VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 7: “Reina’s Unpopular Opinions About The Creative Economy: Listen Up!”

Episode Title: VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 7: “Reina’s Unpopular Opinions About The Creative Economy: Listen Up!”
 
Episode Description:
In this raw and unfiltered episode of VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS, host LA REINA TAÍNA challenges the very structure of the Creative Economy. With a unique blend of decolonial, post-structuralist, and transfemme perspectives, Reina digs deep into how American Capitalism has suffocated the authenticity of creativity, creating an industry that serves profit and power rather than expression and liberation.
Reina argues that the Creative Economy has plateaued, with mainstream media recycling the same tired stories. From the glut of formulaic films to music that rehashes old tropes, the system has drained originality from creative spaces. But this stagnation is no accident—it’s the result of systems of oppression, including patriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalism, that prioritize profits over creativity. The current state of the industry reflects a deep commodification of art, where creativity is reduced to a product for consumption rather than a powerful tool for resistance and transformation.
American Capitalism, Reina explains, has warped the meaning of “success” in creativity. Success isn’t about creating meaningful art or challenging the status quo—it’s about meeting market demands and feeding into the capitalist framework. Reina critiques how this system devalues the true creators—especially those on the margins—while allowing powerful corporations and a few elites to profit off of creativity. The episode highlights how this capitalist approach strips art of its power to challenge societal norms and enforce change. Reina uses a post-structuralist lens to show how this narrative is constructed and enforced, urging listeners to question whose voices are allowed to shape the Creative Economy and why.
But there’s hope for change. Reina calls for a complete reimagining of the Creative Economy—one that returns power to the marginalized and the voiceless. It’s time for those who truly drive creativity—those from the Global South, Black and Indigenous communities, trans and gender-nonconforming people, and artists on the fringes of society—to reclaim ownership of the creative space. Reina makes a powerful argument that the industry needs to be run by those who have historically been silenced by the dominant powers, and that true creativity can only flourish when it’s in the hands of those who have never been allowed to fit into the narrow, capitalistic boxes of mainstream success.
This episode isn’t just for artists or creatives—it’s a rallying cry for everyone. Reina urges listeners to break free from the confines of a capitalist-driven Creative Economy, one that profits off of exploitation and the normalization of systemic oppression. Creativity isn’t just about making things for the sake of making things—it’s about challenging the status quo and reshaping the narratives that dictate who gets to create and who gets left behind. Through this conversation, Reina invites listeners to consider what a world might look like where art, media, and creativity serve liberation rather than corporate interests.
By the end of this episode, listeners will be inspired to embrace their own creativity, challenge capitalist structures, and reimagine what it means to truly succeed as an artist. Tune in to VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS and hear how we can reclaim the Creative Economy from the hands of those who have turned it into a machine for oppression, and begin a collective movement toward a more liberated, decolonized, and inclusive future.

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episodio 6: "Reimaginando La Identidad Dominicana: Un Mensaje Para Mi Pueblo Dominicano"

Episode Title: VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episodio 6: "Reimaginando La Identidad Dominicana: Un Mensaje Para Mi Pueblo Dominicano"
 
Episode Description:
In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS, host LA REINA TAÍNA dedicates the conversation to reimagining the Dominican identity, a journey that stretches across history and deeply resonates in the hearts of the Dominican people today. Released in honor of Dominican Independence Day, this episode is a call to action for Dominicans both in the homeland and the diaspora to reconnect with their roots, reflect on their identities, and embrace the fluidity of what it means to be Dominican in the present day.
Through a deep dive into the complex evolution of Dominicanidad, LA REINA TAÍNA confronts the historical erasure of African and Haitian influences within Dominican culture, analyzing how colonial and racial structures have shaped a national identity that often excludes the very essence of what makes the Dominican people unique. Grounded in Afro-Jotx studies, post-structuralism, and critical race theory, this episode dismantles the rigid identity categories that have been imposed on Dominicans for centuries. LA REINA TAÍNA explores how the Dominican identity has shifted from its colonial roots to its present-day form, emphasizing the importance of decolonizing our understanding of what it means to be Dominican.
Throughout the episode, listeners are invited into a discussion about how we can rebuild the Dominican identity by acknowledging our full heritage—African, Indigenous, and European—and how this reclaiming process is a form of resistance and healing. Drawing on the works of Frantz Fanon, Toni Morrison, and other thinkers, LA REINA TAÍNA invites the listener to explore the psychological and cultural transformations needed to move away from identity foreclosure and towards a more inclusive, empowered sense of self.
With insights from her personal experiences and research in Afro-Jotx studies, LA REINA TAÍNA underscores that identity is not a fixed concept but rather a dynamic, evolving process. Dominicans must take the necessary steps to break away from colonial legacies and embrace all aspects of their history, including those that have been pushed aside or forgotten. This episode emphasizes the importance of creating space for self-reflection and community dialogue to guide the reimagining of a Dominican identity that embraces our full, rich heritage.
Whether you’re in the Dominican Republic, the U.S., or anywhere else in the world, this episode is an essential listen for anyone seeking to understand the historical, psychological, and cultural roots of Dominican identity, and how we can transform it for future generations. VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Episode 6 is a powerful reminder that we are all part of a collective journey, one that seeks to reconnect with our ancestral roots, reclaim our cultural pride, and ultimately, heal from the wounds of the past.
This episode offers practical insights on how art, music, and community-building can become vital tools in reclaiming the Dominican identity. Through understanding post-structuralism and embracing the complexity of our diverse heritage, Dominicans can begin to break free from colonial frameworks and embrace an identity that is true to who we are today. As LA REINA TAÍNA invites listeners to reflect on their personal and collective identities, this episode challenges the status quo and calls for a future where Dominican identity is defined by those who live it—not by those who seek to limit it.
As we move forward in this journey of reimagining and reclaiming, I leave you with my life motto: “To re-imagine and challenge the ‘self’ via art.” This is the path we must take—constantly evolving, constantly reimagining who we are, and doing so with authenticity and purpose. May this episode inspire you to challenge and redefine your own identity, just as we are doing as Dominicans, as a family, and as a collective.
~
Español:
Título del Episodio: VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episodio 6: "Reimaginando La Identidad Dominicana: Un Mensaje Para Mi Pueblo Dominicano"
Descripción del Episodio:
En este episodio tan poderoso y reflexivo de VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS, la anfitriona LA REINA TAÍNA dedica la conversación a reimaginar la identidad dominicana, un viaje que se extiende a través de la historia y resuena profundamente en los corazones del pueblo dominicano hoy en día. Lanzado en honor al Día de la Independencia Dominicana, este episodio es un llamado a la acción para los dominicanos tanto en la patria como en la diáspora, para que se reconecten con sus raíces, reflexionen sobre sus identidades y abracen la fluidez de lo que significa ser dominicano en la actualidad.
A través de un análisis profundo de la compleja evolución de la dominicanidad, LA REINA TAÍNA enfrenta la erradicación histórica de las influencias africanas y haitianas dentro de la cultura dominicana, analizando cómo las estructuras coloniales y raciales han moldeado una identidad nacional que a menudo excluye la esencia misma de lo que hace único al pueblo dominicano. Basado en los estudios Afro-Jotx, el post-estructuralismo y la teoría crítica de la raza, este episodio desmantela las rígidas categorías de identidad que se han impuesto a los dominicanos durante siglos. LA REINA TAÍNA explora cómo la identidad dominicana ha cambiado desde sus raíces coloniales hasta su forma actual, enfatizando la importancia de descolonizar nuestra comprensión de lo que significa ser dominicano.
A lo largo del episodio, los oyentes son invitados a una conversación sobre cómo podemos reconstruir la identidad dominicana reconociendo nuestra herencia completa—africana, indígena y europea—y cómo este proceso de reclamación es una forma de resistencia y sanación. Basado en los trabajos de pensadores como Frantz Fanon, Toni Morrison y otros, LA REINA TAÍNA invita al oyente a explorar las transformaciones psicológicas y culturales necesarias para alejarnos de la "foreclusión de la identidad" y avanzar hacia una comprensión más inclusiva y empoderada del "yo".
Con perspectivas basadas en sus experiencias personales y en sus investigaciones dentro de los estudios Afro-Jotx, LA REINA TAÍNA subraya que la identidad no es un concepto fijo, sino un proceso dinámico y en constante evolución. Los dominicanos debemos dar los pasos necesarios para romper con los legados coloniales y abrazar todos los aspectos de nuestra historia, incluidos aquellos que se han dejado de lado o se han olvidado. Este episodio enfatiza la importancia de crear espacios para la autorreflexión y el diálogo comunitario para guiar la reimaginación de una identidad dominicana que abarque nuestra rica herencia.
Ya sea en la República Dominicana, en Estados Unidos o en cualquier otra parte del mundo, este episodio es esencial para todos aquellos interesados en entender las raíces históricas, psicológicas y culturales de la identidad dominicana, y cómo podemos transformarla para las generaciones futuras. VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Episodio 6 es un recordatorio poderoso de que todos somos parte de un viaje colectivo, uno que busca reconectarnos con nuestras raíces ancestrales, reclamar nuestro orgullo cultural y, en última instancia, sanar las heridas del pasado.
Este episodio ofrece perspectivas prácticas sobre cómo el arte, la música y la construcción comunitaria pueden convertirse en herramientas vitales para reclamar la identidad dominicana. Al entender el post-estructuralismo y abrazar la complejidad de nuestra herencia diversa, los dominicanos pueden empezar a liberarse de los marcos coloniales y abrazar una identidad que sea fiel a lo que somos hoy. Mientras LA REINA TAÍNA invita a los oyentes a reflexionar sobre sus identidades personales y colectivas, este episodio desafía el statu quo y llama a un futuro donde la identidad dominicana sea definida por quienes la vivimos, no por quienes buscan limitarla.
Al avanzar en este viaje de reimaginación y reclamación, les dejo con mi lema de vida: “Reimaginar y desafiar el ‘yo’ a través del arte.” Este es el camino que debemos seguir—constantemente evolucionando, constantemente reimaginando quiénes somos, y haciéndolo con autenticidad y propósito. Que este episodio los inspire a desafiar y redefinir su propia identidad, tal como lo estamos haciendo nosotros como dominicanos, como familia y como colectivo.

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 5: “From Trauma to Triumph: A Personal Story of Liberation"

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 5: “From Trauma to Triumph: A Personal Story of Liberation"
In "From Trauma to Triumph: A Personal Story of Liberation," I’m sharing a deeply personal journey of survival, healing, and accountability. This episode dives into my lived experiences of trauma within a systemically violent household, which became the breeding ground for exploring decolonial theory and post-structuralism. These frameworks gave me the tools to dissect how we are all, at some point or another, coerced into compliance by forces beyond our control. I’m breaking it all down, from microaggressions to emotional manipulation, as I connect these experiences to my Afro-Jotx expertise. I want you to walk away understanding that unconditional love—true, raw, and untainted—is the only thing that can truly set us free. If you’re a survivor, know you are not alone, and don’t let anyone gaslight you into thinking you are.
One of the hardest pills to swallow is how often the culprits of my trauma were white men, embodying a textbook case of transmysogynoir. What does that mean? Simply put, it’s the intersection of misogyny, anti-Blackness, and transphobia. It’s when a white man’s casual cruelty is shielded by a combination of privilege and ignorance—like my former roommate, who consistently misgendered me and reduced my existence to a punchline. He was the embodiment of transmysogynoir, as his actions reflected the ugly, systemic hatred rooted in colonial violence that continues to marginalize Black trans women today. Let’s be clear: I’m not here to demonize anyone—but I am here to hold white men accountable for their actions. We’re done with excuses. White supremacy thrives on complacency and silence, and in this episode, I’m calling it out, loud and clear.
At the core of it all is this: accountability is a pro-human act, and it’s long overdue. For too long, we’ve let these systems of violence dictate who gets to be human and who doesn’t. Well, no more. I’m unapologetically taking a stand against it all, from my traumatic past to the systemic forces that tried to break me. This episode isn’t about staying silent; it’s about speaking truth to power and demanding better—because we all deserve it. Let’s break these cycles and reclaim our freedom, one painful, honest conversation at a time. Asé.
Trigger Warning: Topics such as suicide, violence, and systemic oppression are discussed. For support, please visit www.lareinataina.com/sos.
 

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 4: “Breaking Cycles: Understanding the Impact of Emotionally Immature Parents on Adult Development w/ Ajay Ravi Kamal”

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 4: “Breaking Cycles: Understanding the Impact of Emotionally Immature Parents on Adult Development w/ Ajay Ravi Kamal”
 
In Episode #4 of the VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast, host LA REINA TAÍNA sits down with Ajay Ravi Kamal, an ENBY/TransMasculine mental health advocate, to dive into the concept of "Emotionally Immature Parents" (EIP). Based on the work of Kai Tai Kevin Qiu in his book Emotionally Immature Parents: A Recovery Workbook for Adult Children, Ajay unpacks how emotional neglect, role reversal, and a lack of empathy in childhood can deeply shape adult emotional development.
Throughout this episode, Ajay explores how these early dynamics can create cycles of emotional harm that persist into adulthood. By drawing from frameworks like Critical Race Theory, Biopolitics, and Post-Structuralism, Ajay and LA REINA TAÍNA critically analyze how these emotional patterns intersect with larger societal systems, particularly for Queer and Trans Afro-Latinx and Afro-Caribbean communities. Together, they offer practical insights into the path of healing, self-awareness, and boundary-setting needed to reclaim emotional well-being.
This episode is essential for those interested in understanding the psychological, emotional, and societal effects of emotionally immature parenting, while also providing tools for personal empowerment and growth.
Trigger Warning: Topics such as suicide, violence, and systemic oppression are discussed. For support, please visit www.lareinataina.com/sos.

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 3: "Navigating the Margins: Agatha Brooks' Journey as a Black Trans Woman in the Caribbean"

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 3: "Navigating the Margins: Agatha Brooks' Journey as a Black Trans Woman in the Caribbean"
 
In this compelling third episode of VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS, host LA REINA TAÍNA sits down with Agatha Jamine Brooks, a Black Trans woman, poet, and activist, for an intimate discussion on the intersectional challenges she faces in her daily life. As an undocumented immigrant in the Dominican Republic, Agatha's experiences illuminate the complexities of race, gender, and survival within the harsh socio-political landscapes of the Caribbean. This episode dives deep into her narrative, focusing on her time as a former sex worker and the layered dynamics of navigating societal rejection and marginalization while affirming her identity as a Black Trans woman.
 
The conversation also touches on themes central to Afro-Jotería Studies, a field founded by LA REINA TAÍNA to center the lived experiences of Queer and Trans Afro-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Indigenous people. Through the lens of Afro-Jotería (an academic study combining Afro-Indigenous and decolonial frameworks), we explore how colonial history, the globalizing forces of blanqueamiento (whitening), and anti-Blackness continue to shape gendered and racial identities in the Caribbean.
 
Afro-Jotería Studies critiques the Western binary systems that fail to account for the complexities of gender and race in the Caribbean, challenging traditional norms of beauty, identity, and power. Agatha’s narrative adds depth to these discussions by offering insights into how blanqueamiento—the whitening processes promoted in the Dominican Republic—affects Black Trans women’s livelihoods, from being commodified in the sex industry to being disrespected and fetishized within both mainstream and underground spaces. These intersecting oppressions are compounded by Agatha's unique experiences with non-monogamy, survival, and personal liberation, where her artistic voice emerges as a form of resistance against the strict, often violent, expectations imposed on marginalized bodies.
 
This episode also reinforces the call for decolonial thought and action through the practices of Afro-Jotería, advocating for reclaiming narratives and resisting colonial binaries that reduce identity to something monolithic. Agatha’s words empower listeners to question the limits of gender norms and social expectations, urging us to redefine beauty, existence, and resistance through an Afro-Jotería framework.
 
✨ Agatha’s motto: "Live and let live. Use your past as fuel to propel forward."

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 2: "La Modernidad de Latinoamerica: Los Tres Blanquis"

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 2: "La Modernidad de Latinoamerica: Los Tres Blanquis"
 
In this episode, join LA REINA TAÍNA as she explores the concepts of blanquitud, blanquedad, and blanqueamiento, collectively referred to as "Los Tres Blanquis," a term she coined to describe how white supremacy influences the history and present of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The discussion begins by connecting these terms to modern Latin American identity, focusing on how blanquitud shapes beauty standards and media representation. At the same time, blanquedad normalizes whiteness as a societal norm, marginalizing Afro-descendant voices. The episode highlights contemporary examples of blanqueamiento, illustrating the socio-political dynamics that reinforce systemic inequalities.
LA REINA TAÍNA also delves into biopolitics, examining how governance intersects with racial identity and discusses the historical origins of the Latinx identity via the Latin Baroque Period as researched by Bolívar Echeverría. The Négritude Movement is explored as a pivotal force in fostering Black consciousness and solidarity.
Concluding with key insights and recommended resources, this episode advocates for reclaiming narratives and engaging in storytelling as essential tools for cultural empowerment.

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Ep. 1 - An Introduction to Afro-Jotería Studies & LA REINA TAÍNA

VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS Podcast Episode 1: "An Introduction to Afro-Jotería Studies"
Join LA REINA TAÍNA as they dive deep into the origins of Afro-Jotería Studies, an academic field celebrating the lived experiences of Queer and Trans Afro-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Indigenous people. This episode explores their personal journey, the impact of colonialism and racial policies like "blanqueamiento," and the importance of decolonial thought through the lenses of Pan-Africanism, Indigenous spirituality, and rhythmic resistance. Tune in for a dynamic mix of history, personal storytelling, and cultural critique, all grounded in the revolutionary spirit of Afro-Jotx consciousness.