Delve Denver Podcast

In today's episode, Jeff explores the life and career of Ralph Carr - Colorado's 29th Governor. He stood up for the rights of Japanese-Americans at the height of World War II and paid a political price. Listen in to find out more about this Denver Peacemaker.

If the name Emily Griffith rings a bell, it's probably because you've driven by a building with her name on it in Denver. Griffith was a Denver peacemaker who contributed to our city's flourishing because she acted on her core belief that anyone should have access to education. Listen in on this episode of the Delve Denver Podcast as Jeff explores the life of Emily Griffith.

In this episode, we explore the life and career of Judge Ben Lindsey. He was a innovator in the juvenile justice system and along the way made some fierce enemies within the Ku Klux Klan. Listen in as Jeff tells the story of this amazing peacemaker.

Have you ever been driving into Denver from the mountains and noticed the large white, marble statue to the North of I-70, just after passing Evergreen? That statue of Jesus stands on the grounds of the Mother Cabrini Shrine. Mother Cabrini is a venerated saint in the Catholic Church who spent time here in Denver. Listen to her story today on the Delve Denver Podcast.

On today’s episode, we explore the curious character Francis Schlatter. Schlatter was born in the village of Ebersheim, Bas-Rhin, near Sélestat, in Alsace on April 29, 1856. In 1884 he emigrated to the United States, where he worked at his trade in various cities, arriving in Denver, Colorado, in 1892. There, a few months later, he experienced a vision at his cobbler's bench in which he heard the voice of the Father commanding him to sell his business, give the money to the poor, and devote his life to healing the sick. He then undertook a two-year, 3,000-mile walking pilgrimage around the American West which took him across eastern Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and then to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he was arrested and jailed for vagrancy. In early 1894 he escaped and headed west, walking across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona and into southern California, where he began his first efforts at healing with the Indians of the San Jacinto Valley. After two months, he again took up his pilgrimage and traveled

In this episode of the Delve Denver Podcast, Jeff introduces us to 2 faith leaders who emerged as great voices for the marginalized in Denver during one of Denver's busts. Thomas Uzzell (the Fighting Parson) and Myron Reed both led influential congregations and had a heart for those on the margins. This is Part 1 of a two part episode on faith leaders from this time. Our next episode will focus on a third intriguing faith leader who was in Denver for a short period.

Clara Brown was a freed slave who lived in Central City and Denver. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and used her resources to help others, particularly other African Americans who we relocating to the area. Her life was lived in service of others and, although she accumulated much over her lifetime, she died poor because she had given so much away. 

Jim Goodheart is a very interesting character from Denver history. Like so many others, he came to our city to re-invent himself. He struggled with his own demons, but over the course of his life helped too many others to be counted. His work at the Sunshine Mission (a predecessor to the Denver Rescue Mission), changed our city for the better. He was a Denver peacemaker through and through.

In this episode, Jeff explores the life of Silas Soule. This fascinating figure in Colorado history was a fervent abolitionist and friend of John Brown. He was a leader in the Colorado Volunteers and was present at the Sand Creek Massacre, although he prevented his troops from partaking in the violence of that day. He later testified against John Chivington and lost his life on the streets of Denver, presumably in revenge for that testimony.

In this episode, Jeff tells the story of Chief Left Hand, also known as Niwot. Chief Left Hand worked hard to live peaceably with the white settlers who came West even amidst personal tragedy, but sadly died as a result of the Sand Creek Massacre.

If you've ever been to downtown Denver, you might have run across Wynkoop Street or even had a beer at the Wynkoop brewery. In this episode of the Delve Denver Podcast, Jeff Johnsen explores the person behind the name. Edward "Ned" Wynkoop is an interesting figure in Denver's history and his story and life makes him a Denver peacemaker.

In Delve Denver Podcast's second season we will be exploring the idea of peacemaking in Denver through the lens of some historical figures who, despite their own flaws and shortcomings embodied the role of peacemaker in the city. In this episode, Jeff introduces his thoughts on peacemaking and what makes a peacemaker as context for the profiles that will be coming.  Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Jeff and Delve Denver Podcast Producer, Brian Rossbert, talk about the conversations they've recorded, the hopes of the podcast, and what Season 2 has in store.

There is an historical marker in a funky little corner of the city that marks an old military base from Denver’s earliest days. The marker is difficult to find, almost as though we both wish to remember what happened here…and wish we could forget it. In this episode of the podcast, host Jeff Johnsen takes us to Camp Weld.

Dave Runyon is the director of City Unite, and co-author of a really practical, funny, and sometimes uncomfortable book called “The Art of Neighboring.”

In this episode we hear from Shanta Johnson about her life and her work as a liaison for homeless families in Denver Public Schools.  Shanta's unique perspective gives us some insight into the consequences of Denver's rapid growth and the prosperity it is enjoying today.

Brian, Delve Denver Poscast's Producer here... The other day Jeff sat down to interview our friend Dave Runyon, whose work with City Unite is vital and important. We'll be posting a really wonderful conversation with him in a couple of weeks, but before Jeff and Dave could get to that, they had to get they're excitement about the Denver Bronco's win on Sunday out of their system. I was recording the whole time, so here's a fun follow up to one of the first conversations we recorded (The Trujillo Brothers at Sports Authority Field). Please enjoy this fun conversation and GO BRONCOS!!!!!

This is part three of my conversation with Karen and Greg Mortimer, who moved to Denver's East Side in 2004, when most of the neighbors were Black and Latino.  They've seen dramatic changes on their block over these 12 years. In this episode, they reflect on gentrification and race, which are not easy topics for people to discuss - especially when they are being recorded! You'll understand the Mortimer's perspective better if you have already listened to their story in the two previous parts of our conversation.

This is part 2 of my conversation with Karen and Greg Mortimer, my neighbors on Denver’s East Side. The Mortimers moved to the Whittier neighborhood in 2004. They have had some remarkable experiences of loving and being loved by their neighbors, including people who are undocumented immigrants and others who are affiliated with gangs.

This is part 1 of my conversation with Karen and Greg Mortimer, my neighbors on Denver’s East Side. As we sat down to talk about their changing neighborhood, we started by sharing memories of a church we had all attended, just a couple blocks from their house. Jubilee Church was one of those remarkable experiences that we might continue learning from for many years. In a moment in which America has a renewed awareness of how race and social class shape our life experience, what difference does it make who we go to church with? In the next two episodes, the Mortimers will continue to reflect on issues like race, immigration, gentrification, and what they’ve learned about loving their neighbors.