Abuelas en Acción: A Multicultural Podcast for Our Common Good

Rickee Arntz shares her thoughts about what the Biden administration should do to meet the needs of working class Americans and what Democrats can do to return to its working class roots.   Americans need to know how our government is working on our behalf.   Support the show

Rob Hernandez intimately shares his insights and wisdom as a yoga and spiritual mentor which have so much meaning during this  very challenging moment in our history.  Families and communities are divided; often viewing each other as  “Conservatives or Liberals."  Hate and fear are common in our national political discourse.  Rob offers hope in finding our common ground.  Rob is the author of...

Leslie Aguirre talks about her work as a fellow for IGNITE National whose mission is to build leadership for the next generation of women elected officials.  Leslie speaks about her experience as a first generation Latinx college graduate and her optimism for the future of our country.  Support the show

We talk with Dr. Megan Horst, Portland State University, about food justice.  What it means and why it is important in addressing poverty and food inequities in the United States.  She talks about the history of food production in our country and its beginnings with slavery and colonialism!   Support the show

Ana Salas-Porras and Sara Laas are both amazing community advocates who care deeply about this country.  They talk about the diversity of Latino voters and how we, as a divided country, find a common ground for healing. Support the show

La-Tieka Sims speaks about her passion for civic and community engagement coming from her own past experiences as a single mother who overcame homelessness, returned to school as a non-traditional student, and discovered the power of her voice.  La-Tieka works as the Deputy Director of Policy for District 2 City Council, serves as the San Antonio Fellow of IGNITE, and plans to run for office in th...

Dr. Natalie Welch is a model for giving back to her community.  She speaks about her journey from her beloved family and community, the Qualla Boundary, in North Carolina, to Linfield University in Oregon.  Natalie talks about the importance of sharing our stories and honoring sports that are so important to Native communities.  Natalie is the host of the podcast, Creative Native.  Support the sho...

Gerardo Ochoa, Director of Community Relations and Special Assistant to the President at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon talks about their role and responsibilities as an emerging Hispanic academic institution especially now during these challenging times. Support the show

Ysatis Gonzalez, community leader, at the University of Houston, talks about social issues of importance to young Latinx.  She works with JOLT Initiative and encourages all young Latinx to become involved as advocates in their communities. Support the show

Señora Ana Salas-Porras and Señora Sara Laas who are advocates for Latino communities in Texas.  They talk about the political power of Latinos in Texas and the United States and how this election is a defining moment for the soul of our country!  They are powerful and inspirational women! Support the show

Lupe Torres, a senior at University of Dallas shares that her defining moment  happened with the presidential election in 2016.  She was a junior in high school and made a commitment to studying politics.   She encourages us to vote on behalf of our families, communities and for those who are unable to vote due to immigration status!  We can be their voices for equity and justice! Support the show

Our guest, Dr. Stephen Nuño-Perez talks about the demographic change that is happening with 60 million Latinos in the United States and the chasm between the priorities of white older voters and younger Latino voters.   Dr. Nuño-Perez says: “The current political system alienates Latinos; we need to stop portraying them as apathetic and blaming them for not showing up to vote, but rather find ways...

Today we talk  with Marisol Cortez and Greg Harman, writers, climate justice advocates and community organizers, from San Antonio, Texas.  Marisol and Greg are editors of Deceleration News sharing important climate change resources, news and stories about life and our changing planet.  They share their personal journeys as parents, professionals and community members in working for environmental j...

Today we are talking with Matt Nelson and Nancy Treviño from Presente.org, the largest national Latinx online organization advancing social justice with technology, media and culture.  Matt and Nancy are co-authors of an important book called “TURNOUT:  Mobilizing Voters in an Emergency."  They talk about why 2020 is truly an emergency election to determine the future of democracy.   Support...

Antonio Arellano, Interim Executive Director of JOLT Initiative, speaks about their work to mobilize and engage young Latinx political power.  In 6 months Latinos will be the majority population in Texas!  Antonio shares his vision for our country and describes the work happening in Texas, ground zero, to mobilize young and diverse voters who are demanding systemic changes.  Support the show

Danielle Gonzales, Managing Director for the Education & Society Program at the Aspen Institute, talks about the systemic changes in education to meet the needs of Latino children and other students of color.  The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the racial, social and economic divide between students  as schools moved to virtual education.  It is our obligation to become education advocates for...

Allison Mora, Americorp volunteer, talks about her passion and work for food justice and food sovereignty.  Allison, co-author of the series Uprooting Food:  Planting the Seeds for Equity, also shares the importance of understanding the inequities of the current US food supply chain and action steps that we can all take for food justice and sustainability.   Uprooting Food:  Planting the Seeds for...

Join us as Consuelo Saragoza talks about her family history of voting and civic participation and why it has been so important for her.  Our votes matter to ensure we elect leaders who look like us and represent our needs as families and communities.   Support the show

Today we are talking with Ayla Rosen, from Familias en Accion, Portland, Oregon, about the Latinx HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infections) epidemic. HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious health threat  within Latinx communities requiring culturally specific community prevention programs, family communication, increased testing and healthcare access.  She speaks about the human rights violations ofte...

Today Rebeca Marquez talks about Latinx health and nutrition.  Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) research tells us that a baby’s health is impacted by three generations of her/his family.  This unique program doesn't blame mothers or families for their health but rather looks at social determinants including poverty, fear of deportation, unsafe neighborhoods as all factors i...

Dr. Rosemary and Marie share their insights on this 27th episode of Abuelas en Accion where guests have shared their expertise, experiences and commitment to a just society.   The challenges are many, during these uncertain times, but we all have the opportunity to act and to thrive!  The late Congressman John Lewis said:  "Democracy is not a state.  It is an act and each generation must do i...

We continue our conversation with Dr. Michael McGlade about the Dry Corridor of Central America and why the region is experiencing a 1,000 year drought.  The inability to grow traditional crops like potatoes and corn are some of the reasons why families in countries like Guatemala are forced to migrate north to the United States.     Support the show

Dr. Michael McGlade, Professor of Geography, Sustainability and Latin American Studies at Western Oregon University, talks about how climate change is leading to the displacement and migration of families to the United States.  He speaks about historic forces that have driven displacement in the Northern Triangle countries of Central America including colonialism, transnational corporations and th...

Lauren Ornelas Lauren is the Founder and President of Food Empowerment Project, a vegan food justice nonprofit that seeks to create a more just world by helping consumers recognize the power of their food choices. Food Empowerment Project works in solidarity with farm workers, advocates for chocolate not sourced from the worst forms of child labor, and focuses on access to healthy foods in Black a...

Dr. Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern speaks about the increase in the number of Latino owned farms in the United States and future opportunities despite the challenges they face including racism and accessing federal programs administered by the USDA.  Dr. Minkoff-Zern speaks about the historical link between slavery and immigration as well as structural racism within our agricultural system that depends o...