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.

Sen. Ben Ray Luj&aacute;n, New Mexico&rsquo;s junior U.S. senator, joins the latest episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; to discuss what he&rsquo;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&rsquo;s tariffs on everyday Americans. Luj&aacute;n also discusses congressional Republicans&rsquo; proposed spending bill deemed &ldquo;The Big Beautiful Bill.&rdquo;
In the middle of the interview, Sen. Luj&aacute;n 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.
&ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; was provided a courtesy clip of Sen. Luj&aacute;n&rsquo;s Senate floor speech where he spoke on Sen. Padilla&rsquo;s forceable removal from the press conference.

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

Sen. Ben Ray Luján speaks out against Republicans’ tax bill, President Trump’s latest immigration efforts 

For Ana Pacheco, a longtime writer and historian, words cannot describe the appreciation she has for a city that raised her.  

Like many of the locals, Pacheco says growing up in Santa Fe nourished her soul with knowledge, culture and a sense of community that is hard to find in other places.   

From riding the elevator at the old St. Vincent’s Hospital for fun as a kid to seeing relationships sprout from all avenues, niche experiences like those carried Pacheco forward as she left and explored the world.  

When she eventually returned home, she realized the essence of the city had adapted, and it was time to preserve what once was for a generation that is to come. Her new book Only in Santa Fe helps achieve that goal.  

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Pacheco to discuss the book’s themes, why she chose to pursue a project with deep meaning and what readers can expect if they pick up a copy.  

In the episode, Pacheco also reflects on her other writing and publishing ventures which include a stint at The New Mexican as a columnist writing the famed column A Wonderful Life.  

More information about her new book can be found at historyinsantafe.com.  

For Ana Pacheco, a longtime writer and historian, words cannot describe the appreciation she has for a city that raised her.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Like many of the locals, Pacheco says growing up in Santa Fe nourished her soul with knowledge, culture and a sense of community that is hard to find in other places.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
From riding the elevator at the old St. Vincent&rsquo;s Hospital for fun as a kid to seeing relationships sprout from all avenues, niche experiences like those carried Pacheco forward as she left and explored the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;
When she eventually returned home, she realized the essence of the city had adapted, and it was time to preserve what once was for a generation that is to come. Her new book Only in Santa Fe helps achieve that goal.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Pacheco to discuss the book&rsquo;s themes, why she chose to pursue a project with deep meaning and what readers can expect if they pick up a copy.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Pacheco also reflects on her other writing and publishing ventures which include a stint at The New Mexican as a columnist writing the famed column A Wonderful Life.&nbsp;&nbsp;
More information about her new book can be found at <a href="https://historyinsantafe.com/">historyinsantafe.com.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

‘Only in Santa Fe’ book by Ana Pacheco preserves the history, culture and memories of a growing capital city 

When Congress passed the Big Beautiful Bill in 2025, SNAP benefits for millions of Americans happened to be a part of it. Reductions and new work requirements changed how the federal program would be implemented moving forward.  

In New Mexico, a state where 21% of the population receives such benefits, children were among those most impacted. The New Mexican reported in July that 55% — or roughly 10,000 kids — have lost their aid so far.   

Other SNAP requirements, taking effect this November, would require stores to meet a certain threshold as well, possibly creating further challenges.  

As a result of the bill’s passage, nonprofits and foodbanks are giving back to help fill the food scarcity needs plaguing our country and state.  

The LOR Foundation, which serves various communities throughout the Mountain West, is one partner in that fight.   

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Bill Jaeger, strategic initiatives officer at LOR, to discuss the nonprofit’s grant programs that are supporting New Mexicans affected by SNAP cuts.  

Jaeger explains what the programs entail from providing direct support to encouraging people to consume locally and contribute to homegrown practices.   

Visit lorfoundation.org for more information.  

When Congress passed the Big Beautiful Bill in 2025, SNAP benefits for millions of Americans happened to be a part of it. Reductions and new work requirements changed how the federal program would be implemented moving forward.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In New Mexico, a state where 21% of the population receives such benefits, children were among those most impacted. <a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/new-mexico-wellness-wire-18-000-new-mexicans-lose-federal-food-benefits/article_f7c0da18-d72b-4a45-b5fa-54f09abe30c0.html">The New Mexican reported in July</a> that 55% &mdash; or roughly 10,000 kids &mdash; have lost their aid so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Other SNAP requirements, taking effect this November, would require stores to meet a certain threshold as well, possibly creating further challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;
As a result of the bill&rsquo;s passage, nonprofits and foodbanks are giving back to help fill the food scarcity needs plaguing our country and state.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The LOR Foundation, which serves various communities throughout the Mountain West, is one partner in that fight.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Bill Jaeger, strategic initiatives officer at LOR, to discuss the nonprofit&rsquo;s grant programs that are supporting New Mexicans affected by SNAP cuts.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Jaeger explains what the programs entail from providing direct support to encouraging people to consume locally and contribute to homegrown practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Visit <a href="https://lorfoundation.org/">lorfoundation.org</a> for more information.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bill Jaeger discusses how the LOR Foundation is helping New Mexicans cut from SNAP benefits  

Award-winning author, chef and food lover Cheryl Alters Jamison has published two new cookbooks that feature a Santa Fe landmark and a high-class Texas staple.  

The books share some beloved recipes and stories from the Plaza Café and the Perini Ranch Steakhouse.  

The café, owned by Leonardo Razatos, has been around for eight decades cooking up American, Greek and Northern New Mexican cuisines. It is known for many dishes including seasonal pumpkin pozole, green chile stew and coconut cream pie — all three you can find in the cookbook.   

The steakhouse, owned by Tom and Lisa Perini, is a family institution that has 40 years of history from its early days as a chuck wagon operation to now a reservation-only affair. Cowboy cooking and hospitable service are its top attributes, but don’t expect to experience them unless you are willing to travel to the small town of Buffalo Gap, Texas.  

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Alters Jamison who reflects on writing the two cookbooks and shares what it was like getting to know both families in the process. She said hearing their stories was among the most fascinating parts of both collaborations.  

In the episode, she also talks about her travels abroad which involve taking a group of people on culinary tours to explore different foods and cultures the world has to offer.  

More information about the cookbooks and the food tours can be found on Alters Jamison’s website excitedaboutfood.com.

Award-winning author, chef and food lover Cheryl Alters Jamison has published two new cookbooks that feature a Santa Fe landmark and a high-class Texas staple.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The books share some beloved recipes and stories from the Plaza Caf&eacute; and the Perini Ranch Steakhouse.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The caf&eacute;, owned by Leonardo Razatos, has been around for eight decades cooking up American, Greek and Northern New Mexican cuisines. It is known for many dishes including seasonal pumpkin pozole, green chile stew and coconut cream pie &mdash; all three you can find in the cookbook.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The steakhouse, owned by Tom and Lisa Perini, is a family institution that has 40 years of history from its early days as a chuck wagon operation to now a reservation-only affair. Cowboy cooking and hospitable service are its top attributes, but don&rsquo;t expect to experience them unless you are willing to travel to the small town of Buffalo Gap, Texas.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Alters Jamison who reflects on writing the two cookbooks and shares what it was like getting to know both families in the process. She said hearing their stories was among the most fascinating parts of both collaborations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, she also talks about her travels abroad which involve taking a group of people on culinary tours to explore different foods and cultures the world has to offer.&nbsp;&nbsp;
More information about the cookbooks and the food tours can be found on Alters Jamison&rsquo;s website <a href="https://excitedaboutfood.com/">excitedaboutfood.com.</a>

Sen. Ben Ray Luján speaks out against Republicans’ tax bill, President Trump’s latest immigration efforts

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