Tamarindo

This #minicast episode is a brief interview with a Charlottesville based organization called Sin Barreras/Without Barriers. Through our conversation with Edgar Lara, we learn of a different side of the community of #Charlottesville. Though it is difficult to find hope after a weekend filled with hate, we know many are motivated to ask "What can I do?" Here is how one organization is responding to that call. Learn more about Sin Barreras at http://sinbarrerascville.com/ and also track the hashtag #RiseUpVA and https://www.facebook.com/DreamersofVirginia/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The amazing #mujeres behind the podcast Locatora Radio join Tamarindo to discuss their work, background, and to breakdown what rape culture is and howe we can help end it. This episode is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Luis Octavio. We will have Luis on our next full episode with some of the stars of Suit Zoot's latest run in Los Angeles. After that, you can keep up with Luis on his podcast "Nos Vemos en El Swap Meet"--a Spanish language podcast featuring the stories of those who shop, sell, and frequent the Swap Meet. Please stay connected with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luis is joined by Tamarindo intern Lauren Gaytan as guest host discussing #dichos #molcajetedominguero and a #kardashian gets a #chancla. Lauren shares all about her first day at Tamarindo #bucketlist. Next, Brenda and Luis speak to Jorge Madrid, the Manager for California Clean Energy and the #EnvironmentalDefenseFund and learn about #EnvironmentalEquity. If you are in the LA area, be sure to check out #EastSideSol on August 19 at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights for a community celebration of art, music, and a healthy environment. Learn why Jorge is passionate about environmental justice and equity issues and how you can get involved! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a jammed packed episode where Luis and Brenda first discuss Pride, then kick it off with TWO great interviews on this episode. We talk to Audrey Bellis, the creator of the #BrownGirlsRising podcast and founder for Worthy Women. She is a first generation Latina killing it in the tech space. Go to www.worthywomen.co to learn more about her many projects. We also catch up with Wendy Carrillo candidate for State Assembly in California's 51st District. Check out www.wendyforassembly.com to learn more about her and we hope you love our #saltycrunchy jam in her interview. Finally, some of the music on this episode is courtesy of Irene Diaz music, a Los Angeles-based artist with an amazing voice, she'll be on the show in a future episode, but check her out at www.irenediazmusic.com. Lastly, we are supporting a local nonprofit, AltaMed, by offering a discount to their amazing East LA Meets Napa event happening July 28 at LA Live. Use promo code TAMWINE at check out and we hope to see you there! Join us on

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this minicast episode, Brenda chats with Rudy Espinoza, Executive Director of LURN, the Leadership for Urban Renewal Network. This nonprofit implements innovative strategies to revitalize low-income urban areas through advocacy and micro-financing. In addition to learning about LURN, Brenda and Rudy discuss the campaign to legalize street vending in Los Angeles and what this means for immigrant communities. Rudy shares how he helped create LURN and why he is passionate about investing in our community. You can visit LURN's website at www.lurnnetwork.org to find out more about this fabulous organization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We bring back Kristie Hernandez, a star from our #MujeresLead series! Kristie achieved her dream of being an appointee of #PresidentObama and worked for the Department of Defense and later she worked for the Peace Corps. Now she's back in East Los Angeles to tell us her experience being one of very few #Latinas at the Pentagon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda and Luis chat with Esteban, aka, Chicano Eats, the sweetest guest they've ever had, who came to the studio with chocolate abuelita flavored cookies and cupcakes! He is a food blogger that creates works of art with his amazing and colorful photographs that invite viewers to "un pedacito" of his Mexican American roots. Check out www.chicanoeats.com for his recetas, pictures, and blog! This is a finger licking good episode! #provecho Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda chats with Cindy Zavala, aka, La SalvadoReina. Cindy brings a fresh hip hop take to the cumbia world with her contagious sound. Her love for the Salvadorian community of her hometown of Washington DC comes through in her hit video "Cumbia Capital" (https://youtu.be/oKNXhAjXPg0) See how this stylish singer and performer leaves her mark on the cumbia scene. A new resident of San Antonio Texas, when she's off the dance floor you can find Cindy at a Selena festival or listening to Tamarindo! By day, she is part of the Education Programs team at the National Council of La Raza. Check out this minicast produced by our very own Luis Octavio and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We chat with Uriel Saenz, a celebrated leader who is credited as an international fashion designer, Military Veteran (USMC) and a respected media man. He is currently VP of Multicultural Development & Strategy for the Los Angeles Times. Uriel Saenz has taken his work around the world, was selected featured American Designer in China and has been a participant of Mercedes- Benz fashion week. We get very deep and personal with Uriel learning of the many challenges he has overcome and the barriers he is breaking. He talks about his role as a single father to a daughter, who is now a young adult, and gives us a humble and vulnerable account of a recent experience he is living as a parent. This is an important episode to listen to. Trigger Warning We discuss domestic violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian and director Benjamin-Shalom Rodriguez joins Brenda and Luis and discusses filmmaking, story-telling, and why his abuelita Mari is his best friend. Ben is the co-creator of the web series Pushy Riots and other projects such a "Mari con Ben" starring abuelita. On our next full-episode we are excited to have Uriel Saenz, fashion designer and creator of Latinos de Hoy, the LA Times event that honors Latino leaders. Subscribe to Tamarindo so you don't miss an episode! Follow Ben at @thebunrodriguez and check out Pushy Riot: https://youtu.be/0ya1V5lu1HI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles based @LasCafeteras blend roots music, punk, hip hop, beat music, cumbia and rock, for their beautiful melodies, which tell powerful stories of their neighborhood and community. Band members Denise Carlos and Daniel French join #tamarindopodcast to tell us the story behind the band, and to preview songs from their new album #TastesLikeLA which releases April 14. Find tour dates and more at www.lascafeteras.com Don't forget to rate and review us to help other listeners find our show! Write to us at tamarindopodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this finale installment of our four part series, #MujeresLead, we hear from Dolores Arredondo, Commissioner for LA County Department of Public Social Services, leader at a fortune 100 company, and long-time volunteer leader on numerous nonprofit boards. Ms. Arredondo tells us the power of harnessing your inner fire, or #chispita, for leadership. She shares with us what #faith #family and #fitness mean to her and how these three core values drive her. A mentor for Brenda, Ms. Arredondo, is also a long time volunteer of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, or HOPE, an organization she once chaired. Ms. Arredondo has a Bachelors of Arts from Wellesley College and MBA from Pepperdine University. She is a mother, wife, sister, aunt, and mentor to many, many amazing #mujeres. Please rate and review #tamarindopodcast and share this great story with a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this third installment of our #WomensHistoryMonth series #MujeresLead, we hear from Kristie Hernandez, who just returned home to East LA after two years in the Obama Administration. Ms.Hernandez has over a decade of experience in government affairs, most recently as an appointee of President Obama where she spent time in the Department of Defense and later as Deputy Director of Congressional Relations at the Peace Corps. What makes this interview so special is getting to hear from Kristie's mother, Rita Hernandez, who celebrates the great accomplishments of her daughter who was able to "volar!" Please share this podcast with the hashtag #trypod #supportpocpodcasts #supportbrownpodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part two of our Women's History Month series. Brenda connects with Nora Vargas, Vice President of Community & Government relations for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific South West. She is a Governor Brown Appointee to California's State Teacher's Retirement Program. Ms. Vargas was appointed and later elected to the Southwestern Community College District Governing Board in the San Diego area. Ms. Vargas tells us how her experience growing up in the San Diego-Tijuana border area, raised by two feminist parents, has shaped her leadership. She has a wealth of experience as a political consultant and her passion for politics is fueled by a drive to serve her community. We hope you enjoy this minicast interview with this badass leader. Please write and review #tamarindopodcast and subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda and Luis celebrate one year of bringing Tamarindo Podcast to your ears! Hear from our friends and fans as we look back at our favorite moments and recommend past episodes. We also speak to our friend Rashad Al-Dabbagh, who is the founder and director of the Arab American Civic Council, an advocacy organization based in Anaheim's Little Arabia. He is an immigrant born in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian and Armenian parents and joins us to discuss his leadership supporting refugees. Lastly, we give a very belated chancla to Salma Hayek who is not a #wokebae Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Women's History Month and Brenda is speaking to amazing #mujeres about #Latina #leadership. This is part one with Dr. Feliza Ortiz-Licon, Senior Director of Education Leadership at the National Council of La Raza, and the only Latina on the California State Board of Education. Previous roles for Dr. Ortiz-Licon include Director of College Access, Fulfillment Fund; Director of Policy/Chief of Staff, Los Angeles Unified School District, Board District 5; researcher, Urban Planning, Housing/Land Use Development, City of Long Beach/Institute of Urban & Regional Development; elementary school teacher, Long Beach Unified School District. She is a mother, wife, sister, chingona, and friend. We hope you enjoy this minicast conversation with Feliza where she discusses the importance of mentorship, code switching, leadership, and more! Look for a second minicast with another amazing Latina leader soon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda and Luis are recording their one year anniversary episode this Sunday March 12. To be included in our celebration, record a short voice memo and e-mail it to Tamarindopodcast@gmail.com by 9:00am PST March 12. You can also rate and review us on Itunes and we will be reading comments from there also. Thank you for supporting us this year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friend of the podcast FavyFav of Latinos Who Lunch joins Brenda for a chat about the movie making all the buzz, Get Out. This is a minicast episode in between the full Tamarindo Episodes which you can subscribe on itunes! Don't forget to review this minicast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julissa Arce, author of "My Underground American Dream," joins us to tell us how she made it in Wall Street while keeping a secret. Now, she is a writer, speaker, and social justice advocate and is the co-founder and chairwoman of the Ascend Educational Fund providing scholarships to immigrant students regardless of status. Find her work at julissaarce.com and follow her at @julissaarce on Twitter. And this episode's music is courtesy of Veronique Medrano check her out at veroniquemedrano.com. Don't forget to follow us @tamarindocast and rate and review our podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices