Voices del Valle is a youth-led podcast spotlighting powerful coming-of-age stories from California’s Imperial Valley. Told through the eyes of local teens, each episode dives into real experiences of growing up in a rural, tight-knit, and culturally rich border community.
Latest episodes
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19 min
Built Different: The Rise of Girls Wrestling in the Valley
Girls wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and in the Imperial Valley, that growth is personal. In this episode of Voices del Valle, Arabella takes us ins…
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24 min
Lunchtime Music Makers
At lunchtime, most high school campuses are filled with the sounds of conversations, laughter, and students rushing to spend a few minutes with friends before the next class. But a…
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37 min
You’re From Where? Featuring Cedric Thompson
In this episode of Voices del Valle: You’re From Where?, former NFL player and Calipatria High School graduate Cedric Thompson reflects on the journey that took him from Los Angele…
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24 min
More Than the System: Mariah’s Story
What happens when a child spends years feeling misunderstood? In this deeply personal episode of Voices del Valle, host Angelina Echeverria shares her family’s story through conver…
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25 min
The Less Depressed, The Better
What if a board game could start conversations about the things teenagers often struggle to talk about? In this episode of Voices del Valle, Central Union High School senior Sarah…
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37 min
You’re From Where? Featuring Eugene Edwards
In this episode of Voices del Valle, Eugene Edwards shares his journey from a quiet, guitar-obsessed kid in Yuma, Arizona to a professional musician performing on major stages. Gro…
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23 min
Homeschool Isn’t the Stereotype
In this episode of the podcast, hosts Athena and Arabella dive into the diverse world of alternative education with guests Manuel, Gaby, and Dominic. Living in a small town often m…
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18 min
Teens of Slab City
Slab City has long been portrayed as a symbol of freedom, chaos, or escape—but rarely do we hear from the young people who call it home. In this episode of Voices del Valle, our st…
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4 min
Voices del Valle Season 2 Trailer
Voices del Valle is a student-produced podcast created by students at Central Union High School in El Centro, California. Now in its second season, the podcast gives Imperial Valle…
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35 min
BONUS - Follow Your Dreams: The Story of Lupe Rodriguez
In recognition of National Nurses Month, this special episode of Voices del Valle highlights the life and legacy of Lupe Rodriguez, a pioneering Hispanic nurse whose story reflects…
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31 min
The Military: What’s Your Why?
What drives someone to enlist in the military? In this intense episode of Voices del Valle, five voices from the Imperial Valley open up about the real reasons behind their decisio…
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29 min
BONUS - The Shuffle: Jimmie Cannon’s Living Legacy - A Black History Special
The Great Spartan Band at Central Union High School has a long history of excellence and award winning performances. Two of their traditions include The Shuffle and “I’m So Glad,”…
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19 min
Generations Under One Roof
The family dynamic in the Imperial Valley is often one where grandparents have a heightened role in raising their grandchildren. The reasons this happens are many but in this episo…
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28 min
Growing Up & Raising Up
Growing Up & Raising Up is the story of a teenager who became a mother during her freshman year in high school and how she managed to learn to be a mom and a successful high school…
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22 min
You’re From Where? Featuring Marco Peralta
Nearly all high schools have at least one person that finds fame after graduation. For the schools in the Imperial Valley, there are many that have found it in the arts, sports, an…
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36 min
The 3 A’s - Autism, Anxiety, & ADHD
Modern high school students often see their worlds through a wide variety of lenses. “The 3 A’s” shares the experiences of five Imperial Valley teens that see their worlds through…
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35 min
Valley Music Makers
Making music in high school is something that a large percentage of the population has experience with. At Central Union High School, making music happens in more ways than just ba…
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27 min
You’re From Where? Featuring Walter Beasley
Nearly all high schools have at least one person that finds fame after graduation. For the schools in the Imperial Valley, there are many that have found it in the arts, sports, an…
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24 min
Heat and Hope: A Valley Story of Resilience
Being a homeless family in America is difficult for any family. But if it is in the Imperial Valley, additional challenges are added with the extreme summer temperatures and a lack…
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33 min
What Are You Doing Here?
The Imperial Valley is a place that is said to be a great place to raise kids. It has a small town feel and it is common for families to have been here for several generations. But…