In this episode, we sit down with TK the Artist—a Nigerian-born singer, songwriter, and drummer now living in Canada—to talk about everything from growing up in Nigeria to finding peace in a new country and creating music that comes from a place of truth.

TK opens up about his artistic journey, the struggle to stay authentic in a world full of pretense, and how he blends his African roots with the Western world to create a sound that’s all his own. We also dive into deeper topics like the effect of AI on music, the importance of building community, and why modern music sometimes feels like “a bunch of objective lies instead of subjective truths.”

Plus, TK treats us to a live performance of his original track “All Night.”

Timestamps:
00:43 – Getting to know TK
01:56 – Moving to Canada
03:41 – Growing up in Nigeria
06:56 – The importance of authenticity
10:50 – Gratitude and contentment
12:04 – Melding two worlds
13:03 – Finding peace in Canada
14:06 – Creating a happy vibe
15:44 – The impact of AI on music and humanity
18:00 – Support real content and artists
20:20 – TK's music-making process
22:33 – Truth in music
25:41 – The artist’s lifestyle
29:14 – Avoiding burnout and injuries (Messi & Ronaldo style)
33:10 – The silent toll of isolation
34:40 – On being an introvert
35:36 – Building community through connection
36:50 – COVID’s impact on society
38:38 – Live performance: “All Night”
42:20 – Why we need to get out more
43:36 – TK’s upcoming shows
46:46 – Support TK & local live music
47:33 – Final thoughts

🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and rediscover the power of real music from a real artist.

Jason Becker, a former professional hockey player from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, joins us to share his incredible journey through the game. From competing in the WHL and playing nine years of pro hockey, to now leading the next generation as the Manager of Hockey Operations and Head Coach of the U15 Prep team at Pacific Coast Hockey Academy in Langford, BC—Jason brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table.

In this episode, we talk about student-athlete life, playing overseas, coaching philosophies, and the deeper life lessons that hockey teaches—like resilience, adversity, and the value of hard work. If you’re a young athlete, a parent, or a coach, this one’s packed with real talk and motivation.

Timestamps:

00:53 – Welcome Jason Becker
02:00 – Junior hockey
03:20 – Being a student athlete
04:43 – Playing professional hockey in Europe
06:02 – University experience
08:15 – Realistic hockey expectations
09:20 – Exceptional status
10:03 – Jarome Iginla’s work ethic
10:33 – What separates good from great
11:09 – Winning through team depth
11:25 – Coaches' key messages to young athletes
12:28 – Why it might be better not to get drafted to the WHL
15:06 – COVID’s impact on kids’ mental health
16:15 – Dealing with adversity
16:45 – “FIO” – Figure It Out
17:34 – Kinesthetic learning
18:50 – Sandlot-style play for kids
21:00 – What your kids learned in the car
23:10 – Greatest rewards as a coach
26:10 – Hard work, resiliency, and dedication
27:53 – Social media and instant gratification
29:38 – Feedback and modern communication
32:45 – Instilling resilience and work ethic
36:39 – Messages to today’s youth
38:15 – Trust the process
39:35 – Never give up
43:58 – Nothing comes easy, everything is earned
45:02 – Control what you can control
45:46 – Thank you, Jason!

📧 Contact Jason: jbecker@pcha.ca
🌐 Learn more: pcha.ca

In this episode of How To Be a Dude in the 21st Century, host Alex Cordero sits down with Maki Riddington to talk about his journey from being bullied in his teens to becoming a personal trainer and gym owner. Maki shares how fitness became his outlet, the values that guide his work, and how building community in the gym can empower lives. Tune in for an honest and inspiring conversation about strength, resilience, and self-empowerment.