Growing Guelph

In this first episode of a special three-part series with the Guelph Public Library, we explore how libraries are transforming into vital third spaces—offering not just books, but life-saving support, community care, and inclusive spaces for all.Support Growing Guelph - https://www.patreon.com/growingguelphHost Jordan Sloggett speaks with Samantha Wellhauser-Bells, Main Library Branch Supervisor at the Guelph Public Library, and Alex Cairney, Outreach Worker with the Welcoming Streets Initiative. Together, they discuss:The evolving role of libraries as inclusive, public third spacesThe importance of harm reduction supports, including free naloxone kitsReal stories of community support, recovery, and connectionBuilding empathy, safety, and wellbeing in public spacesHow partnerships like Welcoming Streets and the library are changing livesThis episode highlights the human stories behind public policy, the essential services libraries provide beyond books, and how collaboration can lead to safer, healthier communities.Guests this episode:Samantha Wellhauser-Bells is the Main Library Branch Supervisor at Guelph Public Library. With a background in public service and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, Samantha helps guide the library’s role as a vital, welcoming community space.Alex Cairney (he/him) is an Outreach Worker with the Welcoming Streets Initiative, where he works to support vulnerable individuals in downtown Guelph. Alex and his team provide compassionate, on-the-ground assistance, de-escalation, and connections to critical services.Relevant Links:Guelph Public Library – About Us - https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx?_mid_=33528Naloxone Kits Now Available at Guelph Library – GuelphToday.com - https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/guelph-library-giving-out-naloxone-spray-kits-at-main-branch-10455430Welcoming Streets Initiative – Guelph CHC - https://guelphchc.ca/welcoming-streets/Welcoming Streets Evaluation Report (PDF) - https://guelphchc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Guelph-Welcoming-Streets-Initiative-Evaluation.pdf

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 of Growing Guelph, we sit down with Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik—family physician, HIV/AIDS advocate, global health leader, and recent Green Party candidate in the 2025 federal election. Dr. Zajdlik shares stories from her early days treating patients during the HIV/AIDS crisis in Guelph, founding the region’s first HIV clinic, and launching the Bracelet of Hope campaign that raised over $1 million to combat HIV in Lesotho.🎧 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 episodes conversation we talk about what it means to respond to a health crisis with compassion, what society has (and hasn’t) learned from past pandemics, and how those lessons shape her approach to politics and community care today. Dr. Zajdlik reflects on her entry into the political arena, why the Green Party aligns with her values, and even hints at a possible run for mayor of Guelph.This conversation explores the intersections of health, leadership, and history—and invites listeners to consider what it really means to build a resilient, caring city.Topics We Cover:Dr. Zajdlik’s medical journey and early work during the HIV/AIDS crisisFounding ARCH Clinic and launching Bracelet of HopePublic health lessons from the COVID-19 pandemicHer political awakening and Green Party candidacyThe connection between healthcare, housing, and climate policyGlobal experiences that shaped her local commitments🌱 Learn More Links:Bracelet of HopeDr. Zajdlik’s Green Party CampaignARCH Clinic Guelph

In this episode of Growing Guelph, I sit down with Stephanie Scapinello, founder of Strawberry Sunshine — a handmade candle business that has grown into a community hub for makers, artists, and dreamers in Guelph.🎧 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 we explore how Stephanie discovered her creative drive during the pandemic and turned it into a thriving business. She shares how her background in finance helped turn her dream into a reality, the importance of local support, and all the help she received along the way. We also dig into how she creates a platform for other artisans through shared space and workshops, her ancestral connection to candle-making, and the deep sense of purpose she’s found in giving back to Guelph.Whether you’re a maker, entrepreneur, or just curious about what fuels small business owners in this city, Stephanie’s story is an inspiring reminder of the power of community, creativity, and courage.Links from the episode: 🔗 Strawberry Sunshine Website 🔗 Strawberry Sunshine on Guelph Shops