A Heart for The Borderland: Gus Haddad
Meet Gus Haddad, a true Borderland patriot and our first Syrian guest on the 915 Talk Show! The son of a Syrian Immigrant family, Gus has made El Paso, Texas, his home, bringing a wealth of passion and dedication to our community. A proud UTEP graduate, he broke barriers by becoming the youngest real estate broker in Texas history. His remarkable journey doesn’t stop there. Gus oversees operations, finance, and missions for the Anglican Diocese, showcasing his leadership and commitment to service. With a robust history of civic engagement, he has served on numerous boards, including the City of El Paso Planning Commission, where he played a key role in implementing transformative bond issues. A former mayoral candidate, Gus embodies the spirit of the Borderland, blending his Syrian heritage with an unwavering love for El Paso. Tune in to hear his inspiring story!
You can also listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
El Paso District 2 Representative Dr. Josh Acevedo
El Paso’s District 2 City Representative, Dr. Josh Acevedo, joined us on 915 TALK to break down the future of city projects, especially in District 2. A lifelong El Pasoan, Dr. Acevedo brings both his leadership expertise and love for his hometown into this wide-ranging conversation.
Listen in via the podcast links below to hear Dr. Acevedo's insights on shaping Central and Northeast El Paso. Don’t miss this exclusive conversation!
How to Avoid Internet Scams: Terry Speicher
On our most recent 915 Talk Show, we were joined by special guest Terry Speicher, a savvy expert in navigating the wild world of internet scams. Terry shared invaluable advice on how to protect yourself from sneaky text messages, phishing emails, and shady phone calls all designed to swipe your hard-earned money. He broke down the key differences between a scam and a fraud, helping listeners spot the warning signs before it’s too late. Plus, Terry shed light on why scammers love pushing Bitcoin payments—and why it’s a red flag with no way back once the money’s gone. Tune in via the podcast links below or the YouTube version at the top of the page and arm yourself with the knowledge to outsmart the scammers!
To learn more you can go to Terry Speicher’s website at identifyscams.com
You can also listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Vanessa Sivadge: The Nurse Who Sounded The Alarm
Vanessa Sivadge is a registered nurse and whistleblower from Houston, Texas, who exposed alleged secret gender-affirming care practices, including hormone treatments for minors, at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH). Working in the endocrinology clinic, she claims TCH violated Texas law and illegally billed Medicaid, despite the hospital’s denials. In 2023, she supported Dr. Eithan Haim’s leaks, faced FBI intimidation, and went public in 2024 with journalist Christopher Rufo. A devout Christian, she sought a religious transfer from the clinic, but TCH fired her in August 2024 after her allegations surfaced, prompting her to sue for retaliation.
If you'd like to find out more, please click the link below.
https://www.givesendgo.com/nurse_whistleblower
https://protectingtexaschildren.com
You can also listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
The Local Food Movement: Patsy Stallworth
Desert Spoon Food Hub is a nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas, founded in 2015 by Patsy Terrazas-Stallworth and her daughters, Vanessa Brady and Adriana Clowe. Initially established as a for-profit buyers club sourcing from local farms, it transitioned into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to foster a more local, inclusive, and sustainable food system. Named after the desert spoon (sotol plant) native to the Chihuahuan Desert, the organization reflects its deep ties to the region.
Desert Spoon Food Hub works to support small and mid-sized farmers by coordinating, marketing, aggregating, and distributing locally and regionally sourced foods through fair market channels.
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Why Does Fine Arts Education Matter? Ben Vincent
The art teachers losing their jobs in Socorro ISD, El Paso, Texas, are typically dedicated educators in their 30s to 50s, with a mix of early-career and veteran instructors who have shaped the district’s elementary fine arts programs. Many hold degrees in art education, fine arts, or related fields from institutions like the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), reflecting the region’s strong teacher-training pipeline. These teachers—numbering among the roughly 300 staff facing layoffs—are often passionate advocates for creativity, having spent years teaching subjects like visual arts and music to Socorro’s 47,000 students, particularly at the elementary level where fine arts are now being cut entirely (except at two specialized academies). We were delighted to have Ben Vincent step up and address this issue.
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Today we are joined by Bethany Molinar, CEO of Ciudad Nueva here in El Paso.
Ciudad Nueva is a community outreach organization based in El Paso, Texas, focused on empowering youth, supporting families, equipping leaders, and strengthening the community in the downtown Rio Grande neighborhood. Since starting in 2004 with an after-school mentorship program called Launch Pad for 10 third graders, it has grown into a holistic, faith-rooted initiative that serves hundreds of residents through various programs. For youth, Ciudad Nueva offers after-school programs, mentoring, summer camps, soccer and volleyball teams, job training, and college preparation to foster academic success, personal growth, and leadership skills. For families, it provides resources like job referrals, English classes, financial literacy programs, a food co-op, mental health workshops, and immigration legal service consultations. The organization also hires local leaders as "Community Connectors" to support and empower their neighbors, while a Community Advisory Board advocates for neighborhood improvements. Through partnerships with churches, nonprofits, and local entities, Ciudad Nueva works to cultivate hope and create an environment where immigrant youth and families can thrive, emphasizing long-term community development and transformation in central El Paso.
If you'd like to learn more, click the link below
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Immigration… is there a solution? Martin Lopez-Wilson
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
From Mafia Princess to God's Princess: Barbara Cueto
Barbara Cueto has a story that her hometown of El Paso needs to hear. Her story is rife with challenges and has been featured on the radio program Unshackled and also on the Eric Metaxas Podcast. As you listen in, be challenged to pray for those around us who are living through similar challenges today, and then be prepared to be floored by the redeeming power of our Father in Heaven.
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
El Paso Citizens' Police Academy, Community Events & Retail: David Doherty
David Doherty is a true Borderland patriot. He loves his city and bringing people together. In this conversation, we discuss the El Paso Citizens' Police Academy, Community Events and David's journey in retail.
Interested in learning more? Click on the links below for additional information.
https://www.elpasotexas.gov/police-department/community-policing/
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
An El Paso War Hero & The Blue Whistler Cannon: Historian Bernie Sargent
Bernie Sargent loves history AND he loves our Borderland community. Bernie's passion for Borderland history shines through in this lively discussion focusing on a WWI war hero from El Paso and the saga of the Blue Whistler Cannon. Listen in, be prepared to learn, and have fun!
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
What Is An Army Chaplain and What Do They Do? Chaplain Ryan Johnson
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Why Start A Christian School? Calvary Chapel El Paso
There are probably many reasons NOT to start a Christian school. Life would certainly be easier without that responsibility!
But Calvary Chapel El Paso has taken on this towering task. Find out why in this conversation with Pastors Sean Martinez and Luis Martinez (no relation!). We'll also discuss church hurt, leading a church on El Paso's east side, and their heart for this community that we call home.
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Comfort Matters: Robert Hart of Living Hope Christian Counseling Service
How does our desire or need for comfort work in our lives? When is it healthy and when can it become dangerous? We discuss this and more in this wide-ranging conversation with the Executive Director of Living Hope Christian Counseling Service here in El Paso. Tune in and learn with us!
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Storytelling Matters: Pastor Ricky Alcantar
Ricky Alcantar is the pastor of Cross of Grace Church in El Paso and is featured on the program Better News Radio on KELP. In this episode of (915) TALK, Ricky discusses the importance of storytelling... and then cautions us about some of its dangers.
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
El Paso & Business Insurance: Tim Collins
On (915) TALK we're learning together about how things work. Today, we have our friend and business insurance specialist, Tim Collins, as a guest. Listen in as Tim shares how insurance works for business and insurance issues that are specific to our Borderland community.
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Church & School Security: Rubens Dalaison
Rubens Dalaison was in law enforcement for 25 years, but moved to El Paso in 2020. He has now helped many churches and schools review their security processes and plan for a safe future for their communities.
You can reach Mr. Dalaison at gd4923@protonmail.com
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Unpacking the Word: Pastor Terry Gray’s Approach to Expository Teaching
Pastor Terry Gray discusses how he employs expository teaching to proclaim the Word of God. He preaches sermons that dive deeply into the Bible, aiming to faithfully convey its intended message while helping his congregation understand and live out its truths.
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
Karaoke, Hair Care Products and the End Times: Robert Bettes
Robert Bettes is no stranger to the El Paso community as he is KTSM's Chief Meterologist. Robert is also no stranger to (915) TALK as this is his second time to join us here at the KELP Radio Studio!
In this conversation, we talk about two of Robert's passions: Karaoke and the End Times. Karaoke is both fun and serious for Robert. And listen in as Robert challenges us to not fear... for God has shown us what will happen in the future so that we will NOT worry!
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!
El Paso Oral Surgeon: Dr. Arshad Kaleem
Dr. Arshad Kaleem wanted to learn more. So he moved from his native Pakistan to the United States. He is now an oral surgeon in El Paso with a heart both for his adopted city and serving those in need around the world. Listen in to this wide ranging conversation with a man who can be counted among the Borderland’s finest.
You can listen via the links below or watch the YouTube video at the top of the page. Enjoy!