GET It Podcast

Cohosts Roy Aguillon and Ryan Thompson are joined by our esteemed Audio Engineer,  Kevin Prince, and special guests Judge Mary Lou Alvarez and Dr. Janice Edralin, Family Counselor. We learn why Chinese scientists are working with flying frogs and then hop into an informative discussion with our guests about the handling of child welfare issues in San Antonio. Judge Alvarez discusses her involvement in San Antonio's 'Family Violence Prevention Program', explains why more foster families are needed, and assesses some of the benefits and shortcomings of legal procedures to help children in abusive, hurtful situations. Dr. Edralin gives Roy her take on how Kanye West's handled himself when Kanye wasn't invited to his daughter's birthday party. And, take note, Ryan gets in the last word. 

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, and Kimiya Factory question the 110 year sentence given to the driver of a fatal accident and then consider whether Black communities rally around the fight for justice more effectively than other communities. Kimiya reveals biases that exist even within the LGBTQ community and Grampa Roy learns what “pansexual” means. San Antonio City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez receives big kudos for his work. Oh, and Ryan drove all the way from Austin to record this chat so don't miss it!        

Cohosts Roy Aguillon and Kimiya Factory chat with Kinyo Laditan, local poet and entrepreneur, about culpability for the Astroworld tragedy and the alleged role of Satanic rituals, motives and effects of US tariffs, and conspiracy theories surrounding the uptick in California looting. Also find out if they have, or would, date a White person. It's a festival of rabbit holes. Jump on in! Sponsors: Black Freedom Factory, La Prensa, Project Forward, and Mr. Compositions Pre-rolls & More.

Cohosts Ryan Thompson and Roy Aguillon have an entertaining chat with guests Diedre Turner, our new Head of Podcast Operations, and San Antonio podcaster Elijah Benn. They cover everything from Elon Musk to toxic relationships to critical race theory in this episode.  Episode Sponsor: Dab House of Hemp

After a much deserved rest, GET It cohosts Ryan Thompson, Kimiya Factory and Roy Aguillon are back in the podcasting groove! They introduce their newest cohost, Kevin Prince (aka "Mr. Composition") and share important news and informed opinions about "fast fashion" and the new Texas laws about abortion, permitless carry, voter suppression and more. Finally, the crew divulges some big news about an exciting podcast transition!  Sponsors: Judge Rosie Gonzalez, Black Freedom Factory, and Tia Judy's Blooms. 

Cohosts Ryan Thompson, Kimiya Factory, Chad Hankins and Roy Aguillon learn more about what's going on at the Hutto Detention Center just outside of Austin and why attorneys at the Immigration Clinic at the UT School of Law, together with the Grassroots Leadership organization, are calling to shut the Center down now. Guests Alex Gras and Tiffany Campbell. Trigger Warning: contains detainee abuse stories. Music Excerpts by: Dig Infinity

Cohosts Kimiya Factory, Ryan Thompson and Roy Aguillon talk with San Antonio City Councilman Roberto Treviño about public housing shortages and the role of city government to help address the troubling challenges of "houselessness".  Music Excepts by: Nina Simone

Ryan, Kimiya and Chad talk about WTH happened during the recent Texas winter storm, who was to blame for the loss of power and clean water to millions of Texans, and where help can be found now in the storm's aftermath. We also tore Senator Ted Cruz and Former Texas Governor Rick Perry a new one for their response to the storm. Join us!

We surprised Rosie Castro in Episode 41 of the pod with this beautiful gift of a song written by Alyson Alonzo, an out and proud queer recording artist who lives and works in San Antonio, TX. Alyson hosts a radio show on Trinity University's KRTU 91.7 FM that goes by the name of "Queervibes" and is an amazing musician herself. Follow Alyson here: http://www.alysonalonzo.com/

Rosie Castro may be best known as the mother of influential politicians Julián and Joaquin Castro, but she is a force of nature in her own right. GET It cohosts Ryan, Chad, Andrea, Roy and guest cohost Denise Hernandez interviewed Rosie LIVE on Youtube and presented her with an original song dedicated to her. Overall, it's truly the best interview we've ever heard with Rosie.  Local Music: "Song for Rosie" by Alyson Alonzo

Kevin Prince AKA Mr. Composition is a recording artist, author, and black-owned business owner from San Antonio, TX. He also helps edit the GET IT podcast and hosts a podcast show that goes by the name of "The Composition" in which he covers topics of self-awareness and runs the Texas CBD Fair & Market. Seen on local and national publications, he is very prolific with his words. Learn more about Mr. Composition and follow him here: http://www.dabtroll.com/

GET It co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, Andrea Fernandez, Chad Hankins and Kimiya Factory talk with Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, an epidemiologist and infectious disease expert, to learn everything you need to know about *your* vaccination against COVID-19. There's nothing like truth to calm the nerves, especially when it's delivered by this entertaining group. Join us! Follow us for more on instagram at @GET_Texas. #GETITpodcast #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #COVID_19 #covid #covidvaccine

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez, Chad Hankins, Kimiya Factory and Ryan Thompson share their insights and their outrage about the historic riots at the U.S. Capitol, the assault on our democracy, and the hypocrisy it presented.  Featured Local Music: "Expendable" by Mr. Composition

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez and Kimiya Factory look backward, outward, and forward from this past year. They each share a personal momentos from 2020, talk about important lessons they've learned amidst the strife, and what community meant to them. There are some very sweet reveals in here. Don't miss it! Featured Local Music: "Funny Games" by Pop Pistol

Alyson Alonzo is an out and proud queer recording artist who lives and works in San Antonio, TX. She also hosts a radio show on Trinity University's KRTU 91.7 FM that goes by the name of "Queervibes" in which she curates a playlist of exceptional LGBTQ+ recording artists from all around the globe. We know you'll agree - Alyson's unique brand of electronic RnB leaves audiences stunned, captivated, and wanting more!  Learn more about Alyson and follow her here: http://www.alysonalonzo.com/  

Cohosts Roy Aguillon and Kimiya Factory go local for this episode and it's very juicy stuff! Roy uncovers even more corruption in the Harlandale ISD, and when corruption occurs in a historically underserved school district, it's always extra nasty stuff! They also talk about the upcoming local elections, what's up with the MLK March this year, and some cohost disagreement about Salena's show too! Don't miss this! Featured Local Music: "Cry Now, Cry Later" by Alyson Alonzo

Mr. Pidge is a Latin R&B/Funk group based in San Antonio, TX that formed in the winter 2016. " ….at its heart, we want to help people live their lives in a more meaningful way through our music. Everyone is a crucial character in their own lives and to those around them. “If you can’t love yourself how can you love someone?” Follow Mr. Pidge: https://mrpidgemusic.bandcamp.com/ Instagram : @MrPidgeMusic

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez, Chad Hankins, Kimiya Factory and Ryan Thompson dissect the unresolved 2020 presidential election and consider the importance of the upcoming Georgia senate seat runoffs. While they don't agree on every political issue, they do happily conclude that they're all very good looking. Featured Local Music: "Pineapple Soda" by Mr. Pidge

yawny yelly glowy floaty lives on a South Texas horse ranch where they've cultivated an artistic haven. The duo's music is hauntingly beautiful. With their lush productions and dreamy vocals, they each showcase their individual euphoria and terror. Issues that yawny yelly glowy floaty cares about: Climate change Legal marijuana Abolish electoral college Abolish ICE Women's rights (reproductive rights) Animals' rights Free college tuition Student loan forgiveness Free healthcare Follow/Contact Logan & Stephanie at: https://linktr.ee/yawnyyellyglowyfloaty

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, Kimiya Factory, and Ryan Thompson chat informally with guest cohost, bipartisan political consultant Roger LeGrand, the day after the election. They share their views about national, state, and city election results, undecided races, what candidates and political parties could do better next time, and what it all means to them personally and to different communities in Texas and beyond.    Featured Local Music:  "It's a Good World" by yawny yelly glowy floaty  

Queer, Mexican-American artist Chris Conde strives to relate to his audience through an honest communication of his personal narrative of overcoming drug addiction, internalized homophobia and self-acceptance. Whether rapping in full drag to a produced beat, singing with a fully-backed orchestration or simply crooning alongside a few acoustic instruments, Conde's unabashed dialogue of acceptance is a common theme. chrisconde.com

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez, Chad Hankins, Kimiya Factory, and Ryan Thompson review the three propositions on San Antonio's November 2020 ballot and invite you all to join them at the Back Lot Bop this coming Saturday to celebrate the power of our voices and our votes with music, food, speeches and lots of fun. It's covid safe - just drive-in, park, and watch the show.  Music: " Apathy & Rage ft. Venetian Snares", by Chris Conde

The Romance Club is a hip-hop collective from San Antonio, TX consisting of rappers/producers Vermin the Villain (aka LORD VERM), Karena SOL (aka k$ol2000), Tommy Starchild (aka Child of the Stars), and HellCat! (aka Daytona). The unspoken motto heard through their music is being unapologetic with your truth and meditating on all you are. They can be found on all streaming platforms.http://linktr.ee/theromanceclub  

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez, Chad Hankins, Kimiya Factory, and Ryan Thompson interview Tess House, an influential African American attorney in San Antonio who has plenty to say about lawyering in the real world, racism, and voter suppression. Tess uses her voice, her talents, and her vote to make a better world for all. Join Tess, and us for this important convo. Then go VOTE.  Music: "Obliterate", by The Romance Club

Andrea "Vocab" Sanderson is a San Antonio native and the recipient of multiple prestigious awards for her poetry and music. She is the first African American, Poet Laureate of San Antonio. IG: Vocabulous; www.andreavocabsanderson.com   Alyson Alonzo is an out and proud queer recording artist living and working in San Antonio, TX. Her unique electronic RnB sound leaves audiences stunned, captivated, and wanting more.  IG: @alyson.alonzo, FB: alysonalonzomusic Www.alysonalonzo.com  

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez, Chad Hankins, Kimiya Factory, and Ryan Thompson discuss some of the roadblocks put up in the State of Texas to keep minority/low income/progressive voters away from the polls and they inform you how to overcome them. Your voice matters too. Join us and GET ready to Vote! Music: "Hard Won", by Vocab Sanderson & Alyson Alonzo

Cohosts Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez, Chad Hankins, Kimiya Factory, and Ryan Thompson entrust their sacred spaces, their own personal stories, with you. You'll learn how a BLM leader finds inner strength by caring for others, what's really going on behind the scenes in the restaurant and theater business, how cohosts handle dating in a pandemic and a little dog helps an undocumented immigrant family, and, well, you just won't believe WTH Roy is growing in his garden!    Music: 11:58 AM by Dirkish

GET up to date with GET It cohosts Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez, Chad Hankins, Kimiya Factory, and Ryan Thompson about the federal relief that is, and isn't, coming your way. What's up with your student loans? Can you be evicted? Will you receive more federal relief funds anytime soon? Politicians make these decisions, but voters get to elect the politicians who have their backs. Join us and learn about mail in ballots, in-person voting, and so much more!   #absenteeballot, #stimuluspackage, #GETITpodcast, #growingempoweredtogether, #blacklivesmatter, #allblacklivesmatter

In this episode, we GET to know Gideon Del Rio, who was recently named "Up & Coming Trans Person of the Year" for San Antonio. GET It cohosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, Andrea Fernandez, and Chad Hankins also welcomed our newest cohost, Kimiya Factory, to the show. Together, they engaged in a fascinating discussion about many of the barriers trans folk face in everyday life, and the importance of allyship and voting. Listen and learn!   #trans, #transpride, #lgbtqia, #GETITpodcast, #growingempoweredtogether, #blacklivesmatter, #allblacklivesmatter  

In this final episode of a special Two-part series, we discuss white privilege from the perspectives of white people and Black people in America and then present tangible actions that can be taken to eliminate it. GET It cohosts Ryan Thompson, Roy Aguillon, Andrea Fernandez, and Chad Hankins are joined by special guests Celeste Alana Brown, San Antonio activist, and Kaolin Kay, author of Talking About Race, for an inherently difficult, but very important, conversation. Thank you for hearing them. Music: LeftfieldJT featuring Jasmine Battle #blacklivesmatter, #justiceforgeorgefloyd, #systemicracism, #racisminamerica, #GETITpodcast, #growingempoweredtogether, #racism, #whiteprivilege  

Why are so many young people getting COVID-19 lately? What does an epidemiologist need to know from the young people in San Antonio for her research? We recorded our first Town Hall to find out!  GET It co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, Andrea Ramos Fernandez, Chad Hankins, and Queen Bella Willis are joined by our first Zoom audience and special guest Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, an infectious disease epidemiologist, to GET some answers. More from Dr. Rohr-Allegrini in Episode 20. [ Music by Mr. Composition]   

In this first episode of a special two part series, we bring four Black community leaders together to discuss the significance, history, and personal impact of systemic racism in America. GET It cohosts Ryan Thompson and Queen Bella Willis talk candidly with special guests J Maurice Gibbs, NAACP Board Member, and Kimiya Factory, a leader of recent San Antonio protests following the murder of George Floyd. Thank you for hearing them. #blacklivesmatter, #justiceforgeorgefloyd, #systemicracism, #racisminamerica, #GETITpodcast, #growingempoweredtogether, #racism, #whiteprivilege  

Co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, and Andrea Ramos Fernandez talk about the difficulties experienced within the undocumented community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guests are Viridiana Carrizales and Maria Rocha of Immschools, who launched a major community fundraising effort to help several dozen undocumented families through the crisis.   Music by Celia Cruz.    #Undocumented, #GETITpodcast, #GrowingEmpoweredTogether, #COVID-19, #youngvoters, #Iamessential  

Co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, Chad Hankins, and Andrea Ramos Fernandez talk with Dr. Jane Appleby, Chief Medical Officer for several major hospitals in San Antonio, about the front line fight against COVID-19. Together, they introduce #MasksNotCapes, a new community service effort to acquire donated N95 masks from the community and deliver them to the healthcare professionals who need them the most.     Music kindly provided by: Mr. Composition ("Face Mask") & The Foreign Arm ("Alight")   #frontline, #GETITpodcast, #GrowingEmpoweredTogether, #FaceMask, #COVID-19, #youngvoters

Co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, Chad Hankins, and Andrea Ramos Fernandez talk about the homelessness experience before, during and after the pandemic. GET to know two young women, Stephanie Escovar and Nina Lockwood, who serve on the Youth Action Board SA in order to make youth homelessness a brief and rare occurrence. You’ll learn what it actually means to be homeless, what the experience is like, how people end up homeless, and some of the actions being taken to fix the problem. #GETITpodcast #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #YoungVoters #COVID-19 #homelessness

Co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, Chad Hankins, and Andrea Ramos Fernandez talk with three community leaders about their online outreach programs and centering sources of inner peace during the pandemic. GET to know Andrea "Vocab" Sanderson, San Antonio's first black poet laureate, and Zet Baer and Rudi Harst of the popular Celebration Circle. Calming songs, poetry and a guided meditation await you in this episode! Music by: Foreign Arm #GETITpodcast #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #YoungVoters #COVID-19

Co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson, Chad Hankins, Queen Bella Willis, and Andrea Ramos Fernandez all came together on March 25th, 2020 to talk about how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted their jobs, their families, their daily routines, and their love lives in amazing ways. We didn't cut much of their late night raunchy humor for this one, because we know you need more of that now too. Enjoy! You can follow us on instagram at @GET_Texas for videos of this recording session and more.  #GETITpodcast #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #YoungVoters #COVID-19

 GET It co-hosts Roy Aguillon and Ryan Thompson joined our newest co-host, Queen Bella Willis, for this necessary conversation about San Antonio's COVID-19 pandemic experience with special guest Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, an infectious disease epidemiologist. Episode 20 is our first remotely recorded episode, and it's just what the doctor ordered for you. So, chill out safely at home and listen! You can follow us on instagram at @GET_Texas for videos of this recording session and more.    #GETITpodcast #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #YoungVoters #COVID-19

GET It co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Ryan Thompson and Andrea Ramos Fernandez make it easy to decide which Democratic and Republican candidates you think should compete against each other for Texas state and county offices in November 2020! You'll learn which races are hotly contested and why, and even be able to explain what the heck a Railroad Commissioner actually does. Of course, with this pod crew, you can count on plenty of chisme and jokes too! Follow us on instagram at @GET_Texas for videos of this recording session and more.  #texasprimaryelection #GETITpodcast #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #YoungVoters

GET It co-hosts Roy Aguillon and Ryan Thompson introduce Andrea Ramos Fernandez, our newest cohost. GET READY - It's time to decide which Democratic and Republican candidates should compete against each other for the presidency and other national offices in November 2020, and our nonpartisan guide is here to help! You'll learn where/when to go vote, what ID to bring, who's on the ballot and how they want to address some of the issues that matter most to young people. Follow us on instagram at @GET_Texas for videos of this recording session and more.  #texasprimaryelection #GETITpodcast #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #YoungVoters  

GET It co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, and Ryan Thompson continue their Town Hall discussion on women's rights. They talk about abortion, how to talk about abortion, and the ongoing tragedy of missing indigenous women. Guest MC's Bella Willis and Andrea Fernandez tell us a little bit about themselves, and help moderate the meaningful audience discussion that ensued. Check out what the people have to say!    Follow us on instagram at @GET_Texas for videos of this recording session and more.  Music by: Ruthie Foster #changerapeculture, #GETITpodcast, #GrowingEmpoweredTogether(GET), #Women'sRightsMatter

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the culture of rape, as well as workplace gender inequities.  GET It co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, and Ryan Thompson lead a Town Hall meeting on women's rights, after noting the irony of their being "just three dudes". Special guest and phenomenal woman, Kimiya Factory, leads the conversation about the #changerapeculture movement, and surprise guest Dr. Lauren Browning, Executive Director of GET, talks about her gender bias lawsuit that went all the way into committee at the SCOTUS. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this convo, which includes meaningful audience discussions, and two phenomenal women who served as MCs!  Follow us on instagram at @GET_Texas for videos of this recording session and more.  Music by: Ruthie Foster #changerapeculture, #GETITpodcast, #GrowingEmpoweredTogether(GET), #Women'sRightsMatter

In this episode, co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, and Ryan Thompson meet with Stephen Lucke, Founder and CEO of Gardopia, one of San Antonio's premiere community garden resources. Stephen talks about different ways that he's engaged with the City of San Antonio government, starting with his stint as a mayoral candidate to his creation of a community garden that required city permits and financial support. Learn how social justice starts with food justice, and then GET ready to want to volunteer your time and get healthy at Gardopia gardens. Follow us on instagram at @GET_Texas for fun videos of this recording session and more.  #GETITPodcast, #Gardopia, #Foodjustice, #@GET_Texas, #GrowingEmpoweredTogether, #CommunityGardens, #SATX  

In this episode, co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, and Ryan Thompson meet with DACA recipient, Andrea Ramos Fernandez, for a continuation of the American Dreamers (Ep 12) conversation. We talk about the importance of some very close Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decisions, and learn more about the personal life stories of Andrea and other DACA recipients. Andrea also shares a secret with us about her love life, and we can now tell you that it had a verrry happy ending! Follow us on instagram at @GET_Texas for fun videos of this recording session and more.  #DACA, #SCOTUS, #LGBTQ, #GETITPodcast  

In this episode, co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, and Ryan Thompson interview two veterans, Ben Longoria and Roy Aguillon Sr., who share their wartime holiday experiences and then send special messages to those both at war and at home who suffer from the holiday blues. There's a lot going on in this episode, including some hard truths, as well as some hearty laughs and plenty of love. Don't miss it, friends. This one is for you! #veterans #holidayblues #GETITpodcast #veteranshelpingveterans #youngvoters

In this episode, co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, and Ryan Thompson meet with DACA recipient, Andrea Ramos Fernandez, an exceptional American Dreamer from San Antonio. We learn some interesting details about DACA and discuss the program's tenuous future. But, the best part of this episode may be the personal stories that Andrea shared! We learn what her mother said to her after bringing her to the US, and we come to understand why Andrea believes so passionately in the American Dream for immigrants. Plus, as always, we share some good laughs along the way.

Co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, and Ryan Thompson respond to nonvoter's who say that they "don't know enough" to vote. They talk about civil rights case being decided by the Supreme Court and then bring the discussion back to to the importance of local issues, such as school district consolidation and ways that the city council try, and all too often fail, to reach out and connect with more voters. There are plenty of laughs and an interesting audience convo in this episode, as usual, so don't miss it! #TexasVotes #GETItPodcast #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #GET_Texas #firsttimevoter #supremecourt #SATX  

This one is bound to be a classic! Co-hosts Roy Aguillon, Chad Hankins, and Ryan Thompson interview first time voter, San Antonio Westsider, Alberto "Burt" Gaitan, who recently became interested in politics after witnessing the Castro brothers' rise onto the national political scene from their own humble West side beginnings. GET registered Burt to vote, and share his hope that someday he will be able to meet his first political heroes, the Castro brothers, in person. In the meantime, we'll help him GET ready to vote for his very first time!   #TexasVotes #GETItPodcast #ConstitutionalAmendmentSpecialElection2019 #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #GET_Texas #firsttimevoter  

Co-hosts Chad Hankins, Ryan Thompson, and Roy Aguillon, are joined by journalist B.Kay Richter to discuss the 10 proposed changes to our Texas Constitution. Election day is November 5, 2019. But, even if the election is already over, you'll still want to listen to this one, because Chad reveals where he hides his gold bars, and an ex-felon in the audience steps forward to talk about the conspicuous lack of guidance that ex-felons are given from Texas officials about restoring their voting rights.    #TexasVotes #GETItPodcast #ConstitutionalAmendmentSpecialElection2019 #GrowingEmpoweredTogether #GET_Texas  

Co-hosts Chad Hankins, Ryan Thompson, Roy Aguillon, and Bianca Rosales continue their conversation about gun violence in America with their audience. This is our third consecutive episode on gun violence and the conversation focuses on the new Parkland Students gun proposal and other ideas about where we go from here.    Note: We apologize for any weird backgrounds noises. It was the dog days of summer here in Texas when we recorded, so we had our fan running on high. The good news is that it looks like Fall is finally easing in, despite any adverse affects of climate change (sorry, Roy).    #gunviolence #gunsense #parklandstudents #gunlegislation #guncontrol #safe #guns #NRA 

Co-hosts Chad Hankins, Ryan Thompson, Roy Aguillon, and Bianca Rosales debate possible solutions to gun violence in America. This episode includes multiple high octane disagreements and a few good laughs too. The co-hosts also talk with an audience member from El Paso about the impact of the recent mass shooting there.    Stay tuned for more audience responses and discussion in an upcoming release.