All things MicroGrants! Tune in for a group discussion about MicroGrants – the history of the granting program, event highlights, application tips, and more! This conversation features Connie Quayle, Mark Vonesch, Francis McKenty, Immanuel McKenty, Jemma Hicken, and your host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie.
Continue reading Folk U: All Things MicrograntsOn February 27, 2026, host Manda Aufochs-Gillespie was joined by Regional Director, Mark Vonesch, for a live check-in about priorities, current issues, and other updates for Cortes Island residents. Phone-in and mail-in questions were welcomed.
Continue reading Folk U Friday with Mark VoneschListen in on February 20th, 2026 to this episode of FolkU, which features a recording of Dr. Michael De Danann Datura’s discussion of the spectacular (in the Guy Debord sense of the word) nature of ideology in late 20th and early 21st century culture. This included an exposé of the layered and concealed aspects of commodities via Kinder Surprise eggs; a critique of Hollywood’s authoritarian master fantasies as embodied in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, and a brief foray into what it might mean to embrace desire without stuff.
Continue reading Folk U: The Spectacular Nature of Ideology in late 20th and early 21st century cultureThis episode of FolkU features an exploration of sovereignty by CIA student Tristan. What it is to be sovereign in relation to our fellow humans, and in relation to the land? How can we teach ourselves and others how to self-govern? Featuring two interviews, this podcast challenges us to think about our society a little differently, even if it’s just for an hour.
Continue reading Sovereignty – from Folk U/ Cortes Island AcademyIn the first half of this episode, Cortes Island Academy students Elsie, Lacey, and Elias discuss the housing situation on Cortes, from three different angles. This includes tiny homes, Rainbow Ridge, the Seniors Village, and interviews with five different locals, as well as their own stories and observations on the topic. Travel with them as they learn about the challenges of finding housing on Cortes, and the creative solutions that are emerging to try and solve the issue.
In part two, Nathaniel Maki interviews Margaret Verschuur and Fawn Baron from the Deathcare Collective, and discusses the importance of having a healthy culture and communication around the topic of death and dying.
Continue reading Teen Takeover on Housing, the Death Care Collective & Podcasting
