News and interviews from reporters Andy Lyman and Laura Paskus. Subscribe for New Mexico news and interviews!
lesserknownnmpod.substack.com (https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Howdy, everyone!
We’ve been busy with other work, but we’re back!
In this week’s episode, Andy interviews Dr. Timothy Nelson, author of Blackdom, New Mexico: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier, 1900-1930.
We also chat about the news, including these stories from some of our favorite reporters:
https://sourcenm.com/briefs/new-mexico-enacts-sweeping-statewide-fire-restrictions-to-prevent-wildfires/ (https://sourcenm.com/briefs/new-mexico-enacts-sweeping-statewide-fire-restrictions-to-prevent-wildfires/)
https://www.kunm.org/kunm-news-update/2026-04-06/mon-rio-grande-could-dry-up-in-albuquerque-for-third-time-in-40-years-more (https://www.kunm.org/kunm-news-update/2026-04-06/mon-rio-grande-could-dry-up-in-albuquerque-for-third-time-in-40-years-more)
https://sourcenm.com/2026/04/06/new-mexico-begins-review-of-threatened-and-endangered-species/ (https://sourcenm.com/2026/04/06/new-mexico-begins-review-of-threatened-and-endangered-species/)
https://capitalandmain.com/oil-companies-accused-of-massive-accounting-fraud-in-new-mexico (https://capitalandmain.com/oil-companies-accused-of-massive-accounting-fraud-in-new-mexico)
Music credits for this show include: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song and ree Spirits (Instrumental) by Chill Winston.
As always, find us on Substack (https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com/), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3mflGivzUSgaMz83IfBlKA) or Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lesser-known-new-mexico-podcast/id1812454644) and follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lesserknownnmpod/). And if you really want to, you can drop us a note at lesserknownnmpodcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast!
cheers,
Andy & Laura (and Mary)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesserknownnmpod.substack.com (https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
20 Feb 2026
Season 2, Ep. 5: Brian Colón
Listeners probably remember Brian Colón from his years in New Mexico politics. He ran once for mayor of Albuquerque, once for New Mexico attorney general and served as state auditor. Now he’s the managing partner of Singleton Schreiber’s New Mexico offices and representing families impacted by the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire.
Brian talked to Andy about growing up in New Mexico and what motivates him to go head to head with FEMA’s Claims Office Director, Jay Mitchell. (There’s also some talk of a young man named Benito Martínez Ocasio!)
Friend of the podcast Patrick Lohmann has been covering the impacts of the fire from day one, Here’s his latest story about Mitchell being placed on administrative leave earlier this month (https://sourcenm.com/2026/02/12/nm-wildfire-claims-office-director-on-administrative-leave-following-six-figure-payout/).
Long-time readers of Laura’s work might also remember that Jay Mitchell was on her radar a decade ago when he was in charge of New Mexico’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management:
https://sfreporter.com/archives/emergency-mismanagement/
Laura and Andy also talk about some more local news coverage (https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2026/02/17/records-show-gary-king-deb-haaland-used-epstein-linked-jet-during-2014-campaign/) of Jeffery Epstein and how maybe it’s time for men to take a break from politics.
If you aren’t already subscribed to Laura’s personal Substack (https://laurapaskus215494.substack.com/), you may have missed her latest about how New Mexico dropped the ball on climate action.
Music credits for this show include: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song and Essentials (Instrumental) by Seb Sanders.
As always, find us on Substack (https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com/), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3mflGivzUSgaMz83IfBlKA) or Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lesser-known-new-mexico-podcast/id1812454644) and follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lesserknownnmpod/). And if you really want to, you can drop us a note at lesserknownnmpodcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesserknownnmpod.substack.com (https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
3 Feb 2026
Season 2, Ep. 4: Photojournalist Diana Cervantes
Photojournalist Diana Cervantes has spent years documenting the critically endangered Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly. In December her photos and videos were part of a story in The New York Times, “They’re Trying to Find a Mate for This Very Lonely Caterpillar.” (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/climate/sacramento-mountains-checkerspot-butterfly.html) It was great to have Cervantes back on the podcast to talk about the butterfly, being a compassionate photojournalist in an era of extinction, and more.
Head over to Instagram and follow her at @dee_sea_photo (https://www.instagram.com/dee_sea_photo/) and see all of her images and videos, including of the butterfly and caterpillar — and the scientists studying and trying to protect the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly.
And if you want to be cool like Diana and Laura, someday you should go see the bat outflight at El Malpais National Monument: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/elma-bat-outflight.htmMeanwhile, to hear our 2025 conversation with Cervantes:
Music credits for this show include: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song and Butterfly Samba (Feat. Dani Catalá) (Instrumental) by Kiabits.
As always, find us on Substack (https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com/), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3mflGivzUSgaMz83IfBlKA) or Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lesser-known-new-mexico-podcast/id1812454644) and follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lesserknownnmpod/). And if you really want to, you can drop us a note at lesserknownnmpodcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesserknownnmpod.substack.com (https://lesserknownnmpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Who has been a guest on Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
VB Price
Diana Cervantes
Jonathan Juarez-Alonzo
Feleecia Guillen
Angelica Rubio
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
13
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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