This episode is co-hosted by Benjamin-Sharom Rodriguez, a queer, Mexican-Israeli (Free

Palestine!)-American writer, director, and comedian, who joins Brenda to reflect on the New Year, new love, and the movie Don’t Look Up. Ben and Brenda also chat about how over 5 million people signed a petition seeking justice for a Colorado truck driver named Rogel Aguilera-Moderos who received an outrageous 110-year sentence for a tragic accident. (Ana Sheila will be back next week)

Our guest is Boyle Heights born and raised, the Honorable Judge Lucy Armendariz who talks to us about how she brings her whole self to work and leads with compassion as a  judge presiding over cases in East LA. Her remarkable story and message is a great way to start 2022! 

Motivated by her experiences as a foster child, Judge Armendariz has a long history of involvement in her community. Judge Armendariz bounced between homes before a long-term placement provided the stability that facilitated her pursuit of a college education. Determined to “pay it forward”, Judge Armendariz has volunteered her time as a Commissioner to the Supreme Court Blue Ribbon Commission on Foster Care and as a Board Member to Leadership California, an organization dedicated to advancing the leadership role of women and girls. She is involved with many mentoring organizations.

Don't forget to register for our Intention Setting event happening Jan 18 at 5pm PT: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intention-setting-for-the-new-year-tickets-224375191237

More about today’s guest co-host. Ben is currently developing a half hour animated show with Sony, just wrapped filming season 2 of STONED BREAKUPS, which he created and hosts, and is Program Director of the Blackmagic Design & Blackmagic Collective sponsored Film Your Feature Initiative in which he and four other first time feature filmmakers will shoot their projects this summer. Ben's also a filmmaker mentor with Edward James Olmos' Youth Cinema Project, and a charter member of the queer Latinx writers collective, The Clubhouse.

Tamarindo podcast is the Latinx show where hosts discuss politics, pop culture, and how to balance it all con calma, hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Ana Sheila Victorino. Join us as we delve into discussions on culture, politics, identity, representation, and life! 

Brenda and  Ana Sheila are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Mitzi Hernández and Augusto Martinez, of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards provides original music. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

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