Best Activismo Podcasts (2025)

1
Activismo Ambiental en América Latina 39:51

5d ago39:51

39:51

America Latina es uno de los lugares mas mortiferos para ser defensor de derechos. A pesar de las altas tasas de asesitatos de activistas y de impunidad, muchos arriesgan sus vidas para luchar por sus derechos. En este episodio, Carmen le cuenta a Cristina sobre el estado del activismo ambiental en America Latina y unos casos de activistas ambienta…

1
Lolita Lebron: Part Two 30:19

9h ago30:19

30:19

On March 1, 1954, four Puerto Rican Nationalists opened fire on the house of Representatives chamber at the US Capitol. They were led by Lolita Lebron, a woman who some see as a hero and others as a terrorist. Cristina tells Carmen about Lolita Lebron, picking up from the attack on March 1st, to her time in prison and her continued activism once sh…

1
Lolita Lebron: Part One 28:01

6d ago28:01

28:01

On March 1, 1954, four Puerto Rican Nationalists opened fire on the house of Representatives chamber at the US Capitol. They were led by Lolita Lebron, a woman who some see as a hero and others as a terrorist. Cristina tells Carmen about Lolita Lebron, leading up to the March 1st attack. If you have topic suggestions, feel free to email Historiasun…

1
The Failed Expedition of Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba 31:49

13d ago31:49

31:49

Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba was the captain of an expedition that left Castilla del oro (Cuba) in 1517, with the intent of finding more indigenous people to enslave. But none of it went as planned. Cristina tells Carmen about this failed expedition and the victory of the Maya, who drove the Spaniards out during their battle. If you have topic su…

1
A Brief History of the Panama Canal Zone (Part Four) 1:04:39

20d ago1:04:39

1:04:39

The Panama Canal is now controlled by Panama, but before that, France and then the United Stated coveted and gained control of the zone, to develop the canal. Many lives were lost during the development of the canal, and many were displaced for the creation of the canal. The role of Panama in its own development is often forgotten or minimized. In …

1
A Brief History of the Panama Canal Zone (Part Three) 53:37

1M ago53:37

53:37

The Panama Canal is now controlled by Panama, but before that, France and then the United Stated coveted and gained control of the zone, to develop the canal. Many lives were lost during the development of the canal, and many were displaced for the creation of the canal. The role of Panama in its own development is often forgotten or minimized. In …

1
A Brief History of the Panama Canal Zone (Part Two) 43:41

2M ago43:41

43:41

The Panama Canal is now controlled by Panama, but before that, France and then the United Stated coveted and gained control of the zone, to develop the canal. Many lives were lost during the development of the canal, and many were displaced for the creation of the canal. The role of Panama in its own development is often forgotten or minimized. In …

1
A Brief History of the Panama Canal Zone (Part One) 33:37

2M ago33:37

33:37

The Panama Canal is now controlled by Panama, but before that, France and then the United Stated coveted and gained control of the zone, to develop the canal. Many lives were lost during the development of the canal, and many were displaced for the creation of the canal. The role of Panama in its own development is often forgotten or minimized. In …

1
El Estudio de Sifilis en Guatemala 45:19

3M ago45:19

45:19

Los experimentos de sífilis de Guatemala se llevaron a cabo entre 1946 y 1948. Fueron dirigidos por John Cutler, quien luego participaría en los experimentos de Tuskegee. Esto no fue descubierto hasta que la historiadora y profesora Susan Mokotoff Reverby encontró los archivos de Cutler mientras investigaba los experimentos de Tuskegee. Guatemala h…

1
a Beloved Beverage and their not so Great History in Mexico 36:33

3M ago36:33

36:33

If you search Mexico and Coca Cola, there’s no doubt you’ll be flooded with content about how much Mexicans love it, as well as the sky rocketing rates of diabetes in the country. You might see the alarmin statistic that in Chiapas, Mexicans drink an average of 2.5 liters of coca cola, but of course, as with all these things, it is deeper. In this …

1
Monsanto, Mexico and Leydy Pech 31:32

3M ago31:32

31:32

Monsanto started as a chemical company founded 1901. Later, the company became a major producer of genetically engineered crops. In part three, Cristina talks about how Monsanto affected towns surrounded by agricultural fields in Autlan, Jalisco, as well as Leydy Pech. The Mayan beekeeper who fought and won against the giant corporation. If you hav…

1
Monsanto and Argentina 43:08

3M ago43:08

43:08

Monsanto started as a chemical company founded 1901. Later, the company became a major producer of genetically engineered crops. In part two of this series, Cristina shares some of the devastating effects Monsanto and roundup have had on Argentina, as well as the stories of those fighting back against Monsanto. If you have topic suggestions, feel f…

1
A Brief History of Monsanto and the Horrible Things They've Done 42:29

4M ago42:29

42:29

Monsanto started as a chemical company founded 1901. Later, the company became a major producer of genetically engineered crops. In this episode, Cristina shares a brief history of Monsanto, to get all of us up to speed on the topic she wants to cover: Leydy Pech, the Maya woman who defeated Monsanto. Before getting to that, it would be good to kno…

1
Operation Wetback 52:09

4M ago52:09

52:09

In 1954, the U.S. Border Patrol enacted “Operation Wetback,” a campaign to deport Mexican workers who were in the country illegally. The program was called a success and claimed to have rounded up 1 million people, though that number is now contested. US citizens were among the deported and many died due to being left in the desert. In this episode…

1
The Puerto Rico Birth Control Pill Trials 37:27

4M ago37:27

37:27

The birth control pill revolutionized women’s independence in the US and everywhere, but came at the cost of Puerto Rican women who were experimented on without consent in the birth control trials of the 1950’s, overseen by Gregory Pincus and John Rock. If you have topic suggestions, feel free to email [email protected] or use the c…

1
Esterilización Forzada En California (in Spanish) 58:14

5M ago58:14

58:14

Leyes de esterilización en los Estados Unidos desproporcionadamente afectaron a personas Morena, Indígena, y Latina. Sterilizaciones masivas se llevaron en 32 estados y también en Puerto Rico. Entre 1930 a 1970, un tercio de las mujeres puertorriqueñas fueron esterilizadas. Entre 1907 y 1979, 20,000 personas fueron esterilizadas en Californa. De es…

1
Cesar Chavez Part 5 54:24

5M ago54:24

54:24

Cesario Estrada Chavez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist.. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, along with Dolores Huerta, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers labor union. In part five, the final part of this Cesar Chavez series, Cristina talks …

1
Cesar Chavez Part 4 54:46

5M ago54:46

54:46

Cesario Estrada Chavez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist.. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, along with Dolores Huerta, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers labor union. In part four, Cristina talks about Cesar Chavez' trip to Europe, the UFW'…

1
Cesar Chavez Part 3 59:07

6M ago59:07

59:07

Cesario Estrada Chavez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist.. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, along with Dolores Huerta, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers labor union. In part three, Cristina talks about the end of the grape strikes, the tro…

1
Cesar Chavez Part Two 57:51

6M ago57:51

57:51

Cesario Estrada Chavez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist.. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, along with Dolores Huerta, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers labor union. In part two, Cristina starts off with the 300 mile march from Delano to S…

1
Cesar Chavez 1:02:43

6M ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Cesario Estrada Chavez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist.. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, along with Dolores Huerta, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers labor union. In part one, Cristina tells Carmen about Cesar Chavez' early lif, the tro…

1
The Lemon Grove Incident 38:16

7M ago38:16

38:16

On January 5, 1931, Mexican students were turned away from the Lemon Grove Grammar School and were told to attend a barnyard for school. As a result, the Mexican community gathered and faced off with the school board, in Roberto Alvarez v. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District, and won. This became known as "The Lemon Grove Incid…

1
Mendez v Westminster 54:13

7M ago54:13

54:13

When Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez, both US citizens tried to enroll their children to the 17th street school in Westminster, CA, they were denied. They were told 17th street school was for White children only and their children had to attend the Mexican school 10 blocks away. The Mendez family would not stand for this and they recruited four other …

1
Culebra Island 30:54

7M ago30:54

30:54

The US Navy tried to take over the island of Culebra, but after years being displaced and harmed, the Culebrenses fought back. This is the story of how the US Navy was kicked out of Culebra Island. If you have topic suggestions, feel free to email [email protected] or use the contact us form on the website https://www.historiasunkno…

1
Los Motines de los Baños de 1917 (Spanish episode) 33:55

7M ago33:55

33:55

El 28 de enero de 1917, Carmelita Torres, de diecisiete años, se negó a bajarse del tranvía en el puente de Santa Fe y seguir a los funcionarios de salud estadounidenses hasta un baño químico. 30 mujeres la siguieron. Pronto, esas 30 se convirtieron en cientas y luego en miles. Esto se llamaría "los motines de los banos" y duró 2 días. Los periódic…

1
The 1948 Los Gatos Crash 34:28

7M ago34:28

34:28

The worst plane crash in California history happened in 1948, in Los Gatos. 32 died. 28 of those 32 were Mexican workers who were being deported. These workers were all put in a mass grave together and the grave was marked with the words “Mexican Nationals”. On today's episode, Cristina tells Carmen about this tragic crash and one person's journey …

1
Martin Ramirez Sostre 52:25

8M ago52:25

52:25

Martin Sostre was a pioneer for prison reform and prisoner rights. His fight against the injustices he faced as a prisoner helped secure rights for all prisoners, and continue to be an inspiration for those resisting the prison-industrial complex. If you have topic suggestions, feel free to email [email protected] Instagram: https:/…

1
El Baile de Los 41 (Spanish episode) 33:42

8M ago33:42

33:42

El 18 de Noviembre, la policia toco la puerta de un jogar privado en Cuidad Mexico. Se encontraron con 41 hombres, la mitad vestidos como mujeres y fue un escandalo. Se conoce como el Baile de Los 41. Este es el primer episodio que Carmen y Cristina intentan en Espanol (empieza en minuto 04:26). Gracias por escuchar! If you have topic suggestions, …

1
Cornelius Dusty Rhoads: American Hero, Villain in Puerto Rico 48:06

9M ago48:06

48:06

Cornelius Rhoads was an esteemed cancer researcher, known as the father of chemotherapy. He was on the cover of Time in 1949 and The American Association for Cancer Research used to give out an award in his honor. But before all that, he was the subject of a racist scandal that left a stain in Puerto Rico. Where he is still remembered as a monster.…

1
The Dance of the 41 37:11

9M ago37:11

37:11

On November 17, 1901 a societal scandal changed LGBTQ history in Mexico forever. Police raided a secret dance in Mexico City, where 42 of Mexican's elite men were caught in an all man party. Half the men were dressed as women. The official number put out by the government was 41, because the 42nd attendee and organizer was said to be President Porf…

1
Lorena Borjas: The mother of the Trans Latinx Community in Queens, New York 19:21

9M ago19:21

19:21

Lorena Borjas was known as the mother of the trans Latinx community in Queens, New York. After a life of activism, she passed in 2020 from COVID, but her legacy lives on. In this episode, Carmen tells Cristina about Lorena's life, activism and legacy. If you have topic suggestions, feel free to email [email protected] Instagram: htt…

1
The Infamous School of Americas 47:59

9M ago47:59

47:59

The School of the Americas (SOA) was founded in 1946 in the Panama Canal Zone, and it's purpose was to be a training ground for Latin American military and police in U.S. service schools. By 1949, SOA produced 749 U.S. military personnel and 251 Latin American graduates, representing 10 different countries. Spanish became the official language of t…

1
Environmental Activism in Latin America 31:20

10M ago31:20

31:20

Latin America is one of the deadliest places to be a defender of rights; despite the high rates of activist killings and high rates of impunity, many risk their lives to fight for their rights. In this episode, Carmen tells Cristina about the state of environmental activism in Latin America, as well as a few cases of environmental activists whose l…

1
The Homosexual Liberation Front of Argentina 29:45

10M ago29:45

29:45

La Frente de Liberacion Homosexual, the Homosexual Liberation Front or FLH in Argentina was a gay rights organization that formed in August 1971 in Buenos Aires. They were a coalition of semi-autonomous groups, who were all far left, anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist, and stood for LGBT rights, women’s rights and labor rights. They were met with re…

1
Nuño Beltran de Guzman: Behind the Bastardos 30:30

10M ago30:30

30:30

When it comes to the Spanish Conquistadors, it’s not incorrect to say they were pretty terrible people. But out of all of them, one name stands out, he also happens to be the founder of Guadalajara, Jalisco, among other towns in the Northwest of Mexico. Nuño Beltran de Guzman was called "the most depraved man to set foot in New Spain". In this epis…

1
Student Movements in Latin America 32:12

11M ago32:12

32:12

In light of the student protests calling for divestments from Israel and a ceasefire in US schools, Carmen tells Cristina about the student movements from the 1920s to the 1950s in Colombia and the student movement from 1918 in Argentina that led to university reform. If you have topic suggestions, feel free to email [email protected]…

1
Teresa Urrea, La Santa de Cabora 44:19

11M ago44:19

44:19

Teresa Urrea was a curandera, folk saint, feminist and revolutionary. A woman ahead of her time. She came to be known as Santa Teresa or La Santa de Cabora. And in more recent times, the Joan of Arc of Mexico. In this episode, Cristina tells Carmen about the life of Teresa Urrea. If you have topic suggestions, feel free to email Historiasunknownpod…

1
Victor Jara 35:21

11M ago35:21

35:21

Victor Jara was a popular singer in Chile, famous for his folk songs that focused on politics, human rights, and social justice. This, along with aligning himself with Allende, made him a target for the Chilean right-wing, and he was captured and killed by the Pinochet regime after the US backed coup against Allende. Following Victor Jara’s assassi…

1
A Brief History of Chile: The End of the Pinochet Regime 54:01

12M ago54:01

54:01

In October 1998, General Augusto Pinochet was arrested for crimes of genocide and terrorism. He spent months in house arrest in England, but 15 months after his arrest, he was declared not fit to stand trial. Upon his return to Chile, he was charged for his role in the Caravan of Death. He faced more charges over the next 5 years, but died of a hea…

1
A Brief History of Chile: The Caravan of Death and DINA 58:13

12M ago58:13

58:13

In the aftermath of the Pinochet coup, Chileans faced unimaginable horrors under the military dictatorship. The Caravan of Death: Initiated by Pinochet, this series of massacres between September 30th and October 22nd, 1973, led to the deaths of at least 97 people. Victims were tortured, stabbed, and shot, their bodies disposed of in unmarked grave…

1
A Brief History of Chile: The Rise of Pinochet 36:17

1y ago36:17

36:17

After Salvador Allende's presidency in Chile and the coup that deposed him, one man rose to power: Augusto Pinochet. A figure shrouded in ambiguity until the devastating consequences of his rule unfolded. In this episode, Cristina tells Carmen about what who Augusto Pinochet was and the weeks that followed the coup of 1973. While many celebrated th…

1
A Brief History of Chile: The Coup Against Allende 47:33

1y ago47:33

47:33

On 9/11/1973, Salvador Allende’s government was overthrown by the military. Among the conspirators was Chile’s future dictator, Augusto Pinochet. In this episode, Carmen tells Cristina about the day of the coup, and Allende’s final moments. This is part two of a series on Chile. In part one, Historias Unknown covered the life of Allende, leading up…

1
A Brief History of Chile: Salvador Allende 57:47

1y ago57:47

57:47

Salvador Allende died during the US backed coup of Chile, but other than that, not a lot of people are familiar with who he was. In this episode, Carmen goes over a brief history of Chile, focusing on Salvador Allende, leading up to his presidency and the events that unfolded during his time in office. Allende's upbringing within a politically acti…

1
A 1996 Pasaco Kidnapping with Luis Corzo 51:05

1y ago51:05

51:05

On the 18th of April of 1996, 6-year-old Luis Corzo was abducted together with his father Juan Corzo, Jr. from their home by seven rifle-armed intruders. The kidnapping was organised by a group called "Los Pasaco", who were the most feared group of criminals in Guatemala in the early 90s. During the month-long captivity Juan Corzo, Jr. was physical…

1
A Brief History of La Cucaracha 31:38

1y ago31:38

31:38

La Cucaracha is a popular Mexican folk song, there's no doubt that almost everyone has heard a version of this song. But, where does it come from? On today's episode of Historias Unknown, Cristina tells Carmen about where the popular song came from. If you have topic suggestions, feel free email [email protected] Instagram: https://…

1
The US Invasion of Panama 46:09

1y ago46:09

46:09

On December 20, 1989 the United States launched Operation Just Cause, invading Panama, under the guise of capturing dictator Manuel Noriega. This invasion is often told from the US perspective, and the suffering of Panamians is overlooked and minimized. To this day, the number of Panamanians that lost their lives from this invasion is still unknown…

1
The Student Massacre of 1975- El Salvador 29:59

1y ago29:59

29:59

On July 30, 1975 Salvadoran students were peacefully protesting in San Salvador when they were met by police and national guard, who opened fire on them. This massacre was a turning point in Salvadoran history and directly contributed to the buildup to El Salvador's civil war. In this episode, Cristina tells Carmen about the student massacre of 197…

1
Ruben Salazar- The Chicano Moratorium Part Two 31:27

1+ y ago31:27

31:27

Ruben Salazar was an activist, journalist and reporter. He highlighted Mexican American issues during a time when no one else was. He was killed during the Chicano Moratorium, which Carmen discussed in the last episode. In this episode, Cristina tells Carmen about Ruben Salazar. If you have topic suggestions, feel free email Historiasunknownpodcast…

1
The Chicano Moratorium 34:05

1+ y ago34:05

34:05

On August 29, 1970, East LA became the scene for the largest antiwar protest organized by people of color in US history, in which 20,000 to 30,000 people participated in the National Chicano Moratorium to protest against the disproportionate loss of Mexican-American servicemen in the Vietnam War. In this episode, Carmen tells Cristina about the Chi…

1
A Brief History Of Palestine and Latin American Solidarity 51:08

1+ y ago51:08

51:08

The origins of colonialism in Palestine can be traced back to 1799, during the French invasion of the middle east, when Napoleon issued a proclamation offering Palestine as a homeland to Jewish people, under France’s protection, as a way of establishing a French presence in the region. This planted the seed for a vision of a Jewish state in the Mid…

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