In Episode 08, Sebas and Sarah travel to the West Coast to chat with two of seven founding members of CALTAC, Alexandra Lainfiesta and Pedro Chamale. The two Latinx westcoaters talk about the creation of the Canadian Latinx Theatre Artist Coalition (CALTAC), highlighting the important work they do with advocating for Latinx artists. The two Guatemalan artists talk about the coalition's programming such as the Coyuntura festival, an event that connects and gathers Latinx artists from across the country. We hope you enjoy this episode!  🌊☕️

S0708- CALTAC: Alexandra Lainfiesta & Pedro Chamale.

In this episode, Sarah interviews Marianne Lahaie Luna, a Canadian Venezuelan Ph.D. student at UofT’s Geography and Planning Department. Marianne talks about what drove her to pursue a Masters in Environmental Public health. She also shares the important work she does with her NGO, Lahaie Luna Lezama, an association of Menstrual and Reproductive Rights, helping Venezuelan menstruators change their relation to period products and menstrual health. Lastly, Marianne also tells el CafeciTO about her doctoral project, which seeks to study food behavior of Latin American immigrants in Toronto. We hope you enjoy this episode!  🌊☕️

S07E09- Marianne Lahaie Luna

S07E10- In this final interview of Season 7, Sebas sits down with Mexican-Canadian celebrity, makeup artist, and Toronto coffee shop owner Luisa Duran. Luisa shares her journey of becoming a prominent Canadian makeup artist based in Los Angeles. She tells the story of how she got into the coffee business, becoming the owner of one of Toronto’s oldest and most beloved espresso bars: Mercury Espresso. El CafeciTO is thrilled to finally host a local coffee shop owner. If anyone is ever in Leslieville stop by Mercury Espresso to support Latinx-owned businesses in the city. We hope you enjoy this episode!  🌊☕️

S07E10-Luisa Duran

This is the Season 7 finale. Sarah and Sebas reminisce about this last season and share their summer adventures. As a future graduate, Sebas will also share some tips about the LAS program and its opportunities for incoming and current students. Lastly, the hosts share their plans for the fall semester. El CafeciTO is grateful for all of this season’s interviewees, saddened to say goodbye to our beloved Sebas, and excited to see who our next host will be. We hope you enjoyed the season! See you in the Fall! 🌊☕️

S07E11- Goodbye Sebas

In this episode Sarah introduces our newest host: Luis Sanchez Blanco. Luis is a third year undergraduate student in International Relation, Polisci, and History. In this episode, he will tell us a bit about himself, his exciting extracurriculars, and his previous experience with podcasting. We are so excited for this upcoming season! We hope you enjoy the episode

S08E01-Luis Sanchez Blanco

In episode 2, Sarah sits down with renowned Colombian author Héctor Abad Faciolince, who is considered one of the most talented and influential post-Latin American Boom writers. Author of 15 books, including bestselling novels like La Oculta (2014), and most recently Salvo mi corazón, todo está bien (2022). In this episode, the Colombian author discussed his literary purpose, the role of land and territory in La Oculta, and gives LAS students wise advice. 

El CafeciTO is extremely grateful to Mr. Abad Faciolince for having such a pleasant conversation with us. We hope you enjoy the episode!

S08E02- Héctor Abad Faciolince

In this episode Luis sits down with Anna Sofia Alemany, a third-year undergraduate student in UofT studying Political Science and Peace, Conflict, and Justice. Anna and Luis chat about their latino heritage and the changes in identity students face when they are home and studying abroad. We hope you enjoy the episode! ☕️💛

S08E03 - Anna Sofia Alemany

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, Sarah talks to Alejandra Molina Vélez, a Puerto Rican undergraduate student who is majoring in Psychology and Latin American Studies. Ale is a loyal listener of the podcast. Today, she tells us about her extracurriculars, including her role as the Latin American Mentor Navigator at UofT Access and Inclusion Program. Ale will also reflect on her experience of growing up Puerto Rican in Toronto and also tell us about her recent adventure in Perú as she was part of LAS350’s International and Indigenous Course Module (IICM). We hope you enjoy the episode!

If you need help from your Latin American Mentor Navigator, you can book one-to-one appointments or drop-in to Ale’s office hours every Tuesday 4:10 to 5:00 p.m. at UofT’s Student Commons (230 College Street). Also, follow @uoftstudentlife on Instagram to keep up with future programming for Latin American students.

S08E05- Alejandra Molina Vélez

In this episode, Sarah catches up with Cassandra Yanez-Leyton, a LAS alumna who is now working as an associate producer and web writer for CBC Montreal. Cass was the founder and first host of our beloved podcast. Today, she reminisces about her time as an undergraduate student and the beginnings of el CafeciTO. Cass will also tell us about her graduate education and share about the creative process behind some journal articles that she has written for CBC Montreal. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Unlimited Royalty Free Music And Sound FX

S08E06-Cassandra Yanez-Leyton


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

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

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

el CafeciTO - Latin American Studies @ UofT

Related tracks