Episodes

Journey to Self

Interview with Shiyan Zhang (00:57:42)

November 16, 2020

We are joined by Shiyan Zhang on today’s episode--Journey to Self. This episode shares the emotional impacts institutions have on us. Shiyan and her family had no option but to move abroad due to the one-child policy. She shares her experience finding an undocumented community for the first time in college and navigating life after. Shiyan talks about the importance of centering our mental health in order to survive. Along with the responsibility we have to our families as first-generation immigrants. Her message is all about having compassion for oneself. Enjoy!

Dating sin Barreras

Interview with Maria of Ytienepapeles (00:55:09)

November 2, 2020

We are joined by the creator of Ytienepapeles on Instagram she joined us in this episode, Dating sin Barreras! María shared with us what inspired her to start her page and how she’s creating content making people laugh throughout the country. Healing through humor has made her content relatable, hilarious and vulnerable. This entire episode is about our experiences dating as undocumented womxn. How we fight the patriarchy every day. And how we must continue to empower one another. This episode is full of laughter (so turn it down a notch) and enjoy, Dating sin Barreras!

Lessons With Kamau

Interview with Kamau Chege (01:00:31)

October 6, 2020

Kamau Chege is not only the Managing Director at Washington Census Alliance, he's also a freaking genius and a great brother. Kamau gave us a whole history lesson on immigration being tied to reconstruction, democracy and human rights. Kamau illustrates the parallels of a multi-racial democracy and the polarization within class. He shares with us how this pandemic is impacting people and the impact it will have on the election. Check out this super informative and amazing episode with Kamau Chege! Let’s @ him on Twitter!

That Lawyer Guy

Interview with Luis Cortes (01:51:41)

September 10, 2020

You may know him from the Supreme Court DACA case. Orrr you may know him as a professor. I know him as a punk rocker!! Luis Cortes has joined us today to talk about his journey as an educator and lawyer. He shares with us how he got involved in teaching, how he navigated law school, and all the details about DACA. The day of the court case, the days leading up to it, and the present. This episode is full of laughter, good stories, and some real talk about dating, being in the spotlight and more. Thank you so much Luis for sharing all your wisdom and words of hope. This episode is fire!

Part 2: Stares in fed up Black girl

Conversation with Zawadi Chege (00:44:33)

July 15, 2020

We are joined by Zawadi Chege on today’s episode titled, *Stares in fed up Black girl*. Zawadi Chege shares her journey navigating life and the world as an undocumented, queer Black womxn. Zawadi shares how she processed and navigated graduating during a global pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Uprisings. She shares with us her passion for film and love for her brother. We are so inspired by Zawadi! Enjoy!

Part 1: Call In to Non-Black Undocumented People

Conversation with Alejandra and Carolina (00:31:53)

June 18, 2020

This episode we confront our anti-Blackness as non-Black undocumented latinx womxn. We share how we’ve been processing our role in supporting and uplifting Black lives. Starting with ourselves and extending to our families. We talk about the importance of holding ourselves, families and communities accountable to their anti-Blackness in order to continue fighting for Black communities. Black immigrants are targeted, detained and deported more so than other groups of people. Yet we never talk about this. As the DACA decision arises we want to hold non-Black DACA recipients accountable to not take space from Black Lives Matter but rather partner, collaborate, grow, give and hand over the fucking mic. Enjoy Part One: Call In to Non-Black Undocumented People.

I Finessed My Way to Canada

Interview with Dr. Nancy Aramis De Vannes (00:47:45)

May 19, 2020

Doctor Nancy Aramis De Vannes finessed her way to Canada after years of being in deportation proceedings. Nancy earned her Doctorate in the United States and continues to be a professor and manage her Data Analytic business. She moved to Canada recognizing it was the best option for her in order to heal from the trauma she was living with as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. Her message encourages people to never settle for anything less than you deserve. She shares information about the process of relocating and offers to help others that want more information. Check out I Finessed My Way to Canada! Enjoy!

Undocumented Relief Fund

Grass Roots Fundraising for COVID-19 (00:57:01)

April 24, 2020

We are joined by Washington Dream Coalition Mujere’s who are organizing the statewide COVID-19 Undocumented Relief Fund in Washington State. Along with various partners including Scholarship Junkies, SOMOS Seattle and more--Alejandra Perez, Larissa RG and Daniela Murguia share with us a little bit about their experience organizing in education and immigrant rights. Which has lead to their current efforts in helping Undocumented Communities during this global pandemic. They share the process of the application along with the ins and outs of the work in organizing this type of effort. This episode is full of the energy we need as a collective. One that fosters trust and community, that uplifts voices from various perspectives and that honors the anger we feel as Undocumented people who are tired of the abuse our communities face. Washington Dream Coalition is partnered with Northwest Immigrants Rights Project, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, Entre Hermanos, SOMOS Seattle, SWWA LULAC, Latino Community Resource Group, Latino Youth Conference and Vancouver NAACP.

El Centro y El Census

The 2020 Census (00:29:13)

April 1, 2020

Happy National Census Day! We were invited to El Centro Latino three weeks ago to learn about the census in community! The Census is complex and easy all at the same time--we promise! Learn about the process and history of the Census along with the involvement of communities to ensure their people get counted! We also unpack who are the people not being counted along with the process of jails and detention centers. It’s a lot of information but something that will affect you for the next ten years. Check out this episode created with and by community to share knowledge and faith in all this. Happy Censusing friends!

Gay in the Bay

An Interview with Lalo Mendez (00:56:48)

March 13, 2020

On a trip to the Bay, we recorded with Lalo Mendez! After several drinks--we decided to record about Lalo’s experience navigating being undocumented and queer. He shares with us the work he’s done in the past around migrant workers and houseless folks. And what it’s like not knowing what the future of DACA holds for many of us. But really this episode is about sexxx. We talk about the best sex, sex positivity and what we do for sex. Sometimes that means driving for several hours or flying across the country only to find out he’s married. I know--this episode is full of all the tea on this beautiful human being. Join us in Gay in the Bay!

Yellow is My Favorite Color

An Interview with Francia Orozco (00:29:07)

February 13, 2020

It’s hard to be vulnerable. It’s hard to express the array of emotions we feel when being undocumented. Francia Orozco has been using art to express vulnerability, sadness, and activism. She has known her entire life that she was meant to be an artist. She has the passion and urges to create art that represents the people from her community from migrant workers to womxn in nature. With bright colors and the beauty of nature--Francia has created art that is influenced by her Mexican heritage. She defined it as always longing for home--join us in My Favorite Color is Yellow.

La Mera Rocha: Lots of Heart and Real Talk

An Interview with Erika Rocha (00:53:45)

January 15, 2020

We welcome Erika Rocha to the show—prepare to laugh, cry and be inspired by a powerful individual! Erika is currently the Texas State Director for Swing Left working hard to turn the state of Texas blue. She talks about what it was like to learn English when she first arrived. Stories and Dreams about her childhood. Walking the aisle on her wedding day without her father. Translating and helping her mother through cancer treatments. Erika is resilient, intelligent, funny—she invokes a lot of emotion. We are so inspired by her. Enjoy La Mera Rocha.

Knowledge Sharing by Young Professionals

Beyond HB1079 Conference Part 2 (00:32:29)

December 20, 2019

On a way way lighter note--Let’s rewind to the Beyond HB1079 Conference! We’re back to share part two of this series! In this episode, we interview mostly young professionals knowledge sharing about their experience in higher education. Many of them are currently working towards getting their master’s degrees. Many share information about themselves, their motivations, their view of liberation and all. We also got exclusive footage with the two head organizers of the Beyond HB1079 Conference!

Home is Here?

DACA Supreme Court Hearing (00:47:16)

November 28, 2019

Shot of Truth Podcast traveled to Washington DC for the Supreme Court hearing on DACA. We interviewed people from Kansas, San Diego, Laredo, New York, San Francisco and more. Our community is so fucking powerful--it’s wild. Picture this: It was 25 degrees outside, the street in front of the Supreme Court was closed down and of course, there were tons of media. The crowds were flooded with people repping the campaign slogan, “Home is Here.” If you use social media YOU KNOW this campaign slogan. This episode is focused on highlighting the voices that are in the crowd!! The voices that traveled over mountains and rivers to be there for their communities. I also talk shit about, “Home is Here,” while acknowledging the work and thought process that went behind it--we are critical of the things we love most! Always be critical of our movement, of those leading it, of ourselves. We are powerful and this episode celebrates that. We also briefly touch on the report USCIS released, “DACA requestors with an IDENT response.” Funny...how this came out right after the hearing. Enjoy, Home is Here?

Dad Quotes and DACA is Not Enough

Beyond HB1079 Conference (00:36:53)

November 6, 2019

Shot of Truth Podcast hosted an Open Mic at the Beyond HB1079 Conference. This is part one of two in our Open Mic series. This episode highlights undocumented students that do not have DACA and how this has effected their lives as DACA is the topic of conversation in many settings. We also wanted to highlight the beautiful quotes passed along to us by our family members but in particular dad quotes were a recurring theme. The next episode will feature undocumented professionals making moves in their communities throughout the state and country. Enjoy Dad Quotes and DACA is not enough.

De Colombia to the New York Capitol

Interview with Angelica Martinez (00:58:43)

October 11, 2019

From Colombia to the New York Capitol--Angelica Martinez is dedicated to paving the road for other immigrant folks at the local and state level. She dreams of world peace and veganism for everyone! She shares the transition from Colombia to New York City. Her journey towards working in politics and how it has transformed her life. How she navigated undergrad and her masters program without DACA. Her status directly influenced every step she took towards the present. Join us in a talk about destiny, privilege and a journey you won’t forget.

Celebrating our one year: a tribute to Olga Araceli

Bloopers and Highlights (00:16:28)

September 17, 2019

Shot of Truth Podcast has taken you all over the country over the last year! This project has been lead by many people and we are excited to celebrate all the people involved. Our co-host Olga Araceli will no longer be recording with us so this is a funny/short episode with highlights and silly bloopers in honor of Olga. Thank you all for supporting our work! Please celebrate today with us by rating us on Apple Podcast, sharing our platforms or joining our Patreon team. Here’s to another year! https://www.patreon.com/shotoftruthpodcast

La Novela de Dania

Inverview with Dania Jaramillo (01:04:26)

September 5, 2019

Dania Jaramillo is a writer, educator and young mother to her beautiful son, Julian. Dania shares with us her journey between Sinaloa, Mexico and Mount Vernon, Washington. She was a single teen mother on a mission to prove everyone wrong. From family dynamics, navigating higher education and wanting to abolish schools (yes, schools), Dania’s motto is to remain calm, cool and collected. She recently went viral on twitter when she shared a video being verbally assaulted for being an undocumented womxn. She expresses the effects it had on her family and how you mentally cope with the repercussions of going viral. Listen for a firsthand experience on a very powerful chingona. Shot of Truth presents La Novela de Dania.

Average Abe

Inverview with Abraham Diaz Alonso (01:11:37)

August 8, 2019

Far from average–Abraham Diaz Alonso is a community organizer at the Rio Grande Valley. He works for La Union del Pueblo Entero in San Juan, Texas as an education specialist. He takes people from all over the country to the border to educate them on what is happening and how various communities are impacted. He is all over the place doing everything and nothing all at once–from his work at the border, planting peanuts and coaching little league soccer. This episode is emotional, informational, entertaining and super funny–join us in this badass episode: Average Abe. *Please donate to his little league soccer team, Venmo information below!

Stuck in Chicago: Lines of Affirmation

Lines of Affirmation (01:15:17)

July 16, 2019

We were stuck in Chicago. It rained, it hailed, AND we got to record with Yuriana Garcia and Steve Li. We talk about projects they’ve been apart of including the HB1079 Conference and Undocumented and Awkward Series. They shared very personal experiences including coming out as undocumented and seeing family members get detained and deported. It’s a heavy episode but also full of laughter and some serious Cancer feels. Ohhh and we got our palms read and that was an experience for us all. Join us on this exclusive episode Stuck in Chicago: Lines of Affirmation.

Intelligence is NOT measured in English

Undocumented Education (00:55:46)

June 24, 2019

Knock Knock. Who’s There? An episode on higher education, e-verify and immigrants in the workplace. We could do dozens of episodes just on that alone but here’s an intro. We talk about different resources we had navigating higher education in various aspects including emotionally. We talk about our parents and their contribution to this nation. We also celebrate our sisters for graduating! It gets personal--but that’s the point!

Permanently Heartbroken

Interview with Alex (00:49:10)

June 10, 2019

Alex Martinez is a poet, queer queen, Vice President of the Drag Committee and ACLU community organizer. He has joined us to share his poetry and life chisme! This episode is funny, inappropriate AF and not what you would expect! A special Q and A is also featured at the end--enjoy! Avoid listening around children because this is explicit content!

Cool S*** That Lasts

Interview with Alvaro (00:58:18)

May 8, 2019

Alvaro is a Dream Lead Institute Fellow doing amazing s*** all over the world! He is using virtual reality to reconnect families who are separated by border imperialism. He traveled for various weeks along side the asylum seeker caravan and has great stories to share. When asked what the meaning of life is, Alvaro answered, “to make cool s*** that lasts!” Tune in to hear how he is making this his reality. It’s some cool s***!

Political Drama Queen

Northern and Southern Border Cities (00:38:14)

April 21, 2019

A discussion about the northern and southern border. Highlighting a visit to McAllen, Texas a beautiful border city. We discuss nature, education and community. Enjoy!

Political Drama Queen

Interview with Graciela Nuñez (00:54:31)

April 2, 2019

Graciela Nuñez Pargas is such a Political Drama Queen. She has devoted her life to politics since she was 12 years old! Join us in listening to Graciela’s journey as we unpack how immigrant communities are subject to dehumanization and criminalization. OKURRR.

Puro Pinché Party

Stories of Sisterhood, Growth, and Parties (00:44:28)

February 27, 2019

On a lighter note, here is an episode celebrating our growth and sisterhood. From Washington to Florida, Louisiana to Texas join us as we discuss embarrassing stories, heartbreak and life lessons from the road.

Down With Elitism

A Discussion on some of the forms Elitism Can Take (01:00:35)

February 11, 2019

Liberals, Higher Education, Citizenship, Social Media—it’s all susceptible to elitism. Join us in challenging elitism within these structures as we reflect on how we are affected by elitism every day.

Shut Him Down

A Discussion of the Trump's Presidentail Address (01:02:27)

January 16, 2019

A discussion about Trump’s presidential address. Discussing language, emotions, and criminalizing rhetoric. The government shutdown is on him--SHUT HIM DOWN!

Bonus Episode: Spanish only Interview from First Generation

The promised Spanish only interview as a Holiday Bonus (24:29)

December 28, 2018

This is the Spanish only audio from the interview in The Episode First Generation presented to you has a holiday bonus episode. Enoy!

How Personal Is It? A conversation on Identity

What is Identity? What does that mean? (46:41)

December 21, 2018

How do you define being undocumented? Is it living under a social and political condition that shapes your experience in this country? Is it even an identity? Join us in a conversation where we deconstruct the word undocumented.

Asylum Seeker Caravan And Border Imperialism

Tying border imperialism to the caravan (47:03)

December 6, 2018

A brief explanation about Harsha Walia’s book, Undoing Border Imperialism, connected to the Asylum Seeker Caravan traveling thousands of miles in hopes of reaching the United States of America in search for asylum and a sustainable life.

First Generation

An interview with a first generation immigrant (35:15)

November 17, 2018

The immigrant generational gap is real! in this episode, we have a special guest that gives us insight into what it was like for her to move across borders. She shares her experience and sends a message to our listeners. The interview was done in Spanish and we translated it to English.

Beyond Latinx

Expanding the Undocumented Narrative (43:58)

October 17, 2018

Beyond Latinx is focused on learning more about the undocumented Asian experience through the life of one of our colleagues (for safety reasons we will call her E). She shares personal information about her journey to America, her mixed status family and how coming out with her status has empowered her. Join us in breaking the common narratives of WHO is undocumented.

Bellingham’s Subdued Sanctuary

Immigration in the Sanctuary City of Bellingham (43:52)

October 3, 2018

Our podcasters met in Bellingham, Washington in 2016. Immediately after they both started organizing in Bellingham and on their university campus—Western Washington University. This episode covers the immigration history of Bellingham—a border city with Canada. The common narrative is to talk about the US/Mexico border but today we are covering what it’s like to live next to the other national border. Cities throughout the United States have long histories with immigration all varied through specific state and federal laws. Join us in discussing what it’s like to live in Bellingham, Washington, the city of subdued excitement.

DACA Timeline Of Uncertainty

The Hellish Roller Coaster (31:38)

September 26, 2018

Millions of people fought for a Dream Act but what they got was something far from any solution. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals created large opportunities for a small portion of our community. DACA changed our lives and continues to give us opportunities but at the cost of many things we do not talk about. Six years later and DACA continues to be a topic being debated from both sides. As for the future of DACA all we can do is keep fighting and remain hopeful that some day we will have a viable pathway towards citizenship but also our families.

Myth Busting with Ozzy

Dispelling Misconceptions (32:03)

September 19, 2018

On today’s episode, we invited a close friend and fellow peer to help bust some myths associated to the undocumented community. Osvaldo comes to us from Nayarit, Mexico and Wenatchee (Eastern Washington). He is a graphic designer, soccer enthusiast, and one of the OG’s that helped pave the road for undocumented students on Westerns campus. Listen in on today’s episode and learn about our truths.

An Introduction

An introduction to the Shot of Truth Hosts. (24:45)

September 19, 2018

Welcome to a Shot of Truth Podcast! Episode Zero is an introduction to who we are and this new project we have begun. Listen in to learn a little more about our life stories and experiences as undocumented womxn. In addition, our hope is to bring in voices from other undoc-folks and expand on the different identities/intersectionalities within our community. We acknowledge that this is not single issue struggle and would also love for other organizers, activist, and community members to chime in on our conversations. Thank you in advance for listening!

A Shot of Truth Podcast Trailer

A trailer for A Shot of Truth Podcast. (2:00)

August 13, 2020

Welcome to a Shot of Truth Podcast! Listen in to learn a little more about our life stories and experiences. In addition, we bring in voices from other undoc-folks and expand on the different identities/intersectionalities within our community. We acknowledge that this is not single issue struggle and would also love for other organizers, activist, and community members to chime in on our conversations. Thank you in advance for listening!