WOW: Politics and Leadership

What starts with a concern in your neighbourhood can sometimes grow into a desire to serve your entire community. In this episode, Julie Fraser sits down with Marisa Nabbout, candidate for Ward 5 in Tecumseh. An educator, community volunteer, and local advocate, Marisa shares how speaking up on neighbourhood issues and engaging with council inspired her decision to run for public office. Together, they discuss community leadership, growth and development, and the importance of ensuring residents' voices are heard as Tecumseh continues to evolve.

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In this episode, Julie Fraser sits down with Cheryl Hardcastle, former MP for Windsor—Tecumseh, former Deputy Mayor of Tecumseh, and current Ward 4 council candidate. Drawing on decades of experience in journalism, municipal government, and federal politics, Cheryl shares her perspective on community leadership, accessibility, and what inspired her return to municipal politics. This far ranging conversation throws the spotlight on public service, as well as local issues in Tecumseh.


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Julie Fraser interviews Wendi Nicholson, Ward 6 council candidate, community volunteer, and former Windsor-Essex Pride Fest president. Drawing on years of volunteer leadership and community involvement, Wendi discusses her decision to enter municipal politics and her plan for being a responsive leader to listens to community needs and supports action from the ground up!

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Victoria Soluade wears a lot of hats.  She is an entrepreneur, volunteer, activist and mom.  She's even starting a new radio show.  She talked to Melinda about why she decided to run in Ward 7 and how she sees it as the future of Windsor.

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Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https://womenofwindsorpolitics.substack.com/

Today Julie speaks with Heather Latam, a Leamington Councillor, educator, and longtime community advocate. With a background in education, labour relations, and public service, Heather has developed a reputation for thoughtful leadership, transparency, and community engagement. Join us as we discuss the issues shaping Leamington's future and her experiences serving the residents of one of Ontario's fastest-growing communities.

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From Crystal Meloche’s time on parent council to making history as LaSalle’s first woman Mayor, we cover it all. Mayor Meloche joins Jessica Sartori to talk about her 15-year journey in public service and the massive 65-acre waterfront revitalization she's leading. We get incredibly real about what it’s like to be a woman in politics, navigating online comments, and her vision for growing the town without losing its community soul.





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In this episode, Julie Fraser welcomes Sherry Bondy, Mayor of the Town of Essex. No stranger to a challenge, Bondy has spent more than a decade in municipal government, building a reputation as a passionate advocate for her community and a strong voice on issues ranging from infrastructure and economic development to environmental stewardship and responsible growth. Before becoming mayor in 2022, she served for years on Essex Town Council, earning a reputation for being engaged, outspoken, and deeply connected to the residents she serves. Throughout her public service career, Bondy has championed transparency, accountability, and municipal ethics while encouraging residents...

Rachael Mills was spotted as a future political talent by Mayor Sherry Bondy of Essex when she appeared in front of Council as a delegate.  Since then she has been honing her skills as a candidate locally and is now running in Harrow Centre, which is Ward 4 in the Town of Essex.  Rachael and Melinda talked about how her commitment to the community and the environment keep her motivated and focused on the campaign trail.  In her words you don't have to choose between Governance and Connection. 

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Fair treatment of goldfish kicked off Catherine Gariepy-Schulze's political journey.  She talked to Melinda about why she decided to run in Windsor's Ward 4.  She has participated in promoting women in politics and has been a political organizer for many years but this is her first outing as a candidate.  

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In this episode, guest host Julie Fraser sits down with Tania Jobin, longtime Tecumseh Town Councillor and candidate for Deputy Mayor. With more than 16 years of experience serving the community, Jobin has been a strong advocate for rural broadband, accessibility, infrastructure planning, and responsible municipal growth. A farmer, business owner, and community leader, she brings a practical perspective to local government and a deep understanding of the issues facing Tecumseh residents. Together, Julie and Tania discuss leadership, the future of Tecumseh, balancing growth with community values, and what motivates her to seek the role of Deputy Mayor.

Please...

Natasha Feghali is the CEO of Feghali Group Inc. and FG Family Homes Inc., a longtime public educator, community speaker, and now a candidate for municipal council. Running for office has been a long-term goal for her, built on years of mentorship and volunteering behind the scenes. We talked about her five-pillar platform, the unique barriers women face when entering politics, and her innovative ideas for the city—from an adaptive municipal budget to a new pilot project for a pay-to-pick garbage service.

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Kat Pasquach is an artist, community leader, business owner and now a candidate for Mayor of Windsor.  She was the first candidate to jump into the race and is already making a splash.  We talked about what inspired her to start at the top by running for Mayor, what she thinks about challenging colonial institutions and how she plans to keep Windsor a great place to live. 

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Rasha Zaid is running for Windsor City Council in Ward 4.  She is up against a popular incumbent, but her plan is to focus on the need for belonging and being a 'teacher of kindness'.  She also reminds voters not to tell her who she is because of how she looks, but let her tell them who she is and what she can do for them.  

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Melinda and Jessica kick off the 2026 Municipal Election with a little teaser about how many women are running and where, where there are no women running and a bit of a check in with the Public School Board race.  

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Kim Rocheleau is an educator and a very serious cyclist.  She joins us along with Anastasia Adams to talk about leadership, politics, cycling, and women.  She also talks about the Women's 100 for 2026 and if you are interested in joining, listen in because she gives you all the details.  

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Ann Marie Keough is a neuro-physiotherapist which means she specializes in helping the brain learn or relearn how to move the body through the mind-body connection.  Evelina Bazcewska and Melinda talked to her about her fascinating practice, how women's bodies are unique, women as physiotherapists and how if equity work must be held at the core to have balance and sustainability.  

Ann Marie's clinic is called Enable Physiotherapy.  https://www.enablephysio.ca/

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Karina Richters is an engineer and a climate activist.  She joined Melinda and guest host Leslie McCurdy to talk all things women, politics and infrastructure.  

Politics and infrastructure intersect at lived experience. Women experience infrastructure differently. When they aren't at the council table important discussions are missed. It isn't about flow rates and curve banking ratios, it is about who feels safe and who feels welcome.  

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Unifor Women's Director and former NDP Member of Parliament Tracey Ramsey joins Jessica and Melinda to talk about why we run for office.  Great stories ensue including playing the game of "who's got the baby?" in the House of Commons.  

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What is Disability Pride and how does it differ from anodyne terms like handicapable or differently abled?  

Evelina Baczewska, advocate, activist, academic, and all around awesome person walks us through the ways language drives change (and eliminates capitalism).  

Find out more about Evelina and her work at www.feministlimns.ca


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In June 2025 we recorded one of our most popular episodes: a rollicking ride with women campaign managers.  We got great stories and advice for any campaign.  Nominations are open.  If you are thinking of running or of supporting a candidate, this is a must listen.  

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The Welcome Centre has been at the centre of some unwelcome political attention.  Lady Laforet, Executive Director joins our current affairs panel to talk about what's going on, how it connects to larger political narratives and why it is even more urgent for women to get involved in local politics.  

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Leigh Vachon of Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) and Lauren Hedges of Hackforge join us to talk about National AccessAbility Week (May 31 - Jun 6).  They are hosting workshops and events for the community to identify accessible places, both virtual and physical.  See what they are up to here:  https://www.hackf.org/news/national-accessability-week-2026/

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The Ontario municipal elections are underway.  Nominations opened on May 1.  If you are running, are you ready?

We are joined by two seasoned pros - a candidate, Kristen Siapas, and a campaign manager, Valerie Bonasso.  They have great advice for what to be thinking about now, what to start planning for and how to pace yourself.  October is still a ways away.  Don't peak too soon.  

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Denise Ghanam has been a Conservative candidate for election twice and a municipal candidate once.  She is a well-respected community leader in Windsor having served on the Police Services Board and the Windsor Port Authority among others.  She joined Melinda for a conversation about working across the poltical spectrum for the benefit of the whole community.  

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We are in Jane's Walk season and we were joined by four amazing guests to talk about why women's history is not recorded in our built environment and how we can restore lost histories.  Join us and Julie Rae Tucker, Phillipa von Zeigenwelt, Irene Moore Davis and Nicole Baillergeon.  

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Wen Teoh has been helping entrepreneurs make their ideas real in Windsor for over a decade.  She joins Jessica and Melinda to talk about her path to leadership and her newest project: Sisters in Business.  



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The panel welcomed a new correspondent, Evelina Bacewska to talk about Trump, women and invading spaces traditionally reserved for men. 

Pat Papadeas, Leslie McCurdy and Evelina joined Jessica and Melinda for a fun and funny reflection on how Trump's comments about women athletes is a symptom of something much bigger when it comes to women in politics.    

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Joyce Zuk served two terms on Windsor City Council and over 30 years in human services in the community.  She talks to Melinda about Windsor's latest approach to panhandling and how approaches based in service and help are the only way we make change.  

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Fresh off renewing her contract with Art Windsor Essex, Executive Director Jennifer Matotek joins Jessica and Melinda as the first guest in the WOW: Leadership series.  She digs into the daily life of being a not-for-profit leader.  

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Alicia Higgison is the Councillor for Ward 1 in the Town of Tecumseh.  One of the 'class' of 2018, she and was elected twice for School Board Trustee before switching gears into municipal politics.  

We talk about how she balances being a single parent of three daughters, a busy job and the obligations of being an informed councillor.  She also has tips for any listeners getting ready to start a municipal run for October 2026.  

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The City of Windsor heard from the community this week about the proposed 2026 budget.  Municipal budgeting is sometimes called the superbowl of local politics.  Darcie Renaud joins us to talk about her experience delegating to Council on behalf of mothers and families who are being hit with significant user fee increases for camp programs and transit.  Turns out the user fee impact on families with kids is many times more than a 1% property tax increase would be.  Who knew?

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Today we launch the WOW:Leadership series of WOW:Politics.  Jessica and Melinda introduce listeners to the reasons why we need more women in leadership outside of politics as well as in.  This series will alternate with our regular politics programming.  Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page WOW:Politics

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Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!  The panel debate whether Ms. Claus is a feminist and how women's holiday work keeps the lights on.  

Join, Darcie, Leslie, Kristen, Jessica and Melinda for our first holiday special, complete with sleighbells!  

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Greenshield Cares and Equal Voice Canada have partnered to create on demand mental health supports for women and gender diverse individuals running for office!  Lindsay Brumwell and Sabrina Ladha, join us to share how they decided to address a long standing issue for women in politics.  Women participating in campaign schools across Canada regularly report concern about mental health and harassment as a significant barrier to running for office.  We have heard it from many of our guests.  This new program is aimed at tackling that barrier and we are delighted to promote it.  

The service is available here.<...

On November 11, 2025 Amber Czech, a 20 year old welder, was murdered in her workplace by a co-worker who didn't like the way she looked at him.  Melinda asked Nour Hachem and Delaney Krieger of Build-A-Dream to help her understand the dangers women face on the job.  They described the feeling of having to put on armour before going to work.  The conversation touches on violence in the workplace and role of women and women in elected office to help each other advocate and create space to listen to their stories.  

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Women won landmark elections across the US on Tuesday November 4, and the transition team for the NYC mayor is all women.  What does this mean for women locally?  Darcie Renaud and Anastasia Adams join us for a great conversation.  We also talked about how even the President of Mexico is not safe from men thinking they have the right to touch her in public.  Do women in positions of authority have a higher duty to take action when they are victims of assault?

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Leigh Vachon was so moved by the decision of the Alberta Government to direct school boards to limit access to books that she wrote an impassioned Facebook post about it.  That prompted Jessica to invite her to WOW Politics to talk about how the debate about access to books is really a debate about access to understanding the other. When politicians limit our ability to understand our neighbours, friends and colleagues, they limit our political discourse in ways that go beyond simply prudishness about bodies. 

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Ward 2 watchers Sheila Wisdom, Caroline Taylor and Lady Laforet join us to talk about how the current slate of 15 candidates in the by-election responded to our questions about what is important to women in the area and how they plan to encourage women to vote.  We had a lot of fun. 




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Krystalynn Singh is running for City Council in Ward 2.  She talked to Melinda about her life long dream of being Prime Minister and how she decided to take her career in property management and apply it to politics.  

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