October 22, 2025 • 20 mins
iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Radio Ambulante Studios today announced "The Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola Ramos," a new interview podcast coming to My Cultura, iHeartMedia's podcast network dedicated to elevating Latino voices and stories, on September 17, 2025. The series will bring together two of the most influential Latino journalists in the U.S. for their first-ever podcast and co-hosted video series."The Moment" is a multigenerational conversation between legendary journalist Jorge Ramos and acclaimed author and MSNBC contributor Paola Ramos. Together, this Emmy-award winning father-daughter duo will sit down with politicians, artists, activists, journalists and other top thinkers to tackle the issues of today with raw, unfiltered conversations and a distinctly Latino point of view. Guests this season will include Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani; actor, producer, comedian and activist John Leguizamo; lawyer and executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, Anthony Romero; internet personality, award-winning journalist and podcaster, V Spehar (@UnderTheDeskNews); Chilean-American writer and novelist, Isabel Allende; and more."Not only am I going back to the news, but this is an incredible opportunity to work for the first time in English and with my daughter Paola," said Jorge Ramos. "Few people know that we talk almost every single day over the phone about the news of the day. And now iHeartMedia's My Cultura and Radio Ambulante Studios are helping to make our intergenerational conversations public, and I'll always be grateful. With this podcast, we want to be the space where people go whenever they have something important to say about the Latino community."This new series will mark Jorge Ramos' debut in the podcasting space and return to reporting following his departure from being a television news anchor. Known worldwide for his fearless reporting style, Ramos will bring even more edge, curiosity and unfiltered perspectives into his new format. Alongside her dad, Paola will bring the show a fresh, modern voice informed by her journalism and political background, having served on campaigns for Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama."I'm looking forward to working in this new medium, which will allow us to have the type of in-depth conversations many people are yearning for today," said Paola Ramos. "Whether it's making sense of the state of politics, talking to artists or exposing new voices, our hope is for 'The Moment' to become a thought-provoking, intimate space that fosters understanding and curiosity in the midst of a highly polarized landscape. I can't think of a better team to be doing this with."The launch of "The Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola Ramos" will expand the creative partnership between iHeartMedia's My Cultura Podcast Network and Radio Ambulante Studios, which announced a multi-show coproduction deal in 2024. Radio Ambulante Studios' award-winning Spanish language podcast, "Radio Ambulante," will also return for a new season - its 15th - at the end of September."We couldn't be more thrilled to be working with Paola and Jorge, two journalists whose work we've admired for a long time," said Radio Ambulante Studios' CEO Carolina Guerrero. "A partnership like this one, which leverages the editorial strength of Radio Ambulante Studios, the expertise of iHeart, and the uncompromising talent of our hosts, will allow us to reach enormous Latino audiences with a take on the news they won't find anywhere else.""Collaborating with Jorge and Paola on 'The Moment' is an exciting milestone for the network," said Leo Gomez, head of iHeartMedia's My Cultura Podcast Network. "'It embodies what we strive to do every day - deliver bold, authentic storytelling that reflects the richness and complexity of Latino life. Together with Radio Ambulante Studios, we're delivering conversations that will inform, inspire and connect."The My Cultura Podcast Network launched May 2021 in collaboration with Enrique Santos, iHeartMedia's top-rated on-air personality and President and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino. Since launch, the network has seen steady listener growth and has become home to more than 60 podcasts including hit series "Chiquis and Chill," "Princess of South Beach,'' "Wrestling with Freddie," "Sacred Scandal," "Radio Ambulante," "Magical Rewind," "He Said, Ella Dijo with Eric Winter and Roselyn Sanchez," "Enrique Santos Podcast," "You vs You with Lex Borrero" and many more. In tandem with the network's fourth anniversary this past June, it was announced that Eva Longoria and her studio Hyphenate Media Group joined actor, producer, entrepreneur and activist Wilmer Valderrama as stakeholders of My Cultura.The first episode of "The Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola Ramos" will premiere September 17, with new episodes released weekly on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. Video
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Every podcaster goes through it. People are always asking, we're
going to forge your podcast? I don't do yheartradio or Spotify.
Well it's very easy now Arrow dot net A R
R o e dot net. There are seventeen different podcasts
that you can put into your lifestyle. Arro dot net
A R R o e dot net. Hi, how are
(00:20):
you doing today?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm doing well. Thank you so much for doing this
and for having me. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Well.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
I love your energy, first of all, and when people
speak with the energy that you've got, that means that
you're you have utilized the strength of your inner core
and you know what you're going to do with that voice,
because it has to be strong out here for those
that are sitting around going I don't know, I guess
so do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
No? Of course no, no, no, no is with intention
no matter what you do. But I I'll take the feedback.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
I got to tell you something that probably about maybe
six to seven months ago, Chris Cuomo had enough courage
to say that podcasting has changed in America. It's no
longer about Joe rogan And and we see Mark mare
And has now slipped off the path he said, Now,
Chris Cuomo said, it shows like yours that are going
to become the new staple. And so to have this
(01:10):
opportunity to share a conversation with you today is like
Chris Cuomo is spot on to what is going on
and what's growing forward.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
That I'm flattered. I'm flattered. I will say the same
about you, truly.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Well, now is it that you're able to find this
inner strength to continue to do this because you know
how they are. There's a lot of people out there going.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
Nay, nay, nay.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
I mean, I think look, and I mean this sincerely.
It is it is such a privilege right to have
a voice, to have a platform, to get to were
than anything, to get to do what I love, which
is to ask questions and interview people. And I think
at a time where at least I feel this a
lot when I'm out there reporting, like there's a lot
of mistrust. There's a lot of people that don't want
(01:55):
to talk, and there's a lot of people that are
kind of you know, reverting backs into the shadow. And
so for anyone that's out there listening, like I never
take any of that for granted, and so that's kind
of you know that. That's what keeps me going.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
What is your go to when people don't want to talk?
I always go to my Grandmodobrians, who used to do
this when when we wouldn't give her an answer, she
would go hmm, and then there would be silence just
because there were just oh my god, what do you
think if you got out hmmm from somebody, wouldn't you
want to fill up that dead air?
Speaker 2 (02:27):
You know?
Speaker 5 (02:27):
I I I think I just I write it out
because I think I think people. I think initially I
can understand, right, you know, I get this a lot
right there, there's a hesitation, people feel comfortable at the beginning,
but you kind of just have to give people some space,
right And I think when when they understand, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
That that that you're there with a with a good intention,
and look, I get it. I think a lot of
people sometimes like see my name, or they're like, oh
you're with an SNBC, or oh you do this. I
think there's you know, I think that comes with a
lot of baggage. So I think part of my job
is to you know, to get people to understand that
I don't have an agenda, right, I'm not a radical
sort of like lefty, like like, I think so much
(03:07):
of it has been characterized because of course there's a
lot of miss and disinformation, and I understand that. I
think it's important to recognize where people are at, and
so I think I think usually I'm able to break
to break past that, but I to your point, I
think it it takes patience and you kind of just
have to You have to meet people where they're at.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah, but don't you feel like sometimes that when you're
associated with a network, it feels like you're type cast,
and a podcast gives you the opportunity, they say, back
it down, I am not what you think I am.
Do not judge this book by its cover.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Oh my god, it's been you know what that's been.
And I know you've you know, you've been at this
for a long time. But I'm so used to the
cable news base, which means that we get three to
five minutes to put a story out there, right, Like
we're lucky if you have five minutes, three minutes in
(03:57):
a segment. So to now have forty five minutes to
one now or to just talk and break things down,
Like I don't even know what to do with that honestly,
it's incredible, and it's almost like, and you know, my
father and I co host, and he's used to the
same thing, right, Like, he's used to these like like
five minute insane interviews, and I think he's so used
(04:19):
to that that I have to almost like slow him
down where I'm like, Dad, we have forty five minutes,
like relax, you know. And it's it's been beautiful, honestly
to let time unfold and to just honestly just be
be led by like genuine curiosity, and I think the
conversation takes you somewhere completely different. So it's been a joy,
it really has.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Oh my god, you speak of those time limits, and
right away, I'm taken back to last night. A station
in Chicago reached out to me to do a show
for them, a radio show, and I literally sat there
and thought, do I want to go back to a
fifteen second intro versus having an honest to god conversation
with a human being that is that is so structured
to help other people grow forward?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Right? Right? No, I've bet I've been. I've been learning
so much. I mean, what do you what do you
enjoy the moss?
Speaker 4 (05:04):
I love talking.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
I love.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Well, No, here's here's what I love sharing stories, because
if I don't get you to share your story, I'm
going to write your story for you.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
And I'm going to get that wrong, right.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Which I think is so much of the problem that
we're in, right and in this moment in the country
right where I think so so many stories have been
written by others, right, So many narratives are controlled by
other people, And so I think you're You're totally right
that the only way to break that is for people
to have agency.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Please do not move. There's more with Paolo Ramos coming
up next the name of a podcast the moment We
are back with the host Paolo Ramos. You talked about writing,
getting things put together and stuff like that. I am
a show prep pig, in other words, are and I'll
give you an example. Our conversation today was actually prepared
last Monday night, not this past Monday. Last Monday night,
(05:57):
because I want to have everything in my system of
breathing by the time I sit down and have a
conversation with you.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
When does your show prep begin?
Speaker 2 (06:07):
That's a great question. I'm a I'm a big prepper too,
eer I I I always have been. I I like
to structure my interviews always. I like to I. I
google all the time, Like what's the last thing? They said?
I mean it also depends right, like is it is it?
Am I am? I in attack? Mo? Am I am I?
Speaker 5 (06:25):
In?
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Am I in? You know? And and and kind of
learning mode? Do you have to hold someone accountable or not?
So it honestly, it depends so much from from whom
I'm intriguing. But I think the prep is the most
important thing. I think people underestimate how much work goes
into these conversations. Right in any interview that you're doing,
there's a flow to it, right, there's always like a
(06:47):
story arc to all of it. And so I'm with you.
I I I take I take a long time prepping
and I love it.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
So is there something you would back away from? Because
I had a lot of people when when word came
to me that I'm going to talk with Early Kirk's mentor,
they said, oh.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't do that, And.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
I'm going, oh, yes, I am going to do that
because I want to see what I would do. Oh
my god, Because to me, it's a point of interest.
We all have to learn something.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I agree, I you know, and I'm I'm look, I don't.
I don't think it's for for everybody, right, Like I
think the type of journalism that I do, like, I
spent a lot of time kind of obsessing with understanding,
for example, like why did so many Latinos shift to
the right now? And I think the only way for
me to understand that was by talking to some people
(07:36):
in the far right. So I spent a lot of
time talking to proud boys and moms for liberty and
those against groomers, like I really had to embed with them,
and I got some pushback, right There was a lot
of people that were like, are you giving them a platform?
And I think, to your point, the only way to
understand is by is by being there by talking. And
I think I'm curious to get your thoughts, but I
(07:58):
think everything is so hyper politicized, and at least with
some of the conversations that I've had with people that
fundamentally even like disavow of who I am or like
what I stand for my values, I think it's very disarmony.
You know, when you're face to face or just when
you're having a conversation, and it comes from a genuine
spot of like understanding, like what led you there?
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Now?
Speaker 2 (08:20):
What are you seeing that we're not seeing? And oftentimes
I think it has less to do with politics and
more to do at least what I found in kind
of my space, more to do with I think a
lot of people that are just finding belonging in something
else and there's something that leads them there. Now they
feel safe because of something, and that's less like I said,
(08:40):
it's more it's something else.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
I think my game changer was I had a preacher
in my iHeartRadio studio. We were cutting a commercial and
I was getting ready to do an interview with an atheist.
And you know preachers, they have to come with your
entire congregation basically when they come to a radio station studio.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
And so is that right?
Speaker 1 (08:57):
And he picked up that book and he started going
through it, and the people that came with him were
so offended by that, and he goes what he says,
I have to figure out what the other side is
up to. That was a game changer for me because
I mean, all of a sudden, it's like if I
don't agree with you, it doesn't matter. I want to
know what you're up to just share.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Yeah, yeah, you're so right, You're absolutely right. How was
what did Charlie Kirk's mentors say, Like, is there anything
that really stood with you?
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Yeah? Yeah I did.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
It's it's about community and when you start speaking and
you started, when you start dropping the four walls of
the church and you get out there on the street
and you sit with the people, you have my attention,
Like you wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Believe interesting, Yeah, I believe that.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I mean, it wasn't about collecting money, it wasn't necessarily
about political views. It was about how can I get
into your life to help you understand that. Yes, there
is confusion right now, but let's talk about it because
your confusion is different from my confusion.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Let's let's talk about it.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
M Yeah. And like I said, I didn't see like that,
Like I understand. I think it's it is. It's time
where a lot of people for lonely, a lot of
people feel overwhelmed, and so there is so much power
and finding community somewhere. And so I get that. I
understand that.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
I got to ask you a real question, and God forbid,
I hope I don't offend you, because I know I
did with David and David is is Latino. Uh, he
is from Central America. And and and I really want
to learn the Spanish language only because one of my
essential jobs. Only because I want to be with people.
And it's like I can either go to church and
be with the same five people over and over again,
or I can go to a grocery store and be
(10:30):
with my real community. And so I had an interpreter
on my phone. He says, don't you ever let me
see you.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Do that again.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
You are offending latinos am I really all I want
to do is connect.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
No, no, no, I think I think you're you. I
think anyone that hears you and knows the understands that
it comes from a gentleman place. So I don't there's
no offend it at all.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
I did you have that as well, because I mean,
look at all the people that you talk with him
and you you've got to be able to be Okay. Now,
I know that from probably Portland, Oregon is going to
be listening versus somebody who's in Hong Kong and then
over there in the UK, and somehow, some way they
all have to meet on this.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Page, of course. Yeah, but look, I think you I
think it's so long as things are gentleine and it comes.
That's always been kind of my my north star. Now,
if you're led with curiosity and you want to learn,
and that's it, that's the north starting. And I think
most most people can see that. I believe that I do.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Getting into a conversation with John Legisamo, this, this guy
right here has always been a beacon of light to me.
I look to him in so many different ways because
he's a chance taker, but at the same time, he
really he understands transitions.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
He does. You know what, My my takeaway from the
conversation with.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Him is he's angry, you know, he's he's he's angry
at the at the state of things, and I think
it's it's it is a time where it is very
easy for people to kind of, you know, go back
to their corners, be silent, be grateful for what you have,
and more than anything, to not really be too loud
in case there's some type of backlash from institutions or
for media companies, because we're seeing that.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
But he's not doing that, and I think he's he's
he's so committed and you can feel it in his
voice and in his energy. He is so committed to
getting Latinos and immigrants to sort of the forefront and
entertainment because he's seeing the numbers right where smoothies of
people in this country, and yet our representation on our
(12:33):
TV screens and Hollywood is so abysmal, and it has
gotten almost worse for kind of going backwards not forward.
And I think you can you can see the pain
know that he carries. But I think what's beautiful about
him is that he's not stopping right. He's out here,
I'm telling to you from New York City, has a
Broadway show, still doing films, and more than anything, he's
louder than ever. I mean, if you go on his
Instagram or his TikTok, there's not a steple day in which
(12:55):
John Leysamo does not voice his opinion. And I think
today when you're seeing a lot of people kind of
like you know, take a take a take a step back,
he's he's moving forward and I think there's a lot
to learn from that.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Wow, you know, you brought up something very interesting there,
and when you talked about those, you know, the TV
screens and stuff, And it was only because I was
watching Eugene Levey Show last night where he was in
Korea and and they were standing right there in front
of the biggest K pop band in the world, And
what was everybody doing? Watching their phones? That's they wouldn't
even look up to see them. Really, they were watching
(13:28):
their phones. And that to me, that that is sick
all the way to my big toe.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Yeah, why do you what do you What do you
think is at the root of that?
Speaker 1 (13:37):
I think the root of it is I think they're
afraid they're not going to capture it so they can
have it for a future day. But then I have
to challenge you in believing that, do you ever really
go back and watch those videos or could you sit
down with a writing instrument and and and a piece
of paper and put it in words for a generation
that's going to follow you that has no idea who
you are or what you went through because your face
(13:57):
was on that phone.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Well, I think, Look, I think about this a lot.
I think you're right. I mean I think and that's
kind of what I was saying about the and I
think people I've written about this right like, there is
a loneliness epidemic out there. I think a lot of
a lot of gen zers. It's weird, right because you
and I and I. You know, I'm a I'm a
millennial in that sense. I feel like I got the
best of both worlds, right, I still grew up and
(14:21):
then I still had a childhood without phones, then slowly transitioned,
you know, like Facebook was the coolest thing in college.
But I still have the best of both worlds, right,
So I understand like the beauty and friendships, and I
value that so much and there's nothing more important than
like being present. But I also wouldn't you know, I'd
be lying if I told you that. I don't, you know,
(14:43):
spend a lot of time on Instagram and TikTok like
all day long, Like yes, right, but I think I
do see this generation and and there there it's almost
like these like the social interactions and are lacking something,
you know, because I had no no, it's it's hard.
It's hard for me to describe it. I don't I
don't really know what's going on.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Well, it's because things like this really scared of the but
GBI's at me. Like over the weekend, one of the
high people in the in the Russian church said, well,
of course we're thinking about the bomb Christians want to
die anyway, And I'm going.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
What the hell is this all about?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
And and and you sit here and you go, well,
you know, people are just gonna be watching their phone
anyway when those things go off.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Sure, I mean yeah, but then think of right, and
that's the other side of it, And then think of
of everything, all the content that we're absorbing all day
long and normalizing, right. I think that's the part. We're
normalizing so much violence, this like crazy violent language, and
we're normalizing these like insane beauty standards. So like it's
(15:42):
it's just some the world is distorted in so many ways,
and then it's hard to understand, like what is what
is reality? Now? When you kind of step out of
your apartment, you're walking in the street, it's like, is
this the real world? Or is it what's on my screen?
And I think I can only I can I can
see how that's there's I don't know where like these
dichotomy is on. It's tough.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
You bring up a good point there with normalizing, because
I mean, are you a journaler in the way of
doing a daily journal?
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Do I journal? I know?
Speaker 1 (16:12):
And the only reason why I bring that up is
because I've been a daily writer since July of nineteen
ninety four. I wrote through the entire nine to eleven thing,
and wow. So as I went back to doing one
of my other published books, I had to go through
that whole entire process of before the buildings went down
and afterwards and the anger that that guy was going
through personally. I had no clue until I had to
(16:35):
go back there and do that research that mentally and
physically I was going through that moment. And I swear
to God, if you just take the time to write,
we would have a better foundation of who we are.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
You know, I've never I've always strived to be that
person and I never I never have been. And I
can see why. So you do it every day.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Before I even came into this studio, the air that
I breathe starts with the smell of ink. Wow, huh,
I know it's sick.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
No, no, no, no, I mean I can see. I
mean what a cool thing is to kind of see
the evolution of a person and to like help that
make sense of of I don't know, like your growth
and where you stand. Like that's that's really cool.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Well, my writing today was based on one subject is
Alexa smarter than chat GPT, because Alexa will not answer
my questions anymore? And I am so upset with Alexa
and and so, And the thing is is that it's
so funny that Alexa Research would not give me any answers.
But I went to chat GPT and all of a sudden,
this said, we're one and the same. You can use
this both. I'm going that's not the answer I wanted.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
That's just not what I Okay, So there's all sorts
of things going on in your mind. It's from chat JPT.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Yeah, oh yeah, I am the typical person. Oh my god,
and you've got to be too. Now let me ask
you this question only from one broadcaster to another. I
will never give myself credit for the voice that I
have in radio. I will always credit the shape me,
the program directors, the consultants who did get who gave
you your voice, who sat behind you every day saying no,
do it this way, no, no, no, do it this way.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Huh. And I think there's two people. One. I think
my father in this sense that I remember, you know,
I grew up. I grew up watching my dad going
to the TV studio. My whole life my mom's also
a journalist. But I think my dad was someone that
even through my twenties, I was like, my voice, here's
my voice side, like look at this article, look at
this thing I'm doing. And he was like no, he's like,
not yet, not yet, not yet. And then I think
(18:32):
maybe when I when I turned twenty, and he's like,
there you go, right, He's like, there's there's only something
that he's like in journalism, we're all trying to say
the same thing. We're all trying to cover the same thing.
When you have something different to say, you'll feel that.
And so I remember, I remember exactly when that was.
And then when I started doing kind of TV, it
(18:54):
was this woman called Laura Conaway. She's a she works
with Rachel Mattow. She's been with Rachrol Matto for for
many years, and she she became one of my mentors
like maybe eight years ago, and she was always behind
the camera kind of training me and training me and
training me and training me, and and it helped me
in tremendously. So I have to say my dad and Laura, yeah, you.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
See people don't buy it. Wow, my god.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Well, of course, the early inspirations have to be Casey
Caseon because he was a storyteller. Wolfman Jack was the showman.
Gene Simmons says, you have to think to be number one.
If you don't live number one, you will never be
number one. So you've got to That's good. And it's
one of those things where it's like, I mean, there
are so many inspirations in life. So when they say,
so what is it like, Oh, let me tell you
about day number one. Let's go back to the nineteen seventies.
(19:37):
Because I can't take credit for any of this, but
it's everybody else around me.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Huh, that is that's so good. I'm gonna use that.
You gotta be number one. I do hide myself up
before I have to do something. I do tell myself
you're gonna be the best. You know, you kind of
have to know. You gotta have to have that mindset.
But that's that's good.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
Yeah, because the post production blues on the opposite side,
they don't get to see that at all, but we do.
We're satisfying muckety muck.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Yeah. Yeah, that's great advice.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Oh got ten minutes or twenty minutes with you is
just not enough. You're gonna have to get your buns
back on this show again.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Reason Bye me. I will, I will, absolutely, It's such
an honor, honesty to talk to you truly.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
And well please do come back and you have a
brilliant day today.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Okay, thank you you too, Thank you for having me
Every podcaster goes through it. People are always asking, we're
going to forge your podcast? I don't do yheartradio or Spotify.
Well it's very easy now Arrow dot net A R
R o e dot net. There are seventeen different podcasts
that you can put into your lifestyle. Arro dot net
A R R o e dot net. Hi, how are
(00:20):
you doing today?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm doing well. Thank you so much for doing this
and for having me. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Well.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
I love your energy, first of all, and when people
speak with the energy that you've got, that means that
you're you have utilized the strength of your inner core
and you know what you're going to do with that voice,
because it has to be strong out here for those
that are sitting around going I don't know, I guess
so do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
No? Of course no, no, no, no is with intention
no matter what you do. But I I'll take the feedback.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
I got to tell you something that probably about maybe
six to seven months ago, Chris Cuomo had enough courage
to say that podcasting has changed in America. It's no
longer about Joe rogan And and we see Mark mare
And has now slipped off the path he said, Now,
Chris Cuomo said, it shows like yours that are going
to become the new staple. And so to have this
(01:10):
opportunity to share a conversation with you today is like
Chris Cuomo is spot on to what is going on
and what's growing forward.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
That I'm flattered. I'm flattered. I will say the same
about you, truly.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Well, now is it that you're able to find this
inner strength to continue to do this because you know
how they are. There's a lot of people out there going.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
Nay, nay, nay.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
I mean, I think look, and I mean this sincerely.
It is it is such a privilege right to have
a voice, to have a platform, to get to were
than anything, to get to do what I love, which
is to ask questions and interview people. And I think
at a time where at least I feel this a
lot when I'm out there reporting, like there's a lot
of mistrust. There's a lot of people that don't want
(01:55):
to talk, and there's a lot of people that are
kind of you know, reverting backs into the shadow. And
so for anyone that's out there listening, like I never
take any of that for granted, and so that's kind
of you know that. That's what keeps me going.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
What is your go to when people don't want to talk?
I always go to my Grandmodobrians, who used to do
this when when we wouldn't give her an answer, she
would go hmm, and then there would be silence just
because there were just oh my god, what do you
think if you got out hmmm from somebody, wouldn't you
want to fill up that dead air?
Speaker 2 (02:27):
You know?
Speaker 5 (02:27):
I I I think I just I write it out
because I think I think people. I think initially I
can understand, right, you know, I get this a lot
right there, there's a hesitation, people feel comfortable at the beginning,
but you kind of just have to give people some space,
right And I think when when they understand, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
That that that you're there with a with a good intention,
and look, I get it. I think a lot of
people sometimes like see my name, or they're like, oh
you're with an SNBC, or oh you do this. I
think there's you know, I think that comes with a
lot of baggage. So I think part of my job
is to you know, to get people to understand that
I don't have an agenda, right, I'm not a radical
sort of like lefty, like like, I think so much
(03:07):
of it has been characterized because of course there's a
lot of miss and disinformation, and I understand that. I
think it's important to recognize where people are at, and
so I think I think usually I'm able to break
to break past that, but I to your point, I
think it it takes patience and you kind of just
have to You have to meet people where they're at.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah, but don't you feel like sometimes that when you're
associated with a network, it feels like you're type cast,
and a podcast gives you the opportunity, they say, back
it down, I am not what you think I am.
Do not judge this book by its cover.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Oh my god, it's been you know what that's been.
And I know you've you know, you've been at this
for a long time. But I'm so used to the
cable news base, which means that we get three to
five minutes to put a story out there, right, Like
we're lucky if you have five minutes, three minutes in
(03:57):
a segment. So to now have forty five minutes to
one now or to just talk and break things down,
Like I don't even know what to do with that honestly,
it's incredible, and it's almost like, and you know, my
father and I co host, and he's used to the
same thing, right, Like, he's used to these like like
five minute insane interviews, and I think he's so used
(04:19):
to that that I have to almost like slow him
down where I'm like, Dad, we have forty five minutes,
like relax, you know. And it's it's been beautiful, honestly
to let time unfold and to just honestly just be
be led by like genuine curiosity, and I think the
conversation takes you somewhere completely different. So it's been a joy,
it really has.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Oh my god, you speak of those time limits, and
right away, I'm taken back to last night. A station
in Chicago reached out to me to do a show
for them, a radio show, and I literally sat there
and thought, do I want to go back to a
fifteen second intro versus having an honest to god conversation
with a human being that is that is so structured
to help other people grow forward?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Right? Right? No, I've bet I've been. I've been learning
so much. I mean, what do you what do you
enjoy the moss?
Speaker 4 (05:04):
I love talking.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
I love.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Well, No, here's here's what I love sharing stories, because
if I don't get you to share your story, I'm
going to write your story for you.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
And I'm going to get that wrong, right.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Which I think is so much of the problem that
we're in, right and in this moment in the country
right where I think so so many stories have been
written by others, right, So many narratives are controlled by
other people, And so I think you're You're totally right
that the only way to break that is for people
to have agency.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Please do not move. There's more with Paolo Ramos coming
up next the name of a podcast the moment We
are back with the host Paolo Ramos. You talked about writing,
getting things put together and stuff like that. I am
a show prep pig, in other words, are and I'll
give you an example. Our conversation today was actually prepared
last Monday night, not this past Monday. Last Monday night,
(05:57):
because I want to have everything in my system of
breathing by the time I sit down and have a
conversation with you.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
When does your show prep begin?
Speaker 2 (06:07):
That's a great question. I'm a I'm a big prepper too,
eer I I I always have been. I I like
to structure my interviews always. I like to I. I
google all the time, Like what's the last thing? They said?
I mean it also depends right, like is it is it?
Am I am? I in attack? Mo? Am I am I?
Speaker 5 (06:25):
In?
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Am I in? You know? And and and kind of
learning mode? Do you have to hold someone accountable or not?
So it honestly, it depends so much from from whom
I'm intriguing. But I think the prep is the most
important thing. I think people underestimate how much work goes
into these conversations. Right in any interview that you're doing,
there's a flow to it, right, there's always like a
(06:47):
story arc to all of it. And so I'm with you.
I I I take I take a long time prepping
and I love it.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
So is there something you would back away from? Because
I had a lot of people when when word came
to me that I'm going to talk with Early Kirk's mentor,
they said, oh.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't do that, And.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
I'm going, oh, yes, I am going to do that
because I want to see what I would do. Oh
my god, Because to me, it's a point of interest.
We all have to learn something.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I agree, I you know, and I'm I'm look, I don't.
I don't think it's for for everybody, right, Like I
think the type of journalism that I do, like, I
spent a lot of time kind of obsessing with understanding,
for example, like why did so many Latinos shift to
the right now? And I think the only way for
me to understand that was by talking to some people
(07:36):
in the far right. So I spent a lot of
time talking to proud boys and moms for liberty and
those against groomers, like I really had to embed with them,
and I got some pushback, right There was a lot
of people that were like, are you giving them a platform?
And I think, to your point, the only way to
understand is by is by being there by talking. And
I think I'm curious to get your thoughts, but I
(07:58):
think everything is so hyper politicized, and at least with
some of the conversations that I've had with people that
fundamentally even like disavow of who I am or like
what I stand for my values, I think it's very disarmony.
You know, when you're face to face or just when
you're having a conversation, and it comes from a genuine
spot of like understanding, like what led you there?
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Now?
Speaker 2 (08:20):
What are you seeing that we're not seeing? And oftentimes
I think it has less to do with politics and
more to do at least what I found in kind
of my space, more to do with I think a
lot of people that are just finding belonging in something
else and there's something that leads them there. Now they
feel safe because of something, and that's less like I said,
(08:40):
it's more it's something else.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
I think my game changer was I had a preacher
in my iHeartRadio studio. We were cutting a commercial and
I was getting ready to do an interview with an atheist.
And you know preachers, they have to come with your
entire congregation basically when they come to a radio station studio.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
And so is that right?
Speaker 1 (08:57):
And he picked up that book and he started going
through it, and the people that came with him were
so offended by that, and he goes what he says,
I have to figure out what the other side is
up to. That was a game changer for me because
I mean, all of a sudden, it's like if I
don't agree with you, it doesn't matter. I want to
know what you're up to just share.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Yeah, yeah, you're so right, You're absolutely right. How was
what did Charlie Kirk's mentors say, Like, is there anything
that really stood with you?
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Yeah? Yeah I did.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
It's it's about community and when you start speaking and
you started, when you start dropping the four walls of
the church and you get out there on the street
and you sit with the people, you have my attention,
Like you wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Believe interesting, Yeah, I believe that.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I mean, it wasn't about collecting money, it wasn't necessarily
about political views. It was about how can I get
into your life to help you understand that. Yes, there
is confusion right now, but let's talk about it because
your confusion is different from my confusion.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Let's let's talk about it.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
M Yeah. And like I said, I didn't see like that,
Like I understand. I think it's it is. It's time
where a lot of people for lonely, a lot of
people feel overwhelmed, and so there is so much power
and finding community somewhere. And so I get that. I
understand that.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
I got to ask you a real question, and God forbid,
I hope I don't offend you, because I know I
did with David and David is is Latino. Uh, he
is from Central America. And and and I really want
to learn the Spanish language only because one of my
essential jobs. Only because I want to be with people.
And it's like I can either go to church and
be with the same five people over and over again,
or I can go to a grocery store and be
(10:30):
with my real community. And so I had an interpreter
on my phone. He says, don't you ever let me
see you.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Do that again.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
You are offending latinos am I really all I want
to do is connect.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
No, no, no, I think I think you're you. I
think anyone that hears you and knows the understands that
it comes from a gentleman place. So I don't there's
no offend it at all.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
I did you have that as well, because I mean,
look at all the people that you talk with him
and you you've got to be able to be Okay. Now,
I know that from probably Portland, Oregon is going to
be listening versus somebody who's in Hong Kong and then
over there in the UK, and somehow, some way they
all have to meet on this.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Page, of course. Yeah, but look, I think you I
think it's so long as things are gentleine and it comes.
That's always been kind of my my north star. Now,
if you're led with curiosity and you want to learn,
and that's it, that's the north starting. And I think
most most people can see that. I believe that I do.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Getting into a conversation with John Legisamo, this, this guy
right here has always been a beacon of light to me.
I look to him in so many different ways because
he's a chance taker, but at the same time, he
really he understands transitions.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
He does. You know what, My my takeaway from the
conversation with.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Him is he's angry, you know, he's he's he's angry
at the at the state of things, and I think
it's it's it is a time where it is very
easy for people to kind of, you know, go back
to their corners, be silent, be grateful for what you have,
and more than anything, to not really be too loud
in case there's some type of backlash from institutions or
for media companies, because we're seeing that.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
But he's not doing that, and I think he's he's
he's so committed and you can feel it in his
voice and in his energy. He is so committed to
getting Latinos and immigrants to sort of the forefront and
entertainment because he's seeing the numbers right where smoothies of
people in this country, and yet our representation on our
(12:33):
TV screens and Hollywood is so abysmal, and it has
gotten almost worse for kind of going backwards not forward.
And I think you can you can see the pain
know that he carries. But I think what's beautiful about
him is that he's not stopping right. He's out here,
I'm telling to you from New York City, has a
Broadway show, still doing films, and more than anything, he's
louder than ever. I mean, if you go on his
Instagram or his TikTok, there's not a steple day in which
(12:55):
John Leysamo does not voice his opinion. And I think
today when you're seeing a lot of people kind of
like you know, take a take a take a step back,
he's he's moving forward and I think there's a lot
to learn from that.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Wow, you know, you brought up something very interesting there,
and when you talked about those, you know, the TV
screens and stuff, And it was only because I was
watching Eugene Levey Show last night where he was in
Korea and and they were standing right there in front
of the biggest K pop band in the world, And
what was everybody doing? Watching their phones? That's they wouldn't
even look up to see them. Really, they were watching
(13:28):
their phones. And that to me, that that is sick
all the way to my big toe.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Yeah, why do you what do you What do you
think is at the root of that?
Speaker 1 (13:37):
I think the root of it is I think they're
afraid they're not going to capture it so they can
have it for a future day. But then I have
to challenge you in believing that, do you ever really
go back and watch those videos or could you sit
down with a writing instrument and and and a piece
of paper and put it in words for a generation
that's going to follow you that has no idea who
you are or what you went through because your face
(13:57):
was on that phone.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Well, I think, Look, I think about this a lot.
I think you're right. I mean I think and that's
kind of what I was saying about the and I
think people I've written about this right like, there is
a loneliness epidemic out there. I think a lot of
a lot of gen zers. It's weird, right because you
and I and I. You know, I'm a I'm a
millennial in that sense. I feel like I got the
best of both worlds, right, I still grew up and
(14:21):
then I still had a childhood without phones, then slowly transitioned,
you know, like Facebook was the coolest thing in college.
But I still have the best of both worlds, right,
So I understand like the beauty and friendships, and I
value that so much and there's nothing more important than
like being present. But I also wouldn't you know, I'd
be lying if I told you that. I don't, you know,
(14:43):
spend a lot of time on Instagram and TikTok like
all day long, Like yes, right, but I think I
do see this generation and and there there it's almost
like these like the social interactions and are lacking something,
you know, because I had no no, it's it's hard.
It's hard for me to describe it. I don't I
don't really know what's going on.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Well, it's because things like this really scared of the but
GBI's at me. Like over the weekend, one of the
high people in the in the Russian church said, well,
of course we're thinking about the bomb Christians want to
die anyway, And I'm going.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
What the hell is this all about?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
And and and you sit here and you go, well,
you know, people are just gonna be watching their phone
anyway when those things go off.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Sure, I mean yeah, but then think of right, and
that's the other side of it, And then think of
of everything, all the content that we're absorbing all day
long and normalizing, right. I think that's the part. We're
normalizing so much violence, this like crazy violent language, and
we're normalizing these like insane beauty standards. So like it's
(15:42):
it's just some the world is distorted in so many ways,
and then it's hard to understand, like what is what
is reality? Now? When you kind of step out of
your apartment, you're walking in the street, it's like, is
this the real world? Or is it what's on my screen?
And I think I can only I can I can
see how that's there's I don't know where like these
dichotomy is on. It's tough.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
You bring up a good point there with normalizing, because
I mean, are you a journaler in the way of
doing a daily journal?
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Do I journal? I know?
Speaker 1 (16:12):
And the only reason why I bring that up is
because I've been a daily writer since July of nineteen
ninety four. I wrote through the entire nine to eleven thing,
and wow. So as I went back to doing one
of my other published books, I had to go through
that whole entire process of before the buildings went down
and afterwards and the anger that that guy was going
through personally. I had no clue until I had to
(16:35):
go back there and do that research that mentally and
physically I was going through that moment. And I swear
to God, if you just take the time to write,
we would have a better foundation of who we are.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
You know, I've never I've always strived to be that
person and I never I never have been. And I
can see why. So you do it every day.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Before I even came into this studio, the air that
I breathe starts with the smell of ink. Wow, huh,
I know it's sick.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
No, no, no, no, I mean I can see. I
mean what a cool thing is to kind of see
the evolution of a person and to like help that
make sense of of I don't know, like your growth
and where you stand. Like that's that's really cool.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Well, my writing today was based on one subject is
Alexa smarter than chat GPT, because Alexa will not answer
my questions anymore? And I am so upset with Alexa
and and so, And the thing is is that it's
so funny that Alexa Research would not give me any answers.
But I went to chat GPT and all of a sudden,
this said, we're one and the same. You can use
this both. I'm going that's not the answer I wanted.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
That's just not what I Okay, So there's all sorts
of things going on in your mind. It's from chat JPT.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Yeah, oh yeah, I am the typical person. Oh my god,
and you've got to be too. Now let me ask
you this question only from one broadcaster to another. I
will never give myself credit for the voice that I
have in radio. I will always credit the shape me,
the program directors, the consultants who did get who gave
you your voice, who sat behind you every day saying no,
do it this way, no, no, no, do it this way.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Huh. And I think there's two people. One. I think
my father in this sense that I remember, you know,
I grew up. I grew up watching my dad going
to the TV studio. My whole life my mom's also
a journalist. But I think my dad was someone that
even through my twenties, I was like, my voice, here's
my voice side, like look at this article, look at
this thing I'm doing. And he was like no, he's like,
not yet, not yet, not yet. And then I think
(18:32):
maybe when I when I turned twenty, and he's like,
there you go, right, He's like, there's there's only something
that he's like in journalism, we're all trying to say
the same thing. We're all trying to cover the same thing.
When you have something different to say, you'll feel that.
And so I remember, I remember exactly when that was.
And then when I started doing kind of TV, it
(18:54):
was this woman called Laura Conaway. She's a she works
with Rachel Mattow. She's been with Rachrol Matto for for
many years, and she she became one of my mentors
like maybe eight years ago, and she was always behind
the camera kind of training me and training me and
training me and training me, and and it helped me
in tremendously. So I have to say my dad and Laura, yeah, you.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
See people don't buy it. Wow, my god.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Well, of course, the early inspirations have to be Casey
Caseon because he was a storyteller. Wolfman Jack was the showman.
Gene Simmons says, you have to think to be number one.
If you don't live number one, you will never be
number one. So you've got to That's good. And it's
one of those things where it's like, I mean, there
are so many inspirations in life. So when they say,
so what is it like, Oh, let me tell you
about day number one. Let's go back to the nineteen seventies.
(19:37):
Because I can't take credit for any of this, but
it's everybody else around me.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Huh, that is that's so good. I'm gonna use that.
You gotta be number one. I do hide myself up
before I have to do something. I do tell myself
you're gonna be the best. You know, you kind of
have to know. You gotta have to have that mindset.
But that's that's good.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
Yeah, because the post production blues on the opposite side,
they don't get to see that at all, but we do.
We're satisfying muckety muck.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Yeah. Yeah, that's great advice.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Oh got ten minutes or twenty minutes with you is
just not enough. You're gonna have to get your buns
back on this show again.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Reason Bye me. I will, I will, absolutely, It's such
an honor, honesty to talk to you truly.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
And well please do come back and you have a
brilliant day today.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Okay, thank you you too, Thank you for having me
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