Rediscovering Latinidad

On today's episode we discuss the landmark film The Official Story, the story of Alicia who is forced to understand more about the hidden history in Argentina, her husband, and adopted daughter Gabby. This episode is a fantastic follow up to last week's episode on The Dangers of Smoking in Bed. Follow us on social media:  Facebook: Rediscovering Latinidad Instagram: @RediscoveringLatinidad Bluesky...

On this week's episode we have our book club episode on The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez Across twelve stories, Enríquez introduces us to dead babies who won’t stay dead, teenage girls experimenting with supernatural forces, missing children who mysteriously return, obsessive fandom taken to horrifying extremes, witches, ghosts, curses, diseased hearts, troubled women, Ouija board...

On this week's episode, we’re joined by genealogy educator, writer and author Sunny  Morton to explore one of the most fascinating (and frequently overlooked) corners of family history: researching Catholic nuns and sisters. Sunny joins us to discuss her book, Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States, which offers researchers a roadmap for finding women whos...

We’re going deep into Puerto Rican genealogy with professional genealogist, historian and educator Dairen Castro Torres , creator of the YouTube channel Dairen Castro Torres the Genealogist . Dairen specializes in reconstructing families through historical records and DNA, with particular expertise in Puerto Rican, Spanish, Portuguese, Dominican and Canary Islands genealogy. His work takes researc...

On today's episode we are joined by MLS commentator Jon Yardley, as we discuss the summer of 2026 and sports in NYC.  New York City in the summer of 2026 felt like magic. The Knicks were NBA champions. The World Cup had arrived in North America. Flags hung from windows and appeared on jerseys all over the city. Bars and restaurants became unofficial headquarters for national teams thousands of mil...

On today's episode we discuss family surnames, surname types, how names get passed down and modified, what they mean, pronouncation, and much more! 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 Genetic Funhouse about his late...

On today's episode, we are coming in hot discussing the shocking story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, his history of assualting minors, and the impact this revelation has.  If you would like to learn more about Cesar Chavez, please listen to our season 2 episode on him and latino healthcare: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/rediscovering-latinidad-season-2-episode-8-la-salud-y-la-ascendencia-...

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...