Jamie Vaughn talks a lot about cancer. As a survivor of breast cancer who wanted to share more about her experience and provide resources to others going through similar experiences, she launched the podcast "Test Those Breasts" and a website with links to resources for those dealing with cancer. On this episode of Renoites, Jamie sat down with Con…

Many Northern Nevadans have gotten used to seeing sitting Congressman Mark Amodei defeat whichever Democrat runs against him in Congressional District 2. Because this is a Republican-leaning district, the Democratic Party has never invested significant resources in those races. However, this year Amodei won't face a Democratic challenger at all. In…

Very soon, Nevadans will vote for the second time on whether we would like to eliminate our closed party primaries in favor of open primaries, and institute a system of ranked choice voting for many elected offices in the general election starting in 2026. This is Question 3 on the Nevada ballot. It passed 2 years ago and if it passes again it will…

When did you learn to change a tire? Make a household budget? Do you know what you can write off on your taxes? Who taught you what do you if you're in a car accident? Some are lucky to have had parents or other family members, or maybe even some classes in school about these important skills, but many aren't as fortunate. Thankfully, owner of Roug…

Two years ago, Nevadans voted on a ballot measure to change our primary system. Instead of party primaries which exclude participation for nonpartisan voters (the largest group- larger than either major party), the Nevada Constitution would be changed to have a single open primary for all registered voters, regardless of party. The initiative would…

Dr. Peter Reed is the director of the Sanford Center for Aging at UNR, who describe themselves as striving to enhance the quality of life and well-being among elders and educate current and aspiring healthcare professionals and caregivers. On this episode of Renoites, we talked about a range of issues related to aging, both for elders but also for …

Welcome to Renoites! I'm thrilled to announce some exciting news: the Reno News and Review has just released their Best of Northern Nevada edition, and I’m incredibly honored that Renoites has been voted Best Local Podcast. Since I began producing and hosting the show in 2021, it’s been amazing to see the support grow and to know that people find v…

Today on Renoites we welcome Chaplain Chaz Blackburn, VP of the board of the Circle of Life Hospice Foundation and President of the Board of the Good Shepherd's Clothes Closet. We talked about what a chaplain is and how Chaz came to work as a "spiritual first responders" for people of all religions (or none), the International Fellowship of Chaplai…

Today on the show I’m excited to welcome Deny Dotson, the executive director of Hot August Nights. Even as someone who isn’t particularly interested in classic cars, I’ve always enjoyed that Hot August Nights is an event that doesn’t just take place in one location but feels like classic cars and a sense of nostalgia are all over town. We talked ab…

Education has been one of the most prominent political and social issues in recent years, including during the recent primary elections when voters had the chance to make their voices heard. Some of the issues that we hear a lot about are chronic absenteeism, underfunded schools, the battle between public schools and for-profit charters, and divers…

There have been a lot of changes in our understanding about how we talk about neurodivergence in recent years and it can be hard to keep up. With social media driving a lot of the conversation, it’s easy to get incorrect information about things like autism and ADHD. One of the leading experts in Reno, and our guest on this week's episode of Renoit…

Kris Vagner has been writing about the arts in Nevada for a long time. She worked as the arts editor of the Reno News and Review beginning in 2004 and has either been on staff or doing freelance writing there and in countless arts publications for most of the years since. She earned her master's degree in Media Innovations from UNR in 2019 and laun…

In Today’s episode, Saul talks with Joelle Johns on the importance of community education on death, dying and grief. Joelle is a pastoral thanatologist and a clinical chaplain.Door Saul Ebema

We've done a lot of episodes of Renoites about how Reno is growing and the ways we can reduce the likelihood of people being priced out as the costs of housing increase. Public housing has an important role to play, and for 80 years the Reno Housing Authority has owned and operated public housing units, administered housing choice vouchers (formerl…

Some of the most important years of our development, when we're learning communication skills and how to navigate the world, are spent in the jungles of the elementary school or middle school playground and classroom. It can be very easy to learn the wrong lessons, struggle with friends, and end up carrying those challenges into the future. All of …

When someone close to us dies at an older age, we often take comfort not only in celebrating their life, but also in knowing that death is part of the natural process of living. This experience is not the same when you are faced with the sudden death of your child. In this episode, Julie Spears talks about the tragic death of her 16 year old son an…

Oscar Delgado served as a member of Reno's City Council for a decade before resigning last year to focus on his work as CEO of the Community Health Alliance, a Federally Qualified Health Center providing care to many of Reno's lower income families. On this week's episode of the show, Oscar sat down with Conor to discuss the role that FQHCs play in…

Career education in Washoe County Schools isn't just "shop class" like it was when I was in high school. Across the country and here in Northern Nevada, rebranding vocational education to "career and technical education" has brought about a lot of changes including programs focused on business, culinary arts, medical professions, and much more. Her…

This is Part Two of Saul’s conversation with Ronald Greer about his new book, “The Quiet House.” Ron Greer is the Director of the Pastoral Counseling Service at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, having been with this ministry for forty years. He is an ordained United Methodist minister, a Fellow of the American Association…

This episode of Renoites was recorded in front of a live audience at Black Rabbit Mead in Reno, Nevada on January 28, 2024. People choose to abstain from alcohol for a host of different reasons. We often associate sobriety with alcoholism and "recovery" but in recent years there has been an increasing awareness of the "sober curious" movement. Mayb…

Reno is experiencing a massive housing shortage, resulting in much higher rents than we have seen in the past. We aren't alone! In much of the country, following the financial crisis of 2008, development just kind of stopped and hasn't kept up with the changing population in high-demand cities like Reno. On this week's episode of Renoites, I talked…

In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Ronald Greer about his new book, “The Quiet House.” Ron Greer is the Director of the Pastoral Counseling Service at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, having been with this ministry for forty years. He is an ordained United Methodist minister, a Fellow of the American Association of Pastora…

Please consider supporting Renoites financially at http://patreon.com/renoites I have long wanted to do an episode of Renoites focused on the Basque history and culture of Nothern Nevada, but for some reason it kept ending up on the back burner. This week on the show, I am so grateful to finally share an episode all about this history of the Basque…

In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Indira Dyal-Dominguez on her book “You: A spiritual being on a spiritual journey.” This book redefines a new paradigm shift that is shaped by the Self. In this paradigm shift, Connecting becomes a way of knowing that at any moment you can ‘unplug’ or ‘disengage’ the Mind’s vibration and speaking of what is occurrin…

Renoites is a listener-funded project. Please consider signing up to support the show at patreon.com/renoites The Potentialist Workshop on 2nd Street has long been a hub for artists in Reno, and recently opened their new interactive exhibition, Upside Down Land. Upside Down Land is based on bedtime stories Pan Pantoja (Executive Artist at the Poten…

Renoites is the weekly podcast for Northern Nevada. Listen free wherever you get podcasts and please consider supporting the show at patreon.com/renoites to help it become financially sustainable! Restaurant work has long had a... certain reputation. The professionalism you see in the front of house isn't always matched by the drugs, sex and rock n…

In today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Joshua Black on Grief Dreams. Dr. Black holds a MA and PhD in Psychology. He is a grief researcher, speaker, consultant, and host of the Grief Dreams Podcast. His work focuses on dreams and continuing bonds after loss, including prenatal and pet loss. As one of the leading academic experts in grief dreams, whic…

It takes a lot of work by a lot of people to provide over 1,000 hot meals a day to people in Reno at the St. Vincent's Dining Room and the Nevada CARES Campus. It also takes a lot to manage an endless stream of items donated by our community that work their way into new apartment kits or onto St Vincent thrift store shelves. And the pantries! It de…

In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Christopher Hamilton on his philosophical thoughts on life, middle age and death. Dr. Hamilton is a professor of Philosophy at Kings College in London. Dr. Hamilton completed his BA in philosophy at King's College London (where he also completed the Associateship of King's College) and went on to do an MPhil an…

In today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Wendy Cadge about her new book, “The Everyday Work of Chaplains”. She is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Brandeis University. She founded and co-directed the Transforming Chaplaincy Project from 2015-19, and in 2018 launched the Chaplaincy I…

She earned her MA in Religion and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She taught in the Religion and Philosophy Department at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey for over a decade earning the Dunbar Abston Jr. Chair for Teaching Excellence.Door Saul Ebema

In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Karen Docherty on the intersection between mediumship and end of life care. Since the discovery of her abilities, Karen has worked tirelessly to bring the word of Spirit to those who need it most. From the UK to the USA, from Asia to Australia, clients from all over the world meet with Karen to receive readings, en…

In today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Jeremy Holloway on Social Isolation in older adults and Tellegacy. Dr. Holloway is a speaker, consultant, and cross-cultural communication educator. He is also a Geriatric Professor and Director of Geriatric Education at the University of North Dakota, specializes in diversity, equity, & inclusion with a unique…

In today’s episode, Saul talks to Pamela Coley, a former hospice nurse to reflect on her experience of working in hospice. Prior to hospice, she also worked as a school nurse and currently also does some local acting. She is passionate about her faith and about educating people on what happens as we die.…

In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Leanne Griffiths on the intersection between sports, living well and dying well. Dr. Griffiths is the Dean of Faculty, Sport, Technology and Health Sciences (FSTHS) at St. Mary’s University in Twickenham, London. As Dean of Faculty, Dr. Griffiths is responsible for the expansion and development of our contempor…

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Black Rabbit Mead in Reno, Nevada on October 26, 2023. Ultimate Frisbee is a sport that borrows from other team sports like soccer and football and is played on a 100-yard field. Players try to move the frisbee down the field to an endzone while avoiding interceptions and missed passes, and t…

In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Shelby Forsythia about her book, “Your Grief, Your Way.” Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a grief guide, author, and podcast host. In 2020, she founded Life After Loss Academy, an online course and community that has helped dozens of grievers grow and find their way after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major lif…

One of the very first episodes of Renoites was with Ben Castro of RISE, the Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality, in which we talked about homelessness in the Reno area. That episode was recorded shortly after the opening of OUR Place, the designated area shelter for women and families. Recently, a listener reached out asking for an update on O…

In today’s episode, Saul talks to both Karen Oikonen and Kate Wilkes on “Constellations: Designing participatory engagement and end of life.” Kate Wilkes is a service designer based in Toronto, Canada. Passionate about meaningful collaboration, Kate is always keen for opportunities to leverage diverse perspectives to make sense of complex problems …

Recycled Records is Reno's longest-surviving record store and a staple of the small business and music communities here in the Biggest Little City. Many of us bought our first cassette tapes, CDs, or records at Recycled Records. We've seen them move locations a handful of times over those years, including moving into Midtown before it was cool, and…

In today’s episode, Saul talks with Masey Kaplan who is one of the founders of the Loose Ends Project about the Loose Ends Project and the therapeutic value it brings to end of life care. Masey Kaplan is a graphic designer and voracious knitter. The idea for Loose Ends Project came about when Masey Kaplan and Jennifer Simonic, both avid knitters, r…

Dancing is one of those activities that is good for our mental and physical health, as well as a social activity that requires communication and cooperation. Some of the most popular dance events in Reno are for latin styles like salsa and bachata. On this week's episode of Renoites, we welcome William "BB" Flanders, one of the driving forces behin…

In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Juli Boit about her new book, “Brave Love: A Nurse’s Story of Courage and Compassion in a Kenyan Hospice.” In 2004, at just 25 years old, Juli Boit embarked on a remarkable journey from her home in Los Angeles to a remote Kenyan village of Kipkaren River. Driven by a profound calling and desire to make a difference…

This episode is a collaboration between Renoites and Vibrant Voices, a diversity-focused and student-run newsroom at the University of Nevada, Reno. It was produced by Conor McQuivey and Kathleen Leslie. Guillermo Bert is a multimedia artist originally from Santiago, Chile and is now based in Los Angeles, California. His artwork provides an in-dept…

Do you know what a city manager does? Most people don't! While our elected officials may have more name recognition because they have to go out and campaign, Reno's form of government puts a lot of responsibility on a city manager, someone whose role is similar to a CEO for the city organization. Today on Renoites, Reno's city manager Doug Thornley…

Do you know how animal control and pet adoptions work in Northern Nevada? If there is a stray animal, who picks it up and what happens next? On this episode of Renoites, Conor speaks with the executive director of the SPCA of Northern Nevada, Jill Vacchina Dobbs about how the system works and much more. Jill and Conor explore how the animal control…

Many of us have driven between Reno and Las Vegas and passed by Walker Lake. It used to house a thriving population of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout as well as migratory birds and other wildlife, but upstream diversions of the Walker River have resulted in lower water levels, increased salinity, and an environment that no longer supports such life. The …

The mission of the JUSTin HOPE Foundation is to give hope to families and individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by promoting inclusion and creating opportunities through education/training and family support to maximize the individual’s potential.​ On this episode of Renoites, we welcome the executive director of the foundati…

In Today’s episode, Saul talks with Paul Nash- Senior Chaplain at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital in the England , Arooj Rashid Hussain- Editorial Director at Ta Ha Publishers and Zamir Hussain- Author and Chaplain at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital in the England. The conversation is on Zamir’s ground breaking new publication…

This year, Reno has a new chief of police. After a selection process by city officials earlier this year, Kathryn Nance was chosen for the position, and was sworn into the role in February. Now, after her first 6 months on the job, she sits down with Renoites host Conor McQuivey for a wide ranging discussion about her career and about the work of p…