Dr. Doug Lisle is a clinical psychologist and author of The Pleasure Trap. His work suggests increasing consumption of whole starches and reducing high-fat animal food products are key to successful, healthy diets. Lisle explains that whole starches like potatoes, rice, oats, and beans are the bedrock of human civilization. However, the prevalence of high-calorie foods makes it difficult to consume items consistent with human natural history.

Lisle says, "Human beings, if they eat a diet consistent with their natural history, they will be fit, they will be thin, they will be as beautiful or handsome as they can be."

Dr. Lisle will speak at this year's "Food is Medicine" seminar th... Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS

The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is a sanctioned rodeo of the Working Ranch Cowboy Association and Foundation. Mark Bukowski, vice president of the organization, explains all proceeds from the twenty-four rodeos that take place throughout the year help working ranchers. Bukowski says, "A lot of ranch cowboys have no insurance or very little insurance. So if they get injured on the job or they have a problem with a child or their wife or what have you, we step in and we help them out financially." The organization also provides a scholarship program for children of ranch workers.

Unlike other rodeos, the sanctioned WRCA events feature ranch workers who compete in specific events like cuttin... Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

On tonight's West Texas Talk we hear from democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke. Since 2013 he’s represented the state’s 16th congressional district in his hometown of El Paso, Texas. And earlier this year, he announced his bid to challenge Ted Cruz for the U.S. Senate in 2018. Hosted by for KRTS

On this West Texas Talk, a conversation with Ross Gay, author and current Lannan writer-in-residence.

Gay is the author of three books: Against Which, Bringing the Shovel Down, and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude — winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award - Catalog was also a finalist for the 2015 National Book Award in Poetry, the Ohioana Book Award, the Balcones Poetry Prize, the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award, and it was nominated for an NAACP Image Award..

He's also a founding board member of the Bloomington Community Orchard, a non-profit, free-fruit-for-all food justice and joy project, and has received fellowships from ... Hosted by for KRTS

On this edition of West Texas Talk, Jackson sits down with Craig Hawker, a solar energy consultant with Austin-based freedom Solar Power, to discuss the benefits of solar, the installation process, and how the general upkeep of solar panels is easier than many imagine.

In collaboration with the Judd Foundation, Marfa Solar System and Ballroom Marfa, Craig will be speaking tomorrow (8/4) evening about the benefits of renewable energy, regional solar rebates, and solar power technology in the Ballroom courtyard.

The event starts at 6 pm and is open to the public.

*It is mentioned by the interviewee that Freedom Solar is the first company to make solar available in the region - thi... Hosted by Jackson Wisdorf for KRTS

On this West Texas Talk, a conversation with Austin singer-songwriter Gina Chavez. In 2015, Chavez was named Austin Musician of the Year. She also founded Niñas Arriba, a scholarship fund for Salvadoran women.

As a cultural ambassador for the U.S. State Department, Chavez has traveled around the world playing music and learning about different cultures and their musical traditions. Many of Chavez' travels have served as inspiration for her music. Hosted by Elizabeth Trovall for KRTS

Malissa Arras, executive director of the Texas Trost Society, discusses architect Henry Trost's legacy in the American Southwest and its importance to El Paso. The organization's mission is to promote Trost's work and educate the public about the architectural patrimony of the region.

In the Big Bend, Trost designed The Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Gage Hotel in Marathon, Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, and The Holland Hotel in Alpine.

The Trost Society will be in Marathon on Saturday, August 5 for The Gage Hotel's 90th Anniversary Celebration. Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

Nguyen talks to Donna Marie Miller, author of The Broken Spoke: Austin’s Legendary Honky-Tonk, and owner of the famed institution, James White.

James White opened The Broken Spoke over fifty years ago in 1964. Since then, famous country artists like Willie Nelon, Dolly Parton, Bob Wills, and Kris Kristofferson have performed at the venue. The socialization of cowboys and hippies at the establishment played part in the rise of the "progressive country" movement in the seventies. White says that The Broken Spoke has been copied in other cities around the country, but there just aren't any other honky-tonks quite like this. Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS

On this episode of West Texas Talk, Diana Nguyen talks with Sara Galbiati, Peter Helles Eriksen and Tobias Selnaes Markussen. They’re members of the Denmark-based collective, Phenomena, which takes an anthropological approach to studying the modern idea of extraterrestrials and UFOs. They spent three years traveling through the southwestern region of the United States, investigating and documenting believers. Their work is compiled in a book, titled Phenomena. Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS

On this West Texas Talk, a conversation with Paul Allen Hunton - General Manager of Texas Tech Public Media and three-time regional Emmy winner for his nonfiction film work.

Hunton is also DP of the short documentary film, There Will Be No Bad Talk or Loud Talk in This Place.

The film, which premiered at the 2017 Marfa Film Festival, follows legendary Texas figure C.B. 'Stubb' Stubblefield and artist Paul Milosevich on their travels from Lubbock to Nashville to cook BBQ for Johnny Cash.

The 8mm footage, which makes up a majority of the film, was shot by Stubb and Milosevich on a camera purchased before embarking on their journey, and hasn't been seen by the general public un... Hosted by Jackson Wisdorf for KRTS