Working Draft Magazine: Recent Episodes
Working Draft Magazine
Audio stories from Working Draft, a student-produced web magazine from RRC Polytech’s Creative Communications program in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Working Draft brings eclectic new voices to communications and writing professionals — readers who care about great storytelling, contemporary issues and culture, the media landscape, and the broad and quickly evolving field of communications. Working Draft’s writers inform, investigate, question, challenge, entertain, critique, educate, and persuade — all from a Manitoba perspective.
Music: "Working Draft Theme" by Kevin Rodriguez
In the family tree, trauma’s roots run deep. After losing a family member to addiction, one young woman confronts the pain of her past and reconnects to her Indigenous identity.
Food helps connect us to our memories, culture, and family traditions. One second-generation Ukrainian immigrant teaches her granddaughter how to make perogies and passes down her love for cooking at the same time.
Third places are spaces where communities gather outside of work and home. Mine happens to be an old bar in Transcona. So what makes a third place and why are they so important to our society?
Christie Houston, Lindsey Pfiefer, and Kelly Hunter are prime examples of women who are balancing single-motherhood and entrepreneurship. So how do they do it?
Men in activism are challenging traditional notions of masculinity by embracing vulnerability and empathy, so why aren't there more of them?
Hoops and Dreams
The Winnipeg Sea Bears made a thunderous impact in their first season, shattering attendance records and sparking a passion for basketball in a non-traditional market. Through behind-the-scenes work from the marketing team and on-court success, they have paved a way for the future of basketball in Manitoba.
After a lifelong appreciation for video games spirals into escapism, a college student has to face the consequences of his addiction. Will he defeat the strong hold of problematic gaming or be stuck forever?
When a psychotic break lands a teen in the hospital, she is forced to navigate the mental health system. Eight years later, she meets a woman with similar experiences — and finds community and connection.
"Barbie," "Women Talking," and "Promising Young Woman" are three recent films that harness the power of female rage and the female gaze to entertain — and crack open the patriarchy that still runs Hollywood.
Fashion isn’t just clothes — it's identity. From the confidence of a corset to the vibrant stories in African wax prints, our choices say something about who we are.
Learning about where you come from is an important part of figuring out where you belong. But when I began unearthing the buried Métis roots of my family tree, inherited feelings of shame and guilt were also brought to the surface.
A young woman who longed to travel after high school and wasn’t quite ready for post-secondary reflects on the many benefits — and some of the complications — of the gap year program that brought her to Guatemala.
In the fast-paced world of live production, things can and will go wrong. Industry veterans teach a rookie how to deal with the pressure — the show must go on.
Ew! Body hair on women is gross! But should it be? Prickly hairs or smooth pixels, will the stigmatization of women’s body hair ever end?
Having two families can be difficult to navigate for children of open adoptions. It certainly was for me. Looking back, I see that having supportive parents made it so much easier.
Beadwork for these three Métis artists is more than art — it connects them to their culture, identity, and ancestors.
Fans have always found ways to find new music and connect with the musicians they love. Is TikTok — a platform built around music — fundamentally changing how Winnipeg artists and fans interact?
Canada has been recruiting Filipino nurses for decades with the promise of stability and strong wages, but when Filipino nurses land in Canada do their expectations match reality?
Guru. Enterpriser. Sponsor — to me, he was just Grandpa. Since he died two years ago, I’ve been scripting the final conversation I wish we could have had.
After having a gun pointed at my head during a robbery, all I could do was laugh. If the stereotype is all comedians are depressed and broken inside, then stand-up comedy is our therapy.
How does the loss of a child shape a family — especially when it happens a decade before you are born? Learning about my older brother Ryan’s short life and tragic death is helping me understand my family in a new way.
AI is making headlines in many creative industries, including music — how is Winnipeg’s music scene responding?
While trapped in war-torn Kharkiv, Ukraine, a young couple faced a new fear — becoming parents amidst the bombing. Like many others, they had a hard decision to make. Stay and try to survive, or leave to build a new life elsewhere.
International students leave their home countries to pursue their dreams — and education — in Canada, but once they arrive, many are faced with a harsh reality. Housing, employment, and issues around recruitment that don’t surface until they are already thousands of kilometres from home leave many international students in precarious situations. -Danna Bianca Carreon
Joseph Sevillo, creator of the all-Filipinx musical "Ma-Buhay! A New Musical", and Julia Ulayok Davis, an Inuit performer and aspiring creator, are ushering in a new — more diverse — era for musical theatre in Manitoba.
Northern leopard frogs were abundant all across Canada until half a century ago. Some populations have bounced back. Others have not. When it comes to conservation, loving living things deeply is half the battle, but is it enough save these frogs?
Thanks to TikTok, Gen Z, and the impending climate crisis, the online second-hand clothing resale market is booming — but in-person thifting is here to stay.
After moving to Canada from Russia at the age of 13, I was lost, but a low-barrier dance studio in Winnipeg is helping me — and many others — rediscover the joy of dance and tap back into my relationship with myself.
Through challenges on two canoe trips — near hypothermia on the first, and a crashed canoe on the second — one young leader gained perspective about true strength on the Turtle River.
“Is this dress okay? What should we make for dinner? Is my life on the right track? While my Portuguese grandmother and I don't speak the same language, there are things deeper than language that bind us together.”
Manitoba Hydro has been Winnipeg's main source of energy since the 1920s.
They advertise their energy as clean and green — but are we being greenwashed?
An inside look at a mining town: successes, resilience, and the inevitable loss for the people of Flin Flon.
Three Manitobans say microdosing "magic mushrooms" has helped them with their mood, motivation, and mindset, but psilocybin is still an illegal substance. What does the scientific community say?
The demand for cheap clothing has fueled a culture of overconsumption. It’s time to swap fast fashion for a sustainable future.
Blacklegged tick populations are on the rise in Manitoba. Can anything be done beyond self-directed prevention, or is Manitoba setting itself up for a repeat of the spread of zebra mussels? By Stephen Bennett
Immigrants leave their home countries in hopes of a better quality of life for themselves and their families, but at what cost to their health? By Elisha Corsiga.
Social media has been crucial in amplifying grassroots voices in the digital age. But in a world of infinite content and minimal regulation, can we tell the difference between 'real grass' and astroturf?
Water — the Earth's blanket — connects us all. As a little girl, I looked at the ocean with pure wonder, but as I've learned about inequalities and seen destruction in our waterways, my relationship to water has gotten more complicated. - Shauna Turnley
My ancestors hail from Holland, Scotland, and Ukraine, but I’ve never felt connected to any of them. I found myself in my stepfamily.
By Miranda McGregor
We may not know what happens after we die, but should know the environmental impact of our end-of-life decisions. — Madison Reynolds
Microplastics are harmful to marine life, ecosystems, and human health — and they are turning up everywhere. How should we respond?
Cultural connection takes effort and engagement, so what does an immigrant family do when stuck between tainted traditions, a disconnected diaspora, and the promises and pitfalls of a new, naturalized life? - Sergiy Volotovskyy
Is your pint green? Learn how craft breweries are reducing their environmental impact and what you can do to help.
After soldiers break down the gates to your childhood home and take your parents away, how do you find home again?
In a male-dominated industry that's barely able to retain women, what experiences have other gender and sexual minorities had? Four queer people share their stories from working in an all-boys club — the engineering profession.
What do you do when your kid needs access to medical care, but it isn’t covered in Manitoba? You become a healthcare advocate.
When his culture clashes with his surroundings, one first-generation immigrant wonders what it means to be Filipino.
For many cancer survivors, evidence-based complementary therapies are an informal part of their treatment plan. How can our health care system support the use of these therapies to help them live well beyond remission?
We all know a narcissist. They lie, cheat, manipulate, alienate, and game the system. But, is it possible for them to change?
Water is what draws people to Whiteshell Provincial Park each summer — but what happens when there's too much of it? Flooding in spring 2022 led to tough decisions for cottagers and residents who are thinking about the future in a changing climate.
We know that spending time outdoors is crucial for our mental and physical well-being. Forest bathing is a way to step into the trees and feel the magic — all year round.
Nonverbal Learning Disorder has shaped my identity and mental health. My journey to understanding myself begins with a doll house.
Moving to a hobby farm during the pandemic helped a young woman quiet the anxiety she'd been struggling with since childhood.
When Gen Z is suffocated by fashion trends and social-media extremes, how are they supposed to change the world?
Thousands of newcomers seek refuge in “Friendly Manitoba” every year, but they don’t expect the extremity of Manitoba winters and the transportation issues that comes along with it.
At different stages of my life, my self-worth hung on my ability to satisfy society's expectations of women, but when I began to interrogate these traditional gender roles — and notice how I'd internalized them — I started to break free.
Vaping has spread through our youth like a plague. In its wake, a teenager is left to figure out how to deal with addiction, the government struggles to create sensible regulations, and a booming industry sacrifices morality for money. — Natan Ruman
Girls are getting their periods earlier than a century ago, so conversations about menstruation need to happen earlier. But who is responsible for this, and is it happening?
When a tragic death in the family occurs, a young second-generation Laotian woman is forced to confront her cultural identity and reconcile with her past.
Summers spent at our extended family's "camp" in the prairies marked the beats of growing up, like the time my cousin and I outran the rain, but when the violence at home in Winnipeg followed us out to the bush, I had something else to run from.
A high school student only knows one speed — full throttle. Then a blow to the head brings his life to a sudden halt. Months of prescribed rest teach him when to push and when to slow down.
My mom is Black, my dad is White. She’s from The Bahamas, he’s from Steinbach. I should have grown up between cultures. Yet, there was a hole where one half of my identity should have been. Some say you need to look back to move forward. I looked back to find what was lost. By Stacha Penner
An exploration of the strange relationship between superheroes, the environment, climate change, and the real power of comic books.
By Connor Boyd
Are all hunters ruthless killers? Explore how and why you should hunt with expert advice from Anishinaabe Elder Paul Guimond and hunting guide Roben Ogden.
What does it mean to camp like a girl? It means getting outside in spite of sexism and traditional gender norms. Two Manitoban organizations are getting women into the wilderness and celebrating how being outside helps women tap into their innate power — and have fun while doing it.
As Manitoba's climate warms at twice the global rate, what will happen to our favourite winter activities? Skiing and snowboarding are most at risk — as are the people who depend on them.
By Joel Larson
Content warning: This piece contains eating disorders, self-harm, pedophilia, child grooming and child endangerment.
Disclaimer: The author has changed some names in this piece. Specific weights have been censored, as they are an unnecessary trigger.
A young girl logs onto Tumblr, and is greeted by the dark world of pedophilia, child-grooming, and eating disorder fetishization.
A love letter to jiu-jitsu.
By Tyler Searle
Content warning: this piece contains references to violence, suicide, child abuse, death, and mental illness.
Both pet adoption and surrender rates increased during the pandemic. How are people who work with animals coping?
By Joël Lizotte
Despite its rocky reputation, Tumblr is home to a thriving queer community. What sets Tumblr apart from other social media platforms and why do some people have such a hard time giving it up?
By Arin Streeter
How did recording studios in Winnipeg survive the COVID-19 pandemic?
By Kevin Rodriguez
By: Bryce Hunt
The story of NHL defenceman Zach Whitecloud told by those who helped him along the way.
After Covid-19 lockdowns, restaurants are struggling to hire staff. But why? The issues have always been there but now they are forced to be addressed.
Hustle, Grind, Repeat. Many of us are in a cycle of toxic productivity, but what if it didn't have to be that way? One young millennial is striving to slow down in a world that wants her to speed up.
By Samantha McEwan
Automation is changing the work force. Job turnovers are becoming more common. Disparity between living costs and wages is high. Is Universal Basic Income the answer?
By Joe Boulet
By Josh Frey-Sam
Elite athletes are supposed to thrive under pressure, but when social media gives fans seemingly unfettered access to athletes, the pressure can cause many athletes to cave.
Spending time in Manitoba’s beautiful outdoor spaces is beneficial to mental and physical health, but for people with disabilities, enjoying these spaces is often challenging or even impossible.How can we improve the accessibility of outdoor spaces while keeping the integrity of the great outdoors?
When a global pandemic shuts down in-person activities, how do volunteers and organizations that rely on volunteers respond?
Being a teenager is hard. Being a teenager whose suicidal is even harder. Luckily I had a group of amazing friends to save me.
What does it mean to see people who look like you on the big screen? Podcast hosts from the Voices of Atlas uncover how Marvel is tackling representation and misrepresentation.
By Katelyn Sarte.
From growing up in a conservative province in the Philippines to attending his first drag show in downtown Winnipeg, many communities have shaped the way one gay man views himself and the world around him.
By Rachel Lynne Jones
After being the victim of revenge porn, Kate Sinclaire regained bodily autonomy by creating an inclusive porn company. What began as a project dedicated to representation and safety quickly evolved to a career in sex work activism.
Cycling has grown in popularity during the COVID-19 Pandemic, yet there are still fewer women on bikes than men. Why? This article attempts to find out just what's happening from a recreational perspective to the professional level.
Public bathrooms have always served a practical purpose, but many people also find community there. Listen to a series of personal stories which explain how one's perception was formed.
With the rise in self-employment and video as a marketing tool, now is an excellent time to start video freelancing. Jarrod Tully and Brent Robak have been doing it for years. They share career stories, offer suggestions, and give advice.
Would you sleep on a stranger’s couch? Since the early 2000s, Couchsurfing has been connecting travelers around the world to do just that. But there’s comfort in the temporary, in the separation that comes with meeting a stranger. What happens when that’s taken away?
What does it mean to be haunted? Echoes explores the relationship between ghosts and people, and fiction and reality, through the point-of-view of the author and a little white church.
What happened to Winnipeg's 2SLGBTQ+ youth when safe spaces like Gay-Straight-Alliances vanished during COVID-19?
What is the cost of movie magic? Three Manitoban film workers share their experiences working on set and reveal what sometimes goes on behind the scenes.
When Winnipeg’s music venues reopened after being shuttered for nearly 18 months by COVID-19, owners, musicians, and fans were reminded why live music matters.
Being a child caregiver to an alcoholic parent is hard. Navigating life after their addiction is hard too. My dad's addiction — along with the guilt and shame — followed me everywhere. And then I found the recovery community.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please check out these resources.
Bruce Oake Recovery Centre
www.bruceoakerecoverycentre.ca
431-996-6253
Wellness Together Canada
http://www.wellnesstogether.ca/
Adults: Text WELLNESS to 741741
Youth: Text WELLNESS to 686868
Hope For Wellness Help Line
https://hopeforwellness.ca/home.html
1-855-242-3310
Suicide Prevention Service
1-833-456-4566
Written and read by: Chloe Gerrard
The idea of the Metaverse has been a topical subject as of late, but there is still some uncertainty as to what the “Metaverse” actually is. This piece explores what the Metaverse is — and its goal — who could be its key contributors, and the pros and cons that can come with our ever-evolving digital age.
How do you make a home in pandemic? Times are uncertain, houses are expensive, but romance is blooming. Make a home within a home, your parent's home. Invite your gorgeous girlfriend to move in with your fam.
Women in gothic horror and queer kids who grow up in non-affirming churches have something in common — they're both written as monsters. Find out how one queer kid found freedom by trading lighting candles at the front of her church for doing spells in her bedroom.
Written & read by: Rachel Wilson
Music: ♪ Castle (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Everything you need to know about how to begin streaming on Twitch and what other local streamers' experiences were like.
Mauricio Alvarez's dream to play professional soccer finally became a reality. Then civil war in El Salvador, forcing him to hang up his cleats and find safety for his family.
When does inspiration become plagiarism? Winnipeg comic book artists share how their answers impact their work.
This worship song was written by a few friends of mine when we used to be very active in our church youth group. It's about having hope in times of hopelessness. Thank you for reading my story, and I wish you the best with yours.
Lord It's You
Written by: Roshelle Raquin, Jiselle Ariola, and Kristin Manibo
Music by: Kristin Manibo
00:13
Track: Letting Go
Artist: Hazy
https://soundcloud.com/hazy_music
Music provided by https://www.plugnplaymusic.net
08:16
Track: Circle of Life
Artist: Whitesand, @martynas_lau
Music provided by Whitesand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLD7nFdwYlk
Music by Whitesand – Circle of Life, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLD7nFdwYlk
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe96JG5gdgSRtmqStx0isXA
12:05
Track: Letting Go
16:33
Track: Dreamer
Artist: Hazy
https://soundcloud.com/hazy_music
Music provided by https://www.plugnplaymusic.net
19:28
Track: Woods
Artist: Federico Fabbiano
Music provided by Oak Studios
https://youtu.be/eAiAlg22gqQ
17:30
Track: Letting Go
20:21
Track: Manifest
Artist: Hazy
https://soundcloud.com/hazy_music
Music provided by https://www.plugnplaymusic.net
Three generations of the Rodriguez family now call Canada home. While the journey here from Guatemala was challenging, this family persevered and established their new lives. Despite being Canadian citizens, they still face racism — most recently on a trip to Texas.
After the Closet is a collection of stories about coming out which tackle homophobia, mental health struggles, and intersectionality. An emphasis is placed on how chosen and forced closeting can be traumatic and how the normalization of coming out is a necessity.
Read the story online: http://workingdraftmagazine.com/after-the-closet
Notes
Questions LGBT2SQ+ people get asked
LGBT2SQ+ Mental Health in Canada
Girls hoodie
Chris' coming out article
Homophobia in sports report
Anti-Semitism in the LGBT2SQ+ community
Three Jewish women are asked to leave Dyke March
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction
02:25 Arianna
07:43 Sadie-Phoenix
13:50 Chris
18:00 Ava
Credits
Intro & Outro
Fearless First by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3742-fearless-first
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Transition
Music by Jay Someday 🎹
Free download: rebrand.ly/ForgiveMeFreeDownload
Music: Demons and Angels by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
This piece contains violence, drug use and coarse language.
Live fast. Die young. Be home for supper and get your homework done. As inaccurate as these memories are, they are mine.
Author Jake Maurice reads through his piece along with providing commentary to add more depth to the story.
Listen to the audio recording of 2020 Vision. This story is a profile of Tyler Sneesby, a DJ and local bar owner, exploring the physical and emotional struggle he is overcoming since going blind.
Everyone has a path stretching far behind them, transcending generations.
A creative nonfiction piece by Ryan Job.