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/.