LEFT BRAIN / RIGHT BRAIN
AI / ALGORITHMS
THE GOURE BROTHERS BEHIND PICSUME'S STRATEGY AND INNOVATION.
DRIVE The
PAUL ST-PIERRE Publisher
BREANNE MCGINTY Managing Editor, Director of Sales
GREG EDWARDS Graphic Designer
SABINE MAIN ............................................. Creative Director
MARNIE ROBILLARD Art Director
MEL MONCZAK .................................Senior Account Manager
MACKENZIE COJOCAR Publication Assistant
CONTRIBUTORS
DEVAN MIGHTON Writer
JESSE ZITER .................................................................... Writer
JEN BRIGNALL-STRONG Writer
LAYAN BARAKAT ............................................................. Writer
TERI GYEMI Writer
MONA ELKADRI .................................................... Stylist/writer
TREVOR BOOTH ...................................................Photographer
ANTHONY SHEARDOWN.......................................Photographer
SYX LANGEMANN.................................................Photographer
ANNA STANLEY.......................................................Copy Editor
18 PORTRAIT
Entrepreneurs Jordan and Joshua Goure progress from the small town of Blenheim to the big world of Tech
26
DRIVE TRAVEL
From bamboo forests to neon nights, the Robillard family discovers Japan’s quiet wonders
ISSUE 164
TACO TOUR
10 Five must-try taco spots in WindsorEssex that will have your taste buds dancing all summer
DRIVE RECIPE
14 Oh So Mona serves up a citrus-infused picnic menu to refresh your summer
DRIVE COMMUNITY
32 Family lawyer Amy Johnson reflects on her journey from survival to success — and the strength it took to get there
DRIVE EXPLORE
36 Local captains cast light on why Windsor-Essex offers some of the best fishing around
DRIVE MIND
38 What a whole and healthy man truly seeks in a woman
A
NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER
The sun is shining, the patios are packed, and we can practically hear the sizzle of the grill from here — summer’s almost over in Windsor-Essex, and we’re soaking up every last moment.
In this issue of The DRIVE, we’re celebrating everything that makes this season (and this region) worth slowing down for — connection, curiosity, and a little bit of culinary chaos. On the cover, meet the Goure brothers — Jordan and Joshua — the powerhouse sibling duo behind Picsume. From small-town beginnings to the cutting edge of AI tech, their story is one of grit, growth, and the unshakable bond of family. It's a masterclass in reinvention and resilience, and we can’t wait for you to dive in.
Also inside? Tacos. Lots of them. Our resident flavour-chaser Jen has put together a mouthwatering taco tour that spans the county — so grab your crew, hit the road, and prepare to drive your taste buds loco. Don’t forget to tag us @thedrivemag and use #DRIVEtacotour for a chance to win some seriously tasty prizes.
And if travel is calling, Marnie’s latest story takes us halfway around the world to Japan, where her expectations were sky-high — and still somehow exceeded. It’s a reminder that the best adventures are the ones that surprise us.
Whether you’re reading this lakeside, poolside, or AC-side, we hope this issue adds a little inspiration to your summer days. As always, we love hearing from you — what made you laugh, cry, crave tacos, or maybe even chase a dream. Send us a note at connect@thedrivemagazine.com or tag us online @thedrivemag.
Thank you,
Paul St. Pierre Publisher
SUMMER
TOUR
RICO TACO – WINDSOR
Authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of Windsor’s Little Italy? You bet.
Located on the WindsorEats food hall patio, Rico Taco is an unassuming food truck that is THE original place for birria tacos in YQG.
Unfamiliar with the birria craze? Allow us to enlighten you. These heavenly tacos are a delicious blend of slowbraised, tender beef simmered in a rich, aromatic chili and spice broth wrapped in crispy, cheesy corn tortillas. Each taco is served with a side of savoury consommé for dipping, ensuring every bite is juicy and irresistible. Pro tip: be sure to grab A LOT of napkins. Also, don’t sleep on the fish tacos; another fan favourite.
Five places to fiesta this season in Windsor-Essex
By Jen Brignall-Strong
While Windsor-Essex is famous for our pizza, our taco game is equally strong. From fun fusion mash-ups to traditional corn tortillas stuffed with mouthwatering meats and veggies, our local Mexican food scene has garnered a reputation for dishing out crave-worthy creations that are muy delicioso.
That taco talent doesn’t come from nowhere. Windsor-Essex is home to a vibrant Mexican community, particularly in Leamington, where rich culinary traditions thrive alongside some of the best produce in the world. Add in a roster of adventurous chefs from Kingsville to Walkerville, and it’s no surprise our region serves up tacos that are as diverse as they are delicious.
Want to drive your taste buds loco this summer? Join us on a crosscounty taco tour and discover some of the best spots to fiesta. Find a new favourite spot? Be sure to tag The DRIVE on social media and use the hashtag #DRIVEtacotour for your chance to win some tasty prizes.
Here are just a few of our top picks:
EL DIABLO – KINGSVILLE
El Diablo in Kingsville isn’t your typical Mexican joint; it’s a bold, flavour-packed experience where traditional tacos meet global inspiration.
Their creative menu is packed with beautifully plated dishes with a focus on balance and bold flavours with Mexican and Asian influences. The tuna tartare taco is a must-try, blending the freshness of sushi with the crunch of a hard-shell taco in one perfect bite. Classic options like al pastor and carne asada are equally tantalizing, and there are vegan and vegetarian choices as well.
Be sure to stop in on Taco Tuesday for their $5 taco feature and don’t forget the margaritas; fun, refreshing, and the perfect pairing for a night of taco-fuelled bliss.
EL PATRON – TECUMSEH
While El Patron is located in the heart of Tecumseh, one bite of their mouth-watering tacos will transport you to the middle of Mexico City.
The vibrant, welcoming restaurant prides itself on fresh, made-from-scratch dishes, including their famous street tacos, available individually, as a meal with rice and beans, or for a crowd, with an 18-pack Super Taco Box. Because what’s better than a taco? Even more tacos.
Mix and match your favourite fillings including picadillo, asada, chorizo, shrimp, or even beans and grilled peppers and onions for vegetarian options. And be sure to grab the house-made salsas for dipping.
HOT TACOS – LEAMINGTON
For a true taste of Latin cuisine and authentic dishes you won’t find anywhere else, set your GPS for Hot Tacos in Leamington.
Here you’ll discover classic taco offerings including Cochinita Pibil, cooked using the original Yucatecan recipe of vibrant slowroasted pork marinated in achiote and sour orange. They also offer meltinyourmouth beef tongue, smoky chicken tinga, as well as favourites like chorizo, steak, and shrimp. This is traditional Mexican street food at its finest, and a must try for any foodie.
Bonus: Hot Tacos also offers a second location in downtown Windsor for city slickers who live closer to the core.
GRAND CANTINA – WINDSOR
Consistently ranked as one of the best taco spots in WindsorEssex, the Grand Cantina in Walkerville is all about good vibes and even better food.
You won’t find any Plain Jane tacos here; every menu item is a delightfully delicious fusion of flavours, with popular options like the spicy Sticky Duck with hoisin, cilantro and pickled jalapeno; Ugly Delicious with crispy gochujang chicken, pico de gallo and pickled jalapeño; Veganville stuffed with tempura fried smoked tofu, pico de gallo, pickled red onion, vegan aioli and corn chip dust.
Pull up for Taco Tuesday and enjoy $3 off a 3-pack of tacos…and be sure to throw in a pitcher of margaritas for good measure.
CITRUS & simplicity
A Minimalist Picnic Menu for Maximum Enjoyment
ROSEMARY LEMONADE
This refreshing lemonade offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart, with an aromatic hint of rosemary. The perfect pair to the Fig and Halloumi Sandwich.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 large lemons, juiced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 cups of water
• 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary (about 4-5 inches long)
• ice
• extra lemon slices and rosemary for garnish (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
In a small pitcher, combine the lemon juice and honey and stir until the honey has dissolved and combined.
Add the cold water and rosemary to the pitcher.
Let the lemonade rest in the fridge to allow the rosemary to infuse.
FIG, HALLOUMI & TURKEY SANDWICH
INGREDIENTS
• 2 ciabatta rolls or other crusty bread
• 2-3 tbsp fig jam
• 4-6 slices halloumi cheese (about 1/4 inch thick)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 10 slices of deli turkey breast
• 1 cup fresh spinach, packed
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a small non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once hot, add the halloumi slices and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and slightly softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
Carefully slice each ciabatta roll in half horizontally. Layer the sandwich ingredients on the bread, starting with the fig jam, then spinach, turkey, and cooked halloumi. Enjoy the sandwich on its own or throw it in a panini press for extra crunch and deliciousness. Yield 2 servings
Mona Elkadri is not just a food writer, but also a skilled recipe developer, former restaurateur, and culinary teacher. She possesses a keen appreciation for that elusive secret ingredient that invariably elevates each dish to perfection.
A COUPLE SMALL-TOWN BOYS
Raised in small-town Blenheim, home to only 4,600 residents, the Goure brothers had a humble beginning. This provincial life led them to thirst for more, to push their boundaries, think big and outside of the box. Like many small-town youngsters, when time for higher learning came, they migrated to the big city to study at the University of Windsor. This is where the entrepreneurial journey begins. They used their OSAP loans and academic scholarships to procure a house with the intention of operating their first student rental, they now just needed to pay for their studies. Through long hours of labouring in the hospitality industry another idea was formed. This one took a little more investment, so the first official business plan was made.
Business #2, The Pour House Pub was born. With Joshua 23 and Jordan 19, the two cracked into what was, at that time, still a hot market in the city—downtown nightlife. A skill of theirs that becomes more self-evident as you follow their story.
“This was a time where nightlife was still very alluring,” explains Joshua. “It’s how you could make money fast, while still having a good time and meeting people in person in a pre-social media era.”
As the brothers found both success and setbacks in the hospitality industry, they continued to grow—eventually expanding into businesses #3 through #5, including a nightclub and entertainment venue. With that growth came more staff, and soon, a flood of resumes. Their small HR team of two couldn’t keep up, and worse, those paper resumes offered little insight into who a candidate really was. The brothers recognized a problem: not just in volume, but in the very process of hiring. That realization sparked the early ideas for a better solution— but we’ll get to that later.
BREWS, VINTAGES, NUPTIALS, AND BUSINESSES #6-8
Around 2010, the local economy started to slump, and the bar scene was falling off. Despite the brothers’ successes in hospitality, they knew it was time to adapt to
survive. “Really, we identified that our core business was being in-charge of our customers happiest times, their recreation hours. How could we expand with this in mind?” recalls Jordan. “I was 25 and Joshua was 29, and we started our first micro-manufacturing company—which was Brew—the first officially designated microbrewery in the city.”
Brew had immediate popularity with the University crowd as they tapped into it with clever marketing, becoming a staple amongst first-time beer drinkers. Almost prophetic, in 2014, the brothers shed the trappings of the hospitality business and advanced into the red-hot world of microbreweries.
“At The Pour House, we were known for our extensive line-up of draft beer,” explains Joshua. “I wouldn’t say we can predict the future, but we have a good feel for emerging markets and trends.” The brothers learned how to make beer, trained by a brewmaster, and made it well. In a craft beer market saturated with hoppy and novelty beers, they made a beer with their popular tagline in
Circa Drive Magazine 2016. Photo by Trevor Booth
mind—’smooth and easy drinking’. “It was easy really, we knew we would sell more beer if people could drink a lot of it—simple,” joked Jordan.
As Brew grew, the momentum didn’t stop. In 2019, Jordan and Joshua founded Vin Winery—their own wine estate and brand. However, with a keen eye for necessity and advancement, they concluded that they would continue doing better if they owned the land they operated on—a real estate play that started when they converted an old chocolate factory near Caesars Windsor into a manufacturing plant for their brewery. Always thinking about their next step, the brothers soon purchased land near Amherstburg, a mature Carolinian forest, with a novel idea—considering event venues were already big customers for their existing alcoholic beverages, why not venture into the event side once more with the large margins weddings venues enjoy.
Resumés are an antiquated practice that has lacked innovation since the times of da Vinci.
“Rather than spending a small fortune on a single-day event being my personal wedding, we decided to test the wedding market and my wife Sarah and I became Wedding in the Woods couple No. 1,” states Jordan. Before long, Wedding In The Woods, as a business concept, was fully realized. Since its inception, over 150 weddings and events have been conducted on their property.
RISING IN REAL ESTATE
The brothers were creating a synergy between their businesses, melding the skill sets they had honed along the way—hospitality, manufacturing, and now realty. “With investing in the properties our businesses operated out of, we were starting to get into real estate development—taking an unused
property and elevating it to its highest potential use,” says Jordan.
The brothers kept acquiring, setting up Goure Estates—business #9—with a primary focus on real estate investment and development. “Marketing, as well as graphic design for our brands—I love that—but I also love architectural and interior design,” explains Joshua. “With Jordan being the analytical investment mind of our duo, I’m the other side of that.” Most recently having finished building two Scandinavian A-frame houses on one of the lar gest private beaches on
Pelee Island, as well as a golf retreat in an over 100-year-old schoolhouse in the middle of Deer Run Golf Course, bringing the brothers back to their hometown. They really have brought their skill sets to the forefront, synergizing their masteries and making their expertise work for them. Even going as far to be featured as investors on a hit HGTV show. The millions earned in real estate development afforded them the opportunity to bootstrap the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey and realize a long-established goal—entry into tech.
Photo by Anthony Sheardown
PICSUME #10: HIRING, REDEFINED
As they evolved from the Pour Boys to the Brew Brothers, now the fully realized Business Bros, one thing remained constant, challenges in hiring. “Resumes are an antiquated practice that has lacked innovation since the times of da Vinci,” noted Joshua. They knew, reading through piles of them, that there had to be a better way to evaluate, and choose the best pick for the job. With Jordan’s early interest in tech, the brothers started to conceive a plan to revolutionize an outdated system—time to revamp the resume process.
Four years ago, the brothers co-founded Picsume with their lifelong friend and enterprise software guru, Nicholas Mastromattei. Nick, having worked with some of the most notable organizations in North America— ranging from Harvard to Ticketmaster—was up for the challenge. Thus, an award-winning recruitment software and AI-matching algorithm was deployed.
Picsume is a dynamic hiring platform that eliminates traditional resumes through live, skill-based work profiles. “Job seekers don’t realize the deck is stacked against them, our Picsume work profiles even the playing field as they are optimized for machine-reading and AI,” explains Joshua. “When you make a Picsume and apply to a job, you’re way more likely to get it into a hiring manager’s hands because you’re getting past that ‘robot’ first read.” For employers, their company offers custom software that empowers small-to-medium businesses and scales for large-to-enterprise level. Picsume allows a business to effectively screen and match applicants for the best fit and create a useful communication system for the interaction.
What started as just an idea that two young savvy entrepreneurs had at the start of their careers, has now catapulted with support from the I.D.E.A fund, ScaleUP, government funding, innovation awards— all validating Picsume as one of the fastest growing tech startups nationwide. “In one year, we were recognized as both the most innovative company in our region, as well as the company with the most growth potential,” mentions Jordan. “This really helped us secure our first seven-figure raise in 2024.”
Having also recently formed partnerships, post-raise, with one being the largest hospitality organization in Canada, the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA), that represents 5,000 members across 11,000 locations, the brothers’ journey has certainly come full circle. “Having the opportunity to have an impact on an industry that has done so much for me at this scale really is a dream come true,” adds Jordan.
Rather than spending a small fortune on a single-day event being my personal wedding, we decided to test the wedding market—and my wife Sarah and I became Wedding in the Woods couple No. 1.
With a board of advisors that range from a previous VP of IBM to a current VP of the Globe and Mail, alongside a proprietary non-bias matching algorithm developed with Google-funded engineers, and a team of some of the most talented people in tech, Picsume is poised to change hiring right from here in Windsor-Essex.
FAMILY MATTERS
Windsor-Essex is home base, growing up in small-town Blenheim, the brothers know the importance of setting down roots and keeping friends and family close.
“We work with a lot of our family members and long-time partners,” explains Jordan, who says they work with a team of about 75. “Our cousin, Patrick, is our director of operations at our tech company, our dad does maintenance at our winery estate, Joshua’s wife, Alex, runs our wedding and events company and does all our coordinating for events, my wife manages all of our short-term rentals on Airbnb, and our business partner, Bronson Goodfellow, an honorary brother, runs operations for Brew and Vin. We’ve brought as much of our family into the mix as we could, based on their skill sets, as our enterprise has expanded.”
“A common rule to live by is never go to bed angry with your wife,” he adds. “I would say, equally as important, don’t go to bed angry with your business partners. That’s how we keep this business network alive that we’ve created over the past 18 years.”
Not coming from a family of means, they went out into the world with a hunger to succeed—showing that the harder you work, if you learn to adapt, if you stay hungry— anything is possible.
THEQuietWonder
OF JAPAN
The Robillard family recounts a journey beyond expectations
By Devan Mighton
To the uninitiated, Japan is a world away. There are many misconceptions about Japan, but most of these stereotypes are perpetuated through the lens of Western bias. In reality, Japan is like any other country—it has its gorgeous landscapes, a diverse food and drink palate, it has its different sights and sounds, its vibrant cities, but also its eccentricities that make it special.
In March, Marnie Robillard, her husband Jeff, and their children Rhys and Hunter, as well as Jeff’s brother Chris and his adult children, Myah and Jarrett, went on the vacation of a lifetime to The Land of the Rising Sun . Not quite knowing what to expect, they were blown away with what they discovered—how special of a place Japan is—and brought home with them a treasure trove of lifelong memories!
Japan was never really on Marnie’s radar as a vacation destination. She admits she’s not an adventurous eater and wasn’t sure how Japan’s food would mix with her palate. However, when Rhys started talking about how much he wanted to go, she got curious. “He was really into the culture, the food, the whole vibe,” explains Marnie. “We decided to plan a family trip.” In the end, she says that Japan ended up being one of the most meaningful travel experiences she’s ever had.
Staying in Airbnbs throughout the trip, which lasted for a little over two weeks, the family started their trip in Tokyo, then ventured to Kyoto and Osaka, with day trips in Kamakura, Nara and Hiroshima. “It was beautiful—peaceful, clean, and incredibly organized,” she recalls. “The scenery was stunning, but what really stood out was how calm and intentional everything felt. Even in a massive city like Tokyo, it never felt overwhelming.”
Japan impressed me not with grand gestures, but with how beautifully it handles the everyday.
While in Kyoto, the Robillards visited Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, which Marnie described as akin to stepping into a dream. “It was surreal—tall, swaying bamboo in every direction and this peaceful hush all around you.” In Osaka, they visited the Dotonbori neighbourhood—full of lights, signs, and street food—a fascinating contrast
to their experience in Kyoto. They also hit up Universal Studios Japan, which, she says, was a hit for the whole family.
“At a time when the world often feels chaotic and unpredictable, Japan offered something rare: a sense of structure, and self-awareness,” states Jeff. “The people are respectful of one another, grounded in who they are, and deeply connected to their traditions. These customs are not only honoured—they are woven seamlessly into everyday life, and you can’t help but find yourself embracing them. There’s a collective understanding of the importance of social order, and a shared commitment to the rules and rituals that shape their culture.”
His niece, Myah, adds, “I’ll never forget the sense of comfort and community I felt while walking about—even in their largest
city. Japan holds so much beauty in whatever you’re looking for. Whether it’s soft, traditional tea ceremonies, bustling neon-lit cities like Tokyo, listening to the rain drops in the quiet of the bamboo forest or staying out until 5 a.m. at a karaoke bar—you’re sure to find a side of Japan that’s for you.”
Jeff was amazed by how incredibly clean Japan was. He spotted no garbage cans, yet there was no litter. He was impressed with the efficiency of their public transit system, how on-time it was, and that the network was designed for ease and speed. He also noted that living spaces in Japan are smaller than what we are used to and tend to stretch to the vertical as opposed to the horizontal— so, be ready for stairs.
Both Marnie and Jeff were amazed by Japan’s food quality, as well as the variety of options. Marnie also praised the washrooms—always clean, heated toilet seats, privacy music.
Marnie says that Japan successfully passed the Paris Syndrome test. Paris Syndrome is when a vacationer visits Paris with a preconceived notion of its beauty, only to be bitterly disappointed that it didn’t live up to the hype. “With Japan, it was the exact opposite,” she explains. “I had seen the videos, the TikToks, the travel blogs—it all looked amazing. So, I went in with really high expectations—and somehow, it still surprised me.
“Japan didn’t try to impress with grand gestures. It impressed with how beautifully it handles the everyday. The way people line up, the soft-spoken manners, the sense of shared responsibility for keeping public spaces clean—it’s quiet, but powerful. That’s what really moved me. Instead of feeling let down, I felt something totally different: admiration. I didn’t just see a beautiful country—I experienced a culture that’s deeply thoughtful, respectful, and intentional in ways that stayed with me long after the trip ended. It made me reflect on how rushed and noisy things often feel at home. Since coming back, I’ve caught myself slowing down, being more mindful, and even craving a bit more quiet. Japan reminded me that travel doesn’t have to be flashy to be life changing. Sometimes, it’s the quiet places that make the deepest impact.”
I didn’t just see a beautiful country, I experienced a culture that’s deeply thoughtful, respectful, and intentional in ways that stayed with me long after the trip ended.
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AMY JOHNSON CHOOSES LIFE
A self-described Manitoba farm girl escaped a harrowing domestic situation and turned “a loaf of bread and a sleeve of milk” into a successful family law practice and a bright future for her six boys
Written by Jesse Ziter
In the early months of 2009, Amy Johnson realized her husband was going to kill her.
In 2025, she is a founding partner at a boutique family law firm in Windsor, standout advocate in the community, and mom to six (!) successful young men. The “Team Johnson” story contains such astonishment, that one of them plays for the New York Giants is practically a footnote.
Johnson’s full history has been told elsewhere, more skillfully and at greater length. This is the abridged version:
Sixteen years ago, Johnson reached the point of no return in what had long been a volatile marriage. A short while after beating his four oldest sons with a miniature hockey stick, forcing the youngest two to watch, Johnson’s husband threatened her life. In grisly detail, he described the way in which he would stab her to death, leaving the body for their children to discover.
Photos by Trevor Booth
“I was like: Oh, no, he, he’s actually going to kill me,” Johnson recollects, speaking to The Drive from her firm’s Walkerville office. “Like, this is really going to happen.”
Johnson, taking a quick break from legal work on a Saturday morning, is an easy interview: Improbably bright-eyed and optimistic, she speaks freely through a warm, toothy smile that belies a life story that, for stretches, seems snipped out of a true crime podcast.
Largely through the compassionate generosity of her church community, Johnson planned and executed an exit strategy. The family was living in Cambridge, Ontario, having moved east from Manitoba some years earlier; no emergency shelters anywhere nearby could accommodate a family of seven. “Everything that shouldn’t happen happened,” recalls Johnson, recalling fellow parishioners who gave up their family home while they were vacationing, and others who helped secure more permanent arrangements. “A way was made.”
Before long, Johnson’s husband had drained the family finances, abandoned their home, and fled to Manitoba. He was eventually arrested after the Kitchener police and Children’s Aid involved themselves in the situation, although he didn’t stay behind bars for long. Johnson, who had been a stay-at-home mom and was a mature Social Development and Social Work student at the University of Waterloo at the time, was effectively homeless, unemployed, and penniless.
While Johnson was assigned a court-appointed lawyer, she often found herself grappling with complicated legal matters on her own. Aside from the divorce, custody, and criminal issues, there was a contentious house sale to push through. “As lovely as she was, there were limitations to what she could advise me of,” Johnson explained. “She’d never been in my spot before. I engaged with the process to try to create some stability and security for the kids. I needed to know they were going to live with me, that he wasn’t just going to be able to disappear with them if he got out.”
During this period, the family home purchaser and mortgage company’s lawyers, independently, suggested Johnson seriously consider law school, so impressive was her dogged work around the sale.
Johnson went on to write the LSAT and applied to three law schools in viable cost-ofliving areas. While two were dismissive, Windsor opened its doors. Johnson started law school the same semester her eldest started high school and her youngest grade 1. It was a new era.
In Law School, Amy quickly became a source of support and surrogate maternal figure for many of her Windsor Law classmates, some of whom were more than a decade her junior. A career in family law was always the target. “I understood the skills and experiences I have that are unique to me that would benefit clients and children in the future in a practice,” she explains.
Through Herculean feats of family scheduling, scrimping, and saving—and supported only by student loans, the Canada Child Benefit, and whatever bursaries and grants she could hunt down—Johnson made it through. “I’m highly, fiercely independent,” she notes. “One of my trauma responses is to never ask for help. I never asked for exten-
sions or anything different than any other student had.”
At the age of 40, Johnson graduated from Windsor law in 2015 in the top quintile of her class. She was called to the bar the following year.
I direct my clients to community resources. I caution them what to expect, and I can do some safety planning.”
Even in comparatively prosaic cases, Johnson takes her work seriously. “When somebody goes through a separation, it is a life-changing event,” she explains, likening separation to an experience of death.
My goal as a parent, and in life, is to leave the world better than how I found it.
Today, Johnson’s experience grants her the perspective to give helpful counsel even when the most effective steps may not be intuitive. “I’m able to hear what my clients are really saying,” she explains. “I have a pretty good bullshit meter. I’m able to recognize certain clear signs of trauma, and
Outside the office, Johnson has been a fierce community advocate. In 2013, she founded the charity Cuddles Clothing for Kids. She still oversees the organization, which has distributed free clothing and other essential items to hundreds of families in Windsor and elsewhere. Johnson currently serves her church as its records warden and contributes to various councils and committees in the legal world. She has told her family’s story widely by way of advocating for domestic violence protections and encouraging investment in youth sports.
Johnson’s boys, now aged 19 through 27, have not seen their father since January 12, 2009; the date is tattooed on Johnson’s
temporal lobe. “Trauma doesn’t go away,” she relates. “There are still holes and gaps and unhealed portions of ourselves we continue to work on, but they’ve been able to find things they’re good at and find joy in.”
The specifics of her remarkable circumstances aside, Johnson has raised six boys to adulthood as a single mother in a cultural moment when popular influences for young men grow increasingly grievance-centred and anti-social. “My goal as a parent, and in life, is to leave the world better than how I found it,” she says plainly. “I’ve just tried to make good humans. I just try to
demonstrate good work ethic and stress the importance of supporting one another and showing up to each other’s things.”
Many have come to the Johnson family story through Amy’s son Theo, her third-eldest boy. A football standout from a young age, Theo was selected by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. A tight end, the Holy Names product and Penn State alum saw the field in 12 games during his rookie season. His story is recognized by a 2025 Canadian Screen Award-winning TSN documentary short titled “Just Us.”
There’s a lot more to say about Theo’s
personal healing journey, just as there is about his mom’s, but she leaves us with this:
“You’re stronger than you know,” concludes Johnson, speaking to a wide audience of women who’ve faced similar struggles. “You never really discover how strong you are until all you have is strength. And, because part of abuse is isolation and removing supports, you’d be surprised how much support is available to you."
“If I can do it anybody can do it. I wasn’t the smartest person in class. I don’t have some gift. I was just the hardest working, because I had a purpose.”
A FISHERMAN’S PARADISE
Come to Windsor-Essex for some amazing fishing!
By Devan Mighton
The fishing in the Windsor-Essex region is plentiful. With proximity to both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River linking the two, our waterways are blessed with a large variety of hard-fighting and tasty fish species for us all to enjoy.
We have asked three local fishermen for their thoughts on the local fishing scene and what makes it special.
“The uniqueness of fishing WindsorEssex is that we have so many species of fish here—and it’s all world class,” states Moxon, who has been providing guiding services since 2014. Moxon got into fishing at seven years old through a family friend. It became a passion for him as an escape, taking his mind off childhood problems.
He keeps his charter services mobile, trailering his boat to where it is needed as opposed to docking it, to better accommodate different anglers.
“We have Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River all within a short distance. Lake Erie is rated the walleye capital of the world, Lake St. Clair is one of the top lakes in the world for smallmouth bass, and St. Clair is also rated one of the best lakes for muskie.”
JUSTIN AWRAM
Owner, LSC Pro Tackle
“The fishing is very diverse, and you can do a lot of different things,” states Justin Awram, owner of LSC Pro Tackle in Emeryville. “For fishing here, we have such a variety of fish. If you want to fish walleye, perch, muskie, bass, bluegill—we have a really big variety. Also, for every fish, you can say it’s world-class—it’s really good fishing.”
Awram says that there is so much good fishing in Windsor-Essex, that it’s hard to pick a favourite fish. “It’s hard to say. I don’t know if there is any best one, but I do like fishing muskie. I just got into muskies a couple years ago after starting the store. They are very elusive, so when you get a
bite, it feels good—and, when they do bite, it gets your adrenaline pumping.”
Awram got into fishing in his late teens after he inherited his grandfather’s old fishing rod, which his father found in the shed. “That sparked it, and ever since then I’ve been really into it. I wanted to be my own boss, and I really like fishing, and there wasn’t a fishing store around here, so I started it and took the risk on it.”
He says something that makes WindsorEssex fishing special is the spring walleye run. “It’s very unique and we get a lot of people that travel here specifically for it because we get so many walleye running up in the river.”
CAPT. RON GRAVES
The Butcher Buoy
After working 40 years as a butcher, Capt. Ron Graves retired in 2004— went fishing.
“I was born and raised on a small farm, used a stick and string to catch chubs in our ditch,” recalls Graves, a resident of Blenheim and captain of the 30-ft. Butcher Buoy, a charter boat that graces the waters of Leamington, Erieau, and Pelee Island. “My first job was at Bates Fisheries outside of Rondeau Park—loved the lake!”
With decades of experience under his belt, Graves started working as a part-time charter captain in the 1970’s, until 2004,
Since then, he has been at it full-time, doing what he loves.
“I target mostly walleye, steelhead, and limited numbers of chinook and coho salmon,” he explains. He says that part of what makes Windsor-Essex special as a fishing hotbed is both location and proximity. “Windsor-Essex sits in the middle of Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair,” both known for great fishing, “close to our northern neighbours in Michigan.”
Whether it be Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, or the Detroit River, the Windsor-Essex Region has the perfect fishing experience
WHAT A WHOLE & HEALTHY MAN LOOKS FOR IN A
woman
A Path to Sacred Union
Not long ago, I returned from the South of France, where I had the extraordinary privilege of walking the sacred lands once touched by the mystery and power of Mary Magdalene. There, she is remembered not only as a devoted follower, but as the apostle and sacred partner of Jesus. Their union—rooted in mutual respect, spiritual devotion, and divine love, offers a timeless message about the kind of relationship many of us long for today. You don’t have to be religious to appreciate their story; it’s a blueprint for conscious, heart-centered connection.
Over the past 18 years, I’ve had the deep honor of coaching men from all walks of life: visionary leaders, creatives, fathers, and soul-seekers. Through thousands of conversations and my own experience of what I would call a healthy marriage, I’ve come to understand what a whole and healthy man truly desires in a woman. Not from the lens of fleeting attraction, but from the grounded, soul-level longing that emerges when a man is ready for sacred partnership.
WHAT IS A WHOLE AND HEALTHY MAN?
A whole and healthy man is emotionally intelligent, psychologically mature, and spiritually grounded. He has faced his inner shadows and is committed to growth. He values truth over ego, presence over performance, and evolution over comfort. His strength is laced with humility; his vulnerability is not hidden, but honored. He is ready to love deeply—and to be met with that same depth of character.
This article is not about outdated roles or perfection. It’s an invitation into the realm of sacred union, where two whole beings choose each other in truth, love, and mutual evolution.
While I use heterosexual language here for clarity, it’s important to recognize that masculine and feminine energies exist in all of us, regardless of gender or orientation. Sacred union can be beautifully expressed in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships. What matters most is the conscious dance of polarity, presence, and devotion.
HE WANTS PRESENCE, NOT PERFORMANCE
A whole man isn’t looking to be impressed but rather, he wants to be met with presence, not perfection. A woman who is anchored in herself, who can sit in stillness, feel her body, and remain connected even in discomfort, which is magnetic to him. Her presence says, “I’m here, I’m real, I’m safe.” And that presence, not the performance of femininity, is what speaks directly to his heart.
I’m Teri Gyemi, a passionate life coach with a strong love for human behaviour. My own flawed past and my will to understand the hidden impulses that led me there, as well as my unrelenting desire to serve others, is what inspired me to become a life coach. Equipped with my certifications from the late Debbie Ford of The Ford Institute for Integrative Coaches, 2 decades experience as a life coach, practice as a workshop leader and educator, I have successfully supported clients through a holistic approach in realizing and executing their goals, healing emotionally, reviving their relationships or uncouple from unhealthy ones. My hope is that something I write will encourage those in need to take a step toward positive personal growth. terigyemi.com | psychologytoday.com
HE DESIRES EMOTIONAL MATURITY AND INTEGRITY
A whole man seeks a woman who knows herself within her values, emotions, and boundaries. Emotional maturity doesn’t mean being immune to feeling; it means knowing how to move through emotion with awareness and responsibility. He values a partner who communicates needs with clarity, takes ownership in conflict, and avoids blame or projection. This level of integrity creates emotional safety. It invites him to reveal his heart more fully and become the man he’s here to be.
TRUST IS FOUNDATIONAL
Trust goes far beyond loyalty, it’s about emotional safety and consistency. A whole man feels secure with a woman who is steady in her energy, honest in her communication, and respectful of his inner world. She allows him to open at his own pace and meets him with compassion, not judgement.
For him, trust is mutual. He needs to feel trusted too, in his choices, his direction, and even in the little or mundane things, like making the bed properly (type A women you know what I mean) or handling responsibilities. When she believes in his ability, it strengthens his confidence and builds the foundation for a resilient, sacred bond.
HE RESPECTS HER DEVOTION TO HER OWN PATH
A whole man doesn’t want a woman to orbit around his world but rather, he wants her to walk beside him, sovereign and whole. He admires her connection to her own mission, friendships, and passions. He’s inspired by a woman who is lit from within, not dependent on him for identity or direction.
This balance of independence and interdependence forms the structure of sacred partnership: two whole people choosing to walk the path together, without losing themselves in the process.
KINDNESS AND COMPASSION
Kindness is one of the most underrated qualities in conscious love. A whole man notices how a woman treats others such as: the waitress, the stranger, herself. To him, kindness is strength, and compassion is gold.
When he struggles (as we all do), he longs for a woman who can hold space for him and not try to fix him, but witness or midwife him through the contractions of life. Emotional generosity is the glue that holds real love together, especially in life’s tougher seasons.
HE CRAVES SACRED SENSUALITY
In a world of performative sexuality, a whole man is drawn to sacred sensuality with a woman who is in her body, attuned to her pleasure, and expressed from her soul. This isn’t about being conventionally sexy, it’s about aliveness. She embraces her sensuality as part of her divinity, not as currency for validation. Her erotic energy becomes a spiritual force, one that deepens intimacy and awakens deeper layers of connection.
HE SEEKS PARTNERSHIP, NOT PEDESTALS
He doesn’t want a fantasy; he wants a real, evolving woman. He doesn’t expect perfection—he values depth. A whole man wants to co-create life with someone who shows up in the messiness of love with devotion and grace. He respects the woman who challenges him with love, holds him accountable, and stands beside him, not above or below him. Sacred union isn’t about who leads, it’s about mutual rising.
HE HONOURS HER INTUITION
Logic builds the world, but intuition guides the heart. A whole man respects a woman’s intuitive wisdom. He doesn’t need her to explain it, justify it, or minimize it. Her intuitive sensing becomes a sacred compass, not just for the relationship, but for how they navigate life together. It adds a mystical dimension to their love, something beyond words, but deeply real.
HE VALUES PLAYFULNESS AND LIGHTNESS
While depth and soul are essential, so is laughter. A man who has healed often emerges with a renewed capacity for joy. He’s drawn to a woman who can be playful, spontaneous, and unafraid to look silly. Life can be heavy. A relationship should be a soft place to land, where laughter lives and joy is shared. Playfulness signals emotional resilience and it says, “I trust life, and I trust us.”
HOW TO CULTIVATE A SACRED RELATIONSHIP
Whether you’re already in a relationship or calling one in, these conscious steps can support you in creating a bond rooted in spiritual connection, mutual respect, and heart-aligned love:
Do the Inner Work
Heal your wounds, examine your patterns, and take responsibility for your wholeness. Sacred union begins within.
Practice Spiritual Intimacy
Invite spirit into your relationship. Meditate together, bless meals, or create shared rituals. Let your love be a spiritual practice.
Speak with Honesty
Share your truth, even when it’s vulnerable. Use kind language. Sacred partnership is built on honesty and trust.
Honour Polarity and Flow
Allow masculine and feminine energies to move fluidly between you. Lead and surrender, speak and listen consciously and with respect.
Hold a Shared Vision
Build something meaningful together. Sacred love isn’t just about the couple, it’s about what they offer the world.
Create Rituals of Devotion
Light a candle, share daily gratitudes, or simply look into each other’s eyes with presence. Let love be intentional, not habitual.
The love between Jesus and Mary Magdalene wasn’t about power or possession. It was rooted in reverence, devotion, and spiritual partnership. Their union reminds us that the highest form of love is not about losing ourselves in another, but about rising together in truth.
Today, many men are waking up. They are healing, evolving, and redefining what it means to love and be loved. What they long for isn’t fantasy or perfection, but a partnership grounded in presence, purpose, and soul.
A whole and healthy man desires a woman who knows her worth, walks in grace, and loves with her full being; not to complete him, but to walk beside him as they both remember the sacredness of love.
In my next article, I’ll explore what a whole and healthy woman seeks in a man because sacred union is a dance that invites both partners to rise in love, together.
There’s No Place Like Home
At Libro Credit Union, we believe homeownership is about more than just securing a mortgage - it’s about building a future. That’s why we go above and beyond, offering personalized coaching, expert guidance, and a commitment to strengthening the communities we serve.
Talk with a Home Financing Advisor today. Book online, by phone, or in branch. Find your way at libro.ca/mortgages
Matthew Pepin Home Financing Advisor matthew.pepin@libro.ca 226-340-0516
Beverley Sharron Home Financing Advisor beverley.sharron@libro.ca 519-990-9178
CALENDAR
August 20 | Game days for Kids | Central Library 6pm-8pm
August 21 | AWE at Night | Art Windsor-Essex 5pm-9pm
events music
August 22-24 | Tecumseh Corn & Music Festival | McAuliffe Park 12pm-12am
August 23-24 | Amherstburg Art by the River Fort Malden 10am-5pm
August 24 | Southern Ontario Vintage Bicycle Show | McGuire Residence 8am-3pm
August 25-27 | Your TV Boot Camp YourTV Windsor Cogeco 1pm-6pm
August 26 | Brewing for Comedy Tuesdays Phogheads 8pm
August 27 | Cruise Night | Parcs & Rec 5pm
August 28-31 | The Harrow Fair | McAfee and Wellington Streets 10am-9pm
August 29-31 | LaSalle Ribfest | TBD
August 30 | End of Summer Celebration Lakewood Park 6:30pm-9:30pm
August 31 | Lasalle Night Market | LaSalle Civic Centre 4pm-8pm
September 1 | Labour Day
September 2 | Trivia Night | Manchester Bar 7pm-9pm
September 3 | Caboto Club Charity Pasta Night Caboto Club 4pm-7pm
September 4 | Tom Segura | Ceasers Windsor 8pm
September 5-6 | Last Call Before Fall Event Centre Lasalle 6pm-12am
September 6 | Taste of Walkerville | Wyandotte St East 11am-10pm
September 7 | CMHA Community Walk SportsPlex Fitness St. Clair College 9am-12pm
September 9 | Improv Drop-In Night | Chapter 2 Brewery 6:30pm-8:30pm
September 10 | Mack Flash Trivia | Harbour House 7pm-9pm
September 11 | Thirsty Thursday | Erie St GastroPub 3pm
September 12 | Scare House Windsor Opening Howard Ave TBD
September 13 | W.E. Heart Local Presents: Open Farms TBD
September 14 | Windsor Waterfront Half Marathon
September 15 | Amazing Scavenger Hunt | Fort Malden Dr 8am
September 16 | Windsor’s Witty Whirlwind Hunt | Hiram Walker & Sons 8am
September 17 | Wedding Shows | Windsor Caboto Club 4:30pm-9pm
September 18 | AWE at Night Light Art Windsor-Essex TBD
September 19-21 | Amherstburg Uncommon Festival | Downtown Amherstburg TBD
September 20-21 | Fall Flee Market | Canadian Transportation Museum 9pm-4pm
September 21 | Tecumseh Farmer’s Market Lacasse Park 9am-12pm
*Event details are subject to change. We recommend verifying dates, times and availability with the event organizers before attending. The Drive Magazine is not responsible for any changes, cancellations or inaccuracies.
LIVE
August 22 | Jody Raffoul | Daisy & Co. Wine Bar 6:30pm
August 22 | Ru Paul Drag Race All Stars Live Ceasars Casino 8pm
August 23 | Live Music with Bethany Dalimonte | CREW Winery
August 25 | Live Music with Fresh Breath CREW Winery 1pm-4pm
August 29 | The Singing Bartender | Harbour House 4pm-7pm
August 30 | Rob Sef | Parkside Grille 7pm-10pm
August 31 | Buddy Wakefield Live | Meteor 7pm
September 5 | James Staley | Daisy & Co. Wine Bar 6:30pm
September 6 | Slim Pickerel | Parkside Grille 7:30pm-10:30pm
September 15 | Allegra Krieger / Crissi Cochrane | Meteor 7pm
September 16 | Abigail Lapell / Moonsuits Meteor 8pm
September 27 | Mixtape Mania – Charity Concert | Disco Inferno Windsor 7:30pm