Salvis Unidos Podcast

Karla feels most at home surrounded by family at the dinner table sharing Salvadoran food and stories. Her project SalviSoul aims to document both the recipes and the legacy of Salvadoran women. So grab a plate, share some stories, and nourish your belly and your soul with Karla Vasquez of SalviSoul!

Perseverance, grit, creativity, these are all Vanessa's middle names. When most fear to take the first step, Vanessa takes off running. This single mother of three will find a way to swim when the world is sinking. Find out how Vanessa, despite life obstacles, built an organization to create a better future for young women in El Salvador. Take action, free minds in your free time, and get it done...

To get to know the different sides of Sueey, you need a little bit of caution and intuition, but la experiencia will leave you with an authentic sense of the beauty of El Salvador and her people. Powered by her indigenous roots, committed to helping out her community, Sueey explains why it's important to work for the next generation. Dust off that easel, sharpen those colored pencils, and leave yo...

How many of us have been one bad choice away from going down the wrong path? Growing up Salvi in the US has its risks and challenges. In this political climate, we often feel alone and unwanted. It's not always pretty, but this is our home. So let's seek support from friends and family as we all try to understand these days.

It's another hot and humid afternoon in El Pulgarcito, and a lone man looks through yellowed papers in a dark, muggy archive room. Exasperated he pushes back his chair and looks up. He knows the stories he's looking for aren't written down yet. Grab your grandma, a notebook, and get ready to create memoria historica with Andree Pena. Andree is a radical, anti-capitalist, anarchist organizer from S...

Wearing a tuxedo at a gala, rowing across the Long Island sound . . . no, I'm not talking about James Bond. Ulises dedicates his energy and passion to serving others whether he's doing work for adults with intellectual disabilities or children in El Salvador. In this episode, strap on some cleats and score some goals with Ulises Cartagena. Ulises is a first generation Salvadoran-American from Long...

Todo buen cuento necesita alguien quien lo cuente. Carmen se ha dedicado a descubrir las historias de inmigrantes Salvadoreños en Nueva York de los últimos 90 años. Y está a punto de publicar su libro: Salvi Yorkers. Así que agarren sus libretitas de periodista, su curiosidad y prepárense para contar nuestras historias con Carmen Molina-Tamacas. Carmen Molina Tamacas es una periodista salvadoreña...

Bolados, chunches, y otras babosadas. As our mothers would say, ustedes solo son inventos. When Norma didn't find ways to represent her pride, she decided to create them. She became an entrepreneur and launched an online store to sell Salvadoran themed pins, socks, and apparel.  Pull on those pupusas sock, put on those boss pants and get ready to start a small business with Norma Rivas. Norma is t...

While most of us struggle to get out of bed, Carlos soars and flips through the air straight onto the podium with gold medals and championships. A 14 year old gymnast that only started three years ago shows us what can be accomplished with talent, courage, and a wonderfully supportive mother. So wear that Salvi flag as a cape, get a running start, and stick the landing with Carlos and his mother E...

Sometimes you need a fire to clear away the brush so new plants can grow. This cipota didn't let a medical crisis slow her down. Going from dance teacher to vegan chef, Norma reinvented herself and Salvadoran cuisine. Settle in, grab some quesadillas, atol de calabaza, and explore the vegan lifestyle with Norma Perez! Norma Pérez is an Afro-Salvadoran and the proprietor of The Salvi Vegan, an all...

"Cuantas va querer mi amor? Ya le van a salir." These and other similar phrases may have been uttered by Randy and Allison, a pupuseros that sought to put pupusas on the map in Manhattan's lower east side with his restaurant Cabalito. Put on your delanal, grab a bit of masa and get ready to echar pupusas with Randy Rodriguez and his wife Allison Sebastiani. Randy Rodriguez is a Salvadoran enthusia...

Ah, yes, the starving artists. Earning pennies drawing portraits of tourists in Times Square. But wait, if you believe in that myth, you might as well believe in the Chupa Cabra. Natalie says that as long as we live in a visual world, there will be jobs for artists. In this episode, grab some art supplies, connect with your indigenous roots, and get ready to create with Natalie Lazo.  Natalie Lazo...

The bass is booming, the crowd is dancing, and drinks are flowing as you sit high on your throne spinning those turntables. But being a DJ is not all about parties. Raul finds ways to inspire others and give back to aspiring artists in Central America. In this episode, keep the crowd and our people going, drop that beat with DJ Loup Rouge. Raul aka Loup Rouge is a DJ, producer, and musician from E...

What do you get when you grab a pinch of the Bronx, a dash of Puerto Rico, and a whole lot of Salvi? Find out in this episode. Bring an empty pansa, leave those knives and forks at home, and take a tasting tour of the Salvi Yorker experience with Janeth Perla.  Janeth Perla is a multi-cultural Salvi mom and Salvadorian culture ambassador. She's always searching for the best pupuseria in NYC, espec...

Not all that glitters is gold but that's quite alright according to Amy. Beautiful jewelry is accessible, easy to care for and comes in all types of finishes and styles. Want to get a ring for that special someone? Need a new piece to express your personality? Well, grab your favorite rings, necklaces, and polishing cloth and get ready to shine and sparkle with Amy Espinoza. Amy Espinoza is a Salv...

What do you think about when you think about New York? Odds are hip hop, b-boys, and graffiti come to mind. Salvador is as much Salvadoran as he is a New Yorker and capturing life on the streets with his camera is his passion. Grab your old-timey film camera, hop on the 7 train, and keep your eyes open for the perfect city shot in this photo session with Salvador Espinoza.  Salvador Espinoza is a...

Shake it like a rattlesnake? More like shake like an earthquake and move mountains or maybe just climb them. The power of compassion can accomplish either when Jessica is involved. Whether it's therapy for kids with autism or keeping youth soccer alive in El Salvador this colocha has the passion. Get inspired to change the world, pasito a pasito, with Jessica Monge. Jessica is a Salvadoran - Ameri...

The year is 1999, baggy jeans are in, the Backstreet Boys are at the top of the charts, and Tony Hawk is becoming a household name. A young Salvadoran living in one of the most dangerous housing projects in Yonkers discovers his love of skateboarding. Join us, Strap on your skate shoes, grab your board, and watch out for ripped laces on this skate session with Jeremy Lugo. Jeremy Lugo is a writer...

Hello and welcome to Salvis Unidos Podcast! Let's go back in time real quick. It's the mid to late 90s. Not everyone owns a computer. The world wide web is not yet widely accessible. Smart phones? Forget about it. Your best chance of learning about where you came from is the stories your parents tell you. Maybe you've never been to El Salvador or tasted the food. You've never smelled the tropical...