Advertise on podcast: Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Award-winning author, chef and food lover Cheryl Alters Jamison has published two new cookbooks that feature a Santa Fe landmark and a high-class Texas staple.   The books share some beloved recipes and stories from the Plaza Café and the Perini Ranch Steakhouse.   The café, owned by Leonardo Razatos, has been around for eight decades cooking up American, Greek and Northern New Mexican cuisines. It is known for many dishes including seasonal pumpkin pozole, green chile stew and coconut cream pie — all three you can find in the cookbook.    The steakhouse, owned by Tom and Lisa Perini, is a family institution that has 40 years of history from its early days as a chuck wagon operation to now a reservation-only affair. Cowboy cooking and hospitable service are its top attributes, but don’t expect to experience them unless you are willing to travel to the small town of Buffalo Gap, Texas.   On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Alters Jamison who reflects on writing the two cookbooks and shares what it was like getting to know both families in the process. She said hearing their stories was among the most fascinating parts of both collaborations.   In the episode, she also talks about her travels abroad which involve taking a group of people on culinary tours to explore different foods and cultures the world has to offer.   More information about the cookbooks and the food tours can be found on Alters Jamison’s website excitedaboutfood.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new art exhibition at Vladem Contemporary in Santa Fe is putting Japanese American internment on display to remind people of a dark and painful history.   Machiko Harada, a Santa Fe-based curator who was raised in Japan and moved to the U.S. in 2010, is the artist behind the exhibit, “Reclaiming the Future: The Legacy of Japanese American Incarceration.”   According to Harada, the exhibit focuses on cultural references from both Japan and the United States to depict the challenges of immigration, racism and war. Those themes infused the World War II era as the U.S. and Japan faced off in conflict abroad.  At home, it resulted in internment camps becoming widespread, with the government locking up Japanese Americans without due process.  On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Harada to discuss the inspiration for her exhibit, the historical research that went into it and what she wants people to know as they experience it for the first time.   She also reflects on the importance of art and how it can be used to illustrate important moments involving politics and people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the heels of the highly anticipated 2026 midterm elections, local organizers from Indivisible Santa Fe, the group tied to the national “No Kings” political movement, are gearing up to rally for democracy once again but this time things will look a little different.    The event, which has occurred annually since President Donald Trump took office in 2025, will not have mass protests when it returns to Santa Fe Oct.17. Indivisible Santa Fe Chair Ellen Hill said they will instead be focusing on “civic engagement” and trying to get as many people to the polls as possible.   She described the event as a “honk and wave” at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail near the Roundhouse. People will still have the chance to gather just not in the event’s normal fashion.   On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Hill and Nico Devitt, an Indivisible member, to preview the October rally and discuss the reason for its change in theme.   Hill and Devitt also offer their perspectives on the current state of our politics, explaining why people are motivated to vote in this election cycle and are energized to join political organizations like Indivisible.    To learn more about the group’s local events visit indivisiblesantafe.org   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Mexico was the most remote of the Spanish provinces in 1812 when an assembly known as the Cortes de Cádiz was convened to create a constitution for the empire. Don Pedro Bautista Pino was elected to represent New Mexico at the assembly and faced a taxing journey to get there. Former New Mexico state Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, a descendent of Pino, joins the “Conversations Different” podcast to discuss his new novel Beyond the Edge of the Known World, which offers a fictionalized account of the Don Pedro Bautista Pino’s arduous four-year journey from Santa Fe to Cádiz and back. Ortiz y Pino discusses what is known about the journey and how he approached writing the historical novel, his first book. He shares what New Mexico was like at the time of the assembly, as well as what things have changed and what has stayed the same since then. Ortiz y Pino has two upcoming in-person events to promote the book. He will appear at Garcia Street Books in Santa Fe at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. And on Saturday, Oct. 17, he will appear at the Embudo Valley Library in Dixon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In front of a live audience at Sky Cinemas in Santa Fe, Democrat Deb Haaland shares her plan for New Mexico as she seeks to win the governor’s seat in the November election. Haaland, the former U.S. interior secretary and congresswoman, speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican Opinion page editor and “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez in a wide-ranging interview that touches on child welfare, data centers, support for rural parts of the state, affordability issues and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In front of a live audience at Sky Cinemas in Santa Fe, Republican Gregg Hull shares his plan for New Mexico as he seeks to win the governor’s seat in the November election.  Hull, the former mayor of Rio Rancho, speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican Opinion page editor and “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez in a wide-ranging interview that touches on child welfare, data centers, a push to phase out personal income tax and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wondered who’s in charge of maintaining government buildings throughout New Mexico? That would be the General Services Department, currently led by Cabinet Secretary Anna Silva.  Silva, a native New Mexican and longtime state official, oversees a department with various responsibilities, including assisting other state agencies with procurement, insurance and day-to-day administrative tasks. It’s also responsible for ensuring the buildings those agencies are housed in are maintained so the public can easily access them.  It may not sound like a difficult job, but it takes skill and sound decision-making to get the work done.  On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Secretary Silva to discuss her department’s efforts to revamp landscaping at state government buildings to improve curb appeal.    Prior to Silva’s tenure, she said a landscaping plan wasn’t really in place which led to trees and weeds overtaking some buildings. The opportunity to create a sustainable plan, under the direction of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, arose and she’s taken it seriously. She’s selected projects of impact and chosen flora that fit a building’s character.   The results caught the attention of Russell Gomez, who wanted to learn more about the new process.   Silva said the work was only possible because it took “a governor with a vision and a secretary with a mission” to make it happen.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our planet continues to experience environmental changes that have brought extreme temperatures and unpredictable conditions, faith leaders are stepping up to offer diplomacy when outside groups seek to extract precious resources.   Rev. Andrew Black, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe and founder of EarthKeepers 360, is one of those leaders. His decades-long work in conservation has centered on protecting the natural landscape and the many ecosystems that inhabit it through implementation of programs and collaborative efforts.   While working for former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and later, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Black led coalitions that fought to protect public lands and national monuments, like the Valles Caldera and the Rio Grande del Norte, from irreparable destruction.   That worked has helped him to now fight for the Arctic.   On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Black to discuss a trip he took with elected officials and other faith leaders to Alaska. The trip highlighted the relationship wildlife has in that region with the environment and why interference would have serious implications.   In Black’s words, the trip was about “reawakening the moral consciousness of this nation.”   While the trip’s mission didn’t have any direct ties to New Mexico, Black explains why the lessons learned there could apply here as the state sees a drying Rio Grande and an increase in animals seeking refuge in urban spaces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teachers are often the ones who leave a lasting impact on a child both in and out of the classroom.   But they’re not alone. Community volunteers also play a special role in a child’s learning, especially early on. They are there helping with activities, being a role model for excellence and demonstrating what it means to have healthy relationships with others.   Those types of experiences, you won’t find in any lesson plan or textbook— which makes them valuable in today’s world.   To discuss the importance that volunteers have in Santa Fe Public Schools, Crystal Ybarra, chief engagement officer, and Sabra Romero, volunteer coordinator, join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode.   Ybarra and Romero talk about the district’s volunteering program that allows community members to get involved and support educators in a variety of areas.   For students, Romero said the program provides necessary enrichment beyond academics. For teachers, Ybarra said the additional support helps kids be interested in their education amid ongoing challenges with attendance and subject comprehension.    The two also elaborate on the process to become a volunteer, emphasizing that anyone who is interested should reach out.   To learn more, visit https://www.sfps.info/page/volunteering-sfps   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Burning of Zozobra, which has taken place annually for over 100 years, is a special event that Santa Feans hold dear to their hearts.   That’s especially true for those who are actually involved in the event like Helene Luna, the Fire Spirit tasked with lighting the 50-foot effigy on fire while dancing in front of the crowd.   Luna became the fire dancer 30 years ago after being asked by her boss at the time to apply for a role assisting at Zozobra festivities. Without hesitation, she said yes, and her background in ballet eventually led to taking over as fire dancer.  The opportunity has allowed her to explore her self-expression on a big stage but also serve as the light in people’s personal lives, which can be gloomy at times.   This year, however, will be her last time as “Mick Jagger,” as she passes the torch to Than Povi Martinez, who will carry it in 2027.   On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Luna to discuss her time in the spotlight and what it has meant to be a part of such a unique and big cultural experience in Santa Fe.   In the episode, Luna talks about her decision to retire, shares which performances were her most memorable and explains why she thinks Old Man Gloom has resonated with so many people.   She ends on a high note telling Russell Gomez her plans to bring all the energy and enthusiasm for this year’s show.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For roughly 30 years, the New Mexico Book Association has been a useful resource for authors and their books throughout the state.   The nonprofit’s work consists of supporting its members in various ways, such as through the editing and marketing process to offering workshops that aim to educate on modern publishing practices.    President Anna I. Sochocky says their efforts are really about building partnerships and supporting people’s love for literature.   On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Sochocky to delve into what the New Mexico Book Association has to offer. She discusses the organization’s mission, its role in uplifting small authors and efforts to grow membership beyond Santa Fe.   She also talks about an upcoming summer gala on Aug. 28. that will feature U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze.   For more information, visit nmbookassociation.org  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the successful release of a new album last year called Memory Mountain, Max Gomez has been busy these days on the road performing across the country.   The Taos-raised musician is coming home this month; however, for The Desert Companion Tour with Howe Gelb and band Slant Can. The tour will make stops in the trio’s favorite places across the Land of Enchantment and Southwest. Gomez said, “nowhere in New Mexico and Arizona is safe.”  To discuss the tour and his life on the road, Gomez joins host Inez Russell Gomez, no relation, on the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode.   Max Gomez shares what it’s been like to perform over the last year, especially with a new album out, and what goes into putting on a good show that will captivate an audience. For him, a good show is important because he often plays solo and acoustic, and in those instances the spotlight can be daunting.   In the episode, he also discusses plans to make more music and collaborate with other artists in the folk and Americana scene.   The Desert Companion Tour will include stops in Silver City, Truth or Consequences, Los Alamos, Corrales, Santa Fe and Taos.   Visit maxgomezmusic.com for dates and tickets.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Santa Fe’s John Berkenfield has been a volunteer with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Santa Fe Indian Market for nearly 40 years.   He says it was just yesterday that he joined the association, wanting to be more involved with the local arts community as a fellow art lover. His time volunteering started off by sweeping sidewalks and selling soft drinks on the Plaza to now helping with event production and helping on Friday with the preview, including judging.   The experience has taught Berkenfield a lot about Native artists who come from around the world to participate in the market — and have their lives changed. He argues that listening to their stories and seeing their creativity on full display has been eye-opening.    On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Berkenfield to discuss his years of volunteering with Indian Market. The two delve into what exactly the market entails, how winning best in show can make a career and the highlights of attending this world-class event.     In the episode, Berkenfield also speaks on the behind-the-scenes collaboration with other volunteers and partners to put on the market.   This year’s market runs Aug. 15-16. Visit swaia.org for more information.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The newspaper industry isn’t what it used to be.   Over the last decade, publications across the country and here in New Mexico have declined, facing inevitable closures because of financial woes and corporate and private interests mandating restructures.   According to the Medill School’s 2025 State of Local News report, more than two newspapers closed per week last year, adding to what’s called a “news desert.” The term describes a lack of news coverage in communities where there is little to no media presence. The long-term effects are wide from disengaged citizens to unchecked local governments.    Organizations have started digital outlets to help fill those coverage gaps amid a changing consumer landscape. The Santa Fe New Mexican, a 176-year-old newspaper, is about to do the same in one of those markets.   On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Executive Editor Bill Church to discuss the paper’s bold expansion to Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico. The two discuss why the move is justified for the family-owned company and what new and longtime readers can expect.   In the episode, Church talks about efforts to create a robust publication that will have professional journalists staffed in that part of the state to cover key issues. Julia Gentin is among the first reporters to be hired.   Russell Gomez also asks Church about The New Mexican’s own digital growth and products which he says has helped attract a broader state-wide audience.   More information about the new outlet, including an official name, will be released soon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are on social media, particularly Facebook and TikTok, you may have come across Nité Marquez’s cooking videos. The Taos-based chef uses those platforms to share his passion for cooking, which has drawn thousands of views and followers along the way.   On his pages, you’ll find tutorials on how to make a variety of authentic New Mexican dishes from stacked red chile enchiladas to classic desserts like natillas. The tutorials have helped people connect with their culture while remembering times when their own family members made these same recipes.    On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Marquez to talk about his journey as a chef. Marquez discusses the people and circumstances that brought him into the kitchen at just 5-years-old and explains how those memories unknowingly trained him for the profession.   Before going viral on social media, Marquez was a full-time chef, working in restaurants such as Lambert’s, The Stakeout and El Monte Sagrado. He reflects on those experiences and what it was like working for some of Taos’ esteemed eateries. He became an educator, and his students suggested taking to TikTok — and he took off.  In the episode, he also talks about the significance of preserving cultural recipes, especially for future generations. One way he hopes to do his part is by releasing a series of cookbooks showcasing his recipes. The first edition is in production and will be released soon. More information will be announced on his platforms at a later date.   Follow his cooking on social media at Nité Marquez or Chef Nité Marquez.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.