Dr. Nereida Perdigon joins Nick Armstrong on the Founded in FoCo podcast to talk about emotional and mental health education, especially in the Latino community. She shares her journey from being a single mom and domestic violence survivor to becoming an entrepreneur and educator. The conversation covers workplace bullying, creating inclusive environments, and what attendees can expect from her bilingual session at Founded in FoCo. Tune in to learn more about her work and insights.The Founded in FoCo Podcast is hosted by Nick Armstrong, Lead Organizer of Founded in FoCo and Geek-in-Chief of WTF Marketing (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wtfmarketing.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Hear more great interviews with founders in and around Fort Collins at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundedinfoco.com⁠

Karla Baise is a 26-year Fort Collins resident, parent of two Poudre School District (PSD) students, and a community outreach professional at Odell Brewing Company. She is running for the PSD Board in District C. Baise has collaborated with many local nonprofits and civic partners and has volunteered with community efforts such as Fort Collins Comic Con.Episode Summary Host Nick Armstrong speaks with Karla Baise about why she’s running and what she would prioritize if elected to the PSD Board. Baise emphasizes improving literacy, reducing disparities among schools, supporting educators and classified staff with dignified wages, and strengthening transparency and communication with families. She argues PSD should upgrade existing facilities (e.g., HVAC, modulars) before building new ones and wants robust collaboration with community partners to bolster student belonging and mental health. Armstrong notes PSD’s 2025 monitoring report shows an average student performance around the 63rd percentile statewide; Baise focuses on addressing underperforming cohorts and systemwide disparities. She supports public comment at board meetings and rotating listening sessions across the district. The conversation also touches on student walkouts over school safety this month across Colorado; Baise calls for more listening to students and greater mental-health resources, while acknowledging she does not have a single “fix.”Key Takeaways Baise (District C) prioritizes literacy, citing concern about post-pandemic declines and support for early dyslexia screening. She argues PSD should reduce disparities by strengthening neighborhood schools so families are less likely to “choice out.” Funding and wages: supports dignified pay for teachers and classified staff; views investment in people as essential to retention. Facilities first: favors upgrading existing buildings (e.g., air conditioning) before constructing new schools. Governance and process: supports public comment, districtwide listening sessions, and clearer explanations for decisions (e.g., calendar/heat-day changes). Partnerships: calls for deeper collaboration with local organizations (mental health, inclusion, mentoring) to build belonging and student supports. School safety and student well-being: supports expanded mental-health services and cross-agency collaboration; wants to center student voices.Notable Quotes (verbatim)“I want to make sure that kids across the entire district have the same access to the amazing resources that my kids have had.”“Belonging is the opposite of anxiety.”“We need to be investing in our mental health.”“I see incredible possibilities in our school district.”“Public education is the very basis of public good. It’s the foundation of us investing in our future.”Resources / Links Candidate site: https://karlaforpsd.com Show Notes: https://dearfortcollins.com/2025/10/a-closer-look-at-poudre-school-board-candidate-karla-baise-in-district-c/ Dear Fort Collins website: https://dearfortcollins.com/ Dear Fort Collins YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dearfortcollins

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Rachel Rener is an author of urban fantasy books that blur the line between science and magic. She has published 13 books in less than five years and has a dedicated fan base. Rachel's writing is known for its humor and unique blend of genres. Rachel joins the Fort Collins Comic Con podcast to discuss her work and writing process. She shares how she got started in writing, her love for fantasy and superheroes, and her experience at various conventions. Rachel also talks about her upcoming projects and the importance of writing what you love. Rachel also talks about her audiobooks and the joy of hearing her characters come to life. Rachel Rener's books blur the line between science and magic in the urban fantasy genre. She wrote her first book in just seven weeks, fueled by her passion and hyperfocus. Rachel's books have a wide range of readers, from young adults to older fans. She enjoys attending conventions and interacting with readers and fans. Rachel's next project is a companion book to her standalone novel, "The Girl Who Talks to Ashes." You can find more from Rachel at: https://www.rachelrener.com/https://www.rachelrener.com/ Check out more amazing local creators at fococomiccon.com! 🚀 The FoCo Comic Con podcast is hosted by Nick Armstrong (find more from Nick at https://wtfmarketing.com).