On this minicast episode, Brenda chats with Rudy Espinoza, Executive Director of LURN, the Leadership for Urban Renewal Network. This nonprofit implements innovative strategies to revitalize low-income urban areas through advocacy and micro-financing. In addition to learning about LURN, Brenda and Rudy discuss the campaign to legalize street vending in Los Angeles and what this means for immigrant communities. Rudy shares how he helped create LURN and why he is passionate about investing in our community. You can visit LURN's website at www.lurnnetwork.org to find out more about this fabulous organization.

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

We bring back Kristie Hernandez, a star from our #MujeresLead series! Kristie achieved her dream of being an appointee of #PresidentObama and worked for the Department of Defense and later she worked for the Peace Corps. Now she's back in East Los Angeles to tell us her experience being one of very few #Latinas at the Pentagon.

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda and Luis chat with Esteban, aka, Chicano Eats, the sweetest guest they've ever had, who came to the studio with chocolate abuelita flavored cookies and cupcakes! He is a food blogger that creates works of art with his amazing and colorful photographs that invite viewers to "un pedacito" of his Mexican American roots. Check out www.chicanoeats.com for his recetas, pictures, and blog! This is a finger licking good episode! #provecho

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda chats with Cindy Zavala, aka, La SalvadoReina. Cindy brings a fresh hip hop take to the cumbia world with her contagious sound. Her love for the Salvadorian community of her hometown of Washington DC comes through in her hit video "Cumbia Capital" (https://youtu.be/oKNXhAjXPg0) See how this stylish singer and performer leaves her mark on the cumbia scene. A new resident of San Antonio Texas, when she's off the dance floor you can find Cindy at a Selena festival or listening to Tamarindo! By day, she is part of the Education Programs team at the National Council of La Raza. Check out this minicast produced by our very own Luis Octavio and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

We chat with Uriel Saenz, a celebrated leader who is credited as an international fashion designer, Military Veteran (USMC) and a respected media man. He is currently VP of Multicultural Development & Strategy for the Los Angeles Times. Uriel Saenz has taken his work around the world, was selected featured American Designer in China and has been a participant of Mercedes- Benz fashion week. We get very deep and personal with Uriel learning of the many challenges he has overcome and the barriers he is breaking. He talks about his role as a single father to a daughter, who is now a young adult, and gives us a humble and vulnerable account of a recent experience he is living as a parent. This is an important episode to listen to. Trigger Warning We discuss domestic violence.

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

Comedian and director Benjamin-Shalom Rodriguez joins Brenda and Luis and discusses filmmaking, story-telling, and why his abuelita Mari is his best friend. Ben is the co-creator of the web series Pushy Riots and other projects such a "Mari con Ben" starring abuelita. On our next full-episode we are excited to have Uriel Saenz, fashion designer and creator of Latinos de Hoy, the LA Times event that honors Latino leaders. Subscribe to Tamarindo so you don't miss an episode! Follow Ben at @thebunrodriguez and check out Pushy Riot: https://youtu.be/0ya1V5lu1HI

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

Los Angeles based @LasCafeteras blend roots music, punk, hip hop, beat music, cumbia and rock, for their beautiful melodies, which tell powerful stories of their neighborhood and community. Band members Denise Carlos and Daniel French join #tamarindopodcast to tell us the story behind the band, and to preview songs from their new album #TastesLikeLA which releases April 14. Find tour dates and more at www.lascafeteras.com Don't forget to rate and review us to help other listeners find our show! Write to us at [email protected]

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

On this finale installment of our four part series, #MujeresLead, we hear from Dolores Arredondo, Commissioner for LA County Department of Public Social Services, leader at a fortune 100 company, and long-time volunteer leader on numerous nonprofit boards. Ms. Arredondo tells us the power of harnessing your inner fire, or #chispita, for leadership. She shares with us what #faith #family and #fitness mean to her and how these three core values drive her. A mentor for Brenda, Ms. Arredondo, is also a long time volunteer of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, or HOPE, an organization she once chaired. Ms. Arredondo has a Bachelors of Arts from Wellesley College and MBA from Pepperdine University. She is a mother, wife, sister, aunt, and mentor to many, many amazing #mujeres. Please rate and review #tamarindopodcast and share this great story with a friend.

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

In this third installment of our #WomensHistoryMonth series #MujeresLead, we hear from Kristie Hernandez, who just returned home to East LA after two years in the Obama Administration. Ms.Hernandez has over a decade of experience in government affairs, most recently as an appointee of President Obama where she spent time in the Department of Defense and later as Deputy Director of Congressional Relations at the Peace Corps. What makes this interview so special is getting to hear from Kristie's mother, Rita Hernandez, who celebrates the great accomplishments of her daughter who was able to "volar!" Please share this podcast with the hashtag #trypod #supportpocpodcasts #supportbrownpodcasts

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com

This is part two of our Women's History Month series. Brenda connects with Nora Vargas, Vice President of Community & Government relations for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific South West. She is a Governor Brown Appointee to California's State Teacher's Retirement Program. Ms. Vargas was appointed and later elected to the Southwestern Community College District Governing Board in the San Diego area. Ms. Vargas tells us how her experience growing up in the San Diego-Tijuana border area, raised by two feminist parents, has shaped her leadership. She has a wealth of experience as a political consultant and her passion for politics is fueled by a drive to serve her community. We hope you enjoy this minicast interview with this badass leader. Please write and review #tamarindopodcast and subscribe!

Tamarindo’s mission is to use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire and positively impact our community. Learn more at tamarindopodcast.com