About us

Carlyn Zwarenstein is the proprietor of Bleeding Heart Communications.

Bleeding Heart Communications has been a member of the Centre for Social Innovation and The Plain Language Association International.

Carlyn Zwarenstein
Writer and communications specialist

Carlyn has been a freelance journalist, an editor, and a communications mentor and coach. She has also been both an on-the-ground staff member with international and local social justice organizations, a director of communications and a board member. She specializes in plain language and strategic communications as well as creative communications relating to international development, science and medicine, newcomer issues, environment and the law. Carlyn has written on social justice, science, environment, politics and health and related issues for local, national and international media for over twenty years, and is the author of two books on drug policy, substance use, pain, and capitalism. She holds an Hon. BSc. in biology and political science from the University of Toronto. A freelance journalist, she has written for Salon, the Washington Post, the Globe & Mail, and numerous other publications, and has contributed to The Big Book of Spacing; Madness, Violence & Power; and Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics. Other communications work over the years has included a range of communications initiatives with Open Medicine, Canada’s only global-minded, peer-reviewed, open access general medical journal, producing annual reports and newsletters for Crossroads International, acting as writer and editor for West Neighbourhood House (St. Christopher House) in Toronto, working on user experience and patient communications for Propeller Health .

Selected client list:

  • Choosing Wisely Canada
  • BabyCenter Canada
  • St. Christopher House
  • Open Medicine
  • Carter AI
  • Education Through Media
  • OpenLabs (University Health Network)
  • Maquila Solidarity Network
  • Gender at Work
  • Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing
  • Visions of Science
  • Na-Me-Res
  • Voices for Children (communications director) *among other work, produced plain language version of proposed legislation for contract with Ontario’s Provincial Advocate for Children & Youth
  • Association for Women’s Rights in Development (staff)
  • Canadian Crossroads International
  • U-ACT (Urban Aboriginal Communities Thrive) Community Research Project
  • Clay & Paper Theatre
  • Central Neighbourhood House
  • Workers’ Action Centre/Ontario Employment Education & Resource Centre
  • Blackline Law
  • Tenant Vote (a City of Toronto public education project)
  • Katrina Onstad, writer
  • Xiaolan Health Centre
  • Mennonite New Life Centre-Toronto
  • International Development & Relief Foundation
  • Between the Lines press
  • 4info.net
  • Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists-Ontario Chapter
  • as sub-contractor, Carlyn has worked on projects with each of the Toronto municipal, Ontario provincial and Canada federal governments.

Saul Olmos Hernandez
Associate

A human rights worker and writer from Mexico City, Saul now works on refugee, immigrant and other settlement issues in Toronto. He holds an Hon. BA in political science and public administration from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and a diploma in Community Work from George Brown College. With experience in NGOs, community centre settings and municipal government, Saul has also published articles, hosted a radio program, created web content and researched and written plain language popular education materials, including a Spanish-language voter education manual for Mexican citizens.