Adam Derges was a broken man. He once contemplated ending it all. Then he dug deep within himself to find a great purpose in life.

In this episode, not going to lie, it takes a HARD LEFT right out of the gate as we get to the crux of how Adam found himself being an influential voice on social media via podcasting and voicing his opinions daily. It's the prior journey that's important to hear.

We go on a psychedelic tour, if you will, that sees Adam taking prescribed ketamine first, and later leading to a flight to Columbia and doing work on himself under guided spiritual trips via ayahuasca. It's fascinating to hear the metamorphosis he went through while under the influence. It changed him. He knew what to do now. Help others. So he created the Army of Great Men, to help others who've gone through various adversities and needed a safe space to just talk, learn and grow.

EVENTUALLY, we get to the topic of Alberta Separation, as Adam has become a staunch advocate for some much needed change in the West. We also touch on the power of the various conservative social media influencers currently making a difference and applying pressure on the current Liberal Canadian Government.

Buckle up folks, THIS IS A TRIP!

Follow Army of Great Men Podcast:

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https://www.youtube.com/@armyofgreatmen

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Intro/Outro Tunes: Back on the Farm-Shoot the Lights Out

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Location: Studio Luma, Calgary Alberta :

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Martin Belanger, a.k.a. @martyupnorth (X) spent his life in the Canadian Oil Patch. Oil, as he says, "was very good to me" Now retired at the nice young age of 58, he spends most of his time pissing people off on X, OR inspiring countless others with his no holds barred takes on all things politically triggering. Are they really triggering though, or is he simply callingn out truths?

Either way, it's hard not to respect his honesty, and to also thank him for his years of service trying to get our oil and gas out of the ground and delivered to the masses, while helping create thousands of jobs.

In this episode we spend A LOT of time digging up old war stories and specifically hilighting some of the missed opportunities that would've been good for Canada, like Goldboro LNG. Marty played a key role in the failed project that would've brought thousands of jobs to Maritimers on the East Coast of Canada. We also reminisce fondly of some of his other projects including an awesome tale of his time spent drilling wells in, QUEBEC of all places. This story is phenomenal! While the story of drilling Quebec wells are hilarious, it also exposes the absurdity of the regulatory framework here in Canada.

Naturally we explore Alberta Separation and the Alberta Prosperity Project along with the potential incoming referendum which is likely slated for the fall of 2026. I'm a big fan of this guy, and I believe we owe him a debt of gratitude here in Alberta.

Follow Marty:

X: https://x.com/Martyupnorth

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Intro/Outro Tunes: Back on the Farm-Shoot the Lights Out

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https://www.modernmiraclenetwork.org/about

Location: Studio Luma, Calgary Alberta :

https://www.studiolumayyc.com/

"The Alberta Prosperity Project is an inspiring initiative to educate and unite all Albertans, businesses, and organizations to protect their prosperity, individual freedoms, rights, and sovereignty by empowering the Alberta government to restructure Alberta's relationship with Canada." I had the pleasure of sitting down and having an open and honest conversation with Tanya Clemens, a Farmer, Educator, Advocate for Agriculture and Politically Engaged hustler who now joins in the education for Albertans via the Alberta Prosperity Project. We talk all possibilities on the potential for Alberta as it pertains to sovereignty within and without Canada. Hot topics like Alberta's Oil and Gas revenues, equalization, taxes, quebec, lack of representation in the form of seats at all levels of government, and exactly who are these "separatists" and why are they so angry? Are we all hillbillies, racists and extremists, or are we simply fed up with the lack of cooperation from Ottawa. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation, Tanya is not only a sweetheart, but she's an excellent communicator with a passion for defending western interests. Right in my wheelhouse folks!!

For more information on the movement:

https://albertaprosperityproject.com/

Also Follow Tanya and her wicked Ag work from her farm: https://www.instagram.com/farm_geek?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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Intro/Outro Tunes: Back on the Farm-Shoot the Lights Out

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Location: Studio Luma, Calgary Alberta :

https://www.studiolumayyc.com/

John Pantazopoulos, running for City of CalgaryCouncillor Ward 6 (my ward) is a former Top 40 Under 40 as given the nod in Avenue Magazine for Calgary Alberta. He is currently the CEO of Lucky Strike Energy, and has been behind several other Oil and Gas and Lithium start ups including E3 Metals which holds Canada's largest high-confidence lithium resource.

So why does a guy who seemingly has it all want to walk away for the not-so-glorious City Halls of Calgary? Turns out the Blanket Rezoning recently imposed on YYC was the last straw for the astute entrepreneur.

We get into his gripes with the previous council, and what he looks to bring to the new council if elected, is his business savy from lives past which also includes being a CFO at Petroreef whre he was the youngest of all on the TSX Venture, and in addition as part of the executive leadership team, Pantazopoulos helped raise 180 million in equity capital for Tangle Creek.

We talk about safety, transit, fiscal responsibility and various other topics including my favorite, drilling wells! John has been pounding the pavement for 7 months and had a great head start on his opponents, and he has tracked every step, every conversation and every door missed, that was ear marked for a return visit. John is meticulous, methodical, analytical, well-spoken and charismatic.

This guy is one sharp cookie, and I believe he's one to keep an eye on down the road in politics, and feel he'd be an excellent councillor for Ward 6! Who knows, this guy just might be Mayor potential. Time will Tell!

For Information about John:

https://john4ward6.ca/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/johnp4ward6?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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Intro/Outro Tunes: Back on the Farm-Shoot the Lights Out

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Location: Studio Luma, Calgary Alberta :

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It's no secret what The Tragically Hip MEANT to Canada. They touched so many in different ways, and after the last show ever from the energic band, it also touched Keith Dyck. GEDfest, an annual live music festival now in its 8th Season, was created to continue to not only celebrate the life and music of The Hip, but to help restore the sense of community, by coming together and also giving back, while displaying what the band stilll MEANS to Canadians.

Keith Dyck, who hails from Calgary, Alberta, is no different than any other music-loving patriot. He works in the financial sector for Wellington-Altus, and has for some time, raises his family, bangs the drums, swings the odd golf club, reads, travels, and gives back to the community. In this episode we get into when the idea for creating a music festival first hit Keith and his wife Julie square in the face.

If you were one of the lucky ones to see the last tour ever for the Tragically Hip, after Gordon Edgar Downie was diagnosed with Brain Cancer, then you would've witnessed a celebration like no other. It was exciting, sad and tearful, bittersweet, emotional and created warmth with a sense of togetherness as fans watched Gord pour his soul into every lyrical act.

We swap Hip stories in this one, some of our favorite songs, where our love for them got its origins, and how Keith began playing drums later in life, leading to his formation of what he calls a Tribute band which covers The Hip expertly in Trickle Down.

GEDfest was born with the purpose of continuing what the band did for Canadians, it brought us together to watch live performances, as that's what the band was known for, touring. Gedfest, now in its 8th Season will be held in 6 cities including Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg On October 18th, and 25th. It's likely to continue to spread to Ontario and beyond. The concerts also feature local up and coming acts before the Hip covers take the stage. DO NOT MISS A SHOW.

Each show is dedicated with proceeds going to local Cancer-related charities.

For information on GEDfest and how to buy tickets go to:

https://www.gedfest.ca/

Follow Gedfest on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gedfest?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Intro/Outro Tunes: Back on the Farm-Shoot the Lights Out

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Location: Studio Luma, Calgary Alberta :

https://www.studiolumayyc.com/

*CAVEAT-the audio kept dropping out on us, after the fact, so while there are some obvious cuts in here, this episode was too good not to RELEASE! Please be patient with the drops...

Dallas Alexander, who hails from right here in Alberta, Canada, rose to his new found fame, initially after appearing on the @ShawnRyanShow to speak on his life in the military, obtaining his now infamous World Record farthest shot and what ensued after. His abrupt exit from the Canadian Military after refusing to comply with their COVID19 mandates. We speak of that interview a bit in here... Dallas is now a rising country music star. How the hell did he get here? We get into all kinds of goodies including some hockey talk, seeing as Dallas as it turns out was no slouch on the ice. We also get into some of his work in the Oilfields and we even get into the prospect of Alberta Separating from Canada! The Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) is a highly secretive and elite special operations unit of the Canadian Armed Forces, specializing in counter-terrorism operations, both at home and abroad. Dallas Alexander and his JTF2 Sniper Team were responsible for landing the world's farthest shot, breaking every record before it.

Checkout Dallas Alexander:

Website: https://www.dallasalexander.ca/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/iamdallasalexander?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamdallasalexander?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc X: https://x.com/dallasalexandr

Music:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5iXE5iocUV7kCWdl0b4iJv?si=L7JIW9R1RES2u6mEknLosw

Follow Me:

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Spotify:

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Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/great-northern-discussions/id1721177922

Intro/Outro Tunes: Back on the Farm-Shoot the Lights Out

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Episode Sponsor:

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Location: Studio Luma, Calgary Alberta :

https://www.studiolumayyc.com/