Poudre RiverFest is free and open to all community members. This year’s event is more inclusive and welcoming to Spanish-speaking communities across Northern Colorado: Exhibitor booths with Spanish-speaking team members identified with signage, event materials and signage translated into Spanish, and Spanish-speaking volunteers on site.
“For The Love of Strangers” interactive variety show emceed by Dr. Cori Wong at Visit Fort Collins, Friday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. and second Fridays in 2025. (Free. $10 suggested donation.)
I didn’t know what to expect when I attended Dr. Cori Wong’s Feb. 14 debut of the monthly show “For The Love of Strangers: Exploring the Best Worst Ideas for Meaningfully Connecting With Others” at Visit Fort Collins in Old Town Square.
Was it performance art and storytelling featuring diversity, equity, and inclusion stand-up comedy? A one-person variety show plus interactive workshop? A Valentine’s Day immersive dance party?
Turns out it was all of that and more.
Dr. Cori Wong told the Feb. 14 audience how to continue the dialogue and when we could meet again.
“…an eccentric, experimental, experiential variety show…” – Dr. Cori Wong
The format was roughly a humorous, personal anecdote by the emcee, followed by an interactive activity that helped you become acquainted with other folks in the room, but on a deeper level than you’d expect. These weren’t speed-dating questions.
Among the 40 or so attendees, we were young and not-so-young, introverted and extroverted, white and people of color, straight and queer, but we all had one thing in common.
We yearned for community.
In these Orwellian times, it’s what will save us. What will encourage us to keep going. What will inspire us to work toward changing our world for the better.
At one point, I had an engaging conversation with a young therapist. They’re so passionate about improving their skills and serving others that they’re taking a pay cut and moving to Denver to gain more experience serving a different population.
During another activity, we exchanged squares of paper on which we had scribbled something we wish we’d realized sooner.
I struggled to remember any recent epiphanies. I finally settled on, “You’re exactly where you need to be right now” before wandering among the crowd, exchanging smiles.
Cori invited volunteers to read the message they received if it resonated with them. Someone read mine. Connection!
The message I received said, “You’ll reach a place in life where you will feel fulfilled.” It’s now on my refrigerator. Comforting words from an individual whom I don’t know, whom I may never meet but who felt — at one time — what I’m feeling.
A message from a kind stranger exchanged during a group activity at “For The Love of Strangers” variety show emceed by Dr. Cori Wong (she/her) on Feb. 14. Photo by Katherine Valdez
It made me feel less alone.
Time for reflection and discussion followed each segment. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other.
One more surprise awaited us near the end of the evening: a sing-a-long dance party to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
It was as fun and inspiring as you can imagine. We boogied, we sang (off-key, on-key…doesn’t matter), we laughed.
My mood lifted and my faith in humanity restored, I headed home, vowing to participate again.
Epilogue
I checked in with Cori a few weeks later, before publishing this post, and she reiterated her goal of building community:
“My dream is to build this out so that we have an even more visible network of spaces that feel rich, safe, supportive, and meaningful for building this local culture of connection.” – Dr. Cori Wong
Considering that one of the main questions she asks in many of her workshops and gatherings is “What does liberation look and feel like?” her dream is in perfect alignment with this question and this work.
About 40 community members attended the Feb. 14 debut of “For The Love of Strangers” variety show emceed by Dr.Cori Wong at Visit Fort Collins in Old Town Square.
“For The Love of Strangers” is on second Fridays. The next one is March 14!
Sponsorships and other opportunities are available. Read details in the flier below.
** DETAILS AND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE
For those who need a bit more information about what to expect, here’s how Dr. Wong described it to her followers on BuyMeACoffee.com/CoriWong, where you can download free PDFs about the monthly For The Love of Strangers event series and the weekly Liberation Is Local in-person (Sunday) and online (Wednesday) meetings:
“At the surface, “For the Love of Strangers: Exploring the Best Worst Ideas for Meaningfully Connecting with Others” looks like an eccentric, experimental, experiential variety show that closely resembles the most exciting facilitated workshop for like-minded people in our community you’ve never (yet) seen.“But it’s soooo much more than that.
“It’s a uniquely fun and highly engaging way to meet and interact with other inclusive adults in Northern Colorado through humorous story sharing, thoughtful dialogue, and practical activities.
Fort Collins’ Juneteenth celebrations begin today, Friday, June 14!
Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States that has been celebrated by the Black and African American community since the late 1800s.
This year’s community-wide celebration, co-sponsored by the City of Fort Collins and local partners, takes place at Foothills Mall all weekend, June 14-16, with live music, dance, art, theater, health & wellness, cultural performances, educational exhibits, vendor market, food trucks, and more.
Diversify Whitewater Community River Float – Northern Colorado
Also, Diversify Whitewater is back this year on June 29! This is the fifth annual Community River Float on the Cache la Poudre River. The event is sold out, but volunteers are welcome if you’d like to serve as a raft/inflatable kayak guide, safety boater, photographer, or as on-shore support.
Independence Day Community Celebration on Thursday, July 4
The July 4 holiday is a full day of family-friendly activities. View the schedule and make plans to attend.
People walking up the stairs of the Carnegie Center for Creativity. Photo courtesy of City of Fort Collins.
Share your favorite Faces and Places of Fort Collins, July 27-August 22
The City of Fort Collins Cultural Services Department invites the Fort Collins creative community to submit their artwork to be included in the opening art gallery exhibit at the newly renovated Center for Creativity at 200 Mathews St.
Community Celebration: July 27, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. First Friday Reception: August 2, 6 – 9 p.m. Exhibit Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12 – 6 p.m.
Community Members Post Events on Facebook Group and Page
Community members are posting information on the Diverse Fort Collins Events Facebook group about news and events in Fort Collins and surrounding communities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
How do you shine for yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, and community?
Upcoming Community Events and Volunteer Opportunities
You have just 12 more days to submit your application for City of Fort Collins Boards and Commissions. The deadline is Jan. 15. We need more diverse voices! The city needs your expertise. It has many vacancies to fill but has received very few applications for the following: Air Quality Advisory Board, Land Use Review Commission, Senior Advisory Board, Water Commission, Women and Gender Equity Advisory Board, and Youth Advisory Board. Read details here: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards/
Special thanks to volunteer extraordinaire MK for checking every link and re-organizing our Resources into categories on an attractive new landing page! Check it out and let us know what you think. We’re always open to improving the user experience and adding more local resources. Email diversefoco@gmail.com with “Resources” in the subject line.
It’s worth noting again that we partnered with Writing Heights Writers Association (formerly Northern Colorado Writers) on Community Voices. If you live, work, or play in Fort Collins, we’d love to hear from you. Everyone has a story. What’s yours?
We heard from folks around the country who contributed information and links to our Resources page, and others who were planning to move to Fort Collins and wanted to know what it’s like for people of color to live here.
Community members connected and posted news, events, links to local businesses owned by people of color, and volunteer opportunities in our Facebook Events group.
We updated our Vote page with resources and links to articles about the November election.
From the “long overdue” files: we finally deleted our X account (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter).
Congratulations to former DFC Advisory Committee Co-Chair Teresa Funke and her daughter Lydia Funke for writing and producing their first play! My sister and I were fortunate to travel to New York City in October to see the premiere ofWave Me Goodbye at The Kraine Theatre in the East Village. Uplifting and moving; really impressive. It’s inspired by a true story, adapted from Teresa’s novel of the same name, and will be available for community theaters and high schools to produce. They will publish the play this year and sell rights to perform it through her website TeresaFunke.com. Contact her at teresa@teresafunke.com if interested.
During that same New York City trip, we were thrilled to experience Here Lies Love, the Broadway musical conceived by David Byrne and with music by Byrne and Fatboy Slim. The cast was 100% Filipino and many of the audience members were Filipino. Kind of a dream come true for two theater enthusiasts whose mother is from Tacloban, Leyte. It was a joyful, historically accurate production that also did not flinch at addressing the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship.
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area looking northwest on Jan. 1, 2024 by @KatValdezWriter
Looking Ahead at 2024
The 2024 presidential election. Keep an eye on our Vote page for information and resources on Colorado’s upcoming presidential primary: https://diversefortcollins.com/vote/
More website improvements to come!
Would you like to help explore the possibility of producing a limited-series Diverse Fort Collins podcast in late 2024? We seek volunteers with podcast production experience or the time and energy to learn. We’re eager to meet this spring to discuss guest speakers and format ideas. Email diversefoco@gmail.com with “Podcast” in the subject line.
Isolation and Exposure Calculator. A coworker tested positive for COVID-19 in December. I wore my mask everywhere for the designated time period and got tested a few days later per the CDC exposure calculator, a tool to help you determine whether to isolate or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html
Frost on leaves and grass, Dec. 15, 2023 by @KatValdezWriter
The nonprofit coffee shop plans to open at 221 W. Prospect Road under the Prospect Station Apartments on Jan. 22, bringing its coffee and, more importantly, an apprenticeship program for Fort Collins’ refugee and immigrant youth to the area.
The nonprofit coffee shop plans to offer a 12-month program for refugees and immigrants ages 18 to 24
Participants will learn barista and customer service skills through on-the-job training and receive one-on-one mentoring and classes in financial literacy and career preparation, according to Arboretum Coffee Executive Director Hannah Norris.
Norris, who previously worked as a caseworker at the Matthews House in Fort Collins, said she wanted to start Arboretum Coffee after seeing an influx in refugees and immigrants coming to Fort Collins in recent years.
“A lot of refugees and immigrants have to start in unsafe and undignified working environments when they get to the U.S. in order to pay the bills,” Norris said.
To combat this and build community for these groups, Arboretum Coffee hopes to open with two cohorts of five participants in early and mid-2024. To learn more or volunteer for Arboretum Coffee, visit arboretumcoffee.org.
Pop Culture Recommendations (with “happily ever after” guaranteed)
Now that you’ve confirmed your new year’s resolutions, sit back and relax with any of the following.
If You Were The Lastis a quirky romantic comedy starring Zoë Chao and Anthony Mackie. Groundbreaking! When was the last time we watched a rom-com with Asian American and Black actors in the lead roles? Screenwriter Angela Bourassa is one to watch. Available on Peacock.
Logline: Adrift in their broken-down space shuttle with little hope of rescue, two astronauts argue over whether they’re better off spending their remaining days as friends or something more.
God’s Own Countryis a gritty, beautiful film about two Yorkshire farmers who fall in love, and in which — spoiler alert — neither of them dies or marries a woman in the end. An LGBTQIA+ drama ending in happily ever after? Sign us up! Kudos to writer-director Francis Lee. Free to view on Tubi.
Logline: Spring. Yorkshire. Young farmer Johnny Saxby numbs his daily frustrations with binge drinking and casual sex, until the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker for lambing season ignites an intense relationship that sets Johnny on a new path. (IMDb)
Same for Boys…another serving of joy that also portrays the complexities of coming of age (“Shall we stay here forever?”)
Logline: A sexually awakening gay teen athlete finds himself in a budding relationship with his mutually attracted relay race teammate.
And for those who love arts and culture, stay tuned for a rare opportunity to attend an amazing immersive performance by Control Group Productions right here in Fort Collins, Dec. 14-17! Read more about “Bitter Moon.”
Remember, we’re always interested in hearing your story. Write a Community Voices guest commentary and share your story with the world.
By the way, we’re fortunate to have a brilliant new volunteer, MK, a software engineer (whom we met through Dr. Cori Wong’s Feminist Friendship workshop this summer) to help us organize and develop the website. Stay tuned for improvements in 2024.
Finally, we know the world is hurting right now with what’s happening in the Middle East.
Flowers in downtown Fort Collins on June 14. All photos by @katvaldezwriter
If you’ve lived in FoCo for any amount of time, you know summer is the season of festivals, outdoor concerts, and good times with friends and family.
Here are a few events and places to get you in the mood for summer. And a bit of history, to put things in perspective. Summer Solstice Festival at The Lyric, June 23-24 20+ local bands! 2 stages! Vendors! The summer solstice: when is it and what causes it? “The summer solstice [June 21, 2023] and subsequent longest day of the year are celebrated by many cultures around the world with numerous traditions, holidays and festivals. From sunrise gatherings to midsummer festivals, summer solstice celebrations certainly blow the winter cobwebs away.”
Interested in deepening your knowledge about the planets? Chani is “a queer, feminist-led tech and media company on a mission to make astrology and its wisdom accessible to everyone as a tool for self-discovery, mindfulness, and healing.”
FoCo Juneteenth Celebration, June 16-18
“Join FoCo Juneteenth for a fun-filled weekend jam packed with events geared towards all community members. Celebrate liberation & freedom with live music and performance, youth activities, local vendors and artists, & more.”
Juneteenth: “On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. With the principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy magnifying their hopes and dreams, those Texans held fast to the promise of true liberty for all.”
The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth: “Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas.”
A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance: “Juneteenth is a day to reflect on both bondage and freedom — a day of both pain and purpose. It is, in equal measure, a remembrance of both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, as well as a celebration of the promise of a brighter morning to come. On Juneteenth, we remember our extraordinary capacity to heal, to hope, and to emerge from our worst moments as a stronger, freer, and more just Nation. It is also a day to celebrate the power and resilience of Black Americans, who have endured generations of oppression in the ongoing journey toward equal justice, equal dignity, equal rights, and equal opportunity in America.”
Feminist Friendship Workshop on July 22
I asked Dr Cori Wong to teach a workshop on Feminist Friendship because I’m personally interested in this topic and thought friends like you would be interested, too.
This workshop is geared toward women and non-binary individuals who are committed to critical self-reflection, connection, authenticity, and solidarity across our differences within our own community.
The City of Fort Collins, in partnership with Elevations Credit Union, will host the 2023 Independence Day Community Celebration on Tuesday, July 4 with a full day of family-friendly events and activities.
FoCo Food Truck Rally at City Park with music presented by The Mishawaka Amphitheatre.
If you haven’t seen a movie, attended a Story Swap, or enjoyed the tasty meals at The Lyric recently, it’s time for a visit.
Consider becoming a member to enjoy unlimited movies each month and discounts on concessions and events while supporting this unique, independent theater that is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive space.
Read more about it on CherryPicks, “the best place to find out what women think about film and television.”
Tour de Fat is Back!
Dig out your favorite outfit and wig from your costume trunk (doesn’t everyone in FoCo have one?) and save the date: Aug. 26, 2023. Watch New Belgium’s website and social media for updates.
*** What are you looking forward to this summer? Drop a comment in the box below or on our Facebook events group and page.
Thank you for following Diverse FoCo. See you around town!
Katherine Founder, Diverse Fort Collins
*** Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at www.DiverseFortCollins.com
Flowers in Maxwell Natural Area, June 11, 2023. Photo by @katvaldezwriter Looking east toward Fort Collins from Maxwell Natural Area, June 11, 2023. Photo by @katvaldezwriter
Rebirth, renewal, awakening…whatever you think of spring and however you choose to celebrate it (or not), March 20, 2023 marks the start of something new.
What did you lose during the winter months? What did you gain? How have you changed?
Many people are grieving the loss of loved ones. Others are celebrating the birth of new family members. Whatever you and your loved ones are going through, be gentle with yourselves and each other.
A friend and I spoke recently about her nine-month-old nephew (the first grandchild) and my niece’s baby (nearly six months old and the first great-grandchild). Their smiles, their curiosity, their strong emotions…we’re obsessed, in a good way. This new generation symbolizes hope.
On the flip side, coworkers and friends are struggling with colds, Influenza A, and COVID. A cousin is adjusting to caring for his father, who was diagnosed with dementia. Two friends unexpectedly lost their sons, one to a medical event and the other to suicide.
Did you see these interesting clouds over Fort Collins on February 17? Photo by Katherine Valdez
Growing is a process. Healing is a process. What do you need to support you through this time? How do you take care of yourself?
For me, a balance of solitude and my favorite activities provide a sense of peace and well-being.
Some of the things I’m doing (or plan to do): keeping in touch with my family in California, hiking, singing, writing, reading, dancing, connecting with friends over coffee, a walk, or Zoom; watching the Oscar-nominated live action shorts and other movies (Cocaine Bear sold out shows at The Lyric; should I add this to my must-see list?), and laughing…
…Not to mention watching favorite TV shows (Shadow & Bone, The Last of Us, Sort Of, Feel Good, The Mandalorian, Andor, Young Royals, Heartstopper, and others), reviewing friends’ screenplays, soaking in the tub with lavender Epsom salts, visiting art exhibits here and in Denver, and creating playlists of music to match my moods (Feeling footloose? Check out the costumed Valentine’s Day ball scene in Young Royals season 2, episode 4).
Something new for me is investing in my well-being, such as seeking a counselor better suited to my identity and lived experience, and attending online classes, events and in-person retreats with people of color who possess many identities.
Something wonderful happens when you share space with people of similar lived experiences.
Diverse Fort Collins continues to be a source of information and resources to connect with each other. We post news and events on Facebook and have fielded requests from individuals searching for consultants and classes, or who want to volunteer their time to good causes (see updated Local Resources on the website).
We’ve also heard from families who have moved or plan to move soon to our community, who want to know what kind of support exists here for people of color.
Keep up with local and national racial equity news:
There is too much grief across the nation to stay silent on these matters. Communities and families are deeply suffering and collectively we are all scarred from the recent horrific acts of violence, particularly those directed toward communities of color.
These incidents are a stark reminder of the issues we need to address as a nation – racism, mental health, and gun violence. None have a one-size-fits-all answer. They are complex, emotional political matters. However, what we all know is that the safety and well-being of our community is of the utmost importance.
The City of Fort Collins works diligently with community members and organizations to find solutions that best meet the needs of the community. We have work to do, and we each have a role to play.
The Office of Equity & Inclusion connects and partners with Black, Indigenous, Latino/ Hispanic, Asian-American, LGBTQIA+, faith-based groups, people living with disabilities and other identities to bring visibility and recognition.
We stand firmly in support of equity, belonging, dignity, and justice for all and celebrate the diversity in our community.
Celebrate, learn and support our diverse communities at the following events:
• Equity Indicators Community Conversation Series (coming in July): www.fcgov.com/equity
• Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff at Northside Aztlan Center (September 18): www.fcgov.com/equity
In solidarity,
Claudia Menéndez Equity & Inclusion Officer City of Fort Collins
**
From City of Fort Collins Natural Areas, an event sponsor:
Join Diversify Whitewater for the third annual Community River Float on the Cache la Poudre River near Fort Collins, Colorado. Participants will ride in rafts with experienced river guides down an exciting stretch of whitewater. All equipment and instruction will be provided for you at no cost!
The link to register is below. Spots are limited, so sign up today! The recommended minimum age for rafting is 7 years old. We are also looking for event volunteers to guide rafts, set safety, and help with on-shore tasks. Volunteers can sign up at the same link.
Who: The BIPOC & ally communities of Northern Colorado (ages 7+)
What: The 3rd Annual Diversify Whitewater Community River Float
Únase a Diversify Whitewater para el tercer Descenso de Río Anual Comunitario en el Río Cache la Poudre cerca de Fort Collins, Colorado. Los participantes navegarán un emocionante tramo de aguas bravas en balsas con guías de río expertos. ¡Todo el equipo y la instrucción se proveerán sin costo alguno!
El enlace para registrarse está abajo. ¡Espacio limitado, inscríbase hoy! La edad mínima recomendada es de 7 años. Este evento es 100% GRATIS para todos los participantes. Esperamos verle en el río.
Quién: BIPOC y aliadas del norte de Colorado (7 años y mayores)
Qué: 3er Descenso de Río Anual Comunitario de Diversify Whitewater – Norte de Colorado
Cuándo: Sábado, 25 de junio, de 8:00 a. m. a 2:00 p. m.
Every community needs a Diverse Fort Collins so we can learn, educate, and empower one another with open hearts, and be compassionate to everything around us.
Diverse Fort Collins encourages you to listen to podcasts related to racial justice and social justice.
I was inspired to write this guide by a Diverse Fort Collins friend who is interested in listening to podcasts but doesn’t know where to start.
We hear a lot in the news about how we need a “national conversation” about race and racism. What does that mean? And how can we as individuals participate in a meaningful way?
A “national conversation” involves a few things:
Knowledge: About what it’s like to be on the receiving end of racism and discrimination. How does it manifest in our society? What does “systemic racism and/or discrimination” look like?
Public Action: What is society and government doing to address institutional, structural and system racism on a community, state and national level?
Private Action: What can and should we be doing on a local, personal level to contribute to making a positive change, as a white person, as a person of color, as a member of a non-Christian religion, as a person of different gender and LGBTQ+ identities, or as a person with a physical or intellectual disability?
We may learn all of these by reading books and magazines, watching some television programs, films, and documentaries, and listening to podcasts. Podcasts are relatively new in our society, available on computers and smartphones. Like books and audiobooks, podcasts are portable and can be consumed while exercising, driving, on an airplane, waiting in line, or doing gardening and housework. Not everyone, however, knows how to access podcasts that may fit their interests.
Podcasts have rapidly become very popular. They are portable, exist on many commonly-used devices and platforms, and address just about any interest the listener may have, from health to politics, true crime to science, comedy to social research, news and wide-ranging interviews to targeted social issues.
Many radio and TV shows also post their episodes as podcasts, either sound-only or video, and on YouTube.
Among the most popular are the Pulitzer Prize-winning The 1619 Project and National Public Radio’s Code Switch.
Here’s how to access podcasts:
DEVICES: most of these use apps.
Smartphones and tablets frequently come with a podcast app that will meet most needs without requiring additional payment, unless you have data costs. Check with your internet service provider.
Tip: Have your phone or tablet auto-connect to your home wifi. It’s often better quality and more reliable and cheaper than if you have a limited data plan. Your provider should be able to walk you through it.
iPhones (iOS) and Android phones (Google)
iPads, Amazon Fire tablets, Amazon FireStick, Google Android tablets, all brands.
Digital Assistants/Smart Speakers such Siri, Alexa, etc.
Note: Digital assistants and smart speakers may not be as straightforward in accessing podcasts as hand-held devices.
Virtually all podcasts also have websites that archive their previous shows, which are usually updated within 24 hours of broadcast. You can usually easily search for topics of interest, authors, etc.
You may want to consider getting plug-in external speakers or Bluetooth (wireless) speakers if you want to listen while, say, preparing lunch. Many laptops do not have loud speakers.
YouTube
Some podcasts also have video versions on a YouTube channel. They will tell you during an episode if this is so.
Most podcasts (and podcast apps) have two versions: Free and Premium, which is an option that includes longer interviews, some expanded content, and no commercials. Free podcasts have short commercials before and during their shows to pay for production costs; they often promote other podcasts. Apps are usually free. The ones listed here are free or have a free version.
PODCAST APPS: hand-held devices
There are many podcast apps from which to choose. Below are the most common and how to access.
Apple Podcasts, formerly known as iTunes, which still works for both music and podcasts, if you have it installed:
Podcasts only. Has both free and paid. Paying provides ad-free listening: https://www.stitcher.com
Comment: Stitcher seems to have an emphasis on entertainment podcasts.
Searching for Native American podcasts, for instance, brings up a lot of shows, none of which have anything to do with Native Americans. One in particular shows up on every list, though not part of the search criteria. A search for “Latino podcasts,” for example, brings up very few options.
Search results are not as plentiful as Google Podcasts.
Audible
If you have an Audible account (for book club titles, for instance), you can also access a number of podcasts through their search engine.
SEARCHING FOR YOUR PODCASTS
Once your podcast app of choice is loaded, open it and do a simple search (use the magnifying glass icon) on topic areas of interest.
For example, relating to diverse communities:
LGBTQ GAY QUEER BLACK BIPOC
NATIVE INDIGENOUS NATIVE AMERICAN
LATINO HISPANIC DISABILITY
ASIAN ASIAN AMERICAN AAPI SOUTH ASIAN
JEWISH MIDDLE EAST ISLAMIC
Comment: I found these areas of interest didn’t bring up many podcasts in Spotify or Stitcher, which seem more focused on entertainment than on information.
OTHER KINDS OF PODCASTS
A large number of podcasts are associated with news outlets and journalism, research organizations, universities, news and current events, etc. Many are interview shows and are rich in current information and news regarding the topics above.
NPR, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, MSNBC all have podcasts of broadcast news and news-style programs.
My personal recommendations for interview shows:
ASPEN INSIGHT ASPEN IDEAS TO GO MOYERS ON DEMOCRACY
FRESH AIR THE 1A THINK HIDDEN BRAIN
ON POINT THE TAKEAWAY INTELLIGENCE SQUARED US DEBATE
CODE SWITCH ON BEING (spiritual) (Intell-Sqd: on YouTube, also a UK version)
LATINO USA (NPR) EZRA KLEIN VOX CONVERSATIONS
Comment: You can check out topics of interest by visiting their websites. Just search for the program name in your web browser. Then you can load them on your mobile devices if you choose.
This will allow you to find and listen to recently-broadcast and past episodes.
Now that you have a basic knowledge of podcasts and how to access them, I wish you happy listening!
Linae Warden spent her career in customer service. Now retired, she volunteers for the City of Fort Collins, Diverse Fort Collins and public issue groups and political activities.
Linae’s service work honors her parents. Her mother served in the Navy during World War II and her father retired after 30 years as a career Air Force officer.
Diverse Fort Collins 