Jack Charron, Nathan Cox and Benjamin Peters share a unique experience each week — hosting a podcast called The Interview Dudes. Their task is to “interview people with cool jobs.” Since their first episode in 2019, the eighth graders from Fielding Drive Public School have attracted famous guests such as actor Ryan Reynolds and former astronaut Marc Garneau.
Back in the summer of 2019, Jack used to travel to give performances in Toronto. He and his dad listened to podcasts to fill their five-hour drives, until one day Jack voiced an idea. “Wouldn't it be fun to make my own?”Jack said to his dad. Later, he got Nathan and Benjamin together, and they came up with the name and what they were going to do. The podcast became popular quickly. The boys were shy when older students at school started calling them“the famous people”after a teacher shared their podcast. They were even asked to teach high schoolers about podcasting. But enough time has passed for the three to feel comfortable using the chance to attract more listeners.
The three teens have sometimes gone on field trips to meet their interviewees. Nathan remembered an episode with the CFL Ottawa Redblacks team when they were able to meet three of the football players in person and take a look at their weight room.
The boys had a hit on Apple Podcasts as the second most listened-to Kids and Family podcast in Canada in 2020. In 2021, they were awarded Best Podcast at the 2021 FACES Magazine Ottawa Awards.
Benjamin, Nathan and Jack say they hope to interview more important guests, and they will continue opening themselves up to trying new things together.
