For episode 4, I spoke with Tamara Toledo, a Chilean-Canadian artist, curator and scholar. She is the director curator and co-founder of Sur Gallery, the first gallery space exclusively dedicated to showcasing the work of Latin American artists in Toronto. This episode was recorded on July 22nd 2022, online over Zoom. This sadly will be the last episode of our summer series. It’s been a pleasure to be your host and I hope you have a lovely academic year!

S05E04 - Community Profile: Tamara Toledo

S06E15-  For this week’s episode, Sebas and Sarah catch up with Victor Rivas, our beloved LAS professor. We learn about his professional trajectory as an anthropologist, journalist, and scholar, his work with the Latin American testimonios, and the courses he currently teaches. Lastly, the Venezuelan professor gives us a sneak peek on some opportunities that might be coming up for undergrad students next year. We hope you enjoy this episode ☕️🌎

S06E15- Victor Rivas

S06E19- In this episode, Sebas sits down with graduating LAS undergrads Mateo Peña and Fabiola Cruz. The grads talk about their undergrad experience and share their course recommendations. They also give us some strategies that helped them get through their U of T journey. Fabiola and Mateo discuss their participation with RefugeAid U of T, a student-run organization that offers support and resources to refugees living in the city.  

Sebas recorded this interview in the throws of the end of semester and forgot to ask the podcast’s most essential question: what are the guests favorite coffee drink and spot in the city, so we are including it here in the episode description. El CafeciTO wants to wish the new grads an exciting next phase of their lives. Congratulations Fabiola and Mateo.  ☕️ 🌎

Fabiola’s fav coffee spot-Scarborough: Oishiii Sweets: Americano w/milk. 
Fabiola’s fav coffee spot Downtown: Rustle & Still Cafe: Iced ube latte

Mateo’s fav coffee spots: Starbucks or Balzac’s 
Mateo’s coffee order: Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Expresso (Starbucks); Iced salted Carmel latte (Balzac’s)

https://www.facebook.com/refugeaiduoft
https://www.refugeaiduoft.com/
refugeaiduoft@gmail.com

S06E19- Fabiola Cruz & Mateo Peña

Episode 5 is the second part of Lina de Guevars’s inspiring life and theatrical career. The renowned theater director tells el CafeciTO about the beginning of her company, Puente Theater. For this project, she decides to foreground the talents of refugee and migrant non-actors, coming from Latin America. Lina reflects on how important this project was for women to tell their own life stories and on the challenges that the theater company encountered. We hope you enjoy this episode!  🌊☕️

S07E05- Lina de Guevara (prt.2)

For episode 7, Sarah catches up with LAS alumna, Emily Encalada, who is currently doing her masters in Sociology of Law at the University of the Basque Country. Emily reminisces about her time as a LAS undergraduate student and her involvement in OLAS and the SSO. She also talks about her research on memory spaces in Chile, highlighting both their historical importance as we approach the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Chilean coup and their personal importance as she is the granddaughter of Chilean exiles. We hope you enjoy this episode!  🌊☕️

S07E07- Emily Encalada

In Episode 4, Luis sits down with Mariana, a fourth-year undergraduate student and make-up artist, to discuss conceptions around language, the self-perception of being an immigrant and Tim Hortons secret menu items! We hope you enjoy this episode!

S08E04 - Mariana Campos

In this episode, Luis chats with Fatima Sanchez, a Toronto based actress, singer, and dancer. Together, they discuss their shared Mexican heritage, their shared last name, and their passion for the performing arts. Fatima also shares her experiences training at the Randolph College of the Performing Arts, her time spent in Mexico, and her inspiration and drive for performing. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S08E07- Fatima Sanchez

In this episode, Luis sits down with Isidora Cortés-Monroy, a PhD student in Hispanic Literature at the Spanish and Portuguese Department. Isidora talks about how her love of fiction not only motivated her academic studies but also reconnected with her Latin American culture. She also elaborates on her research on mining literature in Chile and Bolivia, sharing its contributions to literary methodologies that help us think differently of the climate crisis. Lastly, Isadora shares her experience as a teaching assistant teaching hispanic realities.

S080E8- Isidora Cortés-Monroy

In this episode, Sarah talks to Andrés Lalama Vargas, a PhD Candidate of the History Department. Andrés talks about his experience as a history student and his research on symbolic spaces located at the margins of the city of Quito, Ecuador. Andrés also tells us about the different surprises that come up when doing archival research and his role as the co-editor of Past Tense Graduate Review of History, a student-led, peer reviewed journal. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S08E09-Andrés Lalama Vargas

S08E11: The Finale

Welcome to El CafeciTO’s season 8 Finale!  In this episode Luis & Sarah give some updates as to what they have been up to recently. They also reminisce over this year's podcasting highlights, lessons learned and goals for the future. Additionally, tune in for some exciting updates about El CafeciTO in the summer! We hope you enjoy the episode!

S8E12- The Finale

For season 9's premiere, Sarah interviews renowned Argentine journalist and novelist Mariana Enriquez. Author of multiple bestselling novels like Los Peligros de Fumar en la Cama (2009), Las Cosas que perdimos en el Fuego (2016) and Nuestra Parte de la Noche (2019). In this episode, the Argentinian author discusses the affective impact of her horror stories, the important role that women play in her novels and, more generally, in vindicating the dead. She also talks about her peculiar use of social media, and gives LAS students wise advice about writing literary texts. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S09E01- Mariana Enriquez

In this episode, Sarah talks to Johann Kirchenbauer, a Venezuelan PhD student from the Spanish and Portuguese Department. Johann tells us about his research interests in modern and contemporary Hispanic literatures and cultures with a focus on the Venezuelan diaspora. We also get to learn about his experience in the Latin American Studies Association (LASA)’s 2024 conference in Bogotá Colombia. Finally, Johann will tell us about a collaborative project he is doing with us, titled reporting from LASA 2024! Do not forget to follow us on instragram @podcastelcafecito to keep up with this content and more summer adventures. We hope you enjoy the episode! 🌊

Unlimited Royalty Free Music And Sound FX

S09E02-Johann Kirchenbauer

In this first episode, Sarah introduces el CafeciTO’s new co-host, Luísa Melchert. Luísa is a second-year undergraduate student who is doing a major in Public Policy and two minors in Latin American Studies and Political Science. In this episode, she tells us about her experience at UofT so far, and about her interesting extracurriculars. Finally, our new co-host also tells us about her experience with podcasting and shares a sneak peek of what you can expect from Season 10.

We are so excited for this season, and we hope you are too. Do not forget to follow us on instagram @podcastelcafecito to keep up with our episode releases and our online content. We hope you enjoy the episode!


S10E01-Introducing our new co-host

In this episode,  Sarah talks to Samantha Hare and Matias Recharte. Together, with Roxana Escobar, they run Manchita Productions, a management group that seeks to promote Peruvian culture through musical events here in the city. Sami and Matias share insights behind the organization of Peñas Criollas abroad. They also reflect on the importance of these entertainment instances for the creation of intergenerational spaces that support community making among the Peruvian diaspora in Canada. Lastly, Sami and Matias give us a glimpse into Manchita Productions’ future.

Unfortunately, Roxana Escobar was not available for the interview but I invite everyone to listen to our Black History Month episode on Season 06 to learn more about her research on the role of Afro-Peruvian women in the sustenance of Peñas Criollas in Lima, Perú. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S10E03-Peñas Criollas in Toronto

In this episode, Luísa talks to Paula Karger, an assistant professor in the teaching stream of Latin American Studies and Spanish at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Our guest talks about her fascinating research on "La Doncella Teodor," exploring how the story traveled across the globe and evolved through cultural exchanges and translations. Additionally, she discusses the newly discovered ruins of Valeriana, and what this exciting discovery means for scholars, archeologists, tourists and citizens as more information comes out. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S10E04- Intercultural Exchange, Translation, and Mayan Ruins

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Seba Mena, our former Season 6 and 7 host, to talk about his current project: Lina’s Stories. He also tells us about the importance of learning about renowned theatre teacher and performer Lina de Guevara for archiving Latinx live here in Canada. The LAS alumni also reflects on how his career as a performer and his undergraduate degree in Latin American studies equipped him with the interest of finding out more about his culture and family history through this upcoming documentary. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S10E05-Archiving Lina's Stories

In this episode, Luísa sits down with Dr. Andrea Allen, an assistant professor at the Anthropology Department and Centre Diaspora and Transnational Studies at UofT. She talks about her research on Afro-Brazilian Lesbian relationships, with a particular focus on how those women both perform and deny Brazilian citizenship. Our guest also talks about Candomblé, its importance as one of the most popular Afro-Religions in Brazil, and the role it plays in the lives of lesbian initiated women. We hope you enjoy this episode!

S010E08 — Afro-Brazilian Lesbian Relationships (BHM Episode)

In this episode, Sarah talks to Ximena Morillas Altamirano, an up-and-coming writer and educator from Cajamarca, Perú. She shares with us her personal journey with creative writing–from writing poems to her middle school crush, creating fanfiction on wattpad, to publishing her first poetry book Viaje Hacia El Mar. Xime also tells us about her current project Menú Literatrio, a creative workshop that seeks to teach and promote the writing craft in the Andean town. Lastly, the emerging artist shares with us some tips on how to start our own creative writing journey and recommends some Latin American writers that can serve us as inspiration.

El CafeciTO is extremely grateful to Ximena for agreeing to sit with us and have a pleasant conversation. If you are interested in supporting more of her work, you can follow her creative writing instagram @cimenaescribe or her personal one  @cimestelar. We hope you enjoy the episode! 

S10E09-Emerging Artists in Cajamarca, Perú

In this episode, Luísa had the pleasure to sit down and chat with returning guests, Helen Batchoun and Juanita Arango! This time around, they share about Vivir Sin Miedo, a collective based on the University of Toronto, which aims to create spaces where all women and girls feel supported and understood. Our guests share about how the collective actively creates spaces where women are allowed to express themselves freely, the importance of those spaces, and how being in safer environments has allowed them to build community with other self-identifying  girls and women. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S10E10 — Creating Spaces Women

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Peruvian archeologist, Dr. Solsiré Cusicanqui Marsano from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Solsiré reminisces on her initial interest in archeology and her current engagement with more community-based methodologies that seek to democratize the field through the consideration of local and Indigenous perspectives. She also shares with us her more recent field projects in two emblematic sites in Cajamarca: Colina Santa Apolonia and el Cuarto de Rescate. Lastly, the archeologist reflects on the future of archeology as a field that is becoming more interdisciplinary and collaborative. We hope you enjoy the episode! 

S10E11-Community-based and reflexive archeology in Cajamarca, Perú.

In this episode, Sarah and Luísa reunite to reflect on this past season. We share our thoughts, feelings, and favorite moments — from standout episodes and special guests to fun behind-the-scenes stories. We also open up about what it's been like working together and how much has changed since we first kicked off the season. We hope you enjoy this episode!

S10E12 — Season Wrap Up

For Season 11’s season premiere, Sarah sits down with Gabriela Piña, an assistant professor in the Universidad Mayor. Gabi reflects on her doctoral research in which she conducted ethnographic fieldwork with a pehuenche community in Southern Chile. The anthropologist also tells us about how her research led to her current engagement with collaborative methodologies with children and the youth. In particular, she focuses on her work with UNESCO, which sought to consider children’s voices within  political processes such as the drafting of Chile’s  new constitution. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S11E01- Considering children’s and adolescents’ voices in research, with Gabriela Piña


Episode 2 celebrates Pride Month by recognizing the work of LGBTQ+ members of our LAS community. This time Sarah chats with Kaina Mendoza Price, a recent LAS alumna whose ethnographic research sheds light to the experiences of trans Afro-Cubans who engage in Lukumí and Kongo religious networks in Havana. Kaina tells us about how her experiences as a trans-woman and her close relationship with her grandmother led to her enrollment in the Latin American Studies program and her current research interests on Afro-indigenous theologies in the Caribbean. She also tells us about the challenges of doing ethnographic research in territories that are characterized by intimate spiritual connections among minoritized groups. Lastly, the recent grad shares her experiences in LAS and gives undergraduate students some tips on how to take advantage of the program’s interdisciplinary nature. We hope you enjoy the episode!


S11E02- Honoring ancestors and queer identities through ethnographic research with Kaina Mendoza

In Episode 3, we throw it back to our beloved mini series Reporting from LASA 2024, from Season 9. We welcome back Johann Kirchenbauer, a graduate student from the Spanish and Portuguese department, who sits down with fellow PhD candidate, Waleska Solorzano, to talk about her experience in LASA 2024. Specifically, they discuss her ongoing research on what she terms as the “Venespora,” which she uses to think through the Venezuelan diaspora and its subversive artistic genealogy. Finally, Waleska discusses one of her many projects, the Venesporan Artists Project, a digital directory of contemporary Venezuelan artists from all over the world. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S11 E03–  Thinking through the ‘Venespora’ with Waleska Solorzano (Reporting from LASA 2024)

For Season 11’s summer finale, Sarah has the pleasure to sit down with Peruvian writer Romina Paredes, author of Famulus (2020) and Monstruos (2022). Romina reflects on how her early career as a professional swimmer led to certain corporalities that shaped her endearing literary voice. Moreover, the writer talks about how Lima, a city that she deems as violent, is the perfect scenario to narrate stories that weave through painful but more than common experiences of athlete burnout, domestic violence, gender-based violence, and intergenerational trauma. Lastly, within the context of La Feria Internacional del Libro de Lima, Romina tells el CafeciTO about the contemporary female Peruvian authors that have influenced her latest literary work. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S11E04– Collecting not-so-fictional wounds with Romina Paredes

For Season 12’s premiere, Sarah has the pleasure to talk to Ivet Salazar, a visual artist and performer from Lima, Perú. Ivet tells el CafeciTO how her personal experiences with maternity have shaped her artistic work, which combines textiles and ceramics with performances that bring the private into public spaces. The artist also tells us about how her work seeks to think through subordinated corporalities to generate reflections on our connections with each other and the more-than-human other. Lastly, Ivet recounts her participation in Art Toronto and shares some Latin American artists that we need to look out for. We hope you enjoy the episode!

This Episode has been recorded in Spanish 

S12 E01- Weaving feminine corporalities and knowledges, with Ivet Salazar

No me vuelvas a decir "Bebé" (¡No!)
Yo no soy tuyo ni de nadie, yo soy sólo de mí
No me vuelvas a decir "Bebé" (Yeh, eh)
Ya tú lo sabe' que yo no estoy ni un poquito pa' ti
No me vuelvas a decir "Bebé" (Uh, uh, uh)
Yo no soy tuyo ni de nadie, yo soy sólo de mí
Y no me vuelvas a decir "Bebé" (¡Eh!)
Ya tú lo sabe' que yo no estoy ni un poquito pa' ti

S01E07 - Solo de Mi: Feminism in Latin America

Your host, Leonardo Cosenza, reads Machado de Assis' "Dom Casmurro".

SE02E07 - Audiobook E03: "Dom Casmurro" by Machado de Assis

El CafeciTO invites Guilherme Patury (UofT) who read The Open Veins of Latin America in Portuguese.

S03E01 - Audiobook E01: The Open Veins of Latin America

Leonardo reads Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed.

S03E05 - Audiobook: Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire

Guilherme Patury (UofT) continues to read the Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano. Refer back to S03E01 for the first part.

S03E09 - Audiobook: Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano (partII)

In this episode of our audiobook, Raquel Serrano (UofT) reads the short story "Things we lost in the fire" by Mariana Enriquez.

S03E11 - Audiobook: Things we lost in the fire by Mariana Enriquez

The official podcast for the Latin American Studies program in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese at the University of Toronto.

el CafeciTO - Latin American Studies @ UofT

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