Mariah Blake’s conversation with Global Santa Fe Program Chair Jim Falk was both alarming and deeply illuminating. With roots in New Mexico, Mariah brought local relevance to her gripping investigation into the chemical industry’s decades-long campaign to obscure the dangers of PFAS—so-called "forever chemicals" that persist in our bodies and environment. Found in everything from Gore-Tex clothing to sunscreen and even drinking water, these toxins are now nearly impossible to avoid. She also drew a sobering through-line back to New Mexico’s role in the Manhattan Project, whose legacy of toxic secrecy and environmental fallout set a precedent for the chemical industry’s impunity today.

Discussing serial killers is never easy, but Caroline Fraser and Alex Heard delved into a riveting conversation that unpacked Fraser’s groundbreaking investigation into a chilling link—the environmental toxins released by smelters in the towns where many serial killers were raised. Their exchange shed new light on the intersection of environmental degradation and its effects on our bodies. (The recording starts 3 minutes in - apologies that the introductions weren't recorded, technical glitch.)

Thank you to the Santa Fe Master Gardeners for co-sponsoring a wonderful evening with landscape designer, garden writer, teacher, and activist Judith Phillips. Her engaging and informative presentation offered practical insights on harvesting water, selecting the right plants for the right places, and working in harmony with nature to create thriving oases in our desert landscape.

History, art, and creativity were all part of the rich conversation that Carmella Padilla, Tom Leech, and Kate Nelson engaged in for the launch of the stunning new book from Museum of New Mexican Press, Printing the Spirit. The book explores the life and work of Gustave (Gus) Baumann, and it came alive on stage through the storytelling and deep insights drawn from Baumann’s art, prints, and journals, dialogue which Carmella and Tom delved into to write the book.

In a lively conversation with author and friend Doug Preston, Michael McGarrity shared the behind-the-scenes decisions he made to move away from his novels set in the Southwest and bring his own lived experience, trademark writing, and indelible characters to noir New York of the 1950s.

There is nothing more compelling than hearing the everyday stories of people's lives. And each of the incredible six storytellers at our filled-to-capacity Story Lab event proved that with every single story they shared. Abby Feldman, Bettye Kearse, Ricardo Caté, William Murray, R. Melinda Hoffman, and Katie Arnold set the bar high for future Story Lab events. Our thanks to our partners, the Santa Fe Public and Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library. Please note, Katie Arnold's story was not recorded at her request.

"Unforgotten: Ancient Cities from a Distant Past" details, in gorgeous black and white images, 125 ancient cities that the Frejs have visited over their decades of traveling the world. Over the course of their conversation, the Frejs shared their stories of discovery as they explored these vast relics of ancient civilizations from Northern Peru to Iraq, Guatemala to the Himalayas, and gave us insights as to how these cities have much to teach us today.

The launch of Elizabeth Jacobson’s latest poetry collection, There Are as Many Songs in the World as Branches of Coral, was a beautiful finale to our celebration of National Poetry Month. Joining her was Pulitzer Prize nominee dg okpik, who began the evening with a reading of her own rich, powerful new poems. She then introduced Elizabeth and, following Elizabeth’s moving reading, engaged her in a fun and thoughtful conversation.

Celebrating National Poetry Month with 5 powerful poets was a special treat. Jeanette Clough, Dina Hardy, Sarah Maclay, Holaday Mason, Mariano Zaro brought their unique voices to a tapestry of lived experience and imagination.