Episode Focus: Art, Policy, and the Path to Youth Wellness

In this November episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan explores how the arts are transforming the conversation around youth mental health and wellness in Pueblo and beyond.

Bree welcomes Emma Gilchrist, Deputy Director of the Farley Health Policy Center and Instructor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who shares insights on advancing behavioral health integration and the role of policy in shaping prevention and wellness initiatives.

Also joining the conversation are Kennedy Pugh, Executive Director of Colorado Arts and Artist Associates, and Roxanne Pignanelli, founder of The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High School and C.A.T.C.H. Youth. Together, they discuss how cross-sector partnerships are using creativity as a bridge to healing—empowering young people through fine art, music, theater, and community engagement.

This episode offers a powerful look at how Pueblo is leading a statewide movement that connects art, science, and compassion to build resilience and reimagine mental health support for the next generation.

Gimme Shelter, Gimmer Justice: Breaking the Silence After Epstein is a compelling episode of the Voices of Pueblo Podcast, hosted by Molly Cotner and co-host Gregory Howell, with returning guest Chantal Woodyard—PSJ board member, advocate, and survivor. Earlier in the year, Chantal sat down with Molly and Gregory to revisit her deeply personal journey featured in “Gimme Shelter: A Survivor’s Fight for Justice,” the March cover story of the Pueblo Star Journal. Together, they explore the intersection of power, secrecy, and justice at the heart of the Epstein case.​​

Listeners will hear unfiltered stories of survival, the long shadow of sealed files, and the urgent need for transparency, all set against the broader landscape of systemic abuse, including harm to children and vulnerable populations. Chantal brings firsthand insight into living with the consequences of institutional failures and misinformation, while the hosts foster a conversation that connects global headlines to local realities in Pueblo, Colorado.

Trigger Warning: This podcast contains discussions of sexual exploitation, abuse—including the abuse of children and vulnerable populations—as well as institutional failures that may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. Please take care of yourself while listening, and feel free to skip or step away if needed. The episode addresses survivors' experiences and sensitive topics surrounding the Epstein case, including issues of accountability and healing. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or abuse, support is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or RAINN.org.​

This episode is a testament to truth-telling, advocacy, and the power of community journalism to spark change.​​

See links below more information about Gimme Shelter and SeriesFest:

Gimme Shelter Article

Gimme Shelter Podcast

SeriesFest Season 11 2025

On Nov. 7, as Pueblo entered the 38th day of the government shutdown, Bree sat down with three community leaders who are on the front lines of the city’s growing food insecurity crisis. Evans Auden Gonzalez Garcia, owner of Super Market Gonzalez, joined Diego Rivera and Luanne Maes of United Way of Pueblo County to talk about how families can access food and essential resources during what many are calling a manmade disaster.

With more than 40,000 Pueblo residents relying on federal nutrition benefits, the impacts of the shutdown are immediate and widespread. Two federal judges initially blocked cuts to SNAP funding, and the Trump administration signaled it would draw from contingency funds. But while the courts deliberate, children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities are being left hungry.

This episode dives into what local organizations are doing right now, how residents can get support, and why community partnerships matter more than ever. Bree’s guests offer practical guidance, compassionate insight and a clear message: Pueblo has your back.