Creative Santa Fe

Moments after leaving the PechaKucha stage, Jonathan Hertzel shared what it felt like to tell his story.
“Exhilarating” and a little “horrifying” for someone who spends most of his time quietly working in his studio.

In just 20 slides, Jonathan brought together his ancestors, his art, and what we’re experiencing in America today. And perhaps the best part? Being part of it together.

Thank you, Jonathan, for stepping out of the studio and onto the stage to share your story with us. ❤️

🌱 Healthy soil is where regeneration begins.
At Beyond Profit, Kristen Swoszowski-Tran - farmer, scientist, and founder of Ledoux Grange - shared how regenerative agriculture works with nature instead of against it.

Healthy soils rich in organic carbon, earthworms, and microbial life are the foundation. Biodiversity replaces monocultures, reducing the need for chemicals as healthy ecosystems naturally manage pests and support pollinators.

Kristen also reminded us that healthy soil is one of our greatest climate solutions. Plants act like tiny solar-powered carbon pumps, pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil through their roots. The healthier the soil, the more carbon it can hold.

It's a powerful reminder that restoring our land also helps restore our climate.

John Paul's words were a powerful reminder that spaces like PechaKucha Night Santa Fe don't just happen—they are built by people who believe in the power of storytelling, creativity, and bringing communities together. By creating a platform where diverse voices can be heard, ideas can be shared, and connections can be formed, Max has helped strengthen the fabric of our community.

A heartfelt expression of gratitude for those who make it possible for stories to be told and voices to be heard. 💚

What happens when we look at a challenge from six different perspectives?

At PechaKucha Night Santa Fe: Green, Ron Dimon introduced Edward de Bono's *Six Thinking Hats*, a simple yet powerful framework for better decision-making, creativity, and collaboration. By encouraging us to step into different modes of thinking—from facts and emotions to possibilities and caution—the method helps teams move beyond debate and toward innovation.

A thoughtful reminder that the way we think can be just as important as what we think. 💡🟢

Backstage at PechaKucha Night Santa Fe: Green, Katrin Scholz-Barth shared one of her biggest takeaways from the evening—the exciting possibility of collaborating with fellow presenters to help New Mexico thrive.

A sustainability strategist, environmental entrepreneur, and lifelong problem solver, Katrin is passionate about bringing people together across disciplines to create innovative solutions for healthier communities, stronger ecosystems, and a more resilient future. From water and food systems to climate preparedness and community development, she sees collaboration as the key to meaningful change.

That's the magic of PechaKucha Night: bringing visionary thinkers into the same room and sparking connections that can grow into something bigger than any one person or idea. 💚🌱

During PechaKucha Night VOL. 30: AMERICA, Angela Gorrell explored what it takes for people with different beliefs, interests, and hopes to build a shared future.

Drawing connections between Indigenous principles of collective responsibility and the founding debates of American democracy, Angela reminded us that disagreement itself isn’t the danger. The danger comes when one group gains enough power to silence others.

Democracy asks us to listen, deliberate, build trust, and consider not only ourselves, but the generations who come after us.

Backstage conversations give us a chance to hear what inspired each speaker, what surprised them about the experience, and what ideas they're taking with them moving forward. These candid moments often reveal just as much passion, creativity, and optimism as the talks themselves.

Thank you, Andrew Neighbour, for sharing your thoughts with us.

Sometimes the most meaningful discoveries happen while telling our own story. Thank you, Contessa Archuleta for sharing your thoughts with us.

Backstage after their PechaKucha Night Santa Fe presentation, this speaker reflected on how the process of creating and sharing their talk helped them learn more about themselves. Condensing years of experiences, ideas, and passions into just 6 minutes and 40 seconds brought new clarity, deeper insights, and a fresh appreciation for their own journey.

At PechaKucha Night VOL. 30: AMERICA, Max Neutra invited us to think about the waves we create, and how far they can travel.

His message was one of welcome, peace, gratitude, and hope: when we come together with intention, even small actions can build momentum and help us meet complex challenges.

Together we can make waves.

May the waves created that night continue to spread across our community and our country. ❤️🇺🇸

At PechaKucha Night VOL. 30: AMERICA, Amy Farah Weiss shared a vision for turning hope into action.

Through her work with the St. Francis Challenge, Amy connected ending street homelessness with building America’s next great tradition of service - empowering everyday people to become active stewards of their communities.

Her message: don’t just hope for change. Get involved. Take action. Be part of it.