Couple Casuals Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast!In this episode, Stefano steps back into the mic for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation on the political, economic, and cultural forces shaping the world right now — with a heavy focus on international events, government accountability, and the downstream consequences everyday people are starting to feel.This episode covers a lot of ground — because there’s a lot happening.From the United States to Canada and beyond, the discussion breaks down how global instability, political corruption, and media narratives are colliding in real time — often faster than the public can process.Throughout the episode, the conversation dives into:• escalating international tensions and geopolitical flashpoints• the ICE shooting in Minnesota and the political fallout surrounding immigration enforcement• media framing, public outrage, and how narratives fuel instability• widespread fraud uncovered in U.S. childcare and aid programs — and what it reveals about government oversight• the U.S. capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and why it matters globally• oil, national security, BRICS, and threats to dollar-based trade systems• how foreign policy decisions in the U.S. directly impact Canada’s economy• Chrystia Freeland’s resignation and appointment as Ukraine’s economic advisor• alleged political corruption, accountability gaps, and trust erosion in Canadian leadership• rising crime, taxation, and governance failures at the municipal levelRather than focusing on partisan talking points, this episode zooms out to examine patterns — how power operates, how money moves, and why institutions across the West are facing growing skepticism from the public.This is a long-form, reflective conversation meant to cut through noise, challenge narratives, and encourage critical thinking during a time when information is abundant — but clarity is rare.No theatrics.No surface-level takes.Just context, perspective, and hard questions.Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it.Host: Stefano (stefo)Instagram: @drstefohttps://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs...This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more.CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Crime Surge01:15 Canada First Partnership03:20 U.S. Chaos to Start 202606:10 Minnesota Killing & ICE10:05 Mid-Roll Ad Break11:10 Border Policy Fallout15:40 Women Dying & Silence20:10 Media Narrative Control24:50 Why This Feels Different29:30 Venezuela Night Raid30:45 Trump Watches the Op34:10 Maduro, Cartels & Oil38:40 Civilian Deaths & Reality42:30 Why Venezuela Matters46:20 Canada’s Weak Response50:10 MPs Crossing the Floor54:40 Liberals & Election Games58:50 Bribery & Corruption Claims01:00:20 Toronto Tax Increases01:03:30 Chow, Socialism & Spin01:06:30 Canada’s Breaking Point01:07:45 2026 Predictions01:08:39 Final Thoughts

Welcome back to another episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast!In this episode, Stefano sits down with Canadian professional boxer Ryan Rozicki — one of the most feared and authentic fighters in the country — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about grit, violence, discipline, and what it truly takes to survive at the highest levels of boxing.Ryan opens up about growing up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where toughness wasn’t optional and fighting was part of daily life. From small-town rivalries and street fights to run-ins with the law, he explains how that environment shaped his mindset — and ultimately led him to boxing.Throughout the episode, Stefano and Ryan dive into:​growing up in a blue-collar, no-excuses environment​how street fighting shaped Ryan’s mentality and durability​boxing as a form of control, discipline, and survival​the thin line between rage and composure in the ring​why real toughness can’t be taught or bought​Canadian boxing’s history, reputation, and what still needs to change​respect, masculinity, and why young men need challenge — not comfortRyan also shares how boxing quite literally saved his life, why he isn’t afraid of being hurt or knocked out, and how studying fighters like Jack Dempsey defined his identity as a pressure-first.Host: Stefano (stefo)Instagram: @drstefohttps://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs...Guest: Ryan RozickiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_rozicki?igsh=cDU4bm02d3U4b2t6This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more.CHAPTERS00:00:00 Intro & Welcome00:01:07 Welcome + Sponsor00:02:07 Who Is Ryan Rozicki00:03:54 Cape Breton & Tough Upbringing00:05:32 Street Fights & Early Violence00:07:37 Emotion vs Boxing Control00:09:25 Bare Knuckle & Trailer Park Fights00:11:55 Reputation & Growth Spurt00:14:06 Born A Fighter Mentality00:16:06 Boxing Saves His Life00:18:18 Trouble With The Law00:19:45 First Boxing Gym Experience00:22:01 Discovering Jack Dempsey00:23:43 Turning Pro & Amateur Suspension00:25:18 Training In Isolation00:27:45 First Pro Fight00:29:31 Fear, Death & Fighting00:30:57 State Of Canadian Boxing00:33:15 Jake Paul & Canadian Disrespect00:35:01 Damage, Durability & Style00:37:12 Reality Of Violence00:39:46 Russian War Fight00:42:36 Oscar Rivas Fight00:44:12 Long-Term Damage Discussion00:47:49 Mental Warfare00:49:02 Masculinity & Violence00:51:35 Discipline & Fatherhood00:54:09 Training Through Pain00:56:43 Legacy & Respect00:57:59 Advice To Young Men01:00:39 Channeling Aggression01:03:35 Purpose & Survival01:06:25 Final Reflections01:10:37 Final Mindset

Welcome back to another episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast!In this episode, Stefano sits down once again with Mario (4TheNorth) — one of Canada’s most influential political commentators — for a wide-ranging, no-nonsense conversation about where the country is heading and why so many Canadians feel left behind.Mario breaks down how Canada reached this moment: unchecked government spending, distorted economic data, unsustainable immigration levels, and a political system that increasingly avoids accountability. From youth unemployment and part-time job manipulation, to food bank usage hitting record highs, he explains why the official narrative no longer matches everyday reality.In this conversation, Stefano and Mario dig into:• why Canadians across all backgrounds feel “cheated” by the system• how immigration policy is straining housing, healthcare, and wages• why economic “job growth” isn’t what it appears to be• how government spending is being reclassified to mask massive deficits• why political trust is collapsing — and why independent voices are growing• Mark Carney’s leadership, continuity from Trudeau, and what may come nextMario also explains why he has no interest in becoming a politician, despite massive influence — and why speaking freely outside the system may be more powerful than holding office inside it.This episode is candid, fact-driven, and grounded in lived reality — a must-watch for anyone trying to understand Canadian politics beyond headlines and spin.Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it.Host: Stefano (stefo)Instagram: @drstefohttps://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs...Guest: Mario Zelaya Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mario4thenorth?igsh=MXc2YTNlNmRta2N2NA==TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmariozelaya?_r=1&_t=ZS-92JJpiCu5siX: https://x.com/mario4thenorth?s=21&t=Cgz_58zASW84g-pj2PUNtwThis episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more.CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro00:00:30 Welcome + Sponsor00:01:46 Why Mario does pods00:03:55 TikTok growth story00:05:11 Fame feels weird00:08:53 Immigrants relate00:11:29 Security checks00:13:08 Politics wake-up00:20:50 PPC + party shifts00:23:07 Bots & fake accounts00:23:53 Jobs stats breakdown00:25:13 Food bank reality00:30:28 Carney takes over00:32:40 $100B deficit talk00:35:00 Modular homes plan00:36:08 Trump card strategy00:36:48 Crime language spin00:38:13 Bill C-75 mentioned00:42:18 Budget “surpluses”00:46:36 Refugees & system00:52:30 Visa mills & scams00:55:07 Sentencing & citizenship00:58:38 Land claims worry01:01:47 Crime & Castle law01:08:27 Safety motions blocked01:09:24 Prison overcrowding01:11:31 Gun buyback waste01:14:03 Pipelines + politics01:16:06 Danielle Smith future01:19:15 Uncomfortable truth01:20:43 Routine & discipline01:24:41 Final mindset

Welcome back to another episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast!Today, Stefano sits down with Daniel Foch — real estate analyst, investor, and co-host of The Canadian Real Estate Investor — for one of the most eye-opening breakdowns of Canada’s housing and economic crisis.Over the last few years, Canada created the “perfect storm”: explosive population growth, record-low interest rates, pandemic money, and massive speculation. Now, Canadians are waking up in the hangover — soaring debt, falling prices, cancelled pre-construction projects, and the harsh reality that affordability has collapsed. In this conversation, Stefano and Daniel dig into:• why buyers are waiting, sellers are stressed, and patience is being rewarded• how Canadian households became the most indebted in the world• why pre-constructions are failing at alarming rates• how politics, immigration, and zoning shaped today’s crisis• what the data says about 2026 — and why a slow grind downward is more likely than a crash They also explore personal finance, investor mistakes, the rise of financial illiteracy, and the massive gap between what Canadians earn and what they’re expected to afford.This episode is straightforward, data-backed, and brutally honest — a must-hear for anyone trying to navigate Canada’s housing market right now.Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it.Host: Stefano (stefo)Instagram: @drstefohttps://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs...Guest: Daniel FochYouTube: @d​⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielfoch/Podcast: The Canadian Real Estate Investor PodcastThis episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more.CHAPTERS0:00 — Intro + Sponsor0:36 — Meet Daniel Foch1:00 — ’90s Market Déjà Vu1:34 — Data vs. Old Narratives2:24 — Daniel’s Background3:07 — Why Realtors Lost Trust4:15 — AI Changing Real Estate5:52 — Shift to Rentals6:57 — Agents Leaving Industry7:52 — Canada’s Affordability Crisis8:49 — How We Got Here10:19 — Pandemic Money Fallout11:09 — Mortgage Shock Coming12:03 — Record Consumer Debt13:24 — Are We in a Recession?14:59 — Prices vs. Rates Reality15:54 — Why New Builds Struggle17:01 — Buyer Patience Pays18:15 — Should Sellers Wait?19:42 — Emotional Pricing Problem21:07 — Financial Literacy Crisis22:54 — Explaining the Condo Crash24:47 — Pre-Con Investors Burned26:12 — 22% Closing Failure Rate27:28 — Supply Flooding Market28:34 — When Prices Finally Bottom29:51 — 2026 Market Outlook31:32 — Politics & Housing Meet33:14 — Government Spending Debate34:47 — Housing Policy Breakdown36:20 — Why Builders Are Pausing37:45 — Zoning & Red Tape Issues39:15 — Who Should Fix Housing?40:31 — Modular Housing Concerns42:02 — Social Housing Explained43:48 — Taxation on Housing45:26 — Cities Blocking Development46:41 — Why Multiplexes Boom48:32 — Small Developers Return50:14 — Advice for First-Time Buyers52:12 — Should You Rent or Buy?53:48 — Stefano’s Condo Debate55:03 — Why It’s Not Selling56:24 — Future Buyer Behaviour57:59 — Deflation Mindset59:21 — Final Thoughts1:00:11 — New York’s Future1:01:14 — Closing Remarks

Welcome back to another full episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast!In this raw, honest, and wide-open conversation, your host Stefano sits down once again with Lee Baxter — entrepreneur, boxing promoter, and the man behind one of your most viral clips ever.Last time Lee was on, you asked him a simple question:“Are you proud to be Canadian?”His answer shook the internet… sparking millions of views, debates, arguments, and a national conversation.So today, the two of you go way deeper.Lee opens up about what happened after that viral moment — the messages from strangers, the backlash, the support, and how that single clip exposed something bigger happening across the country. Together, you break down why Canadians are more divided, frustrated, and politically charged than ever before… and why a question as simple as national pride hits such a nerve in 2025.This episode unpacks the real concerns Canadians are feeling today: • how politics has infiltrated everything, from family to sports to culture • why honest conversations instantly turn into arguments • how Canada lost that shared, unified identity we grew up with • why opportunity, community, and cultural connection feel weaker than ever • and what it actually means to “be Canadian” in a divided eraAlong the way, you and Lee dive into powerful, unexpected territory — from the decline of community culture and trades, to the social-media takeover of boxing, to Toronto’s political circus, to the moments that still do unite us: sports, pride, and truly Canadian experiences.This conversation is real, unfiltered, and taps directly into something Canadians everywhere are feeling right now.Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it.Host: Stefano (stefo)Instagram: @drstefohttps://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs...Guest: Lee Baxter Instagram: @leebaxtermgt https://www.instagram.com/leebaxtermgt/?hl=enThis episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more.CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro & Sponsor1:30 Viral Question Recap4:10 Reaction & Blowback7:10 Canada’s Divide10:40 Social Media Shift15:20 Boxing’s New Era20:10 Real Competition24:30 Toronto’s Identity29:40 Bandwagon Culture34:25 What Is Canadian?37:40 Lost Shared Values42:10 Community Decline47:20 Opportunity Drop52:10 Culture & Belonging56:00 Finding Unity59:25 The Salute