Central American Voices

In this episode, we talk with filmmaker and educator Matthew Serrano in a thoughtful conversation about identity, ancestry, and intentional storytelling. Matthew reflects on growing up Salvadoran-American, his journey through Youth Cinema Project, and the responsibility that comes with telling stories about our communities.

The conversation centers on his film Xolo and the care, research, and intention behind every creative choice exploring why representation goes beyond visibility and why storytelling, when done with purpose, can be an act of preservation.

Xolo has been selected for SBIFF and will screen during:
Narrative Shorts 7 – Festival Circuit Faves

• Thursday 2/12 — 6:00 PM — Film Center Aud 4

• Friday 2/13 — 12:00 PM — Film Center Aud 4

Tickets Here

🔗 Follow Matthew Serrano:

Instagram: @matthew_ serrano  ⁠⁠@xolo_film

Brand: @tobyandlinus | Toby & Linus

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS

⁠⁠Honduras Kitchen⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bravo Foods USA⁠⁠

⁠⁠Annette's Illustrations⁠⁠

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

En este episodio conversamos con Soudi Jiménez, periodista salvadoreño del Los Angeles Times en Español y autor del libro Ecos Migrantes. Soudi comparte cómo fue crecer en El Salvador, su llegada a Estados Unidos para trabajar en el consulado salvadoreño y su transición al periodismo, desde donde ha documentado por más de una década las múltiples realidades de la comunidad migrante. Profundizamos en la inspiración detrás de Ecos Migrantes, una recopilación de crónicas que amplía la narrativa tradicional sobre la migración y visibiliza voces diversas; desde diplomáticos y estudiantes hasta trabajadoras domésticas y artistas. Recordándonos que migrar también es resistir, construir identidad y dejar huella. Un episodio esencial sobre migración centroamericana, memoria, periodismo y humanidad.

🔗 Follow Soudi Jiménez:

Instagram: ⁠@soudijimenez @ecosmigrantes

(You can get his book by DM him on his social media)

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS

⁠Honduras Kitchen⁠

⁠Bravo Foods USA⁠

⁠Annette's Illustrations⁠

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Tanya Flores Hodgson, a Nicaraguan artist based in Los Angeles, for an intimate conversation on art, memory, feminism, and liberation. Born in Masaya, Nicaragua, Tanya shares her migration story and how her work uses photography, video, and the body to confront political violence, U.S. imperialism, and silenced Central American histories. Together, we explore Central American identity, decolonial feminist practice, diaspora, and how art becomes a powerful tool for resistance, healing, and collective remembrance.

🔗 Follow Tanya Flores Hodgson:

Instagram: @tanya_la_guerillera

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS

Honduras Kitchen

Bravo Foods USA

Annette's Illustrations

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

TikTok: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

In this episode, we talk with Central American artist Kiara Aileen Machado about her journey growing in Los Angeles and how her Guatemalan, Salvadoran, and Honduran roots shape her artistic voice. We discuss her work exploring identity, migration, and the absence of Central American representation in mainstream art spaces. Kiara walks us through her studio practice, the stories behind her paintings, and how her travels through Honduras, Guatemala, and Cuba have influenced her understanding of land, memory, and geopolitical identity. We also dive into the role of community, the challenges of navigating the art world, and how she uses her work to preserve collective memory and create visibility for our diaspora.

🔗 Follow Kiara Aileen Machado:

Instagram: @kiara_aileen_arts

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

TikTok: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠@centamvoicespod

⁠Facebook: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

En este episodio hablamos con Raquel “Rocky” Rodríguez, futbolista profesional del Kansas City Current (NWSL) y mediocampista de la Selección Nacional Femenina de Costa Rica. Juntas exploramos su recorrido desde jugar fútbol en Costa Rica con su familia hasta convertirse en una de las atletas centroamericanas más reconocidas en el fútbol femenino.

🔗 Follow Rocky Rodríguez:
Instagram: @raque_rocky

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:
Instagram: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠
TikTok: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠
Twitter/X: ⁠@centamvoicespod⁠
Facebook: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana; cultural worker, muralist, and creator of The Humanizing Deportation Archive. Together, we explore how art becomes a tool for survival, memory, and resistance at the U.S.–Mexico border. We reflect on silence, storytelling, and the power of artivism to challenge dominant narratives of migration and belonging; connecting these border stories to shared immigrant experiences across the Americas.

Mentions

• Painting the Archive: https://lizbethdelacruzsantana.com/painting-the-humanizing-deportation-archive 
• Interactive Playas de Tijuana mural: https://lizbethdelacruzsantana.com/interactive-digital-mural
• Trailer for Painting the Humanizing Deportation Archive: https://youtu.be/ezicShI52-A?si=GxJ4VWTavLQ_y5HJ 

Dr.Lizbeth Social media platforms: 

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

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

X: https://x.com/lizbethdsantana 

Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

TikTok: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

Twitter: ⁠@centamvoicespod⁠

Facebook: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast

 Surprise!
In this special birthday episode, we’re introducing our amazing Associate Producer so you can get to know the person who helps make Central American Voices happen behind the scenes.

This conversation feels like one of those long hangouts with close friends; we laugh, dive deep into identity and intersectionality, talk about growing up across generations, and of course… end up talking about food (because what’s a Central American convo without plátanos?)

Announcements:
Saturday, Oct 11 – Latino Festival
Sunday, Oct 12 – Comedia en Español

Support Our Work:
Donate via PayPal

Let’s Stay Connected:
Instagram: @centamvoicespodcast
TikTok: @centamvoicespodcast
Twitter: @centamvoicespod
Facebook: @centamvoicespodcast

En este episodio, conversamos con Daniela Calvo, comediante argentina radicada en Los Ángeles y pionera de la comedia en español. Juntas exploramos cómo el voseo, los acentos y la diversidad lingüística se convierten en herramientas para reír, conectar y construir comunidad.

Desde la identidad que llevamos en el idioma, hasta el histórico paso de Daniela presentándose en el Main Room del Comedy Store, esta conversación celebra la risa en nuestro propio lenguaje como un acto de resistencia y alegría.

Este episodio está completamente en español!

Tickets: Comedia en Español

Credits
GUEST: Daniela Calvo
HOST: Alejandra Quiroz
PRODUCER: Brenda Hernández
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Lizette Castro
CAMERA OPERATOR: Brenda Hernández
AUDIO: Brenda Hernández & Alejandra Quiroz
EDITOR: Alejandra Quiroz
LOCATION: Creativamente Yo Studio / Elisa Rodríguez

Guest Gift Sponsor: Annette’s Illustrations

Let's Stay Connected

Our Instagram: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

Our Tiktok: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

Our Twitter: ⁠@centamvoicespod⁠

Our Facebook: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast

In this first episode live recording of Central American Voices, we talked with Saray Martínez, the creative mind behind Hood Baby. From her Honduran-American upbringing in Los Angeles to building a fashion brand worn by artists like Young Miko and Tyla, Saray shares how jerseys, joy, and community storytelling shape her work. In this episode, we explore identity, creative resistance, and the power of fashion as cultural memory.

Recorded live at Pass the Mic in collaboration with MiraLA Podcast and The Football Boutique.

Credits
GUEST: Saray Martínez (Hood Baby LA)
HOST: Alejandra Quiroz
PRODUCER: Brenda Hernández
CAM 1: Brenda Hernández
CAM 2: Kristina Andrez
CAM 3: Olivia Medina
AUDIO: Wooin Jeon
EDITOR: Alejandra Quiroz

Guest Gift Sponsor: 

Annette’s Illustrations

Ballon D’Flor

Episode Sponsor: 

NAMI

Community Partner: 

New York Life

Let's Stay Connected

Our Instagram: @centamvoicespodcast

Our Tiktok: @centamvoicespodcast

Our Twitter: @centamvoicespod

Our Facebook: @centamvoicespodcast

On this episode, we sit down with Nadieme Villar, a Belizean filmmaker, to dive into the power of storytelling across different mediums, from novels to filmmaking. Our conversation also touches on the filmmaking landscape in Belize, the challenges and possibilities of Caribbean cinema, and the ways storytelling connects us beyond borders.

Connect with Nadieme Villar:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nadieme.villar/

Podcast Social Media

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/centamvoicespodcast⁠⁠⁠

Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/centamvoicespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Producer & Co - Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/⁠⁠