El Mesteño is dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of Mexican-Americans in South Texas and Northern Mexico. When you subscribe, you gain access to stories that explore the rich heritage of the region, ranging from early settlers to contemporary history.
El Mesteño Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Homero S. Vera - D.A. Flores
5.0(12 reviews)
24 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
El Mesteño is dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of Mexican-Americans in South Texas and Northern Mexico. When you subscribe, you gain access to stories that explore the rich heritage of the region, ranging from early settlers to contemporary history.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/25/2026
1 verified contact email on file for El Mesteño Podcast
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Recent Episodes
July 19, 2026
Episode 24: "The Roots of Benavides, Texas"
<p>We want to extend a massive thank you to our sponsors and dedicated subscribers for helping us keep our regional history alive and thriving.<br>In Episode 24, we took a deep dive into the heart of Duval County to uncover the history behind the town of Benavides, Texas, and the musical legacy that defined its mid-century dance halls.</p><p><strong>The Founder: Don Plácido Benavides</strong><br>We explored the life of Don Plácido Benavides, the man who shaped a town. His story is one of deep roots and resilience:</p><ul><li><strong>Early Origins:</strong> The Benavides family were original settlers alongside empresario Martín De León, arriving in Victoria, Texas, in 1824.</li><li><strong>The Exile:</strong> Despite the family's contributions during the Texas Revolution, they were forced out of their land, eventually fleeing to Opelousas, Louisiana, where Plácido was born in 1837.</li><li><strong>Return to South Texas:</strong> By the 1850s, the family returned to their South Texas roots. Plácido became a savvy landowner and businessman, with his peak landholdings occurring in the 1880s.</li><li><strong>Establishing the Town:</strong> Don Plácido was instrumental in the town's founding, famously selling the right-of-way for the Texas-Mexican Railway for just $1.00 in 1881 and later donating 80 acres of his own land to help the growing village flourish.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>The Sound:</strong> This orchestra-conjunto group was known for being strictly instrumental—they had no lead vocalist, relying entirely on their tight musicianship to keep dance halls across South Texas packed.</li><li><strong>The Legacy:</strong> Led by Leandro Palacios, Jr. on saxophone, the band was a fixture in towns like Benavides, Alice, and Kingsville. The group eventually disbanded when key members, including pianist Fernando "Nando" Caballero, were drafted into the Korean War.</li><li><strong>Looking Back:</strong> Nando Caballero’s career continued long after the war, eventually leading to a decades-long residency in Alice at the Fiesta Lounge, keeping the spirit of South Texas music alive into the 1990s.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Dicho:</strong> We discussed the proverb, "Los que duermen en el mismo colchón, se vuelven de la misma condición" (Those who sleep on the same mattress become of the same condition), reflecting on how the people we surround ourselves with shape who we become.</li><li><strong>Recipe:</strong> We shared a classic recipe for Cabrito Guisado (stewed goat) and authentic Tex-Mex rice, perfect for those weekend gatherings.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Musical Royalty: </strong><strong>Los Rancheros de Benavides</strong><br>We shifted gears to the late 1940s to discuss a legendary, though often unsung, musical powerhouse—Los Rancheros de Benavides.</p><p><strong>Book Spotlight</strong><br>For our history buffs, we spotlighted <strong>Women across Time / Mujeres a Través del Tiempo: Sixteen Influential South Texas Women</strong>. Edited by Susan L. Roberson, this collection offers a crucial look at the Tejanas who defied traditional gender norms to become ranchers, politicians, educators, and activists in South Texas. It is a vital read for anyone looking to understand the real history of our region.</p><p><strong>Want to dive deeper?</strong><br>For the full story, including tax roll details and historical photos, check out the latest issue of El Mesteño magazine. You can find our archives, listen to past episodes, or subscribe to the print edition at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://mestenomedia.com">mestenomedia.com</a>.<br>¡Hasta la próxima!</p>
July 5, 2026
🎙️ Episode 23: "Ya Estamos Alla" – The Legacy of Francisco "Panchito" Garza
<p>Join us on this episode of El Mesteño Podcast as we dive into the history of the South Texas "pachanga" and the incredible life of legendary music promoter Francisco "Panchito" Garza.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode:</p><p>Featured Segment: Host David Flores and resident historian Homero Vera explore the origins of the "pachanga" social tradition in South Texas—from political rallies to backyard family celebrations—and trace the fascinating career of Panchito Garza. We discuss his work as a vaquero, his role in the school district, and his legacy as the man who built Chapultepec Hall and brought the greatest conjunto musicians to the region.</p><p>Dicho Segment: We reflect on the wisdom of the proverb: "El que persevera, alcanza" (He who perseveres will reach their goal), shared by Ines C. Treviño of San Diego, Texas.</p><p>Recipe Segment: Bring the taste of the borderlands home with a classic recipe for homemade Tortillas de Harina (Flour Tortillas).</p><p>Book Recommendation: We feature The Texas Mexican Plant-Based Cookbook: Indigenous Foodways by Chef Adán Medrano. Chef Medrano joins us to discuss how this book connects 15,000 years of history to the comida casera we love today, offering a fresh perspective on our agricultural heritage.</p><p>Tune in to celebrate the culture, history, and flavors that define South Texas!</p>
June 28, 2026
🎙️Episode22: "The Scholar, The Soldier, The Activist: José de la Luz Sáenz"
<p>In this episode of the *El Mesteño Podcast*, titled "The Scholar, The Soldier, The Activist: José de la Luz Sáenz," host David Flores sits down with historian and publisher Homero Vera to explore the remarkable life of a pivotal figure in Mexican-American history.</p><p>Here is a breakdown of the segments included in this episode:</p><p><strong>Featured Segment:</strong></p><p>A deep dive into the life of José de la Luz Sáenz (1888–1953). The conversation covers his early life in rural South Texas, his groundbreaking career as an educator, his service as a soldier during World War I, and his monumental role as a civil rights activist and co-founder of LULAC. The discussion highlights his commitment to documenting the Mexican-American experience and his use of both the classroom and the pen to fight against systemic discrimination.</p><p><strong> Dicho Segment:</strong></p><p>A traditional *dicho* (proverb) is shared: *"El hogar es donde está el corazón"* (Home is where the heart is), with context provided by Manuel Sáenz of Rancho Nuevo, Duval County.</p><p><strong>Recipe Segment:</strong></p><p>A recipe for a classic Tex-Mex Vegetarian Guisado, featuring red potatoes, onions, fresh tomatoes, and peppers.</p><p><strong>Book Recommendation Segment:</strong></p><p>The World War I Diary of José de la Luz Sáenz (edited by Emilio Zamora): An exploration of Sáenz's personal accounts from his service in France and Germany during WWI, and how these experiences fueled his later civil rights activism.</p><p><a href="https://a.co/d/0iuhjfL1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://a.co/d/0iuhjfL1</a></p><p>No Mexicans, Women, or Dogs Allowed by Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco: A critical look at the founding of LULAC in 1929, challenging common misconceptions and framing the organization as a central pillar of the early American civil rights movement.</p><p><a href="https://a.co/d/07Go4O28" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://a.co/d/07Go4O28</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
24 total episodes available
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