183: Paola Mendoza - What if the Most Powerful Antidote for Tyranny is an Artist with a Story?

In this episode we're joined by filmmaker, organizer, novelist, visual artist, and self described conjurer of stories, Paola Mendoza. For more than two decades, Paola has used every tool she can get her hands on.Film, theater, public art, organizing, and literature to tell stories that expand our understanding of who counts, who belongs.The daughter of Colombian immigrants, she's dedicated her artist force of nature life to portraying America's vital immigrant communities with dignity, complexity and humanity at a time when those qualities are often under attack.In our conversation, we'll explore:the roots of Paola's story making practice,the role of art in resisting authoritarianism,what Paola's novel Sanctuary can teach us about building communities of care, dangerous times,and how artists across the country are using the 2026 World cup to create a powerful counter narrative through the no Ice in the cup campaign.This is a conversation about storytelling, solidarity, and the enduring power of imagination to help us build the world we want to inhabit.Notable MentionsPeoplePaola Mendoza⁠: Colombian-born filmmaker, author, artist, and cultural organizer whose work focuses on immigration, belonging, democracy, and social change through storytelling.Abby Sher⁠: Award-winning writer and co-author of Sanctuary, the young-adult novel that imagines a future America shaped by authoritarianism, immigrant persecution, and grassroots resistance.Jordan Seaberry⁠: Artist, organizer, and founder of The Ulysses Initiative whose work bridges civic engagement, public art, and democracy-building. He coordinated the commissioning of artists for the No ICE in the Cup campaign.Organizations & InitiativesNo ICE in the Cup⁠: A national artist-led and community-based campaign using art, storytelling, sports, and public action to promote belonging and oppose immigration enforcement activities connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Horizons Project⁠: A cross-ideological coalition of organizations working to strengthen democracy and prevent authoritarianism through civic action, strategic coordination, and public engagement.The Center for the Study of Art & Community⁠: Bill Cleveland’s long-running organization dedicated to advancing arts-based community development, cultural organizing, and social change.PublicationsSanctuary⁠: Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher’s bestselling novel set in a future America where undocumented immigrants are hunted by the government and communities must rely on mutual aid and solidarity to survive.Solis⁠: Mendoza’s companion novel to Sanctuary, expanding the story’s exploration of authoritarianism, resistance, and immigrant survival.Together We Rise: Behind the Scenes at the Protest Heard Around the World⁠: Mendoza’s collaborative account of the Women’s March and the organizing lessons behind one of the largest mass mobilizations in U.S. history.Events2026 FIFA World Cup⁠: The largest sporting event in the world and the catalyst for No ICE in the Cup’s effort to promote welcome, inclusion, and democratic values across host cities.New York State Cup⁠: New York’s premier youth soccer championship competition, referenced in the conversation as the tournament won by members of the youth team that later participated in a No ICE in the Cup community event.Places & InstitutionsBrooklyn, New York⁠: Mendoza’s home community and the location of one of the grassroots soccer and community-organizing events associated with No ICE in the Cup.Statue of Liberty⁠: Iconic symbol of immigration and welcome that served as the backdrop for a No ICE in the Cup banner action marking the opening of the World Cup.Minneapolis, Minnesota⁠: Frequently cited in the interview as an example of a city with deep organizing traditions and community networks capable of mobilizing mutual aid and resistance during times of crisis.Lenape Homeland⁠: The ancestral homeland of the Lenape people, acknowledged by Mendoza when describing Brooklyn as the place from which she joined the conversation.Arts & Cultural ReferencesJack in the Box⁠: The fast-food restaurant where Mendoza’s mother found one of her first jobs after immigrating to the United States, a formative part of the family’s immigrant story.The Theater⁠: Described by Mendoza as the foundation of her creative practice—a place where she discovered storytelling, community, and her own voice as an artist.*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.