Los mejores podcasts de American Life (2025)

1
Brazil in World War Two - Part One - The Build Up 21:39

16m ago21:39

21:39

Uniquely among Latin American nations, and often forgotten, the Brazilian army fought in WW2, sending troops to fight in Europe. The Smoking Cobras faced numerous challenges, but they proved themselves to be extraordinarily brave and held their own during their time fighting. This is the first of a four part series on Brazil's experience of the Sec…

1
Introducing - Suave: Season Two | You can leave prison, but does the lingering trauma of prison ever leave you? 5:26

12d ago5:26

5:26

The Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast from Futuro Studios returns for its second season.“Suave” Gonzalez was one of thousands of juvenile lifers granted a second chance at life. Season 2 is his story about life after incarceration—and the search for the true meaning of freedom. Suave: Season 2 is out everywhere on 4/15. New episodes every Tuesday. Lea…

1
Child Martyrs and Militant Evangelization in New Spain - An Interview with Stephanie Schmidt 40:42

8d ago40:42

40:42

Today we have a special interview episode in which Stephanie Schmidt (Associate Professor in the department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University at Buffalo) tells us about her new book Child Martyrs and Militant Evangelization in New Spain. The book examines a set of tragic stories which occurred in the years following the conques…

1
The Manila Galleons - Part 2 24:35

10d ago24:35

24:35

In the second part of our look at the Manila galleon trade we look at the people whose lives were impacted by it, and how this has affected the very genetics of Mexico and the Philippines. These people include convicts, Portuguese traders, Jews from Iberia escaping persecution, Japanese Samurai, and pirates from Britain and the Netherlands. Our Spo…

1
The Manila Galleons - Part 1 25:06

16d ago25:06

25:06

Although often forgotten, the Manila Galleon trade route between the Philippines and Mexico was hugely important to Latin America, Asia, and the rest of the world. For hundreds of years this trade across the Pacific helped drive globalisation and fund both Spain and China. In today's episode we outline how the trade worked and the deep cultural inf…

1
A Brief History of Post-Conquest Latin America - Part 9 The 21st Century 27:24

23d ago27:24

27:24

Today we finish of our overview series of Latin American history by looking at the region's most recent events. Among the subjects covered are the Washington Consensus, the Left Turn, populism and migration. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin…

1
A Brief History of Post-Conquest Latin America - Part 8 The End of Cold War Politics 23:06

30d ago23:06

23:06

The fall of the Soviet Union sent shock waves around the world, and moved the global geopolitical situation into new territory. Having been a cold war battle ground, Latin America experienced this change as abruptly as anywhere. Compounding things was the fact that this was coupled with a severe economic crisis, and so this episode we examine how t…

1
A Brief History of Post-Conquest Latin America - Part 7 The Cold War Dictatorships 23:58

1M ago23:58

23:58

While many countries were experiencing left-wing insurgencies during the cold war decades, some were also coming under the rule of dictators. Of these, some waged 'dirty wars' on their populations to either combat the guerillas or stifle any chance of them emerging. To finish our look at the cold war, we tie up some of the loose ends. We discuss a …

1
A Brief History of Post-Conquest Latin America - Part 6 The World Wars and the Cold War Insurgencies 29:26

1M ago29:26

29:26

The Cold War period was one of turmoil in Latin America. Local political trends and outside involvement by superpowers fighting their global battle of ideologies combined to create social conflict waged by both left and right. In this episode we look at the insurgencies which swept the region. Some, like the one in Cuban would result in socialist g…

1
A Brief Overview of Post-Conquest Latin America - Part 5 The Early 20th Century 40:51

2M ago40:51

40:51

By 1900 the world had become truly globalised, and so Latin America was affected by the rise of the same competing ideologies as Europe and the USA. This was an the age of workers movements and nationalism, where the economic struggles caused by the Great Depression saw people look for alternatives to the established order. Of course, these politic…

1
A Brief History of Post-Conquest Latin America - Part 4 More Post-independence Conflict 27:58

2M ago27:58

27:58

Today we move northwards, to look at Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean during the immediate decades after independence from Spain. We follow the Central American nation's on-off relationship with each other, and the rise of the USA. The later will lead to war with Mexico, and intervention to win independence for Spain's last remaining colo…

1
A Brief History of Post-Conquest Latin America - Part 3 Post Independence Conflict 30:12

2M ago30:12

30:12

Now that Latin America was independent, what kind of countries would its leaders build? And how big or small would those countries be? Today we look at the major disagreements which created conflict - between liberal republicans and conservative traditionalists, and between centralists and federalists. We also look at the future of slavery, and the…

1
A Brief Overview of Post-Conquest Latin American History - Part 2 The Wars of Independence 23:19

2M ago23:19

23:19

Latin America's independence was a long and drawn out affair, involving multiple decades of war to achieve. It also, bizarrely, happened almost by accident. In today's episode we look at the causes behind the biggest change in Latin America since colonisation began, as well as the men who waged the campaign against Spain. We also examine the very d…

1
A Brief Overview of Post-Conquest Latin American History - Part 1 The Colonial Era 34:20

3M ago34:20

34:20

Having broken from the previous chronological format of this podcast, one of things I have been thinking about is the potential lack of context for subsequent episodes. This then, is a series which provides a very rough overview of the major events and ideas which shaped Latin America from the end of the conquests to the present day. Hopefully it w…

1
Oil, Aid, and Human Rights in 20th Century Guatemala – an Interview with Richard Balzano 53:09

3M ago53:09

53:09

Guatemala is not usually thought of as an oil county, and that is of course, largely because it is not one. Today’s interviewee however, traces the fascinating story of a largely forgotten – and largely unrealised – oil rush which threatened to take place there, based on a resource which wasn’t there – or to put it more precisely – wasn’t there in …

1
The Bizarre History of Clipperton Island 27:08

4M ago27:08

27:08

Today’s story is not about a specific event, but rather an overview of a place which might have been about as far from the forefront of the big events in Latin American history as it is possible to get, yet which saw a succession of bizarre occurrences across its history. Despite being uninhabited for most of human history, this remote atoll has dr…

1
The Amazon in Times of War - An Interview with Marcos Colón 57:45

5M ago57:45

57:45

Today we have a special interview episode with Marcos Colón about his new book The Amazon in Times of War. The book is a collection of essays which detail Marcos' work in the Amazon rainforest, and chronicle the threats which the region, its people, and its non-human inhabitants face. In the interview we talk about how Brazil's recent political his…

1
Juan de Onate and the Foundation of New Mexico - Part 3 20:54

5M ago20:54

20:54

In the final part of our mini-series on Juan de Onate's time in New Mexico we follow him on his third journey, westwards in search of the Pacific Ocean, and then look at his fate and that of his colony. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-amer…

1
Juan de Onate and the Foundation of New Mexico - Part 2 22:49

5M ago22:49

22:49

Onate faces the first real resistance to his colony, and takes it badly. The Acoma massacre is probably the event of his conquests for which he is most well known. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content …

1
Juan de Onate and the Foundation of New Mexico 27:10

5M ago27:10

27:10

Today we start a three part series on the conquest of New Mexico. In this first episode we introduce Juan de Onate - the conquistador tasked with incorporating the territory into the Spanish empire, and follow him through the deserts of northern Mexico. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support thi…

1
A History of Mesoamerican Food - Part 2 17:38

6M ago17:38

17:38

In the second and final part of our mini-series on Mesoamerican food, we look at how West Africa, the USA, and the rest of Latin America have influenced the region's cuisine. Then, we look at drinks. Everyone and everything from protectionist tax laws and Filipino immigrants to Russian religious sects and smuggler-priests have played a role in the …

1
A History of Mesoamerican Food - Part 1 33:33

6M ago33:33

33:33

The food of Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) is perhaps the best in all of Latin America. In part one of two on the history of the region's cuisine, we look at how indigenous and European influences combined to create such a deep food culture. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJ…

1
The Black Legend 21:49

7M ago21:49

21:49

Today we look at a concept known as the black legend. There is no question that the Spanish conquests of Latin America were bloody affairs, and that conquest as a whole is not exactly pleasant. There is however a school a thought which argues that the Spanish were vilified for geo-political reasons, often hypocritically by those doing the vilifying…

1
The Last Maya Kingdom - Part 2 28:31

7M ago28:31

28:31

In this second and final part about the kingdom of the Itza, we tell the story of how it was conquered. Involved is an ambitious Spanish governor, some unauthorized diplomacy, and a recreation of the assault on Tenochtitlan Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcirc…

1
The Last Maya Kingdom - Part 1 21:19

8M ago21:19

21:19

In remote northern Guatemala is a beautiful old city built onto an island. The shores of the lake which surrounds it are peppered with unexcavated Maya ruins. Almost two centuries after the fall of the Aztec, a transplanted Maya kingdom ruled from this island, unmolested by the Spanish empire which had taken over most of the rest of the continent. …

1
Scotland's Failed Attempt to Colonise Latin America 30:19

8M ago30:19

30:19

In 1695 Scotland decided to have a go at the new world colonisation which seemed to be benefiting its neighbours so much. They settled on Panama as they place to do it and almost the whole country was involved in funding the scheme. The story of the Darien colony would have a profound impact on the country - one which continues to define Scotland t…

1
The Many Discoveries of Machu Picchu 23:23

8M ago23:23

23:23

In 1911 American explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the lost city of Machu Picchu - forgotten since it was abandoned by the Inca centuries before. That's the story at least, the reality is much more complex. Could he have done it without the help of Peruvians? Was he really the first outsider to get there? And what does it really mean for a ruin …

1
The Vaccine Revolt 28:06

8M ago28:06

28:06

A wave of disease is spreading, leading to the implementation of a vaccination campaign. Some among the population are suspicious and take to the streets to make their opposition clear. This story did not take place during the recent pandemic however, this episode is about an obscure uprising which took place in 20th century Brazil. Our Sponsors: *…

1
Some updates on plans for the podcast 4:55

9M ago4:55

4:55

This is just a quick message to give an update a few changes I am planning to make to the podcast. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt…

1
A History of Latin American Music - Part 2 44:07

9M ago44:07

44:07

In the second part of our look at Latin America's musical traditions we examine the role that music plays in some fascinating indigenous traditions. We also see how European waltz and even medieval troubadour culture came to influence the sound of the region. Finally I talk about some of my favourite Latin artists making music today. Our Sponsors: …

1
100th Episode Special - A History of Latin American Music 34:10

9M ago34:10

34:10

To celebrate the 100th episode of the Latin American History Podcast, today we have a special episode (the first of two parts) on Latin American music. In this one we look at the significant contribution made by Latin America's Afro-descended populations on many of the region's genres. We discuss some of the musical techniques used in genres such a…

1
An Old World Update 26:32

11M ago26:32

26:32

It has been quite a while since we looked at what was happening in Spain and Portugal, and while they have not often been directly relevant to the story of Latin America, things are about to change. In this episode we look at the contemporary kings of Iberia and why, although their reigns did saw huge growth in their New World empires, they general…

1
France Antarctique 19:44

11M ago19:44

19:44

In 1555 the Kingdom of France took the dramatic step of attempting to colonise Brazil. This was the first time that a non-Iberian nation had challenged Portuguese and Spanish hegemony on the continent and would set a precedent which would later be followed by other European powers. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https…

1
America's Lost Chinese - An Interview With Hugo Wong 28:28

11M ago28:28

28:28

Hugo Wong's book 'America's Lost Chinese' tells the fascinating - and often forgotten - story of a group of Chinese emigrees who made a home for themselves, first in California and then Mexico. It is a story which spans the full spectrum of human experience – involved in it are meetings with presidents and successful business ventures, but also rev…

1
The Conquest of Chile - Part Four 19:52

11M ago19:52

19:52

In the final part of our series on the conquest of Chile, the conquering stops and a long drawn-out war begins. This will begin a pattern which will continue to the present day, as the Mapuche people fiercely resist outside incursions. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — htt…

1
The Conquest of Chile - Part Three 25:10

12M ago25:10

25:10

The next phase of Valdivia's campaign was one of expansion. Things were going well, and new settlements were founded. It wasn't all easy however, he faced internal dissension and difficult weather slowed his progress. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com…

1
The Conquest of Chile - Part Two 20:42

1y ago20:42

20:42

After all his difficulties preparing for his expedition, Valdivia was finally ready to march down into central Chile. While what he found there wasn't as inhospitable as his countrymen back in Peru believed it to be, it wasn't easy either. The first years of his new colony were a constant struggle to survive as setbacks came from every direction. O…

1
The Conquest of Chile - Part One 20:03

1y ago20:03

20:03

Today we start a series on the conquest of Chile. In today's episode we introduce the main protagonists, and the difficulties preparing for a venture which most Spaniards thought was madness. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-histor…

1
The Bayano Wars 17:05

1y ago17:05

17:05

Almost at the same time that Miguel de Buria was founding his brief free kingdom, another man was doing the same in Panama. Bayano would prove to be even more of a problem for the Spanish than his counterpart in Venezuela. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircl…

1
The Aztec Myths - An Interview with Camilla Townsend 27:43

1y ago27:43

27:43

Today's episode is an interview with Camilla Townsend about her new book The Aztec Myths. In it we discuss the origins of the Aztec, the workings of their calendar, the codices which provide us with a vital insight into the Aztec world, and how Aztec religious practices were impacted by Christianity after the conquest. The book can be pre-ordered h…

1
King Miguel de Buria 16:36

1y ago16:36

16:36

By 1550 the slave trade had begun to form an important part of Spain's imperial economy, and increasing numbers of people were being imported to work in its plantations and mines. Where there are slaves however, there is resistance and in Venezuela a group managed to break free and form their independent settlement. This is the story of Miguel de B…

1
De Coronado and the Search for the Cities of Gold - Part 3 20:07

1y ago20:07

20:07

After wasting a lot of time and money following rumours of riches and precious metals, De Coronado had a choice to make - go home, try to make the best of what he had found, or set off on another wild goose chase. The link to the article about the new research into De Coronado's route: https://knowridge.com/2024/02/scientists-discover-possible-coro…

1
De Coronado and the Search for the Cities of Gold - Part 2 15:05

1y ago15:05

15:05

De Coronado set off to try and find Cibola following de Nizza's dubious directions. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://r…

1
De Coronado and the Search for the Cities of Gold - Part 1 16:47

1y ago16:47

16:47

El Dorado wasn't the only mythical city which was inspiring the Spanish to march out into the unknown. Somewhere beyond the deserts of northern Mexico, it was thought that there was another. Today we follow de Coronado as he begins his search for the golden city of Cibola, and reunite with Estevanico who we met on the Narvaez expedition. Our Sponso…

1
Latin America's Democratic Crusade - An Interview with Allen Wells 43:31

1+ y ago43:31

43:31

Today we have a special episode - an interview with Allen Wells about his new book Latin America's Democratic Crusade. Allen's book examines the 20th century and argues that, despite the preoccupations within the USA about the Cold War, for many inside the region a different battle was playing out. Not Communism versus Capitalism, but democracy ver…

1
The Conquest of the Yucatan - Part 3 20:33

1+ y ago20:33

20:33

After finding it such hard going, today the Montejos will finish their conquest. That doesn't mean that it will be easy however, to go forwards they will have to take some more steps backwards. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-hist…

1
The Conquest of the Yucatan - Part 2 18:00

1+ y ago18:00

18:00

Montejo came back for another go at conquering the Yucatan, and this time he decided to approach it from a different angle. Would he be any more successful this time? Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: https://bit.ly/4ixJCm3 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-latin-american-history-podcast/exclusive-conte…

1
The Conquest of the Yucatan - Part 1 19:55

1+ y ago19:55

19:55

The Yucatan peninsula formed a big unconquered space between several of the Spanish empire's most important colonies. In 1526 a man named Francisco de Montejo decided it was time to try and bring it under his control. Upon arrival, he faced a difficult natural environment and a Maya population who had no intention of giving up their sovereignty. Ou…

1
82. The Silver River 22:06

1+ y ago22:06

22:06

While the Spanish were expanding across South America, there was a vast gap in the land they controlled. The River Plate looked like a promising place for would-be conquistadors, and was only a matter of time before somebody tried to conquer it. Doing so turned out to be much more difficult that anticipated. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath ga…

1
The Captaincies of Brazil 24:10

1+ y ago24:10

24:10

After a long period of ignoring the Americas, eventually Portugal made it's first efforts to colonise the land they had been allotted in Brazil. It would be a patchy and difficult process, but eventually they managed to establish an administration on which they could start to build. Our Sponsors: * Check out the Warpath game for PC and mobile: http…

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