Badly Needed & Long Overdue

Blackpackers founder and executive director Patricia Cameron hikes into Studio 809 in this episode of BNLO! We talk about hiking, being outdoors, the value of BEING outdoors and recreation vs. adventure. We also tackle how Mayor Yemi is doing, local politics and what protest looks like in these modern times. BNLO approves of her stance on the Confederate flag.Follow BNLO on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!0:00 Splash/Sponsor/Intro0:31 Greetings and Monologue3:19 Ad Break4:14 Introducing Patricia Cameron5:29 As a Young Adult…7:51 Doing Stuff Because It's Hard11:11 Colorado Springs v. The World: Multimodal Edition16:42 The Outdoors as Home24:27 Colorado Springs as a Food/Transit Desert26:08 Local Journalism and a Flag Burning33:02 Connectivity and Bikes41:19 Direct Advocacy48:00 The Mayor Yemi Report Card51:44 Local Politics56:29 Outdoor Recreation v. Adventure1:04:31 The Facts, The What and The Why of Blackpackers1:14:08 Changing One's Mind in a Big Way1:21:04 How To Make Your Protest Count1:23:46 What is Law Anyway? 1:28:38 Interview Closeout1:32:35 Outro/Credits

Tom Shepard is the Founding Executive Director of Youth Documentary Academy, a program that I wish I'd had access to growing up. Entering its 13th season, YDA is close to premiering its latest flight of short films by underprivileged and at-risk youth with sincere stories to tell. You can still get tickets for the November 9th, 2025 premiere at https://www.youthdocumentary.org/2025worldpremiere/. In this episode I get to talk with Tom about his time growing up, leaving and returning to Colorado Springs, the importance of the YDA program locally, Sundance in Colorado and how YDA can expand in these troubling times.Mentioned in this episode:First Congregational ChurchRocky Mountain Women's FilmIFSOC - Ralph GiordanoHomeward PIkes PeakColorado Springs Homeless UnionPoor Richard'sYouth Documentary AcademyCitizens ProjectInside Out Youth ServicesFollow BNLO on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!0:00 Splash/Sponsor/Intro0:31 Greetings and Monologue4:37 Ad Break5:32 Introducing Tom Shepard/Wallet Strategy7:01 Night Owling8:00 COS to SFO10:35 Roots in Town15:48 James Dobson is Dead23:45 Youth Documentary Academy 29:14 Using Filmmaking to Process Trauma32:40 How do you Replicate YDA?33:58 Scouring for Funds40:10 Giving up, Going Back42:57 Sundance in Colorado50:17 Film COS53:26 Letting the Kids Shine57:53 The Shifting Zeitgeist59:43 Letting Film Change Your Mind 1:05:15 Shutting up for a Moment to be Compassionate1:13:45 Paying for Culture1:17:15 The A.I. Sitch in Filmmaking1:21:31 Interview Closeout1:22:42 Outro/Credits

Kimberly Gold joins Nick in Studio 809 to talk about being a new city councilor! That's right, alongside Brandy Williams, Tom Bailey and Roland Rainey Jr., Gold is one of this city's newest legislators. She represents the city's district 4, which encompasses the southeast area of town, including the airport, that has been historically underrepresented and aching for economic development. She successfully ran to replace previous representative Yolanda Avila, who was a fierce proponent for the district and is now running for an El Paso County commissioner seat.Thomas Jefferson did have a recipe for ice cream and apparently popularized the French creation (or at least, that's where he got his recipe from), but he didn't invent it. At any rate, let's talk about ice cream! And city government! And in the soapbox, let's talk about school zones and how we prevent people from running over students.Follow BNLO on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!0:00 Splash/Sponsor/Intro0:31 Greetings and Monologue2:50 Ad Break3:50 Introducing Kimberly Gold/Being Courageous6:50 What Does Colorado Springs Utilities Do?10:32 All the Emotions11:50 Opening an Ice Cream Shop16:48 Why Run for City Council?24:33 Running for City Council29:33 E-Biking Across Town36:15 Election Night37:34 Winning a Race39:40 The Role of the City49:26 Settling In53:37 That City Council Daily1:01:23 Being Nice to People1:03:59 The Legislative Work1:10:32 Nick's First City Council Meeting1:14:38 What are you Learning?1:22:44 Interview Closeout1:25:06 Soapbox - School Zones1:44:56 Credits

John Mikos joins Nick in Studio 809 to talk about his campaign for Colorado State Treasurer. What is a state treasurer? Well, they watch over the money the state collects before it goes out to whatever the state needs to pay for. And that's a complicated thing because there's billions of dollars in there and the state definitely wants to take the best advantage those moneys as they arrive and before they depart. John can definitely explain it a lot better than I can.Oh, and there's a point where an excited John starts shifting to the right of the view port and Producer Dave has to have him shift back, which I've kept in here for funsies.Follow BNLO on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!0:00 Splash/Sponsor/Intro0:31 Greetings and Monologue4:27 Ad Break3:12 Introducing John Mikos/Is Colorado a Rectangle?5:27 John is Running for Colorado State Treasurer!7:05 What the Heck does a State Treasurer do?11:39 So Where is Our Money at?13:13 Impactful Investment20:13 The Treasury is Not a Scrooge McDuck Vault21:13 Investing in the Community24:29 Building the Public Bank(s)30:52 Starting Small 35:18 John's Experience and Vision42:50 Getting the Regional Buy-In51:31 Road Tripping for Treasury58:05 It's Time to Talk About TABOR Again1:04:57 Interview Closeout1:06:43 Soapbox - The Charlie Kirk proclamation1:24:01 Credits

Joe Reagan is running for Congress in Colorado's 5th Congressional District (Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Monument, Peyton, Fountain and thereabouts) and Nick happens to work for him, so it was relatively easy to bring him into Studio 809 to talk about running for Congress in Colorado's 5th Congressional District! They cover policy, Joe's loss by a mere 500 votes in the 2024 Democratic Primary, and looking ahead to the 2026 election cycleFollow BNLO on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!0:00 Splash/Sponsor/Intro0:31 Greetings and Monologue4:13 Ad Break3:12 Introducing Joe Reagan5:45 What About Joe Rogan? Or Ronald Reagan?8:28 Homelessness and Public Bathrooms10:29 What Did You Want to Be When You Grew Up?16:30 Starting a Business/Being a Consultant19:53 Solving for Healthcare25:44 Perfect Being the Enemy of Good31:20 Housing Issues and Grants37:58 Colorado's TABOR Problem40:10 Why Run for Congress?41:52 The Returns on Public Investment52:04 The Actual Decision to Run for Congress56:42 Losing The 2024 Primary1:03:36 The 2026 Primary1:09:21 How Do You Diversify A Military Economy?1:26:32 Gaza1:29:52 Interview Closeout1:33:08 Credits1:33:51 Soapbox - Being a Pedestrian Who Walked to School

Daniel Logan arrives in Studio 809 this week to chat with Nick about his life's journey from growing up in Colorado Springs, his time in the Air Force, living with PTSD, understanding his father's creative gifts and becoming an artist. It's an at-times heavy, but always thought-provoking conversation about art, being creative and how we can validate and build the local arts community here in Colorado Springs.Yeah, that did just sorta come out like a pretty generic-sounding statement. Look, it's a dope conversation, that's all I gotta say. There are plenty of feels to be felt in here. Plus Nick gets to soapbox about housing in Colorado Springs, which so many people complain about, including the Gazette Editorial Board, who are a bunch of fart knockers on a regular basis.Follow BNLO on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!0:00 Splash/Sponsor/Intro0:31 Greetings and Monologue2:06 Ad Break3:07 Introducing Daniel Logan3:36 Colorado Springs/Joining the Military4:49 Do Your Job, Don't Ask Questions8:52 Growing Up12:07 First Job13:56 The Tribalism of Military Life22:03 …but then Art.26:06 Becoming a Better Person29:42 From Shellshock to Art School42:04 “You Suck!” to “Hey Cool!”45:34 The Oldest Student Painter47:20 Dad, The Artist53:24 Artist and Salesman and…1:03:47 Connecting Locally1:08:21 Making Original Work/The A.I. Struggle 1:15:12 Making a Living on Art/Building Clout1:22:18 Being in a Community1:24:32 How do you Build up the Art Scene Here?1:36:49 Interview Closeout1:39:25 Credits1:40:32 Soapbox - Housing in Colorado Springs

Side Dish with Schniper's very own Matthew Schniper chats with Nick for their first podcast together since the very first episode of The Indy 15 in August of 2022! Or was it September? Let me look. Hmmm… Yep! August 24, 2022. The podcast is seriously still up online wherever you listen to podcasts.Anyway, we talk about bike commutes in Colorado Springs, owning an electric car and charging it at home with clean renewable power, Schniper's career at the Colorado Springs Indy, his spin-off into Side Dish with Schniper and food criticism and so, so much more!Follow BNLO on Facebook and Instagram! And probably TikTok too!0:00 Splash/Sponsor/Intro0:31 Greetings and Monologue2:54 Ad Break3:49 Introducing Matt Schniper/Tackling Bike Lanes5:47 Bike Commuting8:25 Buying an Electric Car/Going Solar20:31 Distracted Drivers22:56 To be a Food Critic? Or No?25:33 “I've got a 9-to-5 for the First Time in my Life.”28:50 Becoming the Editor32:19 The Best Days of the Indy36:16 Downsizing 38:27 The End of the Indy (As We Knew It)40:53 Launching Side Dish44:54 Wearing Multiple Hats as a Content Creator48:19 The Side Dish Dozen54:03 The Struggle of New Media59:06 Doing the Real Work Means Playing the Game1:04:00 Do We Need Another Newspaper to Save Us?1:07:39 Interview Closeout1:08:53 Credits1:09:47 Mailbag

#21 - Steph Vigil - Former & Future Colorado State Rep, HD-16Nick sits down with Steph Vigil for her third round in this first episode of the exciting second season! It's like we never left, except we're at The Next Us in person with Studio 809 talking about Representative Rebecca Keltie, multimodal transit in Colorado Springs, why you should run for office and so, so much more!Follow BNLO on Facebook and Instagram! And probably TikTok too!BNLO Season 2 is sponsored by Blackpackers: Economic Equity in Outdoor Education and Recreation.BNLO is a member of the Studio 809 podcast collective. See and hear more fine local podcasts at Studio809podcasts.com0:00 Splash/Sponsor/Intro0:16 Greetings and Monologue4:12 Ad Break6:13 Introducing Steph Vigil7:50 Moving to Colorado Springs10:02 Coming Back to BNLO/Running for Office17:36 Representative Steph Vigil18:51 Losing a Re-election by 3 Votes/The Political Machine26:54 Running for Office Again30:58 Colorado Springs Potholes Club and Car Dependency 38:40 Deferred Maintenance in COS41:18 Your Local Goverment is a Business46:52 Why Really Rich People Suck49:02 Multimodal Transit Takes a Really Long Time To Make52:27 Steph's Multimodal Dream for COS54:47 Nick rambles for a bit about the city1:01:11 Keltie and Violent Rhetoric1:10:22 Legislating the Wrong Way1:17:56 Electing a Better City Council1:23:47 Run for office, even if don't think you can!1:27:49 NIMBYism and Developer Wars1:34:25 What do you think of Mayor Yemi?1:38:56 They're Canceling Stephen Colbert1:42:03 How do you Maintain Your Mental Health These Days?1:43:55 Interview Closeout1:45:34 Credits1:45:49 Soapbox - Tejon Street Revitalization

Emily and Nick comb through the results of Election Day 2022 in Colorado Springs before saying "so long for now" as we enter a badly needed and long overdue hiatus. See you next year! Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @bnlopodcast

With only hours left to get your ballot in, Emily and Nick chat about getting your ballots in, resoruces you need at this very last second and more! Get it done! Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @bnlopodcast

This week, in a very Halloween-themed episode, Emily and Nick chat with Joseph Shelton, the Democratic candidate for CD-5's State Board of Education seat and all the things that go along with education in our city. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @bnlopodcast

It's been five months since we've chatted with Stephanie Vigil, Democratic candidate for House District 15, and we want to hear from her as the days to the election count down ever so quickly... Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @bnlopodcast

David Torres is the Democratic candidate for Colorado's Congressional District 5, currently held by Republican Doug Lamborn, and he sits down with Emily and Nick to chat up what brought up to run for office and what he'd do if he gets there. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @bnlopodcast

Rob Rogers is the Democratic candidate for Colorado House District 14 on the north end of Colorado Springs and in this episode, Emily and Nick get to chat with him about the upcoming election, legislation that matters to Colorado Springs and METROPOLITAN TAX DISTRICTS!!!! Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @bnlopodcast

Ryan Lucas, candidate for El Paso County Commissioner District 1 (the administrative hat of the county, so to speak) chats with Emily and Nick about not just what it's like to run for county commissioner of this city, but a number of the city's various issues. We dive into where Ryan's from, what he's been doing and where he's going! Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @bnlopodcast

Downtown Colorado Springs has some fun things going on, but art wasn't always one of them. Emily and Nick dive into the history of Art on the Streets, the Downtown Colorado Springs Partnership and all kinds of fun stuff going on Downtown! Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

Emily and Nick chat with Alvin Sexton, the Democratic candidate for Colorado House District 15 about running for office, his upbringing, and his thoughts on the upcoming race... and what comes after. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @bnlopodcast

What's it like to be running the left-leaning Democratic Party in the right-leaning Colorado Springs? In this episode, Emily and Nick sit down with John Mikos, Chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party to find out! Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

Colorado Springs' City Aud is getting an elaborate restoration, but it's not all sunshine and roses as the locally famous venue comes off the city's books into the hands of a non-profit who has to figure out how to make it work these days. Emily and special guest (and City Aud enthusiast) Viktoria Costantino have very specific opinions about the restoration. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

Water is a big deal in Colorado Springs, but a recent controversy that's come up has been the usage of PFAS, or "forever chemicals" that have tainted the groundwater in Fountain and caused an escalation in health issues in the region. The solution? Water from COS. We chat with Water Warrior Liz Rosenbaum about all of this and how they've literally affected her and her family's health. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

We've talked about how hard Colorado Springs can be hard to navigate as an able-bodied person, but what about the disabled or those living with disabilities? Nick and Emily chat with Betty Field, former social worker and congressional candidate who suddenly became paralyzed and has had to navigate the local systems, physical infrastructure and bureaucracies just to have a seat at the proverbial table. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

With bus fare being free for better air thanks to the state of Colorado, Nick and Emily sit down to talk about their experiences riding the bus in Colorado Springs. We talk about the highs, lows, opportunities and advantages of just hopping on a bus to go where you want to go or where you need to go. Seriously, go ride the bus this month. It's free for the month of August 2022! Mountain Metro Transit system map and routes: https://coloradosprings.gov/mountain-metro/page/bus-route-information?mlid=8426 Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

What's it like being a leftist in Colorado Springs? The Chinook Center's Jon Christiansen knows. We sit down to talk with him about COS's political landscape, CSPD, the Chinook Center he helped put together for the community and much much more. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

COS is known colloquially for being the "outdoor" city and yet bicycling is often left way, way behind. We talk with southeast bicycle advocate Jacqueline "Jax" Armendariz Unzueta and Bike Colorado Springs board member Cully Radvillas about bicycles, their advantages and their present hazards in town. NOTE: We misspell Jax's last name "Armendariz" in the transition. Apologies! Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

Evangelical Christianity is a big deal in Colorado Springs, so Nick and Emily chat with Unitarian Univeralist Minister Roger Butts to talk about the town's history, his background in Christianity and what tolerance means to those who do (and don't) practice faith. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

Our daring co-hosts talk about the somewhat interesting situation that is walking around Colorado Springs and using scooter services like Lime downtown. ADDENDUM: Veo has a special Access program that provides discounted rates for those who have accessibility or disability issues. https://www.veoride.com/veo-access/ This show is available in video format on YouTube and audio format wherever you download podcasts. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

Nick and Emily sit down with Colorado House District 16 (central COS) candidate Stephanie Vigil (D) and talk about rent, rent control, the cost of rent and renter's rights! This show is available in video format on YouTube and audio format wherever you download podcasts. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast

Hosts Nick Raven and Emily Lewis introduce Badly Needed & Long Overdue, a left of the dial podcast about how we are changing conservative Colorado Springs, CO. They dive into who they are, how they ended up in town, and the goals of the show. Stay tuned! This show is available in video format on YouTube and audio format wherever you download podcasts. Find us everywhere! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lTLVjnUwIg9-4aR5Er3UA Instagram: BadlyNeededPodcast Twitter: @BadlyNeededCOS Facebook: https://facebook.com/BadlyNeededandLongOverduePodcast TikTok: @badlyneededpodcast