This week, Becca chats with THE Djali Brown-Cepeda -- founder of Nuevayorkinos. The two chat El Barrio, the complexity of mixed identities, beautiful lessons in motherhood, race vs ethnicity, vs identity, how Blackness and Puerto Ricanness are intrinsically intertwined, and more. Also don’t forget to email us at [email protected], 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.
Welcome to El Barrio x OnAir Fest
03/24/2026 | 32 mins.
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 [email protected], or DM the show page @welcometoelbarrio for submissions! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Lessons From My Grandma” w/ Miranda Sanchez
03/17/2026 | 40 mins.
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 [email protected], 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.
“A Very Bori Oscars Season” w/ Josie Melendez
03/10/2026 | 55 mins.
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 [email protected], 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.
Welcome to El Barrio: LIVE w/ Ana Macho
03/03/2026 | 56 mins.
This week is a very special episode -- as it's the LIVE episode with Ana Macho from the Welcome to El Barrio launch party! Becca interviews Ana Macho where they chat moving to NYC, going from drag to full-blown reggaeton / pop star, the realities of living in PR, and more. If you enjoyed this episode and want more live experiences, comment / like /etc to let us know! Also don’t forget to email us at [email protected], 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.
“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!
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