It seems everyone and their primo has a podcast these days. And while you may currently have a string of them to entertain you, the rise of socially conscious programs that speak to our current political situation suggest many of us enjoy knowing we’re not the only ones facing this turbulent year alone. That there’s also a vast pool of podcasts by and for the Latinx community proves the still booming genre is the place to be if you want to delve into issues specific to our large and diverse community.
So, whether you’re looking for some chisme for your morning commute, a handy history lesson on the Río Grande to listen to at the gym, or just want to hear from some hilarious personalities all across the country, Remezcla has scoured the web (yet again!) to find the Latinx shows you should have on your radar.
What binds the list together – other than it showcases some bright Latinx talent behind the mic having conversations you’re unlikely to find somewhere else – is the fact that these are all hosted (or co-hosted in a few cases) by women. Because, if you didn’t know it already, Latinas truly are the vanguard in the podcast business.
1
Locatora Radio [A Radiophonic Novela]
Hosted by Mala Muñoz and Diosa Femme – two self-identified locxs – Locatora Radio is a space to celebrate the creativity, contributions, and legacies of femmes and womxn of color. Mala and Diosa, also known as “Las Mamis of Myth & Bullshit,” launched their podcast 10 months ago. Since then, they have explored topics like online brujxs who have reclaimed indigenous spirituality, self-love practices, how white women have upheld white supremacy, and mental health. Locatora Radio, which they describe as Brown Girl Hour, was inspired by many Black women led podcasts, such as 2 Dope Queens, Zahira Kelly’s Shouting From the Margins, and Myleik Teele’s My Taught You.
The co-hosts use many of their own experiences to shape their content, but also frequently collaborate with others.“We try to [inject] as much of ourselves into our content as possible without making it all about us,” Mala said during a panel with Remezcla. “We try to our best to bring in other partners and collaborate with friends and community members so that our content is as expansive as possible.”
2
Bitter Brown Femmes
Friends Ruben (aka Queer Xicano Chisme) and Cassandra (aka Xicanisma) team up to “dismantle shit while talking shit.” While this is one of the newer podcasts on this list, the two hosts deliver the same realness that’s come to define their social media pages. Bitter Brown Femmes made its debut a month ago. In that episode, Cassandra and Ruben discussed Charlottesville, Latinx/Chicanx white supremacists, and liberal complacency.
https://soundcloud.com/bitterbrownfemmes/episode-one-welcome-to-the-brown-parade
3
Anzaldúing It
BFFs Angélica Becerra and Jackie Cáraves are two “queer Latinxs on a budget.” In three months, Becerra and Cáraves have produced 15 episodes that discuss important issues like anti-blackness in the Latinx community, toxic relationships, supporting femmes, and Walter Mercado. The term “Anzaldúing It,” named after Gloria Anzaldua, comes from the code switching that is very familiar to Chicanos and other people of color. This very necessary podcast is powered by “echale ganas, tacos, cochinita pibil, and Selena.”
4
Café con Chisme
Siblings Sebastian and Yasmin Ferrada are the duo behind Café con Chisme, a show that discusses all things Latinx. Using current events to guide their conversations, they have chatted about the Trump Administration’s rescindment of DACA and white terrorism. But they also tackle evergreen topics like imposter syndrome and J.Lo’s music.
5
Super Mamás
Sisters Paulina and Bricia Lopez are new moms who have built a judgement-free space for other new moms. Every Tuesday, they share inspirational stories that touch on their culture through their one-hour episodes.
6
Sobremesa Podcast
Hosted by Winston Rivas and Ana Cecilia Vargas, Sobremesa Podcast is “about pop culture, music, and conversations with those creating culture.” Launched eight months ago, Rivas and Vargas discuss many of the topics that dominate the Latinernet, including the shape of Latinx media, One Day at a Time, and Salma Hayek’s lack of understanding of intersectional feminism.
7
Las Cafecitas
Journalists, empanada lovers, and weirdos Isis Madrid and Maria Murriel host the bi-weekly Las Cafecitas podcast. Not only do they chronicle their “budding bruja friendship,” they also talk to people they like, including Helado Negro and Diane Guerrero.
8
Bag Ladiez
Estephanie and Lena – two Bronx-based Afro-Dominicans – host this informative and highly entertaining podcast that tackles their baggage and yours. With episodes titled “You Ain’t Even The First Selena,” “We Got Alligators and Taylor Swift Coming Out of Toilets,” and “The Male Gaze: Why ya be doing this?” you can expect a dose of humor and a breakdown of important topics.
9
Cerebronas
Yvette and Cynthia are two Latinas from “working-class, immigrant families navigating law school.” They provided analysis of law, current events, and personal politics through hour-long episodes. One of their most powerful episodes came three months ago with “The US Doesn’t Love You Back.” They discussed the murder of Philando Castile and explore why it’s necessary that people of color serve on juries.
10
Notes From A Native Daughter
Soldanela Rivera hosts Notes From a Native Daughter and touches on culture, arts, society and the “Pan-American experience.”
11
Jotxs y Recuerdos
Taking its name from Selena’s “Fotos y Recuerdos,” Jotxs y Recuerdos is Alexandra Nichole Salazar Vasquez’s way of archiving social movements and LGBTQ+ experiences in the Rio Grande Valley.
12
Creating Espacios
On this Forbes podcast, Barbara Gonzalez and Vivian Nunez interview entrepreneurial women. The podcast’s goal is to close “the gap in information and resources for diverse communities who want to become a part of the media or startup world.” They’ve interviewed Gina Rodriguez and Soledad O’Brien.