The Foreword Podcast

Chapter 5 Tara Lipsyncki

Welcome Tara Lipsyncki, owner of Mosaics Community Bookstore in Provo, UT.  As one of Utah’s premier drag entertainers, Drag Storytime reader, comics, and emcees, they/them strives to provide professional, inclusive, and engaging entertainment. Tara started the journey in entertainment more than 18 years ago as a professional figure skater, including skating for Disney on Ice and San Francisco’s Drag Queens on Ice. For 5+ years Tara worked to create unique and inclusive shows that range from all-ages dance parties to sold out drag brunches around Utah. 

Chapter 4: Frank Brannan

Frank Brannan, co-founder of Utah Alliance Coalition, is active in Utah politics and wants to see some positive change in our political climate.  Utahns are faced with a plethora of unwanted culture war issues over all manner of things most Utahns believe are manufactured by some for ideological, political, or commercial gain.  Book banning results from the efforts of a small group of conservative parents who have been able to set legislation determining what books should be banned from our school libraries.  The legislation is the government co-parenting our children.  Frank Brannan believes in the agency of parents to decide what is best for their family and children.  Books with diverse themes are a prerequisite for a well-rounded education in our increasingly complex world.  Frank hopes Utahns will stand up and vote down elected officials who  presume to know better than us what is best for our families. 

Chapter 3-Billy Palmer with Utah's ACLU

Billy Palmer is the ACLU of Utah's Director of Campaigns after spending five years as a host and associate producer of the public affairs show RadioACTive on KRCL 90.9 FM. While at KRCL, he also served as the Director of Civic Engagement. Billy also has a background in filmmaking, music promotion, swing dance performance, and choreography.
Billy comes to the ACLU with 20 years of activism and grassroots movement, building locally and nationally. Among many focuses, he has worked around issues of economic equality, human rights, gender equity, anti-black and indigenous policy, youth empowerment, and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse.
A resident of Salt Lake City's Westside and father of three adult children, Billy enjoys spending time with family, live performances of many sorts, film festivals, and traveling as often as possible. 

Chapter 2- Kate Staples

Introducing Kate Staples for HD39: A Voice for Change. With a relentless commitment fueled by personal tragedy, Kate challenges systemic failures. Her campaign focuses on Community, Investment, and Possibilities, aiming for positive change and equitable policies, fostering solidarity and innovation

Chapter 1 Peter Bromberg

Meet Peter Bromberg, a dynamic force in library advocacy and community engagement. As the Associate Director of EveryLibrary and co-chair of ULA Advocacy, Peter is dedicated to championing the vital role of libraries in our society. Peter is also the co-founder of letutahread.org, a grassroots initiative aimed at fostering a love for reading statewide. Peter continues to make a meaningful impact in shaping the future of libraries and promoting equitable access to knowledge for all.