Real Talk

While Native American Heritage Month is a time to honor the stories, traditions and contributions of Indigenous communities, the true recognition goes beyond just one month. From the fight for the right to wear traditional regalia at graduation to the complex regulation of psilocybin, this week, we revisit powerful conversations that center Indigenous voices, and explore critical issues impacting...

Americans are in a loneliness epidemic, compounded by years of a pandemic and significant social and cultural change. New data suggests half of adults across the country experience loneliness, and 30% of young adults experience it a few times a week.  This week on Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News we explore the causes and consequences of being lonely, and highlight real solutions, including jo...

This year Colorado passed a new law to help address high rates of maternal mortality, particularly among Black women. In theory, this gives mothers more control over their childbirth experiences, but how well is the program working? Discussing some of the problems with new program, which allows doula services to be covered by health insurance, is Imani Williams, a doula and owner of Birth in Black...

Compared with 50 years ago, the number of adults who are single has tripled. While many of them may be happier that way, it has big implications for their personal finances.  The so-called “singles tax” applies in many ways: Groceries cost more per-person for single people; singles can’t get access to some workplace financial benefits that married people use; and they have to pay the same for a ho...

For many adopted children, there are two stories within them. One that develops organically as they’re raised in an adopted family. And the other - especially for transracial adoptees - can make them question their place in the world. This week, we sit down with CPR host Nathan Fernando-Frescas, formally Nathan Heffel, for a discussion about self-discovery and his decision to change his last name,...

Low enrollment is motivating school districts across Colorado to close some buildings. But communities are finding new uses for these once-vibrant spaces. From mental health hubs to housing developments, organizations are stepping in to repurpose shuttered schools, bringing fresh life to empty classrooms and hallways while addressing critical local needs. This week’s guests include Daniel Sampson...

Religion offers spirituality, ritual and belonging. But for some Christians, their beliefs around LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion conflict with church teachings. A 2024 survey found that out of those respondents who no longer identify with their childhood religion, nearly half cited the treatment of LGBTQ+ folks as a reason. So why is this causing so many Americans to change their affiliation and buil...

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates history, culture and identity. It's all rooted in a time before Colorado even became a state. And it brings up some complex questions around the concept of "borders" and also how Hispanic, Latino and Chicano folks choose to refer to themselves. So how do we honor these stories and identities and empower these communities? This week’s guests include Lucha Martínez...

Climate change is increasingly seen as a big public health problem. It extends allergy seasons, spreads communicable diseases, increases the risk of heat stroke, and can even affect the chances of developing diabetes. So how are doctors adapting, and what advice do they have for patients? This week’s guests include Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez-Fisher, a surgical oncologist who runs a public health clinic...

Young people who have a mentor are more likely to succeed academically, build strong social networks, and develop a sense of purpose. Mentoring has long been a critical factor in shaping the lives of youth, particularly in underserved communities. This week on RealTalk with Denver7 and CPR News, hear four community leaders who have benefitted from mentorship and are recruiting adults to serve. It...

The sleek, shiny, bouncy hair seen on advertisements is a look that many Black and brown people with textured hair try to achieve, in part to keep up with society’s beauty standards. But it leads to complex hair journeys and a challenge: how to maintain a sense of pride, since the way they choose to wear their hair is more than just a hairstyle. In this episode, three people share their journeys a...

Going to the pool and accessing Colorado’s open waters is a summer treat, but kids and adults of color face historical and modern barriers that keep them out of the water – and put them at higher risk of drowning. Swimming pools were often a battleground for civil rights. In this week’s episode, Crystal Egli, a Colorado leader in the outdoor equity space; Leilani Ransburg, who swam for her high sc...

Colorado has beautiful State and National Parks, open trails and an endless bounty of natural benefits. But not everyone has the same access or benefits from this beauty equally.  Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News explains how historical inequities and systemic racism continue to deprive some communities of the experiences of our great outdoors. Plus, this episode reveals work being done across...

More than 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed, hurdles still remain, including in everyday experiences like getting to work. On this episode of Real Talk, stories of three Coloradans who each have physical disabilities and have made it their lives' missions to humanize their experiences and advocate for further change. This episode features interviews with Stewart Tucker...

When the LGBTQ+ community put on its first Pride event downtown, it was a way to stand up for their right to exist. Over a half century later, the annual gathering is still a critical way for the community to celebrate.  In this episode, the grand marshal of Denver Pride in 2024 reflects on his experience in the event’s early years, and he trades stories with two teens involved in this year’s even...

June 19, 2024, marks nearly 160 years since all enslaved people in the United States were set free in 1865 — two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation legally ending slavery. This week we talk about the meaning of the now federal holiday, and hear how our community recognizes the day, which is also a time to reflect on the achievements of Black Americans. This...

When Colorado legalized recreational marijuana - those wanting to sell the drug saw an untapped market of willing buyers. 10 years later? Some are struggling to stay afloat in an oversaturated market. That means some are turning up-market to find new high-paying customers while others are focusing on creating unique products for niche clients. This week’s guests include: Beatrice Carranza, founder...

When you need life-saving medications, going to the pharmacy is a matter of life or death. And for many, the cost of those drugs can be a big burden. Now, Colorado is trying to curb those costs for certain medications. Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News dives into the complicated and often fraught process to bring down the price of your medications and what happened when one organization tried t...

Passover is a time to reflect and celebrate among Colorado’s Jewish communities. But this year, the holiday comes at a painful moment with war overseas and tensions here at home, from a rise in antisemitism to protests across college campuses. Passover lifts up sacred traditions that are shared and made for moments like this. This week’s guests include Scott Levin, regional director of the Anti-De...

A change in Colorado’s hate crimes statute attempts to make it easier to prosecute a bias- or hate-motivated crime. Prior versions of the statute said a crime could only be considered a hate crime if it was “wholly motivated by hate.” But the updated language now says “wholly or in part.” This week we speak to a woman who experienced a hate crime, which sparked a more than two-year journey for jus...

For millennia, Indigenous people have used psilocybin in religious and cultural ceremonies. Soon, Coloradans from all walks of life will be able to walk into a health center and have a guided experience while on the psychoactive substance. Voters approved its use years ago, and now Denver and Colorado are standing up an entire new industry with rules and regulations. However, Indigenous communitie...

As more and more new immigrant families arrive in Denver from the southern border, organizations charged with helping those most in need — children — are seeing resources stretched. This week on Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News, how nonprofits are dealing with the surge in demand for their services, how schools are adapting to more new immigrants arriving for class and how children of refugee...

Ramadan is a month for celebration, reflection and coming close to god. But this year, the shadow of war looms large. This week on Real Talk from Denver 7 and CPR News, the inescapable impact of the war in Gaza and why this year’s observance takes on more significance. Plus a newcomer to Colorado tries to find her place in Denver’s Muslim community. This week’s guests include Democratic State Rep....

Artificial intelligence is on the rise. We already use it every day from GPS systems to smartphone reminders. But how can it make you more productive, or even make education or healthcare more equitable? This week on Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News – how AI is finding its way into our everyday lives, our art, even our politics. This week’s guests include Stephen Hutt, assistant professor of c...

The arrival of new immigrants has raised many big questions in the metro area — like what to do about housing for them and opportunities to work. It's also putting a big strain on city resources — forcing cuts to services that Denverites depend on. This week on Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News — how the Mile High City is stepping up to help new immigrants — who’s feeling left out — and how non...