103. Anna Eskamani on Planned Parenthood and affordable housing in Florida
Representative Anna V. Eskamani is an Orlando native and daughter of Iranian immigrants. the first Iranian-American to serve in the Florida Legislature. She has been a lifelong community builder and was elected to serve the great people of Florida State House District 47 on November 6, 2018.
Read more61. Julio Ricardo Varela on Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria, and Tostones
Today I sit down with Julio Ricardo Varela (cohost In the Thick, LatinoUSA) to discuss the devastation after Hurricane Maria that still plagues the island today. We also go deeper into the underlying problems that the island has faced for decades. Julio hopes that the attention Hurricane Maria has brought to Puerto Rico will result in real action and changes being made that are long overdue. We also talk tostones and dominoes, so listen on as we delve into the culture of Puerto Rico.
Read more30. Commissioner Patty Sheehan on Pulse shooting, Orlando culture, and women in politics
Love is love. It was so incredible to sit down with Commissioner Patty Sheehan after the one-year memorial of the horrible Pulse Shooting in Orlando. Commissioner Sheehan was on the ground and in the streets helping victims’ families in the wake up the shooting, but even one year later is still comforting the families, fundraising for them, and honoring the memory of their loved ones. I was honored the Commissioner fit me into her busy schedule to discuss her life in politics these past 17 years. As the first openly-gay elected official in Central Florida, she has worked to pass non-discrimination protections and Domestic Partnership legislation for the LGBTQ community. She also shared the challenges she has faced being both openly gay and a woman in politics. I loved sitting with Patty in her office as I was surrounded by colorful art, rainbow flags, Wonder Woman figurines, and the reminder that love is love.
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