Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

By Richard McCollSociety & Culture News News Commentary Places & Travel

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Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia episodes

February 24 603: The War on Drugs: The Nueva Junta del Narcotráfico (Part 1)
On the Colombia Calling podcast this week, we join forces with Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports to discuss the Nueva Junta del Narcotráfico and its origins.

Discover the secrets behind one of the most enigmatic drug trafficking organizations in Colombia: La Nueva Junta del Narcotráfico, now the most powerful cartel in the country.
1 hr 8 min
February 17 602: Governing the Excluded: Insights from Briceño, Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with Alex Diamond, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Oklahoma State University, about his book 'Governing the Excluded: Rural Livelihoods Beyond Coca in Colombia's Peace Laboratory.' They explore the complexities of Briceño, a rural community in Colombia that serves as a peace laboratory for the coca substitution program. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by local farmers, the importance of infrastructure, the dynamics of authority between state and guerrilla forces, and the impact of national politics on local communities. Through personal anecdotes and ethnographic insights, Diamond shares his experiences living in Briceño and the hopes and struggles of its residents as they navigate the transition from coca cultivation to legal livelihoods. The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.
1 hr 10 min
February 10 601: President Petro's Trip to the Trump White House
The much-anticipated visit of Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House couldn't have gone better given the circumstances. Let it not be overlooked that President Trump needs an ally in Colombia now that he is "running" Venezuela.

This week, Adriaan Alsema of Colombia Reports and Richard McColl of Colombia Calling provide an analysis of Colombian President Gustavo Petro's trip to meet President Trump and also, why former Colombian president Andres Pastrana is in hot water over the Epstein files.

The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.
52 min
February 03 600: Episode 600 of the Colombia Calling podcast with Emily Hart and Richard McColl
In this celebratory 600th episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, hosts Richard McColl and Emily Hart reflect on the evolution of their podcast, the significant political changes in Colombia, and the lessons learned from living in the country. They discuss the impact of a left-wing president, the changing landscape of podcasting, and offer advice for newcomers to Colombia. The conversation also touches on common misconceptions about the country and predictions for its future. In this engaging conversation, Emily Hart and Richard McColl explore various themes surrounding Colombia, including cultural representation in media, personal anecdotes, travel advice, and the political landscape. They discuss the misconceptions about Colombia, the challenges faced by foreigners, and the importance of understanding the local context. The conversation also delves into the security concerns during elections, the accuracy of polling, and the ambitious political vision of President Petro. Throughout, they share personal stories and reflections on their experiences in Colombia, making for a rich and insightful dialogue. There are comments added in from long-term transplants to Colombia such as author Barry Max Wills and journalist Mat DiSalvo. ENJOY! "600 is a crazy number." And support us www.patreon.com/colombiacalling
1 hr 20 min
January 27 599: The Art of Rebellion in Bogotá
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with Eric Stone, a journalist and photographer, about the vibrant graffiti scene in Bogotá. They explore the evolution of graffiti as an art form, its political significance, and the cultural exchange between Bogotá and Clarksdale, Mississippi. Eric shares personal anecdotes from his experiences with local artists (Toxicomano, Guache, Leela, DJLu, Erre, Stickfish amongst others) and discusses his upcoming book project that aims to capture the essence of Bogotá through its graffiti. The conversation delves into the freedom of expression found in Bogotá, the divide in the city's graffiti scene, and the role of art in social commentary. The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.
1 hr 2 min
January 20 598: The Quest for the Nicaragua Canal: A Historical Perspective
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl interviews Jessica M. Lepler, Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire, about her new book 'Canal Dreamers.' The conversation delves into the historical attempts to build a canal across Lake Nicaragua in the 1820s, the geopolitical interests of foreign investors, and the complexities of Central American history. Lepler shares insights from her extensive research, including the role of families in uncovering historical documents, the impact of the 1825 financial crisis, and the perspectives of indigenous nations like the Miskitu and Rama. The discussion also touches on the fascinating adaptability of sharks in Lake Nicaragua and the importance of integrating animal history into broader historical narratives. The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart: https://harte.substack.com
1 hr 7 min
January 13 597: My Mother Was Raised by Monkeys in Colombia: A conversation with musician Vanessa Forero
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with musician Vanessa Forero about her unique journey as a singer-songwriter, her family's history, and the impact of the music industry on artists. Vanessa shares her experiences of accidentally becoming a singer, her diverse musical influences, and the challenges she faced in the industry. They also discuss her mother's incredible story of survival - raised by monkeys in Colombia -, the process of capturing family memories, and the search for identity and family connections. The conversation highlights the emotional resilience required to navigate both personal and professional challenges, as well as the importance of storytelling in music and life. The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart: https://harte.substack.com
1 hr 6 min
December 16, 2025 596: Exploring the Heart of Chile with Natascha Scott-Stokes
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with author Natascha Scott-Stokes about her journey from Germany to the UK and eventually to Chile. They discuss her experiences living in Guatemala during a time of conflict, her transition to life in Chile, and her reflections on the country's culture, landscape, and social issues. Natascha shares insights from her book, 'Tales from the Sharp End: A Portrait of Chile,' exploring themes of inequality, personal history, and the impact of climate change. The conversation delves into the complexities of identity and belonging as an immigrant, as well as the challenges and joys of raising a family in a foreign land. Read her book: https://a.co/d/dVI9QOV And the Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.
1 hr 10 min
December 09, 2025 595: Guaviare: A Journey Through Time and Culture
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with Bruce McLean and Marcel Reina about traveling in the largely unknown department of Guaviare, Colombia. They explore the region's rich cultural heritage, accessibility, and the diverse activities available for tourists. The conversation delves into the importance of tourism for local economies, the challenges faced by indigenous communities, and the role of tourism in preserving cultural traditions. The episode highlights the growth of tourism in Colombia and the opportunities for sustainable travel in Guaviare, making it an attractive destination for both local and international visitors. Travel to Guaviare and Colombia with BNB Colombia: http://bnbcolombia.com The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart. https://harte.substack.com
1 hr 7 min
December 02, 2025 594: "Kolumbiytsi": The thousands of Colombians holding the Ukrainian Front
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Emily Hart about her extensive reporting - for a piece in Delayed Gratification magazine - on the phenomenon of Colombian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. They discuss the complexities of recruitment, the motivations behind these young men joining foreign conflicts, and the harsh realities they face on the battlefield. The conversation also touches on the economic factors driving these decisions, the impact on families left behind, and the ethical implications of such recruitment practices. Emily shares poignant stories from her interviews, highlighting the human cost of war and the psychological toll it takes on soldiers. The episode concludes with reflections on the broader implications of these conflicts and the importance of human stories in journalism. Tune in for this and the Colombia Briefing.
1 hr 9 min

About Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

From the publisher's feed

Colombia Calling is your first stop for everything you ever wanted to know about Colombia. Colombia Calling is hosted by Anglo Canadian transplant to Colombia, Richard McColl and the Colombia Briefing…