Telling is Political

In the final episode of Telling is Political, Co-Hosts Maurice Montoya and Aguila Barajas shared space with the Co-Founders of Nopal, Dra. Nancy Huante-Tzintzun and Ricky Gutierrez Maldonado, who shared the purpose behind founding Nopal, Telling is Political, and their experiences that propelled them into the leaders they are today. We share how our leaders need each other, and how Nopal expanding toward a Coordinating Council with Co-Directors supports our mission and vision moving forward.

In Episode 5 of Telling is Political, Co-Hosts Aguila Barajas and Maurice Montoya, welcome Stockton leaders Marcos Rojas and Maurisio Diaz, to share their stories growing up and eventually supporting youth in Stockton. They share how community building including personal growth, challenges, and a true meaning of purpose. They even share how their personal growth positively impacted community growth here in Stockton.

On Episode 4 of Telling is Political, Co-Hosts Maurice Montoya and Aguila Barajas discuss how our introduction into community often start in our own families. Joining them are two sisters and community leaders, Yesenia Solis and Cecilia Solis Ayala, whose conversation explores how family dynamics shape our personal growth, our relationships within the community, and our development as leaders. The episode also highlights a local youth resource connected to Nopal, where Yesenia served as Co-Director of Political Education — reflecting on what it meant to guide young people through that work, including her own sister Cecilia.

On Episode 3 of Telling is Political, Co-Hosts Maurice Montoya and Aguila Barajas interview local Stockton leader, Deja Wright. From her leadership in the soil with the Black Urban Farmer's Association to her experience in Outreach and Marketing with the Child Abuse Prevention Council, Deja's storytelling is unique and is molded by the city she calls home. We share ways the community can support youth through preventative measures and during times of need. 

In episode 2 of Telling is Political, Co-hosts Aguila Barajas and Maurice Montoya share space and storytelling with Alyssa Leiva, a local leader in Stockton, who shared what it is like to organize in community, including as youth and as youth mentors. We share what motivates us to continue to mobilize and what resources are available for young leaders.

Co-Hosts Maurice Montoya and Aguila Barajas open up the season by building dialogue around supporting Stockton's youth when interviewing local Stockton leader Melody Machuca. Melody, a youth leader in Stockton shares their story as a student, volunteer, and activist that has brought change to the youth in the city she calls home.

Danyeli talks to Bianette, who came back to Stockton after graduating from UCLA. This move back to Stockton has been called the boomerang population. Bianette talks about growing up in Stockton, leaving for college, and the work she has done since her coming back home.

Cataleya (age 10) and Cielo (age 12) talk to Danyeli about growing up in Stockton and their vision for the future.

Danyeli & Salvador, a Stockton-native and second generation Mexican immigrant, chit chat about how they have navigated queerness and coming out (or not) within their Latinx families. Still a taboo within traditional Latinx families, Danyeli and Salvador discuss the nuances of being gay, bi, and queer and how gender, age, and religion complicate identity and closeness. #TellingisPolitical

Mariela Guzman is a second generation immigrant from Mexico raised in Stockton, CA. A professor at San Joaquin Delta College, her curriculum allows students to explore their culture's history. As a direct descendant of a Bracero who immigrated to California in the 1970's, in this episode Mariela reminisces on her family's nuanced immigration history, how it complicates identity, and the beauty of looking back in order to appreciate the now.  For more information on data shared: Library of Congress

In this episode, we reflect on education and the journey of being first-generation, sharing important data that situates Stockton within California and the rest of the country. We sit down with educator, professor, researcher, and co-founder of Nopal,  Nancy Huante-Tzintzun, to discuss first her educational journey, the lessons she learned from growing up in Stockton, and advice she would give to younger generations. Nancy shares her perspective on data about education, particularly when it comes to Stockton.  For more information on data shared: Forbes Stockton Data Stockton Unified

Host Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe and Nopal co-founders/directors, Drs. Ricky Gutierrez-Maldonado and Nancy Huante-Tzintzun introduce Telling is Political, a story-telling podcast of Nopal Stockton that aims to dismantle mainstream narratives about Chicanx/Latinx communities by centering the multigenerational and multilayered conversations about identity, race, queerness, migration, and more. Ricky and Nancy share their story about starting Nopal and what led them to create Telling is Political, a project that gets its name from the introductory chapter of Dr. Maylei Blackwell’s book, Chicana Power. They also share some exciting news about Nopal’s work in opening up a coffee shop!