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.

A former chef at the Blue Heron Restaurant and Palace Prime, Rocky Durham is a well-known name in Santa Fe&rsquo;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.&nbsp;
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.&nbsp;
During a brief visit to Santa Fe in late February, Rocky sat down with &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez to share his experience in the war-ravaged nation, provide his thoughts on America&rsquo;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.

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

Santa Fean Rocky Durham discusses the war in Ukraine and shifting from chef to humanitarian

In a time of political division in our country, one Santa Fe man has made it his mission to bridge the divide through humanitarian work and sharing stories. His firsthand accounts with migrants, residents and federal agents, who all claim allegiance along the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, give a glimpse into the conditions in that region and how politics over policy is impacting everyday lives.  

Morgan Smith, a retired lawyer and governmental official, says he's been involved with Mexico since being a college student but has taken that task to heart in recent years with his visual and written reporting. He joins “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez in the latest podcast episode to share insight into his numerous trips to the border and what they have taught him about people and immigration.  

Smith also reflects on the volunteer aspect of his trips which involve him loading up his vehicle with items and donating them to local shelters or individuals in need in the El Paso/Ciudad Juárez area.  

Connect with Morgan to hear more of his stories or to donate for his next trip. He can be reached at morgan-smith@comcast.net  

In a time of political division in our country, one&nbsp;Santa Fe&nbsp;man&nbsp;has&nbsp;made it&nbsp;his&nbsp;mission&nbsp;to bridge the&nbsp;divide&nbsp;through&nbsp;humanitarian&nbsp;work&nbsp;and sharing stories. His&nbsp;firsthand&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;with migrants,&nbsp;residents&nbsp;and federal agents,&nbsp;who&nbsp;all&nbsp;claim&nbsp;allegiance&nbsp;along the U.S.-Mexico borderlands,&nbsp;give&nbsp;a&nbsp;glimpse into&nbsp;the conditions&nbsp;in that region&nbsp;and how politics over policy is&nbsp;impacting&nbsp;everyday&nbsp;lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Morgan Smith,&nbsp;a retired lawyer and governmental official, says&nbsp;he's&nbsp;been&nbsp;involved with Mexico&nbsp;since&nbsp;being a&nbsp;college&nbsp;student&nbsp;but has taken that task to heart&nbsp;in recent years&nbsp;with his&nbsp;visual and written reporting.&nbsp;He joins &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo;&nbsp;host Inez Russell Gomez in the latest podcast episode to share&nbsp;insight into his&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;trips&nbsp;to the border&nbsp;and what they have&nbsp;taught him&nbsp;about&nbsp;people and&nbsp;immigration.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Smith&nbsp;also reflects on the&nbsp;volunteer aspect of his trips which involve&nbsp;him loading up his vehicle with&nbsp;items&nbsp;and&nbsp;donating them to local shelters or&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;in need in the El Paso/Ciudad Ju&aacute;rez area.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Connect with&nbsp;Morgan&nbsp;to hear more of his stories&nbsp;or to donate&nbsp;for his next trip.&nbsp;He can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:morgan-smith@comcast.net">morgan-smith@comcast.net</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Morgan Smith’s reports give glimpse into conditions along U.S.-Mexico border region

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

A preview of The Zia Singers’ latest concert ‘Voices of Life, Voices of Light’ 

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 

In the latest episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez chats with former TV meteorologist Jay Faught&nbsp;about everyone&rsquo;s favorite subject &mdash; the weather. The two discuss Faught&rsquo;s transition&nbsp;from camera&nbsp;life&nbsp;into private life and how his&nbsp;never-ending&nbsp;passion for&nbsp;meteorology&nbsp;inspired him to start&nbsp;posting his own&nbsp;weather&nbsp;forecasts&nbsp;online&nbsp;and on social media.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Throughout the episode,&nbsp;Faught&nbsp;talks about the uniqueness of Santa Fe&rsquo;s&nbsp;topography and how it&nbsp;motivated&nbsp;him to tap into localized weather&nbsp;forecasting that&nbsp;he says&nbsp;will help residents plan their&nbsp;days&nbsp;more&nbsp;efficiently.&nbsp;The local forecasts can also help residents&nbsp;be prepared&nbsp;during&nbsp;times of&nbsp;emergency&nbsp;and&nbsp;changing conditions, he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Faught&rsquo;s&nbsp;forecasts can be found by visiting his website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theweatherexperience.com/">santafewx.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;following his&nbsp;popular&nbsp;Facebook page&nbsp;and group&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1agWw9dn3Z/">Santa Fe Weather</a>&nbsp;

Santa Fean Rocky Durham discusses the war in Ukraine and shifting from chef to humanitarian

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