Central American Voices

In this episode, we sit down with Salvadoran-American actor Brandon Martinez to explore his journey through identity, acting, and the power of storytelling.

From growing up between Texas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta to discovering his love for acting through telenovelas, Brandon reflects on navigating his Salvadoran-American identity, pursuing his dreams, and becoming the representation he once wished to see growing up.

We also dive into his work on Unidos 26, a film that brings together football and immigration to explore the realities faced by Latino families. Through his own family's experiences, Brandon shares why telling stories about our communities goes beyond representation and becomes a way to create awareness, empathy, and meaningful conversations.Brandon Martinez: https://www.instagram.com/bmart1777Follow Central American Voices:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠https://centralamericanvoices.substack.com/⁠⁠Central American Voices Team:Founder & Host: Alejandra Quiroz ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aalquiroz/⁠⁠Producers: Brenda Hernández ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/⁠⁠Lizette Castro ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/⁠⁠Associate Producer: Jacqueline Ayala ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/⁠⁠Editor: Karina Ramos Villalobos ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kyrv4life/⁠⁠Social Media: Graciela María Campos⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/romcomprincess/⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/brytideas/⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Steven Levyn Cruz, founder of AFJA, to explore how futbol can become a powerful tool for community, opportunity, and social change. From growing up between Los Angeles and El Salvador to building programs that connect youth across Central America and the diaspora, Steven shares how AFJA is using the game to create lasting impact beyond the final whistle.

As the World Cup comes to a close, this conversation reminds us that the true power of futbol isn't measured by trophies, it's measured by the lives it touches.

Thank you for joining us throughout our Unidos por el Futbol series!

Follow :

A.F.J.A: https://www.instagram.com/afja.es/ | https://www.la2la.org

Follow Central American Voices:

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠⁠

Substack: ⁠⁠https://centralamericanvoices.substack.com/⁠⁠

Central American Voices Team:

Founder & Host: Alejandra Quiroz⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/aalquiroz/⁠⁠

Producers:

Brenda Hernández⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/⁠⁠

Lizette Castro⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/⁠⁠

Associate Producer: Jacqueline Ayala⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/⁠⁠

Editor: Karina Ramos Villalobos⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/kyrv4life/⁠⁠

Social Media: Graciela María Campos ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/romcomprincess/⁠⁠| ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/brytideas/⁠

El fútbol es más que un deporte. Es recuerdos, familia, identidad y una pasión que nos conecta sin importar dónde estemos.

En este episodio de Unidos por el Fútbol, conversamos con la creadora de contenido guatemalteca Monica Velásquez sobre cómo crecer rodeada del fútbol la llevó a convertir su pasión como fan en una comunidad digital donde miles de personas comparten la misma emoción.

Hablamos sobre sus primeros recuerdos con el fútbol, el camino de convertirse en creadora de contenido, la importancia de la representación de las mujeres en espacios futboleros y cómo las redes sociales han creado nuevas formas de vivir la pasión por este deporte.

Porque el fútbol no solamente se juega… también se siente!

Follow Monica:

https://www.instagram.com/monicavelasquez_17/

Follow Central American Voices:

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠⁠

Substack: ⁠⁠https://centralamericanvoices.substack.com/⁠⁠

Central American Voices Team:

Founder & Host: Alejandra Quiroz⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/aalquiroz/⁠⁠

Producers:

Brenda Hernández⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/⁠⁠

Lizette Castro⁠: https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/⁠⁠

Associate Producer: Jacqueline Ayala⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/⁠⁠

Editor: Karina Ramos Villalobos⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/kyrv4life/⁠⁠

Social Media: Graciela María Campos ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/romcomprincess/⁠⁠| ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/brytideas/⁠

In this episode of Unidos por el Fútbol, we keep things simple and gather around with friends to talk about the beautiful game.

From childhood memories and family traditions to favorite teams, unforgettable World Cup moments, and the emotions that only fútbol can bring, this conversation is a celebration of the sport that connects generations, cultures, and communities across the world.

Come join us at our Watch Party for Panamá vs Croatia

Free RSVP: https://luma.com/1u3ycyq2

Follow :

Diego at L.A Mundial

https://www.instagram.com/l.a.mundial/

Brenda Hernández⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/⁠⁠

Jacqueline Ayala⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/⁠⁠

Lizette Castro⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/⁠⁠

Follow Central American Voices:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠

Substack: ⁠https://centralamericanvoices.substack.com/⁠

Central American Voices Team:

Founder & Host:Alejandra Quiroz⁠ https://www.instagram.com/aalquiroz/⁠

Producers:Brenda Hernández⁠ https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/⁠

Lizette Castro ⁠https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/⁠

Associate Producer:Jacqueline Ayala ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/⁠

Editor:Karina Ramos Villalobos⁠ https://www.instagram.com/kyrv4life/⁠

Social Media:Graciela María Campos ⁠https://www.instagram.com/romcomprincess/⁠| ⁠https://www.instagram.com/brytideas/⁠

In this kickoff episode of our Men World Cup Series called "Unidos por el Fútbol", we sit down with Ricky Canales, founder of World Class Football and organizer Carlos, to talk about the power of soccer as a tool for culture, community, and connection.

Ricky shares the vision behind World Class Football and gives us a preview of their month-long World Cup celebration taking place in their hometown Jacksonville. The series will feature watch parties for every match, community soccer tournaments: including men's, women's, co-ed, and FIFA gaming competitions, and a soccer-inspired fashion show that highlights the creativity and style that surround the beautiful game.

Follow World Class Football:
Instagram: @worldclassftbl

Special thanks to Bravo Studios in Los Angeles for their continued support of Central American Voices and for helping create space for conversations that uplift and celebrate our communities.

Follow Central American Voices:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices
Website: https://www.centralamericanvoices.com
Substack: https://centralamericanvoices.substack.com/

Central American Voices Team:

Founder & Host:
Alejandra Quiroz
https://www.instagram.com/aalquiroz/

Producers:
Brenda Hernández
https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/

Lizette Castro
https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/

Associate Producer:
Jacqueline Ayala
https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/

Editor:
Karina Ramos Villalobos
https://www.instagram.com/kyrv4life/

Social Media:
Graciela María Campos
https://www.instagram.com/romcomprincess/
| https://www.instagram.com/brytideas/

In this episode, we sit down with Los Angeles-based writer and culture journalist Astrid Kayembe to explore how identity, community, and lived experience shape the stories she tells.

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles with Belizean and Congolese roots, Astrid reflects on how culture shows up in fashion, food, music, and everyday life across the city. We talk about her work documenting L.A. culture and subcultures, highlighting Caribbean and Belizean food spots, style, and the people that make the city feel alive, including her L.A. Times piece on the culture of waiting in lines in Los Angeles and what those spaces reveal about community and connection. From storytelling and representation to creating work rooted in personal experience, this conversation centers on the beauty of documenting the places and cultures that raise us.

Astrid Kayembe journey: https://www.instagram.com/astrid.kayembe/

Follow Central American Voices:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠⁠

Substack: ⁠https://centralamericanvoices.substack.com/⁠

Central American Voices Team:

Founder & Host: 

Alejandra Quiroz ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aalquiroz/⁠

Producers: 

Brenda Hernández ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/⁠

Lizette Castro ⁠https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/⁠

Associate Producer: 

Jacqueline Ayala ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/⁠

Editor: 

Karina Ramos Villalobos ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kyrv4life/⁠

Social Media: Graciela María Campos

⁠https://www.instagram.com/romcomprincess/⁠ | ⁠https://www.instagram.com/brytideas/⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Guatemalan-Honduran-American filmmaker Santos Arrué to explore her creative practice and the themes that ground her work. We talk about her focus on displacement, representation, and what it means to tell stories that reflect lived experiences while imagining new futures for communities like ours. Santos shares insights into her short film Azul, her upcoming feature project, and the filmmakers and works that have shaped her voice. This conversation moves through identity, memory, and the power of cinema to expand how we see ourselves and the worlds we can create.

Follow Santos Arrué journey: https://www.instagram.com/santos_arrue/

Follow Central American Voices:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠

Substack: https://centralamericanvoices.substack.com/

Central American Voices Team:

Founder & Host: 

Alejandra Quiroz https://www.instagram.com/aalquiroz/

Producers: 

Brenda Hernández https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/

Lizette Castro https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/

Associate Producer: 

Jacqueline Ayala https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/

Editor: 

Karina Ramos Villalobos https://www.instagram.com/kyrv4life/

Social Media: 

Graciela Maria Campos https://www.instagram.com/romcomprincess/ | https://www.instagram.com/brytideas/

Central American Voices is a nonprofit media platform amplifying the stories of Central Americans worldwide through storytelling, journalism, and the arts. Centering culture, identity, and community.

In this episode, we sit down with Karina Magallon, a Panamanian-American bilingual artist and multi-instrumentalist whose sound blends Latin and pop influences with heartfelt storytelling and Spanglish lyrics.

Raised in Houston and now based in Los Angeles, Karina shares how growing up between cultures shaped her identity and her artistry. From studying music in Nashville to building her career as an independent artist, songwriter, and vocal producer, she takes us through the moments that defined her path.

We talk about navigating the music industry as a Latina artist, staying true to your voice, and the power of creating in both English and Spanish. This conversation is about embracing who you are, finding your sound, and creating without limits.

Follow her journey:https://www.instagram.com/karinamagallon

Follow Central American Voices:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠

Credits:

Host: Alejandra Quiroz

Producers: Brenda Hernández & Lizette Castro

Podcast Coordinator: Jacqueline Ayala

Social Media: Graciela Maria CamposEditor: Karina Ramos Villalobos

In this episode we sit down with Roger and Stephanie from Pro-Sé-So, a community-centered legal platform focused on empowering immigrant communities through law, education, and accessibility.

Together, they discuss the mission behind Pro-Sé-So, their work supporting immigrant families, and why democratizing legal knowledge is critical for underserved communities. From immigration challenges to community advocacy, this conversation explores how law can become a tool for empowerment, representation, and meaningful impact.

This episode highlights the importance of accessible legal education, community-centered advocacy, and the power of using your career to give back.

Follow their journey:
Pro-Sé-So Website: https://pro-se-so.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pro_se_so
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pro_se_so

Follow Central American Voices:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices
Website: https://www.centralamericanvoices.com

Credits:

Host: Alejandra Quiroz
Producers: Brenda Hernández & Lizette Castro
Podcast Coordinator: Jacqueline Ayala
Editor: Karina Ramos Villalobos

In this episode we sit down with Michelle Myra, founder of Sazón Pilates, to talk about identity, resilience, and building something rooted in culture.

Born in Bellflower, California to Guatemalan immigrant parents, Michelle’s journey has taken her across the world from studying art history and living in Italy to spending nearly a decade in China and traveling throughout Southeast Asia. After years abroad, she returned home to Los Angeles and discovered a deeper purpose through Pilates, transforming movement into a space for healing and community.

Follow her journey with Sazón:
Sazón Grip — https://www.instagram.com/sazon.grip/
Sazón Pilates Studio — https://www.instagram.com/sazon.pilates.studio/
Michelle Myra — https://www.instagram.com/michellemyraofficial/

Follow Central American Voices:
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices/
TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices