The Constant Struggle

Happy New Year #Strugglies! A new year is upon us, and for your friendly neighbourhood podcast hosts; Nick Watson (@fivestergram) and Brie Watson (@briewats0n), that means fresh new Lighthouse Words!  (or "Words-of-the-Year.") YAY!!!!! Brie's frankly happy to be done with last year's word & Nick's new word has its very own mascot. Intrigued? Take a listen & check in with your trying-to-be-creative-in-this-busy-late-stage-capitalist-nightmare buddies as we update you on the Tank Fillers & of course the Struggles as we head into 2026 with space heaters to reignite the creative fire. Take a listen & if you feel so inclined, let us know YOUR 2026 #WOTY!   We also want to take a moment and remember our dearly departed friend Robert Ariss Hills, whose art is our cover-image and whose humour and kindness we're grateful to remember always. Check back on this episode we recorded with Rob from his hospital room back in 2016.   Key Creative Tips:   "Pay attention to the world around you, look after yourselves and don't be a ..."   Nick's Update: The Hobbit, amplified. Brie's Update: Sweet, sweet winter vacation sleep.   RESOURCES:   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.   #StruggleOn

So what’s next? That’s the question of the episode in this edition of #StrugglePod. You’ll have to tune in for a bit more context. Co-hosts Nick Watson (@fivestergram) and Brie Watson (@briewats0n) are entering the dark, chilly, Canadian Winter, putting up their Ws where they can (dress for the job you want!) and bemoaning the struggles (passing out in a high school gymnasium,) along the way. Please enjoy this fun new episode from your favourite struggling siblings.   Key Creative Tips:   Reading is good. Get out in nature!   Nick's Update:   Uniqlo (sponsorship please?) & 2 books at the same time.   Brie's Update:   CoPs, Buffalo & Icarus   Special Shout Outs this week:   Dillon’s Distillery Stratford’s Savour and Sip Beau Chapeau Mighty Niagara Film Fest    RESOURCES:   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.   #StruggleOn

It’s hard for co-hosts Nick Watson (@fivestergram) and Brie Watson (@briewats0n), and brand new guest-host Michael Cervix, to get away from the excitement of the Blue Jays yes-anding baseball to chat creative projects, but nevertheless, they persist! Nick’s hunkering down to get some editing done, while squeezing out the last few moments of golf for the year and Brie’s getting more reps in and rehearsing a new show set in 1812 with a brand new cast and a refilled tank.   (Apologies for the crappy quality of Brie’s mic. She thought she was using her good one, but turns out, ooops.)   Question of the Episode: How are you getting ready for cold-weather creativity?    Key Creative Tips: Get inspired. Watch the Blue Jays. Use it (the moment) or lose it.   Nick's Update:   Baseball, Bob Dylan & Burning down social media.   Brie's Update:   So much tank-filling that her car’s starting to demand some time off. 1812 Improv coming JANUARY 2026.   RESOURCES:   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.   #PartyOn  

Host Nick Watson (@fivestergram) and Brie Watson (@briewats0n) reflect after respectively busy summers: one filled with parental obligations and the other with increased tourism volume. But with Back to School season comes a renewed sense of responsibility towards our creative endeavours, and in some cases, brand new projects and directions. Tune in to see where these creative siblings are headed next.   Key Creative Tips: Social Media is dead. Nick's Update: Golf! Baseball! Parenting! Editing..? Brie's Update: Improv Burnout. (In recovery.)   RESOURCES:   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting. Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.

Host Nick Watson (@fivestergram) graciously allows his co-host Brie and her cast-mates: Dan Dingwall, Dina Senior & Heather Eyman, on this episode to chat about their upcoming production at the Hamilton Fringe Festival: What If? Improvising Your Alternate Universe.  The improvised comedy premieres Thursday, July 17th at The Staircase Theatre in Hamilton, upstairs in the Brightroom, and features a number of talented (and some familiar to the podcast) storytellers: Lacie Victoria, Devin Bateson, Peter "Fry" Mitchell, Luz Buchanan, Natasha Boomer, Jo Anne Tacorda, Rhiannon Archer, & Kristi Boulton. Tune in as the cast dig into the rehearsal process for an improvised Fringe production, shouting out to their absent cast-mates Bradley Doyle, David Lahti & Natasha Bromfield, and share their hopes for the festival which, for many of the cast, will be performing in their first ever Fringe Festival. Take a listen to this fun group & we hope to see ya'll out there at the Fringe! Key Creative Tips: Keep it Tight. Nick's Update: No writing, no editing, no golf, only YouTube. Brie's Update: Please come to our Fringe show. RESOURCES:   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.   #StruggleOn  

Hosts Nick (@fivestergram) & Brie Watson (@briewats0n) are in it pretty deep at the time this episode was recorded. With feelings of stagnation, injury and loss, our two humble hosts are really feeling the name of the podcast. Although recording in the same room for the first time since Covid has added a level of irreverence towards life that might just help them get back on track. The hosts review March and April, check in on their lighthouse words, constant struggles and tank fillers. Will the check in be enough to get back on the creative horse?    Key Creative Tips: Coffee is good. -Honoré de Balzac   Nick’s Update: Tank Fillers: Visiting the prettiest town in Ontario with family, Marc Maron live. Struggle: Back on the YouTube, not editing.   Brie’s Update: Tank fillers: Halifax (Travel) / Spontaneity Improv, The Americans (TV Show, Soviet spies, fun disguises,) Joel Plaskett in the vineyard to look forward to… Struggles: Loss of a friend, Knee Injury, Tuesday Night Nobody   RESOURCES:   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.   #StruggleOn

Host Nick Watson (@fivestergram) is in a real pickle this episode as he and co-host Brie Watson (@briewats0n) find solutions to the doom scrolling rabbit hole that is US politics on YouTube. (There are two surprisingly easy solutions.) As the hosts review the second month of 2025, they continue to check in on their lighthouse words and constant struggles. It’s not all heavy though, each host brings up a number of tank fillers to help them get through that cold lil’ February. Like Conan hosting the Oscars, there is a beacon of hope!    Key Creative Tips: “No thank you, not right now.” - thank you Headspace app. Read short stories, see live theatre, watch good TV & great comedians like Maria Bamford.   Nick’s Update: Tank Filler:  Distractions: Ted Lasso and reading short stories. Struggle: YouTube doom scrolling   Brie’s Update: Tank fillers: Improv Niagara, Big Chick Energy, live theatre, tap dancing and cancelled plans. Struggle: Jealousy, the structure to structure and winter driving.   RESOURCES:   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.   #StruggleOn

Hosts Nick Watson (@fivestergram) and Brie Watson (@briewats0n) discuss their tank-fillers & drainers in the creative department of their ongoing struggle to make literature and comedy, (respectively.) They’re a month into 2025 and are checking in on the progress following their respective Lighthouse words. Are they still being guided in the right direction? Or did the longest January in history have other plans for our noble hosts?     Key Creative Tips: Build boundaries to keep a creative mindset. Find inspiration to keep moving forward.   Nick’s Update: Tank Filler:  Chapter-per-week Struggle: Capitalism   Brie’s Update: Tank fillers: Good improv & Joel Plaskett Struggle: It’s friggin’ cold!   RESOURCES: Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.   #StruggleOn

Hosts Nick Watson (@fivestergram) and Brie Watson (@briewats0n) kick off the new year by sticking to their new podcasting format, therefore so far crushing this New Year Pod Resolution. They’ve also carefully prepared their 2025 Lighthouse Word, or Word-of-the-Year and strongly recommend you do too!   Nick’s Update: Tank Filler:  Checkmarks Struggle: The Demons   Brie’s Update: Tank fillers: On holiday, there are too many to list!  Struggle: Negative self-talk, social media distractions.   RESOURCES: Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern. Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   #StruggleOn

Hosts Nick Watson (@fivestergram) and Brie Watson (@briewats0n) are back after an unplanned hiatus to chat plans for the podcast going forward including new segments like: what’s filling the tank, what’s draining the bucket and what are we working on as 2024 comes to a close.    Nick's Update:  Finished “Infinite Jest” No more contests until his 3 books are edited Trying out new “Scrivener” software Brie’s Update Joined Assembly Improv team: P!sstank Tuesday Night Improv coming to Spotlight in St. Catharines Struggles: Balancing resources   RESOURCES: Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting. Listen to more awesome podcasts on PodCavern.   #StruggleOn

Our guest in this episode is mustard and smoked-meat wizard Zane Caplansky, founder of Caplanksy's Deli & purveyor of fine mustards. When Nick had the idea of interviewing a chef to discuss the artistic elements of food and cooking, Zane immediately came to mind. As it turns out, the struggles associated with balancing artisanal meats and mustards and attempting to find balance in life are huge. Six-figure-legal-fees huge.   And yet, Zane is probably the most optimistic and hopeful guests we've had the pleasure of speaking with - and in the current political climate, that doesn't seem so easy to do, right? So, grab some pickles, dip 'em in some tasty Caplansky mustard & enjoy our journey strugglin' on with Zane Caplanksy. Your Creative Tips Success & Failure, Cooking, Management, Work-Life Balance, Family   MORE ZANE CAPLANKSY Caplanksy's Deli Website BUY SOME MUSTARD, already! Caplanksy on Instagram   MORE PODCAVERN!   Nick's Update: Not writing. :( Brie's Update: Improv Niagara celebrates 6 Years! Fun at Bad Dog's Blockbuster Week A great time at Oakville Improv Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting. #StruggleOn

The irony of this episode is that Nick's "Word of the Year" for 2024 is EDIT. And it took Brie four months to edit this dang file. Maybe EDIT should have been both our words! NEVERTHELESS. Here we are. It's 2024. We're the happiest new members of PodCavern. And we're ready to set and tackle our goals in the struggly world of Arts & Entertainment in Canada for this new year. (Aware that we're already in the second quarter of the new year!) Your Key Creative Tips: Writing, Editing, Fringe Festivals, Sketch Comedy, Goal Setting, Acting Nick's Update:  Word of the Year: EDIT Writing and Editing Projects Getting Back to Failure Brie's Update: Word(s) of the Season: Patience, Organization, Flow Acting Level-Up Big Life Changes RESOURCES: Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting. Listen to more awesome podcasts at PodCavern. #StruggleOn  

Jo Anne Tacorda is an actor, improviser, singer and one fifth of the popular sketch comedy troupe Big Chick Energy. In this episode of TCS, Brie and Nick find out what it was like to form a sketch troupe in the thick of Covid, what it takes to be part of the Hallmark "Christmasverse" and great tips along the way about embracing your inner-creative.  You're going to love Jo Anne's enthusiasm and it'll leave you "pregnant" with possibilities for new creative projects! Your Creative Tips Comedy, Improv, Acting, Teamwork MORE JO ANNE TACORDA Jo Anne's Instagram Big Chick Energy's Website Big Chick Energy on YouTube Nick's Update:  Back struggles. Brie's Update: Shutting down for the Holidays.   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting. #StruggleOn

***DON'T MISS "Good News Toronto" at Montreal Sketchfest FRI MAY 12th!***    Korri Birch is an actor, improviser, comedian, writer, producer, voice-over artist, puppeteer, teacher and self-proclaimed idiot based in Toronto. In this episode, Brie and Nick chat with Korri about his decision to stop producing, writing, and starring in the award-winning monthly news-themed live comedy show "Good News Toronto" and what's next for this multi-talented, ever-collaborative and exceptionally friendly performer. It wouldn't be #StrugglePod if we didn't mention some of the difficulties faced by a day-job & the never-ending tasks associated with producing live comedy.  But overall, Korri isn't one to complain. He's one to create. Enjoy! Your Creative Tips Comedy, Writing, Producing, Improv, Acting, Stand-Up Comedy, Touring, Collaboration MORE KORRI BIRCH Korri's Website Korri's Facebook Korri's Twitter Korri's Instagram Everything Improvised Instagram Brie's Updates Detroit Women in Comedy Festival (May 19-20) Hearsay at Hamilton Fringe (July 19-30) Nick's Updates Up to book 3 on preliminary edits. #StruggleOn  

Belynda Thomas is an author of novels (Secrets and Silence, Secrets and Sorrow) and children's book (When Can We Get a Puppy,) a blogger, a visual artist, Toastmaster, wife, mother and consultant to Mississauga Writers Group.  In this episode, Nick and Brie chat with Belynda about writing, self-publishing and owning your artistic dreams.  We chat about the difficulties making the time to practice your art, and how sometimes it becomes necessary to put things on hold as well as the strength in owning your artistic pursuits. Your Creative Tips  Writing, Editing, Self-Publishing, Blogging, Writing Challenges, Public Speaking & Parenting. MORE BELYNDA WILSON THOMAS: Belynda's Blog Belynda's LinkedIn Belynda's Books Mississauga Writers Group Brie's Updates:  Catch Brie in Good News Toronto at Toronto Sketchfest. Check out her new live shows in Hamilton at the Staircase Comedy Cabaret Sign up for classes at Improv Niagara. Nick's Updates: Editing his short story. Participating in the Mississauga Writers Group

Heather Eyman is a fitness coach and improviser among many other things and in this episode, we see the path Heather took to narrow down on what's important when there isn't enough time to do everything and when you're the kind of person who enjoys the abundance of what life has to offer. We also ask her advice on how to fix Nick's darn back! Find out what kind of tips she offers Nick, and all of us when it comes to making deposits into your body bank. (That'll make more sense when you listen!) Your Creative Tips Health and Wellness, Fitness, Improv, Time Management MORE HEATHER EYMAN: Heather on Instagram Heather's LinkedIn Heather at Improv Niagara Heather at Fit Collective Brie's Updates:  Fingers crossed for Hearsay at Hamilton Fringe 2023. (Follow @brieanddave) Nick's Updates: Stay tuned for book edits and short stories to come! Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting. #StruggleOn    

Our first episode in over four months! Why the break? Well you'll just have to listen to the episode and find out. HA! Masters of the tease.  But really, it's a doozy of an episode where Brie & Nick dig deep into some real talk about physical and mental health, motivation, relocation and the whole thing gets a little vulnerable. It's not all struggle though. There's life. There's travel. There's a mandatory Maron reference!  Take a listen & let us know if it resonates with your journey.   Your Key Creative Tips Comedy, Writing, Improv, Stand-Up, Performing, Pain Management, Depression and Anxiety, Goals. Brie's Update: Don't miss the remount of End with a Kiss, this December in Hamilton!   Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting. #StruggleOn  

Chicago's Mary Hynes is an improviser, actor, instructor, stage manager and tall lady. In this episode, Mary reminds us of the importance of leaning into and really living our core values as performers, and human beings. She offers tremendous insight into navigating the unsure waters of the performance industry, including her signature Lean Back.

All wordplay aside, this is a delightful and informative episode featuring Genevieve (Evie) Jones, playwright, actor, director and mom of Daphne. Evie’s located in the Niagara Region, and chats with Nick and Brie about starting out her artistic career in Niagara, spreading her wings beyond the peninsula and her parents, and the reason for her epic return. Evie provides us with some deep insight into how the pandemic has been helpful to herself and many artists in finding focus, and the now existing struggle to maintain that focus as the world opens back up.  Writers will appreciate learning more about the process of writing and producing live plays in Canada and the evolution of the artist in motherhood.    Your Key Creative Tips: Writing, Playwriting, Parenting, Theatre, Acting, Directing, Performing Arts in Niagara and Halifax.    Nick's Update:  Editing Back pain. Brie's Update: Self-tapes galore! Hamilton Fringe Show = Cast Teaching a bunch at SC & IN RESOURCES: The Mural at E.L. Crossley Niagara Artists Centre Mermaid Theatre Essential Collective Theatre Suitcase in Point Camp Cataract Theatre Aquarius FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Shaw Festival   More from Evie Jones Website: https://genevievejoneswrites.com/  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/EvieJones11    Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting. #StruggleOn

Rhiannon Archer is a stand-up comic and instructor, a mom of two little dudes and is currently in school training to become a therapist. In this episode Rhiannon chats with Nick and Brie about her formative years, her ADHD diagnosis, and how it impacted her education and career path and how that path has changed now that better resources are available to assist neurodivergent students. We dive into Rhiannon’s stand-up comedy career and how she’s been able to keep at it while balancing frustrating hours in the television industry, and now with the demands of school, a part time job, a neurodivergent child and another with Autism, how it will look now that her priorities have shifted.  An amazing discussion about the impact our teachers have on our lives, how the lens of parenting changes our priorities and how amazing things are possible when we take risks and believe in ourselves.  Your Key Creative Tips: Stand-Up Comedy, Parenting, Multi-tasking, ADHD, Neurodivergence, Education. Nick's Update:  Submitted his submission to the Toronto Star Short Story competition Editing his books. Brie's Update: Directing End with a Kiss at Hamilton Fringe 2022 Travelling to the East Coast this summer. Lots of shows at Improv Niagara coming up.  RESOURCES: Rhiannon’s Website: http://www.rhiannonarcher.com/ More from Rhiannon Archer Twitter: https://twitter.com/RhiannonArcher  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhiannonArcher1  IG: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonarcher/    Thinking about starting your own podcast? Click HERE to get one free month of hosting.   #StruggleOn