Rediscovering Latinidad

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we ask a question that doesn’t get asked nearly enough: Where were Latinos during the American Revolution? The answer may surprise you. In this special episode of Rediscovering Latinidad, we explore the often-overlooked role that Spanish America, Latino military leaders, Black communities under Spanish rule, and Hispanic families played in the founding...

On today's episode we discuss the beautiful Bolivian film Tu me manques. Join us for a meaningful discussion in honor of Pride Month. You can watch the film here: https://tubitv.com/es-mx/movies/100009907/tu-me-manques Watch Edward's free online webinar: "How Full-Text Search Can Find Latin American Genealogy"  https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/how-full-text-search-can-uncover-lati...

In this special anthology episode of Rediscovering Latinidad, we turn the microphone over to the next generation. Voces Pequeñas, Raíces Profundas brings together Latino children and teens ages 5–16 to share their thoughts on identity, culture, language, family, and what it means to grow up Latino today. Through honest, funny, thoughtful, and sometimes emotional conversations, these young voices r...

On today's episode we discuss the case of Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old Latina soldier whose disappearance and death at Fort Hood in 2020 led to national outrage, widespread protests, and a reckoning within the U.S. military. Vanessa’s story is not only a true crime case; it is a story about silence, fear, and the systems that failed to protect her. We walk through the timeline of her disappearan...

On today's episode we explore the powerful intersection of genealogy, history, and queenship with renowned historians  Susan Abernethy  and  Ellie Woodacre .Together, we dive into the life and legacy of  Isabella I of Castile , one of the most influential monarchs in European history, and trace the extraordinary lineage that followed through her daughters and granddaughters. From  Juana of Castile...

In this milestone 100th episode of Rediscovering Latinidad, we reflect on identity, history, and the stories that shape who we are, both collectively and personally. We are honored to be joined by acclaimed author and journalist John Phillip Santos, whose work explores memory, ancestry, and the evolving meaning of Latinidad across generations. We discuss his books Places Left Unfinished at the Tim...

On today's episode, we dive into Archive of Unknown Universes by Rubén Reyes Jr., a speculative fiction collection that explores alternate realities, diaspora identity, and the fragile turning points that shape our lives. Through stories rooted in Salvadoran history, migration, and memory, this book asks a powerful question:What if our lives (and our family histories) had unfolded differently? As...

Today we take a deep dive into Venezuela: its history, its culture, and one of its most iconic foods: the arepa. We start by exploring Venezuela beyond the headlines. From its Indigenous roots and Spanish colonization to its rise as one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America due to oil, we break down the historical and political shifts that shaped the country as it exists today. We also disc...

This week is our bye week, and a chance for our audience to re-listen to last season's most loved episode! n this heartfelt episode, we dive into the world of no sabo kids—a term often used to describe Latinos who didn’t grow up fluent in Spanish. Together, we explore what it really means beyond the stereotype. Two of our co-hosts share their own journeys as no sabo kids, reflecting on how their e...

In this special episode of Rediscovering Latinidad, we sit down with trailblazing historian and scholar Dr. Virginia Sánchez Korrol, a pioneer in Puerto Rican Studies whose work has helped shape how Puerto Rican history and diaspora are understood today. From her early life and academic journey to becoming one of the foundational voices in the field, Dr. Sánchez Korrol shares what it meant to purs...

On today's episode, our co-hosts answer three AI genealogy prompt questions, spill some tea, share meaningful moments and give liseners some advice on their genealogy journey.  Watch Edward's free online webinar: "How Full-Text Search Can Find Latin American Genealogy"  https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/how-full-text-search-can-uncover-latin-american-genealogy Read Edward's blog Ge...

On today's episode we are joined by Ellen Fernandez-Sacco and Melanie McComb to discuss media literaracy in genealogy. Records can be found in many places including FamilySearch, Ancestry, archives, etc. How do you evaluate these records? How do you fact-check these records? How do you interpret these records? We discuss all of this and more on today's episode!  Watch Edward's free online webinar:...

Welcome back, listeners!!! This is the season premiere for our 8th season of Rediscovering Latinidad! Today we will discuss our co-host Edward's upcoming RootsTech talk, about the incredible Full-Text Search feature on FamilySearch.org! We are also grateful to be joined by Debbie Gurtler, Assistant Director of the FamilySearch Library. Watch Edward's free online webinar: "How Full-Text Search Can...

On today's episode, our season finale, co-host Briar Rose discusses hosting her Abuela's (Ita's) 95th birthday party this year. We hope you enjoyed this season and can't wait to return spring 2026! Don't miss Edward's live webinar at the RootsTech 2026 conference, "How Full-Text Search Can Uncover Latin American Genealogy!" Learn more about the RootsTech 2026 conference on March 5-7, the world's l...

This Navidad, we dedicate a special episode to Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio), not just as a global superstar, but as a cultural force whose music, imagery, and presence have reshaped Latinidad on a world stage. We begin with “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”, a song steeped in nostalgia, regret, and memory... we trace Bad Bunny’s full musical journey to global tours, genre-defying albums, and un...

Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, coercion, intimate partner violence, and abuse of power. In this season’s true-crime episode, we approach the Sean “Diddy” Combs case with intention, care, and accountability, centering support for Cassie Ventura, a survivor (And part mexicana!) whose courage in coming forward disrupted decades of silence around one of the most powerful figur...

On today's episode we discuss A God of Moonlight and Stardust by Mina Brower, , a Mexican American author whose work weaves together myth, memory, longing, and cultural inheritance. Through lyrical prose and emotionally resonant storytelling, Brower explores how identity is shaped not only by the present, but by what we inherit: stories, silences, belief systems, and ancestral echoes. Check out Mi...

On today's episode, we dive into Upon Entry, a tense and unforgettable film that captures a reality many immigrants know too well: the moment when crossing a border becomes an interrogation, and being “let in” depends on your ability to prove your worth, your innocence, or your humanity. Upon Entry follows a Venezuelan-Spanish couple hoping to begin a new life in the United States, only to be pull...

Happy Thanksgiving listeners! On today's episode we interview We are Cousins creator Moises Garza and discuss his genealogical journey to building one of the biggest databases and family trees in the Southwest. If you would like more inofrmation on Moises Garza's work please visit https://moisesgarza.com/ Follow us on social media:  Facebook: Rediscovering Latinidad Instagram: @RediscoveringLatini...

Last week was our Bye week! Enjoy relistening to last season's fan favorite: The Fall of 23andme! Please join us and our panelists Teresa Vega and Ellen Fernandez-Sacco as we breakdown the history of 23andme, what has happened with the business decline, data breaches, and how users should handle their data and account going forward. If you would like to learn more about Ellen's work, please visit...

We're back and the bots have questions for us! Let's use AI/ChatGPT to learn more about each other's family histories. You don't want to miss this episode, we have some shocking moments from ancestors past. Follow us on social media:  Facebook: Rediscovering Latinidad Instagram: @RediscoveringLatinidad Bluesky: @RediscLatinidad   X: @RediscLatinidad Reddit: r/RediscoveringLatindad Please visit Edw...

On today's episode we go full cringe and discuss kissing cousins with our panelist Ellen Fernandez-Sacco. Have you encountered relatives who married their own family? Have some branches that overlap? You're not alone. Join us for an interesting discussion! If you would like to learn more about Ellen's work, please visit the following: https://latinogenealogyandbeyond.com Follow us on social media:...

This week, we're looking at the fascinating lives of medieval queens and princesses, royal genealogy, and Queenship Studies! We talk with two historians: Dr. Ellie Woodacre, Reader of Renaissance History at the University of Winchester and host of the "Royal Studies Podcast," and Susan Abernethy, creator of "The Freelance History Writer" blog. We also hear how co-hosts Briar and Edward found dista...

This week, we’re flipping the mic and hearing from the non-Latino relatives who became part of our Latino families. Co-host Edward’s mom,and co-host Briar Rose's mother-in-law, and two uncles join us for a heartfelt conversation about how Latinidad has shaped their homes, holidays, parenting, and sense of belonging. From learning Spanish and cooking family recipes to understanding cultural pride a...

On today’s episode—just two days before the anniversary of the United States’ acquisition of Puerto Rico from Spain—we’re joined by author Javier A. Hernández, whose book Prexit: Forging Puerto Rico’s Path to Sovereignty reimagines what a fully independent Puerto Rico could look like. We explore how sovereignty could unlock new opportunities for Puerto Rico—politically, economically, and culturall...