The Just Drew Podcast

Hosted by Drew Walmsley

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to The Just Drew Podcast, where conversations flow as freely as the cocktails we craft. Join Drew and Drew on an unscripted journey through the lives and stories of fascinating individuals from all walks of life. Our guests span a diverse spectrum of backgrounds and experiences. There's no agenda here, no pre-planned questions—just genuine curiosity and a desire to connect with others on a human level. Explore the stories behind the people who inspire us and the paths that led them to where they are today.

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53 recent

June 6, 2026Episode 512 hr 2 min

#53 - How Ryan Szucs Turned Design Into a Career (And Created a Norfolk Icon)

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 local art that has appeared on everything from buildings and beer glasses to apparel throughout the region.In this episode, Ryan and Drew dive into creativity, ADHD, procrastination, perfectionism, graphic design, parenting, logos, local art, craft beer, and the challenge of balancing creative passions with family life. It’s a conversation full of laughs, relatable creative struggles, and insight into the mind of an artist who sees the world a little differently. We Talk About:Ryan’s journey from graphic design student to professional designerCreating Norfolk County’s iconic word-map artworkADHD, hyper-fixation, and creative obsessionWhy some creatives thrive under deadline pressureThe relationship between procrastination and creativityParenting a child on the autism spectrumRyan’s son’s obsession with logosOrganizing creative projects and workflowsCraft beer, local breweries, and design inspirationThe ethics of Banksy, street art, and artistic ownershipWhy perfectionism can be both a gift and a curseBalancing family life with creative pursuits

April 22, 2026Episode 522 hr 22 min

#52 - What 40 Years in Nursing Teaches You About People - w/ Shirley Kennedy

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, Shirley is now a wedding efficient. Something I had the pleasure of experiencing at my own wedding. But beyond the titles…this is a conversation about people, perspective, and connection.🧠 In this episode, we talk about:What it’s really like working as a nurse inside prisonsThe biggest misconceptions about correctional healthcareHow nursing has changed over the past 40+ yearsThe emotional and human side of healthcareBalancing career, family, and lifeWriting a book with lifelong friends after 50 yearsHow relationships and connection shape everything

April 3, 2026Episode 511 hr 58 min

#51 - Built From Nothing: The Reality of Entrepreneurship w/ Jonathan Jagt

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 something that lasts.This isn’t about hacks or shortcuts…It’s about doing things the right way — even when it’s harder.What we get into:Losing your home at a young age and how it shapes youStarting a business with zero backingWhy reputation is everything in a small townLeadership, accountability, and doing things properlyThe reality of entrepreneurship (no glam, just work)AI, efficiency, and the future of workMental clarity, burnout, and finding focusWhy podcasting (and conversation) still matters

March 14, 20262 hr 29 min

#50 - Red Venture: Resilience, rebuilding a tongue, and refusing to fold

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 that move came after surviving experiences that would break most people.Red is a rare cancer survivor, a MeToo movement survivor, a makeup artist and wig attendant for the Stratford Festival, a pin-up model, and the reigning Miss Wheels on the Danforth pageant winner. After losing part of her tongue to cancer and undergoing reconstructive surgery, she rebuilt not only her speech — but her entire life.In this conversation, Drew and Red talk about resilience, identity, creativity, advocacy, and why sometimes the hardest chapters lead to the most meaningful reinventions.This episode is about risk, survival, and choosing to keep playing the hand you’re dealt.Topics include:• Surviving rare cancer and reconstructive tongue surgery• Life in Los Angeles working in major media• Starting over in Canada• The Stratford Festival and the art of wigs & makeup• Accessibility in beauty and makeup education• Being a MeToo survivor and self-advocacy• Pin-up culture and the Miss Wheels on the Danforth pageant• Identity, resilience, and refusing to fold

February 17, 2026Episode 491 hr 58 min

#49 - Is The Superhero Era Over? DC , Marvel & The Future of Film with Tyrell Myers

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 quality• Why Batman resonates more than Superman• The problem with cinematic universes• Theatre vs streaming culture• Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking philosophy• Heath Ledger’s Joker and mythological storytelling• Absolute Batman and pushing canon boundaries• Why superheroes might be our modern Greek gods• Whether AI should ever make films• The future of superhero moviesSuperheroes aren’t just entertainment. They’re modern mythology.And we might be watching the end of an era.

January 28, 2026Episode 481 hr 16 min

#48 - Nick Kokkoros - The Business of Food, Family, and Community

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 restaurant. What followed was a masterclass in long-term thinking, community driven business, and adapting. We talk about:Why most restaurants fail—and how The Barrel avoided itThe difference between loving food and running a food businessBalancing tradition with modern expectationsWhy small communities like Norfolk County punch above their weightLeadership, mentorship, and hiring young people the right waySourcing locally, cooking from scratch, and resisting shortcutsThis episode is for business owners, creatives, food lovers, and anyone thinking about building something that lasts.

January 14, 2026Episode 472 hr 47 min

#47- James Williams (Canuck Time Pieces) - Building a Watch Brand From Scratch

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:Growing up in Stoney Creek and discovering designMoving from Guelph to Norfolk CountyWhy Canadians value community and unityThe Tesla debate & reality of road-tripping EVsNewfoundland fjords & traveling CanadaThe importance of disagreeing respectfullyHow Canuck Timepieces was bornCollaboration-driven creativityWatches as art, fashion, and identityBuilding a brand without big marketing budgets

January 1, 2026Episode 461 hr 53 min

#46 - Chad Steele on Turning a Backyard Passion for BBQ into a 80+ Store Brand

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 behind smoke and fire, and the realities of turning a passion project into a scalable food business.In this episode, we talk about:How Norfolk Barbecue started during COVID — and why it workedThe difference between grilling and real barbecue (low, slow, and smoky)Regional BBQ styles: Texas, Carolina, Kansas City & moreStick burners vs pellet grills — convenience vs traditionThe science of smoke, wood selection, and clean burnsWhy resting meat is just as important as cooking itThe realities of food regulations, health inspections, and scaling productionWhat it actually takes to turn a hobby into a legitimate brandWhether you’re into food, entrepreneurship, or building something meaningful from a small community, this one’s for you.🎧 Listen & SubscribeSpotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTube📲 Follow the showInstagram: @thejustdrewpodcast🤝 Interested in sponsoring the podcast?Send me a message, I’d love to work together.

December 18, 2025Episode 452 hr 17 min

Zach Hiebert on Filmmaking, Faith, and Building a Wedding Business from Rural Norfolk

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 pushing into the luxury wedding market, while staying grounded in his Christian faith, a core part of his identity that shapes his worldview and work ethic. Despite Drew not being religious, the conversation becomes a powerful example of how mutual respect, shared passion, and honest dialogue can exist across very different belief systems.We talk about:Growing up rural and building creative momentumTurning videography into a sustainable full-time careerFilmmaking vs. videography and why the distinction mattersFaith, values, and navigating the creative industryScaling into higher-end wedding filmmakingIf you’re a filmmaker, freelancer, or creative trying to build something meaningful from outside the mainstream, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen on Spotify📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

December 1, 2025Episode 441 hr 58 min

Welcome to Derry, Bootleggers, and Theatre Mayhem with Hannah Dolson

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 intoWhat it really feels like to direct a full production and why “the buck stops with you”How she transforms into a 1930s bootlegger and slips in and out of wild accentsThe behind-the-scenes chaos of sound checks, live audiences, and unexpected laughterWhy performing onstage is somehow less stressful than directingLife with her hairless cat, Buddy, and the surprisingly intense grooming routinesTheatre culture in Norfolk and why the local arts scene hits differentIf you’re into theatre, local stories, comedy, jazz-era vibes, or just great conversation with a brilliant human who shows up everywhere in Norfolk’s arts community — this episode is for you.