The Just Drew Podcast

Ryan Szucs has been immersed in the world of design, signage, and custom graphics for more than two decades. From creating custom muscle car graphics and racing stripes at Stripe Art to building a unique artistic style using steel, rust, paint, and dark humour, Ryan has carved out a creative path that’s entirely his own. He’s also the creator of Norfolk County’s iconic word-map design — a piece of...

What is it really like working inside a prison? Shirley Kennedy spent nearly 40 years as a nurse… with 29 of those years inside correctional facilities, a world most people will never see. From navigating healthcare in prisons to shaping policy across Ontario, Shirley shares the realities, challenges, and deeply human moments that defined her career. From caring for people, to marrying them, Shirl...

What happens when you lose everything as a kid… and decide to build it all back? In this episode, Drew sits down with Jonathan Jagt an entrepreneur from Norfolk County who turned early instability into fuel. From starting a business at 19 with no backing, to building something rooted in leadership, reputation, and long-term thinking, this conversation goes deep into what it actually takes to build...

Life can deal some brutal hands. The question is whether you fold or play them. On this episode of The Just Drew Podcast , Drew sits down with Red Venture - a Canadian born creative whose life has taken some extraordinary turns. After working in Los Angeles for one of the biggest media conglomerates in the world, Red made the bold decision to uproot everything and start fresh back in Canada. But t...

Superheroes were our generation’s mythology. But something’s changed. In this episode, Tyrell returns to the podcast to break down the rise of Marvel, DC’s struggles, Christopher Nolan’s legacy, the future of superhero films… and whether the genre is quietly dying. We get into: • Why the MCU worked — and why it’s struggling now • DC’s identity crisis and the James Gunn reboot • The decline of CGI...

What does it take to keep a family restaurant thriving for nearly 40 years? In this episode of The Just Drew Podcast , I sit down with Nick Kokkoros , partner at The Barrel , one of Norfolk County’s most iconic restaurants. Nick grew up in the restaurant world, walked away from it for a career in healthcare leadership, and then made the leap back, returning to Simcoe to help run his wife’s family...

James Williams grew up in Stoney Creek obsessed with cars, design, and the outdoors — but never expected to build a watch brand. After moving to Simcoe and raising a family, James rediscovered creativity through horology. What began as tinkering with budget parts eventually became Canuck Timepieces , a Canadian-inspired watch company built on unity, collaboration, and craftsmanship. Topics: Growin...

What started as a backyard obsession turned into one of Ontario’s fastest-growing local food brands. This week, I’m joined by Chad Steele , founder of Norfolk Barbecue , to talk about how a 14-year passion for barbecue became a full-time business now carried in 80+ stores across Ontario, using ingredients sourced right here in Norfolk County. We get deep into the culture of barbecue, the science b...

What does it really take to build a creative career when you’re starting in a small town and staying true to your values? In this episode of The Just Drew Podcast , filmmaker Zach Hiebert joins the show to talk about growing up on a farm in Port Rowan, breaking into wedding filmmaking, and building a full-time creative career outside major city hubs. Now based in Kitchener, Zach is focused on push...

Hannah Dolson returns to the podcast — singer, performer, barista, theatre kid at heart, and one of the most versatile artists in Norfolk County. This time she’s here to talk about her role in Nice Work If You Can Get It, the prohibition-era comedy musical now running at the Simcoe Little Theatre until December 7th. In this episode we get into What it really feels like to direct a full production...

From punk bands and cruise ships to jazz education and a full Charlie Brown Christmas tour — Hamilton musician Glenn Paul has lived one of the wildest music journeys you’ll ever hear. In this episode, Glenn breaks down how he went from high-school punk shows to studying jazz, touring the world by sea, and building a full-time creative career back in his hometown. We also dive into the rise of AI m...

Jess didn’t plan to become Norfolk County’s most talked about baker...it just kind of happened. From her days as a sous chef at The Combine to waking up at 4 AM to bake bread, Jess shares how The Bread Shed became a small-town phenomenon built on passion, persistence, and connection. In this episode, Drew and Jess dive into the messy, magical journey of chasing creativity through flour, family, an...

This week, Top Chef Canada contestant and Food and Drink Ambassador of Norfolk County Jason Mayo joins Drew for a deep dive into what makes Norfolk County so special — the pride, the people, and the local traditions that keep small-town culture alive. We talk about: ​🎡 The wild energy of Young Canada Day and why the community fought to keep it alive ​👕 The connection between local pride and The...

From renting VHS camcorders in small-town Ontario to directing documentaries for CNN, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic, Dean Rainey has lived the filmmaker’s grind on a global scale. In this episode, Dean sits down with Drew to share his journey through Hong Kong’s TV scene, building a career in Norfolk County, and why he believes you don’t need film school to make it in the industry. We...

Author Nick Baeta joins the podcast to share the story behind his debut novel, The Atlantean Chronicles: A Fight for Survival. After a battle with chronic illness left him isolated and searching for purpose, Nick turned to writing as therapy—transforming pain into creativity. We dive into his journey from hospital stays to international book sales, the inspirations behind his Atlantis-infused adve...

I’m joined by Mac Buchwald — a teacher, musician, actor, and lifelong lover of stories. We dive into his journey from local theatre stages to the classroom, and how literature shaped his outlook on life. Mac shares his thoughts on Mary Shelley and why the poets of the past were the rockstars of their time. We talk about the power of words, the role of education in today’s world, and what it means...

What’s it really like seeing Formula 1 in person? In this episode, I sit down with my brother Hayden Walmsley. We get into the wild world of F1 fan culture, Max Verstappen’s insane driving style, the Red Bull double team controversy, and what it’s like being surrounded by 300,000 diehard fans. Plus, some classic sibling banter on current cinema, gaming and why grilled cheese should never be made w...

What happens when a film-obsessed photographer from Norfolk County DMs a Juno-winning musician...with nothing but passion and a camera? In this episode, Jonah Atkins shares how a single message led to touring with Dan Mangan, why film photography still hits harder than digital, and what actually makes a good photo (hint: it’s not the gear). We get deep into colour grading, creative burnout, awkwar...

After cutting her teeth in wine media with editorial roles at Vines and Wine Access magazines, Amanda Vranckx pivoted from writing about wine to building a winery from the ground up. Now the co-owner of Front Road Cellars in Norfolk County, she oversees retail, marketing, and sales. And designs every label herself, drawing from her love of storytelling and place. In this episode, Amanda joins Drew...

Brad & Melanie – Founders of The Urban Parisian, in Port Dover, Ontario. Over two decades ago, fate brought Melanie and Brad together when Melanie accepted Brad’s resume at the Beach House in Port Dover. Their shared passion for food and hospitality led them to work side by side in various local establishments, building not only a strong partnership but also a vision. That vision came to life...

Todays guest is Cynthia Brink. She is a dedicated environmental educator and conservation advocate based in Norfolk County. She serves as the NatureHood and Priority Place Program Coordinator for the Long Point Biosphere Region, a UNESCO-designated area renowned for its rich biodiversity. In this role, Cynthia leads community outreach initiatives, biodiversity monitoring, and educational programs...

From Port Dover stages to touring with Canadian legend Fred Eaglesmith, Jesse Murphy brings the soul, swagger, and stories in this jam-packed episode. We talk funk about his career with the Jesse Murphy Trio, dive into life on the road with the New Velvet Frogs, and geek out over the surreal genius of David Lynch. Jesse also opens up about how becoming a father reshaped his outlook on art, touring...

Just two friends speaking from the heart about what it means to be wired differently and why that’s something worth celebrating. This week we sit down with one of my closest friends, Josh — someone who’s been through it, grown through it, and isn’t afraid to talk about the messiness of mental health and striving to be your best self. We get into ADHD, anxiety, addiction, and what it feels like to...

What does it take to grow high-quality produce using organic practices? Adam, a dedicated market gardener in Norfolk County, shares his journey to building a thriving, small-scale farm called Branching Path Farm alongside his partner Nica. Selling directly to customers at farmers’ markets, Adam is all about transparency—inviting people to see his crops, compost, and even the pests that come with f...

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Franklin , a neurodivergent portrait photographer from Norfolk County, now based in Hamilton. Known for her authentic, thought-provoking images , Alex blends her emotions with those of her subjects to create powerful visual stories. She shares how photography became a tool for processing her own experiences , sparking conversations about mental health , and e...