Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Students Demand Action is an organization of high school and college students across the United States advocating against gun violence. The organization reports to have active volunteers in every state and 900 groups across the U.S. During New Mexico’s 60-day legislative session earlier this year, Students Demand Action activists had a presence in the Roundhouse advocating for gun safety legislation. In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez speaks with two of the members on their recent experience in the legislature and what it’s like growing up in a time of school shooter drills and elevated levels of youth gun violence in the state. Recent high school graduate Wesley Clum and University of New Mexico student Bo Wilson discuss the legislation they were advocating for during the session and how they feel their message has been received by legislators.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singing, performance and community. Those are the traits that make up The Zia Singers, a local nonprofit women’s choir in Santa Fe. The concept originated in the living room of voice teacher Marilyn Barnes, who founded the group in 1993 with the goal for women to come together to share their love of music, according to its website. Now, that mission still stands under the new leadership of artistic director John Tiranno, who brings years of musical experience.   Tiranno joins “Conversations Different” to discuss the group, some upcoming June performances open to the public, and how other women can get involved.  The upcoming performances are part of “June Is Busting Out All Over,” a two-day concert on June 7 at 7 p.m. and June 8 at 3 p.m., both held at Cristo Rey Catholic Church in Santa Fe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What should I recycle? What can't be recycled? Where does the city send the items that we recycle? Peter Olson, outreach director with the city of Santa Fe's Environmental Service Department, joins the "Conversations Different" host Inez Russell Gomez to answer those questions and more on an episode focused on recycling. Olson talks about how residents can be more effective at recycling and how to be more sustainable in everyday life. He offers recycling tips, clarifies the city’s guidelines and preferences in what and how to recycle, and discusses the biggest mistakes Santa Feans make when it comes to recycling. Olson also talks about the impact people can have before they put their blue bins on the curb, sharing how our choices as consumers can impact what and how much we recycle and throw away. To get more tips on what can and can’t be recycled, he suggests using the city’s recycle coach app that can be found at https://app.my-waste.mobi/US/NM/Santa_Fe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heather Cox Richardson is an author, historian and professor of American history who has examined the presidency of Donald Trump since his rise to power in 2016. During his first term in office she launched the popular newsletter “Letters from an American” to share her insight on his and the Republican Party's policies while offering the history behind the country’s current political climate. Cox Richardson joins “Conversations Different” ahead of speaking at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival to discuss Trump’s presidency, her optimism for the future of the country and what festival-goers can expect from her upcoming appearance. This episode is sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Santa Fe International Literary Festival is returning to the City Different May 16-18, with esteemed and award-winning writers from around the world slated to speak about their work and take questions from audience members. According to the festival’s website, the experience is meant to bring writers, readers and free thinkers alike into one space for an interactive and inclusive weekend experience. The lineup features authors from the New York Times Best Sellers list to Pulitzer Prize winners. Megan Mulry, the festival’s executive director, and Susan Burks, its executive producer, join “Conversations Different” to discuss some of this year’s lineup, what attendees can do outside of the festival and how it has expanded throughout the years. Learn more about the Santa Fe International Literary Festival at www.sfinternationallitfest.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Food Depot has served Northern New Mexico residents for over 30 years, aiming to bridge the gap between hunger and food security. According to its website, 1 in 7 New Mexicans experience food insecurity because of a lack of consistent access to food. The percentages are higher in smaller rural communities where there are few, if any, grocery stores and economic challenges may prevent people from traveling to the closest options.   Jill Dixon, executive director of The Food Depot, and Amanda Bregel, the organization’s communications director, join “Conversations Different” to discuss why Northern New Mexico’s largest food bank is a necessity for the nine counties it serves. The two talk about the nonprofit’s efforts to provide high-quality food, ways for people to get involved and how recent cuts to federal grants are making their work more challenging. For more information on The Food Depot and ways to get involved, visit thefooddepot.org. This episode is sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susannah Walden says the mountains in Afghanistan remind her of the Sangre de Cristos near her former home of Santa Fe. The familiar landscape makes her feel homesick, but she stays busy with her work telling the stories of the people who have spent generations living amid war and instability. Walden, the Kabul bureau chief for Agence France-Presse, has spent much of her career reporting abroad and has volunteered for multiple assignments in nations experiencing conflict. On a break to visit her family in Santa Fe, she stopped by to share her experiences as an international correspondent in the latest episode of "Conversations Different." Walden arrived in Afghanistan about 1 1/2 years ago, after the U.S. withdrew its troops from the country. She discusses what it's been like in the country during that time, and talks about her daily life working and living with her colleagues in a guarded compound. This episode is sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Santa Fe’s first, now former, poet laureate Arthur Sze joins “Conversations Different” to discuss his latest books Into the Hush and The White Orchard, his life path to becoming a professional writer and an upcoming book event on April 24.   Sze first became interested in poetry while writing in the back of a math notebook in his freshman calculus class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He shares with “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez that he discovered the craft by accident and was excited to pursue it despite family pressure to choose a more practical career.   Sze would transfer and graduate from the University of California, Berkeley and later move to Santa Fe where he’s been a longtime resident and retired professor from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Join him at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, for a reading and signing of his books at the Collected Works Bookstore in Santa Fe.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring is upon us, and with the change in seasons comes a heightened risk of wildfires igniting due to high wind and drought in our state. Last month, Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Brian Moya joined “Conversations Different” to discuss what homeowners in the Santa Fe area can do to prevent wildfires from destroying their personal property. This week, we welcome Dr. Adam Atchley, a hydrologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory who researches wildland fire, hydrology and ecosystem response to climate change, to discuss the science behind wildfires. Dr. Atchley offers insight into his team’s research methods like using Artificial Intelligence data mapping to better understand forests’ structures and how the team can use those models to prevent wildfire catastrophe. This episode is sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The month of April is National Community College Month, and it aims to showcase the various opportunities and resources that individuals can explore at smaller institutions of higher learning. Whether it’s obtaining a two-year degree or learning a new trade, these institutions can provide a gateway for future success in a person's desired career field. In Northern New Mexico, Santa Fe Community College is providing that service to many. Richard “Charlie” Shultz, academic director of the controlled environment agriculture program at Santa Fe Community College, joins “Conversations Different” to discuss how his program is helping students become sustainable food producers. He shares how the hands-on initiative, which utilizes hydroponic and aquaponic systems, is providing the tools to grow healthy food year-round — like tomatoes, kale and other greens. He also elaborates on how the program is giving back to the Santa Fe community through food donations. The controlled environment agriculture program will be holding an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, offering greenhouse tours, plant sales, food samples and more. To learn more about SFCC's National Community College Month schedule, visit www.sfcc.edu/ccmonth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether in the middle of the night or the light of day, search and rescue teams heed the call whenever an individual or group has gone missing, is lost or is injured. Search and rescue teams can play an essential role in locating people and getting them the proper resources in those types of scenarios, especially when time is of the essence.   Al Webster, Lee Kolosna and Yvonne Gillespie, search and rescue volunteers in the Santa Fe area, join “Conversations Different” to discuss their experiences with search missions and share tips for staying safe in New Mexico’s great outdoors. They also provide information on the various search and rescue outfits in the region and share the stories of how they become volunteers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts has almost 10,000 pieces of work from 1962 to present day from Indigenous people from across the world. Museum Director Patsy Phillips and Chief Curator Manuela Well-Off-Man join "Conversations Different" to discuss contemporary Native art and what goes into putting the museum's exhibits together.  The pair talk about current exhibits including "The Stories We Carry," which features contemporary jewelry made by more than 100 Indigenous artists. They also discuss the upcoming exhibit "Dreaming with AI" from Dr. Suzanne Kite (Oglala Lakota) which features installation, performance, and video works that combine machine learning, artificial intelligence and Indigenous knowledge. "Kite’s projects push boundaries formally and thematically and involve concepts that shape the future of contemporary Indigenous art," the museum's website says. Phillips also discusses how recent grants have strengthened the museum by helping to pay for a full-time staff, offering the ability to create an endowment, and giving the museum the opportunity to offer free admission to visitors on Fridays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former chef at the Blue Heron Restaurant and Palace Prime, Rocky Durham is a well-known name in Santa Fe’s dining scene. Nearly three years ago, just after Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, he and his wife, Emmy, felt the call to help.  Rocky and Emmy, who are both fluent in Russian, sold their belongings and moved to Ukraine without a real plan but soon found their place. They founded a nonprofit, Durham Humanitarian, which has become part of an international network offering relief to refugees and helping deliver essentials to civilians and soldiers amid disrupted and damaged supply chains.  During a brief visit to Santa Fe in late February, Rocky sat down with “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez to share his experience in the war-ravaged nation, provide his thoughts on America’s position on the war under President Donald Trump, and offers his insights on where things stand from his perspective. To donate or learn more about the Durham Humanitarian, visit durhamhumanitarian.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solace Sexual Assault Services has been providing support and healing for survivors of sexual assault and child abuse for more than 50 years. The nonprofit organization offers forensic interviewing, therapy, advocacy services and education and prevention services in the Santa Fe area. Executive Director María José Rodríguez Cádiz has been with Solace for more than 23 years, helping the organization offer its services to survivors at no cost. She joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different” to discuss the prevalence of sexual assault in New Mexico and the role of Solace in the community to provide survivors with support. With the threat of funding cuts under the Trump administration, Rodríguez Cádiz talks about how Solace plans to work proactively to bridge the gap in the event of a decline in federal funding. To support Solace’s sustainability campaign, visit www.findsolace.org. Solace has a 24/7 crisis advocacy hotline that can be reached by calling 1-800-721-7273.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández has been busy since President Donald Trump took office last month, working with the other members of New Mexico's Congressional delegation to push back against Trump's agenda. The two-term congresswoman from Las Vegas, N.M., who serves as chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus has been making the media rounds to speak out against the Trump administration’s policies and orders regarding immigration, cuts to the federal workforce, federal spending cuts and more. Leger Fernández joins "Conversations Different" to discuss the impacts the Trump administration's executive orders and policies are having on New Mexicans, including in the 3rd Congressional District that she represents. She also talks about what she and her fellow Democrats in Congress can do as the minority party in both chambers as a potential government shutdown looms in March. Speaking on the Democrats' strategy to regain support among voters, Leger Fernández said the party needs to turn to telling the stories of how the policies of Trump and the Republicans are adversely impacting people across the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As CEO of Ultra Health, which operates more than two dozen licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in New Mexico, Duke Rodriguez is a major voice in the state’s cannabis industry. Nearly three years after legal retail sales began in New Mexico, Rodriguez says the industry has been turned upside down.  Prior to legalization, Rodriguez said the state had 35 licensees. Now, it’s over 3,000. Rodriguez says there is no more growth in the industry due to the oversaturation. “The green rush is officially dead,” he said on the latest episode of “Conversations Different.”  Rodriguez talks about the need to slow down licensing, to crack down on the illicit market and require inspection prior to licensure. He says a rise in crime in the state has impacted his businesses, with frequent break-ins but no perpetrators being prosecuted. The former Cabinet secretary for the state Human Services Department also talks about his time under former Gov. Gary Johnson, who first called for the legalization of marijuana in 1999. Rodriguez then talks about the race for governor, bringing up possible candidates and addressing his potential involvement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cultural historian and author Carmella Padilla joins "Conversations Different" to discuss the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum’s new exhibit — 100 Years of Collecting • 100 Years of Connecting. The exhibit focuses on the Spanish Colonial art forms that have long represented the cultures and people of Northern New Mexico, as well as their connections to the Spanish Colonial world. Padilla shares the importance of the exhibit and what visitors could expect, presents the history of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society, founded to preserve the art forms of Spanish Colonial New Mexico, and discusses key figures and stories that have had an important role in the history of both the society and the museum. The museum originally opened as the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art in 2002 but changed its name in 2024 to the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum. Visit their website for more information about the new exhibit and their preservation work at nmheritagearts.org. This episode was sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Mexico ranks among the top four states in the nation for suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the numbers aren’t any better for youth and teens. The impact that suicide leaves on families, friends and communities for years to come can be insurmountable. It’s why the nonprofit organization The Sky Center, home to licensed health professionals, is helping to intervene and prevent such a tragedy from taking place. The Sky Center Director Apryl Miller joins "Conversations Different" to discuss the efforts of her organization to combat teen and youth suicide in New Mexico. From free family counseling to group sessions and training, the center provides a variety of support services in both English and Spanish. Miller also talks about a few factors that have led to higher risk in recent years while providing tips to combat the surge. For more information about The Sky Center and to donate, visit their website skycenter.nmsip.org or call (505) 473-6191 If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As wildfires rage throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area, fire prevention is the prevalent topic to consider these days. That sentiment especially goes for drier climates like Santa Fe and much of Northern New Mexico, where we’ve seen widespread fire destruction in recent years. Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Brian Moya, who is a native Santa Fean, joins "Conversations Different" to discuss the importance of knowing how to manage fire risk and provides tips for protecting your property in the event that smoke and flames threaten our communities. Moya also discusses the department’s proactive efforts to keep the city and surrounding areas safe.   Santa Fe residents wanting to learn more about wildfire prevention can attend Santa Fe Fire Department’s Ready Set Go workshop at the Southside Library on Jaguar Drive on May 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Focus remains on the Roundhouse for this week’s “Conversations Different” as state Rep. Rebecca Dow, R-Truth or Consequences, and freshman state Sen. Nate Paul, R-Alamogordo, join the show to share Republican and rural perspectives for the 60-day legislative session. Dow and Paul say Republicans share the Democrats’ desire to pass crime legislation, but that the GOP has been calling for action for years with little progress. While the most attention gets paid to crime in the state’s largest cities, Dow and Paul say crime has been rising in rural areas, too. They also note that they don’t want gun control in a public safety package. Dow and Paul also speak to the struggle of having influence in legislation as a minority party and share ways they can try to make an impact. Dow says the challenges may increase as Democrats have recently voted in more progressive candidates who have replaced more conservative party members. The lawmakers agree that the state’s rural areas, especially in the south, are often forgotten. As the state enjoys a large revenue surplus, Dow mentions the desire to have a rural capital outlay fund created to offer greater support to rural infrastructure. Dow also advocates for tax reform, calling for the state to consider eliminating the income tax and reforming the state’s gross receipts tax.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode of "Conversations Different" focuses on the start of New Mexico's legislative session and features separate interviews with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth. Both discussions revolve largely around public safety and behavioral health priorities.  Lujan Grisham talks about the state's issues with re-offenders and stresses the need for criminal competency reform. She also expresses her frustrations with the struggle of getting police data and her concerns with an escalation in juvenile crime. Lujan Grisham said that many New Mexicans don't feel safe, and shares an anecdote about a time she didn't feel safe when out in public with her grandchildren.  Sen. Wirth, D-Santa Fe, discusses the need to invest in the state's behavioral health infrastructure and shares his thoughts on criminal competency reform. Wirth also expresses optimism regarding an increase in state alcohol taxes, which haven't been revised in over three decades. He also talks about the need to protect the state's waters in response to recent Supreme Court rulings that have rolled back protections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randall Balmer is an Episcopal priest, historian, author and the John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College. His book Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter examines the 39th president’s political fortunes and how they mirrored the transformation of American religious politics. Balmer joined “Conversations Different” in the days after Carter’s death to talk about Carter’s legacy. He discusses how Carter would not tell a lie, how historians are reassessing Carter’s one-term presidency and accomplishments, and stresses the importance of Carter’s faith. Balmer also examines how Evangelicals who helped elect Carter also helped elect Donald Trump to the presidency, and shares his personal interactions with Carter while writing the book. Find Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy of Jimmy Carter and his Balmer’s other books on his website www.randallbalmer.com. This episode is sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has the responsibility of overseeing the management of the state’s wildlife species and their habitats. A diverse coalition of groups across the state are pushing for proposed legislation that would increase funding for the department, rename the department and clarify its mission, and fix the state Game Commission that some feel has been politicized.  Jesse Deubel and Judy Calman join “Conversations Different” to discuss the issues they feel are negatively impacting the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and share how a reform package that will be considered during the upcoming legislative session can help address these problems.  Deubel, the executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, talks about the department’s lack of funding and the need to reform the state Game Commission. The department relies on funding from hunting and fishing license fees, which haven’t been raised in 20 years. Deubel said raising fees is the quickest way to address what he calls a funding crisis. Calman, New Mexico policy director for Audubon Southwest, talks about the effort to change the department’s name to the New Mexico Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the need to clearly define the agency’s mission. She said the department’s limited resources are largely focused on game species. The legislation would give the agency authority to do what it needs to do based on science. Learn more about the reform package at https://www.wildlifefornm.org/. This episode is sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on “Conversations Different” we share a recent episode from “Voices of Taos,” a podcast produced by our sister paper The Taos News. Podcast producer Laura Martin Baseman sits down for a chat with longtime Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Robert Nott, who became communications director for the New Mexico Department of Health in June. Before leaving journalism, one of Nott’s last big projects was to contribute stories related to The New Mexican’s 175th anniversary. Nott talks about what stood out in his research as he flipped through nearly two centuries of the newspaper’s pages, including the murder of a fortune teller and the lack of stories related to Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project. Nott also shares his memories of former newspaper owner Robert McKinney, reflects on the industry changes he noticed in his time as a journalist and talks about the importance of local newspapers to their communities. Visit santafenewmexican.com/175 to see The New Mexican’s 175th anniversary webpage filled with front pages from the past, historical photo galleries, commemorative magazines and articles on how the paper covered some of the biggest stories in New Mexico's history. Subscribe to The Santa Fe New Mexican Subscribe to The Taos NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year around Christmas time, cultural traditions rise to the forefront as a force in Northern New Mexico’s holiday celebrations. It’s a time where families and communities come together. It's also a time to make and share traditional foods, including tamales, empanaditas and biscochitos. For former Santa Fe Mayor Larry Delgado and his family, this feeling is no different. Delgado, who grew up and raised his children in Santa Fe, remembers the impact that Christmas traditions have had on his upbringing and later relationships with his family. He joins "Conversations Different" with his daughter Cynthia to discuss the many things they cherish about Northern New Mexico’s festiveness this season and from season’s past.  This episode is sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed Archie NoiseCat, a well-known Indigenous artist and former Santa Fe resident, was born and nearly died at the Indian residential school at St. Joseph’s Mission near Williams Lake, British Columbia. His son, Julian Brave NoiseCat, is co-director of “Sugarcane,” an award-winning documentary that investigates the abuses, deaths and missing children of the Canadian residential school system. The film made its world debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Julian Brave NoiseCat, who directed the film with investigative journalist Emily Kassie, joins “Conversations Different” to discuss the emotional experience of making the film and the fortuitous beginnings of the project. NoiseCat, a member of the Canim Lake Band Tsq'escen and descendant of the Lil'Wat Nation of Mount Currie, talks about how the death toll of the Indian residential schools is not just something of the past, but is still being experienced today. He also shares how working on the film impacted his relationship with his father, and talks about his family's ties to Santa Fe. He also touches on his role in the push to nominate Deb Halaand as Interior secretary, which led to her becoming the first Native American Cabinet secretary in U.S. history. Learn more about "Sugarcane" at films.nationalgeographic.com/sugarcane. This episode is sponsored by Homewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2024 general election had many voters on edge, especially for those worried about the direction of immigration in this country. What may be next for the controversial issue under a second Trump presidency has drawn vocal opposition from local advocates like Marcela Díaz, who is the executive director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a statewide immigrant rights group. Díaz joins “Conversations Different” to discuss what her organization is doing to prepare for potential immigration policies that President-elect Donald Trump has openly embraced, such as mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Díaz also discusses the impact that immigrants have on New Mexico’s economy while emphasizing the need to build community coalitions again and educate people of their rights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rhetoric involving the LGBTQ+ community leading up to the 2024 election and the results of the election raised concerns for those in the community and their allies. Kevin Bowen, executive director of the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance, joins "Conversations Different" for a discussion on the possible impacts the results of the election could have for trans rights and for others in the LGBTQ+ community. Bowen addresses the unease felt by members of the LGBTQ+ community, discusses the state of LGBTQ+ rights in New Mexico, shares precautions LGBTQ+ community members can take to protect themselves and talks about what allies can do to support their cause. To learn more about the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance, visit hrasantafe.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picuris Pueblo is among the most rural and smallest tribes in Northern New Mexico. Nestled in the high mountains between Taos and Española, the pueblo of about 300 residents has struggled to find long-term economic development and opportunities to sustain its community. Picuris Pueblo Governor Craig Quanchello and author Daniel Gibson join "Conversations Different" to discuss the large-scale venture the pueblo has successfully undertaken to address that economic struggle –– ownership of the Hotel Santa Fe. Quanchello reflects on the process that led to the Native and non-Native partnership that allowed the project to happen, while Gibson talks about his new book that documents it along with a focus on the Picuris people. The book will be available to the public at a special event at the hotel from 4-6 p.m. on Dec. 7. The event will include pueblo dancers, remarks, a short presentation and a book signing. For more details, call 505-982-1200. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D, is a Native food historian, cookbook author and educator based in Santa Fe who runs Red Mesa Cuisine with Chef Walter Whitewater. Her cookbook Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations won a James Beard Award in 2003. Frank and Whitewater’s latest cookbook, Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky, was released earlier this year and features plant-based recipes using Native American ingredients. Frank joins “Conversations Different” to discuss the Native American food movement and the inspiration behind her new cookbook, which is broken into eight chapters based on “The Magic Eight” ingredients. She highlights the mission she shares with Whitewater to bring Native American cuisine into every kitchen and educate people to eat healthy. Frank also brings up the contributions that Native people made to the food we eat every day, and the impact Native ingredients have had in some of the world’s most popular cuisines. Find Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky on the Red Mesa Cuisine website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashley M. Biggers is the magazines editor at The Santa Fe New Mexican who leads the creation of multiple magazines year-round such as Legacy, Spanish Market and Bienvenidos. The New Mexican’s magazines provide a deeper dive into the culture, stories and traditions of Northern New Mexico otherwise not found on the daily news pages or in Pasatiempo. Special editions are also part of the magazine department’s work. This year's offerings include a commemorative magazine recognizing The New Mexican's 175 anniversary. Biggers joins this week’s episode of "Conversations Different" to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez the upcoming Winter Life, Feliz Navidad and 175th edition publications that will be available to readers this November.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year after considering closing its doors, the small and aging congregation of Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Fe was energized by applying for and becoming the city of Santa Fe’s first-ever safe outdoor space for homeless people. The city bought Pallet shelters and paid for their construction, the church is the host site for the shelters, and day-to-day services and staffing is provided by The Life Link. Christ Lutheran Pastor Joene Herr and Pallet shelter resident Povi join “Conversations Different” to discuss how the pilot shelter program has been going since residents began moving in in April. Herr talks about the positive experience of hosting the Pallet shelter community and the need for more action to help the city address its homelessness issues, while Povi shares how finding stability and safety in the small Pallet shelter community has helped restore a piece of her life that was missing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

J. Walter Sterling is the new president of St. John’s College's Santa Fe campus. He assumed the role in July of 2024 after previously serving at the institution as dean and on the faculty. Sterling joins "Conversations Different" to discuss St. John’s unique curriculum focused on reading and discussing the Great Books. He also talks about the school's efforts to recruit in state and how St. John's is looking to expand its community connections as it celebrates 60 years in Santa Fe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems scams are ever-present in today's world, whether they show up in our email inbox, on our phone or in the mail. Julie Sakura, Division Director of Consumer Protection with the New Mexico Department of Justice, is working to make sure New Mexicans are informed about what scams are out there and how to keep your information safe. Sakura joins "Conversations Different" to talk about the main tactics scammers use, the most common types of scams, and what scams the state Department of Justice has been seeing recently. "If you’re being asked to give money in this really urgent way, it’s almost always a scam," Sakura says.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of "Conversations Different," host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Bill Church, The New Mexican’s new executive editor, to discuss his connection with Santa Fe and what drew him to the position. Church talks about how he views his responsibility as an executive editor, the important relationship between the newspaper and the community, and touches on his vision for the future for the 175-year-old newspaper. The longtime newspaperman comes to the Land of Enchantment from North Carolina, where he most recently served as executive editor of The News & Observer in Raleigh. His newsroom leadership spans many U.S. cities including Austin; Salem, Ore.; and Sarasota, Fla.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeanne Fair, Ph.D., is an infectious disease and climate scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory with an array of accomplishments in the science realm. In 2009, she was the lead analyst at the Department of Homeland Security’s modeling of the H1N1 influenza pandemic and also modeling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her research and her interest in the field, spanning 30 plus years, is aimed at how stress impacts our immune systems, especially through wildlife and its ecology. Fair joins “Conversations Different” to talk about her work at the lab, the recent headlines concerning bird flu, and how we can all do our part to stay informed in understanding infectious diseases. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denise Fort, professor emeritus at the University of New Mexico, is a Western water policy expert with an extensive background in environmental and natural resources law. Fort joins “Conversations Different” to discuss environmental and policy issues facing New Mexico’s water resources. She talks about the state’s 50-year water plan, the lack of legal protections for New Mexico’s water sources and the need to rethink how the state distributes its water. She also touches on the need to change the use of water in the state when it comes to agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diana Tarasiewicz is in her first year as director of nutrition services for Santa Fe Public Schools. A chef by training, Tarasiewicz previously served as culinary specialist and project coordinator at the New Mexico Public Education Department’s Student Success and Wellness Bureau. She joins "Conversations Different" to talk about the numbers behind school meals at Santa Fe Public Schools, the staffing challenges the district faces and how it works to overcome them, and how close the district is to complying with the Senate Bill 4. The bill places high priority on freshly cooked meals and locally grown foods at schools, and it has been met with harsh criticism by some administrators and nutrition officials who say the changes impose costly requirements. Tarasiewicz said the district is already well on its way to complying. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the third straight year, the Institute of American Indian Arts and Santa Fe Community College will both host open houses on the same day. On Thursday, Sept. 19, the schools will welcome community members and prospective students on their campuses to showcase their facilities and highlight the programs they offer. Both schools will open their studios for art demonstrations and provide tours of their facilities. IAIA President Robert Martin and SFCC President Becky Rowley join "Conversations Different" to speak about all their schools have to offer and what to expect for the open houses at the campuses that are just a seven-minute drive from each other. SFCC's open house takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information can be found at https://www.sfcc.edu/iaia-sfcc-open-house-24/. IAIA's open house is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit https://iaia.edu/about/2024-iaia-open-house/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Site is by far the largest such site in New Mexico with estimates of more than 100,000 petroglyphs at the location. The site near the Rio Grande north of Española covers a patchwork of private land, as well as some Bureau of Land Management Land. Artist Katherine Wells purchased property on Mesa Prieta in the 1990s and soon discovered there were thousands of petroglyphs on her land. She started the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project in 1999 to document the remarkable cultural resources and to advocate for their preservation. Wells donated the majority of the property to The Archaeological Conservancy in 2007 to ensure its continued protection. Volunteers have helped record approximately 80,000 petroglyphs so far. The Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a two-day symposium Sept. 13-14 at Northern New Mexico College. Wells and Matthew Martinez, the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project’s executive director, join “Conversations Different” to talk about the people who left their mark on the rocks, share the impact the project has had for them and for others, and discuss how the organization has supported educational opportunities to teach local students about the significance of the site. Learn more about the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project at www.mesaprietapetroglyphs.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Court Appointed Special Advocates First Judicial District, known as CASA First, is an organization that supports and promotes volunteer advocacy so that children and youth who are trauma-impacted or system-involved can be safe, develop permanent connections and have the opportunity to thrive. CASA First volunteers offer a voice in and out of court for infants, children and youth who are currently in foster care in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties. Executive Director Annie Rasquin, Program Support Specialist Grace Korthuis and board Vice President Veronica Krupnick join "Conversations Different" to explain the mission of CASA First, talk about the impact of the organization and its volunteers on local youth, spotlight CASA First's recruiting effort and talk about what it's been like being part of the organization. They also discuss Abrigo Advocates, who offer support for those who are not actively in the foster care system but have been impacted by trauma or have been system involved. To learn more about the organization and how to get involved, visit https://casafirst.org/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labor Day weekend 2024 kicks off Friday night with a major milestone for one of Santa Fe's biggest and most beloved annual events. The buildup for the 100th burning of Zozobra has been years in the making. Ray Sandoval, the event chair for the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, joins "Conversations Different" along with 9-year-old volunteer David Kesler to preview the big event. Sandoval talks about his early beginnings with the event and the promise he made as a teenager to Harold Gans, the longtime voice of Zozobra, to get Zozobra to its 100th burning. Sandoval shares some of the history of the event, talks about how it has grown and evolved over the years to keep the public's interest, offers an overview of the security that's needed to put on such a large-scale event, goes over some misconceptions about Zozobra, and teases what Old Man Gloom will look like this year. To learn more about Zozobra and find ticket information, visit burnzozobra.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meghan Montelibano Gorman, a mother of two young children, said she struggled to find community in Santa Fe when she moved to the city freshly postpartum. While working to compile resources, she has shared her knowledge with others online and, in turn, has found support from other parents and caregivers. Montelibano Gorman's website, santafam.com, includes a calendar with free and low-cost events for young children as well as guides for dining out and visiting parks in Santa Fe with babies and/or toddlers. She also organizes regular "Coffee & Crying" meetups for mothers and caregivers to talk about experiences and feelings that have come with raising young children. Learn more by visiting santafam.com or following on Instagram @_santafam_.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year an estimated 100,000 people attend the Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest juried Native American art show in the world. This year's market takes place Aug. 17 and 18, with related events occurring in the days leading up to the market. Kenneth Johnson, a Muscogee/Seminole jeweler and sculptor with a studio in Santa Fe, has been involved in the market since the 1990s. Johnson joins "Conversations Different" to discuss the impact the Santa Fe Indian Market has had on him and his career, talks about relationships among the artists, and shares how his contributions to the design of an Indian Market-themed 2025 Indian Scout Bobber that is up for auction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Water is a precious resource in New Mexico, the state with the lowest percentage of its area covered by water. That makes how water is managed in the state incredibly important. In this episode of "Conversations Different," Deputy State Engineer Tanya Trujillo and Interstate Stream Commission Director Hannah Riseley-White share their insight on New Mexico's water management and resource planning. They discuss New Mexico's compacts with neighboring states and water issues facing New Mexico. They also talk about the Water Security Planning Act passed unanimously by the during the 2023 state legislative session, and upcoming opportunities the public has to share input on how the statute will be implemented.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The month of July is recognized as Disability Pride Month in the United States. On July 13, the first Disability Pride Parade held in New Mexico was organized in Santa Fe by Disability Pride New Mexico. The new nonprofit was recently created to advance the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities through policy advocacy and community awareness initiatives. Disability Pride New Mexico's three board members — Eli Fresquez, Kathlyne Gish and Angelique Montoya-Chavez — join "Conversations Different" to talk about the mission of the organization and share their backgrounds. They discuss what it's like for people with disabilities to live in Santa Fe and the attitude they've encountered that since Santa Fe is a historic city, it doesn't need to comply with ADA standards, which is untrue. Learn more about Disability Pride New Mexico at https://www.disabilitypridenm.org/. Read the transcript at https://share.descript.com/view/swFzGygxkFKSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Atrisco Heritage Foundation took over Santa Fe's troubled Traditional Spanish Market in 2023 and has sought to bring stability to one of the city's premier summer market events. In the second year of stewardship of the country's oldest and largest juried art show of its kind, the organization looks to promote and strengthen the unique cultural event. Atrisco Companies CEO Peter Sanchez and COO/CFO Brian O'Connell join "Conversations Different" to share information on what the Atrisco Heritage Foundation is and why the organization felt it was the perfect fit to take over operations of the Traditional Spanish Market. They also talk about future plans for the market, the importance of developing trust with the artists, the need to encourage the youth to stay involved in the art forms, and how "traditional Spanish art" is defined. To learn more about the Traditional Spanish Market, which takes place July 27-28, 2024, on the Santa Fe Plaza, visit traditionalspanishmarket.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in April called for the state's legislators to convene for a special session to address New Mexico's public safety needs. Democratic leaders in the Legislature, a coalition of advocacy organizations and others have since expressed concerns about the five proposals the governor is pushing. Ben Baker, senior public safety advisor to the Office of the Governor, joins "Conversations Different" to review the governor's public safety-related priorities for the special session. He also discusses the input he and other officials have received related to public safety concerns from citizens across the state, shares a personal experience of gun violence involving children, and talks about how crime stats don't always reflect the feelings of members of a community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacey Edgar was named executive director of the International Folk Art Market in January. Edgar joins “Conversations Different” to talk about preparations for the 20th annual International Folk Art Market, her history with the event, and IFAM's mission of creating economic opportunities with folk artists across the world. The 2023 iteration of the market saw artists bring in a record $3.4 million in its first year at Santa Fe’s Railyard Park after spending previous years on Museum Hill. Edgar discusses the successes of the move and the changes that will take place for this year’s event, which takes place July 11-14. She also talks about the free Community Day, the first free day in the market’s history, on July 14. To learn more about the International Folk Art Market and purchase tickets, visit https://folkartmarket.org/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and producer Alec Baldwin will stand trial this month facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2021 on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during production of the film "Rust" near Santa Fe. Santa Fe New Mexican courts reporter Phaedra Haywood joins "Conversations Different" to offer a breakdown of developments that have unfolded over the past three years and provides a preview of what to look for during the trial. Haywood talks about the trial earlier this year in which "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, and what her role may be in the Baldwin trial. Haywood also discusses the motions the defense has made to try to get the case dismissed, as well as the massive media interest that the case has generated.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.