“We are the heartbeat of Paonia, and all are welcome here.”
Celebrate Heritage Month is a year-long series that brings attention to every Heritage Month on the calendar in order to celebrate and amplify the people and stories behind the flags. Our programming not only uplifts diverse cultures, but brings awareness to our connection to each other.
Each month (on the third Thursday), we’ profile an artist or thought leader, interviewing them on KVNF, and screen a film that brings attention to that Heritage, encouraging extraordinary community conversations and talk-backs.
We also connect these films to other creative projects that our collaborators host: such as agricultural classes, community actions, and festivals, and unique community meals featuring locally sourced organic produce prepared with recipes from the specific culture of the featured Heritage month.
Our films shine a light on migrant workers, the disabled, the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, cultivating acceptance and understanding by fostering kindness and compassion for the unique contributions of these diverse community members.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Alicia Enciso Litschi joins Taya Jae to talk about the intersection between traditional Western Psychology and the Earth-Centered, Soul-Honoring traditions of her Ancestral Roots. She shares how her ChicanX identity informs her work and the importance of returning to ancestral knowledge as a form of healing ancestral trauma, with caution.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/10/p-s-aliciaensisolitschi-mixdown-1.mp3″ title=”An interview with Psychologist, Curandera and Writer Alicia Enciso Litschi” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Alicia-Enciso-Litschi-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Litschi” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Marisela Ballesteros Celestino is a first-generation Latiné and Cora Indian. She’s also the assistant director for Project Hope, Gunnison’s resource center for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Ballesteros Celestino speaks to Laura about growing up in the Gunnison Valley, staying connected to her indigenous heritage, and her work as an advocate.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/10/lomo-oct-11-latine-coverage-roundup.mp3″ title=”Latiné stories by KVNF” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Marisela-Ballesteros-Celestino-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Latine” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]David and Rene Pacheco and Jason Juarez of Tropa Magica join Taya Jae on Talkin Music.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/09/tm-tropamagica-mixdown-1.mp3″ title=”Talkin’ Music: Tropa Magica” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Pacheco-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Tropa” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Larry & Joe play a mix of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music, they’ve dubbed “Venezualachia”, aiming to create a personal and unique sound which blends their distinct backgrounds. This unique musical duo join Taya Jae live in the KVNF studio, to talk about re-inventing bluegrass and the power of music to transcend barriers, heal and, hopefully, leave their audience with a profound sense of joy and connection.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/09/tm-larry-joe-mixdown-1.mp3″ title=”Talkin’ Music: Larry and Joe” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/larry-and-joe-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Larry Joe” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]In honor of Disability Pride Month, writer, speaker and disability rights activist Emily Ladau joins Taya Jae on the Pen and The Sword to discuss her book, Demystifying Disability, What to Know, What to Say and How to be an Ally.
Here is the transcript of the interview.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/07/p-s-emilyladau-mixdown-1.mp3″ title=”Demystifying Disability” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/emily-ladau-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Ladau” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Mike Kelton, host of the supernatural docu-comedy podcast Beyond: with Mike Kelton, and producer Tracy Soren, join Taya Jae to talk about changing seasons, self care and their recent trip from New York City to Paonia.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/07/p-s-mikeandtracy-mixdown-1.mp3″ title=”Recap of Kelton and Soren’s Recent Trip to Paonia” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kelton-soren-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Kelton” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Following a decision last November by the town of Paonia to not allow Pride Flags to be displayed on its light poles along Grand Avenue, numerous volunteers from The Learning Council stepped up with the Color the Town With Us Campaign. KVNF’s Lisa Young spoke with Paul Kimpling and Kristen O’Brien about the campaign and its impact on the small rural town on Colorado’s Western Slope.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/06/prideflagupdate-01.mp3″ title=”Color the Town Campaign” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/color-the-town-flag.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Color Town” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Ana Menéndez’s new novel, The Apartment, follows the story of an apartment building, and its inhabitants, in Miami Beach, over the course of seventy years. Through the stories of its residents this novel touches on conversations of displacement, exile, home, longing, time and community.
Ana joins Taya Jae on the Pen and the Sword to share about the 12 years it took to write this novel, the seminal image that began this process and her love of poetry.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/06/p-s-anamenedez-mixdown-2.mp3″ title=”Exile and Community” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ana-Menendez-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Menendez” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Publicist and Author Amelia Possanza discusses the 7 characters and time periods that make up her debut novel, Lesbian Love Story.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/06/pensword.mp3″ title=”Lesbian Love Story” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Amelia-Possanza-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Pride” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Honoring Asian-American Heritage month, Teow Lim Goh discusses her new collection of Essays, Western Journeys.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/04/pensword.mp3″ title=”Western Journeys” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Teow-Lim-Goh-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Asian 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]In recognition of Asian-American Heritage month, Joanna Carpenter joins Taya Jae in conversation. Tune in as they discuss finding balance from moment to moment, Joanna’s activism, which lead to the creation of 86 the Barrier, and how the circuitous route is sometimes the most rewarding.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/05/p-s-joannacarpenter-mixdown-2.mp3″ title=”Finding Balance” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Joanna-Carpenter-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Asian 2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Arab-American Actor and Musician George Abud joins Taya Jae on Talkin’ Music to talk about identity, art and his love of the stage.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/04/tm-georgeabud-mixdown-2.mp3″ title=”Talkin’ Music” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/George-Abud-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Arab-American” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]KVNF’s Taya Jae interviews Maxine Lyle, founder of Soul Steps, to discuss Step, a percussive movement which originated among the African-American fraternities and sororities of the 1920s and has grown to be performed in colleges, high schools and church communities across the country.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/02/tm-maxinelyle-mixdown-1.mp3″ title=”Talkin’ Rhythm” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Heritage-Month-Interviews-image.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Soul” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][et_pb_divider color=”#F9002B” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]Professional Storyteller and Teaching Artist, Katie Knutson joins Taya Jae on the Pen and The Sword to share the art of storytelling and talk about its ability to serve as a social and cultural bridge, during divisive times.
Katie is the founder of Rippling Stories, as well as a graduate of the Chautauqua Training Institute.
Trigger Warning: In this interview we do discuss rape and sexual assault, in addition to several other, lighter topics.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_audio audio=”https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s752/audio/2023/03/p-s-katieknutson-mixdown-1.mp3″ title=”The Pen and The Sword” artist_name=”KVNF” image_url=”https://paradiseofpaonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Heritage-Month-Interviews-knutson.webp” admin_label=”Audio – Pen” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6E42FF” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_audio][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]