The Stratford Slice

‘Never judge a book by its cover’ as the saying goes, is an apt reminder when you encounter Fred Gonder.  The retired graphic artist and advertising executive who once designed for Volkswagen and Audi is well-known in Stratford as a prolific and talented photographer who finds freedom thanks to his mobility scooter.  Fred sits down with Craig to discuss ‘perceptions’ attributed to those with disabilities and how he overcame his personal health challenges to open a new chapter of his life in Stratford.

Cultural diversity is a top-of-mind issue today, but in 2011 when Dr. Geza Wordofa first arrived in rural Southwestern Ontario, he was a ‘voice in the wilderness’. The Ethiopian-born, Russian educated United Nations ambassador and humanitarian moved to Stratford, his wife’s hometown and immediately struggled to find his place. Relying on his experience helping refugees from hotspots around the world - he founded the Multicultural Association of Perth Huron, which recently was recognized as a charitable organization. Craig sits down to discuss with Geza his many accomplishments over the last decade.

https://maph.ca/

Kelly Walker is someone who has packed multiple lifetimes into his 80 years.  He spent 20 years in the priesthood serving in a Dominican monastery before being told by his doctor that burnout was going to kill him. He’s survived cancer twice. He was in a straight-marriage after leaving the Dominicans before coming out and then getting gay-married.  He’s the author of several best-selling books and if that’s not enough he toured the world as an international recording artist. He sits down with Craig to discuss his fascinating life journey and how his path led to Stratford.

Claire and Joanie Chapple are identical twins who have led an extraordinary life that has extended across fashion, film and television, yoga, spinning and the successful completion of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Craig sits down with these extraordinary and insightful sisters who discuss their Irish/Indian roots and their as yet unfinished exploration of spirituality.

https://www.theyogachapple.com/

From hardscrabble sports reporter to managing editor of the local paper to General Manager of the Stratford Perth Museum, John Kastner has built his career on telling personal stories.  He has transformed a small town museum into an internationally recognized destination that collaborates with museums in Canada and abroad. But the highlight for John, is being able to pick up the phone and chat with Justin Bieber.

https://www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca

Loreena McKennitt’s ‘eclectic Celtic’ music has won critical acclaim worldwide, selling more than 14 million records and earning gold, platinum, and multi-platinum sales awards in 15 countries across four continents. Beyond her musical career, she is guided by values and principles that have become her compass points on such issues as the environment, digital technology, preserving and protecting democracy.  Craig sits down with Loreena to discuss her community advocacy, her honorary role with the RCAF, and of course her legendary musical career.

S.P. Joseph (Sean) Lyons is an Indigenous author who was swept up into the foster care system as part of the “Sixties Scoop”. The St. Marys-based author has turned that traumatic life-changing experience into a series of children’s books which are now being developed into an animated children’s series.  He sits down with Craig to discuss his journey to becoming an author and how his creativity enables him to help others

When Eleanor Kane decided to escape Montreal in the late 1970s for the relative peace and tranquility of Stratford, little did she realize that her tea shop would soon lead to a transformation of the restaurant scene, not only in Stratford but across Canada and beyond.  She sits down with Craig to discuss how the Stratford Chefs School came to life.

https://stratfordchef.com/

Bruce Horak is a legally blind artist, musician, and actor who calls Stratford home. He sits down with Craig to chat about being cast as Hemmer in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and the overwhelming fan reaction to his character and his reaction to being the first legally blind actor to play a blind character on the series.

http://www.brucehorak.com/

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