Born in Las Vegas, N.M., Pola Lopez has become a leading Latina/Chicana artist to emerge from the U.S. Southwest. She draws from the region’s diverse cultural heritage to create paintings and murals filled with vibrant colors and powerful meaning. Lopez joins “Conversations Different” to discuss her path to becoming an artist, her involvement in the Chicano art movement, what it means to live her art, and her work empowering young people through teaching them art. 

Born in Las Vegas, N.M., Pola Lopez has become a leading Latina/Chicana artist to emerge from the U.S. Southwest. She draws from the region’s diverse cultural heritage to create paintings and murals filled with vibrant colors and powerful meaning. Lopez joins “Conversations Different” to discuss her path to becoming an artist, her involvement in the Chicano art movement, what it means to live her art, and her work empowering young people through teaching them art.

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

Pola Lopez on painting with meaning and living her art

The missing, murdered, Indigenous people crisis has long plagued Native American communities throughout the country, especially here in the Southwest. According to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, it is estimated that 4,200 reported cases have gone unsolved. The result? It has left many questions unanswered, families with grief and documentarians like Amanda Erickson on a mission to share stories.  

Erickson, a longtime true crime tv producer now director, has decided to shine light on this crisis in her new documentary film titled She Cried That Day. The film focuses on the story of an Arikara, Dakota and Diné woman who died from injuries caused by an alleged domestic dispute in Gallup. It follows the backstory of her case and shows the world how difficult it is to get justice in what Erickson calls an emotional and dark movement.   

Erickson joins the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” to reflect with host Inez Russell Gomez, the years-long production of the film, how her producing background inspired her to tackle this type of project and what’s next as the film makes its way to festivals and small screenings across the state.  

Learn more by visiting shecriedthatday.com 

The missing, murdered, Indigenous people crisis has long plagued Native American communities throughout the country, especially here in the Southwest. According to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, it is estimated that <a href="https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-crisis">4,200&nbsp;reported&nbsp;cases</a> have gone unsolved. The result? It has left many questions unanswered, families with grief and documentarians like Amanda Erickson on a mission to share stories.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Erickson, a longtime true crime tv producer now director,&nbsp;has decided to&nbsp;shine light on this crisis in her&nbsp;new&nbsp;documentary&nbsp;film&nbsp;titled&nbsp;She Cried That Day. The film focuses on the story of an Arikara, Dakota and Din&eacute; woman who died from injuries caused by an alleged domestic dispute in Gallup. It follows the backstory of her case and shows the world how difficult it is to get justice in what Erickson calls an emotional and dark movement.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Erickson joins the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; to reflect with host Inez Russell Gomez, the years-long production of the film, how her producing background inspired her to tackle this type of project and what&rsquo;s next as the film makes its way to festivals and small screenings across the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn more by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shecriedthatday.com/">shecriedthatday.com</a>&nbsp;

‘She Cried That Day’ director Amanda Erickson on film’s making; its ties to missing Indigenous women

Did Texas steal El Paso from New Mexico? Depending on who you ask, the answer is likely straightforward. However, for Blake Gumprecht, an Albuquerque-based writer and longtime geographer who once lived and worked in the borderlands, the answer is a matter of delving into historical records to find the facts.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez talks with Gumprecht about his efforts to find out if Texas did in fact steal El Paso from New Mexico. The two discuss Gumprecht’s findings on this unusual topic and how he used them to write an article published in the Western Historical Quarterly.  

The premise of the article suggests El Paso may not have originally belonged to Texas when it was incorporated into the state because of geographical changes brought by westward expansion. A lack of credible sourcing to corroborate any claims regarding incorporation, especially those of Robert S. Neighbors, is also raised in the article.  

Throughout the episode, Inez and Gumprecht also reflect on the political and cultural significances El Paso has had in Texas and how different it would be today had the Sun City been a part of the Land of Enchantment.  

Check out more of Gumprecht’s work by visiting his website blakegumprecht.wordpress.com 

Did Texas steal El Paso from New Mexico? Depending on who you ask, the answer is likely straightforward. However, for Blake Gumprecht, an Albuquerque-based writer and longtime geographer who once lived and worked in the borderlands, the answer is a matter of delving into historical records to find the facts.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez talks with Gumprecht about his efforts to find out if Texas did in fact steal El Paso from New Mexico. The two discuss Gumprecht&rsquo;s findings on this unusual topic and how he used them to write an article <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/whq/whaf074">published</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;the Western Historical Quarterly.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The&nbsp;premise of the article&nbsp;suggests&nbsp;El Paso&nbsp;may not have originally belonged to Texas&nbsp;when it was incorporated into the state&nbsp;because of&nbsp;geographical&nbsp;changes&nbsp;brought&nbsp;by&nbsp;westward expansion. A lack of&nbsp;credible&nbsp;sourcing&nbsp;to corroborate&nbsp;any&nbsp;claims&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;incorporation, especially those of&nbsp;Robert S.&nbsp;Neighbors,&nbsp;is&nbsp;also&nbsp;raised&nbsp;in the article.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Throughout the episode,&nbsp;Inez and&nbsp;Gumprecht&nbsp;also&nbsp;reflect&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;political&nbsp;and cultural&nbsp;significances&nbsp;El Paso has had&nbsp;in&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;and&nbsp;how&nbsp;different it&nbsp;would&nbsp;be&nbsp;today&nbsp;had the Sun City&nbsp;been a&nbsp;part&nbsp;of&nbsp;the Land&nbsp;of&nbsp;Enchantment.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Check out more of Gumprecht&rsquo;s work by visiting his website&nbsp;<a href="https://blakegumprecht.wordpress.com/">blakegumprecht.wordpress.com</a>&nbsp;

Did Texas steal El Paso from New Mexico? Writer Blake Gumprecht delves into this historical debate

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;

Pola Lopez on painting with meaning and living her art

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