Today's conversation with Keith Whelpley and Jack Turney touches on recent political developments in the U.S. and what they mean. We take the opportunity to acknowledge what's happening today, and what's at stake for our future in this unfolding presidential campaign. We explore the stability of our fundamental governmental structures, our individual and collective values, and how it all may shape and be shaped by our culture. We ask if culture is "upstream" of our politics, and whether culture informs politics, and/or inversely, do politics inform culture?
Today's conversation with Keith Whelpley exposes and explores underlying mental health, loneliness, and social isolation affecting our culture. On the heels of a presidential candidate being shot at and wounded during a campaign rally, this conversation dips beneath the obvious external manifestations to examine what's brewing just below the surface of the individual and collective American consciousness. Again, we explore how we think, why we think the way we do, and why that matters.
Vivek Murthy US Surgeon General Robert Putnam - Author of 'Bowling Alone' CDC - Youth Mental Health American Psychological Association Suicide in America - Psychiatric Times Project 2025 - ProgressNow New Mexico Today's conversation with Keith Whelpley starts an exploration of Project 2025, a 900-page Heritage Foundation sponsored declaration of a chilling, extremist plan for a Trump presidency's first 180 days. The conversation touches on a number of elements in play today, pointing toward endorsing authoritarianism, fascism, and Theocracy (religion-based government). We touch lightly upon growing influence and collaborations between extreme right MAGA Conservatism, Christian Nationalism, and White Christian Nationalism. Check out the information in the following links and see what it seems like to you. More in coming weeks.
Following a few minutes of technical difficulties, Keith Whelpley and I interview an AI called Pi. With questions on a range of topics, we explore what AI is, how it works, its benefits, its dangers, and more. Fun.
A conversation springboarding from a consideration of the Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's mandate that the 10 Commandments be posted in every public-school classroom in Louisiana. Keith Whelpley, Jack Turney, and Randy Harris launch into a rollicking, fast-paced exploration of religion, politics, and history. With some seriousness and some humor, we explore our current, past and potential future of relationships between religion, government and society. Fun and thought provoking.
LA Governor Jeff Landry - Ten Commandments Today's program is a sweet and revealing stroll through the lives of two young millennial professionals visiting from Portland, Oregon. Brianna Mishler and Mick Harris (son of host Randy Harris) are recently engaged to be married. They share a little bit about the warm and funny process of growing their relationship, and they talk about how they prioritize their time in an increasingly challenging and demanding world. Brianna and Mick, respectively a practicing pediatric nurse and practicing attorney, strive to fulfill their professional objectives, their personal growth and relationship goals, and their social justice and societal responsibilities, in rational, effective and balanced approaches to life. They share about these considerations and their refreshing commitment to learning, having fun, expanding their horizons in art, music, travel, urban food growing and culinary pursuits, while (and here comes the really smart part) honoring soul nurturing time with nature, with one another, with friends, and with family. Perhaps there are lessons in this for some of us "Boomers".
A delightful romp through some of the science of the cosmos with Jason Jackiewicz - NMSU Professor of Astronomy and Head of the NMSU Astronomy Department. We explore some of the science and superstitions about the past, the present, and the future of the Sun in relationship to the Earth, The Milky Way Galaxy, and our universe. We brush up against the newly developing study of "Space Weather". We peek into electro-magnetism, gravity, the mechanics of how the Sun works, solar flares, and photosynthesis; the transformation of photons (sunlight) into life on Earth. We learn about the NASA Hubbel Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. We touch on astronomical study facilities in New Mexico and around the world. Whole lotta' fun !
https://astro.nmsu.edu/ https://sunspot.nmsu.edu/ https://www.solarmonitor.org/ https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/homepage We're joined today by Rob Baur, owner of Toucan Market in Las Cruces and much appreciated underwriter of KTAL-LP programming. Toucan Market is a locally owned and operated grocery store. We start with the cost of food, proceed to minimum wage, and technology as factors in the food industry. The conversation then moves across a wide spectrum of considerations including: Media and Social Media - Extremist Views in American Politics - Impacts on individuals and families - Communicating well with family - and Rob asking in reference to our challenging American discourse - "What are we trying to accomplish?" A fun conversation, and Rob leaves us with the following thoughts:
"Treat ALL People Well - Be Kind". Toucan Market Shahid Mustafa, co-host of KTAL's exclusive "Black English Vernacular" show, brings a conversation that centers on exploring some of the questions around reparations for Black people, as descendants of slaves. While not claiming to have "the answers" Shahid offers some preliminary ideas for models and formulas to determine who might be eligible for compensation, what that compensation might be, and how it might be distributed. A thorny topic that requires not only addressing the economics, but also the ethics that underlie our individual and collective actions.
Insightful human being and author, Genevieve Chavez Mitchell, spends a delightful hour with us today. She gives primary focus to the idea that we can consciously choose the "spirit" we want to bring to our lives and the world around us. While recognizing that our species is facing unprecedented challenges, Genevieve offers encouraging views of the healing and regenerative influence of even small actions. She urges joy, wonder, awe, magic, grace, gratitude, and awareness of our fundamental connectedness with the entirety of the universe. She outlines ideas and practices that can support us all, in ways large and small, as we navigate these simultaneously wondrous and troubling times.
Hers is nurturing counsel: "We're all pilgrims, just walking our way home, together". (GCM) |
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