Latina Theory

We're back (again). We took a long break during the pandemic to have more babies, recenter our work, and envision the next chapter in our lives. While we are still in the thick of C-19, we decided to come back to the podcast. Latina Theory is a labor of love for us as a self-care and community care space. In this episode we discuss María Isa running for House District 65B. Stay tuned for más! Music: "Jugando Mama, Jugando" by La Lupe featuring Tito Puente  "Rent Money" by Mary J Blige  "Mismo Amor" by Julieta Venegas *We do not own the rights to this music. 

We kick off our 2021 winter season with a reflection on the presidential election, inauguration, and Latina/o/x political power. We talk with Latina Theory co-founder, Arianna Genis, about her recent accomplishments as well as celebrate Latina Theory's birthday (5 years!). Arianna Genis is a xicana organizer, political campaigner, digital strategist, and storyteller. She’s led and won local candidate campaigns in Minnesota. In 2020, she dedicated her time to building the political power of the Latinxs with Mijente, leading efforts in the battleground state of North Carolina as part of a Fuera Trump, a successful nationwide campaign dedicated to mobilizing the Latinx vote to get Trump out, and most recently, jumped into the Georgia runoff election to help win back the Senate. ** We do not own the rights to this music, but have permission from artists **

In this episode we talk with Dr. Ramos who has been on the frontlines working against COIVD-19 in New York City.  Dr. Ramos is a bilingual invasive cardiologist and assistant professor at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center with an interest and emphasis on preventive cardiology. Dr. Ramos is both a cardiologist and a nutritionist and has also been a spokesperson for heart healthy lifestyles.  She founded a Bronx WomenHeart support group for women of color who are survivors of heart disease. Her clinical focus has been in the under-served community of Inwood and Washington Heights since 2011. Her research interests have been in decreasing health disparities in women’s cardiovascular health through cross discipline collaborations.

This episode we had the pleasure of interviewing Niki López creator and co-executive producer of Nickelodeon’s new animated preschool series, Santiago of the Seas. Infused with a Spanish-language and Latino-Caribbean culture curriculum, the action-adventure series follows 8-year-old Santiago Montes, a brave and kind-hearted pirate, as he embarks on daring rescues, searches for treasures and keeps the high seas safe from villains like the nefarious pirate Bonnie Bones in a fantastical Caribbean world. Latinx viewers grew triple digits and accounted for well over a third of the overall K 2-5 viewership. Finally, more than 40% of the premiere’s audience were brand-new preschool viewers to Nickelodeon. Inspiration for the series, which features Spanish-language instruction and  highlights Latin-Caribbean cultures: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and more! Playlist: "Salomé"-Chayanne "Calle Luna Calle Sol" - Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe   WE DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS MUSIC*

On October 21st Latina Theory had the pleasure of interviewing authors Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher about their new book Sanctuary as part of a series of speakers for International Festival of Arts & Ideas. 

In this episode we kick off our 2020 fall series on cultural appropriation. We focus this conversation on culinary appropriation in the Twin Cities. We talk with Milissa Diaz Silva (Co-owner/CEO of El Burrito Mercado), Julia Diaz (Milissa's daughter and University of Minnesota student), and Dulce Monterrubio (former owner of Dulceria Bakery).  #nomásculturalappropriation #justnameitcorn Playlist —  "Pa'Que" by Ana Tijoux feat. PJ Sin Suela  "Che Che Cole" by Hector Lavoe 

On this episode of Latina Theory we talk with several artists/organizers who have been organizing in the Twin Cities and Chicago for decades. We kick off the podcast  with Asha Long, artist, organizer and founder of Dirty Soles, an environmental justice organization. Next we talk with Tish Jones, Spoken Word Artist Founder & Executive Director of TruArtSpeaks. Then we chat with Ivelisse Diaz Afro-Puerto Rican dancer, musician, and founder of La Escuelita Bombera De Corazon in Chicago. We conclude with Maya Santamaria, La Raza Radio station owner.  Musica playlist Como Duele - Maria Isa Corre - Muja Messiah Tracks- Tish Jones Electicia- Bomba con Buya No Puedo Respirar - Edwin Perez y Orchestra SCC 

RIP GEORGE FLOYD DEAR COPS STOP KILLING BLACK PEOPLE POWER TO THE PEOPLE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN PROTECT OUR GENTE, OUR BARRIOS AND UNIFY Interviews with: Charlie Thayer (American Indian Movement, Water Protector, Warrior) Sen. Patricia Torres-Ray (MN-District 63) Maya Washington (Filmmaker & Creative Director of Running Water Entertainment) Alicia Steele (Artist & Community Organizer) Analita Silva (Co-Owner of El Burrito Mercado Saint Paul) Artwork by Andre Guzman Music Playlist Burn this Bitch Down- Muja Messiah I Can't Breathe - Family of Eric Garner #1-800 REPERATIONS - Maria Isa and Asha Bash To Donate Locally Black Visions Collective https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/ Reclaim the Block https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home MPD 150 https://www.mpd150.com/ MN Healing Justice Network https://www.minnesotahealingjusticenetwork.com/ Unicorn Riot https://unicornriot.ninja/ Migizi https://www.migizi.org/

Latina Theory Episode 35 Hosts Maria Isa and Jessica Lopez Lyman interview Cecilia Muñoz, a political advisor who served eight years on President Obama's senior staff, first as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, then as director of the Domestic Policy Council. She is currently the Vice President for Public Interest Technology and Local Initiatives at New America. Her latest book More than Ready : Be Strong and Be You...and Other Lessons for Women of Color on the Rise is out now! Our second half of the episode we highlight the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act being signed into Minnesota law this passed week by Governor Tim Walz becoming the first Insulin Affordability Act signed in the nation. Jessica highlights some great LatinX series to check out while being quarantined and our playlist continues to keep the vibe. Playlist:  Las Cafeteras- "I'm not your puppet" Tribe Called Quest - "Oh My God" Chicano Batman - "Pink Elephant"   

Latina Theory hosts Maria Isa and Jessica Lopez Lyman record their first podcast episode during the COVID-pandemic. Jessica shares her experience preparing to deliver a baby girl during these times. Maria highlights virtual concerts and birthday parties. The two discuss Bad Bunny's latest video for "Yo Perreo Sola" and jumping into curandera remedies and more! Playlist:  Love in the Dark- Jessie Reyez  Fever -La Lupe Una Flor - Émina  Yo Perreo Sola - Bad Bunny 

Latina Theory kicks off a new season for the new decade with Maria Isa introducing new host Jessica Lopez Lyman jumping into Latinx news, guerreras of the episode, curandera remedies and more! For more information on how to support earthquake relief in Puerto Rico visit https://elfondoboricua.org/. 

Boss Mamá  Maria Isa returns to Latina Theory while on maternity leave and welcomes Analita Silva to the show as special guest for this episode discussing "Being A Boss Mom."  Analita Silva is an Afro-LatinX co-business owner of El Burrito Mercado, the state of Minnesota's 1st Latino Mercado celebrating 40 years in Saint Paul's barrio of the Westside.  She recently gave birth to her 1st child Laila and checks in on motherhood with Maria Isa who gave birth this passed April to her first child Loíza Rosa.  Tune in on their conversation of familia, motherhood, birth, postpartum and continuing to kick ass as LatinX Bosses.   Playlist  Women of the World- Marvin Gaye Caro- Bad Bunny Mamá Cuidame a Belen- Paracumbe Juice- Lizzo Burrito Bandido- Pete Escovedo and Sheila E

Nuestra gente, Latinxs are one of the fastest growing groups within Islam in the US — nearly 250,000 Latinxs Muslims are part of the our community and it’s growing. We had no idea until now, and we want to know, why? Join us as we explore the answer to this question with Lara Fernandez, producer of VICE’s Minority Reports latest episode called, Why are Latinos Converting to Islam? We also talk to Diana Cruz, a xingona and a Latina Muslim. Tune in for a great conversación and playlist featuring: “We the People” - A Tribe Called Quest “Di Mi Nombre” - Rosalía  "Hijabi (Wrap My Hijab)”- Mona Haydar  "Didn’t Cha Know” - Erykah Badu  "Chiquitita”(Spanish) - ABBA  “Good Lord” - Brother Ali Make sure to watch VICE Minority Report’s documentary, Why are Latinos Converting to Islam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOdu-lXCPFI Lara Fernandez is an Emmy award-winning producer with field experience in the US, Europe and Latin America. Born and raised in Spain, she majored in Broadcast Journalism and

Join us as we bring in 2019 with xingonaness and a refreshed approach to the stories we share with you and in our work. We talk about the excitement and complexities of Hamilton opening up in Puerto Rico with Lin Manuel Miranda performing (OMG), the Government shut down, the brilliance of Roma and it's politics. We delve deep into the Corpus Christi Student Massacre of 1971 depicted in the film. We also talk Bad Bunny's new album and love on our guerreras of el momento -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez y Roma's star, Yalitza Aparico Martinez. Tune in!

Latina Theory's Arianna Genis sits down with co-host, rapper, singer and song-writer Maria Isa and producer John "J.Hard" Hardy to talk about their new album "Sasa." They share the inspirations for the album - the powerful women in their lives and their musical influences. Maria Isa shares the how the stories and wisdome her mom (who's nickname is Sasa!) and abuelita showed up in her music. Y AY MAS. Tune into this exclusive conversation and then listen to "Sasa" out now: www.iammariaisa.com.

Join our special conversation with Estafanía Navarro Hernandez, a queer Xicana organizer with DACA status who's also a part of Unidos MN, a Latinx based organization that builds power for gender, racial and economic justice. Estefania shares her story with us as a muxer who's fiercely organizing to protect and expand the rights of all immigrants. We also talk about the importance of the Latinx vote, pro-immigrant and pro-refugee values, self-care, favorite hot sauces y mas! #sinverguenza Final plug in: We want you to vote on November 6th. Midterm elections are crucial! Playlist: Mile High - Raquel Rodriguez Senor Presidente, Las Cafeteras Mia, Bad Bunny featuring Drake Yo Quiero Bailar, Ivy Queen Luchin, Ana Tijoux

We dedicate this episode to the xingonaness, bravery, and resilience of all muxeres who're survivors, who've spoken their truth, held their truth, or stood in truth with others these past few weeks as the movement of #metoo grows to become #wetoo. Join us as we discuss the dignities of Dr. Anita Hill and Dr. Ford. Estas muxeronas who spoke their truth have forever changed the landscape of this long war against patriarchy and rape, regardless of the reality that both of the men they accused in different points in our history, Clarence Thomas and now Brett Kavanaugh, sit on the Supreme Court. We ain't gonna despair. Our culture is changing and we - with our brilliance and resilience - are still here. We got us. We'll talk self-care in these moments #curanderaremedies, vibe to a kick-ass playlist of up and coming Latinx artists, and get real about need for white women to step up their game cause white feminism ain't doing anyone any favors. Únete a nuestra conversación! Playlist: Mama Lola by Jesse Ba

#LatinaTheory #LosDellsFest Day 2 of The largest LatinX Music Festival in the Midwest.

Get our live updates from the largest LatinX music festival in the Midwest, Los Dells. Get our take on getting to watch El Tri, Zion y Lennox, y Wisin y Yandel — all in one day. And the food, scene, beautiful gente there y mas! #losdells #livinourbestvida

Latina Theory hosted a special episode at Irene Fernando's Hype Crew Concert celebrating WOCI in politics in Minnesota.   Tune into our conversations with these four incredible leaders: Irene Fernando, Hennepin County Commissioner, District 2 Rep. Erin Maye Quade, joined Erin Murphy and ran as LT Governor in 2018 race Angela Conley, Hennepin County Commissioner, District 2 Rep. Ilhan Omar, Congresswoman, CD5 Get a behind the scenes conversation with each powerful WOC elected officials on the campaign trail; hear the stories of how they got involved in politics and why.  Each of these muxeres is running to make a difference and to show that women of color can and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with.  Episode Playlist Ain’t No Mountain High Enough- Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Electric Lady- Janell Monáe Family Feud - Jay-Z Feat. Beyoncé Waving’ Flag- K’naan Django Jane - Janelle Monáe