Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

On the heels of the highly anticipated 2026 midterm elections, local organizers from Indivisible Santa Fe, the group tied to the national “No Kings” political movement, are gearing up to rally for democracy once again but this time things will look a little different.   

The event, which has occurred annually since President Donald Trump took office in 2025, will not have mass protests when it returns to Santa Fe Oct.17. Indivisible Santa Fe Chair Ellen Hill said they will instead be focusing on “civic engagement” and trying to get as many people to the polls as possible.  

She described the event as a “honk and wave” at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail near the Roundhouse. People will still have the chance to gather just not in the event’s normal fashion.  

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Hill and Nico Devitt, an Indivisible member, to preview the October rally and discuss the reason for its change in theme.  

Hill and Devitt also offer their perspectives on the current state of our politics, explaining why people are motivated to vote in this election cycle and are energized to join political organizations like Indivisible.   

To learn more about the group’s local events visit indivisiblesantafe.org  

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New Mexico was the most remote of the Spanish provinces in 1812 when an assembly known as the Cortes de Cádiz was convened to create a constitution for the empire. Don Pedro Bautista Pino was elected to represent New Mexico at the assembly and faced a taxing journey to get there.

Former New Mexico state Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, a descendent of Pino, joins the “Conversations Different” podcast to discuss his new novel Beyond the Edge of the Known World, which offers a fictionalized account of the Don Pedro Bautista Pino’s arduous four-year journey from Santa Fe to Cádiz and back.

Ortiz y Pino discusses what is known about the journey and how he approached writing the historical novel, his first book. He shares what New Mexico was like at the time of the assembly, as well as what things have changed and what has stayed the same since then.

Ortiz y Pino has two upcoming in-person events to promote the book. He will appear at Garcia Street Books in Santa Fe at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. And on Saturday, Oct. 17, he will appear at the Embudo Valley Library in Dixon.

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In front of a live audience at Sky Cinemas in Santa Fe, Democrat Deb Haaland shares her plan for New Mexico as she seeks to win the governor’s seat in the November election.

Haaland, the former U.S. interior secretary and congresswoman, speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican Opinion page editor and “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez in a wide-ranging interview that touches on child welfare, data centers, support for rural parts of the state, affordability issues and more.

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In front of a live audience at Sky Cinemas in Santa Fe, Republican Gregg Hull shares his plan for New Mexico as he seeks to win the governor’s seat in the November election. 

Hull, the former mayor of Rio Rancho, speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican Opinion page editor and “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez in a wide-ranging interview that touches on child welfare, data centers, a push to phase out personal income tax and more.

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Have you ever wondered who’s in charge of maintaining government buildings throughout New Mexico? That would be the General Services Department, currently led by Cabinet Secretary Anna Silva. 

Silva, a native New Mexican and longtime state official, oversees a department with various responsibilities, including assisting other state agencies with procurement, insurance and day-to-day administrative tasks. It’s also responsible for ensuring the buildings those agencies are housed in are maintained so the public can easily access them. 

It may not sound like a difficult job, but it takes skill and sound decision-making to get the work done. 

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Secretary Silva to discuss her department’s efforts to revamp landscaping at state government buildings to improve curb appeal.   

Prior to Silva’s tenure, she said a landscaping plan wasn’t really in place which led to trees and weeds overtaking some buildings. The opportunity to create a sustainable plan, under the direction of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, arose and she’s taken it seriously. She’s selected projects of impact and chosen flora that fit a building’s character.  

The results caught the attention of Russell Gomez, who wanted to learn more about the new process.  

Silva said the work was only possible because it took “a governor with a vision and a secretary with a mission” to make it happen. 

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As our planet continues to experience environmental changes that have brought extreme temperatures and unpredictable conditions, faith leaders are stepping up to offer diplomacy when outside groups seek to extract precious resources.  

Rev. Andrew Black, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe and founder of EarthKeepers 360, is one of those leaders. His decades-long work in conservation has centered on protecting the natural landscape and the many ecosystems that inhabit it through implementation of programs and collaborative efforts.  

While working for former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and later, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Black led coalitions that fought to protect public lands and national monuments, like the Valles Caldera and the Rio Grande del Norte, from irreparable destruction.  

That worked has helped him to now fight for the Arctic.  

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Black to discuss a trip he took with elected officials and other faith leaders to Alaska. The trip highlighted the relationship wildlife has in that region with the environment and why interference would have serious implications.  

In Black’s words, the trip was about “reawakening the moral consciousness of this nation.”  

While the trip’s mission didn’t have any direct ties to New Mexico, Black explains why the lessons learned there could apply here as the state sees a drying Rio Grande and an increase in animals seeking refuge in urban spaces.

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Teachers are often the ones who leave a lasting impact on a child both in and out of the classroom.  

But they’re not alone. Community volunteers also play a special role in a child’s learning, especially early on. They are there helping with activities, being a role model for excellence and demonstrating what it means to have healthy relationships with others.  

Those types of experiences, you won’t find in any lesson plan or textbook— which makes them valuable in today’s world.  

To discuss the importance that volunteers have in Santa Fe Public Schools, Crystal Ybarra, chief engagement officer, and Sabra Romero, volunteer coordinator, join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode.  

Ybarra and Romero talk about the district’s volunteering program that allows community members to get involved and support educators in a variety of areas.  

For students, Romero said the program provides necessary enrichment beyond academics. For teachers, Ybarra said the additional support helps kids be interested in their education amid ongoing challenges with attendance and subject comprehension.   

The two also elaborate on the process to become a volunteer, emphasizing that anyone who is interested should reach out.  

To learn more, visit https://www.sfps.info/page/volunteering-sfps  

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The Burning of Zozobra, which has taken place annually for over 100 years, is a special event that Santa Feans hold dear to their hearts.  

That’s especially true for those who are actually involved in the event like Helene Luna, the Fire Spirit tasked with lighting the 50-foot effigy on fire while dancing in front of the crowd.  

Luna became the fire dancer 30 years ago after being asked by her boss at the time to apply for a role assisting at Zozobra festivities. Without hesitation, she said yes, and her background in ballet eventually led to taking over as fire dancer. 

The opportunity has allowed her to explore her self-expression on a big stage but also serve as the light in people’s personal lives, which can be gloomy at times.  

This year, however, will be her last time as “Mick Jagger,” as she passes the torch to Than Povi Martinez, who will carry it in 2027.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Luna to discuss her time in the spotlight and what it has meant to be a part of such a unique and big cultural experience in Santa Fe.  

In the episode, Luna talks about her decision to retire, shares which performances were her most memorable and explains why she thinks Old Man Gloom has resonated with so many people.  

She ends on a high note telling Russell Gomez her plans to bring all the energy and enthusiasm for this year’s show.  

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For roughly 30 years, the New Mexico Book Association has been a useful resource for authors and their books throughout the state.  

The nonprofit’s work consists of supporting its members in various ways, such as through the editing and marketing process to offering workshops that aim to educate on modern publishing practices.   

President Anna I. Sochocky says their efforts are really about building partnerships and supporting people’s love for literature.  

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Sochocky to delve into what the New Mexico Book Association has to offer. She discusses the organization’s mission, its role in uplifting small authors and efforts to grow membership beyond Santa Fe.  

She also talks about an upcoming summer gala on Aug. 28. that will feature U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze.  

For more information, visit nmbookassociation.org 

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Following the successful release of a new album last year called Memory Mountain, Max Gomez has been busy these days on the road performing across the country.  

The Taos-raised musician is coming home this month; however, for The Desert Companion Tour with Howe Gelb and band Slant Can. The tour will make stops in the trio’s favorite places across the Land of Enchantment and Southwest. Gomez said, “nowhere in New Mexico and Arizona is safe.” 

To discuss the tour and his life on the road, Gomez joins host Inez Russell Gomez, no relation, on the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode.  

Max Gomez shares what it’s been like to perform over the last year, especially with a new album out, and what goes into putting on a good show that will captivate an audience. For him, a good show is important because he often plays solo and acoustic, and in those instances the spotlight can be daunting.  

In the episode, he also discusses plans to make more music and collaborate with other artists in the folk and Americana scene.  

The Desert Companion Tour will include stops in Silver City, Truth or Consequences, Los Alamos, Corrales, Santa Fe and Taos.  

Visit maxgomezmusic.com for dates and tickets. 

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