Highly Relevant Podcast

Javi Morgado is the Executive Producer of CNN's morning-news program NEW DAY and happens to be the only Latino executive producer in the highly-competitive morning news landscape. We spoke to him about why he believes there aren't more Latinos in positions of power in the media industry like himself, what he learned from his journey from local news assignment producer to his position today, and why one of the best advices he can give journalism students is to just write.

TV Queen Kate del Castillo joins the show to talk Season 2 of Telemundo's La Reina del Sur 2, easily Spanish-language TV's most iconic telenovela. Jack asks her being on 'The Tonight Show' for the first time was like, where she found the strength to overcome the darkness and fear during the Chapo moments, and how it's like to work with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence on Bad Boys 3. (2:48)

Then, we review The Curse of La Llorona. But instead of giving you my sole opinion, why not allow me to present to you a more truthful way of giving you a review… a review which I believe to be the purest way to know what people truly feel about a movie. You're going to want to listen to this. (18:26)

Pop Culture recap (1:16)

Music Playlist (17:27)

Vente - Technicolor Fabrics

Ella Tu y Yo - Girl Ultra

La Plata - Juanes, Los Angeles Azules, Lalo Ebratt

How can you can get a table "week of" at the best restaurants in Manhattan? Jack cold-called a white glove concierge and a reservationist at a 3-Michelin restaurant and point blank asked them to come clean on how the game is played. (2:41)

Then, looks like the show you'll be binging this weekend is going to be Brazilian. My wife shares her latest TV infatuation - 'Coisa Mais Linda'. (8:08)

Pop Culture recap (:55)

Music Playlist (12:17)

Mi Persona Favorita - Alejandro Sanz feat. Camila Cabello

Con Altura - Rosalia feat. J Balvin and El Guincho

Carnavalera - Bomba Stereo y Sistema Solar

We discuss the rise of Spanish singer Rosalía. The NY Times just included her song 'Con Altura' (feat. J Balvin) in their top song picks of the week, and Isabela Raygoza, music journalist for Rolling Stone Magazine will give me a primer on what you and I need to know. (2:30)

Jack suggests 3 new movie releases (19:35)

Then film critic Mike Sargent and I give you our 'First Reaction' of DC's latest action-comedy 'Shazam!' (20:51)

And one of the things we want to do from time to time is promote other Latino podcasts by inviting them to come on the show and to help expand YOUR podcast tastes. That's why we chose to begin with Nick Leiber, co-host of Don't Interrupt Me. Por Favor, a bilingual podcast you should subscribe to. (28:44)

Jordan Peele's new highly anticipated horror film, US, is out in theaters and critics are raging about it… except Jack. Film critic Mike Sargent offers his perspective on the good and bad of the film.

'JackedIN' Pop News Recap: (:50)

#HighlyRelevantMusicPlaylist

Calma - Los Wálters

Caballero - Mr.Pig, Fancy Folks, y Bruses

Below - Noah Pino Palo

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Maria Elena Fernandez, TV reporter for New York Magazine and Vulture.com joins us to discuss how One Day at a Time's cancellation might detour any progress made for US Latino TV shows. (1:49)

Then, Concepción de León of the New York Times pitched and created their first-ever Latinx column EL ESPACE. How did it come to be? Did she encounter any resistance from editors? What's been the feedback so far? We have an interesting conversation on identity, writing and how she broke into the business. (21:40)

Chilean Oscar-winning director Sebastian Lelio on the art of remaking his own film 'Gloria Bell' starring Julianne Moore. Why did he do it when all his confidants told him no? What did he gain from it? What did he discover through the experience? (4:04) Then film critic Mike Sargent and Jack give their First Reaction to Marvel's first female-superhero, Captain Marvel, inside the theater while the end-credits roll. (23:56) And finally, Telemundo's new 'Un Nuevo Día' star, Stephanie 'Chiquibaby' Himonidis tells how she got into the Spanish-language entertainment business and her approach to social media. (34:03)

Music playlist of the week - (33:13)

No sé - Ximena Sariñana (feat. Girl Ultra)

On Top - Esteman

Illest - Doxamillion (feat. Daramola)

Would you like to get in touch with us? Email us at [email protected] and help us spread the word on social media:

Twitter

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If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe!

Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:

• Click here to subscribe via iTunes • Click here to subscribe via Spotify • Click here to subscribe via Stitcher

Robert Rodriguez, the director of the new film Alita: Battle Angel discusses how it was a happy coincidence that his lead actress Rosa Salazar was Peruvian, how one of the main goals of his TV network EL REY was to find and hire more Latino filmmakers, and if it is the responsibility of a Hispanic director to create Latino stars. (2:22)

Rosa Salazar, the star of Alita: Battle Angel discusses why her Peruvian culture means so much to her, how she had to white-knuckle her way to becoming the star of her own movie, and why seeing Latinos on screen can build viable career aspirations for today's Latinx. (16:33)

Would you like to get in touch with us? Email us at [email protected] and help us spread the word on social media:

Twitter

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If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe!

Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:

• Click here to subscribe via iTunes • Click here to subscribe via Spotify • Click here to subscribe via Stitcher

Javier Bardem discusses his new movie 'Everybody Knows' starring Penélope Cruz, the moments on set where his acting just sucked and what he did to overcome it. He talked about working with wife Penélope, he also offers incredible insight on what actors need to do to give the best performance of their life, and what Alfonso Cuarón said to him when I asked why they haven't worked together yet. (1:25)

Our 'JackedIn' segment, a recap of all the most highly relevant Latinx pop culture news of the week. (19:01)

And film critic Mike Sargent on who will win at the Oscars this Sunday, what they need to improve their poor ratings, and why no one really wanted to host the Oscars this year. (20:19)

Would you like to get in touch with us? Email us at [email protected] and help us spread the word on social media:

Twitter

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If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe!

Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:

• Click here to subscribe via iTunes • Click here to subscribe via Spotify • Click here to subscribe via Stitcher

Cristina Gallegos is the co-director of the new Colombian narco film Birds of Passage (Pajaros de Verano). We get into why she's reclaiming the way Colombian drug movies are seen in Hollywood, the shame Latin Americans carry with their ethnicity, why she chooses to make high-brow films, and how Latina female directors are making a difference on film. (1:10)

Then, Mexican filmmaker Antonio Chavez Trejo shares with us the secrets of how he shot an award winning film with just his iPhone and how YOU can too! (22:11)

Would you like to get in touch with us? Email us at [email protected] and help us spread the word on social media:

Twitter

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Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe!

Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:

• Click here to subscribe via iTunes • Click here to subscribe via Spotify • Click here to subscribe via Stitcher