News & culture from Latino communities; some mature themes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
Some of the episodes cover subject matter including school shootings, hate crimes (including an acid attack), sexual assault, and the detention of migrants. There are some first-person accounts of survivors detailing violence.
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Some episodes talk about love, sensuality and have mentions of sex, without much graphic description. For example, one episode "Love and Lust With Yeskia Salgado" highlights the Latina poet who writes about romance, relationships and taking agency over her body. Episodes that include this content have a warning at the beginning of episodes before the content begins. Any sex or romantic relationships and feelings discussed are brought up in a very open and realistic manner as opposed to fantasized or talked about shamefully.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
The "How I Made It" episodes feature artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs who share their stories of how they achieved their dreams. The "Genias in Music" series spotlights Latina artists who've made an impact in their genres and communities. Activists and politicians working for change are also interviewed and represent how community and activism help raise the voices of several different Latino cultures.
Diverse Representations
a lot
Broad representation of diverse Latino communities feature racial, language, and age diversity. Spanish is often intertwined throughout episodes, especially within interviews. Listeners can distinguish how different communities, cultures and countries speak the language in their own unique way. One episode discusses a project that mapped migrant speakers of indigenous languages in Los Angeles. Another episode profiles Petrona Martinez, a Black Colombian singer who brought Bullerengue to the forefront despite her age and race. Many episodes focus on empowering Latina women and their impact on their communities and activist efforts.
Listeners will learn about historical and current events that affect various Latino communities. Some episodes feature in-depth discussions of issues like immigration and reproductive justice. There are also interviews with public figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and features on diverse musical artists and genres. Spanish is intertwined throughout episodes, both through interviews and specific terms the host and interviewees point out.
Positive Messages
a lot
Many episodes focus on the positive change that's possible, as well as righting wrongs from the past. Stories highlight political organizing and improving representation of Latino communities and individuals in media. Curiosity, perseverance and teamwork are major themes throughout episodes.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Latino USA is a podcast that addresses political, cultural, and social topics as they relate to various Latino communities. Highlighted themes include perseverance, teamwork and community and the show encourages curiosity and deeper understanding of the many Latino communities living across the nation. As a podcast about news and culture, the subjects can range from profiles of musicians and artists to stories about abortion access and ICE detention centers. Teens and adults looking for stories from a Latino perspective will find deep-dives into current issues and features on people often left out of mainstream American media. Because some news stories may involve violent subject matter and a few episodes have mentions of sex, sensuality and romantic relationships, families may want to check out the content first before deciding if it's appropriate for younger listeners.
LATINO USA is a podcast that presents news and culture stories focused on many different Latino communities. Most episodes are stand-alone, although there are some series like "Genias in Music" and an ongoing "How I Made It" feature. News stories address a wide range of issues such as immigration policy, the electoral power of the Latino community, and interviews with public figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Latino and Hispanic artists and activists are celebrated in episodes that explore their personal journeys and cultural impact.
This is a thought-provoking and informative podcast that gives a voice to Latino narratives and a deep insight into Latino communities across the nation. Listeners of Latino USA will dive deep into issues, stories and people that are often left out of mainstream media. One episode features Hector Rodriguez III, a Chicano schoolteacher who created the graphic novel series "El Peso Hero." He explains the need for representation in comics, and discusses how he weaves life at the border into his work. Another episode talks about the forgotten indigenous migrant languages spoken in Los Angeles, and the importance of visibility. Latino USA creates a beautiful podcast community for Latino listeners while also appealing to anyone with a love of history and culture who wants to learn more about Latino stories in an American context.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Latino USA offers a unique perspective on news and culture. What makes this podcast different from mainstream news podcasts?
Many of the stories focus on community and teamwork. How do different communities come together in order to persevere through difficult situations? What does community look like for you?
What do you think non-Latino listeners can get out of this podcast?
This show highlights the wide range of cultures that fall under the larger Latino culture umbrella. What are some new communities and cultures you learned about by listening to the show? What makes them unique?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Lakshmi Hutchinson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
