The Constant Struggle

E89 - The Constant Meh

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

E88 - Notebooks and Candles

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

E87 - New Format on the Block

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

E86 - Zane Caplanksy: A Dish, a Dream and a Lotta Hustle

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

E85 - Sanctus Editus! Setting Goals for 2024

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
 

E84 -Fight for the Fun with Jo Anne Tacorda

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

E83 - Korri Birch is Everywhere Improvised All at Once

***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
 

E82: Own Your Dreams with Belynda Wilson Thomas

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

E81: Two Birds, One Heather - Time Management for the Multitalented

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
 
 

E80 -Bumps Along the Creative Way

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