National Immigration Law Center Freedom to Thrive Podcast

Join us as we wrap up Season 2 of the Freedom To Thrive: Resistance, Justice and Resilience podcast, featuring Grammy Award–winning artist Lila Downs. Host Hector Flores talks with Lila about music, her Indigenous roots, migration, and resistance.

From Oaxaca to Minnesota, Lila reflects on identity, ancestry, and her new album Cambias Mi Mundo (You Change My World), which includes a collaboration with rapper Snow Tha Product.

Later in the episode, Hector is joined by Kica Matos, President of NILC, who breaks down how immigrant rights are being used to undermine our democracy and fuel the rise of authoritarianism, and what we can do to stop it.

Today, award-winning Somali multimedia artist Ifrah Mansour joins our host Hector Flores for a thoughtful conversation about life in Minneapolis during these challenging times. Ifrah reflects on how the community has rallied together to support and protect their Somali neighbors. From surviving civil war and displacement to creating art that shelters memory and healing, Ifrah shares how culture, storytelling, and care help communities live bravely and without fear.

Host Hector Flores is joined by comedian TJ (Tanael Joachim) for a conversation about comedy, immigration, and resilience. TJ reflects on growing up Haitian in America and how humor became both a coping mechanism and a tool for resistance. This episode reminds us that storytelling and laughter can build solidarity, inspire resistance, and fuel hope.

Storytelling is essential for survival. In this episode, host Hector Flores sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen to explore refugeedom, trauma, identity, humor, and the power of narrative in the fight against authoritarianism. From the refugee experience to the dangers of “authenticity,” Viet challenges us to tell better stories not just about ourselves, but about who we stand up for.

In this episode of Freedom to Thrive​: Resistance, Justice and Resilience, host Hector Flores is joined by ​​world-renowned artist and activist Dread Scott​. Together, they discuss his work challenging white supremacy, censorship, immigration raids, and state violence. Dread Scott reminds us that courage is contagious and art can help lead us fight.

Civil rights and labor icon Dolores Huerta delivers a masterclass in organizing, voting, collective power, and finding inspiration to keep fighting in dark times. She shares behind the scenes stories of her decades fighting for farmworker justice to protecting democracy. She is a powerful reminder we the people are the spring and WE have the power.

Freedom to Thrive returns with a powerful conversation bridging country music, justice, and community. This week, Hector sits down with rising country artist Bryan Andrews to talk about music, working-class roots, and why speaking up for immigrant families matters now more than ever. We’re also joined by organizer and strategist Eliana Fernandez, who breaks down what communities can do to stay informed, supported, and protected in these times.

In this powerful Freedom to Thrive episode, Hector sits down with ​venerated human rights lawyer and Time Magazine honoree Efrén Olivares, NILC’s Vice President of Litigation and Legal Strategy. From childhood memories on the U.S.​ Mexico border to stopping the midnight deportation of unaccompanied children, Efren shares stories of justice, resistance, and the immigrant experience that shaped him. A conversation full of corazón, courage, and the reminder that not all heroes wear capes. 

In this episode of NILC’s Freedom to Thrive, host Hector Flores sits down with Palestinian comedian, actor, and show creator Mo Amer to talk about his immigration journey, his identity, and how he transforms his lived experiences into art. From Houston to Palestine and on to Netflix breakthroughs, Mo shares stories of resilience, family, and finding freedom through storytelling.

If you love immigrant stories, comedy, or behind-the-scenes insights, this episode is a must-listen!

Freedom to Thrive: Resistance, Justice, Resilience Podcast is back with Season 2, and we’re kicking things off with a powerful first episode: “Comedy is Resistance.” Our new host, Hector Flores, an LA-based artist and founding member of Las Cafeteras, welcomes acclaimed comedian and writer Cristela Alonzo, fresh off her third Netflix comedy special, to explore how laughter fuels activism. From growing up on the border to breaking into Hollywood, Cristela shares her journey, her stand-up trilogy, Lower Class, Middle Class, Upper Class, and how rest and joy are radical tools for change.

Also in this episode: Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), shares how people can take action and what NILC is doing to support immigrant communities.

Come for the joy and laughter, stay for the call to action. Leave renewed, ready to stand together and help our communities thrive.