In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15), I wanted to take a minute and highlight some incredible Hispanic and Latino American authors and podcast creators, who have inspired, persisted, and influenced so many by not only their stories but the impactful ways in which they have chosen to share them with the world.

As a Mexican American woman, half of my family are a part of this incredible demographic, and I am proud of my heritage, honored to have had the most unstoppable, persevering, and loving Mexican grandmother and family, and I’m continually influenced by my family and so many other Latino American and Hispanic women, who have made their way through adversity in order to contribute to the world, making it a better place, building a legacy, and I’m proud to honor that cultural innovation and perseverance. I’m planning to launch something new soon, and I’m so excited to share it and make a cultural contribution, so stay tuned 🙂

~ Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month! ~

Podcasts

Anything for Selena by Maria Garcia

A 9-part series, in both Spanish and English, highlighting Selena Quintanilla’s legacy during her life. Each episode shares information and insight into the Mexican American singer’s life before her murder in 1995. This podcast goes beyond featuring a superstar, however, by touching on race, identity, cultural complexities, and the revolution of Tejano music. One special interview is also included with Selena’s husband, Chris Perez. You will not be disappointed!

La Brega by Alana Casanova-Burgess

In this podcast, the “struggle” is identified from a Latino point of view, highlighting Puerto Rican experiences in both Spanish and English, and demonstrating how resilience became more than just a notion but a lifestyle.

Yeah No, I’m Not Ok by Diane Guerrero

Orange Is the New Black actress Diane Guerrero interviews several Latina stars, such as Demi Lovato and Cristela Alonzo, among others, to discuss mental health awareness, depression, anxiety, and mental health while focusing on positivity and perseverance. This podcast provides a platform for honesty, optimism, and determination among the Latinx community.

En la Sala with Becky G (Season 1) and Evaluna Montaner (Season 2)

Mexican American pop star, Becky G opens this podcast up for discussion about important Latinx topics, such as identity, anxiety, culture, mental health, etc.

In the Thick by Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela

Award-winning journalists discuss political and social topics that directly impact the Latinx community, including race, identity, trauma, and political issues.

Latina to Latina by Alicia Menendez

This podcast is set up as a series of interviews that center around Latina women and their ability to take care of businesses, including social challenges and positivity for moving forward and ultimately thriving.

Girls Gone Boss by Alex Pender & Gaby Ortega

This podcast is so inspiring, full of meaningful, complex, and relevant conversations with women who wear many different hats and are from many different communities. Capability, empowerment, individuality, and ambition are the foundations of this inspiring podcast, and with such a broad range of topics, it’s difficult to classify this podcast as having a specific “theme” other than female-driven inspiration and empowerment. The Latina voice is represented in this podcast as well, allowing for a diverse inclusion and conversation regarding such a wide range of topics. The focus on lifting women up, motivating them to take the necessary risks to reach certain dreams, to stop simply existing and start living, is a truly inspiring combination of encouragement and confidence that can reach women from all ages and backgrounds

Tres Cuentos by Carolina Quiroga-Stultz

This podcast focuses on a series of storytelling, in both English and Spanish, that involves honoring traditional Latin American history, folklore, and Native American influence. Mythical folklore is also included, and it is a beautiful tribute to a culture of phenomenal people, including interviews with Latinx literary authors as well.

Super Mamás by Paulina and Bricia Lopez

Calling all madres! This funny, positive, inspiring, insightful podcast shares experiences and advice that you will both love and identify with as a mother, including working, staying home, postpartum, day-to-day challenges, etc. Incorporating the full range of human emotion, you will love this podcast.

Latinx Therapy by Adriana Alejandre

This podcast focuses on mental health, self-awareness, self-help, body awareness and positivity, incorporating optimism, focusing on God and how therapy and religion can intertwine, and cultural complexities. There are no subjects left untouched in this podcast, and it addresses learning techniques for mental health awareness as well.

Wait, Hold Up! By  Jessica Molina and Yarel Ramos,

This podcast includes interviews on current cultural complexities, pop culture, current social and political conflicts and questions, as well as personal and relationship questions and advice. Lighthearted, fun, and interesting, this innovative podcast reflects many current social issues and discussions.

The Mestizo Podcast by Elizabeth Conde-Frazier and Emannuel Padilla

This podcast addresses cultural implications across religious practice and topics. There is a nice balance of understanding historical traditions and current spiritual awareness.

Ellas by Brenda Hernandez Jaimes

This podcast airs twice a week, and incorporates discussions with Latinas who are both inspiring and opening the doors to the future of cultural progression for Latinx generations. This podcast provides the complex conversations that involve breaking the glass ceiling and facing adversity in order to bring about change.

Latinas: From the Block to the Boardroom by Theresa E. Gonzales

This podcast provides an insightful perspective about the corporate world, job searching, job equity, breaking the glass ceiling, and staying positive for Latinas in business, and the personal experiences are both honest and motivational in nature.

Chicana & Latina Moms by Amapola Ramirez

This podcast airs every Monday, and this mother of two sons and wife shares heartfelt, hilarious perspectives and experiences that are both relatable and inspiring for Latina women.

The Wellness Latina by Darling Izzy

This podcast focuses on mental and physical health, balancing day-to-day life with priorities, and listening to your body and mind when it tells you what it needs. Each podcast promotes positivity and wellness and will benefit all areas of your life!

Latina South by Adela Yelton

This podcast provides different interviews and conversations surrounding Latina women throughout the southern United States. The stories share experiences, advice, positivity, staying busy, career and motherhood, family, and community topics.

BOOKS

Recognizing the Latino Resurgence in U.S. Religion by Ana Maria Diaz-Stevens & Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo

Of Borders and Margins: Hispanic Disciples in Texas, 1888-1945 by Daisy L. Machado

The Politics of Latino Faith by Catherine E. Wilson

En la Lucha / In the Struggle: A Hispanic Women’s Liberation Theology by Ada María Isasi-Díaz

Hispanic Women: Prophetic Voice in the Church by Ada María Isasi-Díaz and Yolanda Tarango

Mujerista Theology: A Theology for the Twenty-first Century by Ada María Isasi-Díaz

The Touch of Transcendence: A Postcolonial Theology of God by Mayra Rivera

Theologizing en Espanglish by Carmen Nanko-Fernández

Hispanic/Latino Theology: Challenge and Promise edited by Ada María Isasi-Díaz and Fernando F. Segovia

Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldúa

Faith Formation and Popular Religion: Lessons from the Tejano Experience by Anita de Luna

Longing for Running Water: Ecofeminism and Liberation by Ivone Gebara

A Reader in Latina Feminist Theology: Religion and Justice edited by María Pilar Aquino, Daisy L. Machado, and Jeanette Rodríguez

Latinas Evangélicas by Loida I. Martell-Otero, Zaida Maldonado Perez, Elizabeth Conde-Frazier

Selenidad by Deborah Paredez

The Latina’s Bible by Sandra Guzman

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez