Allan Grego, co-host and producer of The Produce Stand, turned a pandemic passion project into a thriving podcast that’s become an integral part of the Letterkenny and Shorzy fan community.
What began as casual conversations about two of Canada’s favorite sitcoms quickly grew into something much larger, gaining recognition from fans and even the shows' creators.
In this blog, we dive into Al's podcasting journey, his advice for creators, and his tips for finding your niche and loyal listeners.
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Introducing Allan Grego and The Produce Stand
The Produce Stand is a lively aftershow podcast dedicated to the popular Canadian sitcoms Letterkenny and Shorzy. Allan Grego, one of the co-hosts and producer of the podcast, shares the origin story of the show: “It started as a pandemic project. We were all locked in our homes, unable to do much of anything socially.” Al, who had no prior podcasting experience at the time, decided it was the perfect opportunity to dive into it.
What started as a way to hang out with friends and discuss a shared love for Letterkenny and Shorzy grew quickly, with the team recording live and unedited episodes, emphasizing the raw, authentic nature of the podcast. Over time, The Produce Stand has garnered attention from the producers of both shows, and the community around the podcast continues to grow.
The impact of The Produce Stand
The Produce Stand has evolved from an aftershow into a key part of the Letterkenny and Shorzy community. Al reflects on how the podcast came about: "At first, we didn’t even think we were going to interview cast members. We were just reviewing episodes and chatting about them."
But things quickly shifted when Al casually reached out to a cast member on Twitter, asking if they wanted to join the podcast. "I just said, ‘Hey, would you like to come on our podcast?’ And they were like, ‘Yeah, sure.’ That was the start of it."
This moment opened doors, including a gesture of appreciation from Jared Kiesel, the creator of Letterkenny and Shorzy, who sent Al and his team a package with show swag and a bottle of Dom Perignon. "It was a nice way to recognize what we were doing," Al says. From there, the podcast grew to include trips to Sudbury, where the shows are filmed, and even some on-screen appearances. "We’ve been extras on Shorzy, in the background at the hockey games. It’s wild to go from just talking about the shows to being part of the world," Al shares.
The importance of finding your niche
One of the things that Al did exceptionally well was to identify an underserved niche with a loyal audience.
“I found this funny show, and when I looked it up, I saw there was one podcast in the U.S. about it, but nothing in Canada that was still running,” Al explains. As a Canadian, Al felt the need for local representation, so he brought his wife and friends on board.
Funny enough, after launching the podcast, Al found that 80% of the show’s listeners are from the U.S. — with many coming from a love of other Canadian shows like Trailer Park Boys and Schitt's Creek. Al notes, “A lot of people found Letterkenny by accident, and for those who love it, they really stick with it. Some of our listeners have gone through the entire series multiple times.”
“We’ve gotten a lot of attention from the producers of the shows we cover, and they’re really grateful for all the content and the community we've built,” says Al. With more than 270 episodes to date, The Produce Stand has become a key player in the Canadian podcast scene, offering a unique perspective on Canadian TV shows and connecting fans through their shared passion. As Al puts it, “As far as Canadian podcasts about Canadian TV shows go, I think we’re doing alright.”
The show’s success is a reminder that finding a niche you’re passionate about will attract a loyal audience when your love for the subject shines through. For Al and his team, what started as a way to pass the time during the pandemic has turned into something much bigger—a place for fans to connect, celebrate, and dig deeper into two of Canada’s most unique shows.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Early on, Al found himself caught up in the details, aiming for perfection with each episode. "I was a bit of a perfectionist, so it would bother me when we first started. I didn’t like the way we did something, and I’d want to go back and fix it," he admits.
However, as time went on, he realized that striving for constant perfection wasn't sustainable. "After a while, I was like, no, that's just stupid. I’m spending way too much time trying to fix things that don’t matter," he explains. For Al, podcasting is a passion project. "We do this in our spare time. We have some patrons who help cover costs, but we’re not making any money off of it. It’s just a hobby."
His advice? Let go of the need to perfect everything. "Every episode doesn’t need to be perfect. If we come up with a new idea, we don’t need to go back and fix everything. Just keep getting better. The more you do it, the more hours you put into it, the better you’ll get." In the end, Al’s approach is about embracing progress over perfection.
Growing with your podcast host
Al's decision to host with CoHost was driven by a combination of practicality and a desire for a more personalized experience. "I started with Libsyn, which I think is a common choice for new podcasters because it’s cost-effective," he explains. "But eventually, I outgrew it. When I was looking for a new host, CoHost just seemed like the right fit."
Being based in the Toronto area, Al was drawn to the fact that CoHost is a Canadian company. "It just felt like a good match," he says. "Here was a company that was local, based in Toronto, and just starting out. I thought, ‘Maybe I can grow with them, and they can grow with me.’"
His experience has lived up to his expectations. "You guys are incredibly responsive to feedback, often getting back to me within the same day," Al says. "That level of attentiveness is really rare, and it’s been great to work with a team that listens and continuously improves."
Al feels a sense of pride in supporting a Canadian company. "It’s all about buying Canadian these days," he says with a smile. "If you're doing a Canadian show, CoHost is the way to go. They’re Canadian, and they’ll grow with you."
Al’s picks for your podcast playlist
When it comes to his favorite podcasts, Al is a fan of shows that make him think. "One of my favorites right now is The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe," he shares. "It’s a science and critical thinking show, which, to me, is more important than ever right now." He appreciates that the show is grounded in evidence-based discussions and has a strong commitment to promoting critical thinking in a world where that can sometimes feel like a rare commodity.
What draws Al to the show isn’t just its content but the quality of its delivery. "It’s not like an indie podcast by any means — this show’s been running for 20 years and has a massive audience," he notes. Despite its success, Al still feels a strong connection to it.
Keeping up with Produce Stand
Al's journey with The Produce Stand is a testament to the power of passion and finding your niche. What started as a pandemic project with no grand expectations quickly grew into a beloved aftershow podcast, connecting fans of Letterkenny and Shorzy in ways that neither Al nor his co-hosts could have anticipated.
The show’s success highlights the importance of focusing on what you love, building a community around that passion, and not letting the fear of imperfection hold you back.
If you’re interested in tuning in, check out the full podcast.
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