Solo Spotlight is where real people get real time. Host Ryan MacDougall sits down for unfiltered, long-form conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, athletes, and out-of-left-field thinkers. No scripts, no fluff—just honest stories, hard-won lessons, and the kind of moments you replay later.
Expect deep dives, left turns, and a host who actually listens. Episodes run 45–90 minutes and favor substance over sound bites. Recorded in Edmonton, built for anyone who likes their interviews candid, curious, and occasionally spicy.
New episodes weekly. Produced and published by Spare Bedroom Studios.
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (https://rss.com/podcasts/solo-spotlight-with-ryan-macdougall/voicemail)
After a workplace injury changed his working life, Syonis found a way to express his pain through hip-hop.
The independent Canadian artist joins Ryan MacDougall on Solo Spotlight to discuss living with autism and learning disabilities, feeling underestimated, and developing his own voice. He shares the story behind his name, how comic books influence his songwriting, and what it takes to build connections across different music scenes.
The conversation also explores promoting shows, learning through collaborations, adapting his live performances to a hearing difficulty, and his upcoming projects, The Cost of Existing and Homies for Hire.
An honest conversation about creativity, belonging, and finding something worth building toward.
Follow Spare Bedroom Studios on Instagram: @Spare_bedroom_studios
8 Oct 2026
Mitchell MacDonald on Winning a Josie Music Award
Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Mitchell MacDonald returns to Solo Spotlight following a major milestone in his music career: winning Social Impact Video of the Year (Male) at the 2026 Josie Music Awards in Nashville.
In this conversation, Mitchell joins Ryan MacDougall to share the story behind "Signed, No Longer Yours," a deeply personal song inspired by a friend's experience with domestic violence.
They explore how the song became a music video, what it takes to pursue music independently, and the unexpected journey from submitting his work online to accepting an award at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Mitchell also reflects on the influence of his grandfather, the importance of family, navigating success without losing perspective, and what new opportunities could mean for the next chapter of his music.
An honest conversation about independent music, personal storytelling, creative ambition, and finding your own definition of success.
Solo Spotlight — Episode 107 Guest: Mitchell MacDonald Host: Ryan MacDougall Produced by Spare Bedroom Studios
Listen to "Signed, No Longer Yours": https://open.spotify.com/track/7zqVSGQ7twzAmwR3OyME3T (https://open.spotify.com/track/7zqVSGQ7twzAmwR3OyME3T)
Follow Spare Bedroom Studios: @spare_bedroom_studios
If you enjoy the conversation, follow Solo Spotlight and leave a rating or review.
Content note: Includes discussion of domestic violence as the inspiration for a song.
29 Sept 2026
I Thought I’d Have This Figured Out by Now
What did you expect would come more naturally by now?
In this solo episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall reflects on the everyday parts of adulthood he thought he would have figured out: getting back to people, following through on plans, and enjoying a day off without feeling like he should be doing more.
He brings research on adulthood, intentions, and leisure into a discussion about the expectations we place on ourselves. Why can deciding to change feel like you’ve already handled the problem? What might a specific “if–then” plan help with? And when you feel guilty about how you spent your time, can you name what you actually regret?
The question he leaves with listeners: what’s something you thought you would have figured out by now, and what would figuring it out look like in everyday life?
Hosted by Ryan MacDougall. Produced and published by Spare Bedroom Studios.
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5.0 / 5
491 ratings
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