Abuelas en Acción: A Multicultural Podcast for Our Common Good

Dr. Laura Pulido, Professor of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies and Geography at the University of Oregon’s Center for Environmental Futures, is our guest. Dr. Pulido discusses cultural memory, the current efforts at the federal level and across the country to erase it, and why we cannot achieve racial justice without honestly confronting a past rooted in racial violence. She also describes the Trump administration’s elimination of environmental justice programs and explains what these changes mean for all of us.

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Yvonne Garcia, Associate Director of the ACLU of Oregon, joins us to discuss the organization’s ongoing work in partnership with community members and allied organizations to protect democracy and defend civil liberties for all Oregonians. With passion and clarity, she reflects on the challenges facing our country today and underscores the strength, power, and importance of standing together to protect our most vulnerable communities.

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Our guest this session is Indi Namkoong, Transportation Equity Coordinator for Verde in Portland, Oregon. Be inspired by Indi’s powerful vision for transportation justice — one that ensures the benefits and burdens of our transportation systems are shared equitably across all neighborhoods.

Indi also provides an update on the recent stopgap transportation bill passed during Oregon’s special legislative session, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that remain for the future of transportation in our state.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation about building a more just, sustainable, and connected Oregon!

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Join the Climate Comadres in this inaugural episode of our new partnership with Verde Action in Portland Oregon.  Cheyenne Holiday, Director of Policy and Advocacy talks about policy priorities of Verde Action.  She speaks about the challenges to climate justice in this moment including loss of federal funding and other challenges.  Cheyenne also reminds us of the many opportunities for collaboration and the development of new ideas and strategies for climate justice during this time of uncertainty.  

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Join Co-host Itzia Mejia in welcoming back Celeste Estrada to our virtual table. As we start off 2025 and a new presidential term we are reminded of the importance of coming together. Our conversation led us to explore themes of resilience, losing and finding community, self-advocacy, and healing tools.

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Join the Comadres in this post election where we share our grief, sadness and fears but also our strength, determination and fuerza.  We draw our strength from our hearts, Familias, ancestors and supportive communities.  We will move forward!  Failure is not an option!!!!

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Join our host Itzia Mejia Barragan and future educator, Yesli Peña-Rodriguez in a virtual conversation on the importance of this upcoming election. We will discuss our thoughts and feelings while expressing the importance to vote. Listen to our stories, experiences and call to action. Your voice matters!!

We had the honor of having such an inspiring woman join us. A little more on Yesli…

She was born and raised in Wenatchee, WA. Her parents are from Mexico, and socioeconomically, she would describe her family as working class. As the oldest of three siblings, she rec...

Join us in this frank conversation between the Comadres about what is at state in this election.  Sitting this election out is not an option.  We are all responsible for the sacred democracy of our country.  The Comadres share their perspectives including their hopes and their fears for our country.

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Co-hosts Marie Dahlstrom and Itzia Mejia talk about the upcoming November 5 election.  Itzia shares her Gen Z perspective and why this election is so important as an Undocumented American who will soon complete her Master's Degree in Education.  Marie shares her perspective as a Baby Boomer who lives in a red state and the impact on women's right to an abortion and reproductive rights. 

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Join us in our conversations with community members about the November 5 election.  Community leader, Olga Gerberg-Fern, talks about her experiences as a Latina living in rural Tennessee.  She shares her challenges in dealing with her neighbors stereotypes about Latinos and immigrants. 

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Join us in our conversations about the Nov 5 election and why it is so important for us all to vote, if we are able.  We have so much at stake and yet our country is so divided.  We talk about hope and ways for us to heal our differences.  Must have conversations for our common good!

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Join us in this heartfelt, con todo corazón, interview with one of Oregon's great leaders, David Martinez.  David shares his personal journey and what it meant for him to be honored as a Portland pride hero in Portland’s first LGBTQ+ mural titled “Never Look Away” that  showcases the beauty and struggle of Oregon’s LGBTQ+,  Central to his personal and career journey has been his familia especially his mother. 

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Please join us in hearing the inspiring and heartfelt story of Elena Rodriguez, and her familia's  journey to become owners and operators of Alumbra Cellars in Dayton, Oregon. Alumbra Cellars is a vineyard and winery operated and owned by Mexican Americans, first-generation children of immigrants.  Elena chose Alumbra "to shine a light on the work being done in the vineyard and my Mexican roots,”  Listening to Elena's story about her family and Alumbra Cellars will inspire us all to visit this amazing winery.   Alumbra Winery, @alumbra.oregon and alumbracellars.com

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Please join us in this special conversation with José Eduardo González y Salazar, Executive Artistic Director of Milagro Theater (as known as Miracle Theatre Group).  José speaks about his personal and professional journey to founding Milagro in 1985 with his wife, Dañel Malán-González.  He speaks about the importance of art that serves as a mirror, showing us who we are and what and who is around us.  He talks about the artist in all of us and the healing power of art.

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It was a pleasure meeting with Margarita Gutierrez Lemus, the new Executive Director of Familias en Accion.  Our conversation with Margarita is rich with topics including Latino health and economic justice and the importance/timeliness of  the upcoming Latino Health Equity Conference:  Nuestra Salud, Nuestro Poder; Cultivating Reproductive Justice.  More information about the conference can be found at www.latinohealthequity.org

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Jose Madrid talks to us about the intersectionalities of his identity as queer and BIPOC and how they led him to his career in health.  He speaks about his lense as a DACA recipient and his commitment to addressing barriers to equitable health including reproductive justice.  Jose speaks about the importance of reproductive justice and the upcoming Familias en Accion 15th Annual Latino Health Equity Conference, www.latinohealthequity.org

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Join us as we continue our conversation with Dr. Patricia Glazebrook, professor at Washington State University.  Our rich dialog with her includes the impact of climate change on women and children in Ghana and other developing countries.  The impact of capitalism and profits on climate change.  The importance of educating ourselves about issues such as climate change and the importance of spreading our knowledge. 

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Celeste Estrada, educator and community advocate, speaks about her personal and professional journey.  She speaks about the pain of losing her father and how her grief transformed into action through the creation of the Washington State University Las Mariposas Poderosas Undocumented Initiatives program.  Celeste speaks about the impact of trauma and grief and the healing power of art.   "We shake with joy, we shake with grief.  What a time they have, these two housed as they are in the same body."  Mary Oliver

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Join us in this inspiring dialog with beloved community leader and social justice advocate, Cynthia Gomez, Director of Community Impact, Portland State University.  Cynthia talks about her defining moments and mentors who have meant so much to her in personal and professional journey.  She talks about our individual and collective power in guiding us to a thriving future for all.  Our interview with Cynthia is rich and empowering!    Cynthia's Website

https://www.cynthiacarmina.com/

Latine Futures Initiative
https://www.pdx.edu/diversity/latine-futures-initiative
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiacarminagomez/

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Mariana Quezada, a junior at Chapman University, joins us for this very intimate interview about the many successes and challenges she has faced in her journey to attend college.  Multi-talented Mariana is also a guitarist in the highly successful Mariachi Panteras. She describes how she confronted each barrier in her life and what gives her strength to succeed!  Mariana"s favorite book is "Blackhearts" by Nicole Castroman, available as a free ebook on simonteen.com or through your library. 

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Join the comadres of Abuelas en Accion in a healing and affirming conversation with author Emilly Prado, author of Funeral for Flaca.  Emilly talks about the power of writing in whatever way we choose; journaling, memoir fiction, poetry.  Writing is our voice and our story. She encourages us to write using our own unique rhythm.  As Emilly reads from her powerful chapter, "it's my brown skin," you will understand why the comadres had tears in their eyes.  

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Join us in this inspiring interview with Dr. Veronica Sandoval, also known as Lady Mariposa. Her passion for literature, activism, justice and the Chicanx/Latinx community has fueled her work and publications in both creative and academic writing. Veronica shares her journey to higher education and highlights the importance of representation. As a Chola Scholar, she empowers and uplifts the Chola narrative by helping create spaces for activism, community, education, and inspiration. 

This interview was recorded shortly after the 2023 Chola Conference. This year the conference was La Chola Xola: Reclaiming Indigenous Guerrillera Identities by Celebrating Ceremonia in C...

Here on Abuelas we gather around our virtual table to tell our stories, share our defining moments, our gratitude, our pain and our hopes.  Our warming climate, global conflicts and the erosion of our civil rights all remind us of the importance of meeting whatever life brings us with an open heart, a balanced mind and committed action.Our guest today, Phyllis Andersen, is a wise woman with an open heart who shares her journey, as an immigrant to El Salvador and the wisdom of the women, men and children of her community.

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Today we are joined by Washington State University English Professor, Bryan Fry, and students, Gabriela Alvarez and Alex Diaz who share their journey in writing as a tool to express, connect and heal.  In this special episode our Co-Host Itzia Mejia and our guests read their poems, "I am From," poetry with powerful images of their roots, familia, cultura, comida and most of all resilience!

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Our ancestors taught us that we are all interconnected in life to our relationships, mother earth, our communities and all the beings and activities that surround us.  Dr. Rosemary shares the beauty and the power of telling our stories through art and poetry.   "I am From"  is a powerful way to draw strength from our familia and our antepasados to remember who we are.

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Join us for this very powerful interview with Dr. Tanmeet Sethi, author of the book, “Joy is my Justice.  Dr. Sethi is a board-certified Integrative Family Medicine physician and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.  Tanmeet speaks with raw authenticity about our capacity for healing through the mystical, ancient wisdom and modern science.  She speaks about the science of trauma and grief and its impact on our DNA and its impact on our family tree.  She also speaks about the power of gratitude to change our brains!  This is an interview you will not want to...

Join Abuelas as we talk about our new series, Nuestra Sabiduria:  Unwrapping our Stories for Soul Filled Living and building our resilience for moving through these intense and challenging times.  Our sabiduría; our wisdom, our inner knowledge has been slumbering in our souls, awaiting a time to be reawakened.  You might say we are decolonizing the Sacred as our ancestors and universe have been waiting for us to return to our inner knowledge.

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Join the Comadres as we talk with Dr. Jennifer Madden about the power  of collaboration and design thinking.  Jennifer talks about the synergy that can result from collaborations that can allow us to create something from nothing.  She talks about resilience and our skills for living with ambiguity and uncertainty during these complex times.  You will be inspired by our interview with Jennifer.

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Today we talk with Dr. Tricia Glazebrook about Ecofeminism; the impact of the climate crisis on the lives of women and girls who disproportionately are suffering the impacts of climate change.  Climate change adds to injustices experienced by women and children, and other vulnerable populations including gender based violence and poverty. The patriarchal powers that exploit women and children also exploit our natural world.

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Join the Abuelas in a rich and beautiful conversation about life and hope.  Marcia Robinson talks with Marie and Dr. Rosemary about defining moments and turning our pain into our strengths and gifts. She also shares the beauty of finding the artist in ourselves, including our pain and trauma, through tapping into our creativity.  Soul work.  Marcia so eloquently shares how hope is central to her life's journey.  

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Marce Gutiérrez Graudins talks about her journey of determination as the Founder and Executive director of Azul, an international Latinx organization that works to protect coasts and oceans.   Marce is environmental justice advocate who began her career in the commercial fishing and aquaculture fields, She talks about hope for the future of our oceans and returning to our roots and values of our familias that can guide us all in taking action for the health of our planet and future generations.

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Mark Magaña, CEO of GreenLatinos, talks about this important moment for all of us to do our part for climate change.  He talks about the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt (COP 27) and what all of us can do in our families and communities.  

Join us for this inspirational interview that will propel each of us to take action.  You can become a member of GreenLatinos at greenlatinos.org.

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Dr. Tammy Yi shares her powerful journey as a first gen Korean student to Professor of Music at Chapman University.  Tammy listened to mariachi music growing up in her diverse community of immigrants in Los Angeles. Along with her distinguished career as a musician and music educator she brought her love of mariachi music to the  Chapman University campus to form Mariachi Panteras.  Tammy speaks about racism, the power of community, music, equity and racial healing.

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Diana Rodriguez-Pena felt a sense of calmness when she first visited the campus of Washington State University.  She knew this was the right university for her.  She shares the challenges of being an undocumented and first gen student and the power of her support network and familia, Mariposas Poderosas.

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Mayra Angel talks about two defining moments in her life as an undocumented, queer Latinx.  She also talks about participating in counseling with her parents and how it strengthened her relationship with them.  She shares the importance of parents listening to their children.

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Alex Diaz speaks about her defining moment as a 10 year old who moved with her family to Texas.  She talks about the role her mother's value of education played in her journey to Washington State University.

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Itzia Mejia Barragan, Student Ambassador for the Washington State University (WSU) Undocumented Student Center talks about her life's journey.  Her journey is one full of light, strength and the power of hope.  She talks about gratitude and the importance of her family and all of those in her life who support her and give her strength during challenging moments in her life including experiences of racism and depression.  Her story is a powerful one!

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Climate Activist Tony DeFalco from Latino Network, in Portland, Oregon, speaks about hope and the work of young Latinx and their communities on Climate Justice.  He speaks about the importance of looking to our culture, spirituality and traditions to guide us with hope and action on our long journey for a thriving and sustainable Mother Earth. 

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We are excited to welcome Rob Hernandez back to our podcast to talk about his book, “Simply Love…Changing the Paradigm of Thought One Heart at a Time.  Rob talks about why he wrote his book, love, relationships, triggers, traumasand our power to change our lives.

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Spiritual conocimiento is a wisdom based on our traditions, our intuitions and our lived experience. “Conocimiento is the inner exploration of the meaning and purpose of life..a form of spiritual inquiry… reached through creative acts- writing, art making, dancing, healing, teaching, meditation and spiritual activism."  Gloria Anzaldua

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The more we listen to our inner voice and intuition,  we will be more understanding and empathetic toward others.  Being present emotionally increases our ability to hear what people are not saying.  

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Today we talk about turning our life challenges into humility and self-compassion.   Psychologist Steven Hayes says, “In your pain you find your values, and in your values, you find your pain.”   

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Today in our series, "Platicas de la Vida/Talks about Life" we talk about how our emotions affect us.  Many of us are uncomfortable with our emotions.   Emotional wellbeing depends on acknowledging all of our feelings and can lead to enhanced compassion for ourselves and others.  The poet Naomi Shihab Nye said, "Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing."

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Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass but learning how to dance in the rain.  How do we live with  hurtful experiences in our lives?   Today Dr. Rosemary and Marie talk about turning trauma, loss and wounds into gifts for renewed living.  

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Dr. Rosemary and Marie talk about love, pain and compassion.  Compassion for ourselves and others.  We build compassion by paying attention to the present moment; to our senses.  They tell us we are alive and that this journey is worth it.  Life is rich with beautiful moments like smelling the wonderful pot of beans on the stove with a tortilla hot off the press.  

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Maya Muñoz Tobón speaks about movement, embodiment, and the expressive arts for healing. We are all artists who can nurture our creative powers for ourselves and our families.    Maya, through her gentle presence,  provides concrete ways to "locate ourselves" in our busy lives through taking the time to breathe, feeling our bodies, and being present.

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Psychologist Dr. Ruth Zúñiga, speaks about the healing power of our relationships, community, connectedness to others and spirituality.   She offers steps that we can all take for personal and collective healing and emotional well being during these times of pain and trauma in our country and globally.

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Abuelas, Marie and Dr. Rosemary, speak about our new series, Pláticas de la Vida.  Pláticas de la Vida places compassion as the centerpiece for  talks about joy and strength as well as our generational histories of pain and sorrow.  The mass murder of innocent children and their teachers in Uvalde, Texas urgently reminds us of the need to sit down, with our loved ones, at our kithen tables to speak frankly about our sorrows, our grief, our traumas.  The esteemed poet, Naomi Shihab Nye, says “Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, you must know sorrow a...

Emilly Prado speaks with the Comadres about her new book, Funeral for Flaca.  Emilly writes so powerfully about identity, culture and familia as a Latinx growing up in a white Northern California community .  Ms Magazine calls Funeral for Flaca, "Utterly vulnerable, bold, and unique.” 

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Rachael Banks, Oregon's first Black Public Health Director, has made incredible strides in building strong partnerships between the State of Oregon Health Authority and communities of color! She talks about Oregon's priorities and plans for climate equity.

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Andrea Hamburg is an environmental public health professional who talks about climate and health and the disproportionate impact on BIPOC and low income community members.  She also talks about the importance of using an environmental justice framework to ensure climate and health equity for all!

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Latinx comic writer and novelist, Aaron Duran, talks about his new comic series Season of the Bruja,   He also talks about his querida abuela and the important role she has played in the person and writer that he is today!  Aaron says, "If you want to see a badass Latina fight demons with magic, this is your book”.  We wholeheartedly agree!

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Our guest is Dr. Vivek Shandas, Professor of Climate Adaptation and Director of the Sustaining Urban Places Research Lab at Portland State University.  For the past 10 years, Dr. Shandas has been studying racist housing policies across the United States and the impact of these injustices on communities of color.  He is passionate about climate justice and offers concrete steps that municipalities and families can take to mitigate climate extremes.  

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Today we are talking with Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio who made history as the first Latinx City Commissioner and oversees the historical climate justice ballot initiative.  The Portland Clean Energy Fund was  passed by voters 2 to 1; made possible by Black, Indigenous and people of color.  Carmen talks about her journey to her elected position and about the importance of having people of color in public service and in leadership roles. Carmen and Portland are models for meeting the challenges of climate change through green jobs and safe homes for all residents, especially those who are on the fro...

Angel Medina challenges us to educate ourselves about the history of the food we eat.  He talks about the indigenous origins of Mexican foods and how his Portland restaurant, Republica, celebrates food through Latinx history and culture.

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Osmani Alcaraz-Ochoa, Executive Director of VOZ Workers Rights and Education Project, talks about environmental and climate justice for day laborers.  Day laborers are the "Canaries in the Mine."  Climate change is impacting these vulnerable workers and will impact us all without equitable climate action policies.

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Elizabeth Lopez-Hernandez, Climate & Health Equity Program Coordinator and Community Health Worker talks about climate equity.  She talks about the impact of climate change on Latinx and the importance of equitable climate action policies to protect all community members.

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Priscilla Solis Ybarra talks about Latinx Environmentalism and how it differs from white mainstream environmentalism.  Dr. Ybarra is the author of Writing the Goodlife:  Mexican Literature and the Environment.  “Goodlife writing embraces the values of simplicity, sustenance, dignity and respect.  The values in goodlife writing implicitly integrate the natural environment as part of the community, and thus cultivate a life-sustaining ecology for humans.”  Latinx Environmentalism  reflects our lives, our histories, our cultures and provides us with hope for the future of our planet!

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Dr. Nicole Guidotti-Hernandez speaks about identity and language.  She explains why the term Latinx is a better reflection of Latino diversity:   “Latinx recognizes a gender spectrum and also a racial spectrum, and a sexual spectrum to confront internalized anti-Blackness, anti-Indigeneity, and homophobia."

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Dr. Michael Mendez, Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning and Policy at the University of California, Irvine,talks about the inequities that took place during the 2017 Thomas Fire in Ventura County, California, where recovery resources were primarily directed toward wealthier residents ignoring the needs of undocumented and indigenous workers.  He discusses "slow violence," the ongoing exposures and vulnerabilities of Latinx communities, to human-caused environmental degradation or climate change.  Dr. Mendez is the author of the award-winning book, "Climate Change from the Streets:  How Conflict and Collaboration Strengthen the Environmental Justice Movment."

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Erandi Trevino, Mom's Clean Air Force/Ecomadres talks about the impact of air pollution on the health of Latino families and community organizing that is making our voices heard for clean air policies.  Latinos are more likely to be exposed to air pollution.  New research shows that exposure to elevated levels of air pollution is linked to worse health outcomes from COVID-19.

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Dr. Rosemary and Marie talk about the opportunities and challenges ahead as we strive for climate equity.  Excessive heat in Arizona and the West severely impacts the most vulnerable.   We know that climate justice intersects with immigration, health and racial inequities.  The COVID pandemic provides us with the opportunity to develop equitable policies for climate change that include the most vulnerable.  

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Heriberto Bolanos talks about climate justice and the urgency of taking action now on behalf of the wellbeing of our communities and future generations.    Heriberto shares his thoughts on the intersection of climate change, immigration, racial and social justice.  Heriberto's life journey is an inspiration for all!

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Dr. Ruth Zambrana, renowned Latina researcher talks about structural and racial inequities for Latinos.  Her groundbreaking book, “Understanding Latino families : Scholarship, Policy and Practice, published in 1995 provided social and demographic profiles of Latinos.  She talks about what has changed since 1995 and what has not.

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Dr. Ruth Zambrana, renowned Latina researcher talks about structural and racial inequities for Latinos.  Her groundbreaking book, “Understanding Latino families : Scholarship, Policy and Practice, published in 1995 provided social and demographic profiles of Latinos.  She talks about what has changed since 1995 and what has not.

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Dr. Rosemary and Marie talk about the challenges of the pandemic and the importance of naming our experiences and feelings.  The pandemic has changed our lives.  Mindfulness helps us acknowledge how hard things are in the moment.  Self-compassion will transform our lives and those of our loved ones.

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Ayla Rosen, HIV/STI Sexual Health Manager  talks about the stigma associated with sexual health within Latinx communities.  Ayla and the  Familias en Accion, team are working to bring this important issue to communities in Oregon.  She also talks about the upcoming  12th annual Latino Health Equity Conference which will be held virtually.

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Over the past year, women have borne the brunt of the employment fallout sparked by the pandemic with the impact even more severe among women of color. 

Lisette Orellana Engel from National Crittendon talks about the challenges facing Latinx mothers during the pandemic. Women of color are more likely to work as essential workers and are overrepresented in sectors that are hardest hit by the pandemic. And in addition, women are overwhelmingly responsible for care — taking care of children and family members.

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Zoraya Uder, Promotora de Salud, from Familias en Accion talks about the impact of the pandemic on Latino families.  The COVID pandemic has continued for over one year hitting Latino communities harder, as they are more likely to contract, be hospitalized and die from COVID-19.  Families are suffering the economic and health consequences of COVID-19.

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Anthony Veliz, Founder of the Oregon Latinx Leadership Network (OLLN) talks about the work of OLLN in working for Latinx equity during COVID and post pandemic.  “The first-come, first-serve processes have created greater inequality for Oregon’s Latinx communities. This crisis demands that we move away from inequitable policies and practices.”

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Candace Avalos a first generation American, Blacktina, millennial, Portland State University educator, and civic leader talks about her defining moment that changed her life's direction.  She is guided by the words of, Andrea Skorepa, CEO of Casa Familiar, who said, "You (young people) are always told you are the future.  You are the present.  If you waited for the future the time will be the past." 

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Tierra Stewart from Ignite National speaks about why women are such amazing leaders.  She speaks about systemic racism and how women have the strength and skills to address these systemic barriers to ensure that all families thrive rather than survive.  Tierra inspires us all to act for racial and social justice!

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Rickee Arntz shares her thoughts about what the Biden administration should do to meet the needs of working class Americans and what Democrats can do to return to its working class roots.   Americans need to know how our government is working on our behalf.  

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Rob Hernandez intimately shares his insights and wisdom as a yoga and spiritual mentor which have so much meaning during this  very challenging moment in our history.  Families and communities are divided; often viewing each other as  “Conservatives or Liberals."  Hate and fear are common in our national political discourse.  Rob offers hope in finding our common ground.  Rob is the author of the book  "Simply Love...Changing the Paradigm of Thought, One Heart at a Time."

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Leslie Aguirre talks about her work as a fellow for IGNITE National whose mission is to build leadership for the next generation of women elected officials.  Leslie speaks about her experience as a first generation Latinx college graduate and her optimism for the future of our country. 

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We talk with Dr. Megan Horst, Portland State University, about food justice.  What it means and why it is important in addressing poverty and food inequities in the United States.  She talks about the history of food production in our country and its beginnings with slavery and colonialism!  

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Ana Salas-Porras and Sara Laas are both amazing community advocates who care deeply about this country.  They talk about the diversity of Latino voters and how we, as a divided country, find a common ground for healing.

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La-Tieka Sims speaks about her passion for civic and community engagement coming from her own past experiences as a single mother who overcame homelessness, returned to school as a non-traditional student, and discovered the power of her voice.  La-Tieka works as the Deputy Director of Policy for District 2 City Council, serves as the San Antonio Fellow of IGNITE, and plans to run for office in the future. 

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Dr. Natalie Welch is a model for giving back to her community.  She speaks about her journey from her beloved family and community, the Qualla Boundary, in North Carolina, to Linfield University in Oregon.  Natalie talks about the importance of sharing our stories and honoring sports that are so important to Native communities.  Natalie is the host of the podcast, Creative Native. 

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Gerardo Ochoa, Director of Community Relations and Special Assistant to the President at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon talks about their role and responsibilities as an emerging Hispanic academic institution especially now during these challenging times.

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Ysatis Gonzalez, community leader, at the University of Houston, talks about social issues of importance to young Latinx.  She works with JOLT Initiative and encourages all young Latinx to become involved as advocates in their communities.

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Señora Ana Salas-Porras and Señora Sara Laas who are advocates for Latino communities in Texas.  They talk about the political power of Latinos in Texas and the United States and how this election is a defining moment for the soul of our country!  They are powerful and inspirational women!

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Lupe Torres, a senior at University of Dallas shares that her defining moment  happened with the presidential election in 2016.  She was a junior in high school and made a commitment to studying politics.   She encourages us to vote on behalf of our families, communities and for those who are unable to vote due to immigration status!  We can be their voices for equity and justice!

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Our guest, Dr. Stephen Nuño-Perez talks about the demographic change that is happening with 60 million Latinos in the United States and the chasm between the priorities of white older voters and younger Latino voters.   Dr. Nuño-Perez says: “The current political system alienates Latinos; we need to stop portraying them as apathetic and blaming them for not showing up to vote, but rather find ways to diminish that sense of alienation and facilitate their participation"

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Today we talk  with Marisol Cortez and Greg Harman, writers, climate justice advocates and community organizers, from San Antonio, Texas.  Marisol and Greg are editors of Deceleration News sharing important climate change resources, news and stories about life and our changing planet.  They share their personal journeys as parents, professionals and community members in working for environmental justice and a healthy planet.

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Today we are talking with Matt Nelson and Nancy Treviño from Presente.org, the largest national Latinx online organization advancing social justice with technology, media and culture.  Matt and Nancy are co-authors of an important book called “TURNOUT:  Mobilizing Voters in an Emergency."  They talk about why 2020 is truly an emergency election to determine the future of democracy.  

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Antonio Arellano, Interim Executive Director of JOLT Initiative, speaks about their work to mobilize and engage young Latinx political power.  In 6 months Latinos will be the majority population in Texas!  Antonio shares his vision for our country and describes the work happening in Texas, ground zero, to mobilize young and diverse voters who are demanding systemic changes. 

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Danielle Gonzales, Managing Director for the Education & Society Program at the Aspen Institute, talks about the systemic changes in education to meet the needs of Latino children and other students of color.  The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the racial, social and economic divide between students  as schools moved to virtual education.  It is our obligation to become education advocates for racial equity!  Our future depends on it! 

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Allison Mora, Americorp volunteer, talks about her passion and work for food justice and food sovereignty.  Allison, co-author of the series Uprooting Food:  Planting the Seeds for Equity, also shares the importance of understanding the inequities of the current US food supply chain and action steps that we can all take for food justice and sustainability.   Uprooting Food:  Planting the Seeds for Equity is a series of articles produced by Abuelas en Accion in partnership with Familias en Accion, Portland, Oregon, familiasenaccion.org.

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Join us as Consuelo Saragoza talks about her family history of voting and civic participation and why it has been so important for her.  Our votes matter to ensure we elect leaders who look like us and represent our needs as families and communities.  

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Today we are talking with Ayla Rosen, from Familias en Accion, Portland, Oregon, about the Latinx HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infections) epidemic. HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious health threat  within Latinx communities requiring culturally specific community prevention programs, family communication, increased testing and healthcare access.  She speaks about the human rights violations often experienced by Latinx LGBTQ community members including discrimination and sexual violence.  

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Today Rebeca Marquez talks about Latinx health and nutrition.  Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) research tells us that a baby’s health is impacted by three generations of her/his family.  This unique program doesn't blame mothers or families for their health but rather looks at social determinants including poverty, fear of deportation, unsafe neighborhoods as all factors in poor health.  Abuela, Mama y Yo engages family in becoming advocates for thriving families and communities.

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Dr. Rosemary and Marie share their insights on this 27th episode of Abuelas en Accion where guests have shared their expertise, experiences and commitment to a just society.   The challenges are many, during these uncertain times, but we all have the opportunity to act and to thrive!  The late Congressman John Lewis said:  "Democracy is not a state.  It is an act and each generation must do its part to help build what we call the Beloved Community, a nation and a world society at peace with itself."  

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We continue our conversation with Dr. Michael McGlade about the Dry Corridor of Central America and why the region is experiencing a 1,000 year drought.  The inability to grow traditional crops like potatoes and corn are some of the reasons why families in countries like Guatemala are forced to migrate north to the United States.    

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Dr. Michael McGlade, Professor of Geography, Sustainability and Latin American Studies at Western Oregon University, talks about how climate change is leading to the displacement and migration of families to the United States.  He speaks about historic forces that have driven displacement in the Northern Triangle countries of Central America including colonialism, transnational corporations and the drug trade.  Climate change is the next looming crisis for the United States and globally, requiring new migration policies that are cooperative, compassionate and pragmatic.

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Lauren Ornelas Lauren is the Founder and President of Food Empowerment Project, a vegan food justice nonprofit that seeks to create a more just world by helping consumers recognize the power of their food choices. Food Empowerment Project works in solidarity with farm workers, advocates for chocolate not sourced from the worst forms of child labor, and focuses on access to healthy foods in Black and Brown communities and low-income areas. 

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Dr. Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern speaks about the increase in the number of Latino owned farms in the United States and future opportunities despite the challenges they face including racism and accessing federal programs administered by the USDA.  Dr. Minkoff-Zern speaks about the historical link between slavery and immigration as well as structural racism within our agricultural system that depends on workers of color, primarily undocumented immigrants, many of whom lack overtime pay, worker protections and other benefits.  These essential workers who produce and process our food deserve better.

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Jason Skipton, Executive Director of Growing Gardens, talks about their work to increase access to gardening for low income community members and how growing food is a transformative practice connecting us back to the land, our health and community.  An important component of Growing Gardens is community  organizing to build leadership and community engagement for low income families and incarcerated youth and adults.

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Isabel Nunez Perez and Metzin Rodriguez, the first Latinx President and Vice President of Oregon State University Student Government talk about the anger, pain, and grief felt by students following the killing of George Floyd.  They talk about biases and racism within Latino families and communities.  They also share their ideas for racial healing and opportunities to confront structural racism.

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Today we talk with Professor Daniel Lopez-Cevallos, from Oregon State University,  about the COVID infection disparities experienced by Latinos. ICE raids and anti-immigrant policies have led to fear and mistrust for many Latinos.   Trust building and partnerships with Latino community organizations are important to reduce infection rates and to reduce Latino health disparities.

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