Welcome to El Barrio

iHeartPodcasts

“Welcome to El Barrio” is a vibrant new podcast about Puerto Rican identity — our stories, finally told by us. Hosted by award-winning producer Becca Ramos, this series blends laugh-out-loud interviews with artists, scholars, creators, tastemakers, and everyday Boricuas to illuminate the stories the textbooks left out. Each week, Becca dives into the history, culture, politics, spirituality, and pop-culture moments that shape what it means to be Puerto Rican today — from the roots of brujería and ancestral healing, to the global impact of Bad Bunny, to the hidden history behind Operation Bootstrap, Hurricane Maria’s aftermath, and the evolution of the diaspora. This show is unapologetically for us. For the kids who grew up “ni de aquí, ni de allá.” For everyone who felt their culture reduced to stereotypes, mispronounced in classrooms, or left out of the narrative entirely. Through humor, heart, research, and community storytelling, Becca invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery — and a celebration of La Isla del Encanto in all its complexity. Featuring a lineup of powerful Boricua voices across film, music, academia, design, and activism, Welcome to El Barrio is a love letter, an archive, and an invitation. Come learn, laugh, heal, and say it with us. WEPA! 

  1. "What is going ON in Puerto Rico?" Part 2: Featuring Beatriz Llenín Figueroa y Hugo Delgado

    1d ago

    "What is going ON in Puerto Rico?" Part 2: Featuring Beatriz Llenín Figueroa y Hugo Delgado

    Holi listeners! This is part two of the activist episode -- focusing on real-time movements happening on the island. In this episode, Becca speaks with writer, educator, and activist Beatriz Llenín Figueroa of the Defiende Cabo Rojo coalition and Hugo Delgado, a physics teacher, newspaper editor, and member of the Movimiento Socialista de Trabajadores. Figueroa connects environmental justice with feminist, queer, anti-colonial, and anti-racist struggles and details opposition to Esencia, an ultra-luxury “private city” proposed for about 2,000 acres in Cabo Rojo, including protected lands, endangered species habitat, and over 100 archaeological sites. Delgado discusses intensified colonial control under the fiscal control board, defunding and political intervention at the University of Puerto Rico, privatization and charter schools, rising tuition, weakened campus organizing spaces, student hunger, and calls for organizing and diaspora solidarity. Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions! And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content! SHOW NOTES: @defendpr @mikey.cordero @con.sentimientospr @alianamarga Unmasking PROMESA: The unelected board perpetuating colonialism in Puerto Rico (The Real News Network) What is Esencia and what will happen to Puerto Rico if this is constructed? (MR Online) @diaspo.rico About Law 82 Defiende Cabo Rojo Sierra Club de Puerto Rico See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  2. "What is going ON in Puerto Rico?" Part 1: Featuring Mikey Cordero and Aliana Margarita

    Jun 23

    "What is going ON in Puerto Rico?" Part 1: Featuring Mikey Cordero and Aliana Margarita

    Holi listeners! This week, we are doing part one of two episodes -- focusing on real-time movements happening on the island. In this episode, Becca speaks with Mikey Cordero, creator of Diasporico and La Sala Libre, a space launched during the Bad Bunny concert influx to offer a non-extractive way to engage with local and diasporic nuance; his project documents “ethical return” conversations and links gentrification to colonialism. The two also chat about DefendPR, a collective producing immersive, short-form storytelling from grassroots movements, beginning with protests in Peñuelas. Becca also chats with Aliana Margarita of Consentimiento PR, who translates policy and activism education; she explains Law 82 (PC-310), which requires plaintiffs to pay 10% of a project’s cost to sue, and connects it to Proyecto Esencia, PROMESA’s fiscal control board, UPR budget cuts, and ongoing colonial governance. Be sure to tune in next week for the other activists and movements we'll be highlighting.  Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions! And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!   SHOW NOTES: @defendpr @mikey.cordero @con.sentimientospr @alianamarga Unmasking PROMESA: The unelected board perpetuating colonialism in Puerto Rico (The Real News Network) What is Esencia and what will happen to Puerto Rico if this is constructed? (MR Online) @diaspo.rico About Law 82 Defiende Cabo Rojo Sierra Club de Puerto Rico See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min
  3. "Puerto Rico is ... Whoville?" w/ Kennya Rivera

    Jun 16

    "Puerto Rico is ... Whoville?" w/ Kennya Rivera

    This week, Becca chats with Kenya Rivera! An LA-based Puerto Rican content creator, filmmaker, musician, and pop-culture enthusiast.The two chat Kennya's journey from growing up in Puerto Rico, moving to LA with an internship and a dream, Afro-Latina identity in LA, racism and hair/voice policing, colonial realities of Puerto Rico, and the importance of Puerto Rican community, food, care, and more. Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions! And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 7m
  4. WTEB: LIVE in LA con COVL

    Jun 9

    WTEB: LIVE in LA con COVL

    This week is a very special episode -- as it's the LIVE episode with COVL from the Welcome to El Barrio LA x Hi Neighbor event! Becca interviews COVL where they chat about her career, her aritsry and how it has evolved, both of their family relationships to their careers, their own relationships to cannabis, answer audience questions, and more.  Special thank you to Hi Neighbor and all the Angelinos who came out to support the event -- it was such an experience to remember.  If you enjoyed this episode and want more live experiences, comment / like /etc to let us know!  Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions! And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min
  5. "LA Sueños" w/ Iván Emilio

    Jun 2

    "LA Sueños" w/ Iván Emilio

    This week Becca chats with Mayagüez-born host, comedian, and content creator known for BuzzFeed Pero Like and -- Iván Emilio! The two chat connecting in Portland, OR almost a decade ago, Iván's time at BuzzFeed paving the way for Puerto Rican media representation, Cafe Cofresi, and more.  Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions! And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min

  6. May 26

    MESS with Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin: The Perfect Applicant w/ Becca Ramos

    HOUSEKEEPING: Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with Hi Neighbor. RSVP here: https://posh.vip/e/welcome-to-el-barrio-x-hi-neighbor-live-event First 100 RSVPs get free goodie bags!   DESCRIPTION: This week we are dropping Becca's MESS episode in the feed!  This week Sydnee and Marie are joined by their very own producer -- BECCA RAMOS! The three chat how Becca ISN'T white...MESS. Housing mess, travel mess, birthday mess, and MESS's mess!  Next week we'll be back with another episode of Welcome to El Barrio.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 11m
  7. "Our Stories In Clay" w/ Roberto Lugo

    May 19

    "Our Stories In Clay" w/ Roberto Lugo

    HOUSEKEEPING: Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with Hi Neighbor. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps!  DESCRIPTION: This week Becca chats with Philadelphia-based artist, ceramicist, social activist, poet, and educator -- Roberto Lugo! The two chat about using pottery and art at large to address poverty, inequality, and racial injustice, as well as reflecting on his Puerto Rican uprbringing, his new piece at Madison Square Park, and more.  Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions! And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    56 min
  8. "La Nueva Trova: Segunda Parte" w/ CHUWI

    May 12

    "La Nueva Trova: Segunda Parte" w/ CHUWI

    HOUSEKEEPING: Welcome to El Barrio will be hosting another live event on May 31 in Los Angeles in partnership with Hi, Neighbor. Follow us to stay up to date on next steps!  DESCRIPTION: This week Becca chats with the band CHUWI! They all chat about their rise to stardom, touring with Bad Bunny, their musical influences and political reflections in their songs, what's inspiring them lately, and more.  Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions! And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 13m
See All (23)

Trailer

4.4
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

“Welcome to El Barrio” is a vibrant new podcast about Puerto Rican identity — our stories, finally told by us. Hosted by award-winning producer Becca Ramos, this series blends laugh-out-loud interviews with artists, scholars, creators, tastemakers, and everyday Boricuas to illuminate the stories the textbooks left out. Each week, Becca dives into the history, culture, politics, spirituality, and pop-culture moments that shape what it means to be Puerto Rican today — from the roots of brujería and ancestral healing, to the global impact of Bad Bunny, to the hidden history behind Operation Bootstrap, Hurricane Maria’s aftermath, and the evolution of the diaspora. This show is unapologetically for us. For the kids who grew up “ni de aquí, ni de allá.” For everyone who felt their culture reduced to stereotypes, mispronounced in classrooms, or left out of the narrative entirely. Through humor, heart, research, and community storytelling, Becca invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery — and a celebration of La Isla del Encanto in all its complexity. Featuring a lineup of powerful Boricua voices across film, music, academia, design, and activism, Welcome to El Barrio is a love letter, an archive, and an invitation. Come learn, laugh, heal, and say it with us. WEPA! 

Information

  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Welcome to El Barrio

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