Elevating Pikes Peak Women
by Pikes Peak Women
Elevating Pikes Peak Women is produced by Pikes Peak Women. Our purpose is to provide a platform where women in the Pikes Peak region can become engaged and discuss civic issues about which they care deeply.We’ve provided platforms to address healthcare reform, pay equity, community innovation and investment, along with facilitating the meaningful contribution of women at all levels of business, government and community. Issues may include women’s health and safety, challenges with career and family, or the actions of politicians for or against women’s rights. While such issues may be emotionally charged, we expect and maintain civility among all.We are committed to the deliberate recruitment and support of women in leadership positions and actively work on issues that make a difference. Pikes Peak Women is an independent nonprofit, coordinated by volunteer effort.This is a two-way conversation – we’d love to hear from YOU about the topics you think are most important to women. Wha
Episodes
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72: Showing Up for Community: Financial Well-Being and Cross-Sector Leadership with Bree Shellito
What does active community engagement really look like? Host Beth Roalstad talks with Bree Shellito, Director of Financial Well-Being at Wings Credit Union and a fellow in the Colorado Governor's Fellowship Program. Bree traces her path from being named an emerging leader by Leadership Pikes Peak...
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Outnumbered but Still at the Table: Nancy Henjum on Civility from the Minority
Civility looks different when you’re one of two progressives on the Colorado Springs City Council. Councilor Nancy Henjum talks about what it takes to disagree well, protect relationships, and still be heard when you’re outnumbered. View the video of this episode here on YouTube. We’ve got…
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70: Stories That Stick With Us
So many of us have watched films with Rocky Mountain Women's Film, North America's longest-running women's film festival. Tell us in the comments what is one of your favorite films! Meanwhile, listen in to Nicole Nicolletta, Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Women's Film, about the history,...
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69: Disagree Like You'll See Them Tomorrow - Lynette Crow-Iverson on Civility in Local Politics
Civility looks different at the local level than it does in Washington. City council members don't get to fly home and put distance between themselves and the people they disagree with; they run into constituents at the grocery store and at community events. There's no green room, no press office...
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68: The Commission That Tried: Inside LETAC's Fight for Police Accountability
In 2020, amid nationwide protests over police violence and the lingering shadow of the De'Von Bailey case, a 19-year-old shot in the back by Colorado Springs police in 2018, the city created the Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Commission, known as LETAC. It was supposed to give…
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67: Civility as an Economic, Civic, and Leadership Issue with Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer
Civility has become a popular solution to political and civic dysfunction—but what if we’re aiming at the wrong target? In this episode of the HUB series, Brenda Morrison talks with Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC about civility as an economic,...
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66: HUB - Hearing, Understanding, Bridging with Lauren Hug
"Civility isn’t weakness—it’s a skill. And it’s one we can all learn." In an era of increasing polarization, how do we stay engaged without becoming divided? Strategist, author, and civil discourse expert Lauren Hug explores the art of "Digital Kindness" with host Beth Roalstad. Lauren draws on…
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65: Two Women, One Primary, Big Ideas
Inside CD-5: Policy, Power, and Women Candidates Jessica Killin and Zuri Horowitz are running to represent the Pikes Peak Region (CD‑5) in Congress. Why listen to them in this episode? Because this episode is not about campaign spin, talking points, or fluff. Hear their priorities and policy…
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64: Childcare – The Underpinning of the Economy
We dive deep into the vital role of childcare and the early childhood education crisis affecting both our local community and the nation at large. We explore how stable, quality care serves as the foundation for a strong workforce and healthy child development. Two prominent local leaders who are...
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63: Sitting In With Our Future - Martin Luther King Junior's Only Grandchild, Yolanda Renee King
17-year-old Yolanda Renee King shares her experiences, hopes and dreams with Pikes Peak Women. She sat down with us in a hotel lobby in downtown Colorado Springs on the eve of Martin Luther King Day 2026, where Yolanda was scheduled to be the keynote speaker. She is the only grandchild in the MLK...
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62: Showing Up Before You Feel Ready - Sarah Jack on Civic Participation
Many women care about Colorado Springs but hesitate to step into leadership roles. In this episode, Sarah Jack talks about her path into civic engagement, what motivated her to get involved in public policy, and how she learned to lead without waiting for permission or perfection. Her story…
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61: Get Involved. Get Engaged.
Three new co-hosts for the podcast discuss the past, present and future for Pikes Peak Women. Beth Roalstad, Melissa Marts and Brenda Morrison honor the initial host of Elevating Pikes Peak Women, Mary Lou Makepeace, and the original founders of Pikes Peak Women – including Brenda’s mom, Marcy...
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60: Stepping Up Women Leadership in Mexico
In this bilingual podcast, Mayor Edith Escarcega, from the Colorado Springs Sister City Nuevos Casas Grandes in Chihuahua Mexico, talks about her path, at 40, to be the second woman mayor of her town. She discusses what a Sister City program is, what the priorities for her Mexican community are,...
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How Federal Cutbacks Are Impacting NonProfits in Colorado Springs Part 2
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to continue to discuss how Non-Profits in Colorado Springs are coming together... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing with Nate Springer from Care & Share Food Bank, Melissa Marts from Pikes Peak Agency on Aging, and...
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Ukraine Power and It's Place In Our Community
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss how Ukraine and Colorado Springs are coming together... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing with Yana Malyk, Whitney Luckett, and Jen Dorff of Ukraine Power hosted by Mary Lou Makepeace, a former Colorado...
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Meet The Chief of Community Development and Homelessness Response
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the homeless response in Colorado Springs... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing with the The Chief of Community Development and Homelessness Response Aimee Cox, hosted by Mary Lou Makepeace, a former…
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How Federal Cutbacks Are Impacting Non-Profits in Colorado Springs Part 1
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing about how the recent federal funding cuts are impacting essential services for Colorado Springs non-profit. We have leaders, Beth Roalstad from Homeward Pikes Peak, Becky Treece from The Place and Cami Bremer from Pikes Peak United Way…
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Immigration Issues Affecting Colorado Springs
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss Immigration issues in Colorado Springs... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing about the worry of immigration with Hannah Martin and Stephanie Izaguirra, hosted by Mary Lou Makepeace, a former Colorado Springs...
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Women Run! Candidates for El Paso County Commissioners
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the the role of County Commissioner in Colorado Springs... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing about the upcoming election and with some women running for office, Dr. Detra Duncan and Naomi Lopez with Mary…
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Women Run! Candidates for the Colorado State House
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the voting in Colorado Springs... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing about the upcoming election and with some women running for office, Liz Rosenbaum, Kat Gayle, Amy Paschal and Mary Lou Makepeace, a former...
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County Election Security: Your Vote Counts!
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the voting in Colorado Springs... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing about the upcoming election and the safety and security of your vote with County Clerk Steven Schleiker and Mary Lou Makepeace, a former...
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Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce and Black Business Month
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce and Black Business Month... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing about our city, the Black Chamber of Commerce and Black business month with President of the...
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A Conversation With Mayor Mobolade
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing about our city and the plans for it's future with our Mayor,Yemi Mobolade and Mary Lou Makepeace, a former Colorado Springs City Council member and Mayor of Colorado Springs herself. Subscribe for more episodes, and reach out to us on…
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The Refugee Community in Colorado Springs
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the refugee issues in Colorado Springs from a unique perspective... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing with Executive Director of Imagination Celebration, Deborah Thornton about her work in Colorado Springs...
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The First Lady of Colorado Springs
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the leadership of Colorado Springs from a unique perspective... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing with the First Lady of Colorado Springs, Abby Mobolade, and hosted by Mary Lou Makepeace, a former Colorado...
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Who Are Pikes Peak Women?
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're doing something a little different... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we brought on a bunch of our members to discuss who they are, why the joined, and what they hope for the future. We've got women from all generations, with so much experience,...
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Advancing Women in Business: Southern Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss women in business in Colorado Springs... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing with Lola Woloch, President & CEO of the Southern Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce, and hosted by Mary Lou Makepeace, a former...
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Women City Managers of Colorado Springs
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to City Council in Colorado Springs... On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing with the two women in city management positions, Denise Howell and Jamie Fabos. They will be discussing the experience of women serving on City...
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WOMEN'S VIEW ON CITY COUNCIL
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're conversing with the two newest women on Colorado Springs City Council, Michelle Talarico and Lynette Crow-Iverson. They will be discussing the experience of women serving on City Council, in a segment entitled Women's View on City Council, hosted by…
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Women Run! School Board Candidates 2023
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss school board elections in Colorado Springs... Today, host, Mary Lou Makepeace sits down with Dr. Pam Robinson (D2), Heather Cloninger (D20), and Shay Dabney (D11) to discuss the upcoming school board elections and why they are…
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Housing Issues in the Pikes Peak Region
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss housing Issues in the Pikes Peak Region. Today, our guest host, Beth Hall Rolstead of Homeward Pikes Peak sits down with Mary Stegner of Partners in Housing to discuss housing issues in our region like affordability and...
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New Women in Leadership in Colorado Springs: Meet PPLD's Teona Shainidze-Krebs
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're discussing the changes at Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs... Our host, Mary Lou, sits down with the Chief Librarian and CEO of Pikes Peak Library District! We will be discussing what the future of PPLD is, and what Teona looks forward…
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What is CONO and What Do They Do?
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss CONO in Colorado Springs. Today, Mary Lou Makepeace sits down with Sara Vaas, executive director of CONO and Kayleigh O'Donnell, a recent graduate of CONO's Neighborhood University to discuss what CONO is, what it does, why it…
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Addressing Hunger in the Pikes Peak Region
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the the struggles for food in Colorado Springs. Today, Mary Lou Makepeace sits down with Michelle Ray, Joanna Wise, and Natalia Avila to discuss what hunger looks like in our region and how it impacts women and families; the...
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Role of New Women Elected to Legislature - Part 2
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the new female presence in our legislature for Colorado Springs. Today, Mary Lou Makepeace sits down with another influential women in our legislature on their first year, and what they have been working on. Our guests is Mary...
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Role of New Women Elected to Legislature - Part 1
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the new female presence in our legislature for Colorado Springs. Today, Mary Lou Makepeace sits down with two influential women in our legislature on their first year, and what they have been working on. Guests are Regina…
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Effects on Women's Healthcare in the Pikes Peak Region with Adrienne Mansanares, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountain Region.
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss how women's healthcare has changed in Colorado Springs and beyond.
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Women Vote! Make Your Voice Heard in the Municipal Election
On this episode of Elevating Pikes Peak Women, Host Mary Lou Makepeace leads us through the process of voting in the upcoming Colorado Springs Municipal Election on April 4 and how YOU can choose among the field of 25 candidates for your vote to be counted.. Guests are City Clerk Sarah Johnson…
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LETAC Update with J.J Frasier and Deb Walker
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss the updates from the LETAC (Law Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Commission) group in Colorado Springs. Today, we're circling back to catch up with the Law Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Commission…
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Women Vote! Know Your Ballot
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, Host Mary Lou Makepeace former mayor of Colorado Springs, brings two individuals to discuss two different ballot measures in Colorado Springs. Today we talk to Karlie Van Arnam to discuss ballot questions 300 and 301: Allowing the sale and taxation of...
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Afro-American History of Colorado Springs
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, Host Mary Lou Makepeace former mayor of Colorado Springs brings the Candice McKnight to discuss the AAHGSCS and what is the history of the national AAHGS and the Colorado Springs Branch. Subscribe for more episodes, and reach out to us on Facebook at...
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The Status of Latina Women in Colorado - Part 2: Latina Equality Foundation
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, Host Mary Lou Makepeace brings the leadership of The Latina Equity Foundation to discuss the groundbreaking work they are doing to create a successful and equitable present and future for Latina women. After reviewing research from the American Association…
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Don't Miss It! Fiestas Patrias on September 17th!
On September 16, 1810 - Mexican Independence from Spain became Fiestas Patrias (Patriotic Festival), a patriotic holiday in Mexico, much like the 4th of July. Fiestas Patrias is also known as The Grito, or “The Cry”, and is widely celebrated all over Mexico today. Today, thousands of people…
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The Status of Latina Women in Colorado - Part 1
In March 2022, Pikes Peak Women recorded a podcast on the national, statewide, and local research on the Status of Latina Women. This was the research on which PPW based its call to Latina women in our community to come together to address the inequities that both the research and they as...
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Military Mothers in Our Community
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're discussing being a Military spouse in Colorado Springs... Our host, Mary Lou, sits down with two different military spouses, Magdalena Dover and Shannon Soto.We discuss their experiences as military spouses, the differences in branches, moving with a...
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New Women in Leadership in Colorado Springs: Meet Peak Vista's new CEO, Dr. Ptaszek!
On this episode, we're sitting down with the new CEO of Peak Vista, Dr. Emily Ptaszek! We will be discussing what Peak Vista's services to the community are. The new CEO's background in the field, the strengths she sees in the institution along with much more.
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Bicycling in the City of Colorado Springs with Kate Brady, Senior Bicycle Planner
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're discussing all things biking in the Colorado Springs region! Our host, Mary Lou, sits down with Kate Brady, Senior Bicycle Planner, for the City of Colorado Springs to discuss Bike to Work Day on June 22nd, as well as the improvements to biking, and...
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PIKES PEAK WOMEN’S CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss who Pikes Peak Women actually is. Our host, Mary Lou, sits down with Beth Hall Roalstad, director of Homeward Pikes Peak to discuss the history of Pikes Peak Women and the annual event, Wine, Women and Chocolate, and the…
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Introducing the Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center with Melissa Marts and Chrissy Swanson
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down to discuss what can be done for our elderly in Colorado Springs. Our host, Mary Lou, sits down with Melissa Marts, of Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, and Chrissy Swanson of Bear Creek Senior Living Center to discuss the Pikes Peak Elder...
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New Female Leadership in Colorado Springs Part 2 - Interview with L Song Richardson, Colorado College's new President
On today's Elevating Pikes Peak Women, we're sitting down highlighting and getting to know new female leadership in Colorado Springs. Our host, Mary Lou, sits down with the new President of Colorado College, L Song Richardson Subscribe for more episodes, and reach out to us on Facebook at...
About this show
Elevating Pikes Peak Women is produced by Pikes Peak Women. Our purpose is to provide a platform where women in the Pikes Peak region can become engaged and discuss civic issues about which they care deeply.We’ve provided platforms to address healthcare reform, pay equity, community innovation and investment, along with facilitating the meaningful contribution of women at all levels of business, government and community. Issues may include women’s health and safety, challenges with career and family, or the actions of politicians for or against women’s rights. While such issues may be emotionally charged, we expect and maintain civility among all.We are committed to the deliberate recruitment and support of women in leadership positions and actively work on issues that make a difference. Pikes Peak Women is an independent nonprofit, coordinated by volunteer effort.This is a two-way conversation – we’d love to hear from YOU about the topics you think are most important to women. Wha
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