Contributors

Anna is an experienced magazine writer based in Muskoka, originally from Toronto. Her work has been featured in prominent publications like Chatelaine, Yoga Journal, FASHION, and re:porter. A dedicated storyteller with an inquisitive mind, she covers a wide range of lifestyle topics including style, interior design, wellness, food, art, and entertainment. | annacipollone.com

Born and raised in Collingwood, Matthew has worked across hospitality, copywriting, and digital marketing, bringing creativity and adaptability to each field. Drawn to unconventional places for unconventional purposes, Matthew’s travels have fuelled his passion for exploration, learning, and deep conversation. His curiosity about people and the human experience now guides him toward a career in mental health, while also serving as inspiration for his writing. | matthewgriggs.substack.com

Lauren is a baker, educator, writer, and owner of Red Hen Artisanale. From her studio in the heart of Grey County, she invites people in for hands-on food experiences rooted in whole grains and sourdough. Her work focuses on teaching and sharing skills while building friendly connections. She writes for her community monthly, sharing tales of travel, food, and the characters she meets along the way. Outside of the studio, Lauren enjoys tending to a large garden and uncovering hidden gems in the region she calls home. | redhenartisanale.com

Brandon is an entrepreneur, writer, and community builder based in Collingwood. As the founder of coworking hub The Collingwood Foundry, he’s deeply involved in supporting small businesses and fostering a thriving business ecosystem. Driven by his interest in wellness, food, and adventure, Brandon has immersed himself in mindfulness and nature-focused practices and enjoys seeking out unique experiences and incredible food. From cold plunges in Georgian Bay to intense trail runs across the mountains and deserts of Utah, Brandon lives to experience new adventures. | @brandonh

Jill is a wellness educator and retreat leader with more than 30 years of corporate experience. Drawing on Positive Psychology, Nordic lifestyle principles, and holistic living, she guides transformative wellbeing through workshops and retreats, helping others cultivate resilience, joy, and meaningful ritual in everyday life. | thehyggewellnesscompany.com

Image credit Assiniboine Park Conservancy

Editor-at-large at Wander North, Maddie is a travel specialist, writer, and editor with a passion for storytelling and community building. A creative entrepreneur at heart, she has worked across diverse industries, bringing her expertise in communication, marketing, and destination management to every project. When she’s not crafting itineraries or writing compelling narratives, Maddie can be found exploring the world, road-tripping through the Great Lakes region, or advocating for environmental conservation through her social enterprise, @the.freshcoast. | @misssmaddie | maddiejohnson.com

Kami Marchand is a creative, designer, and writer guided by the connection between mind, body, soul, and earth. She is the founder of Blue Moon Collective, a space rooted in community and creative expression, centred on re-awakening creative play and experimentation. Through words, design, and shared experiences, her work nurtures environments that spark playful moments of connection, shaped through co-collaboration with others and nature. | kamimarchand.com | @bluemooncollective_

Bonnie is the founder and principal at North Star Writing and has been living in Northwestern Ontario for more than two decades. Currently based in Thunder Bay, she can be found writing, editing, and producing content for print and web or exploring the exceptional boreal beauty of Lake Superior with her family. | @bonnieschiedel

Image credit Kirvan Photography + Film

Kristina is the Founder & Editor of Wander, one of the world’s first magazines to focus on wellness travel lifestyles. With a background in strategic travel marketing, she is passionate about inspiring people to optimize their minds, bodies, and souls through transformative experiences. In 2012, she and her family traded in a hectic city lifestyle for outdoor adventure on the shores of Georgian Bay, where she can be found paddleboarding by day and sipping craft beverages by night. | springfedcreative.ca | muckrack.com

David is a photographer and storyteller rooted in Thunder Bay, where the boreal forest and lake winds sneak their way into nearly everything he creates. Guided by a belief in the harmony between mind, body, spirit, and earth, his work seeks out the quiet truths hiding in plain sight—especially within the people and communities who are so often overlooked. Through his lens, David offers not just images, but invitations: to connect, to laugh, to slow down, and to see the world (and each other) a little more clearly. | @davemspies

Kianna is a Collingwood-based photographer and writer who pairs words & images to tell stories of homes, people, and community. Naturally curious, she’s just as excited to learn the backstory of an entrepreneur as she is to uncover the quiet details of a century-old home. Her dual lens lets her reveal not only how a space looks, but how it feels, highlighting the craft, character, and humanity behind every project. When she’s not behind the camera or keyboard, you’ll find Kianna exploring a new cafe, sampling the region’s food scene, or hiking the trails of Southern Georgian Bay. | kiannasunshine.ca

At 70, Melody proves adventure has no age limit. From hidden corners of the world to recently racing a Ferrari 488 on an Italian track, she writes for curious, adventurous over-50s. With humour, wisdom, and her motto “feel the fear and do it anyway,” her stories inspire readers to embrace the unknown, live boldly, and see the world through fearless eyes. @melodywrentravel | melodywren.com