# opinions expressed (podcasts) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 4 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover opinions expressed. Page: Feed: --- ## [Ep. 165 - Paid to Distribute, Left Without Support: My TuneCore Experience as an Independent Artist](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--165---Paid-to-Distribute--Left-Without-Support-My-TuneCore-Experience-as-an-Independent-Artist-e3nhvu2) _2026-08-18 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ Independent artists pay music distributors to get their songs onto Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other major platforms—but what happens when something goes wrong and getting meaningful support becomes difficult? In “Paid to Distribute, Left Without Support: My TuneCore Experience as an Independent Artist,” Dellie takes a fact-based look at TuneCore customer support, refund policies,… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO7346006747.mp3) ## [BONUS: The German History In Documents And Images Project](https://share.transistor.fm/s/206bcf96) _2026-08-15 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ BONUS DISCUSSION: Dr. Eric Jensen, associate professor of history at Miami University, Ohio, joins the "ROI" team to discuss The German History In Documents And Images Project. The host for the 672nd edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Lyn Fleming. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/206bcf96/e2f01d7f.mp3) ## [The German History In Documents And Images Project](https://share.transistor.fm/s/70eddc8e) _2026-08-15 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ Dr. Eric Jensen, associate professor of history at Miami University, Ohio, joins the "ROI" team to discuss The German History In Documents And Images Project. The host for the 672nd edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Lyn Fleming. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St.… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/70eddc8e/808c577e.mp3) ## [Ep. 164 - Press One for Frustration: The Decline of Customer Service](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--164---Press-One-for-Frustration-The-Decline-of-Customer-Service-e3n76tk) _2026-08-11 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ Customer service was once designed to build trust, solve problems, and strengthen the relationship between businesses and the people they serve. Today, many customers face automated phone systems, endless hold times, repeated transfers, confusing policies, poorly trained representatives, and artificial-intelligence chatbots that often create more frustration than solutions. In this episode of… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO5547239859.mp3) ## [BONUS: The Naked Android: Synthetic Socialness And The Human Gaze](https://share.transistor.fm/s/83011483) _2026-08-08 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ BONUS DISCUSSION: Dr. Julie Carpenter, senior fellow with The Ethics And Emerging Sciences Group at California Polytechnic State University, joins the "ROI" team to discuss: The Naked Android: Synthetic Socialness And The Human Gaze. The host for the 671st edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/83011483/01962dd7.mp3) ## [The Naked Android: Synthetic Socialness And The Human Gaze](https://share.transistor.fm/s/d9c7f7c2) _2026-08-08 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ Dr. Julie Carpenter, senior fellow with The Ethics And Emerging Sciences Group at California Polytechnic State University, joins the "ROI" team to discuss: The Naked Android: Synthetic Socialness And The Human Gaze. The host for the 671st edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/d9c7f7c2/b74d0d9f.mp3) ## [666 Meaning: Angel Number Or The Devil's Digits?](https://share.transistor.fm/s/87e727bf) _2026-08-01 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ Dr. Thomas Wayment, professor of classics in the Department Of Comparative Arts And Letters at Brigham Young University, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team to discuss: 666 Meaning: Angel Number Or The Devil's Digits? The host for the 670th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/87e727bf/3e50d668.mp3) ## [BONUS: 666 Meaning: Angel Number Or The Devil's Digits?](https://share.transistor.fm/s/c79bffb7) _2026-08-01 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ BONUS DISCUSSION: Dr. Thomas Wayment, professor of classics in the Department Of Comparative Arts And Letters at Brigham Young University, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team to discuss: 666 Meaning: Angel Number Or The Devil's Digits? The host for the 670th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/c79bffb7/acadb792.mp3) ## [Ep. 163 - Are You a Spectator or a Supporter? When Success Reveals Character](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--163---Are-You-a-Spectator-or-a-Supporter--When-Success-Reveals-Character-e3ml3pb) _2026-07-30 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ In this episode of Soulfood and Lemonade , we dive into the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up—even when your efforts go unnoticed. This conversation is for anyone who has ever carried the weight, opened doors for others, or felt overlooked despite giving their all. It’s a reminder that your work matters, your presence matters, and your journey is seen—even when it doesn’t feel like it. If… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO2643442270.mp3) ## [Ep. 161 - Can American Politics Get Any Worse?](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--161---Can-American-Politics-Get-Any-Worse-e3mhm7k) _2026-07-30 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ America is facing one of the most divided political moments in modern history. From extreme polarization and collapsing public trust to political violence, misinformation, media manipulation, and the growing belief that truth no longer matters, many Americans are asking the same troubling question: Can American politics get any worse? In this episode, we examine the state of American democracy,… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO6015180877.mp3) ## [Unlimited Mobile Internet, One V-SIM (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/CNx1FdQ1GsWm) _2026-07-30 · **Sponsored**_ Automatically switches across T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon; no throttling, no contract. ## [Reissue: What's ahead for China's Latin America Ties in the Great Power Game?](https://www.as-coa.org/articles/latam-focus-whats-ahead-chinas-latin-america-ties-great-power-game) _2026-07-30 · lleme@as-coa.org (Carin Zissis, Parsifal D’Sola Alvarado, Luisa Leme) · Latin America in Focus_ This episode is a re-run of Ep.228 , of January 29, 2026. Latin America in Focus is going on a Summer break and it will be back in September with more episodes. Stay tuned! The Trump’s administration national security strategy was the talk of the foreign policy world late last year, not least of all because it renewed Washington’s focus on the Americas. But a few days later, China released its own… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/f26cbd1a-e6bf-42c2-9690-ca8d0866c7b5/group-item/0e4bfcfb-2c3e-451a-8a3a-266968d9a9f7/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Ep. 162 - Too Many Fires at Once: How to Stay Grounded in a Country Under Pressure](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--162---Too-Many-Fires-at-Once-How-to-Stay-Grounded-in-a-Country-Under-Pressure-e3mij8b) _2026-07-26 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ America is facing multiple challenges at the same time. From rising living costs and economic uncertainty to political division, global conflicts, immigration debates, artificial intelligence, mental health concerns, and declining trust in institutions, many people feel overwhelmed by the constant pressure. In this episode of Soulfood and Lemonade , host Delroy "Dellie" Souden examines the major… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO4919326790.mp3) ## [BONUS: How To Be A Dissident](https://share.transistor.fm/s/7e9e5631) _2026-07-24 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ BONUS DISCUSSION: Dr. Gal Beckerman, author and staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss his book: How To Be A Dissident. The host for the 669th edition in this series is Jay Swords. The history buffs are Rick Sweet and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/7e9e5631/ece38089.mp3) ## [How To Be A Dissident](https://share.transistor.fm/s/3ca041eb) _2026-07-24 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ Dr. Gal Beckerman, author and staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss his book: How To Be A Dissident. The host for the 669th edition in this series is Jay Swords. The history buffs are Rick Sweet and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/3ca041eb/a1509f4f.mp3) ## [Ep. 160 - When Brothers Become Targets: South Africa, Xenophobia, and the Wound Inside the African Family](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--160---When-Brothers-Become-Targets-South-Africa--Xenophobia--and-the-Wound-Inside-the-African-Family-e3m4c9d) _2026-07-15 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ In this powerful episode of Soulfood and Lemonade , Delroy Souden takes a deep and emotional look at xenophobia in South Africa and the painful reality of Africans turning against fellow Africans. This episode goes beyond the headlines. It explores the deeper wounds caused by poverty, unemployment, political scapegoating, misinformation, colonial history, apartheid’s legacy, and the social… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO4715419176.mp3) ## [Financing Venezuela’s Future in the Aftermath of Disaster](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-07-13 · lleme@as-coa.org (International Rescue Committee, Ángel Cárdenas Sosa, CAF – The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, CAF, IRC, Khalea Robertson, Luisa Leme) · Latin America in Focus_ The double earthquakes of June 24 accentuated a year of profound change in Venezuela. What was already a significant undertaking by the interim government in collaboration with the U.S. administration to address years of economic mismanagement and infrastructural deterioration, has become even more urgent in the face of a tragedy that has claimed thousands of lives and livelihoods while causing… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/ec28496c-8705-4463-86af-c7fad427fb3f/group-item/b1b7b1e2-5c3e-477e-b338-0983b7546287/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Ep. 158 - How A.I Threatens Democracy: Who Controls the Truth?](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--158---How-A-I-Threatens-Democracy-Who-Controls-the-Truth-e3lvc8l) _2026-07-12 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ Artificial Intelligence is transforming how information moves across society—and that transformation is reshaping democracy itself. In this episode of Soulfood and Lemonade , we examine how A.I.-powered algorithms influence elections, public opinion, and political discourse. From deepfakes and misinformation to psychological voter targeting and surveillance capitalism, A.I. now plays a central… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO4105689250.mp3) ## [Ep. 159 - Why Creators Must Build Their Own Platforms Before It’s Too Late](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--159---Why-Creators-Must-Build-Their-Own-Platforms-Before-Its-Too-Late-e3lvcei) _2026-07-12 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ After being shut down, demonetized, and pushed aside by major platforms, I’ve learned a hard truth: creators who do not own their platform do not own their future. In this piece, I break down why every creator must build beyond social media by owning their website, subscriber list, and direct relationship with their audience. This is about more than censorship. It is about independence, survival,… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO2137281918.mp3) ## [BONUS: Shaped By Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years Of The United States](https://share.transistor.fm/s/5dc88128) _2026-07-11 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ BONUS DISCUSSION: Clara Tobin, assistant director and curator at The German American Heritage Center And Museum, joins the "ROI" team to discuss the exhibit, "Shaped By Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years Of The United States." The host for the 668th edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Rick Sweet and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/5dc88128/ab576a7e.mp3) ## [Shaped By Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years Of The United States](https://share.transistor.fm/s/679311c3) _2026-07-11 · KALA-FM · Relevant or Irrelevant_ Clara Tobin, assistant director and curator at The German American Heritage Center And Museum, joins the "ROI" team to discuss the exhibit, "Shaped By Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years Of The United States." The host for the 668th edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Rick Sweet and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s),… [Listen](https://media.transistor.fm/679311c3/7f0c1993.mp3) ## [Find what they just said (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/QyOdcpXcjzv5) _2026-07-11 · **Sponsored**_ Surface recent public signals so you can send policy-aware, relevant outreach ## [What Will Keiko Fujimori Face as President of Peru?](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-06-25 · lleme@as-coa.org (Alfredo Thorne, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Khalea Robertson, Music of the Americas, Americas Society, Council of the Americas) · Latin America in Focus_ On her fourth attempt, Keiko Fujimori is set to finally become Peru’s president. The right-wing former congresswoman will enter the presidential palace having bested her opponent, leftist lawmaker Roberto Sánchez , with just 50.1 percent of valid votes in the June 7 second round. “Our country is very divided,” says guest Alfredo Thorne , a former Peruvian finance minister, of the country’s third… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/f0f8de2d-4921-459a-82c9-473fb53b7024/group-item/33b5234c-5e2d-491d-88fd-41980fd85412/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Sandra Borda on the Figures and Forces behind Colombia’s Presidential Race](https://www.as-coa.org/articles/latam-focus-sandra-borda-figures-and-forces-behind-colombias-presidential-race) _2026-06-11 · lleme@as-coa.org (Sandra Borda, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Khalea Robertson) · Latin America in Focus_ The Colombian electorate sent a clear message with the two candidates they sent to the June 21 presidential runoff: they are no longer interested in politics as usual . With far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist Senator Iván Cepeda concentrating 85 percent of the first-round vote, the country’s traditional center and center-right parties have receded to the background.… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/9bdc2752-710c-4ea1-9d7f-a252e490dc28/group-item/99ebd589-073a-4f07-922f-72c609341548/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Jorge Castañeda on the Frictions Straining U.S.-Mexico Ties](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-05-28 · lleme@as-coa.org (Jorge Castañeda, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Carlos Quintana) · Latin America in Focus_ From Mexico’s Cuba ties to Washington's persistent tariff pledges, points of friction keep coming up between Mexico and the United States, reaching a crescendo last month when the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 10 Mexican officials, including a sitting governor from President Claudia Sheinbaum’s own party. "U.S.-Mexican relations are probably in their worst moment that I can remember since… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/3932eaf9-9951-4c50-8846-1530a3053038/group-item/5e74f386-05d6-4d5d-b39c-6ca06365e363/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [What Trump and Lula Want from U.S.-Brazil Ties](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-05-14 · lleme@as-coa.org (Fernanda Magnotta, Luisa Leme, Carin Zissis, Khalea Robertson) · Latin America in Focus_ After months of tensions, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump emerged from a May meeting at the White House smiling for the cameras. The leaders, both facing critical elections, sought to project international strength during delicate domestic moments, as they tackled a bilateral trade and security agenda. “We need to be very careful in interpreting the… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/d29478ff-08ec-4c1f-8766-2feff105c969/group-item/ab80bbdd-4e48-4e91-94e9-6f78fbed3e0b/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Mercosur, EU, and the New Frontiers of Free Trade](https://www.as-coa.org/articles/latam-focus-mercosur-eu-and-new-frontiers-free-trade) _2026-04-30 · lleme@as-coa.org (Kellie Meiman Hock, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Khalea Robertson) · Latin America in Focus_ On May 1, a transatlantic trade deal covering 31 countries and a quarter of global GDP comes into effect. Some thought it would never materialize, but after 25 years of off-and-on negotiations, Mercosur and the European Union committed to one of the largest free-trade deals in the world. So why did the two trade blocs to sign on the dotted line? “ The reality is that today, given the approach that… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/30d0d97c-fb23-4ddb-9acc-52dd377f4c35/group-item/42d75790-b859-4888-841e-5892d9904f4c/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [The Math Behind Cartel Recruitment in Mexico](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-04-08 · lleme@as-coa.org (Carin Zissis, Khalea Robertson, Luisa Leme, Rafael Prieto Curiel, Camilo Salas) · Latin America in Focus_ After a February military operation led to the death of Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera, Mexican authorities searched the cartel leader’s cabin and uncovered logs showing that low-level members of El Mencho’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel earned as little as $140 per week. Many people were surprised by how little the cartel lookouts and hitmen earn, given that their jobs can be, quite… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/87293170-ed08-43ac-b544-9d067f3c4e93/group-item/6d264f1f-4a5c-49b2-9ee5-babc25bf255b/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [What's on the Trade Menu? Beef](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-03-25 · lleme@as-coa.org (Francisco Resnicoff, Chase Harrison, Carin Zissis, Camilo Salas, Luisa Leme) · Latin America in Focus_ When the United States and Argentina signed a bilateral trade deal in February, one part of the agreement turned heads: Washington would be quadrupling the amount of tariff-free beef it would allow to be imported from the South American country. Historically, the United States, like countries across the world, limits the amount of beef it imports to help promote its domestic ranching industry. But… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/c9ab3cef-649a-44a4-a2a6-98cb6d6bf0b5/group-item/27afce10-c4bb-4b2c-8acc-06c3e73f6483/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [What Will It Take to Secure Haiti’s 2026 Elections?](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-03-11 · lleme@as-coa.org (Romain Le Cour-Grandmaison, Carin Zissis, Khalea Robertson, Luisa Leme) · Latin America in Focus_ Haiti has been without an elected leader since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and a spiraling security crisis threatens to derail plans to hold elections this August. In this episode, Romain Le Cour-Grandmaison , director of the Haiti and Caribbean Observatory at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, covers bumpy governance transitions and “the triangular… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/8efc44a8-7915-4b8c-bc87-e08af06255ef/group-item/1cae245d-397e-48c4-adbe-fc2c40d2b93d/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [After IEEPA, What Tariff Tools Will Trump Turn to Next?](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-02-26 · lleme@as-coa.org (Diego Marroquín, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme) · Latin America in Focus_ Close followers of trade news were waiting for this moment: On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 against President Donald Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, to slap tariffs on trade partners around the world. Trump first used IEEPA, a measure typically used to apply sanctions, a year ago, when he imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/429ebae3-f140-408d-a05b-f7961641ed36/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/audio/group/9fc46238-0274-47ae-8b00-43ab0cd17fcd/group-item/bca78641-17e7-44bd-acb1-f4757a720159/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Why the Right Hasn’t Risen in Mexico — Yet](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-02-12 · lleme@as-coa.org (Luisa Leme, Gema Kloppe-Santamaría, Carin Zissis, Alex González Ormerod) · Latin America in Focus_ Across Latin America, the political right has been on the march. From El Salvador to Argentina, we’ve seen the pink tide recede as voters back right-wing leaders who are oftentimes allied with the MAGA movement in the United States. Then there’s Mexico. The largest Spanish-speaking country in the world remains firmly in the hands of Morena, a left-wing party, and its popular president, Claudia… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/59b18227-b3bf-439c-bf5d-ffec4fe5eba0/audio/bb9eab5c-2aa3-4cce-804c-e096cf60fc50/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [AI News Summaries & Audio (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/4KamfXvkndMo) _2026-02-12 · **Sponsored**_ Tap an article for an AI summary and an audio briefing. ## [What's ahead for China's Latin America Ties in the Great Power Game?](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-01-29 · lleme@as-coa.org (Parsifal D’Sola Alvarado, Luisa Leme, Carin Zissis, Camilo Salas) · Latin America in Focus_ The Trump’s administration national security strategy was the talk of the foreign policy world late last year, not least of all because it renewed Washington’s focus on the Americas. But a few days later, China released its own policy paper focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean. But then the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro of January 3 upended the hemispheric chessboard. Parsifal D’Sola… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/4d9fd48a-970d-46a9-86ac-16c22ce0be38/audio/b79603fe-bf96-41f3-8e2f-e9f96250bc70/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [What’s on the Table for Brazil’s Security Issues ahead of 2026 Elections?](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2026-01-14 · lleme@as-coa.org (Robert Muggah, Sidmar and Sidiel Vieira, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Khalea Robertson) · Latin America in Focus_ Organized crime continues to drive murder rates in Latin America and the Caribbean to levels well above global averages. Now in a context in which the United States has shown itself willing to flex its military muscle in the region in its battle against narcoterrorism, Latin American governments are under increasing pressure to appear tough on crime. This episode zooms in on Brazil, from where… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/1c2f3643-4403-4086-980b-fe369ff1b280/audio/3d6d009f-3362-4eb9-82f1-1ee7b42f7a61/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Ep. 157 - New Year, Same You—Bigger Mission: Building a Purpose-Driven Life](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--157---New-Year--Same-YouBigger-Mission-Building-a-Purpose-Driven-Life-e3d1tmk) _2026-01-01 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ Step into the new year with clarity, confidence, and a purpose you can actually live out—without the pressure of perfection. In this episode, we talk about why so many New Year’s resolutions fade, what people are really aiming for in 2026, and how stress, anxiety, and financial pressure can quietly shape our goals. Recent polling shows only about 31% of Americans say they’ll make a New Year’s… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO1292573344.mp3) ## [Ep. 156 - Protect Yourself From Cyber-Criminal This Holiday Season](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soulfoodandlemonade/episodes/Ep--156---Protect-Yourself-From-Cyber-Criminal-This-Holiday-Season-e3cj0qb) _2025-12-19 · Dellie · Soulfood and Lemonade_ The holidays are prime time for scammers. Between flash sales, delivery updates, gift cards, and travel plans, cyber-criminals count on people moving fast and clicking first. In this video, we break down simple, real-world steps you can take to protect your money, your accounts, and your identity while shopping online. ✅ Holiday cyber-safety checklist - Shop only on trusted sites: Type the web… [Listen](https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO7492066410.mp3) ## [Latin America in the Spotlight in 2026](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-12-18 · lleme@as-coa.org (Tony Frangie Mawad, Gerardo de Icaza, C4 Trío, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Thomas Traumann, Brenda Estefan, Roberta Braga, Khalea Robertson) · Latin America in Focus_ From the Donroe Doctrine to tariff turmoil a rightward electoral tilt, 2025 was a year of shifts for Latin America. Now, with Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, and Peru gearing up for presidential votes in 2026, more change is on the way.To make sense of what's to come, this episode of Latin America in focus brings back four of our prior guests from across the region: Venezuelan journalist and… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/a9d2e3ba-021d-492c-bc25-ad6b794cee26/audio/92f7af69-4e66-4e15-ade9-4f44e6d19f71/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Andrés Velasco on How Latin America Can Reboot Its Economic Rules](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-12-10 · lleme@as-coa.org (Andres Velasco, Susan Segal, Khalea Robertson, Luisa Leme, Carin Zissis) · Latin America in Focus_ Thirty-five years after the Washington Consensus, a group of the world’s leading economists have assembled a new book formulating an alternative road map for developing economies, The London Consensus: Economic Principles for the 21st Century . One of the books co-editors, prominent Chilean economist Andrés Velasco , recently stopped by the New York headquarters of Americas Society/Council of the… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/9a2cac90-b172-44f2-a351-6d06f6962252/audio/06be9686-d8c2-48f1-b9b3-6119d721a11c/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Can Rodrigo Paz Unearth Bolivia’s Lithium Potential?](https://www.as-coa.org/articles/latam-focus-can-rodrigo-paz-unearth-bolivias-lithium-potential) _2025-11-13 · lleme@as-coa.org (Diego von Vacano, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Khalea Robertson, Rafael de Osma) · Latin America in Focus_ For decades, Bolivia’s abundant reserves of lithium, thought to be the largest in the world, have been touted as the country’s ticket to economic prosperity. But time and again, the sector has run into political hurdles, social resistance, technical issues, and a lack of investment. As newly inaugurated President Rodrigo Paz enters office under a promise of “Capitalism for all,” what will it take… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/8216ea80-01ad-4525-ac6d-b011e43eb45b/audio/12c4abdc-9d48-4b1f-ba58-6089781ec56a/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Will Chileans Pivot at the Polls?](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-10-30 · lleme@as-coa.org (Paz Zarate, Chase Harrison, Luisa Leme, Carin Zissis) · Latin America in Focus_ After two failed constitutional rewrites, Chileans return to the polls to pick their new president. And like those referendums, this year’s vote will be compulsory. In this episode, international lawyer and columnist Paz Zárate covers what the mandatory vote could mean for the outcome of the first-round presidential vote. How are voters who typically don’t cast ballots approaching a contest where… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/78b2d7dc-f306-4fb7-97de-11055e24b659/audio/4e7f4fa0-2f41-4b5e-aa1d-eedaf10118c4/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [A Crack in U.S.-Colombia Cooperation](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-10-16 · lleme@as-coa.org (Sergio Guzman, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Chase Harrison) · Latin America in Focus_ Colombia has long been considered Washington’s greatest ally in Latin America. But the Trump administration’s decertification of Colombia as a partner in the war on drugs and its revocation of the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro have brought tension to the once ironclad relationship. On this episode, Sergio Guzmán , director of Colombia Risk Analysis, talks with host Carin Zissis in a… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/a86aec99-55e5-4c10-b978-ec8de45517c5/audio/78c129b6-c466-4253-9f89-7b85f70bdf4b/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Energy and Security Go Hand in Hand in the Caribbean](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-10-02 · lleme@as-coa.org (Sarah-Ann Lynch, Khalea Robertson, Carin Zissis, Francisco Monaldi) · Latin America in Focus_ Things are heating up in the southern Caribbean. Recent U.S. military strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels from Venezuela have compounded escalating tensions between Venezuela and its much smaller neighbor, Guyana, an emerging energy powerhouse, over the oil-rich Essequibo region. In this episode, former U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about U.S.… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/e887a5e2-1b58-498a-861e-b6991356ca93/audio/8714dd39-dc4b-49d0-83d1-44007d24f1f9/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Navigating Trump’s Tariff Tests—The Brazil Edition](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-09-18 · lleme@as-coa.org (Welber Barral, Khalea Robertson, Luisa Leme, Carin Zissis, Keneth Smith Ramos) · Latin America in Focus_ On July 9, President Donald Trump threw 200 years of diplomatic relations with Brazil for a loop. Latin America’s largest economy got hit with the highest tariff in the region—a whopping 50 percent. But what truly got President Lula’s administration riled up was the U.S. government’s justification for the additional rate. “Talking with U.S. officials, they insisted that Brazil should give amnesty… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/a86240f9-ce1c-40d4-8908-a463c76b6787/audio/bfa22321-4b09-49a3-ab9d-f278be56060f/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Navigating Trump’s Tariff Tests—The Mexico Edition](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-09-18 · lleme@as-coa.org (Keneth Smith Ramos, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme, Khalea Robertson) · Latin America in Focus_ On the one hand, Mexico’s President Sheinbaum has won praise for artfully handling relations with Trump administration, as well as standing out among global leaders for winning a 90-day tariff delay. On the other, more is at stake for Mexico than most countries, given that over 80 percent of its exports are U.S.-bound. And soon it will face a new challenge: a potentially turbulent review process… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/29f5666c-18ad-4ffb-8ea3-ba029fe854bf/audio/a02e91cf-f9b2-464f-861f-dac4379b3d93/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Mafalda, Argentina’s Feisty Heroine, Now Speaks English](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-07-23 · lleme@as-coa.org (Frank Wynne, Aime Iglesias Lukin, Carin Zissis, Luisa Leme) · Latin America in Focus_ Mafalda , Quino’s beloved comic strip from Argentina—first published in 1964—has conquered the world, appearing in at least 25 languages. Six decades on, she is finally reaching Anglophone audiences, translated into English for the first time. Award-winning translator Frank Wynne speaks on his experience translating Mafalda into English, noting the challenges of preserving Quino's subtle humor and… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/08dbea77-2718-4efe-ac58-3362cbc8de6f/audio/1a256b85-95a4-43dd-a6f9-e7cf64557801/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [How a U.S. Tax Could Hit Latin American Remittances](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-06-26 · lleme@as-coa.org (AS/COA Online) · Latin America in Focus_ Tucked inside the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill is a proposed tax of 3.5 percent on remittances that could have major consequences for how much money Latin American immigrants can send home to their loved ones—and how they send it. “Immigrants are going to absorb that tax in order to keep sending money to their families \[or\] they could change the channels they use,” says René… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/5e3a0204-9735-4642-a8e2-8492b9f80e70/audio/774fef6b-a889-4071-aa63-40ace43421c1/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [What's Behind Brazil's International Game?](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-06-04 · lleme@as-coa.org (Laura Trajber Waisbich, Instituto Igarapé, Ternoar, Music of the Americas, Luisa Leme, Khalea Robertson) · Latin America in Focus_ “Brazil has historically been a driving force of regional integration,” points out Laura Trajber Waisbich , Deputy Director of Programs at the Igarapé Institute. And under the administrations of President Lula da Silva, the country has leveraged its size and diplomatic credibility to not only assert its own agency on the world stage, but also advocate for the needs of the Global South. The place… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/1488609b-ae48-45bd-87ec-831e4103faf4/audio/7bd2c280-1896-432e-b7bd-4ef7916c05a9/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [The New Era of U.S.-China Competition in Latin America](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-05-14 · lleme@as-coa.org (Luisa Leme, Chase Harrison, Fabrizio Ricalde, Margaret Myers) · Latin America in Focus_ Competing engagement between Washington and Beijing is nothing new in Latin America, where both countries have sought out economic partnerships. But with a new U.S. administration and shifting macroeconomic conditions in China, has the U.S.-China calculus shifted for governments across the region? Managing Director of the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs at Johns… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/9e19bb60-807f-40f6-99ad-8fc800ddbfdc/audio/20dcdcf7-a263-4c17-be60-28921ce44823/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Could the 2026 Vote Be Peru’s Political Reset?](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-04-24 · lleme@as-coa.org (AS/COA Online) · Latin America in Focus_ Peru has cycled through seven presidents in the last 10 years. Four of them were impeached or resigned before they could be. The country’s current president, Dina Boluarte , even with a 4 percent approval rating, has been able to finish her term with elections scheduled for April 12, 2026. With one year to deliberate, what will be top of mind for Peru’s jaded electorate? In this episode, electoral… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/051cf465-6009-41b0-b3b6-77c17917b3b7/audio/c1ca8e46-8d21-41c1-935d-8a4ed2c42fec/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Bonus Episode: Remembering Mario Vargas Llosa](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-04-17 · lleme@as-coa.org (Mario Vargas Llosa, Khalea Robertson, Chase Harrison, Edith Grossman, Luisa Leme) · Latin America in Focus_ On April 14, Latin American letters lost a giant. Mario Vargas Llosa , the prolific Peruvian writer, passed away in Lima at the age of 89. Vargas Llosa was a frequent visitor to Americas Society over the years and even served on Americas Society’s Literature Advisory Board. This bonus episode brings you an English-language conversation between Vargas Llosa and legendary translator Edith Grossman,… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/59367851-77b0-4ee0-9e5a-fa1df914b8a9/audio/ca24a01f-e512-4ee5-9ed0-9569b5053389/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Top Mexican CEOs on the Depth of U.S.-Mexico Integration](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-04-10 · lleme@as-coa.org (AS/COA Online) · Latin America in Focus_ In 2024, more than $800 billion dollars worth of goods were traded between Mexico and the United States, making the two countries each other’s largest trade partners. But beyond the goods moving across the border, there’s also investment running in both directions. In this episode, top Mexican CEOs detail the scale and scope of Mexican investment in the United States, which has been north of $5… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/1164e2f6-4efe-46b4-9b03-59be4d8f3e8e/audio/fc3c64ee-c95d-45c0-9abf-3212b4f78234/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj) ## [Trade and Tensions—Latin America Braces for Trump's Tariffs](https://www.as-coa.org/podcast) _2025-03-27 · lleme@as-coa.org (AS/COA Online) · Latin America in Focus_ April 2 is a date that looms large for Latin America. It’s the day that the Trump administration will initiate reciprocal tariffs globally and tariffs on automobiles. This is after the application of 25% tariffs on many goods coming from Mexico and Canada in March. What will this changing trade landscape mean for Latin America? Kellie Meiman Hock, a senior counselor at McLarty Associates, explains… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5a178289-28ad-46e7-8146-1f8fbe6c0550/episodes/3bc12c2e-3972-4d1f-a004-f3e6544d0fb9/audio/592d5974-9f12-43f2-a39c-bcca1e33f400/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_DUdLkxj)