Suncast

Zachary Fort, President of the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, joins the New Mexico SunCast to discuss the rise of youth shooting sports, challenges in firearm legislation, and the link between criminal justice failures and gun crime. Fort shares his personal journey into advocacy, urges civic engagement, and explains why discipline and safety training—not bans—are the key to a safer state...

In this powerful episode of the New Mexico Sun Cast, host Jim Williams sits down with leaders from the New Mexico Dream Center and Basin Dream Center in Midland, Texas, to expose the hidden crisis of human trafficking across the Southwest. Survivors, outreach workers, and law enforcement allies discuss how vulnerable youth are preyed upon, the urgent need for public awareness, and what communities...

Four-term Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima joins the New Mexico Sun Cast to share his gubernatorial vision for 2026. With deep roots in the state and a unique multicultural background, Miyagashima discusses everything from geothermal desalination and housing reform to public safety, economic development, and his personal journey from small business owner to city leader. Learn how his experience in...

At just 23, Marcus Lujan is already shaping state policy as Field Director for Think New Mexico. In this powerful interview, Lujan walks us through his efforts to recruit real voices for real legislative impact—from expanding Medicaid reimbursements to tackling New Mexico’s healthcare worker shortage. With insight into bridging political divides and a passion rooted in local Catholic education, Ma...

Kristina Fisher, Associate Director of Think New Mexico, reflects on 23 years of public policy work in the Land of Enchantment. In this candid conversation, she shares how growing up in New Mexico shaped her mission, why environmental restoration is bipartisan at its core, and how Think New Mexico tackles real-world issues with deep research, grassroots support, and practical solutions. From repea...

In this episode of the New Mexico Suncast, Jim Williams sits down with Susan Martin, the business manager of Think New Mexico, to explore her unexpected path from theater major to nonprofit operations expert. Broadcasting from Santa Fe, they discuss the many hats she wears—from HR to property management—and how her years at the Santa Fe Opera shaped her love for behind-the-scenes work. It’s a cand...

On this episode of the New Mexico Suncast, host Jim Williams interviews Katie Gutierrez, the dynamic tax, budget, and economic reform director at Think New Mexico. From her roots in the East Mountains to shaping state-level policy, Gutierrez shares a forward-thinking vision for economic justice, food security, and how smart public investment can lift entire communities. The conversation tackles he...

Former state legislator, U.S. diplomat, and entrepreneur Bob Perls joins the New Mexico Sun Cast to talk about leading the Forward Party in New Mexico. In this powerful conversation, Perls shares why he’s stayed rooted in New Mexico, his long fight for open primaries, and his mission to unite voters across the political spectrum. He discusses the broken duopoly of American politics, the urgent nee...

Jim Williams sits down with Mandi Torrez, Education Reform Director at Think New Mexico and 2020 New Mexico Teacher of the Year, to discuss the deep challenges and promising solutions in New Mexico’s public education system. From class size caps to teacher residencies and literacy reform, Torres explains how sustainable, thoughtful change—modeled on real successes in states like Mississippi—could...

In this episode of Suncast, host Jim Williams sits down with businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca for a blunt and data-driven conversation on what’s holding New Mexico back—and how to fix it. Apodaca, drawing on both private-sector experience and deep family political roots, lays out a vision for job creation, investment in rural communities, and breaking the cycle of povert...

Fred Nathan, founder and executive director of Think New Mexico, joins host Jim Williams to break down the alarming doctor shortage in New Mexico. In this revealing conversation, Nathan outlines the root causes—from soaring medical malpractice premiums to burdensome taxes on healthcare services—and shares bipartisan solutions that nearly passed in the 2025 legislative session. Learn about Think Ne...

In this heartwarming episode of the New Mexico Sun podcast, host Jim Williams sits down with Randy Mascorella, Executive Director of Special Olympics New Mexico, to explore her powerful journey of more than 30 years advocating for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Randy shares how her experience as a coach led to a life-changing calling, the importance of sports in building confidence and i...

In this powerful episode of the New Mexico Sun Cast, host Jim Williams sits down with Paul Gessing, President of the Rio Grande Foundation, to unpack the root causes of New Mexico’s most pressing issues—from failing public schools and economic stagnation to outmigration and health care challenges. Gessing, a longtime advocate for free markets and limited government, shares candid insights on the s...

Join Jim Williams and Carla Sonntag as they sit down with Jean Bernstein, co-founder of Flying Star Cafe, to talk about the incredible journey of building one of Albuquerque’s most beloved local restaurant chains. From her early days as a teacher to managing over 400 employees, Jean shares the inspiration behind Flying Star, the secrets to its iconic menu, and what it takes to run a values-driven...

In this episode of New Mexico Suncast, Jim Williams sits down with Don and Damara Andrade—parents, Christian apologists, and creators of A Parent’s Guide to 125+ Explicit Books in Albuquerque Public Schools. Together, they break down their findings on graphic sexual content embedded in K-12 school libraries, the dangers of early exposure, and the growing movement of concerned parents pushing back....

Kyle Hartsock is Commander of Criminal Investigation Division with the Albuquerque Police Department as well as a Law Enforcement Investigation Expert, Policy Writer, and Mobile device forensics location expert. Shell Repp is a part of the New Mexico Human Trafficking Task Force and Executive Director for New Mexico Dream Center whose mission is to provide services to survivors of human traffickin...

Chris served over 20 years in the United States Air Force as an HH-60G Flight Examiner and Master Instructor HH-60G Flight Engineer. Chris has had a distinguished career in aviation operations as an operator, manager, and USAF Aircraft Mechanic. He has been involved in USAF aviation operations on a global scale since 1994. He is an expert in scheduling, training, operations, management and leaders...

Crystal Brantley [R] is a member of the New Mexico State Senate, representing District 35. She assumed office on January 1, 2021. Crystal Diamond Brantley earned a bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University. Diamond Brantley's career experience includes working as the director of the Sierra Soil & Water Conservation District. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexico...

Elaine Cortez [R] is a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 62. She assumed office on January 1, 2025. Cortez was born in Roswell, New Mexico. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of the Southwest in 2006, a graduate degree from Eastern New Mexico University in 2012, and a doctorate from the University of the Southwest. Her career experience includ...

Patrick Boone IV [R] is a member of the New Mexico State Senate, representing District 27. He assumed office on January 1, 2025. Patrick Boone IV's career experience includes working as a rancher. He has served as a member of First Baptist Church and as a supporter and member of the High Plains Emmaus organization. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts

Gail Armstrong [R] is a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 49. She assumed office in 2017. Armstrong was selected as the House minority leader effective January 21, 2025. Armstrong's professional experience includes owning TLC Plumbing and serving as president of Pro-Fab, Inc. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts

Jeff Steinborn [D] is a member of the New Mexico State Senate, representing District 36. He assumed office in 2017. Steinborn ran for re-election to the New Mexico State Senate to represent District 36. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024. Steinborn earned his bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas-Austin in 1995. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtu...

William Sharer [R] is a member of the New Mexico State Senate, representing District 1. He assumed office in 2001. Sharer was recently selected as the Senate minority leader effective January 21, 2025. Sharer earned his A.A. from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1979 and his B.A. from New Mexico State University in 1981. His professional experience includes being the owner of Popcorn Patch fro...

Fred Nathan, Jr. founded Think New Mexico in 1999 and is its Executive Director. Fred served as Special Counsel to New Mexico Attorney General Tom Udall from 1991-1998. In that capacity, he was the architect of several successful legislative initiatives and was in charge of New Mexico’s lawsuit against the tobacco industry, which resulted in a $1.25 billion settlement for the state. Fred is a form...

Carla Sonntag is the President and co-founder of Rebound New Mexico (RNM), a New Mexican community-based charitable organization that works to break the generational chains of poverty in our state. RNM’s training programs target the next generation of leaders by teaching them to think critically while improving their communication and job interview skills. They focus on the youth living in homeles...