Living Under New Mexico Skies | ft. Ciara Contreras, Intake Director at Parnall LawMeet Ciara Contreras, pro-am snowboarder, rescue dog mom, and the woman behind the first voice you hear at Parnall Law. Ciara shares her unexpected journey to becoming Intake Director and what it really means to show up for people in their most vulnerable moments.

In this episode of Living Under New Mexico Skies, brought to you by Parnall Law, we meet Gene Cunningham, attorney at Parnall Law and lifelong gamer.

Gene grew up on the Central Coast of Florida, earned a full scholarship to Indiana University Law School, and spent time fighting to protect children from neglect and abuse before finding his home at Parnall Law. He is also someone who has played tens of thousands of Magic the Gathering cards, built rockets in Kerbal Space Program, and will happily do orbital mechanics math by hand just for fun.

As it turns out, all of that gaming is not just a hobby. Gene uses physics equations to prove fault in collision cases, approaches every case like a pyramid of problem solving, and brings the same strategic teamwork mindset from online squad gaming into his work as an attorney.

We also talk road safety, dash cams, the future of personal injury law, and what Gene would be doing if he were not an attorney. Stick around for that one.

In this episode of Living Under New Mexico Skies, Chris sits down with CJ Rodden, Director of Marketing Relations at Parnall Law, to talk about his lifelong passion for motorcycles, his role in connecting with communities across New Mexico, and the importance of protecting riders on our roads.You'll learn:🏍️ What makes New Mexico's motorcycle community so unique🏍️ The biggest dangers motorcyclists face on our roads🏍️ What to do if you're involved in a motorcycle crash and why it is so important to have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverageWhether you're a lifelong rider, new to motorcycles, or simply interested in the people who make New Mexico special, this episode is full of valuable insights, real stories, and practical safety advice.

In this episode of Living Under New Mexico Skies, brought to you by Parnall Law, we meet Kate Sorrell, Middle Rio Grande Conservation Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps.

Kate did not grow up outdoorsy. She spent years working coffee shops and breweries around Albuquerque before one winter she stumbled across a trail crew position in Oregon, showed up with no tent and ten days of backpacking food, and discovered a whole new world. Since then she has led chainsaw crews in Oregon and Montana, built and restored trails across New Mexico, and now mentors young adults who are finding themselves through hard work in the outdoors.

We talk wildfire mitigation, stream restoration, wilderness crosscut saws, what it actually takes to build a trail, and why Kate believes that putting a group of strangers through brutal days outside together might be one of the most powerful things you can do for a young person.

In this episode of Living Under New Mexico Skies, brought to you by Parnall Law, we meet Jim Guthrie, entrepreneur, IndyCar racer, and founder of Car Crafters, one of New Mexico's most recognized automotive brands.

We recorded this one right in Guthrie's garage, surrounded by a stunning private collection of classic and race cars, including the Indianapolis IRL race car Jim drove himself.

Jim's story is one of those that makes you want to go build something. It starts with a kid fixing neighbors' cars in his parents' garage, an ultimatum from mom and dad, and a lease signed on January 2nd, 1982. What followed was four decades of business, racing, restoring, and giving back.

We talk Car Crafters, the Indianapolis 500, battling Tony Stewart on the track, Ironman triathlons, drag boat racing, building software that Progressive still uses today, and why Jim has never really stopped competing at anything.

If you love cars, competition, entrepreneurship or New Mexico, this one is for you.

In this episode of Living Under New Mexico Skies, brought to you by Parnall Law, we sit down with Bert Parnall, founder and CEO of Parnall Law Firm in New Mexico.

Bert is a personal injury attorney and former senior trial prosecutor, but this conversation goes well beyond the courtroom. We talk about growing up on the dirt roads outside Albuquerque, living through a revolution in Ethiopia and bread riots in Tunisia, and what those experiences taught him about the value of home.

Bert shares the philosophy behind his firm's Five T's, Team, Talent, Truth, Tenacity and Triumph, why he almost went to India to become a yoga teacher, and what he believes is the single biggest challenge facing Albuquerque today: belief.

This one is thoughtful, wide ranging and genuinely inspiring.

In this episode of Living Under New Mexico Skies, brought to you by Parnall Law, we meet Troy Rivas, winner of the Robert Goulet Memorial Mustache American of the Year Award and the heart behind Albuquerque's Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR).

Troy opens up about why men's health, both physical and mental, is so often ignored and how a worldwide motorcycle event is changing that. Did you know a third of all males will get prostate cancer in their lifetime? Troy did, and he's doing something about it.

We talk about the Movember movement, the freedom of riding two wheels dressed to the nines, last year's record breaking 215 riders and $20,000 raised locally, and what's coming in 2026 including a Route 66 Centennial route right through the heart of Albuquerque.

Whether you ride or not, this one's worth a listen.

🗓️ May 17th | gentlemansride.com

Attorney Una Campbell Guevara shares her journey from art and international studies to becoming a dedicated advocate for injured New Mexicans at Parnall Law.

In this episode, we explore how her background in Spanish language and cultural immersion shapes her connection with clients, especially within New Mexico’s Spanish-speaking community. Una also breaks down key legal insights, including common insurance pitfalls and what people need to know after an accident.

A powerful conversation about culture, purpose, and fighting for justice under New Mexico skies.

In this episode of Living Under New Mexico Skies, brought to you by Parnall Law, we meet Michael Gonzales - owner of Cafe Bella and New Mexico Motor Events.

Michael grew up as a "Boeing Baby" in Seattle during the height of the craft coffee boom. When he returned to New Mexico and couldn't find a quality cup anywhere close to home, he did what any passionate food and beverage veteran would do, he opened his own café. What followed was a micro-roasted coffee concept built on community, scratch-made food, and a love of cars that eventually grew into one of New Mexico's most active automotive event series.

We talk Seattle coffee culture, custom hot rods, Friday night Tacos & Rides, giving back through food drives, and the big one, NM Motor Fest 2026, happening April 18th at Expo New Mexico to celebrate Route 66's 100th anniversary.

If you love local, cars, coffee, or community - this one's for you.

🗓️ NM Motor Fest - April 18th | Expo New Mexico | 12–5 PM

Part 2 is here! 🎙️ We're back with Chris Losack, fan-turned-owner of Astro Zombies, Albuquerque's legendary comic book shop. Chris talks about the manga boom, building a community space where everyone belongs, and why carrying local artists and bands is close to his heart. This one's fun, real, and full of love for New Mexico. Hit play! 🤘

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