CHAD HANSON

In the vast, untamed landscapes of Wyoming, where the echoes of hooves on public lands seem to whisper tales of forgotten beauty, lies a captivating story that will leave you breathless. Join us on a journey that uncovers the unexpected twist in Chad Hanson's mission to nurture gratitude and appreciation for the environment. As the son of a Minnesota Christmas tree farmer, Chad's love for nature was ignited by his childhood amidst towering evergreens. But it was a chance encounter with wild horses in Wyoming that unlocked a world of awe and reverence, leading him on a quest to bring these transformative experiences to a disenchanted generation. Brace yourself for a tale of discovery, healing, and the power of nature's untamed spirit.  In this episode, you will be able to:    Delve into the empowering experience of crossroads with nature's untamed equine beauties and their influence in steering personal growth.     Discern the increasing rift between new-age generations and the wonders of the natural world, and why its mending is essential.     Comprehend enlightening experiences that, monumentally, serve as lifelines preventing devastating life choices.     Develop a fertile ground of gratitude and respect for every aspect of our environment.     Explore the contrasting landscapes and wildlife of Wyoming, instilling a deep reverence for its abundant life forms.    My special guest is Chad Hanson Introducing Chad Hanson, a compelling blend of adventurer, philosopher, and storyteller. Drawing on his years teaching sociology and religion at Casper College, Chad stirs a profound reverence for the natural world through his teachings and writings. An avid outdoorsman, he discovered the awe-inspiring beauty of Wyoming's wild horses, sparking a passion that led to his latest book, In a Land of Awe”. This Minnesota native weaves his childhood experiences, his vast knowledge, and his enchantment with nature into his teachings, aiming to inspire his students to connect with and appreciate the world around them. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Introduction, 00:01:10 - Chad's Background, 00:06:15 - Discovering the Wild Horses, 00:10:32 - Reverence and Awe, 00:12:36 - Books on Student Identity and Education, 00:18:14 - "Introduction to Wild Horses and Wyoming's Natural World", 00:19:48 - "Suicide Rates in Wyoming and the Power of Awe-Inspiring Activities", 00:21:46 - "Appreciating Wyoming's Landscapes and Wildlife", 00:23:56 - "Wild Horse Etiquette and Personal Experiences", 00:27:39 - "The Impact of Wild Horses and Conclusion"   Visit Wyoming Humanities website to learn more about the organization and their programs.     Check out Chad Hanson's latest book, In a Land of Awe, which explores his journey and discovery of the wild horses of Wyoming.     Learn more about the American community college system by reading Chad Hanson's book, The Community College and the Good Society.  - As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

In the vast, untamed landscapes of Wyoming, where the echoes of hooves on public lands seem to whisper tales of forgotten beauty, lies a captivating story that will leave you breathless. Join us on a journey that uncovers the unexpected twist in Chad Hanson's mission to nurture gratitude and appreciation for the environment. As the son of a Minnesota Christmas tree farmer, Chad's love for nature was ignited by his childhood amidst towering evergreens. But it was a chance encounter with wild horses in Wyoming that unlocked a world of awe and reverence, leading him on a quest to bring these transformative experiences to a disenchanted generation. Brace yourself for a tale of discovery, healing, and the power of nature's untamed spirit.  In this episode, you will be able to: <ul> <li>  Delve into the empowering experience of crossroads with nature's untamed equine beauties and their influence in steering personal growth.  </li> <li>  Discern the increasing rift between new-age generations and the wonders of the natural world, and why its mending is essential.  </li> <li>  Comprehend enlightening experiences that, monumentally, serve as lifelines preventing devastating life choices.  </li> <li>  Develop a fertile ground of gratitude and respect for every aspect of our environment.  </li> <li>  Explore the contrasting landscapes and wildlife of Wyoming, instilling a deep reverence for its abundant life forms.  </li> </ul> My special guest is Chad Hanson Introducing Chad Hanson, a compelling blend of adventurer, philosopher, and storyteller. Drawing on his years teaching sociology and religion at Casper College, Chad stirs a profound reverence for the natural world through his teachings and writings. An avid outdoorsman, he discovered the awe-inspiring beauty of Wyoming's wild horses, sparking a passion that led to his latest book, In a Land of Awe”. This Minnesota native weaves his childhood experiences, his vast knowledge, and his enchantment with nature into his teachings, aiming to inspire his students to connect with and appreciate the world around them. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Introduction, 00:01:10 - Chad's Background, 00:06:15 - Discovering the Wild Horses, 00:10:32 - Reverence and Awe, 00:12:36 - Books on Student Identity and Education, 00:18:14 - "Introduction to Wild Horses and Wyoming's Natural World", 00:19:48 - "Suicide Rates in Wyoming and the Power of Awe-Inspiring Activities", 00:21:46 - "Appreciating Wyoming's Landscapes and Wildlife", 00:23:56 - "Wild Horse Etiquette and Personal Experiences", 00:27:39 - "The Impact of Wild Horses and Conclusion" <ul> <li> Visit <a href="https://www.thinkwy.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wyoming Humanities website</a> to learn more about the organization and their programs.  </li> <li>  Check out Chad Hanson's latest book, <a href="https://www.chadhanson.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In a Land of Awe</a>, which explores his journey and discovery of the wild horses of Wyoming.  </li> </ul>  Learn more about the American community college system by reading Chad Hanson's book, <a href="https://www.chadhanson.org/research.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Community College and the Good Society</a>.  - As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Discovering Wyoming's Untamed Beauty: Chad Hanson's Awe-Inspiring Journey

Alfreda Algeo

Do you want to empower Native youth through increased representation of Native literature? If so, I have the solution for you. As an expert in Native representation in media and literature, I can share with you the importance of including Native voices and perspectives in educational materials. By doing so, we can provide Native youth with positive role models and a sense of cultural identity, ultimately empowering them to succeed. Let's work together to ensure that Native youth see themselves reflected in the media and literature they consume. Together, we can achieve greater cultural representation and empowerment for Native communities. In this episode, you will be able to:   Discover the significance of Native representation in various forms of media and literature.   Learn about Alfreda's inspiring journey as an author and illustrator of culturally-rich children's books.   Uncover how storytelling can empower Native American youth and foster self-esteem.   Explore the reasons behind banning Native American stories and the necessity of teaching darker historical events.   Envision building a unique bookshop devoted to showcasing Native American authors and artists.   Introducing Alfreda Algeo, an enrolled citizen of the OSTET Sakawin Cool Wicasa Band from Lower Brule, South Dakota. A true artist at heart, Alfreda excels in writing and illustrating children's picture books and teen novels. Her passion lies in using her rich cultural background and oral traditions to inspire and educate young minds. As a staunch advocate for Native representation in media and literature, Alfreda aspires to create a world where Native American youth feel empowered and included in the stories they read and see. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Introduction,  00:02:42 - Background and Inspiration,  00:06:42 - The Day the Earth Rose Up,  00:09:33 - Father Eagle and Other Stories,  00:14:10 - Banning of Books,  00:18:58 - Native Representation in Film and Media,  00:22:05 - Childhood Influences,  00:26:22 - Overcoming Challenges as a Native American,  00:28:15 - Inspiring Native Youth,  00:29:37 - Conclusion As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

Do you want to empower Native youth through increased representation of Native literature? If so, I have the solution for you. As an expert in Native representation in media and literature, I can share with you the importance of including Native voices and perspectives in educational materials. By doing so, we can provide Native youth with positive role models and a sense of cultural identity, ultimately empowering them to succeed. Let's work together to ensure that Native youth see themselves reflected in the media and literature they consume. Together, we can achieve greater cultural representation and empowerment for Native communities. In this episode, you will be able to: <ul> <li> Discover the significance of Native representation in various forms of media and literature. </li> <li> Learn about Alfreda's inspiring journey as an author and illustrator of culturally-rich children's books. </li> <li> Uncover how storytelling can empower Native American youth and foster self-esteem. </li> <li> Explore the reasons behind banning Native American stories and the necessity of teaching darker historical events. </li> <li> Envision building a unique bookshop devoted to showcasing Native American authors and artists. </li> </ul> Introducing Alfreda Algeo, an enrolled citizen of the OSTET Sakawin Cool Wicasa Band from Lower Brule, South Dakota. A true artist at heart, Alfreda excels in writing and illustrating children's picture books and teen novels. Her passion lies in using her rich cultural background and oral traditions to inspire and educate young minds. As a staunch advocate for Native representation in media and literature, Alfreda aspires to create a world where Native American youth feel empowered and included in the stories they read and see. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Introduction, 00:02:42 - Background and Inspiration, 00:06:42 - The Day the Earth Rose Up, 00:09:33 - Father Eagle and Other Stories, 00:14:10 - Banning of Books, 00:18:58 - Native Representation in Film and Media, 00:22:05 - Childhood Influences, 00:26:22 - Overcoming Challenges as a Native American, 00:28:15 - Inspiring Native Youth, 00:29:37 - Conclusion As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Native Wisdom: Inspiring Empowerment and Self-Esteem in Youth w/ Alfreda Algeo

About Alyson Alyson aims to amplify stories that are often unheard of in the mainstream. She’s driven by a passion for justice, authenticity, and a really good story. She earned a BA in public policy, and after nearly a decade in social work, then an MFA from the University of Montana in Media Arts. Her focus is in community media documentary filmmaking. Her most recent work, The Sister Cities Docuseries, features twenty-five short films directed by people from the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico, (Jackson's official sister city). She lives in Jackson, Wyoming working in film and dreaming in Spanish. About DIY Docs DIY Docs is a media making collective which teaches documentary skills to communities with something to say. Our program enables these communities to tell their own stories, through their own lens. Here’s how:   Instruction: We embed ourselves in the community, providing instruction on storytelling and media production   Mentorship: Our network of filmmakers, podcasters, writers and storytellers mentors students while they shoot and edit their projects   Distribution: After students complete their projects, we package and distribute it for the world to experience   As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

About Alyson Alyson aims to amplify stories that are often unheard of in the mainstream. She’s driven by a passion for justice, authenticity, and a really good story. She earned a BA in public policy, and after nearly a decade in social work, then an MFA from the University of Montana in Media Arts. Her focus is in community media documentary filmmaking. Her most recent work, The Sister Cities Docuseries, features twenty-five short films directed by people from the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico, (Jackson's official sister city). She lives in Jackson, Wyoming working in film and dreaming in Spanish. About <a href="https://www.diydoc.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DIY Docs</a> DIY Docs is a media making collective which teaches documentary skills to communities with something to say. Our program enables these communities to tell their own stories, through their own lens. Here’s how: <ul> <li> Instruction: We embed ourselves in the community, providing instruction on storytelling and media production </li> <li> Mentorship: Our network of filmmakers, podcasters, writers and storytellers mentors students while they shoot and edit their projects </li> <li> Distribution: After students complete their projects, we package and distribute it for the world to experience </li> </ul> As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Alyson Spery: No One Can Tell Your Story Better Than You

Katherine Standefer

Her memoir is called "Lightning Flowers: My Journey To Uncover The Cost Of Saving A Life." “This book will make you feel less alone. Pick it up and you will hear a human voice.” New York Times Eleven years ago, when she was 24, Katherine Standefer was working as a ski instructor and a climbing teacher in Jackson, Wyo., when she suddenly passed out in a parking lot. She later learned that she has long QT syndrome, a genetic heart condition in which the heart can suddenly quiver instead of rhythmically pumping blood.  It can lead to there not being enough blood in vital organs, which causes someone to pass out," Standefer says. "If they're lucky, they might wake back up. If they're not lucky, they could die of sudden cardiac death." For years, she's lived with a medical device embedded in her chest, an implanted cardiac defibrillator, a tiny version of the machines in hospital rooms that deliver shocks to someone whose heart has stopped beating or has developed a dangerous arrhythmia. Standefer's device was implanted 11 years ago, when she was 24. Her book chronicles the ways her condition and the defibrillator changed her life, like experiencing accidental jolts of electricity to her heart as well as her journeys to Africa to visit mines where the precious metals used in making it are extracted. She wanted to explore the human cost of creating these devices. And she writes about making complicated medical decisions with potentially life-or-death consequences while living with little income on the margins of the nation's health insurance system. Lightning Flowers was a Finalist for the 2021 Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction. The book was also a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice/Staff Pick and the NYTBR’s Group Text Pick for November 2020. Named one of O, The Oprah Magazine’s Best Books of Fall 2020, it has been featured in People Magazine, on NPR’s Fresh Air, and on the goop podcast. Lightning Flowers was a Finalist for the 2021 Arizona/New Mexico Book Award in Autobiography/Memoir, selected as the Common Read 2022-2023 at Colorado College, and shortlisted for the 2018 J. Anthony Lukas Works-in-Progress Award from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. Learn more about Katherine on her website. As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

Her memoir is called "Lightning Flowers: My Journey To Uncover The Cost Of Saving A Life." “This book will make you feel less alone. Pick it up and you will hear a human voice.” New York Times Eleven years ago, when she was 24, Katherine Standefer was working as a ski instructor and a climbing teacher in Jackson, Wyo., when she suddenly passed out in a parking lot. She later learned that she has long QT syndrome, a genetic heart condition in which the heart can suddenly quiver instead of rhythmically pumping blood.  It can lead to there not being enough blood in vital organs, which causes someone to pass out," Standefer says. "If they're lucky, they might wake back up. If they're not lucky, they could die of sudden cardiac death." For years, she's lived with a medical device embedded in her chest, an implanted cardiac defibrillator, a tiny version of the machines in hospital rooms that deliver shocks to someone whose heart has stopped beating or has developed a dangerous arrhythmia. Standefer's device was implanted 11 years ago, when she was 24. Her book chronicles the ways her condition and the defibrillator changed her life, like experiencing accidental jolts of electricity to her heart as well as her journeys to Africa to visit mines where the precious metals used in making it are extracted. She wanted to explore the human cost of creating these devices. And she writes about making complicated medical decisions with potentially life-or-death consequences while living with little income on the margins of the nation's health insurance system. Lightning Flowers was a Finalist for the 2021 Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction. The book was also a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice/Staff Pick and the NYTBR’s Group Text Pick for November 2020. Named one of O, The Oprah Magazine’s Best Books of Fall 2020, it has been featured in People Magazine, on NPR’s Fresh Air, and on the goop podcast. Lightning Flowers was a Finalist for the 2021 Arizona/New Mexico Book Award in Autobiography/Memoir, selected as the Common Read 2022-2023 at Colorado College, and shortlisted for the 2018 J. Anthony Lukas Works-in-Progress Award from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. Learn more about Katherine on her <a href="http://www.katherinestandefer.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>. As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Katherine Standefer: A Journey Facing Death, Embracing Life

When I first heard of the book, Fault Lines in the Constitution: I was excited for the opportunity to learn the reason and development of writing this book. And basically, their WHY?  Many of the political issues we struggle with today have their roots in the US Constitution. Husband-and-wife team Cynthia and Sanford Levinson take readers back to the creation of this historic document and discuss how contemporary problems were first introduced—then they offer possible solutions. Think Electoral College, gerrymandering, even the Senate. Many of us take these features in our system for granted. But they came about through haggling in an overheated room in 1787, and we’re still experiencing the ramifications. The authors have written a book that approachably zooms in on issues that foundationally impacted our government from the beginning and highlights how these same issues rise up as challenges today.  Without picking sides of an argument, Cynthia and Sanford Levinson articulate a complex topic in an accessible way for readers young and old. Cynthia Levinson holds degrees from Wellesley College and Harvard University She is a former teacher and educational policy consultant and researcher. Her husband Sandy Levinson or Sanford Levinson is an American legal scholar, a professor in the Law School and the Department of Government at the University of Texas Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words – “We The People” – affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens. The supremacy of the people through their elected representatives is recognized in Article I, which creates a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The positioning of Congress at the beginning of the Constitution affirms its status as the “First Branch” of the federal government. The Constitution assigned to Congress responsibility for organizing the executive and judicial branches, raising revenue, declaring war, and making all laws necessary for executing these powers. The president is permitted to veto specific legislative acts, but Congress has the authority to override presidential vetoes by two-thirds majorities of both houses. The Constitution also provides that the Senate advise and consent on key executive and judicial appointments and on the approval for ratification of treaties. “Opinionated, may be controversial, but should spark a national dialogue about our Constitution and the nation’s future.” —Dan Rather “When one of the nation’s foremost constitutional scholars teams up with one of the nation’s favorite young adult authors, the result is a highly educational, readable and entertaining look at the United States Constitution, warts and all. Cynthia and Sanford Levinson’s “Fault Lines in the Constitution,”  could not be more timely and thought provoking.” — Ted McConnell, Executive Director, Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, Assistant to Chairman, Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution 1986-1990. As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

When I first heard of the book, <a href="https://faultlinesintheconstitution.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fault Lines in the Constitution</a>: I was excited for the opportunity to learn the reason and development of writing this book. And basically, their WHY?  Many of the political issues we struggle with today have their roots in the US Constitution. Husband-and-wife team Cynthia and Sanford Levinson take readers back to the creation of this historic document and discuss how contemporary problems were first introduced—then they offer possible solutions. Think Electoral College, gerrymandering, even the Senate. Many of us take these features in our system for granted. But they came about through haggling in an overheated room in 1787, and we’re still experiencing the ramifications. The authors have written a book that approachably zooms in on issues that foundationally impacted our government from the beginning and highlights how these same issues rise up as challenges today.  Without picking sides of an argument, Cynthia and Sanford Levinson articulate a complex topic in an accessible way for readers young and old. Cynthia Levinson holds degrees from Wellesley College and Harvard University She is a former teacher and educational policy consultant and researcher. Her husband Sandy Levinson or Sanford Levinson is an American legal scholar, a professor in the Law School and the Department of Government at the University of Texas Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words – “We The People” – affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens. The supremacy of the people through their elected representatives is recognized in Article I, which creates a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The positioning of Congress at the beginning of the Constitution affirms its status as the “First Branch” of the federal government. The Constitution assigned to Congress responsibility for organizing the executive and judicial branches, raising revenue, declaring war, and making all laws necessary for executing these powers. The president is permitted to veto specific legislative acts, but Congress has the authority to override presidential vetoes by two-thirds majorities of both houses. The Constitution also provides that the Senate advise and consent on key executive and judicial appointments and on the approval for ratification of treaties. “Opinionated, may be controversial, but should spark a national dialogue about our Constitution and the nation’s future.” —Dan Rather “When one of the nation’s foremost constitutional scholars teams up with one of the nation’s favorite young adult authors, the result is a highly educational, readable and entertaining look at the United States Constitution, warts and all. Cynthia and Sanford Levinson’s “Fault Lines in the Constitution,”  could not be more timely and thought provoking.” — Ted McConnell, Executive Director, Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, Assistant to Chairman, Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution 1986-1990. As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

The Constitution: A Historical Document With Contemporary Problems

April 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 named an American Academy of Poets Laureate Fellow, and delivered the keynote address for MIT’s special commencement ceremony in 2022. Kealoha’s latest work, The Story of Everything, is a science-based theater production that has toured in various cities throughout the United States and premiered as a feature film at the 2022 Maui Film Festival and the 2022 Hawaiʻi International Film Festival.   Here is a  link to the list of Academy of American Poets Luareate Fellowships from state and year, including Kealoha!   As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

April 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.   <a href="http://www.kealohapoetry.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kealoha</a> 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 named an American Academy of Poets Laureate Fellow, and delivered the keynote address for MIT’s special commencement ceremony in 2022. Kealoha’s latest work, The Story of Everything, is a science-based theater production that has toured in various cities throughout the United States and premiered as a feature film at the 2022 Maui Film Festival and the 2022 Hawaiʻi International Film Festival.   Here is a <a href="https://poets.org/academy-american-poets/prizes/academy-american-poets-laureate-fellowships" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> link</a> to the list of Academy of American Poets Luareate Fellowships from state and year, including Kealoha!  As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Kealoha: National Poetry Slam Legend

Bonnie Wan

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 Advertising &amp; Creativity, on Katie Couric’s Katie talk show, and on HuffPost Live. Bonnie Wan is author, speaker and teacher of The Life Brief, a practice for creative and courageous living.  Bonnie is also Partner and Head of Brand Strategy at the world renown advertising agency, Goodby Silverstein &amp; Partners, creators of “got milk”, the Budweiser lizards and decades of culture driving creative campaigns. In addition to overseeing clients such as BMW, Comcast, Frito-Lay and HP, Bonnie’s work also includes innovative, award-winning campaigns fighting child sex trafficking, cyberbullying, gender inequality, racial injustice and college-campus rape. Bonnie has spent the last three decades building brands, making meaning out of messes and obsessing about human behavior.  In 2010, during a personal crisis of meaning, Bonnie wrote a creative brief for her life and The Life Brief was born. The resulting Life Brief saved her marriage (not once, but twice), catapulted her career, centered her parenting and opened up doors for serving others. Ultimately, The Life Brief has kicked off ten years of adventure, packed with unexpected twists and unimaginable gifts.  https://www.ideaarchitects.com/our-authors/bonnie-wan/ https://goodbysilverstein.com/leadership/bonnie-wan As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

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 Advertising &amp; Creativity, on Katie Couric’s Katie talk show, and on HuffPost Live. Bonnie Wan is author, speaker and teacher of The Life Brief, a practice for creative and courageous living.  Bonnie is also Partner and Head of Brand Strategy at the world renown advertising agency, <a href="https://goodbysilverstein.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodby Silverstein &amp; Partners</a>, creators of “got milk”, the Budweiser lizards and decades of culture driving creative campaigns. In addition to overseeing clients such as BMW, Comcast, Frito-Lay and HP, Bonnie’s work also includes innovative, award-winning campaigns fighting child sex trafficking, cyberbullying, gender inequality, racial injustice and college-campus rape. Bonnie has spent the last three decades building brands, making meaning out of messes and obsessing about human behavior.  In 2010, during a personal crisis of meaning, Bonnie wrote a creative brief for her life and The Life Brief was born. The resulting Life Brief saved her marriage (not once, but twice), catapulted her career, centered her parenting and opened up doors for serving others. Ultimately, The Life Brief has kicked off ten years of adventure, packed with unexpected twists and unimaginable gifts.  <a href="https://www.ideaarchitects.com/our-authors/bonnie-wan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.ideaarchitects.com/our-authors/bonnie-wan/</a> <a href="https://goodbysilverstein.com/leadership/bonnie-wan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://goodbysilverstein.com/leadership/bonnie-wan</a> As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Bonnie Wan: What Do You Really Want?

Mat 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 with John Oliver. Mat’s directorial debut was Last Best Hope, a nationally broadcast PBS film about the Belgian Resistance and escape lines during WWII, for which he was knighted by Belgian King Albert II. Mat’s six hour series on the history of energy Power Trip: The Story of Energy has to date been seen by more than 3 million viewers on networks in over 10 countries. . Power Trip received coveted Rockefeller Foundation and Sloan Foundation funding. Mat traveled to eight countries and interviewed 100 experts on topics concerning the history of energy. Season Two production is currently underway filming in Iceland, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Mat’s other recent films include The Art of Home (PBS Living Channel), and Fossil Country (Wyoming PBS).  Mat is a co-founder of production studio Alpheus Media, based in Austin Texas. In addition to documentaries, with Alpheus Media, Mat has also directed short films for clients like Warner Bros, The Economist, Johns Hopkins and the Redford Center at Sundance, as well as hundreds of online video campaigns for brands such as Whole Foods, the University of Texas, Movember, Partners in Health, and LIVESTRONG. www.mathamesfilm.com As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

Mat 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 with John Oliver. Mat’s directorial debut was Last Best Hope, a nationally broadcast PBS film about the Belgian Resistance and escape lines during WWII, for which he was knighted by Belgian King Albert II. Mat’s six hour series on the history of energy Power Trip: The Story of Energy has to date been seen by more than 3 million viewers on networks in over 10 countries. . Power Trip received coveted Rockefeller Foundation and Sloan Foundation funding. Mat traveled to eight countries and interviewed 100 experts on topics concerning the history of energy. Season Two production is currently underway filming in Iceland, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Mat’s other recent films include The Art of Home (PBS Living Channel), and Fossil Country (Wyoming PBS).  Mat is a co-founder of production studio Alpheus Media, based in Austin Texas. In addition to documentaries, with Alpheus Media, Mat has also directed short films for clients like Warner Bros, The Economist, Johns Hopkins and the Redford Center at Sundance, as well as hundreds of online video campaigns for brands such as Whole Foods, the University of Texas, Movember, Partners in Health, and LIVESTRONG. <a href="https://www.mathamesfilm.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.mathamesfilm.com</a> As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Mat Hames: Life In The Lens

Tori Murden McClure

Tori 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 boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali.   Tori is an accomplished mountaineer and has completed major climbs on several continents. Tori is a graduate of Smith College. She holds a Masters in Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, and a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing from Spalding University.   Though many titles fit — athlete, adventurer, chaplain, lawyer, university administrator — it’s hard to put just one to her name. Her diverse career accomplishments include working as a chaplain at a Boston hospital, as the director of a Kentucky-based women’s shelter, as a policy assistant in the Louisville Mayor’s Office, and as the first full-time employee of the Muhammad Ali Center, a nonprofit cultural hub dedicated to celebrating the boxer.  Her memoir, “A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean,” published in 2009, became the basis of the stage musical, “Row.” The musical premiered in the summer of 2021 at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts.  More on Tori: President Mclure of Spalding UniversityWomens History Month | Adventurer Tori Murden Mclure (video) Womens History Month | Adventurer Tori Murden Mclure (article &amp; photos) As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

Tori 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 boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali.   Tori is an accomplished mountaineer and has completed major climbs on several continents. Tori is a graduate of Smith College. She holds a Masters in Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, and a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing from Spalding University.   Though many titles fit — athlete, adventurer, chaplain, lawyer, university administrator — it’s hard to put just one to her name. Her diverse career accomplishments include working as a chaplain at a Boston hospital, as the director of a Kentucky-based women’s shelter, as a policy assistant in the Louisville Mayor’s Office, and as the first full-time employee of the Muhammad Ali Center, a nonprofit cultural hub dedicated to celebrating the boxer.  Her memoir, “<a href="https://www.apearlinthestorm.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean</a>,” published in 2009, became the basis of the stage musical, <a href="https://wtfestival.org/main-events/row/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">“Row.”</a> The musical premiered in the summer of 2021 at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts.  More on Tori: <a href="https://spalding.edu/president/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">President Mclure of Spalding University</a><a href="https://youtu.be/RYbFvVKcMbU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Womens History Month | Adventurer Tori Murden Mclure (video)</a><a href="https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/moments-that-matter/louisville-tori-murden-mcclure-spalding-university-president-solo-row-across-atlantic-womens-history-month-moments-that-matter-whas/417-19c8576a-d150-48e4-88d1-227f25400990" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Womens History Month | Adventurer Tori Murden Mclure (article &amp; photos)</a> As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Tori Murden McClure: First Woman To Row Solo Across The Atlantic Ocean

Gigi Jasper

Dr. 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 that while there was a woman worker not 25 feet behind him.  Well, it was pretty clear that my being female was not his objection. And so, in some ways my welcome to Wyoming was having to file with the EEOC.” Gigi Jasper Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Watch Black History Documentaries  National Museum of African American History and Culture  Musical Crossroads: African American Influence on American Music As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: http://eepurl.com/igy4fH

Dr. 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 that while there was a woman worker not 25 feet behind him.  Well, it was pretty clear that my being female was not his objection. And so, in some ways my welcome to Wyoming was having to file with the EEOC.” Gigi Jasper Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Watch <a href="https://watch.historyvault.com/topics/black-history" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black History Documentaries</a> <a href="https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/black-history-month-2023" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> National Museum of African American History and Culture</a> <a href="https://music.si.edu/story/musical-crossroads#:~:text=Roots%20in%20Africa&amp;text=Their%20work%20songs%2C%20dance%20tunes,all%20racial%20and%20ethnic%20backgrounds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Musical Crossroads: African American Influence on American Music</a> As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit the <a href="http://thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webpage</a> of the Wyoming Humanities! Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2Figy4fH&amp;data=05%7C01%7CEmy%40thinkwy.org%7C689a8dd23b404e63c8da08daf26272df%7C227aa6c9bb50454cb232e55c4f4c4272%7C0%7C0%7C638088801917747900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P721mBrdDXfWA1GluUdgDB1HlRiJ46PIWl53N%2FpZziA%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/igy4fH</a>

Celebrating Black History Month with Gigi Jasper

What’s Your Why?  I know, I know. You’ve heard this before. It’s not a NEW question, but the answer IS always evolving… So. We. Can’t. Stop. Asking! This show explores the human experience by way of our natural and diverse DNA through storytelling.  We bring to life the many pillars of our humanity: Culture, community, history, literature, and art.  Our purpose is to expand your vision of the world, educate, inspire, and give you critical thinking skills needed to apply to your own journey and create more connectivity and significance within the human experience.  With nationally and internationally renowned humanists - authors, journalists, philosophers, artists and scientists - we adventure into conversations about where they’ve been, how they are wired, what makes them tick, and how their history relates to the greater world and you. Get inspired, gain perspective and reflect on What’s Your Why?

Incredible series of interviews that really inspires you to go out and become the next big name from Wyoming.

Keep’em Coming

This podcast makes me want to move to Wyoming.

Great podcast

What’s Your Why? I know, I know. You’ve heard this before. It’s not a NEW question, but the answer IS always evolving… So. We. Can’t. Stop. Asking! This show explores the human experience by way of our natural and diverse DNA through storytelling. We bring to life the many pillars of our humanity: Culture, community, history, literature, and art. Our purpose is to expand your vision of the world, educate, inspire, and give you critical thinking skills needed to apply to your own journey and create more connectivity and significance within the human experience. With nationally and internationally renowned humanists - authors, journalists, philosophers, artists and scientists - we adventure into conversations about where they’ve been, how they are wired, what makes them tick, and how their history relates to the greater world and you. Get inspired, gain perspective and reflect on What’s Your Why?

What's Your Why?

Alexandra Fuller

Alexandra Fuller wrote a searing memoir about her childhood in Rhodesia as the country struggled to win black majority rule in what is now Zimbabwe, "Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood." While she has not written anything overtly political, she says that everything we do is political from the decision we make to wake up in the morning to the clothes we put on our bodies, to the words we have the courage to speak. Her new novel, "Quiet Until the Thaw", follows the lives of two Oglala Sioux cousins who grow up to take very different paths.

Alexandra Fuller wrote a searing memoir about her childhood in Rhodesia as the country struggled to win black majority rule in what is now Zimbabwe, "Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood." While she has not written anything overtly political, she says that everything we do is political from the decision we make to wake up in the morning to the clothes we put on our bodies, to the words we have the courage to speak. Her new novel, "Quiet Until the Thaw", follows the lives of two Oglala Sioux cousins who grow up to take very different paths.

Bestselling Author Alexandra Fuller: Passion, Purpose and The Way Forward

Ryan Burke

Addictions Counselor

Ryan Burke is an endurance mountaineer and full time addictions therapist who lives in Jackson, Wyoming. He is currently developing The Mindstrength Project which works with athletes and survivors of addiction in risk composure education. He teaches his clients at Curran-Seeley - "...with addiction it’s about getting through the next day and reminding one’s self you have gotten through similar days before and have the strength to do it again." These similarities of what gets him through the mountains and what helps addicts stay clean, are why Burke started the Mind Strength Project, a program that physically and mentally trains athletes and addicts side-by-side.

Ryan Burke is an endurance mountaineer and full time addictions therapist who lives in Jackson, Wyoming. He is currently developing The Mindstrength Project which works with athletes and survivors of addiction in risk composure education. He teaches his clients at Curran-Seeley - "...with addiction it’s about getting through the next day and reminding one’s self you have gotten through similar days before and have the strength to do it again." These similarities of what gets him through the mountains and what helps addicts stay clean, are why Burke started the Mind Strength Project, a program that physically and mentally trains athletes and addicts side-by-side.

Ryan Burke: Addictions Counselor and Endurance Athlete spreading Motivation

Mark Jenkins

As 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 had 30 to 40 arrests---and no convictions.”  Learn more about his adventures at www.MarkJenkins.net.  A world-renowned explorer, critically acclaimed author and  international journalist, for the last decade Jenkins has covered the globe for National Geographic Magazine. Among hundreds of stories, he has written about landmines in Cambodia, mountain gorillas in Africa, the loss of koalas in Australia, global warming in Greenland, ethnic cleansing in Burma and climbing Mt. Everest.

As 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 had 30 to 40 arrests---and no convictions.”  Learn more about his adventures at <a href="http://www.MarkJenkins.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.MarkJenkins.net</a>.  A world-renowned explorer, critically acclaimed author and  international journalist, for the last decade Jenkins has covered the globe for <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Geographic Magazine</a>. Among hundreds of stories, he has written about landmines in Cambodia, mountain gorillas in Africa, the loss of koalas in Australia, global warming in Greenland, ethnic cleansing in Burma and climbing Mt. Everest.

Mark Jenkins: Explorer And Writer Of The Most Dangerous And Difficult 

Debra Haffner

The 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 Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing; the National Coalition to Support Sexuality Education; the Commission on Adolescent Sexual Health; and the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Kindergarten – Grade Twelve. Rev. Haffner is the author of From Diapers to Dating: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children; Beyond the Big Talk: Every Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Teens; and What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know: Facing Today's Challenges with Wisdom and Heart. She has also authored or co-authored numerous faith-based guides for congregation and clergy on sexuality issues.

The Reverend Debra W. Haffner is executive director of the <a href="http://www.religiousinstitute.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Religious Institute</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.religiousinstitute.org/religious-declaration-on-sexual-morality-justice-and-healing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Religious Declaration on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing</a>; the National Coalition to Support Sexuality Education; the Commission on Adolescent Sexual Health; and the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Kindergarten – Grade Twelve. Rev. Haffner is the author of From Diapers to Dating: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children; Beyond the Big Talk: Every Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Teens; and What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know: Facing Today's Challenges with Wisdom and Heart. She has also authored or co-authored numerous faith-based guides for congregation and clergy on sexuality issues.

Dr. Reverend Debra Haffner: Religion, Sexuality and Parenting

Tim Sandlin

Tim Sandlin, American novelist and screenwriter. has penned nine novels, 11 screenplays (two of which have been made into movies: Floating Away (1998), which was based on his novel Sorrow Floats and Skipped Parts (2001), based upon the novel of the same name, and a book of humorous essays. He is known to capitalize on comedy and probe serious topics like alcoholism, suicide, and aging. He’s been compared to Tom Robbins. “When you think American master of absurdist humor with acute observations about contemporary society, characters to fall in love with, and lines you’ll be quoting to your friend, the first name to spring to mind should be ‘Tim’ (Sandlin), not ‘Tom’ (Robbins),” said Sarah Bird, Austin, Texas, novelist and a friend of Sandlin’s

Tim Sandlin, American novelist and screenwriter. has penned nine novels, 11 screenplays (two of which have been made into movies: Floating Away (1998), which was based on his novel Sorrow Floats and Skipped Parts (2001), based upon the novel of the same name, and a book of humorous essays. He is known to capitalize on comedy and probe serious topics like alcoholism, suicide, and aging. He’s been compared to Tom Robbins. “When you think American master of absurdist humor with acute observations about contemporary society, characters to fall in love with, and lines you’ll be quoting to your friend, the first name to spring to mind should be ‘Tim’ (Sandlin), not ‘Tom’ (Robbins),” said Sarah Bird, Austin, Texas, novelist and a friend of Sandlin’s

Tim Sandlin: A candid Conversation with Author, Humorist and ScreenWriter

Devra Davis

Dr. Devra Davis founded non-profit Environmental Health Trust in 2007 in Teton County, Wyoming to provide basic research and education about environmental health hazards and promote constructive policies locally, nationally and internationally. She has also authored more than 200 publications in books and journals ranging from the Lancet and Journal of the American Medical Association to Scientific American and the New York Times and has written blogs in Freakonomics, Huffington Post, Physicians for Social Responsibility, MomsRising, Oxford University Press and elsewhere. An award-winning scientist and writer, Davis’ work has appeared in more than a dozen languages. (Photo: Courtesy of US Embassy Bogota)

Dr. Devra Davis founded non-profit Environmental Health Trust in 2007 in Teton County, Wyoming to provide basic research and education about environmental health hazards and promote constructive policies locally, nationally and internationally. She has also authored more than 200 publications in books and journals ranging from the Lancet and Journal of the American Medical Association to Scientific American and the New York Times and has written blogs in Freakonomics, Huffington Post, Physicians for Social Responsibility, MomsRising, Oxford University Press and elsewhere. An award-winning scientist and writer, Davis’ work has appeared in more than a dozen languages. (Photo: Courtesy of US Embassy Bogota)

Dr. Devra Davis: Wake Up! Cell Phones Are Not Toys For Young Children

Sheryl WuDunn

Nicholas Kristof

New York Times reporters and Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn share their journey through Africa and Asia to meet the extraordinary women struggling there and how we can learn from others to make a difference. They have written best-selling books: China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power, Thunder from the East: Portrait of a Rising Asia, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

New York Times reporters and Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn share their journey through Africa and Asia to meet the extraordinary women struggling there and how we can learn from others to make a difference. They have written best-selling books: China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power, Thunder from the East: Portrait of a Rising Asia, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn: YES, Kindness Does Exist, Cultures can Change and You can Help!

Challenging us to embrace change and the new technology of our time.

Challenging us to embrace change and the new technology of our time.

Zenka: Augmented Reality Artist Challenging us to Embrace Change and New Technology

Bo Elledge

Canyon Kids is the creation of Dusty Nichols and Bo Elledge. Forged on the banks of the Snake River, with an unwavering love of the American West, Canyon Kids are students of Americana, rock, and folk, but also pioneers of something entirely new. And NOW they are the new music for the What’s Your Why podcast. The music is from their song Out Where The West Begins. Listen to their journey and story and love for Wyoming!

Canyon Kids is the creation of Dusty Nichols and Bo Elledge. Forged on the banks of the Snake River, with an unwavering love of the American West, Canyon Kids are students of Americana, rock, and folk, but also pioneers of something entirely new. And NOW they are the new music for the What’s Your Why podcast. The music is from their song Out Where The West Begins. Listen to their journey and story and love for Wyoming!

Dusty Nichols and Bo Elledge: Passion, Artistry and whats behind Writing a Song and hearing the Music?

Alia Ali

Alia Ali (Austria, 1985) is a Yemeni-Bosnian-American multi-media artist. Having traveled to sixty-three countries, lived in seven and grown up among five languages, her most comfortable mode of communication is through image and multi-sensory mediums. Her extensive travels have led her to process the world through interactive experiences. As a child of two linguists, Alia believes that the interpretation of verbal and written language has dis-served particular communities and presents more of a threat than a means of understanding.

Alia Ali (Austria, 1985) is a Yemeni-Bosnian-American multi-media artist. Having traveled to sixty-three countries, lived in seven and grown up among five languages, her most comfortable mode of communication is through image and multi-sensory mediums. Her extensive travels have led her to process the world through interactive experiences. As a child of two linguists, Alia believes that the interpretation of verbal and written language has dis-served particular communities and presents more of a threat than a means of understanding.

Alia Ali: Peace… this is what it's all about, isn't it? Or is it war? Or is it power?

Nona Yehia

In 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 farming sphere as she is at once a practicing Architect, the Co-Founder, part owner, and CEO of a cutting edge greenhouse, Vertical Harvest of Jackson Hole. This combination has cultivated expertise in both the design and implementation of innovative systems and programs that position Vertical Harvest to be a model for communities around the globe.

In 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 farming sphere as she is at once a practicing Architect, the Co-Founder, part owner, and CEO of a cutting edge greenhouse, Vertical Harvest of Jackson Hole. This combination has cultivated expertise in both the design and implementation of innovative systems and programs that position Vertical Harvest to be a model for communities around the globe.

Nona Yehia: Vertical Farming, Greenhouses and Community Impact

Peter Aguero

Peter Aguero was born and raised in the wilds of South Jersey. He is a Moth Grandslam Champion, host of Moth Storylams and an instructor for the Mothshop Community Program. He is also the lead singer of The BTK Band, NYC's Hardest-Drinking Improvised Storytelling Rock Band. Peter loves his Mom.

Peter Aguero was born and raised in the wilds of South Jersey. He is a Moth Grandslam Champion, host of Moth Storylams and an instructor for the Mothshop Community Program. He is also the lead singer of The BTK Band, NYC's Hardest-Drinking Improvised Storytelling Rock Band. Peter loves his Mom.

Peter Aguero: Storyteller and Educator who Believes that Everyone has a Story to tell

John Hausdoerffer

Author John Hausdoerffer discusses the Future of Wildness and his new book "Wildness: Relations of People and Place". Co-edited with Gavin Van Horn from the Center for Humans and Nature, Wildness features creative nonfiction essays that explore the spectrum of wildness found in wilderness areas, on working landscapes, and in urban communities. The book merges culturally diverse voices to delve into the evolution of "wildness," including Hausdoerffer and Van Horn, as well as Gary Snyder, Vandana Shiva, Wes Jackson, Mistinguette Smith, Curt Meine, Julianne Warren, Robert Michael Pyle, Robin Kimmerer, Aaron Abeyta, Winona LaDuke, and Roderick Frazier Nash. “Where ‘wilderness’ has become a divisive term in the environmental community,” explains Hausdoerffer, “’wildness’ has great potential to connect disparate branches of environmentalism.

Author John Hausdoerffer discusses the Future of Wildness and his new book "Wildness: Relations of People and Place". Co-edited with Gavin Van Horn from the Center for Humans and Nature, Wildness features creative nonfiction essays that explore the spectrum of wildness found in wilderness areas, on working landscapes, and in urban communities. The book merges culturally diverse voices to delve into the evolution of "wildness," including Hausdoerffer and Van Horn, as well as Gary Snyder, Vandana Shiva, Wes Jackson, Mistinguette Smith, Curt Meine, Julianne Warren, Robert Michael Pyle, Robin Kimmerer, Aaron Abeyta, Winona LaDuke, and Roderick Frazier Nash. “Where ‘wilderness’ has become a divisive term in the environmental community,” explains Hausdoerffer, “’wildness’ has great potential to connect disparate branches of environmentalism.

Author John Hausdoerffer: What is the Future of Wilderness?

Craig Johnson

Just do it! Author Craig Johnson steps out of his comfort zone to create, write and explore the West.

Just do it! Author Craig Johnson steps out of his comfort zone to create, write and explore the West.

Author Craig Johnson: Stepping out of his Comfort Zone to Create, Write and Explore the West

“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,” he said. Spoonhunter, who was a first generation student, was taught at a young age the importance of education by his uncle. As Spoonhunter got older the academic goal got higher. From being told to earn a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree to a master's degree; his uncle continued to raise the bar on Spoonhunter’s education. “I was reminded that I needed that education so we need to remind our students,” Spoonhunter said. After Spoonhunter completed his degree he knew he needed to come back to help his people."

“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,” he said. Spoonhunter, who was a first generation student, was taught at a young age the importance of education by his uncle. As Spoonhunter got older the academic goal got higher. From being told to earn a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree to a master's degree; his uncle continued to raise the bar on Spoonhunter’s education. “I was reminded that I needed that education so we need to remind our students,” Spoonhunter said. After Spoonhunter completed his degree he knew he needed to come back to help his people."

Marlin Spoonhunter: Tribal Pride, Empowerment And Education On The Reservation

Scotty Ratliff

Scotty 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 Fame and remains on its Board. Since 2002 he has served as a special assistant to his friend and former colleague U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, advising on issues at the Wind River Reservation. Ratliff continues his service today as a member of the Shoshone Tribal Economic Board, the Wyoming State Board of Education and the National Advisory Council on Indian Education.

Scotty 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 Fame and remains on its Board. Since 2002 he has served as a special assistant to his friend and former colleague U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, advising on issues at the Wind River Reservation. Ratliff continues his service today as a member of the Shoshone Tribal Economic Board, the Wyoming State Board of Education and the National Advisory Council on Indian Education.

Scotty Ratliff: Serving His Native Community, The Wind River Reservation

Lukas Haynes

Welcome 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 New York University. He was previously New York director of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and program officer for international peace and security. The Global Speaker Series is a podcast partnership between the Wyoming Humanities Council 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.  Each interview also illuminates each interviewees personal journey as part of their work and passion for what they do.

Welcome to the Global Speaker Series. a podcast partnership between the Wyoming Humanities Council and the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs (<a href="http://www.jhcga.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.jhcga.org</a>). 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 New York University. He was previously New York director of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and program officer for international peace and security. The Global Speaker Series is a podcast partnership between the Wyoming Humanities Council and the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs (<a href="http://www.jhcga.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.jhcga.org</a>).  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.  Each interview also illuminates each interviewees personal journey as part of their work and passion for what they do.

Lukas Haynes: Strategies For Promoting Bipartisan Solutions To Climate Change

This 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 Kretschmann completed his education in business administration in Aachen, Bochum and Dortmund, he was awarded a doctoral degree in Economics in Göttingen. His post doctorate research followed at the RWTH Aachen University in 1998, specializing in geo-resources and materials science. Kretschmann held various management positions at Ruhrkohle AG. RAG AG, formerly Ruhrkohle AG, is the largest German coal mining corporation. The company headquarters are in Essen in the Ruhr area. The company was founded on 27 November 1968, consolidating several coalmining corporations into the Ruhrkohle AG.Jürgen served as personal advisor to the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Labour Director of the RAG. In 2001, he joined RAG BILDUNG GmbH as a member of the management board. Since 2006, he is chairperson of the management board of DMT-Gesellschaft für Lehre und Bildung GmbH and president of the Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola University in Bochum. DMT-Gesellschaft für Lehre und Bildung mbH (DMT-LB), based in Bochum, is a collective association of the German coal industry and acts as the funding organization of Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum (German Mining Museum) .   Kretschmann is a member of numerous national and international professional bodies, currently (2018/19) President of the Society of Mining Professors – Societät der Bergbaukunde.[1][2] He is also a member of the National Academy of Mining Sciences of Kazakhstan[3] and a member of the Section Mining-Metallurgy of the International Academy of Ecology, Man and Nature Protection Science in Russia. Here is a sampling of some of the questions we asked Jürgen:  Wyoming is the U.S.’s largest producer of coal and in recent years has been on the frontline in grappling with the changing economics of coal.  At one time the Ruhr region that you come from in Germany, was one of Europe’s leading coal producing regions.  Why did mines in Germany close and what was the government response? What are Germany’s current climate goals?  Does Germany plan to continue to use coal as part of its energy mix into the future? What are the main differences between Germany and the US in dealing with these public policy challenges – for example the loss of jobs in coal mining? On the energy front – here in Wyoming there has been a big push to lead the nation in carbon capture technologies.  Are there similar efforts underway in Germany? 

This interview is part of the Global Speaker Series. A podcast partnership between the Wyoming Humanities (<a href="http://www.thinkwy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ThinkWY.org</a>) and the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs (<a href="http://www.jhcga.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.jhcga.org</a>).  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 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">economist</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_President" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">university president </a>discusses the future of coal energy in Germany. Born and raised in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelsenkirchen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gelsenkirchen</a>, Jürgen Kretschmann completed his education in business administration in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RWTH_Aachen_University" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aachen</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhr_University_Bochum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bochum</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_University_of_Dortmund" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dortmund</a>, he was awarded a doctoral degree in Economics in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_G%C3%B6ttingen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Göttingen</a>. His post doctorate research followed at the RWTH Aachen University in 1998, specializing in geo-resources and materials science. Kretschmann held various management positions at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAG_AG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ruhrkohle AG</a>. RAG <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aktiengesellschaft" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AG</a>, formerly Ruhrkohle AG, is the largest <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">German</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_mining" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">coal mining</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">corporation</a>. The company headquarters are in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Essen</a> in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhr_area" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ruhr area</a>. The company was founded on 27 November 1968, consolidating several coalmining corporations into the Ruhrkohle AG.Jürgen served as personal advisor to the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Labour Director of the RAG. In 2001, he joined RAG BILDUNG GmbH as a member of the management board. Since 2006, he is chairperson of the management board of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMT-Gesellschaft_f%C3%BCr_Lehre_und_Bildung" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DMT-Gesellschaft für Lehre und Bildung</a> GmbH and president of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technische_Hochschule_Georg_Agricola" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola University</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bochum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bochum</a>. DMT-Gesellschaft für Lehre und Bildung mbH (DMT-LB), based in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bochum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bochum</a>, is a collective association of the German coal industry and acts as the funding organization of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Mining_Museum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum</a> (German Mining Museum) . Kretschmann is a member of numerous national and international professional bodies, currently (2018/19) President of the Society of Mining Professors – Societät der Bergbaukunde.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Kretschmann#cite_note-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[1]</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Kretschmann#cite_note-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[2]</a> He is also a member of the National Academy of Mining Sciences of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kazakhstan</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Kretschmann#cite_note-3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[3]</a> and a member of the Section Mining-Metallurgy of the International Academy of Ecology, Man and Nature Protection Science in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Russia</a>. Here is a sampling of some of the questions we asked Jürgen: <ul> <li>Wyoming is the U.S.’s largest producer of coal and in recent years has been on the frontline in grappling with the changing economics of coal.  At one time the Ruhr region that you come from in Germany, was one of Europe’s leading coal producing regions.  Why did mines in Germany close and what was the government response?</li> <li>What are Germany’s current climate goals?  Does Germany plan to continue to use coal as part of its energy mix into the future?</li> <li>What are the main differences between Germany and the US in dealing with these public policy challenges – for example the loss of jobs in coal mining?</li> <li>On the energy front – here in Wyoming there has been a big push to lead the nation in carbon capture technologies.  Are there similar efforts underway in Germany?</li> </ul>

The Afterlife of German Coal Mining And The Future Of Green Jobs

Mike Sullivan

Former Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan and U.S Ambassador to Ireland talks civility in politics and how a Democratic governor can serve two terms as governor in a Republican state. Sullivan was a key participant in the 1998 peace accord in Northern Ireland and named the 2016 Citizen of the West.

Former Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan and U.S Ambassador to Ireland talks civility in politics and how a Democratic governor can serve two terms as governor in a Republican state. Sullivan was a key participant in the 1998 peace accord in Northern Ireland and named the 2016 Citizen of the West.

Mike Sullivan: Former Wyoming Governor who Embodies the Spirit of the West

Taylor Rees

Taylor 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 people, and without any benefits to Indigenous communities. She seeks to give them a "voice."

Taylor 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 people, and without any benefits to Indigenous communities. She seeks to give them a "voice."

Taylor Rees: Seeking the Deeper meaning and giving "voice" to Indigenous peoples in her Films

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!

Best Episodes on Science, Humans & The World

The best podcast episodes on romantic relationships. Episodes talk about the 5 love languages, intimacy, and the taboo topics of sexual desires and infidelity. This topic is a deep dive into the science and complexities that face us in our relationships with others. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!