In this episode of Shit My Dad Taught Me, we sit down with John Romano, the founder and owner of Nickel Brook Brewing, for an honest conversation about family, legacy, and building something from the ground up.

John opens up about growing up in a traditional Italian household, the values passed down through his family, and how those lessons shaped both the father and entrepreneur he is today. From raising his children to navigating the risks, sacrifices, and long nights that come with starting a brewery, John shares what it really takes to turn passion into a lasting business.

This episode goes beyond beer. It’s about hard work, responsibility, resilience, and the quiet moments that define success—at home and at work. Whether you’re a parent, a business owner, or someone chasing a dream, John’s story is packed with real perspective and timeless lessons.

Grab a drink and enjoy this one 🍺

Special thanks to our incredible sponsors:

This episode's opening sponsor is Circle Mortgage.

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

This episode's closing sponsor is Lalande Personal Injury & Disability Lawyers.

🚨New Episode Alert 🚨

Doug Gilmour is a Hall of Fame legend and Stanley Cup champion celebrated for his iconic, gritty leadership as the Toronto Maple Leafs' captain. Today, he remains an active figure through his DG93 lifestyle brand and his role as a dedicated family man.

Doug's Links:

https://www.douggilmour.com/shop

https://www.prodrysport.com

Special thanks to our incredible sponsors:

This episode's opening sponsor is Circle Mortgage

https://circlemortgage.ca/

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

https://www.spicerlandscaping.ca/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22983886066&gbraid=0AAAAA9cNwRLb_TgsFK8xf6fGW0UAG1VB0

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

https://onebonebrand.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=704028473756&tw_campaign=21416418368&tw_kwdid=kwd-496287830148&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21416418368&gbraid=0AAAAAChk8g2Rdf0jFMynF0fTHv7OxhuTp

This episode's closing sponsor is Lalande Personal Injury & Disability Lawyers.

https://injured.ca/

Our guest today runs one of the most accessible Bitcoin entry‑points on the planet, Sat Chats, a welcome center for Bitcoin beginners. Stewart Arthur Pelto doesn’t preach crypto jargon. He simplifies it, humanizes it, and invites regular people to ask real questions about money, freedom, and the future.

Stewart is more than a podcaster: he’s a former PAC manager turned tech‑sales rep turned full‑time Bitcoin evangelist. He uses his background in communications and systems thinking to make the complex world of Bitcoin relatable. On Sat Chats, he and his guests break down what “stacking sats” means in real life, how Bitcoin intersects with justice, financial sovereignty, generational wealth and personal freedom.

Today we get to ask: who is Stewart beyond the microphone? What drove him to Bitcoin? What’s the mission behind the Welcome‑Center approach? And how does he navigate a world skeptical of crypto while trying to build something that might outlast us all.

YouTube: Sat Chats, The Bitcoin Podcast

Website: https://www.satchats.com

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.

Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

Instagram: @mattstevensoninsurance

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

Website: https://www.spicerlandscaping.ca

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

Website: https://onebonebrand.com

Steve Cadigan is someone who helped shape the culture of one of the most impactful platforms in the world, LinkedIn. He’s been called a Talent Hacker, a Culture Strategist, and a Future of Work thought leader. But today, we’re more interested in the man behind all that, what shaped him, what he’s learned, and what he’s still figuring out.

Steve Cadigan is a rare blend of boardroom strategist and culture architect. He’s not just dug into the trenches of HR, he led those trenches. At LinkedIn, when the company was just a few hundred people, he helped scale it into thousands, shaping the very culture that made it a global icon.

Before that, he cut his teeth at tech giants like Cisco and EA, helping organizations navigate rapid growth, acquisitions, global teams and change.

Today, through Cadigan Talent Ventures, Steve advises leaders and companies around the world on how to turn talent into advantage, how to re‑think work in this era of disruption, and how to build cultures people actually want to join.

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.

Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

Instagram: @mattstevensoninsurance

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

Website: https://www.spicerlandscaping.ca

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

Website: https://onebonebrand.com

Ivan Fredette has lived what many of us fear: addiction, loss, numbing pain. Ivan didn’t hide from it. Instead, he built a way out. After 17 years of battling alcohol addiction and being wounded by the tragic suicides of a cousin and sister, Ivan decided to take full responsibility for his life.

Today, he’s the founder of Ironclad Brotherhood, where men come together to reclaim discipline, purpose, sobriety, and legacy. He’s not just a coach. He’s a man who’s walked through the fire and now guides others through the flames. Outside of the mentorship world, he runs Safe Tree Ltd., a successful 7‑figure business in Niagara, proving transformation applies in business too.

As a husband and father of three, Ivan brings to the table not just business savvy and recovery wisdom, but the real world challenge of living the legacy you teach. In this episode we’ll talk about: how to turn wreckage into leadership, what real accountability looks like for men, how fatherhood reshapes your mission, and why choosing life is the first step to building something meaningful.

Follow Ivan on Instagram @ivanfredette

Website: https://www.ivanfredette.com

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.

Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

Instagram: @mattstevensoninsurance

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

Website: https://www.spicerlandscaping.ca

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

Website: https://onebonebrand.com

Emily O’Brien’s story is a rare, raw example of redemption and resilience. At age 25, she was caught smuggling cocaine and was later convicted—receiving a four-year prison sentence.

During her time behind bars, something unexpected happened: she noticed popcorn was one of the few treats that brought people together in confinement. With limited spices—lemon pepper, dill—she began experimenting. That simple idea grew into Comeback Snacks, which she officially launched after her parole in 2018, with a mission to fight stigma, hire formerly incarcerated people, and build hope one bag of popcorn at a time.

Today, Emily’s brand is stocked in hundreds of outlets across Canada and the U.S. She employs people who have criminal records, works to shift public perception, and speaks about never letting your past define your future.

Joining Emily O’Brien in studio is her father, John O’Brien — an accomplished executive, strategic advisor, Catholic leader, and mountaineer… but more importantly, a dad who’s walked through fire with his child and stood beside her every step of the way.

John is currently the Chief Financial Officer of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines, and the founder of O’Brien Strategic Services, a consulting practice that supports Catholic organizations across North America. He spent over three decades with the Diocese of Hamilton, overseeing everything from cemeteries to insurance, while also mentoring new executives in the often complex world of religious governance.

Follow Emily on Instagram @emz.obrien

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.
Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

Today, we’re honoured to welcome Garvin Pinette to the show—a proud father, passionate public servant, archery champion, and a man who’s turned his deepest struggles into powerful fuel for change.

Garvin is a Correctional Officer and Peer Support Coordinator with Manitoba Corrections, and the founder of the department’s first-ever Peer Support Program and Trauma-Informed Care Committee. After surviving three traumatic events early in his career and receiving a PTSD diagnosis, Garvin faced down some of the darkest days of his life—and chose to fight, not just for himself, but for the mental wellness of others in uniform.

He partnered with the MGEU to launch the Healthy Minds at Work Campaign, building out a full Peer Support Training Program. Today, Garvin is a full-time Staff Trainer, a Divisional Coordinator, and a recognized mental health leader in first responder circles.

But that’s just part of the story.

Check out Garvin on Instagram @gcandostuff

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.
Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.

Meet Lexi & Brett Johnson, co‑partners in life and mission. Lexi is the founder of Lexi J Wellness®, a thriving online fitness & wellness brand built from her basement in 2020. Certified in multiple NASM specialties and with a degree in Health Sciences, her goal is simple: help women reclaim strength, health, and confidence in just 28 minutes a day.

Brett, by her side as husband and partner, plays a supportive and active role in their shared vision. He works a full-time job while being both the CFO and COO of Lexi J Wellness. Though not as publicly profiled yet, he shows up in event campaigns, community support, and the “behind the scenes” muscle of Lexi’s growth. Their dynamic pairs business acumen, community focus, and personal drive.

Website: https://lexijwellness.com/
Instagram: @lexijwellness

This episode was sponsored by Matthew Stevenson Insurance.
Website: https://matthew-stevenson.ca/#work

This episode's Dad Jokes Sponsor is Spicer Landscaping and Snow Removal.

The Clothing and Swag Sponsor of the show is OneBone Clothing.