New Mexico Magazine editor-in-chief Steve Gleydura joins Doing Good to celebrate everyday heroes, the communities they strengthen, and the power of telling their stories.

Steve Gleydura had an unusual introduction to New Mexico. Hired to lead New Mexico Magazine in early 2020, he was preparing to relocate when the pandemic shut everything down. Suddenly, he was editing a travel magazine about a state he’d never visited, at a time when nobody could travel.

That improbable beginning helped inspire True Heroes, the magazine’s annual celebration of people quietly making their communities better. As neighbors organized food deliveries, shared supplies, and checked on one another, Steve saw a story worth telling: not just where to go in New Mexico, but who makes those places special.

In this episode of Doing Good, Steve joins hosts Michael Campbell, Anna Farrier, and Gabriella Marks to explore what everyday heroism looks like—and why these stories deserve attention.

Each year, the magazine receives roughly 200 to 250 nominations and selects just ten honorees. The choices span geography, backgrounds, and kinds of service, from longtime nonprofit leaders to people who simply step forward when disaster strikes. But Gleydura wants something more than a record of accomplishments: he asks writers to talk with someone whose life has actually changed because of a nominee’s work.

One example is Joanne Thompson, who helped organize Tucumcari Tuesdays, a weekly effort to clean up and care for her community. It’s easy to see Tucumcari through its neon signs and Route 66 nostalgia. Her story reveals the people keeping the town vibrant today.

Gabriella, who has photographed and interviewed True Heroes for years, notices another common trait: most are reluctant to be in the spotlight. They see themselves as part of something larger, and they’d rather talk about the work than receive credit.

The conversation also considers the role of journalism. Steve pushes back against the idea that media ignores positive stories; often, he says, it’s conflict that gets the most attention. Yet quieter stories can matter enormously, showing how lasting change happens through dedication, persistence, and connection.

What unites these heroes? For Steve, it’s a deep love of place—a desire to belong to a community by helping it thrive. From youth sports to veterans’ programs, their contributions remind us that goodness isn’t reserved for grand gestures.

This year’s True Heroes will be announced November 19 on New Mexico Magazine’s YouTube channel and featured in its December issue. More than an awards program, True Heroes is an invitation to notice the good already happening around us—and perhaps find a way to join in.

For more information, or to tell the story of someone you know who's doing good, go to doinggood.fm