A conversation with best-selling author and Colorado Mesa University Assistant Professor of History, Timothy Winegard, whose latest book, The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator examines the dramatic impact of a pesky but seemingly unassuming creature on the course of human existence.

The release of this podcast coincides with the release of the book in paperback format.

This PREVIEW to our upcoming release, Mosquito, features excerpts from our conversation with New York Times bestselling author Tim Winegard on his most recent book highlighting the dramatic impact this disease-carrying foe has had on the course of human history.

Our in-studio guest for this sneak preview is Tim Moore, Director of the Grand River Mosquito Control District, who brings a local focus to the battle against a pesky predator responsible for spreading West Nile virus across Western Colorado each summer.

This show originally aired live on KAFM Community Radio on June 17th.

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward? To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Our 6th and final installment of Life Under Lockdown, "Dining In: The Hot Tomato" looks at the effects of lockdown on the restaurant industry in a conversation with The Hot Tomato owners Jen Zeuner and Anne Keller. Since its inception 15 years ago, The Hot Tomato has elevated the funky vibe of Fruita, CO and transformed into an appetizing example of capitalism with a social conscience.

Jen and Anne share insight into the internal debate of how to restructure operations under a state of new normal; their decision to stick with a take-out model for the near future despite a statewide re-opening; and the unique opportunities presented by a chance to step back from the norm and re-evaluate priorities moving forward.

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward? To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Episode 5, "Tensions Rising: Domestic Abuse" spotlights the increased tension of lockdown on those living with domestic abuse and features Paige Cadman of Hilltop's Latimer House. While the Colorado Governor declares a state of "Safer at Home," what is the impact on people whose homes present the threat of violence and danger? How can survivors seek out the vital services when their abusers are now a constant presence?

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward? To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Episode 4 examines the challenges and surprising upsides of maintaining D51 student counseling and mental health support services during the extended school closure caused by the coronavirus outbreak. How is the district pivoting internally to more seamlessly provide remote learning and services in the future? And how can school districts bear the increasing demands placed on public institutions of learning?

This episode features a group conversation with D51 Counseling Coordinator Shauna Hobbs; Suicide Prevention Specialist Gen Morris; and SEL Specialist Heather O'Brien.

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward?

To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

In Episode 3, MCPLD: Enriching Lives Online, we check in with Mesa County Public Libraries' Associate Director Shana Wade, who fills us in on how and why the library moved so quickly to mitigate the spread of the infection and closed down facilities long before many other organizations. Shana details all of the services still available through the library's website and how teachers, students and workers on the hunt for new employment can rely on library services to keep life moving forward. Find out how the library will phase into in-person access and what we can expect in the months ahead.

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward?

To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Episode 2: Pets and Pandemics features Roice-Hurst HumaneSociety Executive Director Anna Stout sharing insights into how the shelter's team mobilized for Colorado's Stay at Home order; why COVID-19 was on their radar months ago; and how the coronavirus pandemic could revolutionize the shelter system, an outdated concept designed to remove unwanted pets from city streets more so than assuring animals' long term health and well-being.

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward?

To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

In Episode 1, we chat with Colorado Mesa University's Elaine Venter - our first ever podcast guest! - whose teaching emphasizes mass and emerging media with an interest in social media, gaming and media accessibility on the internet.

We discuss how social distancing has altered how we utilize and interact on social media platforms and how the shift to minimalism in media production might well continue into the future.

Audience members of the 2019 Grand Junction Film Festival Filmmaker Panel follow up with their own questions about how to succeed in the production world.

Your Oscar awaits!

Crossing the Divide brings you exclusive access to the Filmmaker Panel hosted in October 2019 by the Grand Junction Film Festival. This discussion features professionals from the film and television industry sharing their personal journeys on the path to successful media careers along with predictions for what lies ahead for viewers and creatives in a world beholden to technological advances in content consumption.