Tales From Aztlantis

This Fool with Chris Estrada! We are joined by comedian Chris Estrada! Estrada, one of the most exciting up-and-coming voices in comedy, is the co-creator, star, writer and executive producer of the hit Hulu series "This Fool" which is based on his standup comedy act and upbringing in South Los Angeles. Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His r...

The Assassination of Kwawtemok! On February 28, of the year 1525, Kwawtemok – the last sovereign tlatoani (ruler or speaker) of the Mexikah nation and the Anawak Confederacy, was assassinated by Hernán Cortés.  But who was Kwawtemok, and why is he an important figure in the collective memory of Mexicans? Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research c...

Atlantis & Graham Hancock Netflix has recently decided to provide an outlet for pseudohistory, pseudoarchaeology, and outright bullshit with their new series "ancient apocalypse." In this Premium Throwback, we revisit our very first Premium Episode, in which we cast a critical lens on the many outlandish claims made by Graham Hancock. Enjoy! Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeol...

Dia de los Muertos: The Chicano Connection! Chicanos directly influenced the popularity of modern Dia de los Muertos celebrations in both the United States and Mexico. Let's find out how! Your hosts:   Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two...

The Fight for Chicano Studies with Dr. Ernesto Mireles! Kurly is joined by Dr. Ernesto Mireles to discuss his latest Documentary Film "War of the Flea: The Fight for Xicano Studies." War of the Flea: The Fight for Xicano Studies is a real-life David v. Goliath story of Xicano students at Michigan State. Through their involvement with Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlan (MEXA), agitat...

Nury Martinez and the Racism of Latinidad Kurly talks about the recent Nury Martinez controversy, and explains how her comments fall perfectly in-line with the inherent racism of latinidad and the "latino/a/e/x" identity. Your host:   Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the h...

Remembering the Maya Apocalypse with Dr. John Hoopes! About our guest: Dr. John Hoopes is an anthropologist with broad training in the archaeology of pre-Hispanic indigenous cultures, with a focus on indigenous populations of southern Central America between Mesoamerica and the Central Andes. He has built a solid base of empirical, scientific evidence and robust theories to help define these as a...

Sal Castro & The Chicano Blowouts! In this episode, we watch a short film about Sal Castro and the Chicano Blowouts! The East Los Angeles Walkouts or Chicano Blowouts were a series of 1968 protests by Chicano students against unequal conditions in Los Angeles Unified School District high schools. The first walkout occurred on March 5, 1968. The students who organized and carried out the protes...

Archaeological Frauds & Myths with Ken Feder! We are joined by Dr. Ken Feder, to discuss his work in analyzing and exposing pseudoarchaeology and anti-scientific conspiracies! Dr. Kenneth L. "Kenny" Feder is a professor Emeritus of archaeology at Central Connecticut State University and the author of several books on archaeology and criticism of pseudoarchaeology such as Frauds, Myth...

Chicano Heritage Month! Chicano Heritage Month? You heard us correctly! In this episode, we take a look at House resolution 1291 which was recently introduced by Congressman Lou Correa to commemorate August as Chicano Heritage Month. The resolution states its purpose as "Recognizing the significance of “Chicano Heritage Month” in August as an important time to celebrate the significant contri...

Listener Feedback In this episode, we take a look at some listener feedback and celebrate as the Podcast hits a very cool milestone! Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented...

Chicano humor with Lalo Alcaraz! We are joined by POCHO Magazine creator and Chicano editorial cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz to talk about Chicano humor, cultural representation, and censorship! Lalo Alcaraz is an award-winning visual/media artist and television/film writer. A Los Angeles resident, he has been chronicling the ascendancy of Chicanos in the U.S. for over a quarter-century. The busy Chican...

The Chicano Moratorium (sample)  In the sample from Premium Episode 9, we talk about the historical and cultural significance of the Chicano Moratorium March of August 29, 1970, and later watch a short film by Tom Myrdahl.  listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a pur...

Day of the Dead is Subversive Spirituality! Long before the arrival of Europeans, some of the Indigenous Mesoamerican traditions of honoring the dead were celebrated with two specific feasts: Mikailwitl (feast of the dead), and Wey Mikailwitl (great feast of the dead). These feasts were celebrated in early August through mid-September. In fact, we are currently in the “month” of Mikailwitl right n...

How old is the word Chicana? The origin and antiquity of the words “Chicana” and “Chicano” has been debated from the halls of academia to the streets of the barrio. The advent of social media has certainly added fuel to the fire, but nobody seems to have a clear answer. Some claim that the word comes from “chicanery,” and is reflective of the untrustworthy nature of the people it describes. Others...

Moors Rising? (sample) In this episode, we take a look at a recent segment by Vice News that examines the "Moorish Aboriginal" movement, and talk about the continued assault on Indigenous Sovereignty that it represents. Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the hist...

Representation matters! In this episode we are joined by Chicano animator Miguel Puga to talk about Chicanos in animation, and the importance of telling our own stories.  Miguel Puga is a storyboard supervisor, director, and creative producer on The Casagrandes. He previously served as a storyboard supervisor on The Loud House, and was also a storyboard artist on Breadwinners, Shimmer and Shine, a...

In this episode, we check out a Tedx given in 2021 by Archaeologist Sarah Kurnick in which she talks about the dangers of pseudoarchaeology. Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has pr...

Aztecs at the Powwow! In this episode, we explore Danza Azteca at Powwow events, where such performances are usually relegated to the intermission. Our hosts discuss the efforts of the Sacred Springs Powwow in San Marcos, Texas, which has included Danza Azteca in the competitive dance categories, and what this inclusion means for inter-Indigenous relations. Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archae...

Here Comes the Rain Again! In this brief dispatch, Kurly talks about the common mistranslation of the word "Tlalok." More information on Tlalok (as well as the image of Tlalok on his mountain top throne) can be found here: https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/gods/god-of-the-month-tlaloc-1 Your host: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers M...

(Re)imagining Indigenous Psychology with Dr. Azucena Verdin! In this episode we are joined by Dr. Azucena Verdín to discuss her work in Educational Psychology and the ways it intersects with Indigenous Chicano ways of knowing. We talk about her experience as a Chicana working in a field dominated by white academics and share a few thoughts on the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. About our guest: S...

Azteca or Mexica? For this episode, I will be drawing heavily from the article “ the word Azteca was not created by Von Humboldt ” written by Ruben Ochoa, which originally appeared on the website Mexika.org. Whenever some well-meaning individual posts a link to an article about any aspect of Aztec history to social media, they are inevitably met with a barrage of comments that usually sound someth...

Moorish Nationals and Indigenous Erasure! (sample)  In this episode, we explore the "Moor" identity movement, it's history, and how it is actively weaponizing pseudohistory in order to erase the accomplishments of Indigenous and African people. Also, Kurly learns about ad blockers. So strap yourselves in, because its a bumpy ride!  listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Buzzs...

STOP erasing Chicanos and Mexican Americans! In this brief Dispatch from Aztlantis, your host Kurly Tlapoyawa talks about how "latino" is used in mainstream media to actively ERASE our people! Cited in this episode: https://www.minoritynewsnetwork.com/2022/04/28/where-are-the-chicano-intellectuals/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/political-cartoonist-lalo-alcaraz-becomes-first-latino...

Cinco de Mayo! For today's episode, we wanted to revisit one of our earlier episodes from the first season. Every year we see the return of hateful, anti-Mexican comments made in response to Cinco de Mayo, so we thought that it would be a topic worth coming back to. Enjoy! On a dark, rainy Monday afternoon on May 5th, 1862, Mexican soldiers led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, and bolstered by In...