Voices del Valle

The Military: What’s Your Why?

What drives someone to enlist in the military? In this intense episode of Voices del Valle, five voices from the Imperial Valley open up about the real reasons behind their decisions—stories shaped by poverty, family responsibility, personal struggle, faith, and the desire for something more. From overcoming addiction and homelessness to finding structure, purpose, and identity, each story reveals that enlisting isn’t just about service—it’s about transformation. Centered on one question—why—this episode explores the deeper motivations that push young people to leave home, challenge themselves, and build a future beyond what they’ve known. The Military: What’s Your Why? Hosted by: Grace Navarro Edited and produced by: Grace Navarro, Juan Carreon Limon, and Dr.Thomas Tacke Episode Music by: SpartanSound Productions Credits Music by: Emmanuel Twilley Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos, KPBS Audio Operations Assistant Rebecca Chacon, and KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations Lisa Jane Morrisette. This programming is partially made possible in part by the KPBS Explore Content Fund.

BONUS - The Shuffle: Jimmie Cannon’s Living Legacy - A Black History Special

The Great Spartan Band at Central Union High School has a long history of excellence and award winning performances. Two of their traditions include The Shuffle and “I’m So Glad,” both from the band traditions of HBCU’s and other bands of the South.This episode explores what these mean to the band members of today and of the past.

Generations Under One Roof

The family dynamic in the Imperial Valley is often one where grandparents have a heightened role in raising their grandchildren. The reasons this happens are many but in this episode of Voices del Valle, you will hear from three youth whose grandparents took on the roles of primary caregivers and how that seems to differ from being raised by a parent. ____________________________________________________________________________ CREDITS Episode 111: Generations Under One Roof You’re From Where was written and hosted by: Dominick Ramos Felix, Felipe Castro, Evan Harper, and Samantha Denmon. Edited and produced by: Dr.Thomas Tacke Theme by: Dominick Ramos Felix, Felipe Castro, Evan Harper, and Samantha Denmon Music by: SpartanSound Productions Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos, and KPBS Producer, Julio Ortiz Franco. - Lisa Jane Morrisette is KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations. This programming is partially made possible in part by the KPBS Explore Content Fund.

Growing Up & Raising Up

Growing Up & Raising Up is the story of a teenager who became a mother during her freshman year in high school and how she managed to learn to be a mom and a successful high school student. Teen pregnancies and motherhood are things that are part of almost all schools and communities. In this episode of Voices del Valle, one teen mother will share her unfiltered discussion of becoming a mother at the age of 15. She will also share how she graduated from high school with a 4.0 GPA and continued her success into adulthood. ____________________________________________________________________________ CREDITS Episode 110: Growing Up & Raising Up Growing Up & Raising Up was written and hosted by: Grace Navarro and Casey Davilos Edited and produced by: Dr.Thomas Tacke Theme by: Grace Navarro and Casey Davilos Music by: SpartanSound Productions Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos, and KPBS Producer, Julio Ortiz Franco. - Lisa Jane Morrisette is KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations. This programming is partially made possible in part by the KPBS Explore Content Fund.

You’re From Where? Featuring Marco Peralta

Nearly all high schools have at least one person that finds fame after graduation. For the schools in the Imperial Valley, there are many that have found it in the arts, sports, and entertainment industries. And when the individual tells people they are from El Centro, a common response is, “You’re from where?” For this episode of “You’re From Where?”, we visited with the California Angels Spanish Language play-by-play announcer Marco Peralta about his growing up in El Centro, and his strong connection to Central Union High School and the Imperial Valley. ____________________________________________________________________________ CREDITS Episode 109: You’re From Where - Marco Peralta You’re From Where was written and hosted by: Dominick Ramos Felix, Felipe Castro, Evan Harper, and Samantha Denmon. Edited and produced by: Dr.Thomas Tacke Theme by: Dominick Ramos Felix, Felipe Castro, Evan Harper, and Samantha Denmon Music by: SpartanSound Productions Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos, and KPBS Producer, Julio Ortiz Franco. - Lisa Jane Morrisette is KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations. This programming is partially made possible in part by the KPBS Explore Content Fund.