Millennials Meet World

In this week’s episode of Millennials Meet World, Cruz Castillo interviews Ossi Andrade, AKA the famous Nopales. The two discuss body positivity, real representation in the media, and what inspires Ossi to develop a platform for women of all shapes, sizes, and colors. From changing societal body rules to changing the game of perception, you'll definitely love this episode.

In this week’s episode, Cruz Castillo interviews Abeni Moreno, Chicana writer and author of the children’s book Dear Big Brother. Listen in as Cruz and Abeni talk about whether art imitates life or life imitates art, how gender roles in the Latinx community need to be broken and changed, and how her brother's life and influence helped to shape her children's book.

This week’s Millennials Meet World has Fredo Tovar, one of the geniuses behind the collective group that is A+ Filmz. A man of many talents, Fredo helped push forward Viva La Bonita, a clothing company for Latinas, and is one of the creative directors behind the record label, Con Amor. Fredo breaks down his life from his skills on the court to mentors who guided him towards a career he never considered. Find out more about this talented family man and the future of the collectives he’s helped create.

Cruz Castillo interviews Chris Carmona, the writer and director of the MiTu series Instant Crush. Listen as the two discuss filmmaking, Chris’ incorporation of his hometown Bell in his projects, his first feature about a day worker caught in a precarious situation, and more on this episode of MMW.

Meet Rachel Gomez, the creator of Viva La Bonita! VLB is an apparel company that seeks to empower Latinas, and all women, through it's culturally grounded style. Rachel talks about where she comes from, her road to being the strong Latina of influence she is today, and the future endeavors of her company. If you want to be inspired, listen to the episode.

In this week's episode, Cruz Castillo interviews Stephani Calendaria of La Mera Calendaria. La Mera Candelaria's music and style itself is a vivacious mixture of Colombian-inspired cumbia with a son cubano twist; sassy, humerous, gender-role-defying lyrics; and a humble, countryside sabór! Listen as Cruz and Stephani talk about what inspires her, what her origin story is, and where you can catch her next performance!

Cruz Castillo jumps into the crowdfunding site that is Seed & Spark. He interviews Gerry Maravilla, an award winning filmmaker who works at Seed & Spark, who breaks down the process of filmmaking from beginning to end and how S&S helps to bring those ideas to life. Find out how Seed & Spark, a subscription streaming and crowdfunding service, is helping independent filmmakers find their "village," create their autonomy, and give people of color a chance in the filmmaking game. Learn more about Seed & Spark and the filmmakers Cruz Castillo and Gerry Maravilla as they give their private testimonies to the time consumption that is crowdfunding.  

In this week’s episode of MMW, Cruz Castillo will has a conversation with writer Eva Recinos, whose work has been featured on LA Magazine, Refinery 29, Vice, Hypoallergic, Gezabelle, Catapoult, and more. The two talk about books, and her work as the Social Media Manager for LACMA. Check it out!

Cruz Castillo interviews actor and creator of “Hecho en Echo” Hillaria Lariva and her partner in crime, the director Rachel Shappiro. Lariva and Shappiro talk about how their collaboration started, their upcoming webseries "Hecho en Echo,” and the struggle and push for women of color telling their own stories in the industry.

In this week's episode, our host Cruz Castillo interviews writer and content creator, Claudia Restrepo. The two discuss about her origin story, her content on Buzzfeed's Pero Like, and issues that are important to her, such as mental health, representation of Latinx & LGBTQ+ in the media, and much more. Learn more about her thoughts on depression, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and her advice for aspiring filmmakers. Listen in!

In this week's episode, Cruz Castillo interviews content creators Shaina and Hannah from Shaihannahgans. Hailing from Chandler, Arizona, Hannah and Shaina touch on the topic of the Indigenous experience and what it's like to be Diné on stolen land. They discuss the shenanigans they get into, working for the Native clothing company OXDX, photography and film, their love of Emo (shoutout to My Chemical Romance), and their love of fandoms like Disney. If you love women of color who are killing it, then definitely listen in!

In this week's episode of Millennials Meet World, host Cruz Castillo interviews LatinxTherapy founder Adriana Alejandra Alejandre, LMFT. Listen in as they discuss Adriana's story, why she decided to start LatinxTherapy, and how she is seeking to demystify mental health in the Latinx Community. Check it out! 

In this week's episode, Cruz Castillo interviews Brazilian and Mexican Actress, Filmmaker, and Founder of El Cine, Mariana Da Silva. The two discuss her story, the  representation of Brazilians within the Latinx community, and about El Cine, a non-profit Mariana founded which showcases diversity in film. Listen in! 

In this week's episode, Cruz interviews Maya Murillo, a.k.a Maya in the Moment/ Pocha Concha from Buzzfeed. The two talk about representation in media for women of color, specifically Latinx, what it is like working at BuzzFeed's "Pero Like," and more. Stay tuned!

New episode: Cruz Castillo interviews the famous Silver Lake Icon, Tony Soto from the Tony Soto Show and the Gay Power Half Hour Podcast. The two discuss Tony's origin story, his background, and we get a glimpse of what it is like to be the a Drag Queen in Los Angeles. From past and upcoming shows to family life, acceptance and identity, Tony lets us hear the point of view of a Drag Queen Icon. 

New episode. New amazing guest. Cruz Castillo interviews the multitalented Andie Flores. Hailing from Texas, Andie is an overall creator, writer, actor, and comedian. From hard needed discussions about The Brothers Garcia, The Puzzle Place, and John Leguizamo, Andie breaks down her web series Muy Excited, her Cruz News, and more. The word ‘millennial’ tends to get a bad reputation. Though the generation may be seen as the defiant ones, we are out there protesting, speaking up, getting involved in politics, and more! Millennials Meet World, hosted by Cruz Castillo, is a show that delves into the psyche of what it means to be one of the most controversial generations in U.S. history. Each episode will explore what it means to be a millennial in this world through all its sub-cultures. Stay tuned!

In the U.S. it’s difficult to be a woman of color. In Hollywood, it’s even more difficult to be a woman of Black or Latinx background. From the stereotypes to the usual ignorant tropes, women of color are most often casted in roles through the White male gaze. In this episode Cruz Castillo interviews four amazingly talented Afro-Latinx actors in the entertainment game. Learn the brief stories of Efrangeliz, Franceli, Franchesca, and Larianny as they make their way through the industry that is Hollywood. The word ‘millennial’ tends to get a bad reputation. Though the generation may be seen as the defiant ones, we are out there protesting, speaking up, getting involved in politics, and more! Millennials Meet World, hosted by Cruz Castillo, is a show that delves into the psyche of what it means to be one of the most controversial generations in U.S. history. Each episode will explore what it means to be a millennial in this world through all its sub-cultures. Stay tuned!

In this episode of MMW Cruz Castillo sits down with The Altons to talk about their soul rock that changes lives. The band talks about their origin story, their music and influences, and even brings in some tunes to share with the listeners. Give a listen to these LA natives as they bring a Latin inspired sound mixed with energetic flow and fun beats. The word ‘millennial’ tends to get a bad reputation. Though the generation may be seen as the defiant ones, we are out there protesting, speaking up, getting involved in politics, and more! Millennials Meet World, hosted by Cruz Castillo, is a show that delves into the psyche of what it means to be one of the most controversial generations in U.S. history. Each episode will explore what it means to be a millennial in this world through all its sub-cultures. Stay tuned!

In the vain of Latin American authors before, Ingrid Rojas Contreras comes in with a new modern approach to magical realism in her book, "Fruit of the Drunken Tree." Detailing the lives of four women as they survive the Pablo Escobar era Colombia, Contreras takes us into the world of the wealthy and poor of the 1990's. Cruz Castillo gets to know the amazing new author as she talks about her first book, a little about her origin story and approach to writing, and a few of her favorite influences.

She’s a Latina, a business woman, a Fashionista, and she’s on a mission take over the internet one influence at a time. Cruz Castillo sits down with Lizbeth Hernandez to find out what makes her tick. From how her experience in the fashion industry has influenced her business to the power of creation through the influence of her amazing family, Liz breaks it all down for us. If you love strong women, following your life's purpose, and doing what you love than you’ll definitely enjoy this episode. Website: www.IMLVH.comIG: www.instagram.com/IMLVH

Singer-songwriter, Catie Waters, doesn’t believe in being told that you have to fit into a box.  Her music has a unique blend of jazz and soul with a rich undertone of R&B. Catie shares her personal journey on this episode of Millennials Meet World.

We hope you've been keeping with Starz's newest show Vida because this week we've got Chelsea Rendon! The talent behind the show's fiery activist, Mari. Cruz Castillo sits down with Chelsea to find out more about her acting career, the Vida show family, and being a Latinx actorvist in today's entertainment world. Chelsea Redon social media:Instagram: www.instagram.com/chelsearendonTwitter: www.twitter.com/chelsearendon

Bridget Morrissey is a powerhouse of talent. Hailing from the streets of Oak Forest, Illinois, Bridget moved out to LA to pursue a career in acting but eventually realized her higher calling was writing. Cruz Castillo sits down with this brand new author as she breaks down her writing process for her brand new book "What You Left Me," her love of the Chicago Cubbies, and the influence the Morrissey clan has played in her writing. If you love the Van Halen song "Jump" then you'll definitely love this episode of MMW and her new book. For those looking for more info about What You Left Me visit: www.goodreads.com/book/show/327029…from_search=true Bridget Morrissey social media:Instagram: www.instagram.com/bridgetjmorrisseyTwitter: www.twitter.com/bridgemorrissey

Aaron Yazzie is a man of the future. With love and support from his family and friends, a degree from Stanford, and a love of science this Navajo kid from Arizona is changing the game. From his work at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (robotics, Mars, and space exploration) to his contributions back to the community, Yazzie simply wishes to give back to humanity. Find out more about the Indigenous Bill Nye as he breaks down his origin story and his experiences in the field of science.

Cruz Castillo sits down with the Brujo Latinx magic that is Curly Velazquez. From this Salvadoreño's fashion sense to his advocacy and entertainment work as an OG member of Buzzfeed's Pero Like, Curly is changing the game. Delve into the creative mind and visionary world that is Curly Velazquez on this episode of MMW. Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecurlyvshowFacebook: www.facebook.com/buzzfeedcurlyTwitter: www.twitter.com/CurlyVee

Alicia Sixtos is an actress of many talents. She's known for the predominantly Latinx Hulu original show, East Los High, where she played Maya Martinez. From East Los High she went on to play Carmen in ABC Family's The Fosters. With a long career and many talents under her belt, Alicia breaks down what it's like to be a Latinx actor in Hollywood. She talks about her family of empowered and talented women of color, her activism, and most importantly, her art.

Kayden Phoenix is a Chicana on a mission. Hailing from Boyle Heights in East LA, she makes it a point to represent those whose stories aren't often told. An advocate for hiring POC in front of and behind the camera, Phoenix pushes to level the playing field for all those involved in filmmaking. A woman of many talents, writing, directing, and producing, she hopes to push the boundary with every new creation. Cruz Castillo sits down with Kayden Phoenix in hopes of highlighting a true creator of diverse storytelling.

Ocho Ojos is the Psychedelic Cumbia you never knew you needed. The experimental duo of Cesar Flores and Danny Torres create some of the best music coming out of East Coachella Valley. Cruz Castillo digs into their origin story, the music that influences them, and how they're going to change music as we know it. IG: www.instagram.com/ochoojoscv

Academic, activist, actor, and all around genius, Ricardo Gamboa sits down with host, Cruz Castillo, to drop some knowledge about art and the revolution. Hailing from the Windy City, Gamboa is the creator of many artistic projects from local theatre to internet web series like Brujos. Currently attaining his PhD in American Studies from NYU, the soon to be Dr. Gamboa is educating and changing the world one viewer at a time.

Chrisol Lomeli is a powerhouse of a singer. Hailing from the tough streets of Chino, CA, this artist has been performing from a young age. She's sang vocals for Chicano Batman, Las Cafeteras, Selanamos, and many more. Cruz sits down with Chrisol to find out where the talent comes from, the difficulty of being a women of color in the music industry, and what she's up to next.

In the web series, How to Make It in Echo Park, Erica and Dre, two best friends who also happen to be women of color, try to survive in the city of LA. From Bernie Sanders support to running into old exes, the series follows the struggle of two young Millennials in a city so overpopulated and so overpriced that they have to resort to new ways of making money. Cruz Castillo sits down with Erica Martinez and Shannon Clark, the two talents that bring this fun story to life. YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QQJN-C_IJA&t=2s

According to the media, the new religion is no religion for Millennials. They're leaving organized religions, spiritualities, and faiths in great numbers. The largest religion in the U.S., with the most influence, is Christianity. Cruz Castillo sits down with Felicia Mora, Sasha Perez, and Zan Poka to delve into the world of Christianity in this country. Find out how their Christian faiths shaped their lives, how it made them feel like an outsider at times, and why they decided to leave those faiths.

Cruz Castillo sits down with the multitalented creator, producer, writer, director, performer, and public speaker Kat Lazo. She is a native New Yorker of Latina descent with a talent for creating content that challenges the norm. From feminism to media representation, Kat has made visual storytelling thats been featured or used for We are mitú, BuzzFeed, Latina Magazine, HuffPost Women and many more. Learn more about this game changer and why she's pushing boundaries.

NHMC's Writers Program has been around since 2003. Cruz Castillo sits down with three of the writers from the 14th graduating class. Jesse Esparza, Ashley Soto, and Valeska Rodriguez drop some knowledge on what it's like to be a Latinx writer in today's industry along with how the program helped them reach new levels. "The television scriptwriters workshop is designed to familiarize participants with the format, characters and storyline structure of specific shows that are currently on the air. The five-week, total immersion workshop is mentored and guided by former NBC V.P of Script Development, Geoff Harris and is conducted in Burbank, CA. A total of 10 writers are accepted nationwide from an established network of non-profit agencies, schools, universities, guilds and media organizations. The goal is that the writers garner the skills necessary to obtain employment in the industry." Our 15th year is sure to be as progressive and fun as the previous years. In order to find out more about our writers program visit: www.nhmc.org/writersprogram NHMCWriters ProgramWritersEntertainmentMedia      

When Ralf Velazquez, Javi Gonzalez, Nic Curiel, David Campos, and Bert Alexander come together they form The Paranoias an Avengers/Justice League of musicians uniting from multiple backgrounds. Their music, most often described as "Awesome" and "Life Changing," comes from a multitude of influences ranging from U.S. American music to Latin American music. Cruz Castillo delves into what makes these guys tick, their origin stories, and why their music is experimental. TP Site: www.theparanoias.comTP Instagram: www.instagram.com/theparanoiasTP Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheParanoiasTP Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheParanoias

When Gene Aversa and Diego Crespo join forces they become the pop culture duo known as The Waffle Press. Hailing from the streets of Whittier, California, the TWP delves into the psyche of entertainment and political cultural relativism. Gene and Diego investigate and explore the multi-fandoms that make up todays pop culture. Find out why they do what they do and where they're headed in the future. TWP Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewafflepressTWP Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheWafflePressTWP YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC_SAkQzan606e8RerAFPkTg

Cruz Castillo sits down with Jared Yazzie, the creator of the Native American owned clothing brand, OxDx. Yazzie and his team, Hannah Manuelito and Shaina Yazzie, hail from the mean streets of Chandler, Arizona where they preach increased awareness of Native American culture and issues. OxDx is an homage to the word "overdose" which is used to describe their approach to today's society. OxDx hopes to inspire others by grounding people's reality in their traditional roots and reminding them of the ancestral sacrifices that have led them to where they are today. OxDx Clothing: www.oxdxclothing.comOxDx Instagram: www.instagram.com/oxdxclothingOxDx Facebook: www.facebook.com/oxdxclothingOxDx Twitter: www.twitter.com/oxdxclothing

Cruz sits down with two boricuas, Carlos Santos and Jordan Rubio, to learn the true history of Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States. Find out about Puerto Rico's history from it's Indigenous Taíno people to the inhumane birth control testing that was done on the woman of the island.

This week Cruz Castillo sits down with Armando Ibanez, the creator of the Undocumented Tales web series. The series follows the story of Fernando, a queer Mexican immigrant trying to find his way in the United States. Find out what inspired Armando to create a series based off of his life and the Latinx LGBTQ+ community. Through Undocumented Tales, Armando hopes to change the narrative of undocumented people on the screen and bring representation about a community not often seen in mainstream media. To watch the series go to: www.youtube.com/channel/UCiNosL2iDSbUPcL0fi0SIUg

Matt Pick has lived a relatively normal life. Until one day he was discovered by the Japanese entertainment world. From then on, Matt's life has never been the same. In the U.S. he's your average American but in Japan he's a Rock N Roll, Metal, J Rock god. When his vocals combine forces with Duan Damais' instrumental shredding the two become Nakitora Crying Tiger! In this exclusive episode, Cruz Castillo sits down with the Japanese legend himself, Matt Pick.

Cruz Castillo sits down with award-winning filmmaker Nathan Cheney, to discuss his new documentary, A Fatherless Generation. Find out Nathan's story and how he hopes his film will help America to tackle one of its largest social issues, fatherless children. "A Fatherless Generation takes a deep and personal look at the social, psychological, and emotional trauma caused by growing up fatherless. With a fresh grassroots approach, Cheney turns the camera on himself and captures his emotional journey as he seeks to build a relationship with his father."

Cruz Castillo has a chat with Los Angeles based band Zookeeper's Palace. Find out what makes these musicians tick, why they like to push the limits, and how it leads to creating their experimental music. The magical music that is Zookeeper's Palace is brought to you by Matt Fonda, Candice Harris, Jason Lobell, Zach Nazar, and Aron Ortega.

Cruz Castillo sits down to chat with Kianah Stover of TwoLips to discuss music, activism, and New Mexico.

Cruz Castillo talks with guest Alfredo Hernandez, Andrew Beltran, andKrystal Torres-Covarrubias about the LGBTQ+ community and its future within the United States.

Cruz Castillo discusses novelas, people of color in comedy, and comedy in the time of Trump with Roxana Altamirano, Mario Barra, and Chris Trovador of HisPanic Attack, a sketch comedy group from Second City in Los Angeles.

Cruz Castillo and Jordan Rubio discuss activism in the USA, cultural heritage of Native Americans, and resisting Trump in this episode featuring activist/photographer Marissa Gonzalez, and activists/designers Melissa Govea and Rafael Haro of the apparel group Zapanta.