Vaccination guidance for children at the federal level is changing under new directives from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and with it comes much confusion about the number of vaccines now being recommended for kids as well as which ones will still be easily accessible.  

In New Mexico, the state Department of Health recently made clear that it intends to follow the vaccine schedule provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics despite the new federal recommendations under Kennedy.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez speaks with state health department officials Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer, and Andrea Romero, manager of the immunization program, about New Mexico’s decision to maintain a full robust vaccination schedule for children.  

Durham and Romero discuss what they want the public to know about access to vaccines in our state, clarify any skepticism that parents may have about effectiveness and talk about available resources to make the right health decisions for your family.  

One of the resources Durham and Romero note in this episode is the NMDOH helpline where health professionals are available to answer your medical questions. The number is 1-833-796-8773

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez talks with author, historian and podcaster Dan Flores about the new edition of his New York Times best-selling book Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History.  

The book, according to its summary, highlights the biological backstory of the coyote and explores how its existence throughout time has been to survive among other animals, cultures and even human efforts to eradicate it. Flores said the rerelease includes more information about coyote migration and how they are rapidly expanding into South America.  

Throughout the episode, Inez and Dan also discuss his telling of Western U.S. history on his own podcast called The American West, hosted on the MeatEater Podcast Network. The podcast focuses on wildlife, landscapes and influential historical figures of the West. It’s an overall thought-provoking listening experience worth checking out.  

Flores closes off this podcast with a reflection of what brought him to New Mexico as well as what it’s like to write and discuss new works for publication in today’s political climate. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue, based out of the Farmington area, has been around for nearly five years helping New Mexico families in their most desperate times in trying to locate reported missing individuals especially those classified as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.  

The mission of the nonprofit according to its website is to provide relief and compassion during the agonizing trauma of having to locate a missing loved one. The organization has also taken on the task of performing outreach efforts with communities and officials to streamline search processes that could potentially lead to better outcomes in some missing person cases.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez talks with 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue Executive Director Bernadine Beyale about her backstory into starting the nonprofit and what it means to have a useful resource readily available in our state. She also shares some useful search and rescue tips that people might not be aware of when reporting a missing person.  

For more information about 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue visit 4ck9sar.org  

Consider supporting their fundraiser on Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Santa Fe Women’s Club. The short film Gomeo Bobelu - Lightning Unveiled produced by Jaima Chevalier will be screened with Beyale discussing her rescue dogs’ work on tribal lands.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected]  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and storyteller Joe Hayes has been traveling the country for more than 40 years to share the stories of the Southwest. As an established author, he has published over 25 books and was also a resident storyteller at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe for 39 years.  

In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez revisits this previously aired interview with Hayes that highlights how he made a career out of being a storyteller, what influences inspired his style of narration and why he feels it’s important to tell stories in both Spanish and English as somebody who was raised in a border town in Arizona.  

Hayes closes the episode by telling the story of The Wise Little Burro, a treat for listeners and viewers ahead of Christmas celebrations.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.