In this inaugural episode of ReCurrent, host and producer Jaime Roque shares a heartfelt journey through his family’s history and the role of food in preserving cultural heritage. Jaime takes listeners into his mother Gabriela’s kitchen where she recounts her early days in Guerrero, Mexico, helping her mother sell homemade bread and tamales. The kitchen, filled with memories of four generations, is where Jaime’s childhood unfolded, enriched by family traditions and stories. He reminisces about the comfort of Friday nights, filled with movies and home-cooked meals, which helped him connect with his dual heritage. Jaime also reflects on the deep impact his mother had on his life, especially during her last days, and his ongoing efforts to understand and carry forward the cultural heritage through both physical and spiritual legacies left by past generations.

The episode features thoughts from artist Suzanne Joskow, who highlights how food bridges the gap between past and present generations through her work with the Community Cookbook Archive Los Angeles, and Mallory Frenier, the Special Collections and Archives librarian at Cal State Northridge. Jaime’s participation in the Archives Bazaar and his narrative about celebrating Dia de Muertos in Mexico emphasize food’s power in maintaining a connection with ancestors. Jaime’s visit to El Sazon Guerrerense, a restaurant that reminds him of his mother’s cooking, underscores the emotional significance of culinary traditions. Closing the episode, Jaime and his daughter Selah try making his mother’s tortillas, turning a simple cooking lesson into a meaningful act of remembering and preserving family heritage, ensuring these traditions continue to inspire and connect future generations.

Special Thanks to Suzanne Joskow, Mallory Frenier, and the Roque Family.

“La Madrecita” © 1974 Estudios América

Music by Epidemic Sound and Jaime Roque.

On this episode of Recurrent, Jaime Roque explores the hidden story of América Tropical, a mural painted by Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros in 1932 on Olvera Street, Los Angeles. Commissioned to depict an idyllic tropical scene, Siqueiros instead delivered a politically charged image featuring a crucified indigenous figure overshadowed by an American eagle, sparking immediate controversy and eventual censorship. Jaime interviews local historians and community members, delving into the mural’s impact on cultural identity and its role in inspiring the Chicano mural movement.

As Jaime walks through Boyle Heights, he discusses the effects of gentrification and mural whitewashing with local poet and activist Viva Padilla, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to preserve cultural heritage. Reflecting on how public art serves as both a canvas for resistance and a means of education, Jaime and his guests explore the resilience of cultural memory in urban spaces. This episode not only uncovers the story of a censored artwork but also invites listeners to consider the broader implications of art in shaping and maintaining community identity.

Starting from his own mom’s kitchen, Jaime ventures out to uncover the hidden tales that lie in everyday places—from lively murals in downtown Los Angeles that tell our collective history, to ancient sacred sites filled with the echoes of indigenous voices, to cozy barber shops teeming with stories passed down through generations.

In each episode, Jaime delves into the personal struggles, triumphs, and deep-rooted traditions that define who we are. He shows us how even simple things like a family recipe can unlock a world of cultural insights. Join Jaime as he uncovers the profound impact of keeping the past alive in the present, and discover the treasures of our heritage. ReCurrent is available now wherever you get your podcasts.