... and we're back for another season of Quest for Fire, the podcast! We have an exciting lineup of guests that we've invited to the circle, to share their insights and their journey. Thank you all for sticking with us, we appreciate your support.  Now, get ready to embark on another Quest for Fire... 

Manger Baw has a goal of informing and connecting her fellow Karen community members to resources and information from across Omaha and Nebraska. As a young person, Manger has a wealth of knowledge and lived experiences that fuel her passion to help her historically-oppressed people carve out a new pathway going forward.  From her experiences growing up in a refugee camp, to adjusting to life in Nebraska, studying communications in college to now becoming a young professional, Manger shares with us so many powerful thoughts. She gives us historical context about the journey of the Karen people, and she shares strong ideas about how she would like to see the Karen community thrive here in the United States.  Join us for Episode 34 of Quest for Fire, the podcast! 

John Kretzschmar is a labor educator and the director of the William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. John has spent decades helping educate union leaders and workers, as well as inform the general public about the importance of organized labor. From early experiences in Detroit to the south side of Chicago, to ultimately settling in Omaha, Nebraska, John unpacks his journey as an educator and how messaging, over the course of years, has had an impact in conditioning our society's views on workers, employers, and power.  During our conversation, we touch on important historical moments and the connections they have to modern struggles. We discuss unions, we discuss politics, and how messaging can be used in a highly effective manner.  Join us for Episode 33 of Quest for Fire, the podcast!  Additional links referenced:  https://asocommunications.com/ https://georgelakoff.com/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/853648.The_Political_Brain 

The Two Vatos are joined by Miguel Estevez, mental health therapist, to discuss the presence of masculinity in our communities, toxic coping behaviors, and how we can re-learn certain things from our culture and our past, to get our communities into a healthier state going forward. 

Danielle Helzer is the host of Left in the Middle Pod (https://www.facebook.com/leftinthemiddlepod), where she invites guests to discuss progressive ideas in conservative-leaning Nebraska. With a background in education, faith, and social justice, Danielle recounts her lived experiences and how they have shaped her into the person she is today. We discuss the calling to get politically engaged, how family and parenthood had a role in that, and how common ground can be found among many Nebraskans from across the political spectrum.   Having lived throughout different communities in Nebraska, Danielle has a thoughtful perspective on how to navigate through the political noise and divisiveness, and she speaks to the importance of policies and the tangible impacts they can have on people's lives. Join us for Episode 32 of Quest for Fire, the podcast!  Content by: Romu Media LLC

Following up our Two Vatos conversation from last week, this time the 2 vatos are joined by Jason Witmer, street advocate, to have a very real conversation about the role of incarceration in our Nebraska society.  To learn more about these issues, and to contact your Nebraska state senators, visit: https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/ 

Returning to the podcast is Chato Hernandez, who was our guest on Episode 1. Together, we discuss legislation that can impact our communities, in particular the meat packing plant workers in Nebraska.  Contact your Nebraska state senators, and research more about this and other legislation, by visiting: https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/ 

Kevin Abourezk is a father, a journalist, and a community advocate. As a Rosebud Lakota man in Lincoln, Nebraska, Kevin has lived many experiences that helped shape the stories that he tells through journalism, media, and within the various communities that surround him.  During our conversation, Kevin discusses his upbringing on the reservation, his school experiences in a rural South Dakota town, and his early pathway into journalism. We talk messaging and ideas, and navigating political differences through finding common ground. Kevin is a great communicator, and invokes many deep thoughts.  Join us for Episode 31 of Quest for Fire, the podcast!  Content by: Romu Media LLC 

Juan Cangas is a youth motivational speaker that has reached audiences all across the United States. He has a passion for serving young people and helping them develop as leaders. Whether speaking to an auditorium full of high school students, or engaging immigrant & refugee youth in developing their own peer community, Juan has crafted a professional career that exemplifies his dedication to helping young people find their tribe and their voice.  During our conversation, Juan opens up about his own upbringing, and many of the hard lessons he had to learn along the way. He then unpacks how to approach the fear of failure, how to get past feeling like an imposter, and how to not rush to judging the particular adversity that life presents during any given moment. His communication style is very energetic and motivating, so get ready for a fun and very real conversation!  Follow Juan at: http://juancangas.com/ .  Join us for Episode 30 of Quest for Fire, the podcast!  Content by Romu Media LLC 

Mike Semrad is the owner of Red Rebel Media, a multimedia marketing company in Lincoln, Nebraska. Over the past few years, Mike has cultivated a strong reputation in the local community, through his support of local music festivals and events, as well as hosting a small business roundtable as COVID19 began to affect many local businesses.  Throughout his life, Mike has demonstrated a love for creating art of various forms, including music and visual media. Growing up in a musical family, Mike has incorporated the arts into his professional life and he has a great perspective on the role of the arts in our daily lives. We also have a powerful discussion on media & messaging, especially with the divisive rhetoric affecting our society in 2020.  Learn more about Red Rebel Media at https://redrebelmedia.net/  Join us for Episode 29 of Quest for Fire, the podcast! Content by: Romu Media LLC