Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast

Season 2, Ep. 6: Dr. Timothy Nelson

Howdy, everyone! We’ve been busy with other work, but we’re back! In this week’s episode, Andy interviews Dr. Timothy Nelson, author of Blackdom, New Mexico: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier, 1900-1930. We also chat about the news, including these stories from some of our favorite reporters: https://sourcenm.com/briefs/new-mexico-enacts-sweeping-statewide-fire-restrictions-to-prevent-wildfires/ [https://sourcenm.com/briefs/new-mexico-enacts-sweeping-statewide-fire-restrictions-to-prevent-wildfires/] https://www.kunm.org/kunm-news-update/2026-04-06/mon-rio-grande-could-dry-up-in-albuquerque-for-third-time-in-40-years-more [https://www.kunm.org/kunm-news-update/2026-04-06/mon-rio-grande-could-dry-up-in-albuquerque-for-third-time-in-40-years-more] https://sourcenm.com/2026/04/06/new-mexico-begins-review-of-threatened-and-endangered-species/ [https://sourcenm.com/2026/04/06/new-mexico-begins-review-of-threatened-and-endangered-species/] https://capitalandmain.com/oil-companies-accused-of-massive-accounting-fraud-in-new-mexico [https://capitalandmain.com/oil-companies-accused-of-massive-accounting-fraud-in-new-mexico] Music credits for this show include: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song and ree Spirits (Instrumental) by Chill Winston. As always, find us on Substack [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3mflGivzUSgaMz83IfBlKA] or Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lesser-known-new-mexico-podcast/id1812454644] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lesserknownnmpod/]. And if you really want to, you can drop us a note at lesserknownnmpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast! cheers, Andy & Laura (and Mary) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesserknownnmpod.substack.com [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Season 2, Ep. 5: Brian Colón

Listeners probably remember Brian Colón from his years in New Mexico politics. He ran once for mayor of Albuquerque, once for New Mexico attorney general and served as state auditor. Now he’s the managing partner of Singleton Schreiber’s New Mexico offices and representing families impacted by the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. Brian talked to Andy about growing up in New Mexico and what motivates him to go head to head with FEMA’s Claims Office Director, Jay Mitchell. (There’s also some talk of a young man named Benito Martínez Ocasio!) Friend of the podcast Patrick Lohmann has been covering the impacts of the fire from day one, Here’s his latest story about Mitchell being placed on administrative leave earlier this month [https://sourcenm.com/2026/02/12/nm-wildfire-claims-office-director-on-administrative-leave-following-six-figure-payout/]. Long-time readers of Laura’s work might also remember that Jay Mitchell was on her radar a decade ago when he was in charge of New Mexico’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: https://sfreporter.com/archives/emergency-mismanagement/ Laura and Andy also talk about some more local news coverage [https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2026/02/17/records-show-gary-king-deb-haaland-used-epstein-linked-jet-during-2014-campaign/] of Jeffery Epstein and how maybe it’s time for men to take a break from politics. If you aren’t already subscribed to Laura’s personal Substack [https://laurapaskus215494.substack.com/], you may have missed her latest about how New Mexico dropped the ball on climate action. Music credits for this show include: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song and Essentials (Instrumental) by Seb Sanders. As always, find us on Substack [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3mflGivzUSgaMz83IfBlKA] or Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lesser-known-new-mexico-podcast/id1812454644] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lesserknownnmpod/]. And if you really want to, you can drop us a note at lesserknownnmpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesserknownnmpod.substack.com [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Season 2, Ep. 4: Photojournalist Diana Cervantes

Photojournalist Diana Cervantes has spent years documenting the critically endangered Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly. In December her photos and videos were part of a story in The New York Times, “They’re Trying to Find a Mate for This Very Lonely Caterpillar.” [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/climate/sacramento-mountains-checkerspot-butterfly.html] It was great to have Cervantes back on the podcast to talk about the butterfly, being a compassionate photojournalist in an era of extinction, and more. Head over to Instagram and follow her at @dee_sea_photo [https://www.instagram.com/dee_sea_photo/] and see all of her images and videos, including of the butterfly and caterpillar — and the scientists studying and trying to protect the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly. And if you want to be cool like Diana and Laura, someday you should go see the bat outflight at El Malpais National Monument: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/elma-bat-outflight.htmMeanwhile, to hear our 2025 conversation with Cervantes: Music credits for this show include: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song and Butterfly Samba (Feat. Dani Catalá) (Instrumental) by Kiabits. As always, find us on Substack [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3mflGivzUSgaMz83IfBlKA] or Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lesser-known-new-mexico-podcast/id1812454644] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lesserknownnmpod/]. And if you really want to, you can drop us a note at lesserknownnmpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesserknownnmpod.substack.com [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Season 2, Ep. 3: Going local with Lindsay Wood

Lindsay Wood runs Albuquerque’s Nob Hill News [http://albuquerquenobhillnews], plus its new offshoots covering the International District [https://idnews.substack.com/] and the North Valley [https://northvalleynews.substack.com/]. Andy talks with her about how that all works — and what she sees for the future. Plus, we chat about Sunday’s Anti-ICE Rally in downtown Albuquerque and look ahead to next week’s show, with photojournalist Diana Cervantes. Music credits: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song and Ink Splash (Feat. Richard Houghten) (Instrumental) by Arms and Sleepers Find us on Substack [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3mflGivzUSgaMz83IfBlKA] or Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lesser-known-new-mexico-podcast/id1812454644] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lesserknownnmpod/]. And if you really want to, you can drop us a note at lesserknownnmpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesserknownnmpod.substack.com [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Season 2, Episode 2: Super-local journalism

Know what we love? Knowing what the heck is happening in our community. This week, we talk with Peter Rice, who runs Downtown Albuquerque News. To find out more about DAN, head on over to the website: https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/ Music credits: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song and Ink Splash (Feat. Richard Houghten) (Instrumental) by Arms and Sleepers Find us on Substack [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3mflGivzUSgaMz83IfBlKA] or Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lesser-known-new-mexico-podcast/id1812454644] and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lesserknownnmpod/]. And if you really want to, you can drop us a note at lesserknownnmpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesserknownnmpod.substack.com [https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]