On the Saturday May 2, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Jay Franco, the author of the Star Wars tie-in book “Star Wars: Be More Boba Fett.”

As every Star Wars fan knows, bounty hunter Boba Fett was selected by Empire magazine as the 79th greatest movie character of all time, and is included on Fandomania's list of The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters. IGN ranked Boba Fett as the eighth top Star Wars character, due to his fan-favourite status.

Boba Fett is also the favourite Star Wars character of my guest Jay Franco. Drawing inspiration from the bounty hunter to offer advice on embracing a freelance, entrepreneurial lifestyle, adaptability, getting the job done no matter what, and being your own boss all while weaving in Star Wars lore and humor.

Then, we’ll meet New York Actor/Singer Nick Manna. On and off Broadway you may have seen him in Shrek The Musical, Avenue Q or as Ben Franklin in 1776. Today we’ll talk about his career and touring in the lead role of Dog Man in Dog Man: The Musical, a family-friendly stage adaptation of Dav Pilkey's popular book series playing at the CAA Theatre in Toronto from May 6 to June 14. Check Mirvish.com for more details.

On the Saturday May 2, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we&rsquo;ll meet Jay Franco, the author of the Star Wars tie-in book &ldquo;Star Wars: Be More Boba Fett.&rdquo;
As every Star Wars fan knows, bounty hunter Boba Fett was selected by Empire magazine as the 79th greatest movie character of all time, and is included on Fandomania's list of The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters. IGN ranked Boba Fett as the eighth top Star Wars character, due to his fan-favourite status.
Boba Fett is also the favourite Star Wars character of my guest Jay Franco. Drawing inspiration from the bounty hunter to offer advice on embracing a freelance, entrepreneurial lifestyle, adaptability, getting the job done no matter what, and being your own boss all while weaving in Star Wars lore and humor.
Then, we&rsquo;ll meet New York Actor/Singer Nick Manna. On and off Broadway you may have seen him in Shrek The Musical, Avenue Q or as Ben Franklin in 1776. Today we&rsquo;ll talk about his career and touring in the lead role of Dog Man in Dog Man: The Musical, a family-friendly stage adaptation of Dav Pilkey's popular book series playing at the CAA Theatre in Toronto from May 6 to June 14. Check Mirvish.com for more details.

Every week THE RICHARD CROUSE SHOW features in depth conversations with the actors, writers and movers-and-shakers who are not only part of pop culture but helping create the pop culture we enjoy. Recent guests include Fresh Off the Boat star Randall Park, comedian Greg Proops, Toy Story 4 star Tony Hale, Muppet master Brian Henson, Emily Mortimer, Woman Enough: How a Boy Became a Woman and Changed the World of Sport author Kristen Worley, superstar English novelist Ian McEwan, best-selling Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James and many others.

The Richard Crouse Show Podcast

The Richard Crouse Show

Every week THE RICHARD CROUSE SHOW features in depth conversations with the actors, writers and movers-and-shakers who create the pop culture we enjoy. Recently Fresh Off the Boat's Randall Park talked about working as a barista while starring on a TV show. Best-selling Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James described why Miles Davis is an integral part of his writing process and  Woman Enough: How a Boy Became a Woman and Changed the World of Sport author Kristen Worley detailed how she blazed a trail for gender diversity in sport. Join Richard and his guests for relaxed,  revealing and in-depth conversations.

NICK MANNA + JAY FRANCO + THE ROADHAMMERS 

On the Saturday April 18, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet USA TODAY, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star bestselling author Rick Mofina. He’s the author of more than thirty crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly thirty countries.

A former journalist, he has interviewed murderers on death row, flown over Los Angeles with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He is a two-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, and a multiple finalist for the International Thriller Writers Awards and the Shamus Award, presented by the Private Eye Writers of America. Library Journal calls him "one of the best thriller writers in the business."

His latest novel, “One Second Away” is a high-octane global thriller that begins with a parent’s desperate search and rapidly escalates into an international investigation involving the FBI, uncovering a far-reaching web of secrets and lies. Set across multiple cities, the story delivers relentless suspense while exploring the emotional fallout of life-altering decisions made in an instant.

Then, we’ll meet Tom Howe, the British-born (now LA-based) film and TV composer known for his versatile work across dramatic scores, animations, documentaries, and feel-good series. He's scored over 100 projects, including major highlights like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, The Great British Bake Off and many more. We talk music and Ted Lasso with Tom.

On the Saturday April 18, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we&rsquo;ll meet USA TODAY, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star bestselling author Rick Mofina. He&rsquo;s the author of more than thirty crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly thirty countries.
A former journalist, he has interviewed murderers on death row, flown over Los Angeles with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He is a two-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, and a multiple finalist for the International Thriller Writers Awards and the Shamus Award, presented by the Private Eye Writers of America. Library Journal calls him "one of the best thriller writers in the business."
His latest novel, &ldquo;One Second Away&rdquo; is a high-octane global thriller that begins with a parent&rsquo;s desperate search and rapidly escalates into an international investigation involving the FBI, uncovering a far-reaching web of secrets and lies. Set across multiple cities, the story delivers relentless suspense while exploring the emotional fallout of life-altering decisions made in an instant.
Then, we&rsquo;ll meet Tom Howe, the British-born (now LA-based) film and TV composer known for his versatile work across dramatic scores, animations, documentaries, and feel-good series. He's scored over 100 projects, including major highlights like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, The Great British Bake Off and many more. We talk music and Ted Lasso with Tom.

TOM HOWE + RICK MOFINA 

On the Saturday April 25, 2026 we’ll meet we’ll meet Elyse Aeryn, a roots-rock singer-songwriter from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She spent nearly a decade in the pulp and paper industry—then, in her late 20s, walked away to chase the music that’s always burned inside her.

Her roots-rock sound fuses Stevie Nicks-inspired soul, with some Alanis, and memorable melodies. Her 2023 debut Joy State of Mind put her on the map with nominations and awards, and now, after overcoming a devastating motorcycle crash in 2025, she’s back. Her sophomore album Everybody Loves You… is10 tracks of bold, emotionally resonant rock that features radio-toppers like ‘Unstoppable.’

Then, Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol of “Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie.”

The movie, which blends footage from the 2007–2009 web series of the same name, begins with unemployed musicians Matt and Jay (Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol) hatching a plan to land a gig at the legendary Rivoli on Queen Street West in Toronto. Without contacting the club, writing any songs or practising, they decide to parachute off the CN Tower into the Skydome during a baseball game to announce the show in front of a stunned crowd.

What could go wrong? Well, lots.

No spoilers here, but when their skydiving stunt doesn’t get them the Rivoli gig, they (along with their camera guy Jared Raab) find themselves accidentally traveling back to the year 2008, and struggling to find a way back to the future.

On the Saturday April 25, 2026 we&rsquo;ll meet we&rsquo;ll meet Elyse Aeryn, a roots-rock singer-songwriter from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She spent nearly a decade in the pulp and paper industry&mdash;then, in her late 20s, walked away to chase the music that&rsquo;s always burned inside her.
Her roots-rock sound fuses Stevie Nicks-inspired soul, with some Alanis, and memorable melodies. Her 2023 debut Joy State of Mind put her on the map with nominations and awards, and now, after overcoming a devastating motorcycle crash in 2025, she&rsquo;s back. Her sophomore album Everybody Loves You&hellip; is10 tracks of bold, emotionally resonant rock that features radio-toppers like &lsquo;Unstoppable.&rsquo;
Then, Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol of &ldquo;Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie.&rdquo;
The movie, which blends footage from the 2007&ndash;2009 web series of the same name, begins with unemployed musicians Matt and Jay (Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol) hatching a plan to land a gig at the legendary Rivoli on Queen Street West in Toronto. Without contacting the club, writing any songs or practising, they decide to parachute off the CN Tower into the Skydome during a baseball game to announce the show in front of a stunned crowd.
What could go wrong? Well, lots.
No spoilers here, but when their skydiving stunt doesn&rsquo;t get them the Rivoli gig, they (along with their camera guy Jared Raab) find themselves accidentally traveling back to the year 2008, and struggling to find a way back to the future.

ELYSE AERYN + MATT JOHSNON + JAY MCCARROL

On the Saturday April 11, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet JUNO award-winner Meghan Patrick. Her bold honesty and powerhouse presence has made her one of country music’s most compelling voices. Her 2026 JUNO nomination for Country Album of the Year for “Golden Child” marks another major milestone for the Ontario native, who now lives in Nashville, in a career built on authenticity, critical acclaim, and growing international impact.

“Golden Child” is Patrick’s most personal work to date - an 18-track project rooted in self-reflection, growth, and emotional honesty. Anchored by a breakout title track that became one of the most successful releases of her career, the album has helped propel her beyond Canadian borders and into a new chapter of global recognition.

Then, we get to know Andy Hines, a Canadian filmmaker from Nova Scotia, whose feature film debut Little Lorraine is in theatres on April 17.

The son of photographer Sherman Hines, began his career as a music video director, creating videos for artists such as Alicia Keys, Keith Urban, Jason Derulo, Lizzo, Coldplay, Matthew Good and many others. He’s a Grammy nominee and his video for Big Sean's "One Man Can Change the World" was the winner of a MTV Music Video Award for Best Video with a Social Message.

Today we’re talking about his directorial feature film debut. “Little Lorraine” tells the true story of a group of coal miners in Little Lorraine, Cape Breton who lose their jobs after a mining accident. Seeking new livelihoods, they join an uncle on his lobster fishing boat, only to discover the boat is part of a larger cocaine smuggling ring. As the operation expands, involving funeral homes and caskets, the friends find themselves in too deep. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, and the consequences of getting involved in criminal activity, all against the backdrop of a close-knit community facing an extraordinary crisis.

On the Saturday April 11, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet JUNO award-winner Meghan Patrick. Her bold honesty and powerhouse presence has made her one of country music&rsquo;s most compelling voices. Her 2026 JUNO nomination for Country Album of the Year for &ldquo;Golden Child&rdquo; marks another major milestone for the Ontario native, who now lives in Nashville, in a career built on authenticity, critical acclaim, and growing international impact.
&ldquo;Golden Child&rdquo; is Patrick&rsquo;s most personal work to date - an 18-track project rooted in self-reflection, growth, and emotional honesty. Anchored by a breakout title track that became one of the most successful releases of her career, the album has helped propel her beyond Canadian borders and into a new chapter of global recognition.
Then, we get to know Andy Hines, a Canadian filmmaker from Nova Scotia, whose feature film debut Little Lorraine is in theatres on April 17.
The son of photographer Sherman Hines, began his career as a music video director, creating videos for artists such as Alicia Keys, Keith Urban, Jason Derulo, Lizzo, Coldplay, Matthew Good and many others. He&rsquo;s a Grammy nominee and his video for Big Sean's "One Man Can Change the World" was the winner of a MTV Music Video Award for Best Video with a Social Message.
Today we&rsquo;re talking about his directorial feature film debut. &ldquo;Little Lorraine&rdquo; tells the true story of a group of coal miners in Little Lorraine, Cape Breton who lose their jobs after a mining accident. Seeking new livelihoods, they join an uncle on his lobster fishing boat, only to discover the boat is part of a larger cocaine smuggling ring. As the operation expands, involving funeral homes and caskets, the friends find themselves in too deep. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, and the consequences of getting involved in criminal activity, all against the backdrop of a close-knit community facing an extraordinary crisis.

NICK MANNA + JAY FRANCO + THE ROADHAMMERS

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