Latino USA

September 11, 2001 was a paradigm shift. The terrorist attacks reshaped U.S. immigration policy forever and this year marks the 25th anniversary. Nearly 3,000 people were killed and an entire nation was traumatized. Today, as the Trump administration targets non-citizens in unprecedented ways, we revisit some of the major changes that over the past 25 years altered the country’s stance on immigrants through the lens of this one catastrophic day. Listen to an updated episode from a few years ago here. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for ad-free listening, early-access and exclusive bonus episodes with the chisme behind Latino USA and all our podcasts: www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus . Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheech Marin is widely recognized as a multi-generational comedic icon. His counterculture humor, as part of Cheech & Chong, defined an era. What fewer people know is that Cheech is also a leading collector of Chicano art worldwide. In this episode, Maria Hinojosa speaks with Cheech Marin about his lifelong love of art, how that art highlights the contributions of Mexican Americans in this nation, and why preserving it is a key part of his legacy. His collection is now on view as “ We The People: Chicano Art in the U.S.A. ,” at The Cheech, part of Riverside Art Museum in California. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the summer of 2025, six workers died from toxic gas exposure at a Colorado dairy farm. Safety advocates say the deaths were utterly tragic, but entirely avoidable. Across the country, most farm workers are injured or die in anonymity. But the scale of this agricultural incident – described as the deadliest in recent Colorado history – makes it impossible to ignore. So we go to Colorado to show what it’s like to live and die as a dairy farmworker. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a relationship, are you a golden retriever or a black cat? Maria is… neither. She’s a human chihuahua. Because they’re fierce, protective of their loved ones, ancient and some might say magical. Today, the story of the chihuahua like you haven’t heard it before. From spirit guides of the great Toltecs and Mexica to their near extermination during colonization, from their TV star role in food advertising to the objectification by Hollywood. You’ll never look at a chihuahua the same way after you listen to this episode. Watch this episode on YouTube . Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ada Ferrer has spent decades wading through archives in Havana, helping to unearth and weave the untold stories of Cuba’s people and the island. But the most personal and profound source material she has ever found was a box of letters from the brother her mother left behind in Cuba when the family migrated to the US. Ada Ferrer joins Maria Hinojosa to discuss her new book, Keeper of My Kin , which traces her family’s story. They dive into exile, inherited trauma, and how the hostile relationship between the US and Cuba continues to shape the stories of families today. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and singer Anthony Ramos is a powerhouse who broke out in Broadway’s smash hit, Hamilton. From theater to the silver screen and even owning a bar in Brooklyn, Ramos is also a proud New Yorker always hungry for his next project. His latest endeavor is an English-language salsa album, infused with Ramos’ signature R&B-style vocals over a bed of Latin percussion and horns. In this interview, Ramos opens up with Maria Hinojosa about his mental struggles over recent years, his creative process around his latest album, and how he has finally found peace with himself. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands are dead, thousands more injured and missing. The earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela have been devastating. And while there are similarities in the neighboring countries, an expert told us the biggest difference is in the rebuilding phase right now: One country prepared and trained for the response– the other didn’t. And not too far, in the Caribbean, people are going days without running water in Puerto Rico. A problem journalists on the island say could’ve and should’ve been avoided. “There's a lot of frustration, confusion and a resignation.” Listen to the latest here. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Texas holds the second-most electoral votes in the nation and is often a testing ground for policies that later manifest across the U.S. But can historically Republican Texas turn blue? And if so, what impact could it have on the rest of the country? We speak to two Democratic contenders hoping to shift the next election. In this episode, Maria Hinojosa speaks with Gina Hinojosa, a Texas State Representative and the Democratic nominee running for Governor of Texas. They discuss key issues like data centers, abortion access and education – and why the outcome of this race has national implications. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Texas holds the second-most electoral votes in the nation and is often a testing ground for policies that later manifest across the U.S. But can historically Republican Texas turn blue? And if so, what impact could it have on the rest of the country? We speak to two Democratic contenders hoping to shift the next election. In this episode, Maria Hinojosa sits down with Tejano superstar Bobby Pulido, the Democratic nominee in Texas’ 15th Congressional District. They discuss key issues facing voters in South Texas, and why he thinks his “moderate” Democratic policies can win back Latino voters. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2022, 18-year-old Lisbeth Bencosme was shot four times on a sidewalk in Harlem. She was a new mom at the time, and it was her faja, a staple postpartum girdle for many Latinas, that would keep her alive until medics arrived. In this episode, we meet Lisbeth, a true badass New Yorker who takes us on her path healing from gun violence and postpartum depression, in a country where there’s little support for either. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melissa Barrera is having quite the year. In April, she made her Broadway debut, landing a dream role as ‘Rose’ in the musical parody Titanique. She’s also an executive producer on the award-winning documentary film Traces of Home, which is set to have its theatrical release this fall. And she’s launching her very own production company. After being dropped from the Scream franchise for speaking out about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Melissa talks about how she’s learned to take more control of her life and career, and why art should be a safe haven when things in the world feel bleak. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In late April, Orgullosa and her children packed up their belongings in Honduras and boarded a plane back to the U.S. after a court ruling said that they were wrongfully removed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In this episode, we follow the difficulties Orgullosa and her family faced in Honduras, after their unlawful deportation, the struggles they’re now going through after their return and how they’re still vulnerable to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few months ago, Maria Garcia was watching the Benito Bowl when an unexpected artist came on: the one and only Ricky Martin. Maria knew this was a touchstone moment — the artist who most represented the ‘90s Latin Boom was singing a song of resistance, in Spanish. And then Maria’s 11-year-old son said, “Who’s that???” Today, in an exclusive listen to the first episode of “Muy Excited with Maria Garcia,” our new podcast from Futuro Studios and iHeartRadio, Maria revisits the importance of Ricky Martin, the queer icon’s career and life, and how he had to live “La vida loca” so that Bad Bunny could do “Lo que le da la gana.” Watch this episode on YouTube. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosie Perez has long been synonymous with New York and hip hop culture, starting with her appearances on “Soul Train”, her iconic choreographies and her big break with Spike Lee in “Do the Right Thing”. But when the Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy-nominated actress received a call to host a podcast about salsa music history, the native Nuyorican immediately said yes. Rosie is the host of Futuro Media’s new podcast “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York” about the history of salsa in the city, the legends behind the music and Fania Records–often called “the Motown of Salsa”. On this episode of Latino USA recorded in front of a live audience at WNYC’s The Greene Space in New York City, Rosie Perez opens up about the experience. We discuss her love of boxing, what it means to grow up Nuyorican, and what salsa history means to her. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Men’s World Cup may be over but there’s so much to talk about still. We sit down with a soccer expert and superfan to discuss the significance of this summer’s tournament. We get into the many “firsts” in a global competition that’s been around for almost 100 years; the controversial moments and most joyful storylines; and Spain’s journey to the coveted trophy. We also hear from host of “American Futbol” Fernanda Echavarri, about what it was like to teach her daughter all about her love for the World Cup. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venezuelan musician and composer Ella Bric made history as the first woman to win producer of the year at the 2018 Latin Grammys. The trumpet player made a name for herself after moving to New York City and most recently made waves on Karol G’s Mañana Sera Bonito Tour . In this special Latino USA collaboration with WNYC, we bring you a live conversation and performance recorded in front of a live audience at The Greene Space in NYC. Ella Bric spoke to NYC Now host Janae Pierre about composing music for Futuro Media’s Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York and how jazz shapes her sound. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In early February, Latino USA traveled to the occupied West Bank to learn about the roots of the deep connections between Latinos and Palestinians. Maria Hinojosa and producer Nour Saudi accompanied a group of U.S. students and academics as they traveled from Jordan to Ramallah with their counterparts from a Palestinian university. Speaking with refugees, community leaders and student activists, we look at the parallels between the two communities— from the U.S. student protest movement to shared experiences of borders and surveillance and shared cultures around family, food and friendship. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When actor Harvey Guillén auditioned for a role written for a character 20 years older than him, he got cast anyway. In this intimate conversation with Maria Hinojosa, Harvey reveals how he became the breakout heart of What We Do in the Shadows as Guillermo, the vampires’ overworked human assistant who refused to stay a sidekick. In this 2025 Latino USA episode, Harvey explains how he’s built a career chasing roles not written for someone who looks like him, and rewriting them once he's in the room. He talks about trauma, tenacity, and turning “no” into a career. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indigenous groups in South America have been cultivating the coca leaf for 8 millennia. But when the coca leaf became the base ingredient for cocaine, its story changed. In 1961, the United Nations classified the coca leaf in the same category as cocaine itself, regulating it at the same level. But the coca leaf is not a narcotic drug—it is a mild natural stimulant, venerated as sacred by many. An international movement has been trying to decriminalize and destigmatize the coca leaf. This episode spotlights the Indigenous origins of the coca leaf, and what its future could be. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrés Cantor has been a sports announcer for almost 40 years. He’s received eight Emmy Awards for his broadcasting and a place in the National Soccer Hall of Fame. You know his voice. His “Gooooooooool” has been featured everywhere from Late Night to the Simpsons. In this special episode of our new podcast “American Futbol,” we get into the nitty gritty of calling a game, why he’s not afraid to cry, and the beauty of the World Cup. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube . Subscribe to our newsletter . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.