Bonus episode: EXPO Collective

Bonus episode: EXPO Collective

In this lively and personal episode, I sit down with two of my closest friends, Roho Garcia and Ricardo Gonzalez, to reflect on how our paths first crossed and what sparked the creation of EXPO Collective. We revisit the journey of building a collaborative community of over 30 artists, and talk honestly about the inspiration, challenges, and lessons learned from a project that, while no longer active, still left a lasting impact on all of us.   Listen to Roho's interview [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/e/the-ultra-creative-a-conversation-with-roho/] - scroll up. It's episode 3.  Sources:  EXPO FB [https://www.facebook.com/ExpoCollective] EXPO IG [https://www.instagram.com/expocollective]Art of Futbol 2011 [https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/art-futbol-gallery-showing] Blue 1647 [https://chicagoinnovation.com/winners/blue-1647/] Badass Crosstitch [https://www.instagram.com/badasscrossstitch/] Find What It's Like To Be Here wherever you get your podcasts!  Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]! Don’t forget to rate, subscribe, comment and like the podcast!  * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx] * Podcast Page

Ep 18: Telling the Artists' Tale | Luis Tubens

In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with spoken word artist and poet Luis Tubens—also known as LoganLu—for a conversation rooted in art, identity, and community. We explore his life in Pilsen, how he turned storytelling into a career as a tour guide and owner of Pilsen Public Art Tours [https://www.ppat.space/], and the places poetry has taken him—both creatively and personally. Luis also shares his vision for the future and what it means to build something meaningful through art.   Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]! Don’t forget to rate, subscribe, comment and like the podcast!  * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx] * Podcast Page

Ep 17: Canciones de la Vida | Jose Alfredo Guerrero

In this episode, I sit down with Jose Alfredo Guerrero, a Chicago-based educator, musician, and vocalist whose voice you might recognize from across the Chicagoland area. I first met José about 15 years ago during a karaoke night—honestly, I noticed his voice before I ever saw him. Raised in La Villita and a graduate of DePaul University, José has built a reputation for his powerful performances, especially his unforgettable covers of Juan Gabriel. He also performs in the cabaret show Asi Fue: Canciones y Confesiones. We talk about his journey through music, his work in education, and how his talent has opened the door to some truly special moments where he’s been able to share his voice with others. He also has a podcast! Check it out here: Stage Left, Right Vibes [https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVQskkDY1ZVV9i2aQ8PNm?si=b20f36d6b3bd4e86].  Follow Madera Once on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/maderaonce/]   Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]! Don’t forget to rate, subscribe, comment and like the podcast!  * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx] * Podcast Page

Ep. 16: Community, Culture & the Power of Public Media | Silvia Rivera

In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with my dear friend Silvia Rivera [https://cof.org/person/silvia-rivera] — a leader in public media and a passionate advocate for community storytelling. From our early days working in Chicago media to her impactful work at Vocalo, Silvia has always been dedicated to uplifting voices and creating space for authentic narratives. We talk about her version of Chicago, how radio has shaped her journey, and the vital role public media plays in reflecting and strengthening communities. Silvia also shares insights from her current role at the MacArthur Foundation, where she supports initiatives like Press Forward to help sustain local journalism — including critical efforts to expand Spanish-language news across the country.   Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]

Ep. 15: Life As A Cultural Worker | Pablo Serrano

In this episode, I sit down with Pablo Serrano, Cultural Worker here in the city of Chicago, for a deep conversation about what it's like to be here and how he sees himself and his role within the complex and dynamic society we're living today. Find Pablo on Instagram @PabloSerranoArt [https://www.instagram.com/pabloserranoart/]as well as @KombiChicago.   [https://www.instagram.com/kombichicago/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]