Bonn Park Podcast Transcriptions

Bangishimo, an IndigiQueer Anishinaabe artist originally from Couchiching First Nation located on Treaty #3 territory, is a community organizer, educator, and advocate.

Sara and Marshall sit down with Bangishimo to talk about photography and storytelling, being one of the co-founders of O:se Kenhionhata:tie, also known as Land Back Camp, and creating space for communities to come together -- allowing for Black, Indigenous, Racialized and Queer voices to be heard.

Legendary blues musician Mel Brown brought the sound of the Mississippi Delta to Waterloo Region.

And although Mel himself is gone, his legacy lives on. In celebration of that legacy, the region was home to the inaugural Mel Brown Music Festival & Symposium that happened May 27 through 29 at The Jazz Room, Maxwell’s Music House, Kitchener Public Library, and TheMuseum.

Join Sara and Marshall for the first episode of a special three-part series about the Mel Brown Music Festival & Symposium, featuring the Waterloo Region Mass Choir, Errol Blackwood, and Miss Angel "Blues" Brown.

Legendary blues musician Mel Brown brought the sound of the Mississippi Delta to Waterloo Region.

And although Mel himself is gone, his legacy lives on. In celebration of that legacy, the region was home to the inaugural Mel Brown Music Festival & Symposium that happened May 27 through 29 at The Jazz Room, Maxwell’s Music House, Kitchener Public Library, and TheMuseum.

Join Sara and Marshall for the second episode of a special three-part series about the Mel Brown Music Festival & Symposium, featuring Elaquent, Muhleak, Quinton Barnes, Glenn Marias and the Mojo Train, Ekhaya, and Haviah Mighty.

Legendary blues musician Mel Brown brought the sound of the Mississippi Delta to Waterloo Region. And although Mel himself is gone, his legacy lives on. In celebration of that legacy, the region was home to the inaugural Mel Brown Music Festival & Symposium that happened May 27 through 29 at The Jazz Room, Maxwell’s Music House, Kitchener Public Library, and TheMuseum.

Join Sara and Marshall for the first episode of a special three-part series about the Mel Brown Music Festival & Symposium, featuring Joni NehRita, Alysha Brilla, and Rufus John.

Taryn McKinnon of Music Together of Kitchener-Waterloo is a music therapist with extensive experience working with children.

On Bonn Park with Sara and Marshall, McKinnon shares insight into her special interest in speech and language development, her combined love of music and passion for working with kids, and her belief that all children are musical.

August Swinson is a Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation painter, illustrator, and muralist. Swinson sits down with Sara and Marshall to talk about growing up on a small reserve and drawing, a career in graphic design and illustration, his family and influences, and his love of nature.

Jenna Mayne is the communications and fund development manager at Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. In the second episode of a special two-part series about WCSWR, Mayne talks about raising awareness and funds, public education, prevention, and hosting the She Is Your Neighbour podcast, where she and her guests explore the realities and complexities of domestic violence.

Jennifer Hutton is the Chief Executive Officer at Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.

In the first episode of a special two-part series about WCSWR, Hutton sits down with Sara and Marshall to talk about emergency shelters, outreach services and accessible support, their youth education program, and her career in social services and helping people.

Roshan James is a visual artist and published poet, living in a small, rural town northwest of Waterloo. In a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation with Sara and Marshall, James talks about poetry, painting, process, purpose, and presence.

Dr. Erica Shelley is a beekeeper scientist and the founder of Best for Bees. Sara and Marshall sit down with Dr. Shelley for a fascinating discussion about invention, healthier beehives and new bee vectoring technology, mentorship, community connections, and a life spent with bees.

On this mouthwatering episode of Bonn Park, Sara and Marshall visit their favourite hot sauce emporium, Taste the 4th Sense, in the Village of St. Jacobs. With tongues tingling from tasting, they chat with owner Gerry Mischuk and manager Lea Riddle-Pitre about the incredible array of flavours available at their shop. They've got handcrafted oils, vinegars and condiments, including loads of delicious concoctions ranging from mild to mind-blowing. Gerry and Lea share their story, and how they've created the first Southwestern Ontario Hot Sauce Summit and Celebration, which happens this summer.

Ifoma Smart is a social media technology executive, Muay Thai instructor, and the creator of Wicked Smart Hot Sauce. Sara and Marshall sit down with Smart to talk about the inspiration and family tradition behind Wicked Smart, bringing his brand to life, and sharing his passion with his community.