This week on New Mexico in Focus takes a deeper look into why medicine is not always enough to help patients on the road to recovery.

Dr. David Rakel has spent his career looking at the role active listening and trust building can play in a person’s overall health. Now professor and chair of The University of New Mexico’s Family and Community Medicine Department, Dr. Rakel discusses his findings with correspondent Megan Kamerick.  

A look back at an important interview about the unique relationship American Indian tribes have with the federal government. Correspondent Antonia Gonzales sits down with Nick Estes, a Native scholar and UNM assistant professor, for a brief overview of tribal treaty rights, plus efforts to keep those right in place long into the future. 

Correspondent Khalil Ekulona speaks with sociology professor and author Rick Eckstein to talk about youth sports, women’s sports, and what’s at stake for young athletes – in New Mexico and across the country.

Plus, host Gene Grant and a special Line opinion panel of local journalists offer predictions about what’s in store in 2019, and what focus their reporting will have in the new year.

New Mexico PBS’ one-hour public affairs show New Mexico in Focus regularly airs Fridays at 7 p.m. and repeats Sundays at 7 a.m. on Channel 5.1, and Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on Channel 9.1, except during pledge drives.

Studio Guests

  • Rick Eckstein, author of “How College Athletics Are Hurting Girls’ Sports: The Pay-to-Play Pipeline”
  • Nick Estes, assistant professor, University of New Mexico
  • Dr. David Rakel, author, “The Compassionate Connection”

Correspondents

  • Megan Kamerick
  • Antonia Gonzales
  • Khalil Ekulona 

Line Panelists

  • Mary Hudetz, reporter, Associated Press
  • Inez Russell Gomez, editorial page editor, Santa Fe New Mexican
  • Andy Lyman, reporter, New Mexico Political Report
  • Jeff Proctor, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter & New Mexico in Depth

Host

  • Gene Grant

New Mexico in Focus is New Mexico PBS’ prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest.

Hosted by Gene Grant, NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic health, education, and arts issues, and explores them in-depth, with a critical eye to give them context beyond the "news of the moment."

The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Sarah Gustavus with associate producer Kathy Wimmer. NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation, the Neeper Natural History Programming Fund for KNME TV and viewers like you.

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