In Confianza

Saying goodbye to In Confianza

Project Pulso — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

After 4 years, 6 seasons and over 50 episodes... In Confianza (formerly The Pulso Podcast) is wrapping up! In this final episode, we have a short chat with the producers of the show & the Pulso team to say thanks and learn where we can find their work going forward.

You can follow our producer, Charlie Garcia on IG here:

https://www.instagram.com/charlie_alive/

You can find our Producer, Mark Pagan on IG & Substack here:

https://markpagan.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/markpagan/

And you can follow Pulso on IG, TikTok, & Youtube here:

https://www.instagram.com/projectpulso?

igsh=MTh5N3V5YXFpNG51ZA==https://www.tiktok.com/@projectpulso?_t=ZP-

8uZa5sSEX7O&_r=1 https://youtube.com/@projectpulso?feature=shared

The Silent Grief of Pregnancy Loss

Project Pulso — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Pregnancy is filled with dreams of the future, but what happens when those dreams are suddenly gone? Today, we explore the quiet pain of miscarriage, the isolation it brings, and the silence that surrounds it. Through honesty and reflection, we uncover the power of sharing, healing, and making space for grief in all its forms.

This episode was produced and edited by Charlie Garcia. Liz Rebecca Alarcón is the host.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Grief of Losing Home

Project Pulso — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

After losing her home in the Altadena wildfires, Daisy grapples with grief, guilt, and the challenge of rebuilding from nothing. She shares the heartbreak of displacement, the resilience of community, and the struggle to find hope in the aftermath of devastation.

This episode was produced and edited by Charlie Garcia. Liz Rebecca Alarcón is the host.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Grief of Becoming a Dad

Project Pulso — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

After years of hardship with his father, Anthony found the courage to offer forgiveness, leaving behind pain and embracing the beautiful life he built for himself and his family. Today, we explore the complexities of the father-son relationship, grief, and finding peace in the most unexpected ways.

This episode was produced and edited by Mark Pagán. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Liz Rebecca Alarcón is the host.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Grief of Separation

Project Pulso — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Weddings are supposed to be joyous occasions, but for Joe Alarcón, they come with a unique anxiety. As he prepares for his big day, Joe is grappling with the fact that his divorced parents will be in the same room for the first time in over a decade. Today, Joe and his brother, Joshua, reflect on their bond as siblings raised by their father and share how they plan to navigate the emotions and complexities of family dynamics on Joe’s wedding day.

This episode was produced and edited by Mark Pagán. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Liz Rebecca Alarcón is the host.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Grief of a Daughter and Mother

Project Pulso — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Antoinette and her mother, Rosa, share their journey of forgiveness, healing, and rebuilding a mother-daughter relationship shaped by pain and resilience.

This episode was produced and edited by Charlie Garcia. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Liz Rebecca Alarcón is the host.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Grief of Loss

Project Pulso — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Curly Velasquez reflects on losing his grandmother, a woman who became a beloved presence on his feed, showing us the beauty of their best friend bond. At the same time, Andrés Acosta shares the heartbreak of losing their best friend to alcohol addiction. Join us as we unpack what it means to grieve, to love deeply, and to find our way forward after loss.

This episode was produced and edited by Charlie Garcia. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Liz Rebecca Alarcón is the host.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Grief of (Political) Uncertainty

Project Pulso — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In Confianza returns, and we’ve got a lot on our minds. In this intro episode to our newest season, about the ways Latinos deal with grief, the Pulso team convenes to discuss their worries, hopes, and predictions about the incoming presidential administration.

This episode was produced and edited by Charlie Garcia. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Liz Rebecca Alarcón is the host.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Welcome to Season 6!

Project Pulso — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Grief is something we all experience but rarely talk about. This season on In Confianza, we’re breaking the silence and exploring how Latinos in the U.S. navigate the complexities of loss and healing. Over six episodes, we’ll dive into stories of resilience, forgiveness, and love—from a mother and daughter rebuilding their relationship after years of pain to a groom confronting his parents’ divorce on his wedding day to a man finding peace after decades of hardship with his father.

These are the conversations we need to have. Join us for our most personal season yet.

What does a Latino version of “The Bear” taste like?

Project Pulso — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

During a trip to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, Liz finds her way to the traditionally Mexican neighborhood of Pilsen to eat her way through two fabulous establishments. It’s a tasty mission to discover what stories these restaurants tell about food, community, identity, and how their owners would stage their version of TV’s “The Bear.”

This episode was produced and edited by Mark Pagán. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia. I’m your host, Liz Rebecca Alarcón.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The many, many lives of our tías y primas

Project Pulso — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Liz speaks with Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez, author of Tías and Primas: On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us, about the complex archetypes/identities of our family’s matriarchs, and the routes we have to embracing and breaking these sometimes restrictive roles.

This episode was produced and edited by Mark Pagán. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Additional audio editing by Julian Blackmore. I’m your host, Liz Rebecca Alarcón.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

You Sound Like a White Girl

Project Pulso — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Whether it’s working in a corporate world, hiding your accent, or styling your hair in a certain way, what’s been your journey to assimilate as a Latine person in the United States? Referencing the part memoir, part manifesto book You Sound Like a White Girl, we speak with speaker, social justice advocate, and author Julissa Arce about her journey in recognizing the ways she’s hidden her identity in the pursuit of an American dream and the empowering road in learning about reclaiming her Latinidad.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

From the streets of New York to the streets of Paris

Project Pulso — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

This year marks a first — the inclusion of breakdancing as a competitive category in the 2024 Olympics. It’s been a long road for a dance style built by young Black and brown teens in New York in the 1970s. But how should we approach mainstream acceptance with artforms that were once underground and marginalized? Liz speaks with B-girl Ana “Rokafella” Garcia and Borivogue founder Edrimaelle “Edrit” Delgado to find out about the history of breaking and ballroom culture and how we should approach the idea of success when it comes to community built artforms.

This episode was hosted by Liz Rebecca Alarcón and produced by Charlie Garcia & Mark Pagán. Editing by Mark Pagán. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Additional audio editing by Julian Blackmore.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Miami’s Battle over Bilingual

Project Pulso — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

When more Latin Americans became residents of Miami in the 1970s, the city seemed to calmly welcome the influx of Spanish-speaking newcomers — prompting a city ordinance to create bilingual options throughout the municipality. But following the massive influx of Cuban citizens, via the Mariela Boatlift in 1980, an English-only antagonism grew, setting off a decade-long struggle to acknowledge the multilingual identity of the city. We revisit this fight and how it speaks to ongoing tensions to accept Latino identity in cities throughout the United States.

This episode was produced and written by Charlie Garcia. Editing by Mark Págan.. Audio engineering and scoring by Charlie Garcia. It was hosted by Liz Rebecca Alarcón.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Fostering a new family identity

Project Pulso — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Yvonne grew up in a tightly knit Latino community in California before moving to a less culturally familiar Nashville, Tennessee in her adolescence. She found strength and culture in the home with the introduction of a long lost brother and in watching her mother modeling compassion and inclusion. Years later, when forced with a move that would present the same cultural challenges for her daughter, Yvonne decided to follow the lessons of her upbringing and open her doors to bring vulnerable children into her home.

This episode was hosted by Liz Rebecca Alarcón, it was produced & written by Maribel Quezada Smith, Mark Pagan, & Charlie Garcia. Editing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Latinos in Pop Culture

Project Pulso — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

We know this one might be controversial, but hey we’re gonna do it — Liz and former co-host Maribel give us the top five moments in Latino pop culture from 1990 to today. We know you’ll have opinions.

This episode was hosted by Maribel Quezada Smith and Liz Rebecca Alarcón. It was produced by Maribel Quezada Smith. Our supervising producer is Mark Pagán. Editing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Sound engineering and scoring by Charlie Garcia.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

El béisbol is where we shine

Project Pulso — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

When it comes to baseball talent, Venezuela certainly can compete on the world’s stage. But what happens to the nation’s talent when they’re forced to move to countries where the sport and Venezuelan citizens aren’t warmly welcomed? Reporter Anthony Wallace takes us to Lima, Perú, where a group of Venezuelan (baseball) players have built a thriving community to keep their sport and culture alive.

This episode was produced and narrated by Anthony Wallace with editing by Mark Pagán and Charlie Garcia. Audio engineering and scoring by Anthony Wallace. Additional audio engineering and mixing by Charlie Garcia. The host of In Confianza is Liz Rebecca Alarcón.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Latinos and the Second Amendment

Project Pulso — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

It’s an American right, but how many Latinos own guns and how many want nothing to do with them? Liz puts the issue in her hands as she takes us to a shooting range and holds a gun — for the first time.

This episode was produced and hosted by Liz Rebecca Alarcón. Editing by Charlie Garcia, Mark Pagán, and Jackie Nowak. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia. Additional audio editing by Julian Blackmore & Additional narration from Maribel Quezada Smith.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media: @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

When Language Becomes a Matter of Life and Death

Project Pulso — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

After experiencing early family tragedy and witnessing the vulnerable position between patients who don’t speak English and medical staff who don’t speak Spanish, a physician and policy expert team up for a decades-long fight to bring Spanish-speaking doctors to California.

This story was made in collaboration with WHYY’s health and science show The Pulse, and supported by The Commonwealth Fund.

It was reported & produced by Charlie Garcia. Story Editing & Production Support from Maiken Scott & Alan Jinch. Sound Design & Mixing by Charlie Garcia. Additional field reporting from Jackie Noack, and additional audio editing from Julian Blackmore. Our Supervising Producer is Mark Pagán. Special thanks to Erick Lopez, Mayra Pantoja, and the staff at Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

I Have a Secret and It Starts with an “A”

Project Pulso — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

There’s one word that ignites feelings and passionate opinions in any family — abortion. Have reproductive rights been too private to talk about at home? Reflecting on the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Liz speaks with two people who chose to have abortions for different reasons and levels of openness.

This episode was produced by Liz Rebecca Alarcón. Script editing by Charlie Garcia and Mark Pagán. Audio Engineering by Charlie Garcia. and Julian Blackmore. Voiceover recording from Anita Flores.

If you like what you heard, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and, hey, tell a friend, too.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso. You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

If you have had or are thinking about having an abortion here are some resources that can help:

https://prochoice.org/patients/naf-hotline/

https://www.abortionfinder.org/

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion

https://www.latinainstitute.org/#:~:text=Latina%20Institute%20is%20the%20only,%2C%20state%2C%20and%20national%20levels.

We’re back as... IN Confianza!

Project Pulso — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

The Pulso Podcast is back and we’ve made some changes — including our name. Welcome to IN Confianza (with Pulso)! Being Latino in the U.S. is complicated. We all know this, but there’s often so much that we don’t talk about. What if WE could be that space for those complex, sometimes private, conversations?

Join us as we explore the ways Latinos live out our heritage. That messiness of being de aqui y de alla that only we understand.

We’re excited to be back and THRILLED to share more with you…In Confianza.

When Latinos fought the Book Ban

Project Pulso — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In 2010, Arizona Republicans passed a law to ban a wildly successful Mexican-American Studies program at Tucson High School. Administrators came into schools and pulled beloved books written by Latino authors off of the classroom shelves, but what they didn’t expect was just how far the Latino community would go to defend the right to learn about their history. From students chaining themselves to desks, to secret underground libraries, and even banned book smugglers. Hear what yesterday's fight can teach us about today's issues.

This Episode was produced & written by Charlie Garcia. It was edited by Jackie Noack. Audio engineering and mixing by Charlie Garcia & Julian Blackmore. The hosts of The Pulso Podcast are Maribel Quezada-Smith and Liz Alarcón.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Not Your Mama's Rhymes: Reimagining Poetry Through Latino Voices

Project Pulso — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Is it possible that many of us are stuck with the erroneous idea that poetry is boring or hard to understand? As we learn in this episode, poetry doesn't have to be dull or confusing. It can be funny and it can transcend stereotypes. Join me as we enjoy a poetry 101 refresher and an enlightening reading from Gabriel Dozal, a Latino poet you definitely didn't learn about in history class.

This episode was produced and written by Maribel Quezada-Smith. Editing by Jackie Noack. Audio engineering and scoring by Julian Blackmore. The hosts of The Pulso Podcast are Liz Alarcón and Maribel Quezada-Smith.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

What’s up with Latino men?

Project Pulso — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Since the last presidential election, there’s been countless commentary about what’s going on with some of our beloved Latino men and their swing to the right. In light of the Republican candidates filling the airwaves after the first debate, we invited two Latinos to the podcast for their take on why this trend is happening and what we can do to counter it.

This episode was produced by Liz Alarcón. Editing by Jackie Noack and Charlie Garcia. Audio engineering, scoring, and mixing by Charlie Garcia and Julian Blackmore. The hosts of The Pulso Podcast are Liz Alarcón and Maribel Quezada-Smith.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Missing White Girl Syndrome

Project Pulso — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 06:30:00 -0400

Today’s episode is from our friends at Immigrantly. Pulso host Liz Alarcón guests on this episode to discuss the nuances of “Missing White Girl Syndrome”, and why white women are overrepresented in missing person cases, when the majority of missing people are people of color.

You can find this episode on The Immigrantly Podcast "Ep-235 Missing Kids and The Media: Breaking the Biases"

What did France do to the Taco!?

Project Pulso — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

When Colombian-American producer Charlie Garcia moved to France, he faced a big challenge... his favorite food, The Taco, was nowhere to be found. But while accidentally stumbling on a small shop called O'Tacos, he discovered that the French had put their own radical twist on his beloved Taco. What followed would forever change his view on the meaning of Authenticity, Cultural Appropriation, and whether there can be such a thing as an "Authentic French Taco"

This Episode was produced & written by Charlie Garcia, it was edited by Rough Cut Collective, with additional editing from Maribel Quezada Smith & Liz Alarcon. Audio engineering, scoring & mixing by Charlie Garcia with additional support from Julian Blackmore. The hosts of the Pulso Podcast are Liz Alarcon, and me Maribel Quezada SmithSpecial thanks to Manon Lelièvre, Alyosha Leveski, & Tsveta Ivanova

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media: @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Leaving the American Dream Behind: The Latino Expats' Journey

Project Pulso — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

A growing number of Latino expats are seeking to rediscover their roots and forge new lives in Latin American and Caribbean countries. In this episode, we talk to three people about their life-changing decision to move away and leave the American dream behind.

This episode was Produced by Maribel Quezada Smith, it was edited by Charlie Garcia & Liz Alarcon. Audio engineering, scoring & mixing, by Charlie Garcia. Original Music composed by Julian Blackmore. The Hosts of the Pulso Podcast are Liz Alarcón & Maribel Quezada Smith.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media: @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Untold Story About Pulso

Project Pulso — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we're in reflection mode. Maribel flips the mic on Liz to dig into the untold story about how Pulso was founded, the mission of the content, and the bigger vision for Pulso's impact in the Latino community.

This Episode was produced by Liz Alarcón, audio engineering & scoring by Charlie Garcia & Julian Blackmore, original music by Julian Blackmore. Our hosts are Liz Alarcón & Maribel Quezada Smith.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Forgotten Anthem (Classic)

Project Pulso — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

A global crisis formed a new bond between the United States and Latin America. How a presidential decree, a Peruvian immigrant, and a campaign to showcase Hispanic Stars uncovered El Pendón Estrellado, an almost forgotten piece of American history.

This episode was produced by Charlie Garcia & Liz Alarcón, Audio Engineering by Charlie Garcia. Original music by Julian Blackmore, and additional support from Lisanne Ramos.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Art of Healing: Finding Strength Through Frida Kahlo

Project Pulso — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Thania Betancourt Alcazar, a member of the art group “The Phoenix Fridas” discovered a lifeline in the art of Frida Kahlo. By embracing Frida's spirit of resilience Thania found the inner strength to confront her own tragedies and transform her pain into a cathartic artistic journey.

This episode was produced by Anthony Wallace with editorial support and guidance from Charlie Garcia. Audio Engineering and scoring by Anthony Wallace & Charlie Garcia. Mixing by Charlie Garcia, original music composed by Julian Blackmore & Anthony Wallace. Additional support from Jackie Noack. The hosts of The Pulso Podcast are Maribel Quezada Smith & Liz Alarcón.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Monica Puig: The Untold Journey of a Latina Olympic Sensation

Project Pulso — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Monica Puig, a Latina professional tennis player made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Adored as a National Treasure in Puerto Rico, this Latina trailblazer remains a mysterious figure in the United States, until now.

This episode was written and Produced by Maribel Quezada Smith, with editorial guidance and oversight from Charlie Garcia. Audio engineering, scoring & mixing by Charlie Garcia. Additional Audio Engineering & music composition by Julian Blackmore. The Hosts of The Pulso Podcast Maribel Quezada Smith and Liz Alarcón.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Crossing Gang Lines: Origins of the Latino Comedy Special

Project Pulso — Tue, 23 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

When Producer Mark Pagán was a teenager, he came across a TV comedy special that would change his life forever, Paul Rodriquez’s Crossing Gang Lines. Years later, he looks back to uncover the story behind it.

This Episode was Produced by Mark Pagán, it was edited, by Charlie Garcia & Jackie Noack. Audio editing and scoring by Mark Pagán & Charlie Garcia. Mixing & Mastering by Charlie Garcia, original music composed by Julian Blackmore, the hosts of The Pulso Podcast are Maribel Quezada Smith & Liz Alarcón. Special thanks to Navani Otero, Caitlin Mae Burke, Alana Casanova-Burgess.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Modern Parenting… the Latino way

Project Pulso — Tue, 09 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Liz chats with two Latina parents who have done the work to reparent themselves, done the research to raise more emotionally whole children, and pay it forward to help caregivers have a healthier relationship with our kids

This Episode was Produced by Liz Alarcón, it was edited, mixed & scored by Charlie Garcia. Technical Assistance & additional support by Jackie Noack. Additional audio engineering & original music composition by Julian Blackmore. The hosts of The Pulso Podcast are Maribel Quezada Smith & Liz Alarcón.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Ask A Mexican (Classic)

Project Pulso — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Gustavo Arellano started a newspaper column called “Ask a Mexican” as a joke... then it became bigger than he ever could have imagined. Why?

This episode was produced by Charlie Garcia and edited by Liz Alarcón. Audio Engineering & Mixing by Charlie Garcia. Music by Julian Blackmore. Additional assistance by Lisann Ramos. Our hosts are Liz Alarcón and Maribel Quezada Smith.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

We are not Latino: Indigenous Stories of Resilience

Project Pulso — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Today we're talking about something that Latinos sometimes ignore or even forget. Indigenous peoples are often relegated to things of the past, but they are very much still here, and they are facing resistance and opposition from all sides, whether it's political, social, economic, you name it. So let's take some time to consider the struggles, and the resilience of the Indigenous peoples of our region.

This episode was produced by Jackie Noack and edited by Charlie Garcia. Audio Engineering & mixing by Charlie Garcia. Music by Julian Blackmore. Our hosts are Liz Alarcón and Maribel Quezada Smith.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Between Cultures: One Latina’s journey to finding her Latinidad

Project Pulso — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

What does it mean to “be” something, to have an Identity? And what is it that gets to decide that identity? Is it our parents, our language, our blood, or the world around us? This is the story of one Latina’s journey to understand what it means to be Hispanic, and how to own her own Latinidad no matter what others think.

This episode was written, produced, sound designed & mixed by Charlie Garcia. It was edited by Jackie Noack & Liz Alarcón, Music by Julian Blackmore.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Latina Beauty Standards Part 2: How far are we willing to go in the name of beauty?

Project Pulso — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Maribel sets out to explore the sometimes empowering, often extreme, things we're willing to do to feel beautiful and why.

Special thanks to the following women for sharing their experiences and insight in this episode: Christie Lazo, Katia Reguero Lindor, Valentina Agosti, and Leslie Valdivia and Joanna Rosario of Vive Cosmetics.

This episode was written and produced by Maribel Quezada Smith. Editorial oversight by Jackie Noack. Audio engineering and mixing by Charlie Garcia. Music by Julian Blackmore.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Latina Beauty Standards Part 1: Where does our definition of beautiful come from?

Project Pulso — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Liz sets out to explore the historical and societal influences that have led to our sometimes empowering, often pressuring, standards of beauty that Latinas are held to.

This episode was produced by Liz Alarcón and Jackie Noack. Audio engineering and mixing by Charlie Garcia. Music by Julian Blackmore.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Keeping the peace during Latino holiday gatherings

Project Pulso — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Let’s talk about the holidays. Large gatherings with boisterous family members can be memorable for the good and the bad. So what can we do to take care of ourselves during end-of-year festivities, while also spending quality time with family?

This episode was produced by Charlie Garcia and Jackie Noack, Audio engineering and mixing by Charlie Garcia, additional audio engineering and music by Julian Blackmore.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Latinos vs The State of Texas

Project Pulso — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Texas 1951, Farmworker Pete Hernandez walks into a bar with a rifle and shoots another man, he is taken to court for murder, but when the state refuses to allow any Latinos on the Jury, a rebellious team of Hispanic lawyers sign up for a wild ride that will take them all the way to the supreme court, and change the definition of what it means to Hispanic in the US

This episode was Produced & Written by Charlie Garcia, it was edited by Liz Alarcon. Original music by Julian Blackmore. Audio Engineering & Mixing by Julian Blackmore and Charlie Garcia. Special thanks to LULAC historian David Contreras

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Hidden Latino Punk Bands of NYC

Project Pulso — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Punk Rock isn’t usually associated with Latino culture, and for Producer Yesica Balderrama, Punk was a lifelong passion that she never quite knew how to integrate with her identity. Then one day she discovered that she was not alone.

Today we take a journey through the hidden subculture of Latino Punk rock in NYC.

This episode was produced & written by Yesica Balderrama. Editorial oversight, guidance & additional writing by Charlie Garcia, Audio Engineering & Mixing by Julian Blackmore & Charlie Garcia Music clips from Quelebras, Kartel, Askeados, & La Milagrosa. additional music composed by Julian Blackmore. Translation voice-over by Jackie Noack & Charlie Garcia

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Latino Expectation of Fertility: A story of pregnancy loss.

Project Pulso — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0400

In 2019, Pulso Podcast cohost Maribel Quezada Smith had a miscarriage, but it's the tragedy that happened 10 months later that rocked her entire existence. In this docu-style episode, Maribel shares her story.

This Episode was produced by Maribel Quezada Smith, with Editorial oversight by Charlie Garcia. Music and audio engineering by Julian Blackmore, Mixing by Charlie Garcia

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Border Is Alive!

Project Pulso — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 06:30:00 -0400

The Rio Grande river was meant to mark a boundary between Mexico & The US, but one day in 1864 it moved, taking the border along with it and creating a century-long feud that brought both countries to the edge.

This Episode was produced by Charlie Garcia with Editorial support by Liz Alarcon. Music and audio engineering by Julian Blackmore

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The hidden history, what we love (and makes us cringe!) about Hispanic / Latino Heritage Month

Project Pulso — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 07:30:00 -0400

This Hispanic / Latino Heritage Month we’re asking ourselves some big questions.

What does it mean for Nuestra Gente? How did this month even start? And, is it helping our cause, or holding us back?

This Episode was produced by Liz Alarcon with Editorial oversight by Charlie Garcia. Music by Julian Blackmore, audio engineering & mixing by Charlie Garcia

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Pulso Podcast is a part of Project Pulso. We bring you untold stories & unheard voices…the Latino voices you aren’t hearing in the news and the stories you didn’t learn in history class.

Is work-life balance a privilege for Latinos?

Project Pulso — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Latinos work hard. But is our "work hard" attitude too closely connected to our sense of self-worth?

This Episode was produced by Maribel Quezada Smith with Editorial oversight by Charlie Garcia. Audio engineering & music by Julian Blackmore

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Latino, Latina, Latine

Project Pulso — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0400

How can we make Spanish more inclusive? Today we're talking about the evolution of our language, and the pushback against it.

This episode was produced by Jackie Noack, it was edited by Charlie Garcia. Mixing & Mastering by Charlie Garcia. Music Composed by Julian Blackmore. Our hosts are Liz Alarcon & Maribel Quezada Smith.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

The Sea Next Door

Project Pulso — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0400

The Salton Sea, California's biggest lake...is disappearing. Leaving the largely Hispanic populations around it at risk of environmental catastrophe. But what's being done about this? does anyone care?

This episode originally aired on Living Downstream: The Environmental Justice Podcast.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Are we still Latino if we don't speak spanish?

Project Pulso — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Can we still call ourselves Latinos if we don't speak Spanish? Liz & Maribel unpack this question, along with help from the Pulso team and Representative Joaquin Castro.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Following The Nectar Corridor

Project Pulso — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Think Mezcal is just Smokey Tequila??? Well, think again!

Today we dive into the history & culture that came together to create this one-of-a-kind delicacy

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Mom to Mom

Project Pulso — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0400

How do we pass on culture and heritage to our children? and are there parts of Latino culture that we DON'T want to pass on??? Liz and Maribel chime in about being moms.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Retablos

Project Pulso — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0400

As Latinos, many of us have experiences and thoughts about the line that separates the US from it's southern neighbors, but few know what living along the border is really like. For this Mexican American writer, his life and his art have been shaped by the experience of growing up along that line.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Let’s Try Something Diferente

Project Pulso — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0400

For our 3rd season of The Pulso Podcast, we've decided to try something a little Diferente. Today we are welcoming our new Co-Host, Maribel Quezada Smith.

We'll hear a few clips from Maribel's podcast Diferente, and talk about her experience with immigration, identity, appropriation, and why it's so important to pronounce our names correctly.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Why is Mental Health so Hard to Talk About for Latinos?

Project Pulso — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 06:00:00 -0400

What's the status of Latino's mental health. What can help us get our minds right? What can hurt our progress? and why is it still so hard to talk about?

Wanna Hear a Scary Story?

Project Pulso — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Press play (if you dare!) for some haunting tales of Latino folklore.

Ask A Mexican

Project Pulso — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Gustavo Arellano started his newspaper column “Ask a Mexican” as a joke... then it became bigger than he ever could have imagined

Where Are All the Latinos in Movies & TV?

Project Pulso — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Latinos make up a huge chunk of TV and movie audiences, yet we're still struggling for accurate representation on screen, Why?

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

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Exploring Latino Identity

Project Pulso — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Liz chats with three of the Pulso Podcast producers about growing up in different parts of the country and as different generations of immigrants, and how it's affected their relationship with our culture.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Click here to join our Telegram channel

Can We Decolonize Our Food?

Project Pulso — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 05:00:00 -0400

What does it mean to decolonize our diet? We talk to two chefs whose journeys with food have led them to reevaluate what it means to eat “authentically”.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

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Response From the Church

Project Pulso — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Why are so many Latinos leaving organized religion? In this episode we talk to Rev. Matthew Carnes, S.J., Director of the Center for Latin American Studies at Georgetown University, about what he thinks the church should do to rectify its colonial past.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Click here to join our Telegram channel

How These Latinas are Redefining Religion and Spirituality

Project Pulso — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 05:00:00 -0400

So much of Latino culture stems from religious and spiritual practices. In this episode we talk to three Latina authors, artists and academics about the role of religion and spirituality in their life.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Click here to join our Telegram channel

The First Latinos

Project Pulso — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0400

The very first Latinos didn't cross any borders, the U.S. crossed them. In this episode, we unpack how a land treaty shaped the lives of the first Latinos and created an identity struggle.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

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Vanessa Guillén, Roy Benavidez and Our Complicated Relationship with the Military

Project Pulso — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0400

They’re considered American heroes, yet that distinction comes at a price. In this episode we grapple with the hurt and pride many Latinos feel towards our armed forces.

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Click here to join our Telegram channel

Music is How We Cope

Project Pulso — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 07:00:00 -0400

When words alone fail to capture the depth of a moment in time, there’s always music. In this episode of the Pulso Pod, we’re taking you on a journey through hardship, protest, and resilience, and the Latin music that carries us through.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Click here to join our Telegram channel

Guests

Nuria Net, Co-founder, La Coctelera Music

Plena Combativa

Credits

Production & Editing: Charlie Garcia

Research: Lisann Ramos

Original Music: Julian Blackmore

Host: Liz Alarcón

You can follow Pulso on your Facebook Messenger App, Instagram and Twitter @ProjectPulso.

Latinos on the Front Lines of COVID-19

Project Pulso — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0400

It’s been six months of living through a pandemic. And nuestra gente has been disproportionately impacted by the economic and health challenges of COVID-19. In this episode, you’ll hear the stories of every day Latinos who the government has left behind, and the organizations that are stepping in to help.

Follow & continue the conversation with us on social media; @ProjectPulso.

You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Click here to join our Telegram channel

Guests

Sergio Gonzalez, Deputy Director, The Immigration Hub

Credits

Production & Editing: Charlie Garcia

Research and Voice Over: Lisann Ramos

Original Music: Julian Blackmore

Host: Liz Alarcón

You can follow Pulso on your Facebook Messenger App, Instagram and Twitter @ProjectPulso.

The Forgotten Anthem

Project Pulso — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0400

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You can find the transcripts to this and other episodes on our website.

Click here to join our Telegram channel

Guests

Dr. Frank Mora, professor at Florida International University

Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder, We Are All Human Foundation

Jeidimar Rijos, winner of Telemundo’s La Voz and singer, El Pendón Estrellado

Credits

Production & Editing: Charlie Garcia

Research: Lisann Ramos

Original Music: Julian Blackmore

Host: Liz Alarcón

You can follow Pulso on your Facebook Messenger App, Instagram and Twitter @ProjectPulso.