Words on a Wire

In this episode of Words on a Wire, hosts Daniel Chacón and Tim Z. Hernandez sit down with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz—award-winning author, respected curandera, and revered herbal educator—whose healing practices are rooted in the traditions of the Sonoran Desert. Known affectionately as the “Kitchen Curandera,” Felicia shares stories from her journey into traditional healing, from her great-grandmother's teachings in Old Town Albuquerque to her own transformative work with food, dance, and plant medicine.Felicia discusses the philosophy behind her acclaimed book Earth Medicines, her evolving role as a healer, and the importance of language, ancestry, and “indigenizing” wellness practices. She reflects on the power of naming, the wisdom of plants, and the spiritual connection between body and creativity. With warmth and insight, she explores how ancient indigenous knowledge is often validated—if not co-opted—by modern science, and emphasizes the importance of honoring traditions rather than rebranding them.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón welcomes back poet Adela Najarro to discuss her powerful new collection, Variations in Blue, published by Red Hen Press. With warmth, candor, and insight, Najarro reflects on how art, memory, and community shape her work. Najarro also pays tribute to her literary influences, including Pablo Neruda, while critically reimagining their legacies through a feminist lens. This moving dialogue is a testament to the power of poetry to confront silence, reclaim narrative, and build connection.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón sits down with veteran journalist Robert Moore, founder and CEO of El Paso Matters, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to high-impact local reporting. Together, they trace Moore's career from writing obituaries at a small-town paper to leading one of the most respected independent news organizations on the U.S.–Mexico border.Moore shares why he walked away from his role as editor of the El Paso Times, how the 2019 Walmart mass shooting and COVID-19 pandemic shaped his newsroom's mission, and why storytelling—especially in underserved communities—is central to democracy. The conversation touches on the challenges facing journalism today, from financial instability to political pressure, and the role of local news in countering misinformation and holding power to account.

In this special episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón sits down with four graduating creative writing students from his Senior Seminar at the University of Texas at El Paso: Diego Cerda, Cristina Flores, Sophia Ortega-Carlos, and Jesus Morales. What unfolds is a spirited, funny, and deeply personal roundtable conversation about life, art, and what comes after college.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host William Alfred Rose speaks with journalist and author Kyle Paoletta about his new book, American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest. Paoletta takes listeners on a journey through the urban heart of the American Southwest—El Paso, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas—exploring how these desert cities reflect the challenges and possibilities of a rapidly changing climate and culture.Paoletta, a New Mexico native, shares his personal journey from the mountains outside Albuquerque to the editorial offices of New York, and how that distance shaped his desire to reconnect with the Southwest. The conversation touches on climate change, water scarcity, urban development, and the cultural divide between older, historically Mexican and Indigenous cities like El Paso and Tucson, and newer, booster-built cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas.

In this special episode of Words on a Wire, host Tim Z. Hernandez brings listeners into a moving panel discussion recorded live at the Tucson Festival of Books. Joined by acclaimed authors Rex Ogle (Abuela, Don't Forget Me) and Melani “Mele” Martinez (The Molino: A Memoir), the conversation dives deep into the role of storytelling in shaping identity, healing generational trauma, and reclaiming cultural narratives.Through personal reflections and powerful anecdotes, the panelists explore how family histories, community roots, and lived experiences influence their writing. From the quiet resilience of an abuela to the complexities of growing up in multicultural neighborhoods, this episode celebrates the ways stories can preserve memory, challenge stereotypes, and offer transformation.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about memory, voice, and the many layers of what it means to be a storyteller today.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón sits down with acclaimed poet, translator, and world traveler Liliana Valenzuela for a rich and reflective conversation recorded just after her return from a silent meditation retreat. Liliana discusses her journey as a “reverse Chicana”—a Mexican-born writer shaped by both Mexican and Chicano cultural traditions—and the ancestral and creative forces that shape her work. From her fascination with Aztec codices to solo travels through West Africa, Liliana shares the stories and experiences that inform her poetry collections Codex of Love and Codex of Journeys. The conversation also explores her influential career as a translator of major Chicana authors, including Sandra Cisneros and Ana Castillo, and her lifelong commitment to amplifying women's voices in literature.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón talks with debut author Eugenie Montague about her novel Swallow the Ghost, a genre-bending narrative that plays with the conventions of crime fiction, digital life, and storytelling itself.Montague shares how the novel began as a writing experiment that grew into something larger—originating with the character Jane and evolving into a story told in three interconnected parts. Set in New York City, Swallow the Ghost follows characters navigating identity, routine, and the search for meaning in a chaotic, media-saturated world.The conversation dives into themes of control, narrative structure, and the addictive nature of both mystery plots and social media. Montague explores the creation of a fictional Twitter character named Rita, whose digital presence begins to shape and disrupt the story in unexpected ways, blurring the line between fiction and reality.Montague also reflects on her path as a writer, her MFA experience at UC Irvine, and how living in El Paso has influenced her current work—a collection of linked stories set in the border city.Thoughtful, funny, and rich with insight, this episode offers a compelling look at one of today's most exciting literary voices.

Mikhail Carbajal es un escritor y educador que ha desarrollado una obra que explora la identidad en la frontera norte de México, y su cultura. Desde hace algunos años también está a cargo de un proyecto muy particular que combina literatura y redes sociales en una plataforma que ha trascendido, hablamos de “La gramática del Meme”. Mikhail Carbajal is a writer and educator who has developed a work that explores the identity and culture of Mexico's northern border. For the past few years, he has also been in charge of a very particular project that combines literature and social networks in a platform that has transcended, we are talking about “La gramática del Meme”.

This week, our host Tim Z. Hernandez shares a live recording of a panel he was recently on at the Tucson Festival of Books, which took place March 15 & 16. The panel was titled "Unexpected Legacy of History," and features a conversation between Jason De Leon, Lee Hawkins, Tim Z. Hernandez, and moderator, Jill Jordan Spitz. 

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Will Rose speaks with journalist and former El Paso news anchor Stephanie Valle. They talk about Stephanie's two-decade career at KVIA ABC-7 and her new role at the El Paso District Attorney's Office.During her career, Stephanie anchored morning and evening newscasts and often reported her own investigative stories. She turned her passion for reporting into the Borderland Crimes Podcast, which received numerous accolades, including the prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award in 2024. Now, Stephanie works in the El Paso District Attorney's Office as the Special Projects Administrator. In her role, she's in charge of releasing case information to news media, managing state and federal grants, and organizing the annual Region 19 High School Mock Trial competition and crime victims remembrance events. As a member of the Plaza Classic Film Festival Advisory Committee, she conducts Q&As of the festival's special guests live on the Plaza Theatre stage during the festival and co-hosts the Plaza Classic Podcast. This mom of two is also proud to serve as a board member of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Jennifer Ann's Group (a teen dating violence awareness organization), and the regional Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In this engaging episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón sits down with acclaimed poet and author Gume Laurel III to discuss his journey into poetry, the power of storytelling through verse novels, and the inspiration behind his works. From his early resistance to poetry to discovering its rhythm and depth through spoken word, Gume shares how he found his literary voice and carved a space in the young adult fiction landscape.The conversation explores Samson and Domingo, a modern, queer retelling of the Samson story, and his upcoming novel Solar Punks, a thought-provoking dive into the emerging genre of solar punk. Gume discusses the importance of accessibility in literature, crafting high-interest, low-readability (hi-lo) books for young readers, and the cinematic quality of his narratives—hinting at a future on the big screen.

Mijail Lamas, poeta, traductor y crítico, egresado de nuestra Maestría en Escritura Creativa en El Paso, conversa con nosotros sobre su trayectoria. Nacido en Culiacán, Sinaloa, Lamas ha publicado numerosos poemarios y se ha adentrado en la traducción poética. En esta entrevista, reflexiona sobre su relación con la poesía y la riqueza de su formación en UTEP. Mijail Lamas, a poet, translator, and critic, and graduate of our MFA in Creative Writing program in El Paso, speaks with us about his career. Born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Lamas has published numerous poetry collections and has delved into poetic translation. In this interview, he reflects on his relationship with poetry and the richness of his education at UTEP.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Will Rose sits down with author Luis Jaramillo to discuss his novel The Witches of El Paso. Jaramillo delves into his connection to El Paso, a city that has inspired his storytelling through family history, cultural richness, and a sense of magic woven into everyday life. He shares insights into his writing process, the influence of the region's bicultural and historical landscape, and how the supernatural elements in his book reflect the blurred borders—both literal and figurative—that define the city.Luis Jaramillo is also the author of the award-winning short story collection The Doctor's Wife. His writing has appeared in LitHub, BOMB Magazine, Los Angeles Review of Books, and other publications. He is an assistant professor of creative writing at The New School. He received an undergraduate degree from Stanford University and an MFA from The New School.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón sits down with investigative journalist and author Lise Olsen to discuss her chilling yet deeply compelling book, The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The Search for Houston's Lost Boys. The book unearths the harrowing story of the Candyman Killer, Dean Corll, who preyed on teenage boys in 1970s Houston, and the relentless efforts of forensic anthropologist Dr. Sharon Derrick to identify his forgotten victims.Olsen delves into the failures of law enforcement, the systemic neglect of missing boys from working-class neighborhoods, and the power of scientific persistence in the face of injustice. She also reflects on her own journey reporting on serial crimes and forensic investigations, revealing how one woman's determination brought long-overdue names to the nameless.Part true crime, part investigative triumph, this conversation explores the intersection of forensic science, journalism, and justice. A must-listen for those who believe that every victim deserves to be remembered.

In this episode of The Storykeeper, from Words on a Wire, host Tim Z. Hernandez sits down with author Cristina Herrera to discuss her book Welcome to Oxnard: Race, Place, and Chicana Adolescence in Michelle Serros's Writing. The conversation delves into the legacy of Michelle Serros, an influential writer whose work captured the complexities of growing up in Oxnard, California. They explore themes of belonging, assimilation, and the power of storytelling in shaping cultural narratives.Cristina Herrera was born and raised in Oxnard, California, and is now professor and director of Chicanx/Latinx studies at Portland State University. She is the author of ChicaNerds in Chicana Young Adult Literature: Brown and Nerdy and editor of Nerds, Goths, Geeks, and Freaks: Outsiders in Chicanx and Latinx Young Adult Literature, which won the 2022 Children's Literature Association Edited Book Award.

In this special Words on a Wire episode, hosts Daniel Chacón and Tim Z. Hernandez sat down with painter, writer, professor, and cultural historian Maceo Montoya at a recent public event at the University of Texas at El Paso. With a live audience in attendance, the trio discusses Montoya's upbringing in a small California town, his dynamic artistic career, and the ever-evolving narratives of the Chicano and Latinx experience. From his rebellious mural-making days at Yale to his reflections on identity, storytelling, and community, Maceo's insights will leave you inspired and ready to think deeply about the power of art and narrative.Maceo Montoya has published books across various genres. His first novel, The Scoundrel and the Optimist (Bilingual Review, 2010), earned the 2011 International Latino Book Award for "Best First Book," and Latino Stories recognized him as one of its "Top Ten New Latino Writers to Watch." In 2014, the University of New Mexico Press released his second novel, The Deportation of Wopper Barraza, while Copilot Press published Letters to the Poet from His Brother, a hybrid book that combines images, prose poems, and essays. Montoya's third work of fiction, You Must Fight Them: A Novella and Stories (University of New Mexico Press, 2015), was a finalist for Foreword Review's INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award. Additionally, Montoya is the author and illustrator of Chicano Movement for Beginners, a work of graphic nonfiction. His most recent novel is Preparatory Notes for Future Masterpieces (University of Nevada Press, 2021).

In this episode of The Story Keeper, from Words on a Wire, host Tim Z. Hernandez welcomes visual artist and educator Lorena Williams. Lorena shares deeply personal stories of her family's history, including the impact of the Mexican Repatriation and the intergenerational effects of migration on identity and belonging. Drawing inspiration from her upbringing in El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, Lorena's art reflects the narratives of her community and heritage. The conversation touches on her journey as an artist, the importance of preserving family stories, and her reflections on contemporary issues of migration and identity.

In this episode of The Writer and the Brain, from Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón welcomes author Richard Z. Santos to discuss his novel Trust Me and its rich exploration of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santos reflects on the city's paradoxical energy, where ancient history meets contemporary wealth, and how this unique environment inspired his storytelling. Together, they delve into the challenges of navigating multiple characters' perspectives and balancing plot with poetic nuance.The conversation spans themes of Latinx storytelling, the haunting weight of cultural history, and the deep imprints of Santa Fe's layered past. Santos also shares his personal experiences of launching a book during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the lockdown reshaped traditional literary events. Listeners will enjoy anecdotes about his favorite music, including an unforgettable concert by Jay-Z and Kanye West, and a serendipitous moment involving Willie Nelson's hat.

In this captivating episode of The Writer and the Brain, a Words on a Wire production, host Daniel Chacón sits down with poet and artist Octavio Quintanilla at the Texas Book Festival to explore his latest poetry collection, The Book of Wounded Sparrows. This deeply personal collection delves into themes of family separation, dislocation, and the transformative power of memory and time. Octavio reflects on his journey as a poet, from his debut collection If I Go Missing to this profoundly intimate new work, revealing how his growth as an artist mirrors his evolution as a human being.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Will Rose sits down with Rus Bradburd—former UTEP and NMSU assistant basketball coach turned author—to discuss his debut novel, Big Time (Etruscan Press, 2024). This sharp satire delves into how money and sponsorships are reshaping higher education in America, all through the lens of the fictional Coors State University.Bradburd, who coached Division I basketball for 14 seasons (including eight at UTEP), is no stranger to compelling stories. He's the author of four acclaimed books, including 40 Minutes of Hell, the biography of El Paso sports icon and former University of Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson. After 16 years as a writing professor at New Mexico State, Bradburd brings his insider perspective to his first foray into fiction.

In this episode, host Daniel Chacón sits down with his longtime Words on a Wire co-host, Tim Z. Hernandez, to discuss Tim's latest book, They Call You Back. Diving into themes of search, memory, and connection, the conversation unravels the deeply personal and poetic journey behind Hernandez's work. This episode delves into the liminal spaces between the living and the dead, storytelling as a portal, and the profound power of objects and places that hold memory. Whether you're a writer, mystic, or seeker, this discussion offers a deeply moving exploration of love, loss, and the enduring impact of stories.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, longtime host Tim Z. Hernandez introduces "The Storykeeper," an exciting new segment on Words on a Wire. Drawing from his extensive experience from his years of gathering stories, Hernandez explains how The Storykeeper will bring powerful, transformative narratives to listeners. He offers a preview of upcoming episodes, including an interview with a family affected by the Mexican Repatriation Act of the 1930s.The segment emerges from Hernandez's belief that storytelling is medicine - that sharing our stories builds understanding and connection across communities. The Storykeeper promises to deliver compelling narratives that reveal our shared humanity.This introductory episode showcases the intimate, thoughtful approach listeners can expect from The Storykeeper when it debuts in 2025 on KTEP 88.5 FM, as Hernandez and his team work to demonstrate how "one story shared with another is medicine, but many stories shared in community is transformation.”

 In this engaging conversation, Host Daniel Chacón speaks with California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick. They discuss his latest work "In Praise of Late Wonder: New and Selected Poems," a collection that marks a profound exploration of his identity as a Korean adoptee. While Herrick has long been known as an adopted poet, this book represents his deepest dive yet into themes of adoption, identity, and belonging, featuring intimate pieces about his birth family search and letters to his birth parents. The discussion expands beyond poetry to explore Herrick's compelling belief that librarians, farmers, and street food vendors hold the key to society's salvation, drawing on Anthony Bourdain's perspective about street food's vital role in human connection. Herrick and Chacón engage in thoughtful dialogue about the changing landscape of publishing, the role of social media in literary success, and the importance of maintaining authenticity in an increasingly corporatized world.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Will Rose sits down with Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker staff writer and author of the New York Times Top 10 Book of 2024, Everyone Who Was Gone Is Here. Blitzer delves into the intricate and often overlooked ties between U.S. foreign policy in Central America and the modern immigration crises at the southern border. Drawing on years of immersive reporting and personal interviews, Blitzer highlights the human stories behind the headlines, including the transformative narratives of individuals like Juan, whose life embodies the far-reaching consequences of Cold War-era policies.The conversation touches on key moments in immigration history, such as the evolution of deterrence strategies in El Paso, the humanitarian crisis fueled by asylum seekers, and the shifting demographics of border crossings. Blitzer also shares his concerns about the potential consequences of a second Trump administration, predicting aggressive policies that could reshape immigrant communities and asylum processes.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Tim Z. Hernandez speaks with poet Yaccaira Salvatierra. Yaccaira's poems have appeared in POETRY Magazine, The Nation, Prairie Schooner, and Rattle among others. Her collection, Sons of Salt, was published with BOA Editions September 2024. She has been an organizer for the San Francisco International Flor y Canto Literary Festival and is currently translating Estancias de Emilia Tangoa, a poetry collection by Peruvian poet Ana Varela Tafur. Some of her translations can be found in About Place Journal and Plume. She lives in Oakland, California, where she is a dedicated educator.

Host Daniel Chacón talks with mystery writer Teresa Dovalpage about her thirteenth novel, Last Seen in Havana (Soho Press, 2014).

In this engaging podcast episode, host Daniel Chacon sits down with poet Gabriel Dozal to discuss Dozal's book The Border Simulator and explore themes of identity, technology, and the concept of borders. Their conversation dives into Dozal's inspirations, blending personal experiences of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border with an imagined digital landscape where borders feel like a "simulation." The two delve into how technology, from language models to social media, shapes both personal expression and public interaction, and they explore Dozal's playful poetic experiments with language. This candid talk covers everything from the influence of AI in writing to Dozal's unique approach to navigating and representing the border experience.

On this episode of Words on a Wire, host Tim Z. Hernandez talks with poets ire'ne lara silva and Jen Yáñez-Alaniz.ire'ne lara silva, 2023 Texas State Poet Laureate, is the author of five poetry collections, furia, Blood Sugar Canto, CUICACALLI/House of Song, FirstPoems, and the eaters of flowers, two chapbooks, Enduring Azucares and Hibiscus Tacos, a comic book, VENDAVAL, and a short story collection, flesh to bone, which won the Premio Aztlán. ire'ne is the recipient of a 2021 Tasajillo Writers Grant, a 2017 NALAC Fund for the Arts Grant, the final Alfredo Cisneros del Moral Award, and was the Fiction Finalist for AROHO's 2013 Gift of Freedom Award. Most recently, ire'ne was awarded the 2021 Texas Institute of Letters Shrake Award for Best Short Nonfiction. Her second short story collection, the light of your body, will be published by Arte Publico Press in Spring 2025. http://www.irenelarasilva.wordpress.comJen Yáñez-Alaniz is a poetactivist, community organizer,and  a third-year PhD Fellow at the University of Texas at San Antonio's Culture Literacy and Language Program, and a Mexican American Studies Graduate Certificate Student. Her research interests include cultural preservation and decolonial praxis. Exploring themes of sensuality, surrogacy, and consumption, Jen blends creative and academic expression using Gloria Anzaldúa's autohistoria-teoría to honor embodied experiences that are often confined within linguistic boundaries. Jennifer's literary contributions include "Matrilineal Poetics: Toward an Understanding of Corporeality and Identity," featured in Latinas in Hollywood Herstories. She has published widely in journals and anthologies, including an extensive critical biography of Carmen Tafolla in Chicana Portraits: Critical Biographies of Twelve Chicana Writers (University of Arizona Press), and her poetry chapbook Surrogate Eater (Alabrava Press) was launched in 2023.

Host Daniel Chacón talks with Dr. Tara López, author of Chuco Punk: Sonic Insurgency in El Paso (University of Texas Press, 2024).

In this episode of Technically, Literate, host Leah O'Daniel speaks with author Joesph Lezza.Joseph Lezza is a writer in New York, NY with an MFA in creative writing from The University of Texas at El Paso. His debut memoir in essays, I'm Never Fine: Scenes and Spasms on Loss (Vine Leaves Press), was a finalist for the 2021 Prize Americana in Prose and was named by Buzzfeed LGBTQ and Lambda Literary as a "Most Anticipated 2023 Release." 

Host Will Rose talks with fiction writer and essayist Dagoberto Gilb about his two new books, New Testament: Stories (City Lights, 2024) and A Passing West: Essays from the Borderlands (University of New Mexico Press, 2024).

In this episode of Technically, Literate, host Leah O'Daniel speaks with accomplished poet and UTEP professor Andrea Cote Botero.

On this episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón talks with author Lucrecia Guerrero about her new book, On the Mad River (Mouthfeel Press, 2024).Lucrecia Guerrero grew up in Nogales, Arizona in a bilingual and bicultural home--her mother is from Kentucky, her father from Mexico. Both parents held a fierce pride in their perspective cultures and shared stories with their children. Guerrero is proud to say that she was raised on biscuits and gravy with a jalapeno on the side. Her stories inevitably involve cultural clashes between experience and tradition; and explore themes such as the abuse of power, both political and personal, and the strength and beauty of the human spirit.Guerrero has lived in the Midwest for years where she teaches creative writing.

Host Daniel Chacón travels to Las Cruces, New Mexico to sit with legendary Chicanx writer Denise Chávez. They discuss her career, her Las Cruces bookstore, and her new book, Street of Too Many Stories (Conocimientos Press, 2024).

Host Will Rose talks with Bloomberg opinion columnist Parmy Olson about the arms race to build the next generation of artificial intelligence -- and her new book, Supremecy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race that Will Change the World.

On this episode of Words on a Wire, Host Tim Z. Hernande speaks with Cassie Holguin-Pettinato, a Chicana poet, collage artist, and theremin musician from the El Paso/Juárez frontera. A fourth-generation resident of La Calavera, the last historic neighborhood of Smeltertown, she channels her rich cultural background into her work. Cassie is the author of The Lamb's Tail (Bottlecap Press, 2022) and The Five Stages of Stuttering (Flowersong Press, 2024). She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from The University of Texas at El Paso. In 2024, she was honored with the Poet and Author Fellowship at the Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. Currently, she serves as an academic writing tutor at El Paso Community College.

[Listener note: This episode's conversation is conducted in Spanish] Ricardo Pohlenz es un escritor iconoclasta, ha atravesado la poesía concreta, la crítica cinematográfica y la literatura como acto de irreverencia. En este episodio iniciamos una nueva temporada de Patos Salvajes con esta entrevista sorprendente que tuvimos en persona en la Ciudad de México. Patos Salvajes es el espacio radiofónico de los estudiantes del M.F.A. en Escritura Creativa Bilingüe en la Universidad de Texas en El Paso. [Description translation] Ricardo Pohlenz is an iconoclastic writer, he has traversed concrete poetry, film criticism and literature in general as an act of irreverence. In this episode we start a new season of Patos Salvajes with this astonishing interview we had in person in Mexico City. Patos Salvajes is the radio program of the students of the M.F.A. in Bilingual Creative Writing at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Host Daniel Chacon speaks with author, playwright, and theater director Octavio Solis.

Host Tim Z. Hernandez speaks with author and historian David Dorado Romo about "the true story of America, from the Mexican American perspective."

Host Daniel Chacón speaks with author and attorney Daniel A. Olivas about his latest novel, Chicano Frankenstein (Forest Avenue Press, 2024).

Longtime hosts Daniel Chacón and Tim Z. Hernandez kick off season 16 of Words on a Wire. They discuss season 16 guests, forthcoming projects, addiction, and the honor of being invited to the Texas Book Festival.

In this special episode of Words on a Wire, join host Daniel Chacon as he brings you an extraordinary collaboration with the renowned Spanish podcast Todo Empieza con Una Palabra. Recorded in Madrid, this episode features a rich, bilingual discussion with students and faculty from the University of Texas, El Paso, and the Escuela de Escritores. Hear diverse perspectives on the craft of writing, and experience the vibrant synergy between writers from different cultures. 

On this special episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón invites writers from the Macondo community, a writing workshop founded by Sandra Cisneros. Guests include writers Carla Trujillo, Miguel Angel Ramirez, and Erasmo Guerra.

Patos Salvajes es el espacio radiofónico de los estudiantes del M.F.A. en Escritura Creativa Bilingüe en la Universidad de Texas en El Paso. Hoy tendremos un encuentro muy especial con dos maravillosas poetas locales. Nancy Lorenza Green es una una voz imprescindible en la frontera, su cultura de origen combina la rama materna mexicana con la raíz paterna afroamericana, escritora absolutamente bilingüe que además es un músico sorprendente. Se define como Afro-Chicana y todas las fronteras confluyen en ella. Toni Beatriz Fuentes, en tanto, es una poeta de raíces originarias Apaches y, como lo dice ella misma, un alma mexicana, expresión de esta sensibilidad que no reconoce fronteras.Patos Salvajes is the radio program of the students of the M.F.A. in Bilingual Creative Writing at the University of Texas at El Paso. Today we will have a very special encounter with two wonderful local poets. Nancy Lorenza Green is an indispensable voice on the border, her culture of origin combines the Mexican maternal branch with the Afro-American paternal root, an absolutely bilingual writer who is also an amazing musician. She defines herself as Afro-Chicana and all borders converge in her. Toni Beatriz Fuentes, meanwhile, is a poet of native Apache roots and, as she herself says, a Mexican soul, an expression of this sensibility that recognizes no borders.

Edward Vidaurre is the author of nine collections of poetry. His poems have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Avalon Literary Review, The Acentos Review, Poetrybay, as well as other journals and anthologies. He is the 2018-2019 City of McAllen, TX Poet Laureate and publisher of FlowerSong Press and its sister imprint Juventud Press. 

Join us for an insightful conversation with Professor Williford as he shares his expertise on the writing process, overcoming obstacles, finding inspiration, and honing your craft.

In this episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón invites poet and novelist Kate Gale into the Poets' Cove to discuss her new book, Under a Neon Sun (Three Rooms Press, 2024). Kate Gale is the publisher, co-Founder, and managing editor of Red Hen Press and the editor of the Los Angeles Review.  She teaches poetry at Chapman University.

On this episode of The 3rd Story on Words on a Wire, host Tim Z. Hernandez speaks with Kimberly Castillo, a writer, yoga instructor, and practitioner of ancestral plant medicine.Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, Castillo currently resides in Boulder, Colorado, where she attained her MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa University. She is currently working on a collection of short stories, and is involved in numerous projects that utilize writing and indigenous practices to empower our communities.

On this episode of Words on a Wire, host Daniel Chacón invites writer and activist Tony Diaz into the Poets' Cove to discuss his latest book, The Tip of the Pyramid: Cultivating Community Cultural Capital (University of New Orleans Press, 2022).

In this special episode of Words on a Wire, host Tim Z. Hernandez and show producer Will Rose speak to Words on a Wire's other host, Daniel Chacón, about his new book, The Last Philosopher in Texas: Fictions and Superstitions (Arte Público Press, 2024). The conversation also covers Daniel's career and successes since the publication of his first book, Chicano Chicanary, almost 25 years ago.