April 25, 2025: Holocaust survivor and folk musician Osi Sladek
In his memoir, Oscar “Osi” Sladek shares the unforgettable story of how he and his parents survived the Holocaust, while many other members of their extended family perished. “Escape to the Tatras” culminates in the story of Sladek’s folk music career.
In Lyons, a flood led to ruin. Then something sweet fruited
A piece of land ravaged by historic flooding in 2013 has become an orchard.
April 24, 2025: A long overdue honor for the 6888 Postal Battalion; From flood to fruit
In World War II, an all women of color battalion solved an enormous backlog of mail between the homefront and the battlefront. Now, they’re finally getting recognition with a Congressional Gold Medal. Then, land ravaged by a flash flood in 2013 becomes a budding fruit orchard in Lyons to give back to the community. Plus, training to fight wildfires from the air, the decades-long effort to bring clean water to southern Colorado, and a furniture bank furnishes new starts.
At last, recognition for the women of the 6888th
In war morale is everything. That’s why the all-women-of-color 6888th Central Postal Battalion was key to victory in World War Two. They managed to get backlogged mail to and from the troops. The late Felicia LaVon Johnson was a member. Her granddaughter Tara Hunter, of Loveland, will be in Washington, D.C. when the unit is presented with the Congressional Gold Medal.
April 23, 2025: Geothermal energy’s potential; Tennis on music, marriage, and finding balance
As Colorado looks toward the potential of tapping geothermal energy, we explore where it’s being used already and considerations moving forward. Then, an 11th grader is honored for her answer to this question: “What’s your message to the president?” Plus, the federal budget cuts hit AmeriCorps. And the husband-wife music duo, Tennis reflect on their final album and their journey through music, marriage, and finding balance.
April 21, 2025: Remembering the Pope; State lawmakers on immigrant protections; Psilocybin and postpartum
Regis University President Salvador Aceves says he was struck by the Pope’s humanity when they met last year. Aceves reflects on the Pope’s impact and legacy as the world mourns. Then, Purplish looks into the state’s protections for immigrants as state lawmakers debate what to do next. Also, “The Trip” explores how psilocybin might treat postpartum depression. And using comedy to offset the anxiety of climate change.
April 18, 2025: Car buying considerations; Western Slope judge tells ICE to back off
The Colorado Auto Show opens today amid tariffs. We ask the head of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association about car buying in today’s economy. Then, a judge on the Western Slope orders ICE to stay out of county courthouses. Also, a man who dresses as a chicken has a serious message about self-care in Colorado’s ski towns. Plus, as the Nuggets begin the playoffs, the untold story of star center Nikola Jokić, the FoCoMX music festival begins, and how an ice castle and troll are helping towns in Teller County.
Chicken Man has a message for ski country: Ask for help if you’re struggling
Tim McMahon, of Avon, is known as Chicken Man. He dons a chicken suit and sometimes ruffles feathers with his protests. He also tries to save lives by raising awareness of the high suicide risk in The High Country– especially at the end of ski season. McMahon spoke with Ryan Warner about his own journey.
April 16, 2025: Stand-up comic heals with ‘Tromedy’; France knights Colorado astrophysicist
Comedian Nancy Norton shares highlights from The Tromedy Podcast. Norton, a former nurse in Boulder, is trained in therapeutic humor. Then, for a second year, Colorado sends a Windsor High School student to the Poetry Out Loud national finals. And, an astrophysicist at NCAR receives one of France’s highest honors.
Colorado comedian heals from trauma with ‘tromedy’
Nancy Norton is the host of The Tromedy Podcast. The nurse-turned-comic is trained in therapeutic humor. Guests include survivors of abuse, violent crime, and illness. Norton shares a few of her favorite moments.
France knights a Colorado astrophysicist as US pulls back from scientific investment
Astrophysicist Annick Pouquet is now a knight. The Boulder researcher and educator has received France’s National Order of Merit. Pouquet specializes in plasma turbulence and has spent her career at Boulder’s National Center for Atmospheric Research.
April 14, 2025: New Fort Lewis president on supporting Indigenous, first-gen students; ’12 Tablecloths’
She was the first in her family to go to college. Now she’s a college president, helping other first-gen students navigate higher ed. We speak with the new president of Fort Lewis College, Dr. Heather Shotton, about job readiness in rural Colorado. Then, the San Luis Valley braces for cuts to Medicaid. And artist and historian Chloé Duplessis’ new exhibit, “12 Tablecloths” at the Trinidad History Museum, gives a seat at the table to Black domestic workers whose stories were nearly forgotten.
April 9, 2025: ICE’s ‘collateral arrests’ include a former slave; Choir director finds harmony off stage
In rounding up the “worst first,” immigration agents also conduct what they consider “collateral arrests.” Then, the French ambassador to the US visits Colorado where he discusses aerospace and business opportunities amid tariffs. Also, the region’s new EPA administrator on energy, climate change, and clean air & water. And later, creating harmony in the workplace.
What choirs can teach us about harmony in the workplace
“Harmony at Work” takes lessons from the world of choral music and applies them to professional relationships. Denver strategic planner and longtime choir director Susan Spero brings several singers into the Colorado Matters studio for a demonstration.
In Colorado, French ambassador has high hopes for aerospace cooperation
As the United States announced new tariffs, France’s ambassador to the US Laurent Bili visited Colorado. Formerly France’s envoy to China, Bili toured aerospace facilities at CU Boulder, then headed to Colorado Springs for Space Symposium.
April 7, 2025: Stock market whiplash and your investments; Ingredients for a viral recipe!
As tariffs send shockwaves through world markets, what sorts of decisions should everyday investors make? Then, Purplish on how, in Colorado, both Republicans and Democrats are regrouping, with politics in upheaval. Plus, what’s the alchemy that makes a recipe go viral? We’ll cook up some theories with food writer Allyson Reedy in her Broomfield kitchen.
