National Immigration Law Center Freedom to Thrive Podcast

Join host Victoria Ballesteros as she welcomes the legendary Cheech Marin to the NILC Freedom to Thrive Podcast. In this engaging episode, Cheech shares fond memories of his childhood, his family's influence on his comedic career, and the origin of his iconic nickname. Dive deep into Cheech's trailblazing journey as a comedian, musician, actor, and art collector, and explore how he has continuousl...

In this captivating episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros sits down with NASA astronaut John Daniel "Danny" Olivas, the first person of Mexican-American heritage to walk in space. Together, they explore the age-old human fascination with space, touching on how ancient cultures worshipped lunar and solar deities, and how the stars have guided explorers through his...

Join host Victoria Ballesteros on the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast as she delves into the untold stories of immigrants beyond the common narratives. In this episode, Victoria welcomes Dr. Felecia Russell, a Jamaican-born, American-raised researcher, author, and advocate for Black immigrants. Together, they explore the vibrant and diverse experiences of immigrants, challenging the often one-dimen...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive Podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros sits down with the multitalented performing artist, writer, comedian and activist, Kristina Wong. From her early days at UCLA to becoming a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Kristina's journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Listen in as Kristina shares anecdotes about her eclectic career, from her satirical website "...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros sits down with four-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, author, and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell. Kamau shares insights from his extensive career, including his experiences from his acclaimed CNN show "United Shades of America." Victoria and Kamau discuss the importance of empathy, curiosity, and listening in bridging divide...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive Podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros engages in conversation with acclaimed writer and storyteller, Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. Karla, an immigrant from Ecuador and Harvard graduate, is reshaping the narrative around immigrants in America through her powerful works "The Undocumented Americans," and "Catalina." In this episode, Karla shares her journey a...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros sits down with Kika Matos, President of the National Immigration Law Center. Kica Matos is a social justice advocate, lawyer, and national immigrant rights leader. Kica gets to the heart of America's immigration issues, sharing personal stories and professional insights. From the historical context of immigration laws...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros delves into a heartfelt conversation with internationally acclaimed Filipinx chef and author, Chef Angel Dimayuga. Chef Angel is a culinary trailblazer with accolades such as the James Beard Foundation Award and Zagat 30 Under 30. Chef Angel discusses discusses their journey from a young, ambitious cook to a renowned...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros explores the powerful intersection of music and social justice with special guest, Hector Flores, co-founder of the band Las Cafeteras. Join us as Hector shares his journey from social justice organizer to musician, highlighting the inspiration behind songs like "Caravana," "Vivas Nos Queremos," and "La Bamba Rebelde....

Join Victoria Ballesteros, Executive Vice President of Narrative at the National Immigration Law Center, as she introduces NILC's Freedom to Thrive podcast. This series is dedicated to building power for pro-immigrant narratives, one story at a time. Each episode features insightful conversations with immigrant rights leaders, cultural tastemakers, performing artists, and immigrants sharing their...