What does it mean to be a woman in a world where, in some places, even the most basic freedoms—education, work, sports, and speaking in public—are denied?

Afghan Poet, writer, and speaker Marzia Sadat reflects on the meaning of womanhood through the lens of her own experience and the ongoing struggles of women in Afghanistan. While much of the world celebrates progress, millions of Afghan women remain banned from schools, workplaces, sports, and public life simply because they are women.

She also shares a poem that reflects on the question "Who is a woman?"—describing the strength, dignity, resilience, and humanity that define women beyond the restrictions placed upon them.

Marzia speaks about the courage and resilience of Afghan women who continue to resist silence, and she also expresses solidarity with the women and men in Iran who are bravely standing up for dignity, freedom, and human rights.

Recorded just before March 8th—which is also Marzia's birthday—this episode is both personal and global. It is a reflection on identity, resilience, and hope for a future where every woman, everywhere, has the freedom to learn, speak, work, and live with dignity.

Follow Marzia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.marziasadat

SoapBox gives the mic to citizens of the Pikes Peak region to share their opinions. If you want to be on the SoapBox, call us at 719-203-1660 or email us.

All candidates for Colorado's 5th Congressional District were invited to present their platforms and answer questions from the public on November 15. 4 candidates attended: Zuri Horowitz, Jessica Killin, Justice Lord, and Joe Reagan. Incumbent Jeff Crank did not. The town hall was hosted by Pikes Peak Bulletin at Community Anchor Academy in southeast Colorado Springs. Kimberly Gold, a Colorado Springs City Councilor, served as moderator. Over 200 community members attended in person, and several dozen watched virtually. Studio 809 Podcasts provided the sound system and recorded the event. Peak Town Square is pleased to share this so you can hear from the candidates who gave their time to appear at this event.

LINKS:

Pikes Peak Bulletin: https://pikespeakbulletin.org/

Community Anchor Academy: https://thecommunityanchoracademy.org/

Studio 809 Podcasts: https://studio809podcasts.com

Candidate Websites:

Zuri Horowitz: https://www.zuriforcd5.com/

Jessica Killin: https://www.killinforcolorado.com/

Justice Lord: unknown

Joe Reagan: https://www.reaganforcolorado.com/

In this special election edition of the Peak Town Square Podcast, hosted by Citizens Project, New Era, and the Southeast Food Coalition, we're bringing democracy to life! Through powerful storytelling and real talk about public policy, this episode dives into why local elections matter, the impact of low turnout in school boards and city races, and what's at stake on the ballot this November.

We cover initiatives LL and MM related to free school meals, and there's even a plain-language breakdown of TABOR and how it affects schools and services. Listeners will walk away with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to be informed voters this November, because your vote shapes the future of our schools, families, and community.

LINKS:

Citizens Project: https://citizensproject.org/

New Era Colorado: https://neweracolorado.org/

Southeast Food Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/SoutheastFoodCoalition/

About Peak Town Square:
Join us in the town square! Colorado Springs' movers and shakers take the mic to share what's happening in our city. Politics, art, culture, recreation, business, food and health – everything is on the table.

Don't miss an episode. Follow on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.

Learn about an upcoming weeklong summer day camp for teens, Youth Activist Training, hosted by Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission. We hear from Marzia Sadat, co-director of Youth Activist Training 2025, and also a "graduate" of the program. She's joined by Loring Wirbel, co-chair of Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission. Now in its fourth year, the program has proven immensely popular for the students that later became alumni.

Youth Activist Training (YAT) 2025 runs July 7-11, at a variety of locations including All-Souls Church and Concrete Coyote Park. According to Marzia, YAT is, "an opportunity for young people to discover their strengths, build long-lasting friendships, and find their voices in the world." Loring shares that the weeklong experience provides some joy, hope and exuberance in tough times. Local nonprofits participating include Concrete Couch, Food to Power, Inside Out Youth Services, and Poetry 719.

LINKS:

Register Here: http://bit.ly/YAT2025
For more details on the program, go to http://bit.ly/YAT2025Program

PPJPC:
Website: https://www.peakjpc.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPJPC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pikespeakjp719/

YAT2025:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YATyouthactivist/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthactivisttraining/

SoapBox gives the mic to citizens of the Pikes Peak region to share their opinions. If you want to be on the SoapBox, call us at 719-203-1660 or email us.

Colorado Springs author Mark Gaebler introduces us to his new science fiction novel, Chronicles of the Yankee Trader: Empress Rising. He and co-author Anthony Gaebler spent over a decade creating it, taking breaks to write other things such as a complete Star Trek series in bible form. Mark has been writing stories, TV and Movie scripts for 40 years, but – according to Mark – "the catch 22 of both publishing and especially the TV/Movie industry kept me from selling until Page Publishing gave me the opportunity."

SoapBox gives the mic to citizens of the Pikes Peak region to share their opinions. If you want to be on the SoapBox, call us at 719-203-1660 or email us.

LINKS:

Press Release
https://pagepublishing.com/clients/22859/22859Gaebler-PRrelease.pdf

Chronicles of the Yankee Trader: Empress Rising https://pagepublishing.com/books/?book=chronicles-of-the-yankee-trader

Book Trailer on YouTube
https://youtu.be/uOI0OlKbtXo

More About the Book:

Somewhere deep in the expanse of space, an undesired destiny falls on one who deems herself unworthy. In her early life, she lived in a civilization built on strength, blood, war, and honor. Groomed from birth, she trains as a warrior to fulfill the relentless demands of a cold, unyielding mother, an empress who barely acknowledges her. Now many years later, the burden of rule falls on her. Adding to all she must endure is a revealed truth, a revelation that will change her life, her people's, and the balance of power in the galaxy--she alone must decide.

Get to know Katrina "Kat" Nguyen, who is collecting signatures to petition onto the November ballot in the contest to represent Colorado District 5 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Website: https://Kat4house.com

Email: kat4house@gmail.com

Social Media: @kat4house

SoapBox gives the mic to citizens of the Pikes Peak region to share their opinions. If you want to be on the SoapBox, call us at 719-203-1660 or email us.

High-school-age youths will have a unique opportunity to learn about activism this summer, thanks to the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission. PPJPC volunteers and staff share pertinent details about the Youth Activist Training program offered July 22-26, 2024 in Colorado Springs.

In the studio:

Loring Wirbel
PPJPC Board Chair

Matt Jones
Co-Director, Youth Activist Training
PPJPC Assistant Program Manager

Debra Fortenberry
PPJPC Past Board Chair, Co-Organizer of first YAT (2022)

Dylan Southard
past Youth Activist Training participant

Dave Gardner
SoapBox Host

For more information or to request registration, send an email to buildingpeoplepower719@gmail.com

SoapBox gives the mic to citizens of the Pikes Peak region to share their opinions. If you want to be on the SoapBox, call us at 719-203-1660 or email us.

Thanks to Studio 809 Podcasts sponsor KJS Auto Hail Repair. Save $100: Mention that you were referred by Studio 809 Podcasts when you call, or on the contact form at https://kjsautohailrepair.com/

Could plasma be a promising new source of energy with abundant fuel and no waste? A local citizen shares what he has learned.

SoapBox gives the mic to citizens of the Pikes Peak region to share their opinions. If you want to be on the SoapBox, call us at 719-203-1660 or email us.

Thanks to Studio 809 Podcasts sponsor KJS Auto Hail Repair. Save $100: Mention that you were referred by Studio 809 Podcasts when you call, or on the contact form at kjsautohailrepair.com