While 2016 was the year that the podcast business hit hyperdrive, the number of shows and series speaking to and about the Latinx experience remained relatively small in comparison. That seems likely to change this year; every time we turn around we see more and more new creators are jumping into the space, while some of the podcasting world’s Latinx stalwarts have been reaching new heights.
Whether you’re looking to stay informed in the days ahead, scouting for some great new music, or hoping to find some levity to listen to on your morning commute, Remezcla has scoured the web to find the Latinx shows you should have on your radar (and we’re not the only ones who are doing this work – shout out to the OGs LatinoUSA, who also put their own list together last fall).
From well-established podcasts to new ones you might want to check out, scroll down for a list of Latinx podcasts to add to your rotation.
1
LatinoUSA
NPR’s only national Latino news and cultural weekly radio program should be at the top of your list. Executive produced and anchored by award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, LatinoUSA was created by the Futuro Media Group, a Harlem-based nonprofit that’s producing content that better reflects America’s diverse voices. Episodes of LatinoUSA run the gamut, covering everything from parenthood and quinceañeras to intersectional identities and the Latino history of hip-hop.
Check out their latest episode on Oscar López Rivera:
2
Bodega Boys
Desus Nice and THE KID MERO (aka Joel Martinez), the Bronx comedy duo who now have their very own late night show, Viceland’s Desus & Mero, are the minds behind Bodega Boys. Tackling everything from Fidel Castro and Alan Thicke to Ducktales and Sexy Cartoons, there’s no better way to get a sense of the dizzying comedy of these two than to soak up a full episode of Bodega Boys yourself.
Check out an episode where they talk about Donald Trump’s Tweets, NWORD NAVY, Ashy Feet, Real Estate, Prison Cooking and more:
3
Latinos Who Lunch
Hosted by Las Vegas artist Justin Favela (FavyFav) and curator Emanuel Ortega (Babelito), Latinos Who Lunch is the podcast you’ll want to seek out if you’re curious to hear smart and engaging conversations about pop culture, art and identity politics. You’ll find them just as easily counting down their favorite 2016 albums (spoiler alert: they’re Solange fans), talking about their favorite Latino/a/@/x gay films, and even discussing cholosploitation.
Listen to their most recent episode where they talk about the complexities of New Mexican Chicano identity:
4
Radio Ambulante
Executive produced by Daniel Alarcón and Carolina Guerrero, two Latino journalists committed to bringing fascinating stories to their listeners, Radio Ambulante is the Spanish-language podcast to listen to. Focusing on longform journalistic storytelling, the episodes are anchored by fascinating stories of Latin Americans all around the world, from foreign students starting school in Oakland to used book-sellers in Bogotá, Colombia.
Listen to their episode on metal music in the 80s and 90s in Havana:
5
Radio Menea
Here’s one to add to your list if you’re an avid music fan. This woke podcast is hosted by Verónica Bayetti Flores and Miriam Zoila Pérez who play curators to the best Latinx* music playlists around. Whether singling out protest music by Ana Tijoux and Aventura or shouting out those party songs from Victor Manuelle and J Balvi sure to get you pumped, Radio Menea is here to make sure your Spotify tunes stay on fire.
Check out their latest episode which is all about songs with those novela feels:
6
Latino Rebels
Latino Rebels have been making a name for themselves over the past few years, giving voice to a community eager to be seen and heard. Bringing the humor, commentary and analysis of the US Latino world that characterizes their overall work, the Latino Rebels podcast is especially welcome in this current political climate and one that can be counted on to challenge and enlighten in equal measure. Recent topics covered include calling out machismo and Colombia after the No vote.
Be sure to listen to their episode on Trump’s Immigration Ban:
7
Alt.Latino
NPR’s Alt.Latino is also a longtime player in the podcast world. Exploring “alternative” genres that fall outside the traditional definitions tied to “Latin music”, the show is just as likely to offer an episode on the sounds of Cuba as they are to break down various versions of “La Llorona” in time for Dia de los Muertos.
Check out their 2017 Music Preview episode where they single out tracks by Cafe Tacvba, Dayme Arocena, Chicano Batman, and more:
8
Tamarindo
Described as “a socially conscious talk show with a Latino vibe” Tamarindo is hosted by Luis Octavio and Brenda Gonzalez. And while the two Angelenos tackle such issues as the term Latinx and Dia de los Muertos, the segment you’re sure to come back to is “La Chancla” where guests decide who or what deserves a scolding and discuss why.
Listen to their election night special (which they co-hosted with Latino Rebels) where you’ll get to hear instant reaction to the results of that fateful night from a DTLA election party:
https://soundcloud.com/tamarindo-rico/17-election-night-collab-w-latino-rebels
9
Allegedly NYC
In their own words, “New York Natives Nomi Ruiz & Ava Sanjurjo are your go-to girls for tons of tea on all things NYC… allegedly…” Having capped off the first season of their podcast, Ruiz and Sanjurjo are back with new episodes that drop truths on current events, offer sex advice, and keep you up to date with the latest lingo (with their new segment Slang Sessions).
Check out their very special episode where they’re joined by ANOHNI who fields questions about the essence of trans identity, the drama that surrounded their Oscar nomination last year, and more:
10
In the Thick
Award-winning journalists Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela have joined forces to talk about the news that the mainstream media is all too often ignoring. With episodes going deep into what the end of “Wet Foot, Dry Foot” means for the future of the Cuban-American community and the reasons why certain women felt unwelcome at the Women’s March on Washington, Futuro Media’s In the Thick is the Latino political podcast you should be listening to if you want to stay sane in Trump’s America.
And if that all sounds too heavy, listen to their great episode with living legend and One Day at a Time star Rita Moreno:
11
Latina Theory
For those looking for something that isn’t coming out of Cali or New York, Latina Theory might be for you. This Spanglish podcast is hosted by two Minnesotans, Maria Isa and Arianna Genis, and it covers everything from current events and politics to edutainment and chismes. And in case you wanted a music playlist, they’re constantly sharing tunes that hop from Latinx Contemporary and Latinx Alternative to Reggaeton and Cumbia and everything in between.
Check out a recent episode where they interview hip hop activist and scholar Rosa Clemente:
12
Beat Latino
Hosted and produced by music journalist Catalina Maria Johnson, Beat Latino is “a weekly exploration of the past, present and future of the Latino musical universe.” Shuttling between English and Spanish, Johnson’s hour-long episodes (which have focused on Juan Gabriel and the Dominican Republic’s Jazz Festival) offer listeners curated playlists sprinkled with some added commentary.
Check out this episode on songs written and dedicated to la mujer:
13
Songmess
Hosted by two Remezcla contributors – Beverly Bryan and Richard Villegas – Songmess describes itself as “a podcast highlighting Latin alternative music and anything else its hosts and listeners think is cool.” Tune in for fresh songs, artist interviews, entertaining commentary, and a side of mess.
Here is their latest episode, which grapples with music in a post-Trump era: