Ruben Estrada
Fickle Future
In Season Two of Fickle Future, explore the history of the commodification of psychoactive substances worldwide before diving into the current state of the War on Drugs in the United States, and where it may be heading. Episodes realeased every Thursday.
Where to listen?
Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soonPodcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts
Episodes
Season Two Epilogue: A Conversation with My Father 21.03.2025 20:23
In this episode, my father and I discuss my latest interview with Dr. Salvador Maldonado Aranda, which was conducted in Spanish. It is a brief discussion but I wanted to include it to provide any non Spanish speakers some context for my previous episode, while also giving you some personal insight into why I started this season in the first place. This concludes season two of Fickle Future. Thank...
A Conversation with Dr. Maldonado Aranda (IN SPANISH) 21.03.2025 1:08:18
In this epiosde, I speak with researcher and professor Dr. Salvador Maldonado Aranda. For years, he has studied violence in Mexico, in particular in southwestern Mexico, where states such as Michoacán and Guerrero have seen sharp spikes in both narcotic production and trafficking since the 1980s. In this episode, we discuss the origins of these ongoing issues, the inaccurate ways they are often po...
A Conversation with Professor and Human Geographer Kendra McSweeney 14.02.2025 35:47
In today's episode, I speak with Kendra Mcsweeney, a Professor at the Ohio State University. Focusing in human-environment interactions, her research has largely been concentrated in Central America, and in particular the impact climate change, deforestation and drug trafficking have on the indigenous peoples of the region. For well over a decade, she has specifically studied the Tawahka people of...
A Conversation with Artist Camilo Restrepo 07.02.2025 1:07:11
In this episode, I speak with artist Camilo Restrepo. Born in Colombia in the 70s, he grew up during the rise of the cocaine trade and saw firsthand the effects of the War on Drugs. He has since become an artist, with much of his work being commentary on this subject matter. Working in many mediums, he brings a unique approach to all of his pieces that I hope you all explore after listening. Chec...
S2E10: How Did We Get Here? 06.02.2025 1:46:21
Today, the modern opioid crisis is nearly thirty years old, while the Mexican War on Drugs has been ongoing for nearly twenty. In this episode, explore the the events that have lead us to where we are, and where we may be heading.
S2E9: The Birth of the Modern Opioid Crisis 16.01.2025 1:28:33
The ongoing opioid crisis is something many are all too familiar with. But back in the early nineties, it had yet to even exist. This episode delves into the dawn of an epidemic that continues to this day.
S2E8: The Cocaine Boom 06.12.2024 1:19:32
In this episode, explore the rise of cocaine's popularity in the 1970s, the traffickers involved in moving that product, and the controversies regarding the counternarcotic policies set into action at this time.
S2E7: The Dawn of the War on Drugs 28.11.2024 1:00:51
In this episode, explore the history of substance use in a Post War America, the origins of the French Connection, and the leaders behind some of the most impactful drug policies the United States has ever seen.
S2E6: The Origins of Cross Border Smuggling in North America 21.11.2024 1:28:32
For over a hundred years now, the Mexico-U.S. border has been home to the smuggling of all sorts of psychoactive substances. This episode explores the birth of this century long phenomenon and how the actions of decades past continue to affect us to this day.
S2E5: The U.S. Goes Synthetic 14.11.2024 58:30
The United States has had a long, complicated history with opioids. This episode explores the origins of this relationship which began in the midst of the Civil War, and how, over a century later, we are still aeffected by the policies and perspectives of the past.
S2E4: A Brief History of Psychoactive Substances in Mexico 31.10.2024 26:49
Before the Mexico-United States border became one of the main hubs for drug trafficking in the world, it had to exist in the first place. This episode dives into both how the country of Mexico itself was formed, and the ways psychoactive substance use in this land evlolved and changed along the way.
S2E3: When the U.S. Was Its Drunkest 24.10.2024 47:34
Following the American Revolution, the United States struggled to import a regular supply of liquor. Rather than slow down consumption, this era birthed an explosion in the country's whiskey industry and soon led to the heaviest drinking period in American history.
S2E2: The Commodification of Narcotics 17.10.2024 55:12
Psychoactive substances have been used by humans for thousands and thousands of years, but their time as a marketable product came about fairly recently. The second episode of season two dives into this history and the ways certain substances were integral to the growth of European colonies across the Americas.
S2E1: Why Do We Get High? 10.10.2024 33:22
The return of Fickle Future! This first episode of the second season explores the origins of humanity's relationship with psychoactive substances and the many theories as to why we began consuming in the first places.
Episode 10: Mexico's Recent Elections and the Modern War on Drugs 20.08.2021 18:23
Find all of Hobi Beats' work here: https://linktr.ee/hobibeats In the final episode of my first season, I give a sneak peak into season two by highlighting some of the reasons the most recent cycle of Mexican elections has been some of the most violent in the nation's history.
Episode 9: Freedom of the Press Around the World 12.08.2021 20:45
Find all of Hobi Beats' work here: https://linktr.ee/hobibeats In this episode, I look at three countries around the world with greater press freedom than the United States, and the ways in which they have improved safety and rights for journalists in recent years.
An Interview with Dr. Keith Villa, Founder of Blue Moon and CERIA Brewing 05.08.2021 24:41
This is a special one! In this episode, I talk with Dr. Keith Villa, a brewmaster and co-founder of CERIA Brewing, a non-alcoholic, cannabis infused beer company based in Colorado. You can find his book, Brewing with Cannabis, here: https://www.amazon.com/Brewing-Cannabis-Using-THC-Beer/dp/1938469690 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brewing-with-cannabis-keith-villa/1138260684?ean=9781938469695
RU's Q's en Español: Una Conversación con Heidy Portillo 22.07.2021 1:13:58
En este episodio, hablo con Heidy Portillo. Originalmente de Honduras, ella tiene un cuento extraordinario en como so llego a los Estados Unidos, y como se trabajo por éxito en su vida.
Episode 8: A History of Latin Americans in Mainstream Music 22.07.2021 51:35
Find all of Hobi Beats' work here: https://linktr.ee/hobibeats The creation of Rock n' Roll was the culmination of a wide number of people and cultures coming together to form a new sound. In this episode, I take a look at some of the Latin Americans who helped start modern music in the United States and beyond, as well as the artists currently leading the current explosion of Latin music.
Ru's Q's #7:Talking to My Father About His Childhood 12.07.2021 51:41
My father and I spend about an hour reflecting and discussing his childhood in rural Mexico. Hope you enjoy!
Episode 7: A Look Into the United States' SAFE Kit Backlog 02.07.2021 38:53
Find all of Hobi Beats' Work here: https://linktr.ee/hobibeats Currently, Oregon is only one of eight states, as well as the District of Columbia, to have managed to clear their SAFE kit backlogs. This episode takes a look at the issue as a whole, as well as how Oregon has managed to clear its backlog. Due to the nature of the crimes mentioned in this episode, listener discretion is advised.
RU's Q's #6: A Conversation with my Grandparents 28.06.2021 1:14:30
In this talk, we discuss sobriety and the keys to creating a more balanced life. Hope you enjoy!
Episode 6: The Past and Potential Future of U.S. Transit Part 2 17.06.2021 28:27
Find all of Hobi Beats' Work here: https://linktr.ee/hobibeats The United States once had one of the better public transit systems in the world. Now, it lags far behind several other high-income nations. As leaders globally attempt to combat the effects of climate change, can the United States' transportation sector successfully undergo a green revolution?
RU's Q's #5: A Conversation with Ari Tani 11.06.2021 38:51
This one features my good friend Ari Tani! In this one, we talk about where our beliefs about a number of topics have changed from the time we met as kids to the present, as well as the pursuit of happiness in adulthood. It's a fun one, enjoy!
Episode 5: The Past and Potential Future of U.S. Transit Part 1 03.06.2021 26:59
Find all of Hobi Beats' Work here: https://linktr.ee/hobibeats The United States once had one of the better public transit systems in the world. Now, it lags far behind several other high-income nations. As leaders globally attempt to combat the effects of climate change, can the United States' transportation sector successfully undergo a green revolution?
Similar podcasts
Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.