The feeling of impending doom is an emotion that many Americans have felt since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Not knowing what’s next for the country as this administration carries out a high velocity of policy changes in such a short period of time has left some people’s spirits very low. The worries come as prospects of Democrats retaking Congressional power surge, but is that enough to reassure people?  

As best-selling author and progressive activist Rebecca Solnit puts it in the title of her new book — the beginning comes after the end.  

Solnit, who will be appearing at this year’s Santa Fe International Literary Festival, joins the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez her newly released book The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change.  

According to the book’s summary, Solnit writes about the political and social movements over the last few decades to share how people have responded to change and how the common takeaway from those movements has been to create a new world that embraces community, culture and diversity. It’s advice Solnit says is extremely relevant in today’s political times.  

In the episode, Solnit also talks about the state of our current politics, explains how her essay inspired the term “mansplaining” and what her message for this year’s literary festival — May 15-17 — will be.

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Political conflict between the United States and Venezuela has been an issue for quite some time but within the past year, tensions have been especially high.  

What started off as U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean that were alleged to be transporting drugs transpired into a military operation months later to capture and jail Venezuelan President Nicholás Maduro on narcoterrorism charges. The capture of Maduro came as a surprise to many, especially for retired foreign diplomat Brian Naranjo.  

Naranjo, who served in the U.S. Department of State and at embassies in Venezuela, Canada and Mexico, said he was “utterly horrified” to see Maduro’s capture on the news and warned Maduro’s succesor may usher in his same radical agenda. 

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Naranjo to discuss his views on the U.S.-Venezuela conflicts ahead of his talk at the World Affairs Forum in Santa Fe that runs April 30–May 1. He shares what the conflicts have meant to him as a former official who has experience dealing with these types of relations.  

In the episode, Naranjo also talks about his ties to Northern New Mexico and how his grandfather Emilio Naranjo, known as one of the last political patrónes, inspired him to pursue a life of public service. 

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On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by New Mexico Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla.  

Secretary Padilla joins the podcast to discuss the state’s free summer reading program and how it has correlated to literacy improvements among children — a problem area New Mexico has struggled with for years. Padilla says the initiative is part of a larger goal, championed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, to get kids reading at a proficient level at an early age, so they are set up for future academic success. And this year, free math tutoring is in the works for students as well.  

In the episode, Padilla also shares how parents can best support their kids at home and why keeping them engaged during summer months matters when back-to-school time rolls around in the fall.  

To learn more or register for the free summer reading program, visit literacy.nm.gov

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The downtown public library building in Santa Fe could undergo renovations in the coming years, helping the space meet the modern-day needs of Santa Feans.   

The Pueblo-Spanish style building on Washington Ave., which once housed municipal offices and a fire station, has seen little updating since the library moved into the building in 1986. The city’s Library Division Director Margaret Neill says improvements are long overdue and believes preplanning efforts could get the project moving. 

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Neill to talk about the community feedback process the library is conducting for future building improvements and shares what she’s learned from the public so far.  

In the episode, Inez and Neill also discuss some of the programs and services the library system has to offer and why taking advantage of them is worthwhile.  

If you have suggestions or comments that you want considered for the downtown library project, email them to [email protected] or call 505-955-6786. 

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The missing, murdered, Indigenous people crisis has long plagued Native American communities throughout the country, especially here in the Southwest. According to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, it is estimated that 4,200 reported cases have gone unsolved. The result? It has left many questions unanswered, families with grief and documentarians like Amanda Erickson on a mission to share stories.  

Erickson, a longtime true crime tv producer now director, has decided to shine light on this crisis in her new documentary film titled She Cried That Day. The film focuses on the story of an Arikara, Dakota and Diné woman who died from injuries caused by an alleged domestic dispute in Gallup. It follows the backstory of her case and shows the world how difficult it is to get justice in what Erickson calls an emotional and dark movement.   

Erickson joins the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” to reflect with host Inez Russell Gomez, the years-long production of the film, how her producing background inspired her to tackle this type of project and what’s next as the film makes its way to festivals and small screenings across the state.  

Learn more by visiting shecriedthatday.com 

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Did Texas steal El Paso from New Mexico? Depending on who you ask, the answer is likely straightforward. However, for Blake Gumprecht, an Albuquerque-based writer and longtime geographer who once lived and worked in the borderlands, the answer is a matter of delving into historical records to find the facts.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez talks with Gumprecht about his efforts to find out if Texas did in fact steal El Paso from New Mexico. The two discuss Gumprecht’s findings on this unusual topic and how he used them to write an article published in the Western Historical Quarterly.  

The premise of the article suggests El Paso may not have originally belonged to Texas when it was incorporated into the state because of geographical changes brought by westward expansion. A lack of credible sourcing to corroborate any claims regarding incorporation, especially those of Robert S. Neighbors, is also raised in the article.  

Throughout the episode, Inez and Gumprecht also reflect on the political and cultural significances El Paso has had in Texas and how different it would be today had the Sun City been a part of the Land of Enchantment.  

Check out more of Gumprecht’s work by visiting his website blakegumprecht.wordpress.com 

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Santa Fe has not been short in holding protests since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. The protests have come alongside national No Kings demonstrations, drawing people of all ages to voice concerns over this administration’s actions on immigration, federal layoffs and heightened foreign policy decisions.  

At the end of this month, Santa Feans will return for a third No Kings rally at the Roundhouse that is expected to harp on existing frustrations amid new ones like a war with Iran and transparency over the Epstein files.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by political scholar, professor and activist Heidi Li Feldman, who provides commentary on the upcoming rally and speaks on her expertise in community organizing. 

Throughout the episode, Feldman talks about the historical importance of protest and how it has been a way to coalesce communities in times of dissatisfaction and uncertainty. As an expert in politics, Feldman also delves into the implications that more No Kings rallies across the country could have on the balance of power heading into the November midterm elections.  

Learn more about Feldman’s work by visiting  heidilifeldman.com 

Editor’s note: Heidi Li Feldman participated in this interview in her individual capacity, not in affiliation with anyone responsible for organizing the March 28 No Kings 3 rally in Santa Fe.  

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Former New Mexico poet laureate and author Lauren Camp is getting ready for the release of a new poetry book this spring called Is Is Enough. Published by Texas A&M University Press, the book transmutes the raw emotions from a time in Camp’s life where she was tasked with caring for a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  

The circumstance required her to find balance in a new reality that guaranteed many unknowns. For some, coping with this type of struggle is an unbearable and insurmountable ask. However, for Camp, a poet, processing her feelings meant articulating them on paper and sharing with the world in hopes of finding comfort.  

Camp joins the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different” to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez the creative process behind writing Is Is Enough and explains why it will be a good resource for others experiencing similar grief.  

Throughout the episode, Camp also delves into some of her past work as New Mexico’s poet laureate, which involved traveling the state and listening to peoples' hometown stories. She shares what moments stood out to her most and how they became part of a documentary initiative she founded called the New Mexico Epic Poem Project.  

For more information about the new book and upcoming tour dates, including a stop at Collected Works in Santa Fe, visit laurencamp.com

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New Mexico’s economic potential has yet to be achieved but is on the cusp of something remarkable. That is the sentiment of Meg Whitman, a former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, former CEO and president of eBay and Hewlett-Packard, and now a new resident of the state.  

Whitman’s thoughts, as outlined in an opinion piece published by the Santa Fe New Mexican, contrast with what many perceive as a place that has historically seen slow and stagnant economic growth. The consequence for a lack of growth? Missed opportunities.  

That outcome won’t be the case for long; however, if smart financial investments from the Legislature and the private sector are able to come to fruition, Whitman argues.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez speaks with Whitman about what investments she sees as New Mexico’s path to economic prosperity and the impact they could have on its reputation as a leader for future development.  

In the episode, Whitman also answers questions about her involvement in politics from her involvement in presidential campaigns, a run for California governor and any future political plans. To end the interview on a high note, Whitman addresses a heated question guaranteed to divide many New Mexicans: red or green? 

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Attacks on transgender individuals in our country have been rampant in recent years due to change in our political systems and environments. The issue has stemmed from debates over controversial policies related to transgender individuals in classrooms, bathrooms and sports teams. Not everyone sees eye-to-eye on this topic, including Dr. sj Miller, a Santa Fe-based educator, activist and now author.  

sj joins the latest episode of “Conversations Different” to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez the various challenges that educators are facing in navigating anti-transgender laws implemented by various states. sj also discusses what impact new laws are having in schools and on children. 

A new book by sj, We Refuse to Disappear: Resistance Amid Anti-Trans Education Policy, examines some those laws and provides a helpful roadmap for conversations around gender identity.  

Throughout the episode, Inez and sj delve into the book’s themes and what readers can expect when it launches this year ahead of the midterm elections.  

For more information, visit https://sjmiller.info/ 

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