Voces de Nuestro País (Voices of Our Area) Podcast

Voices of the Northern Rio Grande

Historias de la familia, amor, aventuras, y desventuras dichas por la gente de nuestro país. Stories of family, history, love, adventures, and misadventures as told by the people of our area - small communities of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado: Amalia, Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Seco, Cerro, Costilla, El Rito, Garcia, La Lama, Latir, Questa, Red River, San Cristobal and Sunshine Valley. These podcast episodes are recorded in front of a live audience at a monthly story-sharing event at the Questa Public Library. Michael Rael is the MC and curator for this monthly gathering hosted in collaboration with Questa Library and Voices of the Northern Rio Grande. Each episode invites you into the “uncut” experience of the event. Stories from these gatherings are shared here on this podcast and are also part of the community’s digital archive. Learn more at QuestaStories.org. The “Voces de Nuestro País Podcast” is hosted by Michael Rael, recorded by Claire Coté at Questa Library, uploaded by Dan Frank Digital Design and produced by Voices of the Northern Rio Grande in collaboration with Questa Public Library. Music is by Michael Rael. The mission of Voices of the Northern Rio Grande is to support community resiliency through audio and visual story and history gathering, archiving and sharing. We are building a community-based archive from and for the communities of North Central NM and its diaspora as a resource and support for community and cultural continuity, now and in the future. Voices of the Northern Rio Grande is a program of Localogy, a nonprofit 501(c)3 based in Questa, NM that functions as a program-based community foundation in our rural area.

Episodes

  1. Episode 1

    1: Mark Sideris & the restoration of St. Anthony's Church in Questa

    Join Mark Sideris, adobe construction expert and Questa resident in conversation with our host, Michael Rael. Listen in to stories that are expressions of remembrance, faith, gratitude and humor, as Mark Sideris reflects on how he became the leader in reconstructing St. Anthony’s Church in Questa and his experience with the all-volunteer crew.  Mark also shares discoveries about the original construction of the church. Did you know that the adobe bricks used in the construction of the church in the 1840’s-1850’s were made by families from different areas in the community? These bricks were many different sizes and colors and some were embedded with initials, names and even footprints.  In this episode we hear about chicken bones, miraculous appearances in wooden beam, a community’s incredible dedication and more! LINKS https://QuestaStories.org Historical Church Info: https://questacreative.org/san-antonio-de-padua/ Article About Wooden Knot Appearance: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/image-in-knot-of-wood-inspires-at-questa-church-s-congregation/article_0a497af7-a8b9-5be7-9b0f-2b96029bb613.html

    58 min

  2. Episode 2

    2: Dino Archuleta and Fritz Davis

    The second "Voces de Nuestro País" story-sharing event at Questa Library on November 8, 2 - 4 pm. This month’s speakers will be Dino Archuleta and Fritz Davis. Listen to Dino’s crazy stories of growing up in Questa and Cerro. You will be asking yourself “Did this really happen?!” Next, hear Fritz Davis share his life stories and adventures from the rolling hills of Kansas to the mountains of Red River. Michael Rael is MC and curator for this monthly gathering hosted in collaboration with Questa Library and Voices of the Northern Rio Grande. Voices of the Northern Rio Grande is a program of Localogy, a local nonprofit 501(c)3 that functions as a program-based community foundation in our rural area. The Voces de Nuestro País story-sharing events are now being shared as a monthly podcast! Find the “Voces de Nuestro País” podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon music. Learn more about the community archive and listen to stories from community members at QuestaStories.org and Archive.manitos.net.

    1h 23m

  3. Episode 3

    3. Louise Gallegos and David Cisneros

    In this episode, we hear from two dedicated public and community servants, Louise Gallegos and David Cisneros, as they reflect on the meaning and lived experience of service to both country and community. Louise Gallegos shares stories drawn from a lifetime of deep local involvement, including her role as the first female councilor and her twenty years of service on the Questa Village Council. She speaks about how her interest in politics began with her father, who always brought the family along to vote, as well as her involvement in the restoration of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Louise also recalls growing up in Questa, spending long hours outdoors through every season—sledding with socks pulled over her hands to keep them warm, and learning a lasting connection to place. We also hear from David Cisneros, an unsung hero from Cerro who has devoted his life to service. David shares stories from his twenty years in the U.S. Navy, which he joined at just seventeen years old. His reflections include volunteering to serve during the Vietnam War, spending six months with the Turkish Navy, and life at sea during times of conflict. He speaks about his many posts and experiences while traveling extensively throughout Europe and Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand. David also reflects on returning to civilian life and building a career in refrigeration and appliance repair—skills he learned in San Diego, California, and has practiced for decades while serving the communities of Cerro, Questa, and throughout Northern Taos County. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on December 13, 2025, at the Questa Public Library, in collaboration with Voices of the Northern Rio Grande community archive. Hosted by MC Michael Rael, these gatherings bring our community together through stories of family, history, love, and adventure. Event hosting by Questa Public Library; audio recording and event coordination by Claire Coté; videography by Wyman Edwards; editing and upload by Dan Kuehn; music by Michael Rael. Voces de Nuestro País events and podcast are made possible through the generous support of the LOR Foundation, TCF Chevron Grants for Good, and the TCF IMPACT Grant. Thank you to everyone who attends and helps make these gatherings possible. ¡Gracias! https://questastories.org https://questalibrary.org/3-louise-gallegos-and-david-cisneros/ #vocesdenuestropais #voicesofourplace #louisegallegos #davidcisneros #michaelrael #cerro #questa #history #stories #questalibrary  #voicesofthenorthernriogrande #questastories #communityarchive

    59 min

  4. Episode 4

    4. Chris and Rodney Arellano

    In this episode, we explore songs and reflection from nationally acclaimed and locally beloved musicians, Chris and Rodney Arellano of Costilla. As part of the conversation they play traditional and original songs written by Chris and their late musician father, Jake Arellano. They share stories from their journey as musicians and about the song-writing process, as well as their commitment to sharing their passion for nurturing the next generation of musicians through various teaching experiences and the annual Summer School of Rock camp in Questa and Nuevo Americana Music Festival in Costilla. Thank you Chris and Rodney for sharing your time and musical talent with us! This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on January 10, 2026, at the Questa Public Library, in collaboration with Voices of the Northern Rio Grande community archive. Hosted by MC Michael Rael, these gatherings bring our community together through stories of family, history, love, and adventure. Event hosting by Questa Public Library; audio recording and event coordination by Claire Coté; videography by Wyman Edwards; editing and upload by Dan Kuehn; opening and closing music by Michael Rael. Voces de Nuestro País events and podcast are made possible through the generous support of the LOR Foundation, TCF Chevron Grants for Good, and the TCF IMPACT Grant. Thank you to everyone who attends and helps make these gatherings possible. ¡Gracias! https://questastories.org https://questalibrary.org/4-arellano-brothers/  #vocesdenuestropais #voicesofourplace #chrisarellano #rodneyarellano #arellanobrothers #nuevoamericana #michaelrael #cerro #questa #history #stories #questalibrary  #voicesofthenorthernriogrande #questastories #costillastories #communityarchive

    1h 16m

  5. Episode 5

    5. Community Open Mic at Questa Public Library

    This, the fifth episode of Voces de Nuestro País, is our first Community Open Mic Night. Our speakers were Bob Jaramillo, Mark White, Wyman Edwards and Betsy Pierce, with Michael Rael as host and participant.

    1h 33m

  6. Episode 6

    6. Vito Trujillo Jr. and Sr.

    Saturday, February 21, from 2–4 pm for Voces de Nuestro País, a monthly story-sharing gathering celebrating local voices and culture. This month features a conversation with Taos musicians Vito Trujillo Senior and Vito Trujillo Junior, highlighting a multigenerational Northern New Mexico musical legacy shaped by mentorship, collaboration, and award-winning artistry. Hosted by MC Michael Rael, these gatherings bring people together through stories of family, history, love, and adventure. Can’t make it in person? Episodes are also available as a podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. More information at https://questalibrary.org/ and https://questastories.org/

    1h 38m

  7. Episode 7

    7. Corinne Montoya & Kate Cisneros - Cerro Days

    Voces de Nuestro País is featuring childhood memories and family stories from Cerro, NM. Recorded at the Questa Public Library Saturday, March 14, 2026, featuring Kate Cisneros and her niece Corinne Montoya, both originally from Cerro. Their stories will reflect on their shared experience of being raised by a single mother and grandmother in Cerro, and the skills, adventures, and cultural teachings they continue to carry with them. We look forward to gathering with community members in March to hear and share these meaningful stories. Michael Rael serves as MC and curator for these monthly gatherings and podcast episodes, hosted in collaboration with the Questa Public Library and Voices of the Northern Rio Grande, a program of the local nonprofit Localogy. Audio recordings, videos, and images from Voces de Nuestro País events are also being added to a digital community archive — a local repository and resource established by Voices of the Northern Rio Grande and the Questa Public Library with support from the Manitos Community Memory Project.  To learn more about the community archive and to listen to stories from community members, visit QuestaStories.org and QuestaLibrary.org. If you have stories you would like to share, please reach out to Michael Rael. You can often find him at Rael’s Market, or you can email him at rael870@gmail.com.

    1h 56m

  8. Episode 8

    8. Krista Brandenburg and Carol Woerndle

    Voces de Nuestro País (Voices of Our Area) Podcast

    45 min

  9. Episode 9

    Billy and John Archuleta

    Recorded at the Questa Public Library on Saturday, April 11, 2026, for Voces de Nuestro País, a monthly gathering that celebrates local voices, stories, and culture. This month features a conversation with longtime Taos-area musicians and brothers Billy and John Archuleta of Des Montes. Billy is known for his work in Catholic music ministry and composition, while John is recognized for performing traditional Northern New Mexico Spanish music. Together and individually, they have shared their music widely across the region. Hosted by MC Michael Rael, these events bring people together through stories of family, history, love, and adventure. Episodes are also available as a podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. More information at  https://questastories.org/

    1h 44m

  10. Episode 10

    10. Motherhood Stories 2026

    The May Voces de Nuestro País event celebrates Motherhood and the Moms in our communities. Mothers play a central role in society and yet their profound impact, invisible labor, struggles, superpowers and personal journeys are often unacknowledged and unheard. This month, in honor of Mother’s Day, we feature the voices, experiences, stories and wisdom of local Mothers. Our tenth Voces de Nuestro Pais Event and podcast episode will feature Maria Gonzalez, Connie Long, Kristie Ritchlin, Karen Shannon, Cynthia Vigil, Valerie Vigil, Evie Trujillo, and Kyra Trujillo along with others. We are grateful to these women for being willing to share. Please join us in listening to their stories and honoring them!

    1h 16m
  • 10 Episodes

About

Historias de la familia, amor, aventuras, y desventuras dichas por la gente de nuestro país. Stories of family, history, love, adventures, and misadventures as told by the people of our area - small communities of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado: Amalia, Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Seco, Cerro, Costilla, El Rito, Garcia, La Lama, Latir, Questa, Red River, San Cristobal and Sunshine Valley. These podcast episodes are recorded in front of a live audience at a monthly story-sharing event at the Questa Public Library. Michael Rael is the MC and curator for this monthly gathering hosted in collaboration with Questa Library and Voices of the Northern Rio Grande. Each episode invites you into the “uncut” experience of the event. Stories from these gatherings are shared here on this podcast and are also part of the community’s digital archive. Learn more at QuestaStories.org. The “Voces de Nuestro País Podcast” is hosted by Michael Rael, recorded by Claire Coté at Questa Library, uploaded by Dan Frank Digital Design and produced by Voices of the Northern Rio Grande in collaboration with Questa Public Library. Music is by Michael Rael. The mission of Voices of the Northern Rio Grande is to support community resiliency through audio and visual story and history gathering, archiving and sharing. We are building a community-based archive from and for the communities of North Central NM and its diaspora as a resource and support for community and cultural continuity, now and in the future. Voices of the Northern Rio Grande is a program of Localogy, a nonprofit 501(c)3 based in Questa, NM that functions as a program-based community foundation in our rural area.

Information