Tales From Aztlantis

Kurly Tlapoyawa & Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl
  • 4.7 (83)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

We explore Chicano, Mexicano, and Mesoamerican history, archaeology, and culture, and combat the spread of disinformation about these very topics. Your hosts Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl invite you to join them on a fascinating journey through Mesoamerica's past, present, and future!  Goodpods #1 in the Top 100 Chicano Podcasts (3 years running!)

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 105: Who Owns Our DNA? W/ Joseph Yracheta! Pt. 2

    What happens when Indigenous DNA becomes the next frontier of resource extraction? In part two of this episode of Tales from Aztlantis, Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl are joined once again by Joe Yracheta, an Amerindigenous scientist of Purépecha and Rarámuri heritage and a leader with the Native BioData Consortium. Together, they explore one of the most pressing—and least discussed—issues facing Indigenous communities today: the fight for Indigenous data sovereignty. Joe explains how genetic information, biological samples, medicinal plants, and even traditional agricultural knowledge have become valuable commodities in the global biotechnology economy. The conversation traces the long history of colonial extraction from Indigenous peoples, showing how today's race to collect biodata follows the same patterns that once drove the exploitation of land, labor, and natural resources. The discussion examines how universities, pharmaceutical companies, and governments collect and use Indigenous genetic data, often under the promise of improving public health, only for that information to later be commercialized or repurposed without meaningful community consent. Joe shares examples involving the Havasupai Tribe, the Amish, and Indigenous communities throughout the Americas, illustrating how existing legal and ethical frameworks frequently fail to protect Indigenous rights. Kurly and Ruben also explore the growing role of artificial intelligence, open-data policies, and scientific publishing in accelerating these challenges. They discuss why Indigenous communities are demanding greater control over their own biological resources, why "informed consent" is often insufficient, and how Indigenous-led institutions like the Native BioData Consortium are working to safeguard tribal data within Indigenous legal jurisdictions. The conversation broadens into larger questions about scientific ethics, profit-sharing, the commercialization of traditional crops such as cacao, mezcal, avocados, and corn, and the continuing legacy of colonialism in modern research. Rather than rejecting science, Joe argues for a model built on trust, transparency, and genuine collaboration that respects Indigenous sovereignty while producing stronger, more ethical research. This episode challenges listeners to rethink who owns biological knowledge, who benefits from scientific discovery, and what true Indigenous self-determination should look like in the age of genomics and AI. If you enjoy conversations that examine history, archaeology, science, and Indigenous perspectives through a critical lens, be sure to subscribe to Tales from Aztlantis, leave a review, and share this episode with others interested in the future of Indigenous rights and scientific ethics. listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Use the promo code “KURLY” in the "How did you hear about this adventure?" field when you sign up for a $200 discount. Visit skeptoid.com/adventures to learn more and reserve your spot. I hope you'll join me this December as we explore the mysteries of the Maya together. This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the Yucatán exploring remarkable archaeological sites, uncovering the real history behind the Maya civilization, and separating fact from fiction along the way.  To reserve your spot, all you need is a fully refundable $500 deposit. Your deposit is refundable through August 1, so you can reserve your place with confidence. After Au Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenous and local experts. Every project we do is grounded in collective memory, creativity, and respect for the land and its people.  Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Find us:  Bluesky...

  2. Jul 23

    Episode 104: Who Owns Our DNA? W/ Joseph Yracheta! Pt. 1

    What happens when Indigenous DNA becomes the next frontier of resource extraction? In Part 1 of this thought-provoking episode of Tales from Aztlantis, Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl are joined by Joe Yracheta, an Amerindigenous scientist of Purépecha and Rarámuri heritage and a leader with the Native BioData Consortium. Together, they explore one of the most pressing—and least discussed—issues facing Indigenous communities today: the fight for Indigenous data sovereignty. Joe explains how genetic information, biological samples, medicinal plants, and even traditional agricultural knowledge have become valuable commodities in the global biotechnology economy. The conversation traces the long history of colonial extraction from Indigenous peoples, showing how today's race to collect biodata follows the same patterns that once drove the exploitation of land, labor, and natural resources. The discussion examines how universities, pharmaceutical companies, and governments collect and use Indigenous genetic data, often under the promise of improving public health, only for that information to later be commercialized or repurposed without meaningful community consent. Joe shares examples involving the Havasupai Tribe, the Amish, and Indigenous communities throughout the Americas, illustrating how existing legal and ethical frameworks frequently fail to protect Indigenous rights. If you enjoy conversations that examine history, archaeology, science, and Indigenous perspectives through a critical lens, be sure to subscribe to Tales from Aztlantis, leave a review, and share this episode with others interested in the future of Indigenous rights and scientific ethics. listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Use the promo code “KURLY” in the "How did you hear about this adventure?" field when you sign up for a $200 discount. Visit skeptoid.com/adventures to learn more and reserve your spot. I hope you'll join me this December as we explore the mysteries of the Maya together. This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the Yucatán exploring remarkable archaeological sites, uncovering the real history behind the Maya civilization, and separating fact from fiction along the way.  To reserve your spot, all you need is a fully refundable $500 deposit. Your deposit is refundable through August 1, so you can reserve your place with confidence. After Au Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenous and local experts. Every project we do is grounded in collective memory, creativity, and respect for the land and its people.  Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Find us:  Bluesky...

  3. Jul 16

    Episode 103: Aztec Virtue Signalling!

    Did the Aztecs have a concept of virtue? In this episode, we dive into a lively scholarly debate over the Nawatl phrase kwalli and yektli ("good" and "right") and whether it can properly be translated as "virtue." Examining colonial dictionaries, the Florentine Codex, the Wewetlahtolli, and the work of scholars from the sixteenth century to today, we explore the evidence for a distinctly Nawa ethical tradition. Along the way, we discuss the challenges of translating Indigenous philosophies and why understanding concepts, not just individual words, is essential to appreciating Nawatl thought. Sources: Anderson, Arthur J. O., and Charles E. Dibble, eds. and trans. Florentine Codex: General History of the Things of New Spain. 13 vols. Santa Fe: School of American Research and University of Utah, 1950–1982. Berdan, Frances F. "Concepts of Ethnicity and Class in Aztec-Period Mexico." In Ethnic Identity in Nahua Mesoamerica: The View from Archaeology, Art History, Ethnohistory, and Contemporary Ethnography, by Frances F. Berdan, John K. Chance, Alan R. Sandstrom, Barbara L. Stark, James M. Taggart, and Emily Umberger, 105–132. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2008. Carochi, Horacio. Arte de la Lengua Mexicana con la Declaración de los Adverbios Della. Mexico City: Juan Ruyz, 1645. Clavijero, Francisco Javier. Arte de la Lengua Mexicana. Puebla: Imprenta del Real Seminario Palafoxiano, 1754. González González, Osiris. Tlamatiliztli: La sabiduría del pueblo nahua. Filosofía intercultural y derecho a la tierra (México). Archaeological Studies Leiden University. Leiden: Leiden University Press, 2024.Maffie, James. Aztec Philosophy: Understanding a World in Motion. Boulder: University Press of Colorado, 2014. Madajczak, Julia. Review of Discourses of the Elders: The Aztec Huehuetlatolli: A First English Translation, by Sebastian Purcell. Inter-American Journal of Philosophy 15, no. 1 (2024): 42–48.  Molina, Alonso de. Vocabulario en Lengua Castellana y Mexicana y Mexicana y Castellana. Mexico City: Antonio de Spinosa, 1571. Purcell, Sebastian. Discourses of the Elders: The Aztec Huehuetlahtolli, a First English Translation. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2025. Sahagún, Bernardino de. Primeros Memoriales. Edited and translated by Thelma D. Sullivan. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1997. Siméon, Rémi. Diccionario de la lengua náhuatl o mexicana. 13th ed. Mexico City: Siglo XXI Editores, 1997. Townsend, Camilla. Review of Discourses of the Elders: The Aztec Huehuetlahtolli, a First English Translation, by Sebastian Purcell. Ethnohistory 72, no. 1 (2025): 181–183. listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Use the promo code “KURLY” in the "How did you hear about this adventure?" field when you sign up for a $200 discount. Visit skeptoid.com/adventures to learn more and reserve your spot. I hope you'll join me this December as we explore the mysteries of the Maya together. This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the Yucatán exploring remarkable archaeological sites, uncovering the real history behind the Maya civilization, and separating fact from fiction along the way.  To reserve your spot, all you need is a fully refundable $500 deposit. Your deposit is refundable through August 1, so you can reserve your place with confidence. After Au Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Find us:  Bluesky...

  4. Jul 9

    Episode 102: Aztec Philosophy w/ Sebastian Purcell

    Aztec Philosophy, Ethics, and the Outward Path with Dr. Sebastian Purcell What if living a good life isn't about chasing happiness, but about building strong relationships and fulfilling your responsibilities to others? In this episode of Tales From Aztlantis, Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl sit down with philosopher Dr. Sebastian Purcell to discuss Aztec (Nahua) philosophy, ethics, language, and his groundbreaking books Discourses of the Elders and The Outward Path. Together they explore why Nahua philosophy deserves to stand alongside Greek, Indian, and Chinese philosophical traditions, and why many of its teachings remain surprisingly relevant today. Dr. Purcell shares the story of how he transitioned from computer science and mathematical logic into philosophy before discovering the rich intellectual tradition preserved in Classical Nahuatl texts. He explains the challenges of producing the first intentionally philosophical English translation of the Huehuetlahtolli and why translating philosophy requires different choices than translating historical documents. The conversation then turns to one of the central ideas in Nahua ethics: that living well is fundamentally a social endeavor. Rather than viewing ethics as an individual pursuit, the Nahuas understood human flourishing as something achieved through cooperation, mutual obligation, and healthy communities. Dr. Purcell contrasts this worldview with Aristotle, Confucius, Stoicism, and Buddhism, arguing that Nahua philosophy emphasizes an "outward path" that begins with our relationships before turning inward. Along the way, the discussion explores the meaning of concepts such as in ixtli in yollotl (face and heart), in kwalli in yektli (the good and the right), rootedness, centeredness, and the famous Nahua metaphor of the slippery earth. The hosts also discuss whether modern scholars sometimes underestimate the philosophical sophistication of Nahua texts by insisting on overly literal translations. The latter portion of the interview examines how to distinguish Indigenous teachings from later colonial Christian additions in the Huehuetlahtolli. Dr. Purcell proposes that passages emphasizing intrinsic reasons for acting well are more likely to preserve precolonial Nahua thought, while passages grounded primarily in divine punishment often reflect later Christian influence. Finally, the conversation tackles one of the most debated subjects in Nahua studies: the controversial concept of Ometeotl, Miguel León-Portilla's influence on the field, and what current scholarship can and cannot confidently say about pre-Hispanic Nahua theology. Whether you're interested in philosophy, Mesoamerican history, Nahuatl language, archaeology, or Indigenous knowledge, this episode offers an engaging introduction to one of the world's richest philosophical traditions. Topics Discussed Dr. Sebastian Purcell's path from mathematics to philosophyTranslating the Huehuetlahtolli into EnglishWhy Nahua philosophy deserves recognition as philosophyEthics versus morality in Nahua thoughtThe social nature of virtue"The Outward Path" and why relationships matter more than individual happinessFace and heart (in ixtli in yollotl)The slippery earth and rootednessNahua concepts of virtue and the good lifeClassical Nahuatl and philosophical languageDecolonizing interpretations of Nahua textsSeparating Indigenous teachings from Christian interpolationMiguel León-Portilla, Ometeotl, and ongoing scholarly debatesBooks Mentioned Discourses of the Elders: The Aztec HuehuetlahtolliThe Outward Path: The Wisdom of the AztecsMemorable Quotes "Acting well is inherently a social activity, not an individual activity." "You're not really after happiness. You're after a rich, meaningful life with your friends and family around you." "The goal of ethics is to help you live better." "Go outward first, then come in." Connect With Tales From Aztlantis If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Tales From Aztlantis, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in Indigenous philosophy, Nahua culture, and Mesoamerican history. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Use the promo code “KURLY” in the "How did you hear about this adventure?" field when you sign up for a $200 discount. Visit skeptoid.com/adventures to learn more and reserve your spot. I hope you'll join me this December as we explore the mysteries of the Maya together. This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the Yucatán exploring remarkable archaeological sites, uncovering the real history behind the Maya civilization, and separating fact from fiction along the way.  To reserve your spot, all you need is a fully refundable $500 deposit. Your deposit is refundable through August 1, so you can reserve your place with confidence. After Au Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenous and local experts. Every project we do is grounded in collective memory, creativity, and respect for the land and its people.  Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Find us:  Bluesky...

  5. Jul 2

    Episode 101: Born on the 4th of The Lie!

    Family, friends, and listeners: We gather virtually at a momentous historical threshold. The United States is engulfed in the pageantry, corporate sponsorships, and national choreography of its Semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Across the landscape, museum exhibitions are being mounted, monument plaques polished, and civic speeches drafted. We are being summoned, collectively, to step into a grand civic liturgy: to look back upon 1776 with an unclouded eye of pride, to venerate the so-called “Founding Fathers,” and to reaffirm a singular narrative of unfolding democratic progress. But as citizens of a deeply fractured landscape, we must ask the question that always haunts the perimeter of the American bonfire:  Who is this celebration for? Sources  Primary Sources: William Apess, Eulogy on King Philip, ed. Paul Royster, American Studies 39 (Published by the author, 1837; 2nd ed., Zea E-Books, 2022), https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeaamericanstudies/39 Frederick Douglass, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?,” Oration Delivered in Corinthian Hall, Rochester (Rochester: Lee, Man, and Co, 1852), 14-37, https://loveman.sdsu.edu/docs/1852FrederickDouglass.pdf Secondary Sources: Patricia Bizzell, “The 4th of July and the 22nd of December: The Function of Cultural Archives in Persuasion, as Shown by Frederick Douglass and William Apess,” College Composition & Communication 48, no. 1 (1997): 44–60, https://doi.org/10.58680/ccc19973130 Drew Lopenzina, Through an Indian’s Looking-Glass: A Cultural Biography of William Apess, Pequot (University of Massachusetts Press, 2017), https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv346tn6 Drew Lopenzina, “What to the American Indian Is the Fourth of July? Moving beyond Abolitionist Rhetoric in William Apess’s Eulogy on King Philip,” American Literature 82, no. 4 (2010): 673–99, https://doi.org/10.1215/00029831-2010-041. Mimi Yang, “What Does the 250th Anniversary of the Independence Mean to a ‘Browner’ America?,” On_Culture: The Open Journal for the Study of Culture(Germany) 15 (October 2023), https://doi.org/10.22029/oc.2023.1349 listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Use the promo code “KURLY” in the "How did you hear about this adventure?" field when you sign up for a $200 discount. Visit skeptoid.com/adventures to learn more and reserve your spot. I hope you'll join me this December as we explore the mysteries of the Maya together. This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the Yucatán exploring remarkable archaeological sites, uncovering the real history behind the Maya civilization, and separating fact from fiction along the way.  To reserve your spot, all you need is a fully refundable $500 deposit. Your deposit is refundable through August 1, so you can reserve your place with confidence. After Au Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenous and local experts. Every project we do is grounded in collective memory, creativity, and respect for the land and its people.  Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Find us:  Bluesky...

  6. Jun 25

    Throwback: An Aztec False Flag!

    Danzantes, Mexicanistas, and other cultural practitioners often display a banner that they claim is the "original" and "true" banner of the Mexika people. Often referred to as the Panketzalli, Bandera de Cuitlahuac, or the Bandera de Victoria, this symbol can be found emblazoned on t-shirts, flags, dance regalia, murals and tattoos. But where does this image actually come from? And who created it? listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Use the promo code “KURLY” in the "How did you hear about this adventure?" field when you sign up for a $200 discount. Visit skeptoid.com/adventures to learn more and reserve your spot. I hope you'll join me this December as we explore the mysteries of the Maya together. This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the Yucatán exploring remarkable archaeological sites, uncovering the real history behind the Maya civilization, and separating fact from fiction along the way.  To reserve your spot, all you need is a fully refundable $500 deposit. Your deposit is refundable through August 1, so you can reserve your place with confidence. After Au Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenous and local experts. Every project we do is grounded in collective memory, creativity, and respect for the land and its people.  Support the show Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Find us:  Bluesky...

  7. Jun 18

    Episode 100: The Veiled Prophet w/ Devin Thomas O'Shea!

    What does the 2nd Mexican Empire, Confederate soldiers on the run, and the TV show The Office have to do with a white supremacist secret society in St. Louis? Author and historian Devin Thomas O'Shea joins us to talk about his fantastic new book "The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis." Strap yourselves in, dear listeners, you are in for a wild ride! Our guest:  Devin Thomas O’Shea is the author of “The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis,” publishing with Haymarket Books in June 2026. His writing is in The Nation, the Iowa Review, Slate, LA Review of Books, Boulevard, and elsewhere. Buy the book! listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Use the promo code “KURLY” in the "How did you hear about this adventure?" field when you sign up for a $200 discount. Visit skeptoid.com/adventures to learn more and reserve your spot. I hope you'll join me this December as we explore the mysteries of the Maya together. This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the Yucatán exploring remarkable archaeological sites, uncovering the real history behind the Maya civilization, and separating fact from fiction along the way.  To reserve your spot, all you need is a fully refundable $500 deposit. Your deposit is refundable through August 1, so you can reserve your place with confidence. After Au Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenous and local experts. Every project we do is grounded in collective memory, creativity, and respect for the land and its people.  Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Find us:  Bluesky...

  8. Jun 11

    Episode 99: The Pretend Indians!

    If you were to walk out onto the street right now and ask the average person to close their eyes and picture an “American Indian,” what images would flash across their mind? For most, those images wouldn’t be of contemporary indigenous lawyers, scientists, artists, or tribal leaders navigating the complex realities of the 21st century. Instead, their minds would automatically drift to a beautifully lit cinematic landscape: a weathered warrior in a majestic feather headdress standing on a desert ridge, or a mystical shaman whispering ancient riddles by a campfire. We live in a culture saturated by these images. But where do they actually come from, and whose needs do they really serve? In this episode, we are going to dive into a brilliant, blistering, and profoundly witty critique of American pop culture written in 1980 by the legendary Standing Rock Sioux scholar, historian, and activist, Vine Deloria, Jr. Deloria wrote a groundbreaking foreword titled “American Fantasy” for a book called The Pretend Indians: Images of Native Americans in the Movies, edited by Gretchen M. Bataille and Charles L. P. Silet. Deloria’s central premise is as shocking as it is liberating: he argues that the “Indians” we see on movie screens, in television shows, and in popular literature have absolutely nothing to do with real Native Americans. Instead, they are completely artificial projections—a collection of “pretend” figures manufactured by white society to fulfill its own psychological needs, soothe its historical guilt, and escape its own deep identity crises. In a world that prefers comforting myths over complex realities, Deloria challenges us to flip the script. He invites us to look at Hollywood not as a window into indigenous history, but as a mirror reflecting the fragmented, alienated psyche of the American white man. So, let’s step into this urban fantasy together, look beneath the silver screen, and explore what happens when a culture replaces living people with a myth—and how Native communities brilliantly learned to use that very myth as a shield for survival. listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Use the promo code “KURLY” in the "How did you hear about this adventure?" field when you sign up for a $200 discount. Visit skeptoid.com/adventures to learn more and reserve your spot. I hope you'll join me this December as we explore the mysteries of the Maya together. This December, I'll be joining Skeptoid Adventures as your guide for The Mysteries of the Maya, where we'll travel through the Yucatán exploring remarkable archaeological sites, uncovering the real history behind the Maya civilization, and separating fact from fiction along the way.  To reserve your spot, all you need is a fully refundable $500 deposit. Your deposit is refundable through August 1, so you can reserve your place with confidence. After Au Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenous and local experts. Every project we do is grounded in collective memory, creativity, and respect for the land and its people.  Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off! Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in Mérida Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Find us:  Bluesky...

See All (189)

Trailers

4.7
out of 5
83 Ratings

About

We explore Chicano, Mexicano, and Mesoamerican history, archaeology, and culture, and combat the spread of disinformation about these very topics. Your hosts Kurly Tlapoyawa and Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl invite you to join them on a fascinating journey through Mesoamerica's past, present, and future!  Goodpods #1 in the Top 100 Chicano Podcasts (3 years running!)

Information

  • Creator
    Kurly Tlapoyawa & Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    189
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Chimalli Institute of Mesoamerican Arts
  • Show Website
    Tales From Aztlantis

You Might Also Like