86: The Kids Are All Right

The courts can legally take the money aspect out of fossil fuel production.

Since 2015, 21 young people have been engaged in the ongoing battle to sue the United States government for denying their constitutional right to life and liberty by supporting and prioritizing profiting enterprises over the right to life and liberty. Juliana v. United States, which transcends political party lines, has the potential to change the course of climate activism, by deinstitutionalizing the support of fossil fuels on public lands.

Originally aired on November 1, 2023 on KPOV’s Open Air

85: Mental Disorder Is Not A Crime

Our culture is naive, not examining what soldiers in combat are really asked to do with little guidance on how to return to civilian life.

This important conversation brings to light the idea that most veterans of war are never given the opportunity to fully understand the effect their service has on their psyche, and some are driven down a cascade of crime due to an undiagnosed psychiatric disability. It is becoming more commonplace to legally divert vets into a mental health discovery program, help them integrate their past experiences and move forward in a healing way.

Originally aired on November 7, 2023 on KPOV’s The Tuesday Point

84: Epidemic Of Apathy

Clifford converses with people he doesn’t agree with in a civil manner.

Having a title within city government means nothing unless you practice what you preach, fulfill your duties and walk the walk. It is so important during this “epidemic of apathy” for community members to engage with active managing bodies in a civil, respectful manner. Economic pressure, disagreements, lawlessness, gun threats, poor health habits; can we slow down enough to focus on the importance of what we’re putting into the hearts and minds of our children?

Originally aired on October 5, 2023 on KPOV’s The Thursday Point

83: Oath To Growth

Some barriers to builders include a shortage of construction workers and restrictive state land use laws.

Steadfast growth in Central Oregon is continually demanding the attention of city leaders, permitting agencies and area developers, but the issue remains that housing is completely unaffordable by even median level income earners. How can we be a model for growth when the supply and demand chains are so out of balance, and there is nowhere for people to live?

Originally aired on September 15, 2023 on KPOV’s The Friday Point

80: Go Fresh And Go Clean

350 Deschutes puts on the annual Go Clean Energy Conference to spread the word.

Diane Hodiak, AKA Carbonfreeda, is preparing for the battle with climate change by arming herself with spears of knowledge, shields of determination and daggers that motivate others to take action. Most of what she does is interpret government policy for the average person to understand and learn how to implement cleaner energy into their daily lives and businesses. The Inflation Reduction Act even gives incentives for those who engage in clean energy commerce.

Originally aired on September 18, 2023 on KPOV’s The Monday Point

79: Small Town Goes Big

The scale may be different, but the issues are the same.

The cities of Bend and Redmond, Oregon are intrinsically tied together, as they are dependent on each other’s success to continue to upgrade Central Oregon as a whole. To the folks in Redmond, density is coming, and to the folks in Bend, your little brother city is growing up now. The future success lies in joining forces, sharing resources and focusing on the learning opportunities that will bring the communities together.

Originally aired on August 2, 2023 on KPOV’s The Wednesday Point

78: Whistleblowin' In The Wind

Historically, the MIT culture was unconsciously stacked against women.

Subtle discrimination is much more widespread than egregious sexual assault, and it’s very easy to overlook the unconscious bias facing women in the workplace. Affirmative action, of course, demands equality, but it is not enough just to ‘open doors’ to women. So The 16 were born, and their pursuit to bring justice to the science department at MIT made them heroes.

Originally aired on August 16, 2023 on KPOV’s Open Air

77: Old Habits Die Hard

Every person has an environmental impact that needs rethinking.

Our own carbon footprint could be one of the hardest things for us to alter or rethink since we are creatures of habit, but it is of the utmost importance that we all do so to the best of our abilities to create lasting change on planet Earth. The Environmental Center advocates reducing, reusing, recycling and composting, in that order, and they continue to educate people on how to fix their broken items to slow the cycle of human waste.

Originally aired on July 13, 2023 on KPOV’s The Thursday Point

76: The Only Way Is Up

We must build up to avoid urban sprawl.

Whether we like it or not, the topic of urban growth is all the rage, with boundaries needing expansion and residential living quarters going vertical. The idea is to go up and not out, to protect more of what our community thrives off of; the forests and open lands surrounding cities. Our Friday Point hosts ask some direct questions and challenge city councilors to continue the conversation.

Originally aired on July 28, 2023 on KPOV’s The Friday Point

72: For You, For Me, For We

COBLA creates free and easy process for landowners to have racially biased language removed from their deeds.

Since the murder of George Floyd, Central Oregon Black Leaders Assembly has adopted the mission to build an equitable community, taking on the fight to remove racist language from Oregon's land covenants. The archaic language discriminating against the sales of property to certain racial groups holds no actual legal weight anymore, but unification of our word is what's important for all to truly move forward.

Originally aired on April 4, 2023 on KPOV’s The Tuesday Point

69: Dead On The Doorstep

Redmond Police are looking for the perpetrator of an extreme act of outlaw behavior.

A terribly heart and law breaking hate crime occurs in what feels like not such a small town in Oregon anymore, in an investigation that is still underway. A still unknown perpetrator left a raccoon carcass at the steps of the mayor’s law office labeled with his name and that of the only black city councilman currently serving in Redmond. This leaves them to wonder whether a person who would go to this extreme to send a message would possibly take the next step with human life.

Originally aired on June 15, 2023 on KPOV’s The Thursday Point

68: Vegans For Planetary Evolution

Veganism is a huge leap for your own development, but that’s not where the fight ends.

After vividly dreaming of merging into full understanding with animals, Gwenna Hunter began a vegan community that continues to grow and realize its own strength and purpose. The fight for freedom continues beyond animals into human rights, social justice and encouraging people from all different backgrounds to actively engage in the conversation. When there is access and exposure to wholesome choices, we can choose to heal ourselves and the planet.

Originally aired February 14, 2023 on KPOV’s All Things Vegan

67: Now Receiving All Crises

Opening a new community pathway to access crisis intervention and mental health services.

There is a massive societal shift happening in regards to assisting those needing mental health resources, from the traditional use of detainment as the only solution by police to now resolving situations with the use of immediate crisis intervention services. Community organizations are partnering to create new ways to help anyone who is struggling and seeking support, eliminate barriers in rural and underserved areas, and, ultimately, reduce the amount of mentally ill who end up in jail.

Originally aired on May 31, 2023 on KPOV’s The Wednesday Point

66: Sleeping Securely

Sleeping with the windows down is a luxury not afforded by folks living in the constant unknown.

Just leaving your car unattended to go to work or the windows down for fresh air while sleeping is a risk when the vehicle is also your home. It is no less than traumatic to live under such daily stress, and Mountain View Community Development is providing more specialized services than ever for people in these unique circumstances with safe parking spaces. When it is so difficult to plan for anything away from such valuable limited possessions, community partners help with basics and make a huge difference.

Originally aired on December 14, 2022 on KPOV’s The Wednesday Point

63: No More Poppies

Recreational drug use in America is gone.

Staggering quantities of cheap, synthetic drugs manufactured in Mexico have covered the United States in recent years and reimagines the profile of the stereotypical addict. Families who experience loss of a loved one to addiction are often left with more questions than answers, but it’s the pain of political negligence that is the crime. We need deep collaboration between the US and Mexico in order to benevolently guide our complicated and connected destiny.

Originally aired on January 11, 2023 on KPOV’s Open Air

61: Plants Over Pills

One successful psilocybin session that is 6-8 hours can equate to the work of 10 years of conventional therapy.

Microdosing psychoactive psilocybin mushrooms is becoming more mainstream than ever as states legalize its use in therapeutic settings and people around the world advocate the countless associated benefits. Listen firsthand to the journey of an already licensed psychotherapist training to add psilocybin treatment to her professional practice and how to integrate this sacred healing modality into our current understanding of mental health and wellness.

Originally aired on February 7, 2023 on KPOV’s Curiosity Lab

53: Look Up, People

Solar Radiation Management (SRM) aims at limiting the amount of sunlight reaching Earth in order to cool the planet.

A highly controversial topic, the existence of contrails or chemtrails in the skies above and a current government program designed to alter planet Earth’s climate, is brought to light in this fringe conversation. A group of climate activists questions and spreads awareness about dangerous and multifaceted weather control technology and its use of toxic nano-materials linked to several life-threatening conditions.

Originally aired on February 14, 2023 on KPOV’s Curiosity Lab

51: Continuing Reproductive Services

Even if you have no resources or money at all, these clinics will still take care of your reproductive health needs.

Planned Parenthood’s Bend Health Center Manager, Joanna Dennis-Cook, gives us an update on services and affairs after the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. Neighboring states have since banned abortion and other reproductive services, putting more pressure than ever on the clinics in independently-supported states. Anytime someone has to travel for health care, the risks and costs skyrocket, and, begs the question, how do we continue to support all women to live their happiest and healthiest lives?

Originally aired on January 20, 2023 on KPOV’s The Friday Point

48: Realities Of Race

It is when we take a stance on race that we can challenge the current status quo.

How do we raise children to be racially responsible and what does this mean in our ever-changing social world structure? At the collegiate level, sociology professor Tom Barry recognizes and teaches the sometimes unpleasant realities of our collected times in order to understand the present situation with honor and respect for the past. Here we discuss the link between white supremacy and capitalism, the origins of the second amendment and the biological imprint we are working to shift to have a healthier society for everyone to live their fullest expression.

Originally aired on August 5, 2022 on KPOV’s The Friday Point

45: Voices Calling For Change

It takes an army of people from all different kinds of backgrounds to solve complicated societal issues.

Gun control activism continues to gain momentum as younger and older generations are coming together to lift their voices and draw national attention to the issues that taunt them daily. Adults are now reaching out to youth protesters to add support and organizational assistance and highlight the challenges faced when inspired youth feel ignored. Yet grassroots organizations to collegiate-educated leaders remain hopeful and band as one to fight for widespread change.

Originally aired on June 8, 2022 on KPOV’s Youth Radio Hour