"Real Talk" focuses on in-depth conversations with key players in the hockey world about subjects that matter, from 2SLGBTQI+ issues and race to finding ways to grow the female game. The Canadiens are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for fans and players of all backgrounds, and one way the organization can show that hockey truly is for everyone is by sharing stories and dialogue in an accessible and engaging way across the team's platforms. The first season of "Real Talk" features four episodes, two in French and two in English, which are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify in addition to most other major podcast platforms. Full video episodes are also available on canadiens.com and the team's official YouTube channel.
Episode 1 of the podcast features a chat between star Habs forward - and the team's Hockey is for Everyone ambassador - Nick Suzuki and Jonas Worth from You Can Play. Moderated by canadiens.com special contributor Marc Dumont, the 20-minute discussion centers around dressing room culture, microaggressions and the important role language plays in creating an inclusive environment in a sport setting. This episode is available in English.
Former Canadiens winger Georges Laraque joins the pod for Episode 2, as he sits down with 18-year-old 2019 QMJHL first round pick Yanic Duplessis, who came out publicly in 2020. Marc Dumont moderates a chat between Georges and Yanic about diversity and inclusion in hockey, why representation matters, and how Yanic's life has improved for the better since coming out. This episode is available in French.
Episode 3 features a roundtable discussion between two of the most talented female hockey players in the province, Mélodie Daoust, who helped Canada win gold at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi and former Team Canada forward Ann-Sophie Bettez. Both graduates of McGill University, Bettez and Daoust chat with host Kevin Raphael about the future of women's hockey, how to grow the game at the grassroots level, and what it will take to create a unified professional league for elite female players. This episode is available in French.
The fourth and final episode of the first season of the series focuses on two women who have created influential platforms designed by women, for women, to empower, inspire, and support females in and around the game of hockey. Isabelle Ethier, the host of the "Les Femmes de Hockey" podcast and Alero Eribo, founder of HockeyGirlz, chat with Marc Dumont about bringing the game back to its roots and how to focus on making hockey fun for everyone.
Tune in and subscribe to "Real Talk" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your pods.
