Talk Latin America brings powerful conversations at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and culture—all from Washington, D.C. Each week, we sit down with thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping Latin America’s future. This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
The Soul of Brazil: the music that the world is missing
What does it mean to carry a culture with you wherever you go? Brazilian singer, poet, and cultural educator Rose Moraes has spent decades doing exactly that, introducing the richness of Brazilian music to audiences far from where it was born, from bossa nova and forró to samba and Afro-Brazilian rhythms.
In this episode of Talk Latin America, Rose joins hosts Diego Laje and Michelle Marinho for a conversation about the soul of Brazil, the music the world isn't hearing enough of, and the one word that captures it all, saudade. That particular mix of longing, memory, and bittersweet joy that has no real equivalent in any other language.
25 May 2026
"The forest is their supermarket": filming Nature at the world's edge
Colombian filmmaker John Martin has spent 25 years traveling to more than 50 countries, documenting what we stand to lose, not with alarm but with beauty. In this episode of Talk Latin America, John, Conservation International's Director of Production & Visual Storytelling, joins host Diego Laje to discuss the art and challenge of translating dense scientific research into stories that move people to act. From navigating uncharted territory in the Amazon to filming 360 VR inside one of the most impenetrable rainforests on Earth, John shares what it truly takes to capture nature on camera and why giving indigenous communities their own voice is the most powerful conservation tool of all.
2 Apr 2026
The Heart Lobbyist: policy becomes art with Elena La Fulana
She left immigration policy behind to pick up a guitar, but the issue never let her go. In this episode of Talk Latin America, singer-songwriter Elena La Fulana sits down with Diego Laje and Michelle Marinho to talk about what it means to make music in two languages, what Latino identity really looks like in the United States, and why her most powerful songs are the ones that never go out of style — even when she wishes they would.
30 Mar 2026
Build Your Own Castle: Silvina Moschini on women & money
She's been called Miss Internet, and she became the first Latina to take a company to unicorn status, but for Silvina Moschini, the billion-dollar valuation wasn't the finish line; it was just a rite of passage. In this episode of the Talk Latin America Podcast, Silvina sits down with Diego Laje and Michelle Marinho to talk about why women's relationship with money is the root of everything, what Silicon Valley got wrong, and the new initiative she's brewing to help women build their own castles.
13 Feb 2026
Mental Health in the Age of AI
Mental health, AI, and resilience across the Americas take center stage in this episode of Talk Latin America. Hosts Michelle Marinho and Diego Laje sit down with Renato Oliveira, Head of the Mental Health Unit at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), to discuss how COVID-19 reshaped mental health policy, the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence in mental health care, and why regulation is urgently needed. The conversation also explores children’s mental health, social media, resilience, loneliness, and the role schools, families, and governments play in building healthier, more connected societies.
26 Jan 2026
Colombia's quest for peace: a conversation with Maria Jimena Duzan
In this episode of the Talk Latin America podcast, anchor Michelle Marinho speaks with renowned Colombian journalist María Jimena Duzán about her most recent documentary \"After the Cold\", and the long winding journey her country has endured on its quest for peace.
María Jimena Duzán is one of Colombia’s most respected journalists, known for her investigative reporting and incisive political commentary. She hosts the podcast A Fondo, a leading platform for long-form conversations on power, conflict, and democracy in Colombia.
17 Jan 2026
Healthcare, Cost, and Courage: Monica Villamizar on “Triage” (Part 2)
In Part Two of her conversation on Talk Latin America, Colombian-American filmmaker and journalist Monica Villamizar goes deeper into the impact of her CGTN documentary Triage. She reflects on what stayed with her after filming, the ethical challenges of telling deeply personal healthcare stories, and the broader implications of medical costs in the United States. Monica also discusses how journalism can amplify marginalized voices and spark conversations about access, dignity, and reform.
16 Jan 2026
Healthcare, Cost, and Courage: Monica Villamizar on “Triage” (Part 1)
Colombian-American filmmaker and journalist Monica Villamizar joins hosts Diego Laje and Michelle Marinho on Talk Latin America for a compelling follow-up conversation. Monica reflects on her experience creating the CGTN documentary Triage, which explores the affordability of healthcare in the United States. She shares powerful stories of resilient patients who opened up about their struggles, sacrifices, and the financial realities of accessing care.
15 Jan 2026
Cecilia Domeyko on Writing, Culture, and Connection
Chilean-American author Cecilia Domeyko joins Talk Latin America to share how her stories explore identity, heritage, and the ties that connect us across cultures. Hosts Michele Marinho and Diego Laje discuss Domeyko’s journey as a writer, her latest work, and the inspirations behind her storytelling.
8 Jan 2026
From Brazil to Broadway: Danilo Gambini’s Creative Journey
Brazilian theater, musical, and opera director Danilo Gambini joins Talk Latin America to share how his work is crossing borders and reshaping stages in the U.S. Hosts Michelle Marinho and Diego Laje talk with Gambini about storytelling, identity, and his latest acclaimed productions, including A Case for the Existence of God and The Heart Sellers.
22 Sept 2025
"This Is The Golden Age of Cocaine"
CGTN Correspondent and “Kilo” author Toby Muse joins Michelle Marinho and Diego Laje to discuss his experiences reporting on the cocaine trade in the jungles and remote villages of Colombia.
From the smells of a jungle laboratory to the lingering feeling of danger that accompanies a reporter on the drug trade beat to the realization that we’re living “the Golden Age of Cocaine”, this conversation will give listeners a fresh perspective on the decades-old War on Drugs and its impact in countries like Colombia.
29 Aug 2025
The Perils of Fact Checking with Cristina Tardaguila
Talk Latin America hosts Michelle Marinho and Diego Laje sit down with Cristina Tardaguila, renowned founder of Lupa, the pioneering Brazilian news agency dedicated to fact-checking. Cristina shares her personal journey from Rio de Janeiro to Washington, D.C. after facing threats for her work combating disinformation and fake news during Brazil's tumultuous elections.
Discover the realities and personal risks faced by fact-checkers in Latin America, and how misinformation is evolving. Cristina, cohost Michelle Marinho and Diego dive deep into:
– The explosion of disinformation and the personal toll on journalists
– The rise of AI-generated deepfakes and financial scams across Latin America
– Practical ways fact-checkers are keeping citizens safe
— How scammers exploit public figures and trusted news anchors through sophisticated social engineering
— The changing landscape of truth, disinformation, and the ethics of fact-checking
— Unique insights into the biggest misinformation threats facing Latin America today
If you're interested in digital journalism, Latin American current affairs, or the global battle against disinformation, this conversation offers truly rare, frontline perspectives.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Talk Latin America podcast for more insightful interviews with leading voices shaping the region’s future!
28 Aug 2025
Reinventing the Galapagos with Smart Cities
In this episode of Talk Latin America, we welcome Analia Lourdes Pastran — urban economist, political scientist, and champion of sustainable cities. With over 17 years of global experience, Analia shares insights on smart urban innovation, climate-resilient development, and inclusive policies transforming cities across Latin America and beyond. As Founder and CEO of Smartly and co-chair of UN-Habitat’s World Urban Campaign, she reveals how urban leaders can drive change for a greener, more equitable future.
1 Aug 2025
Mas Paz: an Artist Speaking Up for Justice
From Bogotá to Washington, D.C., Mas Paz has transformed public spaces with vibrant murals inspired by Latin American roots, Indigenous wisdom, and Afro-descendant heritage.
In this episode of Talk Latin America, the Colombian-American artist shares the spiritual side of his work — using street art for healing, community-building, and carrying ancestral stories through paint, pixels, and activism.
Listen to his conversation with our hosts Michelle Marinho and Diego Laje.
31 Jan 2025
Telling Nature's Story with Martin del Rio from Ladera Sur
In this episode of Talk Latin America, host Diego Laje speaks with Martín del Río, founder of Ladera Sur, a media platform dedicated to telling powerful stories about nature and the environment.
Since launching in Chile in 2015, del Río has grown Ladera Sur into a regional voice, spotlighting environmental issues and inspiring action across Latin America. He shares how storytelling can drive conservation, the challenges of environmental journalism, and why connecting people to nature is more urgent than ever.
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