This is Black Mountain Institute Conversations, a series of interviews produced by Nevada Public Radio’s Desert Companion in collaboration with the Black Mountain Institute. Here, Desert Companion Editor Heidi Kyser talks with BMI’s Shearing Fellows about their passions, inspirations, community initiatives, and … of course … their writing.

Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.

This story was reported and published as part of a collaboration between the Nevada Current and Nevada Public Radio.

Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.

Two Vegas music-lovers riff on their favorite local acts and albums of the moment

Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.

New spots, locations, chefs, and tastes to try around the valley

Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.

BMI Conversations, episode 3: Tajja Isen. She’s a 2024 Shearing Fellow, and author of the 2022 book Some of My Best Friends: Essays on Lip Service, from Atria/One Signal Publishers.

Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.

New spots, locations, chefs, and tastes to try around the valley

Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.

Can Las Vegas weather the stresses of climate change?

Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.

BMI Conversations, episode 2: Morgan Thomas. In this episode, Heidi talks with Morgan about her first collection of short stories, Manywhere.

Desert Air is brought to you by the talented folks at Nevada Public Radio: Christopher Alvarez, sound design; Rachel Christiansen, editor; Anne Davis, host; Briana Joseph, narration; Heidi Kyser, managing editor. Our theme music is by Blue Dot sessions.