In this episode, we sit down with Guatemalan-Honduran-American filmmaker Santos Arrué to explore her creative practice and the themes that ground her work. We talk about her focus on displacement, representation, and what it means to tell stories that reflect lived experiences while imagining new futures for communities like ours. Santos shares insights into her short film Azul, her upcoming feature project, and the filmmakers and works that have shaped her voice. This conversation moves through identity, memory, and the power of cinema to expand how we see ourselves and the worlds we can create.

Follow Santos Arrué journey: https://www.instagram.com/santos_arrue/

Follow Central American Voices:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠

Substack: https://centralamericanvoices.substack.com/

Central American Voices Team:

Founder & Host:

Alejandra Quiroz https://www.instagram.com/aalquiroz/

Producers:

Brenda Hernández https://www.instagram.com/_lifeintechnicolor/

Lizette Castro https://www.instagram.com/albarnliz/

Associate Producer:

Jacqueline Ayala https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_ayala/

Editor:

Karina Ramos Villalobos https://www.instagram.com/kyrv4life/

Social Media:

Graciela Maria Campos https://www.instagram.com/romcomprincess/ | https://www.instagram.com/brytideas/

Central American Voices is a nonprofit media platform amplifying the stories of Central Americans worldwide through storytelling, journalism, and the arts. Centering culture, identity, and community.

In this episode, we sit down with Karina Magallon, a Panamanian-American bilingual artist and multi-instrumentalist whose sound blends Latin and pop influences with heartfelt storytelling and Spanglish lyrics.

Raised in Houston and now based in Los Angeles, Karina shares how growing up between cultures shaped her identity and her artistry. From studying music in Nashville to building her career as an independent artist, songwriter, and vocal producer, she takes us through the moments that defined her path.

We talk about navigating the music industry as a Latina artist, staying true to your voice, and the power of creating in both English and Spanish. This conversation is about embracing who you are, finding your sound, and creating without limits.

Follow her journey:https://www.instagram.com/karinamagallon

Follow Central American Voices:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices⁠

Website: ⁠https://www.centralamericanvoices.com⁠

Credits:

Host: Alejandra Quiroz

Producers: Brenda Hernández & Lizette Castro

Podcast Coordinator: Jacqueline Ayala

Social Media: Graciela Maria CamposEditor: Karina Ramos Villalobos

In this episode we sit down with Roger and Stephanie from Pro-Sé-So, a community-centered legal platform focused on empowering immigrant communities through law, education, and accessibility.

Together, they discuss the mission behind Pro-Sé-So, their work supporting immigrant families, and why democratizing legal knowledge is critical for underserved communities. From immigration challenges to community advocacy, this conversation explores how law can become a tool for empowerment, representation, and meaningful impact.

This episode highlights the importance of accessible legal education, community-centered advocacy, and the power of using your career to give back.

Follow their journey:
Pro-Sé-So Website: https://pro-se-so.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pro_se_so
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pro_se_so

Follow Central American Voices:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices
Website: https://www.centralamericanvoices.com

Credits:

Host: Alejandra Quiroz
Producers: Brenda Hernández & Lizette Castro
Podcast Coordinator: Jacqueline Ayala
Editor: Karina Ramos Villalobos

In this episode we sit down with Michelle Myra, founder of Sazón Pilates, to talk about identity, resilience, and building something rooted in culture.

Born in Bellflower, California to Guatemalan immigrant parents, Michelle’s journey has taken her across the world from studying art history and living in Italy to spending nearly a decade in China and traveling throughout Southeast Asia. After years abroad, she returned home to Los Angeles and discovered a deeper purpose through Pilates, transforming movement into a space for healing and community.

Follow her journey with Sazón:
Sazón Grip — https://www.instagram.com/sazon.grip/
Sazón Pilates Studio — https://www.instagram.com/sazon.pilates.studio/
Michelle Myra — https://www.instagram.com/michellemyraofficial/

Follow Central American Voices:
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/centralamericanvoices/
TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@centralamericanvoices

In this episode, we talk with filmmaker and educator Matthew Serrano in a thoughtful conversation about identity, ancestry, and intentional storytelling. Matthew reflects on growing up Salvadoran-American, his journey through Youth Cinema Project, and the responsibility that comes with telling stories about our communities.

The conversation centers on his film Xolo and the care, research, and intention behind every creative choice exploring why representation goes beyond visibility and why storytelling, when done with purpose, can be an act of preservation.

Xolo has been selected for SBIFF and will screen during:
Narrative Shorts 7 – Festival Circuit Faves

• Thursday 2/12 — 6:00 PM — Film Center Aud 4

• Friday 2/13 — 12:00 PM — Film Center Aud 4

Tickets Here

🔗 Follow Matthew Serrano:

Instagram: @matthew_ serrano ⁠⁠@xolo_film

Brand: @tobyandlinus | Toby & Linus

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS

⁠⁠Honduras Kitchen⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bravo Foods USA⁠⁠

⁠⁠Annette's Illustrations⁠⁠

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

En este episodio conversamos con Soudi Jiménez, periodista salvadoreño del Los Angeles Times en Español y autor del libro Ecos Migrantes. Soudi comparte cómo fue crecer en El Salvador, su llegada a Estados Unidos para trabajar en el consulado salvadoreño y su transición al periodismo, desde donde ha documentado por más de una década las múltiples realidades de la comunidad migrante. Profundizamos en la inspiración detrás de Ecos Migrantes, una recopilación de crónicas que amplía la narrativa tradicional sobre la migración y visibiliza voces diversas; desde diplomáticos y estudiantes hasta trabajadoras domésticas y artistas. Recordándonos que migrar también es resistir, construir identidad y dejar huella. Un episodio esencial sobre migración centroamericana, memoria, periodismo y humanidad.

🔗 Follow Soudi Jiménez:

Instagram: ⁠@soudijimenez @ecosmigrantes

(You can get his book by DM him on his social media)

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS

⁠Honduras Kitchen⁠

⁠Bravo Foods USA⁠

⁠Annette's Illustrations⁠

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Tanya Flores Hodgson, a Nicaraguan artist based in Los Angeles, for an intimate conversation on art, memory, feminism, and liberation. Born in Masaya, Nicaragua, Tanya shares her migration story and how her work uses photography, video, and the body to confront political violence, U.S. imperialism, and silenced Central American histories. Together, we explore Central American identity, decolonial feminist practice, diaspora, and how art becomes a powerful tool for resistance, healing, and collective remembrance.

🔗 Follow Tanya Flores Hodgson:

Instagram: @tanya_la_guerillera

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS

Honduras Kitchen

Bravo Foods USA

Annette's Illustrations

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

TikTok: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

In this episode, we talk with Central American artist Kiara Aileen Machado about her journey growing in Los Angeles and how her Guatemalan, Salvadoran, and Honduran roots shape her artistic voice. We discuss her work exploring identity, migration, and the absence of Central American representation in mainstream art spaces. Kiara walks us through her studio practice, the stories behind her paintings, and how her travels through Honduras, Guatemala, and Cuba have influenced her understanding of land, memory, and geopolitical identity. We also dive into the role of community, the challenges of navigating the art world, and how she uses her work to preserve collective memory and create visibility for our diaspora.

🔗 Follow Kiara Aileen Machado:

Instagram: @kiara_aileen_arts

💛 Let’s Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

TikTok: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠@centamvoicespod

⁠Facebook: ⁠@centamvoicespodcast⁠