Ever wondered how a spinal injury in eighth grade football could transform someone's entire life direction? That's exactly what happened to Dr. Morgan Oaks, who now brings 21 years of chiropractic expertise to his practice, Ascend Chiropractic.

Dr. Morgan shares his fascinating journey from mechanical engineer to chiropractor, explaining how his personal experience with injury recovery showed him the profound impact of spinal health on overall wellbeing. Rather than just focusing on in-office treatments, his approach mirrors the dental industry model – providing excellent care during visits while empowering patients with knowledge they can apply at home. "The biggest gift I give is teaching you the things you can do at home to stay healthy," he explains, noting that often just 5-10 minutes of daily attention can transform your health.

The conversation tackles common misconceptions, particularly the myth that chiropractic creates dependency. Dr. Morgan laughs this off, comparing it to other beneficial health routines – people continue because they experience tangible benefits in sleep quality, immune function, and even digestion. While he specializes in treating active Coloradans who enjoy outdoor pursuits, he points out our evolutionary mismatch with modern work environments: "We were designed to be hunters and gatherers. We weren't designed to be office dwellers." This sedentary lifestyle creates unique challenges that proper chiropractic care can effectively address.

Perhaps most compelling is Dr. Morgan's candid reflection on nearly failing during his first year in practice. This humbling experience taught him to seek specialized help and support – a philosophy that now informs his approach to patient care. As he puts it, "I was the glass ceiling I was bumping into." Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, recovering from injury, or simply want to optimize your body's function, Dr. Morgan's patient-centered approach at Ascend Chiropractic might be exactly what you need. Check out https://www.drmorganoaks.com/chiro to learn more about how simple daily practices could transform your health journey.

The loneliness epidemic has reached staggering proportions in America, with 60% of people reporting significant periods of isolation — a health impact comparable to smoking a pack of cigarettes daily. But what if our neighborhoods themselves could be redesigned to heal this modern crisis?

Michael Gornik, co-founder of Polestar Gardens, shares a compelling vision for community-centered living that challenges how we think about home, neighborhood, and belonging. Founded 25 years ago as an educational nonprofit focused on holistic development, Polestar Gardens has evolved through remarkable challenges—including a son's cancer battle and the complete loss of their Hawaii campus to volcanic eruption in 2018. Rather than surrender their mission, these hardships became catalysts for transformation.

Now, Polestar Gardens is creating an innovative "intentional neighborhood" on the former Happy Heart Farm in Fort Collins—Colorado's first CSA. This 144-unit development integrates co-housing principles with new urbanism to create a walkable, car-optional community where meaningful relationships can flourish naturally. From micro-units to single-family homes, the development is designed to foster diverse, multi-generational connections that Michael believes humans are fundamentally wired to need.

Reflecting on Polestar's origins in youth programming, Michael reveals how watching children thrive in community settings—surrounded by mentors, peers, and opportunities to care for others—demonstrated the profound impact our social environment has on human potential. This inspired a lifelong mission to create accessible spaces where the "web of relationship" that nurtures our best selves can be woven into everyday life.

As Americans increasingly recognize the costs of isolation, Polestar Village offers a thoughtful alternative. Could reimagining how we design our living spaces be key to addressing our loneliness crisis? Visit https://www.polestarvillage.com/ to explore this vision for community-centered living and discover what happens when we design neighborhoods with human connection as the foundation.

Ever dreamed of creating something amazing but lacked the tools, space, or know-how to make it happen? That's exactly where Ellen Pickman found herself six years ago, scrolling through YouTube videos of beautiful epoxy river tables and thinking, "I could make that"—if only she had access to thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Enter Fort Collins Creator Hub, a 6,400-square-foot volunteer-run nonprofit makerspace that transformed Ellen from complete novice to organization president. This episode takes you inside a thriving community workshop where 200+ members share professional-grade equipment including full wood and metal shops, laser engravers, electronics stations, and 3D printers. Ellen explains how the Hub operates entirely through volunteer effort, providing 24/7 access to members after proper training while maintaining some of the most affordable rates among Colorado makerspaces.

Beyond the impressive arsenal of tools, what truly distinguishes Creator Hub is its culture of mentorship and community engagement. Members freely share knowledge and skills, helping newcomers navigate equipment they've never used before. The organization extends its mission through STEM-focused summer camps for youth ages 11-16, teaching everything from rocket building to welding. Whether you're a seasoned maker, a curious beginner, or somewhere in between, this conversation highlights a valuable community resource where creativity, learning, and connection flourish under one roof. Ready to unleash your inner maker? Visit fortcollinscreatorhub.org to book a free tour and discover what you might create.

Compassionate care without judgment or financial barriers—that's the mission at the heart of the Alpha Center in Fort Collins. Jennifer McLain, who joined the organization after a career as a middle school principal, shares how this Christian medical clinic has been serving the community since 1985 with free sexual health services.

What sets the Alpha Center apart? They've created a safe space where people facing challenging circumstances can receive accurate medical information and emotional support without financial pressure. Their comprehensive services include pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STI testing, mental health counseling, and holistic support through classes, mentorship, and material assistance. Most importantly, they provide these services without barriers—no insurance requirements, no residency documentation, just open doors for anyone seeking help.

Jen beautifully articulates the philosophy driving their work: "We see people as valuable and necessary and worthy of being loved and cared for." This perspective shapes everything at the Alpha Center, where they focus on serving each person with dignity regardless of their situation or decisions. Particularly moving is Jen's personal story from her Peace Corps service in Samoa, where she experienced both danger and extraordinary community support—a formative experience that reinforced her belief in seeing the good in humanity even after facing hardship.

Whether you're curious about sexual health resources in Northern Colorado, interested in supporting community-based healthcare, or simply appreciate organizations that bridge gaps in our social safety net, this conversation offers valuable insights. Visit https://thealphacenter.org/ to learn more about their medical services or reach out directly to Jen at jenm@thealphacenter.org to arrange a tour and see firsthand how they're making a difference in countless lives.

Discovering the "third option" for families caring for loved ones with disabilities or dementia—this conversation with Jenny Langness reveals how ElderHaus Adult Day Program fills a critical gap in care services. Breaking the false dichotomy between exhausting round-the-clock home care and full residential facilities, ElderHaus offers weekday programming that benefits both caregivers and participants in profound ways.

Jenny shares a surprising insight that transforms how we should view adult day programs: the structured activities at ElderHaus actually slow disease progression for conditions like dementia through consistent physical activity and mental stimulation. This makes their services not just about providing respite (though that's invaluable) but actively improving health outcomes and quality of life for participants.

Perhaps most compelling is Jenny's personal connection to the work. After experiencing a severe kidney condition that left her unable to work for three years, she gained firsthand understanding of living with an "invisible disability." This experience cultivated deep empathy and taught her to better observe, understand, and communicate with those who process the world differently—skills she brings to her leadership at ElderHaus every day.

Despite serving the community for 45 years, misconceptions about ElderHaus persist. As Jenny clarifies with a laugh, "We're not just for elders, and we're not a house that anybody lives in." The program welcomes adults 18+ with various disabilities, creating a vibrant community where people find belonging, purpose, and joy. If you know someone caring for an adult with disabilities or cognitive challenges, sharing this resource could be the most meaningful thing you do today. Visit https://elderhaus.org/ to learn more or schedule a tour to see their work in action.

Discover a world where age is just a number and physical limitations dissolve into thin air at Fort Collins Circus Center. Jes Schultz, co-founder and lifelong movement enthusiast, reveals how her unique studio brings the magic and athleticism of circus arts to everyday life in our community.

What exactly is a circus center? Think of it as a gymnastics or dance studio, but with aerial silks hanging from the ceiling and instructors who can teach you to juggle or walk on stilts. From recreational classes to professional training, birthday parties to team-building events, Jes has created a space where everyone – regardless of age or ability – can experience the transformative joy of circus arts. The center offers disciplines you'd recognize from Cirque du Soleil, including aerial dance, partner acrobatics, juggling, stilt walking, and even fire dancing.

One powerful misconception Jes debunks is that you need to be young, fit, or already skilled to participate. "Need help with your hamstrings and leg strength? Do acro yoga. Need upper body strength? Do aerial arts," she explains. The center welcomes students from age 2.5 to 62 and beyond, with programs tailored to diverse physical needs and interests. Even their youth programming aligns with physical education standards, making it a valuable resource for homeschooling families.

Jes's personal journey reflects a lifelong passion for movement that evolved from dance and cheerleading to formal training and eventually circus arts. When she connected with co-founder Lindy at a local circus meetup, their shared vision brought Fort Collins Circus Center to life in 2018. Beyond physical skills, Jes shares how circus arts offer a holistic approach to staying human – blending creativity, challenge, and community in ways few other activities can. Ready to defy gravity and expectations? Visit https://fortcollinscircus.com/ or drop by during their after-school hours to witness the magic firsthand.

Every community needs spaces where local voices can be heard, where stories can be told authentically, and where creativity isn't limited by access to equipment. Fort Collins Public Media quietly fills this vital role from the basement of the Center for Creativity Building on Matthew Street.

Katrina Pfannkuch (fan-cook), board member and creative consultant, reveals how this volunteer-run nonprofit has been serving the Fort Collins community since 2004 with surprisingly little recognition. The organization provides an impressive array of resources: a full production studio, editing bays, podcast facilities, and classes—all designed to put professional media creation within reach for everyone. Most impressively, content created there gets broadcast on actual television channels (Comcast 97 and Connection 22) and streams on their website, giving local creators both tools and distribution.

What makes Fort Collins Public Media truly special is how it democratizes media production through affordable membership options. Students get discounts. Different tiers accommodate various needs and budgets. The highest membership level grants unlimited access to equipment that would normally be financially out of reach—cameras, lighting, audio gear, and technical guidance from volunteers who know how to use it all. In a media landscape increasingly controlled by large corporations with specific agendas, this nonprofit creates space for unbiased, locally-focused content creation.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, podcast creator, or someone with a story to tell, Fort Collins Public Media offers the technical resources and supportive community to make it happen. Check out their website at fcpublicmedia.org, follow them on social media, or better yet—become a member or volunteer to support this unique community resource that's elevating local voices when we need them most.

What happens when a family's simple "yes" to foster care launches an unexpected lifelong journey? Kristin Orphan joins us to share the remarkable story behind Finally Home, an organization born from her family's personal experiences as foster, adoptive, and kinship parents.

Kristin takes us back to 2008, when she and her husband, already parents to two biological sons, found themselves becoming guardians to her husband's developmentally disabled brother. This first experience with kinship care opened their hearts to foster parenting, eventually leading to the adoption of two sisters who came into their lives—one as a 12-month-old expected to stay "just for the weekend" who is now 22 years old. Through these experiences, Kristin discovered a critical gap in support for families like hers, inspiring the creation of Finally Home.

The conversation candidly addresses the misconceptions surrounding foster care—the stereotypes about foster parents' motivations and children's behaviors—while offering a refreshing perspective on what it really means to provide stable homes for vulnerable youth. "None of us feel like heroes," Kristin reflects. "We're people who've said yes." Her honest assessment of the challenges faced by foster families reveals why support organizations like Finally Home are so vital, equipping families to stay committed even when the journey becomes difficult.

Beyond their work with families, Finally Home has expanded into mentoring programs for incarcerated youth, recognizing the statistical reality that many children from foster care later interact with the judicial system. This holistic approach aims to break cycles of instability, giving children the precious gift of knowing they don't have to move anymore—they're finally home.

Ready to support this life-changing work? Visit finallyhome.net to learn how you can help more families create healing environments where children can thrive after trauma. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply sharing their story, you could help a child find stability they've never known before.