Xicana Tiahui Podcast

[SWAPA Interlude] Circle #0

In this special episode, the podcasters from the Sandovalian Semillero Collective share their SWAPA responses based on the "Introduction" of Methodology of the Oppressed by Chela Sandoval. The SWAPA circle expresses what Sandoval calls the "naguala-witness-naguala ceremony." SWAPA is an acronym for Storytelling/Witnessing Wor(l)d-Art & Performance as Activism. It is a spiritual activist or nepantlera method in the spirit of differential social movement and consciousness from Methodology of the Oppressed. These special episodes are responses to the book and offer a practice of creative close reading and what it means to bridge worlds with others.

For scholarly references on SWAPA, here are some suggested essays:

• Alvarez Jr, Eddy Francisco. "Jotería pedagogy, SWAPA, and Sandovalian approaches to liberation." Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies 39, no. 1 (2014): 215-227.
• Vasquez, Kristian E. "The Decoloniality of Feeling: On Sandovalian Praxis, Ceremony, and Emancipatory Politics in the Classroom and Beyond." Regeneración: A Xicanacimiento Studies Journal 1, no. 1 (2024): 5.

Intro & Outro song: "La calandria” by Raíces Oaxaca.

[EP0] An Introduction to the Liberation Philosophy of Chela Sandoval: MOTOdology

In this new series hosted by Xicana Tiahui, the Sandovalian Semillero Collective introduces the labor, analysis, and background of the U.S. decolonial feminist philosopher Chela Sandoval. This episode introduces the year-long study of Sandoval's debut theoretical and praxis book, Methodology of the Oppressed, published in 2000. The collective discusses how the series will unfold and why the book, Methodology of the Oppressed, or MoTO, is an important intervention in the U.S.-based conversation of politics, philosophy, and practice. MoTO is a manifesto or manual for social emancipation, equipping the reader with a toolkit for analyzing the social world, constructing new ideologies, and building a practice toward "egalitarian" social relations. The collective will embark on close reading and providing an analysis of the book in subsequent episodes, guiding the listener to each chapter's arguments, provocations, and significance.

 

Link to purchase the book | Link to the PDF

[Wellness Segment] Dismantling the Neoliberal Academy with Dr. Vicente Carrillo

Tune in to learn about Dr. Carrillo's experience in academia and what it means to be an educator. 

[Wellness Segment] Radical Grace with Michael Anderson

Tune into this episode where XT co-host kim and Black education historian, Michael @findyourrhythmm discuss wellness and practicing solidarity through radical grace 

[Wellness Segment] Spellworking through Sound & Visuals: Plática with Aire

To learn more about Aire and inquire about collaboration, follow them at: @aire.eternal or email them at: airemusic.eternal@gmail.com 

[Wellness Segment] Mysticism & Creating with Purpose

Tune in to learn about how mysticism, art, and intergenerational wisdom inspires Brujita artist, Ren Conde!

 

 

[Wellness Segment] Writing our Wellness with Dr. Ceci Caballero

In this episode, Dr. Ceci Caballero shares her writing practice and the importance of spirituality for intuitive growth. Tune in to learn about Ceci’s writing workshops for BIPOC spaces.

Follow Ceci's work on Instagram: @writingourwellness

[Wellness Segment] Circling back~

Kim checks in with a brief update on the Wellness Segment. What themes around wellness, community care, and politics are you interested in hearing more about? Write to us and let us know!

Caminando con l@s Zapatistas: Chicanx Autonomous Organizing

In this episode, the Xicana Tiahui crew was joined by Dr. Pablo Gonzales, a distinguished continuing lecturer at UC Berkely in the Department of Ethnic Studies, to discuss Zapatismo and the Zapatista experience with its influence on the Chicana/o/x struggles at the turn of the twenty-first century. Pablo shares his personal history of his experiences seeing and practicing the bridges forming between Zapatista autonomous territory and the urban struggle in Los Angeles. He captures these moments as the spirit of autonomy and how Zapatismo translates into the classroom setting. Together we reflect on these radical genealogies of struggle that continue to shape our world-bridging practices today. Pablo continues to be an important interlocutor in this bridge-work toward dignity.

Imagining the Grietas: Reflections on the 2022 ROAR Conference (Oakland)

Joined by Em and Zacarías, Maritza and Kristian from the Xicana Tiahui crew reflect on their experiences at the 2022 Revolutionary Organizing Against Racism (ROAR) conference that took place on Ohlone lands (Oakland) alongside the Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair. We explore the topics of whiteness, radical organizing, and how Zapatismo thinks through some of these issues in the United States.