This week Becca chats with writer, producer, film critic, and published poet -- Josie Melendez! The two chat representation in film/books/etc., the 2026 oscar race, Josie's Film Poser's podcast, 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!

ALSO -- WTEB's editor @markpagan wrote a piece about the trailblazing career of Beni and his impact on changing Latino roles. Perfectly paired with our latest Oscar themed episode!

https://thelatinonewsletter.org/p/benicio-del-toro-quietly-disrupted-latin-lover-trope

 

This week Becca chats with writer, producer, film critic, and published poet -- <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thejosiemarie/">Josie Melendez</a>! The two chat representation in film/books/etc., the 2026 oscar race, Josie's Film Poser's podcast, 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!
ALSO -- WTEB's editor <a href="https://www.instagram.com/markpagan/">@markpagan</a> wrote a piece about the trailblazing career of Beni and his impact on changing Latino roles. Perfectly paired with our latest Oscar themed episode!
<a href="https://thelatinonewsletter.org/p/benicio-del-toro-quietly-disrupted-latin-lover-trope">https://thelatinonewsletter.org/p/benicio-del-toro-quietly-disrupted-latin-lover-trope</a>
&nbsp;

“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

“A Very Bori Oscars Season” w/ Josie Melendez

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b671691d-0cfc-40f3-a089-b409002f6389/transcript