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Episode 68 – Women of Color Writers’ Authentic Voices: Natalie Obando, Part 2

by Julián Esteban Torres López in Interviews

We continue with the second part of Julián Esteban Torres López’s conversation with Natalie Obando, the current national president of the Women’s National Book Association and first Latina to take the helm. They continue to discuss the Authentic Voices Fellowship Program, her experiences and thoughts about the White Gaze in publishing and storytelling industries, how she uses her influence to transition us out of it so we can become more authentic and reflect a more realistic representation, and much more. They also dissect the harmful urge to center the comfort of others by anglicizing our names, thereby decentering ourselves at the outset of relationships, and the kind of impact this form of code-switching has on us and our communities. If you have not already, we encourage you to go back and listen to the first part so you can better situate yourself in today’s episode. […]

Episode 67 – Women of Color Writers’ Authentic Voices: Natalie Obando, Part 1

February 10, 2022

Natalia Obando, current national president of the Women’s National Book Association and first Latina to take the helm, stops by the show to speak with Julián Esteban Torres López about her goal to promote diversity in publishing via grassroots efforts. She discusses her own experience in the literary world as a Latina, along with the origin story and breakdown of the Authentic Voices Fellowship Program she founded. They then transition into a discussion on the White Gaze in publishing and how she uses her influence to transition us out of it so we can become more authentic and reflect a more realistic representation. They end part one of the conversation dissecting the pros and cons of code-switching and how through us coming together in solidarity we can gain more power and lift each other up. […]

The Nasiona’s Black Is Beautiful Playlist

February 9, 2022

With our BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL music playlist, we strive to center, elevate, and amplify the voices and musical talents of Black storytellers and creators. Curated by The Nasiona team, this introduction is more than a simple opportunity for you to learn and be entertained. No. Not just that. That’s a bonus. What we really hope you’ll do is commit to taking action to support these artists, purchase their music, share their work, use your influence and power to create access to opportunity, and become long-term patrons. We hope the playlist animates your body, inspires your soul, and moves your wallet. As we try to impact equity, one critical thing we can all do is buy and experience the works created and produced by Black artists. […]

Episode 66 – Relationship between Psychological Trauma and Physical Illness

February 4, 2022

What is the relationship between psychological trauma and physical Illness? Co-producer Nicole Zelniker joins Julián Esteban Torres López on the podcast to interview Molly “Marco” Marcotte to answer this question. Molly “Marco” Marcotte (they/them) is a program designer, evaluator, and consultant in their eighth year of work in the anti-violence field. Existing as a multilingual, neurodivergent, queer, non-binary femme informs every aspect of their approach, particularly in building authentic rapport and community-centered definitions of programmatic success. […]

On the Limits of Goodwill, the Golden Rule, and Deontological Ethics: A Social Justice Activist’s Reflections

January 14, 2022

As we approach Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, I’ve been journaling on the limits of goodwill, the Golden Rule, and deontological ethics. The reflections below are consistent conversations I have with myself as I decolonize my own ethics, because, just like you, I am a product of a culture and a society where these limiting frameworks are prevalent. Some of the biggest obstacles in our quest toward achieving social justice are ideologies and people (which includes innumerable progressive folx) that only equate “real” harm (harm that should be taken seriously and acted upon to find a remedy to reduce the harm) with harm caused by malicious intent. These frameworks and ethical systems directly invalidate, devalue, and gaslight the concerns of those who’ve been harmed, which contribute to and perpetuate oppressive status quos. […]

Episode 59 – The Nuyorican Hallway: Belonging & Living Between Worlds

August 22, 2021

J.L. Torres is the author of Migrations, the inaugural winner of the Tomás Rivera Book Prize. His work focuses on the diasporican experience—living in the inbetweeness that forms and informs the Puerto Rican experience. We dissect the central themes of Migrations—a collection of stories deeply rooted in Puerto Rico’s history—where he elevates the experiences of Othered individuals. This is a far-ranging conversation that spans colonialism, Nuyorican identity, colorism, Critical Race Theory, and healing. […]