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

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, S…

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

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 no…

Pallet shelter pilot program finds welcoming home at Santa Fe church

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, th…

St. John’s College looks to expand connections while celebrating 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 discus…

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

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 …

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

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 im…

LANL scientist Jeanne Fair on the bird flu and 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 COV…

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

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 a…

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

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 "Conv…

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

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 p…