A true joy to be joined in the studio today by internationally acclaimed naturalist, filmmaker and contributor to numerous respected journals and news media, Priyanka Kumar.

For more than 30 years, Julia Cameron has inspired boundless creativity among artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers and especially those who didn’t believe they had a creative bone in their bodies. Today, she joins me with her long-time friend, publisher and minister, Joel Fotinos, with her most accessible volume yet, The Daily Artist’s Way: 366 Meditations for Creative Living. Meet them both at Collected Works on Tuesday November 25th at 6:00 and bring a notebook and pen to unleash your creativity. juliacameronlive.com and joelfotinos.com

David Abbey was the Director of the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee for 26 years until his recent retirement. Today, I welcome him to the KSFR studios with his memoir Forty Years in The New Mexico Roundhouse. Respectfully called “the budget genius,” David Abbey served during the administration of seven very different New Mexico governors and in this informal and enjoyable conversation we discuss not only the appropriation of funds but also change, education and next year’s midterm election for Governor.

A joy to be joined today by Erica Elliott, MD, with the third part of her memoir, From Doctor to Healer: The Mountain Lion’s Gift. Fifty years after a Navajo elder’s prophecy that, “…if she survived life-threatening obstacles” she would have “powerful medicine to bring to the people” Dr. Elliott recalls facing some of the most challenging health issues, physical and neurological, which helped to transform her own practice from a mainstream doctor to a true healer and “medical detective.” We touch on everything from environmental medicine to a devastating shattered leg repaired with a toxic metal, to rare brain surgery. Dr. Erica Elliott will be at Collected Works special event Gathering Voices: Stories of Healing at 4:30 on Sunday, November 23rd. www.ericaelliottmd.com

Yes! It’s the annual Halloween week show and this year we go further back than ever in our adventure into the paranormal. Yet, is it paranormal or could mediumship actually be normal?

A lovely, relaxing show today along the verdant Acequias of Albuquerque with noted medieval historian, Great Courses professor and author Joyce Salisbury whose work weaves history and geography wherever she travels. Her beautiful book, Acequias of Albuquerque: Walking Ancient Waterways is literally, “a gift to Albuquerque” for all of us here in the Land of Enchantment. Filled with 32 color photographs and over 80 black and white, plus trail maps, it is the definitive guide to the history of Acequias, the unexpected wildlife and profound beauty. Co-authored with guide, Kim Hafermalz, enjoy every second of this interview. A book to treasure. Contact Joyce through her publisher History Press.

I’m joined today by contributor to The New York Times and editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, Peter Beinart, Professor of journalism and political science at City University of New York to discuss his provocative new book, Being Jewish After The Destruction of Gaza. Joining me in the studio is clinical social worker, Marcelle Grant, who is one of the organizers of Peter Beinart’s talk in Santa Fe on October 20th. A must-listen episode about a controversial book and a critically-defining period in our global experience. More at peterbeinart.substack.com Register for his free talk at beinartinsantafe@gmail.com

A delight to chat with composer, guitarist, and music journalist Mark Small about his biography of Lee Berk, the former president of Berklee College of Music where Mark was on staff for many years. Lee Berk: Leading the Berklee Way covers the life and vision of Lee and his father Lawrence and why Berklee stands out as one of the most sought after colleges by musicians everywhere. Mark Small worked closely with Lee’s widow, Susan Berk to create this book honoring her husband’s life, and both will be at Collected Works Bookstore on Thursday, October 9th at 6:00.

Nationally-acclaimed naturalist, Priyanka Kumar, praised for her luminous book Conversations with Birds and often compared to Rachel Carson, joins me with her new book, The Light Between Apple Trees: Rediscovering The Wild Through A Beloved American Fruit.

A musical treat today with author, singer, songwriter and 2014 Oklahoma Poet Laureate emeritus Nathan Brown. With 30 volumes of poetry and prose to his name and uncountable songs, Nathan delights, informs and inspires audiences wherever he goes. Lucky for us, he has recently relocated to Santa Fe from Texas hill country and celebrates publication of the second book in his Birth of A Vagabond seasonal series here on The Last Word. He begins a new tour, along with his daughter Sierra, with a house concert next Thursday and a musical event at Susan Eddings Perez Gallery, 717 Canyon Road, Friday, September 19th beginning “around 6:30.”