Critical Conversations

Since 2015, 21 young people have been engaged in the ongoing battle to sue the United States government for denying their constitutional right to life and liberty by supporting and prioritizing profiting enterprises over the right to life and liberty. Juliana v. United States, which transcends political party lines, has the potential to change the course of climate activism, by deinstitutionalizin...

This important conversation brings to light the idea that most veterans of war are never given the opportunity to fully understand the effect their service has on their psyche, and some are driven down a cascade of crime due to an undiagnosed psychiatric disability. It is becoming more commonplace to legally divert vets into a mental health discovery program, help them integrate their past experie...

Having a title within city government means nothing unless you practice what you preach, fulfill your duties and walk the walk. It is so important during this “epidemic of apathy” for community members to engage with active managing bodies in a civil, respectful manner. Economic pressure, disagreements, lawlessness, gun threats, poor health habits; can we slow down enough to focus on the importanc...

Steadfast growth in Central Oregon is continually demanding the attention of city leaders, permitting agencies and area developers, but the issue remains that housing is completely unaffordable by even median level income earners. How can we be a model for growth when the supply and demand chains are so out of balance, and there is nowhere for people to live? Originally aired on September 15, 2023...

This intriguing conversation about sexuality begins with Shanti’s and Atom’s individual experiences in the public sauna, continues into how this type of environment can trigger human biology and, ultimately, tells of the type of interactions that ensue. The true challenge lies within each of us to deeply understand and balance our own masculine and feminine energies. Originally aired on September...

Oregon’s 39th Governor, returning from a listening tour that spanned every county in the Beaver State, is thanking Oregonians for continuing to step up and work together to solve societal problems. In every community, there are folks spreading the hope that there is success in our future if we can all make the most of our situation. Governor Kotek reminds us that complex issues take a multi-layere...

Diane Hodiak, AKA Carbonfreeda, is preparing for the battle with climate change by arming herself with spears of knowledge, shields of determination and daggers that motivate others to take action. Most of what she does is interpret government policy for the average person to understand and learn how to implement cleaner energy into their daily lives and businesses. The Inflation Reduction Act eve...

The cities of Bend and Redmond, Oregon are intrinsically tied together, as they are dependent on each other’s success to continue to upgrade Central Oregon as a whole. To the folks in Redmond, density is coming, and to the folks in Bend, your little brother city is growing up now. The future success lies in joining forces, sharing resources and focusing on the learning opportunities that will brin...

Subtle discrimination is much more widespread than egregious sexual assault, and it’s very easy to overlook the unconscious bias facing women in the workplace. Affirmative action, of course, demands equality, but it is not enough just to ‘open doors’ to women. So The 16 were born, and their pursuit to bring justice to the science department at MIT made them heroes. Originally aired on August 16, 2...

Our own carbon footprint could be one of the hardest things for us to alter or rethink since we are creatures of habit, but it is of the utmost importance that we all do so to the best of our abilities to create lasting change on planet Earth. The Environmental Center advocates reducing, reusing, recycling and composting, in that order, and they continue to educate people on how to fix their broke...

Whether we like it or not, the topic of urban growth is all the rage, with boundaries needing expansion and residential living quarters going vertical. The idea is to go up and not out, to protect more of what our community thrives off of; the forests and open lands surrounding cities. Our Friday Point hosts ask some direct questions and challenge city councilors to continue the conversation. Orig...

After the Culver School District removed students from outdoor school due to concerns with gender expansive youth and counselors staying overnight in cabins, Camp Tamarack and The Environmental Center are joining forces to bring education and awareness to the forefront of the issue. As businesses, governmental bodies and organizations continue to grow their DEI toolboxes, conversations continue ab...

Mindfulness and food are an intrinsically linked duo offering unique opportunities to build awareness from everyday necessity while noticing how we can be more present in our choices. We are missing out on a lot when we eat or live life too fast. Just by noticing the sensations of chewing, tasting or the simple feeling of becoming satisfied with food can bring more to the enjoyment of eating, the...

Reaching for a higher level of self-awareness can be very exciting and very scary at the same time and requires us to show up as our true authentic selves. Whitney Walker, Mental Health Therapist and creator of Women Waken, shares her own story of transformation and teaches that by moving toward the harmonic aspects of life, we can exponentially create more harmony.  Originally aired on May 2...

Since the murder of George Floyd, Central Oregon Black Leaders Assembly has adopted the mission to build an equitable community, taking on the fight to remove racist language from Oregon's land covenants. The archaic language discriminating against the sales of property to certain racial groups holds no actual legal weight anymore, but unification of our word is what's important for all to truly m...

Imagine a type of therapy that treats the entire body and mind in a single touch, identifies and aligns emotional and spiritual bodies, and shatters any resistance for healing that may exist. Mike Macy shares his story of trauma and transformation that led him to master and, ultimately, write the first textbook in his field. Craniosacral Therapy invites us to let go of what’s not helpful, move for...

It takes a strong gut just to watch the commercials that show animal suffering and the amazing people at Pet Evacuation Team are in the middle of these scenes during the heat of the moment to provide emergency care with smiles in their hearts. With their reliance solely on volunteers and donations, PET provides evacuations and seizures for domestic and farm animals due to wildfire, abuse, hoarding...

A terribly heart and law breaking hate crime occurs in what feels like not such a small town in Oregon anymore, in an investigation that is still underway. A still unknown perpetrator left a raccoon carcass at the steps of the mayor’s law office labeled with his name and that of the only black city councilman currently serving in Redmond. This leaves them to wonder whether a person who would go to...

After vividly dreaming of merging into full understanding with animals, Gwenna Hunter began a vegan community that continues to grow and realize its own strength and purpose. The fight for freedom continues beyond animals into human rights, social justice and encouraging people from all different backgrounds to actively engage in the conversation. When there is access and exposure to wholesome cho...

There is a massive societal shift happening in regards to assisting those needing mental health resources, from the traditional use of detainment as the only solution by police to now resolving situations with the use of immediate crisis intervention services. Community organizations are partnering to create new ways to help anyone who is struggling and seeking support, eliminate barriers in rural...

Just leaving your car unattended to go to work or the windows down for fresh air while sleeping is a risk when the vehicle is also your home. It is no less than traumatic to live under such daily stress, and Mountain View Community Development is providing more specialized services than ever for people in these unique circumstances with safe parking spaces. When it is so difficult to plan for anyt...

So many drug addiction recovery success stories are based on dramatic lifestyle and routine changes, and that is exactly how this faith-centered, inpatient ministry has decided to lead young men on their healing journey. In order to treat depression, anxiety and stress without the use of pharmaceuticals, they use exercise, nutrition and community, as well as spiritual guidance, to find freedom thr...

It’s the sentiment of some young parents today that the labyrinth of child rearing is more overwhelming than ever, with so much information to wade through and extreme financial challenges that strap a family into a cycle of stress. For pregnant women and new moms, access to support and healthcare resources provides the assurance needed to settle the mind and allow the physical body to solely focu...

Staggering quantities of cheap, synthetic drugs manufactured in Mexico have covered the United States in recent years and reimagines the profile of the stereotypical addict. Families who experience loss of a loved one to addiction are often left with more questions than answers, but it’s the pain of political negligence that is the crime. We need deep collaboration between the US and Mexico in ord...

Sally Griffin’s take on how to guide and support students to actual life preparedness is the closest thing there is to The Parenting Bible. Her lifetime of experience, and many degrees in education, has led her to take a basic approach to working with children in the school system by being honest, brave and communicating. It is vitally important to the success of a student that parents participate...