By Catherine Jones
The holidays are here, which means long drives, airport lines, late-night wrapping sessions, and those quiet moments when everyone finally naps and you can slip in your earbuds. This season, I am turning to podcasts made by and for Latino audiences (and anyone who loves a good conversation).
Latino podcasts are having a moment, and the numbers prove it.
According to the Edison Latino Podcast Listener Report, “Latino podcast listenership has grown significantly, with a 72% increase in monthly listeners among U.S. Latinos aged 18+ since 2020, far outpacing general population growth.” The report also notes that the rise is tied to a growing desire for content that reflects Latino culture and lived experiences. It has created a more diverse and highly engaged audience, with women now making up half of all listeners and spending more time with podcasts than the general U.S. population.
These shows feel intimate, like calling your favorite prima, your best friend, or the mom who always tells you the truth (even when you don’t want to hear it). Here are five podcasts I am listening to this holiday break, each with a different vibe, a different purpose, and a whole lot of heart.
1. “Motherish” with Pamela Silva and Karen Comas
For the moms who crave honesty, humor, and a reminder that we are doing better than we think.
Hosted by first-time moms Pamela Silva and Karen Comas, “Motherish” is the kind of podcast that understands the chaos of parenting without ever judging it. Episodes range from tackling toddler tantrums to raising confident kids, figuring out family travel, and calling out “performative mom culture,” all with the warmth, humor, and realness of two Latina friends who tell it straight. It is comforting and surprisingly grounding. It is the perfect companion for moms trying to keep it together during the busiest season of the year.
2. “Big Deal” with Codie Sánchez
For the dreamers, the hustlers, and anyone ready to level up.
Codie Sánchez, daughter of immigrants, former journalist, and now one of the most influential voices in business, brings a bold, bilingual perspective to entrepreneurship. Her “BigDeal” podcast strips away the jargon and gets straight to the “how”: How to launch a business. How to invest. How to take control of your financial life (even/especially if you did not grow up with money). What makes this podcast special is Codie’s fearlessness. She is the friend who hands you the blueprint, reminds you that you are capable, and pushes you to actually take the leap.
3. “Encontrando Una Luz en Su Caso” with Maribel Piza
For families trying to navigate immigration with clarity and hope.
Every week, high-powered immigration attorney Maribel Piza breaks down the biggest changes in United States immigration law in a way that is direct, calming, and empowering. She does it all in a bilingual tone that feels like talking to a trusted tía who also happens to be a legal powerhouse. In every episode, Maribel delivers three top stories affecting immigrant communities nationwide and gives listeners something even more important: hope. This podcast is essential listening for anyone impacted by immigration policy or anyone who wants to stay informed.
4. “The Perez Hilton Podcast”
For the entertainment lovers who also appreciate a little nostalgia.
Say what you want, but Perez Hilton remains one of the most recognizable names in entertainment. What makes his “PHP” show different from his early days online is the maturity and cultural self-awareness he brings now. With his co-host Chris Booker, Perez is funny, he is honest, and he shares stories shaped by his Miami Cuban upbringing, his queerness, and his decades covering Hollywood. This show feels like catching up with your chismoso friend who somehow always has the tea on what’s happening right now with all the context behind it.
5. “Latino USA” with Maria Hinojosa
For those who want depth, news, culture, storytelling, and truth.
Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, “Latino USA” is the longest running Latino-focused news and culture program in the country. Hinojosa and her team deliver deeply-reported stories that explore identity, politics, history, art, and community with nuance and compassion. Listening feels like taking a masterclass in who we are as a people. If you want something meaningful to carry you into the new year, start here with voices you can trust.
Honorable Mention: “The Dr. Ferrer Podcast”
For the health curious and the ‘my doctor never explains anything’ crowd.
Dr. Gustavo Ferrer, a bilingual pulmonologist and public health expert, brings a refreshing mix of science, compassion, and cultural understanding to medical conversations. His co-host is his Gen Z daughter Amanda, who keeps him honest and asks the questions we are all afraid to ask our doctors. Together, they break down everything from Sleepy Girl Mocktails to gut health to the real science behind “Sana Sana colita de rana.” (Spoiler: it works if you believe). “The Dr. Ferrer Podcast” feels like being invited into a family discussion, one where a doctor dad explains health trends without the jargon. He also reminds us that healing is both physical and emotional. It is the perfect listen for starting the new year with healthier habits.
