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The 1st Half Culture Show is a unique podcast series that explores the profound impact of football on North American culture. Hosted by restaurateur and footy culture junkie Paul Desbaillets, this series unites football enthusiasts to discover how the beautiful game influences fashion, art, music, and food. Featuring visits to local neighborhoods and businesses, and interviews with chefs, athletes, artists, and tastemakers, it delves into street art and local scenes. The show provides a vibrant glimpse into how futbol merges with daily life and creativity.
Join us for a unique North American perspective on football.
Available in video format exclusively on YouTube: @the1sthalf_
All Things Soccer Culture — Our Game, Our Spin!
#acertianstyleoflife
71 Episodes
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This week on One-Man Midfield, Paul Desbaillets dives into some wild headlines that hit deeper than just the pitch:💰 Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire player — $1.4B net worth and counting🏟️ Manchester United may be changing hands… again. Rumors suggest a Saudi sale in the works🐐 World Cup mascots unveiled: Maple the Moose (Canada), Zazú the Jaguar (Mexico), and Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA)🌎 20 of 48 teams are already locked for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including Canada, USA, Mexico, and more🔥 Just Paul. No guest. Just the culture, the chaos, and the real talk.🎥 New drops every Tuesday. Subscribe to The 1st Half Culture Show for the solo segment you didn’t know you needed.#The1stHalf #OneManMidfield #FootballIs #CristianoRonaldo #ManUnitedSale #FIFA2026 #SoccerBusiness #WorldCupMascots #MapleTheMoose #SaudiFootballTakeover #GlobalGame
What happens when a football-loving, Tottenham-supporting local runs for city council in one of Montreal’s most dynamic boroughs?We sat down with Shane Thompson, candidate for city councillor in the Sud-Ouest (Little Burgundy, St-Henri, Griffintown & Pointe-St-Charles), to talk about the intersection of football and politics — and why he believes the beautiful game builds better communities.In this episode:Growing up in MTL as a Spurs fanFootball as a unifier in urban lifeWhat makes the Southwest so culturally richShane’s plans for more public sports spacesThe role of football in mental health, youth identity & inclusion📥 Watch the full convo now — new episodes every Thursday.#The1stHalf #FootballIs #MTLPolitics #SouthwestMontreal #ShaneThompson #SpursFan #SoccerAndSociety #FootballForAll
The First Half Culture Show is back, now with two drops every week.🎙️ Wednesdays: Football Culture with Paul Desbaillets🎤 Thursdays: Special Guest ConversationsThis week’s solo drop? Paul’s sounding off on the biggest stories in the game right now:FC Supra shaking up Quebec footballEA’s $55 billion takeover 💰$6,730 World Cup Final tickets — yep, that’s real 🎟️Canada’s historic FIFA ranking 🏆Early-season chaos in the Premier League 🔄New football voices emerging in Quebec 🎤CFM’s rebuild & why hope still lives ⚽Real Madrid gets name-dropped in a Taylor Swift track 🤯📣 No guest. Just Paul. Just soccer culture. 🎥 Watch now & subscribe to The 1st Half Culture Show.#The1stHalf #FootballIs #FCSupra #EASportsFC #CanadaSoccer #WorldCup2026 #PremierLeagueDrama #MontrealFootball
From early-morning training to late-night recovery, CFL pro Tyrell Richards ( Alouettes de Montreal ) opens up about the realities of life as a professional athlete—how sleep, food, mindset, and community shape everything from performance to personal growth.Presented by Birckenstock in support of the GOAL Initiatives Foundation, this special episode is about more than just football, it’s about building a lifestyle around wellness, resilience, and giving back.🧠 What does recovery really look like for a CFL player?🍽️ How does food fuel performance and community?🏘️ Why does community matter now more than ever?🎙️ Recorded at Entre Deux in Montreal’s NDG, this episode blends sport, lifestyle, and culture in the way only The 1st Half can.🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with athletes, artists, chefs & cultural leaders.#TyrellRichards #Footballplayer #CFL #RecoveryMatters #Birkenstock #The1stHalf #ACertainStyleOfLife #FootballCulture #MentalHealthInSports #MontrealAthletes #GoalInitiatives #LifestyleOfAnAthlete #Football #Soccer #gunners #arsenalfans #montrealalouettes
6’7” forward Abdul Mohamed of the Montréal Alliance joins The 1st Half Culture Show to talk hoops, heritage, and how football culture shaped him off the court.From growing up in a Somali-Canadian household to playing pro basketball across Germany, England, and Norway, Abdul unpacks how sport built his identity, and why football has always been part of his story.We dig into African influence in the global game, how football showed up in every country he played in, and why the streets—not the system, are still the best academy.
Canadian media icon and cultural connector George Stroumboulopoulos joins The 1st Half Culture Show presented by Breville, in collaboration with evenko and CULTMTL, for a no-holds-barred conversation about football, music, media, and community.We talk Spurs heartbreak and Bob Marley, why football supporters aren’t just “fans,” how stadiums tell stories, and what it means to live out your values in a system that doesn’t always care. George also drops gems on storytelling, Canada’s evolving identity, and why kindness still matters—even in the cutthroat world of sports and media.It’s thoughtful, raw, and as real as Strombo himself.👉 Watch the full video here & listen wherever you get your podcasts.#FootballCulture #GeorgeStroumboulopoulos #Spurs #SoccerCommunity #ACertainStyleOfLife #FootballIs
Canadian alt-pop artist Emi Jean joins The 1st Half Culture Show to talk about her journey from singing opera at age 7 in Quebec bars to touring Asia, going solo, and performing on the grid at the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix.We dive into her love of football, her Osheaga 2025 stage debut, why storytelling is at the heart of her music, and how discipline and teamwork connect athletes and musicians. Emi also opens up about staying grounded, the pressure of performing, and why her fans feel like teammates.It’s an inspiring look at what it means to stay authentic and keep growing, on stage and off.👉 Watch the full video here & listen wherever you get your podcasts.
In this week’s episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, we sit down with Italian-Canadian independent artist Gion, a rising voice in North America’s alt-pop and R&B scene. From charting with “Je Ne Veux Personne” to consulting for major brands, Gion shares how football culture shaped his creative outlook, why identity matters in his music, and what it means to tell authentic stories through art.If you’ve ever felt the connection between football, music, and community — this one’s for you.🎧 Watch and listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.📲 Subscribe & hit the bell so you never miss an episode!#FootballCulture #MusicAndFootball #NorthAmericanFootball #IndependentArtist #SoccerInspiration #The1stHalf #ACertainStyleOfLife
Fabio & Dan of Bossa MTL join The 1st Half Culture Show to share how their modern Italian café and market became a cultural landmark in Montreal. From their fresh take on Italian street food to building a warm, vibrant community hub, they talk about staying authentic while creating something truly their own.We get into what Italian culture means today, why football and family go hand in hand, and how Montreal’s food scene continues to inspire their work.🎧 Watch the full episode now — new episodes every Wednesday on YouTube and Spotify. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.#BossaMTL #ItalianFood #MontrealEats #FootballCulture #MontrealCulture #ACertainStyleOfLife #The1stHalf
From Romania to Montreal, Robert Rositoiu has dedicated his career to developing young football talent and shaping the future of the game in Canada.As head coach of the Montreal Roses FC, Robert talks about winning in Ligue1 Québec, his time at CF Montréal, and what it takes to build players who can compete on the international stage.⚽ “Coaching is more than tactics — it’s building people, not just players.”🎧 Watch the full episode every Wednesday on YouTube & Spotify. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.#MontrealRosesFC #CanadianSoccer #RobertRositoiu #The1stHalf #FootballIs #ACertainStyleOfLife #Ligue1Québec #SoccerCoaching #CFMontreal
From the markets of Haiti to the kitchens of Montreal, Chef Paul Toussaint has never stopped bringing culture, community, and soul to the table. In this week's episode, Paul opens up about why he chose food over football, his deep love for the Haitian community, and how he built a BBQ concept inspired by Texas smokehouses and Caribbean soul.🔥 “When you cook, you should do it with the same love you’d show your family.”⚽ “I love football—but food took me.”🎶 “There’s always a party somewhere in our culture, and I wanted my restaurant to reflect that.”From stories of cooking for footballers to his passion for loud music and soulful vibes, Chef Paul is living proof that food and football are two languages of love.🎥 New episodes every Wednesday on YouTube & Spotify🎧 Audio available wherever you get your podcastsSubscribe to never miss a dish—or a goal.#ChefPaulToussaint #MontrealFoodScene #FootballCulture #CaribbeanCuisine #HaitianCommunity #FoodAndFootball #BarbecueVibes #The1stHalf #ACertainStyleOfLife #MontrealEats #SoccerVibes #ChefLife
🎭⚽ From house league heroics to Netflix screen time — Montreal-based actor, writer, and sketch comic Nir Guzinski joins The 1st Half Culture Show to talk football, acting, and how the city shaped his creative hustle.He opens up about:Getting his start in football with the NDG PanthersDealing with setbacks, including the team not making Triple-AHis dad secretly watching games after being asked not to comeScoring the winning goal in high school and other unforgettable momentsWhy acting is a grind, how the content creator world has shifted, and what he’s chasing next#FootballCulture #MontrealCreatives #TSN690 #The1stHalf #SoccerLife #ActorGrind #NDGPanthers #FutbolStories #SketchComedy #CanadianCreatives #FootballAndLife #ACertainStyleOfLife
From university parties to Paris Fashion Week, Schuyler Mota has helped shape Canada’s experiential marketing scene. As President and Co-Founder of CRUEL, he’s led cultural campaigns and branded activations that stretch across Canada and beyond.In this episode of The 1st Half on TSN690, Schuyler sits down with Paul Desbaillets to talk about building CRUEL from the ground up, launching Sports Illustrated’s Circuit Series during F1 Weekend in Montreal, and growing up with football in his DNA. With roots in Portugal and a love for culture, creativity, and community, Schuyler brings a unique perspective to how sports and lifestyle intersect.📻 Catch the full conversation now and subscribe for more culture-driven football content across North America!🔗 New episodes drop every Friday on YouTube & Spotify🎧 Stream on all major podcast platforms.#CRUEL #TSN690 #The1stHalf #FootballCulture #F1Montreal #ExperientialMarketing #FootballIsCulture #ACertainStyleOfLife #Portugal #worldcup2026 #sportsillustrated
🇨🇦⚽ From Wigan to CF Montréal, Tom Pearce shares the ride: growing up near Liverpool, switching academies, getting capped for England, and embracing the poutine life.In this exclusive sit-down, Tom reflects on culture shock, surviving relegation, and how Montreal is reshaping his game. From Full English breakfasts to playing in the Toulon Tournament, this convo runs deep.Plus, we hit him with the fan-favorite "12 Questions"—his takes on fashion, stress, and why his younger brother is his bodyguard.Watch the full interview now. Subscribe to catch more from the heart of football culture.#TomPearce #CFMontreal #MLS #FootballCulture #EnglandU21 #LiverpoolFC #The1stHalf #ACertainStyleOfLife #footballislife #evertonfc #leedsunited
Rocco Placentino’s story is a journey through passion, grit, and grassroots football power. From playing professionally in Italy to becoming Technical Director at CS Saint-Laurent, Rocco is now helping rewrite Canadian soccer's trajectory—one player, one pitch at a time.In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show with Paul Desbaillets on TSN 690, Rocco shares what it was like playing in truffle towns in Italy, how missing a penalty in a promotion final shaped him, and why local moments—like Saint-Laurent’s fairytale match against Toronto FC—mean more than anyone can imagine.He talks openly about player development, mental toughness, honouring mentors like Jason Di Tullio, and what the 2026 World Cup means for Canada’s next generation.📍 Watch the full conversation and find out how local legends like Rocco are fueling the fire of football culture in North America.#RoccoPlacentino #CanadianSoccer #MontrealSoccer #SaintLaurentSC #TSN690 #The1stHalf #GrassrootsFootball #SoccerStories #WorldCup2026 #FootballIsCulture #ACertainStyleOfLife
This week, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Fred and Marco — the beloved faces behind Montreal’s Satay Brothers. From slinging Southeast Asian street food at the Atwater Market to becoming culinary legends on Notre-Dame Street, the boys dish out their origin stories and how football has been a constant thread in their journey.They talk about the multicultural roots of their football passion, the Impact players who used to swing by, and how food, football, and good vibes built a lasting community around their kitchens.#SatayBrothers #MontrealEats #SingaporeanStreetFood #FootballCulture #The1stHalf #TSN690 #iHeartRadio #AtwaterMarket #NotreDameStreet #CulinaryJourney #FCChinatown #SoccerAndFood #MontrealRestaurants #StreetFoodCanada #FoodieMontreal
This week, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Emilio Zaga Mendez, the Senior Branding Manager at evenko and the creative force behind Canada's premier Latin music festival, Fuego Fuego. From his Peruvian roots and football heritage to shaping the visual identity of major festivals like OSHEAGA, Emilio shares his journey of blending culture, sport, and music into unforgettable experiences.Discover how his uncle, Nolberto Solano, a former player for Newcastle United and West Ham, influenced his passion for football and branding. Emilio also delves into the challenges and triumphs of bringing Latin music to the forefront of Canada's festival scene.TSN🎧 Tune in to explore the intersection of football, music, and cultural identity.
In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, comedian and reality TV alum Kevin Lapierre shares how his path from Occupation Double South Africa and Big Brother Célébrités led him to a growing stand-up comedy career.Kevin opens up about his early days working bars, his influences, and how his time in South Africa wasn’t just about reality TV—it also included an unforgettable football experience at Cape Town Stadium. Plus, he tells a wild story about getting too close to AS Roma ultras at the Stadio Olimpico.We also talk about why giving back matters to him, his connection to community as a GOAL Initiatives ambassador, and how comedy helps him tell the stories that matter.#kevinlapierre #standupcomedy #comedianlife #occupationdouble #bigbrothercelebrites #montrealcomedy #asroma #footballculture #romahooligans #canadiancomedy #comedienquebec #acertainstyleoflife #footballis #communitymatters #TSN690 #iheartradio #goalinitiatives
From the Streets of Paris to Football Glory & Mental Health AdvocacyThis week on The 1st Half Culture Show, we sit down with Hassoun Camara, former CF Montréal defender turned speaker, entrepreneur, and TV personality. In this raw and revealing conversation, Hassoun talks about the hustle of trying to make it in Europe, the emotional highs of playing in the CONCACAF Final at Azteca, and the lowest point in his career when he had to rebuild from injury and self-doubt. He opens up about mental health, his mother’s sacrifices, and his mission to give back through youth coaching and conferences.📌 “If I don’t put my leg, it’s gonna be a goal. I knew I was going to break something… but I did it anyway.”Camara reminds us that football isn’t just a game—it’s a reflection of life, sacrifice, and community. A Montreal icon both on and off the pitch, his story is one of perseverance, purpose, and passion.🟢 Watch the full interview now! 🎧 New Episodes Every Wednesday | Live Fridays at 6 PM EST on TSN690
Chef Antonio Park returns to The 1st Half Culture Show to talk food, football, and feeding the world’s elite athletes. From cooking for the X-Men to AC Milan players, Washington Capitals, Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Checo Perez, PK Suban, Thierry Henry, Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau, Nick Suzuki , Alex Albon and international A-List Celebrities to his love for Tottenham Hotspur and his Argentina football roots, this is a conversation that serves flavor and fire. He shares how trust is everything in the kitchen, how he balances high standards with creativity, and why his Montreal flagship, Park, is more than just a restaurant—it’s his way of connecting with people one plate at a time.🗣️ "I might not know their names, but I know what they like—and that’s what matters."Park also gets real about evolving as a chef, parenting, finding peace in cooking, and why making people feel something through food is everything.#AntonioPark #TottenhamHotspur #WorldCup2026 #MontrealRestaurants #MichelinChef #AsianFusion #MontrealEats #FootballCulture #SoccerPodcast #FineDining #ChefLife #AthleteNutrition #MontrealFoodScene #CulinaryArts #KitchenTalk #SpursFans #BehindTheScenes #MontrealChefs #FootballLifestyle
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