Holi listeners! This is part two of the activist episode -- focusing on real-time movements happening on the island. In this episode, Becca speaks with writer, educator, and activist Beatriz Llenín Figueroa of the Defiende Cabo Rojo coalition and Hugo Delgado, a physics teacher, newspaper editor, and member of the Movimiento Socialista de Trabajadores. Figueroa connects environmental justice with feminist, queer, anti-colonial, and anti-racist struggles and details opposition to Esencia, an ultra-luxury “private city” proposed for about 2,000 acres in Cabo Rojo, including protected lands, endangered species habitat, and over 100 archaeological sites. Delgado discusses intensified colonial control under the fiscal control board, defunding and political intervention at the University of Puerto Rico, privatization and charter schools, rising tuition, weakened campus organizing spaces, student hunger, and calls for organizing and diaspora solidarity.

Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

SHOW NOTES:
@defendpr
@mikey.cordero
@con.sentimientospr
@alianamarga
Unmasking PROMESA: The unelected board perpetuating colonialism in Puerto Rico (The Real News Network)
What is Esencia and what will happen to Puerto Rico if this is constructed? (MR Online)
@diaspo.rico
About Law 82
Defiende Cabo Rojo
Sierra Club de Puerto Rico

Holi listeners! This is part two of the activist episode -- focusing on real-time movements happening on the island. In this episode, Becca speaks with writer, educator, and activist Beatriz Llen&iacute;n Figueroa of the Defiende Cabo Rojo coalition and Hugo Delgado, a physics teacher, newspaper editor, and member of the Movimiento Socialista de Trabajadores. Figueroa connects environmental justice with feminist, queer, anti-colonial, and anti-racist struggles and details opposition to Esencia, an ultra-luxury &ldquo;private city&rdquo; proposed for about 2,000 acres in Cabo Rojo, including protected lands, endangered species habitat, and over 100 archaeological sites. Delgado discusses intensified colonial control under the fiscal control board, defunding and political intervention at the University of Puerto Rico, privatization and charter schools, rising tuition, weakened campus organizing spaces, student hunger, and calls for organizing and diaspora solidarity.
Also don&rsquo;t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!
SHOW NOTES:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/defendpr/">@defendpr</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mikey.cordero/">@mikey.cordero</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/con.sentimientospr/">@con.sentimientospr</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/alianamarga/">@alianamarga</a></li>
<li><a href="https://therealnews.com/promesa-and-colonialism-in-puerto-rico?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=16619055571&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD6zHoCTqLjhURUMcvWNFCSG1hdV0&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwuuPRBhAnEiwA2Ji8euxqVdcISBr6XYujihTC01uq77pCukB1IrTsiX-GeqDfdd4yn-2L8BoCno4QAvD_BwE">Unmasking PROMESA: The unelected board perpetuating colonialism in Puerto Rico (The Real News Network)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mronline.org/2025/03/29/what-is-esencia-and-what-will-happen-to-puerto-rico-if-this-is-constructed/">What is Esencia and what will happen to Puerto Rico if this is constructed? (MR Online)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaspo.rico/">@diaspo.rico</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYV0csUMpul/">About Law 82</a></li>
<li><a href="https://defiendeacaborojo.org/">Defiende Cabo Rojo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/puerto-rico">Sierra Club de Puerto Rico</a></li>
</ul>

"What is going ON in Puerto Rico?" Part 2: Featuring Beatriz Llenín Figueroa y Hugo Delgado

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9a27abcd-be82-4a4c-8ed8-b47a002a6ab6/transcript

Holi listeners! This week, we are doing part one of two episodes -- focusing on real-time movements happening on the island. In this episode, Becca speaks with Mikey Cordero, creator of Diasporico and La Sala Libre, a space launched during the Bad Bunny concert influx to offer a non-extractive way to engage with local and diasporic nuance; his project documents “ethical return” conversations and links gentrification to colonialism. The two also chat about DefendPR, a collective producing immersive, short-form storytelling from grassroots movements, beginning with protests in Peñuelas. Becca also chats with Aliana Margarita of Consentimiento PR, who translates policy and activism education; she explains Law 82 (PC-310), which requires plaintiffs to pay 10% of a project’s cost to sue, and connects it to Proyecto Esencia, PROMESA’s fiscal control board, UPR budget cuts, and ongoing colonial governance.

Be sure to tune in next week for the other activists and movements we'll be highlighting. 

Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

 

SHOW NOTES:
@defendpr
@mikey.cordero
@con.sentimientospr
@alianamarga
Unmasking PROMESA: The unelected board perpetuating colonialism in Puerto Rico (The Real News Network)
What is Esencia and what will happen to Puerto Rico if this is constructed? (MR Online)
@diaspo.rico
About Law 82
Defiende Cabo Rojo
Sierra Club de Puerto Rico

Holi listeners! This week, we are doing part one of two episodes -- focusing on real-time movements happening on the island. In this episode, Becca speaks with Mikey Cordero, creator of Diasporico and La Sala Libre, a space launched during the Bad Bunny concert influx to offer a non-extractive way to engage with local and diasporic nuance; his project documents &ldquo;ethical return&rdquo; conversations and links gentrification to colonialism. The two also chat about DefendPR, a collective producing immersive, short-form storytelling from grassroots movements, beginning with protests in Pe&ntilde;uelas. Becca also chats with Aliana Margarita of Consentimiento PR, who translates policy and activism education; she explains Law 82 (PC-310), which requires plaintiffs to pay 10% of a project&rsquo;s cost to sue, and connects it to Proyecto Esencia, PROMESA&rsquo;s fiscal control board, UPR budget cuts, and ongoing colonial governance.
Be sure to tune in next week for the other activists and movements we'll be highlighting.&nbsp;
Also don&rsquo;t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!
&nbsp;
SHOW NOTES:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/defendpr/">@defendpr</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mikey.cordero/">@mikey.cordero</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/con.sentimientospr/">@con.sentimientospr</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/alianamarga/">@alianamarga</a></li>
<li><a href="https://therealnews.com/promesa-and-colonialism-in-puerto-rico?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=16619055571&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD6zHoCTqLjhURUMcvWNFCSG1hdV0&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwuuPRBhAnEiwA2Ji8euxqVdcISBr6XYujihTC01uq77pCukB1IrTsiX-GeqDfdd4yn-2L8BoCno4QAvD_BwE">Unmasking PROMESA: The unelected board perpetuating colonialism in Puerto Rico (The Real News Network)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mronline.org/2025/03/29/what-is-esencia-and-what-will-happen-to-puerto-rico-if-this-is-constructed/">What is Esencia and what will happen to Puerto Rico if this is constructed? (MR Online)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaspo.rico/">@diaspo.rico</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYV0csUMpul/">About Law 82</a></li>
<li><a href="https://defiendeacaborojo.org/">Defiende Cabo Rojo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/puerto-rico">Sierra Club de Puerto Rico</a></li>
</ul>

"What is going ON in Puerto Rico?" Part 1: Featuring Mikey Cordero and Aliana Margarita

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/39ac34eb-2102-4459-a2be-b471016acb49/transcript

This week, Becca chats with Kenya Rivera! An LA-based Puerto Rican content creator, filmmaker, musician, and pop-culture enthusiast.The two chat Kennya's journey from growing up in Puerto Rico, moving to LA with an internship and a dream, Afro-Latina identity in LA, racism and hair/voice policing, colonial realities of Puerto Rico, and the importance of Puerto Rican community, food, care, and more.

Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

This week, Becca chats with Kenya Rivera! An LA-based Puerto Rican content creator, filmmaker, musician, and pop-culture enthusiast.The two chat Kennya's journey from growing up in Puerto Rico, moving to LA with an internship and a dream, Afro-Latina identity in LA, racism and hair/voice policing, colonial realities of Puerto Rico, and the importance of Puerto Rican community, food, care, and more.
Also don&rsquo;t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!

"Puerto Rico is ... Whoville?" w/ Kennya Rivera

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8321e7f3-5136-4d7b-894e-b46b0039804c/transcript

This week is a very special episode -- as it's the LIVE episode with COVL from the Welcome to El Barrio LA x Hi Neighbor event! Becca interviews COVL where they chat about her career, her aritsry and how it has evolved, both of their family relationships to their careers, their own relationships to cannabis, answer audience questions, and more. 

Special thank you to Hi Neighbor and all the Angelinos who came out to support the event -- it was such an experience to remember. 

If you enjoyed this episode and want more live experiences, comment / like /etc to let us know! 

Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

This week is a very special episode -- as it's the LIVE episode with COVL from the Welcome to El Barrio LA x Hi Neighbor event! Becca interviews COVL where they chat about her career, her aritsry and how it has evolved, both of their family relationships to their careers, their own relationships to cannabis, answer audience questions, and more.&nbsp;
Special thank you to Hi Neighbor and all the Angelinos who came out to support the event -- it was such an experience to remember.&nbsp;
If you enjoyed this episode and want more live experiences, comment / like /etc to let us know!&nbsp;
Also don&rsquo;t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page <a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!

WTEB: LIVE in LA con COVL

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/24ecf1d9-0b81-4f22-8f26-b464003ba48d/transcript

This week Becca chats with Mayagüez-born host, comedian, and content creator known for BuzzFeed Pero Like and -- Iván Emilio! The two chat connecting in Portland, OR almost a decade ago, Iván's time at BuzzFeed paving the way for Puerto Rican media representation, Cafe Cofresi, and more. 

Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

This week Becca chats with Mayag&uuml;ez-born host, comedian, and content creator known for BuzzFeed Pero Like and -- Iv&aacute;n Emilio! The two chat connecting in Portland, OR almost a decade ago, Iv&aacute;n's time at BuzzFeed paving the way for Puerto Rican media representation, <a href="https://www.cafecofresi.com/">Cafe Cofresi</a>, and more.&nbsp;
Also don&rsquo;t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page <a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!

"LA Sueños" w/ Iván Emilio

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1abb51d9-6c28-4709-98b8-b45d002b9caf/transcript

HOUSEKEEPING:

Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with Hi Neighbor. RSVP here: https://posh.vip/e/welcome-to-el-barrio-x-hi-neighbor-live-event

First 100 RSVPs get free goodie bags!  

DESCRIPTION:

This week we are dropping Becca's MESS episode in the feed! 

This week Sydnee and Marie are joined by their very own producer -- BECCA RAMOS! The three chat how Becca ISN'T white...MESS. Housing mess, travel mess, birthday mess, and MESS's mess! 

Next week we'll be back with another episode of Welcome to El Barrio. 

HOUSEKEEPING:
Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://hineighbornoho.com/about-us/">Hi Neighbor</a>. RSVP here: <a href="https://posh.vip/e/welcome-to-el-barrio-x-hi-neighbor-live-event">https://posh.vip/e/welcome-to-el-barrio-x-hi-neighbor-live-event</a>
First 100 RSVPs get free goodie bags!&nbsp;&nbsp;
DESCRIPTION:
This week we are dropping Becca's MESS episode in the feed!&nbsp;
This week Sydnee and Marie are joined by their very own producer -- BECCA RAMOS! The three chat how Becca ISN'T white...MESS. Housing mess, travel mess, birthday mess, and MESS's mess!&nbsp;
Next week we'll be back with another episode of Welcome to El Barrio.&nbsp;

MESS with Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin: The Perfect Applicant w/ Becca Ramos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3e0a72fb-5134-4cb6-9b4c-b454013e7521/transcript

HOUSEKEEPING:

Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with Hi Neighbor. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps! 

DESCRIPTION:

This week Becca chats with Philadelphia-based artist, ceramicist, social activist, poet, and educator -- Roberto Lugo! The two chat about using pottery and art at large to address poverty, inequality, and racial injustice, as well as reflecting on his Puerto Rican uprbringing, his new piece at Madison Square Park, and more. 

Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

HOUSEKEEPING:
Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://hineighbornoho.com/about-us/">Hi Neighbor</a>. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps!&nbsp;
DESCRIPTION:
This week Becca chats with Philadelphia-based artist, ceramicist, social activist, poet, and educator -- Roberto Lugo! The two chat about using pottery and art at large to address poverty, inequality, and racial injustice, as well as reflecting on his Puerto Rican uprbringing, his new piece at Madison Square Park, and more.&nbsp;
Also don&rsquo;t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page <a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!

"Our Stories In Clay" w/ Roberto Lugo

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f3caee3f-783a-4637-b587-b44f00157889/transcript

HOUSEKEEPING:

Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with Hi, Neighbor. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps! 

DESCRIPTION:

This week Becca chats with the band CHUWI! They all chat about their rise to stardom, touring with Bad Bunny, their musical influences and political reflections in their songs, what's inspiring them lately, and more. 

Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

HOUSEKEEPING:
Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://hineighbornoho.com/about-us/">Hi, Neighbor</a>. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps!&nbsp;
DESCRIPTION:
This week Becca chats with the band CHUWI! They all chat about their rise to stardom, touring with Bad Bunny, their musical influences and political reflections in their songs, what's inspiring them lately, and more.&nbsp;
Also don&rsquo;t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page <a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!

"La Nueva Trova: Segunda Parte" w/ CHUWI

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7195fe6b-ae38-424f-9d26-b448001a194c/transcript

HOUSEKEEPING:

Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with Hi, Neighbor. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps! 

DESCRIPTION:

This week Becca chats with star of stage and screen -- Didi Romero! The two chat performing arts in Puerto Rico, working with Disney, dreams of living between Puerto Rico and New York, and more.

Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

HOUSEKEEPING:
Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://hineighbornoho.com/about-us/">Hi, Neighbor</a>. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps!&nbsp;
DESCRIPTION:
This week Becca chats with star of stage and screen -- Didi Romero!&nbsp;The two chat performing arts in Puerto Rico, working with Disney, dreams of living between Puerto Rico and New York, and more.
Also don&rsquo;t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page <a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!

"Linajes Artísticos" w/ Didi Romero

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/db653b99-f0eb-4d9b-8798-b44100102340/transcript

HOUSEKEEPING:

Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event! This time in Los Angeles, in partnership with Hi, Neighbor. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps! 

DESCRIPTION:

This week Becca is solo on the podcast, giving you all a more vulnerable side. She takes us through a deeply personal interview with her father, where they talk about his upbringing, relationship with his culture and how that impacted his parenting, and more. 

Since this is a new episode format -- we'd really love your feedback! If you want more episodes like this, please let us know at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

HOUSEKEEPING:
Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event! This time in Los Angeles, in partnership with <a href="https://hineighbornoho.com/about-us/">Hi, Neighbor</a>. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps!&nbsp;
DESCRIPTION:
This week Becca is solo on the podcast, giving you all a more vulnerable side. She takes us through a deeply personal interview with her father, where they talk about his upbringing, relationship with his culture and how that impacted his parenting, and more.&nbsp;
Since this is a new episode format -- we'd really love your feedback! If you want more episodes like this, please let us know&nbsp;at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page <a href="https://www.instagram.com/welcometoelbarrio/">@welcometoelbarrio</a> for submissions!
And subscribe to the <a href="https://wteb.substack.com/">show&rsquo;s substack</a> for FREE for bonus content!

Lost in Translation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8d15d51e-58fb-44ca-a94a-b439011c52c1/transcript

“Welcome to El Barrio” is a vibrant new podcast about Puerto Rican identity — our stories, finally told by us.

Hosted by award-winning producer Becca Ramos, this series blends laugh-out-loud interviews with artists, scholars, creators, tastemakers, and everyday Boricuas to illuminate the stories the textbooks left out.

Each week, Becca dives into the history, culture, politics, spirituality, and pop-culture moments that shape what it means to be Puerto Rican today — from the roots of brujería and ancestral healing, to the global impact of Bad Bunny, to the hidden history behind Operation Bootstrap, Hurricane Maria’s aftermath, and the evolution of the diaspora.

This show is unapologetically for us. For the kids who grew up “ni de aquí, ni de allá.” For everyone who felt their culture reduced to stereotypes, mispronounced in classrooms, or left out of the narrative entirely. Through humor, heart, research, and community storytelling, Becca invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery — and a celebration of La Isla del Encanto in all its complexity.

Featuring a lineup of powerful Boricua voices across film, music, academia, design, and activism, Welcome to El Barrio is a love letter, an archive, and an invitation. Come learn, laugh, heal, and say it with us. WEPA! 

&ldquo;Welcome to El Barrio&rdquo; is a vibrant new podcast about Puerto Rican identity &mdash; our stories, finally told by us.
Hosted by award-winning producer Becca Ramos, this series blends laugh-out-loud interviews with artists, scholars, creators, tastemakers, and everyday Boricuas to illuminate the stories the textbooks left out.
Each week, Becca dives into the history, culture, politics, spirituality, and pop-culture moments that shape what it means to be Puerto Rican today &mdash; from the roots of brujer&iacute;a and ancestral healing, to the global impact of Bad Bunny, to the hidden history behind Operation Bootstrap, Hurricane Maria&rsquo;s aftermath, and the evolution of the diaspora.
This show is unapologetically for us. For the kids who grew up &ldquo;ni de aqu&iacute;, ni de all&aacute;.&rdquo; For everyone who felt their culture reduced to stereotypes, mispronounced in classrooms, or left out of the narrative entirely. Through humor, heart, research, and community storytelling, Becca invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery &mdash; and a celebration of La Isla del Encanto in all its complexity.
Featuring a lineup of powerful Boricua voices across film, music, academia, design, and activism, Welcome to El Barrio is a love letter, an archive, and an invitation. Come learn, laugh, heal, and say it with us. WEPA!&nbsp;

Welcome to El Barrio

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

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