Voices of Pueblo

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 p...

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 are calling a manmade disaster.

With ...

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 influences to life in bold and mea...

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 year’s event, from creative ...

In this special State of Art episode, host Bree Pappan welcomes musician and lecturer Aaron Zimola, who joins the Pueblo City-County Library District’s All Pueblo Reads 2025 celebration of The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb.

Aaron, now celebrating his first year living in Pueblo, shares his journey of discovering our community, exploring housing opportunities, investments, and the welcoming spirit that defines the city. He ta...

Your Voice Your Vote: Pueblo City Council Candidate Joe Perko

In this episode of Your Voice Your Vote, the Pueblo Star Journal sits down with Joe Perko, candidate for Pueblo City Council. This conversation explores four key topics that matter most to voters: city budget priorities, public safety and community well-being, governance and accountability, and Perko’s personal vision for Pueblo’s future.

Perko shares his perspective on ...

Voices of Pueblo: Bree on a Budget – Thrifting and Savings

The Voices of Pueblo podcast welcomes a brand-new voice to the conversation — Bree Pappan, the thrifty maverick behind the Bree on a Budget column in the September issue of the Pueblo Star Journal.

In this inaugural companion episode, Bree joins Gregory Howell and Cynthia Nicola to go beyond the page and dive into the art and practice of saving smart. Together, they explore...

In this episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan dives into Pueblo’s evolving music scene with three dynamic voices who are shaping its future: Marc Sabatella, Aaron Zimola, and Brock Kilgore. Each brings extraordinary experience in music, education, and cultural innovation, and together they paint a compelling picture of what it means to build a thriving creative community from the ground up. From jazz and classical to local show...

In this episode of Voices of Pueblo, Gregory Howell sits down with Abbie Krause, Executive Director of the Pueblo Zoo, to explore how this historic institution is redefining education and conservation in Southern Colorado. With a legacy rooted in New Deal-era civic pride and a mission focused on environmental stewardship, the Pueblo Zoo is more than a place to see animals — it’s a place to learn, grow, and lead.

Abbie shares how pr...

State of Art: Chosen Canvas at Liminal Space Gallery in Pueblo, Colorado In this episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan introduces the upcoming Chosen Canvas exhibition opening September 5 at Liminal Space Gallery in Pueblo, Colorado. This collaborative installation brings together poet Kathleen Willard, mixed media artist Cheryl Scott, and fiber artist Bethany Economos to challenge traditional notions of domesticity, feminism, ...

The Roots and Reach of 4-H in Pueblo County: A Legacy of Learning by Doing, Then and Now Join host Gregory Howell for a special episode of the Voices of Pueblo podcast as we celebrate the power of youth and community at the 2025 Pueblo County Fair! In this lively and heartfelt conversation, six remarkable 4-H students share their stories, passions, and what 4-H means to them—from livestock and leadership to science and service.

Mee...

In this inspiring episode of 45 Degrees, internationally acclaimed muralist Tim Nijenhuis joins us fresh from his latest creation on the Pueblo levee. Born in the Netherlands and now based in Hamilton, Ontario, Tim brings a rich legacy of creativity that spans generations—from fine art to music, filmmaking, set design, and more.

We trace his journey from Europe to North America and explore how his diverse experiences as a music tea...

In this episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan sits down with artist and gallerist Jeff Madeen of Blo Back Gallery and event producer Steve Poikonen to explore the creative engine behind the Truth Show and the 3rd Annual Third Eye Carnival, happening July 4–6, 2025, at the Blo Back Gallery in Pueblo’s historic Grove neighborhood.

From the radical TRUTH art show opening on First Friday to three days of live music, panels, and car...

State of Art Podcast | Pueblo Heritage Museum: A New Chapter Begins Hosted by Bree Pappan | Presented by the Pueblo Star Journal

In this deeply insightful episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan sits down with the new leadership team at the Pueblo Heritage Museum — an institution at the heart of Pueblo’s historical storytelling. As conversations swirl around the possible sale of the building that houses the museum and the Pueblo ...

Podcast Host Intro: State of Art – Pueblo Film Fest Edition

Welcome to State of Art, the official podcast of the Pueblo Star Journal, where we celebrate the people and projects shaping the creative spirit of Southern Colorado. I’m your host, Bree Pappan, writer of the monthly State of Art feature in the PSJ.

Today, we’re focusing on one of the region’s most exciting cultural events — the Pueblo Film Fest, returning April 24–27, 202...

Pueblo Star Journal Presents: Gimme Shelter – The Podcast Hosted by Gregory Howell | Featuring Chantal Woodyard and Molly Cotner

In this powerful episode, PSJ host Gregory Howell sits down with disability rights advocate Chantal Woodyard and journalist Molly Cotner to discuss Gimme Shelter: A Survivor’s Fight for Justice, the March cover story of the Pueblo Star Journal. With unflinching honesty, Chantal shares her journey of survi...

Photography is more than just capturing a moment—it’s about storytelling, creativity, and seeing the world through a different lens. In this episode of State of Art on the Voices of Pueblo Podcast, we sit down with members of the Southern Colorado Photography Society: Joel Ohlsen, David Russell Jr., and James Van Hoy. They share their passion for photography, the evolution of the SCPS community, and the incredible opportuni...

In this episode of Voices of Pueblo, host Gregory Howell welcomes the dynamic duo behind Morningstar Creations, Bryan Rivera and Dawn Armijo, to the PSJ Podcast Studio in Downtown Pueblo. Their nonprofit is transforming Pueblo’s parks and river trail systems with skateable art installations, offering youth new opportunities for movement, creativity, and community engagement.

Joining the conversation is Magnolia May, a dedicated adv...