PODCAST · society
Latino USA
by My Cultura, Futuro and iHeartPodcasts
Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus
Episodes
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Estrella: Bittersweet Freedom for a “Bad Mexican”
This summer, after serving a nine-year sentence in a notorious Texas men’s prison, Estrella was released but wasn’t free. First she was put in immigration detention facilities and then deported. She’s an undocumented trans woman from Mexico caught up in the United States’ criminal and immigration...
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Estrella: la inmigrante imperfecta
Este verano, después de terminar una sentencia de 9 años en una prisión de hombres en Texas, Estrella salió, pero no encontró libertad. Fue transferida a las manos de ICE, a un centro de detención para migrantes para después ser deportada. Esta es la historia de una mujer trans, migrante de…
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Guillermo del Toro on Why His Pan's Labyrinth Is More Relevant than Ever
This spooky season we get an extra treat from one of the masters of horror. On October 9th, Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s seminal fantasy horror classic, Pan’s Labyrinth, returns for a 20th-anniversary theatrical re-release. Running until October 15th, the anniversary release includes a…
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The Whisper Game: Looking for Answers in Perú
What identified Nixon as a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua? Was it a confidential informant's testimony? Was it the rose tattoo on his arm? Was the fact that he was skinny, young, living without parents in a housing complex? After seeking answers from local and federal law…
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The Whisper Game: Trump Comes to Town, a Young Venezuelan Migrant is Sent to CECOT
Before the Venezuelan migrant Nixon Azuaje-Pérez was arrested, a PR firm reached out to national media outlets and told them that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was taking over apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado. A local politician said the organization was also taking over entire swaths...
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The Whisper Game: A Young Migrant and Spent Bullet Cases
In July 2024, then nineteen-year-old Nixon Azuaje-Pérez picked up spent bullet casings after a shooting outside his apartment in Aurora, Colorado. It was a decision that would thrust the Venezuelan migrant into the middle of Trump’s presidential campaign and eventually land him in a...
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From the Fields to Hollywood: Luis Valdez on Chicano Storytelling
Before 86-year-old Luis Valdez directed the play Zoot Suit and the film La Bamba, he was staging theater in the back of a flatbed truck in the fields of California for farmworkers on strike. His work in teatro campesino would eventually make its way to Broadway and then Hollywood, paving the way...
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Sneak Peek: How Peniley Ramírez survived one of the deadliest earthquakes in Mexico City
We bring you a sneak peek of a recent Futuro+ bonus episode. Our co-CEO Peniley Ramírez remembers the devastating 2017 Mexico City earthquake that occured on the 32nd anniversary of the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Mexico, and shares what it takes to tell the stories that are important....
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The “Water War” in the Rio Grande
Last year, reporter Jack Herrera traveled the length of the Rio Grande basin – from its source in Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico. He found that the water crisis in the region is worse than anyone imagines. ”It's not a metaphor, it's not a hyperbole, we're in a water war,” he tells Maria Hinojosa....
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Breakfast at Puerto Viejo: Reclaiming Afro Dominican Music with YEИDRY & Yasser Tejeda
YEИDRY is a Dominican-Italian artist whose newly released debut full-length album, Como Agua, takes a deep dive into Afro-Dominican rhythms. The album includes palos, bachata, merengue and boleros. Like many Dominicans, YEИDRY did not grow up with Afro-Dominican rhythms. As an adult, she…
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LA's Backyard Party Scene: An Instagram Account and a Memoir
Guadalupe Rosales is an artist and the creator of the popular Instagram accounts “Veteranas and Rucas” and “Map Pointz,” which focus on the fashion, the music, and certain latino subculture of the ‘80s and '90s in Los Angeles. She was part of the so-called party crews of the time and has kept the...
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The Art of Soccer Chants: The Good, The Bad, and their History
What would soccer be without fans? And what would a match feel like without them chanting at the top of their lungs? Chants are a way to express joy, patriotism, and frustration. They can also be funny, vulgar, and harmful. We get into the history of chants and how they had nothing to do with...
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9/11: The Day that Forever Changed U.S. Immigration Policy
September 11, 2001 was a paradigm shift. The terrorist attacks reshaped U.S. immigration policy forever and this year marks the 25th anniversary. Nearly 3,000 people were killed and an entire nation was traumatized. Today, as the Trump administration targets non-citizens in unprecedented ways, we...
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Cheech Marin: A Comedy Icon’s Commitment To Preserving Chicano Art
Cheech Marin is widely recognized as a multi-generational comedic icon. His counterculture humor, as part of Cheech & Chong, defined an era. What fewer people know is that Cheech is also a leading collector of Chicano art worldwide. In this episode, Maria Hinojosa speaks with Cheech Marin about…
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To Live and Die as a Colorado Farmworker
In the summer of 2025, six workers died from toxic gas exposure at a Colorado dairy farm. Safety advocates say the deaths were utterly tragic, but entirely avoidable. Across the country, most farm workers are injured or die in anonymity. But the scale of this agricultural incident – described as...
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The Meaning of the Magical Chihuahua
In a relationship, are you a golden retriever or a black cat? Maria is… neither. She’s a human chihuahua. Because they’re fierce, protective of their loved ones, ancient and some might say magical. Today, the story of the chihuahua like you haven’t heard it before. From spirit guides of the great...
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Ada Ferrer: A Historian’s Journey to Unearth Her Own Family’s Story
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ada Ferrer has spent decades wading through archives in Havana, helping to unearth and weave the untold stories of Cuba’s people and the island. But the most personal and profound source material she has ever found was a box of letters from the brother her mother...
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Anthony Ramos Finds His Voice
Actor and singer Anthony Ramos is a powerhouse who broke out in Broadway’s smash hit, Hamilton. From theater to the silver screen and even owning a bar in Brooklyn, Ramos is also a proud New Yorker always hungry for his next project. His latest endeavor is an English-language salsa album, infused...
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More than Natural Disasters: Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico
Thousands are dead, thousands more injured and missing. The earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela have been devastating. And while there are similarities in the neighboring countries, an expert told us the biggest difference is in the rebuilding phase right now: One country prepared and trained…
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Flipping Texas: Gina Hinojosa Wants to Become Texas’ First Latina Governor
Texas holds the second-most electoral votes in the nation and is often a testing ground for policies that later manifest across the U.S. But can historically Republican Texas turn blue? And if so, what impact could it have on the rest of the country? We speak to two Democratic contenders hoping…
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Flipping Texas: Can “Moderate” Democrat Bobby Pulido Court Back Latino Voters?
Texas holds the second-most electoral votes in the nation and is often a testing ground for policies that later manifest across the U.S. But can historically Republican Texas turn blue? And if so, what impact could it have on the rest of the country? We speak to two Democratic contenders hoping…
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How My Faja Saved Me: Surviving Gun Violence
In 2022, 18-year-old Lisbeth Bencosme was shot four times on a sidewalk in Harlem. She was a new mom at the time, and it was her faja, a staple postpartum girdle for many Latinas, that would keep her alive until medics arrived. In this episode, we meet Lisbeth, a true badass New Yorker who takes…
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Melissa Barrera’s Big Year: From Broadway to Hollywood Executive
Melissa Barrera is having quite the year. In April, she made her Broadway debut, landing a dream role as ‘Rose’ in the musical parody Titanique. She’s also an executive producer on the award-winning documentary film Traces of Home, which is set to have its theatrical release this fall. And she’s...
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Orgullosa Returns: Unlawfully Deported, A family Rebuilds Their Lives
In late April, Orgullosa and her children packed up their belongings in Honduras and boarded a plane back to the U.S. after a court ruling said that they were wrongfully removed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In this episode, we follow the difficulties Orgullosa and her family faced in...
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The Meaning of Ricky Martin’s Evolution
A few months ago, Maria Garcia was watching the Benito Bowl when an unexpected artist came on: the one and only Ricky Martin. Maria knew this was a touchstone moment — the artist who most represented the ‘90s Latin Boom was singing a song of resistance, in Spanish. And then Maria’s 11-year-old…
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Salsa in NYC: Rosie Perez live at WNYC
Rosie Perez has long been synonymous with New York and hip hop culture, starting with her appearances on “Soul Train”, her iconic choreographies and her big break with Spike Lee in “Do the Right Thing”. But when the Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy-nominated actress received a call to host a podcast...
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The Best (and Worst) of the 2026 World Cup
The Men’s World Cup may be over but there’s so much to talk about still. We sit down with a soccer expert and superfan to discuss the significance of this summer’s tournament. We get into the many “firsts” in a global competition that’s been around for almost 100 years; the controversial moments...
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A Live Performance and Interview with Venezuelan Musician Ella Bric
Venezuelan musician and composer Ella Bric made history as the first woman to win producer of the year at the 2018 Latin Grammys. The trumpet player made a name for herself after moving to New York City and most recently made waves on Karol G’s Mañana Sera Bonito Tour. In this special Latino USA...
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Five Days in Palestina
In early February, Latino USA traveled to the occupied West Bank to learn about the roots of the deep connections between Latinos and Palestinians. Maria Hinojosa and producer Nour Saudi accompanied a group of U.S. students and academics as they traveled from Jordan to Ramallah with their...
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Harvey Guillén: Breaking Hollywood Molds
When actor Harvey Guillén auditioned for a role written for a character 20 years older than him, he got cast anyway. In this intimate conversation with Maria Hinojosa, Harvey reveals how he became the breakout heart of What We Do in the Shadows as Guillermo, the vampires’ overworked human…
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The Sacred Indigenous Story of the Coca Leaf
Indigenous groups in South America have been cultivating the coca leaf for 8 millennia. But when the coca leaf became the base ingredient for cocaine, its story changed. In 1961, the United Nations classified the coca leaf in the same category as cocaine itself, regulating it at the same level.…
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Radio Ambulante Studios Presenta: Emilia Sacreblu
La mexicana Marysol Cordorieur llevaba poco tiempo viviendo en París cuando vio una publicación en Facebook invitando a un casting. De inmediato se emocionó y postuló. Lo que parecía un trabajo en un proyecto de cinearte que pocos verían fue en realidad una de las películas más polémicas de los...
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Andrés Cantor: The Man Behind "Goooool!"
Andrés Cantor has been a sports announcer for almost 40 years. He’s received eight Emmy Awards for his broadcasting and a place in the National Soccer Hall of Fame. You know his voice. His “Gooooooooool” has been featured everywhere from Late Night to the Simpsons. In this special episode of our...
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Released To Die: Episode 3
After months out of prison, Frank Ross’ dementia has progressed. At times, he can no longer remember why he needs to wear the GPS monitor the law requires, putting his freedom at risk. He is dealing with serious health issues while adapting to his new life at the healthcare facility. While Frank...
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Released To Die: Episode 2
Michie, an incarcerated woman serving a life sentence at a Pennsylvania prison, learned early on that she needed to advocate for her own health behind bars. Over the decades and as she grew older, she says she witnessed many friends grow ill and die behind bars. Then, in her late 60’s, she...
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Released To Die: Episode 1
Frank Ross was sentenced to die in prison – but after decades behind bars, he faces a new shot at freedom. At 93-years-old, Frank Ross is struggling with serious health issues. He’s able to secure a medical transfer to live out his final days at a healthcare facility through a law commonly known…
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More Than A Degree: A Celebration of Family in Fresno
This graduation ceremony is not like the rest. Here, when students walk on stage to get their diplomas, announcers call the students' names, and also the names of their parents. We went to the 50th Annual Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration at Fresno State, which is the largest, bilingual,...
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Zohran Mamdani: Welcome to NYC, Where Fútbol Meets Joy, Politics and Tacos
NYC has, arguably, dubbed its number one fan: Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The mayor has been celebrating big after the Knicks’ NBA Championship win, and cheering during the World Cup. To him, it’s more than sports; it’s political. “The World Cup offers us a chance to know each other as we truly are, to...
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David Archuleta on Coming Out, American Idol, and Faith
In the early 2000’s David Archuleta broke into stardome on American Idol, capturing the hearts of millions. But behind the scenes he was grappling with his sexuality and faith. “I felt like if people found this out about me, they would know how dirty I was,” he told Maria Hinojosa when talking...
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Mon Laferte & Francisca Valenzuela Speak Up About Music and Feminism
Mon Laferte and Francisca Valenzuela are both Chilean singer-songwriters using their platforms to draw attention to important issues while creating meaningful change. From Mon walking a red carpet in 2019 at the Latin Grammys, bare-breasted, with words calling out femicide, to Francisca’s…
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Mon Laferte: Una conversación con la femme fatale de la música y su nuevo álbum, ya disponible
La cantautora chilena Mon Laferte es una máquina en la industria musical como activista, artista y feminista. Creció con sus héroes musicales chilenos guiándola, como Violeta Parra y Víctor Jara. Entonces, no es sorpresa que ella también siga sus pasos, trabajando por un mundo más justo para…
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Rosie Perez Traces the Birth of Salsa in Nueva York
Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Rosie Perez takes us on the journey of the birth of salsa in Nueva York and the rebellious, seductive and political label that defined it: Fania Records. The 1960s brings social and political change to the world and to New York City, where a young Johnny Pacheco...
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A Decade After Pulse: The Quest for Accountability
This June marks a decade since one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida. “Sometimes when I close my eyes, I see when I was on the floor on [sic] that restroom,” Jorshua Hernández Carrión, a survivor of the shooting, told us. Through an…
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Tab Ramos and the Rebirth of U.S. Soccer
When Tab Ramos’ family migrated from Uruguay as a child in the 1970s, he had no idea he’d play a role in the rebirth of U.S. soccer. “I remember telling my father at the time: out of all the countries in the world that we could move to, why do we have to move to the one that doesn't have soccer?”...
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The Game We Love
The Men’s World Cup is coming to our continent – and to this country! But what does soccer mean in the U.S.? Latino USA’s own Fernanda Echavarri asks that question in our new show “American Futbol.” We hear from immigrants all across the country for whom soccer is a touchstone, and who’ve also...
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Who Gets to Define 'American Art'? Inside the 2026 Whitney Biennial
Inside one of the country’s largest contemporary art exhibitions, the Whitney Biennial, slimy green sculptures stare back at you, the scent of lemongrass fills the air, and the hum of insects surrounds you. This year, for the first time in the museum’s history, the exhibition is co-curated by a...
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The Legacy of Tejano Music: From Selena to Beyoncé and Kacey Musgraves
In February 2026, The Mariachi Brothers, a musical group of 3 teenage boys, were detained by ICE during a scheduled court check-in. After their release, the brothers were invited by Country music star Kacey Musgraves to open her shows in New Braunfels, Texas. Continuing the legacy of Tejano…
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My Futuro is Impactful: Our Projects for 2026
It’s been a time of growth at Futuro – we’ve been breaking news and bringing rigorous in-depth journalism at Latino USA, creating ambitious podcasts at Futuro Studios, and sharing some awesome behind the scenes moments and stories at Futuro+ with our subscribers. In this week's special episode,...
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How Brazilian Women Turned an Ulcer Pill Into a Safe Abortion Method
This week, we’re presenting the first episode of “The Network,” a series that Latino USA co-produced with NPR’s Embedded. In the mid-1980s, an OBGYN in Brazil noticed that far fewer pregnant women at his hospital were dying from abortion complications. It wasn’t a coincidence. Brazilian women had...
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'We're Leaving': Choosing to Self-Deport Under Trump 2.0
Caitlin Dickerson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist at The Atlantic. She has become one of the leading voices on immigration coverage for more than a decade. In this episode, Caitlin talks about her recent reporting exploring why some mixed-status families are choosing to “self deport,” what...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus
HOSTED BY
My Cultura, Futuro and iHeartPodcasts
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