The Just Drew Podcast

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 to talk about the wild ride from magazine deadlines to distillation tanks, why her wines reference Taylor Swift lyrics, and how ice fishing almost became a near-death podcast recording. The two dive into Canadian oak barrels, the dream of bringing Italian aperitivo culture to Ontario, and what it means to create unforgettable guest experiences in a rural wine region still carving out its identity.

Expect laughs, deep dives, and a behind-the-scenes look at the emerging Norfolk wine scene.

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 with The Urban Parisian—a French-inspired bakery and café that blends Brad’s classical training from Le Cordon Bleu with Melanie’s expertise as a certified sommelier. Together, they focus on real ingredients, creating everything from timeless French pastries to innovative North American treats.

The Urban Parisian is more than a bakery—it’s a neighborhood staple where the lunch menu changes daily, the bread is always fresh, and the coffee is top notch. Every detail reflects Brad and Melanie’s dedication to craft, quality, and community.

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 aimed at fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural world.

Cynthia is also active in the conservation media space. She co-executive produced the feature-length documentary A Priority Place: Hope for a Forest, which highlights the ecological and cultural significance of the Long Point region. The film premiered to a sold-out audience in 2022 and continues to support environmental education efforts. 

At home, Cynthia embraces a sustainable lifestyle, often engaging in activities like foraging, hunting, and fishing to provide for her family. She is committed to reducing her carbon footprint and continues to expand her knowledge through studies in herbology and passive solar home design.

For more information or to connect with Cynthia, you can reach her at [email protected]

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, and what really matters. Tune in for riffs, real talk, and a whole lotta groove.

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 live life with a brain that doesn’t always play by the rules. It’s honest, heavy at times, but full of laughter and love too. This episode means a lot to me — not just because of the convo, but because it drops alongside something we’ve talked about for a long time...being Neuro Spicy.

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 farming naturally. We talk about the challenges of small-scale agriculture, the future of local food, and how he’s helping others grow their own fresh produce through consultations and workshops. 🌾👨‍🌾Tune in for a down-to-earth conversation about farming, food, and the power of community! 🎙️

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 embracing vulnerability as a strength—both in art and in life. This is an inspiring conversation about creativity, self-expression, and the courage to be seen.

We took the podcast to the frozen bay of Long Point on Lake Erie and recorded straight from an ice fishing hut with Bayside Ice Fishing! Our official sponsor of this Episode. Joining us are fishing experts Bobby Maerz and Travis Hemsley to share their wildest ice fishing stories, pro tips for landing trophy fish, and behind-the-scenes insights from the world of winter fishing. This episode is packed with ice fishing tips & techniques, history, a free education on fish, Lake Erie perch of course and expert strategies for anyone looking to master the art of ice fishing!”

Today's guest is Jeff Bunton. Born in Burlington, Ontario and raised in Hamilton. Eventually leaving to live in Haldimand when he was 29. Jeff has worked in many industries from commercial kitchens, property maintenance, welding, fabrication and lastly brewing and entrepreneurship. Making good things makes Jeff happy.

Todays guest is Marie Walmsley. She was born and raised on Cape Breton Island in a coastal coal mining town in the 1940's and 50's. She later moved to Hamilton, Ontario where she worked as a phone operator for Bell Canada, raised a family of 5 and later worked and retired as a 911 dispatcher. She is now a loving grandmother of 9 grandchildren and one great grand child, myself being one of them. Yes today's guest is my Nana. She loves drinking beer and margarita's. She's a super fan of hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs. she is also a card shark on the poker tables.