Late in 88

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.

Personal Journals
Sexuality
Documentary
1
Bonus 9: Learning In Safer Spaces
Hosts Bronwin & Elinor discuss 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion & sexuality education in canadian schools with Dr. Tonya Callaghan
8 min
2
Bonus 8: Middle Childhood Mysteries
Bronwin and Elinor unpack middle childhood: identity, belonging, and cognitive shifts with Dr. Kate Thomson
10 min
3
Bonus 7: Resilience and Revolution
Hosts Elinor and Bronwin continue the conversation with historian Kevin Allen for a deeper dive into Calgary's queer history
8 min
4
Bonus 6: Olympic Relics
Hosts Bronwin and Elinor get a VIP tour of the larger than life monuments of Calgary's 1988 Olympic glory.
3 min
5
Part 5: Back to the Future
Hosts Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda take the podcast on location and meet up in present day Calgary (2024).
25 min
6
Part 4: The Question Box
Host Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda discuss how an encounter with ‘the question box’ in health class changed Bronwin's middle childhood with a discussion about the Alberta health curriculum and homosexuality in 1988.
22 min
7
Part 3: "Tomboy"
25 min
8
Part 2: Hometown Olympic Fever
Hosts Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda explore the impact that the Calgary 1988 Olympic winter games had on their group of friends with classmates and special guest, historian Kevin Allen.
19 min
9
Part 1: What If We Were Friends?
Get to know hosts Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda as they contemplate why they weren't friends in grade school while they struggled to figure themselves
21 min
10
Trailer: Introducing Late in 88
Trailer: Introducing Late in 88, a new podcast hosted by Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda
2 min