SWOP 40th Anniversary Podcast: Recent Episodes
Southwest Organizing Project
For our last 40th Anniversary Podcast episode we hear from Kathy Orgain-Kelly and Joaquin Lujan. These two longtime SWOPistas share their time, their favorite stories and their love for everything SWOP has accomplished and we are so thankful for it! Support SWOP by becoming a monthly sustainer!
We have another generational episode for you this time around. Hosts Franklin Gauna and Michael Leon Gurrero talk about their time at SWOP as interns and organizers. Franklin grew up at SWOP and remembers a time when leadership taught youth the ins and outs of becoming leaders themselves. Michael shares a story of the budding environmental justice movement and how SWOP's work changed one community's air quality for the better.
We have another powerhouse family SWOP episode for you this month. Mariaelena Hernandez and Victoria Rodriguez came to SWOP through their work in the community of Parjarito Mesa. We’ll hear how they learned about organizing and came to advocate for their families and their Parjarito Mesa community. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a special SWOP treat, it will surely lift anyone’s pandemic spirits.
Tenemos otro episodio de SWOP de la familia de la potencia para usted este mes. Mariaelena Hernández y Victoria Rodríguez llegaron a SWOP a través de su trabajo en la comunidad de Parjarito Mesa. Escucharemos cómo aprendieron sobre la organización y vinieron a abogar por sus familias y su comunidad de Parjarito Mesa. Manténgase atento al final del episodio para un tratamiento especial SWOP, sin duda levantará los espíritus pandémicos de cualquiera.
We’ve got this family sized edition for you featuring the Roibal Family! The family has been involved with SWOP for all four decades of SWOP’s existence. Lucia, Lolita, and Rosina talk with their father Roberto about their favorite moments throughout the year and try to sing The Chile Song over a sketchy internet connection. It’s a pandemic podcast gathering that will warm your heart and fire up your desire to do the work.
Longtime SWOPistas Tomasita Espinoza and Sandra Montes reflect on their favorite memories of SWOP. Tomasita disputes her mother's claim that she helped "steal" someone from the hospital, instead says her mother liberated them from ICE agents. They also share some favorite places SWOP has taken them, SWOP's connection to Pajarito Mesa and SWOP's superpower; being fearless.
Las veteranas de SWOP, Tomasita Espinosa y Sandra Montes reflexionan sobre sus recuerdos favoritos de SWOP. Tomasita niega la afirmación de su madre de que ella ayudó a "robar" a alguien del hospital, en cambio dice que su madre los liberó de los agentes de ICE. También se comparten algunos lugares favoritos que SWOP las ha llevado, la conexión de SWOP con Pajarito Mesa y la superpotencia de SWOP: ser valiente. Longtime SWOPistas Tomasita Espinoza and Sandra Montes reflect on their favorite memories of SWOP. Tomasita disputes her mother's claim that she helped "steal" someone from the hospital, instead says her mother liberated them from ICE agents. They also share some favorite places SWOP has taken them, SWOP's connection to Pajarito Mesa and SWOP's superpower; being fearless.
Whose streets? Our streets! But also, Rodrigo and Travis agree that SWOP needs more specific protest chants in the fourth installment of the 40th Anniversary Podcast. They recorded their conversation months before the COVID-19 pandemic, but their conversations about staying rooted in community is more relevant than ever…and also entertaining. Stay safe everyone and enjoy the episode.
Episode Three: Karlos Gauna Schmieder and Robby Rodriguez In this longer third episode of SWOP’s 40th Anniversary Podcast Karlos Gauna Schmieder and Robby Rodriguez share some hilarious moments from their many years at SWOP including shenanigans at the U.S. Mexico border. They also reflect on how organizing has changed and each generation builds on the next.
Episode Two: Amanda Gallegos and Janelle Astorga-Ramos The second episode of SWOP’s 40th Anniversary Podcast features a conversation between the fierce and hardworking Amanda Gallegos and Janelle Astorga-Ramos. They talk about haunted hotels, out of town conference shenanigans and how proud they are to be a part of the SWOP family.
For our inaugural episode beva sanchez-padilla and Divana Olivas sit down and chat about their dreams for SWOP, share some favorite stories and challenge each other to answer questions "all fast."
About the hosts:
beva sanchez-padilla is a native New Mexican and a long-time Chicano rights activist, artist, poet, and film maker. She is a long time member and board member of SWOP before coming on staff to facilitate our feminisms organizing work in 2015. She honors her mother Maria Barbarita for giving her the foundation to care for women, families and communities. She is proud of her daughters Micaela and Siboney who are strong activists in their communities. Divana Olivas is a former SWOP Board Member and Youth program participant who is currently working on her PhD. Her dissertation is focused on: Race, Gender, and Activism in Transnational Agricultural Policy in New Mexico: 1912-2010s. She is working on a chapter about SWOP and Anti-colonial Food Activism with Project Feed the Hood. Divana participated in SWOP’s Youth Employment Summer program in the summer of 2014. Since then she has been a key volunteer in the organization’s youth and food justice programs.