Café Mi Gente: Recent Episodes
Cafe Mi Gente
Our goal is to give the Chicano/a community a place to learn about their history and also share their stories. We do not claim to be experts on this topic. In fact, that’s the point. We want the audience to learn as we learn and hear different perspectives of Chicano/a life. The end goal is to continuously answer the question “What does it mean to be Chicano/a?”.
In the Season 2 Finale we talk with Maria Esther Fernandez who is the Artistic Director of The Cheech Cultural Center and Museum in Riverside, CA. She tells about her life and her first love of art and how the one of a kind Cheech Center is showcasing artists in our community and also giving our community a place to start conversation.
www.riversideartmuseum.org
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
Elias and Allen discuss two major events in Mexican History and how each affect the Chicano community now. Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day. They talk about the significance of the that day as well as how Dieciseis celebrates the spirit of Mexican Independence, but is not actually the day that Mexico was recognized as its own country.
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
In this sequel episode we are talking with the other half of the Raised in LA team. Dan Hernandez talks to us about his life as a young boy coming to the U.S. and experiencing the art around him. He also tells us about how he has developed his unique style.
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
We are joined again by the talented writer Sofia Aguilar! She shares with us some of her favorite Chicana authors and tells us about how their contributions have helped shape storytelling in our community.
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
We talk to filmmaker, James Rodriguez, about how important representation is for our community and his plan to help solve that problem. He started a non-profit that will not only education Latino/as on how to gain entry into the film industry, but feature a one-of-a-kind streaming channel to showcase their work. (Think MTV from the 80s).
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
In this episode we speak to artist, Ian Lantz. He comes from a diverse background. We speak to him about how his art affects not just his community, but those around him. Although he is not what we would traditionally think of as Chicano, his work and life experiences mirror those of our community
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
Ian Lantz - @ianlantz
In this episode Elias and Allen talk about the most famous musician you may have never heard of. Trini Lopez was mentored by Frank Sinatra and beloved by musicians like Buddy Holly and Elvis. He had an amazing career and we talk about it all.
Original Music by: Stephen Castillo
On this episode we talk with Erick Zerecero who is a photographer and scientist. We talk about how he is able to express himself through both passions and how we don't need to limit ourselves to just one thing.
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
The concepts of Colonization and Decolonization can be so large and difficult to wrap your head around. However, they play a major role in our community and how we perceive ourselves and others. We welcome Dr. Brenda Gandara to tell us her story of immigrating to the United States and help us breakdown these words and ideas. She has dedication her life to studying the effects of Colonization and we hope you enjoy this thought provoking interview.
Produced by Iliana Bollum
Music by Stephen Castillo
Elias and Allen discuss the Mexican Spitfire herself, Lupe Velez. Lupe was a key part of the rise of Mexican Cinema, but also held a very important place in American movies. Our struggle for representation in film and television is still a big one, but Lupe's career was a huge step in the right direction.
We sit down with social media professional Caroline Salinas and talk about her love of storytelling. She talks about growing up loving theater, starting a career in politics, and her pivot into the world of entertainment. We also discuss how social media can be a powerful tool to get out Chicano/a stories to the masses.
Artist Jacqueline Valenzuela talks to us about her influences and what it means to be an interdisciplinary artist. We also speak about her experience in the lowriding community and how that inspired her to look at cars and car parts as her canvas.
Jacqueline Instagram: @pieldemazapan
Produced by Iliana Bollom
Music by Stephen Castillo
In this episode, Elias and Allen discuss the Brown Berets' occupation of Catalina Island. This was a way for them to express their feelings that the land had been given away unfairly.
Original Music By Stephen Castillo
Our guest this episode is actress April Duran. We talk about how she wanted to act from a young age, but had to put her dream on hold. Now she has chosen to follow her dream and works as a full time actress. We talk with her about how this happened and why it's important for our community to pursue their dreams.
Produced by: Iliana Bollum
Music by: Stephen Castillo
Photography can be a powerful art form. Jose Alvarado has always been passionate about his photography, but wasn't able to pursue it until later in life. All of his life experiences added to the beauty of his photography. We talk about his life, his tremendous talent, and how important it can be for our community to follow our passions.
Produced by Iliana Bollum
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
In the first Chicano History 101 episode of season 2 Allen is back to discuss the infamous musician Chalino Sanchez and his impact on music and our community
Hosts: Elias Posada and Allen Negrete
Producer: Iliana Bollum
Music by: Stephen Castillo
Juan Navarro is an established artist and muralist from Riverside, CA. He has dedicated his career and artwork to helping his community grow. Whether it's through his murals or founding his own art studio, Juan is committed not only to his community in the Inland Empire, but the Chicano Community in general. We talk about his life and inspirations and also his involvement with the people around him!
Host: Elias Posada (@eliasposada)
Producer: Iliana Bollum
Music by: Stephen Castillo
In the first episode of the new season we welcome Sofia Aguilar! A young and hungry Chicana writer. She writes everything from poems to articles for multiple Latin-centric outlets. We talk about her upbringing near Los Angeles and how her culture has affected her writing. We also talk about social issues that she is concerned with within our community.
Produced by Iliana Bollom
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
In our final episode of season 1 we talk to Gabi Magaly. She is a Chicana artist and photographer who uses her upbringing as inspiration for her art. We talk with her about how to bring up Chicano/a artists and also the importance of the art community.
Produced by Iliana Bollom
Music by Stephen Castillo
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
Elias and Iliana talk to musician and Piñata Protest frontman, Alvaro Del Norte. He talks about his early life in music and what the motivation was for Piñata Protest's completely unique sound.
Produced by: Iliana Bollom
Original Music by: Stephen Castillo
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
Elias and Iliana talk to artist, musician, educator Keli Rosa about her journey and how she has supported the art of our Culture her entire life. They also talk about to nurture the next generation of Chicano/a artists and musicians.
Produced by Iliana Bollum
Music by Stephen Castillo
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
Elias and Allen discuss the United Farm Workers and the impact it had on our community. They also touch on key figures in the movement including Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.
Produced by Iliana Bollom
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
In this episode Elias talks to his father, Alex, about growing up in the Bay Area of California around the heigh of the Chicano Movement. We believe it is important to hear our personal family histories so these stories can continue to be shared. We encourage you to sit down with members of your family and hear all these stories before they get lost like so much of our history.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
Historically, Chicano/as have been majorly underrepresented in film and television. We make up a huge percentage of the population and media consumption. So why are our stories so hard to find? We talk to Johnny from Chicano Hollywood about how our representation is changing and why there is hope for our stories in the future.
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
In this episode we talk to Elisa and Christina from Chicanas Car Club, a car club based out of Merced, CA. They talk to us about the history and importance of lowriding in our community and what they think car clubs will look like in the future. As an all woman car club, they are looking to connect with other women who love lowriding culture and help create a world where women in lowriding are seen as equal to the men.
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
In this episode we talk with Nick Ortiz from the Austin Brown Berets. This was a perfect conclusion to our previous two episodes as we talk about what the Brown Berets stood for historically and how that has changed or stayed the same. Nick had a lot of information from inside a branch of the Brown Berets and it was a real pleasure to speak with him about all that the organization is still doing for the Chicano Community.
Book mentioned in this episode:
Insurgent Aztlan: The Liberating Power of Cultural Resistance by Ernesto Todd Mireles
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
In this episode Elias and Allen talk a bit more about some of the groups that made up the Chicano Movement of the 60s/70s. Specifically they talk about Las Adelitas de Aztlán which was a group that was formed by former Chicana members of the Brown Berets. They felt Women's Rights were not being talked about enough so they took on themselves to stick up for reproductive rights, women's civil rights, and so much more.
At the beginning of the episode, Elias talks about the film La Vida Loca about a group of Chicana gang members living in Echo Park, Los Angeles. This is another important film to our community that was made around the same time as American Me.
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cafe-mi-gente/support
In this episode Elias and Allen discuss the Brown Berets, a very important but short lived group that supported the Chicano Movement. In addition to gaining recognition with their signature look and brown berets, they also were very important to their communities as they created programs and clinics around the country. They believed in policing their own communities, because they felt that they were not being policed effectively.
In addition, Elias talks about an important film for our community, American Me, directed by Edward James Olmos. It is about a Mexican American that gets involved with the Mexican Mafia. To avoid spoilers go to 9 min 20 sec
Brown Beret Website: www.brownberets.webs.com
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
We have had many guests speak with us about what it is like growing up as a first generation Chicano/a. For this episode we wanted to flip the narrative a little and talk to Irma who is the mother of Carlos and she immigrated here from Mexico. We talk to her about what life was like for her growing up and how she handled raising a first generation Chicano in Chicago. She has had an amazing life and we are so thankful that she shared it with us.
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
In this episode we talk to Jose Salcedo and Julio Ramos from the supporter's group for MLS team, LAFC. They are known as the 3252. We discuss why fútbol was so important to their childhood and why they wanted to inject their culture when starting their supporter's group. We also speak with Rigoberto Rodriguez from La Murga de Austin (Austin FC supporter's group). He discusses why it is important for supporter's groups to show pride in their communities both inside and outside the stadium.
Original Music by: Stephen Castillo
Guest Contact Info:
Julio Ramos: IG - @elchivamayor, Youtube - youtube.com/@Viveelfutbolesvida
Jose Salcedo: IG - @josesalcedo101
3252: IG - @lafc3252
Rigo Rodriguez: IG - @rigorrdz
La Murga de Austin - @lamurgaatx
In this installment of Chicano/a History 101 Allen and Elias discuss the Zoot Suit Riots. This event was a huge moment in our history and is also one of the more well known. They dig a little deeper into the riots and find out why they started and why it was a crucial turning point in the history of the Chicano/a community. Allen and Elias also discover that the name "Zoot Suit Riots" isn't actually accurate to the events... listen to find out why.
In this episode, Iliana is back (as a guest host) and we talk to Jessica and Manuel from the Institute of Chicano/a/x Psychology and Community Wellness about how mental health has played a part in the history of our community and how we can approach the subject going forward.
Institute of Chicano/a/x Psychology and Community Wellness Contact:
Website - razapsychology.org
Instagram - @xicanpsych
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
In part 2 of this series we talk to Iliana and Jorge about their experiences growing up in California, Texas, and Mexico. We compare education and cultures in these different regions.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Entre el Sur y el Norte
Mexico Profundo by Guillermo Bonfil Batalia
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
In this first part of two episodes, we are talking about what it's like to grow up as a Chicano/a in different parts of the country. For these two episodes we are focusing on California and Texas. We are talking with Tina Hernandez and Michael Muñoz about their experiences.
In this slightly World Cup themed episode, Elias talks with Richie Contreras (from @otraxfavor) and Mike Garza about the way fútbol (or soccer) has impacted their lives and what comes into deciding whether to root for the Mexican or United States national teams (or both?).
Original Music by: Stephen Castillo (@casti11o__)
In this episode Elias and Allen discuss the relatively unknown story of the El Paso Middle School Walkouts. These walkouts were triggered when a group of middle school students in El Paso, TX lost their teacher who was the only one that supported them and their education. This is a very early example of how the education system in this country has been unkind to minorities (to say the least).
Original Music by Stephen Castillo
Book referenced in this episode -
Rewriting the Chicano Movement: New Histories of Mexican American Activism in the Civil Rights Era
Edited by Mario T. Garcia & Ellen McCracken
In this episode we talk to artist Ruben Esquivel and activist Monica Maldonado about the importance of art and activism in our community. They also give some advice for aspiring Chicano/a artists.
Contacts:
Ruben Esquivel:
Instagram - @_esquivel
Monica Maldonado:
Instagram - @mascultura
Email - info@mascultura.org
In this episode we go over a brief history of the terms Mexican American and Chicano. We also discuss the newer term of Chicanx and why it can be seen as divisive among the community.
An introduction to what we are trying to accomplish with this podcast. We want to start conversations around what it means to be Chicano/a.
Elias and Allen discuss their upbringings and how it felt to grow up living in between two cultures. We want to start the conversation of "What does it mean to be Chicano/a?".