This Is EZ With Friends Erika Zapata

As a Christmas gift to all of my listeners, I am releasing a bonus episode that I recorded over the Thanksgiving break with my family. Surprisingly, I didn’t have to twist anybody’s arm. Everyone willingly chatted with me about their favorite Thanksgiving memories and the things they are most grateful for this year. There seemed to be an overwhelming appreciation for community. I bring you this episode as a reminder that we all seek human connection. Take some inventory this holiday season and don’t forget to tell your loved ones that they mean the world to you. Happy Xmas, everyone! Love & light from This Is EZ With Friends. Season 2 will likely drop sometime in early February. I have some great conversations lined up! Stay tuned!

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Mario Zapata is Nicaraguense and he came to this country on September 19, 1978/1979 (he didn’t seem sure, and I’m not sure either). He traveled on PanAmerica’s final flight from Nicaragua to LAX and arrived at 4:30 in the afternoon. He’s also my dad. 

My parents divorced when I was four, and I’ve spent my entire life trying to piece together what happened. I’m still not sure, but I had the desire to get to know my dad a little better since I didn’t grow up in the same house as him. He indulged my curiosity by sitting with me and allowing me to ask him a series of random questions ranging from “What’s your favorite movie” to “What’s the greatest compliment you’ve ever received.” I spent the month of September trying to get 1000 listens, and realized that this podcast isn’t really about that. It’s about sharing stories and documenting history. 20 years from now, this interview will still exist. This conversation is a time capsule, and I’m so grateful. Thank you to everyone who listened to all of this season’s episodes.  I love you. I appreciate you. Until next time. 

Mario Zapata es nicaraguense y vino a este país el 19 de septiembre 1978/1979 (no parecía seguro el, y yo tampoco). Viajó en el último vuelo de PanAmerica desde Nicaragua a LAX y llegó a las 4:30 de la tarde. Él es mi papá.

Mis padres se divorciaron cuando yo tenía cuatro años y pasé toda mi vida tratando de averiguar lo que pasó. Todavía no estoy segura, pero tenía el deseo de conocer un poco mejor a mi papá porque no crecí en la misma casa que él. Él satisfizo mi curiosidad sentándose conmigo y permitiéndome hacerle una serie de preguntas como  "cuál es tu película favorita" hasta "cuál es el mejor elogio que has recibido". Pasé el mes de septiembre intentando conseguir 1000 escuchas y descubri que este podcast no se trata realmente de eso. Se trata de compartir cuentos y documentar historia. Dentro de 20 años, esta entrevista seguirá existiendo. Esta conversación es una cápsula del tiempo y estoy muy agradecida. Gracias a todos los que escucharon todos mis episodios. Los amo. Los aprecio. Hasta la proxima.




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Naomi Cruz and I were at the same party several years back when I found out she was an immigration lawyer. I had so many questions and only asked a few for fear of coming off as a total creeper. I stalked her for years - attending several of the same parties, co-hosting the games at our mutual friend’s baby shower, and finally luring her onto the podcast as part of my higher, diabolical plan. She has no idea about this, so please don’t tell her. Naomi is Oaxacan, has been a lawyer for 10 years, and owns an immigration law firm with a partner. She joined the podcast to drop knowledge about immigration and school us commoners on what the situation really is. We all know that these types of careers can be taxing, so of course I asked Naomi what she does to unwind when she’s not using her law powers to help the Latino immigrant population of Los Angeles. What I found is that Naomi can do it all. She is the poster woman for work-life balance. If you’ve always been curious about immigration and/or work-life balance, this episode is for you. If you’ve never been curious about it, it’s for you too. Press play, boo.


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Lauren Renee is 25 and full of life. She's a queer artist, model, and actress who joined the podcast to talk about people-pleasing until we realized we're both only children and Virgos, so we talked about that instead. Topics include homophobia, loneliness, abandonment issues, and our leap into maturity as a result of growing up around adults. Lauren shared her story of being brought up in East LA with her aunt and grandmother after her mother got married and left for Mexico. It's an awesome conversation, in which we both got pretty vulnerable. Join us. Press play. 



You can follow Lauren at @laureen_renee. Episode edited by Alex Zamora (@zamoravisuals)


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Raymundo Archila is a filmmaker in every sense of the word. He’s a storyteller, writer, director, and editor, who is currently promoting his short film “Manhunt,” also known as “La Siguanaba,” based on a Central American urban legend. He joined the podcast to talk about his experience as a Salvi youth in a predominantly white and Asian neighborhood. His connection to his Central American roots went from non-existent to hyper-present. He stays involved in the Salvadoran community and seeks to promote his culture in everything he does. Some of his friends refer to him as the Salvadoran senator and it checks out. Press play to hear us bond over our Salvi/Nica roots. 

You can find Raymundo Archila @raymundoarchila. 

This episode was edited by Alex Zamora (@zamoravisuals)




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If I had a quarter for every time Trish and I got drunk and sang karaoke together, I'd have about five dollars. We are living proof that you can bridge the gap between boomers and millennials. Ralph used to house sit for Trish long before I came along, since she was busy traveling the globe during the summer months. Her black lab Marlon (RIP), was the goddog at our wedding. Patricia "Trish" Soto is an artist, retired teacher, singer, future belly dancer, lover of culture & travel, and a true citizen of the globe. She has been to 58 countries and shows no signs of slowing down. This episode will make you want to book that flight to that place you've been wanting to visit forever. Press play and then follow Trish on Instagram at @travelontrish, to witness some of her global adventures.


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