Hella Brown and Hella Loud with Señor Barragan

If you live in Oakland or have been in the area, you know the frustration of seeing a pile of tires or a discarded mattress on your corner. For years, the narrative has been that Oakland is just “dirty.” But in my latest sit-down with Mayor Barbara Lee, she argues that illegal dumping isn’t just a maintenance issue; it’s an equity issue.The Dumping Deep-Dive Mayor Lee was incredibly candid about the new ordinance being rolled out this year. Here are the three biggest takeaways for the community:* The “Hauler” Trap: The Mayor warned residents about illegal haulers who take your money, promise to go to the dump, and then leave your trash on a neighbor’s curb. Her advice: Don’t pay the full amount until you see a dump receipt.* Targeting Marginalized Neighborhoods: She didn’t mince words, calling it a “disgrace” that habitual dumpers specifically target low-income, Black, and Brown communities, as well as unhoused encampments, to shift the blame onto vulnerable people.* Fines with a Safety Net: The new ordinance doubles down on fines (up to $1,500 for a first offense), but Lee highlighted a sliding scale and community service options for those who can’t afford to pay. It’s about accountability, not just criminalization.“Every resident in Oakland deserves to live in a clean, safe neighborhood regardless of income, zip code, or racial background.”Go Deeper: Immigration, The World Cup, and the “Chaos” Factor The conversation got deep when we started talking about the recent attacks on our immigrant neighbors and the upcoming global spotlight on Oakland.The full interview will be available for everyone in a few days, but for my paid subscribers, you can access the exclusive deep-dive into the Immigration Pushback and the World Cup update right now This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit senorbarragan.substack.comAs a DACA recipient, former high school principal, and a proud Michoacano/Baydestrian, I know that for our community, politics isn’t just about headlines…it’s about our lives. I got a chance to meet with with Xavier Becerra to ask the community has been asking about. He’s been in the room at the highest levels of government, but I wanted to know how he plans to show up for us here in California.In the first half of our conversation:* Affordability for the Rest of Us: We talked about the “California Dream”→ how a construction worker with a 6th-grade education used to be able to buy a home here, and why that feels impossible for the next generation.* Protecting Mixed-Status Families: With our communities feeling under attack, I asked how he would use the power of the Governor’s office to protect vulnerable families and Dreamers.The full interview will be available to everyone in a few days! I wanted to provide this early preview for the people who have been supporting me and helping me stay independent as a creator. The second half is where I get to ask some of the tougher questions. Gracias for the support; if you appreciate what I do, please consider upgrading your subscription- y si no pueden, no hay problema; you all being here means the world to me.

California is often celebrated as the fourth-largest economy in the world, but for many of us in the Bay and the Central Valley, that wealth feels non existent. We see the electric vehicles and the tech campuses, but we also see our neighbors being priced out, our families being separated by ICE, and our youth wondering if they have a future in the state they call home. I sat down with someone who has spent his entire career trying to bridge that gap: Michael Tubbs.Michael isn’t your typical politician. He’s the son of a teenage mother and an incarcerated father, a kid from Stockton who made it to Stanford and then went back home to lead a city that many had written off as “the most miserable in America.” As the former Mayor of Stockton and now a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Michael’s philosophy is simple but radical: Poverty is not a personal failure; it is a policy choice.We met up in Palo Alto to get into the weeds of what leadership looks like when you actually care about the humanity of vulnerable people. We talked about:* The Stockton Mentality: Why he decided to give residents a Guaranteed Income years before it became a national headline.* The Lieutenant Governor’s Power: How this “overlooked” seat is actually the key to controlling state lands, UC/CSU tuition, and the fight against offshore drilling.* The Immigrant Experience: Why 30% of Stockton being foreign-born meant he had to fight ICE and slumlords simultaneously to protect the “California Dream” for everyone.* The Reality of Critics: A raw look at what happens when a proud Black man uses power to challenge the status quo, and why “government isn’t DoorDash” … real change takes time and guts.This isn’t just a campaign stop. This is a conversation about the soul of California and whether we’re brave enough to choose a future where everyone has enough to thrive.This full interview is currently in Early Access for our paid supporters.Familia, my work as a Digital Advocate is made possible by those of you who invest in this platform. These candidates aren’t paying me to share their stories or their platform; I do this to bring the truth to our community.I’ve made the first half of this interview available for everyone above so you can hear Michael’s thoughts on the “Stockton Mentality” and our debate on California’s best Mexican food. To honor my supporters, I’m giving the paid community the first look at the full, unedited conversation; including the deep dive into his plan for the Lieutenant Governor’s office, fighting ICE, and handling institutional critique.The full post will unlock for everyone in 5 days. If you want to dive into the rest of the conversation right now and support the mission of keeping Sr. Barragan independent, consider upgrading your subscription today!Of course, no pressure! Either way, I’m glad you’re here.Part 1: * 00:00 – Behind the Scenes: Getting the cameras and mics ready in Palo Alto.* 01:33 – Introducing Michael Tubbs: Born and raised in Stockton, Stanford grad, and the journey to running for Lieutenant Governor.* 03:35 – The Great Mexican Food Debate: Why Michael argues Stockton’s food scene is more authentic (and affordable) than the Bay Area.* 05:12 – The Power of the “Overlooked” Seat: What the Lieutenant Governor actually does—from sitting on the UC/CSU boards to managing California’s state lands.* 06:39 – Ending Poverty in California: Why Michael believes the highest poverty rate in the country is a California-made issue, not just a federal one.* 07:19 – Executive Experience: Leading a city of 320,000 during the Trump administration and fighting for sanctuary city funding.* 10:07 – The Data Dividend: Michael’s plan for Californians to own their data and benefit from the wealth generated by tech innovation.* 11:44 – Standing with the Immigrant Community: Why 30% of Stockton being foreign-born made fighting for undocumented neighbors a top priority.* 13:33 – Fighting for Basic Dignity: Going after slumlords and creating kitchen incubators for immigrant food entrepreneurs. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe

Familia, I’m back with Episode 6 of Hella Brown and Hella Loud. This week, the homie Vince Monroy returns to the lab to help me unpack a political climate that feels designed to exhaust us.We’re diving into the “flood the zone” strategy of the current administration and a hard truth that’s hitting close to home: even for those of us who “made it,” the promise of this country is starting to feel like an illusion. We talk about why DACA recipients are seriously considering leaving the U.S. for good, and why the “white-only” USC Gubernatorial debate was such a slap in the face to the BIPOC candidates actually doing the work.Inside this Episode:* The Accountability Gap: We held Cesar Chavez’s legacy to the fire; so why does the current White House get a pass?* The “Spooky” Governor’s Race: Why Matt Mahan is running for California like it’s just one big San Jose, and the billionaire Palantir money following him.* Global Unrest, Local Pockets: How the military escalations in Iran and the blockade in Cuba are hitting our mental health and our gas prices.Where to skip ahead:* 03:40 – The Accountability Trap: Chavez vs. The White House.* 10:13 – Leaving the U.S.? The disillusionment of the American Dream.* 19:15 – The Daycare Comments: Analyzing the latest remarks on family funding.* 23:55 – California Governor Race: The truth behind the USC debate exclusion.* 29:45 – The Matt Mahan Critique: Silicon Valley billionaires vs. the Latino community.What do you think? Are you feeling the same “exhaustion” Vince and I talked about? Drop a comment below… I want to know if the “American Dream” still feels reachable for you or if you’re looking at the exit signs too.Stay Hella Brown, Stay Hella Loud.- Señor B This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe

I started this interview with what I told Mark Kelly would be the most controversial question: Who actually has the best Mexican food in the country?His answer involves National Geographic, Bill Clinton, and a very specific spot in South Tucson. It was a lighthearted start to a conversation that quickly turned into one of the most intense interviews I’ve done this year.As a content creator and a member of the undocumented community, I don’t just report on these stories. I live them. When we moved past the food, we got into the “hard” questions that the mainstream media often dances around:* The Economy: Why gas taxes and rent are the real “culture wars” for voters in 2026.* ICE at SFO: His reaction to the “out of control” agency and the viral images of agents in our local airports.* The Execution Comments: We talk about the President’s remarks regarding his military advice and why he is currently suing Pete Hegseth to protect the constitutional rights of 2 million veterans.I’m excited to be partnering with Senator Kelly to help share this conversation later this week. However, I wanted my Substack community to have the first look at the full, unedited conversation. This “Raw Cut” is my independent release of our entire 10-minute session: no scripts, no edits, just the real conversation.Your paid subscriptions allow me to sit down with people in power and ask the questions that actually matter to our community without a corporate filter. This is the unedited footage from our session in San Francisco; no cuts, no scripts, just the truth!To all of you who have chosen to support this work at the highest level; thank you for going above and beyond. Staying independent as a creator isn’t just about having creative freedom; it’s about the ability to ask the uncomfortable questions that corporate media often ignores. Your support is what allows me to keep showing up in these rooms, representing our community, and bringing you the truth without any strings attached. I don’t take your trust or your investment in this mission lightly, and I’m honored to have you in my corner as we continue this journey together. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe

Familia, I almost didn’t record this one.We grew up with certain names being synonymous with our dignity. In the Bay Area and Salinas, Cesar Chavez isn’t just a historical figure; he’s on our street signs, our schools, and our murals. But as new, harrowing allegations from survivors, including the iconic Dolores Huerta, come to light, we have to ask: How do we honor a movement while holding its leader accountable?In Episode 5 of Hella Brown and Hella Loud, I sit down with my brother Benjamin (Perez the Advisor). We dive into the “Workhorse” mentality that burns out first-gen professionals, our shared love for Rock en Español and Anime, and the uncomfortable reality of watching our childhood heroes fall.Inside the Episode:* The “Privilege of Rest”: Why we feel like we’re “betraying” our immigrant parents when we take a Saturday off or navigate unemployment.* Accountability Over Iconography: A raw breakdown of the Chavez investigation and why standing with survivors is a requirement, not an option.* The Identity Crisis: Moving past “Hispanic” and “Latino” to find what actually fits our lived experience.* The “Anime-Ass Mexican”: How Goku and Molotov shaped a generation of geeks and rebels.The Roadmap (Timestamps):* 00:00 The Intro: Why this episode felt heavy.* 08:49 The “Frat Boy” to Educator pipeline.* 29:50 Dragon Ball Z & Rock en Español: Our cultural DNA.* 41:06 The Main Event: The Cesar Chavez Investigation.* 01:12:33 Learning to Rest: Killing the “Workhorse” guilt.* 01:16:26 The Humblebrag: A challenge to every Latino listening.Join the ConversationSubstack is about community. I want to hear from you in the comments:* How did you react to the news about Chavez? * Do you think it’s time to rename the schools in our neighborhoods?Leave a comment and let’s get “Hella Loud” about it.and don’t forget to subscribe if you appreciate my work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe

Saludos familia,Welcome to Episode 4 of the podcast! Today, I am sitting down with Celeste, the powerhouse co-founder of People Over Papers, to uncover how a grassroots ICE-tracking map accidentally turned into a nationwide movement.We dive deep into the reality of surviving targeted online attacks, navigating the mental toll of sudden viral fame, and why our community needs to stop asking for permission and start taking up space. (We also get into a heated debate about whether cats or dogs are better, but I’ll let you be the judge of that).🎧 Episode Chapters* 00:00 | The ICE-Tracking Map That Broke the Internet* 06:00 | Why Serious Creators Need to Post Their Real Lives* 16:20 | Surviving Coordinated Trolls and Platform Bans* 23:27 | “What Kind of Mexican Are You?”* 41:44 | The Dark Side of Going Viral Overnight* 54:16 | Our Bare Minimum Demands for Politicians* 01:08:18 | Why Our Community Needs to Start Flexing🔥 The Big Takeaways* Activism requires real-world tools: Building platforms like the People Over Papers map proves that digital organizing can move beyond awareness and actively protect vulnerable communities in real time.* Authenticity is your best armor: Navigating sudden viral fame and massive online hate requires setting strict digital boundaries while unapologetically owning every intersection of your identity.* Take up the space you deserve: We have to unlearn the generational habit of staying “humble” to a fault and start proudly championing our wins, our joy, and our right to exist loudly.If you appreciate my work please don’t forget to subscribe! Los quiero y gracias! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe

Hella Brown and Hella Loud — Episode 03Stop waiting for a seat at the table and start taking up space in the rooms where decisions are made. In this episode, we dive into the reality of “fighting fire with fire” in politics and why staying silent as a creator is no longer an option.We explore the “Optimist’s Case” for the 2028 Presidential Primary, the shifting tactics of Democratic leaders, and the high cost of influencer silence on global human rights issues.🎧 The Conversation* The Newsom Encounter: Is Gavin Newsom a “toxic bro” or a political powerhouse? We break down the vibe at the California Democratic Convention.* The “Fire with Fire” Strategy: Why leaders like Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are changing the game for the Democratic party.* Creator Accountability: Why influencers who benefit from the Latino community owe that community more than just “neutrality” when it comes to Palestine and human rights.⏳ Timestamps00:00 – Why I’m obsessed with taking up space 01:38 – Meeting Gavin Newsom: Toxic bro or political powerhouse? 06:53 – The “Optimist’s Case” for the 2028 Presidential Primary 12:26 – Why I don’t trust “humane” immigration talk from the right 24:46 – The danger of content creators staying silent on Palestine 36:54 – Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico: Champion vs. Champion? 59:16 – Why the “MAGA Cult” feels more validated than ever This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe

Hella Brown and Hella Loud — Episode 02In this episode, I’m joined by the one and only “Internet Mexican” (Ivan) for a conversation that is as hilarious as it is heavy. After four years of being “mutuals” online, we finally sit down to discuss the reality of being an undocumented creator and the constant fight against misinformation.We cover everything from why Ivan almost traded TikTok for a career as an adult actor in Japan, to the “humble brag” of him writing the testing protocols for Tesla.🎧 The Conversation* The “Green Card” Myth: Why 13 years of marriage doesn’t mean an automatic path to citizenship.* Defensive Education: Using history and data to protect our community from dangerous stereotypes.* The Trajectory Shift: How one educator can change everything for an undocumented student.⏳ Timestamps00:00 – We finally met: After 4 years of being “Mutuals” 01:22 – The “Intrusive” reason I walked away from TikTok 06:20 – Defining the “Geeky” Mexican: Rock, Manga, & Warcraft 13:21 – The “Green Card Marriage” myth debunked 21:05 – My failed audition for the Japanese adult film industry 27:10 – Finding out I was undocumented at a military recruitment office 50:40 – What politicians MUST do to earn the Latino vote 58:43 – Writing the testing protocols for Tesla (Humble Brag)💡 Key Takeaways* The Legalization Maze: Ivan pulls back the curtain on the high costs and legal hurdles that keep “simple” solutions like marriage from being a fast track to status.* Platform as a Tool: Moving beyond viral trends to “defensive education”—using a platform to dispel misinformation about the immigrant community.* The Power of Mentorship: A tribute to the educators who push us toward higher education when we feel like our status makes it a “waste of time.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe

🎧 The Conversation* The Guest: Meet Vince (@VinceMonroy), who reaches 277K followers in the fight for pro-democracy.* The Mission: From the classroom to a roundtable with Governor Newsom, why we can’t stay silent anymore.* The Myth: Breaking down the “Monolith” of the 68 million Latino experience in the U.S.⏳ Timestamps00:00 – Why I swore I’d never start a podcast 00:46 – Meet Vince: The fight for pro-democracy 03:45 – Inspiration vs. Desperation: Breaking the silence 09:12 – From the classroom to a roundtable with Governor Newsom 13:17 – The “Monolith” Myth: The 68 million Latino experience 30:57 – Why the Latino vote shifted & the truth about misinformation 58:58 – The “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” critique 01:03:16 – Why neutrality is a disservice💡 Key Takeaways* The Power of “Taking Up Space”: Moving from short-form TikTok clips to long-form conversations to provide the context our community deserves.* Challenging the Monolith: How national origin (Mexican vs. Cuban vs. Venezuelan) and generational shifts redefine the “Latino vote.”* Accountability for Creators: Why influencers have a responsibility to speak out against harm rather than protecting a “brand.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe