It is with momentous pleasure, that we introduce you to the twelve Montreal-based humans who will be bravely showing up — and getting vulnerable — on your screens!
The RIPPLE series was launched on YouTube in 2025 as a space for real conversation. A breath of fresh air from short-form content out to steal all of our attention — content that lingers, stretches perspectives, and reminds us we’re not alone in what we feel. Every human in our Season One cast comes from different walks of life, each showing up with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be seen. They are real people — with stories, questions, contradictions, and lived experiences that shape how they move through the world. In conversation, they discover that while their paths certainly differ, there is much more that brings them together than what sets them apart.
We invite you to scroll down and get to know the RIPPLERS behind these fantastic conversations, getting a peak into what drew them in to make ripples with us!
Catch new RIPPLE episodes every other Monday on YouTube and Spotify.
Follow @madetoripple on Instagram for latest clips, behind-the-scenes, and to be notified about new episode drops!
MEET ALANNA!
she/her | @fernwehbebe
Age: 29 years old
Neighbourhood: Rosemont
Occupation: Marketing, Public Relations & Events
What drew you to RIPPLE?
I’ve been a fan of Happy Tears ever since I met Brandon — I really love everything the brand stands for. My favourite type of content to consume is people having real, genuine conversations, so it felt meaningful to be part of something like this.
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope people feel seen and heard. I hope they can relate to what we’re expressing and feel like they’re sitting right there with us as they watch.
What are you learning about yourself lately?
I’m learning to be patient with myself. I’ve always wanted everything done yesterday, and I’m realizing that isn’t a way to live. Learning patience has helped me become kinder to myself — and it’s been a beautiful process.
MEET LEÏLA!
she/her | @hola._.everybody
Age: 30 years old
Neighbourhood: Hochelaga
Occupation: User Researcher, Video Games
What drew you to RIPPLE?
I related deeply to the initiative. It’s brave and necessary. I love connecting with people — I consider myself a 'human' (I even have a human tattoo under my arm).
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope people feel understood in all their complexity, and reminded that they’re not alone. We’re all human, and we’re meant to be here for each other.
Who from the cast surprised you the most so far?
Alanna. I was drawn to her humour at first, but then really connected with her depth and vulnerability. It felt like a true example of how asking questions allows you to peel back layers and see someone fully.
MEET MJ!
they/them | @therealemjaay__
Age: 31 years old
Neighbourhood: Côtes-des-Neiges
Occupation: Artist/Singer/Musician, Retail
What drew you to RIPPLE?
I discovered Happy Tears a few months ago and instantly fell in love with the mission. I saw this opportunity as a challenge to be more vulnerable — not just with others, but with myself.
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope people can relate to the stories being shared, and that I can be a voice for young queer people.
Who from the cast surprised you the most so far?
Soul. Spending time with her outside of filming was really special. She’s authentic, wise, and I’ve learned so much from her.
Neighbourhood: Ville-Marie Centre-Sud
Occupation: Professional Dancer & Fitness Coach
I hope they relate to what we share, feel seen, have a good laugh — maybe even a good cry — and really feel those emotions with us through the screen.
More peace and calm. I tend to overbook myself, and I’m learning to slow down, make space for boredom, spend time with friends, laugh, and rest.
MEET KAYLA!
she/her | @kaylabeaudoin
Age: 26 years old
Neighbourhood: Ville-Marie
Occupation: Video Editor
What drew you to RIPPLE?
The opportunity to meet new people. I love talking to strangers — it’s my "Olympics" — and I wanted to challenge myself to be more vulnerable.
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope people see themselves in the content. There’s so much curated, overly produced media out there — this feels like a breath of fresh air.
What are you unlearning lately?
That I don’t always have to be so certain of who I am. I value knowing myself, but I also want to give myself permission to change and grow.
MEET SEBASTIAN!
he/him | @thesebastianquint
Age: 23 years old
Neighbourhood: Notre-Dame-de-Grâces
Occupation: Actor & Artist
What drew you to RIPPLE?
Kayla had recommended it to me. When I heard about the questions and the people, I was immediately in.
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope people are exposed to new perspectives, feel connection, and embrace empathy through our stories.
Who from the cast surprised you the most so far?
Honestly, everyone — their openness, playfulness, and willingness to share.
What are you currently learning?
How to be present. I struggle with impatience, and I’m learning to slow down and be kinder to myself.
MEET JADE!
she/her | @celebrate_yourself7334
Age: 25 years old
Neighbourhood: Hochelaga
Occupation: Special Education Teacher (Specialized with Autistic Children)
What drew you to RIPPLE?
I love talking and connecting with people — and I’m new to Montreal, so this felt like a beautiful way to meet others.
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope people feel the goofiness and the rawness, and mostly just feel happy.
Who from the cast surprised you the most so far?
Cassy. Hearing her speak about her mom and stepmom really touched me.
MEET CASSY!
she/they | @cestmoi.cassy
Age: 34 years old
Neighbourhood: The Village
Occupation: Fashion Designer
What drew you to RIPPLE?
I applied during a moment when my astrology app told me to go for things. I’d also met Brandon years ago and instantly connected with the brand — this felt aligned.
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope people feel connected to the authenticity and use these conversations to create ripples in their own lives.
Who surprised you the most from the cast?
The entire cast. Everyone is kind, open, vulnerable, and full of light.
MEET MIJON!
he/him | @majorzu
Age: 37 years old
Neighbourhood: The Village
Occupation: Graduate Student
What drew you to RIPPLE?
Through conversations with Brandon about the kind of content we love — content that speaks to the human experience.
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope viewers see themselves reflected, feel connected, and experience a sense of hope.
What are you leaning into lately?
Being more intentional with where I put my energy — choosing people and paths that bring, not happiness, but joy and contentment.
MEET AMANDA!
she/her | @itsamandawan
Age: 27 years old
Neighbourhood: LaSalle
Occupation: Full-Time Content Creator & Business Owner
What drew you to RIPPLE?
I saw the casting call and felt drawn to the idea of connecting deeply with others through vulnerability.
What do you hope people feel when they watch?
I hope they just feel connected to one or everyone that they're watching and just feel seen, because that's something that's not so easy these days.
What are you unlearning?
Ideas around my sexuality. Coming out as a lesbian meant unlearning the belief that I had to look a certain way to belong. I’m learning that being myself is enough.
MEET BRANDON!
he/him | @ohbranada
Age: 32 years old
Neighbourhood: Atwater
Occupation: Founder of Happy Tears, Host of RIPPLE
What inspired you to create RIPPLE?
I’ve been thinking about this project for years — wanting to create more heart-centred content and redefining my relationship with social media. I wanted to step out from behind my computer and truly connect with people in a new format.
Who from the cast surprised you the most so far?
Everyone absolutely has, but I will shout out Melinda. She came in with such raw, authentic energy, and it’s been beautiful watching her discover new layers of herself in conversation and in dynamic with a different group of people. She expressed that no place has ever really felt like home for her, and I hope that RIPPLE can grow to be a space where she does.
What are you leaning into lately?
Ritual and self-care as a form of maintenance, not crisis — building towards a more stable and grounded sense of contentment.
A final note
RIPPLE is an invitation — to listen, to feel, and to remember that connection starts with curiosity.
The conversations continue with you — leave a comment for a Rippler you related to or one that got you head scratching, or another who made you slip into a state of internal exploration.
Never forgetting: we were all made to ripple.
- Brandon
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