Blue Sky Art Studio in the Village of St. Jacobs is shared by artists Carolyn Parks and Della vanDokkumburg. Parks uses wool roving to create vibrant and beautiful wool paintings through the process of wet-felting while vanDokkumburg sketches striking and whimsical buildings with watercolour, ink, and markers, inspired by the rural and historic setting of Woolwich Township. In back-to-back interviews on Bonn Park this week, Sara and Marshall chat with Parks and vanDokkumburg about Blue Sky Art S...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Bob Egan spent 17 years as the multi-instrumentalist for Blue Rodeo and is currently the City of Kitchener’s first Film, Music, and Interactive Media Officer. On Bonn Park with Sara and Marshall, Bob Egan talks about his focus on supporting and developing local musicians and attracting film production to Kitchener, the art of public speaking, and his prior role as the Manager of Community Development at the Kitchener Public Library. We also chat about the golden era of live music, providing musi...
May 19, 2021•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 76
“Twitchin’ Kitchen Magician” Erik Begg is the creator of the award-winning hot sauce line, Sorry Sauce, made with green energy. A punk rock singer, guitarist, and drummer, Begg has been playing in Canadian punk rock bands for most of his life, currently in the bands Stand Against Fear, Wiggler!?!, and lockdown band Bridge Street Hooligans. In a fun and enlightening conversation with Sara and Marshall, Begg talks about living the punk rock, hippy vegan life with his family growing hot peppers in ...
May 12, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Laura Gillians is a playground designer, play consultant, and founder of All In Recreation. With a degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo with a focus on children with Autism, Gillians approaches play from an inclusive and accessible perspective. On this week’s episode of Bonn Park, Gillians speaks with Sara and Marshall about her passion for play, the challenges of construction, and the importance of providing recreation for people of all ages and all abilities. ALL IN ONE RECREAT...
May 05, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Nick Benninger is a local chef, restauranteur, columnist, and co-owner of Fat Sparrow Restaurant Group. In this hour with Sara and Marshall on Bonn Park, Benninger sheds light on operating several businesses during a global pandemic and being at the helm in a time of crisis. We also talk about his Mexican-inspired and locally sourced restaurant, Taco Farm, tequila, and supporting small farms right here in Waterloo Region. FAT SPARROW GROUP BONN PARK SUPPORT CANADIAN: SOLENZI FOODS SINGERS MIX ME...
Apr 28, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 73
An award-winning researcher, social worker, and volunteer, Jen Vasic is the City of Waterloo Councillor for Ward 5. In a wide-ranging conversation with Sara and Marshall, Vasic talks about her commitment to helping strengthen the City of Waterloo, backyard fires, meeting people where they’re at, running a local political campaign, and how meaningful change happens when we collaborate and listen to all voices in our community. JEN VASIC BONN PARK INSTAGRAM SUPPORT CANADIAN: MITCHELLS SOUP CO. STE...
Apr 21, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 72
Mark Logan is the owner of Encore Records, celebrating 40 years in downtown Kitchener. Sara and Marshall sit down with Mark to talk about the early days of Encore Records, his indie record label Busted Flat Records, the resurgence of vinyl, and how a small, independent record store has survived a pandemic. ENCORE RECORDS BONN PARK INSTAGRAM SUPPORT LOCAL: DENNIS' HORSERADISH THE GARDEN STAND RUTHLESS HOT SAUCE ST. JACOBS FARMERS' MARKET...
Apr 14, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Salma Nasr El Din is an Egyptian-Canadian painter. A graduate of the University of Alexandria’s Fine Arts program, majoring in expressive arts and interior design, Nasr El Din talks with Sara and Marshall about her exquisitely striking imagery inspired by vintage photography and the bygone era of female portraiture and elegance, and her gratitude for the support of Waterloo Region’s diverse and vibrant arts community. SALMA NASR EL DIN BONN PARK INSTAGRAM SUPPORT LOCAL: GIFTED WATERLOO HEARTBEAT...
Apr 09, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Sandy Currie is the STEM Program Manager for Google Canada. In this episode of Bonn Park, Sandy chats with Sara and Marshall about her 30-year career as a teacher and principal with the Waterloo Region District School Board, her lifelong commitment to student achievement and well-being, and how a culture of STEM is needed in education to prepare students for a tech-enabled world. GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION CS FIRST BONN PARK INSTAGRAM SUPPORT LOCAL AND CANADIAN: CAPLANSKY'S TIFFINDAY CIVILIAN PRINTING...
Apr 07, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Sassy Ray is a burlesque artist and the founder of Sassy Ray Burlesque. Burlesque, sometimes performed in speakeasies or “retro-style bars,” is a widely misunderstood art form, blending genres of entertainment in a unique form of social satire and free speech. In a delightfully spirited conversation with Sara and Marshall, Sassy Ray shares insight on Waterloo Region’s fascinating burlesque scene and the importance of preserving this art form through local groups like Sassy Ray Burlesque. SASSY R...
Mar 31, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 68
In the second episode of Bonn Park’s two-part series called Girls for Change, brought to you by Google Waterloo, Marshall and Sara chat with Leya Oommen, an award-winning Grade 10 student at Waterloo Collegiate Institute. She discusses the Technovation project she partnered on with fellow student Ellen Brisley. We also meet Maya Elkibbi, who teaches Grade 7 and 8 math and science at K-W Bilingual and has a PhD in Geophysics. Elkibbi is a recipient of the University of Waterloo’s Teaching Excelle...
Mar 24, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Every year, Technovation invites teams of young people from all over the world to learn the skills needed to solve real-world problems through technology. In the first episode of Bonn Park’s two-part series Girls for Change, brought to you by Google Waterloo, Sara and Marshall chat with award-winning Grade 10 Cameron Heights student Ellen Brisley about learning how to code a mobile disaster relief app, a project she started with fellow student Leya Oommen at K-W Bilingual School. We also speak w...
Mar 17, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 66
Steve Knipping is the current President of the Rotary Club of Kitchener Grand River, an active volunteer in the community, and a mental health advocate. In a wide-ranging conversation with Sara and Marshall, Knipping talks about becoming a Rotarian, overcoming anxiety, his passion for community service, and the drive to give back. https://portal.clubrunner.ca/127/ https://www.instagram.com/bonnparkpodcast/ SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS LIKE: PICKLES EH! HENRY'S TEMPEH SPICE OF LIFE GIFTED WATERLOO...
Mar 12, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 65
In the best of times, preparing for labour and delivery is both exciting and stressful. Mother of four Kandice Shiell openly shares with Sara and Marshall what it was like to give birth during a global coronavirus pandemic, followed by the isolating experience of postpartum, and the crucial role midwives play in caring for women and their families. BONN PARK PODCAST SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS LIKE: CROWSFOOT SMOKEHAUS SRJ PLUMBING FENIGO WINNIES GLUTEN FREE...
Mar 10, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Sarah Bester is the host of the Shine Mama! Podcast. In this hour with Sara Geidlinger and Marshall Ward, Bester candidly shares her journey of self-discovery, having real conversations with local moms about mental health and parenthood, the truth about the struggles, and finding a way to shine for your kids, your community, and yourself. https://www.shinemama.ca https://www.instagram.com/bonnparkpodcast/ SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS LIKE: GIFTED WATERLOO HUW THE HANDYMAN THE HEALTHY BARKER VILLAIN ...
Mar 03, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Selam Debs is an anti-racism coach, consultant and trainer specializing in anti-Black racism, equity, inclusion and implicit bias awareness. On this week’s episode of Bonn Park, Selam speaks with Sara and Marshall about her anti-racism work, being a yoga and meditation instructor and founder of Juici Yoga, and a Lululemon ambassador. SELAM DEBS BONN PARK PODCAST SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS LIKE: ST. JACOBS FARMERS' MARKET DEYJAHS HOUSE OF PATTIES SPOIL THE DOG BAKERY THE HOT SAUCE CO. Photo: Lindsa...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Founder of KW Junk Music, Mary Abdel-Malek Neil is a community musician with a passion for making music accessible to all by reclaiming items from the landfill to create inexpensive instruments. On Bonn Park with Sara and Marshall, Mary talks about community engagement, sustainability, and the many ways to upcycle material typically labeled as “junk.” KW JUNK MUSIC BONN PARK INSTAGRAM SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS LIKE: TUBE PRO INC. GIFTED WATERLOO ISLAND SON...
Feb 19, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 61
JP Sunga is a Waterloo-based singer-songwriter who passes his time crafting his own brand of pop music, sometimes referred to as alternative soul. Currently recording the remainder of his debut full-length album, due for release in 2021, JP sat down with Sara and Marshall to chat about his new single In My Bones, the deafening sound of self-doubt, and his new record as a legacy project for his children. JP SUNGA BONN PARK PODCAST INSTAGRAM SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS LIKE: BACKYARD HONEY CO. ELORA ...
Feb 17, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Amy Ballantyne is a health and wellness coach who doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to health. Rather, she empowers, encourages, and provides accountability for busy, working mothers who desire more ease, balance, joy, and a healthier body and mind. In a wide-ranging conversation with Sara and Marshall on Bonn Park, Ballantyne talks about coaching clients, mindset, nutrition, sleep, her new kid’s book about having a healthy poop, and helping people achieve their dreams and live hap...
Feb 10, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 59
With a strong commitment to child welfare, Ajirioghene Evi-Cobbinah is the Executive Director at Kind Minds Family Wellness. A not-for-profit organization, Kind Minds Family Wellness acknowledges diversity and cultural identities in its provision of short and long-term culturally informed supports to Black clientele in Waterloo Region. As an anti-Black racism practice integration lead, Evi-Cobbinah shares fascinating insight on intersectionality, social work and self-care, and seeking change in ...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 58
Brittney Emslie is the operations manager at the K-W Multicultural Centre. On this hour of Bonn Park, Emslie chats with Sara and Marshall about her passion for celebrating cultural diversity and helping newcomers to Waterloo Region. KW MULTICULTURAL CENTRE BONN PARK INSTAGRAM SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS LIKE: ST. JACOBS FARMERS MARKET ALLEY CAT CAFE CLASSIC INDIAN CUISINE...
Jan 27, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra principal bass Ian Whitman has graced legendary stages like Carnegie Hall in New York and Symphony Hall in Boston. A native of Edmonton, Whitman sits down with Sara and Marshall for an intriguing conversation about the double bass, the vinyl resurgence, and creating music in the age of social isolation. KW SYMPHONY BONN PARK PODCAST SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS LIKE: ELITE TRAINING FACILITY FELLINI'S GIBSON SOUND AND VISION...
Jan 20, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 56
An award-winning producer and composer, singer-songwriter JoJo Worthington is one of Canada’s most eclectic and innovative emerging artists. In the Season One finale of Bonn Park, JoJo Worthington chats in-depth with Sara and Marshall about the hypnotic flow of synthetic beats and rhythms, Fanshawe College’s Music Industry Arts program, and making experimental music about music. JOJO WORTHINGTON BONN PARK PODCAST SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS LIKE: ST. JACOBS FARMERS' MARKET ECO CREMATION & BURIA...
Jan 13, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 55
In the summer of 1963, a nine-year-old boy vanished without a trace. Decades later, Kitchener-born journalist Anthony Reinhart tracked down the man who ended the boy's life. In Bonn Park's first true-crime episode, Anthony shares the story of his journey to a Florida prison to interview the man behind one of our region's most tragic murders. Anthony won the National Newspaper Award for his writing at the Waterloo Region Record, and went on to be a reporter for The Globe and Mail before becoming ...
Jan 06, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Matt Morris is a community snow sculptor in Waterloo, creating towering works of art on his front lawn for many years. This winter, he has launched a virtual snow sculpting club with the goal of bringing this distinctive art form to a wider audience. Closing out 2020 on Bonn Park, Sara and Marshall chat with Matt Morris about the challenges of designing and building visually powerful snow structures, community engagement, and how the beauty of the art lies in its impermanence. MATT MORRIS SNOWPA...
Dec 30, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 53
The lights are twinkling bright in Bonn Park this holiday season. Sara and Marshall invite you to join them for a holiday celebration of music and stories from amazing Canadian artists. On this holiday special, we'll hear performances from guests Michael Kelly Cavan, Paige Warner, Rob Witherspoon, Giselle Sanderson, and Jay Semko. Come on, join the party. BONN PARK INSTAGRAM SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS LIKE: ERB AND GOOD OXFORD LEARNING WATERLOO NITH VALLEY APIARIES...
Dec 23, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Bonn Park is thrilled to have local chef and culinary expert ChefD as our 50th guest! ChefD is a culinary wizard and entrepreneur who really, really knows food. The host of ChefD TV chats with Marshall and Sara about all things delicious. If you're not hungry when this episode starts, you will be soon after. https://www.chefdtv.com https://www.instagram.com/bonnparkpodcast/ SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS LIKE: GRAHAM A GIDDY FH VINCENZO'S WATERLOO JULY NAIL BAR...
Dec 16, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Maddy Taylor is a sexual health educator at SHORE (Sexual Health Options, Resources and Education) Centre in Kitchener. Founded in 1972 and previously named Planned Parenthood Waterloo Region, the centre grew out of the Birth Control Centre at the University of Waterloo. In this hour with Sara Geidlinger and Marshall Ward, Taylor candidly shares her passion and advocacy for sexual health and reproductive freedom, and how barrier-free programs and services that are inclusive of all genders, orien...
Dec 09, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Lina Shamoun is an award-winning hairstylist and owner of Artline Salon in Belmont Village. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Shamoun’s family immigrated to Canada in the summer of ’98 when she was 14-years-old. In an intriguing conversation with Sara Geidlinger and Marshall Ward on Bonn Park, Shamoun talks about her competitive hairdressing background, entrepreneurship, quiet leadership, creating a masterpiece, and how hairdressing is one of the most sociable jobs in the world. ARTLINE SALON BONN PARK INS...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Graeme Kobayashi is co-owner of Counterpoint Brewing Company, an inviting and inclusive brewery in Kitchener offering a constantly rotating tap list that speaks to different people and an endless variety of flavours and traditions In the second episode of Bonn Park’s two-part series on Counterpoint Brewing, Graeme Kobayashi talks with Sara Geidlinger and Marshall Ward about his introduction to the world of homebrew, barrel-aging, and collaborating with other local brewers to create an imperial s...
Nov 25, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 48
