The 1st Half
The 1st Half goes beyond the pitch, tapping into soccer's cultural pulse, from its influence on fashion to its power to bring people together. Join Paul Desbaillets as he interviews guests from the greater community each week, tapping into their shared passion for the world’s most beautiful game.
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Jun 13
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Skyler Mota the Co-Founder and President of Canadian Marketing Agency CRUEL, they talk about the difficulties of the marketing world, working on fashion shows at the Paris Fashion Week, helping to bring the Sports Illustrated Circuit Series to the Grand-Prix this weekend, being a massive Portugal supporter and them winning their 2nd Nations League trophy, being in Portugal for the 2004 Euro and much more. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, Alphonso Davies and Christian Pulisic being at Stanley Cup Final games, the Club World Cup getting ready to kick off, with Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, Champions League winners PSG, LAFC, Atletico Madrid among many others. Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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Jun 6
1st Half with guest - Tom Pearce
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Tom Pearce as they talk about his time playing for Wigan Athletic and Leeds United, how he became a Liverpool fan, playing for Everton Academy, differences between the MLS and the English league, some of the worst experiences of his young career, the best game he’s ever attended, his favorite food since being in Montreal. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, PSG winning their first ever Champions League title against Inter Milan, what it means for Inter going forward, the bright future for PSG, Ange Postecoglou getting sacked by Tottenham and their young stars and the groups for the FIFA Club World Cup. Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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May 30
1st Half with guest - Rocco Placentino
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down Rocco Placentino the Technical Director of Saint-Laurent soccer club and former player for the Montreal Impact, Avellino, Teramo, Gubbio and much more. They talk about the semi-pro scene in Montreal, some of the players that have come through the program, being with France after they won the World Cup in 1998, the Julia Cianci Memorial Tournament, the Jason Di Tullio Foundation and much more. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, Inter Milan vs PSG in the Champions League Final and Chelsea winning the Conference League.Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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May 23
1st Half with guest - Marco and Fred
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Marco and Fred who are apart of the Satay Brothers family which has become a staple restaurant in Montreal. Marco and Fred have worked with owners/founders Alex and Mat Winnicki for many years and they talk about how they got into the restaurant industry, how they found their way to Satay, how both of them developed a love for football growing up, the European clubs they support, being able to watch the 2010 World Cup final, and much more. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, Tottenham beating Manchester United in the Europa League final to book their ticket to the Champions league and get their first title in 17 years and Fuego Fuego happening this weekend. Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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May 16
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Emilio Zaga Mendez, who is the Senior Branding Manager for Evenko as they talk about what goes into putting events like Fuego Fuego together, what led him down the path to working at Evenko, what got him into football and why he’s an Arsenal fan, his uncle Nolberto Solano who played for Newcastle United and West Ham and several other clubs, his love for women’s sports and much more. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, Bologna beating AC Milan to win the Copa Italia and getting a spot in European competition, Barcelona winning their 28th La Liga title, Chelsea getting a huge win against Manchester United and Newcastle getting a new crest Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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May 9
1st Half with guest - Kevin Lapierre
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Comedian and GOAL Foundation Ambassador Kevin Lapierre as they talk about Kevin’s appearance on Occupation Double in South Africa where he won the Audience Favorite award, the new play that he’s been working on, some of his best and worst experiences doing comedy, potentially writing a script one day. Being in Rome to watch the Roma vs Sienna at the Stadio Olimpico and much more. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, the Champions League final between Inter Milan and PSG, the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham and the Conference League final between Chelsea and Real Betis. Gary Neville, and David Beckham completing a takeover of Salford City a 4th division team in English football. CF Montreal playing NYFC, Toronto vs DC United, Chelsea vs Newcastle and Liverpool vs Arsenal. Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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May 2
1st Half with guest - Daniel Pacella
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with entrepreneur and ex footballer Daniel Pacella, as they talk about the program that Daniel created to help young athletes navigate the NCAA recruitment process, being a part of the CF Montreal youth academy, being recruited by the University of Vermont, the biggest game he’s been apart of, his new adventures in New Zealand and much more. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, Montreal Roses FC playing their home opener in front of a sold out crowd tomorrow against Ottawa, Liverpool winning the Premier League title, Jason Kidd joining Everton’s ownership group, Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil and Real Madrid saga, and the 2nd leg of the Champions League Semi-Final games between Arsenal/PSG and Inter/Barcelona. Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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Apr 24
1st Half with guest - Hassoun Camara
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Hassoun Camara former Montreal Impact defender and now TV host, as they talk about his journey from playing football in France then finding his way to Montreal with the Impact. Becoming a media personality, some of the most memorable games in his career, transitioning out of being a professional player, his great interaction with Jesse Marsch and much more. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including, Montreal Roses FC getting their inaugural win against AFC Toronto, Jamie Vardy announcing that he will leave Leicester City, after being there since 2012. Liverpool having a chance to clinch the Premier League title this weekend as they take on Tottenham. CF Montreal being in action and the FA Cup nearly coming to a close. Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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Apr 18
The 1st Half with guest - Antonio Park
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Chef Antonio Park, to talk about culinary career and how he transformed the restaurant scene with his farm to table techniques. As he dives deep into his culinary experiences around the world, Chef Park talks about cooking for athletes, his various restaurants, the 2026 World Cup, his love for Tottenham Hotspur and how Harry Kane’s image has been shaped over the years. Paul also talks to Amy Walsh to break down the NSL’s inaugural season, the Montreal Roses gearing up for their first game and the development of women’s soccer in Canada. Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!
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Apr 4
1st Half with guest - Evan Bush
This week on The 1st Half Culture Show, Paul Desbaillets sits down with Evan Bush, Columbus Crew Goalkeeper, to talk about his 14-year career in the MLS, his arm injury, and the backstory of his soccer career. As he relives the best and worst memories of his time on the field, Evan talks about his experience playing for the Montreal Impact, and how he’s preparing for his career after football. Paul breaks down this week’s hot topics including Paul Pogba’s April Fools prank, Kevin De Bruyne leaving Manchester City after his contract ends this season, Inter Miami’s new rules for Messi’s bodyguard and Laurent Courtois getting fired as the Head Coach for CF Montreal. Catch The 1st Half Culture Show every Friday at 6 pm on TSN 690 Montreal, where soccer meets pop culture. With weekly guests, bold takes, and Paul’s signature wit, it’s the ultimate mix of football, culture, and conversation you didn’t know you needed!