New York Times best-selling author Anne Hillmerman joins “Conversations Different” for a discussion on the Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, Bernadette Manuelito mystery series and her upcoming novel “Lost Birds.” Hillmerman talks about the pressure she felt in continuing the beloved series that was created by her father, Tony Hillerman. The former journalist also speaks on how she uses research in her storytelling and shares her thoughts on the critically acclaimed television series “Dark Winds,” an adaptation of the Leaphorn, Chee, Manuelito series.

New York Times best-selling author Anne Hillmerman joins “Conversations Different” for a discussion on the Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, Bernadette Manuelito mystery series and her upcoming novel “Lost Birds.” Hillmerman talks about the pressure she felt in continuing the beloved series that was created by her father, Tony Hillerman. The former journalist also speaks on how she uses research in her storytelling and shares her thoughts on the critically acclaimed television series “Dark Winds,” an adaptation of the Leaphorn, Chee, Manuelito series.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Best-selling author Anne Hillerman on the Leaphorn-Chee-Manuelito series and her new novel 'Lost Birds'

The feeling of impending doom is an emotion that many Americans have felt since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Not knowing what’s next for the country as this administration carries out a high velocity of policy changes in such a short period of time has left some people’s spirits very low. The worries come as prospects of Democrats retaking Congressional power surge, but is that enough to reassure people?  

As best-selling author and progressive activist Rebecca Solnit puts it in the title of her new book — the beginning comes after the end.  

Solnit, who will be appearing at this year’s Santa Fe International Literary Festival, joins the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez her newly released book The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change.  

According to the book’s summary, Solnit writes about the political and social movements over the last few decades to share how people have responded to change and how the common takeaway from those movements has been to create a new world that embraces community, culture and diversity. It’s advice Solnit says is extremely relevant in today’s political times.  

In the episode, Solnit also talks about the state of our current politics, explains how her essay inspired the term “mansplaining” and what her message for this year’s literary festival — May 15-17 — will be.

The feeling of impending doom is an emotion that many Americans have felt since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Not knowing what&rsquo;s next for the country as this administration carries out a high velocity of policy changes in such a short period of time has left some people&rsquo;s spirits very low. The worries come as prospects of Democrats retaking Congressional power surge, but is that enough to reassure people?&nbsp;&nbsp;
As&nbsp;best-selling&nbsp;author and&nbsp;progressive&nbsp;activist Rebecca Solnit&nbsp;puts it&nbsp;in&nbsp;the title of&nbsp;her new book&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;the&nbsp;beginning comes&nbsp;after the&nbsp;end.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Solnit, who will be appearing at this year&rsquo;s Santa Fe International Literary Festival, joins the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez her newly released&nbsp;book&nbsp;The Beginning&nbsp;Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change.&nbsp;&nbsp;
According to the book&rsquo;s summary, Solnit writes about the political and social movements over the last few decades to share how people have responded to change and how the common takeaway from those movements has been to create a new world that embraces community, culture and diversity. It&rsquo;s advice Solnit says is extremely relevant in today&rsquo;s political times.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Solnit also talks about the state of our current politics, explains how her essay inspired the term &ldquo;mansplaining&rdquo; and what her message for this year&rsquo;s literary festival &mdash; May 15-17 &mdash; will be.

Rebecca Solnit: Trump and Republicans’ unpopularity is birthing a new beginning

Political conflict between the United States and Venezuela has been an issue for quite some time but within the past year, tensions have been especially high.  

What started off as U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean that were alleged to be transporting drugs transpired into a military operation months later to capture and jail Venezuelan President Nicholás Maduro on narcoterrorism charges. The capture of Maduro came as a surprise to many, especially for retired foreign diplomat Brian Naranjo.  

Naranjo, who served in the U.S. Department of State and at embassies in Venezuela, Canada and Mexico, said he was “utterly horrified” to see Maduro’s capture on the news and warned Maduro’s succesor may usher in his same radical agenda. 

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Naranjo to discuss his views on the U.S.-Venezuela conflicts ahead of his talk at the World Affairs Forum in Santa Fe that runs April 30–May 1. He shares what the conflicts have meant to him as a former official who has experience dealing with these types of relations.  

In the episode, Naranjo also talks about his ties to Northern New Mexico and how his grandfather Emilio Naranjo, known as one of the last political patrónes, inspired him to pursue a life of public service. 

Political conflict between the United States and Venezuela&nbsp;has&nbsp;been an issue for quite some time&nbsp;but within the past year,&nbsp;tensions have&nbsp;been&nbsp;especially&nbsp;high.&nbsp;&nbsp;
What started off as U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean that were alleged to be transporting drugs transpired into a military operation months later to capture and jail Venezuelan President Nichol&aacute;s Maduro on narcoterrorism charges. The capture of Maduro came as a surprise to many, especially for retired foreign diplomat Brian Naranjo.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Naranjo, who served in the U.S. Department of State and at embassies in Venezuela, Canada and Mexico, said he was &ldquo;utterly horrified&rdquo; to see Maduro&rsquo;s capture on the news and warned Maduro&rsquo;s succesor may usher in his same radical agenda.&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Naranjo to discuss his views on the U.S.-Venezuela conflicts ahead of his talk at the World Affairs Forum in Santa Fe that runs April 30&ndash;May 1. He shares what the conflicts have meant to him as a former official who has experience dealing with these types of relations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Naranjo also talks about his ties to Northern New Mexico and how his grandfather Emilio Naranjo, known as one of the last political patr&oacute;nes, inspired him to&nbsp;pursue&nbsp;a&nbsp;life of public service.&nbsp;

Former U.S. diplomat Brian Naranjo speaks on U.S.-Venezuela conflicts ahead of Santa Fe talk 

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by New Mexico Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla.  

Secretary Padilla joins the podcast to discuss the state’s free summer reading program and how it has correlated to literacy improvements among children — a problem area New Mexico has struggled with for years. Padilla says the initiative is part of a larger goal, championed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, to get kids reading at a proficient level at an early age, so they are set up for future academic success. And this year, free math tutoring is in the works for students as well.  

In the episode, Padilla also shares how parents can best support their kids at home and why keeping them engaged during summer months matters when back-to-school time rolls around in the fall.  

To learn more or register for the free summer reading program, visit literacy.nm.gov

On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by New Mexico Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Secretary Padilla joins the podcast to discuss the state&rsquo;s free summer reading program and how it has correlated to literacy improvements among children &mdash; a problem area New Mexico has struggled with for years. Padilla says the initiative is part of a larger goal, championed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, to get kids reading at a proficient level at an early age, so they are set up for future academic success. And this year, free math tutoring is in the works for students as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Padilla also shares how parents can best support their kids at home and why keeping them engaged during summer months matters when back-to-school time rolls around in the fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To learn more&nbsp;or register for&nbsp;the free summer&nbsp;reading&nbsp;program, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.literacy.nm.gov/">literacy.nm.gov</a>

Best-selling author Anne Hillerman on the Leaphorn-Chee-Manuelito series and her new novel 'Lost Birds'

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