The Father of Murray Athletics

The Death of President Taylor

The Ritchie Familyof Kentucky

My focus is always on my readers and the people who are impacted by not having those stories. So it's young folks and it's folks who are trans and queer and who are, you know, marginalized or brown, black, Bipoc. - Aiden Thomas &nbsp; My special guest is Aiden Thomas &nbsp; Aiden Thomas is a New York Times bestselling author and a prominent figure in young adult literature. Their expertise lies in crafting narratives that authentically represent the intersection of gender identity and cultural diversity. Aiden's notable work, particularly the acclaimed novel "Cemetery Boys," has garnered widespread acclaim for its compelling portrayal of underrepresented voices. With a background in creative writing and a deep commitment to inclusivity, Aiden's literary contributions have significantly enriched the representation of marginalized communities in literature. Their unique perspective as a trans Latinx individual brings a valuable and insightful dimension to the exploration of identity and cultural heritage within the literary landscape. &nbsp; In this episode, you will be able to: &nbsp;   Uncover the art of writing fantasy with rich cultural influences, adding depth and authenticity to your storytelling.&nbsp;&nbsp;   Discover the rewarding journey of transitioning from nonfiction to fiction writing and unleashing your creative potential.&nbsp;&nbsp;   Embrace the importance of authentic representation of Latinx characters in young adult novels, contributing to diverse and inclusive literature.&nbsp;&nbsp;   Delve into the captivating role of ancestry and culture in storytelling, enriching narratives with depth and resonance.   &nbsp; The resources mentioned in this episode are: &nbsp;   Visit the Wyoming Humanities Council website at  to stay updated on upcoming events and programs, and to engage with their content on Instagram and Facebook.   Follow Aiden Thomas on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok using the handle @AidenSchmaiden for updates on his books, events, and interactions with readers.   Explore the book Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody for guidance on transitioning from nonfiction to fiction writing, including the use of the 15-point beat sheet story structure.   Look for , including Cemetery Boys, Lost in the Neverwoods, and The Sun Bearer Trials, to explore diverse and inclusive storytelling, particularly for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.   &nbsp; Follow Us on These Channels: &nbsp;               &nbsp; Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe! As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on&nbsp;&nbsp;or visit the&nbsp;&nbsp;of the Wyoming Humanities! &nbsp; Sign up for the podcast newsletter using the QR code of follow this link:&nbsp; &nbsp;

Embracing Identity: Aiden Thomas on Writing Trans and Latinx Characters

Chandler James is an assistant professor of Political Science at the University of Oregon, who specializes in American Politics, with a focus on the U.S. presidency and public opinion. In addition, he is a committed environmentalist and outdoorsman. He joined the UO faculty in fall 2023.

UO Today interview: Chandler James, Assistant Professor, Political Science

Arigon Starr is an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. She is an award-winning musician, composer, actor, playwright, and artist. She created the comic Super Indian. Arigon Starr gave the final talk in this year’s Indigenous Comics Speaker series on April 22nd, 2024, hosted by the Native American and Indigenous Studies program and the Comics and Cartoon Studies program at the University of Oregon.

UO Today interview: Arigon Starr, Kickapoo artist

A dialogue between Janet Afary (Religious Studies) and Dwight Reynolds (Religious Studies) about Afary’s new book, Mollā Nasreddin: The Making of a Modern Trickster, 1906-1911. 

In the early twentieth century, a group of artists and intellectuals reinterpreted the Middle Eastern trickster figure Nasreddin in their periodical Mollā Nasreddin. They used folklore, visual art, and satire to disseminate a consciously radical and social democratic discourse on religion, gender, sexuality, and power in Transcaucasia and Iran. The periodical reached tens of thousands of people in the Muslim world, impacting the thinking of a generation.

This highly-illustrated book explores the milieu in which Mollā Nasreddin was born, the way the periodical recreated the trickster trope, and the influence of European graphic artists, especially Francisco Goya, on the journal. It focuses on the most creative period, 1906-11, when the journal reflected the social and political concerns of three major upheavals: the 1905 Russian Revolution, the 1906–1911 Iranian Constitutional Revolution, and the 1908 Young Turk Movement. Afary received the 2023 Eugenia M. Palmegiano Prize in the History of Journalism from the American Historical Association, awarded annually to the author of the most outstanding book published in English on the history of journalism. The book also received the 2023 British-Kuwait Friendship Award, given to the best scholarly work on the Middle East published in the U.K.

Janet Afary is Professor of Religious Studies at UC Santa Barbara and the author of Sexual Politics in Modern Iran, Foucault and the Iranian Revolution: Gender and the Seductions of Islamism, and The Iranian Constitutional Revolution of 1906-11: Grassroots Democracy, Social Democracy, and the Origins of Feminism.

https://www.ihc.ucsb.edu/events/humanities-decanted/

Cosponsored by the IHC’s Harry Girvetz Memorial Endowment

Humanities Decanted

Janet Afary: Mollā Nasreddin: The Making of a Modern Trickster, 1906-1911

On May 1, 2024, recent contributors to Oregon Humanities magazine and Beyond the Margins read their pieces at Honey Latte Cafe in Portland Oregon. This recording features Astra Lincoln, Aleksandr Chernousov, Jordan Marzka, Rosanna Nafziger (pictured), and Reshmi Dutt-Ballerstadt

Oregon Humanities Live - May 1, 2024

Paul-Gordon Chandler is an author, interfaith advocate, art curator, social entrepreneur and US Episcopal priest. Having grown up in Senegal, West Africa, he has lived and worked extensively in the Middle East and North Africa in leadership roles within faith-based publishing, ecumenical relief and development agencies and the Episcopal Church 

Based now out of the Chicago area, he is the Founder and President of CARAVAN, an international peace-building non-profit/NGO that uses the arts to build bridges between the creeds and cultures of the Middle East and West.  He is also a Canon at All Saints’ Cathedral, Cairo, Egypt and has authored four non-fiction books in the fields of Christian-Muslim relations, Global Christianity and the Middle East.

Paul-Gordon Chandler: The Art of Building Bridges Between The East and The West

What’s Your Why? 
I know, I know, you’ve heard this before. It’s not a NEW question, but the answer IS always evolving…so WE can’t. stop. asking!

This show explores the human experience by way of our natural and diverse DNA through story telling. 
We bring to life the 4 pillars of humanity: Culture, Faith, Community and History. 

Our purpose is to expand your vision of the world, educate you with the practical wisdom needed to apply to your own journey and create more connectivity and significance within the human experience. 
With nationally and internationally renowned humanists - authors, journalists, philosophers, artists and scientists - we adventure into conversations about where they’ve been, how are they wired, what makes them tick and how their history relates to the greater world and you. Get inspired, gain perspective and reflect - on what’s your Why?

First, but Last? introduces you to the creative, intrepid and influential women all across the state of Wyoming asking them about wisdom, work and adventure in the “equality” state. This special series celebrates Wyoming as the first state to give women the right to vote! 

ThinkWY | Wyoming Humanities podcasts are created to capture the stories in and outside of Wyoming to share ideas, perspectives, and insights about the human experience.

Paul-Gordon Chandler: The Art of Building Bridges Between The East and The West

Wyoming Humanities

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