Colorado Soul Stories
Society & Culture
About
Your host, Mama Jill, protects and collects precious stories of our state; from place-makers who were the pioneers of creating culture here to the risk-takers passionately following their compass. Colorado is a beautiful place to behold and these people help make it a soulful place to be, emulating what is quintessentially Colorado.
Episodes
- Photographer Tim Brown: Salida has his Heart
This episode features photographer Tim Brown, who arrived in Salida, Colorado in 1982. He discusses his early career photographing tourists, adapting to the digital age by embracing 19th-century tin type photography, and his enduring conne…
- Joe Firstman, Cordovas, Baja Wondergrass
Mama Jill interviews Joe Firstman of the band Cordovas during the Baja Wondergrass music festival in Mexico. The conversation took place near the beach stage alongside Mark Schoenecker of KHEN.
- John King: Traversing the Colorado Rockies on Nordic Skis, 1978
This episode features John King, discussing his 1978 six-week, nearly 500-mile trek across the Colorado Rockies on Nordic skis with friends. The conversation also touches on his kinetic sculptures inspired by outdoor experiences and his li…
- The Brown Palace Hotel: History and Mystery
This episode of Colorado Soul Stories explores the history and mysteries of Denver's Brown Palace Hotel with archivist Debra Faulkner. It delves into the hotel's unique features, its connection to European history, and the evolving role of…
- Ryan Warner of Colorado Public Radio
This episode features Ryan Warner, the 20-year host of Colorado Matters on Colorado Public Radio. He shares his origin story and the journey that led him to become a trusted storyteller of Colorado's people and places.
- More with Chandler Romeo & Reed Weimer: Denver's Beatnik Barbie & Ken
Chandler Romeo and Reed Weimer reflect on their formative years in Denver's art scene, their significant contributions to establishing the Navajo Arts District in the 1980s, and the subsequent impact and relocation of the arts community.
- Saving the Wonder Tower
Colorado Soul Stories features Chandler Romeo and Reed Weimer, who have purchased and are restoring the 100-year-old World's Wonder View Tower. They discuss the tower's history, its unique interior exhibits, and their vision for revitalizi…
- Best of 2025: Nuggets of Gold!
The "Best of 2025: Nuggets of Gold!" episode of Colorado Soul Stories compiles key insights from interviews with Colorado-based entrepreneurs, musicians, innovators, and community builders. It highlights diverse stories including the cultu…
- Listener-submitted Colorado Winter Stories
This episode of Colorado Soul Stories features listener-submitted winter and holiday tales from Colorado, including childhood snow days and the Blizzard of
- The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology Book Launch Interviews
This episode covers the book launch for The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology, featuring interviews with organizer Turner Wyatt and past laureates Mary Crow, Joseph Hutchison, and Bobby Lefebre. The anthology, the first of its kind in Colo…
- Chris White: Building a Sustainable Community
Chris White discusses building a sustainable Earthship home and yurts on Poncha Pass, focusing on community, resilience, and affordable off-grid living. The episode explores his journey of creating cooperative living spaces and challenges…
- Ana Maria Vasquez: The Lost Episode, Creating Balance in our Lives
In this episode, Ana Maria Vasquez shares her techniques for connecting with nature to achieve balance, emphasizing energetic responsibility and a three-step process to transform negative feelings into positive energy. The conversation hig…
- Andy Carlson from the Highland Electric Co. Band
Andy Carlson, founder of the "dad-grass" band The Highland Ramblers and now Highland Electric Co., discusses how music fosters community. This episode, recorded live at the Sunnyside Music Festival, features Carlson sharing the story behin…
- John Deffenbaugh of Historic Denver: Positive Preserving
John Deffenbaugh, CEO of Historic Denver, shares insights on the proposed Bronco stadium location at Burnham Yards, emphasizing its historical importance and advocating for development that respects Denver's past and influences mental well…
- Jane Parnell: First Woman to Climb Colorado's Highest 100 Peaks
Mountaineer, writer, and environmental activist Jane Parnell discusses her experience as the first woman to climb Colorado’s 100 highest peaks. She shares her history with the mountains, her observations on climate change, and her advocacy…
- Sunnyside Music Festival Pt.1: West Side Books, The Reals!
Mama Jill attended the Sunnyside Music Festival, interviewing West Side Books owners and her brother. She also captured a performance by local band The Reals, despite challenges with portable microphones and festival noise.
- "Everything is Beautiful, and Nothing is Clean": Autumn Check-In with Mama Jill
Mama Jill reflects on autumn, personal transformation, and the mission of Colorado Soul Stories to connect people through shared experiences. The episode touches on the profound impact of storytelling and includes an excerpt from Matthew K…
- Gray Carstens: Mama Jill's Son Shares his Path to Choosing a Career, Part 1
In this episode, Gray Carstens shares his post-high school struggles in finding a career path, detailing his non-linear journey through film school and other experiences, including reflections on the unexpected contemplation time provided…
- Coleman Smith and Robin Vega: Connecting Music and Community
Coleman Smith, an accomplished fiddle player, and his partner Robin Vega are featured in this episode. Together, they extend the reach of music education through the Coletrain Music Academy in Buena Vista, Colorado, fostering community eng…
- Teague Bohlen Part 2: Paths to the Writing Life
In this episode, Teague Bohlen shares details about his upbringing and how his writing abilities influenced his career choices, including experiences in the corporate world and teaching.
- Writer, Teague Bohlen: Part 1
Mama Jill talks with Denver writer Teague Bohlen, an author and University of Colorado instructor. They discuss his novels, including his Colorado Book Award winner 'The Pull of the Earth' and his latest book, 'Escaping Denver.'
- Sarah Anderson of Heavy Diamond Ring
Mama Jill interviews Sarah Anderson of Heavy Diamond Ring about how her upbringing and Colorado inspire her music. Sarah discusses the organic formation of the band and the joy of working with talented musicians.
- JoJo Tells ANOTHER Story: Me and the Sheriff, an Unforgettable Night in Westcliffe, CO
In this episode of Colorado Soul Stories, JoJo Elmquist shares a story from Westcliffe, Colorado, in the late 1980s. An evening at a bar leads to an encounter with cowboys, guns, and a sheriff.
- "From Shadows to Light: An Artist's Journey of Hope"
Colorado Soul Stories features host Mama Jill's interview with artist Andy Mast in Westcliffe, Colorado. Andy shares his journey from Illinois Amish farmlands to becoming an internationally recognized artist, finding healing and hope throu…
- Ana Maria Vasquez: Animal and Nature Intuitive
Colorado Soul Stories features Ana Maria Vasquez, an intuitive who communicates with animals and nature. She shares her transformative journey, connection to the natural world, and practical ways to connect with nature's energies.
- The eXposed Storytelling Series
Colorado Soul Stories presents The eXposed Storytelling Series, an episode focused on sharing traumatic, devastating, or humiliating stories in a safe environment. Host Mama Jill speaks with founder Josie Nixon and peer Cooper Braun about…
- Cipriano Ortega: LoLo House
Cipriano Ortega discusses his new album, LoLo House, his creative endeavors, and how changes in Colorado affect home. The episode includes a performance of a song from the album, featuring his custom two-string bass.
- Introduction to Colorado Soul Stories
This is an introductory episode of Colorado Soul Stories where listeners can meet the host, Mama Jill.
- Exposed 2.0: JoJo Reads a Story
JoJo Elmquist discusses discovering the Exposed open mic in Northeast Denver and performing with the crew at the Bug Theatre. She shares a story from the event.
- Muddy's Coffee House: Culture, Civility and Refuge
In the early 1970s, Muddy's Coffee House provided a cultural haven in Denver, offering refuge to diverse individuals.