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Latin America might be the most diverse region on the planet - after all, it is home to over 660 million people from countless origins, including Spanish, Pre-Columbian, British, Portuguese, African, Indian, Japanese, and more - so it would be fair to say that racism doesn't really exist there... Right? Wrong! Unfortunately, even this incredibly multicultural region of so many skin colors and ethnic background has not been saved from discrimination, and it usually comes as  a result of the scars left by colonization. Even now, citizens with "European" features are often held in a higher socioeconomic regard than those with more "native" looks. And that doesn't begin to cover the blatant inequality that affects hundreds of tribes across Central and South America, as even national governments have regularly disrespected the rights of ancient peoples, in an attempt to take their land and resources. But what is being done against this? And can we see an end to the inequality still existent in this beautiful region? Find out in the latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1192

While many of them are cute and fluffy, we've come to learn that some animals out there are VERY dangerous. Latin America is one such place which - though not as "everything is out to get you" as Australia, is still home to venomous snakes, ravenous piranhas, skull-breaking jaguars, and more. In this region of great beauty and a fascinating variety of creatures, you're bound to be safe, until... you're not. So, to help you keep yourself careful out there while on your Latin American adventures, we've dedicated an entire episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast to helping you identify these deadly creatures. Enjoy, and stay safe - we'll need you healthy if you want to keep listening to our podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1191

¡Azúcar! - Whenever you hear this cry, you just know some amazingly good Salsa music is about to begin, as Celia Cruz's voice is moments away from hitting your headphones. And what a character she was, with her flashy hairstyles and extravagant clothing style, her wide smile and powerful voice. But what was her story, before all the fame? How did a young, female Cuban singer with no industry connections end up becoming the Salsa legend? It had a lot to do with her determination and grit.  It also had a lot to do that she had not only a husband, but the lifelong partner who she claimed "I did the music, he did everything else". This romantic story became Celia's signature and spoke of how deeply she and Pedro loved and wished to see each other grow. But anyway, I'll leave the rest of her story for you to discover - all while learning Spanish! Enjoy! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1190

Hidden in the Andes mountain range for close to 400 years, Peru's Machu Picchu has long been an incredibly famous South American tourist destination. After all, it's wonderful location, beautiful views and the advanced technology with which it was created (how were those rocks even transported up there?!) make it unique not only in Latin America, but the world. But was it just a temple for the Sun god, Inti, or was it something more? After all, there is evidence that leads scientists to believe that not only nobles and priests lived up there but also peasants, who shared its steep streets and paths with a common belief in their deity. Furthermore, the mystery of its purpose is nowhere near as big as the mystery behind its disappearance into history. After all, Machu Picchu was abandoned long before the Inca Empire disappeared, meaning that something great (and perhaps terrible) took place there that forced its inhabitants to flee. Want to find out more about that might have been, and get some answers surrounding the Citadel in the Clouds? Check out this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1189

Move aside, the Himalayas. The Andes might not have the highest peaks in the world, but it's actually the most extensive mountain range on our planet, encompassing 7,242 kilometers and stretching across SEVEN different nations. It's South America's pride. But what's so special about the Andes, and what type of terrain, flora, and fauna can you expect to find there? Oh, and why was it so important for human civilization, who not only lived there but turned it into the birthplace of great empires? In this episode, we climb Latin America's highest peaks and ascend to the very sky above this wonderful region to look down upon the magnificent Andes mountain range and uncover its mysteries. Enjoy! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1188

Eva 'Evita' Perón, a woman who caused so much amazement and admiration over the decades that even Madonna, the Queen of Pop, begged to play her in a film. A young woman who, despite growing into the wealth of Argentine politics, actually came from a poor background and knew what it meant to be hungry. The wife of controversial president, Juan Domingo Perón, Evita was a radically contrasting figure. On the one hand, she mingled with the poor and brought women's rights forward a few decades... On the other, she and her husband were supporters of fascism across the world, including figures such as Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. But we'll let you conclude as to how you feel about her, because nobody (not even the greatest humans of all time) are either "good" or "bad". Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1187

Do you love soccer? Argentinians do, that's for sure. Their two top teams - Boca Juniors and River Plate - are actually among the fiercest rivals in world soccer, and have seen some of the most amazing encounters that Latin American football has to offer. In this fantastic DUAL episode, we find Lucas and Paula getting ready to enter this year's Superclásico - that is, the duel between these two legendary teams. Having a bit of time to spare before the match, they decide to share a bit of competitive banter while remembering their teams' amazing feats and deciding on which one is best! So, it's time for you to dive into the magic, tragedy, glories, and failures at the pinnacle of Argentine football. Enjoy this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1186

Sometimes, waiting for law enforcement to help is not enough, especially if the local police are involved in the crime you expect them to solve. Such was the belief of a brave mother named Miriam Rodriguez, who in January of 2014, realized that nobody was going to help her get her daughter back after she was kidnapped. This woman, one of the bravest we've ever heard of, decided to take justice into her hands and commence both an investigation and manhunt like no other. She would go after every kidnapper involved in her daughter's crime and put them behind bars. This would raise alarm bells among the criminals and cartels, but Miriam admitted it herself: "I'm going to take down the people who kidnapped my daughter, and then they can do what they want with me."  ...Find out how this heroic story ends in the newest epic episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast. Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1185

How much do you know about what goes on in North Korea? Probably not much. Perhaps you think that a lot of what is said is just negative propaganda by anti-communists. But what if I told you that a Venezuelan communist was imprisoned there and got to see how horrible the prisoner treatment was up close? Now, you must be wondering... what was a Venezuelan poet doing working in North Korea? Today's story is precisely about this man and what led him there. Ali Lameda was a passionate dreamer, who believed that the world needed more of what East Germany, Romania and North Korea (among other nations) had implemented at the time. The message of Karl Marx was like music to his ears. So he decided to contribute to Kim Jong Il's cause. But he didn't expect that a slight, small criticism of what Kim's government was doing in terms of propaganda would cause him... a world of pain, both literal and even spiritual, as the North Koreans attempted to destroy the man over decades.   Does it sound horrific? Probably - but it might just have a happier ending than you think. Find out everything about this relatively unknown case in this week's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1184

Have you ever heard of the Mapuche people, or the historical country of “Wallmapu”? Probably not, and there’s a reason for that: the Mapuche people have been conquered, colonized, and excluded for centuries, since the Spanish arrived in South America... to the present day when modern governments continue to ostracize and bar them from possessing the same rights as everyone else. It’s a controversial subject and one that has caused great bloodshed in the south of South America, with fierce protests and even extrajudicial killings: it’s a fight not only for equality by the Mapuche people, but one of simple respect by a society that has shunned them and forced them to live in uneducated poverty for too long. But maybe it’s time for you to build your own opinion – check out this week’s episode and learn more about the Mapuche while also polishing your Spanish fluency! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1183

While capitalism has undoubtedly brought us some of our most impressive advancements as a species, it has also done some pretty terrible stuff to people across the world. Latin America is not an exception. In the early 20th century, as corporations in the United States began looking outward and started entering poorer countries (under the guise of "foreign investment"), governments across Central and South America would greedily accept them and allow them to do whatever they wanted. Soon, however, these corporations turned against the people and began the exploitation of land and workers, turning their host countries into "Banana Republics" which depended almost 100% on the profits gained from working with the corporation. But why the name? And how did it affect the nations in the long run? Well, I guess you're going to have to listen to the latest episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast to find out! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1182

When you watch a pirate movie, have you ever asked yourself where most of them are based? Heck, isn't the most famous movie pirate saga based in, precisely, Latin America (the Caribbean)? And I bet you didn't know that most of those characters, events, and legends are based (loosely) on real stories and treasures - yes, it's not an exaggeration when we're told that reality surpasses fiction. So... what is it that drove pirates and explorers to venture into the Caribbean and South American continent? Why, treasure, of course! And that's what we're talking about in today's episode of the Learn Spanish with Stories podcast. So, buckle up and bring yer' eyepatch. We be goin' to embark on a fascinatin' treasure-huntin', language learnin' adventure! Transcript of this episode is available at: https://podcast.lingomastery.com/listen/1181