Voices of Pueblo

In this episode of State of Art, Bree Anne Pappan sits down with artist, creative, and producer James Beck for a wide-ranging conversation about artificial intelligence and the future of creativity. Building on her June story about AI, Bree explores the implications of this rapidly evolving technology for artists, storytellers, cultural workers, and the broader creative community. Together, they d...

State of Art, a Voices of Pueblo podcast, explores the people, ideas and creative forces shaping the cultural life of our community. In this episode, Bree Anne Pappan leads a conversation about a remarkable new chapter for Pueblo: the opening of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, a project that connects southern Colorado to audiences, ideas and cultural conversations around the world. The featured gues...

In this special episode of the Voices of Pueblo podcast, the Pueblo Star Journal marks the opening of the new Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America and STEAM Center in downtown Pueblo. Producer and narrator Andy Koen takes listeners inside the story of how a world-class cultural attraction, featuring exhibits created by the renowned Artisans of Florence, found its North American home along Pue...

As the cost of everyday essentials continues to rise, from groceries and gasoline to housing and healthcare, many Pueblo families are feeling the strain of making ends meet. In this episode of Bree on a Budget, host Bree Ann Pappan welcomes Luanne Maes, Kevin Harris, and Chris Segura from United Way of Pueblo County to discuss the new Financial Empowerment Center, a community resource designed to...

In the premiere episode of the Pueblo Star Journal's new series, Historic Places, Living Stories, host Gregory Howell welcomes Laurel Campbell and Brad Bowers of Goodnight Barn Historic Preservation, Inc. for a conversation about one of Pueblo's most treasured historic landmarks—the Charles Goodnight Barn. More than just a historic structure, the Goodnight Barn serves as a gateway to the story of...

75 Years Under the Stars: The Mesa Drive-In Anniversary The Pueblo Star Journal presents State of Art, a production of the Voices of Pueblo podcast. This episode celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Mesa Drive-In and features new owners Chris and Kelly Lally. The episode was produced and narrated by Bree Pappan. Thanks to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority for their support. To learn mor...

Bree on a Budget – May 2026 Episode Description Second Hand Showcase Featuring the Assistance League and the Bargain Box In this special Second Hand Showcase episode of Bree on a Budget, host Bree Pappan sits down with Eileen Feret and Theresa Hart to spotlight the incredible work of the Assistance League of Pueblo and its beloved thrift store, the Bargain Box. The conversation explores how the As...

Episode 3 of Soul Fresh, Soul Clean features Jocelyn Martinez and Gregory Howell discussing how community, constructive criticism, and personal connection shape Pueblo. They explore the harm of online negativity, the value of everyday kindness, and practical steps to rebuild trust and engagement. The hosts introduce "Jocelyn in the Wild" farm visits, offer a listener challenge to meet someone new...

Life Inside the Childcare Gap, Episode 2: Babies Down, Bottles Up In Episode 2 of Life Inside the Childcare Gap, part of the Voices of Pueblo podcast series, Gregory Howell and Molly Cotner sit down with Terrin Landry, co-founder of Babies Down, Bottles Up. The conversation continues the investigative series’ focus on how childcare systems function in Pueblo and where gaps persist for families. La...

Bree on a Budget: Taking the Leap and Creating a Career in Vintage In the latest episode of Bree on a Budget, host Bree sits down with Melissa Maestas to discuss her journey from the corporate world to building a career in the vintage industry. Maestas shares how she made the transition, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned along the way. The conversation focuses on what it takes...

State of Art Podcast: Celebrating Film in Pueblo In the latest episode of the State of Art Podcast, part of the Voices of Pueblo series, host Bree explores the growing film scene in Pueblo with guests Billie Pacheco of the Rising Star Film Festival and Chili Cilch of the Pueblo Film Fest. The conversation highlights the Rising Star Film Festival, which provides a platform for high school filmmaker...

Soul Fresh Soul Clean – Episode 2 Theme: Food, Community & Local Sustainability In this episode of Soul Fresh Soul Clean, hosts Jocelyn Martinez and Gregory Howell explore the powerful connection between food, community, and local sustainability in Pueblo, Colorado. We begin with an inside look at the SoulSmile Cookbook Project, where recipes are more than just meals. They are stories, traditi...

State of Art Podcast – 2-Year Anniversary Special This episode of the State of Art Podcast, part of the Voices of Pueblo podcast series, celebrates two important milestones. It marks the two-year anniversary of the State of Art column and the one-year anniversary of the companion podcast. Host Bree marks the occasion with a lively conversation featuring three guests who are true movers, shakers, a...

The Thrill of Thrift Featuring Jai of Pueblo Drip | Celebrating 6 Months of Bree on a Budget In this special episode of The Thrill of Thrift, host Bree Pappan celebrates the six month anniversary of her popular Pueblo Star Journal column Bree on a Budget. To mark the occasion, Bree sits down with Jai, owner of Pueblo Drip, one of Pueblo’s most unique thrift and consignment spaces. Located at 416 N...

Soul Fresh, Soul Clean is a monthly podcast from the Pueblo Star Journal that celebrates food, story and the humanity that lives around the table.  In the debut episode of Soul Fresh, Soul Clean, Jocelyn Martinez shares the story behind PSJ Publishing House’s first cookbook. From restaurant hustle to healing through food, she talks about why joyful, seasonal cooking matters and how this Pueblo-roo...

Episode One in the Series: What Is Childcare? And How Did We Get Here? What do we mean when we say “childcare,” and how did Pueblo arrive at the gaps families and providers navigate today? In Episode One of this series, Molly Cotner and Gregory Howell sit down for a conversation that traces the long arc of childcare in Pueblo, beginning in 1926 with the opening of one of the city’s earliest childc...

Tax season does not have to be overwhelming — or expensive. In this episode of Bree on a Budget, host Bree Pappan is joined by Luanne Maes and Adrian Gomez to break down how the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helps Pueblo residents file their taxes for free. During the conversation, listeners also learn that United Way of Pueblo County is celebrating 20 years of the VITA program in...

State of Art | January 2026: Art, Advocacy and What’s Ahead for Pueblo In the first State of Art conversation of the new year, host Bree Pappan brings together three voices shaping Pueblo’s creative and civic landscape for a candid, forward-looking discussion. Artist and community advocate Tom Carrigan, artist Tia Monson, and Donielle Kitzman, vice president of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commer...

In this timely holiday episode of Bree on a Budget, Bree sits down with Luanne Maez of the United Way of Pueblo County and longtime Pueblo advocate Tom Carrigan for an honest, heartfelt conversation about navigating the festive season during economic uncertainty. As holiday expectations collide with rising costs, shifting priorities, and real financial stress, this episode explores how individuals...

State of Art Podcast | Sweet Talk Paint Shapes There are moments when a city’s creative pulse snaps into focus, and Sweet Talk Paint Shapes is one of them. Tucked into Mesa Junction, STPS is not just a studio or a gallery. It is a signal fire. A place where paint, ink, collage, tattoo culture, music, and lived experience collide and refuse to stay quiet. In this episode of State of Art, Bree Pappa...

State of Art | Where Creativity Meets Healing Episode Focus: Art, Policy, and the Path to Youth Wellness In this November episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan explores how the arts are transforming the conversation around youth mental health and wellness in Pueblo and beyond. Bree welcomes Emma Gilchrist, Deputy Director of the Farley Health Policy Center and Instructor in the Department of F...

Gimme Shelter, Gimmer Justice: Breaking the Silence After Epstein is a compelling episode of the Voices of Pueblo Podcast, hosted by Molly Cotner and co-host Gregory Howell, with returning guest Chantal Woodyard—PSJ board member, advocate, and survivor. Earlier in the year, Chantal sat down with Molly and Gregory to revisit her deeply personal journey featured in “Gimme Shelter: A Survivor’s Fight...

On Nov. 7, as Pueblo entered the 38th day of the government shutdown, Bree sat down with three community leaders who are on the front lines of the city’s growing food insecurity crisis. Evans Auden Gonzalez Garcia, owner of Super Market Gonzalez, joined Diego Rivera and Luanne Maes of United Way of Pueblo County to talk about how families can access food and essential resources during what many ar...

The latest episode of 45 Degrees features a special Japan Edition with host Gregory Howell in conversation with artist and muralist Miranda Cisneros. Speaking from her home in Japan, Miranda reflects on the growing Japan Colorado connection and how living abroad has deepened her understanding of cultural identity, wellness, and creative expression. Her work on the Pueblo Levee murals brings these...

Bree on a Budget: Pueblo, We Got Your Back! This Halloween season, Bree Pappan is turning up the festive spirit with a special treat for listeners. In this spooky and fun-filled episode, Bree welcomes Chris Segura, Director of Communications and Engagement at United Way of Pueblo County, to talk about a community favorite: the annual Trunk or Treat. Together, they share all the details about this...