Behind the Scenes with Humberto Rodriguez

About Behind the Scenes with Humberto Rodriguez

Discover the untold stories that shape extraordinary lives. Behind the Scenes with Humberto Rodriguez takes you beyond the surface to explore the raw, unfiltered journeys of remarkable individuals. From triumphs to struggles, life lessons to pivotal moments, we uncover what truly makes people who they are. Join us for deep, authentic conversations that inspire, challenge, and connect us all. Tune in, and let’s reveal the real stories behind the success!

Publisher

Behind the Scenes with Humberto Rodriguez

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Nov 2024

Latest episode

13 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Jul 2026

   With Favian Valencia: From the Orchards to a Run for Congress

   Favian Valencia grew up in the orchards of the Yakima Valley. Farmworker family, first in his family to finish high school, first to go to college. He drove himself to Gonzaga with a boom box, a pillow, and a paper map. He built his own law firm from day one, opened a cafe in Yakima with his mom and his three sisters, and spent four years living and working out of a van before he came home. Now he is running for Congress as an independent, in the most Republican district in the state. In this conversation we go past the thirty second version and meet the whole person. Favian talks about the night that made him a civil rights attorney, what running a family business taught him that law school never did, and why four years on the road convinced him this valley is a hidden gem worth fighting for. We also get into where he stands. The cut to Medicaid and what it means for the more than half of this district on Apple Health. Water, family farms, and the corporations buying up land and water rights. A legal path for the farm workers who have been here for years. Energy, nuclear power, and Hanford. His first bill, a plan to end federal income tax for anyone earning under sixty thousand dollars, and the hard questions that come with it. And the honest problem every independent has to answer: how do you get anything done in Washington with no party behind you. I am not here to tell you how to vote. There are eleven people running to replace Dan Newhouse, and you owe it to yourself to look at all of them before your ballot is due on August 4. My job is to introduce you to the person behind the name and let you decide for yourself.

2. 

   12 Jul 2026

   With Maria Cuevas | Education, Community, and Why She's Running

   Maria Cuevas is a longtime educator, a scholar of Chicano studies, a former professor at Yakima Valley College, and a candidate for Yakima County Auditor in 2026. This is not a stump speech. It's a two-hour conversation about where she comes from, how she was shaped, what she's tried to teach over the last forty years, and why she's stepping into this race at this point in her life. We cover: Her grandfather Cuevas, who left Porfirio Diaz's Mexico because they wouldn't educate the poor Her mother, who won a scholarship to UCLA in the 1950s and wasn't allowed to go Her father, who couldn't say "I love you" but taught her everything Meeting Maria Hinojosa and building Yakima Valley College's diversity series The Chicano movement, Mecha, and the eight dollars she pulled out of Bank of America to protest apartheid Why she carries the Mexican flag and what that means in America Growing up between two worlds and the words she didn't know were racist A story from her teenage years about a play she was in, and how she uses that memory today to teach what racism actually is Losing her husband, finding a dog named Shango, and how grief became a spiritual practice Her father's history, her own diagnosis of ADD, and the compassion that came with both Why the Auditor's office matters, why Yakima County has the second-lowest voter turnout in Washington State, and why she's running to change that What she loves about this Valley Maria is running for Yakima County Auditor. The primary is August 4, 2026. Ballots mail July 16. Learn more at votemariacuevas.com

3. 

   20 Mar 2026

   When Truth Disrupts Legacy - Dolores Huerta

   In this episode, I reflect on the recent statements from Dolores Huerta and the broader conversation surrounding her account involving Cesar Chavez. After listening to her interview with Maria Hinojosa, I found myself sitting with the weight of a woman who carried a painful truth for decades to protect a movement she helped build. But what struck me just as much was the response. Instead of engaging with what was said, many have shifted the conversation toward her personal life—her relationships, her children, and her character. In this episode, I explore: Why survivors often stay silent for years How power operates within movements and leadership Why legacy and harm can exist at the same time And what it reveals about us when we question the woman instead of examining the system This is not about erasing history. It’s about understanding it more honestly. Topics: Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, farmworker movement, leadership, power dynamics, survivor advocacy, cultural conversations

4. 

   18 Feb 2026

   Leadership Under Public Scrutiny: Accountability, Resilience & Community Trust

   A Conversation with Raquel Izquierdo Lopez In this in-depth conversation, Humberto Rodriguez sits down with Raquel Izquierdo Lopez to discuss the realities of leadership in today’s climate of public scrutiny, social media pressure, and political tension. They explore what accountability truly means, how mental health plays a role in leadership, and why collaboration and open dialogue are essential for building trust within a community. The discussion touches on education, school board advocacy, misinformation, and the responsibility that comes with being a public figure. This episode is an honest look at resilience, authenticity, and the ongoing work of serving others with integrity. If you care about leadership, education, civic engagement, and creating positive change in your community, this conversation offers thoughtful insight and perspective.

5. 

   4 Nov 2025

   The Measure of Legacy: A Conversation with Judge Sonia Rodriguez True

   Judge Sonia Rodriguez True discusses the profound influence of family, faith, and cultural identity on her life and career, emphasizing that true legacy lies in uplifting others, in this interview with Humberto Rodriguez.

6. 

   5 Sept 2025

   More Mexican Than Mexicans, More American Than Americans | A Conversation with Juan Bombela

   Humberto Rodriguez interviews entrepreneur Juan “Johnny” Bombela about navigating dual cultural identities and the resilience required to build a successful life between worlds.

7. 

   3 Sept 2025

   Ryan Vasquez on Community, Struggle, and Strength

   Host Humberto Rodriguez interviews Ryan Vasquez about community, struggle, and strength, exploring resilience and liberation in Native and Chicano communities.

8. 

   8 Jul 2025

   A Conversation Before She Leaves: A Father's Heart-to-Heart with His Daughter

   Humberto Rodriguez interviews his daughter Lillyana about their relationship, shared struggles, and journey from broken beginnings to unconditional love in this raw conversation reflecting on trauma and resilience.

9. 

   25 Jun 2025

   Discipline Over Motivation with Kari Harris Smasne: One Mom’s Fitness Mindset Shift

   Kari Harris Smasne discusses her fitness journey after motherhood, emphasizing discipline over motivation and sharing insights on body image and habit formation in this interview with Humberto Rodriguez.

10. 

    9 Apr 2025

    Racism, Power, and the Fight for a Just America (with Gloria Guizar)

    In this unapologetically honest episode, I sit down with law student and community advocate Gloria Guizar to unpack some of the most pressing issues facing our country today. We cover a wide range of topics, from the hidden layers of Project 2025, systemic racism, and mass deportation plans, to the deep-rooted privilege embedded in American institutions. Together, we explore how race, politics, media manipulation, and religion have been weaponized to divide us, and how communities of color, particularly immigrants and minorities, continue to carry the weight of a nation built on their backs. This isn’t about pointing fingers; it’s about truth, reflection, and the hope of building something better. We talk about: The truth behind Project 2025 and political distraction How racism is embedded in American systems Immigration, DEI, and the hypocrisy of the "American dream" Religion, white fragility, and social control What it means to be patriotic and critical of your country ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode includes candid conversations about racism, immigration, politics, LGBTQ+ rights, religion, and identity. It also discusses Project 2025 and its implications for marginalized communities. Please note: this is not legal advice. The opinions shared are personal reflections and do not reflect professional legal counsel. Listen in if you're ready for a no-holds-barred conversation on truth, power, and what it’s going to take to create lasting change in America. #BehindTheScenes #SocialJustice #Project2025 #Immigration #DEI #LatinxVoices #RealTalk #SystemicRacism

11. 

    9 Apr 2025

    Finding Belonging: Grief, Identity & the Power of Storytelling with Kimberly Starr

    In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Kimberly Starr, Suicide Prevention Speaker, Theatre Intimacy Director, and author of 457 Days: A Mother’s Journey Along Grief’s Path. Together, we explore the threads that shape who we are: cultural identity, the impact of grief, the role of art in healing, and the deep human desire to belong. Kimberly shares her powerful journey through loss, advocacy, and connection, while I reflect on my own upbringing, the support of my mother, and how theater helped me find my people. ⚠️ Content Disclaimer: This episode contains open and honest discussions about suicide, grief, and loss. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a local support line. This conversation is raw, reflective, and full of insight. Whether you’ve experienced grief, searched for your place in the world, or simply love powerful stories, this one’s for you. #BehindTheScenes #GriefJourney #CulturalIdentity #SuicidePrevention #TheaterHealing #PodcastConversation

12. 

    14 Mar 2025

    Fatherhood: The Season of Letting Go While Holding On

    Fatherhood is a journey of love, sacrifice, and trust. We guide, we protect, and we give everything we can, but there comes a time when we must learn to let go. In this short episode, I reflect on the struggles of watching our children walk their own path, the pain of distance, and the faith it takes to remain steady. Inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s powerful words on parenting, this is an honest, raw reflection about the hardest lesson in fatherhood, learning to love from a distance while trusting that one day, they will remember where home is.

13. 

    23 Nov 2024

    With Liz Vossenkemper (Part 2/2)

    In part two of my conversation with Liz Vossenkemper, we dive deep into the moments that shaped her—her upbringing, the challenges she faced, and the traumas many will find relatable. Liz opens up about the passing of her father, the journey to healing, and the power of owning your story. This episode is raw, inspiring, and a reminder that growth often comes from the hardest parts of our journey. Don’t miss this powerful continuation of her story. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses topics such as substance use and the death of a loved one, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening.

14. 

    20 Nov 2024

    With Liz Vossenkemper (Part 1/2)

    In this first episode of a two-part series, Humberto Rodriguez sits down with Liz Vossenkemper, MSN, ARNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS, Medical Director at United Family Center, to dive into the layers of her story. This conversation isn’t just about where Liz is today, it’s about the journey that brought her here. Part 1 touches on her work as a professional and ends with Liz taking us back to her 8-year-old self, reflecting on challenges that shaped her path. Through vulnerability and honesty, Liz shares the early moments that influenced her leadership and the person she’s become. This is only the beginning of a powerful and inspiring discussion. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we go even deeper into Liz’s story.

Who has been a guest on Behind the Scenes with Humberto Rodriguez

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Judge Sonia Rodriguez True
• Juan Bombela
• Ryan Vasquez
• Lillyana Rodriguez
• Kari Harris Smasne

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

11

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Behind the Scenes with Humberto Rodriguez

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.