A Shot Of Truth

Eladio has become a close friend since we met in Mexico! This episode highlights how we lean on each other for joy and community during difficult times. We also talk about what we are focusing on next in our lives and how we navigate complex systems, including grad school and new places! Prepare to smile, laugh, and listen to good, heartfelt friendship.

Yeah, you heard that right! Our co-host is back for this episode! Olga and I reflect on all that’s happened in the last few years, how we reconnected, and the work we are doing on ourselves, our kiddos, and more! We also talk about some of our favorite episodes we did together. Love you to the moon and back, Olga.

Rehana Morita is a Libyan Japanese immigrant and one of 20 finalists in the Miss Arab USA Pageant. She is joining us to share her journey on this endeavor to inspire other women and girls to be divas! She shares with us how she’s been preparing and how she’s leaning into community to make it happen! We’re rooting for you, Rehana!

Join me and one of the brujas from our coven! Maria and I talk about so many different topics including, white supremacy and white saviorism, professional spaces and people, the power of women in all spaces and about our girl group aka DLI brujas. She is a powerhouse, momager, baddie and so many more things, feel her rage!!

Gardenia slid into my DM’s one day, and now we’re super close friends. She supported our last cohort with the Cultural Leadership Fellowship, where our friendship really took off. Gardenia is intentional, kind, generous, and leads everything she does with love. This episode is a dive into who she is as a friend, community member, and mental health advocate. It’s the first episode I've recorded in person since before COVID, and you can definitely hear the excitement–prepare for lots of laughter. Enjoy!

This piece is made up of memories where my anxiety manifested into a persona. I refer to my anxiety as she/her, throughout. This written piece will be featured in Minneapolis at an undocumented art exhibit.

Carlie is deeply driven by a desire to help others, whether she’s volunteering with the Florida Student Power, tutoring students, or creating content for first-generation students on her platform Dreamersuccess_! She is always looking for ways to build resources and apply herself for opportunities across the nation. She migrated to the US from Haiti with her mom in 2018 and has been faced with many difficulties in her life, yet she always attempts to grow and look forward. Prepare to be deeply inspired by Carlie on our new episode.

Let’s go back in time—seven months ago—to my last adventure abroad with the Cultural Leadership Fellowship. In all honesty, recording this was hard. I wrote most of it just days after returning to the U.S., then let it sit in an open tab for months. This journey was filled with laughter, spiritual moments, and heartbreak. Join me as I revisit the moments in Peru and Mexico that moved me.

The LEO podcast and Shot of Truth Podcast presents Undocumented and Unafraid: Protests, Power, and Surveillance an episode unpacking what we are experiencing as immigrant folks in this country. We discuss the real-life impacts of these ongoing immigration policies rooted in dehumanization and exploitation.

People are coming together—learning, organizing, having difficult conversations, and speaking out against daily injustices. As immigrants, we know that staying informed, having resources, and leaning on our community is how we keep moving forward! Tune in to Shot of Truth for a roundtable discussion, co-hosted by Yuriana Garcia, with Alma C., Ronnie J., Jose C., and Priscilla A. We’ll talk about organizing, how we’re taking action to protect our communities, and how we’re navigating these challenges ourselves. Listen on Apple Podcast, Spotify and at shotoftruthpodcast.com.

Carolina joins us with an open heart to discuss healing, embodiment, and creating intentional spaces while honoring self. She talks about her role being a mental health therapist and balancing that with her identity and other aspects of her life. We talk about the harm of isolating yourself and how important it is to be with community right now. Carolina is the Founder of Healing Vibraz, which promotes healing and mental wellness through a social justice and liberation-based perspective that aims to bring a space for individual and collective community healing. Check out this episode on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

In this episode, I sit down with Cheska Mae Perez to talk about balancing our wants, family needs, responsibilities, and optimism in tough times. We discuss so many things including growing up in poverty and breaking generational cycles, redefining community in 12+ cities, healing, and finding liberation. Cheska’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and hope. You won’t want to miss her powerful message to start the year with purpose and connection. Thank you Cheska for your vulnerability and all the things that drive you to be the beautiful person you are.

We love our undocu soccer babes—it's true! In this episode, we highlight Mario, who poured his heart into connecting with others and sharing his journey of turning dreams into reality. Mario reflects on the role soccer and family have played in shaping who he is today, and how his curiosity, desire to learn, and connections with others have expanded his view of the world. A huge shoutout to everyone who made this series possible and to those who joined us on this unforgettable Cultural Leadership Fellowship Summer 2024 journey in Portugal. It's been an honor to witness your stories and growth.

Ronnie James calling in from New York! Ronnie joined the Cultural Leadership Fellowship envisioning how he could create opportunities like this for Undocumented Black folks. Believe it or not, we recorded days before he took off to Trinidad to lead his cohort with UndocuBlack Network! We shared many laughs and moments we enjoyed together and in community. He also shares about reconnecting with his sister in London, traveling abroad with his partner, and returning home to Saint Lucia for the first time with his mom! Tune in to this special episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the Shot of Truth Podcast website!

Up next in our series is Karen from Portland, OR, who shares her incredible solo journey across Europe. Along the way, she formed meaningful connections with so many kind people and reflects on the impact of her experience. From traveling with the CLF cohort to venturing out on her own, Karen takes us through some truly memorable moments. Known for her thoughtful words and genuine spirit, Karen had everyone dancing wherever she went. Tune in to this special episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the Shot of Truth Podcast website!

Miss International!! Rita came through with so much realness. She talked about how she faced two of her biggest fears—losing her grandmother and father before seeing them again and traveling to Mexico without the anxiety of what might happen if she went back. She also broke down what’s next for DACA and challenged us to step out of our comfort zones. The way I witnessed this person evolve from this experience is beautiful. Thank you for holding us accountable Rita!

Rogelio joins us to share the importance of utilizing advanced parole to reconnect with family and see the world! The stories he shares are deeply rooted in community care and love and thats felt across my time with him and in this episode. From sharing moments of joy to moments of growth with people he met along the way. Confessionals included!

A series requested by you all! As I’ve had the immense privilege of traveling on AP as a DACA recipient, I’ve also had the privilege of helping others do the same through the Cultural Leadership Fellowship. Through my travels, I have met the most amazing people, pushed myself deeply out of my comfort zone and learned a thing or two along the way. This episode is an intro to a series highlighting 5 individuals who will be sharing how their perspective on the world changed once they had the opportunity to travel outside of the US. But first, let me tell you a little bit about my experience in Portugal, Berlin, and Amsterdam. From drug taxis to smoking lounges, it was lit. Enjoy!

This episode is about my return to Mexico on advanced parole after 27 years. Before returning I traveled to Portugal and France with the Cultural Leadership Fellowship! I share fun moments we shared as a cohort and give shout-outs to the undocu baddies who joined us on this journey. While returning to Mexico was the biggest blessing it also came with unraveling and holding so much grief. The grief of losing my father and reuniting with his family was difficult but necessary. I got to return home with the emotional support of many people and I am grateful for this experience. I also talk about the romanticization of traveling on advanced parole and the emotions that come after. Enjoy!

This episode is for undocumented folks, highlighting our joint struggle to Palestinians. Our struggles are connected through the resilience of our people and our fight against Border imperialism.

Tania Dominguez-Rangel is a DACA recipient I met on my travels abroad in Europe. We were both traveling on advanced parole with the Cultural Leadership Fellowship! We would find speakeasies and talk about life, love, and processing our experience. I would come to learn this girl is full-on doing the most–from her podcast, The Most Interesting People on My Timeline to her work with the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective. This girl was meant to be a star, I mean come on, look at her! In this episode, we talk about her experience in education, her love for Tumblr, singing, and YouTube creation, and about some of the cool people she met along the way. Special shout-outs to Maggie Loredo, Karla, and Nicole Solis-Sison! Enjoy!

Maggie co-hosts Pochas So What–a podcast created by pochas for their deported, returned and undocumented community. We get to hear all the details behind the show and learn about the impact of this work! We also get deep into talking about grief, alcoholism, and her fifteen-year anniversary since she made the decision to return to Mexico. Maggie has so much grace and wisdom to share, Enjoy! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, our website, and more.

So we traveled across borders (some fellows) to Guatemala and (others to) Mexico all to find what we had most in common was that we just wanted to feel connected and free. This episode highlights 3 fellows that returned home for the first time. You even get to hear an exclusive interview that we recorded in Guatemala and her reflection listening back to it. Tune in to hear Selena, Alex, and Ingrid share the most impactful moments on this journey home. Enjoy!

We are joined by the co-founder of Otros Dreams en Acción Maggie Loredo. She is an activist, pocha, and returnee. She invites us all to listen to narratives across borders from people who have returned or been deported. Her organizing work in Mexico is one of supporting and advocating for returnees and deportees to have a dignified return. She shares the work they do at Otros Dreams en Accion (ODA) from advocacy, education, and healing through art and stories. This episode is an invitation of love to share stories across borders until they [borders] no longer exist.

Here it is! At last! My Guatemala Solo reflection. I traveled under Advanced Parole with the Cultural Leadership Fellowship out of @Scholarfundwa and let me tell you, it was beautiful. This was the first time I left the US in 27 years. I carried a lot of shame for not returning home instead but I wouldn’t change it for the world. We traveled to Flores Peten, Antigua, Lago Atitlan and Guatemala City. I learned so much about community outside of the US context. It left me longing for home and more eager to exist in kindness. The episode ends with a love letter I wrote to Guatemala. Huge shout out to Alejandra Perez for inviting me to your home and making it happen–my heart is full.

I have felt every emotion under the sun during this interview. Laura Garcia tends to be a private person who puts everyone first but in this episode, she lets you into one of the most vulnerable parts of her. From sharing stories of her family to the joy she has found in her grief. She lost her younger brother to ALS in 2020. She talks about the amount of joy he lived his life with and how she taps into that energy for her own well-being. She speaks about how her family keeps him alive knowing that his presence exists. I smiled a lot listening back to this. Enjoy, cherish, and hold close to this episode.

I know it’s been the new year for like 25 days but it always starts off slow for me. The shift into Aquarius season hits me hard as I dissolve into all my feelings (meh). This episode is a quick update on what to expect with the podcast in 2023 and a recap of the most difficult and best memories of my 20s! It’s my birthday in a matter of days and ya’ll 30 is here and it’s loud. Enjoy this sweet minisode and let’s hear it for 2023! I will be doing a flash birthday giveaway featuring my favorite candy shop and some other goodies.

We are joined by Laura Bohórquez from Inner Work Collective Freedom–she is also a part of the Cultural Leadership Fellowship traveling to Guatemala. Laura has traveled under advance parole multiple times and shares how she's processed some of those experiences. We recorded 48-hours before she left for Mexico City and it was beautiful to hear how this time around it was much different than in the past. She is heading to Guatemala in a couple months and that experience is very different from returning home. Give it up for Laura!

In this minisode, we feature Cindy who is a part of the Scholar Fund WA Cultural Leadership Fellowship and is traveling to Mexico for the first time since she left at 6 months old. She shares the subconscious and physical impact of being separated from her mother before crossing. She knows this opportunity to return will come with healing inner child/teenage wounds and also come with joy, tears, and sharing the return with many beautiful people.

In this episode, we invite Alejandra and Yuriana to share about the Scholar Fund WA Cultural Leadership Fellowship they created to take DACA recipients abroad via advanced parole. We start by revisiting both of their journeys and what inspired this fellowship. We also get to hear directly from four of the fellows traveling abroad! It’s beautiful, emotional, exciting–you name it! This episode is in partnership with Scholar Fund WA and Adelitas Apparel–learn more about our raffle basket and events we are hosting to raise $35,000 for this opportunity! Ya’ll this episode had me in all my feels, Enjoy! Listen via Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and all the podcast places.

Sol is an activist and jewelry maker–long before them their grandmother was also a maker of crafts in Ecuador. Sol joins us today to share the importance of intersectional and intentional work within community spaces. They create statement pieces that celebrate our diverse identities. This includes queer and immigrant-focused jewelry such as beautiful hoops with the word “Queer” on them and a pin reading “Abolish Pol(ICE).” They see their work as artifacts, identity statements, and protection for our bodies. They were also a co-founder of the Long Beach GRRRL (Gender Revolution Resistance Radical Liberation) Collective. Just so much wisdom and care in their work! Check out this episode via Spotify, Apple Podcast, Shot of Truth Podcast Website, and more!

This week we are joined by Mayra Barragan-O’Brien the creator of Undocu.mentalthealth. Mayra is an Undocumented Therapist creating content to share resources and knowledge on mental health and immigrant rights. She is also the co-host of UndocuChisme a podcast she started with her sister to share stories and decolonize chisme! In this episode, Mayra talks about her family and life experiences that led her to pursue a career as a Mental Health Professional. We talk about relationships, boundaries, and navigating systems such as institutions of higher education. Plus all the ins and outs of Undocu.mentalhealth! The impact her platform has made is loud and she’s here to be real about it. Enjoy!

Short and Sweet episode honoring the Summer Solstice and all the seeds we planted in Spring. These seeds look like goals, manifestations, ideas! I walk us through a quick reflection as we awaken earlier and brighter by the Sun. Followed by quick updates and a shout out to all the grads that did the damn thing. Blessings!

Killari is a world solo traveler! She is formerly undocumented and had a deep desire to travel once she was able to. She has visited 15 countries since and has learned many lessons through it all. They hoped returning home to Bolivia was the answer but later found home was everywhere they went. This is an episode about identity exploration, searching for community, and reconnecting to ancestral roots. Enjoy!

Alejandra Perez is back on Shot of Truth Podcast to share how she prepared to return home to Guatemala! She has traveled to India and Guatemala under Advanced Parole and has all the tips for you. Ale gives us a four step prep process, a walk through of her experience and how she plans to help others get the opportunity to return home. We also talked about the importance of having a support network as you move through the application process and traveling. We ended the episode by talking about the power of collective friendships compared to those in an individualistic society. It’s important to ask for support when you need it! Enjoy this badass episode!

Laura is the creator of Inner Work Collective Freedom, she helps undocumented BIPOC folks interrogate undocumentedness via collective wisdom, joy, dialogue, learning, unlearning and accountability. She is an educator, facilitator, and foodie at heart. Calling in from Nisenan people’s land she is here to share all of it from her early organizing days to working with United We Dream and the creation of Inner Work Collective Freedom. We talk about what happens as you start aging out of limited narratives of undocumented folks and or the immigrant rights movement. It gets deep and beautiful. Check it out via Spotify, apple podcast, and other podcast platforms!

After twenty-two years, Yuriana had the opportunity to return home to her familia and casita back in Michoacan, Mexico. She speaks about this experience from the very beginning from when she left Mexico for the first time to preparing for her return back. We talk about the various phases of emotions, thoughts, and conclusions she made. Reconnecting with the land brought her so much healing and peace. Reuniting with her family left her grieving for the family who could not be there. She speaks of her growth and return as a metamorphosis that altered her being. We end by discussing what it has been like to come back to the states and what’s next. Enjoy!

We are joined by Ju Hong, host of ImmigrAsians Podcast! This is a story of Ju’s experience in the immigrant rights movement over the last 10 years. He shares what brought his family to the US from South Korea–led by the resilience of his mother. Which has transcended to the passion and dedication Ju has for his community. We talk in-depth about the ten-year anniversary of DACA, honoring that, questioning that, and deserving so much more. Ju shares the deep emotions he is feeling of frustration, stagnation and the toll it is all taking on his mental health. Currently, he is focused on building ImmigrAsians a podcast created to capture the unique stories of Asian undocumented individuals living in the US. Give it up ya’ll this episode is something else!

A quick and short episode about my Saturn Return! This episode shares various questions I moved through during my 28-year evolution/revolution around the sun. I cover what I learned being sober for 6 months, how I’ve accepted and become aware of various patterns in my life, and what I let go of to get here. I share the things I am confronting and needing professional support with. And most importantly how eager I am to continue growing, transcending, and learning. Special shout out to the communities that I worked with to get to this point. Enjoy!

Welcome to part two of our Valentine's day series featuring Ricky and Gia! Joining us from Philadelphia–this episode is a story of two lovers navigating being in a mixed-status partnership. The amount of vulnerability they both show up with is admirable. We talk about the hard things of course but most importantly the unconditional love, support, and some of their goals together. We also cover power dynamics, mental health, and the drive to plan long term. This episode gets you in the feels. Enjoy! Content request: Our guests wish to remain anonymous, if you know them personally please do not tag them. Thank you!

Ivonne Diaz joins us on the first part of our Valentine's Day Series! Feliz dia del Amor y la Amistad! Ivonne Diaz is currently residing in El Paso, TX, and is here to give you a message of finding power in yourself! She shares a story of resilience, healing from abuse, and a commitment to doing advocacy work for immigrant communities. We talk about the pressure, challenges, and power dynamics of being in relationships as immigrant women. It gets HOT!

In this episode Nydia Cardenas, an Energy Life Coach from Fort Worth, Texas shares how she came to coaching and how she has helped people across the nation take back their energy! Let’s face it - we imagine and build differently when energized than when tired. Working for change can be exhausting but we owe it to ourselves and our communities to model a different way of showing up to social justice work in which we exercise agency over our energy and operate from a place of well-being. Nydia walks me through a coaching exercise around uncertainty and power to model the generative methodology she uses. She also gives listeners ideas and tips on how to better resource yourself for weekly tasks and claim that energy back! I expose myself quite a bit in this episode as we walk through the exercise but I hope in some ways it’s helpful for others as we talk about the uncertainty that comes from being undocumented or a DACA recipient. If you’d like to work with Nydia check out her page and website as linked below!

Welcome to the New Year! We are kicking off 2022 with DJ Mansaf mama–Alia Taqieddin. She is a revolutionary woman, music creator, Falastinyat organizer, and TEDx Speaker. The topic of this conversation is defining and emphasizing the importance of joint struggle, a matter of life and death (over choosing to be in solidarity.) We also talk about how doing relationship work within movement spaces IS the work. Along with celebration and joy, all those components remind us what we really are fighting for. This episode kicks off with one of DJ Mansaf mama’s tracks, Enjoy–and Happy New Year!!

We are joined by Reydesel Salvidrez Rodriguez aka Undocu_grad! Reydesel starts off this episode by sharing the most beautiful poem titled, “My Mother's Hands,” an audio art piece highlighting the hard work, tenderness, and power that his mother holds. He then makes it about all the men and women who have worked endlessly at the forefront of this pandemic. Reydesel is motivated by his siblings and elders, he shares how they have guided him through life. This is a beautiful story of family, un ranchito in Chihuahua, Mexico, and a creative process to navigate the rest. A reminder that our ancestors are always with us too. Give it up for Reydesel

Aisha Mansour is a revolutionary Palestinian feminist and organizer. Aisha is a part of many organizations including Falastiniyat and the Palestinian Youth Movement. She shares with us so many beautiful stories of her family, including the first time she realized her life was going to be devoted to the struggle and liberation of her people. We cover the various campaigns she is working on, including Save Al-Walaja, and reframing the purpose of doing this work--it is far beyond advocacy. We talk about US complacency, parallels of settler colonialism, and what it means to be in a joint struggle. This episode was all the feels from beginning to end. Co-produced by Aline Prata.

Panchito Ramirez is a first-generation immigrant, Speaker, and Founder of Dreamer Soccer Clinic. Panchito is on a mission to impact the lives of immigrant youth by sharing his story and creating spaces like the Dreamer Soccer Clinic. Panchito is the most affirming, giving, selfless leader--(my heart and glass felt so full after this recording.) As we talked about the importance of creating community spaces, we decided this episode was going to be about having difficult conversations. We talk about critical consciousness, how to approach a difficult conversation, and when it’s time to walk away. As we enter the holiday season we KNOW things get a little tense. We got you. Enjoy!

A long-overdue episode about all my mother fucking friends. I’ve been thinking about this episode for a while. When I did my first solo interview I listened back and felt like something big was missing. Talking shit about all my friends. I talk so much about love and not enough about the abundance of fucking love I feel from all my friends. I talk about my friends in terms of BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT. This episode also includes all the DACA donation shout outs and our first two ads! I know this collage is hilarious (I love it hehe.) So welcome to this episode, light up, relax and enjoy!

Vicente Guzman is a life coach, entrepreneur, and creator of Inner Evolucion! Inner Evolucion is a platform and coaching program to empower GEN Z entrepreneurs! Vicente focuses on vulnerability, wellness, and ensuring there are systems of accountability to support people of all backgrounds. Vicente shares what lead him to start this program and how he plans to impact people with his work. I got to witness, grow and learn aside with Vicente during the Launch Latinx Accelerator Program and he is pure lightness, full of wisdom, and an activator. Enjoy this episode and check out Inner Evolucion!

Chronic Loneliness impacts millions of people across the world. Here in the United States, 46% of the general population feels lonely often. In this episode, we talk about the impacts of chronic loneliness at large and also as immigrants. We share personal experiences on how loneliness has manifested in our lives and impacted those around us. Regardless of money, fame, power, beauty--we all are subject to feeling lonely because it is part of our biology! It is nothing to be ashamed of but rather something to be aware of and notice how you are meeting your social needs. This is a heavy topic but Dario Andrade Mendoza does an excellent job of keeping it light and lively. Dario is joining us for his second episode, so if you like this one please check out Arizona Living! Enjoy!

Yes, you read that right. THE MOTHER FUCKING AUDACITY featuring ME This episode is all about things I’ve been processing over the last several months including my relationship with alcohol, dating apps, and people I’ve had to let go to make space for all this. You get some of my key takeaways from the Launch Latinx Accelerator Program. I will be doing an IG LIVE with them this Friday! This episode is a little bit of everything and a mash-up of rants, messiness, and more. (It’s funny because I recorded this last weekend and I already feel differently about some of my talking points.) ANYWAY, go out there and be audacious--that’s the message. Enjoy.