Somos Pasionarias

In this episode, Elena Contreras Barnett shares her journey of stepping away from podcasting and the life changes that led to her absence. She reflects on the unexpected shifts in her plans, the challenges faced during a family health crisis, and the importance of prioritizing presence over visibility. Elena discusses her evolving definition of success, emphasizing peace and personal growth over t...

Join me and my neighbor Janelle Reyes Chase as we talk about how life on the Westside of San Antonio bridges our Southside and South-Central El Paso roots, the problems with youths these days, and how these stray dogs end up joining our family!  Filmed at one of our neighborhood coffee and sandwich shops, Panaderia Jimenez in the heart of the Deco District, San Antonio.  Come have a cafecito with...

Two Senior English teachers on Spring Break... sounds like the beginning of a good joke, right?  Join me and Nicole Garza Martinez as we relax and enjoy our Spring Break and a little cafecito and comadreando.  We talk about imperfect tortillas, the importance of respecting your elders, Southside holiday traditions, Spring Break plans gone awry and more in this first episode of "Cafecito con m...

Pasionarias, sometimes you meet someone whose fire and drive can spark everyone around them to drive themself to connect, inspire, and lead those around them. It’s like a ring of fire around this person.  One by one, everyone in her reach becomes consumed with being the best versions of themselves because they know SHE believes they can be.  That someone is my bestie, my sister from another mister...

My guest today and I have a very special link:  Carol Contreras Loya is my baby sister.  But we have another very special and rare link:  We share a pair of kidneys!  Carol was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic illness when she was only 15.  At a time when I was worried about pep rallies and college applications, she was fighting for her life with multiple hospital stays and surgeries.  At the age o...

In this premier episode, I am joined by my daughter, Acacia Barnett to talk about the woman who inspired this podcast and blog, San Antonio labor leader, Emma Tenayuca.  Learn about how she led thousands of workers in post-Depression San Antonio, Texas to fight for higher wages and better working conditions and how she stood up to city leaders trying to quiet her voice.  Acacia first learned about...