State Auditor Joseph M. Maestas joins "Conversations Different" to talk about the role and importance of his office. Maestas discusses the authority of the State Auditor’s Office, the workload his staff faces, and the responsibility of being accountable for the safeguarding of taxpayer money. He also talks about his background as an engineer, a former mayor of Española and a former Santa Fe city councilor, and why he felt compelled to become the state auditor.

State Auditor Joseph M. Maestas joins "Conversations Different" to talk about the role and importance of his office. Maestas discusses the authority of the State Auditor’s Office, the workload his staff faces, and the responsibility of being accountable for the safeguarding of taxpayer money. He also talks about his background as an engineer, a former mayor of Española and a former Santa Fe city councilor, and why he felt compelled to become the state auditor.

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

Joseph Maestas on how the State Auditor's Office tracks fraud, waste and abuse

Santa Fe has not been short in holding protests since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. The protests have come alongside national No Kings demonstrations, drawing people of all ages to voice concerns over this administration’s actions on immigration, federal layoffs and heightened foreign policy decisions.  

At the end of this month, Santa Feans will return for a third No Kings rally at the Roundhouse that is expected to harp on existing frustrations amid new ones like a war with Iran and transparency over the Epstein files.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by political scholar, professor and activist Heidi Li Feldman, who provides commentary on the upcoming rally and speaks on her expertise in community organizing. 

Throughout the episode, Feldman talks about the historical importance of protest and how it has been a way to coalesce communities in times of dissatisfaction and uncertainty. As an expert in politics, Feldman also delves into the implications that more No Kings rallies across the country could have on the balance of power heading into the November midterm elections.  

Learn more about Feldman’s work by visiting  heidilifeldman.com 

Editor’s note: Heidi Li Feldman participated in this interview in her individual capacity, not in affiliation with anyone responsible for organizing the March 28 No Kings 3 rally in Santa Fe.  

Santa Fe has not been short in holding protests since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. The protests have come alongside national No Kings demonstrations, drawing people of all ages to voice concerns over this administration&rsquo;s actions on immigration, federal layoffs and heightened foreign policy decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
At the end of&nbsp;this&nbsp;month,&nbsp;Santa&nbsp;Feans&nbsp;will return&nbsp;for a third No Kings rally&nbsp;at the Roundhouse&nbsp;that is expected to&nbsp;harp&nbsp;on&nbsp;existing&nbsp;frustrations&nbsp;amid&nbsp;new&nbsp;ones&nbsp;like&nbsp;a&nbsp;war&nbsp;with Iran&nbsp;and transparency over the Epstein files.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by political scholar, professor and activist Heidi Li Feldman, who provides commentary on the upcoming rally and speaks on her expertise in community organizing.&nbsp;
Throughout the episode, Feldman talks about the historical importance of protest and how it has been a way to coalesce communities in times of dissatisfaction and uncertainty. As an expert in politics, Feldman also delves into the implications that more No Kings rallies across the country could have on the balance of power heading into the November midterm elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn more about Feldman&rsquo;s work by visiting&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://heidilifeldman.com/">heidilifeldman.com</a>&nbsp;
Editor&rsquo;s note: Heidi Li Feldman participated in this interview in her individual capacity, not in affiliation with anyone responsible for organizing the March 28 No Kings 3 rally in Santa Fe.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Heidi Li Feldman on political organizing and upcoming ‘No Kings’ 3 rally in Santa Fe

Former New Mexico poet laureate and author Lauren Camp is getting ready for the release of a new poetry book this spring called Is Is Enough. Published by Texas A&M University Press, the book transmutes the raw emotions from a time in Camp’s life where she was tasked with caring for a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  

The circumstance required her to find balance in a new reality that guaranteed many unknowns. For some, coping with this type of struggle is an unbearable and insurmountable ask. However, for Camp, a poet, processing her feelings meant articulating them on paper and sharing with the world in hopes of finding comfort.  

Camp joins the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different” to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez the creative process behind writing Is Is Enough and explains why it will be a good resource for others experiencing similar grief.  

Throughout the episode, Camp also delves into some of her past work as New Mexico’s poet laureate, which involved traveling the state and listening to peoples' hometown stories. She shares what moments stood out to her most and how they became part of a documentary initiative she founded called the New Mexico Epic Poem Project.  

For more information about the new book and upcoming tour dates, including a stop at Collected Works in Santa Fe, visit laurencamp.com

Former New Mexico&nbsp;poet&nbsp;laureate&nbsp;and author&nbsp;Lauren Camp is&nbsp;getting ready&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;release&nbsp;of&nbsp;a new poetry book&nbsp;this spring called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tamupress.com/book/9781680034523/is-is-enough/">Is&nbsp;Is&nbsp;Enough</a>.&nbsp;Published by Texas A&amp;M University Press, the book transmutes the raw emotions from a time in Camp&rsquo;s life where she was tasked with caring for a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The circumstance required her to find balance in a new reality that guaranteed many unknowns. For some, coping with this type of struggle is an unbearable and insurmountable ask. However, for Camp, a poet, processing her feelings meant articulating them on paper and sharing with the world in hopes of finding comfort.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Camp joins the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez the&nbsp;creative&nbsp;process&nbsp;behind&nbsp;writing&nbsp;Is&nbsp;Is&nbsp;Enough and explains why it will be a good resource for others experiencing similar grief.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Throughout the episode, Camp also delves into some of her past work as New Mexico&rsquo;s poet laureate, which involved traveling the state and listening to peoples' hometown stories. She shares what moments stood out to her most and how they became part of a documentary initiative she founded called the New Mexico Epic Poem Project.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For more information about the new book and upcoming tour dates, including a stop at Collected Works in Santa Fe, visit <a href="https://laurencamp.com/">laurencamp.com</a>

Lauren Camp’s new poetry book ‘Is Is Enough’ shares tales of living with grief

New Mexico’s economic potential has yet to be achieved but is on the cusp of something remarkable. That is the sentiment of Meg Whitman, a former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, former CEO and president of eBay and Hewlett-Packard, and now a new resident of the state.  

Whitman’s thoughts, as outlined in an opinion piece published by the Santa Fe New Mexican, contrast with what many perceive as a place that has historically seen slow and stagnant economic growth. The consequence for a lack of growth? Missed opportunities.  

That outcome won’t be the case for long; however, if smart financial investments from the Legislature and the private sector are able to come to fruition, Whitman argues.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez speaks with Whitman about what investments she sees as New Mexico’s path to economic prosperity and the impact they could have on its reputation as a leader for future development.  

In the episode, Whitman also answers questions about her involvement in politics from her involvement in presidential campaigns, a run for California governor and any future political plans. To end the interview on a high note, Whitman addresses a heated question guaranteed to divide many New Mexicans: red or green? 

New Mexico&rsquo;s economic potential has yet to be achieved but is on the cusp of something remarkable. That is the sentiment of Meg Whitman, a former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, former CEO and president of eBay and Hewlett-Packard, and now a new resident of the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Whitman&rsquo;s&nbsp;thoughts, as outlined in&nbsp;an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/seize-the-moment-for-new-mexicos-prosperity/article_3e33e140-e8e4-4661-87ce-5c7ebe17aa89.html">opinion piece</a>&nbsp;published by the&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican, contrast with what many perceive as a place that has historically seen slow and stagnant economic growth. The consequence for a lack of growth? Missed opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;
That&nbsp;outcome&nbsp;won&rsquo;t&nbsp;be the case for&nbsp;long; however,&nbsp;if&nbsp;smart&nbsp;financial&nbsp;investments&nbsp;from the Legislature and&nbsp;the&nbsp;private sector&nbsp;are able to&nbsp;come to fruition, Whitman argues.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the&nbsp;latest&nbsp;podcast&nbsp;episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez&nbsp;speaks with&nbsp;Whitman&nbsp;about what&nbsp;investments&nbsp;she sees as New Mexico&rsquo;s&nbsp;path to economic prosperity and&nbsp;the&nbsp;impact&nbsp;they&nbsp;could&nbsp;have&nbsp;on&nbsp;its&nbsp;reputation as a&nbsp;leader for&nbsp;future&nbsp;development.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Whitman also answers questions about her involvement in politics from her involvement in presidential campaigns, a run for California governor and any future political plans. To end the interview on a high note, Whitman addresses a heated question guaranteed to divide many New Mexicans: red or green?&nbsp;

Joseph Maestas on how the State Auditor's Office tracks fraud, waste and abuse

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