Órale Boyle Heights

My guest this episode is Erwin Recinos. Erwin has been a regular contributor to L.A. Taco for more than 10 years. We talk about how they got connected to the taco, growing up in South East L.A., their passion for photography, and reflecting on their documentation of the L.A. gallery/art scene. You can follow them on Instagram at @_losojos_ & at @_erwinr_. You can follow them on Twitter at @losojosdemuerte. You can check out their different projects here.  

My guest this episode is Doña Junta. We reminisce about the olden days of blogging and talk about their experience growing up in Harbor City, nurturing their passion/love for architecture, and starting the podcast Beyond the Facade. You can follow Doña Junta on Instagram at @swapmeet_chronicles and you can listen to Beyond the Facade on your favorite podcast listening platform or by clicking here.   

My guest this episode is mark! Lopez. We talk about their love for King Taco, continuing the work of his family and the Madres del Este de Los Angeles Santa Isabel, growing up in a community of activists, how environmental justice is actually environmental white supremacy, and his work at East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. You can read mark!'s thesis, The Fire: Decolonizing “Environmental Justice" here. Follow East Yard on Instagram at @EYCEJ.    

My guest this episode is Marlene Aguilar. We talked about their journey in becoming a cook/cocinera, being a food justice promotora, how their relationship with food has changed over the years, and the origins of their meal prep service. You can follow them on Instagram @Irekuarhikua.    

My guest this episode is Nico Avina, co-owner of Espacio 1839. Like most non-essential businesses, Espacio had to close in March when the pandemic hit. We talk about how the store managed to survive with the support of community members and artists, the family coming together to make face masks, and the steps they took to reopen the store after being closed for months. You can follow Espacio 1839 on Instagram at @espacio1839. Visit their website at www.espacio1839.com.

My guest this episode is Lexis-Olivier Ray. Lex is an artist and writer covering police violence, people experiencing houselessness, cannabis culture, and other issues in L.A. Lex and I talked about his passion and love for photography, storytelling, and writing for L.A. Taco. You can follow Lex on Twitter and Instagram at @ShotOn35mm. Visit his website, www.lexisolivierray.com, and support this work. Photo courtesy of Brian Feinzimer.  

My guest this episode is Rodolfo Barrientos. Rudy is the owner and chef of the food truck, Gracias Señor. Rudy and I talked about his experience growing up undocumented, balancing his school/work responsibilities, and how he came to own his own lunch truck. You can find the Gracias Señor truck parked on Sunset Blvd, between La Cruz Drive and Carey st every day from 11 am to 2 pm, except on Wednesdays in the Pacific Palisades. You can follow them on Instagram at @graciasenor.  

My guest this episode is Laura Enriquez. We talked about her journey to researching, writing, and publishing her first book, Of Love and Papers: How Immigration Policy Affects Romance and Family. The book is available through most booksellers and you can download a free version of the book here. If you'd like to get in contact with her, you can visit her website. 

My guest this episode is Jorge Cáñez, better known as Peatónito. We talk about his journey as a transportation and pedestrian advocate in Mexico, the creation of his character Peatónito, and his research on Vision Zero in L.A. You can follow Jorge on Twitter at @Peatónito. You can read the policy brief based on his thesis here.

My guest this episode is Andi Xoch. In June, I profiled Andi on their Instagram account, Latinx with Plants. You can read the story on LA Taco here. In this episode, I catch up with Andi to reflect on how the profile on LA Taco and The LA Times increased her followers, people's reactions to the stories, and their plans for the future.

You can follow the account on Instagram at @Latinxwithplants

Andi's Venmo account is @Andi_Xoch

Background music by Mabanua.