Studio 809 Community Podcast Network

If you’ve ever opened an IRS or California Franchise Tax Board letter and felt your stomach drop, you’re not alone. In this powerful episode of The Tax Answers Advisor , host Marcelino Dodge, EA , is joined by Leighanne LaFrenz Nickel, CPA , to reveal “America’s Dirty Little Secret” — the emotional and financial burden of unresolved tax debt. Together, they explore: The key differences between the...

In this bilingual podcast, Mayor Edith Escarcega, from the Colorado Springs Sister City Nuevos Casas Grandes in Chihuahua Mexico, talks about her path, at 40, to be the second woman mayor of her town. She discusses what a Sister City program is, what the priorities for her Mexican community are, how women and families are valued in her region and what brought her to Colorado Springs for her s...

Feeling overwhelmed by IRS tax debt, unfiled returns, or surprise tax bills? In this unique episode of The Tax Answer Advisor , Marcelino Dodge, EA and CTRC, sits down with Courtney Cullen of Hippy Hands Massage LLC to explore how tax relief and massage therapy work hand-in-hand to reduce financial stress and help you sleep better at night. Discover why both tax resolution and massage therapy requ...

Hear from Vickie Tonkins, Republican candidate running for El Paso County Commissioner – District 5. Links: Donate to the League & help our efforts to Empower Voters & Defend Democracy - https://lwvppr.org/content.aspx?page_id=305&club_id=750758&item_id=5696 Non-partisan candidate information -  http://vote411.org/ Candidate Forum Calendar -  https://www.lwvppr.org/ Candi...

Hear from Lauren Nelson, Republican candidate running for El Paso County Commissioner – District 5. Links: Donate to the League & help our efforts to Empower Voters & Defend Democracy - https://lwvppr.org/content.aspx?page_id=305&club_id=750758&item_id=5696 Non-partisan candidate information -  http://vote411.org/ Candidate Forum Calendar -  https://www.lwvppr.org/ Candid...

A super fun family bike ride is coming up, benefitting cancer patients and their families. Get the details in this conversation with Todd Haller. The 3rd Annual Colorado Springs Witches, Warlocks, and Ghouls Bike Ride happens October 18, 2025, almost entirely on paved bicycle path, from Stir in the Bon Shopping Center, to Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs. It’s a 3.5 mile affair. Decked out...

Beth sits down with long-time friend and professional colleague, Aimee Cox - chief of the Housing and Homelessness Response Department. The core activity of the City of Colorado Springs Housing and Homelessness Response Department is the strategic management and investment of public funds to strengthen neighborhoods, increase the availability of quality affordable housing, and prevent an...

What happens when bright young people are left to their own devices? With Jump Start the Aging Workforce internships, JAWS, high school students not only finished one internship, they launched another self-directed experiment to connect with seniors in long term care. Students were so interested in learning more about the seniors they met in long term care, they decided to start a story...

Learn more about Ranked Choice Voting, how it's done, the benefits and how we can make this happen, in this Community Conversation hosted by NAACP Colorado Springs and the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region. It was recorded in front of a live audience at Stompin’ Grounds on September 20, 2025. At the mic: NAACP’s Angela Stevens and RCV4CO’s Linda Templin. Donate Today! League of...

Get the scoop on changes in bus routes and schedules in this conversation with Mountain Metropolitan Transit Planning & Operations Supervisor Jacob Matsen. Changes include improvements to the free bus service through Manitou Springs so you can skip parking at the Manitou Incline and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. We also discuss bus stops for the UCCS campus and neighborhood, the free downtown shuttl...

Unite Your World with the Arts! Some people might think that the concept of sustainability means only environmental sustainability. While sustainability does include nature and the environment, it also encompasses society or community, economy, and individual well-being. Arts and culture represents one aspect of social sustainability that sustains and improves our quality of life, which we explore...

We never thought “dick pic” would be part of a film festival, but it did “come up” in this conversation about the 38th annual Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival. Don’t worry, you won’t see one at the festival. You will experience a powerful weekend of films that spark conversation, ignite change, and celebrate storytelling through the female lens. Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Executive Director N...

Senior centers are vital gathering hubs for older adults. It is recommended there be one senior center per population of 25,000, this generates to Colorado Springs needing 19 senior centers. The city historically has had one senior center, and it has been undergoing a rebuild for the past two years, leaving its biggest fans at a loss for connection and engagement. September is Senior Cen...

What makes a city or neighborhood “walkable?” Does Colorado Springs have what it takes? What’s being done to improve that? Meet the woman leading the charge, Lelia Gibson-Green, who last week led the 2nd Colorado Springs Walkability Summit. She’s also responsible for persuading Colorado Springs City Council to proclaim today, September 22, Walkability Day. In this episode she shares how she came t...

No one wants to fall. We even rename classes to Moving for Better Balance to avoid planting the seed of falling, thinking this will help if we don’t say the word - fall. Today UC Health’s Lori Morgan, will talk us through the physical, physiological and mental causes of falls. We’ll bet there is news here for our listeners. We close with practices to build confidence, stability and...

Three days and two stages will turn the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort in Colorado Springs into a slice of music and community heaven October 3-5. Lodge owner Torie Giffin takes the mic, along with GM Sara Branham and Director of Marketing Shelby Clarke, to give us all the details about Buffalo Grass. Our discussion includes how Torie and her staff have turned Buffalo Lodge into a vibrant community...

If you’ve ever felt the weight of payroll tax problems pulling your business under, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to face the IRS alone either. In this episode of The Tax Answers Advisor , Marcelino Dodge sits down with David Ramirez, an Enrolled Agent, former IRS agent, and U.S. Tax Court Practitioner based in Hawaii, to uncover the truth about payroll tax debt and the dangerous trap of tru...

We begin to unravel one of the most complex and timely topics in the global energy landscape. Whether you’re a student, a policy maker, a professional in the energy sector, or simply an engaged global citizen, this episode promises to broaden your horizons and foster informed dialogue. As countries strive to decarbonize their energy sectors, the debate over nuclear power becomes increasingly vital...

Are overdue tax bills, unfiled returns, or surprise IRS collections stealing your peace of mind? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck in fear. In this powerful episode of The Tax Answers Advisor , Marcelino Dodge sits down with tax attorney Eric Green to uncover the real strategies that help taxpayers escape the grip of overwhelming IRS debt. Together, they reveal why the IRS is more...

Art exhibitions, a film festival, urban terrorists, downtown ambassadors, a walkability summit, and how safe do you feel bicycling our city? These are just a few of the items on our smorgasbord in a free-for-all episode. MENTIONED: Ditching Your Turf Grass Burning Man Mutant Airplane at Burning Man 2024 The bicycle 3-feet clearance law New Colorado law now requires vehicles in both directions to s...

Homeward Pikes Peak and the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) have worked together for several years providing street outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness. This episode explores when CSFD began doing street outreach and their unique role in our community. More information about the CSFD Community and Public Health Division can be found at  https://coloradosprings.gov/f...

When technological advancements meet heartfelt human connection, organizations like iSight Connections create meaningful opportunities for support and growth. Tim Richards and Jeanette Fortin from iSight Connections bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for supporting individuals with vision impairment. Tim is the founder, and Jeanette is the Community Relations Coordinator. They discuss...

What happens when fear of the IRS takes over your life? For one man, it meant nearly a decade of hiding, sleepless nights, and constant anxiety about when the next letter or phone call would arrive. But what began as years of secrecy and stress transformed into a powerful journey of hope, financial freedom, and a mission to help others break free from the same struggle. In this episode, you’ll hea...

Why is water such a hot-button issue in Colorado right now? Host/producer Ally Richardson dives into the heart of local water challenges with Dave Gardner, Mark Robinson, and Mike Callicrate. From policy to permaculture, they explore innovative solutions that could shape the future of our region’s most precious resource. In the conversation today: Farmer Mark Robinson from Green Hill Farm in Peyto...

On this episode of Tax Answer Advisor , Marcelino Dodge sits down with seasoned tax professional Felicia Dixon for a conversation designed specifically for military families and active-duty service members. Broadcasting from Colorado Springs—a major military hub—Marcelino and Felicia tackle the real tax challenges faced by those who serve. They discuss how to avoid costly mistakes that lead to lat...