In this inspiring episode of the Radical Hope Project Podcast, host Vanessa Cervantes is joined by Annthonet Hunt-MSW student, storyteller, and advocate—to explore the power of cultural roots (raices), nature, and radical hope. Annthonet reflects on the importance of honoring her Panamanian and Jamaican heritage, the lessons she draws from nature, and how raising a neurodivergent child has deepened her empathy and advocacy. Through stories, reflection, and inspiration, this episode invites listeners to reconnect with their roots and use their voices to foster change and connection.

In this powerful episode of the Radical Hope Project podcast, host Vanessa Cervantes welcomes Angelica Urrutia, a passionate advocate for education and fellow MSW student at Cal State Long Beach. Angie shares her deeply personal story of resilience, growing up in a household marked by poverty, instability, and domestic violence. As the eldest of four, she found refuge in school and dedicated herself to being a role model, breaking generational cycles through education and advocacy.

The conversation explores themes of counter-storytelling, critical race theory, intersectionality, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs—all through the lens of lived experience. Angie reflects on her journey, the mentors who supported her, and how she now uses her role in education to empower underserved students. Her message is one of radical hope, healing, and the transformative power of connection, representation, and belief in others. It is a call to nurture our youth and support them in dreaming big.

In this episode of the Radical Hope Project, host Vanessa Cervantes welcomes Kevin Mora—CSULB Master's in Social Work graduate student, mental health advocate, and heart-forward visionary. Kevin reflects on his journey through advocacy and social work, sharing how purpose finds its shape in community and creativity. Together, Vanessa and Kevin explore what it means to be radical and hopeful in a world that often feels heavy—and how hope doesn’t need to roar; sometimes it hums through hummingbirds, sunlight, and late-night study sessions. They speak to the silenced child within, the artist in all of us, and the sacred act of telling your story out loud.

This episode is an invitation: to lean on one another, to grow something meaningful, and to believe that sharing your truth—even in whispers—can be revolutionary.

In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Fernando Pinedo, a hospice worker and MSW colleague from CSULB. Fernando opens up about his personal journey shaped by familia, resilience, and the powerful influence of medical social workers who helped guide him into the social work profession. He speaks candidly about the importance of being emotionally present—for both clients and peers—and how honest conversations serve as a healing outlet in his life and work.

We have our first guest!

In the second episode of the Radical Hope Podcast, host Vanessa Cervantes sits down with her MSW colleague, Evelyn Del Cid Martinez. Evelyn shares how she maintained hope while recounting her journey of migrating from El Salvador as a young girl, navigating the foster care system, and finding her voice. She also defines what radical hope means to her.

Welcome to the Radical Hope Project Podcast, your stop to listen in on stories of resilience, advocacy, and hope!

In the first episode, we meet the podcast's host, CSULB MSW Graduate student Vanessa Cervantes. She introduces the Radical Hope Project mission and invites us all to use creative expression to amplify voices of resistance, foster unity, and inspire resilience in the face of adversity. Vanessa then gives us a glimpse into her father's story of resiliency-from crossing borders to fulfilling his dream-and shares what radical hope means to her.