Late in 88

Written by: Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda
  • Summary

  • Late in ‘88 is a podcast that explores the blurred lines of truth and memory as two grade school classmates, Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda share their experiences of growing up queer and gender non-conforming in Calgary, Alberta 1988, at a time when there wasn't language to describe identities that were fringe and undefinable. By shining a light on their middle childhood, Bronwin and Elinor explore the impact of historical context and the gift of contemporary language that allows more freedom of self expression. The series will welcome many special guests and experts including gradeschool classmates, professors, doctors, and experts in their fields. Bronwin Parks is a Calgary city kid who grew up to be a rancher, rodeo cowboi, and the founder of the award-winning Feisty Creative, a top-notch creative agency for the music, film, television, and digital media industries. Through Feisty, Bronwin has worked with brands, award shows, and all of Canada’s major music labels. Since coming out as queer in 1996 at the age of 16 and later in 2020 as non-binary, Bronwin has fought hard to be a much-needed and outspoken champion for diversity and equity. Their dedication in fighting for systemic change has led them to serve on several music and creative industry boards, pushing DEI initiatives, creating inclusive spaces, and bringing more opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Elinor Svoboda is an award-winning filmmaker, sound designer, educator, with over 20 years of experience. Her work has been nominated for both Grammy and Juno Awards, shortlisted for the Berlin Film Festival, and premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival. Notably, her 2012 short Documentary Tegan and Sara: INDIA was broadcast and distributed internationally via Warner Brothers Music. Alongside her directorial and sound work, Elinor works as a dedicated educator, having previously served as a sessional professor at Sheridan College and an instructor at York University. She has also been a faculty member of the Training in Power Academy of Meditation and Healing for the last 20 years. Having spent several years in Toronto, Elinor recently returned to her home province of Alberta, where she is developing several television and feature narrative projects under her company, Ellefire Media.
    2024 Feisty Creative and Ellefire Media
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Episodes
  • Bonus 9: Learning In Safer Spaces
    Sep 13 2024
    In this bonus episode of Late in 88, hosts Bronwin and Elinor dive deeper into the important topic of sexuality education in Canadian schools, featuring expert insights from curriculum scholar Dr. Tonya Callaghan. Dr. Callaghan, who has years of experience teaching in junior high and high school, shares critical reflections on the challenges and gaps in the 1988 curriculum and how schools have handled gender and sexual diversity education over the decades. They discuss the evolution of sexuality education, the impact of school board policies, and the urgent need for inclusivity in today’s classrooms. Learn about the struggles faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ students, the importance of Queer-Straight Alliances (QSAs), and how homophobic and transphobic bullying still affects students today. Dr. Callaghan also highlights how a lack of teacher training has left many educators unprepared to address sensitive topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity. Tune in for a powerful discussion on why creating safer and more inclusive learning environments is essential for the well-being of all students. About Dr. Tonya Callaghan Prior to joining the Werklund School of Education, Dr. Callaghan enjoyed a varied teaching career at the secondary level with over ten years of experience in national, international, rural, urban, Catholic and non-Catholic environments. She completed a joint doctoral degree in two graduate programs at The University of Toronto: 1) The Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development Program in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UT), and 2) The Graduate Collaborative Program in Women and Gender Studies with the Women and Gender Studies Institute in the Faculty of Arts and Science. The recipient of two University of Calgary teaching awards for Curriculum Development, Dr. Callaghan was invited to join the Teaching Academy with the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Callaghan served as a facilitator with support groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) youth in Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. As a member of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, Dr. Callaghan provided input on professional development workshops designed to build safe and caring classrooms, schools, and communities. They serve as an Ambassador for the Canadian Association for the Study of Women and Education (CASWE) at the UCalgary Werklund School of Education, as a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Network (UCalgary Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), and as a Member-at-Large for the Alberta and Calgary Gay/Straight Alliance Networks. They also serve as a peer-reviewer for several scholarly journals, and as an adjudicator for Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grants. Dr. Callaghan has also served UCalgary as a Senator. Follow Us: Social Media: @late.in.88 Website: latein88.com/resources Don't forget to like, subscribe, and join us for more discussions that bridge the gap between past and present.
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    9 mins
  • Bonus 8: Middle Childhood Mysteries
    Sep 6 2024
    In this eye-opening bonus episode of Late in '88, hosts Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda unravel the complexities of middle childhood with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kate Thomson. Join them as they explore the crucial developmental stage of ages 8-9 and gain valuable insights into how identity and belonging take shape during this transformative period. What You'll Learn: Theories of Child Development: Discover how Erik Erikson’s concept of "Industry vs. Inferiority" influences a child’s self-esteem and sense of competence. Cognitive Growth: Learn about the shift from concrete to abstract thinking and how it impacts children’s understanding of themselves and the world. Belonging and Social Dynamics: Understand why feelings of not belonging are common at this age and how group membership affects self-perception. Evolution of Parenting: Explore how modern parenting strategies differ from those in the 80s and their impact on emotional and social development. Media Influence: Reflect on how media from the 80s and today shapes children’s views on stereotypes and social roles. Dr. Thomson’s expert analysis offers a deeper understanding of the developmental challenges faced by children, making this episode a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone interested in child psychology. Whether you're revisiting your own childhood or seeking to support a child in your life, this episode offers essential insights into navigating the turbulent waters of middle childhood. Follow Us: Social Media: @late.in.88 Website: latein88.com/resources Don't forget to like, subscribe, and join us for more discussions that bridge the gap between past and present.
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    10 mins
  • Bonus 7: Resilience and Revolution
    Aug 30 2024
    In this bonus episode hosts Elinor and Bronwin continue the conversation with historian Kevin Allen, founder of the Calgary Gay History Project and author of Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary, who offers a deep dive into Calgary's queer history. Kevin shares his experiences of coming out in the late 1980s, a time when resilience was essential due to societal hostility and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic. Discover how the queer community in Calgary navigated these challenges, the evolution of 2SLGBTQIA+ culture over the past 30 years, and the importance of preserving these stories for future generations. Don't miss this insightful conversation that highlights the triumphs and struggles that have shaped the 2SLGBTQIA+ community today. Follow Us: Social Media: @late.in.88 Website: latein88.com/resources Don't forget to like, subscribe, and join us for more discussions that bridge the gap between past and present. About Kevin Allen Kevin Allen has been documenting and profiling queer people and events for 30+ years through freelance writing and editing for various queer publications including: Clue! Magazine, QC Magazine, Xtra! West, and Xtra.ca. He is a career arts administrator and has worked for several Calgary organizations. Kevin was the first Historian in Residence at the new Central Library and is the author of the best-selling book: Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary. Kevin has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, specializing in non-profit management, from the University of Victoria. Additionally, Kevin works as a senior election official for both Elections Canada and Elections Alberta. Finally, Kevin has created some local queer history himself, as a founder of the long running Calgary Queer Arts Society, which produces many cultural events including the very successful Fairy Tales Film Festival every year in May.
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    9 mins

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