In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez welcomes Zia Singers artistic director John Tiranno and singer and composer Susan Anders, on the podcast to preview the group’s upcoming January concert.   The concert is titled “Voices of Life, Voices of Light” and will feature exclusive musical works written by women, a choice Tiranno said was a clever idea of his and a way to honor the talents of The Zia Singers, an all-women based chorus.   Throughout the episode, Tiranno and Anders share what concertgoers can expect from two of the pieces that will be performed: Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo by Cecilia McDowall and a "A Wave That Rocks Me,” a song composed by Anders.   The concert will be on Jan.10th and 11th at Christ Church in Santa Fe. For more information and to get tickets, visit theziasingers.org.  

In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez chats with former TV meteorologist Jay Faught about everyone’s favorite subject — the weather. The two discuss Faught’s transition from camera life into private life and how his never-ending passion for meteorology inspired him to start posting his own weather forecasts online and on social media.   Throughout the episode, Faught talks about the uniqueness of Santa Fe’s topography and how it motivated him to tap into localized weather forecasting that he says will help residents plan their days more efficiently. The local forecasts can also help residents be prepared during times of emergency and changing conditions, he said.   Faught’s forecasts can be found by visiting his website santafewx.com or following his popular Facebook page and group Santa Fe Weather 

Author and storyteller Joe Hayes has been traveling the country for more than 40 years to share the stories of the Southwest. As an established author, he has published over 25 books and was also a resident storyteller at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe for 39 years.   In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez revisits this previously aired interview with Hayes that highlights how he made a career out of being a storyteller, what influences inspired his style of narration and why he feels it’s important to tell stories in both Spanish and English as somebody who was raised in a border town in Arizona.   Hayes closes the episode by telling the story of The Wise Little Burro, a treat for listeners and viewers ahead of Christmas celebrations.  

Legendary New Mexican sculptor Michael Naranjo is the face of a new documentary that highlights what it means to go through life’s struggles and still come out on top. His story is an inspiration to all because Naranjo, who lost his eyesight in battle during the Vietnam War, has had to adapt while learning his craft. His injuries didn’t stop him from living life and achieving his goals, according to Jenna Naranjo Winters, his daughter and producer of the documentary.   Naranjo Winters joins “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez in discussing a behind-the-scenes look into producing the film, Dream Touch Believe. She discusses what inspired her to pursue the project and how the film has made an impact across festivals and communities, especially in New Mexico.   Naranjo Winters also reflects on her background, growing up on the Santa Clara Pueblo and working at the Santa Fe New Mexican on her way to becoming a professional TV and film producer in Los Angeles, Calif.   Learn more about the film by visiting its website, dreamtouchbelieve.com

New Mexico is known for many things, but its public lands are unmatched if you ask some of the avid outdoors enthusiasts of our state and the ordinary people who have lived here for generations. Whether you're hiking the mountaintops of Santa Fe Baldy or basking in the white gypsum dunes at White Sands National Park, there is something special about our landscapes that have garnered deep appreciation on a personal level for people and on a public policy level for officials.   Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, a nonprofit based in Las Cruces, takes that appreciation to heart as one of its guiding principles.    The nonprofit’s executive director Angel Peña joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” to discuss what led to the founding of his organization, the work he and his team are doing to preserve access to New Mexico’s public lands and what he hopes his group will accomplish in the near future as it navigates resource challenges and uncertainty at the federal level.   Peña also reflects on the cultural significance that our lands have on the state’s diverse populations and why securing access for them is just as important.   Visit nuestra-tierra.org to learn more about the organization and how to support its efforts. 

When looking back at the history of the atomic bomb and its origins in New Mexico, the narrative often centers on American innovation and the United States as the first nation to create such a deadly weapon. There’s another essential perspective — that of the Japanese people. They endured the devastating consequences of the 1945 Hiroshima bombings and its long-lasting impact on the country in the years following.   In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez speaks with Eria Matsumae, a Hiroshima peace guide whose work is mostly in Hiroshima but is also international. The two discuss Eria’s efforts to inform people about the historical impact of the bombings and how to bring about future societal peace among nations to avoid another catastrophe from taking place.   Eria also shares details about her visit to New Mexico, which was inspired by an encounter abroad with Rotary Santa Fe Centro Passport Club President Claudia Gerst. Eria and Claudia briefly reflect on the encounter that led to their friendship, a New Mexico trip and a one-day peace conference that was held in Santa Fe. 

Confidence, discipline and resilience are all essential traits for living a fulfilling life, especially for kids searching for their place in the real world. In Santa Fe, Tony Potter is helping the next generation, and their families, build these qualities through the power of martial arts.  As president of It All Matters Inc., Potter joined “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez in discussing the nonprofit’s mission to uplift children and create a space for them to strengthen their emotional, cognitive, physical and social skills, while emphasizing the importance of building people up rather than tearing them down.   Potter also briefly shares on the personal journey he took to get to this line of work and how it has shaped his view of life thus far.   The It All Matters Inc. martial arts program has been around for 23 years. Learn more about the program and an upcoming January gala by visiting ItAllMattersInc.com

Not every student learns and comprehends the same. It's a shared reality among parents and educators struggling to get a student the instructional support that they need to stay on target with their education. And it’s a belief that Amy Miller, a former teacher, has known too well throughout her years in the classroom.   Miller, a founder and director of the May Center for Learning based in Santa Fe, joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different” to explain how the center is helping kids in grades K-8 navigate their learning challenges, or as the center calls them, “learning differences.” She elaborates on some of the solutions the school provides, like a specialized curriculum, hands-on learning and a low student-to-teacher ratio environment.  Miller also discusses the factors that led to her founding the school in 2011 and how she hopes it will serve as an alternative to traditional schooling practices.   For more information about the May Center for Learning and its offerings, visit maycenter.org 

How to hold to account criminals found to be incompetent in New Mexico is a divisive issue, especially to those who have been a victim of a crime.    The state courts are jumping into that debate and hope to alleviate some of those concerns by implementing a new competency diversion pilot program that has launched in select jurisdictions. One of the program’s goals is to get eligible mentally ill offenders the resources and treatment they need to be able to fit within society instead of being circled through an already stressed legal system.    Justice Briana Zamora of the New Mexico Supreme Court joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different” to discuss the diversion program, what kind of impact she hopes the program will have on our communities and the challenges she’s experienced when dealing with cases involving mentally incompetent individuals.   Justice Zamora also elaborates on the need for agency and legislative collaboration for the diversion program to be effective, saying it will require significant long-term investment to see results.  

A new digital repository and database dedicated to preserving the history of enslaved Indigenous people across the United States launches this month. Dr. Estevan Rael-Gálvez, a native New Mexican and former state historian, is in charge of the project and says one of the goals is to bridge the past with the present — or to build an “ofrenda.”   Rael-Gálvez joins Conversations Different podcast host Inez Russell Gomez in the latest episode discussing efforts he’s undertaken to uncover the roots and stories of Indigenous slavery especially here in Northern New Mexico. He shares insight into the years-long journey of doing extensive research into genealogical records, public reports and firsthand accounts for the new repository that went live Nov.1.    Rael-Gálvez also discusses his background, growing up on the Northern New Mexico/Southern Colorado border and being told of his ancestral connections that made him question his own relation to Indigeneity. He said family conversations and natural curiosity inspired him to pursue this project.  The project is called Native Bound Unbound and more information can be found by visiting nativeboundunbound.org 

On a visit to J. Robert Oppenheimer’s Los Alamos house earlier this year, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright referred to the development of artificial intelligence as a “second Manhattan Project race” that the U.S. needs to win. With Los Alamos National Laboratory’s supercomputers, scientific workforce and collaborations with companies including OpenAI and NVIDIA, lab officials have said the facility aims to be a leader in the AI arena. In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” LANL Director Thom Mason speaks with host Inez Russell Gomez about artificial intelligence, describing what it is and why so many people are excited about it. He also discusses how AI is being used at LANL and how it can help increase productivity for lab workers. Mason talks about Venado, the lab’s newest supercomputer, and what it’s used for. Gomez asks him about the lab’s need for more power, and how much of that comes from its AI endeavors. Mason also discusses how AI can be used in education, how it could impact the workforce, the opportunities for AI in New Mexico, and concerns that have arisen about the technology as it becomes more advanced.

Contigo Immigrant Justice, formerly known as the Santa Fe Dreamers Project, is an organization that has long served the community of Santa Fe and New Mexico by providing immigration advocacy and services for undocumented people.   Over the last year, the nonprofit has celebrated numerous milestones from its 10-year anniversary in 2024 to selecting a new executive director. Another huge milestone is a new name with a special meaning behind it — Contigo Immigrant Justice — where “Contigo,” a Spanish word that means together, is meant to reflect a sense of community in the fight for immigrant rights.    Miles Tokunow, executive director, joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different” to discuss the rebrand, his assessment of current immigration challenges facing his organization and the rest of the country, and why getting involved in any capacity is important.   Contigo Immigrant Justice’s work comes during strong political polarization over how to best address fair immigration processes, border security and the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.   If you want to learn more or support its efforts, visit contigojustice.org where you can also find information about the upcoming Fight for Immigrant Justice Gala on Nov.13 in Santa Fe.  

A new documentary featuring the legacy of long-time editorial cartoonist Pat Oliphant showcases the significance of commentary and discourse in our democratic systems and why political art is a medium that should be preserved.   Oliphant’s life story is the focus of the documentary titled A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant, produced by Santa Fe resident Bill Banowsky. The film explores his personal and professional pathway toward becoming a well-known editorial cartoonist in the United States despite being born in Australia.    Oliphant’s work spanned nearly 50 years covering both U.S. political parties and 10 presidents for newspapers like The Denver Post and The Washington Star. His work was also syndicated around the world until his retirement in 2015.   Banowsky joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different” to discuss what it was like documenting the now 90-year-old Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, how he came to know Oliphant and what viewers can expect.    To learn more about the film visit asavageart.com. For tickets and screening dates, visit magpictures.com/asavageart/home.

Amid federal funding challenges for tribal colleges and universities, the Institute of American Indian Arts also has had to adapt in recent months to new institutional leadership with the retirement of one president and the ushering in of another.   In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez talks with Dr. Shelly C. Lowe about her transition into the presidency at IAIA. Lowe was appointed by the IAIA Board of Trustees following the retirement of long-time President Dr. Robert Martin in July. She assumed the role Aug.1.   The two discuss Lowe’s first month learning the ropes, her pathway to higher education which stemmed from being a top student in Arizona, and the hard work that IAIA is doing to educate, showcase and enhance Native history and expression beyond Santa Fe.    Lowe’s achievements include teaching and administrative positions at the University of Arizona, Yale University and Harvard University, with her most recent position being chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In New Mexico, we often get a bad rap for being at the bottom of many ranking lists, and education happens to be one of those issues. However, not everyone believes numerical judgements are justified especially New Mexico Lt. Gov. Howie Morales.   In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez talks with Lt. Gov. Morales about efforts being made to improve education and early childhood development outcomes in our state.   The two discuss what the Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham administration and lawmakers have done under her tenure for education such as establishing the Early Childhood Education and Care Department, bringing free tuition to New Mexico’s public colleges and universities, and free childcare for families coming in November. As a result, Morales said those achievements are proof New Mexico is not behind but rather ahead of the game.     Morales said he’s proud to have worked with the governor to secure those investments and explains how it will set kids and families up for success in the future.   He also briefly talks about what he hopes his lieutenant governor legacy will be as he prepares for his last year in the position. 

For desert states like New Mexico, water is a valuable resource that powers our agricultural industry, our acequia culture and our taps in our homes. As a result, deciding how to best allocate this scarce resource is a challenge due to the various stakeholders all vying for its usage.   That’s where the New Mexico Interstate Water Commission, part of the Office of the State Engineer, comes in. This organization has undertaken the task to plan and manage our water sources for the best chances and outcomes of long-term sustainability. Without its work, unfair water usage and depleted sources would be inevitable.   Andrew Erdmann and Sara Fox, both planners with the New Mexico Interstate Water Commission, join “Conversations Different” to discuss the complexities of regional water planning, how enforcement of rules and regions are decided, and an upcoming public hearing focused on the Proposed Rule, a framework that would outline water planning processes across the state.   For more information about the commission and to participate in the upcoming hearing, visit ose.nm.gov or mainstreamnm.org.   The written public comment period for the Proposed Rule is now open and closes Sept. 27. The public hearing meeting will take place Oct.15-17 in Santa Fe at the Willie Ortiz Building on Cerrillos Road. View the public notice for more details.

During the month of September, suicide prevention and awareness is being highlighted all throughout the country especially here in New Mexico where the numbers show us a bleak picture — suicide cases are on the rise.   In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” lead Suicide Prevention Coordinator Clarie Miller from the New Mexico Department of Health talks about the implications of new data showing rising deaths in the state and how to provide support to people struggling with their mental health in times of crisis.   Miller discusses the importance of knowing where to find resources, like the Department of Health website, knowing how to use 988, the nation’s suicide prevention lifeline, and simply just knowing the appropriate things to say to someone regardless of the social environment.    If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and may have suicidal thoughts, visit the New Mexico Department of Health suicide prevention website,the 988 Lifeline website or call 988.  

In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” Santa Fe Poet Laureate Tommy Archuleta discusses the launch of new poetry workshops aimed at giving an outlet and sense of community to Santa Fe’s homeless population. It’s called The Voice Project.   Funded by a $50,000 fellowship grant from the Academy of American Poets, the project follows the academy’s mission to enrich communities across the country through poetry and artistic endeavors.   Archuleta explains how his goal with the funding will consist of creating poetry workshops for unhoused people at area shelters to allow them to share their story and not feel so alone in the world. Work collected from the workshops will then be compiled for publishing and distribution throughout the city.   As a mental health and substance abuse counselor, Archuleta says he understands the various impacts of not being seen or being able to talk about one’s life experiences. He reflects on this knowledge which has played a contributing factor for him in founding The Voice Project.    Read more about the initiative in The New Mexican’s previous coverage:   Santa Fe poet laureate receives grant from Academy of American Poets for workshops with homeless 

For many struggling New Mexicans trying to make ends meet, healthcare is one issue that has increasingly become a luxury. Rising costs have pushed people to the brink because life-saving medications, doctor's appointments or eye exams are unattainable due to financial and geographic circumstances. That’s the understanding of Villa Therese Catholic Clinic, based in Santa Fe, which has provided health services to low-income New Mexicans for nearly 80 years.   Villa Therese Executive Director Mark McDonald joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different” to share why his nonprofit clinic is providing free services to people and explains what factors have contributed to a need for more affordable healthcare in the state. He also shares some ways the clinic is trying to expand its reach in rural areas while emphasizing opportunities for community involvement, volunteering and donation.   To learn more about Villa Therese’s efforts, visit their website at villatherese.org 

Fiesta de Santa Fe has long been a tradition for generations of New Mexicans. Every year, people gather downtown for food, live music and company, but the festivities go beyond that and have a historical significance to them as well.   Founded in 1712, Fiesta first started through a proclamation created to commemorate the resettlement of Santa Fe after the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The proclamation states that Fiesta de Santa Fe be established and celebrated through mass, vespers and sermon, according to the Santa Fe Fiesta Council website.   Fast forward to today, it is deemed a cultural staple meant to honor that proclamation and keep the history of the city alive.   Santa Fe Fiesta Council President Krystle Lucero joins “Conversations Different” to discuss the cultural importance behind Fiesta de Santa Fe and to reflect on her experience and fondest memories of being a part of the volunteer organization.   For more information about this year’s 313th Fiesta de Santa Fe and events, visit santafefiesta.org.  

He is known well to fans of the indie, folk and alternative music spheres here in the Land of Enchantment and across the country. A native of Northern New Mexico who was raised in Taos, Max Gomez is a folk and Americana artist who has worked with some of the industry’s notable singer-songwriters like Michael Martin Murphey and Ray Wylie Hubbard. His passion for making music, which started from an early age, has earned him over four million listens on Spotify for his song “Make It Me” and lead to his latest big achievement — a new, independent album coming out Aug. 29.     Gomez joins “Conversations Different” to discuss the making of his new album Memory Mountain, whose titlesongwasco-written with Michael Martin Murphey, and to reflect on what it was like growing up in Taos and participating in the local music scene there.   Gomez will be performing in Santa Fe at Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery on Aug. 28. For more information about the event and album release, visit his website maxgomezmusic.com. 

Santa Fe’s emergency shelter, formally known as the Interfaith Community Shelter at Pete’s Place, has been in the headlines the past few months after city councilors voted to end a month-to-month contract with the nonprofit, which had provided an array of services to area homeless people for decades.  In that same decision, councilors approved a new contract with San Francisco-based group Urban Alchemy to take over operations at the shelter’s facility on Cerrillos Road effective the end of July.   As the transition continues, Mike Anderer, chief administrative officer for Urban Alchemy, joins “Conversations Different” to discuss some of the new management changes, including renaming the shelter to Agape House, his team’s efforts to clean up a bed bug infestation and how new policies will impact residents.   Anderer acknowledged the city’s separation from the Interfaith Community Shelter was opposed by many, but emphasized Urban Alchemy is committed to listening and working with community members to maintain and improve services.   For more information about Urban Alchemy, visit their website at urban-alchemy.us  To contact Mike Anderer about volunteering, email him at mikea@urban-alchemy.us

Santa Fe Public Schools’ months-long search for a superintendent ended in May with the school board choosing Christine Griffin, a previous educational leader in Arizona, to hold the district’s top job. She assumed the role in June and has officially been making the rounds for more than a month now, connecting with parents, students and state and local leaders ahead of the start of a new school year.    Griffin joins “Conversations Different” to discuss how things are going during her first month, the upcoming school year and what her leadership priorities will be. Griffin also addresses a key community concern pertaining to federal funding cuts to schools and how the national issue will impact Santa Fe. 

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, U.S. representative for New Mexico’s 3rd district, joins “Conversations Different” to discuss what went down during the passage of congressional Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill and how it will impact New Mexicans now that the bill is law.   Leger Fernández expressed deep concern over the bill’s cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits, citing New Mexico’s reliance on federal dollars for those programs to be effective. As a result, she said people could die by not getting the care and resources they need from the programs and rural hospitals could close.   Leger Fernández also recounts her exchange with a Republican colleague during a committee hearing over a provision in the bill which would’ve repealed a tax on tanning services. That provision was taken out of the final bill after her comments made during the meeting went viral on social media.

The Traditional Spanish Market returns to the Santa Fe Plaza July 25-27. Known for highlighting the rich Hispanic culture in our region, the market carefully selects artists from New Mexico and Southern Colorado for the chance to share their creative pursuits for a weekend and vie for awards.  The Traditional Spanish Market has been managed by the Atrisco Heritage Foundation since 2023 and its Program Coordinator Brissa Chilton-Garcia joins “Conversations Different” to discuss this year’s festivities. Chilton-Garcia discusses the event’s planning, her personal involvement with Spanish cultural art and what attendees should expect.  For more information, visit traditionalspanishmarket.org.

The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe is bidding farewell to its current president, Dr. Robert Martin, this month. Martin has been with the school since 2007, making an extraordinary impact on its development through his leadership, particularly in infrastructure, degree programs and enrollment growth. Martin joins “Conversations Different” to reflect on his 40-year legacy in higher education as well as his 18 years as president of IAIA. He also discusses the funding challenges that many tribal colleges and universities across the United States are facing in light of proposed federal funding cuts. IAIA could lose all federal funding. He explained that he believes funding will be secured to keep IAIA operating in the near future and spoke favorably about the environment the school’s next president will inherit.

Dr. Wendy Johnson, a longtime physician, health activist and writer in Northern New Mexico, joins “Conversations Different” to discuss her new book Kinship Medicine: Cultivating Interdependence to Heal the Earth and Ourselves.   Johnson shares what guided her in writing the book along with discussing its theme of kinship medicine, a belief that individual wellbeing is determined by our relationships and interconnection. The book also delves into the belief that we as human beings are smaller ecosystems in a larger system such as the environment and Earth, and to truly be healthy, we must reconcile any misalignments with each other.   Johnson’s official book launch will be on July 15 at Tumbleroot Brewery in Santa Fe with a book tour around the United States to follow in the weeks after.   For more information about the book, launch and tour, visit wendyjohnsonmd.com.

The International Folk Art Market, a staple in Northern New Mexico for bringing together multicultural artists from around the world, returns to Santa Fe’s Railyard Park July 10-13. Nadia Hamid, IFAM director of artist development, and Alison Brushaber, IFAM volunteer chair of artist transportation, join “Conversations Different” to preview this year’s folk art market. Hamid talks about her role in selecting artists for the market, improvements event-goers can expect this year and things people can do outside of just shopping. Brushaber shares what inspired her to get involved with the organization and how it opened her eyes to a world full of artistic expression without having to travel far. More information about the market and tickets can be found on their website, folkartmarket.org.

Alcoholism impacts the lives of many individuals and their families across the country and in New Mexico. According to the New Mexico Department of Health website, the state has been a leader in alcohol deaths since the 1980s with domestic violence, crime, poverty and unemployment also surging as related negative impacts.   Ted Alcorn, a writer/researcher and native New Mexican, joins “Conversations Different” to discuss his previous reporting on New Mexico’s alcohol problem from the individuals who consume it to the lawmakers who haven’t budged much on reform.   Alcorn shares insight into his news series “Blind Drunk,” featured in the news outlet New Mexico In Depth and The Santa Fe New Mexican. The series explores New Mexico’s alcohol crisis by looking at the state’s weaknesses and providing possible solutions.   Alcorn’s bylines include The New York Times, The Atlantic and Washington Post Magazine. He is a graduate of New York University and John Hopkins University.  

Sen. Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico’s junior U.S. senator, joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different” to discuss what he’s working on in the Senate, from a bill that would help families take care of their aging loved ones to holding hearings on the implications of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on everyday Americans. Luján also discusses congressional Republicans’ proposed spending bill deemed “The Big Beautiful Bill.” In the middle of the interview, Sen. Luján had to step away to go vote and was also briefed on a situation involving U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California being escorted out of an immigration press conference and later handcuffed after he tried to ask a question to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “Conversations Different” was provided a courtesy clip of Sen. Luján’s Senate floor speech where he spoke on Sen. Padilla’s forceable removal from the press conference.

Catching up with former students came with an element of sadness for longtime Santa Fe music educator Marilyn Barnes as she found they lacked opportunities to showcase their talents in front of an audience after graduation. So she and her husband, Cris Barnes, did something about it. They created a musical theater company to give young adults the chance to retake the stage — and the result has been a hit.  “We had the incentive, seeing our students on the street, and saying ‘What are you doing? Are you singing?’,” Marilyn Barnes said. “And they hadn’t opened their mouths except in their cars and in the shower since high school, and it just broke our hearts. That was our incentive to start Tri-M, but it has just grown way beyond that.” In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” Marilyn and Cris Barnes speak with host Inez Russell Gomez about how Tri-M (Millennial Music Makers) Productions has not just been a way for young adults to share their musical talents with the public but has also developed into somewhat of a social club that helps them form connections in the city.  The pair talk about how they’ve prioritized paying the talent for productions, and the struggle with finding venues in Santa Fe. They also discuss their upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” which will run June 12-22 at the Santa Fe High School Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit trimsantafe.org.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.