Shows
What's Your Why?Grizzlies, Paramedics, and the Power of Storytelling with Kevin GrangeWriting is an act of celebration. In all my books, I’m celebrating something—whether it’s grizzly bears, the Himalayas, or the paramedic experience – Kevin GrangeJoin host Emy Digrappa on Winds of Change as she sits down with award-winning author, paramedic, and firefighter Kevin Grange. In this episode, Kevin shares his journey from the landscapes of New Hampshire to the adrenaline-filled streets of Los Angeles as a paramedic—and how these experiences shaped his storytelling.His latest book, Grizzly Confidential, where Kevin explores the hidden world of grizzly bears, challenging myths and reveal...
2025-06-0430 min
What's Your Why?Myths of the American West: A Conversation with Historian Betsy Gaines QuammenThe cowboy myth isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a symbol of independence that still defines Western identity, for better or worse. – Betsy Gaines QuammenJoin host Emy Digrappa on What's Your Why? The Author's Journey as she sits down with historian and writer Betsy Gaines Quammen, author of True West: Myth and Mending on the Far Side of America. In this episode, Betsy discusses the myths and misconceptions surrounding the American West—from Hollywood’s romanticized cowboys to the modern-day influx of newcomers seeking their own slice of wilderness.Growing up in Ohio but mak...
2025-05-2839 min
What's Your Why?🎙 From Frat House to Feature Film: Max Marshall’s Wild Journey Through Crime, Culture & EDM“It wasn’t just a drug story—it was about memory loss, collective blackouts, and how privilege lets some people escape consequences entirely.”— Max Marshall on the themes behind Among the BrosIn this episode of What’s Your Why? The Author’s Journey, host Emy DiGrappa sits down with investigative journalist and debut author Max Marshall, whose breakout book Among the Bros explores fraternity life, drug trafficking, and the shadowy systems of privilege on American campuses. Max opens up about turning his true-crime exposé into a feature film for Sony, his brush with organized crime...
2025-05-2139 min
What's Your Why?Writing Between Worlds: Rebecca Balcárcel on Heritage, Identity, and Middle Grade Magic“You can actually be whole only if you have both sides of yourself included in your identity.” Rebecca BalcárcelIn this episode of What's Your Why?, host Emy Digrappa sits down with Guatemalan Anglo-American author and poet Rebecca Balcárcel, acclaimed for The Other Half of Happy and Shine On, Luz Véliz!. Rebecca shares her inspiring journey from avid young reader to award-winning middle grade author, weaving in stories of family, identity, and the complexities of growing up bicultural. From raising identical twins to discovering a half-sister in Guatemala, Rebecca opens up about...
2025-05-1430 min
What's Your Why?Writing the West: A Literary Life with Tracy DaughertyYou can’t wait for inspiration. You have to develop a habit. Even when you don’t feel like writing, you show up—and the mind begins to wake up. – Tracy DaughertyIn this episode of What’s Your Why?, host Emy DiGrappa welcomes acclaimed author and biographer Tracy Daugherty for a deep and thoughtful conversation about the craft of writing, the influence of landscape, and the shaping power of culture. From his West Texas upbringing to his literary inspirations like Larry McMurtry and Joan Didion, Tracy shares his journey into storytelling, his disciplined writing habits, an...
2025-04-3043 min
What's Your Why?From Family Trauma to Advocacy: An Intimate Portrait of Living with Mental Illness: Meg KissingerThere's two kinds of families, those with mental illness and those who don't have mental illness yet. - Thomas Insel Are you seeking to overcome stigma and family trauma associated with mental illness? Join Emy Digrappa on What’s Your Why? podcast as she shares a compelling conversation with Meg Kissinger, where they explore managing mental illness and overcoming stigma and family trauma. Gain a new perspective and increased awareness. It's time to uncover the solution to achieving a better understanding of mental illness. Award-winning journalist Meg Kissinger reveals how her family was besieged by mental illness in...
2024-10-1039 min
What's Your Why?The High Price of Free Land: Reckoning with the Impact of Homesteading"How do we move forward? How do we hold the past in all its complexity and move forward?" - Rebecca Clarren "I think we're all here to be a good ancestor. How do we not create mess for our children and grandchildren to inherit?" - Judge Abby Abenanti (Yurok Tribal member) Emy Digrappa interviews the interesting and sometimes surprising journey of Rebecca Clarren, a journalist investigating the hidden history of her Jewish ancestors' land in South Dakota and its impact on the Lakota people. Uncover the unexpected connection between homesteading, cultural reparation, and the untold...
2024-05-0958 min
What's Your Why?The Self-Determination Of Prince And His Audio Engineer: The Susan Rogers Story"You can move mountains when you're happy and you're motivated and you're getting rewarded for your actions." – Susan Rogers In this episode of "What's Your Why?" hosted by Emy Digrappa, you'll dive into the captivating journey of Susan Rogers, a former record producer renowned for her work with music icon Prince. Susan shares her transition from the music industry to pursuing a doctoral degree in behavioral neuroscience, emphasizing the transformative power of passion and continuous learning. She reflects on her experiences working closely with Prince, shedding light on his private nature and the challenges of superstardom. Susan's de...
2024-03-0737 min
What's Your Why?Tanner Dunn: Overcoming Challenges and Pursuing Artistic Dreams“Just treat people the same way you treat anyone else. Don't just assume something about someone and just truly see them for what they can become.” - Tanner Dunn In this episode of What's Your Why? hosted by Emy Digrappa, our guest Tanner Dunn, a photographer and musician with autism, shares his journey from capturing nature's beauty to aspiring to be part of his first ever photography art exhibit. Tanner's determination to achieve his artistic aspirations while emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with respect and empathy makes this an episode of true inspiration and finding your path...
2023-12-1417 min
Winds Of ChangeThe Power of Theater: Inspiring Civic Engagement with Anne Mason"Theater is not just about making fun things with like-minded people; it's about challenging ourselves to witness other perspectives and celebrate the shared qualities of humanity." - Anne Mason Discover the power of theater to ignite dialogue and inspire change! In this episode of Winds of Change, hosted by Emy DiGrappa, you'll get to hear from Anne Mason, the producing artistic director of Relative Theatrics in Laramie, Wyoming. Anne and Emy dive into the power of theater as a platform for dialogue and civic engagement. They discuss how Relative Theatrics uses thought-provoking plays to stimulate deep reflection...
2023-10-2727 minWinds Of ChangeThe Power of Theater: Inspiring Civic Engagement with Anne Mason"Theater is not just about making fun things with like-minded people; it's about challenging ourselves to witness other perspectives and celebrate the shared qualities of humanity." - Anne Mason Discover the power of theater to ignite dialogue and inspire change! In this episode of Winds of Change, hosted by Emy DiGrappa, you'll get to hear from Anne Mason, the producing artistic director of Relative Theatrics in Laramie, Wyoming. Anne and Emy dive into the power of theater as a platform for dialogue and civic engagement. They discuss how Relative Theatrics uses thought-provoking plays to stimulate deep reflection...
2023-10-2727 min
What's Your Why?The Power of Unity: Ashleigh Chapman's Call to Action Against Human TraffickingIt's the worst evil on the planet. It's the worst kind of exploitation of the vulnerable populations, and it's everywhere. - Ashleigh Chapman Welcome, Ashleigh Chapman, a truly remarkable advocate in the fight against human trafficking. Ashleigh’s journey began as a child, providing a safe haven to three abused children, which sparked a lifetime dedication to the cause. She has since tirelessly worked to institute change, earning her recognition from USA Today as one of their Women of the Year in 2022. As a human rights lawyer and founder of the Alliance for Freedom, Restoration and Justice, As...
2023-09-2124 min
Winds Of ChangeThe Women's Wilderness Adventure: Documenting Wyoming's Wild Horses with Katherine, Caroline, and LouisaThree women set out on a 30-day journey through Wyoming to explore the world of wild mustangs. What started as a simple curiosity transformed into an educational quest that left them awed and challenged. But that wasn't the only twist in their story. As they rode through the rugged terrain, they encountered a situation that would change everything. Their upcoming documentary aims to shed light on this unexpected turn, inspiring conversations about the complexities surrounding wild horses. What did they encounter? You'll have to watch to find out. In this episode, you will be able to:
2023-06-2229 minWinds Of ChangeThe Women's Wilderness Adventure: Documenting Wyoming's Wild Horses with Katherine, Caroline, and LouisaThree women set out on a 30-day journey through Wyoming to explore the world of wild mustangs. What started as a simple curiosity transformed into an educational quest that left them awed and challenged. But that wasn't the only twist in their story. As they rode through the rugged terrain, they encountered a situation that would change everything. Their upcoming documentary aims to shed light on this unexpected turn, inspiring conversations about the complexities surrounding wild horses. What did they encounter? You'll have to watch to find out. In this episode, you will be able to:
2023-06-2229 min
What's Your Why?Kealoha: National Poetry Slam LegendApril is National Poetry Month We celebrate and promote the art of poetry and storytelling. We recognize the place and possibilities that poets and poetry have in civic life, including helping communities address issues of importance. Kealoha is the first Poet Laureate of Hawaiʻi. As an internationally acclaimed poet and storyteller, he has performed throughout the world -- from the White House to the ʻIolani Palace, from Brazil to Switzerland. He is the first poet in Hawaiʻi's history to perform at a governor's inauguration, was selected as a master artist for a National Endowment for the Arts program, was name...
2023-04-1217 min
What's Your Why?Bonnie Wan: What Do You Really Want?Do you know what you truly want from your life? “You can’t have it all but you can have what matters.” Bonnie Wan That’s her motto and mantra. In her interview she talks about where she grew up, her journey and her inspiration. As the creator of “The Life Brief,” Bonnie Wan has crafted a strategy for helping everyday people live with greater clarity, creativity, and courage. “The Life Brief” has grown from an agency talk into a workbook, keynote talks and workshops. Wan has shared her work in a Masterclass on Adve...
2023-03-2248 min
What's Your Why?Mat Hames: Life In The LensMat Hames is an Emmy winning Executive Producer and Director, known for his two feature length Independent Lens documentaries What Was Ours and When I Rise (both available on Prime video), as well as award winning documentary series including Power Trip: The Story of Energy (Prime Video, PBS, AppleTV). Mat is currently directing A State of Mind for Wyoming PBS, a series focused on mental health issues for Americans living in the mountain west. What Was Ours, filmed on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming over a period of several years, was recently featured on HBO’s This Week Tonight...
2023-03-0834 min
What's Your Why?Tori Murden McClure: First Woman To Row Solo Across The Atlantic OceanTori Murden McClure is no stranger to trail blazing. Tori Murden McClure is the President of Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. Tori may be best known as the first woman and first American to row solo and unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean. Also she was the first woman and first American to travel over land to the geographic South Pole skiing 750-miles from the ice-shelf to the pole. Tori has worked as chaplain of Boston City Hospital, as policy assistant to the Mayor of Louisville, director of a shelter for homeless women, and has worked with the b...
2023-02-1533 min
What's Your Why?Celebrating Black History Month with Gigi JasperDr. Gigi Jasper is a retired English teacher living in Rock Springs, Wyoming. In this episode, you'll hear about why Gigi moved to Wyoming, her career as a public school teacher, and her experience with discrimination as an African American woman living in rural Wyoming. Her inspiration, guidance, and resilience as she taught and mentored young people throughout her teaching career, and through that inspiration, she helped young people find tools and paths for their own lives. “And I was told by whoever it was, "We don't hire women." And he was saying th...
2023-02-0225 min
What's Your Why?Danielle Allen: Teaching Empowerment, Leading ChangeI want to give a warm welcome to Danielle Allen. Danielle's work to improve the world for the youth has taken her from intructing college classes to the helm of a $6 billion foundation, writing as a national opinion columnist, democracy, reform, civic education, and most recently running for governer of Massachusetts. She made history as the first black woman to ever run for statewide office in the state. As well as being the 2020 winner of the library of congress Kluge prize, recieved for her internationally recognized scholarship and political theory and her commitment to improving democratic practice and civics...
2023-01-1925 min
What's Your Why?Wyoming Women To Watch: Artist Bronwyn MintonBronwyn Minton is a multi-disciplinary artist, curator, and arts leader living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Minton holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. She is the recipient of the Wyoming Governor’s Arts Award, two Wyoming Arts Council Visual Arts Fellowships, a Wyoming Arts Council Visual Arts Fellowship Honorable mention, and the Cultural Council of Jackson Hole’s Creative Pulse Award. Minton’s work has been shown nationally and internationally, and is in public and private collections. Minton works with notions related to human interaction in the nat...
2023-01-0433 min
What's Your Why?Wyoming Women to Watch: Artist Katy Ann FoxKaty Ann Fox wanders through the West witnessing windblown mountains and sunlight to gather emotion and imagery for her landscape paintings. Her oil paintings host a feeling of peace and respect for her subject as she focuses on texture and color harmony. She grew up in north central Idaho, moved to San Francisco, California for her Masters in Fine Art degree at the Academy of Art University and now makes her art at the foot of the Teton Mountain Range. In addition to painting, she does woodblock printing and hand thrown pottery and some sewing. Katy majored in bus...
2022-12-1419 min
What's Your Why?Wyoming Women To Watch: Artist Sarah OregonSarah Ortegon is an enrolled Eastern Shoshone and also is Northern Arapaho. She is number 10 in a family of 12 kids. In 2013 she graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art with a concentration in drawing. In August of 2013 Sarah was crowned Miss Native American, USA. Soon after, Ortegon started touring with the Native Pride Dancers, traveling and performing the jingle dress dance in the US and also in Moldova, Europe and Guatemala. In March of 2020 before the pandemic hit, Ortegon was able to perform in Times Square, NY and dance alo...
2022-11-3024 min
What's Your Why?Wyoming Women To Watch: Artist Jennifer Rife"They each have a different perspective. They each in their own way... And I can say this just based on how I've heard them talk about this and from what I think you'll see in this wonderful video about this project that we have made, each of our five artists is so profoundly connected to the land of Wyoming as their raison d'etre for doing what they do. I think so much of their vision and their work is embedded in the fact that they are connected with Wyoming." - Lisa Fleishman Jennifer Rife is right at...
2022-11-1624 min
What's Your Why?Wyoming Women to Watch: Artist Leah HardyLeah Hardy, an amazing artist, is 1 of 5 Wyoming artists selected for Women To Watch. The 2024 exhibit is the National Museum of Women in the Art's biennial exhibition series that features underrepresented and emerging women artists who create in any medium including, but not limited to, painting, sculpture, print, drawing, photography, film, digital, installation, and sound. Wyoming will participate for the first time in NMWA’s Women to Watch exhibition, held in Washington, DC in 2024. Hardy is 1 of 5 artists chosen from across Wyoming to be invited to submit their work. But only one will be chosen to be on...
2022-10-2636 min
What's Your Why?Juan Martinez: Spirit of Conservation Award Recipient & Founder of Fresh TracksJuan Martinez received the 2022 Rising Leader Award given to outstanding young professionals in the field of conservation. He received his award alongside famed ethologist and global conservation icon Dr. Jane Goodall whose life work demonstrates a commitment to conservation, civility and community. Presented by Teton Science Schools, The Murie Spirit of Conservation Awards is a celebration of conservation leadership and honors individuals who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the protection of wildlife and wild places. Previous Murie Spirit awardees include Rose Marcario, Robert Stanton, Jimmy Chin, Bert Raynes, Sally Jewell, Harrison Ford, John Turner, Addie Donnan, Luther Propst, Geo...
2022-10-1223 min
What's Your Why?Patricia McInroy: The Storytelling Art of FIlmmakingPatricia McInroy, a filmmaker, is a former photojournalist who grew up in Wyoming and graduated from Casper College in 1989. After graduating from the University of Missouri, she returned to Wyoming to work as a photographer for the Casper Star-Tribune in the 1990s. After more than 10 years in the newspaper business, she went back to school to earn an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. To date, Patricia has screened her video work in more than 30 film festivals across the United States, Europe, and Latin America. In 2017, her documentary, Clara: Angel of the Rockies aired nationally on Public Broadcasting...
2022-08-3123 min
What's Your Why?Travis Helms: Poetry, Spirituality, & ConversationTravis Helms is the author of Blowing Clover, Falling Rain: A Theological Commentary On The Poetic Canon Of The ‘American Religion’ (Wipf & Stock). His poetry and prose has been published, or is forthcoming, in Image Journal, Poetry Northwest, Slushpile, New Haven Review, The Austin American-Statesman, North American Review, and Book 2.0 among other venues. He was the inaugural William W. Cook Frost Place Fellow, runner-up for the John Kinsella / Tracy Ryan Poetry Prize, and winner of the Arthur Sale Poetry Prize. He is founder + curator of LOGOS, a liturgically-inflected reading series that congregates in-person and online, and an Executive Director of E...
2022-08-1233 min
Winds Of ChangeWyoming Identity: Who Are We?Welcome to Episode 1! Lucas Fralick, Chloe Flagg and Emy diGrappa are excited to share their Wyoming identity stories with you in our first episode. We want you to get to know us at Wyoming Humanities. There are so many fascinating, interesting people, history and stories in our state. So we are going to keep asking our Wyoming people to get in touch by email or phone so that we can connect with you and learn YOUR story! We started off on our Winds of Change journey talking about "identity." We are exploring the evolving identity of Wyoming. We want to expl...
2022-06-1628 minWinds Of ChangeWyoming Identity: Who Are We?Welcome to Episode 1! Lucas Fralick, Chloe Flagg and Emy diGrappa are excited to share their Wyoming identity stories with you in our first episode. We want you to get to know us at Wyoming Humanities. There are so many fascinating, interesting people, history and stories in our state. So we are going to keep asking our Wyoming people to get in touch by email or phone so that we can connect with you and learn YOUR story! We started off on our Winds of Change journey talking about "identity." We are exploring the evolving identity of Wyoming. We want to expl...
2022-06-1628 min
What's Your Why?Jason Baldes: Native American EcologyJason Baldes, an Eastern Shoshone who lives on the Wind River Reservation, is the Tribal Buffalo Coordinator for the Tribal Partnerships Program at the National Wildlife Federation. He works to restore bison back to homelands of indigenous tribes, like his own, as a way to reconnect and celebrate cultural ways, as well as heal from the atrocities of the past and present. As the tribal bison coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation, Baldes is recognized nationally for his efforts in an indigenous-led movement to return buffalo — the term Native Americans prefer — to Western reservations. His work is centered on h...
2022-06-1525 min
Winds Of ChangeIntroducing "Winds of Change"Let’s get straight to it! This is our introductory episode to our new podcast Winds of Change. All about the people, places and history of Wyoming! Its’ conversational, fun and interesting. Wyoming Humanities has celebrated 50 years in Wyoming. We are an organization that produces programs, supports great ideas and provides grants to many non-profits and communities around the state. Emy diGrappa, Chloe Flagg, and Lucas Fralick will be sharing and talking about the many faces and facets that make up our big state. We relish our wide-open spaces and small communities – even though that has its own uniqu...
2022-06-0205 minWinds Of ChangeIntroducing "Winds of Change"Let’s get straight to it! This is our introductory episode to our new podcast Winds of Change. All about the people, places and history of Wyoming! Its’ conversational, fun and interesting. Wyoming Humanities has celebrated 50 years in Wyoming. We are an organization that produces programs, supports great ideas and provides grants to many non-profits and communities around the state. Emy diGrappa, Chloe Flagg, and Lucas Fralick will be sharing and talking about the many faces and facets that make up our big state. We relish our wide-open spaces and small communities – even though that has its own uniqu...
2022-06-0205 min
What's Your Why?Tyler Rogers: Author And Inspiration For The Wyo YouthTyler Rogers is the author of The Marvelous Invention of Orion McBride, and is also the music educator at Big Horn Elementary School in Sheridan, WY. Between piano, percussion, acting, and writing, Tyler has found many homes in the world of the arts. Outside of work, Tyler directs the Sheridan County Boys Choir year round, as well as local community children's theater musicals in the summer. Tyler is committed to being an agent of positive change for youth. His goal is to inspire and enable every student he meets to build intrinsic bridges between community, the arts, and joy. Thank you...
2022-05-1025 min
What's Your Why?Megan Kate Nelson: Writing The WestMegan Kate Nelson is a historian and writer, with a BA from Harvard and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa. She is the author of Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America(Scribner 2022) and her previous book, The Three-Cornered War: The Union, the Confederacy, and Native Peoples in the Fight for the West(Scribner 2020) was a finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in History. She writes about the Civil War, the U.S. West, and American culture for The New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, and TIME. Before leaving academia to write...
2022-05-0535 min
What's Your Why?Sarah Ortegon: Dancing for Native AmericaSarah Ortegon was born in Denver, Colorado and is an enrolled Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho. In 2013 she graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelors degree in Fine Art with a concentration in drawing. In August 2013 she was crowned Miss Native American, USA. Soon after Ortegon started touring with the Native Pride Dancers, traveling and performing the jingle dress dance in the US and also in Moldova, Europe and Guatemala. In March of 2020 before the pandemic hit, Ortegon was able to perform in Times Square, NY to dance alongside the film previously created. In collaboration with Chocta...
2022-04-0620 min
What's Your Why?Gregory Hinton: A Rainbow in Wyoming“When I was young, I always had a mountain range over my shoulder,” he says. “I still come back looking for lost dignity.” We were very fortunate to have Gregory Hinton on for our latest episode of “What’s Your Why!” He is an novelist, filmmaker, lecturer, curator, and playwright. As A Buffalo Bill Center of the West Resident Fellow, Hinton is the proud creator and producer of “Out West”, a national museum program series offering lectures, plays, films, and gallery exhibitions dedicated to shining a light on the history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community in the American West (follow this link fo...
2022-03-1745 min
What's Your Why?Willow Belden: What Was Lost "Out There" Will Be Found“It’s the simple things” – is what I thought about when I interviewed Willow Belden for our latest What’s Your Why? episode. Her award-winning podcast “Out There” is not only about people who love nature but also about how people discover the outdoors even when they live in a cement jungle in the city. I think it’s why the West has become so popular. People want to escape the hectic grind of the urban city life. Being outside and enjoying nature is for everyone – everywhere - people of all shapes, sizes and abilities. I hope you enjoy the podcast! And please...
2022-02-2322 min
What's Your Why?Mark Pedri: Listening to the WindMark Pedri is an expedition-based documentary filmmaker and writer from Southwestern Wyoming where he tells stories from off the beaten path. His character-driven style of storytelling is reminiscent of his equally unique upbringing in Wyoming. Mark founded Burning Torch Productions in 2011 as a nimble production company to focus on character-driven stories from the backcountry and backroads of the world. His films have won awards at international festivals, played on national PBS, and in screening tours around the world. Prior to making films full-time, Mark managed the Episodic Storytelling program at Sundance Institute where he focused on ushering underrepresented artists...
2022-02-0347 min
What's Your Why?Sam Lightner: Professional Rock Climber, Author, & HistorianThis latest podcast is with Wyoming historian and professional rock climber Sam Lightner Jr. What an interesting path and journey his life choices have taken him on. His life choices took him on adventures to discover history in other parts of the world, learning about people, culture and their mountains. Sam is our historian for our new podcast from Wyoming Humanities – (shhhhhh….I can’t tell you the name yet until we launch later this month). Sam was raised in Jackson, Wyoming. At different times he has been fortunate enough to also live in southern Thailand, Banff, Alberta, and Moab, Utah, bu...
2022-01-0430 min
What's Your Why?Anna Sale: Death, Sex & Money"'I know how to research. I know how to tell stories. I don't know what to do with a microphone or audio editing, but I want to learn,' and they hired me, and that's how my journalism career started in 2005. And it was incredible to start and learn there, because I was in a shop where I was surrounded by really talented editors and reporters who taught me a lot about not just how to find stories and how to report, but also, how to do service-driven, mission-driven journalism, which is something I feel really attached to, having...
2021-12-0632 min
What's Your Why?Robert Martinez: Turning A Paintbrush Into a MicrophoneRobert Martinez was born in Wyoming on the Wind River Reservation in the small city of Riverton. His lineage is Spanish, Mexican, Scotts Irish, French Canadian, and Northern Arapaho. He graduated Riverton High School at 17 at age 19, he became the Youngest Native American to graduate from Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design at that time. Living among the hard working people of the West and experiencing their issues deeply influences Robert's creations as well as his native heritage. Much of Robert’s current work uses the historical imagery, myths and stories of the West and Arapaho Culture comb...
2021-10-1426 min
What's Your Why?Robbie Bonds: 2021 Murie Spirit of Conservation Rising LeaderAt 9 years old, Robbie heard about the prospect of closing or limiting access to our national parks, and wanted to be sure his and other kids' concerns were heard. He started speaking out, and subsequently founded the organization Kids Speak for Parks, which has been a fantastic vehicle for his message since 2017. Robbie Bond's work to speak out on behalf of national parks caught the eye of Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia. Rose was recently nominated as the recipient of the 2021 Murie Spirit of Conservation Awards, an annual tradition at Teton Science Schools in Jackson, WY. The award is named fo...
2021-09-3021 min
What's Your Why?Darla Worden: Ernest Hemingway in WyomingDarla Worden is editor in chief of Mountain Living magazine and founder/director of the Left Bank Writers Retreat in Paris. A Wyoming native and life-long Ernest Hemingway fan, Worden discovered that the author spent summers from 1928 to 1939 in her home state. Her book, Cockeyed Crazy: Hemingway's Wyoming Summers With Pauline, shows Wyoming as an influential place in Hemingway’s life just as Paris, Africa, Cuba, Key West and Sun Valley have anchored past works.And it casts his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, in a new light, as devoted stepmother, mother and wife playing a major role in Hemingway’s life...
2021-09-2426 min
What's Your Why?Senator Doug Jones: Justice Delayed, But Not Denied “I am a product and lifelong resident of Alabama. I was born in Fairfield, Alabama to a father who worked for U.S. Steel and a stay-at-home mom. One of my grandfathers was a steelworker and the other a coal miner. I, too, spent some time working a union job in the steel mill. My parents and grandparents forged my respect for those who work to feed a family while trying to make their childrens’ lives better.” Doug Jones Douglas Jones is an American attorney, lobbyist, and politician who served as a United States Senator from 2018 to 2021. A Democrat...
2021-09-0121 min
What's Your Why?Jerry Enzler: Author & Historian of Jim Bridger: Trailblazer of the American WestJerry Enzler might just be the best living expert on the famous mountain man, Jim Bridger, and his exploits as a trapper and explorer. Today, we become experts of the expert, as Jerry takes us through his early life and onward to the eventual obsession with the famed adventurer. Thank you for your time, Jerry! Jerry also served as founding director of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium for thirty-seven years. He has written and curated national exhibitions and films and has published historical articles on Jim Bridger, river history, and other topics.
2021-08-1231 min
What's Your Why?Tom Rea: Discovering Poetry, Printing, and HistoryTom Rea lives in Casper, Wyo., where he is editor and co-founder, with the Wyoming State Historical Society, of WyoHistory.org, a state-history website that is a project of the Wyoming State Historical Society. He worked for many years in the newspaper business. A new edition of his book Bone Wars: The Excavation and Celebrity of Andrew Carnegie’s Dinosaur (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2001) will be available in fall 2021 in a special 20th anniversary edition, with a foreword by Carnegie Museum paleontologist Matt Lamanna and a new afterword by the author. Other books include Devi’s Gate: Owning the Land, Own...
2021-07-2229 min
What's Your Why?Anne MacKinnon: Water & Water Law is Ultimately About PeopleWater-law scholar Anne MacKinnon has paid Whats Your Why a little visit in-between a series of discussions about public waters. Living in Casper, She is a former editor-in-chief of the Casper Star-Tribune and served from 2003 through 2010 on the Wyoming Water Development Commission. Anne also takes great pride in her abilities as a scholar, author, editor, and consultant. Thank you, Anne! Follow her public forums or check out her publications here.
2021-07-0735 min
What's Your Why?Ashleigh Snoozy & Kristen Czaban: Furthering The Power Of CommunityAshleigh and Kristen recently joined us to outline their stories and research with the Sheridan Press and their most recent project spotlighting humanity in our own communities. Their natural repartee is perfect for a podcast environment highlighting the Center for Vital Community (CVC), and its position as the "nonprofit for nonprofits." As we all know the pandemic is coming to an end, but political unrest is still at an all time high and Ashleigh and Kristen do an amazing job at creating a safe space for civil discussions around community, voting, and other subjects. Kristen is the publisher of...
2021-06-0323 min
What's Your Why?Kathryn Palmer & Margaret Austin: Discovering The Election Process"Some Cheyenne residents of color say they don't feel heard by largely white leadership in local government and schools. This lack of representation makes it easier for leaders to, even unintentionally, overlook the issues that affect them, they say. In part two of this series, residents express why this kind of representation matters and how they're working to achieve equity." Find the relative article written by these two fabulous newswomen here. Thank you Maggie & Kathryn for your time!
2021-05-2027 min
What's Your Why?Dustin Bleizeffer: Choices and Challenges of Wyoming YouthDustin Bleizeffer has worked as a coal miner, an oilfield mechanic, and for 20 years as a statewide reporter and editor primarily covering the energy industry in Wyoming. Most recently he was Communications Director at the Wyoming Outdoor Council, a John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford, and WyoFile editor-in-chief. He currently lives in Casper, Wy. Thank you for your time, Dustin!
2021-05-1838 min
What's Your Why?Hannah Black & Niki Kottmann: Equity for the People of Color Who Call Cheyenne HomePodcasters! Hannah Black and Niki Kottmann, both journalists with the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, joined us for an in depth discussion about their recent research on how government participation, voting, and elected leadership positions represent the minority voice. And if not, why? In short, the overwhelming answer is no. Listen to the episode to hear their thoughts and findings. We appreciate you Niki and Hannah for your precious time!
2021-05-0626 min
What's Your Why?Baktash Ahadi: Cultural Identity and the Immigrant ExperienceThe tragic events of 9/11 set Baktash on a path of examining why people do what they do. Upon graduation from college, he decided to serve in the Peace Corps as an educator in a rural village in Mozambique. His father learned English from a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kandahar in the 1960s and that experience was the inspiration for his family to come to the United States. After completing his service in the Peace Corps, Baktash went back to Afghanistan, the country of his birth, to serve as a combat interpreter and cultural advisor for three years supporting military and r...
2021-04-2240 min
What's Your Why?Matthew Spangler: American Playwright Exploring the Immigrant ExperienceMatthew Spangler is a playwright, director, and professor of performance studies at San José State University in the San Francisco Bay Area. His adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner received five San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics’ Circle Awards: Best Original Script, Best Overall Production, as well as awards for Lighting Design, Scenic Design, and Sound Design (produced by the San Jose Repertory Theatre; directed by David Ira Goldstein). Described as "a haunting tale of friendship which spans cultures and continents" The Kite Runner follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. "Afghanistan i...
2021-04-0830 min
What's Your Why?Interfaith Amigos: Respect from Faith to FaithAlso known as the Interfaith Amigos – The interfaith Amigos do an inspiring presentation that offers a message of inclusion, empathy and hope. In their life work and in their interfaith presentations their message creates a bridge and opens the door to have to create conversation on religion and the interfaith experience. Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, now living in Minneapolis, is devoting himself to interfaith work after retiring as Minister and Head of Staff at Seattle’s University Congregational United Church of Christ. Previously, he served congregations in Hanover, New Hampshire, and Princeton, New Jersey. Ordained in 1970, he is a grad...
2021-03-2445 min
What's Your Why?Fred Schmechel: Driving the Culture of Innovation and Creativity in WyomingWelcome the Assistant Director of IMPACT 307, Fred Schmechel! Trained as a sculptor and graphic designer, Fred joined IMPACT 307 in the fall of 2010. He directly counsels client companies on all aspects of their business needs. His work also includes oversight of the Fisher Innovation Launchpad, and the Southeast Wyoming Innovation Launchpad, and he is working on creating similar programs across the southeast and eastern sides of the state. Additionally, because the arts sector drives the culture of innovation and creativity that fuels tech sectors, Fred works with visual and performing artist clients in our arts incubation program. Fred’s...
2021-03-1729 min
What's Your Why?Ryan Stolp: Mountain Life CartoonistRyan Stolp, the creative force behind “Lift Lines” is our latest wonderful guest. His "Lift Lines" cartoon appears in the Jackson Hole Daily and on the news app, Hole Scroll. Stolp, who is the chief creative officer at Orijin Media (an independent subsidiary of Teton Media Works, the parent company of the News&Guide), has lived many creative lives. He has worked as a product design consultant, designed and fabricated outdoor gear from backpacks to “Alpine Hammocks” and he currently sells adventure-themed artwork printed on aluminum. Thank you for joining us, Ryan!
2021-02-1722 min
What's Your Why?Greg Kearney: Complexity of Political Cartoons Greg Kearney is known for putting pen to paper and touching on recent issues affecting Americans. He has been drawing cartoons for newspapers, many of them political in nature, since his days as a high school student. He continued drawing cartoons through his college days and landed a job as the cartoonist for the Casper Star Tribune in Wyoming, where he spent the bulk of his career until he became an independent syndicated cartoonist. Presently, Kearney draws cartoons for newspapers in Maine, Kansas, Wyoming and Montana. “Generally, I just look at the leading stories in the states where I pr...
2021-02-0319 min
What's Your Why?Darryl Tonemah: Health, Hope, and Inspiration For His People"I was picked on because I wasn't Lakota. I wasn't Sioux. I was different tribes. So, it wasn't that I was non-native, it was that I was native, but I was of a different tribe."
2021-01-2732 min
What's Your Why?Geoff O'Gara: Modern Day Struggles of the American WestGeoffrey O’Gara is an author, script writer, public affairs host, and documentary producer based in Lander, Wyoming. He is the author of What You See in Clear Water: Indians, Whites, and a Battle Over Water in the American West (Knopf) and A Long Road Home, Journeys Through America’s Present in Search of America’s Past (Norton). Geoff is the former editor of High Country News and spent many years as public affairs host and award winning documentary film producer at Wyoming PBS. In 2015 Geoff began Caldera Productions, an independent documentary film company focusing on stories in the Ameri...
2021-01-0630 min
What's Your Why?Nadia Oweidat: Freedom Begins With One Idea"I grew up in tribal Jordan, ever since I was a child I loved reading. I think maybe science will one day discover there's a gene and I have a huge mutation of it or something because having access to other ideas, different worlds, really fueled my sense of curiosity and made me want to live a full life, a way more full life than what I had access to as a woman in a Muslim community, a girl whose value is not really seen beyond basically becoming a wife one day, cooking and cleaning and having children."
2020-12-1728 min
What's Your Why?Warren Murphy: Exploring The Spirit Of WyomingWarren Murphy is an Episcopal priest who has served churches in Dixon, Lander, Fort Washakie, and Cody. He most recently was director of the Wyoming Association of Churches. We had the pleasure of discussing his new book On Sacred Ground, and the experiences he has shared with the history of Wyoming as he has stretched his boundaries and understanding of the culture and spirituality of the land. He looks to provide for the people by fully immersing his understanding and effort in the heart of the community. We appreciate and thank you for your time, Warren!
2020-11-3042 min
What's Your Why?The Future Of Politics With Erich Frankland: Rights Come With ResponsbilitiesMr. Frankland is a political science instructor in the school of social and behavioral sciences at Casper College, serves as the director of the Casper Committee to Foreign Relations, and the faculty advisor for the Campus Democrats. Erich takes pride in his ability to play devils advocate in his classes and his encouragement to students on finding their voice. We thank him for joining us to discuss the current state of politics, and reminding us that while every citizen has birth given rights endowed upon them. But that those rights come with power, and a responsibilty to ourselves, our...
2020-11-1839 min
What's Your Why?Kevin Olson's Guide To Visionary JournalismKevin Olson is the owner and president of Jackson, Wyoming-based Teton Media Works Incorporated (TMW). TMW’s media assets consist of local newspapers, magazines, affiliated websites, a digital creative agency – Orijin and the recently acquired local news stream - Buckrail. Kevin serves as the Publisher of the Jackson Hole News&Guide, Jackson Hole Daily, Jackson Hole magazine, Images West magazine, RANGE magazine,Teton Family magazine and Grand Wedding magazine. He, his wife Shelley, and family moved to Jackson Hole from Orange County, CA in 2001 to become the Associate Publisher of the Jackson Hole News. Prior to his move to Jacks...
2020-11-0736 min
What's Your Why?Caryn Flanagan: Continuing Bonds With Those We’ve Lost"Eyes up, roll through," is the mantra of Caryn Flanagan whenever she encounters challenging terrain. She, a member of legendary ski team The Jackson Hole Air Force, founding member of SkiProphet.com and SkiGearTV, certified paddle board instructor, and now author. Twenty years ago, Caryn, and immediate family, experienced tremendous unexpected loss at the hands of a plane crash, when her daughters were very young. From this, Caryn has come to share her interpretation of death and loss through adolescent eyes in her brand new book, "Heaven In Your Bones." We hope you enjoy this episode, and please check...
2020-10-0819 min
What's Your Why?Yonder Lies: The Last Of The Old WestAs you drive over the breathtakingly steep Teton Pass into Jackson Hole, Wyoming you will pass what could very well be a hundred year old sign that puts to bed any doubt you may have had. You're on the right road, and the journey is almost over. "Yonder lies Jackson Hole, the last of the old West." Few places have come to symbolize the rapidly-changing American West quite like the valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming—grizzlies still graze by the roadside, elk eat farm-raised grass, and, all the while, service workers, ranchers, ski bums, and billionaires all jo...
2020-09-1816 min
What's Your Why?Pandemic Stories: A Snapshot In TimePsychologically, speaking about our most difficult struggles and periods of life helps us to understand and heal. Until recently when we began serious exponential technological progress as a species, the oral report was the only way to collect, save, and pass on information. It's biological. Now, up until recently we had free reign to gather without repercussion, face-to-face. Because unless you've been marooned on an island as a soldier fighting a war that has long since come to and end and just emerged from your foxhole, you have been affected by COVID-19. Now, even though we can't ethically get to...
2020-08-2617 min
What's Your Why?Mark Jenkins: When Lemons Give You LifeWe had the pleasure of talking to Mark Jenkins about his passion for Wyoming and the humanities! He is a well-known name around Wyoming and the world. He is a critically acclaimed author and internationally recognized journalist. A contributing writer for National Geographic Magazine he is well known for his love for outdoor adventure travel, getting to know people and cultures around the world. Jenkins has brought a humanities perspective to geopolitics, the environment, and adventure for numerous national and international publications. Thank you Mark!
2020-08-2102 min
What's Your Why?Sherry Smith: Knowing, Recording and Preserving History Directly Impacts Future GenerationsSherry L. Smith is University Distinguished Professor of History (Emerita) at Southern Methodist University. A historian of the American West and Native America, Smith's other books include Hippies, Indians, and the Fight for Red Power and Reimagining Indians: Native Americans through Anglo Eyes, 1880–1940, both published by Oxford University Press. She is a former president of the Western History Association and received the Los Angeles Times Distinguished Fellowship at the Huntington Library, which supported research for Bohemians West. Smith has also been honored with fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Fulbright Foundation, and Yale University's Beinecke Library. Sh...
2020-07-3133 min
What's Your Why?Mountains To Manuscript: Women Who Love The WestAs the state of Wyoming remembers the 150th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Wyoming in 2019 and Jackson Hole celebrates the 100th anniversary of its all-woman town council in 2020, the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum has dedicated a series of exhibits and programs around these defining historical themes. Curated in collaboration with Christy Smirl of Foxtail Books & Library Services, this multi-media exhibit features four female author profiles illustrated through books, text, photographs, objects, and original artwork by Katy Ann Fox. The museum will also install a traveling exhibit in January from the University of Wyoming’s American Heritage Center...
2020-07-1635 min
What's Your Why?Babs Case & Bill T. Jones/The Arnie Zane Company: Using Dance To Explore Social & Political Tension Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company will join us in Jackson Hole for a creative and performance residency that looks at social and ethical issues through the lens of dance. Mr. Jones and the company will develop and perform their newest work, "What Problem?", a re-setting of "Deep Blue Sea", which digs deep into a wide range of topics, including human rights, political science, political history, and civil rights/liberties. Thank you, Babs Case, for speaking on behalf of everyone involved!
2020-06-2612 min
What's Your Why?James Arvanitakis: Undermining Class Based IdeologyProfessor James Arvanitakis is currently on a Fulbright Fellowship as the Milward L. Simpson Visiting Professor – University of Wyoming. A former economist and free market advocate, James changed his position after witnessing child and indentured labour. After 9 years of working in finance, he has since worked with a cross-section of organizations across Australia, Asia, the Pacific and Europe. Thank you, James!
2020-06-1826 min
What's Your Why?David Rohm: Fly Like an EagleThis interview with David Rohm discusses their work at Wild Excellence Films. Wild Excellence Films was awarded a Spark grant for their documentary Golden Eagles: Witnesses to a Changing West, and focused on Native American cultural and spiritual significance and relationship to the golden eagle—that will educate the public about golden eagles and a biologically diverse and threatened region. The film is expected to air on Wyoming PBS in 2023 and a screening is planned at the Center of the West in Cody in early fall of 2022. Thank you, David!
2020-06-1416 min
What's Your Why?Scott Henkel & The Millennial FalconDr. Scott Henkel is the director of the Wyoming Institute for Humanities Research, an associate professor in the departments of English and African-American Diaspora Studies at the University of Wyoming. Welcome, Scott!
2020-05-3023 min
What's Your Why?Justin Farrell: Researching Environment, Politics, and Human CultureJustin Farrell is an author, and sociology professor at Yale University. His research blends a mixture of methods, such as ethnographic fieldwork with large-scale computational techniques from network science and machine learning. Two published books are included in his discography related to these questions and subjects, "Billionaire Wilderness," and, "The Battle For Yellowstone."
2020-05-0839 min
What's Your Why?Adam Smith: Talking About His Latest Film On The Replica Of Jackson Hole In Beijing, ChinaAdam James Smith is an award-winning, US-based filmmaker originally from the United Kingdom. Adam holds degrees from Stanford and Cambridge, the latter of which he is currently an Affiliated Filmmaker at the university’s Visual Anthropology Lab. He is also an Assistant Professor of Multimedia at Florida Atlantic University. His films focus on the expression of identity in urban China and include The Land of Many Palaces (2015) co-directed with Song Ting, on the “ghost city” of Ordos, Inner Mongolia and his first solo-feature, Americaville (2020) on an American Wild West-themed community in Beijing’s suburbs. The Land of Many Pal...
2020-04-2626 min
What's Your Why?Sam Mihara: Citizen of Heart Mountain"What was very difficult was that the government never told us where we were going. It was a big secret to all of us inside that train. So, we were in there for three days and nights, not knowing where were we going until we wound up at this place called Heart Mountain, between Cody and Powell, Wyoming."
2020-04-1518 min
What's Your Why?Beverly Kopf: Trust Your Instincts & The Creative ProcessBeverly joins us to outline her success and challenges as a writer and producer. She managed to overcome heavy obstacles and face her fears to claim awards and recognition, and even snagged an Emmy Award. Family death, rediscovering God, and coming out of the closet personally, and professionally. Mind you, this was about a millennia before LGBTQ movements began to shake foundations. Please join us and Beverly Kopf for some good ol' fashioned wisdom on this episode of What's Your Why! Beverly Kopf has a unique background of collaborating with A-list celebrities, developing hit shows, and working su...
2020-04-0122 min
What's Your Why?Paige Okamura: The Heart of Hawaii & DJ MermaidPaige Okamura is a keiki papa of Māeaea, Waialua, Oʻahu. She's fluent in Hawaiian and is currently pursuing her MA in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her expertise in Hawaiian music is based out of her love for her language and her culture.
2020-03-1913 min
What's Your Why?Milward Simpson: 5th Gen. Wyoming, Arts Advocate, & ConservationistMilward Simpson joins us to catalogue his musical and theatre career, work with state parks and cultural resources, and being a part of the creative economy called The Vitality Index. Simpson is a fifth generation Wyomingite with a strong political family with close ties to the land. He was the state director of the Nature Conservancy as well as spending 13 years with the Wyoming’s Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.
2020-03-1421 min
What's Your Why?Lt. General Dirk Jameson: Climate Change! Immediate, Intensifying Threats To U.S. National SecurityLt. General Dirk Jameson served in the U.S. Air Force for over three decades before retiring in 1996, and has since held a number of private sector leadership positions. General Jameson is now a senior advisor to the center for climate and security in Washington DC.
2020-03-1022 min
What's Your Why?David Dodson: Co-Founder of Sanku & Project Healthy Children, Stanford Lecturer, and Former Candidate for the U.S. Senate"So we started these intervention programs, and eventually we expanded into East Africa, we were in seven countries, reached about 45 million people with permanent sustainable programs to fortify food in parts of the country. Just like we have food fortified here - when you go buy a loaf of bread, it's got iron and so forth in it. We wanted to bring those same opportunities to people in East Africa and Central America." - David Dodson
2020-02-2729 min
What's Your Why?Sherri Goodman: The Urgent Need To Understand The Magnitude Of Climate ChangeSherri Goodman is an experienced leader and senior executive, lawyer and director in the fields of national security, energy, science, oceans and environment. She is co-founder of Red Duke Strategies, a strategic advisory firm, Senior Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center and CNA, and Senior Strategist at the Center for Climate and Security. Previously, she served as the President and CEO of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership. Sherri served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of CNA (Center for Naval Analyses) where she was also the founder and Executive Director of the CNA Mil...
2020-02-2022 min
What's Your Why?Ashleigh Chapman: Ending Exploitation, Protecting The VulnerableAshleigh S. Chapman, JD dedicated her life to ending exploitation and protecting vulnerable populations as a child, when her family first began caring for children in need. She has worked solely on these issues for the past 18+ years professionally and travels extensively to strengthen the movement. Her passion and focus areas are in helping to reform systems of care, strengthening community collaborations, increasing multi-sector engagement, and building the solutions needed to increase the impact of all justice advocates in the field. Prior to founding the AFRJ (https://engagetogether.com/), Ashleigh served as the co-founder and Director of th...
2020-01-1323 min
What's Your Why?Dr. Reverend Debra Haffner: Religion, Sexuality and ParentingThe Reverend Debra W. Haffner is executive director of the Religious Institute, a multifaith, nonprofit organization dedicated to sexual health, education and justice. An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, she is an endorsed community minister with the Unitarian Church in Westport, CT. Rev. Haffner was the chief executive officer of SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, from 1988 through May 2000. Under her leadership, SIECUS tripled in staff size, increased its annual budget revenues more than six-fold, and opened professional offices in New York and Washington, DC. During her tenure at SIECUS, she created the Religious Declaration on...
2019-10-1516 min
What's Your Why?The Afterlife of German Coal Mining And The Future Of Green JobsThis interview is part of the Global Speaker Series. A podcast partnership between the Wyoming Humanities (ThinkWY.org) and the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs (www.jhcga.org). With the goal of educating and inspiring listeners, the series interviews global thought leaders on relevant issues impacting Wyoming and the world such as the future of energy, the impacts of climate change, trends in business and entrepreneurship, foreign policy, issues impacting global coal communities, and more. Jürgen Kretschmann , German economist and university president discusses the future of coal energy in Germany. Born and raised in Gelsenkirchen, Jürgen Kr...
2019-09-2415 min
What's Your Why?Mark Jenkins: Explorer And Writer Of The Most Dangerous And DifficultAs a foreign correspondent for the past 30 years, Mark Jenkins has explored the most remote, difficult and dangerous places on the planet. He will do whatever it takes to get the story. On assignment in Afghanistan, he was arrested by the Tajik KGB and interrogated for a week. On assignment in Burma, he was arrested by the military junta multiple times. On assignment in eastern Congo, he was captured by the murderous Hutu guerillas. Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, says “Mark Jenkins purposefully goes out and taunts the gods. How he gets away with it is probably why he’s ha...
2019-08-2822 min
What's Your Why?Lars Hallstrom: Coal Communities and Economic DiversificationWelcome to the Global Speaker Series. a podcast partnership between the Wyoming Humanities and the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs (www.jhcga.org). Lars Hallstrom is a political scientist by training, with a long-standing combination of teaching and research interests in comparative politics, environmental policy, environmental health, public health and natural resource management. He is the first Director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities, University of Alberta (ACSRC) since 2009. They have conducted over 40 projects related to rural sustainability in Alberta and Canada (based largely in 3 priority areas: environmental sustainability (water), social sustainability...
2019-06-2521 min
What's Your Why?Marlin Spoonhunter: Tribal Pride, Empowerment And Education On The Reservation“Education will help our people; children, grandchildren for our future, even our adults,” Marlin Spoonhunter, Arapahoe Tribal Leader He is president of the Wind River Tribal College. Realizing that it was a cultural shock for many native students to attend colleges away from the reservation, tribal colleges started to form around 1972 in the United States to meet the needs of their community. Spoonhunter said that native students who go to a community college are more likely to continue their education to earn a bachelor's degree. “Education is a good thing for our native people...
2019-06-1922 min
What's Your Why?Lukas Haynes: Strategies For Promoting Bipartisan Solutions To Climate ChangeWelcome to the Global Speaker Series. a podcast partnership between the Wyoming Humanities Council and the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs (www.jhcga.org). Lukas Haynes is a member of the Center for Climate and Security’s Advisory Board, and Executive Director of the David Rockefeller Fund. Previously, he was Vice President of the Mertz Gilmore Foundation where he was responsible since 2006 for a philanthropic strategy to mitigate the risks of global warming, invest in low-income New York City communities, and protect human rights. He is also an adjunct associate professor of global affairs and philanthropy at...
2019-06-0418 min
What's Your Why?Scotty Ratliff: Serving His Native Community, The Wind River ReservationScotty Ratliff is a member of the Eastern Shoshone tribe on the Wind River Reservation. Scotty grew up on his family’s horse ranch north of Pavilion, Wyoming. He served in the Wyoming State House as a legislator from 1980 to 1992. In 1990 he received the Human Rights Award from the Wyoming Counseling Association. He co-authored a school textbook with Janet Flynn on “Tribal Government at the Wind River Reservation.” He has also served as a member of the Wyoming State Council on Juvenile Justice. He has served as the President of the Board for the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fam...
2019-05-2815 min
What's Your Why?Sierra Ferris and Jacoby Hereford: Native American Students Using their Education for the ReservationTwo Native American Students from the Wind River Reservation are sharing their journey to continue their education at Central Wyoming College in Riverton, Wyoming. They are both members of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. They speak of their desire and passion to help others achieve their dreams and goals on the reservation. They also discuss breaking down the barriers and stereotypes that Native American people experience. “I feel like there's a lot of Indian kids that need that someone to talk. I think that I could be one of those people that they're just comfortable because I'm a Native American myself and we’ve...
2019-04-3015 min
What's Your Why?Dr. Tarissa Spoonhunter: Cultural Pride and Education on the ReservationDr. Tarissa Spoonhunter, professor of American Indian Studies at Central Wyoming College, is focused on sharing Native knowledge in order to increase understanding and build relationships—something that resides deep in her roots growing up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Her Nation Building classes introduce Federal Indian law and policy classes to help American Indians learn about contemporary issues that they are facing today in subject areas of treaty rights, national forest, national parks, and traditional ecological rights. At age nine, Spoonhunter was given the name Medicine Beaver Woman by her people, a name she re...
2019-04-1324 min
What's Your Why?Willard Gould: Returning To Our Native TongueWillard Gould grew up on the Wind River Reservation. He is former member of the Northern Arapahoe Business Council and a member of the Northern Arapahoe Language Commission. His work has been in substance abuse counseling, domestic violence and family services. “This journey has been wonderful, to see that people can change especially my people who have had problems identifying themselves with outside world and the obstacles that lead them to a dysfunctional way of life.” “It can be rewarding and on the other side of the spectrum it can be heartbreaking.” The reteaching of the Arapaho...
2019-03-2116 min
What's Your Why?Eastern Shoshone Tribal Leader Ivan Posey: Born To Lead On The ReservationWhat does it mean to be a citizen of an American Indian tribe and the history behind it? What does Blood Quantum mean to tribal citizens of the Wind River Reservation?Tune in and listen to Ivan talk about his experiences while growing up on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Ivan has been a member of the Eastern Shoshone Business Council and is the Tribal Education Coordinator for Central Wyoming College.
2019-03-1313 min
What's Your Why?Filmmaker Jennifer Tennican: Disability, Diversity And Inclusion"Hearts of Glass" documents the early beginnings of Vertical Harvest and its employees with disabilities. Vertical Harvest is one of the world’s only multi-story hydroponic greenhouses, provides year-round produce in a rural mountain town and meaningful employment to community members with disabilities. Jennifer Tennican describes her new documentary film as a once-in-a-lifetime story about innovation and possibility. “That story includes community members with disabilities.” “Over the course of the film, in an organic way, I hope viewers get to know several of the greenhouse employees with disabilities. Viewers can experience firsthand the impact of employment and inclusion.”
2019-03-0518 min
What's Your Why?Nona Yehia: Vertical Farming, Greenhouses and Community ImpactIn 2009, Nona started work on Vertical Harvest of Jackson Hole. Following her passion for local food and experiences growing up with a brother with developmental disabilities, Nona conceived of a three story hydroponic greenhouse that employs people with developmental disabilities while producing local food for the community year round. In 2016 Vertical Harvest opened its doors as a 'for profit business with a non profit soul'. This flagship project embodies Nona’s efforts to pursue projects that are able to have a profound impact on communities based on architectural, economic and social innovation. Nona is uniquely positioned in the vertical fa...
2019-02-0821 min
What's Your Why?Chris Duncan: A Moral Responsibility to Amputees"Watching individuals, adventurous daring intrepid individuals, go through life without limb function, spoke to me of a huge moral need to restore their function." Chris Duncan Dr Chris Duncan's research is focused on the restoration of movement and sensation for amputees through the development of advanced neuroprosthetic's that can tap into and communicate with the nerves and muscles. Photo courtesy of TEDxJacksonHole/Christie Quinn Producer
2019-01-2415 min
What's Your Why?Taylor Rees: Seeking the Deeper meaning and giving "voice" to Indigenous peoples in her FilmsTaylor Rees, is a filmmaker and photojournalist. She is driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore and tell the stories beneath the surface. Her work in environmental and humanitarian issues brings new perspectives and deeper public understanding to challenging topics such as climate change, indigenous food systems, land use and water. For example, Indigenous people and their cultures have been the subject of many films, television programs, and documentaries. For Indigenous people, the experience has been mixed. The film-making process can be exploitative. Films can unwittingly exploit Indigenous communities and Indigenous knowledge with little or no consultation with Indigenous...
2019-01-1015 min
What's Your Why?Slam Poet Kealoha: The Story Of EverythingKealoha is the first Poet Laureate of Hawaii and the first poet to perform at a Hawaii governor’s inauguration. He is an internationally acclaimed poet and storyteller who has performed throughout the world from the White House to ‘Iolani Palace. His latest work "The Story of Everything" is a creation story (in epic poem format) that traces our origins from the big bang to now using science, poetry, storytelling, movement, music, visual art, and chanting. Based on multiple knowledge systems. It explores the question “Where do we come from?” He is of multi-ethnic heritage with Hawaiian, Chinese, and Caucasia...
2018-12-1218 min