The Social Primate Podcast

What happens when the fight for justice turns into a fight against each other? On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Angela Gonzales Torres, a Chicana anthropologist, who shares how personal experiences with family separation, gentrification, and displacement have shaped her fight for justice. The conversation dives into the challenges of working within flawed systems, the internal confli...

How does storytelling become resistance? On this episode of The Social Primate , Eddie Aguirre sits down with Xitlalic Guijosa-Osuna to talk art, poetry, and the power of storytelling. From capturing everyday dichos through Tarjetitas con Amor to amplifying Southeast LA’s voice through poetry, she shares how creativity becomes resistance. She reflects on the urgency of preserving culture, the impa...

When external forces aim to erase your community’s identity, how do you fight back and preserve the legacy that defines your home? In this episode, Eddie Aguirre sits down with Samuel Brown Vasquez of the Avocado Heights Vaquer@s to explore the intersection of cultural preservation, community activism, and environmental justice. Samuel shares the story of how a grassroots fight to protect his comm...

How do you stay true to yourself in a world that constantly tells you who to be? On this episode, Richie Velazquez, an artist best known for his Grime Art, gets real about self-acceptance, mental health, and the struggle to stay grounded despite outside pressures. It’s a deep dive into growth, gratitude, and what it really means to live authentically. ----- Music Spotlight: Dela Deso All music in...

What if healing isn’t meant to be done alone? In this episode of The Social Primate Podcast, Luis Cornejo, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist, explores how our survival instincts are rooted in our connections with others. Luis highlights the discomfort around vulnerability and stresses that emotional intelligence, empathy, and communal support are essential for heal...

What does it take to rebuild a life after 18 years of incarceration? In this episode of The Social Primate , Eddie Herrera Jr. shares his powerful journey from incarcerated firefighter to professional firefighter for the state of California. He opens up about battling wildfires behind prison walls, confronting personal trauma, and the role of accountability, vulnerability, and community support in...

A special episode just for YOU! Celebrate the 150th episode of The Social Primate with a special segment featuring JT the LA Storyteller! Together, we dive into the untold stories of Los Angeles, including captivating listener-submitted pieces that bring the city, its people and our shared human experiences to life. If you love authentic storytelling and hearing the voices of LA’s vibrant communit...

In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Alcantar, the Mayor of Cudahy, to discuss her journey from growing up in this small Southeast LA city to leading it. Elizabeth shares the challenges she faced—like environmental injustices and political resistance—and how they inspired her to take action. She offers practical advice on getting involved, from showing up at local meetings to organizing arou...

Activism, community, and legacy: This week, we sit down with Carlos Montes , co-founder of the Brown Berets and a pioneer in the Chicano Movement . From organizing the historic Chicano Moratorium to confronting modern challenges like gentrification and polarization , Carlos shares the lessons and strategies that shaped a movement—and how we can apply them today. Learn about grassroots organizing,...

In this episode Mariah Castañeda, co-founder and Audience Director at L.A Public Press, joins me to explore how independent media can reshape the narrative for underrepresented communities. Through her work, Mariah champions equitable access to food, shelter, and meaningful community connections, emphasizing the role of journalism in empowering marginalized voices. We dive into how the lack of rel...

In this episode, I sat down with Azomali, a Colombian-American hip-hop artist on a mission to connect with his roots and identity through his music. Azomali opens up about the deep silences around identity in his family and the risks he’s taken to reconnect—like trekking through Colombia’s jungles—to rediscover a sense of pride and self-worth. We dive into how he uses his music to “water” these ro...

In this episode, we’re joined by Citlalli Anahuac, a historian, professor, and cultural activist with over two decades in the field, to dig into what it really means to reclaim and decolonize identity. Citlalli shares her journey of reconnecting with her heritage and how she challenges Eurocentric narratives to make history more inclusive and accessible. Together, we explore what it means to decol...

In this episode, Rob Camacho, Ben Camacho, and Abraham Marquez discuss media bias and contradictions that permeate mainstream reporting, hindering authentic truth-telling in journalism. As independent journalists of color, they highlight the manipulation of language and systemic suppression that uphold the status quo while revealing the dangers of self-censorship and the chilling effects on their...

In this episode, I sit down with Fernanda Sanchez, president of the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council, to talk about the real challenges facing communities of color and how powerful it can be when neighbors come together. At the heart of our conversation is a simple, powerful truth: change starts by talking to your neighbors—it’s about how each of us can be part of protecting the neighborhoods...

In this episode, we’re joined by Viva Padilla, who shares her story of standing up against gentrification and protecting the community’s rich history. As someone currently facing eviction, Viva gets real about the challenges of displacement and the ongoing fight for fair housing and local businesses. This conversation is a reminder that educating ourselves and standing together is key to preservin...

In this episode, I’m joined by Kiki and Brenda from El Sereno Community Land Trust, an initiative reclaiming land for the community to combat gentrification and the housing crisis. We discuss their work in creating affordable housing through co-ops and educating residents on their rights to shape their own futures. The journey is ongoing, and Kiki and Brenda share powerful insights on uniting comm...

I sat down with Rey Sepulveda of Cultivarte to dive deep into the power of learning skills outside the hood and bringing them back to create change. We discussed how we can learn from places with deep activist roots like East LA and apply those lessons to SELA. With spaces like the SELA Cultural Center on the rise, we’re redefining representation and shaping a new future for our community. Don’t m...

In this episode, I chat with Ernesto Vazquez about the journey of mastering a craft. Ernesto opens up about his creative process, sharing how different influences shape his work and the deeper meaning behind his art. We dig into the importance of reconnecting with your cultural self-identity and how embracing your heritage can bring new depth and authenticity to your work. Ernesto’s story is a pow...

Join us for an episode with investigative journalist Ben Camacho, as we discuss his journey into journalism and the events that led to his lawsuit with the City of Los Angeles. Sparking a critical conversation about the balance between transparency and legal pressure. We explore the broader implications of cases like his on public access to information; how they can shape the future of journalism...

In this episode, I chat with Abraham Márquez, an independent journalist, about the vital role of local organizing, educating, and mobilizing efforts in driving grassroots activism. We dive into how media bias often overlooks powerful entities, and why independent journalism is crucial for amplifying marginalized voices. Abraham also highlights the need to understand the history and context of soci...

In this episode, Stephanie Mendez, an award-winning journalist known for her work with local and major media outlets sits down with me as we explore how the rebellious ethos of punk culture has influenced her journalistic approach, emphasizing independence, authenticity, and challenging mainstream narratives. She also shares her journey of connecting with her indigenous Purépecha roots, discussing...

In this episode Johnny Murillo, founder of Chicano Hollywood delves into the platforms mission to uplift and celebrate our culture in the entertainment industry ⎯  a time for Latinos of all backgrounds to reclaim our narratives, and create our own opportunities. We'll explore the importance of representation, the power of inclusive storytelling, and the need to kick down doors that have long b...

In a conversation with Alex Zamora, a photographer and cofounder of Fotolandia, SELA's Photography Festival, we discussed the impact of bringing and making resources directly available to underrepresented communities — a necessary part to self-realization. ----- Music brought to you by: No Kids Pets Ok - "When The Story Comes to an End" Support, follow and share: https://nokidspetsok.bandcamp.com/...

In this episode, we chat with the creative force of Las Chicas Peligrosas about their journey as a multi-disciplinary artist and printmaker based in Los Angeles. We explore the themes that drive her art and discuss the process of breaking out of the scarcity mindset and learning to embrace a life of abundance, her involvement in workshops and community engagements, where they help others tap into...

In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed poet Yesika Salgado, author of "Corazón," "Tesoro," and "Hermosa." Yesika openly shares her deeply personal journey of self-love and acceptance, emphasizing the transformative power of self-reflective work. She discusses how this process has helped her break down old patterns and rebuild a stronger, more authentic self. Thro...