Human Interest

"Join us on Human Interest on July 3rd from 2-3pm in welcoming to San Marcos our guests:  Carrie Fountain, the newly appointed curator of The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University and  newly appointed Natalie McAdams, Director of the San Marcos Public Library. As a thirteenth -generation southwesterner, Carrie brings a wealth of experience and deep commitment to the literary arts in the Southwest. As literary curator, she oversees the Southwestern Writers Collection, which houses the archives of notable writers such as Cormac McCarthy, Sandra Cisneros, and Sam Shepard. Natalie has nearly 13 years of experience in public libraries in Dallas and most recently Temple, Texas where she fostered innovation, collaboration and strengthening partnerships with community stakeholders. She brings a strong commitment to public service and recognition of the vital role of libraries as educational and cultural hubs."

On May 1, join Marianne for Human Interest when she welcomes San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge, Corporal Joseph Osborne head of SMPD's Mental Health Unit, and Kelly Castillo Imbedded Clinician from Hill Country MMR, to discuss the department's proactive initiatives to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises and connect them to appropriate resources.

Ethical ShoppingWhether shopping for everyday items or a costly, significant purchase, do you do so ethically?Join host Marianne Reese and members of the Humanists and Freethinkers of Hays County-- on Human Interest, April 3 at 2:00pm on KZSM Community Radio--as they discuss ethical shopping... the importance of shopping ethically, elements that should be considered, and examples of ethical companies and places to shop.

In honor of Black History Month, the story of the Rev. Dr. William PennDavis—an unsung hero of the Civil Rights movement-- will be discussedby Oren Renick who was mentored and befriended by Dr. Davis andhost Marianne Reese on HUMAN INTEREST -February 6 th from 2:00-3:00pm.A white Baptist preacher based in Mississippi, Davis worked for yearsenergetically and tirelessly to build bridges of understanding andfriendship between black and white Americans. Beaten, berated, andostracized for his commitment to racial reconciliation, Davis remainedsteadfast and saw his influence spread throughout the nation.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and Kirsta Leeburg Melton, Founder and CEO of the Institute to Combat Trafficking, will join Marianne Reese for Human Interest on Thursday, January 2nd , at 2pm on KZSM.Since 2010, the President has dedicated January to raising awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. On any given day in 2021, 50 million people were victims of modern slavery across the world and human trafficking is the second fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world, second only to drugs.Kirsta’s lifelong work as an attorney and now leader of the Institute to Combat Trafficking is to seek justice for trafficking victims and ensure that their traffickers are held accountable.Kirsta is a passionate advocate for trafficking victims, and we hope you’ll listen to Human Interest at 2pm on January 2nd to learn more.about this growing epidemic in the United States.

Join guest host Stephanie Korcheck and Texas State professor Kelly Kaufhold for Thursday's Human Interest at 2:00pm. Kelly and Stephanie will discuss the current political divide in the U.S., how rhetoric and misinformation fuels the divide, and steps each of us can take to ensure we access credible sources to inform our positions and engage in respectful dialogue.

Join guest host Stephanie Korcheck and Texas State professor Kelly Kaufhold for Thursday's Human Interest at 2:00pm. Kelly and Stephanie will discuss the current political divide in the U.S., how rhetoric and misinformation fuels the divide, and steps each of us can take to ensure we access credible sources to inform our positions and engage in respectful dialogue.

Please join Human Interest Thursday September 5th from 2-3 PM and guest Oona Mekas, a Certified Professional Midwife and Executive Director and Founder of the Hill Country Women’s Health Collective—located in Wimberley, Texas. Host Marianne Reese and Oona will discuss the midwifery model of care and how midwives fill the gaps in women’s reproductive healthcare.

Join Marianne Reese, Host of Human Interest, discussing "what is or isn't a cult".  Guest Dr. Joe Laycock, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, TX State University gives a unique perspective on modern day society and politics.  In various print and online media you often see the words “Trump” and “cult” in the headline. Is MAGA a cult?  Dr. Joe Laycock rejects the claim that MAGA is a “cult”. He states “But from the perspective of new religions studies, MAGA is absolutely a 'nativist millennialist' movement." What?      

Host Marianne Reese celebrates the 4th of July with Nolin Wheeler, world renowned tattoo artist from here in San Marcos. They cover a wide range of subjects from his appearance on the reality show "Inked" to his travels around the world on the competition circuit.

Join host Marianne Reese for Human Interest. Her guests will be Hector Manriquez (man-ree-kez) and Johnny (yoh-nee) Vasallo (va-sigh-yoh), two Communication Studies Master’s graduates with a focus on critical queer research. This episode will provide a foundational understanding of the differences between sex, gender, and sexuality, as well as emerging themes highlighting the misconceptions surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community, such as the usage of pronouns, non-binary and transgender individuals, and the rhetoric involving the queer community.

Join us on "Between the Lines" as we delve into the contentious topic of banning books and its profound impact on literature, education, and society. Hosted by seasoned librarian Marian Reece, this enlightening radio show invites listeners to unravel the complexities surrounding censorship and its repercussions.Each episode features insightful discussions with authors, educators, activists, and experts who share their perspectives on the implications of book bans. From classic works to contemporary bestsellers, we explore the diverse range of titles that have faced censorship, shedding light on the reasons behind their challenges and the broader cultural context.Marian Reece, with her wealth of experience in curating diverse collections and advocating for intellectual freedom, leads thought-provoking conversations that challenge assumptions and highlight the importance of access to information. Together with guests, she examines the far-reaching consequences of banning books, including its impact on creativity, critical thinking, and the preservation of diverse voices.Whether you're a bibliophile, an educator, or simply curious about the intersection of literature and censorship, "Between the Lines" offers a captivating exploration of the power of words and the ongoing battle for intellectual freedom. Tune in and join us as we navigate the complex terrain where literature meets censorship, and discover the enduring significance of defending the freedom to read.

Human Interest: My Life My Death My ChoiceJoin Lamar Hankins, Doctor of Jurisprudence, and Marianne Reese, host of Human Interest on Thursday April 4th from 2:00 to 3:00pm, as we discuss the difficult subject of the right to choose the end of one’s own life. Topics including Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) vs. suicide; the ethical dilemma in carrying out wishes/medical directives with which we disagree; non-profit organizations such as Final Exit Network (FEN) involved in advocacy and education for the right to die...and more

Join Marianne Reese, Becky Reese, and their guest Stephanie Reyes, San Marcos City Manager, for Human Interest.It is fitting that Stephanie Reyes is our guest as March is National Women’s History month. Since 1987, events during March recognize and celebrate the economic, political, and social contributions of women. Stephanie was named the first female San Marcos City Manager in February 2023, and has worked for the City since June 2001. During our conversation on Human Interest, we will discuss the responsibilities of City Manager, Council priorities for the upcoming budget, and how citizens can get involved and get engaged. 2:00-3:00pm, First Thursday of Each Month - KZSM San Marcos Community Radio104.1 LPFM and streaming at KZSM.org

Host Marianne Reese interviews guest Marla Johnson, former director of the Hays / Caldwell Women's Center (HCWC).

Join Marianne Reese, Becky Reese, and their guest Jolene (Jo) Snider, retired Texas State Instructor of History. Jo shares her journey of writing Claiming Sunday: The Story of a Texas Slave Community.

Host Marianne Reese interviews San Marcos, Texas Police Chief Stan Standridge, and Stephanie Korcheck from the Police Citizens Advisory Panel. A candid and frank discussion on the unique challenges faced by the department, and the positive directions to take going forward.

Host Marianne Reese, and Co-host Becky Reese have as their guest Dr. Rebecca Montgomery. Rebecca discusses the history of women in the Progressive movement in the deep South, and what implications that this history has on our modern political landscape.

Host Marianne Reese and Co-Host Becky Reese continue the theme of gender roles by looking at the Patriarchal system.

Hosted by Marianne Reese of the Lifelong Learning Foundation, along with Becky Reese, resident art historian. Special Guest Dr. Shirley Ogletree joins for a discussion on the movie "Barbie" and gender roles in society.

Host Marianne Reese talks to her guest Kyong Hee Chee, Professor of Sociology with Texas State University, about Life Course perspective and the principle of Linked Lives.

Host Marianne Reese interviews Dr. Arro Smith from the San Marcos Library. He talks about the donation from Michael Cox of the new collection of Texas historical documents and books.The second half of the show, Marianne discuss the effects o diet on your health as we age.

In the Community: Texas State International Piano FestivalOn Your health: Battling Chronic Inflammation