Órale Boyle Heights

My guest this episode is Marlon Marinero. I met up with Marlon at their study to get to know more about their art, their journey into ceramics, how they became a ceramics teacher, and growing up in LA as a skater. You can follow their work on Instagram at marlonmarinero_studio and book a ceramics class through his website, at www.marlonmarinero.com . * Cover art picture by Jeanne Heo .

My guest this episode are Metzli and Lydia. Both Metzli and Lydia are returning guests of the show, so it was a lot of fun to have them on again, seven years later! Our discussion touched on the different aspects of gentrification, Metzli's own experience as a young person, the back yard punk scene, we defined what a Xicano Hipster is aka a Xipster, and hopefully made some people uncomfortable alo...

My guest this episode is Steve Campos. I caught up with Steve at their studio to talk about their journey of being a self-taught creative metal designer and artist, building community in various spaces, and his experience contributing to and moving on from the bicycle co-op, the Bike Oven. To learn more about Steve's work and art, visit his website Steel Fabricated Arts or check out his Instagram...

My guest this episode is one of the co-owners of Cruzita's Deli & Cafe, Celina Lopez. I had a great time chopping it up with Celina, reflecting on Cruzita's 10 year anniversary, their plans to expand the space, and learning about their journey to bring healthy and delicious food options to the Huntington Park community. Follow Cruzita's on Instagram at @cruzitasdeliandcafe and stop by for a sa...

I'm back! The two year hiatus is over, I am officially bring back the show. Listen as I share how a break of a few weeks turned into two years. Looking forward to getting back into the flow things and bringing y'all new episodes at least once a month.  Sponsor an episode by sending some coin my way via Venmo (@Erick-Huerta-1) or via Zelle (animemanz@gmail.com). Any amount is appreciated. Don't for...

My guest this episode is Oscar Rodriguez Zapata. I met up with Oscar to learn about their love for photography and their work documenting Virgen de Guadalupe murals in different communities. We talk about their journey into photography, their experience growing up in South East LA, and how they began documenting murals. Versos pa la Lupita, featuring photographs by Oscar and poetry by Xitlalic Gui...

My guest this episode is Christopher Cruz. I sat down with Chris to talk about their work in documenting their grandfather's, Manuel Gomez Cruz' contributions to the culture back in the day with their murals and activism. We also talked about Chris' own journey growing up on the Eastside, becoming politicized, and how their passion for photography continues to evolve with various projects. You can...

My guest this episode is Jessica Perez. I caught up with Jessica to talk about how they got their start as a journalist, starting the community blog MisNeighbors , mentoring youth as part of their work with the Boyle Heights Beat, to working in the L.A. Times. You can follow Jessica on Twitter at @JessicaPerezLA2 . You can check out old neighborhood blog post on www. MisNeighbors.wordpress.com . ...

My guest on this episode is Lena Williams. They are the Programs Director at People for Mobility Justice, owner of Lena's Puppy Love, and owner/worker at Ride On! Bike Co-Op. We talked about their love for riding their bike, being profiled by the police while riding in South L.A., the connection/love they have with the animals they look after and their owners, and reminiscing about growing up in O...

My guest this episode is Ely of Earthy Corazon. I met up with them at their shop in City Terrace to talk about their journey into becoming a small business owner, the intention that goes into everything they make, and the support she has received from her community to make the shop a reality. You can follow them on Instagram at @earthycorazon . Visit their website at www.earthycorazon.com . The sh...

My Guest this episode is Fernando Carrillo. I talk to Fernando about their growing up in Koreatown/Historic Filipinotown in the 90s, falling in love with low riders at a young age, and their love BBQ. You can follow Fernando on Instagram at @ragtopfernsbbq.

My guest this episode is artist Teresa Flores. We got to talking about their journey into the art world via Fresno California, some of their recent work, including an essay in Alta Journal, a show at Espacio 1839, and the Experimental Quesadilla Lab. You can follow them on Instagram at @NotTeresa . Their website is  www.teresafloresstudio.com . Follow the experimental quesadilla lab on Instagram a...

My guest this episode is artist and Super Lucha Cats creator, Javier Solórzan. Our conversation touched on how Javier has grown as an artist over the years, growing up in Bell Gardens, their love for comic books, lucha libre, and the creation of their comic book, Super Lucha Cats. You can follow Javier on Instagram and Twitter as @luchacat. Their website is www.etsy.com/shop/luchacat .

My guest this episode is Francisco Escamilla, otherwise known as the Bus Stop Prophet. We talk about their experience growing up in Wyvernwood in the 80s, finding themselves through their poetry, and working with youth through Street Poets Inc. You can follow Bus Stop on Instagram at @BusStopProphet . 

My guest this episode are Alex and Elvia, the Evil Cooks. We talk about their journies into the culinary arts, how they were inspired to start their own pop-up kitchen, the inspiration behind some of their most popular tacos, and starting their own podcast, The Darkside of the Cooks. You can follow them on Instagram at @evil_cooks . You can follow their podcast on Instagram at @darksideofthecooks...

My guest this episode are Elisa and Leo, owners of Picaresca Barra de Cafe. We talked about their journey into the world of specialty coffees, their experiences learning the ins and outs of working at coffee shops, roasting, and how they came to open their cafe in Boyle Heights. You can follow them on Instagram at @picaresca.cafe . They are located at 1300 S Soto St #9, Los Angeles, CA 90023, and...

My guest this episode is Ollin, co-owner of the Esquina Bicycle shop. We talk about their experience opening up their bike shop in the middle of a pandemic, the challenges that come with being a small business, supply chain delays, and striving to provide quality service to the community. You can follow Esquina on Instagram at @Esquina.bicycleshop and visit their website at www.esquina.la.  

My guest this episode is Mariah Castañeda. Mariah is a journalist, producer, and host of "Smoke Screen: The Sellout," a podcast produced by Neon Hum Media in partnership with L.A. Taco. The Sellout chronicles the rise and fall of the political career of Jose Huizar. Mariah and I discuss the origins of the show, their experience interviewing community members, and the current state of politics in L...

My guest this episode is Carlos Aguilar. Carlos is a film critic and freelance writer. We talk about how his love for movies was instilled in him at a young age by his mom, their experience moving to the U.S. from Mexico City as a teenager, and how he started his career as a critic after graduating college. You can follow Carlos on Twitter at @Carlos_Film . 

My guest this episode are Kenneth and Mariana Lui. Kenny and Mariana are indy films makers that write, direct, and produce their own short films. They recently made their feature film debut with Artists in Agony, a satirical faux-documentary on the fictional world of assassination art. We talked about their love and passion for making films, what inspired it, and their collaborative process as a h...

My guest this episode is Erwin Recinos. Erwin has been a regular contributor to L.A. Taco for more than 10 years. We talk about how they got connected to the taco, growing up in South East L.A., their passion for photography, and reflecting on their documentation of the L.A. gallery/art scene. You can follow them on Instagram at @_losojos_ & at @_erwinr_ . You can follow them on Twitter at @lo...

My guest this episode is Doña Junta. We reminisce about the olden days of blogging and talk about their experience growing up in Harbor City, nurturing their passion/love for architecture, and starting the podcast Beyond the Facade. You can follow Doña Junta on Instagram at @swapmeet_chronicles and you can listen to Beyond the Facade on your favorite podcast listening platform or by clicking here...

My guest this episode is mark! Lopez. We talk about their love for King Taco, continuing the work of his family and the Madres del Este de Los Angeles Santa Isabel, growing up in a community of activists, how environmental justice is actually environmental white supremacy, and his work at East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. You can read mark!'s thesis, The Fire: Decolonizing “Environm...

My guest this episode is Marlene Aguilar. We talked about their journey in becoming a cook/cocinera, being a food justice promotora, how their relationship with food has changed over the years, and the origins of their meal prep service. You can follow them on Instagram @Irekuarhikua .     

My guest this episode is Nico Avina, co-owner of Espacio 1839. Like most non-essential businesses, Espacio had to close in March when the pandemic hit. We talk about how the store managed to survive with the support of community members and artists, the family coming together to make face masks, and the steps they took to reopen the store after being closed for months. You can follow Espacio 1839...