2026 Episodes
LISTEN and explore our Facts & Acts
Episode FIVE - March 18, 2026
Why Stories Matter
David Damian Figueroa was born on the US side of the border and has spent much of his life working with -- and highlighting the stories of -- his immigrant neighbors.
In his CAMINA interview, David Damian shares his own story for a change. What did this former farm worker, music publicist, advocate and documentary film-maker learn from the tears of breakfast potatoes?
FACT ONE:
One in Six Americans has Hispanic/Latino heritage, we said in the podcast. In fact, that was a few years ago. By 2020, the Hispanic population reached more than 19%, or nearly one in every 5 Americans. This and more interesting statistics comes from the Pew Research Center.
FACT TWO:
In 2020–22, around 32 percent of crop farmworkers were U.S. born, 7 percent were naturalized American citizens, 19 percent were other authorized immigrants (primarily permanent residents or green-card holders), and the remaining 42 percent held no work authorization. This figure comes from the US Department of Agriculture.
ACT:
If you find a screening of David Damian Figueroa's latest documentary, Samaritans, check it out. He posts on substack and there is more about this trio of stories HERE.
His 2014 film, Food Chains, about migrant workers standing up to the corporate supermarkets who profit from their labor without protecting their safety, is available on Tubi for free HERE.
Episode FOUR - Feb. 18, 2026
Children Crossing
There are scenes from this story that stay in your mind long after the podcast ends. Rita was only 10, but when her mother arranged for Rita, her sister and two young cousins to travel across the border with their grandmother to live with her in Arizona, she had no idea what could happen.
She left Mexico a child and arrived in Arizona as a responsible young woman.
ACT:
If you, your employees, family or friends are DACA recipients, remind everyone that paperwork is VERY delayed. It's important to file at least 150 days early.
If you are moved to help others with this process, the National Immigration Law Center accepts donations at the website listed among our recources at the end of this page.
FACT ONE:
According to the US government, since 2021 apprehensions at American ports of entry at the southwest borders, “…have exceeded 130,000 each year. In the first 10 months of 2024, apprehensions of UAC numbered 87,475.” -- Congress.gov
FACT TWO:
In Latin America, three countries are home to 59% of people living in poverty in Latin America. These are Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico. This is according to the World Bank, which defines poverty as having an income of less than $3.65 per day (as of 2023). The graphic below is a link to Our World In Data.
Episode THREE - Jan. 18, 2026
The Power of Language: Growing Up Bilingual
What would it be like if the people at home spoke a strange and mysterious language, their accents marking your family as different even more than their clothing or food?
For some first-generation American kids, learning to love the language of their parents is a step toward accepting themselves.
ACT:
If you notice someone making an effort to communicate in English, help them out.
Bonus points for learning at least a few phrases in their language! Sometimes a different language offers a different perspective that can be helpful in our own lives.
FACT ONE:
Nearly 75% of Americans speak English as the only language at home, according to the US Census.
FACT TWO:
The homes with more languages, though, have a LOT more diversity, with roughly 350 different languages spoken in the US.
Among those that spoke a language other than English in 2018-2022, Spanish (61.1%), Chinese (which includes all dialects) (5.1%), and Tagalog (including Filipino) (2.5%) were the three most spoken languages at home
Source: US Census press release, 2023
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/language-at-home-acs-5-year.html