagues who shared their thoughts on short notice...

This episode is about slowing down, reflecting on the past, and looking to the future. We’re on the edge of a new Harmonious season, and, before we dive in, we feel like we need to figure a few things out. Why are we doing the things we are doing? What’s the point? Are we living up to our own expectations? We talk about the podcast, of course, but extend the conversation to relationships, careers, and pursuits beyond this silly hobby we have.

If you could hang out with anyone for one hour, who would you choose? Is there anyone you would refuse to spend one hour with? What's the most harmonious response to these questions?

Thanks to our sponsors: Blindman Brewing (blindmanbrewing.com), Cilantro and Chive (cilantroandchive.ca), and the King's University in Edmonton (kingsu.ca) for being the best.

In this episode, the gents discuss anger. From mild annoyance to volcanic rage, how do we harness the potential of these emotional responses and use them harmoniously. Are we too quick to express our displeasure or do we bottle up our feelings and burn up inside? Is anger something we should avoid or embrace?

Let us know what you think about this episode. How angry did it make you? What can we do better? What are we doing well? What should we talk about next?

Photo by Nik on Unsplash

Big thanks to...

In this episode, the gents discuss Schadenfreude - feeling pleasure as a result of others’ misfortune. They talk about the Coldplay Kiss Cam Incident and dive into the the societal forces that create such a phenomenon. Is it ethical? Is it moral? Is it harmonious to feel joy when others suffer? Oh yeah, Peter is on this episode too!

Every good podcast needs to have a pig episode. Francis the pesky porker caught the attention of Central Albertans when he escaped his intended fate and remained a fugitive for nearly five months. Learn more about this pig, and much more on this unique episode with the gents.

In this episode, the gents discuss friendship. What does it mean to be a “good” friend? Why does it feel like we don’t have any friends? Are the Harmonious Gentlemen BFF’s?

Thanks to our sponsors:

Blindman Brewing

The King’s University

Cilantro and Chive

And a special thanks to Phil’s Restaurant in Red Deer for the breakfast.

In this episode, the gents discuss what it means to be proud of your country, province or city. Is it “good” to be patriotic? Or is it Harmonious to be less so? Considering world events and current political tensions, there’s lots to talk about.

In this episode, the gentlemen roll up their sleeves—literally—to donate blood and reflect on the life-saving impact of this simple act. Along the way, they explore the fascinating and sometimes unsettling history of blood donation, from ancient superstitions to modern science. Why do we give? Who benefits? And what does it say about our collective responsibility to one another?

In this episode, the gentlemen tackle a word that often sparks discomfort and debate: privilege. What exactly is it, and how does it differ from power? Is privilege inherently unjust, or can it be used for good? Through honest reflection and respectful dialogue, we explore the many forms of privilege—racial, economic, social, and beyond—and examine the roles they play in our lives. Can we acknowledge the advantages we have without guilt? Would a world without these imbalances be more just—or simply more complicated? Join us as we ask not just what we have, but what we’re willi...

As Canadians head to the polls, the Harmonious Gentlemen sit down with Natalie Appleyard, Socio-Economic Policy Analyst at Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ), to talk about what it means to build a more just society—together. Recorded live at Blindman Brewing, this episode blends honest storytelling, policy insight, and community-minded reflection. What role can ordinary citizens play in shaping a fairer future? And how do we move from polarization to shared purpose? Tune in for a thoughtful conversation over a well-crafted pint.