Every once in a while, you get to cross something off your dream list, and today is one of those days for me. Nearly a decade ago, Ryder and Lisa rolled onto a Nation Ski Trip as promotional partners for the event, and they were a hit with our group right from the jump. Not only were they a blast to hang out with, but I knew they were my people when their ski gear didn’t even make it off the bus. They were there to have a good time, and boy did they ever.

Ever since that trip, I’ve always hoped there’d be a way for us to work together. There were times over the years when Ryder and I even discussed doing a podcast together, but we just couldn’t quite get the timing right, and our show idea never came together. Now it’s happening, and this time it’s more than just talk. This time, it’s for real. This time, we got them. Starting in early November, Ryder and Lisa are joining ON for a brand-new daily show called The Sauce, and I couldn’t be more excited for them to get started.

After months of work behind the scenes and countless conversations, this is a huge day for us at Nation HQ and for our network as a whole. Our mission has always been about passion, community, and creating content that feels like it’s for the fans, by the fans. With The Sauce, Ryder and Lisa are going to bring their own spin to that recipe, and I cannot wait to see what they cook up with the freedom to create freely.

But enough from me — I wanted to ask them a few questions so you could hear directly from the stars of our newest show.

Lisa: We’ve been big fans of what Oilersnation is all about for a long time. Their passion for the team, the community, and making great content is such a perfect fit for us.

Ryder: Free parking.

Lisa: For me, it’s the chance to take something we love doing and amplify it, so more people can find it, engage with it, and be part of it.

Ryder: I heard they have really good coffee at the office.

Lisa: Lauren Kyle McDavid will finally respond to my DMs asking if I can come to her dinner parties.

Ryder: I think the Oilers will be good enough — and the Flames will be bad enough — that the people of Calgary end up talking about our team more than their own again this year. That’s one of my favourite things, right up there with free parking and good office coffee.

Jokes aside, this is what makes building the space so special. Finding incredible people who love this team and this community as much as we do, and giving them the platform to be creative and let that talent shine through, has me incredibly excited about this new show. Bringing Ryder and Lisa — Canada’s Top Major Market Radio Team at last year’s Broadcast Dialogue Awards — into the fold feels like one of those full-circle moments that I’m incredibly proud of because this idea really was years in the making. It’s a great day, it’s a great day for our network, and I couldn’t be more excited to see where The Sauce takes us next.