What happens when survival turns into obedience?

In this episode of The Social Primate, host Eddie Aguirre sits down with award-winning journalist Michelle Zacarías to break down how generations of Latinos were taught to find safety through assimilation and how that belief still shapes our politics, identity, and silence today.

Michelle shares what she’s witnessed on the ground covering ICE raids, protests, and community resistance from Los Angeles to Chicago, reflecting on how people are organizing in the face of fear and reclaiming what safety really means.

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Show Notes:

00:50 Michelle's Journey into Journalism

03:19 Educational Background and Early Career

04:32 Challenges in Journalism and Community Reporting

05:40 Hyperlocal Reporting and Fellowship Experience

07:08 Chicago Raid and National Implications

13:23 Assimilation Politics and Latino Identity

21:21 Military Recruitment and Latino Community

28:52 Understanding Latino Trump Supporters

30:17 The Impact of Right-Wing Propaganda

30:38 Analyzing Poll Results and Voter Behavior

31:56 Challenges Facing the Democratic Party

33:01 The Role of Masculinity in Politics

34:34 Community and Mental Health

41:55 Latino Voter Demographics and Trends

44:06 The Importance of Local Community Action

45:36 Reflections on Activism and Journalism

52:10 Advice for Staying Engaged and Informed

How do you hold power accountable when the rules are built to protect it?

In this episode, investigative journalist Joey Scott joins Social Primate to talk about policing, surveillance, and state power in Los Angeles. From stockpiles of “less-lethal” weapons to escalating protest crackdowns, to surveillance tools and local agencies working alongside ICE.

He also underscores the importance of community solidarity, informed hope, and continuous resistance in facing these challenges.

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Show Notes:

00:19 Meet Joey Scott: Investigative Journalist and Photographer

00:45 The Rise of Surveillance and State Power

01:29 Joey Scott's Journey into Journalism

05:56 Unveiling Police and State Actions

07:32 Military Equipment in Police Departments

14:55 On the Ground: Protest Documentation

19:29 The Escalation of Police Violence

22:29 The Surveillance State and Public Awareness

24:59 The Intrusiveness of Surveillance

25:22 The Profit Motive Behind Policing

26:56 Paranoia and Distrust in Law Enforcement

28:37 Social Media Monitoring and Privacy Concerns

30:13 The Power of Language and Labels

32:59 ICE Cooperation and Community Betrayal

43:28 The Emotional Toll of Journalism

47:52 Finding Hope and Community Action

What does it mean to be silenced without ever being convicted?

In this episode we hear Jag Arreola’s story of repression after Operation Accountability. Though the felony charges against him collapsed in court, he was still punished: silenced by a gag order, erased from social media, and stripped of his livelihood.

This conversation exposes how dissent in America is met with punishment first, justice later and how the system erases voices long before a verdict is reached.

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00:30 Recap of Previous Conversation

01:29 Jag Arreola's Arrest and Investigation

03:15 Community Support and Legal Battle

05:55 Impact on Career and Personal Life

09:55 Political Activism and Systemic Issues

15:58 Interrogation and Jail Experience

29:07 Reflecting on Struggles and Solidarity

31:46 Global Perspective in Music

32:36 Class Consciousness and Unity

35:38 The Importance of Ethnic Studies

39:05 Unmasking and Personal Liberation

47:57 Mobilizing and Organizing for Change

51:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What do you do when corporations and politicians treat your neighborhood as expendable?

In this episode, Laura Cortez, organizer and co-director of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ), discusses growing up in Southeast LA, where pollution was treated as “normal,” and realizing it was environmental racism by design. We dig into EYCEJ’s history and victories: from shutting down the Exide battery plant to stopping the 710 freeway expansion

This is a conversation about grassroots power, holding systems accountable, and how collective action turns survival into lasting change.

Show Notes:

00:15 Meet Lara Cortez: Environmental Justice Advocate

00:50 Growing Up in Southeast LA

01:43 Discovering Environmental Injustices

02:14 Lara's Journey into Environmental Justice

07:50 The Impact of Pollution and Racism

09:22 Organizing for Change

11:42 The Power of Community and Culture

14:05 Navigating Bureaucratic Obstacles

21:51 Celebrating Wins in Environmental Justice

24:00 Community Actions and Organizing Efforts

25:31 EPA's Involvement and Legal Challenges

26:14 Victory Against Freeway Expansion

26:59 Exide Battery Plant Closure

28:39 Ongoing Cleanup and Local Hiring

30:38 Lead Contamination and Health Impacts

33:30 Community Engagement and Solidarity

42:37 Encouragement for New Activists

44:34 National and Regional Collaborations

46:50 Conclusion and Call to Action

What happens when helping your community puts you in the crosshairs of the federal government?

In this episode, Marine veteran and organizer Alejandro Orellana shares how a morning at home turned into a federal raid — and what the fight that followed reveals about solidarity, risk, and why showing up for each other matters.

Show Notes:

00:32 Alejandro Rena's Arrest and Charges

01:51 Events Leading to the Arrest

02:44 The Raid and Its Aftermath

09:31 Alejandro's Background and Activism

14:38 Legal Battle and Community Support

21:34 Charges Dropped and Moving Forward

31:27 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

What does “back to school” look like when your community is bracing for ICE raids?

In this episode, educator and organizer Lupe Carrasco Cardona joins us to talk about protecting students through Know Your Rights workshops, walking school buses, and community safety plans. We also explore her 2022 lawsuit over teaching ethnic studies (dismissed in 2024) and how that fight connects to resisting the criminalization of immigrant families. From mutual aid to decolonized curriculum, Lupe shows why defending truth in the classroom is inseparable from defending our communities.

Show Notes:

00:23 The Fight for Ethnic Studies

03:35 Formation of Liberated Ethnic Studies

07:55 The Impact of Ethnic Studies on Personal Identity

10:18 Community Solidarity and Defense Initiatives

13:23 Workshops and Training for ICE Raids

22:19 Empowering Communities Through Education and Solidarity

28:40 Discovering the Power of Mutual Aid

29:09 Indigenous Socialism and Community Building

29:50 The Theft of Labor and Wealth Inequality

31:11 Generational Responsibility and Environmental Concerns

32:37 The Struggle Against Racism and Capitalism

33:43 Challenges in Promoting Ethnic Studies

40:33 The Importance of Ancestral Knowledge

43:05 Legal Battles and Community Organizing

47:11 Standing Firm Against Oppression

What do you do when ICE shows up?

In this episode, Eddie Aguirre sits down with Sandra De Anda, a writer, organizer, and Director of Policy and Legal Strategy at the OC Rapid Response Network to talk real-time resistance in Orange County.

From court patrols to community alerts, Sandra breaks down how people are showing up to watch ICE, protect their neighbors, and turn fear into action.

This isn’t just about policy, it’s about presence. And making sure no one disappears quietly.

Show Notes:

00:21 Anaheim Joins the Lawsuit

01:55 Sandra Denda's Background and Activism

06:47 The OC Rapid Response Network

10:45 Challenges of Organizing in Orange County

16:58 Impact of Different Administrations on Immigration Enforcement

30:10 Rapid Response Network in Action

36:31 Empowering the Criminalized: Community Defense and Legal Strategies

37:16 Impact Litigation and Decarceration Efforts

38:19 Rapid Response Network: Volunteers and Committees

39:11 Migra Watch: Documenting ICE Enforcement

42:48 Challenges in Identifying and Confronting ICE Agents

49:49 Supporting Detained Loved Ones: Tools and Strategies

57:56 Personal Reflections and Mental Health

01:00:24 The Role of Joy in Resistance

01:01:57 Abolitionist Perspectives and Political Will

01:07:42 Conclusion and Call to Action

What role should local leaders play when federal agents target your community?

In this urgent conversation, Eddie and Santa Ana Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez speak from the frontlines of back-to-back ICE raids in Southern California. Together, they unpack how local governments can either protect or abandon their people — and why understanding your city’s power matters more than ever.

Hernandez also sheds light on significant initiatives in Santa Ana such as establishing rent control, police oversight, and Chicano Heritage Month celebrations. The episode serves as a powerful call to action for community solidarity and the need for proactive local governance in fighting systemic oppression.

Show Notes:

00:19 Meeting at the Chicano Moratorium

01:25 The Importance of Independent Journalism

02:20 Jonathan's Background and Family History

04:15 Growing Up in Santana

05:40 Impact of Music and Art

07:36 Current Immigration Issues and Community Response

11:36 ICE Raids and Community Impact

14:58 Police and ICE Collaboration

22:37 Historical Context and Modern-Day Parallels

38:57 City Council Responses and Community Activism

43:01 Executive Order Breakdown

44:50 Legal Defense and Empowerment

45:35 Public Awareness and Reaction

47:21 Santa Ana's Diverse Community

48:32 Coalition Building and Policy Introduction

49:00 ICE Notifications and Public Records

50:21 Targeted by the Trump Administration

53:56 Local Government Challenges and Powers

57:45 Rent Control and Legal Battles

01:02:06 Police Violence and Community Response

01:19:55 Chicano Heritage Month and Community Unity

01:24:23 Conclusion and Call to Action

What if parenting wasn’t about control—but liberation?

Educators and organizers Fernando Deveras and Leslie Priscilla join Eddie to break down what it means to raise conscious kids in a system built on control. From intergenerational trauma to decolonized parenting, this episode explores how healing, identity, and resistance shape the next generation.

Show Notes:

00:38 Discovering Latinx Parenting

01:32 Fernando's Background and Journey

03:25 Leslie's Parenting Philosophy

06:33 Challenges and Reflections on Parenting

17:03 Teaching and Empowering the Next Generation

27:00 The Science of Pigment and Personal Reflections

27:35 Navigating Conversations About Race and Identity

28:25 Exposing Children to Social Movements

28:45 Discussing the Palestine-Israel Conflict with Kids

29:17 The Role of Parents in Guiding Children Through Tough Topics

30:40 Balancing Activism and Parenting

34:37 Challenges in Addressing Social Issues in Education

39:04 Reflecting on Parenting and Personal Growth

45:29 The Importance of Reflection and Addressing Systemic Issues

50:40 Where to Find More Information

Masked agents. Unmarked vans. Tear gas on neighborhood streets.

In this episode of The Social Primate, Eddie is joined by Albert Corado—organizer, activist, and co-founder of People’s City Council—to unpack the current wave of ICE raids, escalating police presence, and what it means for communities across Los Angeles.

From Bell to Paramount, from storytelling to survival, this conversation asks the hard questions: What happens when police act as proxies for federal harm? Why are citizen witnesses being criminalized? And how do we respond when resistance gets labeled as chaos?

Albert shares how personal loss pushed him into public advocacy—and why the fight for justice isn’t just political, it’s personal.

Show Notes:

00:39 Background and Activism Journey

02:50 Personal Tragedy and Activism Motivation

06:00 Challenging the System and Radical Ideas

09:37 Police and State Violence

13:27 Protests and State Response

21:16 Personal Experiences and Reflections

27:23 Chaotic Streets and Police Blockades

27:57 Personal Experience with Tear Gas

28:43 Community Advocacy and Tear Gas Impact

29:14 Right-Wing Latinx and Family Dynamics

29:59 Fear and Solidarity in the Community

31:50 Political Power and Community Betrayal

33:59 Optimism Amidst Adversity

35:09 Community Solidarity and Self-Reliance

41:41 Critique of Mainstream Narratives

47:38 Getting Involved in the Movement

52:20 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this powerful episode of The Social Primate, host Eddie Aguirre is joined by Alejandra Martinez to explore what it means to reclaim the story of Southeast LA—on our own terms. As ICE raids tear through our neighborhoods and outside narratives try to define who we are, this episode pushes back. It centers real voices, real memories, and the everyday beauty of communities fighting to stay whole.

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Eddie and Alejandra reflect on events like Bell Open Streets and the Southeast LA Community Map project, which collects and uplifts stories that rarely make the headlines. Together, they show how parks, street corners, and storefronts become sacred when layered with history, connection, and care.

What unfolds is a mosaic of community-sourced stories—moments that may feel small but speak volumes. This isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about resistance. It’s about storytelling as a way to preserve dignity, reclaim identity, and remind the world: we are more than what they choose to see.

00:27 Addressing Community Challenges

01:03 Introducing Alejandra Martinez and Her Project

02:08 The Southeast Los Angeles Community Map

03:39 Personal Stories and Community Experiences

04:47 Reflecting on Southeast LA's Identity

06:20 Community Mapping and Storytelling

07:34 Exploring the Southeast LA Community Map

08:52 Stories from the City of Bell

18:03 Stories from the City of Maywood

25:48 Stories from the City of Bell Gardens

33:21 Personal Reflections on Biking

33:48 Community Biking Trends

35:03 Huntington Park Memories

43:32 Southgate Stories

46:34 Cudahy and Lynwood Recollections

48:35 LA River Experiences

58:29 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

What happens when the last open green space in your neighborhood is on the verge of being taken away?

In this episode, Fernanda Sanchez returns to discuss the fight to preserve Flat Top Hill in Los Angeles. We dive into its cultural and historical significance, the community’s resistance to development, and the broader struggles against gentrification, environmental erasure, and the ongoing fight for Indigenous land rights.

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:36 Reconnecting After Seven Months

01:14 The Flat Tops Situation

02:13 Historical Significance of Flattop

04:19 Community vs. Privatization

06:05 The Fight to Preserve Flattop

08:09 The Role of Green Spaces in Urban Areas

15:13 Challenges and Hopes for the Future

28:03 Addressing Community Issues

28:40 Activating Community Engagement

29:58 The Power of Creation Over Consumption

31:05 Documenting Community Stories

33:02 The Importance of Shared Experiences

35:23 Challenges of Modern Activism

39:01 Overcoming Fear in Activism

45:35 The Punk Rock Mentality in Activism

49:35 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode of the podcast I am joined by Christian Vazquez, founder of SELA Bicycle Center, joins us to unpack how generations of neglect in the Gateway Cities have shaped the way Southeast LA moves—or doesn’t.

We talk about building bike culture where infrastructure rarely reaches, and why the upcoming Open Streets event in Bell, CA are more than events—they’re a statement. From the River to Rail project to Bell’s first Open Streets event, this is about making Southeast LA visible, connected, and ready for the future.

Show Notes:

00:16 Meet Christian Vasquez: Owner of SELA Bicycle Center

00:29 The Journey of SELA Bicycle Center

02:15 Challenges and Passion in Starting a Bike Shop

02:48 The Importance of Bicycle Access and Infrastructure

05:22 Personal Experiences with Bicycles

10:16 Hollydale Cycling Club: Promoting Cycling in the Community

15:43 The Need for Better Data and Infrastructure

17:38 Open Streets Initiative and Community Events

23:25 Excitement and Concerns About New Railway

24:04 Gentrification and Noise Pollution Issues

24:46 Access and First/Last Mile Challenges

25:38 Slow Progress of Infrastructure Projects

26:34 Inspiring Future Generations

27:00 Safety Concerns and Community Initiatives

27:38 Promoting Biking and Running Clubs

31:08 Changing Perceptions of Bicyclists

33:43 City Leaders and Biking Advocacy

37:58 Educational Programs for Bicycle Safety

44:14 River to Rail Project and Community Involvement

47:36 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Social Primate, I sit down with the dynamic duo behind Locatora Radio, Mala Muñoz & Diosa Femme , to discuss their decade-long podcasting journey.

They delve into the origins of their show, the impact of the political climate on their content, and the evolution from indie podcasting to joining the iHeartRadio network.

The conversation touches on the importance of community support, personal growth, and the dual challenges and triumphs of running a creative business.

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Social Primate

00:36 Celebrating 10 Seasons of Locatora Radio

01:52 The Birth of a Podcast

04:43 Navigating Challenges and Growth

10:02 Mental Health and Cultural Reflections

16:02 Creative Endeavors and Future Aspirations

21:35 Film School and Marathon Training

28:39 The Importance of Support in Marathons

29:35 Mental Strategies for Overcoming Challenges

30:07 The Power of Community in Running

31:06 Inner Dialogue and Self-Talk

31:47 Balancing Creativity and Productivity

33:10 Personal Growth Through Running

35:13 The Dynamics of Creative Partnerships

44:53 Audience Feedback and Show Evolution

49:40 Balancing Serious Issues with Nostalgia

53:11 Conclusion and Future Outlook

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Music Spotlight: Silvandgold "Free Flowing"

All music in this episode is used for entertainment purposes. Rights belong to the original owners.

Community radio isn’t just soundwaves—it’s power, storytelling, and reclaiming narratives.

I sit down with Valley Views founder Hector Roman-Perez and youth interns to explore how local media uplifts overlooked communities. We dive into the show's roots, its mission to highlight real stories, and how handing young people the mic is shaping future leaders. The interns share how the platform has built their confidence, sharpened their skills, and expanded their opportunities. This conversation is all about representation, impact, and the next generation taking control of the narrative—because when we own our stories, we shape the future.

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Music Spotlight: Silvandgold "May Sound Crazy"

All music in this episode is used for entertainment purposes. Rights belong to the original owners.

What happens when the fight for justice turns into a fight against each other?

On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Angela Gonzales Torres, a Chicana anthropologist, who shares how personal experiences with family separation, gentrification, and displacement have shaped her fight for justice. The conversation dives into the challenges of working within flawed systems, the internal conflicts that often divide movements, and the struggle to stay unified despite differing approaches. In a world where the opposition stays organized, how do we build stronger movements without turning on each other?

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Music Spotlight: Indigenous Cats "Infinite Potential ft. REKS"

All music in this episode is used for entertainment purposes. Rights belong to the original owners.

How does storytelling become resistance?

On this episode of The Social Primate, Eddie Aguirre sits down with Xitlalic Guijosa-Osuna to talk art, poetry, and the power of storytelling. From capturing everyday dichos through Tarjetitas con Amor to amplifying Southeast LA’s voice through poetry, she shares how creativity becomes resistance. She reflects on the urgency of preserving culture, the impact of community expression, and why documenting our stories matters now more than ever.

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Music Spotlight: The Sinseers "It Was Only A Dream"

All music in this episode is used for entertainment purposes. Rights belong to the original owners.

When external forces aim to erase your community’s identity, how do you fight back and preserve the legacy that defines your home?

In this episode, Eddie Aguirre sits down with Samuel Brown Vasquez of the Avocado Heights Vaquer@s to explore the intersection of cultural preservation, community activism, and environmental justice.

Samuel shares the story of how a grassroots fight to protect his community's equestrian traditions evolved into a deeper commitment to preserving both the land and the people who call it home. He highlights lessons learned from balancing resilience with adaptability, and why it’s crucial to stay true to your roots while fighting for a better future.

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Music Spotlight: Chicano Mosh "Payaso Triste"

All music in this episode is used for entertainment purposes. Rights belong to the original owners.

How do you stay true to yourself in a world that constantly tells you who to be?

On this episode, Richie Velazquez, an artist best known for his Grime Art, gets real about self-acceptance, mental health, and the struggle to stay grounded despite outside pressures.

It’s a deep dive into growth, gratitude, and what it really means to live authentically.

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Music Spotlight: Dela Deso

All music in this episode is used for entertainment purposes. Rights belong to the original owners.