The Jesse Garcia Show

Texas Barbecue Queen Alma Vera mixes backyard grilling with local politics to get people invested in their community. We’ll discuss how South Texas is overperforming in voting and how Democrats are poised to recapture the Rio Grande Valley!

Longtime Trans Advocate Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen joins The Trevor Project to combat the anti-LGBTQ legislative surge and restore vital mental health lifelines for youth. We’ll discuss the outreach being done, upcoming research studies and that multimillion dollar gift received days ago! Listen to his story now on JesseGarciaShow.com, available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.

Is local news the secret to saving democracy? Opinion Editor David Plazas thinks so. In this episode, we track David’s path from budding reporter to a leading voice in public discourse, preview 2026’s biggest stories, and discuss why investing in local journalism is the most important move that you can make for your community.

From Nuclear Engineering to Global Activism: Colombian immigrant Diego Garcia Blum is convening the greatest minds of the LGBTQIA+ community at Harvard University. Their mission: to forge the policy, research, and advocacy needed to improve global safety and acceptance for LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially in high-risk regions. Listen to his story now on JesseGarciaShow.com, available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.

It started with a 9-year-old and a cooking lesson. It grew into a Thanksgiving tradition—creating a welcoming feast for Queer and Immigrant friends who needed a place to call home for the holiday. That devotion led to a career in food safety. I’ll share some tips to prepare you for America’s biggest food holiday. Listen to my story on JesseGarciaShow.com available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and Soundcloud.

We are not broken! Samuel Nieves dedicates his life to undoing the trauma caused by Conversion Therapy and combating its spread across the U.S. On social media, the advocate shares insights with the community, holds practitioners accountable and openly discusses his own experiences with conversion therapy. Listen to his story on JesseGarciaShow.com available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify & Soundcloud.

Rosy Mota enjoys connecting her community to health care. As policy director for the Latino Commission on AIDS, she navigates a new era where science is questioned, federal programs are cut, and government scientists are being fired. Hear how Rosy soldiers on at JesseGarciaShow.com

Episode 138 Texas Legislator and Combat Veteran Josey Garcia Still Fighting for Democracy by Jesse Garcia

Emily Randall wanted to be a changemaker. Her work in social justice took her from political activism to Congress, blazing trails along the way. Little did she know, she'd make history as the first Latina Lesbian elected to Congress.

Professional Coach Xavier Cano offers tips for preparing resumes and succeeding at job interviews. Learn how to tell your personal story and make a good first impression. Listen today on JesseGarciaShow.com available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify & Soundcloud

Capital Pride Alliance’s Anthony Musa talks about this summer’s World Pride that promises to bring the largest crowd ever to Washington DC. Get ready for two weeks of celebrations, conferences and social justice events.

The “Prada Enchilada,” Comedian Jade Esteban Estrada, talks about his adventures on stage, how to break into the comedy, and the legends who helped shape his comic genius.

On the podcast today we have Juan Flores, Public Health Advisor from the U.S. State Department’s U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. We’ll talk about the latest efforts on the global fight against HIV. And hey, we got some great news for you: HIV transmission rates are further down compared to prior years.

On today’s show we have the new Executive Director of GLAD Law Ricardo Martinez. GLAD Law, which has been around since 1978, has been instrumental in the LGBTQ+ rights movement through advocacy work and bold litigation. Martinez shares options with the community on what to do now to prepare for what’s to come after the 2024 elections.

Advocates for Trans Equality’s Josie Caballero serves as the Director of Voting and Elections at the nation’s leading Trans organization. She builds coalitions, develops policy, and advocates to enhance the visibility and understanding of transgender issues.

Latino Victory’s National Political Director Winter Snitz-Meza talks about his organization’s focus on voter turnout in swing states and how the organization is preparing the next generation of Latino elected officials.

We chat with Q Street President Yesenia Alvarado Henninger. She’s the first person of color to lead the professional association dedicated to LGBTQ lobbyists and public policy advocates. We’ll discuss her work to ensure your queer rights are protected on Capitol Hill and how to become an effective lobbyist.

On today’s show we have Dr. Joshua DeSilva a Queer, Latinx Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at George Washington University. We’ll talk about the importance about mental health and how to seek help.

Longtime Democratic Party Activist Diego Miguel Sanchez will walk us through his role at the Democratic National Convention, his thoughts and feelings about this election, and how a Harris Presidential Administration will benefit LGBTQ people.

Longtime community organizer Robert Salcido Jr has worked hard to bring equality to the Alamo City and now is taking his fight statewide by bringing resources to queer communities both large and small throughout Texas. Learn about Texas Pride Impact Funds on JesseGarciaShow.com available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify & Soundcloud

Community Leader Dr. Wilfred Labiosa offers a comprehensive chronology of the LGBT rights movement in Cuba, highlighting the significant milestones, setbacks and tribulations in his new book. Learn about this book and his personal journey on JesseGarciaShow.com available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify & Soundcloud

Helping the next LGBTQ generation thrive in post-secondary education is the focus of Point Foundation and its CEO Jorge Valencia. Hear about the work that goes into America’s largest queer scholarship on JesseGarciaShow.com available on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify & Soundcloud

Longtime Queer Activist Orlando Gonzales talks about his new role at the Human Rights Campaign, his past activism in Florida, and how his experience with Spanish language media made him a stronger communicator for the movement. Listen today on Amazon, Audible, iTunes, Spotify and Soundcloud.

MALDEF Lawyer Ernest Herrera talks to the JesseGarciaShow.com about protecting the Latino vote and representation in elected offices. Anti-Latino rhetoric motivated him to get into law. Listen to him slay in the courts! Hear our conversation on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify & Soundcloud

On the Podcast today: Latino Community Foundation's Eduardo Garcia talks about supporting the Queer community and harnessing Latino Power in California. Listen to our conversation on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and Soundcloud!

What started out as small gatherings among friends after the pandemic has grown to a successful group that’s changing the game of Queer living in the Rio Grande Valley. RGV Bears are organizing several communities in South Texas to create their own space and have fun while doing it. Leading the effort is Pedro Coronado, a longtime community activist who is ready to take it to the next level.

After researching his family history in Cuba, Marley Pulido got inspired to share all these forgotten Black Cuban stories left out of history books. He has taken on a self-funded mission to build a community archive that includes video, audio and images that will preserve the Black Cuban historical memory of the island and the diaspora.

Filmmaker Dolissa Medina teams up with Visual AIDS of New York to combine Latino Culture and Personal Stories to make an impact on World AIDS Day.

More than 20 years ago Shane Mendez Windmeyer launched Campus Pride, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building future LGBTQ leaders and creating safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. Shane talks about the type of work that goes into rating higher education institutions and what red flags you should look for before you accept that admissions packet.

Meteorologist Mark Peña delivers the weather to DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia based on science and facts. We’ll talk about his Texas roots, how politics have crept into weather and why warnings by your local weather can save your life. Listen on Audible, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify & Soundcloud.

Meet the Latino overseeing the nation’s leading Transgender Equality organization, Executive Director Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen. For the last 20 years, National Center for Transgender Equality has advocated in DC. Now that fight has gone to state legislatures due to a historic number of anti-Transgender bills. Hear how Rodrigo and his staff work to ensure that Trans Lives are protected and safe.

In North Texas, a LGBTQ community advocate, the Resource Center, has taken on a new mission to take care of vulnerable LGBTQ seniors during their golden years. Learn how the center plans to help Queer elders live out their best lives.

Ben Garcia has spent his whole life working in museums and ensuring art and history are protected and accessible. Today, he is helping launch a brand new museum dedicated to the American LGBTQ+ experience. He shares what it will take to open the $26 million project, how the museum’s collection will be shared, and how your items can become part of our American history.

Meet the Latina working mom who is making sure the nation’s capital puts on the best Queer Brown Pride festival on a shoe string budget and volunteer power.

Episode 111 Meet the LGBTQ Icon Saving Public Education and American History in Texas Dr. Nancy Vera by Jesse Garcia

Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez has prepared her whole life for the bench. She worked in social services, education and as a lawyer representing families in need. Now she gets to help people find justice, and for a lucky few, a second chance by presiding over a Bexar County Court. Learn how she’s ready to help others achieve and what advice she has for those going into law.

Mayra Hidalgo Salazar is the Deputy Executive Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. Originally from Costa Rica, Mayra’s 13-year journey as a queer and formerly undocumented woman laid the groundwork for her commitment to organizing — spearheaded by queer, immigrant youth of color. Get ready to learn about organizing for LGBTQ civil rights movement.

After years of advocating for the Latino community and preparing others to lead, Gay Latino Immigrant Jonathan Dromgoole is ready to run to represent all his communities in Northern Virginia.

National Association of Hispanic Journalists Executive Director Dave Peña talks about his organization’s work here and abroad to support the professional development of future and current journalists, plus we’ll talk about the Top 10 stories of 2022.

Meet Karla Cruz Godoy, a Queer Latina Warrior who made it to Survivor’s Season 43 Finale on CBS this fall. We’ll talk about her 20-day journey to outwit, outplay and outlast her fellow players. Karla will also share advice on getting and surviving on the show.

One small act of discrimination turned into a big opportunity for a policy wonk to become a historic Transgender Activist.

More than 11,000 migrants have been sent to the District of Columbia by Republican Governors on busses full of empty promises. While media comes and goes, Jennie Saldaña has kept welcoming migrants during this humanitarian crisis from day one. Learn their story today.

Learn in realtime what DC’s top scientist is doing to combat the Monkeypox Virus. Epidemiologist Dr. Anil Mangla shares with the JesseGarciaShow.com ways to protect yourself and treatment available for those sick with the virus.

LGBTQ Latinx Drag Queen Lady J Monroe is spreading self acceptance, literacy, and most importantly, love. But conservatives are labeling Drag Queen Storytellers as sinister predators who must be stopped. Hear her side of the story and learn how Drag is making the next generation smarter and kinder.

Imagine getting hired to write about social justice, inclusion and self identity at the largest newspaper in the United States. Reporter Marc Ramirez has taken on the challenge and has included the Latinx LGBTQ community in his front page stories. Thank you for being an ally, Marc!

Democracy Rising Co-Director Maria Perez is a leading expert on Ranked Choice Voting, an election model that is voter centric, eliminates negative attacks and saves taxpayers by avoiding costly runoffs.

On the podcast today, Comic Book Shop Owner Gabriel Mendez, a businessman who has loved comic books all his life and credits them for his literacy and imagination. We’ll talk about how comic book characters have shaped American pop culture and how their storylines are helping the next generation become more accepting of others.

Commissioner Roy De Los Santos talks about making history in Brownsville, Texas, by being becoming the first-ever openly gay elected official, how the city has progressed over the years, and his plans to modernize infrastructure.

Marilyn Sulay shares her journey as a businesswoman, inventor and entrepreneur who shattered glass ceilings in media and tech world but had to fight discrimination once folks learned she was transgender

Emmy Award Winning News Producer Johnny Cordoba shares his journey into the news business, tips for future journalists, and his thoughts about the year’s top stories