For decades, we’ve been sold a version of sustainability that feels like a punishment , a cold checklist of sacrifices. But what if that’s wrong? For our abuelos , sustainability was never about giving something up; it was about refusing to let go of what’s most important
This episode redefines comida sustentable. It’s social sustainability , practiced con respeto. It's the trust in your local lonchera , the act of conviviendo con los vecinos , and the nourishment of community. True sustainability isn't sacrificing ourselves for the planet; it's finding ways to sustain ourselves that in turn allow the environment to heal.
Dennis explores the themes of belonging, well-being, and cultural identity through the lens of food.
He emphasizes the importance of personal flavor and the stories behind our meals, encouraging listeners to embrace their culinary heritage. In this engaging conversation, Dennis Arvizu delves deep into the vital themes of belonging, well-being, and cultural identity through the captivating lens of food. He passionately underscores the significance of personal flavor and the rich stories woven into our meals, urging listeners to fully embrace their culinary heritage. The discussion seamlessly transitions to the idea that cooking is not just about sustenance; it is a powerful form of self-expression and an opportunity for active listening that connects us to our roots and to one another. As the conversation wraps up, it focuses on sustainable food practices that not only honor our cultural traditions but also cultivate a profound sense of belonging and community. Embrace the power of food to transform lives and strengthen connections! The discussion transitions into how cooking serves as a form of self-expression and active listening, ultimately connecting individuals to their roots and community. The conversation concludes with a focus on sustainable food practices that honor cultural traditions while fostering a sense of belonging.
This week, we're exploring a culinary tradition where every dish is "made with so much love."
I am honored to welcome Pastry Chef Ashley Wong, the brilliant creator behind Ashley Wong Sweets, for a conversation about the heart and soul of Southern hospitality.
Join us as Chef Ashley shares her personal and professional journey, from the family recipes passed down through generations to her experience competing on the Food Network.
We discuss why nostalgia is such a powerful ingredient, how cooking techniques carry our history, and why open-mindedness is essential for any true food lover.
This is a story about community, craftsmanship, and the sweet legacy that is baked into every one of her creations.
From molcajete to masala: mismas técnicas, distintos nombres. Chef Francisco comparte cómo encontró su sazón entre México, India y USA—tostando especias, moliéndolas con intención, y cocinando con corazón (gracias, Abuela).
Spanglish en la cocina = identidad en voz alta.
In this engaging conversation, Dennis Arvizu and Chef Diego Alcántara explore the intricate relationship between culture and food, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, community, and flavor.
They share personal anecdotes about culinary experiences, the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a social media-driven world, and the significance of educating the next generation of food lovers.
The discussion highlights the essence of flavor as a cultural identity and the joy of cooking that transcends perfection.
In this all-Spanish episode of Spanglish Culture y Comida Sustentable, we sit down with Chef Diego Alcántara, a Peruvian chef currently based in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to explore how ancestral knowledge, indigenous ingredients, and culinary justice are redefining the global food narrative.
He reflects on his grandmother’s teachings, why he left fine dining, and how food is more than just nourishment—it’s identity, resistance, and love.
🎧 Part 1 of a 2-part interview. Part 2 drops Tuesday.
Follow Diego Alcántara on:
Tiktok: @diegoalcantara.peru
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Follow on Youtube: @SpanglishCulture
🌎 Welcome to a deeply personal episode of Spanglish Culture y Comida Sustentable — El Recalentado Edition.
In this solo episode, Dennis Arvizu takes the mic to answer a question many listeners have asked: “¿Quién es este huevón?” (Who is this guy?)
From growing up in San Diego, feeling ni de aquí ni de allá, to becoming a French-trained chef, a cultural sustainability strategist at Microsoft and Google, and a bilingual storyteller, Dennis shares a raw, reflective journey of what it means to live between cultures — and to find your sazón (flavor, essence, identity).
This isn’t your typical “abuela’s recipe” story. Dennis grew up sin abuelos, learning instead through kitchens, coworkers, and comida. He connects culinary medicine, immigrant resilience, corporate dining, and cocina a lo pobre to reveal how our roots are more powerful than we think.
💬 In this episode:
Spanglish as a real, lived language—not broken, but bridge-building.
Why comida casera (home-cooked food) is the original zero-waste movement.
How French kitchens, Peruvian fine dining, and Indian spice masalas shaped a cultural identity.
The hidden story behind simple food — from dal to caldo, frijoles to chana.
Navigating chronic illness, surgery, and healing through storytelling and plant-centric foods.
👨🍳 Whether you’re bicultural, a child of immigrants, or just craving connection through culture and food, this episode will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even cry.
🎧 Listen now. Share later. And never forget—your sazón is sacred.
Bienvenidos to Season 2 of Spanglish Culture y Comida Sustentable! Before zero waste was trending, mi abuela was already teaching sustainability through El Recalentado—that sacred Latino tradition where yesterday’s frijoles become today’s refritos. Join Dennis Arvizu as he unpacks how home cooking and cultural wisdom create the original zero waste lifestyle. From barbacoa to enchiladas, discover why food always tastes better the second day and how these moments build stronger communities. Grab your cafecito de la olla and pull up a chair for authentic Spanglish storytelling about sabor, cultura, y sustentabilidad.
Follow on YouTube for short content @SpanglishCulture
Does your food have "sazón," or has it been transformed into a monocultural phenomenon for likes? In the Season 1 finale of Global Roots Rambles, we explore how viral food trends are creating a "hyper-flattening" of culture, where visual shock and cheese pulls replace context. The #food category now gets more weekly views than Netflix has worldwide subscribers. But what is the cost to our heritage?
In this Spanglish episode, we ask: Do you remember the roots of a dish, or just the trailer with a filter? We uncover the hidden stories behind hard-shell tacos and mac-and-cheese, revealing the "surplus politics" and colonial history written in our daily flavors.
Watch Video Feeds and Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DennisGlobalRootsRambles
Are your cravings just hunger—or ancestral memory? In this episode of Global Roots Rambles, Arvizu explores how culture, trauma, and embodied memory shape what we eat. From café de la olla to hot Cheetos, we unpack why taste is identity—and how reclaiming your sazón is an act of resistance. Watch now for a thought-provoking take on comida sustentable, ancestral cravings, and Spanglish identity.
In Episode 8 of Global Roots Rambles, Dennis uses the metaphor of sabor (flavor) and sazón (seasoning) to explore how ancestral foods express identity and sustainability. From salsa molcajete to bruschetta, discover how what you serve at the table is a cultural map—until it’s filtered out by trends. Are we preserving our roots or becoming a monocultural spectacle?
🎧 Reflect on flavor. Remix your sazon.
📣 Featuring ancestral bites from Spain, Mexico, and Italy.
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What is the difference between flavor and identity? In this episode of Global Roots Rambles, host Dennis Arvizu breaks down two powerful concepts: Sabor and Sazón.Learn why Arvizu defines sabor as our ancestral roots—the deep, foundational flavors of our culture. Then, discover how sazón is the unique "remix" we create—the seasoning of our individual journey, defiance, and personality. Arvizu argues that understanding this difference helps us reclaim the memory and symbolism in our food, defining our own Spanglish culture.
What if a taco could say, “You belong”? This episode goes deep into what it really means to be invited over for a taco. Dennis shares the sacredness of leftovers, the power of a humble taco de sal, and how Latinx food culture teaches sustainability, vulnerability, and inclusion—all envuelto en una tortilla. This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a warm seat at the table. 🌽🔥
What comes to mind when you hear "carne asada"? Is it just grilled meat, or is it the smell of charcoal, the sound of family laughter, and the feeling of community? In this episode of Global Roots Rambles, Dennis Arvizu unpacks the deep cultural roots of this beloved ritual.
Feel like your fridge is full but nothing speaks to you? That might be a sign it's not just about quantity—it’s about timing. In this episode of Global Roots Rambles, we uncover:
🍅 The science behind seasonal produce’s superior nutrients & flavor
🌱 Low-carbon, locavore lifestyle made easy
👩🍳 Simple ways to embrace seasonal rituals—jam-making, pickling, market visits
Let curiosity lead the way: rediscover your food roots, heal your body, and support the planet—all through what’s fresh this week. Don’t miss the Spanglish flavor that brings it all together!
What if your caldo was more than comfort food—it was science-backed medicine?
In this Spanglish-style episode, Dennis Arvizu explores how cultural food memories shape our wellness, the colonization of our palates, and why ancestral wisdom beats fast food every time.
From nixtamal to olive oil, from memory to microbiome—this is food that feeds us.
🎧 Listen for:
• Spanglish storytelling
• Science of cultural nutrition
• How food colonization still hurts us
• What “sustainability” looked like before it was all the rage.
P.S. Not sure what happened to my audio. Repair in progress.
This isn’t just another comida story—it’s a cultural blueprint. Join Dennis as he weaves recetas, recuerdos, y resistencia into one sustainability journey that starts with a pot of frijoles.
¿Spanglish is broken? Nah. It’s how we survive, resist, y nos conectamos.
In this first ramble of Global Roots Rambles: Spanglish Culture y Comida Sustentable, Dennis Arvizu shares how food y lenguaje become tools of resilience, cultura, and justicia.
Perfect for biculturales, first-gen, and those “ni de aquí ni de allá.”