Welcome to El Barrio Podcast By iHeartPodcasts cover art

Welcome to El Barrio

Welcome to El Barrio

By: iHeartPodcasts
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“Welcome to El Barrio” is a vibrant new podcast about Puerto Rican identity — our stories, finally told by us.

Hosted by award-winning producer Becca Ramos, this series blends laugh-out-loud interviews with artists, scholars, creators, tastemakers, and everyday Boricuas to illuminate the stories the textbooks left out.

Each week, Becca dives into the history, culture, politics, spirituality, and pop-culture moments that shape what it means to be Puerto Rican today — from the roots of brujería and ancestral healing, to the global impact of Bad Bunny, to the hidden history behind Operation Bootstrap, Hurricane Maria’s aftermath, and the evolution of the diaspora.

This show is unapologetically for us. For the kids who grew up “ni de aquí, ni de allá.” For everyone who felt their culture reduced to stereotypes, mispronounced in classrooms, or left out of the narrative entirely. Through humor, heart, research, and community storytelling, Becca invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery — and a celebration of La Isla del Encanto in all its complexity.

Featuring a lineup of powerful Boricua voices across film, music, academia, design, and activism, Welcome to El Barrio is a love letter, an archive, and an invitation. Come learn, laugh, heal, and say it with us. WEPA!

2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Welcome to El Barrio x OnAir Fest

    Welcome to El Barrio x OnAir Fest
    Mar 24 2026

    Holi Listeners!

    This week, we are releasing the audio from Welcome to El Barrio's OnAir Fest panel last month.

    Using Welcome to El Barrio as a jumping-off point, Becca gathered some of the best of the best industry professionals who specialize in Latinx storytelling and media to discuss what we can learn from Bad Bunny’s meteoric rise and cultural impact regarding authentic representation.

    Becca moderated the panel with three incredible guests: Briana Mendez, Mark Pagán, and Tess Garcia.

    Substack subscribers got this last month, with additional bonus content! So if you want more of this, be sure to subscribe to the show’s substack.

    Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    33 mins
  • Lessons From My Grandma w/ Miranda Sanchez

    Lessons From My Grandma w/ Miranda Sanchez
    Mar 17 2026

    This week, Becca chats with fashion and lifestyle influencer Miranda Sanchez! The two chat representation in the influencing world, growing up in Upstate New York, the struggles of learning Spanish in adulthood, and more.

    Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

    And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    41 mins
  • A Very Bori Oscars Season w/ Josie Melendez

    A Very Bori Oscars Season w/ Josie Melendez
    Mar 10 2026

    This week Becca chats with writer, producer, film critic, and published poet -- Josie Melendez! The two chat representation in film/books/etc., the 2026 oscar race, Josie's Film Poser's podcast, and more!

    Also don’t forget to email us at welcometoelbarrio@gmail.com, or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions!

    And subscribe to the show’s substack for FREE for bonus content!

    ALSO -- WTEB's editor @markpagan wrote a piece about the trailblazing career of Beni and his impact on changing Latino roles. Perfectly paired with our latest Oscar themed episode!

    https://thelatinonewsletter.org/p/benicio-del-toro-quietly-disrupted-latin-lover-trope

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    56 mins
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