PODCAST · history
Tales From Aztlantis
by Kurly Tlapoyawa & Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl
We explore Chicano, Mexicano, and Mesoamerican history, archaeology, and culture, and combat the spread of disinformation about these very topics. Your hosts Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl invite you to join them on a fascinating journey through Mesoamerica's past, present, and future! Goodpods #1 in the Top 100 Chicano Podcasts (3 years running!)
Episodes
-
Dispatch: From "La Raza Cosmica" to Decolonization!
In this special dispatch from Aztlantis, Dr. Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl talks "Dia De La Raza." listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist,...
-
Throwback Thursday: AZTLAN!
What is Aztlan? And what does this Indigenous concept mean to the Chicano Nation? listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist…
more -
THROWBACK: Cesar Chavez & The Cult of Synanon!
The year is 1966, in Santa Monica, California. Inside a large, dimly lit room, members of a controversial and increasingly violent group known as Synanon gather in a circle. At the center sits a single figure—another “Synanite”—alone on a folding chair, surrounded on all sides. Around the edges…
more -
109: Hopi Kachina Dolls in Brooklyn!
We are joined by Colleen Lucero to talk about the upcoming exhibit Hopi Kachina Dolls: Blessings for a Balanced World, which opens October 2 at the Brooklyn Museum, and her work with the Hopivewat Learning Center. Colleen is a Hopi community member from the village of Hotevilla. She is the…
more -
108: Rebirth of an Aztec Codex!
Rebirth of an Aztec Codex There are some stories from Mesoamerican history that, when you first hear them, sound almost too good to be true. Take for example, the Tonalamatl Aubin. Now, for those not familiar, the story goes like this: a sacred Indigenous calendar survives the destruction of the...
-
Throwback: Human Sacrifice!
When people hear phrases like “human sacrifice” or “cannibalism” their minds don’t immediately jump to the Crusades, Rome, medieval Europe, or the Bible. They jump straight to brown skin, feathered headdresses, and temples drenched in blood. Type in a quick Google search for the phrase and...
-
THROWBACK: The Chicano Moratorium!
Given the current climate here in Occupied America, we thought it would be worth taking a look at the Chicano Moratorium march of August 29, 1970. The event serves as a good example of how we organized as a community to speak out against an unjust war and the price our people paid fighting in it....
-
Episode 107: Catarino Garza, Chicano Revolutionary!
As the sun slowly rose over the Rio Grande on September 15, 1891, Catarino Erasmo Garza stood on the Texas side of the border holding in his hands two objects that would come to define his life: a Winchester rifle and a revolutionary proclamation. For years Garza had fought the dictatorship of...
-
Episode 106: Channeling Quetzalcoatl!
We Watched a White Woman "Channel" Quetzalcoatl... So You Don't Have To Can someone really channel Quetzalcoatl? Or is it just another example of New Age spirituality borrowing from Indigenous traditions without understanding them? In this special bonus episode of Tales From Aztlantis, Kurly...
-
Episode 105: Who Owns Our DNA? W/ Joseph Yracheta! Pt. 2
What happens when Indigenous DNA becomes the next frontier of resource extraction? In part two of this episode of Tales from Aztlantis, Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl are joined once again by Joe Yracheta, an Amerindigenous scientist of Purépecha and Rarámuri heritage and a leader...
-
Episode 104: Who Owns Our DNA? W/ Joseph Yracheta! Pt. 1
What happens when Indigenous DNA becomes the next frontier of resource extraction? In Part 1 of this thought-provoking episode of Tales from Aztlantis, Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl are joined by Joe Yracheta, an Amerindigenous scientist of Purépecha and Rarámuri heritage and a...
-
Episode 103: Aztec Virtue Signalling!
Did the Aztecs have a concept of virtue? In this episode, we dive into a lively scholarly debate over the Nawatl phrase kwalli and yektli ("good" and "right") and whether it can properly be translated as "virtue." Examining colonial dictionaries, the Florentine Codex, the Wewetlahtolli, and the...
-
Episode 102: Aztec Philosophy w/ Sebastian Purcell
Aztec Philosophy, Ethics, and the Outward Path with Dr. Sebastian Purcell What if living a good life isn't about chasing happiness, but about building strong relationships and fulfilling your responsibilities to others? In this episode of Tales From Aztlantis, Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano...
-
Episode 101: Born on the 4th of The Lie!
Family, friends, and listeners: We gather virtually at a momentous historical threshold. The United States is engulfed in the pageantry, corporate sponsorships, and national choreography of its Semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Across the...
-
Throwback: An Aztec False Flag!
Danzantes, Mexicanistas, and other cultural practitioners often display a banner that they claim is the "original" and "true" banner of the Mexika people. Often referred to as the Panketzalli, Bandera de Cuitlahuac, or the Bandera de Victoria, this symbol can be found emblazoned on t-shirts…
more -
Episode 100: The Veiled Prophet w/ Devin Thomas O'Shea!
What does the 2nd Mexican Empire, Confederate soldiers on the run, and the TV show The Office have to do with a white supremacist secret society in St. Louis? Author and historian Devin Thomas O'Shea joins us to talk about his fantastic new book "The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White...
-
Episode 99: The Pretend Indians!
If you were to walk out onto the street right now and ask the average person to close their eyes and picture an “American Indian,” what images would flash across their mind? For most, those images wouldn’t be of contemporary indigenous lawyers, scientists, artists, or tribal leaders navigating…
more -
Throwback: Inventing New Mexico's Crypto Jews!
In the blistering heat of New Mexico’s sun-baked earth, under the protective gaze of Okuu Pin–the Turtle Mountain that majestically stands guard over Albuquerque–a strange and persistent legend has taken hold. It’s a story of hidden Jews, of ancient rites disguised as Catholic rituals, and of...
-
Episode 98: The Aztec Death Whistle!
Today, we’re talking about how we tell history, and specifically, how the media treats indigenous cultures. We are diving into the recent cultural history of the so-called Aztec Death Whistle. I’ve wanted to look into this topic for a while, but a recent horror movie about the whistle prompted a...
-
Episode 97: Zombie Columbus Vs. the KKK!
Well, dear listeners, here we go again. Like a brainless zombie emerging from the grave, a long-dead statue of Christopher Columbus has lurched back to life in order to reign terror on Washington DC. And as his statue’s reanimated corpse claws its way up from the depths, it pauses momentarily to...
-
Throwback: Cinco de Mayo!
What is the actual history of Cinco de Mayo, what importance does it hold for Chicana/Chicano/Chicanx communities, and most importantly why is it celebrated in the United States? Well dear listener, if you have ever asked yourself any of those questions, you're in luck. Today's episode explores…
more -
Episode 96: Tragedy at Teotihuacan
On the morning of April 20, tourists climbed the ancient steps of the Temple of the Moon at Teotiwakan, taking in the grandeur of the once-thriving Mesoamerican metropolis. From personal experience, I can tell you that the air that day was probably thin and dry, and the stones were likely still...
-
Throwback: The Juan Diego Code!
During a 1990 visit to Mexico, Pope John Paul II confirmed the long-standing liturgical cult in honor of Juan Diego, officially beatifying him. This act set in motion the process of canonizing Juan Diego as the first saint Indigenous to the Americas. The Juan Diego Faithful were, of course…
more -
Episode 95: Human Sacrifice!
When people hear phrases like “human sacrifice” or “cannibalism” their minds don’t immediately jump to the Crusades, Rome, medieval Europe, or the Bible. They jump straight to brown skin, feathered headdresses, and temples drenched in blood. Type in a quick Google search for the phrase and...
-
Throwback: Chicano Power!
In this episode we explore the origin and meaning of the word Chicano. What does it mean to be a Chicano? Do Mexican Americans who hold right-wing views get to call themselves Chicano? Join your hosts as we dig into these topics! End song: Indigena by Aztlan Underground Used with permission...
-
Episode 94: Death and Loss
In this episode we address the loss of those who have loved and inspired us, as well as those who have betrayed our trust. listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the...
-
Episode 93: Cesar Chavez & The Cult of Synanon!
The year is 1966, in Santa Monica, California. Inside a large, dimly lit room, members of a controversial and increasingly violent group known as Synanon gather in a circle. At the center sits a single figure—another “Synanite”—alone on a folding chair, surrounded on all sides. Around the edges…
more -
A Dispatch From The Desert
Today we join Kurly as he descends into madness doing Archaeological fieldwork in southern New Mexico! listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an...
-
Dispatch From Aztlantis: The Aztec-Turkish Connection?
In this episode, Tlakatekatl investigates the idea that the Nawatl language is somehow related to Turkish. listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an...
-
Dispatch From Aztlantis: Whiskey, Crosses, and Fascists
Archaeological fieldwork can be a lonely undertaking. For this special dispatch, we join Kurly as he does fieldwork in Taos, NM. Let's' just say that things get...interesting. listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support...
-
Episode 92: The Year Already Sucks!
For our Season 5 finale, we reflect on some news items, discuss whether a Chicano can be a trump supporter, and reflect on some of our favorite moments from 2025! listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of…
more -
Special Throwback: Last of the Aztecs!
The Last of The Aztecs! Online racial conspiracists often share historical photos of a man and woman dubbed "The Last of the Aztecs." But who are the individuals in the photo? What is their actual story? And what do they have to do with a showman and circus tycoon from Connecticut? Lets find out…
more -
Episode 91: The Invention of America
Today, we’re peeling back the layers of a name we use every single day, often without a second thought: America. But we aren’t just looking at a map; we’re looking at a philosophical crisis. It’s a crisis that really came to a head in 1958. That was the year Edmundo O’Gorman—one of Mexico’s most...
-
Throwback: Reason for the Season!
Well, dear listeners, it’s that time of year again: when the mainstream media and their corporate overlords conspire to wage war on the winter holiday meant to celebrate the birth of our savior and erase our annual traditions. We are referring of course, to the birth of Witzilopochtli as our sun...
-
Episode 90: Decoding Teotihuacan w/ Magnus Pharao Hansen
The culture that thrived at Teotihuacan in the Classic period has a unique place in Mesoamerican history. Today, it is held as an emblem of the Mexican national past and is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the Americas. Nevertheless, curious visitors are told that the ethnic and...
-
Throwback: Four Things about the Mexika Calendar
With the passing of the Spring Equinox, we once again bring another year to a close. “In Xiwitl itlamiliz” The year has ended. This means it is once again time for the annual online arguments over whose calendar system follows the correct correlation. We here at the Tales from Aztlantis world...
-
Episode 89: Rise Up. Walk Out.
It was March 1968, and East Los Angeles was ready to explode. The city didn’t know it yet—hell, the country didn’t know it—but a brown revolution was about to burst forth out of its high schools. Over the course of a single week, up to 22,000 Chicano students—most of them teenagers, some still...
-
Throwback: The Assassination of Kwawhtemok!
The Assassination of Kwawtemok! On February 28, of the year 1525, Kwawtemok – the last sovereign tlatoani (ruler or speaker) of the Mexikah nation and the Anawak Confederacy, was assassinated by Hernán Cortés. But who was Kwawtemok, and why is he an important figure in the collective memory of...
-
Throwback: Nahuatl Nations!
We are joined By Dr. Magnus Pharao Hansen to discuss his new book "Nahuatl Nations: Language Revitalization and Semiotic Sovereignty in Indigenous Mexico." Nahuatl Nations is a linguistic ethnography that explores the political relations between those Indigenous communities of Mexico that speak…
more -
Episode 88: Inventing New Mexico's Crypto Jews!
In the blistering heat of New Mexico’s sun-baked earth, under the protective gaze of Okuu Pin–the Turtle Mountain that majestically stands guard over Albuquerque–a strange and persistent legend has taken hold. It’s a story of hidden Jews, of ancient rites disguised as Catholic rituals, and of...
-
Throwback: Subversive Spirituality!
Day of the Dead is Subversive Spirituality! Long before the arrival of Europeans, some of the Indigenous Mesoamerican traditions of honoring the dead were celebrated with two specific feasts: Mikailwitl (feast of the dead), and Wey Mikailwitl (great feast of the dead). These feasts were…
more -
Episode 87: Trump & The Cult of Columbus
It was October 9th, and the orange-tinted manchild sat hunched in the Oval Office, surrounded by his usual circus of bootlickers, propagandists, and professional ass-kissers. Cameras clicked, flags flapped, and the stench of urine, Axe body spray, and fascism filled the room. With a greasy…
more -
Episode 86: The Juan Diego Code!
During a 1990 visit to Mexico, Pope John Paul II confirmed the long-standing liturgical cult in honor of Juan Diego, officially beatifying him. This act set in motion the process of canonizing Juan Diego as the first saint Indigenous to the Americas. The Juan Diego Faithful were, of course…
more -
Throwback: The Second Declaration of Anahuac!
On November 26, 1988, a person by the name of Ramón Tirado delivered the “Consigna del sexto sol: Segunda consigna de Anáhuac” –or the “Mandate of the Sixth Sun: Second Mandate of Anahuac”– at the Convención de Anáhuac – or the “Anahuac Convention” – which was held in Mexico City. In this…
more -
Throwback: New Mexican Spanish w/ Rob Martinez!
The Myth of New Mexican Spanish This week we are joined by the official New Mexico State historian Rob Martinez! Rob joins us as we dissect the many myths surrounding the way Spanish is spoken in New Mexico. In this episode, we ask the question: is New Mexican Spanish actually an archaic and…
more -
Throwback: Computer of the Gods!
Proponents of the nepohualtzintzin hail it as a marvel of ancient Mesoamerica. Elevated as a symbol of mathematical sophistication, the device has captured the imagination of scholars and enthusiasts since the 1970s. However, a close examination of the available evidence raises questions about…
more -
Episode 85: Kurly's Latinx Adventure!
What happens when you invite Kurly Tlapoyawa to give the keynote address at a Latinx conference? Let's find out! listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist,...
-
Dispatch: The Chicano Moratorium!
Today marks the 55th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium March, a movement of Chicano anti-war activists that built a broad-based coalition of Mexican-American groups to organize opposition to the Vietnam War. Led by activists from local colleges and members of the Brown Berets, a group with...
-
Extended Throwback: Old California Strikes Back w/ Scott Russell Duncan!
In this special extended throwback episode, we are joined by Chicano author Scott Russell Duncan to talk about his new book "Old California Strikes Back" and the state of Chicano publishing! "Old California Strikes Back is a modern Ramona Diary, the record tourists kept of the sites of Old...
-
Episode 84: Big Archaeology w/ Dr. Ken Feder!
Is wokeness destroying the discipline of archaeology? Is chattel slavery a bad thing? And just how much does "Big Archaeology" pay, anyway? We break it all down as we are joined by Dr. Ken Feder to discuss his new book "Native America: The Story of the First Peoples." listener comments? Feedback?...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
We explore Chicano, Mexicano, and Mesoamerican history, archaeology, and culture, and combat the spread of disinformation about these very topics. Your hosts Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl invite you to join them on a fascinating journey through Mesoamerica's past, present, and future!
Goodpods #1 in the Top 100 Chicano Podcasts (3 years running!)
HOSTED BY
Kurly Tlapoyawa & Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Tales From Aztlantis have?
Tales From Aztlantis currently has 198 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Tales From Aztlantis about?
We explore Chicano, Mexicano, and Mesoamerican history, archaeology, and culture, and combat the spread of disinformation about these very topics. Your hosts Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl invite you to join them on a fascinating journey through Mesoamerica's past, present, and...
How often does Tales From Aztlantis release new episodes?
Tales From Aztlantis publishes regularly with 198 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Tales From Aztlantis?
You can listen to Tales From Aztlantis on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Tales From Aztlantis?
Tales From Aztlantis is created and hosted by Kurly Tlapoyawa & Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl.
URL copied to clipboard!