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

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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. 

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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. 

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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

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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 

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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.  

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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 

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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