Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative centering and celebrating the voices of people in our communities. The theme of this Mixtape is Monsters — stories about fear and resilience.

Our partner for this installment is Vocal Justice, an organization that inspires and prepares Black and Brown youth to be lifelong leaders for liberation. Though based in Oakland, California, Vocal Justice’s mission echoes YEBO’s values of authenticity, self-determination, and community. The alignment was undeniable, so we brought the mixtape on the road to the Golden State. 

This episode features stories of vulnerability, identity, and truth from student leaders, educators, and changemakers who are finding strength in their fears and power in their voices. 

Hosted by Isaura Maria, The Growing Storyteller

Recorded by Cory Montalvo, Chief Plug

Edited & Mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, El Productor

Coached by Cristina Chacon, The Amplifier

Recorded live in Kinfolx Cafe, Oakland, CA

Special Thanks to the Margulf Foundation for supporting this collaboration

The Stories:

(1:38) Alexis Corazon confronts instability as the monster in her life and finds home through purpose and connection.

(9:41) Michael Borne returns to the mixtape to reflect on how rejection helped him reimagine his superpower.

(16:53) Nayeli Cuevas shares a heartfelt story about a drifting relationship and how distance can deepen resilience.

(24:15) Shawon Jackson opens up about the transformative power of truth, friendship, and releasing the weight of secrets.

Links:

Vocal Justice

Donate to YEBO

Follow us on Instagram @YEBOPod

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative centering and celebrating the voices of people in our communities. The theme of this Mixtape is Monsters — stories about fear and resilience.

Our partner for this episode is Justice and Heritage Academy (JHA), a homeschool consortium that aims to develop well-rounded human beings in academics, arts, and justice initiatives within their community and world.

Hosted by the Growing Storyteller, Isaura Maria.

Recorded by Cory Montalvo, Chief Plug

Edited & mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, El Productor.

Coached by Cristina Chacon, The Amplifier

Recorded live in Antonito, Colorado.

The Stories:

(1:42) Kianna Gurule once feared the water — until a surprising poolside moment changed everything.

(4:58) Natalie Montoya shares how moving from house to house made her holidays feel fragile — until she found one to call her own.

(8:59) Micaela Casillas opens up about starting fresh at a new school and the surprising friendships that followed.

(11:36) Frankie Allen describes a long-standing fear of needles — and how advice from his grandparents helped him face it.

(15:42) Valentina Valdez confronts the monstrous weight of societal expectations, and how a seed — literally — led her back to herself.

Links:

Justice & Heritage Academy

Valentina’s Instagram @Descubriendo.Mis.Maices

Donate to YEBO

Follow us on Instagram @YEBOPod

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative centering and celebrating the voices of people in our communities. The theme of this Mixtape is Monsters — stories about fear and resilience.

Our partner for this installment is the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF), which provides vital college advising, scholarship access, and financial aid guidance through Future Centers in Denver Public Schools. In this episode, we visit the Future Center at Abraham Lincoln High School, home of the Lancers, where DSF’s work is deeply rooted in the community.  

This is a bilingual episode, featuring stories in both Spanish and English from students and alumni navigating identity, family expectations, fear, and personal growth.

Hosted by Cristina Chacon, The Amplifier and Isaura Maria, The Growing Storyteller

Recorded by Cory Montalvo, Chief Plug

Edited & Mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, El Productor

Coached by Cristina Chacon, The Amplifier

Recorded live in Abraham Lincoln High School, Denver, CO

The Stories:

(2:23) Paula Grimaldo overcomes the fear of losing her voice and identity as she navigates life in a new country and rediscovers pride through debate and community.

(7:27) Khris Rivers finds his purpose in the kitchen after a bold Thanksgiving challenge leads to a flavorful future.

(11:12) Karen Varon recalls the terror of growing up amid armed conflict in rural Colombia and how her mother’s promise became the foundation for her goal to uplift the Latino community in Denver.

(15:33) Vivian Bustillos learns that home isn’t a physical place, it’s the love we carry with us. Through memories with her abuela and transitions across countries and campuses, she discovers where she belongs.

(21:06) Joselyn Loya shares the bittersweet story of leaving for college while fearing she’d lose her bond with her little sister.

Links:

Denver Scholarship Foundation

Donate to YEBO

Follow us on Instagram @YEBOPod

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative centering and celebrating the voices of people in our communities. The theme of this Mixtape is "Roads," stories about detours and destinations. Our partner for this installment is the Denver Scholarship Foundation. Since 2009 the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) has worked to alter the fabric of the City of Denver, making college possible for thousands of Denver Public School students. DSF provides paths to higher education to Colorado students who identify as multicultural, first-generation, and multi-language speakers through college advising, leadership training, scholarships, internships, and peer-led community groups. 

Hosted and produced by the Growing Storyteller, Isaura Maria, and recorded, edited, mixed and coaching by Luis Antonio Perez, El Productor. Recorded live at Shop at Matter in Five Points, Denver, Colorado.

The Stories:

(1:44) Jesus Terrones-Pulido pursues his career in health care administration with gusto until it becomes clear he needs to reassess.

(10:11) Graciela Valencia takes a long journey to Mongolia where she discovers more about other cultures and herself.

(17:45) Dirza Pedroza Ceballos dreamed of becoming a teacher until the dream came up against reality.

(23:02) Michael Borne's tells the story of a trip to France full of malheur and magic.

(30:28) Stephanie Lopez travels to Guatemala where she connects with her Chapina roots.

Links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Denver Scholarship Foundation

⁠Donate To YEBO⁠

⁠Shop @ Matter

Follow us on Instagram @YEBOPod

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative centering and celebrating the voices of people in our communities. The theme of this Mixtape is "Roads," stories about detours and destinations. Our partner for this installment is the Access Opportunity.

Access Opportunity (AO) helps ambitious, community-minded students define their individual paths through high school, college, and into their careers. AO’s programming is tailored to help students learn how to use their education to make change in their communities with programming around Community-Building, Self-Discovery and Leadership Development.

Hosted and produced by the Growing Storyteller, Isaura Maria, and recorded, edited, mixed and coaching by Luis Antonio Perez, El Productor. Recorded live at Shop at Matter in Five Points, Denver, Colorado.

The Stories:

(1:27) Ivan Rosales finally gets what he's always wanted, his favorite person.

(7:16) Stephanie Maldonado was driven to succeed, but at what cost?

(15:53) Serenity Martinez was a popular person until she wasn't.

(21:14) Manny Mendez tells a story of resilience set in the University of Colorado - Boulder engineering school.

(28:08) Jaquelin Hernandez seeks courage in the face of constant worry for her undocumented parents.

Links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Access Opportunity

⁠⁠Donate To YEBO⁠⁠

⁠⁠Shop @ Matter⁠

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@YEBOPod

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative centering and celebrating the voices of people in our communities. The theme of this Mixtape is "Roads," stories about detours and destinations. Our partner for this installment is the Ambassador Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides paths to higher education to Colorado students who identify as multicultural, first-generation, and multi-language speakers through college advising, leadership training, scholarships, internships, and peer-led community groups.

Hosted and produced by the Growing Storyteller, Isaura Maria, and recorded, edited, mixed and coaching by Luis Antonio Perez, El Productor. Recorded live at Shop at Matter in Five Points, Denver, Colorado.

The Stories:

(1:37) Girena Tesfazghi seeks solutions for her worries as she begins college.

(7:34) Nemat Khalifa and her family leave a happy life in Sudan to follow a dream.

(12:07) Sophie Salazar reveals a unique childhood experience that shaped who she is today.

(18:22) Marius Finch pursues a business opportunity in college where he learns more lessons than he expected.

Links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠The Ambassador Foundation

Donate To YEBO

Shop @ Matter

Follow us on Instagram @YEBOPod

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative that centers and celebrates the voices of people in our communities. In this episode of PODtalks, members of YEBO's Board of Directors answer, "What's the story of your name?" 

Produced and edited by Isaura Maria. Recorded live at Green Spaces in Five Points, Denver.

The Storytellers:

(01:06) Brian Firooz

(05:45) Katy Driscoll

(08:30) Dianne Myles

(12:31) Sarah April

(14:36) Algernon Felice Jr. (AJ)

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative that centers and celebrates the voices of people in our communities. In this episode of PODtalks, the Green Spaces staff and vendors offer their stories about how they came to be part of the Green Spaces community.

Green Spaces is a coworking and marketplace that provides access to resources through the integration & collaboration of creatives, innovators, and small businesses.

Produced and edited by Isaura Maria. Recorded live at Green Spaces in Five Points, Denver.

The Storytellers:

(01:29) Jevon Taylor (Green Spaces)

(08:17) Divine Ramazani (@vineramazani)

(15:33) Breigh Jones-Coplin (Black & Blossomed)

(21:26) KC (It's A Bodega)

(26:36) Marisol Jurado (Migas Coffee)

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative centering and celebrating the voices of people in our communities. The theme of this Mixtape is "Friends," stories about unity and camaraderie. Our partner for this installment is the Metro Classroom To Career Hub, which intentionally integrates post-graduate activities related to careers or graduate school into all aspects of the MSU Denver Roadrunner experience.

Hosted and produced by the Growing Storyteller, Isaura Maria, and edited by The Composer, Dane Desai. Recorded live on Auraria Campus in Denver, Colorado.

The Stories:

(01:30) Thaw Sue reconnects with her Karen roots after running into an old friend.

(08:06) Jose Chavez Quezada realizes the power of friendship during a trip to South Dakota.

(15:52) Jessica Quintana ditches class with a friend to make a meal.

(22:33) Francisco Martinez gains a deeper sense of self through an online friendship.

(29:15) Jasmine Villalobos-Valles finds inspiration over tacos with friends.

(35:03) Belen Vazquez and her friends make the most of their 2020 graduation.

Links: ⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Metro State Classroom to Career Hub

Welcome to Mission 1477, YEBO’s statewide storytelling initiative centering and celebrating the voices of people in our communities. The theme of this Mixtape is "Friends," stories about unity and camaraderie. Our partner for this installment is the Game Changers, an organization that aims to Educate, support, and celebrate youth to increase their participation in youth violence prevention initiatives to create an even more powerful force for positive change. 

Hosted and produced by the Growing Storyteller, Isaura Maria, and edited by The Composer, Dane Desai. Recorded live at BUILD in Five Points, Denver.

The Stories:

(01:25) Trezhur Kimbrou sees herself in a classmate.

(06:08) Kennadi Jackson finds friendship in her cousin.

(10:18) Kimberly Grayson reflects on how sisterhood carried her through a trying time.

(18:02) Eli'ana Grimes finds gratitude in her friends during a tough day.

Links: ⁠⁠Learn more about the Game Changers