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.

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 <a href="https://red-mesa-cuisine-llc.square.site/product/seed-to-plate-soil-to-sky-modern-plant-based-recipes-using-native-american-ingredients/75?cp=true&amp;sa=false&amp;sbp=false&amp;q=false&amp;category_id=2">Red Mesa Cuisine website</a>.

Chef Lois Ellen Frank spotlights Native American ingredients in healthy, delicious cuisine

Ashley M. Biggers is the magazines editor at TheSanta 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.

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.

Magazines maestra Ashley M. Biggers dishes on 'The New Mexican's' winter offerings and its 175th anniversary magazine

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. 

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.

Pallet shelter pilot program finds welcoming home at Santa Fe church

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.

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.

St. John’s College looks to expand connections while celebrating 60 years in Santa Fe

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.

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.

Taking a look at scams targeting New Mexicans and how you can protect yourself

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.

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 &amp; Observer in Raleigh. His newsroom leadership spans many U.S. cities including Austin; Salem, Ore.; and Sarasota, Fla.

Get to know Bill Church, 'The New Mexican's' new executive editor

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.  

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.

LANL scientist Jeanne Fair on the bird flu and understanding infectious diseases

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.

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.

Water policy expert Denise Fort on issues facing New Mexico's water resources

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. 

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.

New student nutrition director at Santa Fe Public Schools dishes on feeding thousands a day and new state rules

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/.

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 <a href="https://www.sfcc.edu/iaia-sfcc-open-house-24/">https://www.sfcc.edu/iaia-sfcc-open-house-24/</a>. 
IAIA's open house is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit <a href="https://iaia.edu/about/2024-iaia-open-house/">https://iaia.edu/about/2024-iaia-open-house/.</a>

IAIA, SFCC presidents preview open houses set for Sept. 19

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

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