Outcast Media

Outcast Media

Outcast Media is where everyday people share honest stories. We don't stick to one industry or niche because interesting people exist everywhere. What connects every episode? Real conversations. No celebrity guests. No polished PR answers. Just honest talk about careers, creativity, challenges, and what it takes to build something meaningful. New episodes every couple of weeks. Hosted by Brittany & Shawn from Outcast Media. Guest hosts as well. The only thing we don't do? Boring conversations. E1HdHmqXiBsSvrUmp1Qc

  1. Bella’s Boys Italian Kitchen: 30 Years of Family, Food & Refusing to Cut Corners | Ottawa Italian Restaurant

    JAN 20

    Bella’s Boys Italian Kitchen: 30 Years of Family, Food & Refusing to Cut Corners | Ottawa Italian Restaurant

    Nick and Andrew have been running Bella’s Boys Italian Kitchen, a family-run Italian restaurant in Ottawa, for three decades. Their parents still show up every day to prep food. Their mom used to hum her way through the Friday dinner rush. That kind of love for food is what built this place. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to survive in the restaurant industry, one of the toughest small business environments out there. From working side by side as brothers without losing their minds, to why they give away so much free coffee, this conversation pulls back the curtain on life behind the line. You’ll hear about: Their toughest moment, closing their original restaurant while a 100+ year-old building literally fell apart around them in the middle of winter How COVID forced a pivot that actually improved their quality of life Why “how long will it take?” is the question that drives Nick crazy What customers don’t see, including slow-cooked sauces, high-quality ingredients, and standards they refuse to compromise Their honest advice for anyone thinking about getting into the food industry (spoiler: don’t) What success really looks like after 30 years in a family business This episode spotlights a family-run Italian restaurant in Ottawa and the stubborn refusal to give up when things get hard. It’s a story about Calabrian roots, generational recipes, small business ownership, and understanding that some things just can’t be rushed. Bella’s Boys Italian Kitchen | Ottawa, ON

    31 min
  2. Why Canada’s Dogs Are in Crisis: Shelters, Northern Communities, and the Rescuers Barely Hanging On

    12/05/2025

    Why Canada’s Dogs Are in Crisis: Shelters, Northern Communities, and the Rescuers Barely Hanging On

    In this episode, Ashley offers an unfiltered look at the dog rescue crisis unfolding across Canada, a reality most people never see. Spoiler alert: it is not just overcrowded shelters. It is underfunded grassroots rescues, complex challenges in Northern Indigenous communities, the lasting impact of colonization, and a system that leans heavily on a small group of exhausted people trying to fill the gaps. Ashley breaks down the history of community dogs, why certain regions face unique challenges, and how legislation, lack of resources, and geographic isolation all play a role. She also explains why rescues are constantly operating on fumes and what meaningful support actually looks like beyond the usual “adopt, foster, donate” messaging. What we cover The cultural history of community dogs in Indigenous communitiesHow colonization and government systems created long term challenges still felt todayWhy shelters across Canada are overwhelmedThe financial reality behind rescue work and why organizations are always stretched thinThe difference between large shelters and small grassroots rescuesWhat real, practical help looks like even for people who cannot foster or volunteerThe emotional weight of rescue work and why people stay committed anyway Whether you care deeply about animal welfare, want to understand the forces behind Canada’s growing dog crisis, or simply want a clearer picture of what rescuers face every day, this conversation shines a light on a world that is often misunderstood and rarely talked about honestly.

    51 min
  3. You Get Paid To Do What?! | Hair Stylist | Behind the Chair

    11/24/2025

    You Get Paid To Do What?! | Hair Stylist | Behind the Chair

    Ever wonder what it's really like behind the chair? In this episode of You Get Paid To Do What?!, we sit down with Meg Patterson, a 15-year hair stylist veteran, who pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry—the good, the messy, and the emotional. Meg breaks down the real requirements for becoming a licensed hairstylist in Ontario (spoiler: it's 4,000 total hours), why beauty school teaches you the science but not the people skills, and how she learned that 90% of hairdressing is personality. From creating accidental "baby vomit" hair colors in training to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of clients sharing everything from engagements to heartbreak—this conversation goes deep into what it actually takes to build a career cutting hair. We also talk money. Meg explains the difference between "hobby stylists" and "career stylists" (hint: the income gap is nearly double), why she works commission-based, and how quality over quantity became her mantra after years in the industry. Plus, her advice for anyone considering cosmetology school? Shadow first, co-op if you can, and don't drop $15k until you've actually felt out salon life. If you've ever been curious about the hairstyling profession, want to understand what your stylist is really thinking, or are considering beauty school yourself—this episode is for you. Topics covered: Hair stylist training and education, cosmetology school experience, salon apprenticeships, commission-based pay, client relationships, emotional labor in the beauty industry, career vs. hobby hairstyling, income expectations, and real advice for aspiring stylists.

    18 min

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About

Outcast Media is where everyday people share honest stories. We don't stick to one industry or niche because interesting people exist everywhere. What connects every episode? Real conversations. No celebrity guests. No polished PR answers. Just honest talk about careers, creativity, challenges, and what it takes to build something meaningful. New episodes every couple of weeks. Hosted by Brittany & Shawn from Outcast Media. Guest hosts as well. The only thing we don't do? Boring conversations. E1HdHmqXiBsSvrUmp1Qc