Show Notes
In this episode, we sit down with Benny. An old friend with a deep history in Toronto’s nightlife scene. From starting in clubs at 17 to becoming part of some of the city’s most iconic venues, Benny shares stories from a wild era, the search for belonging, and how that world shaped his identity. We talk about feeling like an outsider growing up, getting pulled into the chaos and community of nightlife, the battle with addiction, and the road to a clean life. This conversation dives into purpose, self-worth, and the reality that the environments we chase are often tied to something deeper inside us. An honest conversation about finding where you fit, losing yourself, and fighting your way back.
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Learn how to build confidence as a Toronto nightlife photographer with Chris Reign. He shares lessons from two decades of work.This conversation explores the artistic journey behind event photography, specifically focusing on how to capture authentic moments in fast-paced environments. Whether you are just starting out or looking to refine your approach, Chris explains how observing cultural shifts over twenty years can inform your personal style and creative growth.We discuss the practical realities of the industry, including why community support is essential for long-term success. If you are interested in event photography tips or navigating the challenges of a creative career, this interview provides a candid look at the dedication required to sustain a professional practice in a changing city.00:00 - Intro & The Golden Era of Nightlife01:04 - How Social Media Impacted the Club Scene01:40 - Modern Club Stories & The Death of FOMO03:05 - Chris Rain's Photography Roots04:14 - Buying the First Camera & $60 Portfolio Shoots05:00 - The Business & Technical Art of Shooting People06:48 - Using Photo Reposts as a Venue Marketing Strategy07:30 - Treating Nightclubs as Casual Networking Events09:12 - Landing the First Nightlife Gig (Cheval Thursdays)10:14 - Staying in the Room: The Importance of Clean Relationships11:47 - Realizing Self-Worth, Valuation & Scaling Up12:50 - Discovering Toronto Beyond King Street14:22 - The "Fake It Til You Make It" Mindset16:30 - Going Solo in 2012 & Overcoming Set Anxiety18:47 - Iconic Memories: NBA All-Star Weekend (-40°C Maxim Party)20:14 - Why Less is More: Directing a Unified Lens Story21:08 - Creative Direction & Telling a Venue's Story22:15 - Learning from "Photo Will" at Lost and Found24:00 - Navigating Greed and Egos in Nightlife Freelancing25:30 - Ambient Lighting Difficulties in Dark Basements26:30 - Lost and Found Mondays & Unannounced Celebrity Drop-Ins28:26 - The Weeknd Shouts Out Lost and Found28:56 - The External Hard Drive "Club Gems" Folder30:42 - Ranking Toronto's Top 5 Nightclubs of All Time33:55 - Toronto's Historic Rooftop & Taphouse Scene35:00 - How Excessive Table Culture Ruined Modern Nightlife36:10 - Drink Prices & Alienating Gen Z Clubgoers37:00 - The Destruction of the Natural Dance Floor40:10 - Phone Addiction & The Toxic Loop of Digital FOMO41:09 - The Youth Sports Betting Surge & App Addiction42:21 - Gen Z Trends & Dropping Alcohol Consumption44:00 - Operating "For The Plot" & Missing Consequences45:50 - The Rage Bait Era & Toxic Internet Pranks47:50 - The Modern Word "No" & The Gen Z Stare49:00 - Long-Term Repercussions & Mid-30s Realities49:50 - Passing Values Down & Mentoring the Next Generation51:50 - Transitioning into High-End Corporate Events & Supper Clubs53:56 - Crucial Advice for Young Creators & Knocking on Doors55:40 - Screening New Talent & Avoiding Discretion Traps56:34 - Announcing a Future Self-Published Photography Book56:55 - Kirill (The Slut Whisperer) as Inspiration58:20 - Final Advice and Outro
Hear how Shawn Clearsky Davies used endurance running to overcome addiction. Discover his path from substance abuse to the Boston Marathon.In this conversation, Shawn Clearsky Davies shares his personal story of navigating substance abuse recovery. As a member of the Black Lungs and Pace in Mind run clubs, he explains how finding a supportive running community provided the structure needed to pursue long-distance goals. We discuss the discipline required for marathon training and how physical endurance impacts mental clarity.Shawn also provides an honest account of his experiences with psychedelic medicine. He details how these tools played a role in his journey, offering a different perspective on healing and personal growth. This episode is for anyone interested in the intersection of endurance athletics and unconventional methods for overcoming personal struggles.00:00 - Welcome to the Daily Battle Podcast 01:31 - What the "Clear Sky" Documentary is About 01:45 - Heavy Substance Abuse & Isolation During Covid 04:46 - Childhood Trauma, Adoption, and Processing Rage 06:36 - Gaining Weight and Relocating to Toronto 08:03 - Making a Sudden Change: From the Gym to Boxing 10:15 - Sean's First Fight & A Shocking One-Punch Knockout 13:14 - Partying Hard While Competing as an Athlete 15:38 - Joining the Elite "Black Lungs" Run Club 18:10 - Qualifying for and Testing Limits at the Boston Marathon 24:46 - The Dangerous Cycle of Hiding Drug Use Before Races 27:23 - The Ultimate Breaking Point and Hitting Rock Bottom 29:53 - Capturing Real-Time Rebirth on Camera 32:11 - Reclaiming Indigenous Identity & Generational Trauma 37:00 - Running as a Church and Nature Connection 38:14 - Breaking Down Guarded Traumas via Guided Psychedelic Therapy 57:11 - Going Deep: Confronting the Inner Child 01:02:13 - The Profound Spiritual Experience with a Universal Source 01:06:14 - Life-Changing Epiphanies About Death and Healing 01:09:11 - Indigenous Elders' Wisdom: The Feather Analogy & The Ripple Effect 01:12:00 - Documentary Festival Wins and Film Release 01:16:03 - Closing Advice: "Love Heals All"
In this episode of the Daily Battle Podcast, host Connor is joined by Toronto nightlife leader and service industry veteran Erik Sant, widely known as "Dark." The two "doppelgangers" have a candid, high-energy conversation about navigating the brutal realities of the hospitality industry, the challenges of operating successful, culture-driven venues like Locals Only and Laissez Faire in post-COVID Toronto, and the importance of maintaining authenticity and human connection in a corporate-dominated world. They also dive into their personal fitness journeys, shifting from heavy lifting to sustainable health as they head into their late 30s.Follow the show and the guest here:Podcast: @dailybattlepodcastTimestamps:00:00 – Intro: Setting the record straight (Are they the same person?)05:30 – Toronto’s unique talent & Canadian energy09:58 – From auto body to bar manager: Dark’s career path12:54 – Running Locals Only & Laissez Faire16:02 – Corporate vs. Culture-driven: Hiring an "island of misfit toys"19:24 – Personal growth, fitness, and closing thoughts
Today, we are sitting down with an absolute legend in both the skateboarding and hospitality worlds: Rob Dyer. Rob is the inspiring founder of Skate for Cancer, an organization born out of profound personal loss that went on to raise global awareness and funds for cancer initiatives. From skateboarding across continents to touring with massive rock bands to raise money, Rob’s journey is the definition of grit, resilience, and community. But he didn't stop there. Rob eventually transitioned his grassroots hustle into Toronto's thriving culinary scene, shaping beloved local institutions like Bar Poet and Gloria (formerly Astoria Joy). In this deep-dive interview, we unpack everything from the grueling realities of long-distance skateboarding and wild Warped Tour stories to building an unpretentious restaurant culture and the life-changing impact of non-judgmental mentors. "Find what you love and let it kill you." — Rob Dyer If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a skateboarding fan, or passionate about Toronto's hospitality scene, this conversation is packed with real-world wisdom you won't want to miss. Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw conversations with impactful creators!Follow Rob / robdyers4c Follow the DBP on Instagram: / dailybattlepodcast 00:00 – Introduction: Who is Rob Dyer? 01:00 – The Origins of Skate for Cancer: LA to Toronto & Global Tours 02:57 – Getting Face Tattoos in Australia & Becoming "The Coolest Guy" 03:54 – Turning Personal Loss Into Purpose: Rob's Mom and Terry Fox Inspiration 05:38 – The Physical Toll of Long-Distance Skating: Bearings, Balance, and One Giant Muscle 06:53 – Running From the Law & How Mainstream Skate Culture Shifted 10:59 – The Myspace Era, Music Tours, and All Time Low & Billy Talent Support 12:40 – Moving into Toronto's Hospitality Industry 14:22 – The Birth of an Institution: Transforming an Early 1900s Church into Bar Poet 17:01 – Fostering an Unpretentious Staff Culture & Mentoring the Next Generation 18:45 – The Best Arancini and Meatballs in Toronto 21:11 – Ripping Bibles & Championing Troublemakers: The Impact of Life-Changing Teachers 25:13 – Newmarket Roots: Blue Tile Lounge and Growing Up Fast 30:04 – The Grueing Reality of Warped Tour: Tornados, Tents, and Winning Prom Queen 43:11 – Nu-Metal, Hip-Hop, and the Music Spectrum That Defined a Generation 47:59 – Unreasonable Hospitality: Why the New Generation of Restaurant Staff Rocks 52:53 – First Jobs: Kitchen Disasters and the Haunted History of The Grey Goat 56:10 – The Driving Force: Overcoming Northern Ontario Desolation with a Resilient Mindset 58:05 – Falling in Love with Australia & Meeting Tattoo Artist Tammy Kim 01:01:03 – The Australian Accident: Train Trucks, the Outback, and Tearing a Groin 01:03:46 – Testing Limits: New Zealand's Gravel Roads vs. 190km Days 01:07:53 – Red Bull Sponsorships & The Ethics of Extreme Sports Marketing 01:09:16 – Free Solo, Cave Diving, and Knowing When a Thrill Isn't Worth the Risk 01:14:51 – Final Words: How to Go Hard and Pour Everything Into What You Love
Welcome back to The Daily Battle Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Sparks, a mainstay in the Canadian vintage community, owner of Passé Shop, and co-founder of Ottawa’s Fly Market. Jacob takes us on a raw, unfiltered journey through his life—from growing up in Ottawa's center town to navigating the skate, basketball, and hardcore punk scenes, surviving severe substance abuse, and ultimately building a thriving vintage empire. He also drops a massive exclusive about bringing a brick-and-mortar Passé Shop to Toronto's West End by the end of 2026! What We Discuss In This Episode:Early Influences: How a love for basketball, late-90s skate videos, and a sharp-dressed Congolese stepfather sparked Jacob's obsession with clothing. The Hustle Begins: Moving from a bedroom corner clothing pile to handling vendor cash outs at Ottawa's iconic Fall Down Gallery. The Crust Punk Era: Giving Mohawks at 2:00 AM, scraping up cans for 40s of Old English, DIY patched skinny jeans, and the lasting influence of the band Crass. The Evolution of Vintage: Shifting from early sportswear to the pandemic IG Live auction boom, the massive Y2K wave (Ed Hardy & True Religion), and why classic rap tees are pulling in thousands of dollars. Real Talk on Mental Health & Addiction: A candid look into coping mechanisms, dealing with speed, lean, and Xanax, losing close friends to the fentanyl crisis, and choosing a sober, healthy path. The Next Chapter: Moving to Toronto, learning to barber under the wing of the team at Town Barber, and expanding his business footprint. Connect With Jacob & Passé Shop:👉 Follow Passé Shop on Instagram for curated grails: / passeshop Wise Words to Sign Off: "Don't do fent***l. It's bad, all right? It's bad. Stay away." — Jacob Sparks If you enjoyed this deep dive into streetwear history, subculture, and resilience, make sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more raw conversations!00:00 - Intro & Setting the Scene 01:56 - Growing Up in Ottawa & Style Roots 04:42 - Skateboarding & 90s Music Influences 10:10 - High School Thrifting & The Sportswear Era 12:09 - The Crust Punk Era & DIY Fashion 22:43 - Skate Shop Culture as a "Third Space" 29:11 - Pop-Up Roots & Launching Fly Market 33:04 - The Pandemic Boom & Instagram Live Auctions 37:35 - True Vintage vs. The Ed Hardy Y2K Wave 40:13 - High-End Grails: Rap Tees & Polo Collectors 58:25 - Moving to Toronto & Town Barber Apprenticeship 01:06:18 - Severe Substance Abuse & Coping Mechanisms 01:11:02 - Tragic Loss & Navigating the Fentanyl Crisis 01:20:09 - EXCLUSIVE: Opening Passé Shop Toronto 01:21:51 - Final Words of Wisdom