Critical Conversations

Sex is an exceedingly interesting yet provocative part of life, experienced by most, but discussed very little in mainstream conversation. Author of the book Too Busy To Get Busy, Dr. Jane Guyn gives a holistic approach to “bedroom talk” and implores individuals and couples to continue to explore, be authentic and co-create in their shared sexual connections. She explains how we can get out of our...

Presenting part three of our series examining the housing crisis in Central Oregon, featuring Mellissa Kamanya, Grants Director for Bend-Redmond Habitat . She shares her own family’s struggles with housing instability and the programs and promise of Habitat for Humanity as one solution to our community’s difficulties. Infusing hope and enabling transformations makes this organization a community g...

A swath of such challenging experiences from Virginia to Central Oregon, as told by interracial couple KPOV DJ Teryl Young, and his wife, Kim, have truly put them through the wringer. These are real stories from real people in our community who are confronting real issues on racism right now. Stereotyping, white supremacist ideals, racial targeting, superficiality, microaggressions, whitewashing;...

After the life-changing opportunity to own her own home came to fruition through the support of Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, Jodie is glowing. All she ever wanted was stability for her children to thrive and was able to access custom support to make it a reality; and through the sweat equity program, community builds community. She now makes her living as a real estate agent and helps pass t...

Understanding what it means to be earthlings, animals and then humans is the center of this discussion with Debra Merskin and Carrie Freeman, animal rights activists and authors in the field. Non-human animals must have equal and proper representation in the media to both honor and respect, with accuracy, these other communities of species. In re-empowering the notion of animality, we are all some...

The Hohman’s walk us through the process of how they first started volunteering for and, ultimately, buying a house in partnership with the Bend-Redmond Habitat For Humanity. Moving into their own home was life-changing, offering space for their family to flourish, creating a positive ripple effect and opening up endless possibilities in their lives. It’s a Hand-Up, not a Hand-Out. Originally aire...

Every culture is learned through observation of what is socially acceptable and allowed on a “normal” basis. In her book, No More Excuses, How To Dismantle Rape Culture , Amber Keyser unpacks the disconnect in America between what we say and what actions are ultimately tolerated. When amplified and carried into adulthood, this dangerous level of cultural conditioning leads to a lifetime of unhealt...

This emotional interview takes place within days after Barry Washington Jr. was murdered in downtown Bend, Oregon. KPOV Station Manager, Bruce Morris, and Josie Stanfield have an exploratory discussion into the circumstances surrounding Barry’s final evening, what constitutes a hate crime and how microaggressions and fears propel deeply-rooted white supremist behavior. Originally aired on October...

Food is just food, until one day, it means more. And it was in this fashion that everything changed for Paige Parsons Roache when she took on the sustainability/veganism movement and balanced out the pleasures of her life to allow animals to have theirs. Now she is a full time vegan lifestyle advocate, connecting like minded foodies at Unchained TV and bringing vegan cooking content to the world....

In the Rook family, activism is a civil duty passed down between generations. Juniper, and her mother, Kelsey, share trials and tribulations of leading such a bold, yet vulnerable life, giving insight into some of the impacts and challenges of using their voices to push for social and political change. Juniper reads her letter to the Redmond School Board in which she pleas for safer schools. Origi...

Anyone can do it, says Lisa Fulkerson, Reiki Master and Healing Practitioner, who herself from childhood, instinctively tapped into the mystical nature of energetic healing. This is exactly what is happening when a mother kisses the wound of her child to take the pain away. And when we shift our focus and give ourselves permission, it is possible to journey inward to clear unwanted energies in ord...

In a courageous display of transmutation, Lori Alhadeff and her husband started the non-profit Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS) after losing their daughter in the Parkland, Florida school shooting in 2018. Named after the departed, Alyssa’s Law is now a nationwide movement and is focused around enacting a direct notification method between classrooms and local law enforcement and creating a standard l...

Anne Graham did not start life as a woman, but began the transition at age 46 having always felt like a female in a male’s body. The procedures brought joy, flavored with the unexpected fear of reentering society as an unsocialized woman. After being medically and honorably discharged from the military, Anne went to Intel, met Frank… and the rest is history. Originally aired on April 4, 2018 on KP...

With a tiny fingertip poke, Bruce Morris is tested for HIV live on the air, joined by Jessica Terpstra, Regional Coordinator of HIV Early Prevention Services for Central Oregon. Taking an HIV test is fast, easy, free and confidential. Treatment is readily available to guide an individual to viral suppression, and this support is the best way to keep communities safe and healthy. Undetectable equal...

These women are strong, flexible, adventurous and have a passion for their country, yet share misogynistic stories from their time in the service that completely dismantle equal opportunity propaganda. Major Kara Kelly and Alison Perry, both military veterans with rank, never reported the sexual abuse they experienced out of fear of the wrath of over-powering male figures. It is out of these exper...

Animals are unmistakably intelligent in ways that humans are only beginning to understand, Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA, expresses passionately. Humans, ultimately, could learn from the behaviors and emotional temperaments of all of Earth’s creatures, who are incredibly loyal to each other and are wonderful caretakers, nurturers and partners. Become aware of the immense effort working to pres...

With her life-changing four-step process to quell anxiety, Shelley Maurice-Maier reminds us of our own innate abilities to decide to actively work with our issues and transform them for good. Generally a taboo topic, the causes of anxiety are unique to each individual and start during uncomfortable childhood moments. She shares compelling information about highly productive actions to take to incr...

Courageous Youth Radio Hour hosts, Juniper and Parker, have important dialogue about topics that are important to them, how they feel and what they’re experiencing in their community. They express their deep desire to be accepted for the way they are and the exhaustion that’s felt as they continue to fight for representation, action and change. Be inspired by the honesty and stamina it takes to de...

Protecting ourselves and our families from cyber attack can seem like a daunting task with the overwhelming amount of information and misinformation that’s available on the internet. Matthew Canham, cybersecurity expert and cognitive psychologist, explains what type of security can be implemented to keep information safe from these all too common breaches and how to protect consumers from the dark...

There is no easy way to swallow the harsh reality of what life was like for the people of Flint, Michigan when they experienced a sudden breakout of mysterious illnesses in 2014 and began their arduous fight for a clean water supply. Authors Candy Cooper and Marc Aronson encourage critical thinking and challenge everyone to question what they’re told, seek evidence and look for more information. O...

This open-hearted interview with Kata, a male to female transgender person, describes the feelings that surrounded her taking the first steps to transition, what it feels like to be misgendered at birth and, ultimately, to be who she feels she’s meant to be. Hear how the last two and half years went for Kata in such “an amazingly gentle place” to transition, working through the nerves and fully em...

Animal rights activist and educator Vanessa Marsot brings her intriguing insights about the cruelties of animal consumption and how to approach the topic across cultures. She opens up about her real-world experience defending animal rights against cultural and religious tradition, her passion for the connectedness of all beings and a global vision for the vegan community. Originally aired on June...

Grief is a movement, a gift and an energy that when welcomed can open us up to life and a greater sense of well-being. Marci Wayman of Good Grief Guidance shares how when we tend to our grief we can shift, transcend and release it and in the process transform our entire lives. Hear how we can deepen bonds and our overall belonging with grace and compassion by allowing this moment to purely happen....

We question the tender topic of houselessness here, where the focus is providing humane, safe and legal sheltering options for Central Oregon’s growing homeless population. James Cook and Bob Bohac, of Oasis Village, discuss in-depth what it takes to realistically support such a project and how funds can be dedicated in order to build a bridge for the houseless out of camps and into homes of their...

The research is growing about the physiological benefits of being around horses and is shown to steady the heart, calm the mind and relieve dis-ease. Founded upon her lifelong passion for horses and vast experience, Darcy Bedortha, owns and operates the equine therapy program Horses on the Ranch. Hear how these amazing creatures are helping people on their healing journey. Originally aired on Marc...