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6 episodes with southern mexico
3 episodes with southern mexico
2 episodes with southern mexico
2 episodes with southern mexico
2 episodes with southern mexico
2 episodes with southern mexico
2 episodes with southern mexico
2 episodes with southern mexico
4 episodes with southern mexico
In this enlightening episode, Lola Adeyemo sits down with Irene Valdés Wochinger, Chief of Staff at the Gates Foundation's Communications Division. From her multicultural upbringing in Puerto Rico to her pivotal Fulbright research in Mexico and current leadership role, Valdés Wochinger shares how her diverse background has shaped her approach to social impact work and professional growth. Her journey from academia to international development offers valuable insights for professionals navigating multiple cultural identities in the workplace. In this episode, listeners will learn: How to leverage multicultural experiences as strengths in professional settings, including turning cultural communication differences into opportunities for growth and understanding. The importance of aligning career choices with personal values and vision, focusing on impact rather than just titles or promotions. Why seeking mentors who can also serve as sponsors is crucial for career advancement, especially for professionals from diverse backgrounds. Strategies for maintaining cultural identity while adapting to new professional environments, including practical tips for workplace navigation. The significance of workplace culture fit and values alignment when making career decisions, particularly for immigrants and professionals with intersectional identities. Thriving Through Intersectionality: A Conversation with Irene Valdés Wochinger In this compelling episode of the Thriving in Intersectionality podcast, host Lola Adeyemo welcomes Irene Valdés Wochinger, a seasoned professional currently serving as Chief of Staff to the Communication Division's C-suite leader and executive team at the Gates Foundation. With a rich background spanning international development, education, and healthcare, Valdés Wochinger brings valuable insights from her diverse career journey. Her current role involves supporting the division's culture, strategic implementation, learning and impact, and overall governance effectiveness, while promoting communications-related collaborations across the foundation. From Academic Pursuits to Social Impact Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to parents of African and European descent, Valdés Wochinger's journey began in a multicultural household that shaped her worldview. Her career in international development was launched through a Fulbright Research Scholarship in Southern Mexico, where she worked with local governments, nonprofits, and healthcare institutions to address social inequities affecting Indigenous women's access to education and healthcare. This experience sparked a realization that her true calling lay beyond academic research – in translating research into actionable policies and direct community impact. Her subsequent path led her through various roles at organizations including Teach for America, Common Hope Foundation, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before joining the Gates Foundation in 2022. Navigating Cultural Complexities Valdés Wochinger's story illuminates the nuanced experience of moving between cultures. From experiencing her first snow in Upstate New York to navigating workplace communication styles different from her Puerto Rican upbringing, she shares how these challenges became opportunities for growth. Her experience raising a son who identifies English as his first language, despite Spanish being the household language, offers a touching glimpse into the evolving nature of cultural identity across generations. Career Advice for Diverse Professionals Drawing from her rich experience, Valdés Wochinger emphasizes the importance of clear vision and strategic planning in career development. She advises professionals to focus on value creation rather than just titles, and to ensure alignment between personal values and workplace culture. Perhaps most importantly, she stresses the critical role of mentors who can also serve as sponsors, highlighting how collective support can propel career growth. Heritage Through Food The conversation concludes with a warm discussion about food and cultural connection, where Valdés Wochinger shares her love for arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), a traditional Puerto Rican dish that connects her to her roots and family traditions, emphasizing how cultural heritage continues to enrich her life and work. We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Rate and review the episode on your favorite podcast platform or connect on Linkedin. Connect with Lola Adeyemo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolaaadeyemopm/ Connect with Irene Valdés Wochinger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenevaldes/ Apply to be on the Thriving in Intersectionality podcast: shorturl.at/dnyEO Want to Stay Connected to the Immigrants in the Corporate Community? Join the FREE Membership: https://www.immigrantsincorporate.org/become-a-member Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/428192995622965 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immigrantsincorporate/
An ancient, lost city in Southern Mexico hidden under jungle canopy for centuries, spotted via just searching on Google. Luke Auld-Thomas' research on Mayan settlements had him poking around on the internet which led him to a LIDAR survey - a laser-based technology used in this case for terrain mapping. When he ran the data, he realized there was an entire city, of a significant size, entirely covered in dense vegetation. What's it like, finding a whole city, without ever setting foot on the ground? And could there be more of these ancient settlements, just a few clicks away, waiting to be found? Tulane doctoral student Luke Auld-Thomas joins The Excerpt to share how he stumbled into the discovery of a lifetime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
BrownTown shares space with Amoona, Chicago-based Palestinian student organizer, to further the conversation on Palestinian liberation, focusing on the student encampment movement in spring 2024 and how institutions have responded since. After 140+ college campuses put on demonstrations for Gaza solidarity, the war machine drudges on with the help of school administrators and other institutions suspending, evicting, and even firing students, professors, and employees over their support for Palestine and stance against genocide. As the student intifada slows during this time, what does the interconnected and transnational struggle for collective liberation look like going into 2025? Here's their take. Originally recorded December 9, 2024. GUESTSAmoona is a Palestinian student organizer currently living and working in Chicago who is also very connected with abolitionist work across the state of Illinois. She extends shoutouts to Jisoor, Palestinian Youth Movement, NSJP, and PNAP!--Mentioned Topics & More Info: Episode correction: The abduction and murder of the 43 students in Southern Mexico was in 2014, not 2012/2013 as stated.Related episodes:Ep. 112 - DNC: Pt. 2 ft. Nesreen Hasan & Nadiah AlyafaiEp. 111 - Palestinian Liberation: Anti-Zionism & Jewish Solidarity ft. Rabbi Brant Rosen & Lesley WilliamsEp. 102 - Palestinian Liberation: In This Moment ft. Muhammad SankariThe HoodoisieBoycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS)Students, faculty say the UChicago is backing out on its promise to host Gaza scholars (WBEZ)Northwestern, 5-day encampment (coverage from TRiiBE, Daily Northwestern, WGN on agreement)Pro-Palestinian protestors demonstrate against Barnard, Columbia University trustees (Barnard Bulletin, Columbia Spectator)Swarthmore student faces expulsion for using bullhorn (The intercept)Professors condemn Columbia crackdown on pro-Palestine students (Guardian)The Rundown: New protest rules at Chicago universities (WBEZ)UC Berkeley: +200 students arrested 3 hospitalized Columbia University calls on NYPD to disperse crowd arresting +100 (Higher Ed Drive)UChicago withholding degrees (Chicago Maroon)--CREDITS: Intro song from Rap Street Palestine (Ard Kan3an & ana Palestine) cypher; outro song HINDS HALL2 by Macklemore ft. Anees, MC Abdul, Amer Zahr. Audio engineered by Kiera Battles. Episode photo by unknown of DePaul University Egan statue during Pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide action.--Bourbon 'n BrownTownFacebook | Twitter | Instagram | Site | Linktree | PatreonSoapBox Productions and Organizing, 501(c)3Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Site | Linktree | Support
As Americans head to the polls on November 5, immigration is a key issue on many voters' minds. For migrants trying to reach the United States by land, neighbouring Mexico is the final hurdle of their journey. To keep caravans away from the US border, undocumented migrants are sent back from the north to the south of Mexico. They're forced to stay there until they get an appointment on the "CBP One" application system to formally request asylum in the United States. In the poor state of Tabasco in southern Mexico, these migrants are growing impatient as well as anxious ahead of the US presidential election. Our correspondents Quentin Duval and Laurence Cuvillier report.
Recent Center for Immigration Studies field work reveals a growing crisis in the Mexican southern state of Chiapas. Why are thousands of migrants bottled up in this area near the Guatemala-Mexico border, and why are caravans forming but only moving within Chiapas? On-the-ground reporting by Todd Bensman, the Center's national security fellow, highlights the impact […]
Recent Center for Immigration Studies field work reveals a growing crisis in the Mexican southern state of Chiapas. Why are thousands of migrants bottled up in this area near the Guatemala-Mexico border, and why are caravans forming but only moving within Chiapas? On-the-ground reporting by Todd Bensman, the Center's national security fellow, highlights the impact of the Biden-Harris administration's December 2023 deal with Mexico and the potential consequences leading up to and following the U.S. election.Key findings:Biden-Harris Agreement: In December 2023, the U.S. and Mexico reached a secretive deal to keep migrants in southern Mexico to reduce the appearance of a border crisis in the U.S. The deal has resulted in the Mexican military setting up roadblocks in the region, particularly around the border town of Tapachula, to slow the flow of migrants.Migrants Bottled Up: Bensman visited Tapachula, where an estimated 150,000 migrants are stranded, with 500 to 1,500 more arriving daily. The city is overwhelmed, with high poverty levels and unrest.Caravans and Military Escorts: Migrant caravans are forming, but they are not headed to the U.S. Instead, the Mexican military is escorting them to other cities within Chiapas to ease pressure on Tapachula. Bribes and mafias enable wealthier migrants to escape the blockade, but poorer migrants remain trapped.CBP One App: The U.S. extended access to the CBP One app, previously only usable in northern Mexico, to allow migrants in southern Mexico to schedule appointments for processing into the U.S. However, delays and limited access make it difficult for most to advance quickly.Upcoming Election Tension: Many migrants feel an urgency to reach the U.S. before a potential change in leadership. Those interviewed fear that a Trump win would mean a closed border and no benefits, while they believe a Harris win would maintain the status quo and provide access to benefits.In his closing commentary, Mark Krikorian, the Center's executive director and podcast host, contends that Mexican government's prevention of migrants from approaching the U.S. border is largely political and temporary. If the administration were serious about halting the migrant flow, they would support Panama's efforts at the Darien Gap, to prevent migrants from getting to southern Mexico in the first place. He highlights Bensman's recent fieldwork in Panama, where he explored the new president's initiatives to control migrant traffic through the Darien Gap. Despite the positive implications for the U.S., the Biden-Harris administration has been slow to provide the diplomatic and financial support promised to Panama.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestTodd Bensman is National Security Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies.RelatedCIS in the southern Mexican state of ChiapasDaily Mail Op-edInside ‘Zone 47': Biden's Ruthless Mexico Immigration Crackdown Is Working, but Media Won't Tie Him to ItRecent Sky-High Levels of Illegal Migration Are Dropping Fast — and Here's WhyPodcast: Investigating Panama's Efforts to Cut MigrationIntro MontageVoices in the opening montage:Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
PHARR, TEXAS - Francisco Peña-Valdes, an attorney with Cacheaux Cavazos & Newton, helped facilitate a recent trade mission to the Rio Grande Valley involving 45 business owners and entrepreneurs from southern Mexico.The trip was organized by the McAllen chapter of the Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos and COMCE Sur. It included stops in McAllen, Pharr and Brownsville, including the Port of Brownsville. Halfway through the tour the Rio Grande Guardian secured an interview with Peña-Valdes about the tour. Here it is. Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.
AP correspondent Donna Warder reports on a caravan of hundreds of migrants in Mexico, trying to make it to the U.S. border. (Opens with nat sound of caravan)
Today on America in the Morning Biden Ends 2024 Election Run Never before has a sitting President running for re-election stepped down from the race to the White House this late in the process, but that's just what President Joe Biden did Sunday afternoon, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him at the top of the Democrat ticket. John Stolnis has more on this political bombshell from Washington. GOP Reaction To Biden's Decision Republicans, including GOP nominee former President Donald Trump, are reacting to President Biden's decision to drop out of the Presidential race. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports. First Kamala Harris Poll What do Democrats think about placing Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the Democrat ticket? Correspondent Donna Warder has the results of a poll that could give the V-P a boost. Power Grid Angst In Texas Heat-related Texas deaths continue to climb after Hurricane Beryl left millions without power for days or longer. As correspondent Julie Walker reports both Texas residents and Governor Greg Abbott are demanding answers as to why the power outages in the Houston area have lasted so long. Migrant Caravan Heading To US Mexico is reporting that nearly 3,000 migrants from a number of countries are about to depart Southern Mexico on foot, hoping to reach the US border sometime before November. Missouri Woman Released From Prison A Missouri woman who served decades in prison is free after her 1980 murder conviction was overturned. Correspondent Lisa Dwyer reports that the decision to release the inmate came after the judge threatened to file charges against the state's attorney general. Biden Drops Election Bid After intense pressure from within his own party, President Biden announced on social media he's dropping his reelection bid. As correspondent Jackie Quinn reports the 81-year-old Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place, and said he would address the nation in the coming days to tell the American people why he's ending his candidacy, but will remain president for the rest of his term. Donors Give To Kamala Within hours of President Joe Biden's unprecedented decision to drop out of the 2024 election with less than four months before Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris is already seeing a surge of large donor support. Democrats Happy With Biden Decision From political experts, members of Congress, and Democrat supporters, the move by Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race was met with applause by those of his own party. Correspondent Julie Walker reports there is hope among Democrats that Vice President Kamala Harris can reenergize their party faithful and help sway independent voters against former President Donald Trump. Massive Airport Delays Fallout from a Friday tech outage continues to cause angst in the airline industry, leading to frustration among passengers across the nation and around the world. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports. Examining The Global Outage In the story of a global computer outage, it's no small irony that a cybersecurity update causes the largest disruption of networked systems in history. With that part of the story, here's tech correspondent Chuck Palm. Philadelphia Mass Shooting Police in Philadelphia are trying to figure out what sparked a mass shooting at a weekend party that left three people dead. Bob Brown has details. Finally Heading Home He's finally coming home - a World War II POW whose remains were located after he went missing nearly 80 years ago have now been returned. Correspondent Rita Foley reports. Another American Sentenced In Russia A rock band manager who was arrested in Russia on alleged drug charges learned his fate. A Kremlin court sentenced Michael Travis Leake to 13 years in a Russian penal colony. Finally The happiest place on Earth may be setting the stage for a labor strike. Kevin Carr has the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
History suggests the Olmecs of Southern Mexico were likely the first culture to use cacao as a divine food as early as 1500 BC. Chocolate has long been an expression of love, an antidote to a breakup or a rough day. So is it possible chocolate could be a powerful health food? Sage Dammers believes so! Sage is the co-founder, CEO, product formulator, and master chocolatier of Addictive Wellness. He's dedicated his life to the pursuit of holistic wellness and nutrition. Beginning his journey as a curious teenager, Sage ventured beyond conventional education to immerse himself in the ancient herbal systems and nutritional practices of indigenous cultures, especially Taoist tonic herbalism. In this episode of The Health Fix Podcast Dr. Jannine Krause interviews Sage Dammers on how he's created chocolates with herbs to nourish your nervous system, gut, cells and soul. What You'll Learn In This Episode: Why you can now truly say chocolate is your medicine The powerful minerals and neuro-chemicals in dark chocolate Benefits of heirloom wild grown cacao Risk of mycotoxin exposure with chocolate Why adaptogenic herbs and dark chocolate are a perfect pair Little known intricacies of the chocolate trade that matter for your health How to acquire herbs from the most potent sources Resources From The Show: Addictive Wellness Chocolate
This week on Fresh from The Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Podcast, Dan The Produce Man is joined by Adam Sanders, a former political asylum and youth attorney, and the owner/operator of Copola Organics. Sanders shares poignant stories of the struggles and triumphs of indigenous farmers from Southern Mexico. From kidnappings, village burnings, sniper shootings targeting schools, wage theft, denial of translator rights, and attacks in the fields, ultimately leading to the emergence of organic farming in California.Sanders also delves into ancient growing techniques that laid the foundation for several local small organic farms in Hollister, California.It's a packed one so Tune in and Turn on!FANCY SPONSORS: Flavor Wave, LLC.: https://flavorwavefresh.com, Noble Citrus: https://noblecitrus.com, Buck Naked Onions/Owyhee Produce, Inc.: http://www.owyheeproduce.com, John Greene Logistics Company: https://www.jglc.com, and Summer Citrus From South Africa; https://www.summercitrus.com CHOICE SPONSORS: Equifruit: https://equifruit.com Arctic® Apples: https://arcticapples.com Sev-Rend Corporation: https://www.sev-rend.com, Jac Vandenberg Inc.: https://www.jacvandenberg.com , WholesaleWare: https://www.grubmarket.com/hello/software/index.html Continental Fresh, LLC: https://www.continentalfresh.com and RPE/Tasteful...
This week on Fresh from The Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Podcast, Dan The Produce Man is joined by Adam Sanders, a former political asylum and youth attorney, and the owner/operator of Copola Organics. Sanders shares poignant stories of the struggles and triumphs of indigenous farmers from Southern Mexico. From kidnappings, village burnings, sniper shootings targeting schools, wage theft, denial of translator rights, and attacks in the fields, ultimately leading to the emergence of organic farming in California.Sanders also delves into ancient growing techniques that laid the foundation for several local small organic farms in Hollister, California. It's a packed one so Tune in and Turn on! FANCY SPONSORS: Flavor Wave, LLC.: https://flavorwavefresh.com, Noble Citrus: https://noblecitrus.com, Buck Naked Onions/Owyhee Produce, Inc.: http://www.owyheeproduce.com, John Greene Logistics Company: https://www.jglc.com, Bell Harvest Sales; https://www.belleharvest.com/ and Summer Citrus From South Africa; https://www.summercitrus.com CHOICE SPONSORS: Equifruit: https://equifruit.com Arctic® Apples: https://arcticapples.com Sev-Rend Corporation: https://www.sev-rend.com, Jac Vandenberg Inc.: https://www.jacvandenberg.com , WholesaleWare: https://www.grubmarket.com/hello/software/index.html Continental Fresh, LLC: https://www.continentalfresh.com and RPE/Tasteful Selections: https://www.tastefulselections.com/ , Apeel Sciences: https://www.apeel.com/, Thx! Dreams https://thxdreams.com/, and Golden Star Citrus, Inc.: http://www.goldenstarcitrus.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theproduceindustrypodcast/support
This week on Fresh from The Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Podcast, Dan The Produce Man is joined by Adam Sanders, a former political asylum and youth attorney, and the owner/operator of Copola Organics. Sanders shares poignant stories of the struggles and triumphs of indigenous farmers from Southern Mexico. From kidnappings, village burnings, sniper shootings targeting schools, wage theft, denial of translator rights, and attacks in the fields, ultimately leading to the emergence of organic farming in California.Sanders also delves into ancient growing techniques that laid the foundation for several local small organic farms in Hollister, California.It's a packed one so Tune in and Turn on!FANCY SPONSORS: Flavor Wave, LLC.: https://flavorwavefresh.com, Noble Citrus: https://noblecitrus.com, Buck Naked Onions/Owyhee Produce, Inc.: http://www.owyheeproduce.com, John Greene Logistics Company: https://www.jglc.com, and Summer Citrus From South Africa; https://www.summercitrus.com CHOICE SPONSORS: Equifruit: https://equifruit.com Arctic® Apples: https://arcticapples.com Sev-Rend Corporation: https://www.sev-rend.com, Jac Vandenberg Inc.: https://www.jacvandenberg.com , WholesaleWare: https://www.grubmarket.com/hello/software/index.html Continental Fresh, LLC: https://www.continentalfresh.com and RPE/Tasteful...
FEATURED GUESTS: Bridget Steed is a licensed therapist, Person-Centered Expressive Arts Practitioner, and intermodal artist with a Master's Degree in Art Therapy. She is passionate about using “art as healing” and believes that creative expression is an inner resource available to everyone. Bridget is the Arts & Recovery Team Lead for Disastershock, an international humanitarian relief organization whose goal is to help children and families affected by disaster-related stress and trauma, and she has served on the Board of Directors for The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) since 2020, currently acting as one of the board's Executive Co-Chairs. After working in clinical settings, both online and in-person, with adults with intellectual and physical disabilities as well as children and adolescents dealing with poverty, abuse, addiction, and a myriad of other social and emotional issues, Bridget is now focusing on growing her private practice, Precious Cargo Expressive Arts Therapy, while living on the Yucatán Peninsula in Southern Mexico.LISTEN & LEARN: Logistical considerations for providing telehealth services while traveling. The power of creating connections through volunteer work. The benefits of showing up as we are with consistency to build opportunities in your practice. An example of a non-hustle mindset approach to marketing. Recognizing fear as a guide and the voice of historic programming designed to keep us safe at the expense of creating an impact in the world. RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: Learn more about Bridget at: https://www.bridgetsteed.com/ Bridget's online practice at: https://preciouscargoexpressiveartstherapy.com/ International Expressive Arts Therapy Association: https://www.ieata.org/ Disastershock at: https://www.disastershock.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reina-lombardi5/support
On this episode, my guest is David Bacon, a California writer and documentary photographer. A former union organizer, today he documents labor, the global economy, war and migration, and the struggle for human rights. His latest book, In the Fields of the North / En los campos del norte (COLEF / UC Press, 2017) includes over 300 photographs and 12 oral histories of farm workers. Other books include The Right to Stay Home and Illegal People, which discuss alternatives to forced migration and the criminalization of migrants. Communities Without Borders includes over 100 photographs and 50 narraatives about transnational migrant communities and The Children of NAFTA is an account of worker resistance on the US/Mexico border in the wake of NAFTA.Show Notes:David's Early YearsLearning about Immigration through UnionsThe Meaning of Being UndocumentedNAFTA and Mexican MigrationThe Source of Corn / MaizeBinational Front of Indigenous Organizations / Frente Indigena de Organizacaions BinacionalesThe Right to Stay HomeAndres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) CampaignThe Face & History of Immigration in the USAImmigration Reform and AmnestyThe Violence of Fortuna Silver Mines in OaxacaSolidarity, Change and OptimismHomework:The Right to Stay Home: How US Policy Drives Mexican MigrationIn the Fields of the North / En los campos del norteIllegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes ImmigrantsCommunities without Borders: Images and Voices from the World of MigrationThe Children of NAFTA: Labor Wars on the U.S./Mexico BorderDavid's Twitter AccountDavid's Official WebsiteTranscript:Chris: [00:00:00] Welcome to the End of Tourism podcast, David. It's an honor to have you on the pod. To begin, I'd like to ask you where you find yourself today and what the world looks like for you there. David: Well, I live in Berkeley, here in California, and I am sitting in front of my computer screen having just what I've been up to today before talking with you. Chris: Hmm. Well, thank you so much for joining us, and thank you for your work. Perhaps I could ask you what drew you to the issues of labor and migration.David: Sure. Well, I come from a kind of left wing union family, so I knew about unions and workers and strikes and things like that from probably since before I can remember. And so I was kind of an activist when I was in high school, got involved in the [00:01:00] student movement in the 1960s at the University of California, got involved in the free speech movement, got tossed out by the university, actually, and wound up going to work after that, really, because I got married, had a daughter, and I got married, had a daughter, and, I needed to get a job and, you know, worked for quite a while as a a printer in the same trade that my father was, had been in went back to night school to learn more of the, of the trade, how to do different parts of it, how to run presses and so forth and then got involved, this is, you know, in the late 60s, early 70s got involved in the movement to support farm workers, really, and I was one of those people, you know, if you're my age, you remember this, if you're younger, you probably don't, but we used to picket supermarkets to try to get them [00:02:00] to stop selling the grapes and the wine and the lettuce that was on strike, and we would stand out in front of Safeway and other supermarkets with our red flags with the black eagle on them, And ask customers, you know, not to go into the store, not to buy the products that farmworkers were on strike against.And I got really interested in. I'm curious about the workers that we were supporting. You know, I grew up in Oakland and so I didn't know anything about farm workers, really. I didn't know anything about rural California, rural areas, didn't speak Spanish didn't know much about Chicano, Latinos.Oakland's a pretty diverse city, but in the area of Oakland where I grew up in you know, in our high school, you know, the students were African American or they were white, and that was a big racial question in, in school when I was in high school. So I grew up not knowing any of these things.[00:03:00] And Because I was involved in, you know, standing out in front of these stores and supporting workers, I, you know, began wondering, who are these workers that we're supporting? And eventually, I went to work for the union. I asked a lawyer friend of mine who was in their legal department if they needed any help, and of course he said yes.I went down to, Oxnard and de Santamaria began working for the union, originally taking statements from workers who had been fired because of their union activity. I didn't know much Spanish, so I had to learn Spanish on the job. Fortunately, you know, the workers were very patient with me and would help me learn, help me correct my still bad pronunciation and bad grammar.And, and I began to learn. And that process has been going on ever since, really. That was a, that was a formative time in my life. It taught me a lot of [00:04:00] things. It taught me about, you know, the culture of. farm workers who were mostly Mexican in those years, but there were still a good number of Filipino workers working in the fields.That eventually led me to the woman I eventually married, my wife, who was the daughter of of immigrants from the Philippines from a farm worker family. So I learned about that culture and I began learning about immigration, which I hadn't really known anything about growing up. Why people come to the U.S., what happens to people here. I, I saw my first immigration raid. When I was an organizer, I later became an organizer for the union as my Spanish got better. And I remember going to talk to a group of workers that I had met with the previous night, who were worked up in palm trees picking dates.And I went down to the date grove, this was in the Coachella Valley, and there was this big green van, and there were the [00:05:00] workers who I'd been talking to the previous night being loaded into the van. I was just You know, really shocked. The van took off. I followed the van all the way down to the Imperial Valley, to El Centro, where the detention center was.Stood outside the center trying to figure out what the hell is going on here. What am I going to do? What's going to happen to these people? And that was sort of an introduction to the meaning of being undocumented, what it meant to people, what could happen. And that made me an immigrant rights activist, which I've also been ever since, too.But also, over time, I got interested in the reasons why people were coming to the U. S. to begin with. You know, what people were finding here when people got here was very, very difficult work, low pay, immigration raids, police harassment, at least, and sometimes worse than that, poverty. You know, Why leave Mexico if this is what you're going to find?[00:06:00] And it also made me curious about the border. And so that also began something that has continued on in all those years since. I eventually went to the border, went to Mexico, began getting interested and involved in Mexican labor politics, supporting unions and workers in Mexico, you know, doing work on the border itself.After the Farm Workers Union, I worked for other unions for A number of years and they were generally reunions where the workers who were trying to join and we were trying to help were immigrants. So the government workers union, the women in the sweatshops sewing clothes or union for factory workers.And so my job was basically to help workers organize and. Organizing a union in the United States is like well, you know, people throw around this word, you know, this phrase class war and class warfare pretty freely, but it is like a war. You know, when [00:07:00] workers get together and they decide they want to change conditions and they want to you know, get the company to, speak to them and to deal with them in an organized way.They really do have to kind of go, go to war or be willing to, for the company to go to war with them. You know, really what people are asking for sometimes is pretty minimal, you know, wage raises or fair treatment at work or a voice at work. You know, you think, you know, what's wrong with that. But generally speaking when employers get faced with workers who want to do that they do everything possible to try and stop them.Including firing people and harassing people, calling them to meetings, threatening people, scaring people. You know, there's a whole industry in this country that consists of union consultants who do nothing but, you know, advise big companies about how to stop workers when they, when they try to organize.So that's what I did for about 20 years. Was help workers to get organized, form a union, get their bus to sit down and talk [00:08:00] to them, go out on strike, do all those kinds of things. And eventually I decided that I wanted to do something else. And I, I was already involved in, you know, starting to take photographs.I would carry a camera and I would take pictures of what we were doing as workers. We would joke about it, kind of. I would tell workers, well, you know, we're going to take some pictures here and you can take them home to your family and show them, you know, that you're really doing what's right here and 20 years from now you'll show your grandkids that, you know, when the time came, you stood up and you did what was right and people would joke with each other about it.And I discovered also that you could use them to get support for what we were doing. You know, we could get an article published in a newspaper somewhere. Some labor newspaper might run an article about us. You might get some money and some help or some food or something. But after a while, you know, I began [00:09:00] realizing that these photographs, they had a value beyond that.And that was that they were documenting this social movement that was taking place among immigrants and, and Latino workers, especially here on the West Coast of people basically trying to. Organize themselves for social justice in a lot of different ways, organizing unions for sure, but also trying to get changes in U.S. immigration laws, immigration policies those people who are citizens and able to vote, registering to vote, political change. You have to remember that if you go back to the 1960s or 1970s, Los Angeles was what we used to call the capital of the open shop. In other words, it was one of the most right wing cities in America.You know, the mayor Sam Yorty was a right wing Republican. The police department had what they called the Red Squad, whose responsibility it was is to go out and to deal with [00:10:00] people that wanted to change anything or to organize and Unions or strikes or belong to left wing political parties or whatever.And today, Los Angeles is one of the most progressive cities in the United States, and it has to do with what happened to those primarily Central American and Mexican and workers of color, women, who over time got organized and changed the politics of Los Angeles. And so, you know, I was really fascinated by it.This process, I was involved in it as an organizer and then later as a somebody taking photographs of it and writing about it that and so that's, that's sort of the transition that I made for the last 30 some odd years. I've worked as a freelance writer and photographer, basically doing the same kind of thing.I look at it as a way of organizing people, really, because the whole purpose of writing the articles and taking the [00:11:00] photographs is to change the way people think, and make it possible for people to understand the world better, and then to act on that understanding, which to me means trying to fight for a more just world, a more just society.And so. That's what, that's the purpose of the photographs, that's the purpose of the writing, is to, is to change the world. I think it's a big tradition in, in this country, in the United States of photography and of journalism that is produced by people who are themselves part of the movements that they are writing about or documenting, and whose purpose it is to sort of help to move forward social movements for social change.Chris: Amen. Some of the stories you were mentioning remind me of my mother who also worked for a labor union most of her life. And I was definitely still very much concerned with the state of affairs. I should [00:12:00] say that you know, I'm incredibly grateful as well to have a man of your stature and experience on the pod here to speak with us your work Has definitely opened my eyes to a lot of things I hadn't seen living here in southern Mexico, in, in Oaxaca.And one of these, these books, which I'd like to touch on a little bit today, is entitled, The Right to Stay Home. how U. S. policy drives Mexican migration. And we're actually at the 10 year anniversary of the publication of this book. So I feel honored to be able to speak with you in this regard about it.And, you know, it's, for me, someone who was a backpacker and a tourist, and then later a resident of this place, of Oaxaca, to come to understand much more deeply the complexities and nuances around migration, and especially in the context of Mexican migration to the United States. [00:13:00] What's left out of the conversation as someone who grew up in urban North America and Toronto, Canada very much on the left in my earlier years, in terms of organizing and, and and protesting, the, the, the dialogues and the conversations always seem to be around the the treatment of migrants once they arrived and, and not necessarily, as you said, why they left in the first place, the places that they left and the consequences to the places that they left.And so I guess to begin, I'm wondering if you could offer our listeners a little bit of background into How that book came to be written and what was the inspiration and driving factors for it? David: The book came to be written to begin with because I began going to Mexico and trying to understand how [00:14:00] the system of migration works in the context of the world that we live in, you know, people call it globalization or globalism, or you could call it imperialism.So I was trying to understand that from the roots of first having been involved with people as migrants once they had arrived here in the U. S. I was trying to understand Well, two things. One was why people were coming, and also what happens to people in the course of coming. In other words, the journey that people make.Especially the border. The border is the big And the border has very important functions in this because it's really the crossing of the border that determines what the social status of a migrant is, whether you have papers or not, whether you're documented or not, which is a huge, [00:15:00] huge, huge distinction.So as a result of that, and as a result of kind of listening to people listening to the movement in Mexico talk, about it, investigating, going to places like Oaxaca. I first wrote a book that tried to look at this as a system, a social system. It's really part of the way capitalism functions on a international or global basis in our era because what it does is it produces Displacement, the changes that are, you take a country like Mexico, and this is what the first book, the first book was called Illegal People.And what it looked at was the imposition on Mexico, for instance, it starts with NAFTA, the free trade agreement. In fact, the first book I ever wrote was about the border and was called The Children of NAFTA, the [00:16:00] North American Free Trade Agreement. But this book Illegal People, what it really tried to do is it tried to look at the ways in which People were displaced in communities like Oaxaca.And of course, for Oaxaca, Oaxaca is a corn growing state. It's a rural state. Most people in Oaxaca still live in villages and small communities. Oaxaca's a big city, and there's some other cities there, but, but most people in Oaxaca are still what you call rural people. And so NAFTA, among the many changes that it imposed on Mexico, one of the most important was that it allowed U. S. corn corporations, Archer Daniels Midland Continental Grain Company other really large corporations to dump corn in Mexico at a price that we were subsidizing through the U. S. Farm Bill, our tax money. In other words, we're, our tax money was being [00:17:00] given to these corporations to lower their cost of production.And that allowed them to go to Mexico and to sell corn at a price that was so low that people who were growing corn in a place like Oaxaca could no longer sell it for a price that would cover the cost of growing it. That had an enormous impact on people in Oaxaca because what it did was it forced people to basically to leave in order to survive.It's not that people were not leaving Oaxaca already before the agreement passed. There were other reasons that were causing the displacement of people in rural communities in Oaxaca. A lot of it had to do with this relationship with the U. S. even then, but certainly NAFTA was like pouring gasoline on all of that.And so three million people was the estimate that in a period of 10 years were displaced as corn farmers in Oaxaca. That's a huge percentage of the population of Oaxaca. [00:18:00] And so people were forced to go elsewhere looking for work. People went, you know, to Mexico City. You know, Mexico City, the metro system, the subway system in Mexico City was built primarily by workers who came from somewhere else.A lot of them from Oaxaca. Who wound up being the low cost labor that the Mexican government used to build a subway system. They went to the border, they became workers in the maquiladoras, in the factories that were producing everything from car parts to TV screens for the U. S. market. And then people began crossing the border and coming to the U.S. as either farm workers in rural areas of California or as low paid workers in urban areas like Los Angeles. So one of the big ironies, I think, of it was that here you had farm work, farmers who were being forced off their land. And remember that these are corn farmers, so [00:19:00] the Domestication of corn happened first in Oaxaca, and the first earliest years of domesticated corn, thousands of years old, have been discovered in archaeological digs in Oaxaca and caves near Oaxaca City to begin with.So here we have people to whom the world really owes corn as a domesticated crop, who are winding up as being wage workers on the farms of corporate U. S. agribusiness corporations in California, Oregon, Washington, eventually all over the United States. That was the migration of Oaxacan people. And so you could sort of see In this, as sort of a prism, what the forces were, what the social forces at work are, in other words, that in the interests of the profits of these big corporations, these trade agreements get negotiated between [00:20:00] governments, okay, our government, the U.S. government negotiates with the Mexican government, but that's like David negotiating with Goliath, or the other way around, rather, you know, The agreements are really imposed. It's not to say that the Mexican government of those years was opposed to it. It was a neoliberal government too, but the power in this negotiation is held by the U.S. government. And so that trade agreement in the interest of making Mexico a profitable place for, you know, Archer Daniels Middleton to do business gets imposed on Mexico. And then as a result of that, people get displaced and they wind up becoming a low wage workforce for other corporations here in here in the U.S. In fact, sometimes they Wind up working for the same corporation Smithfield foods, which is a big producing corporation [00:21:00] went to Mexico. It got control of huge areas of a valley called the Peralta Valley, not that far from Mexico city. And they began. Establishing these huge pork or pig raising facilities.In fact, that's where the swine flu started was because of the concentration of animals in these farms. Again, displacing people out of those communities. And people from the state of Veracruz, where the Perote Valley is located, many of them wound up getting recruited and then going to work in North Carolina at the huge Smithfield Foods Pork Slaughterhouse in Tar Heel, North Carolina.So that sort of tells you a lot about how this system works. It produces displacement. In other words, it produces people who have no alternative but to migrate in order to survive. And those people go through all the things that people have to go through in order to get to the United [00:22:00] States because there are no real visas for this kind of migration.And them wind up being The workforce that is needed by the system here, Smithfield Foods or other corporations like them in order for them to make high profits here. And in the process of doing this, I was developing a a relationship with a very unique organization in Mexico, in Oaxaca, a part of which exists in Oaxaca, called the Frente Indígena de Organizaciones Binacionales, which is the Binational Front of Indigenous Organizations.And this is an organization that was actually started by Oaxaca migrants in the U. S., in Los Angeles, and then expanded both into the Central Valley here in California and then expanded back into Mexico in Baja, California, where there are also big corporate farms where primarily Oaxaca, people from Oaxaca are the workforce, and eventually chapters in Oaxaca itself.[00:23:00] And so I would got to be friends with many people in this organization, and I would go and take photographs at their bi national meetings, they would have meetings in Mexico where people could come together and and talk about their situation. And, you know, I began, obviously, listening to what people were talking about.And, People developed this, I think, very kind of path breaking, unique analysis of migration in which they talked about a dual set of rights that migrants need and migrant communities need in this kind of world. And so, What they said was, on the one hand people need rights as migrants where they go.In other words, people, when they come to the United States, need legal status. People need decent wages, the ability to organize, you know, an end to the kind of discrimination that people are subject to. But, [00:24:00] people also need a second set of rights as well, which is called the right to stay home. And that is the title of the book, The Right to Stay Home.And what that means is that, People need political change and economic and social change in their communities of origin, which makes migration voluntary. So these are communities that are so involved in the process of migration that it would not make any sense to say that migration is bad, because In many cases, these are communities that live on the remittances that are being sent by migrants, by members of people's own families who are living and working in the United States.So the discourse in these meetings was sort of on the order of saying that people have the right to migrate, people have the right to travel, people have the right to leave, but they also have the right to stay home. They have the right to a decent future. A young [00:25:00] person who is growing up in Santiago, Cusco, Oaxaca in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, for instance, has a right to a future in Oaxaca so that you can make a choice.Do you want to stay and have a decent life for yourself in Oaxaca, or do you want to leave and hopefully have a decent life for you and wherever you go, whether Baja California or California or Washington State? So in order to have a Right to stay home. What has to happen? What do people need? It's kind of a no brainer. People need well high farm prices to begin with. They need the ability to raise corn, tomatoes, Whatever crop it is that they need and sell it at a price that is capable of sustaining those families and communities. People need education.They need healthcare, but people also need political change because the Frente Indígena is a political organization. And so it was fighting [00:26:00] against the domination of Oaxaca by the old PRI, the party of the institutionalized revolution, which had been running Mexico for 70 years, trying to find a government that would begin to push for those kinds of social rights.And that was you know, a very important kind of eye opening for me was to hear people talking about the right to stay home, so much so that I said, you know, we need a book about this. So we're not just describing the system itself, how it works, but we are talking about what are people's responses to it?What do people think should happen here? And this was one of the most important developments of it. And it was not just. The people in Oaxaca, the more I did work on trying to investigate it and document it, there's part of the book, and also this was being done in people's [00:27:00] voices, the main voice in the right to stay home belongs to Rufino Dominguez, who was one of the founders of the Frente Indígena, who was my teacher in this, and so at one point they did knock the PRI out of power in Oaxaca and elected a governor, Gabino Cuei, who turned out to be not as good as people had hoped that he would be, but he was not the PRI.And he appointed Rufino, the head of the Oaxacan Institute for Attention to Migrants. So here was Rufino who had, was a left wing radical who spent his whole life opposing the government in Oaxaca, who then joined it for a while until he could no longer stomach what was going on there and had to leave.But. Pushing for that kind of political change in Oaxaca. There's another part of the book that talks about the miners in Cananea near the border with the United States. And their Effort to try to. win justice from this huge corporation that [00:28:00] was basically intent on destroying their union. And when they were forced out on strike, those miners also had to cross the border to Arizona to become workers in Arizona to survive.Again, you know, you see how the system is working here, but they also were talking about what kind of political change has to happen in Mexico for the right to stay home. to become reality. And that movement in Mexico grew strong enough so that, you know, after The Right to Stay Home was published, some years after, since it was, as you said, 10 years ago that Andrés Manuel López Obrador campaigned.He went all around the country speaking in every little tiny village that Mexico has, practically, in the course of four years. And one of the main things he talked about was the right to alternatives to forced migration. And I was there in Mexico City in the Zócalo when he took office. He finally won it.I don't want to go into all the things that had to [00:29:00] happen for Andrés Manuel López Obrador to win an election and become president of Mexico. But in his, in his inaugural speech as he was being sworn in, he talked about, we are going to make Mexico into a place where Mexicans can be happy living, where you don't have to go to the United States in order to survive, and I think you can talk about the, Things that the Mexican government has not been able to accomplish in the last four or five years.But I think one thing is beyond question and that is that that has been the main direction of the policy of the government of Mexico in that period of time because that's what got him elected. was this idea that, as he said, we are going to reject the liberal, neoliberal hypocrisy of the last six administrations in Mexico, meaning no more trade agreements like NAFTA, no [00:30:00] more opening Mexico up to U.S. corporations to come in and make money and as a result of which everybody's going to have to leave, that there had to be some kind of different direction in Mexico. So, in a way, I think that. Maybe that book, The Right to Stay Home, was like a little grain of sand that joined with other little grains of sand like it in helping to move forward that process of political change, because it happened on really on both sides of the border.Gosh, millions and millions of Mexicans who are living in the United States. So the process of political discussion that goes on about the kind of government Mexicans should have happens not just in Mexico, it happens here too. You know, part of Mexico is here on this side of the border. So you know, the book, and the book actually was published in Spanish and in Mexico as well too.So I think that it talked about things that were very important to people. [00:31:00] At the time, and that people are still debating about what has to happen in order for the right to stay home to be a reality. And I think it's something very important for people in this country to listen to and to think about as well, too, because in all the debates about migration that happen in here in the U.SThere's not a lot of attention that's paid to this whole idea of the two sets of rights, what has to happen. You know, certainly, you know, there are people like Trump and the right wing of the Republican Party that just, you know, never going to talk about anything like this. But even among Democrats, even in the Biden administration, you know, it's really too much about how to manage the border, you know, which basically boils down to how many people are we going to detain and deport.Rather than thinking about what kind of [00:32:00] world do we want to live in. Therefore, what kind of places migration going to have in it? ⌘ Chris Christou ⌘ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Chris: Yeah, I mean, it's, it's it's been fascinating reading and rereading this book in, in, in part to be able to give voice to not just migrants and not just migration issues in the places that people move to or migrate to, but also in the places that they, that they leave behind and the voices of the people that they leave behind.And you know, I think for. Many North Americans, especially those who are first or second generation citizens of those countries of Anglo North America, of Canada and the United States, that these are, these are the stories these are the voices that that maybe they haven't heard of in their own families as well.And so, you know, you started to mention a little bit about this. the kind of superficiality, perhaps, if I'm, if I can say it in that, in those terms, of the [00:33:00] political conversation around migration in the United States, in Canada, and perhaps even in Mexico. And so I'd like to ask you about the reception and perhaps the fallout Once the book was published, and I'm curious how the declaration to the right to stay home or the right to not migrate has altered at all the political or social social landscape in rural Mexico, you know, at least in terms of the people that you know in these places.And also if there was any response, any, any ground shaking movements as a result of the book coming out among activists in the United States. David: Well, I think that the book contributed to an important change. In the immigrant rights movement in the United States here, because, you know, having participated in that movement as an activist [00:34:00] for, gosh, 40 some odd years now, maybe more, Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986 with the so called amnesty law.Which not only gave amnesty to undocumented people, but also made it illegal for undocumented people to work in the United States after that and started the whole process of the border militarization. In fact, you know, the negative parts of that bill were so bad that many people like myself opposed the bill, even if it had amnesty in it, saying that it was not a this was not a good deal.And I think that over time. You know, history has proven that we were right not that amnesty was unimportant and not worth fighting for, but that the price that we paid turned out to be much higher than people were willing to give it credit for, you know, at the time. But what was also really missing from that debate, for instance, in [00:35:00] those years, was any sense that we had to really deal with and think about the causes of migration and the roots of migration, the displacement.It was really all about the status of people when they were here. You know, should it be legal or illegal for people to work? Should people get papers or should people not get papers? And that was a very limiting Conversation, because what really, what it really meant was that it could not acknowledge the fact that the migration from Mexico is not going to stop.For instance, the, in that, in that bill, the, the qualifying date for amnesty was January 1st, 1982, meaning. That if you came before that date, you could apply for the amnesty and get legalization, and if you came after that date, you couldn't get it. For people migrating from [00:36:00] Oaxaca, for instance, almost everybody came after.So all the Oaxacans who came to the United States, hundreds of thousands of people, millions of people really hardly anybody. Qualified for amnesty because of that bill, which is one reason why legal status is such an enormous question for the Oaxacan community here in the U. S. So it, the, the discussion of that bill didn't acknowledge that and also by setting that date, it was, I think, very cynical because Mexico had what was called the Peso Shock in 1982, where the economic crisis in Mexico got so bad that Mexico had to devalue its currency.And what that meant was that thousands, hundreds of thousands of people in Mexico lost their jobs and had to come to the United States. And by setting that date, January 1st of that year, what you were really saying is, none of those people are going to qualify for amnesty. So they were [00:37:00] already here. But also it didn't acknowledge that, you know, in the, that, that bill set up a a commission to study the causes of migration, supposedly.And that commission came back and recommended the negotiation of a trade agreement between the U. S. and Mexico. And it said, well, in the short run, maybe this would result in the displacement of a lot of people, but in the long run, it would lead to the economic development of Mexico, and then people would have jobs and they wouldn't have to come here.Well, that was another very, very cynical kind of thing, because the negotiations of NAFTA started not long after the report of that commission, and in fact, NAFTA did lead to the displacement of millions of people in Mexico. There were four and a half million migrants from Mexico living in the U. S.when NAFTA went into effect and by 2010 it was [00:38:00] 12 and a half million people. So an enormous increase in people and the rise in Mexican living standards. Never happened. Well, that's not true. When López Obrador finally came into office he began taking measures to raise wages and raise the living standards in Mexico, which previous administrations had resisted bitterly because they wanted to attract investment.And things have started to improve economically for workers and farmers in Mexico a little bit. But up until then, so being unable to face the roots of migration and its connections to corporate America and the way our government was on the one hand producing migration or doing things to produce migration on the other hand making The status of migrants, illegal criminalizing it here.It was a really, a very difficult debate for people in [00:39:00] the immigrant rights movement. As a result, a lot of organizations said, well, MSD, we need MSD. Let's just forget about a lot of other stuff. Let's just get down to seat on what we paid a really bad price for it. Today I think there is a lot more discussion in the immigrant rights movement about what happens in Mexico and Central America in particular that causes people to come to the United States.I think still there's not enough of a willingness to deal with the economic part of it. the poverty. So these days, the way it gets dealt with is mostly by talking about the violence in Honduras. For instance, San Pedro Sula, which is called the murder capital of the world. You know, I wrote a whole article about how did San Pedro Sula become such a violent place to begin with?And what did it have to do with U. [00:40:00] S. companies going and growing bananas in Honduras? But in any case it gets put down, I think too much to violence, to the exclusion of the causes of the violence. What is the, what is the root cause of violence in Central American countries? The Civil War in El Salvador was fought about who was fighting on what side, what kind of changes were people proposing.The more you unpeel it, the more you look at it, the more you see that this is really, again, about the economic and political relationship between the U. S. and China. Those countries. And so I think that books like Illegal People, like The Right to Stay Home, played a role in trying to get us to look more at this as a whole system, what produces migration, and then criminalizes migrants here.I think that it's a very [00:41:00] limited accomplishment. Because we still have an extremely unjust immigration system. You know, we all hated Trump and the detention centers and, and his racist orders. But the reality is, is that we have more people crossing the border this last year than any other previous time in our history.And we have thousands and thousands of people living in detention. In the United States in detention centers and in detention centers on the Mexican side of the border. And this is under a democratic administration. So, I think that we have to be real about how limited our impact has been up to now.But, having said that, I think it is still a big advance for us to be able to talk. in this country, in the United States, about the roots of migration, and also be able to reach out to organizations and people and communities in Mexico and talk about, well, [00:42:00] okay, what is our, what should our relationship be?Well, how do we work together? How are we going to be able to try and change this system together? I think those efforts are kind of only starting, really. I don't think there's nearly enough of it, but I think that's the future. That's where the change is going to come from. Chris: And I can't stress enough, you know, how devoid of complexity and nuance most any political conversation has these days, and that most people don't go looking for it, in part because You know, most people haven't been taught.So, you mentioned a little bit earlier, as you wrote in, in your book, The Right to Stay Home, about the consequences of mining companies, as an example, in, in Mexico. Foreign owned mining corporations. And Here in Oaxaca, it's very well known that these corporations undertake geological testing without the [00:43:00] consent of communities, that they lie to the communities about concessions when trying to push their way into the territory, and then sponsor community violence by dividing the people against each other through bribery, corruption.Intimidation, threats, and sometimes assassination. And so, I'm curious, first, if you could offer a little bit more of what you've seen in this regard, and secondly, why do you think that in this example that, you know, Canadians, in the context of the one particular mine here in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, is a Canadian owned mine, why they have no idea that this is happening on foreign soil in their names?You David: know, I wrote a long article about San Jose del Progreso in the Vice Centrales in, in Oaxaca, and Fortuna Mine there, which is a Canadian, Canadian company. And I think this is [00:44:00] another way of seeing what this kind of, just to use shorthand, this free trade arrangement between the US, Canada and Mexico, what it really means for people on the ground.Mexico in previous administrations changed this mining law so that it became possible. And the purpose of to make it possible for foreign corporation to get a mining concession anywhere in Mexico and develop a mine without having to get the consent of the people who live in the community around it.Basically saying that, you know the Mexican government was entitled to sell off these concessions regardless of what the people there thought about it. And so the purpose of this was to, again, attract foreign investment into Mexico. This is part of the neoliberal policy that says [00:45:00] that the economic development policy of Mexico should be to sell pieces of Mexico to foreign investors, to foreign corporations.And supposedly this money is going to make life better. For people in Mexico well, first of all, it's a very corrupt system, so the selling of mining concessions involves, you know, millions and millions of dollars that wind up in the pockets of those people who grant the concessions. So it was a source of enormous corruption in the Mexican government in granting those concessions and in passing that change in the law to begin with.And then in fighting for changes in the legal system, the free trade set up, those mining corporations could then, basically, it gave them not only a kind of impunity against communities that protested about it, but in which they could even sue the Mexican government. If the Mexican government tried to stand in the way and say, well, you [00:46:00] can't develop the mine, then the mine could sue the Mexican government and say, well, you deprived us of potential profits and you owe us millions of dollars.And there were decisions like the metal cloud decision that allowed for this kind of thing to happen. So what this meant is on the ground, you have mining mining concessions sold and mines being developed all over Mexico. In the face of local opposition, and the mine in San Jose de Progreso is a really good example of that, where you have a Canadian company that comes in and says, okay, we are going to, in fact, they weren't the originators of the mine, they basically bought a mine that had been played out by previous owner.And so we are going to dump a lot of money into this and we are going to make it a producing mine and the impact on the community. We don't really care. And so the impact is really enormous. You know these are open pit mines. They're a scar on the land. They [00:47:00] contaminate the water, the aquifer, so that these farming communities can no longer support themselves in the same way.In order to develop the mine, what they do is they divide the communities. And so, as you said, in San Jose de Progreso, they bought off the town's, the town's government who basically gave the company permission to do whatever it wanted to in spite of local opposition. Then when local opposition got organized to, to oppose it, the company cooperated with the with the local leaders that it had bought off to basically go after those leaders in a very violent way.So, Bernardo Vazquez. who had was from this community. He had actually gone to the United States and become a farm worker in Petaluma, in California. And then seeing what was happening in his community, went back to San Jose de [00:48:00] Progreso and to and began leading the opposition. And he was then ambushed and assassinated.Other people in his, around him were also killed, and then the violence went both ways. People on the other side got killed. And so this whole community became a warring camp, camps against each other. You know, I remember when I visited there, there are two taxi companies in this community. There's a taxi company that's associated with the People who are pro mine and the taxi company is associated with people who are against it.And you better not get into the wrong taxi because you could, some terrible things could happen to you. I took pictures of these threats that were spray painted on the walls of, some of the irrigation canals there, Bernardo Vasquez, your time has come, you know that was before he was assassinated.A lot of the people who work in the mine come from somewhere else, some of them from Canada[00:49:00] but it takes a few of the jobs in hand somehow. to certain people in the community there as a way of buying them off and giving them a stake in the continuation of the mine. And so what happens is that you have a community that's a continuing, a continuous war with itself.And this happens all over Mexico. In fact, it's not just Mexico, this is happening in El Salvador, it's happening in Guatemala, and actually mostly by Canadian companies. So you ask, do people in Canada know about this? I think there are some journalists like Dawn Bailey who have Canadian journalists who have tried to write about it, and tried to make people in Canada aware of it.I don't think that most people in Canada have the faintest idea of what those corporations are doing, and that's because I think the corporate media in Canada has very little interest in showing that, partly because, you know, they have the same basic set of economic interests that the mining corporations themselves do.[00:50:00] Probably share, same shareholders, who knows? In any case That's something that could happen and that should happen if people in Canada became more aware of what these companies were doing and then began taking action in Canada to try to restrict them. I think it would have a big impact on the ability of these communities in Oaxaca to survive.I think that San Jose the Progresso is going to be a war with itself and this continuing political violence is going to happen. Until the company, basically until the company leaves, really. I don't see any other solution, I don't see how the mine can continue operating there under any ownership and not have this war taking place there.So, but I think that the way to get that company to leave is for people in Canada to take some action in cooperation and in solidarity with the people in that [00:51:00] community. So, maybe by Organizing delegations from Vancouver or Toronto down to San Jose del Progreso would be a way of helping that to develop.That's possibly something that might happen, but basically you need that relationship in order, I think, in order to stop this from happening. Chris: Hmm. Thank you. Yeah, and you know, of course it just ends up contributing to migration, right, and exile, displacement within those communities. And and so I'm curious, what do you think the right to stay home or the right to not migrate can offer us as modern people, as citizens or migrants in the context of the current crises and perhaps the crises to come?You know, you mentioned that Immigration the numbers, the number of people coming into the United States over the last year has just been unprecedented. The number of migrants [00:52:00] flowing through Oaxaca, for example, in Southern Mexico right now is unprecedented and it really seems, you know, like.not just my opinion, but in terms of statistics and predictions and all of these things, that it's only going to get more unprecedented. So I'm curious what you might, what you might think that this, this declaration, the right to stay home or the right to not migrate, might offer us going forward. David: Well, I think it offers us something to fight for.That it gives us a vision of what a future could and should look like in the communities where displacement is taking place. In San Jose de Progreso, for instance, the right to stay home means a community that's not at war with itself, which means that the mining operation has to end. But, Ending the mining operation doesn't necessarily mean that people are [00:53:00] going to have an educational system or a health care system that's capable of meeting their needs.So you need political change in Oaxaca, San Jose de Progreso, and Mexico in general, that is able to deliver those things. For people. I think we could take that same thing and and look at people coming from Venezuela. There are a lot of Venezuelan migrants who are crossing Mexico coming to the U.S. border. On the one hand, the U. S. government is sort of a little bit more friendly. to Venezuelan migrants, although it's still doing whatever it can at the border to try to keep people out. Because, you know, this gets used in the media in the U. S. as a way of saying, well, this is the proof that the socialist government in Venezuela is incompetent and corrupt and ought to be removed, which has been U.S. policy for a long time. But in reality, the economic problems in [00:54:00] Venezuela would certainly be a lot less if Venezuela wasn't subject to the U. S. sanctions regime, which is basically sought to strangle the Venezuelan economy. And so the people who are leaving Venezuela, whether they're middle class people who are, you know, fed up with the problems of Caracas or whether they're poor people who have you know, have to migrate in order to survive those are due to U.S. policy again. So really, the right to stay home means in the United States that people in the United States, progressive people especially, have to seriously take a look at what the impact of U. S. policies are on the people that are being subjected to them, and to begin with, cause no harm.That would be a good starting place to stop those policies that are actively producing migration. You know, the people who drowned in the Mediterranean, those 600 people who [00:55:00] drowned in that horrible boating accident, who were they? A lot of them were Afghans. A lot of them were Iraqis. Why were they leaving?What were they doing on that boat? They were the product of that U. S. war. Now, I was a very active, you know, opponent of, of the war. I went to Iraq twice to try to make connections with trade unionists and other people in Iraq who were trying to fight for kind of a progressive nationalist solution to the economic problems of Iraq in the wake of the occupation to end the occupation.But you know, that's kind of what we need. We need to take responsibility for the impact of what this government has done. When we take a look at what the, what is going to happen to the people of Palestine and Gaza, [00:56:00] Under the bombardment, you know, if people were able to leave Gaza, there would be literally hundreds of thousands of people going wherever they could.And the Middle East simply in order to get out from under the Israeli bombs. And those bombs are coming from where? They're coming from the United States, that military aid package. You know, you cannot have a military policy and a military aid package the way the U. S. passes them without its having enormous impacts on migration, on the displacement of people, and at the same time it also Produces impacts here in the U.S. that we also need to take a look at and see what the relationship are. You know, people migrate in the U. S. as well, too. We have factories to close when Detroit stopped being an [00:57:00] auto manufacturing center and the Factories in Detroit closed, the car factories, thousands and thousands and thousands of auto workers became migrants in the U.S., going from city to city to city, looking for. So the price of the economic crisis that exists for us isn't felt just by people in Mexico or Palestine or Iraq. It's felt here in the United States and in Canada too. These problems They require a political solution, you know, they require us to organize ourselves in a way that is strong enough to force political change on our government here, so that it takes responsibility for the past devastation.And the past displacement and also stops doing the things that are going to keep on causing it in the future. And then I think we can think about kind of repairing the world. I think we have to repair the world, too, after this. But the first thing we have [00:58:00] to do is we have to stop hurting it. We have to stop the damage, and that means having enough political courage and enough political power to make our government do that.That's a tall order. That's a tall order. I don't think it's something from today to tomorrow. But it's a long process. You know, I'm a, I grew up during the anti Vietnam War movement and the civil rights movement, and I saw this country at a time when it was possible and when we did it. So I'm the optimist.I believe that it's within our power to do this. But looking at where we are right now, I think we have a long way to go. And so, you know, if what I do contributes is granito de arena to it, you know, a lo mejor. Chris: Thank you so much, David. Yeah, it's definitely really, really important to hear words such as yours in a time of deep nihilism.[00:59:00] And, and also the absence and I think the disregard of, of Elder Voices in our midst and in our movements. So, I deeply appreciate your willingness to speak with me and, and to our listeners today. And just finally, before we depart, how might our listeners find out more about your work?How might they purchase your books? David: I have a blog and a lot of what I write and the pictures that I take are up there and I put them up there pretty regularly. And so the way to find it is to Google my name, David Bacon, and the blog is called The Reality Check. And so if you Google that together, you'll find it and that's how you can connect.Chris: Thank you so much, David. David: My pleasure. Thank you for having me. Get full access to ⌘ Chris Christou ⌘ at chrischristou.substack.com/subscribe
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports on Migration Mexico Caravan
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports on Migration Mexico Caravan Border.
Short Coat co-hosts Brian Young (M1), Jeff Goddard (M2), and Fallon Jung (M1) discussed the challenges and experiences of medical school, including personal anecdotes about coping with stress, the demands of the curriculum, maintaining emotional well-being, the significance of peer support, and the importance of learning from both academic and personal experiences. Brian talked about a student-led initiative, Nets for Nets, aimed at providing mosquito nets to a community in Southern Mexico, illustrating the blend of medical education with social responsibility. Also, Dave shows his co-hosts pairs of images he got an AI to make, and his co-hosts try to work out which is the most like their actual medical school experiences thus far.
An argument cited often by propagators of transgender ideology is that ancient cultures across the world recognized so-called “third genders,” those who did not fit neatly in categories of male or female. If they recognized this, the argument goes, then so should we. The latest video in the What Would You Say? series engages this claim carefully, refuting it with three simple points. It begins by explaining the roots of the argument: "According to advocates of transgender ideology, because so many ancient cultures recognized 'third' genders, we should reject the 'gender binary,' the idea that only two genders exist, and we should reject the notion that gender is essentially linked to one's biological sex. … Among the most cited examples of 'third genders' are the Native American 'Two-spirit,' Thailand's 'Kathoey' (a word regularly translated as 'Ladyboy'), the 'Sal-zikrum' of Ancient Middle East, the 'Fa'afafine' of Samoa, the 'Hijra' of India, and the 'Muxe' of Southern Mexico." If a handful of people throughout all human history and culture are proof that biological sex is fake, what do we make of the fact that the rest of the world throughout all human history and culture knew that biological sex was real? To suggest these cultures' understanding of “gender” bore any resemblance to today's transgenderism is to impose our culture's categories on theirs. I believe the term for this is “cultural appropriation.” "The label 'third gender' is an anachronism forced upon people who actually presumed the reality of biological sex, gender roles, and the so-called 'gender binary.' For example, the word 'Fa'afafine,' used in Samoan culture, means 'in the manner of women.' In Samoan culture, a Fa'afafine was chosen by his family at a young age to help his mother with household tasks, often because the family had no daughters. This boy was not considered a wife or mother but was assigned responsibilities often performed by women." In other words, the Samoans and similar cultures have never claimed that young boys who might perform stereotypically “female” duties at home are actually female. But even if that were their claim, it leaves open the central question Matt Walsh dedicated an entire documentary to asking: What is a woman? That unanswered question is at the heart of a modern contradiction. "Like these so-called 'third genders,' modern transgender ideology also relies on the 'gender binary' that it claims to reject." "At its root, the modern concept that someone can be 'transgender' or “born into the wrong body,” depends heavily on rigid male and female stereotypes. If a little girl likes trucks or short hair or dislikes dresses, she must be a boy. If a boy likes pink or dressing up or playing house, he is really a girl. In other words, transgender ideology contradicts itself, promoting the very male and female stereotypes it claims to overcome." Incoherence aside, capital-T Truth exists, regardless of which people-groups throughout history believed in it. So, even if ancient cultures did believe modern ideas about women, gender, or sex, that does not make their ideas any more true or any less absurd. "Ancient cultures didn't always get it right. While some ancient cultures allowed or even expected some men to act like women, and vice-versa, many others didn't. To assume that only those cultures got it right is to make what is known as the 'noble savage' mistake. Imagine someone suggesting that because some cultures allowed slavery or cannibalism, we should too. That would be outrageous!" A Christian worldview is big enough to handle the biological realities of male and female, while also allowing for and celebrating the beautiful variety of individual men and women. "While the roles of males and females look different from one culture to the next, the biological reality that humans are male and female does not. That's been obvious in every culture until ours, and Genesis tells us why: Because 'God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him. Male and female He created them.'" To see this video and others like it, and to use them in classes or conversation, go to whatwouldyousay.org. This Breakpoint was co-authored by Maria Baer. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.
Striped Owls are known for their diverse vocalizations. Their repertoire includes deep hoots, eerie screeches, and a range of calls that help give an otherworldly ambiance to tropical rainforests from Southern Mexico all the way to Argentina. Despite their eeriness, in many local cultures, Striped Owls are believed to bring luck to those who encounter them — so consider yourself lucky if you spot one.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.
How do leaders know when it's time to step forward, or step back and let others take the lead?In this episode, Denis chats with Cody Hall and Brandon Amoroso on work life balance, realigning today's actions with tomorrow's goals and the importance of mentorship. Cody Hall, having served in the Marine Corps special operations, transitioned to the tech industry, working with Apple and Amazon. Later, he ventured into startups in the pharmaceutical and tech sectors, before diving into healthcare. Recently, he shifted from a CEO role in telehealth to focus on his own investment business. Brandon Amoroso, a Gen Z entrepreneur, started with marketing gigs in high school and college. He founded Electriq, an e-commerce marketing agency, later acquired by Drinks.com. Now, Brandon focuses on beverage technology, aiding wineries and retailers in direct shipping.Tune in for insights on balancing professional ambitions with personal passions, how the essence of entrepreneurship lies in embracing failures and persisting, and more! In this episode:Cody shares what it's like dividing his time between Las Vegas and Southern Mexico.Cody shares his journey journey from serving in the Marine Corps special operations to entering the tech industry and elaborates on his transitions from Apple to Amazon, then to startups and finally into healthcare.Why Cody left a CEO role to focus on personal investments and self-development is discussed.Brandon shares his journey from casual marketing gigs in high school and college to establishing and scaling Electriq, a marketing agency.Brandon elaborates on Electriq's acquisition by drinks.com and his current focus on beverage technology. Main takeaways:While professional pursuits are essential, finding time for personal passions like learning a new language or playing a musical instrument can be equally fulfilling.Leadership can be innate or nurtured over time. Recognizing when to step back and let others lead is a valuable insight.It's crucial to periodically evaluate one's life journey and determine if you're on the path that truly aligns with your desires.Embracing failures, learning from them, and having the courage to continue despite setbacks is key to long-term success.Engaging in practical, real-world activities can often provide more meaningful learning than just classroom or organizational experiences.Starting a marketing agency can be a cost-effective entrepreneurial venture, especially in the early days.Mentors provide guidance, open doors, and help in recognizing one's entrepreneurial path.Leveraging available resources, such as books and online content, and constantly seeking knowledge can be beneficial for personal and professional growth.Quotes:"I realized one day that I was running on a treadmill, chasing a carrot, and the life that I was seeking to have was standing next to the treadmill, watching me." – Cody Hall "Success is the positive mindset between failures." – Cody Hall "We all fail, but it's like, what makes us say... I'm going to endure this opportunity for failure one more time and get up and do it again and fall down?" – Cody Hall "I wanted to start my own business. It was more about entrepreneurship than necessarily marketing. It's not like I had this undying passion for starting a marketing agency." – Brandon Amoroso"If you're going to be an entrepreneur, at some point you're going to need to be in a leadership position. Leadership almost comes as a prerequisite in the journey of entrepreneurship." –...
Found in Southern Mexico and Central America, Resplendent Quetzals have a striking blue tail up to three times the length of their bodies. That's probably why the Aztecs considered this bird a representation of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, one of the most worshiped gods across ancient Mesoamerica. But no matter how sacred, Resplendent Quetzals are currently considered near threatened due to a declining population. Deforestation and illegal trade are the main threats to their survival.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports: Migration-Mexico
An argument commonly used to justify radical ideologies about gender and sexuality is the existence of so-called “third” genders in various cultures throughout history. For example, gender “workbooks” that are often promoted in schools, counseling offices, and online, aimed at children and their parents, suggest that “third” genders prove that transgender identities have historical precedent and are therefore not just products of a modern fad. Among the most cited examples are the Native American “Two-spirit,” Thailand's “Kathoey” (regularly translated as “Ladyboy”), Ancient Middle East's “Sal-zikrum,” the “Fa'afafine” of Samoa, the “Hijra” of India, and the “Muxe” of Southern Mexico. This long list of those who didn't conform to male and female norms of their cultures may seem to be a compelling argument. However, a quick look at so-called “third” gender people reveals that they are not based on the same presuppositions as modern transgender ideology. At the heart of contemporary gender ideology is a rejection of the so-called “gender binary,” that only two genders exist, as well as any essential link between biological sex and gender. The contention is that biological sex is itself “assigned” and therefore not determinative of one's gender identity, which is, after all, nothing more than a social construct. In most cases, labeling non-conforming individuals as “third genders” is an anachronism forced upon people who presumed the reality of biological sex, gender roles, and the so-called “gender binary.” For example, the word Fa'afafine, literally translated, means “in the manner of a woman.” The name refers to Samoan men who act like, live as, and associate with women. Historically, a Fa'afafine is a boy chosen by his family at a young age to help the mother with household tasks, often because there was no daughter born to the family. In other words, the Fa'afafine are not those “born into the wrong body” who express “their true selves.” Nor is the choice based on the boy being a homosexual or even noticeably feminine. Rather, the choice is made for them by a father in a culture committed to distinct gender roles. It's also notable that, in this context, those who are identified as Fa'afafine are not considered to be female, nor are they considered a wife or a mother. They are recognized as men who act like women. This is not a culture that denies sexual difference. The Native American “two-spirit” is a neologism created in 1990 to refer to so-called “third” genders in those cultures. However, “two-spirit” is not monolithic. Each Native American tribe had different ways of describing gender-bending individuals, and most refer to a member of one sex who acts stereotypically like the opposite sex. For example, the Lakota “Winkte,” which has been categorized under “two-spirit,” refers to a man who is “like a woman.” Such identification relies on the fact of binary gender roles. It is not a “third” gender. Of course, modern transgender ideology also relies on the gender binary that it rejects. Rigid masculine or feminine stereotypes determine whether someone's “true identity” is at odds with their bodies. A boy is considered a girl if he likes pink or plays house or even occasionally enjoys stereotypical “feminine” habits or games. In the same way, a girl who likes trucks or playing in the dirt isn't just a tomboy but an actual boy. Amidst all the talk about fluidity and gender spectrums, and sexual identity being a social construct, transgender ideology relies on the grossest, rigid stereotypes. Thus, transgender ideology not only contradicts itself, it also perpetuates the very problem it claims to solve. In the second half of the last century, a cacophony of voices denounced rigid stereotypes as harmful and restrictive, especially for children. The social contagion of those who struggle with the identities today do so because of narrow stereotypes that are treated as absolute and definitive. Girls are no longer allowed to behave “like boys.” Rather, they must be boys. And if a boy wants to be a girl, that means embracing the most frilly, suggestive, stereotypes thinkable. All of this ignores the perfectly normal and natural variety found among men and women, long before novel sexual ideologies became new articles of faith for America's cultural priests. (It's also worth mentioning that pointing to other cultures to justify a modern ideology commits the “noble savage” mistake. Just because some other culture did it does not make it right. Imagine suggesting that because ancient cultures practiced cannibalism or slavery, then we should too.) To be made in the image of God is to be male or female. The solution for today's poor thinking is not to default to some shallow stereotype, any more than it is to embrace some harmful practice of some ancient culture. Rather, it is to affirm, at the deepest level, informed by Scripture and biology, the reality and beauty of complementary sexual difference. This Breakpoint was co-authored by Jared Eckert. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.
On this week's episode of The Indy, host Alexandra Goldberg explored the ancient origins of the Oaxacan sport pelota mixteca and its strong community in Santa Barbara.Pelota mixteca originated thousands of years ago in Southern Mexico. Once played deep in the mountains of Oaxaca during Spanish rule, with the independence of Mexico came a revival of the sport— now a prominent pastime for the region. When groups migrated to the United States in the 1980s, they brought their intricately crafted and adorned pelota mixteca gloves with them and formed teams all over California and Texas. In Santa Barbara, the team gathers every Thursday for a traditional game of pelota mixteca with their friends and family at Santa Barbara High School. But, the patch of dirt they play on is too small and uneven. The players wish two things: to get a better playing court and to pass the game to the next generation. Alexandra Goldberg spoke with Independent news reporter Ryan Cruz about the origins and traditions of the game, then with pelota mixteca player Fernando Cruz about the importance of keeping the tradition alive. City council member Oscar Gutierrez joined us on the show to talk about his initiative to get the players a better place to practice, and how community support is integral.Hosted by Alexandra Goldberg.The Indy: A Podcast was co-created by Molly McAnany and the Santa Barbara Independent.All music for this episode written by Molly McAnany.Follow ‘The Indy' on social media @theindypod to support and contact podcast@independent.com for advertisements.To contact city council member Oscar Gutierrez about a potential pelota mixteca court, you can reach him at OGutierrez@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
In my work with farmers and clients I've always looked for the leverage points where small actions can lead to the largest changes and progress. Where is it that a beginner or novice can invest some resources and make big leaps rather than burning out for small results. In fact, as I'm in the early stages of renovating my own house and farm, this is a source of constant reflection for me as well.This line of thinking has led me to focus so much on water, since basically all life is dependent on it, and if you can keep your landscape hydrated you can massively increase the living capital potential regardless of what you're producing or what ecosystem you inhabit. Another leverage point that I've become increasingly focused on, thanks to the work of Julia Dakin and Joseph Lofthouse of the “Going to Seed” organization, is that of landrace gardening and plant breeding. I won't give away too much because we'll go deeper into it in the episode, but the broad concepts is, why go through all the effort of trying to adapt the conditions of your environment, your soil, water access, and other conditions, in order to grow plants that were either grown in greenhouses or completely distinct environments, when you could instead breed resilient and thriving cultivars that are adapted to your specific growing conditions. In order to shed light on this ancient concept today is Julia Dakin. Julia is a food and seed producer in Mendocino County, California. She has been involved in agriculture for most of her life, and has devoted the past few years to growing market crops and teaching the benefits of seed saving, local adaptation, and genetic diversity. For the last year she's been collaborating with Joseph Lofthouse to create the course Landrace Gardening. Over the last six months, she co-founded an organization called Going to Seed, whose mission statement is ‘inspiring a shift in agriculture towards adaptation, diversity and community. Going to Seed now offers free seed contributed from growers in the Landrace Gardening network, as well as free online courses. More recently Julia has been working on the new online course together with collaborators in Southern Mexico called Center of Origin: Sustainable Farming Methods of Southern Mexico. In today's interview, Julia and I go over her adapted definition of landrace gardening and the research epiphany during the pandemic that transformed her understanding of the conditions needed to grow the most nutrient dense food. From there we go into the practical steps on how to get started with your own landrace breeding trials and how to select for the traits you want to favor over time. We also cover the easiest vegetables to get started with, how this can work for people with tiny gardens, and some of Julia's own learnings from her early trials in growing her own tailored plants on her farm. Join the discord discussion channel to answer the weekly questions and learn new skills with the whole community Links: https://goingtoseed.org/ https://goingtoseed.org/products/1406309 https://goingtoseed.org/products/center-of-origin-traditional-farming-methods-in-southern-mexico
If you thought bad evangelical sex books were a thing of the 80s and 90s, guess again. Last week The Gospel Coalition lit the interwebs on fire by publishing an excerpt from an upcoming book by one of their (now former) fellows. This conversation untangles the sloppy reading of Ephesians 5, disturbing Roman Catholic roots, and what happens when we misuse biblical metaphors. Partner with us for $3/month to join us for The Big Debrief, a zoom call where we discuss all the things you heard in this episode and more. You also get romcom recaps, Purity Culture News & Views, and special partner-only episodes. Full show notes here Amy Peeler is Associate Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and Associate Rector at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva, IL. She is author of Women and the Gender of God (Eerdmans, 2022), You Are My Son”: The Family of God in the Epistle to the Hebrews (T&T Clark, 2014), and co-author with Patrick Gray of Hebrews: An Introduction and Study Guide (T&T Clark, 2020). Follow Amy on Twitter. Rebekah Mui is a PhD student researching empire, Christian anarcho-pacifism, and postcolonial Anabaptism at Virginia Tech. As editor of KingdomOutpost.org, she engages Anabaptist thought with issues like Christian nationalism and patriarchal abuses in the wider Christian world. Read Rebekah's work at: Part 1: Lust, Love and the Doctrine of Two Kingdoms, Part 2: The Violence of Lust and Pornography Part 3: Sexual Sin, Purity, and Bearing One Another's Burdens. Follow Rebekah on Twitter Andrew T. Draper (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is founding teaching pastor at Urban Light Community Church and the author of A Theology of Race and Place, co-author of Disabling Leadership, editor of Christian Mission and Poverty, and has authored numerous articles on race, disability, and the church, including contributing a chapter to Can "White" People Be Saved? Follow Andrew on Twitter Christy Hemphill is an educator trained in linguistics who supports minority language Scripture translation, literacy, and language development efforts in Indigenous communities in Southern Mexico with SIL. She is currently working on an editorial team that is developing a translators' resource for identifying conceptual metaphors implicit in the figurative language of the Psalms. Follow Christy on Twitter Bekah Mason (ThM, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) has spent much of her adult life advocating for those on the margins of the church—sexual and racial minorities, foster and adoptive families, and abuse survivors. She is currently the Executive Director of Revoice and a founding member of The Pelican Project, and lives with her two kids and an absurd number of pets in Chattanooga, TN. Follow Bekah on Twitter.
AP correspondent Mimmi Montgomery reports on Mexico Earthquake.
Part: 1 The Leonard Peltier Walk to Justice, organized by the American Indian Movement's Grand Governing Council (AIMGGC), began on September 1st, 2022, from Minneapolis, and concluded 1,100 miles later, on November 13th, 2022, in Washington D.C. with approximately 2,000 supporters showing up in support of demanding President Biden issue an immediate executive clemency for international and Indigenous political Prisoner Leonard Peltier. Leonard Peltier was convicted in 1977 for aiding and abetting the murder of two Federal Bureau of Investigation agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in June 1975 and he was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life imprisonment and has been incarcerated for more than 47 years. In 1993, he became eligible for parole and on January 28, 2022, he tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid 19) virus at the United States Penitentiary at Coleman, FL (USP Coleman 1). Moreover, Peltier's family says he continues to struggle with diabetes, hypertension, partial blindness from a stroke and an abdominal aortic aneurysm and he is presently at the Federal Correctional Complex Coleman's high-security facility. Supporters of executive clement for Leonard Peltier can call the White House at (202) 456-1111 and/or submit comments at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ Guest: • Kathy Peltier, the youngest daughter of Leonard Peltier, joins us for part one of today's program for an update based on her participation in The Leonard Peltier: Walk to Justice, provides listeners update of Leonard Peltier's health conditions, as well as the international efforts taken by her and others seeking United States President Joe Biden to grant an immediate and compassionate executive clemency for international and Indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Part: 2 Throughout the entire month of November 2022, their was an extreme rise in the number of Indigenous peoples being murdered throughout the southeastern part of Mexico, including the state of Chiapas and Guerrero, by both the Mexican-state's National Guard and Cartel's competing for territory and dominance in illegal actives such as narco-trafficking, gun smuggling, human trafficking, and more. The Mexican-state and Cartel violence has not only increased but has taken on new forms that further jeopardized the lives of Indigenous peoples throughout the region and elsewhere. Our guest for the second part of today's program provides listeners an important update on the escalated and new forms of violence perpetuated against Indigenous peoples and in violence of their human rights. Guest: Richard Stahler-Sholk, a retired Professor of Political Science at Eastern Michigan University, and community activist involved with the School of Chiapas which is an organization of grassroots activists and communities working to support the autonomous, indigenous Zapatista communities of Chiapas, Mexico. Schools for Chiapas was created the mid-1990's by individuals searching for ways to make the world a better place and working to create a world where all worlds fit. American Indian Airwaves regularly broadcast every Thursday from 7pm to 8pm (PCT) on KPFK FM 90.7 in Los Angeles, CA; FM 98.7 in Santa Barbara, CA; FM 99.5 in China Lake, CA; FM 93.7 in North San Diego, CA; FM 99.1 KLBP in Long Beach, CA (Tuesdays 11am-12pm); and on the Internet at: www.kpfk.org.
Sugar skulls are considered folk art and said to have come from Southern Mexico—they are part of the celebration for Día de los Muertos in English: Day of the Dead. This is not the celebration of Halloween—in Mexico. The “day” of the dead is actually two days of remembering loved ones who have passed away and welcoming their spirits home. I feel like they've got this holiday down way better than I've ever celebrated Memorial Day! Color, sugar skulls, spirits, paper flowers, candles, good food and marigolds. It seems like a celebration of inclusivity bringing the living and the dead together. Episode Art: Calavera de la Catrina (Skull of the Female Dandy), from the portfolio 36 Grabados: José Guadalupe Posada, published by Arsacio Vanegas, Mexico City, c. 1910, zinc etching, 34.5 x 23 cm. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:La_Calavera_Catrina#/media/File:Posada2.Catrina.jpeg Please Support the Whispering Gallery Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/suzannenikolaisenart https://www.buymeacoffee.com/suznikart Social Media https://www.facebook.com/whisperinggallerystories/ https://www.instagram.com/whisperinggallerypodcast/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/MysticMediumsStudio Thank you to Free Sound and the following contributors to that sound library for making the music and background sound for this episode possible! https://freesound.org/people/ThisIsMiniMe/sounds/327406/ https://freesound.org/people/TheScriabin/sounds/404952/ https://freesound.org/people/taurindb/sounds/132124/ https://freesound.org/people/Cloud-10/sounds/562834/ https://freesound.org/people/TexasMusicForge/sounds/2687/ https://freesound.org/people/bone666138/sounds/198879/ https://freesound.org/people/zagi2/sounds/265615/ https://freesound.org/people/hantorio/sounds/121945/ Show Music by the Piccadilly Pipers.
Tropical Disturbance Likely To Strengthen Today is the top story today on Monday Travel and Cruise Industry News, October 31, 2022 with Chillie Falls. Tropical Cyclone Fifteen will likely become Tropical Storm Lisa later today and Hurricane Lisa by Wednesday as it approached the coast of Central Merica and Southern Mexico. Also today, Florida Tests High Speed Trains at 110MPH; Local Art In Galveston Terminal; Celebrity Reflections Gets New Paint Job; Navigator of the Seas Using Renewable Diesel Fuel; Ovation of the Seas Arrives in Sydney; Which Cruise Ships Are Most Crowded; and much more LIVE At 11 AM EDT. CLICK HERE to access video feed Thanks for visiting my channel. NYTimes The Daily, the flagship NYT podcast with a massive audience. "Vacationing In The Time Of Covid" https://nyti.ms/3QuRwOS NYTimes First Person Podcast " His Ship Finally Came In, but Should He Be on It? " https://nyti.ms/3zRJo4j To access the Travel and Cruise Industry News podcast; https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/travelcruisenews or go to https://accessadventure.net/ Save On Airfare https://bit.ly/3h6lXLf To subscribe: http://bit.ly/chi-fal As always, I appreciate super chats or any other donation to support my channel. For your convenience, please visit: https://paypal.me/chillie9264?locale.x=en_US Chillie's Cruise Schedule: https://accessadventure.net/chillies-trip-calendar/ For your special needs, contact me or Scootaround, https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals, 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. Special Needs Cruising: https://youtu.be/DWR5kNM2x_g Check out my streaming partner: https://streamyard.com?pal=4889083533852672 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChilliesCruises Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillie.falls Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChillieFalls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chilliefalls/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chilliescruises Business Email: chilliefalls@gmail.com Accessible Travel Blog: https://accessadventure.net/ Chillie Chats With Sue Bryant, London Times Cruise Editor About Emerald Azzurra https://youtu.be/_bnrkqPf2gE Chillie Chats With Disability Advocate Kristy Durso https://youtu.be/tJ65YgDyNbk Chillie Chats with Mark Chilutti on Accessibility of Oasis of the Seas https://youtu.be/ibuJe7sfvrA Chillie Chats With Kelly Narowski, Disability Rights Advocate and Avid Traveler https://youtu.be/NFB7LhkJ7go and https://youtu.be/LxbC5UW-Lsk Casino Loyalty Programs with Sue Sherer https://youtu.be/p0SsewJC_cE Chillie Chats with Camille Segobia on Solo Cruising https://youtu.be/PsoTywFMuSo Chillie Chats with Author Ivan Cox a/k/a Dr. Gerald Yukevich, The Cruise Ship Doctor, https://youtu.be/juZmIuYv-IU Chillie Chats With Speaker, Writer and Wheelchair Traveler Lilly Longshore https://youtu.be/tyrV6KZE-9Q Cruise Amigos with Jeannine Williamson https://youtu.be/_s9L_cV72fk Chillie Chats With Jordan Taylor, of JJ Cruise https://youtu.be/O5Khw0avcTQ Chillie Chats With Coleen McDaniel, Cruise Critic's Editor-In-Chief https://youtu.be/5mbjRqNcRXk Chillie Chats With Cruise Critic's Adam Coulter from Norwegian jade https://youtu.be/NVEPLIQ-tH0 Cruise Amigos with Jeannine Williamson https://youtu.be/_s9L_cV72fk Chillie Chats With Captain Mick, Active Disabled Americans https://youtu.be/B3g17D8Tv6Y Chillie Chats With Ashley Lyn Olson, WheelchairTraveling.com https://youtu.be/N4kCil4xT3M Chillie Chats with Allison More about Norwegian Fjords https://youtu.be/Y2V4c6TVauY Chillie Chats With Shelby Frenette about TA Training https://youtu.be/OhBRwS5Hp1M Chillie Chats With Bubba Shumard and Ivan, Rotterdam's Food and Beverage Manager https://youtu.be/2MgkF7fm7_w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Multiple allegations of voter intimidation have been reported in Arizona as early midterm voting gets underway. The Arizona Republic's Sasha Hupka joins us. Then, after Los Angeles City Council members were caught on an audio recording making racist remarks including comments about Oaxacans, Indigenous people from Southern Mexico who make up a large portion of the city's immigrant population. Author and restaurateur in Los Angeles Bricia Lopez and assistant professor at the University of California Irvine Brenda Nicolas join us. And, as the weather cools down, pick up some winter squash at the grocery store and try out these three recipes from Kathy Gunst, our resident chef. She shares how to make a ramen dish, a farro salad and an herbaceous galette.
Traveling is an integral part of the human experience. Whether it's to visit family, friends, or for a well-deserved vacation, it brings about an opportunity for reflection and self-discovery. The most valuable part of travel is not just the destination but rather the journey itself and by partnering with socially responsible tourism initiatives, travelers can make a positive impact on social justice and the communities where they operate.Christine's guest today is Sofía Godoy.Sofía has a Bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a Masters in Cultural Tourism. She made her way into the tourism industry, as she started working with different international DMC's as a freelance Group Tour Leader. This gave her experience in group travel, logistics and operations in Guatemala, Belice and Southern Mexico.She is the Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Etnica, a Guatemalan based social enterprise; focused on responsible travel through community and immersive experiences.For full show notes and to access resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.lotussojourns.com/podcast-episodes/episode99Learn more about Lotus Sojourns and ways to be a part of the community here.Find Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community for like-hearted women.Follow us on Instagram: @lotussojourns or @souloftravelpodcastLOVE these conversations...support the production of this podcast by making a donation here! Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Sofía Godoy(Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna BoothSupport the show
What are some things you can do to create the most efficient and highest quality products and team? In this episode, we're hosting Dave Munson, Founder of Saddleback Leather Company, a premium leather product company run out of Azle, Texas. Dave got his inspiration to work in leather when he was an English teacher in Southern Mexico. He told the leather worker in a local leather shop that he wanted a bag so durable he could pass it down to his grandkids to fight over. He loved that bag, and when he got back to the states, he found that a lot of other people did, too. People asked him all the time where he found it and where they could get one. Although talented, the leather worker who crafted Dave's amazing first bag wasn't particularly trustworthy, so Dave went on to find another extremely talented craftsman in Mexico's leather town, Leon. Thus started the long journey to becoming one of the most premium and prized leather companies in the Americas! Join us today to hear Dave's amazing story and how he operates this wildly successful business! You'll hear: How Saddleback Leather can charge a higher price than competitors and thrive 3:46 Where Dave got the inspiration for his unique advertising approach 7:00 Size of the Saddleback team 15:00 How Dave establishes trust with his team members 18:21 Top things the Saddleback team does to increase productivity 31:12 How Dave ensures he has time for his family 37:35 How a Core Values Index (CVI) test helped Dave be a better leader 42:16 About the Guest: Dave and his black lab, Blue, started Saddleback Leather living in Juarez, Mexico sleeping on the floor of a $100 apartment with no hot water for three years. He fought a bull in a Mexican Bullfight and had a Federale sent to kill him while trying to get the company going. In 2006, he met his wife on Myspace and in 2008 they started a leather factory in central Mexico. They currently live in 2000 square feet of safari tents outside of Fort Worth, Texas with their two kids and 3 labs. Resources: Website: www.saddlebackleather.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saddlebackleather Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saddlebackbags/ The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor! At AgriGro, we know that in today's modern agriculture, our efforts can deplete life or add life. When you look for ways to add life, it's sustainable and makes everything work better. The result is enhanced plant and soil health for crops, gardens, and turf, as well as improved animal health and environment for livestock and wildlife. Our products are all-natural, easy to use, and friendly to the soil, the plant, as well as the grower. AgriGro's® formulations deliver essential plant nutrition along with an advanced prebiotic concentrate, which significantly increases the multitude of beneficial native microbial species already residing in the production environment. Through these environmentally sound technologies, we're adding life to crop production, livestock, home, turf, and wildlife markets. You don't have to be dependent on crop production efforts that deplete life… Just Add Life with AgriGro®.
A two hour rant about the incredible Cactus Forests of Southern Mexico, the Cloud Forests of Oaxaca, Cool Customs Agents, Drying Herbarium Sheets witta blowdryer nice, Fleabag Hotels, and much more.
This week we chatted with Katherina Audley about humpback whales in Southern Mexico. For almost the last 10 years she has fostered an incredible community based effort to learn about and protect humpback whales and other marine life along the shores of Guererro. The Whales of Guererro Project has been a labor of love for her and the local community as they foster the next generation of people, whales, and tourism on the shorelines of the state of Guererro.
In this episode I'm joined by No More Adjectives to wade into the topic of Anarchy full bore. We get into our common sense definition of what ‘Anarchy' means to us and it's ancient Greek origins, what made him an Anarchist as well as his deep dives into theory and subsequent quasi-rejection of it in favor of putting Anarchism into practice via Mutual Aid with AnComs in his local area, looking to successful Anarchist communities today like the Zapatistas in Southern Mexico and Rojavans in North-Eastern Syria, we get into the differences between leaders and rulers, the tribalist nature of people, including Anarchists looking for ‘their tribe' and the bombshell revelation of how lawns are both dumb and worse, French. We also discuss community building for preppers and likeminded people and the importance of being a social animal over a hermit, ‘Unions of Egoists', why ‘ideology' and labels are a constraint and much more! Follow No More Adjectives on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/no_more_adjectives/ Check out his writing and other material here: https://linktr.ee/Nomoreadjectives Check out my new substack website, ‘The Anarch' here, and be sure to subscribe to the free newsletter: https://theanarch.substack.com You can support what I do by grabbing some LPI. merch: https://spiritofresistance.com/collections/libertypunk Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/br.the.anarch/ https://twitter.com/BRhatesFeds 3D Printing Gats: https://ctrlpew.com/the-complete-getting-started-guide/ https://www.enblocpress.com/guide/
We discuss the border, battleground state races, and more. Our Guests Are: Kris Kobach, Joe Kent, Sherrona Bishop, Elizabeth Nader, Frank Gaffney, Boris Epshteyn, Oscar RamirezStay ahead of the censors - Join us warroom.org/joinAired On: 7/25/2022Watch:On the Web: http://www.warroom.orgOn Gettr: @WarRoomOn Podcast: http://warroom.ctcin.bioOn TV: PlutoTV Channel 240, Dish Channel 219, Roku, Apple TV, FireTV or on https://AmericasVoice.news. #news #politics #realnews
Show Notes: This week it's our book club episode of Yaycando in which we discuss the powerful concepts and ideas of the best selling book by Don Miguel Ruiz called "The Four Agreements" based on the ancient Toltec beliefs from Southern Mexico over a thousand years ago. In his book Ruiz discusses how humans are domesticated as children by the society into which they are born with certain belief systems, laws and rules of conduct which are taught through a system of punishment and reward; "good girl/boy & good boy/bad girl". In time we come to internalise those belief systems and rules as our own which leads to a process of autodomestication; "We can now domesticate ourselves according to the same belief system we were given, and using the same system of punishment and reward. We punish ourselves when we don't follow the rules and we reward ourselves when we are the "good girl" or "good boy". Our belief system creates an inner Judge which judges everything we do and don't do, think and don't think, feel and don't feel. Everything lives under the tyranny of this inner Judge leading to guilt, shame and the need for punishment. There is another part of us which receives our judgments and this part is called the Victim which carries the blame, the guilt and the shame. Just being ourselves is our biggest fear, according to Ruiz. We have learned to live by other peoples demands and points of view because of our fear of not being accepted and of not being good enough for someone else. We form an image of what perfection is to try to be good enough and to be accepted by everybody. We especially try to please the ones who love us most. We create this image, but we don't fit this image. It is impossible to live up to; "Our image of perfection is the reason we reject ourselves; it is why we don't accept ourselves the way we are, and why we don't accept others the way they are". In order to break free from this vicious cycle to choose our own belief system, become our authentic selves and create a life of possibility, joy and fulfillment, Ruiz proposes we adopt the following four agreements: 1) Be impeccable with your word Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. 2) Don't take anything personally Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a protection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinion & actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering. 3) Don't make assumptions Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. 4) Always do your best Your best is going to change from moment to moment, it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret. Very powerful suggestions which if practiced in a "do my best" spirit can no doubt lead to increased self love, acceptance, freedom, serenity and harmony in our lives. Highly recommended!
INTRODUCTION: Noemi Uribe (she/they) is a queer Latinx advocate living in Boston, MA. Growing up in a Latinx Pentecostal church shaped the way they saw homosexuality and Christian theology. After leaving their families church and attending a Hillsong church in Boston, they thought they had found a safe space to finally question their sexuality and faith. But what she experienced was the complete opposite. After leaving and surviving religious trauma, Noemi is now speaking out in order to warn other LGBTQ+ people and allies of the dangers of church ambiguity on LGBTQ+ policies and bring the good news of queer theology. INCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE (But not limited to): · Noemi's Traumatic Hillsong Experience · Noemi's Vulnerable Account Of Childhood Abuse· Some Epic Hillsong “Church” Shade· Undercover Conversion Therapy at Hillsong & Lakewood (and other churches)· How Churches Abuse Their Volunteers· The John Gray + Carl Lentz Connection · Welcoming Vs. Affirming aka A Side/B Side· Dope Fiends Have More Love Than Church People· Why You Must Scrutinize Your Pastors· Why You Don't Really Know Your Pastors CONNECT WITH NOEMI: Twitter: https://twitter.com/noemimiuLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/noemimi.u CONNECT WITH DE'VANNON: Website: https://www.SexDrugsAndJesus.comYouTube: https://bit.ly/3daTqCMFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SexDrugsAndJesus/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexdrugsandjesuspodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TabooTopixPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SexDrugsAndJesus/_saved/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devannonEmail: DeVannon@SexDrugsAndJesus.com DE'VANNON'S RECOMMENDATIONS: · Pray Away Documentary (NETFLIX)o https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370o TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_CqGVfxEs · Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed (Documentary)o https://press.discoveryplus.com/lifestyle/discovery-announces-key-participants-featured-in-upcoming-expose-of-the-hillsong-church-controversy-hillsong-a-megachurch-exposed/ · Leaving Hillsong Podcast With Tanya Levino https://leavinghillsong.podbean.com · Upwork: https://www.upwork.com· FreeUp: https://freeup.net VETERAN'S SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS · Disabled American Veterans (DAV): https://www.dav.org· American Legion: https://www.legion.org INTERESTED IN PODCASTING OR BEING A GUEST?: · PodMatch is awesome! This application streamlines the process of finding guests for your show and also helps you find shows to be a guest on. The PodMatch Community is a part of this and that is where you can ask questions and get help from an entire network of people so that you save both money and time on your podcasting journey.https://podmatch.com/signup/devannon TRANSCRIPT: [00:00:00]You're listening to the sex drugs and Jesus podcast, where we discuss whatever the fuck we want to! And yes, we can put sex and drugs and Jesus all in the same bed and still be all right at the end of the day. My name is De'Vannon and I'll be interviewing guests from every corner of this world as we dig into topics that are too risqué for the morning show, as we strive to help you understand what's really going on in your life.There is nothing off the table and we've got a lot to talk about. So let's dive right into this episode.De'Vannon: morning, everyone from the discovery plus documentary. Song megachurch exposed. I have with me today. No Emmy Orbay and she is a queer Latin X advocate in this here episode. Noam renders a real and raw account of her time.Under the oppression of Hillsong church, she talks about the dangers of church ambiguity. When it comes to [00:01:00] LGBTQ plus issues, she talks about her abusive childhood y'all and so much more from the moment I saw Nomi on this documentary, I was bonded to this girl and I knew that I wanted to talk to her. I'm so excited. We got to shoot this episode because I felt like it was extremely cathartic and healing for both of us. And I hope you get healed too.Hey, beautiful bitches out there and welcome to the sex drugs and motherfucking Jesus podcast. Hallelujah, tabernacle and motherfucking praise. I would say the happy what the fuck independence day weekend is. We're about to record this here on the 1st of July, but who the fuck feels independent considering the fuckery that the damn Supreme court just did.So I have with me today, I hope I don't butcher your name. Nomi [00:02:00]Noemi: close. De'Vannon: Yes. Noemi: It's pronounced no Emmy. So just think I have no Emmy awards. No De'Vannon: Emmy, not yet bitch, but you will hopefully. No. Emmy UBA. UBA. Yeah. UBA, no Emmy UBA. And So what do you think about this whole independence day and how it doesn't really fill all that independent anymore?Noemi: As an AFAB, it's really awkward because I no longer have bodily autonomy according to the Supreme court and as a brown person, I've kind of already known, known I didn't have the same liberties as other people. So it's kind of like an oxymoron of like on one side, it's like, I just lost more rights.And on the other was like, bitch, you knew that was gonna happen. Like, come on. so, yeah, it's a little, a little weird, but not surprised, honestly. Unfortunately. Now [00:03:00] you De'Vannon: said in a, a what's Noemi: that, that means A female, a assigned female at birth, which means I'm I'm non-binary. So I do not identify as a woman.I'm more like gender fluid there's days when I feel more feminine and that side comes out a little bit more and I'm okay with people calling me woman or using the pronouns, she, her. But now that I'm in more of a allowing myself to be, I identify more as non-binary on that spectrum. And I use she a pronouns and yeah, I identified now more with AFAB rather than a woman.So, yeah. De'Vannon: Hells. Yeah. Thank you for that education. We're gonna talk more about that towards the end of the interview, when we reference your beautiful resource list and you had a whole Prevo pronoun thing going on on your link tree, which I so, so impressed with. So, so y'all, I've been. This is one of [00:04:00] those interviews that I've been working my death off for, for a long, long time.And, you know, you know, I felt like I won not even a lottery, cuz this is invaluable to me, but this is like jackpot score. Hell yeah. I was able to get this interview. So discovery plus released a, a documentary, a three part documentary each part's about an hour long that came out months ago and This, this, this, this beautiful soul here was one of the people featured in that documentary.This documentary was the most epic shade that I ever saw through a heal song church in Australia. The well, well deserved shade too. I might add. And, and no, Emmy was a person who was featured in this documentary. I love the work that discovery did, but when it was done, I felt like I felt cheated. I was like, I wanted to see more of no [00:05:00] Emmy.And so I reached out to her and I'm like, girl, you need more screen time than what they gave you. So I'm gonna give you a whole hour to just talk about youth and so . Thank you. And so tell me, what was your experience like being filmed in the documentary itself? Noemi: It was definitely different from being talking to a reporter.So I had done articles before we had started and I say we, because it was a collective of us who had left Hillsong who kind of reconnected after we left in about early 20, 20. And we started like talking about our experience and we came across a reporter who was interested and they became interested after Carl was fired Carl lens, who was a former pastor of Hillsong NYC and of the east coast.So after all that shit show went down, [00:06:00] everyone was like, wait, you've been talking in the, in, so on social media, you've been calling out people. Can you tell us a bit more? And mainly they were like, do you know Carl, did you ever talk to Carl? So it was really awkward because they clearly had a direction they wanted to take.Things in. And they wanted to often like flip stories say things I didn't say. And it was just like a constant back and forth of like, please don't like misinterpret my words. This is what I meant. This is how I'm going in a documentary. It's your face, your voice in your words, like you're speaking. And people are hearing from you directly, and that's a very different experience, especially when you have three cameras pointing at you, but you have to be facing another person to not be looking directly into the camera.You kind have to get like, comfortable with that. And we spent about [00:07:00] five hours recording. So I was able to sit with them, share all of my story and I knew all of it. Wasn't gonna make it because if they shared everyone's story, like completely, we would still be watching it right now. It'd be like seasons long from all the abuse and things that Hillsong did.But I, I understood why they didn't include as much as they did. It was more of the three episodes were more of like setting the stage for people to understand what Hillsong is, who they are, what they do. And I, I was, I'm gonna be honest. I was a little frustrated that they didn't include more of my experience, but I understood the direction that the director went in.The director and I are, are. Are like friends. Now we, we meet up often. Actually. I just met up with him last week and we're talking about projects or different things that are happening to [00:08:00]continue on to allow more people to come on board. So yeah, I think my experience overall with the documentary was a good one.It definitely, there's still a lot of content that hasn't been shared that was recorded and I'm hoping that they use that in the future because they have it and we'll see how things go from there.De'Vannon: Thank you for that beautiful breakdown. What was what was something that was really important that you did share that didn't make the cut that you would like to say right now? Noemi: I think something that was really frustrating that wasn't included was my experience being a queer person at Hillsong that was not mentioned, it was not brought up because that's like the basis of what happened at Hillsong.The how their they're. How can we [00:09:00] call it? I'm like forgetting my words right now. They're they're. Purposeful ambiguity of Hillsong, like of their, of their policies, of their LGBTQ policies and how it affected my mental health drastically and how they approach supporting me through my mental health crisis.And the drastic difference between friends between Pastor who was unqualified to support you through pastoral care? Because at hillside they don't, they don't even go to accredited school in comparison to a pastor who was there for me as well. And she had gone to seminary and had her master's in divinity and was taught how to be there for pastoral care for someone Those were the two big things.So LGBTQ policies and their lack of or their ambiguity, their lack of, of [00:10:00] clarity on LGBTQ policies within the church for volunteers and for attendees and members and their lack of qualified pastoral care when it comes to any mental health, mental health crisis or anything that happens of abuse within the church.And you're seeing a lot of that now where they had that lack of experience, that lack of care for people that you are seeing victims being shamed victims being said that they are gossiping. So it's like a back and forth De'Vannon: Uhhuh, as you're saying that. And I'm so sorry that you had this terrible experience.It reminds me of the of the Exodus. Movement, which I, I learned more about from the pray away documentary, which is on Netflix and how they mm-hmm , you know, there was a, there was some buckery in there with them using these supposed psychologists and whatever the case may be to come [00:11:00] in, you know, and buffer, you know, their motives to try to do conversion therapy.It also reminds me of say, like, say under that, that last rat ratchet ass president's administration, how he would have these random. Doctors of all kinds of shit that had nothing to do with pandemics coming in, giving medical advice. Mm-hmm so it sounds like they were just trying to get people who sounded more important than what they actually were.Yeah, for sure. And then, you know, when we're setting in, in front of all of these, you know, the television watching, you know, the presidents in the news or in church, you know, we're, we're positioned to believe them, so they know they can take advantage of our naivete and our GU ability. Noemi: Yeah. And to go along with that Hillsong a few years, Like a few, probably in like early 1990 to mid two thousands, they were actually, I'm not sure if my timeline's correct.So don't quote me on that, but I know they were affiliated with [00:12:00] the conversion therapy organization in Australia. And I found this out after I left and I did more investigation on my own. And when the organization came upon more scrutiny of what they were doing in Australia, they disassociated, but the practice within Hillsong continued.So I experienced some of that in Boston. De'Vannon: Yeah. Fuck. That's when you think it can't get any goddamn damn worse. Yeah. I, Noemi: the same, the same reaction you're having right now is the same reaction I had when I found out. Yeah. De'Vannon: Okay. So you attended Hillsong Boston? Yes. Okay. So conversion therapy. Let me write this down because okay.I'm, I'm like I'm channeling my inner Tina Turner bull from what's love got to do with it. None of your ho GAO numb of [00:13:00] your holding GAO. If y'all, haven't seen the movie, you need to, it's a Buddhist chant that apparently help you keep your shit together. I love that. so, okay. So in the documentary, you, you know, presented as a, a volunteer, this is where I bonded with you because when I was at Lakewood church in Houston, Texas, which is under Joel Ostein, our largest megachurch here in the United States, mm-hmm , you know, I was a big volunteer there.And when I saw you, I was like, oh my God, here's another person who, who had given their soul, heart, mind, body money, time and wage too much. And a lot of shit, we can never get back to a church only to be treated like shit mm-hmm . And I said, I, my souls reached out to you. And I was like, you know, cyber hug through the TV.I hope she feels it wherever she's at right now. And and so when, before I got fired from, from Lakewood church [00:14:00] and I hope one day we do like a leaving Lakewood because there's other people out there who've been fired from lake, you know, volunteers. Yeah. But fired for not being straight. I know this because I've come across them in gay bars and stuff.Wow. And when the conversation came up and they were like, yeah, that happened to me too. So I hope somewhere, somewhere, somewhere, someone will wanna do a documentary about the, the abuse that Lakewood church does because people are, are leaving there as well. But we're, we're here to talk about you, but they'll, Noemi: they'll protect people like John Gray.De'Vannon: Homotherfucking Godcuy son. That's one of the things that I do not understand why I say like Oprah would give him of all fucking people, a show. Okay. I'm looking at him. I'm going closet gay, man. [00:15:00] I'm going. Oh yeah. Amongst all the things Noemi: my Gayar is like going off when they see him. Yes. De'Vannon: And, and people are like, well, how do you know?I'm all like, bitch, it's abundantly clear to those of us who know. And I didn't know that his. I don't even know what sort of adjective he would attach to that, you know, reached, you know, globally enough, you know, and you mm-hmm I'm like, Noemi: well, Hillsong gave him a platform too. So that also helped him. Yeah.He went, he went to Hillsong conference and preached at a few. De'Vannon: Yeah. You know, that doesn't surprise me because Joel Ostein in the, the, the fucker who runs Hillsong shit, you got so many, you got Joel, the musician, John shit. Yeah. Your pastor, you know, they're all like Brian Houston, you know, they're all like buddy, buddy.Noemi: Oh yeah. And Carl, Len and John uh, Don gray were friends before Carl [00:16:00] even came to New York and before John was even in Houston. So they knew each other way before. Stand. Yeah, so they like followed each other because Carl went to the inauguration of when John Gray received a church in Greenville. So he was there, De'Vannon: bitch.Birds of motherfucking feather flock together. Noemi: Yeah. It's all. We have a small world everything's interconnected, especially within evangelicalism. De'Vannon: This is why I'm glad we're having this conversation. Dumb ass Christian people. And I can call them that because I used to be one setting there, all deer in the headlights and believing the image that preachers put supposed preachers and prophets and whatever put forth.I never questioned anything. And I boss the damn bullshit and I, I just don't like the fact that I did that. And so that's like a huge reason why I do what I do now, Noam and I are gonna tell y'all this truth. [00:17:00] And you can sit there at your damn church and keep being a dumb ass stupid bitch. Or you can wise up and leave or adjust your expectations.Or, but if, I mean, just fucking go because yeah. Get out run while you can. So, oh my God. So, so the conversion therapy, but when I got fired, let wood church offered me what I call a conversion therapy package. And so when you said that, that word. It triggered it in my ear because, you know, Joel Ostein does not get on stage and go, Hey, we like to do conversion therapy behind the scenes.Noemi: Of course, they're not gonna do De'Vannon: that. No, my fault was when I applied to volunteer in the kids' ministry. Ooh. They had on the application. We do not want homosexuals working with our kids, but having just gotten out of the military during don't asks, don't tell I was like 22, 23. I was thinking in my head, okay, this is just [00:18:00] another one of those don't asks.Don't tell moments no big deal. So I just went on with it. Okay. I didn't understand the severity of just, you know, how they think, how church people think you're either straight or pedophile. Mm-hmm that, that, that's just, that's just desperate. Yeah. They think Noemi: homosexuality and pedophilia go hand in hand.De'Vannon: Yeah. Well, not even homosexual bisexual train if you're yeah, that's true. Straight or pedophile, that's it? Yeah. Those things. And so. So then they were like, yeah, you gotta change the gay shit. If you wanna stay here and stuff like that. So what did you see like this? You know, and as you're saying, like basically behind the scene, you know, all of these people, Carlish John Gray, Joel Ostein, Brian Houston, everybody's friends behind the scenes.So they're exchanging ideas, best practices and everything like that. So that's why I'm not surprised. You're seeing one thing pop up at Hillsong. You see it pop up at Lakewood at other churches, too smaller churches we've never heard of, but smaller churches like to mimic [00:19:00] Hillsong. Oh yeah. And Lakewood.So what, what did you see in terms of conversion therapy? A hill song? So Noemi: first we have to set the stage for what conversion therapy looks like within evangelicalism, because it is very different from like an Exodus. They're not gonna be explicit, like. Exodus times. Okay. When that organization existed often conversion therapy within a church is more subtle of.Telling you, you can not, you don't have to identify it's all about identity mm-hmm . And that's the direction that Hillsong took. So I had to be in some mentorships. That's what they called it. When I finally came out to my leader during my time, I was a leader at Hillsong. I was leading a connect group, which is like a small group during the week for people who spoke Spanish, because I wanted to bring more of my people, Latinx people together or [00:20:00] Hispanic to be more specific.And I was a service lead for a team called events. And we were basically in charge of running the whole church, making sure that everything was running correctly. We were like the middle man between the leaders, the pastors and all the other teams. So that was us. So I was one of those service leads. I was one of those leaders in that team.So as I'm like in these leadership positions, I start questioning my sexuality. I come to my leader of the team and like kind of a good friend and let her know like, Hey, this is happening. I'm coming out to you. At the time I was identifying as bisexual, just because I was too afraid to fully accept that I was gay.Mm-hmm mainly because of family reasons as well, the way I grew up in a Pentecostal church that was like super fundamentalist. So at the time that, that was the safest [00:21:00] identity I've I felt I was okay with. So I come out to my leader and she says, okay well, the things you're doing right now are fine because you're not like facing front.Like you're not in front of people, like on stage. But if you do wanna do things like that, it's we can have a conversation. Conversations can continue. So I started asking her questions, like, what does this mean for me as a person within the church? What does this mean? In general? At the time I was still identifying as this gender.So my gender identity wasn't even coming into question. It was just my sexual orientation. And so she said we can continue these conversations and see where things go. So as time continued and the conversations continued, I started noticing a pattern of then wanting me to identify as a child of God, rather than queer, or rather than by, or rather [00:22:00] than LGBTQ.As something that was mutually exclusive and it was being pushed more and more, but the opportunities to grow in leadership were being reduced and drastically being pulled back slowly. They started affecting my mental health. So then they started blaming my mental health on my sexual orientation saying that because I'm identifying this way that my mental health was going downward spiral, that it was all interconnected.So for me, that was really frustrating because that was obviously not the case. It wasn't an internal thing. It was more of the, the external affecting my internal within my community. And it got to the point where the leader that I was talking to could no longer Quote unquote control me. So she kind of ghosted me and moved me onto the next pastor.So I [00:23:00] went and had to be talking now to a higher up someone above her. And he approached me with. Calling it mentorship. So we had to meet at more scheduled times with my previous leader. It was probably once a week that we would talk and the conversation would come up with this pastor. It was now more scheduled and I had to go and meet with him more frequently.And the conversations continu to, why are you identifying this way? How can we remove that? How can we get you to give it you're all at Hillsong and remove this part of you. And he started giving me more of an open perspective as to what was happening in New York, where there was people there who were LGBTQ, but we're no longer identifying that way because Hillsong had convinced them to no longer do that.So he was saying, I could connect you with these people. They're amazing. They can help you out in your journey. And I was. [00:24:00] No, because they're not mutually exclusive. So this was happening within Hillsong on my own. I was already going on my queer theology journey of learning about queer theology, learning about side ACE, I B what a, what is affirming mean within Christianity?What is the difference between welcoming and affirming? Because we hear those two words a lot within evangelicalism, mainly. And so, as I was becoming more confident in, in who I was, and in my identities on the flip side, I was getting all of these questions from hill song, through the mentorship of trying to convince me to identify otherwise.And when I was in these meetings, I could now be more confident and say, no, These aren't mutually exclusive identities. These are two completely different identities that don't intertwine. Well there is intersectionality within them, but they're not mutually [00:25:00] exclusive. And that's when they didn't like that anymore.When I would ask explicit questions, they would always be to around the Bush until I was very detailed on the questions that I was asking. And I learned how to ask questions through queer theology and through other people who had done it. I started asking things like if I were to ever get married and my partner happens to be of the same sex, would you perform our marriage as a pastor clergy who has that authority under us law?And they would be like, oh, well his Hillsong church doesn't really perform these kinds of things only for friends. And I was like, Ugh. Okay. So I was like, as my friend, because they would call themselves that to me in order to make the conversations feel more vulnerable. Supposedly I was like, as my friend, would you marry me and my friend who my partner who happens to [00:26:00] be of the same sex and they would just kind of beat around the Bush until I got a straight, no, I was like, okay, great.One answer. Number two. Would you hire, would Hillsong church hire someone who is openly queer? Who doesn't have to hide anything and maybe even happens to be married with someone of the same sex. And they kind of were just like, kind of quiet about it. And they were like, well, we have these like values and beliefs in hill song and the person who we hire has to align with them.So I was like, so is that a yes or a no, like give me the straightforward. And until he finally like, said, no, well, we wouldn't, we can't do that. I was like, okay, check number two. So I started getting all of these straightforward answers and it took me about a year and a half, almost two years to get those straightforward answers.And that was my turning point of. This is no longer a [00:27:00] community. I am safe in. My body knew that and my body kept telling me that, but your brain is often takes a little bit longer and your heart takes a little bit longer to come around. So once they finally connected the two and I reconnected with my body I was able to, to leave.So that was some of my conversion therapy experience at Hillsong. De'Vannon: Thank you so much for sharing that annoying me. So I heard what you were saying like about. How they are, they're not upfront with it. They're not gonna get on stage, like the Exodus, move it and be like, yeah, you're you gay people.You're gonna become UNGA today. So the way they did it for me at Lakewood, they, they offered me like books. They were like, we pre-selected these books for you to become UNGA. And I have a feeling that had I accepted that and went into submission. Then it would've led to all the things that you just said, you know, all the different counselors and everything like that.Yeah. Yeah, Noemi: I had to [00:28:00] do devotionals as well. As part of like the, the mentorship, some of them were we wage war. So like your mind is in warfare and you had to fight against your mind. And as I would do the devotional, whatever I wrote down, I had to take a picture and send it to my leader and they would have to read through it to ensure that I was in including anything queer, any queer theology, that it was more generalized the way they wanted it to be.De'Vannon: Mm-hmm, so not authentic, not authentic, not directly from heaven through your heart, you know, filter through Hills song. Yeah. Just like these churches messages filtered, pre edited, and then supposedly divine. Yeah. You know, at least when they pulled you from , your ministry was gradual. I'm gonna talk about how you, how you felt like it affected your mental health more in depth.Mm-hmm . So you were doing a lot there. And this is where, [00:29:00] why I was so excited to have you on my show because I had never met anybody who was as ingrained in their church as a volunteer, who was ripped away from it. So I really felt like, you know, we were siblings in a very kind of twisted yet comforting way.yeah. From a bond trauma bond. Yeah. We've told a trauma bond. So, so I was the volunteer supervisor for Wednesday night, over a few hundred children. I've supervised 20 other teachers. And then also taught my own great group of third grade boys. I was in charge of the check-in kiosk as well. I also was a worship leader for the kid in the kid's life for Wednesday night.Then I also sang in the huge ass adult choir on the weekends too. Oh, wow. And when they, when they fired me, they didn't gradually, they just chopped it all off at once. And so, and so Wow. I know the trauma that I experienced from having everything chopped off all at once. Now, you said it affected your mental health.Is there [00:30:00] any kind of words you can use to describe the degradation that happened? Noemi: That's a good question. I never thought of it in that way. I think for me words that I can use to describe it traumatic is like the biggest one because it activated my PTSD, I already had PTSD from a previous experience as an adolescent.And it was more that was a very traumatic experience. So. being at Hillsong was like reliving it. And I didn't know, because I was undiagnosed until more recently my therapist and my team of doctors have like finally diagnosed me and we can take a good, clear path towards healing. Mm-hmm . But at the time, I didn't know.[00:31:00] And so my experience at Hillsong was very traumatic and I was reliving a lot of, of what I had experience as a, as a young person as an adolescent. It was also very abusive because use of, because they tell you how much every single Sunday they appreciate you. But when you come down to your lowest moments of me being in a psychiatric hospital for trigger warning contemplating suicide, and almost like attempting it.When I went to the psychiatric hospital, no pastor ever visited me when I was there and only like two friends from the church went. And so that for me was very eye opening because the pastor that I had connected with who was my best friend's aunt, and she was part of [00:32:00] the UCC church, the United church of Christ, who is like the first church in the us that was openly affirming to LGBTQ people.And she's this black woman amazing mentor to me. She came and visited me. I'm not even a member of her church, but yet she came to visit me and the pastors where I was giving all of my time to. Never even bothered to send me a card flowers, call me nothing. They didn't even like mention it. I ended up, I got discharged or actually it was around this time in 2019, that, that it happened.I got discharged right before 4th of July. And that Sunday following I had to be in church and deliver the same quality, the same quantity that they expected from me as if nothing before I was even in the hospital. So that was very eye opening to me. So I'll say very abusive and manipulative and gas lighting [00:33:00] because.They, they want all of this work from you and they, they expect all of this free labor, but they don't want to give anything in return. They don't even bother to like check in on how you're doing mentally, how you're doing physically there's people who would like break their arms and they would show up and still volunteer.And so it's very like when it comes to my mental health, it's something that is very like, frustrating that they didn't even see the signs of how I was spiraling down that any other person who doesn't even know too much about it could see it. But yeah, I don't know if that fully answers your De'Vannon: question.It does. And it gives me so many more for whatever comfort is worth. Again, for our trauma bond. I feel like I'm a part of this. [00:34:00] Group of the church, kids who got their feelings hurt, you know, a church is a, and more than our feelings hurt. We were just damaged. Mm-hmm , you know, and really, really destroyed, you know, a church is supposed to be the safest space on earth and it is absolutely not that.And, but, you know, I feel like we are, you know, all siblings now and I feel very much a part of the P of the people who have left hill song. I just feel that way. And so for, so for whatever is worth though, maybe it might bring some comfort to you on some level to know that you're not alone. And the same thing did happen to me as well.You know, I had, I had been volunteering. For years at Lakewood. And I'm sorry that it happened to you too. I feel like we could say we're sorry. You know, so for so damn much. Yeah. You know, and it means a lot to hear that and to, and to be able to say that too, but when I got fired from there after all those years and the supervising, all those people, it was the same thing at Lakewood.Oh, we couldn't do this without you hashtag I am lake, [00:35:00] you know, mm-hmm, great. Great, great. You're wonderful. Until we find out you're not straight. And then it's by Felicia bitch be gone. Actually, we can totally do this without you and nobody ever called or would ever to come and find out where I had disappeared to.And the, the fucked up part about it is when I was homeless, you know, a drug dealer and all of that in Houston. Same, you know, because I really spiraled down after I got kicked outta Lakewood, you know, I can only imagine there's goddamn dope things that will come and check on you. If you haven't come to the dope house to the trap house in a day or two, they're gonna be like, oh bitch, where's T-bone we ain't seen him in a minute.We need to go find this motherfucker. Wow. Homeless, dope meth heads will come and check on you. They haven't seen you. And the damn church people didn't. Noemi: Wow. I, that kind of happened after I left. So the way I, they didn't cut me off completely, but they were slowly pushing me out of like, I was ghosted by my previous [00:36:00] leader on the events team.So I no longer felt comfortable being a part of that team. So I left it because I was like, this is really, really awkward. I started volunteering with a pastor supporting him, the pastor that was mentoring me. I was doing some admin work with him. And then those mentorships became ghosting sessions where I would show up and he wouldn't.And I did around four times, I showed up and he never showed up. Denver texted me, called me before or anything. So after that, I was like, okay, I can see what's happening now. Like, they're just trying to like push me out. So I ended up leaving. And no one ever even like, I, I ended up stopped attending in like early December.No one ever even called or texted a few friends that knew that, like we talked a bit more called and texted me and checked in, but it wasn't like a like a, Hey, how are you doing? Wish you could be here. [00:37:00] I ended up going back in December. 29th, 2019. Because the pastor who I was mentoring was leaving to Sydney to go be trained, to be a pastor.I was like, wait, you weren't even qualified to do this. And he asked me like, oh, are you attending any church? And I was like, no. And he's like, oh, that's so sad. And I was like, no, honestly, I'm doing amazing. Like my mental health is doing so much better and he kind of just stayed quiet about it. And he's like, well, you can always come back.This is your home. And I was like, no, it's, it's really not a home is where you're, you're welcomed in wholeheartedly for who you are and you don't have to hide any side of you or any part of you. And I was like, this place is not my home because I do, when I walk into these doors and through these doors and he kind of just stayed quiet.And I was like, this is just a house. It's, it's not a home. It's just a [00:38:00] building with people in it. And I left and I didn't turn back and COVID kind of helped with that cuz often when you leave a place You have a little inching to go back. It's kind of like an addiction of like, wait, I'll go check back.So I did end up going in February of 2020 to just see some friends. And I was slowly kind of starting to feel like the need to be back there and COVID hit. And I had to, everyone had to quarantine and like no services in person. So that really helped me like rip the bandaid off and like not go anymore.So I, yeah, De'Vannon: well, thank God for COVID, you know, seriously COVID day, a lot of great things, really. And so, so, and, and, and what Naomi is saying, y'all I want you to be sure you pay a close attention. What she's saying is [00:39:00] that these churches. Use a lot of platitudes and a lot of repeat words that have no heart, no soul, no emotion, no feeling behind them.It's like, it's a script, it's a track they've been trained well. And if you listen to different churches, they say the same shit, you know? Yeah. It's all very, like, everything's gonna be all right. Everything's great. We love you. You're the best. You're great. You're the best ever, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.When they claim the prophesy, it is very general. I see great things coming from you. It's gonna be your best year, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Okay. Everyone says the same thing. Yeah. Make your own decisions. We're just letting you know it's bullshit. And so , and I'm not saying every church is bullshit or every pastor is bullshit, but I'm saying you must scrutinize your leaders and not take what they say for face value.And if you get that feeling like something might not be right, then don't [00:40:00] rationalize it. Noemi: Yeah. And I think when it goes back to scrutiny, this pastors who are actually trained to be pastors and who are qualified to be, pastors are okay with scrutiny. They want you to scrutinize them. They wanna be better.They wanna learn from what mistakes they've done and how they can improve upon them. Pastors who are not, are often huge narcissists who are just doing it for their own, like up like upping their ego and their narcissism. And so when you call them out, it's like calling out all of who they are. And so they point the finger at others, which is what often happens with people like Brian Houston, Carl lens, John Gray, Joel Stein, where they're like, oh, it's not me.God called me. How can I do anything wrong? It's these people, these gossipers. And so they'll point it back at other things. And so those are the huge differences I've seen where scrutiny is really well [00:41:00] welcomed from other pastors who are actually trained to do it in comparison to pastors who are not.De'Vannon: You're right. My, my evangelist Nelson who raised me spiritually and everything, very high clevery woman, a true prophet test, not none of this vague shit. If she said something was gonna happen in 10 years on the day did, and there's many, many people who can vouch for that though. She's no longer alive.She told me when they PA you know, a preacher pastor or whatever you wanna call it is either gonna be really, really strong or really, really weak mm-hmm . There is no in between when it comes to this and the reasons for that, or a whole topic of discussion for another day, but it is the truth and you see weakness, doesn't have a.Narcissism doesn't have a face. So what I'm saying is you could be looking at a well-dressed person. Who's talking himself, a preacher, prophet, pastor, whatever, with all the money and all the, as kisses around them [00:42:00] and all the congregation. And you might be looking at somebody who has fallen or somebody who's a total narcissist and you don't know it.Mm-hmm . And so. And I can tell that people who go to churches have not accepted the fact that their preachers could be anybody because when the, the preacher's scandals come out, that everyone's clutching their pearls, like it's so impossible. They did what they did stole the money, fuck the thousand bitches or boys, whatever the case may be.Well, if, if you were levelheaded and you understood that that person on stage is human and can do anything, you might not appreciate what they did, but you wouldn't be so taken aback. Mm-hmm then that lets me know that people setting in churches, just like how I used to. And you used to give these people too much credit.So I just wanna remind people that preachers, when they go up there are at work and they're putting on a show just like most people do when they go to work. That is one side of them. And you also don't spend really any private [00:43:00] time with these people, as much as they call you family and friends. Bitch, can you pick up the phone and call them on a bad day?Will you be going with them on the next family vacation? Mm-hmm you don't really know these people. Noemi: That's true. My dad, my dad was actually a pastor. And so that's very true. People thought they knew him by what they would hear on Sundays while he preached or by grabbing lunch with him after church. But people didn't really know him at all.Like I, as his kid knew him, but whenever someone would be like, your dad is this, this and this. I was like, actually, you're kind of incorrect. This is who he is actually. Mm. But you're very true. Yeah. That's true. Mm-hmm De'Vannon: hell she from, from being a dope dealer, I used to sell drugs. The district attorneys, lawyers, very rich.I'm surprised, very rich old men who like to smoke crack and get fucked in the ass by ethnic men who on the, who come [00:44:00] out. on Mondays looking as conservative and white as ever. But. Bitch. From Friday night to Sunday night, it's crack and Dick. Noemi: Wow. But is the Bible say there's nothing new under the sun.De'Vannon: It not nothing new, but some shit, some shit is still like Gastly. Yeah, but, but we're saying all this to let you know that you don't really motherfucking know people, you can be married to people and you don't really know them. So how the hell you really know this damn preacher mm-hmm , but you wanna know them and it makes you feel special because you're, you feel some sort of attachment to someone who's on TV or to someone who has money because you wanna be around power and people are well, they make you, they make Noemi: you think that you know them too.They do. Yeah, they play, they play a good game and like people and they'll get like shows [00:45:00]made of them and, and that just exalts their ego, but it's not who they really are. De'Vannon: Mm-hmm lying sucks the shit. And and I heard you say that something happened in your adolescent. Is that something that you're not at a point where you're ready to talk about?Noemi: No, I can talk about it. So I had, I, how can I explain it? So I moved to Mexico when I was 11. My dad was a pastor and he became ill and he had become undocumented as well. And so it was best for him to move back to their country. So to my parents' country which was Mexico. And so my sisters and I moved with them and we experienced some trauma there because all of my dad's brothers were [00:46:00] also pastors and they were the worst kind that you could ever meet as well.Cheating on their wives, political, like they they're in it for politics and money. And so I saw all of that. And that for me was like very eye opening as to what the church really was. And my cousins stayed in it because like, it's the family business and the ones who couldn't take it anymore would leave and they would be ostracized or they would come out and no one would talk about it.It was just like a, like O overall, it was very, very bad. My dad ended up passing in 2012 and I was around 16 years old. And one of my uncles, one of my dad's brothers offered to allow me to move back with him in the us, him and his wife and his family. And my SIS, one of my sisters was already living there with them [00:47:00] working.And my mom couldn't afford high school in Mexico anymore for me. And so it was just cheaper for me to come back to the us because I was a citizen here to go to school for free at a, at, at high school and finish off and hopefully go into college. If I could get scholarships or whatever. So I ended up moving my second semester of junior year and I lived with them for about a year and a half.And that was probably the most traumatic experience I've ever had. I was basically became their maid. So they wouldn't do any housework. It was all my responsibility. I didn't know how to drive and I still don't because it's very traumatic. I'm still processing it, but they signed me up in a school that was right outside the school zone so that they had the power over when I could go to school or [00:48:00]not.And I would have to beg to be taken to school every morning or oftentimes they. Restricted food and what I could consume. And if I hid food in my room or purchase anything they would find it and eat it or take it out or throw it away. It was just a lot of very traumatic things. And yeah, I, I was there for about a year and a half and I survived.And the day I left, I never looked back. I was actually kicked out a day before my graduation for high school, because they were angry that I had gotten into a four year college full tuition because at, at their house, it was very traumatic, but my, my safe Haven was school. And so I dedicated so much time into school.I had top grades. I graduated with so many honors and like top [00:49:00] 5% in my class. And I was given a full tuition scholarship to a state school in Arizona. And so they were angry that they couldn't maintain me in this system of abuse. They wanted me to go to a community college that was close by. So again, they could continue to drive me.They can continue to do all these abusive things. And I found a way out of it by going to school or going to a four year university, they were very mad. So I ended up being kicked out the day before I graduated like literally within two hours, they were like, you need to leave now. So that was a my experience there.And I'm so processing, I don't remember a lot of it because a lot of it was very like shut down, but yeah, they, they are still pastors in Arizona, so, yeah. De'Vannon: Hi.[00:50:00]Yeah. I just told her, basically. I'm sorry. You partially think , you know? Yeah. Well you got a lot. Oh, Jesus Christ. When you said family business, do you mean like the church Noemi: mm-hmm the church is a, is a family business. Once someone becomes a pastor, they'll pass a church onto their kid. De'Vannon: Yeah. I wanted to just point that out because that's, that's very much a thing.And you do see the church going from one son to the next, usually something like that. Yeah. And when I, Noemi: when I ended up leaving my family's church in like junior year of college, I went to my pastor and let 'em know that I no longer wanted to be a member of the church because it was the same church organization in Mexico as it was in the us.And I continued to attend when I came back to the us They were angry, cuz they were like, wait, people know you within the church. Like this is your last [00:51:00] name. You are basically set up like the women's ministry within the church was already building me up. Like I was already volunteering with them, going to conferences with them.They were like building me up to be one of the leaders once I got married obviously. And so for it to be me to just like leave my status behind, they were very like dumbfounded and kind of angry that I would like leave their church organization. But for me it was like, no, like I can't be in this anymore.This is very like abusive and yeah. It's it's it wasn't for me.De'Vannon: That's so that's so culty. Oh yeah. felt like you wanna go now you stay. Yeah. , I mean, I'm laughing at the absurdity of this and the fact that it's not so rare, it's not like you, it's not like this sort of thing doesn't happen. No, [00:52:00] because with media, people are now able to tell their stories with pastors have been getting away with this shit for years.Oh yeah. Possibly, ever since church ever were mm-hmm I heard you say, you talked about like questioning your sexuality and I just wanted to let you know that I did that too, you know, because of the church. And I went out and I got me girlfriends and everything, and tried to UNGA myself and it didn't work.So I just wanted to, to let you know that you're also not alone. Wondering what the church is gonna think. If you date someone of the same sex and everything like that, I rearranged my personal life because of the church of how I thought they might think and everything back in the day. Wow. And so I'm just saying that, so that, that you hear it from someone else, because I think that is very healing.I think it's very healing for you to get your story out today. I'm feeling a spirit of healing here. I don't, and I don't mean that the way the churches say, oh, there's a spirit of this and a [00:53:00] spirit of that. Like I just really feel a very cathartic thing going on here. yeah, I hate it when I say something and I sound like those fuckers still.Do you ever have that happen to you? Noemi: I do. Christian De'Vannon: Christian.And I heard what you say about, you said about the trauma that you went through and how it, your mind shut some of it off. So it's kind of like a blank space. I wanna let you know, you're not alone there too. Cause when I was homeless and everything from the time I got kicked outta Layfield, I spiraled down to, I ended up homeless on the street with HIV and hepatitis B and so oh wow.In my mind, shut off a lot of the too, it took me years to remember, you know, much of what happened. So[00:54:00]one of the things that you mentioned in the documentary, the leaving Hills song documentary, one thing that impressed you about Hillsong when you first got, there was the fact that like everyone could wear what they want. You saw diversity, you felt like it was gonna be your home mm-hmm . And I wanted to highlight this just to, to, to mark the reasons why these churches have created like.We're given a foothold in the first place. So the fact that it stood out to you, and this was the same thing. When I went to Lakewood, you know, nobody's judging me for what I'm wearing, you know, original churches, original churches, you know, more modern, recent churches made a big deal over what you wore, stuff like that the music was inconsistent or the musicians just wouldn't be there.You know, sometimes when you would go to church and stuff like that. And so, and then it wasn't diverse. You would be a bunch of white people, a bunch of black people in my experience. Mm-hmm . And so we go to these other churches. and [00:55:00] it's almost like they looked and saw, okay, this is what has pissed people off about churches up to this point.Mm-hmm this is more like a business decision. This is what the customers hate. So let's just give this to them in a different package. Yep. What do you think Noemi: that's exactly what happened within Hills song? Because when Brian Houston was leading his church in Australia he was supporting his dad.First of all, Frank Houston, the, the, the actual pedophile in this whole story He Brian Houston came to the us and started seeing what churches were doing here and took that back and decided to make church more like a business. And that's when he started changing the name. That's when the music ministry started growing more and it grew so much, they brought in a celebrity to sing with them.So they made it an actual business and, and often [00:56:00] Hillsong other churches tend to replicate what Hillsong did and they're basically replicating their business model. So yeah, mm-hmm, you're right on it. De'Vannon: Yeah. So y'all just because some preacher looks all holy in divine, you have got to, to get discernment for yourself or just some common God street sense, shit, something you can't just.They'll be like, oh God is leading us. No bitch. All you saw was that this, this business model worked across the, the waters and you just went and did it. And of course you can stand there and say, oh, it is Jesus. No, it's not the same way churches have a good kids program. I don't really think it's cuz they like the kids so damn much, but they know that the parents, kids bring the parents, the parents bring the coin.Yeah. That's, that's really why I think that that's the case. And so, I mean, sure you love kids, but if I think it's of all, about fucking money. video1376668743: I Noemi: agree when [00:57:00] my dad was when we were in Mexico, we started a small group in this small town where they were all farmers and no one liked going out there to talk with them or anything because they were all they would call them Oaxaca, which are just farmer people who were from the Southern Mexico.More lower class, no one likes that. A lot of classism colorism, my dad went and started a Bible study with them. So he asked my siblings and I, okay, who's gonna go help me with the kids. And my sisters are like, kind of like nose goes. So I was left and I was like, fine, I'll go and help. I started the kids' ministry with him.I started with about five kids and it, I was 13, 14, mind you, another kid teaching kids. And so I started doing the Bible stories that I had learned, and we would just play games the whole time. And all the other kids in the community started noticing that we were just playing, coloring, [00:58:00] playing. And so they would come for like the 10, 15 minute lesson.And then we would go out and like chase chickens and like rail in the goats and like play around in the backyard. And that started bringing the parents in. So we went from a small group within about a year and a half, a small group of about 10 people. to almost like a hundred having to then pass it on to someone else because my dad didn't wanna stay there long enough for, to establish a church, cuz he felt the need to like move on to a different location.So we ended up leaving it in the hands of someone else. And there's currently a church there now because of that small group that we started that brought people in because of the kids' ministry. So the kids bring in the people, the people bring in the money. So I completely agree with that. De'Vannon: Yeah, God damnit.I knew I was right. son of a bitch Noemi: and, and also the reason why I felt like [00:59:00] Hillsong was very diverse and. Was very welcoming and people could wear what they want was because I grew up in this environment where I wasn't allowed to wear pants. I wasn't allowed to wear makeup. I couldn't grab my hair. The typical, very fundamentalist church where the Bible is infallible.It is. Without error, you know, like all this kind of things. So very fundamentalist church. And my, my dress code went with that. I had to cover my head before walking into service, things like that. Oh Lord. Yeah. So when I left that and went to a place like Hillsong where people were in like chunk glass, or they were wearing like whatever shoes they wanted, like sandals shorts, a t-shirt makeup on or hair was cut.Like, it didn't matter what they wore that for me was very like, oh my God, I can do whatever I want. And diversity was, I felt it was there because [01:00:00] I grew up in a mono-ethnic church where it was all Latinx people, Spanish speaking church. So to go to a, a church where you can see black and brown people and majority white people.Yeah. But there was still black and brown people also there. That's where I was like, oh, this place is diverse. Because I was like, noticing the difference between majority or 99% Latinx to like probably 70% white and 30% brown and black people.De'Vannon: I say goddamn. That's just, that's just, that's all I can say. And I'm gonna say this before we begin to wrap up and I, and I thank you. I appreciate so much of your time. I heard you, when you were talking about that you considered suicide and everything like that. I'm so sorry that that happened to you.And it reminded me though, of someone on, so I'm gonna give a shout out right now to Tanya [01:01:00] Levine of the leaving Hills song podcast over there in Sydney. Tanya Levine was also. On the discovery plus documentary, I was just interviewed for her podcast too. Like last week, Matt, Matt, Matt Draper. And I did like a whole thing with Tony.And so, but there was a guy on her podcast who also tried to kill himself over some hill song fuckery. And so I just wanted to throw that out there and say, you know, churches are causing homelessness, drug addiction, suicide mm-hmm and they need to be held to account Noemi: no, I agree. Yeah. I was on her podcast as well, like a three part episode.Yeah, I, I completely agree. There's so many of us, even when I left, there's a few of my friends who I helped them get the support they needed by going to a hospital. If they needed a psychiatric evaluation, the amount [01:02:00] of people who ended up going to a psychiatric hospital are taking medication right now are in therapy, is like, I, I cannot count with one hand.It is way beyond that. And it's very frustrating and it's very, there's like this righteous anger that you have of the amount of money that we've had to put into place in order to heal from our time there. Like I was there two years and it's taken me way more than two years to be in this place now where I can speak openly without it being very triggering De'Vannon: to me.Me too. It took me a good, like 10. It took me 6, 5, 6 years after I got fired from Lakewood to walk into a church again. And then it took me probably like, you know, up until maybe like last year. So we're talking about like another, like five, seven years before I could talk about it without just getting all pissed off and angry.Noemi: Wow. I still haven't been able to go into a church. I [01:03:00] went into a church for the documentary interview and that was very triggering cuz it was the first time I stepped in. So the producers and the director realized that. And so we were kind of like going very slowly until I felt very comfortable shit talking another church inside of another church.De'Vannon: I'm here for all of that shit. Yeah. because you know, we go to these churches and it's like, you're falling in love with someone you become bonded and connected and you have a soul tie. It's like a marriage and you just feel like you can trust it. You know, it's so engrafting and emotional and the reasons why we feel like we need churches as a whole other conversation, but nevertheless, many of us find ourselves there.And to have that relationship severed is I think it was O R one of those good bands said, you know, when a heart breaks, it don't break even, you know? Yeah. You know, we're all shattered and torn. And [01:04:00] roaming and lost, and the church is going on making more money. They're writing more books, writing more music, you got your Darlene checks and your Cindy Cruz rat cliffs, flying all over your Israel, Hiltons and everything, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.And everything's all great and wonderful. And you got your Joes and your Bryans, and everything's all great. But under the surface, these people are built their success. These worship leaders, these pastors have built their success on the backs of people like us, who they have broken and shattered and discarded, and didn't even turn around and go and see what happened to us.Yeah, that's true. And you know, the Bible speaks about how God will enter into judgment with these pastors who don't go and look for that one. So they all have their day coming. You've been successful now, a bitch, but you just wait mm-hmm so you have a website that I want to tell everyone about, and it is your link tree.Now I'm gonna put all this in [01:05:00] the showy notes. Okay. But it is link tree, you know, they spell it kind of funny. It's like L I N KTR dot E E slash N OE, M IM I dot U. Your Twitter is at N OE IM IU. And this is totally gonna go in the show notes. You have a totally and kick ass link tree. You've got LGBTQ affirming resources, mental health pronouns matter.And then you also have in Spanish, too record to And so I appreciate other resources that you have there. And so the last two things that I wanna ask you just pulling from like your passion for your resources is just what, what is the difference? What does a side B side mean? Noemi: So before I answer that one the reason why this [01:06:00] link tree happened was because, okay, so many people were reaching out to ask me for resources or asking me questions or a direct asking me to direct them into other podcasts books plethora of things.And I did not have the time to like be sending everything every time I was basically copying and pasting the same list to people. So it got to the point where I was like, I should just put something together. It's gonna take me a little bit longer, but in the long run, I can just direct them to the link of my bio.And they started mainly on Instagram. And it's the same username, N O E M IMI dot U. And the, the same link is in there as well. And so people could go in and, and see the resources. The two that I created, or the one that I created was more affirming resources for LGBTQ people. The one for mental health.[01:07:00] I started finding different resources from different websites, from like the Trevor project to just like general like mental health websites that we're offering lists of things. So I put that all together. And then the pronouns matters. I included that because people were asking me questions about my pronouns.Why am I using two different types of pronouns? And so I was like, oh, that's a great question. So I would have the conversation. And then I would be like, if you wanna learn more, you can go to this link in my bio. And there's a, a link there that will redirect you to talk about it. And the anti-racist resources in Spanish.I included that because. As a Latinx community, which is what I am a part of, we often don't talk about our anti-blackness and there is a lot of anti-blackness within our community. And so I wanted to start a conversation and a lot of people wanted to understand a bit more where there was friends of mine who were saying, I don't know how to [01:08:00] talk about this with my family, because it's clearly there.So I would direct them to this link. And I've also used the resources within it to have the conversations with my family. So we can now be more open about things like black lives matter understand why people like George Floyd died and why they were like killed in the hands of like the police and other folks.So that's part of why all of these resources are in there. Your second question around side a inside B, when I was learning more about queer theology, I. Started to learn about these two sides. Because I went to lunch with a group of Hillsong people and I was sitting at a table and all of a sudden, I don't know how the conversation sparked, but I turned to the [01:09:00] person next to me and he was like, oh my God, I'm queer.And I was like, oh my God, me too. And so we started having more conversations and he's like, what side are you? And I was like, what are you, what are you talking about? I don't know what you're talking about. And so then he started explaining to me the two sides. So basically side a is that you are fur, wholly affirming that you don't believe that being LGBTQ is a sin at all.That it's not included in any of the sins in the Bible that you are fully affirmed by God that God may do this way, that you are who you are and you are queer, fully and wonderfully made. And. To quote unquote and I hate using these words acting upon it is also okay. So to be who you are fully is, is good because you were created good.You are a good creation of God. So that's side a side. B is yes, this is who you [01:10:00] are. This is who you you have same sex attraction, and I'm using a lot of trigger words probably for you. But this is what side B is that you have attract attractions to people with the same sex and. That's okay.But if you act upon it and are in a relationship with someone or are more openly queer meaning that like you go to things like pride or you become you, you are in a relationship with someone, then that's the bad side of it. And you shouldn't do that, that you should be celibate that you should like be more compressing it down.And that is your cross to bear for the rest of your life. That I don't agree with. But if that is you I'm more than welcome to have a conversation around why I believe that is not a good side, but if that's you, you know, go forward and, and be yeah, De'Vannon: besides [01:11:00] sounds like the dark side of the forest, Noemi: it is for me, it is, that's what I.De'Vannon: No, we don't want that. And I'm, I'm so sorry to hear. Thank you for explaining that. Cuz I had never heard of that until I met you. Is the, the, the whole. You know, Hispanic people against black people is something I witnessed when I was a recruiter in Southern California, back in the early two thousands.And the high schools, we had like black, Hispanic wars and stuff. And I'm like, y'all really gonna sit here and let these white people watch the brown people destroy each other. Exactly. Come on. Noemi: Like we were
Editors Jimmy Lovaas and Jaime Calle Moreno discuss the U.S.-bound migrant caravan on the move in southern Mexico, plus more on demonstrations against gun violence across the United States, Norwegian oil and gas workers threatening to strike, the FDA reviewing coronavirus vaccines for small children and two Saudi government delegations visiting the US.These stories and more are also available in our weekly Forecast email and you can subscribe for free.This episode includes work from Factal editors Joe Veyera, Irene Villora, David Wyllie, Alex Moore and Jaime Calle Moreno. Music courtesy of Andrew Gospe. Have feedback, suggestions or events we've missed? Drop us a note: hello@factal.comWhat's Factal? Created by the founders of Breaking News, Factal alerts companies to global incidents that pose an immediate risk to their people or business operations. We provide trusted verification, precise incident mapping and a collaboration platform for corporate security, travel safety and emergency management teams. If you're a company interested in a trial, please email sales@factal.com. To learn more, visit Factal.com, browse the Factal blog or email us at hello@factal.com.Read the full episode description and transcript on Factal's blog.Copyright © 2022 Factal. All rights reserved.
Nearly 10,000 migrants are marching through Southern Mexico and heading straight for the U.S. border. The group is timing their journey to coincide with the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles this week. So what's the Biden administration doing to stem the growing border crisis? Sending billions of dollars to central America. Buck takes a look at the latest from the U.S.-Mexico border. Plus, the January 6th Committee is schedule to deliver it's findings to the American people this week. Claremont Institute Fellow Ben Weingarten gives his take on the coming dog and pony show. And National Review's Charles Cooke joins Buck to talk about the latest push for expanded gun control.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nearly 10,000 migrants are marching through Southern Mexico and heading straight for the U.S. border. The group is timing their journey to coincide with the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles this week. So what's the Biden administration doing to stem the growing border crisis? Sending billions of dollars to central America. Buck takes a look at the latest from the U.S.-Mexico border. Plus, the January 6th Committee is schedule to deliver it's findings to the American people this week. Claremont Institute Fellow Ben Weingarten gives his take on the coming dog and pony show. And National Review's Charles Cooke joins Buck to talk about the latest push for expanded gun control. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
AP correspondent Mike Gracia reports on Mexico-Migrants.
Summary: the first of many funerals for victims of the Uvalde mass shooting took place on Tuesday; Hurricane Agatha's arrival in Southern Mexico causes flooding and mudslides, killing 11 with 20 missing; leaked details surrounding Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 design revealed.
...AGATHA EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN SOUTHERN MEXICO LATER TODAY... ...STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN SPREADING INLAND ACROSS OAXACA... * A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Salina Cruz to Lagunas de Chacahua. * A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Salina Cruz eastward to Barra De Tonala. * A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Salina Cruz eastward to Boca de Pijijiapan and Lagunas de Chacahua westward to Punta Maldonado. Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area and possible in the watch area by this afternoon. Tropical storm conditions have begun along the coast of Oaxaca and will spread eastward within the warning area through the day. At 10 a.m. CDT, the center of Hurricane Agatha was located over the eastern Pacific Ocean about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Puerto Angel, Mexico. Agatha is moving toward the northeast near 8 mph (13 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue through Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Agatha will make landfall in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, this afternoon or this evening. Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km). An observation in Puerto Angel recently reported a wind gust of 40 mph (65 km/h). The estimated minimum central pressure is 964 mb (28.47 inches). Little change in strength is expected to occur today before Agatha reaches the coast of Oaxaca. Rapid weakening is expected after landfall, and Agatha is forecast to dissipate over southeastern Mexico by late Tuesday. Storm surge is expected to produce dangerous coastal flooding in areas of onshore winds near and to the east of where the center of Agatha makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Agatha will produce heavy rains over portions of southern Mexico through Tuesday night. The following rainfall amounts are currently expected: -Mexican state of Oaxaca: 10 to 16 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches possible. Life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides may occur. - Mexican state of Chiapas: 5 to 10 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches possible. Life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides may occur. - Mexican states of Veracruz, Tabasco and eastern portions of Guerrero: 2 to 4 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches possible. The next complete advisory will be issued by NHC at 4 p.m. CDT - www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Agatha
For bonus content and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Indigenous, social justice, and environmental groups have come together in a caravan to speak out against destructive mega-projects and mining across eight states in Central and Southern Mexico. Our guests are Victorino Torres Nava, Professor of the Náhuatl language [http://www.kalmekak.org] at the Anahuacalmecac Academy and Marcos Aguilar, Head of School of Anahuacalmecac Academy [http://www.dignidad.org] and Executive Director of Semillas del Pueblo. The Caravan has been traveling from town to town, making visible the local and regional struggles for clean water and the defense of territories. It began on International Water Day March 22nd in the state of Puebla and will arrive in the state of Morelos, south of Mexico City, at the end of April. The Caravan has called for a time of Rebellious Dignity, to build a new nation by and for all, to strengthen the power of the people. The mega-projects include privatization of water wells and aquifers, construction of highways and rail lines, oil and gas pipelines, and massive rare-earth mineral mining projects that will have an irreversible impact on human health, Indigenous cultures and autonomy, and ecosystems across the region. On this show we discuss how Indigenous Peoples of Mexico are participating in the Caravan for Water and Life to bring awareness to environmental and social rights struggles they are experiencing. Victorino Torres Nava, Professor of the Náhuatl language at the Anahuacalmecac Academy, and a resident of the village of Cuantepec in Morelos, Mexico. Marcos Aguilar, Masewalli Mexicano, co-founder and Executive Director of Semillas Sociedad Civil, Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America and of the American Indian Resurgence Initiative. Formerly Los Angeles collective coordinator for the National Commission for Democracy in Mexico, Marcos most recently became a community-nominated Commissioner to the National Forum of Mexico on Constitutional Reform for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Afromexicans held in Mexico City in August 2019-2021. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Executive Producer: Jack Eidt Host and Producer: Jessica Aldridge Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Show Created by Mark and JP Morris Episode 133 Image: Witness
Sometimes, no matter what you try, there are times when your mind drowns you into a loop of negative bias. With an increase in isolation & alienation from nature a disconnection from the experience of being part of the living creation in this materialistic era has swept in. With like of some of the biggest names in personal growth , medical field and VC running make it mainstream, there has been a renaissance of the psychedelics touted as a revolutionary way to treat depression, PTSD, anxiety and as well as be a catalyst for perception shifting for seekers towards understanding deeper areas of human existence. We invite the most down-to-earth, kind, warm Michelle Janikian, an award winning psilocybin educator, journalist, author & influencer to dispel myths, fears on it and share her tips on how one can set intension, get creative, and expand your mind to many possibilities. Michelle Janikian is a journalist and the author of Your Psilocybin Mushroom Companion, the down-to-earth guide that details everything you need to know about taking magic mushrooms safely and mindfully, published by Ulysses Press. Michelle actively covers psychedelic and cannabis education, harm reduction, and research in her work. She writes a column for Playboy about psychedelics and cannabis, and has also contributed to Rolling Stone, High Times, Psychedelics Today, Herb, and others. She's passionate about the healing potential of psychedelic plants and substances, and the legalization and destigmatization of all drugs. Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Michelle studied writing and psychology at Sarah Lawrence College before traveling extensively in Latin America and eventually settling down in Southern Mexico. Michelle was recently awarded the Cosmic Sister Emerging Voices Award for her work covering the psychedelic renaissance.
In June, the coastal community of Newport was hit by one of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks in the state at the time: More than 120 workers at a seafood processing plant were infected with coronavirus. As Lincoln County health officials began contact tracing, language barriers complicated their efforts to effectively communicate with impacted workers. While some of them were native Spanish speakers, others belonged to an Indigenous group that speaks the Mayan language Mam, primarily spoken in Guatemala and Southern Mexico.In the wake of that outbreak, Portland nonprofit Vive Northwest and the Oregon Health Authority teamed up to develop a helpline that translates critical COVID-19 resources that Indigenous families can understand. We speak with Vive NW executive director Jorge Guzman and OHA community partner outreach program manager Oliver Vera about the communities the helpline serves.
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