Growing Guelph

Support Growing Guelph on Patreon - https://patreon.com/growingguelphConnect with KendallWebsite: itsokaystudio.comInstagram: instagram.com/itsokaystudio/On this episode of Growing Guelph, I talk with Kendall Kent — designer, creative thinker, and the heart behind It’s Okay Studio. You’ll hear the story of her Brand Giveaway (where she provides pro bono design support to local businesses doing good) and how that project connects to bigger questions she’s exploring: mental health, creativity, AI, work styles, and how we navigate living and working in Guelph.We dive into:Kendall’s journey into design and how she’s using her skills to empower community-minded businessesWhat she learned from executing her first Brand Giveaway (the Refill Bar was her winner!)The role of AI tools in creative lives — pros, ethics, and the psychological sideThe landscape of mental health, isolation, generational differences, and how creativity sometimes becomes a form of reflectionQuestions of free will, the intersection of psychology and branding, and how she balances the abstract with the everyday

Anna Morozova & Bobby Raffin – Guelph Fashion Week – Stitching Community TogetherIn this episode, we sit down with Anna Morozova and Bobby Raffin, the duo behind the first-ever Guelph Fashion Week. We talk about what it takes to launch a fashion week in a city known more for its farmers’ market than runways, and how fashion, sustainability, and collaboration are all woven into this new event.Guelph Fashion week kicks off this week on Thursday Sept 18th. Links & Mentions:Guelph Fashion Week on Instagram - http://instagram.com/guelphfashionweek/Anna Morozova – @iamannamorozovaAnna's Event Agency: @wearenewsocietyBobby Raffin – @bobbyraffinBobby's Shop Three Pieces: @three.pieces.caGuelph Fashion Week Tickets:Eventbrite – Guelph Fashion WeekMedia Coverage:GuelphToday – Guelph is getting its first Fashion WeekSupport Growing Guelph on Patreon - https://patreon.com/growingguelph

Teresa Johnston (co–run director) and her sister Sue Wilkinson (social media & comms) join me on the podcast to share their family’s story and how the Guelph Run for the Cure is growing as it moves to the University of Guelph this October. We cover what event day looks like, why you don’t have to run to take part, and simple ways to register, donate, or volunteer. This year the Guelph Run for the Cure takes place on Sunday October 5th, 2025.LinksRegister / Donate / Volunteer (Canadian Cancer Society – CIBC Run for the Cure) - https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/RunfortheCure/RFTC_NW_even_?pg=entry&fr_id=30461Facebook: @RunfortheCureGuelph - https://www.facebook.com/RunfortheCureGuelph/Instagram: @runforthecure_guelph - https://www.instagram.com/runforthecure_guelph/TikTok: @guelphrun - https://www.tiktok.com/@guelphrunSupport Growing Guelph on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GrowingGuelph

Episode Description: In this episode, I sat down with to speak with Randy Freese of the Guelph Indigenous Community Council (GICC) about identity, land, and community. Randy shares his personal journey, the origins and mission of the GICC, and what it means to decolonize spaces and systems in Guelph today.Whether you’re new to the work of reconciliation or deeply involved in local activism, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of Guelph’s Indigenous landscape.Links: Guelph Indigenous Community Council Website: https://gindigenouscc.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuelphIndigenousCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gicc_ontario/

Support Growing Guelph on Patreon!If you enjoy Growing Guelph and want to help support local storytelling, I’ve launched a Patreon!For as little as a buck a month, you’ll get early, ad-free episodes, the chance to submit questions for guests, and help shape future topics.It’s totally optional, but it helps keep this project going — and growing.👉 Check it out at patreon.com/growingguelphIn this episode, I talk with longtime local advocate P. Brian Skerrett about the vision for a new national urban park on the historic Guelph Reformatory lands. We explore Brian’s deep connection to the site, his work with Heritage Guelph, and the heritage designation under the Ontario Heritage Act that is shaping the future of this space.We dive into the rich and complex legacy of the reformatory itself, the early roots of judicial reform in Canada, and why preserving this land matters—not just historically, but socially and ecologically. Brian shares his recent work with Guelph Museums, a public exhibit and walking tour, and the collaborative design efforts by Gareth Lind of Lind Design in support of the movement.Our conversation touches on the evolving relationship with local government, the role of organizations like the Yorklands Green Hub and the Guelph Hiking Trail Club, and the possibility of linking Guelph’s river and green spaces into one connected ecological corridor. We also discuss Indigenous history at the site, the legacy of the “Native Sons,” and broader themes of incarceration and reconciliation in Canada.As Guelph approaches its bicentennial in 2027, this project offers a chance to reflect on how land, history, and community can come together. We close with a look at how listeners can help support and shape the future of this vital green space. LinksUrban Park Guelph initiative: urbanparkguelph.comBrian’s recent walking tour with Guelph Museums: Explore the Reformatory GroundsWant to help shape future episodes or support the show?👉 Join the community on PatreonThanks for listening to Growing Guelph — where we celebrate the people shaping a stronger, more connected city.

In this episode, I sat down with Guelph-based singer-songwriter CJ Cooper about the power of music to process emotion, the influence of growing up in Guelph, and how songwriting has evolved in the digital age. We also explore what goes into building a community-centered concert series, as CJ prepares for the third annual Women in Music showcase at Red Brick Café on Aug 2nd 2025.🎧 Support Growing Guelph on Patreon!If you enjoy Growing Guelph and want to help support local storytelling, I’ve launched a Patreon!For as little as a buck a month, you’ll get early, ad-free episodes, the chance to submit questions for guests, and help shape future topics.It’s totally optional, but it helps keep this project going — and growing.Check it out at patreon.com/growingguelphTopics We Cover:How Guelph has shaped CJ’s music and careerThe role of emotion and storytelling in her songwritingMaking music in today’s digital worldThe behind-the-scenes of organizing a local music showcaseWhat’s in store for the upcoming Women in Music concertAdvice for local creatives looking to make an impactEvent Info:Women in Music Concert📍 Red Brick Café, Guelph📅 August 2, 1–4 p.m. 2025🎟 $10 at the doorFeaturing performances by CJ Cooper and musicians Natalie Grace, Mela Bee, Miranda Journey, with proceeds going to Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis.Connect with CJ Cooper:Website: cjcoopermusic.comInstagram: @cjcooperofficialYouTube: CJ Cooper MusicSpotify: CJ Cooper on SpotifyTikTok: @cjcooperofficialFacebook: CJ Cooper Official Music