Undocu-Life: No Longer Dreaming

Hola Cultura

How does growing up an immigrant — born in one place, coming of age in another — affect who you become? How do the traumas of coming to a new country as a child affect early adulthood? Why are immigrants viewed as statistics rather than human beings with real thoughts, emotions, and aspirations? How does the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the term "DREAMers" enforce the perception of what a "good immigrant" looks like? We’ll explore these questions, and more, in our podcast, Undocu-Life, hosted by Jose Luis Mendoza & Lucía Matamoros. In this podcast, we seek to humanize people who have migrated to the U.S. in search of better opportunities and to tell their unique stories. Together, we’ll explore the raw personal accounts of five young Latino immigrants living in the D.C. area, and how their shared experiences as immigrants have brought both opportunities and challenges to their adult lives. In Undocu-Life, immigrants are not statistics. They’re human beings.

Episodes

  1. 12/07/2022

    Los inmigrantes son humanos

    ¿Cómo difieren las experiencias migratorias? ¿Qué tienen en común? Desde que se lanzó Undocu-Life, hemos hablado con cinco narradores sobre sus experiencias migrando a los EE.UU. En nuestro último episodio en inglés, tres de nuestros narradores, Brenda Pérez Amador, Gerson Quinteros y María Núñez Pereira, se reúnen en un panel en el que nos cuentan un poco más sobre sus anécdotas, experiencias y pasiones; como lo son la educación, el cambio social y la familia. Es importante tener estas conversaciones, especialmente durante un momento incierto para las políticas estadounidenses, como el DACA, que están destinadas a ayudar a los inmigrantes. Gracias a todos por escuchar la primera temporada de Undocu-Life y por explorar la vida de estos cinco inmigrantes con nosotros. Es posible que volvamos con nuevos episodios el próximo año. Episode Credits: Presentador: Lucía Matamoros Narradores: Gerson Quinteros and Maria Nunez Pereira Entrevistador del episodio: Lucía Matamoros Guionista del episodio: Thomas Bravo Editora del episodio: Claudia Peralta Torres Directora del podcast: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions: El Baul - La Inglesa Sugartree- Cornicob Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  2. 11/30/2022

    Immigrants are human

    How do immigration experiences differ? How are they similar? Since Undocu-Life launched, we’ve spoken with five narrators about their own experiences with immigration. In our English-language conclusion episode, three of our narrators—Brenda Perez Amador, Gerson Quinteros, and Maria Nunez Pereira—come together for a roundtable discussion where they take their previous conversations further expanding on how their passions for education, social change, and family shape their identity. These conversations are important to have, especially during an uncertain time for U.S. policies like DACA that are meant to help immigrants. Thank you everyone for listening to the first season of Undocu-Life and for exploring the lives of these five immigrants with us. Next week, we have our final Spanish-language episode, wrapping up this conversation, for now anyway. We may be back with new episodes next year. Episode Credits: Host: Jose Luis Mendoza Narrators: Gerson Quinteros, Brenda Perez Amador, and Maria Nunez Pereira Episode Interviewer: Lucía Matamoros Episode Scriptwriter: Thomas Bravo Episode Editor: Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions: El Baul - Only Lara Sugartree - Cornicob Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  3. 11/23/2022

    Jacinto: Rejecting the “DREAMer” narrative

    How do undocumented immigrants facing social and economic injustices in the workplace and their own communities find the resources to thrive in the United States? D.C. organizer, using the pseudonym, Jacinto Maldonado Torres, came to Washington, D.C. in 2010 when he was 15 years old. Originally from Mexico City, he attended D.C. public schools and recently earned an associates degree in early childhood education at the University of the District of Columbia. His previous experiences at immigrant youth empowerment meetings fostered his passion for teaching other immigrants about their rights and resources in the United States. In this episode of Undocu-Life, Jacinto tells us about his work empowering other immigrants, especially those working in the restaurant industry, to utilize resources and overcome adversity, including health and economic challenges. Episode Credits: Host: Lucía Matamoros Narrator: Jacinto Maldonado Torres Episode Interviewer: Delia Beristain Noriega Episode Scriptwriter/Organizer: Noelle Norris and Claudia Peralta Torres Episode Editor: Jose Luis Mendoza and Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions: Confectionery - Palms Down Sugartree - Cornicob Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  4. 11/16/2022

    Maria: The mental pressure of the “model immigrant”

    How does the Spanish-to-English language barrier affect young immigrants in a public school system? University of the District of Columbia (UDC) undergraduate, Maria Nunez Pereira, was born in El Salvador, and immigrated to D.C. when she was five years old. Upon arriving in the United States and enrolling into public school, Maria recalls being denied the support she needed in her classes, while she was barely starting to learn English. In this episode of Undocu-Life, Maria opens up about her mental health journey, and the pride she now feels about being a young undocumented immigrant. Episode Credits: Host: Jose Luis Mendoza Narrator: Maria Nunez Pereira Episode Interviewer: Delia Beristain Noriega Episode Scriptwriters/Organizer: Thomas Bravo, Jose Luis Mendoza, and Claudia Peralta Torres Episode Editors: Norma Sorto and Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions: Resolute - Morning Colorwheel Sugartree - Cornicob Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  5. 11/09/2022

    Brenda: Taking up space in social change

    How does language access affect how young immigrants navigate the public education system in America? Born in the city of Nezahualcóyotl in Mexico, Brenda Valeria Perez Amador is a passionate advocate for helping other young immigrants including those with the protection of DACA. Brenda, a DACA recipient herself, reflects on her love of learning, but recalls many instances of language injustice she encountered while attending public school in D.C. after arriving in the U.S. in 2006 at the age of 10. In this episode of Undocu-Life, listeners will learn more about Brenda’s upbringing and how her immigration experiences have inspired her to combat racial injustice, harmful immigration narratives, climate change, food insecurity, and more intersectional issues. Episode Credits: Host: Jose Luis Mendoza  Narrator: Brenda Valeria Perez Amador Episode Interviewer: Delia Beristain Noriega Episode Scriptwriter/Organizer: Noelle Norris and Claudia Peralta Torres Episode Editor: Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions: Calumet - Curiously and Curiously Sugartree - Cornicob Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  6. 11/02/2022

    Gerson: Fostering education & inspiring community

    How does being undocumented interfere with the aspiration to pursue higher education in the US? Gerson Quinteros, born in El Salvador, explores how he navigated his legal status while achieving his goal of attaining a bachelor’s degree from a D.C. university. In this episode, Gerson reveals how he immigrated to D.C. in 2005 and became an influential community organizer with a passion for helping other undocumented youth in his adulthood. Learn more about Gerson’s women-led family influences, and how he exercises kindness and humility every day in this episode of Undocu-Life. Episode Credits: Host: Jose Luis Mendoza  Narrator: Gerson Quinteros Episode Interviewer: Delia Beristain Noriega Episode Scriptwriter/Organizer: Noelle Norris and Claudia Peralta Torres Episode Editor: Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions: Resolute - Greyleaf Willow Sugartree - Cornicob Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  7. 10/26/2022

    Carla: Escaping the identity box

    What does it mean to call three different places home? Carla Nicole Gott Ramirez — born in Venezuela and raised in Bolivia and the Washington, D.C. area, explores how she was able to embrace these multiple identities within her after migrating to the United States from Bolivia in 2001. In this episode, Carla runs us through how her citizenship and immigration status dictated her schooling, finances, and travel opportunities. Carla discusses the conflicting feelings she had after she received her green card, why she currently calls D.C. home, and how she was able to re-discover her love for Bolivia as an adult through a platform she co-founded called, “How to La Paz.” Tune in to this episode of Undocu-Life to hear more about how Carla embraces all of her identities, and escapes the box that limits her to just being “Latina.” Episode Credits: Host: Jose Luis Mendoza  Narrator: Carla Gott Ramirez Episode Interviewer: Delia Beristain Noriega Episode Scriptwriter/Organizer: Thomas Bravo and Claudia Peralta Torres Episode Editor: Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions: El Baul - Lobo Lobo Sugartree - Cornicob Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  8. 10/19/2022

    Immigrants are more than just a label

    How does growing up an immigrant — born in one place, coming of age in another — affect who you become? Why are immigrants viewed as statistics rather than human beings with real thoughts, emotions, and aspirations? How does the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the term "DREAMers" enforce the perception of what a "good immigrant" looks like? We’ll explore these questions, and more, in this introductory episode of our new bilingual podcast, Undocu-Life, hosted by Jose Luis Mendoza & Lucía Matamoros. Episode Credits: Host: Jose Luis Mendoza  Narrators: Brenda Perez Amador, Carla Gott Ramirez, Gerson Quinteros, Jacinto Maldonado Torres, and Maria Nunez Pereira Episode Guests: Juliana Macedo do Nascimento and Abel Nuñez Episode Interviewers: Thomas Bravo, Noelle Norris, Claudia Peralta Torres, Christine MacDonald Episode Scriptwriter: Thomas Bravo Episode Editor: Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions: Flatlands - Remsen Low Blow - Morning Glare Confectionery - Callison Sugartree - Cornicob Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  9. 10/12/2022 ·  Bonus

    Introducing Undocu-Life: No Longer Dreaming [English Trailer]

    Welcome to “Undocu-Life” from Hola Cultura, with support from the D.C. Oral History Collaborative. In “Undocu-Life,” we’ll explore the unique stories of five young Latino immigrants living in the D.C. area. We interviewed these five people, also known as our narrators, last year as a part of an oral history project called “Every Voice A Life.” Take a listen to hear what you can expect from the podcast through the voices and stories of Carla, Gerson, Brenda, Maria, and Jacinto.  Tune in on October 19th for our first episode! Episode Credits: Hosts: Jose Luis Mendoza and Lucía Matamoros Narrators: Brenda Perez Amador, Carla Gott Ramirez, Gerson Quinteros, Jacinto Maldonado Torres, and Maria Nunez Pereira Scriptwriter: Noelle Norris Episode Editor: Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions:  Sugartree - Cornicob  Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  10. Season 1 Trailer

    Introducing Undocu-Life: No Longer Dreaming

    Welcome to “Undocu-Life” from Hola Cultura, with support from the D.C. Oral History Collaborative. In “Undocu-Life,” we’ll explore the unique stories of five young Latino immigrants living in the D.C. area. We interviewed these five people, also known as our narrators, last year as a part of an oral history project called “Every Voice A Life.” Take a listen to hear what you can expect from the podcast through the voices and stories of Carla, Gerson, Brenda, Maria, and Jacinto. Tune in on October 19th for our first episode! Episode Credits: Hosts: Jose Luis Mendoza and Lucía Matamoros Narrators: Brenda Perez Amador, Carla Gott Ramirez, Gerson Quinteros, Jacinto Maldonado Torres, and Maria Nunez Pereira Scriptwriter: Noelle Norris Episode Editor: Claudia Peralta Torres Podcast Director: Christine MacDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions:  Sugartree - Cornicob  Follow along with the English and Spanish episode transcripts located on our podcast webpage. Don’t forget to follow us on all social media platforms, @holaculturadc, and subscribe to the podcast to get updates on upcoming episodes. Visit Hola Cultura!

  • 1 Trailer
    9 Episodes

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How does growing up an immigrant — born in one place, coming of age in another — affect who you become? How do the traumas of coming to a new country as a child affect early adulthood? Why are immigrants viewed as statistics rather than human beings with real thoughts, emotions, and aspirations? How does the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the term "DREAMers" enforce the perception of what a "good immigrant" looks like? We’ll explore these questions, and more, in our podcast, Undocu-Life, hosted by Jose Luis Mendoza & Lucía Matamoros. In this podcast, we seek to humanize people who have migrated to the U.S. in search of better opportunities and to tell their unique stories. Together, we’ll explore the raw personal accounts of five young Latino immigrants living in the D.C. area, and how their shared experiences as immigrants have brought both opportunities and challenges to their adult lives. In Undocu-Life, immigrants are not statistics. They’re human beings.

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