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 movies

Superheroes aren’t just entertainment. They’re modern mythology.

And we might be watching the end of an era.

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 it

• The difference between loving food and running a food business

• Balancing tradition with modern expectations

• Why small communities like Norfolk County punch above their weight

• Leadership, mentorship, and hiring young people the right way

• Sourcing locally, cooking from scratch, and resisting shortcuts

This episode is for business owners, creatives, food lovers, and anyone thinking about building something that lasts.

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 design

• Moving from Guelph to Norfolk County

• Why Canadians value community and unity

• The Tesla debate & reality of road-tripping EVs

• Newfoundland fjords & traveling Canada

• The importance of disagreeing respectfully

• How Canuck Timepieces was born

• Collaboration-driven creativity

• Watches as art, fashion, and identity

• Building a brand without big marketing budgets

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 worked

• The difference between grilling and real barbecue (low, slow, and smoky)

• Regional BBQ styles: Texas, Carolina, Kansas City & more

• Stick burners vs pellet grills — convenience vs tradition

• The science of smoke, wood selection, and clean burns

• Why resting meat is just as important as cooking it

• The realities of food regulations, health inspections, and scaling production

• What it actually takes to turn a hobby into a legitimate brand

Whether you’re into food, entrepreneurship, or building something meaningful from a small community, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Spotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTube

📲 Follow the show

Instagram: @thejustdrewpodcast

🤝 Interested in sponsoring the podcast?

Send me a message, I’d love to work together.

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 worked

• The difference between grilling and real barbecue (low, slow, and smoky)

• Regional BBQ styles: Texas, Carolina, Kansas City & more

• Stick burners vs pellet grills — convenience vs tradition

• The science of smoke, wood selection, and clean burns

• Why resting meat is just as important as cooking it

• The realities of food regulations, health inspections, and scaling production

• What it actually takes to turn a hobby into a legitimate brand

Whether you’re into food, entrepreneurship, or building something meaningful from a small community, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Spotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTube

📲 Follow the show

Instagram: @thejustdrewpodcast

🤝 Interested in sponsoring the podcast?

Send me a message, I’d love to work together.

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 momentum

• Turning videography into a sustainable full-time career

• Filmmaking vs. videography and why the distinction matters

• Faith, values, and navigating the creative industry

• Scaling into higher-end wedding filmmaking

If 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

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 and why “the buck stops with you”

• How she transforms into a 1930s bootlegger and slips in and out of wild accents

• The behind-the-scenes chaos of sound checks, live audiences, and unexpected laughter

• Why performing onstage is somehow less stressful than directing

• Life with her hairless cat, Buddy, and the surprisingly intense grooming routines

• Theatre culture in Norfolk and why the local arts scene hits different

If 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.

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 music, absurd cruise ship stories, and why live performance will always matter.In this episode we discuss:Growing up in Hamilton’s punk & post-rock sceneSwitching paths and learning jazz from scratchPlaying drums on cruise ships & traveling to 17+ countriesThe wild “pepper spray biking” storyThe return to Hamilton and building a teaching careerCreating the Charlie Brown Christmas jazz tourAI music, uncanny valley, and Spotify’s AI bandsCruise ship disasters & behind-the-scenes storiesPandemic life, teaching on Zoom & cultural shiftsLive music, rhythm patterns & how genres evolveHamilton venues, nostalgia & growing up in the cityFollow Glenn Hall:Instagram: @glennpaul.musicCharlie Brown Christmas Shows: Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Port Dover — Dec 13Follow The Just Drew Podcast:Instagram: @thejustdrewpodcastTikTok: @the.just.drew.podYouTube: @TheJustDrewPodcast

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, and the unknowns of entrepreneurship - one loaf at a time.

🎧 Topics We Cover:

• How a sous-chef job at The Combine changed everything

• Baking through burnout — and finding peace in the process

• What it’s really like to start a business from home

• The moment she “manifested” The Bread Shed

• Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship

• Why community feedback matters more than perfection

• Lessons learned from 4 AM mornings and hundreds of loaves

Follow Jess & The Bread Shed:

📸 Instagram: @thebreadshednorfolk

Follow The Just Drew Podcast:

🎙️ Instagram: @thejustdrewpodcast

👕 Merch: www.justdrewpodcast.com

📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube

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 Folk brand
• ​🍽️ Why atmosphere and service matter more than food when it comes to great restaurants
• ​🌾 The beauty of true farm-to-table living in rural Ontario
• ​💬 The fine line between growth and keeping Norfolk’s soul intact

Jason’s passion for this county runs deep — from his stories about teaching and food to his love of community events that bring people together. It’s real, it’s local, and it’s very Folk.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.