Podcasts about Puerto Rican

Why do 35,000 Puerto Rican service members fight for a democracy they can't fully participate in? In this powerful episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, host George Laws Garcia sits down with Brigadier General Victor Perez —a 36-year military veteran who rose from enlisted soldier to general in the Puerto Rico National Guard—to discuss the contradiction of military service without voting rights.General Perez shares his decades of experience advocating in Congress for Puerto Rican veterans and statehood, explaining why 250,000 Puerto Ricans have served throughout U.S. history—earning 9 Medals of Honor and the Congressional Gold Medal for the 65th Infantry Regiment—yet still cannot vote for their Commander-in-Chief or Congressional representatives when living on the island.This conversation takes on new urgency as the U.S. deploys significant military forces to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean in response to drug trafficking, Venezuelan instability, and growing Chinese and Russian influence in the region. General Perez provides firsthand insight into why Puerto Rico's strategic location makes it indispensable to U.S. national security—and why statehood would benefit both Puerto Rico's 3.2 million citizens and America's geopolitical interests.In this episode:Why 35,000 Puerto Rican service members serve without voting representationPuerto Rico's military contributions: 9 Medal of Honor recipients & 250,000+ veteransThe current U.S. military buildup in Puerto Rico and the CaribbeanChinese and Russian influence in Latin America and why it mattersHow Puerto Rico's strategic location factors into U.S. defense strategyWhy the territorial status creates inequality for veterans and their familiesHow statehood would secure democracy and economic opportunity for future generationsWhat Puerto Ricans on the island think about increased military presencePersonal stories of veteran advocates who've lobbied Congress for decadesTimestamps:00:00 Introduction & Veterans Day Tribute 03:45 Puerto Rico's Military Service Record: 250,000+ Veterans 06:15 Serving Without Representation: The Democratic Deficit 12:35 Veteran Advocates: Stories of Sacrifice and Persistence 18:25 What Statehood Would Mean for Future Generations 23:30 Economic Inequality: Territory vs. State Status 29:10 The Fiscal Oversight Board and Colonial Control 33:20 Current Caribbean Military Deployment Explained 40:15 Chinese & Russian Influence in Latin America 45:50 Venezuela Crisis and U.S. Strategic Response 51:40 Why Puerto Rico is Key to Western Hemisphere Security 56:25 How Puerto Ricans View Military Presence on the Island 01:02:10 Advice for Statehood Advocates: Never Quit 01:08:45 Conclusion & Call to Action

A weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community. The show is produced by a collective of media makers, deejays, and activists. Powerleegirl hosts, the mother daughter team of Miko Lee, Jalena & Ayame Keane-Lee speak with artists about their craft and the works that you can catch in the Bay Area. Featured are filmmaker Yuriko Gamo Romer, playwright Jessica Huang and photographer Joyce Xi.   More info about their work here: Diamond Diplomacy Yuriko Gamo Romer Jessica Huang's Mother of Exiles at Berkeley Rep Joyce Xi's Our Language Our Story at Galeria de la Raza     Show Transcript Opening: [00:00:00] Apex Express Asian Pacific expression. Community and cultural coverage, music and calendar, new visions and voices, coming to you with an Asian Pacific Islander point of view. It's time to get on board the Apex Express.    Ayame Keane-Lee: [00:00:46] Thank you for joining us on Apex Express Tonight. Join the PowerLeeGirls as we talk with some powerful Asian American women artists. My mom and sister speak with filmmaker Yuriko Gamo Romer, playwright Jessica Huang, and photographer Joyce Xi. Each of these artists have works that you can enjoy right now in the Bay Area. First up, let's listen in to my mom Miko Lee chat with Yuriko Gamo Romer about her film Diamond Diplomacy.    Miko Lee: [00:01:19] Welcome, Yuriko Gamo Romer to Apex Express, amazing filmmaker, award-winning director and producer. Welcome to Apex Express.   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:01:29] Thank you for having me.    Miko Lee: [00:01:31] It's so great to see your work after this many years. We were just chatting that we knew each other maybe 30 years ago and have not reconnected. So it's lovely to see your work. I'm gonna start with asking you a question. I ask all of my Apex guests, which is, who are your people and what legacy do you carry with you?    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:01:49] Oh, who are my people? That's a hard one. I guess I'm Japanese American. I'm Asian American, but I'm also Japanese. I still have a lot of people in Japan. That's not everything. Creative people, artists, filmmakers, all the people that I work with, which I love. And I don't know, I can't pare it down to one narrow sentence or phrase. And I don't know what my legacy is. My legacy is that I was born in Japan, but I have grown up in the United States and so I carry with me all that is, technically I'm an immigrant, so I have little bits and pieces of that and, but I'm also very much grew up in the United States and from that perspective, I'm an American. So too many words.    Miko Lee: [00:02:44] Thank you so much for sharing. Your latest film was called Diamond Diplomacy. Can you tell us what inspired this film?   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:02:52] I have a friend named Dave Dempsey and his father, Con Dempsey, was a pitcher for the San Francisco Seals. And the Seals were the minor league team that was in the West Coast was called the Pacific Coast League They were here before the Major League teams came to the West Coast. So the seals were San Francisco's team, and Con Dempsey was their pitcher. And it so happened that he was part of the 1949 tour when General MacArthur sent the San Francisco Seals to Allied occupied Japan after World War II. And. It was a story that I had never heard. There was a museum exhibit south of Market in San Francisco, and I was completely wowed and awed because here's this lovely story about baseball playing a role in diplomacy and in reuniting a friendship between two countries. And I had never heard of it before and I'm pretty sure most people don't know the story. Con Dempsey had a movie camera with him when he went to Japan I saw the home movies playing on a little TV set in the corner at the museum, and I thought, oh, this has to be a film. I was in the middle of finishing Mrs. Judo, so I, it was something I had to tuck into the back of my mind Several years later, I dug it up again and I made Dave go into his mother's garage and dig out the actual films. And that was the beginning. But then I started opening history books and doing research, and suddenly it was a much bigger, much deeper, much longer story.   Miko Lee: [00:04:32] So you fell in, it was like synchronicity that you have this friend that had this footage, and then you just fell into the research. What stood out to you?    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:04:41] It was completely amazing to me that baseball had been in Japan since 1872. I had no idea. And most people,   Miko Lee: [00:04:49] Yeah, I learned that too, from your film. That was so fascinating.    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:04:53] So that was the first kind of. Wow. And then I started to pick up little bits and pieces like in 1934, there was an American All Star team that went to Japan. And Babe Ruth was the headliner on that team. And he was a big star. People just loved him in Japan. And then I started to read the history and understanding that. Not that a baseball team or even Babe Ruth can go to Japan and prevent the war from happening. But there was a warming moment when the people of Japan were so enamored of this baseball team coming and so excited about it that maybe there was a moment where it felt like. Things had thawed out a little bit. So there were other points in history where I started to see this trend where baseball had a moment or had an influence in something, and I just thought, wow, this is really a fascinating history that goes back a long way and is surprising. And then of course today we have all these Japanese faces in Major League baseball.   Miko Lee: [00:06:01] So have you always been a baseball fan?   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:06:04] I think I really became a fan of Major League Baseball when I was living in New York. Before that, I knew what it was. I played softball, I had a small connection to it, but I really became a fan when I was living in New York and then my son started to play baseball and he would come home from the games and he would start to give us the play by play and I started to learn more about it. And it is a fascinating game 'cause it's much more complex than I think some people don't like it 'cause it's complex.    Miko Lee: [00:06:33] I must confess, I have not been a big baseball fan. I'm also thinking, oh, a film about baseball. But I actually found it so fascinating with especially in the world that we live in right now, where there's so much strife that there was this way to speak a different language. And many times we do that through art or music and I thought it was so great how your film really showcased how baseball was used as a tool for political repair and change. I'm wondering how you think this film applies to the time that we live in now where there's such an incredible division, and not necessarily with Japan, but just with everything in the world.   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:07:13] I think when it comes down to it, if we actually get to know people. We learn that we're all human beings and that we probably have more in common than we give ourselves credit for. And if we can find a space that is common ground, whether it's a baseball field or the kitchen, or an art studio, or a music studio, I think it gives us a different place where we can exist and acknowledge That we're human beings and that we maybe have more in common than we're willing to give ourselves credit for. So I like to see things where people can have a moment where you step outside of yourself and go, oh wait, I do have something in common with that person over there. And maybe it doesn't solve the problem. But once you have that awakening, I think there's something. that happens, it opens you up. And I think sports is one of those things that has a little bit of that magical power. And every time I watch the Olympics, I'm just completely in awe.    Miko Lee: [00:08:18] Yeah, I absolutely agree with you. And speaking of that kind of repair and that aspect that sports can have, you ended up making a short film called Baseball Behind Barbed Wire, about the incarcerated Japanese Americans and baseball. And I wondered where in the filmmaking process did you decide, oh, I gotta pull this out of the bigger film and make it its own thing?    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:08:41] I had been working with Carrie Yonakegawa. From Fresno and he's really the keeper of the history of Japanese American baseball and especially of the story of the World War II Japanese American incarceration through the baseball stories. And he was one of my scholars and consultants on the longer film. And I have been working on diamond diplomacy for 11 years. So I got to know a lot of my experts quite well. I knew. All along that there was more to that part of the story that sort of deserved its own story, and I was very fortunate to get a grant from the National Parks Foundation, and I got that grant right when the pandemic started. It was a good thing. I had a chunk of money and I was able to do historical research, which can be done on a computer. Nobody was doing any production at that beginning of the COVID time. And then it's a short film, so it was a little more contained and I was able to release that one in 2023.   Miko Lee: [00:09:45] Oh, so you actually made the short before Diamond Diplomacy.   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:09:49] Yeah. The funny thing is that I finished it before diamond diplomacy, it's always been intrinsically part of the longer film and you'll see the longer film and you'll understand that part of baseball behind Barbed Wire becomes a part of telling that part of the story in Diamond Diplomacy.   Miko Lee: [00:10:08] Yeah, I appreciate it. So you almost use it like research, background research for the longer film, is that right?    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:10:15] I had been doing the research about the World War II, Japanese American incarceration because it was part of the story of the 150 years between Japan and the United States and Japanese people in the United States and American people that went to Japan. So it was always a part of that longer story, and I think it just evolved that there was a much bigger story that needed to be told separately and especially 'cause I had access to the interview footage of the two guys that had been there, and I knew Carrie so well. So that was part of it, was that I learned so much about that history from him.   Miko Lee: [00:10:58] Thanks. I appreciated actually watching both films to be able to see more in depth about what happened during the incarceration, so that was really powerful. I'm wondering if you can talk a little bit about the style of actually both films, which combine vintage Japanese postcards, animation and archival footage, and how you decided to blend the films in this way.   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:11:19] Anytime you're making a film about history, there's that challenge of. How am I going to show this story? How am I gonna get the audience to understand and feel what was happening then? And of course you can't suddenly go out and go, okay, I'm gonna go film Babe Ruth over there. 'cause he's not around anymore. So you know, you start digging up photographs. If we're in the era of you have photographs, you have home movies, you have 16 millimeter, you have all kinds of film, then great. You can find that stuff if you can find it and use it. But if you go back further, when before people had cameras and before motion picture, then you have to do something else. I've always been very much enamored of Japanese woodblock prints. I think they're beautiful and they're very documentary in that they tell stories about the people and the times and what was going on, and so I was able to find some that sort of helped evoke the stories of that period of time. And then in doing that, I became interested in the style and maybe can I co-opt that style? Can we take some of the images that we have that are photographs? And I had a couple of young artists work on this stuff and it started to work and I was very excited. So then we were doing things like, okay, now we can create a transition between the print style illustration and the actual footage that we're moving into, or the photograph that we're dissolving into. And the same thing with baseball behind barbed wire. It became a challenge to show what was actually happening in the camps. In the beginning, people were not allowed to have cameras at all, and even later on it wasn't like it was common thing for people to have cameras, especially movie cameras. Latter part of the war, there was a little bit more in terms of photos and movies, but in terms of getting the more personal stories. I found an exhibit of illustrations and it really was drawings and paintings that were visual diaries. People kept these visual diaries, they drew and they painted, and I think part of it was. Something to do, but I think the other part of it was a way to show and express what was going on. So one of the most dramatic moments in there is a drawing of a little boy sitting on a toilet with his hands covering his face, and no one would ever have a photograph. Of a little boy sitting on a toilet being embarrassed because there are no partitions around the toilet. But this was a very dramatic and telling moment that was drawn. And there were some other things like that. There was one illustration in baseball behind barbed wire that shows a family huddled up and there's this incredible wind blowing, and it's not. Home movie footage, but you feel the wind and what they had to live through. I appreciate art in general, so it was very fun for me to be able to use various different kinds of art and find ways to make it work and make it edit together with the other, with the photographs and the footage.    Miko Lee: [00:14:56] It's really beautiful and it tells the story really well. I'm wondering about a response to the film from folks that were in it because you got many elders to share their stories about what it was like being either folks that were incarcerated or folks that were playing in such an unusual time. Have you screened the film for folks that were in it? And if so what has their response been?    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:15:20] Both the men that were in baseball behind barbed wire are not living anymore, so they have not seen it. With diamond diplomacy, some of the historians have been asked to review cuts of the film along the way. But the two baseball players that play the biggest role in the film, I've given them links to look at stuff, but I don't think they've seen it. So Moi's gonna see it for the first time, I'm pretty sure, on Friday night, and it'll be interesting to see what his reaction to it is. And of course. His main language is not English. So I think some of it's gonna be a little tough for him to understand. But I am very curious 'cause I've known him for a long time and I know his stories and I feel like when we were putting the film together, it was really important for me to be able to tell the stories in the way that I felt like. He lived them and he tells them, I feel like I've heard these stories over and over again. I've gotten to know him and I understand some of his feelings of joy and of regret and all these other things that happen, so I will be very interested to see what his reaction is to it.   Miko Lee: [00:16:40] Can you share for our audience who you're talking about.   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:16:43] Well, Sanhi is a nickname, his name is Masa Nouri. Murakami. He picked up that nickname because none of the ball players could pronounce his name.   Miko Lee: [00:16:53] I did think that was horrifically funny when they said they started calling him macaroni 'cause they could not pronounce his name. So many of us have had those experiences.   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:17:02] Yeah, especially if your name is Masanori Murakami. That's a long, complicated one. So he, Masanori Murakami is the first Japanese player that came and played for the major leagues. And it was an inadvertent playing because he was a kid, he was 19 years old. He was playing on a professional team in Japan and they had some, they had a time period where it made sense to send a couple of these kids over to the United States. They had a relationship with Kapi Harada, who was a Japanese American who had been in the Army and he was in Japan during. The occupation and somehow he had, he'd also been a big baseball person, so I think he developed all these relationships and he arranged for these three kids to come to the United States and to, as Mahi says, to study baseball. And they were sent to the lowest level minor league, the single A camps, and they played baseball. They learned the American ways to play baseball, and they got to play with low level professional baseball players. Marcy was a very talented left handed pitcher. And so when September 1st comes around and the postseason starts, they expand the roster and they add more players to the team. And the scouts had been watching him and the Giants needed a left-handed pitcher, so they decided to take a chance on him, and they brought him up and he was suddenly going to Shea Stadium when. The Giants were playing the Mets and he was suddenly pitching in a giant stadium of 40,000 people.    Miko Lee: [00:18:58] Can you share a little bit about his experience when he first came to America? I just think it shows such a difference in time to now.    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:19:07] Yeah, no kidding. Because today they're the players that come from Japan are coddled and they have interpreters wherever they go and they travel and chartered planes and special limousines and whatever else they get. So Marcie. He's, I think he was 20 by the time he was brought up so young. Mahi at 20 years old, the manager comes in and says, Hey, you're going to New York tomorrow and hands him plane tickets and he has to negotiate his way. Get on this plane, get on that plane, figure out how to. Get from the airport to the hotel, and he's barely speaking English at this point. He jokes that he used to carry around an English Japanese dictionary in one pocket and a Japanese English dictionary in the other pocket. So that's how he ended up getting to Shea Stadium was in this like very precarious, like they didn't even send an escort.   Miko Lee: [00:20:12] He had to ask the pilot how to get to the hotel. Yeah, I think that's wild. So I love this like history and what's happened and then I'm thinking now as I said at the beginning, I'm not a big baseball sports fan, but I love love watching Shohei Ohtani. I just think he's amazing. And I'm just wondering, when you look at that trajectory of where Mahi was back then and now, Shohei Ohtani now, how do you reflect on that historically? And I'm wondering if you've connected with any of the kind of modern Japanese players, if they've seen this film.   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:20:48] I have never met Shohei Ohtani. I have tried to get some interviews, but I haven't gotten any. I have met Ichi. I did meet Nori Aoki when he was playing for the Giants, and I met Kenta Maya when he was first pitching for the Dodgers. They're all, I think they're all really, they seem to be really excited to be here and play. I don't know what it's like to be Ohtani. I saw something the other day in social media that was comparing him to Taylor Swift because the two of them are this like other level of famous and it must just be crazy. Probably can't walk down the street anymore. But it is funny 'cause I've been editing all this footage of mahi when he was 19, 20 years old and they have a very similar face. And it just makes me laugh that, once upon a time this young Japanese kid was here and. He was worried about how to make ends meet at the end of the month, and then you got the other one who's like a multi multimillionaire.    Miko Lee: [00:21:56] But you're right, I thought that too. They look similar, like the tall, the face, they're like the vibe that they put out there. Have they met each other?    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:22:05] They have actually met, I don't think they know each other well, but they've definitely met.   Miko Lee: [00:22:09] Mm, It was really a delight. I am wondering what you would like audiences to walk away with after seeing your film.   Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:22:17] Hopefully they will have a little bit of appreciation for baseball and international baseball, but more than anything else. I wonder if they can pick up on that sense of when you find common ground, it's a very special space and it's an ability to have this people to people diplomacy. You get to experience people, you get to know them a little bit. Even if you've never met Ohtani, you now know a little bit about him and his life and. Probably what he eats and all that kind of stuff. So it gives you a chance to see into another culture. And I think that makes for a different kind of understanding. And certainly for the players. They sit on the bench together and they practice together and they sweat together and they, everything that they do together, these guys know each other. They learn about each other's languages and each other's food and each other's culture. And I think Mahi went back to Japan with almost as much Spanish as they did English. So I think there's some magical thing about people to people diplomacy, and I hope that people can get a sense of that.    Miko Lee: [00:23:42] Thank you so much for sharing. Can you tell our audience how they could find out more about your film Diamond diplomacy and also about you as an artist?    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:23:50] the website is diamonddiplomacy.com. We're on Instagram @diamonddiplomacy. We're also on Facebook Diamond Diplomacy. So those are all the places that you can find stuff, those places will give you a sense of who I am as a filmmaker and an artist too.    Miko Lee: [00:24:14] Thank you so much for joining us today, Yuriko. Gamo. Romo. So great to speak with you and I hope the film does really well.    Yuriko Gamo Romer: [00:24:22] Thank you, Miko. This was a lovely opportunity to chat with you.   Ayame Keane-Lee: [00:24:26] Next up, my sister Jalena Keane-Lee speaks with playwright Jessica Huang, whose new play Mother of Exiles just had its world premiere at Berkeley Rep is open until December 21st.    Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:24:39] All right. Jessica Huang, thank you so much for being here with us on Apex Express and you are the writer of the new play Mother of Exiles, which is playing at Berkeley Rep from November 14th to December 21st. Thank you so much for being here.   Jessica Huang: [00:24:55] Yeah, thank you so much for having me. It's such a pleasure.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:24:59] I'm so curious about this project. The synopsis was so interesting. I was wondering if you could just tell us a little bit about it and how you came to this work.   Jessica Huang: [00:25:08] When people ask me what mother of Exiles is, I always say it's an American family story that spans 160 plus years, and is told in three acts. In 90 minutes. So just to get the sort of sense of the propulsion of the show and the form, the formal experiment of it. The first part takes place in 1898, when the sort of matriarch of the family is being deported from Angel Island. The second part takes place in 1999, so a hundred years later where her great grandson is. Now working for the Miami, marine interdiction unit. So he's a border cop. The third movement takes place in 2063 out on the ocean after Miami has sunk beneath the water. And their descendants are figuring out what they're gonna do to survive. It was a strange sort of conception for the show because I had been wanting to write a play. I'd been wanting to write a triptych about America and the way that interracial love has shaped. This country and it shaped my family in particular. I also wanted to tell a story that had to do with this, the land itself in some way. I had been sort of carrying an idea for the play around for a while, knowing that it had to do with cross-cultural border crossing immigration themes. This sort of epic love story that each, in each chapter there's a different love story. It wasn't until I went on a trip to Singapore and to China and got to meet some family members that I hadn't met before that the rest of it sort of fell into place. The rest of it being that there's a, the presence of, ancestors and the way that the living sort of interacts with those who have come before throughout the play.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:27:13] I noticed that ancestors, and ghosts and spirits are a theme throughout your work. I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about your own ancestry and how that informs your writing and creative practice.   Jessica Huang: [00:27:25] Yeah, I mean, I'm in a fourth generation interracial marriage. So, I come from a long line of people who have loved people who were different from them, who spoke different languages, who came from different countries. That's my story. My brother his partner is German. He lives in Berlin. We have a history in our family of traveling and of loving people who are different from us. To me that's like the story of this country and is also the stuff I like to write about. The thing that I feel like I have to share with the world are, is just stories from that experience.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:28:03] That's really awesome. I guess I haven't really thought about it that way, but I'm third generation of like interracial as well. 'cause I'm Chinese, Japanese, and Irish. And then at a certain point when you're mixed, it's like, okay, well. The odds of me being with someone that's my exact same ethnic breakdown feel pretty low. So it's probably gonna be an interracial relationship in one way or the other.   Jessica Huang: [00:28:26] Totally. Yeah. And, and, and I don't, you know, it sounds, and it sounds like in your family and in mine too, like we just. Kept sort of adding culture to our family. So my grandfather's from Shanghai, my grandmother, you know, is, it was a very, like upper crust white family on the east coast. Then they had my dad. My dad married my mom whose people are from the Ukraine. And then my husband's Puerto Rican. We just keep like broadening the definition of family and the definition of community and I think that's again, like I said, like the story of this country.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:29:00] That's so beautiful. I'm curious about the role of place in this project in particular, mother of exiles, angel Island, obviously being in the Bay Area, and then the rest of it taking place, in Miami or in the future. The last act is also like Miami or Miami adjacent. What was the inspiration behind the place and how did place and location and setting inform the writing.   Jessica Huang: [00:29:22] It's a good question. Angel Island is a place that has loomed large in my work. Just being sort of known as the Ellis Island of the West, but actually being a place with a much more difficult history. I've always been really inspired by the stories that come out of Angel Island, the poetry that's come out of Angel Island and, just the history of Asian immigration. It felt like it made sense to set the first part of the play here, in the Bay. Especially because Eddie, our protagonist, spent some time working on a farm. So there's also like this great history of agriculture and migrant workers here too. It just felt like a natural place to set it. And then why did we move to Miami? There are so many moments in American history where immigration has been a real, center point of the sort of conversation, the national conversation. And moving forward to the nineties, the wet foot, dry foot Cuban immigration story felt like really potent and a great place to tell the next piece of this tale. Then looking toward the future Miami is definitely, or you know, according to the science that I have read one of the cities that is really in danger of flooding as sea levels rise.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:30:50] Okay. The Cuban immigration. That totally makes sense. That leads perfectly into my next question, which was gonna be about how did you choose the time the moments in time? I think that one you said was in the nineties and curious about the choice to have it be in the nineties and not present day. And then how did you choose how far in the future you wanted to have the last part?   Jessica Huang: [00:31:09] Some of it was really just based on the needs of the characters. So the how far into the future I wanted us to be following a character that we met as a baby in the previous act. So it just, you know, made sense. I couldn't push it too far into the future. It made sense to set it in the 2060s. In terms of the nineties and, why not present day? Immigration in the nineties , was so different in it was still, like I said, it was still, it's always been a important national conversation, but it wasn't. There was a, it felt like a little bit more, I don't know if gentle is the word, but there just was more nuance to the conversation. And still there was a broad effort to prevent Cuban and refugees from coming ashore. I think I was fascinated by how complicated, I mean, what foot, dry foot, the idea of it is that , if a refugee is caught on water, they're sent back to Cuba. But if they're caught on land, then they can stay in the us And just the idea of that is so. The way that, people's lives are affected by just where they are caught , in their crossing. I just found that to be a bit ridiculous and in terms of a national policy. It made sense then to set the second part, which moves into a bit of a farce at a time when immigration also kind of felt like a farce.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:32:46] That totally makes sense. It feels very dire right now, obviously. But it's interesting to be able to kind of go back in time and see when things were handled so differently and also how I think throughout history and also touching many different racial groups. We've talked a lot on this show about the Chinese Exclusion Act and different immigration policies towards Chinese and other Asian Americans. But they've always been pretty arbitrary and kind of farcical as you put it. Yeah.   Jessica Huang: [00:33:17] Yeah. And that's not to make light of like the ways that people's lives were really impacted by all of this policy . But I think the arbitrariness of it, like you said, is just really something that bears examining. I also think it's really helpful to look at where we are now through the lens of the past or the future. Mm-hmm. Just gives just a little bit of distance and a little bit of perspective. Maybe just a little bit of context to how we got to where we got to.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:33:50] That totally makes sense. What has your experience been like of seeing the play be put up? It's my understanding, this is the first this is like the premier of the play at Berkeley Rep.   Jessica Huang: [00:34:00] Yes. Yeah. It's the world premier. It's it incredible. Jackie Bradley is our director and she's phenomenal. It's just sort of mesmerizing what is happening with this play? It's so beautiful and like I've alluded to, it shifts tone between the first movement being sort of a historical drama on Angel Island to, it moves into a bit of a farce in part two, and then it, by the third movement, we're living in sort of a dystopic, almost sci-fi future. The way that Jackie's just deftly moved an audience through each of those experiences while holding onto the important threads of this family and, the themes that we're unpacking and this like incredible design team, all of these beautiful visuals sounds, it's just really so magical to see it come to life in this way. And our cast is incredible. I believe there are 18 named roles in the play, and there are a few surprises and all of them are played by six actors. who are just. Unbelievable. Like all of them have the ability to play against type. They just transform and transform again and can navigate like, the deepest tragedies and the like, highest moments of comedy and just hold on to this beautiful humanity. Each and every one of them is just really spectacular. So I'm just, you know. I don't know. I just feel so lucky to be honest with you. This production is going to be so incredible. It's gonna be, it feels like what I imagine in my mind, but, you know, plus,    Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:35:45] well, I really can't wait to see it. What are you hoping that audiences walk away with after seeing the show?   Jessica Huang: [00:35:54] That's a great question. I want audiences to feel connected to their ancestors and feel part of this community of this country and, and grateful and acknowledge the sacrifices that somebody along the line made so that they could be here with, with each other watching the show. I hope, people feel like they enjoyed themselves and got to experience something that they haven't experienced before. I think that there are definitely, nuances to the political conversation that we're having right now, about who has the right to immigrate into this country and who has the right to be a refugee, who has the right to claim asylum. I hope to add something to that conversation with this play, however small.   Jalena Keane-Lee:[00:36:43]  Do you know where the play is going next?   Jessica Huang: [00:36:45] No. No. I dunno where it's going next. Um, exciting. Yeah, but we'll, time will   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:36:51] and previews start just in a few days, right?   Jessica Huang: [00:36:54] Yeah. Yeah. We have our first preview, we have our first audience on Friday. So yeah, very looking forward to seeing how all of this work that we've been doing lands on folks.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:37:03] Wow, that's so exciting. Do you have any other projects that you're working on? Or any upcoming projects that you'd like to share about?   Jessica Huang: [00:37:10] Yeah, yeah, I do. I'm part of the writing team for the 10 Things I Hate About You Musical, which is in development with an Eye Toward Broadway. I'm working with Lena Dunham and Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Ska to make that musical. I also have a fun project in Chicago that will soon be announced.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:37:31] And what is keeping you inspired and keeping your, you know, creative energies flowing in these times?   Jessica Huang: [00:37:37] Well first of all, I think, you know, my collaborators on this show are incredibly inspiring. The nice thing about theater is that you just get to go and be inspired by people all the time. 'cause it's this big collaboration, you don't have to do it all by yourself. So that would be the first thing I would say. I haven't seen a lot of theater since I've been out here in the bay, but right before I left New York, I saw MEUs . Which is by Brian Keda, Nigel Robinson. And it's this sort of two-hander musical, but they do live looping and they sort of create the music live. Wow. And it's another, it's another show about an untold history and about solidarity and about folks coming together from different backgrounds and about ancestors, so there's a lot of themes that really resonate. And also the show is just so great. It's just really incredible. So , that was the last thing I saw that I loved. I'm always so inspired by theater that I get to see.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:38:36] That sounds wonderful. Is there anything else that you'd like to share?   Jessica Huang: [00:38:40] No, I don't think so. I just thanks so much for having me and come check out the show. I think you'll enjoy it. There's something for everyone.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:38:48] Yeah. I'm so excited to see the show. Is there like a Chinese Cuban love story with the Miami portion? Oh, that's so awesome. This is an aside, but I'm a filmmaker and I've been working on a documentary about, Chinese people in Cuba and there's like this whole history of Chinese Cubans in Cuba too.   Jessica Huang: [00:39:07] Oh, that's wonderful. In this story, it's a person who's a descendant of, a love story between a Chinese person and a Mexican man, a Chinese woman and a Mexican man, and oh, their descendant. Then also, there's a love story between him and a Cuban woman.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:39:25] That's awesome. Wow. I'm very excited to see it in all the different intergenerational layers and tonal shifts. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.   Ayame Keane-Lee: [00:39:34] Next up we are back with Miko Lee, who is now speaking with photographer Joyce Xi about her latest exhibition entitled Our Language, our Story Running Through January in San Francisco at Galleria de Raza.    Miko Lee: [00:39:48] Welcome, Joyce Xi to Apex Express.    Joyce Xi: [00:39:52] Thanks for having me.    Miko Lee: [00:39:53] Yes. I'm, I wanna start by asking you a question I ask most of my guests, and this is based on the great poet Shaka Hodges. It's an adaptation of her question, which is, who are your people and what legacy do you carry with you?   Joyce Xi: [00:40:09] My people are artists, free spirits, people who wanna see a more free and just, and beautiful world. I'm Chinese American. A lot of my work has been in the Asian American community with all kinds of different people who dreaming of something better and trying to make the world a better place and doing so with creativity and with positive and good energy.   Miko Lee: [00:40:39] I love it. And what legacy do you carry with you?   Joyce Xi: [00:40:43] I am a fighter. I feel like just people who have been fighting for a better world. Photography wise, like definitely thinking about Corky Lee who is an Asian American photographer and activist. There's been people who have done it before me. There will be people who do it after me, but I wanna do my version of it here.   Miko Lee: [00:41:03] Thank you so much and for lifting up the great Corky Lee who has been such a big influence on all of us. I'm wondering in that vein, can you talk a little bit about how you use photography as a tool for social change?   Joyce Xi: [00:41:17] Yeah. Photography I feel is a very powerful tool for social change. Photography is one of those mediums where it's emotional, it's raw, it's real. It's a way to see and show and feel like important moments, important stories, important emotions. I try to use it as a way to share. Truths and stories about issues that are important, things that people experience, whether it's, advocating for environmental justice or language justice or just like some of them, just to highlight some of the struggles and challenges people experience as well as the joys and the celebrations and just the nuance of people's lives. I feel like photography is a really powerful medium to show that. And I love photography in particular because it's really like a frozen moment. I think what's so great about photography is that. It's that moment, it's that one feeling, that one expression, and it's kind of like frozen in time. So you can really, sit there and ponder about what's in this person's eyes or what's this person trying to say? Or. What does this person's struggle like? You can just see it through their expressions and their emotions and also it's a great way to document. There's so many things that we all do as advocates, as activists, whether it's protesting or whether it's just supporting people who are dealing with something. You have that moment recorded. Can really help us remember those fights and those moments. You can show people what happened. Photography is endlessly powerful. I really believe in it as a tool and a medium for influencing the world in positive ways.   Miko Lee: [00:43:08] I'd love us to shift and talk about your latest work, Our language, Our story.” Can you tell us a little bit about where this came from?   Joyce Xi: [00:43:15] Sure. I was in conversation with Nikita Kumar, who was at the Asian Law Caucus at the time. We were just chatting about art and activism and how photography could be a powerful medium to use to advocate or tell stories about different things. Nikita was talking to me about how a lot of language access work that's being done by organizations that work in immigrant communities can often be a topic that is very jargon filled or very kind of like niche or wonky policy, legal and maybe at times isn't the thing that people really get in the streets about or get really emotionally energized around. It's one of those issues that's so important to everything. Especially since in many immigrant communities, people do not speak English and every single day, every single issue. All these issues that these organizations advocate around. Like housing rights, workers' rights, voting rights, immigration, et cetera, without language, those rights and resources are very hard to understand and even hard to access at all. So, Nik and I were talking about language is so important, it's one of those issues too remind people about the core importance of it. What does it feel like when you don't have access to your language? What does it feel like and look like when you do, when you can celebrate with your community and communicate freely and live your life just as who you are versus when you can't even figure out how to say what you wanna say because there's a language barrier.    Miko Lee: [00:44:55] Joyce can you just for our audience, break down what language access means? What does it mean to you and why is it important for everybody?   Joyce Xi: [00:45:05] Language access is about being able to navigate the world in your language, in the way that you understand and communicate in your life. In advocacy spaces, what it can look like is, we need to have resources and we need to have interpretation in different languages so that people can understand what's being talked about or understand what resources are available or understand what's on the ballot. So they can really experience their life to the fullest. Each of us has our languages that we're comfortable with and it's really our way of expressing everything that's important to us and understanding everything that's important to us. When that language is not available, it's very hard to navigate the world. On the policy front, there's so many ways just having resources in different languages, having interpretation in different spaces, making sure that everybody who is involved in this society can do what they need to do and can understand the decisions that are being made. That affects them and also that they can affect the decisions that affect them.   Miko Lee: [00:46:19] I think a lot of immigrant kids just grow up being like the de facto translator for their parents. Which can be things like medical terminology and legal terms, which they might not be familiar with. And so language asks about providing opportunities for everybody to have equal understanding of what's going on. And so can you talk a little bit about your gallery show? So you and Nikita dreamed up this vision for making language access more accessible and more story based, and then what happened?   Joyce Xi: [00:46:50] We decided to express this through a series of photo stories. Focusing on individual stories from a variety of different language backgrounds and immigration backgrounds and just different communities all across the Bay Area. And really just have people share from the heart, what does language mean to them? What does it affect in their lives? Both when one has access to the language, like for example, in their own community, when they can speak freely and understand and just share everything that's on their heart. And what does it look like when that's not available? When maybe you're out in the streets and you're trying to like talk to the bus driver and you can't even communicate with each other. How does that feel? What does that look like? So we collected all these stories from many different community members across different languages and asked them a series of questions and took photos of them in their day-to-day lives, in family gatherings, at community meetings, at rallies, at home, in the streets, all over the place, wherever people were like Halloween or Ramadan or graduations, or just day-to-day life. Through the quotes that we got from the interviews, as well as the photos that I took to illustrate their stories, we put them together as photo stories for each person. Those are now on display at Galleria Deza in San Francisco. We have over 20 different stories in over 10 different languages. The people in the project spoke like over 15 different languages. Some people used multiple languages and some spoke English, many did not. We had folks who had immigrated recently, folks who had immigrated a while ago. We had children of immigrants talking about their experiences being that bridge as you talked about, navigating translating for their parents and being in this tough spot of growing up really quickly, we just have this kind of tapestry of different stories and, definitely encourage folks to check out the photos but also to read through each person's stories. Everybody has a story that's very special and that is from the heart   Miko Lee: [00:49:00] sounds fun. I can't wait to see it in person. Can you share a little bit about how you selected the participants?    Joyce Xi: [00:49:07] Yeah, selecting the participants was an organic process. I'm a photographer who's trying to honor relationships and not like parachute in. We wanted to build relationships and work with people who felt comfortable sharing their stories, who really wanted to be a part of it, and who are connected in some kind of a way where it didn't feel like completely out of context. So what that meant was that myself and also the Asian Law Caucus we have connections in the community to different organizations who work in different immigrant communities. So we reached out to people that we knew who were doing good work and just say Hey, do you have any community members who would be interested in participating in this project who could share their stories. Then through following these threads we were able to connect with many different organizations who brought either members or community folks who they're connected with to the project. Some of them came through like friends. Another one was like, oh, I've worked with these people before, maybe you can talk to them. One of them I met through a World Refugee Day event. It came through a lot of different relationships and reaching out. We really wanted folks who wanted to share a piece of their life. A lot of folks who really felt like language access and language barriers were a big challenge in their life, and they wanted to talk about it. We were able to gather a really great group together.    Miko Lee: [00:50:33] Can you share how opening night went? How did you navigate showcasing and highlighting the diversity of the languages in one space?    Joyce Xi: [00:50:43] The opening of the exhibit was a really special event. We invited everybody who was part of the project as well as their communities, and we also invited like friends, community and different organizations to come. We really wanted to create a space where we could feel and see what language access and some of the challenges of language access can be all in one space. We had about 10 different languages at least going on at the same time. Some of them we had interpretation through headsets. Some of them we just, it was like fewer people. So people huddled together and just interpreted for the community members. A lot of these organizations that we partnered with, they brought their folks out. So their members, their community members, their friends and then. It was really special because a lot of the people whose photos are on the walls were there, so they invited their friends and family. It was really fun for them to see their photos on the wall. And also I think for all of our different communities, like we can end up really siloed or just like with who we're comfortable with most of the time, especially if we can't communicate very well with each other with language barriers. For everybody to be in the same space and to hear so many languages being used in the same space and for people to be around people maybe that they're not used to being around every day. And yet through everybody's stories, they share a lot of common experiences. Like so many of the stories were related to each other. People talked about being parents, people talked about going to the doctor or taking the bus, like having challenges at the workplace or just what it's like to celebrate your own culture and heritage and language and what the importance of preserving languages. There are so many common threads and. Maybe a lot of people are not used to seeing each other or communicating with each other on a daily basis. So just to have everyone in one space was so special. We had performances, we had food, we had elders, children. There was a huge different range of people and it was just like, it was just cool to see everyone in the same space. It was special.    Miko Lee: [00:52:51] And finally, for folks that get to go to Galleria de la Raza in San Francisco and see the exhibit, what do you want them to walk away with?   Joyce Xi: [00:53:00] I would love for people to walk away just like in a reflective state. You know how to really think about how. Language is so important to everything that we do and through all these stories to really see how so many different immigrant and refugee community members are making it work. And also deal with different barriers and how it affects them, how it affects just really simple human things in life that maybe some of us take for granted, on a daily basis. And just to have more compassion, more understanding. Ultimately, we wanna see our city, our bay area, our country really respecting people and their language and their dignity through language access and through just supporting and uplifting our immigrant communities in general. It's a such a tough time right now. There's so many attacks on our immigrant communities and people are scared and there's a lot of dehumanizing actions and narratives out there. This is, hopefully something completely different than that. Something that uplifts celebrates, honors and really sees our immigrant communities and hopefully people can just feel that feeling of like, oh, okay, we can do better. Everybody has a story. Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity and all the people in these stories are really amazing human beings. It was just an honor for me to even be a part of their story. I hope people can feel some piece of that.    Miko Lee: [00:54:50] Thank you so much, Joyce, for sharing your vision with us, and I hope everybody gets a chance to go out and see your work.    Joyce Xi: [00:54:57] Thank you.   Ayame Keane-Lee: [00:55:00] Thanks so much for tuning in to Apex Express. Please check out our website at kpfa.org/program/apexexpress to find out more about the guests tonight and find out how you can take direct action.   Apex Express is a proud member of Asian Americans for civil rights and equality. Find out more at aacre.org. That's AACRE.org.   We thank all of you listeners out there. Keep resisting, keep organizing, keep creating, and sharing your visions with the world. Your voices are important.    Apex Express is produced by  Miko Lee, Jalena Keene-Lee, Ayame Keene-Lee, Preeti Mangala Shekar, Anuj Vaida, Cheryl Truong, Isabel Li, Nina Phillips & Swati Rayasam. Thank you so much to the team at KPFA for their support and have a good night.       The post APEX Express – 11.20.25 – Artist to Artist appeared first on KPFA.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been at the center of the Latin music world this past week, with headlines dominated by his sweeping success at the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards, his Super Bowl halftime show announcement, and a new album rollout that's already building major buzz. Listeners everywhere have been talking about his landmark win at the 2025 Latin Grammys, where Bad Bunny took home five awards—including the highly coveted Album of the Year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” That's a significant first for him, as it marks his arrival in one of the major “big general” categories after previously winning only in rap and urban genres. In his acceptance speech, Bad Bunny paid tribute to Puerto Rico and dedicated his wins to the youth of Latin America, urging them to never forget their roots—something he reinforced throughout the album and in public appearances. NPR highlighted this as a moment that has shaped not only the year in Latin music but also conversations about cultural pride and identity. According to ideastream and the AP, performances from his new album, such as “DTMF” and “Weltita” with Chuwi, electrified the Grammy audience and social media alike.“Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which means “I should have taken more photos,” has proven to be a deeply personal album. Reviews from multiple outlets describe it as a mix of nostalgia, reflection, and tributes to his Puerto Rican heritage. The themes of holding onto memories, processing heartbreak, and championing community pride have resonated strongly with listeners. Both “El Clúb” and the holiday single “Pitorro De Coco” have driven streams and conversation, with “Pitorro De Coco” reflecting on heartbreak amid holiday celebrations. Critics call this album one of his most introspective, showing new depth to Bad Bunny's artistic journey.Outside the awards and album rollout, Bad Bunny has also been confirmed to headline the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. The NFL's announcement in September triggered a wave of excitement and conversation across social media, especially within the Latin community and beyond. Outlets like The Guilfordian and Japan Today describe this booking as a cultural milestone, underscoring Bad Bunny's influence in bringing Latin music to the global stage for major American audiences.Adding to the excitement, he announced that his sixth studio album, also titled “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” will officially drop on January 5, 2025. Music sites like NME and AOL shared details of a cinematic teaser trailer featuring Bad Bunny and legendary Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales discussing the meaning of photos and memories in life. The trailer's contemplative tone signals that the album will dive even deeper into themes of remembrance and love for home, with an expected tracklist of 17 songs, including the already released singles “El Clúb” and “Pitorro De Coco.”This period also sees Bad Bunny's name in Hollywood headlines after his cameo in the trailer for Adam Sandler's “Happy Gilmore 2.” Meanwhile, his Most Wanted Tour ranked as one of the highest-grossing tours of 2024, pulling in over $210 million and cementing his status as a global superstar.Thanks for tuning in—come back next week for more updates on Bad Bunny and the world of music. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more from me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Welcome to Conceitednobodi, the Hip Hop-based talk podcast hosted by two native New Yorkers, Red1der and Johantheamerican. As the Curbside Commentators, we offer an unfiltered and global perspective on a variety of topics, ranging from Hip Hop culturea to world events, with humor and a deep appreciation for diverasity. Join us for engaging and insightful conversations that capture the energy and vibrancy of our beloved city and beyond.Red1der is a devoted father, hip hop fan, and Marvel enthusiast, with an infectious sense of humor and love for all things Puerto Rican.Johantheamerican is a lifelong entrepreneur and family man with Haitian roots, and our resident technologist who brings personal and professional experience to the table, with an open and non-traditional approach to love and familyFollow us here:ConceitednobodiTwitter: @ConceitednobodiInstagram: @ConceitednobodiFacebook: @ConceitednobodiRed1derTwitter: @Red1derInstagram: @Red1derJohantheamericanTwitter: @JohantheamericanInstagram: @JohantheamericanCheck out the Conceitednobodi podcast on YouTube using the link below and make sure to hit the subscribe button to stay up to date with new episodes!https://www.youtube.com/@conceitednobodi

Send us a textIn this episode of The Mental Health Business Mentor, we sit down with Omar Ruiz, an amazing guest who believes marketing doesn't have to drain your time, energy, or bank account. Together, Omar and Margo explore simple, high-impact strategies—like optimizing your Psychology Today and Google Business Profiles—that can dramatically increase your visibility and bring in consistent referrals without adding to your workload. You'll learn how clarity, sustainability, and small, strategic adjustments can help you attract more private-pay clients while staying grounded in your values. Whether you're new to marketing or feeling overwhelmed by it, this conversation will show you how to build a steady client flow without burning yourself out.What You'll Learn:How simple, high-impact marketing tweaks can attract more private-pay clients without adding to your workload.The most effective ways to optimize your Psychology Today and Google Business Profiles for consistent referrals.How to build sustainable marketing routines that support your practice without draining your time or energy.Practical steps to improve visibility even if you're not “tech savvy” or comfortable with traditional marketing.Bio:As a featured expert on WebMD, Women's Health, Newsweek, and more, Omar A. Ruiz is a Puerto Rican–born, Boston-raised Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. He has run a successful solo private practice, TalkThinkThrive, for over 11 years, transitioning from insurance-based care to a private-pay model where he specializes in helping couples heal from infidelity.Beyond his clinical work, Omar is now the founder of Private Practice Marketing and creator of the Client Attraction System, an affordable course and coaching program that empowers therapists to market their private practices ethically and effectively, making the process feel less salesy and more authentic. Drawing from both his clinical and entrepreneurial experience, Omar is also a seasoned speaker and podcast guest. He is returning for his third year at the Mental Health Marketing Conference, has been a featured presenter at the Small Business Expo, & is known for offering concrete, actionable advice to therapists in private practice on podcasts such as Practice of the Practice, The Practice of Therapy, Private Practice Elevation, The Therapists Collective, and more.Connect with Omar Ruiz:www.marketyourprivatepractice.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/omar-a-ruiz-lmft-ab1b8738/https://www.linkedin.com/company/private-practice-marketing-llc/Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice. thejunipercenter.com Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot: Website: thejunipercenter.com Instagram: @thejunipercenter Facebook: The Juniper Center

In this powerful episode, Mike “C-Roc” welcomes Natalie Jurado, founder of Rooted In and a leading educator in magnesium-based wellness, for an inspiring conversation about grit, healing, and reclaiming your life. Natalie opens up about the years she spent battling crippling insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks—despite doing “everything right.” When traditional medicine dismissed her symptoms as “normal,” she chose instead to redefine what normal meant for her. That decision launched a relentless journey through biohacking, holistic therapies, and countless dead ends—until a chance encounter at a farmer's market introduced her to the therapeutic power of magnesium. What followed changed everything. Natalie shares how transdermal magnesium transformed her sleep, restored her health, and ignited her mission to spread awareness of this often-overlooked mineral. Natalie and C-Roc dive into the science behind magnesium, the epidemic of deficiency affecting millions, and simple ways listeners can begin supporting their mind and body today. Along the way, Natalie also reflects on her lively Puerto Rican upbringing, her family's bold leap of faith during childhood, meeting her husband at 13, and the role that faith, resilience, and growth have played in her story. This episode is an inspiring reminder that healing is possible, answers are out there, and you're never stuck with someone else's “normal.”Website-berootedin.com Social Media Links/Handles:instagram.com/berootedin tiktok.com/@berootedi

Retired FBI agent Pete Lapp helped capture Ana Montez, a Puerto Rican-born American and UVA alumna who was a senior analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency overseeing the Cuban account. For 17 years, she was also a spy for Cuba and was an avowed communist. Ironically, as many of four of Anna's close family members worked for the FBI and despite Anna's more extreme political views, assumed she was a loyal American. From his book “Queen of Cuba,” Pete relates how Ana was identified as a potential national security risk, secretly investigated, and ultimately apprehended after years of committing espionage. He describes how she transmitted information and also shares his view of her psychology: Withdrawn, lonely, at odds with her father, and driven by her political convictions and personal disagreement with U.S. foreign policy (including its policy towards Nicaragua) rather than financial gain, by which so many other spies have been enticed.Recruited while in college in 1983 during the Reagan administration by Cuban agent Marta Velasquez, (who was also a Puerto Richan-American) Ana's steadfast career rise at the Department of Defense gave her increased access over time to information of value to Castro's Cuba, stopping short of putting agents in personal peril. Cuban intelligence has been chronically underestimated over decades and makes Ana's case a warning example of an organized program to infiltrate critical branches of the U.S. government, along with the recent apprehension of former U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, Manuel Rocha, whose been identified as a Cuban spy.Heroes Behind HeadlinesExecutive Producer Ralph PezzulloProduced & Engineered by Mike DawsonMusic provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Megan chats with Zoe Forestier about using structure, batching, and mindful planning to protect your energy, sustain creativity, and actually enjoy the blogging journey, especially during high-pressure seasons. Zoe is the voice behind Girl Meets Fire, where she shares Puerto Rican recipes with a global audience. Her work blends tradition with modern strategies, from food photography to SEO-driven content planning. Alongside the blog, she developed the Firestarter Planner, a tool designed to help food bloggers streamline their workflows, track ideas, and stay consistent without burning out. Her passion lies in making content creation manageable and sustainable for fellow bloggers. Food blogging can feel like juggling a dozen spinning plates. Zoe has found a system that keeps her grounded. She shares how she uses planning as both a productivity and mindset tool. From batching content before Q4 chaos to color-coding creative focus, she teaches us how organization can actually spark more joy.  Key points discussed include: Structure sparks freedom: Systems don't cage creativity, they protect it. Plan ahead for peace: Treat each quarter like a recipe and prep the ingredients early. Batch like a pro: Group similar tasks to save mental energy and time. Mindset over hustle: Your planner can become a self-care practice, not a stress list. Simplify your workspace: One planner beats seven notebooks every time. Build in joy: Scheduling breaks and simple rituals keeps burnout at bay. Stay consistent, not perfect: Progress compounds when you stop starting over. Ground yourself in purpose: Every quarter, revisit why you started, then plan from there. Connect with Zoe Forestier Firestarter Planner Website | Instagram

Puerto Rico is the oldest colony in the world, something that must change, says Ed Morales. Today Ed drops in to talk about the history of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rican diaspora, and how colonialism has hurt the island over the last 500 years.About our guest:Ed Morales is an author and journalist who has written for The Nation, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and the Guardian. He was staff writer at The Village Voice and columnist at Newsday. He is the author of Fantasy Island: Colonialism, Exploitation, and the Betrayal of Puerto Rico (Bold Type Books), Latinx: The New Force in Politics and Culture (Verso Books 2018), The Latin Beat (Da Capo Press 2003) and Living in Spanglish (St. Martins 2002). In 2019 Latinx was shortlisted for the Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize for Global Cultural Understanding by the British Academy in London. In 2009, while a Columbia University Revson Fellow, Morales wrote and directed Whose Barrio? (2009) an award-winning documentary about the gentrification of East Harlem. The film was inspired by “Spanish Harlem on His Mind,” an essay published in The Best of the City Section of the New York Times (NYU Press 2005). Morales is also a 2022-23 Mellon Bridging the Divides Fellow at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies in New York.

Este episodio de El Sonido: Cancioneros presenta la historia y canciones favoritas de Dark Chisme, el proyecto darkwave–post-punk–synthpop liderado por la artista mexico-boricua-americana Christine Gutiérrez, con base en Seattle. Su música explora identidad, resiliencia y el tránsito emocional de crecer en un espacio bicultural.Desde Garbage y Linkin Park hasta Equinoxious y Varsovia, su selección revela cómo la música se volvió una fuerza de sanación y un espacio para transformar su historia en poder. Cancionero curado por Dark Chisme: · “The Trick Is to Keep Breathing” – Garbage· “Lost” – Linkin Park· “Astrónomo Insumiso” – Equinoxious· “Sangre” – Varsovia· “Fangs” – Dark ChismeCreditos:Host & Producer: Albina Cabrera Production Assistant: Dev Vasquez GonzalezEditorial Editing: Dusty HenryEditorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.Audio Mastering: Matt OgazOriginal Podcast Music: Roberto Carlos Lange (Helado Negro)Support El Sonido: kexp.org/el-sonidoUna producción original de KEXP en español.Más info en kexp.org/el-sonido Cancioneros: Dark Chisme This episode of El Sonido: Cancioneros presents the story and favorite songs of Dark Chisme, the darkwave–post-punk–synthpop project led by Mexican–Puerto Rican–American artist Christine Gutiérrez, based in Seattle. Her music explores identity, resilience, and the emotional journey of growing up in a bicultural space.From Garbage and Linkin Park to Equinoxious and Varsovia, her selection reveals how music became a healing force and a place to transform her story into power. Songbook curated by Dark Chisme:· “The Trick Is to Keep Breathing” – Garbage· “Lost” – Linkin Park· “Astrónomo Insumiso” – Equinoxious· “Sangre” – Varsovia· “Fangs” – Dark ChismeAn original KEXP production in Spanish. More info at kexp.org/el-sonido Credits: Host & Producer: Albina CabreraProduction Assistant: Dev Vasquez GonzalezEditorial Editing: Dusty HenryEditorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.Audio Mastering: Matt OgazOriginal Podcast Music: Roberto Carlos Lange (Helado Negro)Support El Sonido: kexp.org/el-sonidoSupport the show: http://kexp.org/elsonidoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if everything you've been told about sales and leadership is backwards? In this conversation, Jason sits down with Luis Baez – a quiet Puerto Rican introvert from the Bronx who generated over $600 million in sales at Google, LinkedIn, Uber, and Tesla… not by being the loudest person in the room, but by doing the opposite of what most sales gurus teach. Luis shares how he turned his "otherness" into a competitive advantage, built deep trust with clients by asking one simple question – "How badly does that hurt?" – and eventually designed a business that earns 7-figures while he works just four days a week. You'll learn: Why introverts can outperform traditional "high-energy" sales styles The "whispering strategy" Luis uses to close complex deals How to turn discrimination and doubt into fuel for resilience The real mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur What "CEO Energy" looks like in your calendar, habits, and pricing Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader in a fast-paced company, or an introvert who secretly wonders if you're "not cut out" for sales, this episode will challenge how you think about influence, revenue, and leadership. Connect with Luis Baez Website: BookedBusyPaid.com About Self Aware Leader Self Aware Leader helps entrepreneurs and leaders master self-awareness using ancient wisdom for modern challenges. Follow the show for weekly conversations that help you lead with clarity, courage, and authentic confidence.

“Put a damn pastie on!” On this episode, your hosts Martyr (@dragthemartyr) and Cate (@ctepper) sit down with “A Sizzling Freakin Rican blend of Miss & Daddy” - Mizzaddy! First they discuss their Puerto Rican heritage, the art of burlesque, Showgirl aesthetics, Bad Bunny, and winning a Golden Pastie Award. Later, we hear more about traveling around the country and performing, producing shows and festivals, burlesque in media, the Glam Awards, and creating looks that last. + Follow our guest: @mizzaddyburlesque and @muevansenyc on Instagram ~ Follow the pod on Instagram and Facebook @wiggingoutpodcast and on twitter @wiggingoutpod Thots, comments, and dick pics? Please send to dragthemartyr@gmail.com Cover art: Madeline De Michele - www.madelinedemichele.com Music: “Club” by Andrew Huang (www.youtube.com/channel/UCdcemy56JtVTrsFIOoqvV8g) under Creative Commons. Edits by C.Tepper

Bad Bunny, the global music superstar known as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has just set the music world abuzz with a wave of fresh news and high-profile achievements. In the biggest headlines of the week, Bad Bunny announced his highly anticipated sixth studio album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which translates to “I Should Have Taken More Photos.” NME and The Lagos Review reveal it's scheduled for release on January 5, 2025, and signals a shift to a more introspective, deeply personal direction for the Puerto Rican icon. The announcement came via a cinematic video teaser featuring revered Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales. In the teaser, Morales shares a poignant exchange with an animated character named Concho about cherishing life's fleeting moments and capturing those memories—a theme that's expected to resonate throughout the upcoming album.Listeners already have a taste of what's to come: Bad Bunny dropped a surprise holiday single, “Pitorro de Coco,” inspired by a beloved Puerto Rican rum drink. This track channels the raw emotion of heartbreak during the holiday season and is being hailed as another example of his gift for storytelling and emotional depth. Critics and fans alike note how Bad Bunny continues to reinvent himself creatively, moving from the bold sounds of his last record, “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana,” to an even more vulnerable and reflective musical style.Beyond his musical projects, Bad Bunny has been shining bright on the live circuit. His “Most Wanted Tour” recently ranked seventh among the world's highest-grossing tours in 2024, pulling in over $210 million and confirming his status as one of the most in-demand performers on the planet. Social media is still buzzing with clips and reactions from his latest concerts, with listeners praising the spectacular production and heartfelt performances.In pop culture news, Bad Bunny made a surprising cameo in the trailer for Adam Sandler's “Happy Gilmore 2,” demonstrating his growing influence and crossover appeal in the entertainment world. This appearance sparked a flurry of memes and social posts, adding to a week in which Bad Bunny's public profile climbed yet another level.Perhaps the crowning moment of the week came at the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards. As reported by WPLG Local 10, Bad Bunny absolutely dominated the ceremony, taking home the coveted Album of the Year award as well as both Urban Music Album and Song Awards. He also delivered a crowd-thrilling performance, cementing his artistic legacy and solidifying his place as one of the most influential Latin artists of his generation. The ceremony marked a night of celebration and major milestones, not just for Bad Bunny, but for the broader Latin music community, with Karol G and Alejandro Sanz also among the night's big winners.Listeners are flocking to social media platforms to celebrate Bad Bunny's victories and eagerly speculate about his next creative moves. The online energy is palpable, with fans dissecting his latest releases, teasing potential collaborations, and creating viral moments around his every announcement. While details about the full album track list and possible tour updates remain tightly under wraps, anticipation is building to a fever pitch as January draws nearer.Thank you for tuning in to this update on all things Bad Bunny. Don't forget to come back next week for another roundup of the latest music news. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out QuietPlease Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Being a drummer and bass player, I gravitate towards the foundation of a song - the groove, percussion, and how instruments weave in and out of “the pocket”, be it the short offbeat guitar skanks heard in reggae or the syncopated piano stabs heard in Latin music. That's what drew me to reggae - the lock-step agreement of groove between the bassist and drummer that allows the rest of the band, organ, vocals, guitars, etc, to either support the core riddim or thread around it, adding depth and melody. The same goes for funk, afrofunk, and other similar genres. They all have related musical elements - tight syncopated grooves, a throng of glorious percussion, and horn combos that add electric energy that elevates and excites you. There was a period in the 60s & 70s that set New York on fire, emanating from Spanish Harlem, The Bronx, and Lower East Side, and labels like Fania Records - boogaloo (bugalú). We've all heard the style and artists at some point, but what is boogaloo? I had to look it up myself, and here's the definition. “Boogaloo was created by young Puerto Rican and African American musicians in New York City who mixed the music they heard on the radio, like soul and R&B, with Latin styles like mambo and son”. This is part one, so I invite you to use the comment section to share some of your favourites for part two in the future. PLAYLIST Eddie Palmieri – Vámonos Pa'l Monte Noro Morales – Vitamina Cal Tjader; Eddie Palmieri – Bamboléate New Swing Sextet – Mira Mama Mongo Santamaria; La Lupe – Montuneando – Remastered Johnny Colon – Mayenlle Boogaloo Assassins – Mi Jeva Ray Barretto – Mi Ritmo Te Llama Pete Rodriguez – I Like It Like That Joe Cuba Sextet – Que Son Uno Louie Ramirez – Cooking With Ali Joey Pastrana and His Orchestra – Orquesta Pastrana Orquesta La Moderna of New York – Picadillo Tito Puente – Salsa y Sabor

Bad Bunny has just had one of the most eventful and triumphant weeks of his career. On Thursday night in Las Vegas, he headlined the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards and won the top honor, Album of the Year, for his deeply personal and genre-defying release “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” Throughout the show, Bad Bunny's presence was impossible to ignore. Not only did he take home Album of the Year, but he also walked away with multiple wins in urban and reggaeton categories. In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the award to the young people of Puerto Rico and Latin America, reminding everyone to never forget their roots and to always keep dreaming. He told the audience, “There are many ways to show patriotism and defend our land—we choose music.” The Los Angeles Times describes the competition as fierce, but Bad Bunny's performance and message made him the undeniable highlight of the night. The ceremony was filled with electric performances, with Bad Bunny returning to the stage more than once, including an acclaimed collaboration with Chuwi.This week also brought news of Bad Bunny's next chapter. In a surprise move, he released a holiday single called “Pitorro de Coco,” which draws on themes of heartbreak and nostalgia—referencing a traditional Puerto Rican rum drink and weaving his signature storytelling through the new track. According to the Lagos Review, this release sets the stage for his upcoming sixth studio album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” due out January 5, 2025. The album was announced via an artistic video teaser featuring acclaimed Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales, who reflected on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of capturing memories. Many fans and critics see this as Bad Bunny's most introspective project yet, with the album's themes promising a new and more personal direction.Bad Bunny's recent impact goes far beyond music. Al Jazeera reports that his recent month-long residency in San Juan brought more than $200 million to Puerto Rico's economy. Notably, tickets for the first nine shows were reserved for locals with Puerto Rican ID only, reflecting his commitment to his homeland. Across San Juan, restaurants and businesses have built small shrines to the musician, who remains a deeply loved figure locally even as he dominates the world stage. He's currently one of Puerto Rico's most recognizable exports, boosting both local pride and tourism in an extraordinary way.Despite his immense Spanish-language success, Bad Bunny has not switched to English to chase a broader audience, as others have before him. He is firmly keeping his artistic identity rooted in Puerto Rico. Still, his influence is global: according to Al Jazeera, he was Spotify's most-streamed artist for three years running, and his tour was one of the highest-grossing in 2024.Looking forward, all eyes are on his appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show in February, which will mark his only scheduled performance in the mainland U.S. There's some controversy brewing, as some conservative voices are questioning whether a Spanish-language performance is suitable for the Super Bowl, but Bad Bunny's unwavering confidence and massive fanbase seem ready for the global spotlight.Bad Bunny's week has been nothing short of historic: major award wins, new music, a highly anticipated album, and cementing his status as both a global superstar and a deeply committed Puerto Rican icon. Thank you for tuning in and be sure to come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out QuietPlease dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

  More than twenty thousand Hispanic Americans served in the Civil War. When Cuban-born Loreta Velázquez's husband would not allow her to join him on the battlefield, she assumed the role of First Lieutenant Harry T. Buford to be near him. Philip Bazaar, born in Chile, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous exploits during the assault of Fort Fisher. The spying efforts of Floridian Maria Dolores Sánchez and her two sisters led to a Union defeat at the Battle of Horse Landing.    Delving into the lives of these individuals, historian A.J. Schenkman, author of Hispanic Americans of the Civil War, published by the History Press in 2025, uncovers this often-overlooked aspect of Civil War history. Hispanic soldiers came from different countries. Mexico had declared its independence from Spain in 1821 and later abolished slavery in 1837. Some soldiers and sailors traced their families to Cuba and Puerto Rico, which were still part of Spain. Or from Spain itself or its other colonies.    In this episode, Schenkman uncovers a bombshell story about New Haven's Augusto Rodríguez, the first known Civil War soldier from Puerto Rico. When this story was published in the Summer 2025 issue of Connecticut Explored magazine, the phone started to ring off the hook. Television news channels and newspapers quickly picked up this remarkable story.  Grating the Nutmeg has covered the courageous Puerto Rican men of the 65th regiment founded in 1899 when Puerto Rico became a United States territory in episode #184 but not someone this early in our military history.   A. J. Schenkman is a New York-based writer. He is a social studies teacher in Ulster County, New York, and a former municipal historian. Schenkman is also author of several books about local, regional, and national history. He currently writes for Litchfield and Dutchess Magazines, as well as the Shawangunk Journal.   To contact A.J. Schenkman, visit his website at https://www.ajschenkman.com/   To subscribe to Connecticut Explored, the magazine of Connecticut history, visit https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/connecticut-explored   To watch Connecticut's Hidden Gems on YouTube, visit https://www.ctpublic.org/watch/local-programming/connecticut-hidden-gems   ------------------------------------- This episode of Grating the Nutmeg was produced by Mary Donohue and engineered by Patrick O'Sullivan at highwattagemedia.com/   Follow GTN on our socials-Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky.   Follow executive producer Mary Donohue on Facebook and Instagram at West Hartford Town Historian. Join us in two weeks for our next episode of Grating the Nutmeg, the podcast of Connecticut history. Thank you for listening!  

Welcome back to *Steam Box Vs! This week, we are thrilled to host the Panthers from the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket, and the energy is wild as we welcome back one of our favorite regulars: Princess M.Join the Steam Box crew and the Panthers as they learn ALL THE THINGS with Princess M, a local Puerto Rican cosplaying social media influencer and founder of Ever After Storybook. The conversation immediately heats up, proving why *Steam Box Vs* consistently ranks in the top three educational podcasts worldwide.This episode goes beyond just costumes. Princess M, who is a leader in advocacy, offers incredible insights into the professional world of performance. Listen in as we unpack complex topics like **representation and colorism in casting**, the fierce competition for roles, and the challenges of portraying characters like Moana and Mirabel. You'll be amazed to learn about the "United Nations" or council within the party princess community that governs these decisions.We also explore the darker side of internet fame and convention life, covering the rise of rage baiting and the uncomfortable line between being admired and being harassed, including dealing with racism and "bleeding," where fans get overly attached to characters. Plus, Princess M shares some incredible celebrity stories, revealing that Tyra Banks once yelled at her during an influencer party about taking credit for Black creators' work, and recounting a close encounter with Doja Cat.Finally, Princess M shares how she manages mental wellness and burnout by prioritizing hobbies like storytelling and reading, and she offers essential advice for young entrepreneurs dreaming big: believe in yourself even if the industry doesn't.Listen in for an episode packed with deep discussions, hilarious stories, and sharp clarity on what it takes to thrive in the cosplay and performance world! #SteamBoxVersus #PrincessM #CosplayCommunity #Anime #RepresentationMatters #PartyPrincess #BoysAndGirlsClub #PawtucketPanthers #MyHeroAcademia #AttackOnTitan #DemonSlayer #EverAfterStorybook #RageBaiting #CosplayLife #EntrepreneurAdvice

New York Attorney General Letitia James says Albany's top federal prosecutor does not have the authority to investigate her, arguing that interim U.S. Attorney John Sarcone was never properly installed and that subpoenas he issued should be thrown out. Meanwhile, Citi Field will host a first of its kind Dominican and Puerto Rican winter league all star baseball game. Also, New York is partnering with appliance maker Copper to develop 10,000 new 120 volt induction stoves for public housing.

Bad Bunny, known offstage as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has dominated headlines and social media this past week with a string of major milestones and new releases. Most notably, Bad Bunny took home five awards at the 2025 Latin Grammys, including his first-ever Album of the Year for his latest project debí tirar más fotos, which translates to ‘I Should Have Taken More Photos.' The ceremony, held in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, saw Bad Bunny not only claim Album of the Year but also win in categories like música urbana album, música urbana song for “DTmF,” reggaeton performance for “Voy A Llevarte Pa Pr,” and more. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Bad Bunny thanked his family, collaborators, and closed with a passionate message: “Puerto Rico, I love you, thank you,” underlining the strong ties to his homeland and the album's deeply personal themes, which listeners and critics alike have praised as a love letter to his island according to coverage at Sentinel Colorado and NPR.This new album, debí tirar más fotos, is set for a global release on January 5, 2025, but selected tracks have already dropped and are making waves online. The emotionally charged single “Pitorro de Coco,” released during the holiday season and named for a traditional Puerto Rican rum, has resonated with fans for its story of heartbreak and nostalgia. Similarly, “El Clúb,” released earlier this month, blends EDM with plena—a traditional Afro-Caribbean rhythm—showcasing Bad Bunny's ongoing fusion of genres and his ability to reflect on past relationships in a relatable, down-to-earth way. These releases have been widely discussed across social media platforms, with listeners praising the introspective direction of his new music, as noted by NME and The Lagos Review.The album announcement was accompanied by a poignant video teaser starring legendary Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales, who discusses the importance of capturing and living in the moment. The written and visual themes of nostalgia and embracing one's memories are at the forefront of this new project, offering listeners a more contemplative and personal side of Bad Bunny than ever before.Bad Bunny's influence hasn't stopped at music releases; his appearance in the trailer for Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore 2 has generated excitement among fans, spreading rapidly through Instagram and TikTok. Meanwhile, the numbers from his “Most Wanted Tour” continue to impress, ranking seventh among 2024's highest-grossing tours with a total revenue of $210.9 million, affirming his status as one of the most commercially successful Latin artists in the world.The buzz around Bad Bunny this week has been electric, with news outlets universally highlighting his sweeping Latin Grammy wins, his bold creative choices, and his ability to pack meaning and emotion into every track and public appearance. Whether it's his music, his awards, or his crossover into film, Bad Bunny's ongoing evolution is captivating listeners around the globe.Thanks for tuning in. Don't forget to come back next week for more on music, culture, and everything happening with your favorite artists. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out QuietPlease Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Bad Bunny, one of the world's most influential Latin artists, is dominating headlines and conversations this week with both musical releases and major news about his upcoming projects. According to Al Jazeera English, Bad Bunny has taken on the role of Puerto Rico's ambassador to the world, leveraging his global fame to bring unprecedented cultural and economic attention to the island. San Juan just finished celebrating a month-long Bad Bunny residency that injected an estimated $200 million into the local economy. Residents enjoyed exclusive access, with tickets for the first nine shows reserved only for those holding a Puerto Rican ID—solidifying his commitment to his homeland and his identity. In stark contrast to pop stars who angle for wider appeal by singing in English, Bad Bunny remains committed to releasing hits in Spanish, grounding his art in his roots while turning the eyes and ears of the world toward Puerto Rico.What's next: Bad Bunny has officially been announced as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, with this mainland U.S. performance being hyped as his only one for the year. The choice has sparked both major excitement and some conservative backlash in the States, mainly due to his insistence on performing in Spanish—a move that has only cemented his icon status at home even further. Bad Bunny hasn't shied away from taking a stand on social issues either, letting it be known that one reason for avoiding a mainland tour was his concern over U.S. federal immigration enforcement, a rare reveal for a pop superstar.On the music front, things are moving at a furious pace. Music media like the Lagos Review and Billboard are buzzing about Bad Bunny's sixth studio album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which translates to “I Should Have Taken More Photos.” This album, set for release on January 5, 2025, is already generating massive anticipation. The announcement featured a cinematic teaser video, starring renowned Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales and an animated character, Concho, exploring themes of memory, nostalgia, and truly living in the moment. This more reflective and deeply personal direction promises something unique even for longtime listeners.Bad Bunny has started teasing fans with new singles from the album. El Clúb, which blends EDM and plena—a signature Puerto Rican rhythm—became an early December hit, while the surprise holiday single Pitorro de Coco, released over New Year's, taps into the festive season with sounds rooted in Puerto Rican jíbara tradition. In the video for Pitorro de Coco, Bad Bunny not only directed but also starred, dressed in a baby blue suit and surrounded by the sights and sounds of a Puerto Rican holiday celebration. The track was coproduced by MAG, Tainy, and La Paciencia, and its lyrics dwell on the bittersweet taste of holiday loneliness, heartbreak, and drink—a testament to Bad Bunny's storytelling range.Finally, beyond music, Bad Bunny's cultural relevance continues to expand. Fans are flocking to his recently opened coffee shops and restaurants in Puerto Rico, some of which have become full-blown Bad Bunny pilgrimages for locals and tourists alike. He even made a cameo in the upcoming Adam Sandler movie Happy Gilmore 2, proving his star power transcends genres and industries.Thanks for tuning in to this week's update on all things Bad Bunny. Don't forget to check back next week for the latest buzz. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more from me, visit QuietPlease Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Our guest this week was the Writer/Producer/Director Filmmaker Success Client Michelle Malley Campos. Michelle's latest film, the Taiwan/Puerto Rico co-production "Foreigner," had its world premiere at the 2025 Ourense Film Festival in Spain. The film is on the verge of distribution.To obtain the Zoom link for upcoming live interviews, you must register at The Filmmaker's Life webpage at https://www.filmmakersuccess.com/the-filmmakers-life-homeCheck out Michelle's IMDB page https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2993400/Michelle Malley Campos is a Puerto Rican filmmaker and NYU Tisch graduate with over a decade of experience as a director and DGA assistant director. Her award-winning short films, including "Ráfaga", "En Pedazos" (Cannes), and "Yours", have screened internationally. She co-founded Cinema Paradiso en la Loíza, a community cinema in San Juan, and leads Vientos, her IP development company. Her debut feature "Extranjera" premiered in October 2025 Ourense Film Festival in Spain. She is currently in development with her second feature film "Valle Escondido".#filmbusinesscoach #filmpodcasts #joannefilm #filmproducer #filmmaking #latinafilmmaker #femalefilmmaker #womeninfilm

Welcome to Conceitednobodi, the Hip Hop-based talk podcast hosted by two native New Yorkers, Red1der and Johantheamerican. As the Curbside Commentators, we offer an unfiltered and global perspective on a variety of topics, ranging from Hip Hop culturea to world events, with humor and a deep appreciation for diverasity. Join us for engaging and insightful conversations that capture the energy and vibrancy of our beloved city and beyond.Red1der is a devoted father, hip hop fan, and Marvel enthusiast, with an infectious sense of humor and love for all things Puerto Rican.Johantheamerican is a lifelong entrepreneur and family man with Haitian roots, and our resident technologist who brings personal and professional experience to the table, with an open and non-traditional approach to love and familyFollow us here:ConceitednobodiTwitter: @ConceitednobodiInstagram: @ConceitednobodiFacebook: @ConceitednobodiRed1derTwitter: @Red1derInstagram: @Red1derJohantheamericanTwitter: @JohantheamericanInstagram: @JohantheamericanCheck out the Conceitednobodi podcast on YouTube using the link below and make sure to hit the subscribe button to stay up to date with new episodes!https://www.youtube.com/@conceitednobodi

Manny Torres of The Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad Podcast joins Joe to catch us up on whats been going on in his corner of the world. Manny fills us in on the drone life, becoming a new poppa and what to expect from a Puerto Rican style Thanksgiving. Thankful to have a friend like Manny come on it's always a good time.

Click/Tap here to direct message us!A first and only of its kind memorial in Boston MA to our Puerto Rican Veterans.

For more coverage on the issues that matter to you, download the WMAL app, visit WMAL.com or tune in live on WMAL-FM 105.9 from 9:00am-12:00pm Monday-Friday  To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter @WMAL and @ChrisPlanteShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The boys crack open an Angry Orchard Hard Cider and things go off the rails fast. Stone shares his weekend at a southern plantation, which somehow spirals into a deep dive on Django Unchained and questionable historical takes. Jorge preps for his trip to Puerto Rico and Jake and Stone can't get over the bizarre way he eats fruit. The guys also check in on their fantasy football teams, where the stakes are high and the punishments for the loser are downright ridiculous.

We dive deep into the life of the legendary Frankie Cutlass, the man behind the timeless anthem “Puerto Rico”

Welcome to Conceitednobodi, the Hip Hop-based talk podcast hosted by two native New Yorkers, Red1der and Johantheamerican. As the Curbside Commentators, we offer an unfiltered and global perspective on a variety of topics, ranging from Hip Hop culturea to world events, with humor and a deep appreciation for diverasity. Join us for engaging and insightful conversations that capture the energy and vibrancy of our beloved city and beyond.Red1der is a devoted father, hip hop fan, and Marvel enthusiast, with an infectious sense of humor and love for all things Puerto Rican.Johantheamerican is a lifelong entrepreneur and family man with Haitian roots, and our resident technologist who brings personal and professional experience to the table, with an open and non-traditional approach to love and familyFollow us here:ConceitednobodiTwitter: @ConceitednobodiInstagram: @ConceitednobodiFacebook: @ConceitednobodiRed1derTwitter: @Red1derInstagram: @Red1derJohantheamericanTwitter: @JohantheamericanInstagram: @JohantheamericanCheck out the Conceitednobodi podcast on YouTube using the link below and make sure to hit the subscribe button to stay up to date with new episodes!https://www.youtube.com/@conceitednobodi

Send us a textA twenty-year reunion turns into a masterclass on survival, adaptation, and the art of playing for keeps. We sit down with guitarist, writer, and singer George Cintron to trace a line from a Puerto Rican household in Bayshore—where top 40 radio was the cultural gateway—to roaring Long Island clubs, studio sessions with heavy hitters, and a phone call that vaulted him onto arena stages with Enrique Iglesias. George shares how a gold-top Les Paul and theory class became real gigs, why auditions used to be about skill, and how the drinking age shift quietly gutted a thriving band economy.The story pulls no punches on today's bar math: band pay that never rose, owners who book by headcount, and hobby acts undercutting rates. Yet it's not a rant; it's a roadmap. You'll hear the Enrique break—how speaking Spanish got George hired to help form the touring band and teach phonetics to non-Spanish speakers—and what it felt like when Bailamos turned a summer tour into a year-end sprint. Then we jump to Trans Siberian Orchestra and the long-running Windborne Music shows, where Zeppelin, Queen, and Pink Floyd get rebuilt with a full symphony and a rock band at center. Charts are precise, subs are surgical, and the result draws multiple generations without diluting the punch.Woven through the tour stories are studio truths (why producers say “be yourself” then ask for less), candid talk about health and aging, and the case for steady rehearsal as the secret engine of great bands. If you care about live music, gig economics, and how players actually make it work, this conversation is a clear-eyed, generous guide. Subscribe, share with a musician friend, and leave a review with your take: should clubs prioritize draw or musicianship?Support the show

What are the best sandwiches? On a scale of 1-10 how do you rank meeting these celebrities. We take the Password game for another ride and it might have gone of the rails.NewsNovember's closest Supermoon to appear even grander. Here's what to know - https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/11/02/novembers-closest-super-beaver-moon-2025/86849594007/20 Classic American Sandwiches - https://www.cheapism.com/classic-american-sandwiches-ranked/Mr. Pibb is back. Coca-Cola rebrands soda 24 years after it was discontinued - https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/10/31/mr-pibb-coca-cola-come-back/87009523007/Halloween Hoax: Woman accused of falsely reporting needle in candy, police say - https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/halloween-hoax-woman-accused-of-falsely-reporting-needle-in-candy-police-say-christi-hosier-cbs6-wrgbTrick-or-Tater: Lancaster man hands out potatoes for Halloween - https://www.wgal.com/article/lancaster-man-hands-out-potatoes-halloween/69210171St. Peters woman sentenced for setting fire to 3 Puerto Rican businesses - https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/st-peters-woman-sentenced-for-setting-fire-to-3-puerto-rican-businesses/Follow The Rizzuto Show @rizzshow on all your favorite social media, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and more. Connect with The Rizzuto Show online at 1057thepoint.com/RizzShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"The Face of The Franchise" Jarrett Diaz joins It's Real To Us for an awesome conversation! A proud Puerto Rican from the Bronx, Jarrett went from the football field to the wrestling ring — bringing his drive, charisma, and athletic background into every match. He talks about his journey, the lessons he's learned, and what keeps him motivated to stand out in the world of pro wrestling.

Bad Bunny has dominated headlines and social channels over the past week, largely due to his much-anticipated upcoming performance as the Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner. The decision by the NFL to make him the centerpiece of Super Bowl LX has ignited a significant controversy, with criticism pouring in from conservative politicians and commentators. Donald Trump himself slammed the choice as “absolutely ridiculous,” and right-wing groups like Turning Point USA have announced plans for their own rival halftime programming scheduled to air at the same time. All of this has stoked debate about Latino representation as some critics—including political figures—view Bad Bunny's prominence as a challenge to what they call “the sanctity of the American game,” according to Forge Press.Social media remains divided. Bad Bunny's fans have expressed overwhelming pride and excitement about the upcoming performance, pointing to his success in shaping a narrative of Latino pride and inclusion. Critics, on the other hand, have called for a boycott, even launching petitions demanding that the NFL replace him with a country artist like George Strait. This episode comes at a charged moment, as intensified ICE raids and immigration crackdowns have deeply affected Latino communities. Bad Bunny has spoken openly about skipping U.S. tour dates out of concern for fan safety in light of potential ICE actions, as reported by I-D magazine and covered widely online.A Quinnipiac University poll released this week shows just how divided Americans are over Bad Bunny's halftime gig. Nearly three-quarters of Democrats approve of the NFL decision, while 63 percent of Republicans disapprove. His strongest support comes from listeners under 34 and Hispanic respondents. The performance has become a symbol, intentionally or not, of broader cultural tension and shifting demographics in American life. When hosting SNL's season premiere recently, Bad Bunny addressed non-Spanish speakers with a playful jab: “You have four months to learn,” a nod to his predominately Spanish-language repertoire.In music news, there's substantial excitement over the release of Bad Bunny's new album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” scheduled to drop on January 5, 2025. The announcement was delivered through a moving teaser video featuring Puerto Rican film legend Jacobo Morales, delving into themes of nostalgia and memory. Early singles from the album—such as “Pitorro De Coco” and “El Clúb”—are already gaining traction on streaming platforms, with emotional lyrics centering on heartbreak and reflection. Critics anticipate the new album will be his most personal yet, showing an introspective side to the Puerto Rican superstar, as NME and Variety have reported.Bad Bunny's presence is reshaping tourism in Puerto Rico as well. His concert residency “No me quiero ir de aquí” has turned San Juan into a cultural hotspot, driving record hotel occupancy and boosting local economic growth, according to an analysis from Moody's Analytics cited by Bloomberg. The artist's embrace of Puerto Rican identity is attracting fans and travelers to the island, making tourism more about transformative experience than simple leisure. For travelers, Bad Bunny's music and platform create an emotional connection to Puerto Rico that's redefining tourism in 2025.On streaming platforms, Bad Bunny continues to break records, with billions of listens credited to his catalog this year alone. And his influence extends even further, popping up in the recent trailer for Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore 2 and making headlines with his remarkable watch collection worn at the IHeartRadio Music Awards.That's what's happening with Bad Bunny right now—where music, politics, and pop culture are colliding in real time. Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This episode is part of a two part project covering the Puerto Rican Independence Movement from the beginning of the 19th Century until the present. For this conversation our guests are Francisco A. Santiago Cintrón and Sebastián Castrodad Reverón. Francisco A. Santiago Cintrón was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico. He is an activist that currently forms part of Democracia Socialista and works as a labor lawyer. He is also the founder of the journal "Critica: Cuaderno de Discusión Política" Sebastián Castrodad Reverón, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is an organizer, documentarian, activist, and writer currently working out of Moca, Puerto Rico.

Welcome to Conceitednobodi, the Hip Hop-based talk podcast hosted by two native New Yorkers, Red1der and Johantheamerican. As the Curbside Commentators, we offer an unfiltered and global perspective on a variety of topics, ranging from Hip Hop culturea to world events, with humor and a deep appreciation for diverasity. Join us for engaging and insightful conversations that capture the energy and vibrancy of our beloved city and beyond.Red1der is a devoted father, hip hop fan, and Marvel enthusiast, with an infectious sense of humor and love for all things Puerto Rican.Johantheamerican is a lifelong entrepreneur and family man with Haitian roots, and our resident technologist who brings personal and professional experience to the table, with an open and non-traditional approach to love and familyFollow us here:ConceitednobodiTwitter: @ConceitednobodiInstagram: @ConceitednobodiFacebook: @ConceitednobodiRed1derTwitter: @Red1derInstagram: @Red1derJohantheamericanTwitter: @JohantheamericanInstagram: @JohantheamericanCheck out the Conceitednobodi podcast on YouTube using the link below and make sure to hit the subscribe button to stay up to date with new episodes!https://www.youtube.com/@conceitednobodi

Bad Bunny has dominated headlines this week after a run of major career milestones and headline-grabbing announcements. Bad Bunny—whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—made waves by announcing his sixth studio album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” (I Should Have Taken More Photos), set for release on January 5, 2026. According to NME and coverage across music outlets, the announcement came in a creatively reflective video teaser featuring Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales. The video explores nostalgia and the fleeting nature of life, themes that listeners can expect to run through the new album. He also surprised fans with a holiday single, “Pitorro de Coco,” which touches on heartbreak during the festive period while nodding to Puerto Rican tradition as it's named after a classic rum beverage. This introspective angle suggests a more personal evolution in his music style, which has continued to attract both critical and popular acclaim.Last Thursday, Bad Bunny was the centerpiece of the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards in Miami, appearing in person after much speculation. He won an impressive eleven awards, including Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century—a distinction presented by the legendary Rita Moreno. His album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” took home the Top Latin Album of the Year, solidifying its status as a streaming juggernaut and confirming that “DtMF,” one of its singles, was also the streaming song of the year. During the ceremony, Bad Bunny took time to thank his peers and acknowledged the collective achievements within Latin music, emphasizing its growing global reach and the collaborative nature of its modern movement.The buzz around Bad Bunny isn't limited to music. On the global stage, he set social media alight with the announcement that he will be the halftime headliner at Super Bowl LIX in February 2026. This will mark the first time that the performance features an exclusively non-English-language artist. According to reporting in The Catalyst and Embrace Boston, this announcement sparked both widespread celebration and a notable backlash, particularly from conservative circles. Critics—including former President Donald Trump—have voiced resistance online, questioning the NFL's choice. But NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stood firm, noting Bad Bunny's massive popularity and commercial impact. This selection highlights ongoing debates about who gets to represent American culture and signals a push toward a broader, more inclusive national stage. Since the announcement, Bad Bunny's streaming numbers have spiked, and conversations about Puerto Rican identity, cultural representation, and the politics of American football are trending on both traditional news and social media channels.Bad Bunny's win streak continues beyond music and sports. He's appearing in a newly released teaser for “Happy Gilmore 2” with Adam Sandler and maintains a significant presence with younger audiences as one of the most followed and influential artists online. ChartMetrics and Kworb report record streaming stats for his albums, especially for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” and “Baile Inolvidable.” The Most Wanted Tour, which wrapped earlier this year, closed 2024 as one of the top grossing tours, bringing in over $210 million in revenue.This week, listeners are witnessing Bad Bunny not just cement his legacy in music, but also challenge, provoke, and expand cultural boundaries across the mainstream—whether that's on the Billboard stage, at the upcoming Super Bowl, or in Hollywood. His fearless self-expression and advocacy for Puerto Rican identity are reshaping the conversation about music, fame, and representation on a global scale.Thank you for tuning in and be sure to come back next week for more insights and updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

What do cheesy 1990's movies and Puerto Rican cuisine have in common? This episode of Who When Wow! Carly travels back to the 90's to explore a series of strange animal attacks and rumors about a mysterious “monster” roaming the streets… Listen along with a worksheet at https://bit.ly/40shOGs. Originally aired 11/8/23.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseline Hernandez steps into “Tap In with TT” to talk independence, motherhood, and building an empire on her own terms. The reality-TV trailblazer opens up about leaving Love & Hip Hop, creating her own shows, and the “secret sauce” to never working for another company again. She shares a softer side in rare mommy moments, reflects on co-parenting, and gets real about judging herself, body image, and self-love. Joseline also addresses body shaming, the Amber Rose controversy, and her desire to have another baby — reminding everyone why she's still that girl and the blueprint for reinvention.

Bad Bunny is front and center in global news this week, making history as the first male Latin American artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show in 2026. The NFL's announcement last month set off a frenzy, with experts from Temple University highlighting that his performance—planned mostly in Spanish at Levi's Stadium in California—will mark a powerful cultural moment for both Latin American and U.S. audiences. According to Temple Now, Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime will serve as both a “visual and musical love letter to Puerto Rico and Latinidad,” expected to spotlight Puerto Rican identity, resilience, and contemporary issues like colonialism, gentrification, and economic disparities. Many anticipate that he might share the stage with other major Puerto Rican voices such as Ivy Queen or Marc Anthony.His recent residency in Puerto Rico also broke records, generating over $733 million for the island's economy and achieving the most-watched livestream ever on Amazon Music, based on reporting from the Associated Press and Amazon Prime Video. This record-breaking residency is linked to a multiyear partnership with Amazon, combining entertainment with social impact initiatives for Puerto Rican education, disaster relief, and economic empowerment. These cultural efforts have further solidified his influence not just musically, but socially and academically, with classes dedicated to his work emerging at major universities and a forthcoming book titled “How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance” set for release in early 2026.Bad Bunny has also been creating buzz with his new music. On the heels of his successful "Most Wanted Tour," which grossed over $210 million and ranked seventh among the biggest tours of 2024, he announced that his new album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” (“I Should Have Taken More Photos”) will drop on January 5, 2025. This sixth studio album was introduced via a poignant video teaser that featured acclaimed Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales in conversation with an animated character, delving into themes of nostalgia and the importance of living in the moment. The holiday single “Pitorro de Coco,” named after a traditional Puerto Rican rum, and another track “El Clúb,” each explore heartbreak and memories of past love—showing a deeper introspective turn in Bad Bunny's music, as covered by outlets like The Lagos Review and NME.His recent songs—and the album as a whole—have been described as a love letter to Puerto Rico, recorded entirely on the island with local musicians. Visual elements of his latest work, created in partnership with historian Jorell Meléndez-Badillo, span key moments in Puerto Rican history from the 16th century to today. These include references to the Grito de Lares uprising, the Ponce massacre, and debates around U.S. colonialism, bringing history into popular music in a way that's reaching a new generation of listeners.Listeners are also keeping an eye out for Bad Bunny's unexpected moves in other areas of entertainment. He recently appeared in the trailer for Adam Sandler's “Happy Gilmore 2,” hinting at further Hollywood ambitions.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for the latest on Bad Bunny and more music news. This has been a Quiet Please production—for more, check out QuietPlease.ai.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

CPA Rachel Farris joins us to talk about how you can benefits from Puerto Rico's Act 60 tax incentives by becoming bona fide residents of the island. Rachel explains how the program was created to attract capital and talent to Puerto Rico, the rules around residency and post-move appreciation, and the common pitfalls people face when trying to qualify. She also discusses lifestyle differences, cost of living, and more, as the Act requires genuine relocation and compliance with IRS rules to be done correctly.  We discuss...  Rachel Farris explains Puerto Rico's Act 60 tax incentives and how they allow U.S. citizens to pay 0% on capital gains, interest, and dividends. The program offers a 4% corporate tax rate for businesses relocated to Puerto Rico. Rachel details the legal requirements for becoming a bona fide Puerto Rican resident. The conversation covers the importance of distinguishing pre-move and post-move capital gains for tax purposes. Kirk and Rachel discuss common pitfalls people face when trying to qualify for Act 60 benefits. They explore how Act 60 was designed to attract capital, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals to Puerto Rico. Rachel outlines lifestyle differences between the mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico. The discussion includes the island's cost of living, housing options, and healthcare quality. Education systems and family considerations for those relocating are reviewed. Rachel emphasizes the need for real relocation and compliance with IRS residency rules. They touch on hurricane preparedness and infrastructure realities of island living. The episode concludes with insights on how to properly structure a business move to maximize Act 60's benefits. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/puerto-ricos-act-60-rachel-farris-758 

Sweet and boisterous, rapper Rico Nasty professes her love for making music; cooking for the people she adores most; and her grandmas, all while promoting her new album, Lethal. Her conversation with host Rachel Belle bounces from Maryland boardwalk fries (we’ll tell you what they are!) to Taco Bell (we learn what the Cinnamon Twists are made from) to a popular Puerto Rican party snack her grandma makes her, and only her, as a treat. Did you know those little strawberry candies, the ones with the cute strawberry-print wrapper and squishy center, most often found in grandmas’ candy dishes and purses, have a name? We didn’t either! Learn their name, their history and a bit more about “grandma candy” with the author of the Snack Stack newsletter. Get tickets to Food Fight with Rachel Belle x America’s Test Kitchen in Seattle, November 8! Become a Cascade PBS member and support public media! Watch Rachel’s Cascade PBS TV show The Nosh with Rachel Belle. Sign up for Rachel’s (free!) biweekly Cascade PBS newsletter for more food musings. Follow along on Instagram. Order Rachel’s cookbook Open Sesame. Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home cooking without the hassle.If you're longing for a taste of home but you find yourself ordering takeout again and again, then this conversation is for you. Get ready to meet Ciji Castro, founder and executive chef of Domestic Gourmet. It's a food and lifestyle brand inspired by the Palm Harbor resident's Cuban and Puerto Rican roots. Domestic Gourmet's oils, spices and recipes are designed to make traditional family flavors fast and easy to enjoy. The products are a hit with Ciji's scores of social media followers, as well readers of Forbes and Southern Living—just two of the many media outlets that have featured Domestic Gourmet.Whether you're juggling a hectic schedule or just craving a convenient taste of home, Ciji's products are designed to bring joy and tradition to your table without hours in the kitchen.Ciji visited our studio at WUSF Public Media. In this conversation, she shares lessons you can use both in the kitchen and in the world of business.

Welcome to Conceitednobodi, the Hip Hop-based talk podcast hosted by two native New Yorkers, Red1der and Johantheamerican. As the Curbside Commentators, we offer an unfiltered and global perspective on a variety of topics, ranging from Hip Hop culturea to world events, with humor and a deep appreciation for diverasity. Join us for engaging and insightful conversations that capture the energy and vibrancy of our beloved city and beyond.Red1der is a devoted father, hip hop fan, and Marvel enthusiast, with an infectious sense of humor and love for all things Puerto Rican.Johantheamerican is a lifelong entrepreneur and family man with Haitian roots, and our resident technologist who brings personal and professional experience to the table, with an open and non-traditional approach to love and familyFollow us here:ConceitednobodiTwitter: @ConceitednobodiInstagram: @ConceitednobodiFacebook: @ConceitednobodiRed1derTwitter: @Red1derInstagram: @Red1derJohantheamericanTwitter: @JohantheamericanInstagram: @JohantheamericanCheck out the Conceitednobodi podcast on YouTube using the link below and make sure to hit the subscribe button to stay up to date with new episodes!https://www.youtube.com/@conceitednobodi

'The View' co-hosts weigh in on nearly seven million Americans hitting the streets over the weekend around the country protesting the policies of Pres. Trump. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) discusses this weekend's "No Kings" protests, why he says Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" is one of the "worst pieces of legislation" in modern history and his new book, "Fighting Oligarchy." Sunny Hostin celebrates her birthday by spotlighting Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary and her favorite Puerto Rican dishes from Barrio BX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Friday, October 17th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Chinese college forces students to identify as atheists According to a September 30th report from ChinaAid, a mobile app used by a Chinese vocational school, requires students to declare they're atheists.   The app, used by Tianjin Vocational College of Mechanics and Electricity in China, instructs students to check the box for “no religious belief” in their personal information sections, clearly violating their right to religious freedom.  The report stated that “point 4 under ‘personal information notes' requires filling in ‘no religious belief,' forcing all enrolled students to declare themselves as ‘atheists' or ‘non-believers.'”  The Chinese Communist Party is officially atheist and has a long history of disrespecting and persecuting religious communities, including Christians.  Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” The Gospel Coalition stated in 2022 that “[President] Xi despises Christianity … [and] fears that religion, especially Christianity, is an attempt by foreign influences to subvert his nation.”   U.S. Special Operations helicopters near Venezuela The U.S. military's elite Special Operations aviation unit appears to have flown in Caribbean waters less than 90 miles from the coast of Venezuela in recent days, reports the Washington Post. According to an unnamed U.S. official, the helicopters were engaged in training exercises that could serve as preparation for expanded conflict against alleged drug traffickers, including potential missions inside Venezuela. Already, the U.S. military has struck at least five boats carrying illegal narcotics in international waters, killing at least 27 drug traffickers. Speaker Johnson & Speaker Ohana back Trump for Nobel Peace Prize On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson explained why he believed that President Donald Trump is deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize next year. JOHNSON: “I'm proud to tell you that together with my friend, Speaker [Amir] Ohana of the Israeli Knesset, the equivalent of our Congress, we're going to rally speakers and presidents of parliaments around the world so that we will jointly nominate President Donald J. Trump for next year's Nobel Peace Prize. “No one has ever deserved that prize more. And that is an objective fact. It's an indisputable fact that no president has undertaken the work of saving lives and pursuing peace with such determination and with such remarkable success as President Trump. “Under his leadership, we are witnessing the dawn of a new golden age, not just for America, but for the entire free world. The world is changed by these actions and strong leadership. American strength is good for free people around the world, as we say always, and peace through strength is maintained.” Pentagon journalists turn in badges, refusing new Hegseth rules Dozens of Pentagon reporters turned in access badges and exited the War Department on Wednesday rather than agree to government-imposed restrictions on their work, reports the Associated Press. The nation's leadership called the new rules “common sense” to help regulate a “very disruptive” press. News outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting new rules imposed by War Secretary Pete Hegseth that would leave journalists vulnerable to expulsion if they sought to report on information — classified or otherwise — that had not been approved by Hegseth for release. Homosexual pastor says abortion “helps the life of children” According to a viral video clip, a self-described “queer” Protestant pastor said babies should be killed in the womb so they do not grow up in an “unsupportive” situation, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Kurt Kaufman is a recently “ordained” minister who currently works as a “ministerial associate” at First Baptist Church of Denver. Protestia, which often criticizes liberal Christianity, posted a video of an interview Kaufman gave where he explains why he supports the intentional killing of innocent preborn babies. Listen. KAUFMAN: “Being in favor of reproductive rights [i.e., the destruction of the unborn], first and foremost, protects the life of the mother, and protects the life of the person that is already living, and is the person that is able to bring more life into this world should they choose,” “Furthermore, it protects the life of children. There are so many children that currently exist in this world that were forced to be born because of legislation, because of men that have decided for women. And so as a result, many children have grown up into a unsupportive, unhealthy and right-challenging household that hasn't been a life that any child should live. “And so being in favor of reproductive choice helps the life of children everywhere because they don't have to grow up in a world that dislikes them because they simply exist.” This is why, according to the so-called “minister” it's a good thing to support the killing of babies. But in Proverbs 6:16-19, there are seven things listed that God hates, including “the shedding of innocent blood.” LifeSiteNews asked Kaufman for further information on when the interview occurred, what he would say to the counterargument that society does not kill babies after they are born just because of their circumstances, and at what point he believes preborn babies are human beings who deserve protection from abortion. In a reply email this past Tuesday, Kaufman wrote, “I have no comment to provide.” Not surprisingly, Kaufman's outrageous remarks drew criticism from commentators on X. Scott Dunford wrote, “By his logic every kid born into a bad home situation should be eliminated. This is an evil and godless way of thinking.” And an account called Woke Preacher Clips wrote, “This is psychotic behavior.” Bad Bunny's Super Bowl perverse half time show vs. Turning Point's wholesome patriotic alternative And finally, Super Bowl LX (60) is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026, and will broadcast on NBC with a halftime performance featuring Benito Ocasio known as “Bad Bunny,” a Puerto Rican rapper who has championed sexual perversion, sexual immorality, self-indulgence, and hostility to Immigration Customs and Enforcement. Indeed, Ocasio has said that his sexuality may be fluid. He told Gay Pride, “At the moment, I am heterosexual and I like women, but maybe in 20 years I will like a man.” In his song, Ignorantes, he features sexual perversion, and in his song, Yo Perreo Sola, Ocasio created a disturbing video where he personally dresses and cavorts around in drag. Turning Point USA, the nonprofit created by the late Charlie Kirk and now led by his widow Erika Kirk, announced they will broadcast a wholesome, patriotic alternative that celebrates “faith, family, and freedom.” While event details and scheduled performers are still being determined, you can sign up to receive event information and vote for your preferred music genre at AmericanHalfTimeShow.com. The website again is AmericanHalfTimeShow.com.  And you can add your name to a petition, organized by One Million Moms, to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, chastising him for hiring the sexually immoral rapper “Bad Bunny.” You will find the link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. Ephesians 5:11 says, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, October 17th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In this powerful and emotional episode, Brenda K. Starr sits down to open up about her incredible journey from a young dreamer in NYC’s Upper West Side to a chart-topping singer who helped shape Latin pop and R&B. Raised by a single Puerto Rican mother of seven, Brenda shares how her entire family rallied behind her dream of stardom from acting at 12 to landing her first record deal at just 13. Brenda reveals the story behind introducing her then–backup singer Mariah Carey to industry exec Tommy Mottola, a move that would change music history forever and her own life’s path. After being dropped by her label to focus on Mariah and facing hard times, Brenda found herself working everyday jobs, on welfare and relying on pure hustle to feed her two kids, all without ever asking for help. Now, decades later, Brenda reflects on her resilience, her pride in creating a Spanish-language album despite not being fluent, and her continued passion for performing and releasing new music. Her story is one of perseverance, legacy, and pure heart. ❤️✨See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I dive deep into the cultural firestorm surrounding Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny — two modern day titans who've become lightning rods for conversations about identity, belonging, and makes me wonder all the things we project onto celebrities. I'll be honest: I outlined this episode about 40 different times because I kept realizing this isn't really about music quality or whether you're a "Swiftie" — it's about how these artists have become permission slips for different parts of our identity.As someone who's both a white woman and Puerto Rican, watching the discourse around Taylor's "Life of a Showgirl" album and Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl has activated something in me about representation, cultural space, and the uncomfortable idea around paradoxes and simultaneous truths.I'm not here with final answers (honestly, I'm suspicious of anyone who claims to have them), but I am here to explore why we become such fierce defenders of celebrities we've never met (including my own story of kneeling at the altar of wellness influencers for YEARS), what our reactions reveal about our own identities, and how multiple truths can exist simultaneously. This one's messy, it's vulnerable, and I'm genuinely inviting dialogue, so come find me in the DMs because I want to hear what this brings up for you!Connect with Chelsea:

Puerto Rican music superstar Bad Bunny is having a phenomenal year. His seventh album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” came out in January and spent weeks at the top of the charts. He sold out a musical residency in Puerto Rico. And now, he's set to headline one of the biggest stages for a musical artist: the Super Bowl halftime show. But that performance has ignited a political firestorm on the right. MAGA influencers are criticizing the choice because Bad Bunny, born Benito Ocasio Martinez Ocasio, sings in Spanish, and because he expressed fears this year that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could pursue fans at his shows. Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with national politics reporter Sabrina Rodriguez about this right-wing backlash and how it fits into ongoing culture war battles.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The Caregiver's Journal hosted by Lance A. Slatton with Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST) Hardin-Weiss.   The Caregiver's Journal is the show where we are sharing the caregiving experiences, stories, and wisdom of family caregivers.   Chapter 16 - "Family Caregiver":   About Madeline Bastida:   My name is Madeline Bastida, but most people call me Maddy. I'm a proud Puerto Rican from New York City, now living in Washington State. I'm a daughter, advocate, and creative soul navigating life while caring for my dad, Fernando, who is living with Alzheimer's.   Our journey began when my dad started showing early signs of memory loss, when he lived in Puerto Rico, and everything changed. I felt overwhelmed and alone, unsure of where to turn. But over time, I realized that this wasn't just a diagnosis, it was a chance to connect deeper, love harder, and find purpose through pain.   That's why I created my platform to share real, joyful, and honest moments between me and my dad, to remind others they're not alone. From dancing through sundowning episodes to finding peace in small wins, I've made it my mission to advocate for caregivers and those living with dementia or Alzheimer's.   I also volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association since they helped me a lot, I want to provide support. and I recently launched a fundraiser and awareness campaign through my Mindful Memory Solutions a website that I just created.

It appears that the government is headed toward a shutdown, and the media is hard at work to spin the shutdown as the Republicans' fault. Glenn gets personal about his faith and beliefs after seeing an offensive post on X. BlazeTV host of “Fearless” Jason Whitlock joins to discuss why he believes the NFL choosing Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny to headline the next Super Bowl halftime show is an attack on Christianity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It appears that the government is headed toward a shutdown, and the media is hard at work to spin the shutdown as the Republicans' fault. Glenn and Stu explain why Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) needs a government shutdown. Glenn theorizes as to why Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called up all the top generals to Washington, D.C. Hegseth made it clear that wokeness is leaving the U.S. military, as everybody who enters the military will do so under the same metrics. Glenn gets personal about his faith and beliefs after seeing an offensive post on X. BlazeTV host of “Fearless” Jason Whitlock joins to discuss why he believes the NFL choosing Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny to headline the next Super Bowl halftime show is an attack on Christianity. According to Joy Reid, fascism is now just basic conservative principles like cutting back on government regulations and your family inheriting your wealth. Glenn's chief researcher, Jason Buttrill, joins to break down Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's meeting with top military officials.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices