In this inaugural episode, listeners hear why Federal Boulevard remains one of the most dangerous roads in the city, what’s behind the lack of public transit to Red Rocks, and how neighbors are organizing to make change—from the Denver Community Film Festival to the upcoming Mile Long Table event. With coverage of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, the evolution of UMS, and a love-hate reckoning with the Colorado Rockies, this show is a fresh, grounded take on what it means to live, move, and make meaning in Denver today.

Thiagarajan sat down with us for June’s episode of the “Bucket List Community Cafe Podcast” to break down what it means to get into the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, what makes the Denver arts scene so special, the importance of representation and much more.

After struggling with his mental health, Gennawey decided to make a drastic change and become a nomad, living his life on the move. Since then, he has been learning about the history and secrets of America's most scenic locations. In his book “Sacred Landscapes,” released on May 20, Gennawey reveals everything he’s learned about our country’s National Parks, along with helpful tips and tricks for thriving and surviving as a nomad.

Now, after firmly establishing herself as one of the most prolific reporters in Denver, McKinley has decided to retire and call it a career. Carol joined us on the April episode of the “Bucket List Community Cafe Podcast” to discuss her legendary career.

On March’s episode of the “Bucket List Community Cafe Podcast,” we sat down with Linton to talk about her journey as a disabled actress, work as an activist, the inspiration behind some of her most known work and where her projects will take her next.

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids continue to unfold across the state, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) has been working tirelessly to advocate for immigrant communities. 

Raquel Lane-Arellano, communications manager and Colorado rapid response volunteer, has been on the frontlines of these efforts. For the February episode of the “Bucket List Community Cafe Podcast,” we spoke with Lane-Arellano to understand the ongoing impact the new administration’s policies have had on Denver’s immigrant communities since its inauguration. 

Unfortunately, butterfly populations have been decreasing drastically over the past 50 years due to increased temperature across Colorado, loss of vegetation like milkweed and wildflowers, and increased pollution. A recent study by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources suggests that Colorado’s butterfly population has decreased by over 50% in the last 35 years.

How concerned should we be about Colorado’s falling butterfly population? Is this indicative of more scary and drastic climate-induced changes to come? On December’s episode of the Bucket List Community Cafe Podcast, we sat down with Shiran Hershcovich, senior lepidopterist at Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, to talk about the role climate change has played on the butterfly population and how it affects everyone.

On October’s edition of the Bucket List Community Cafe podcast, we sat down with Isabel Guzman and Travis Brooks from Metropolitan State University (MSU). Guzman and Brooks work as student journalists for The Metropolitan, MSU’s student paper, and provided us with invaluable insight into how Gen Z voters are feeling ahead of election night.

No one knows that better than the former chair of the Democratic Caucus of the Colorado House of Representatives and local political legend Polly Baca. Ryland Scholescaught up with Baca in this month’s episode of the Bucket List Community Cafepodcast to get her take on the current political climate. 

In this month’s episode of the Bucket List Community Cafe podcast, our Ryland Scholes discusses Denver’s pedestrian and cycling safety issues with two advocates: David Chen from the Denver Bicycle Lobby and Alejandra Castañeda from Pedestrian Dignity. As experts on traffic safety in the Mile High City, Chen and Castañeda provided valuable context on Denver’s problems and how we can solve them.

“It was hard for me to grasp pride at the very beginning, because I was ashamed of who I was, initially,” he shared. “But I recognized who I was, and celebrated myself.” 

Looking toward the future, Nichols envisions a global presence for DGMC, starting with a statewide tour in Colorado in 2026, followed by national and eventually international tours. He emphasized the importance of building community through music on a global scale, saying, “If our mission is ‘building community through music’… community is larger, and it’s global.”

He co-authored the book, “Marijuana is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?” and founded Safer Alternatives for Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER, as well as the SAFER Voter Education Fund. His skillful debate tactics, in-depth policy knowledge and incredibly dry sense of humor ultimately led to the successful legalization of cannabis in the state of Colorado. The rest of the country began to follow suit.

These days, he just goes by Mason. He enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles in his free time. He also plays in a band. He doesn’t spend much time coordinating chicken suit stunts anymore. As the state marks a decade since legalizing marijuana, Mason Tvert shares his reflections on the movement’s trajectory, its triumphs and setbacks and the road ahead on the Bucket List Community Cafe Podcast.

“What I always focus on as a community organizer, is making sure that there are very few barriers to entry, creating a very inclusive environment for folks to help,” President of the Tre-Vista PTA Mariah Kamei said. “You know, some folks, maybe all they can give right now is money. Some folks might not have any money and they can give time, right?”

Kamei has “adopted” three of these families and has been helping them with jobs and housing but beyond that Kamei has been building relationships with the family she has welcomed into her life. 

To hear more about Denver’s migrant crisis and how you can help, listen to our Mimi Herrick interview Mariah Kamei in this month’s Bucket List Community Cafe podcast.

This month on the Bucket List Community Cafe podcast, we sat down with Luke Perkins, History Colorado’s manager of communications and public relations, to gain insight into what sets John Fielder apart from the rest, and what Denverites can learn from his photos.

Marcus grew up in the inner city of St. Louis and was raised by his mother and an abusive father figure. He moved around a lot and got in trouble but despite that in 2008, Marcus graduated from radiology school at the top of his class. Then he got in a chase with police and derailed. 

His store is a treasure trove of banned books, first editions and rare titles. For readers, just walking in it evokes memories.