This Panel is the first in what I hope will be several over the next year to help our communities build bridges of communication with one another on the issues that affect us all, especially our neighbors in the LGBTQ community. There is so much for all of us to come to understand about each other's journey. We can listen and learn without harming each other. This is my hope in this endeavor. 

Patty stopped by the podcast today to discuss Governor Brown's Clemency and Commutation requests of former violent, youthful offenders. There is significant controversy around the manner is which this is being handled by the Governor's office without prior notification to the victims of those seeking Clemency or Commutation.

Mayor VanGordon stopped by the podcast today to give us an update on how things are going in the City and share about the many volunteer opportunities for the Cititizens to participate in. 

Chief Shearer stopped by the podcast today to provide his perspective on how things are going with the Springfield Police Department. Chief Shearer has been on the job for 5 months in our City. He was hired to bring about dynamic, cultural change in the face of all of the challenges at this time in our community. His experience is extensive. This was a great first interview with the new Chief!

Jim stopped by the podcast today to share more of his platform and purpose in running for the Office of the Governor of Oregon. Jim is a husband and father, a decorated veteran US Air Force officer, currently the President and CEO of New Shepherd Films and is an award-winning filmaker and screenwriter. He holds to Doctorates (Engineering Management, Divinity) an M.S. in Engineering and a B.S in Mathematics. He completed post graduate studies in leadership, international relations management, communication, physics, space systems and project management. This is his story.

Keyla stopped by the show the today to share her leadership journey. Born in Northern Mexico in Tamaulipas. She was brought here to the US at the age of 4 by her parents. She grew up in the Rio Grande Vally of South Texas. She also lived in North Carolina with her family as her father was a rancher and farmer. She has her BA in Political Science. She works for Department of Defense in the Department of the Army. She is a Staff Sergeant in the US Army Reserves. She is preparing for deployment to the Middle East at the time of this podcast. This is her story.

Jennifer stopped by the podcast today to share her life's journey up to this point. She is a young Latina born in Eugene and raised here in Springfield. Both of her parents are from Mexico. She is a graduate of Springfield High School. She left here for Texas at the age of 21 to discover the world. She didn't tell her mother until the day she was leaving. She didn't tell her father until two weeks after she left. This is her story.

Tim stopped by the podcast today to share the role of SETA or Springfield-Eugene Tenant Association and their role in the community. This is an endeavor of sincere care and concern for the vulnerable renter population in our local area. This is the story of the organization and their purpose of service in this area of community support.

Maria stopped by the podcast today to share with us her personal leadership journey. Maria was born and raised here in Oregon. Her hometown is in Springfield. She is the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon. It is her hearts desire to serve her beloved Latino community. She states, "She wants to be part of someone else's success story." This is her story.

Nicole stopped by the podcast today to share her leadership journey from small town Minnesota girl to college graduate, wife, moving away to Alaska post college and post 9/11 to find work. Her and her husband left in their car with a tent and $1800 to their name to find work in a new place that the lowest amount of college graduates. It was a strategy that worked on their behalf. First they had to survive a flat tire on a hghway in Canada its wilderness. This is her story.