Best Manny Rodriguez Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 22. Daniel Valdez joins us to talk Zoot Suit and more. Part 1. 34:08

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15h ago34:08

34:08

Episode 22. We are thrilled to present this two part interview of the one and only Daniel Valdez, star of Zoot Suit, joins us for an interview. Join us for part one of this interview as he shares stories of his amazing career. JIm Ruel and Ray Estrella host this episode of El Pachuco Chronicles. Phyllis Estrella also joins us for this episode. If t…

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The Cheat Code for High-Stakes Success with Nicola S. Morgan 1:05:46

4d ago1:05:46

1:05:46

Nicola S. Morgan is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and author who helps individuals and organisations transform chaos into calm, and emotional strain into sustainable strength. With a background in education and behavioural change, she specialises in resilience, emotional wellbeing, and effective behaviour strategies—skills she’s delivered to thousand…

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Episode 21. Guest Judge Jorge C. Hernandez, aka Mr. Blue, organizer of the Pachuco Ball 42:38

24d ago42:38

42:38

Episode 21. Guest Judge Jorge C. Hernandez, aka Mr. Blue, organizer of the Pachuco Ball Our guest in this episode is none other than Mr. Blue who puts on the Annual Pachuco Ball in Perris California, this year on August 23, 2025. He shares with us a wealth of knowledge of Chicano Culture and history. Please follow him on social media to learn more …

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Episode 20. Pachuco Manny and Christian Romero talk about the Zoot Suit Heritage Week Cruise. 31:45

1M ago31:45

31:45

Episode 20. Pachuco Manny, longtime friend of El Pachuco, talks about the August 2025 Cruise, which unfortunately ended up being cancelled due to the current situation in Los Angeles. The Cruise has been happeneing Christina Romero, teacher, community organizer, puts in a lot of work behind the scenes to make the Zoot Suit Cruise happen. We look fo…

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Master Your Nervous System: Tactical Breathing for Speakers with Manny Rodriguez - 322 58:13

2M ago58:13

58:13

“Just breathe” is one of the most common pieces of advice given to speakers and performers who feel anxious about stepping onto the stage (be that online or in person) — but what if the way you’re breathing is actually making things worse? Breathing might seem like an automatic function, but the truth is, most of us are doing it wrong… and it’s cos…

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OG BAGUETTE JOHNSON 1:26:44

2M ago1:26:44

1:26:44

Send us a text This week on the pod, we’re joined by the multi-talented CookUp Cam. From creative business ventures to navigating the world as an artist, Cam shares insights on building something meaningful through passion and hustle. We also dive into our own personal “lore” (yes, it gets a little chaotic), and debate a very serious question: Whic…

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Breath, Tone, and the Art of Not Sounding Boring with Bailey Massey - 321 54:16

2M ago54:16

54:16

“Finding your voice” might sound like a personal development cliché, but for speakers and leaders, it’s the secret weapon that too many overlook. As a speaker your voice is your most important tool and mastering how to use it to its fullest effect is one of the most impactful things you can do. This isn’t just about sounding ‘nice’, your voice is a…

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[Quick Tip] Judging 55 Speakers: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - 320 19:35

3M ago19:35

19:35

In this quick tip episode, I’m lifting the lid on how a speaking judge thinks and giving you the good, the bad and the ugly based on judging 55 speaker award entries … in one sitting (yes, I needed snacks!) I was honoured to be a judge for the Speaker Awards again this year, covering Best Storyteller and Best TEDx categories — and I want to share w…

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Beyond ‘Good’: Creating Client Experiences That Stick in an AI World with Steven Van Belleghem - 319 1:04:20

3M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

The business world is changing fast. AI is reshaping how customers search, buy, and connect — but most companies are still stuck in old habits, missing the human magic that actually builds loyalty. At the same time, too many businesses are confusing efficiency with excellence. They’re chasing five-star reviews that may not mean what they think they…

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FLU GAME 59:57

4M ago59:57

59:57

Send us a text The boys are BACK and it’s a big one! This week, we’re bringing the energy with non-stop laughs, wild life updates, and some serious debates about which celebrities we’d trade lives with for a day. Plus, we’re getting hyped for the release of GTA 6—it’s finally happening! Lock in, hit play, and join the madness. As always- IT’S ALL F…

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Style That Speaks: How to Dress for Impact on Stage with Kay Korsh - 318 1:02:21

5M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Let’s be honest — most speakers spend a lot of time crafting their talk, but when it comes to what they wear on stage? That’s often a rushed afterthought… or a full-blown panic. Are you second-guessing whether your outfit actually helps or hinders your message? Ever watched back your talk and thought, “What was I thinking with that jacket?” Or mayb…

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Quick Tip - The Author to Speaker Struggle is Real - Here’s How to Win - 317 34:00

6M ago34:00

34:00

I see so many business authors and experts set out to use speaking to have more impact, step firmly into the thought leadership space, and monetise their message, only to get frustrated when they struggle to get the results that they want. Some struggle just getting their talk together, unable to work out which bits of their book ‘baby’ to put in a…

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DIRECTORS CUT 51:22

6M ago51:22

51:22

Send us a text In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Jake Rench to dive into his passion for videography and the creative process. We also get real about working through feelings of self-doubt and the pressure to feel “successful.” Plus, Jake shares a fascinating connection to a famous historical figure that might just surprise you. Tune in for a…

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Communicate with More Impact and Elevate Your Screen Presence with Loreta Tarozaite - 316 1:06:12

6M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Ever feel like your message gets lost in a sea of jargon? Do you struggle to turn complex ideas into stories that actually land? Or maybe you’re great in a room full of people, but put a camera in front of you and suddenly you forget how to be yourself? If any of that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place! In this episode, I’m chatting with Lo…

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Struggling with Speaking Nerves? Turn Anxiety into Confidence with Heather Lillico - 315 1:01:43

6M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

My guest today is Heather Lillico. I was so inspired by an article I read from Heather on the Tiny Buddha website, where she outed herself as a nutritionist who out of the limelight was actually struggling with an eating disorder, that I was curious to find out more. What I discovered is that her journey of managing and mastering anxiety is not onl…

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Episode 19. Mark Anthony Vallejo, director of the upcoming production of In the Heights 29:13

6M ago29:13

29:13

Episode 19. Marc is the director of the upcoming production of In the Heights at Long Beach City College. https://www.instagram.com/markanthonydrama/ He welcomes you to track him down on Instagram and inquire about discounted tickets. He talks about his history of the zoot suits, including acting in a production of Zoot Suit in 2008 and his desire …

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VARSITY BLUES 1:17:12

7M ago1:17:12

1:17:12

Send us a text This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Chicagoland artist Brad Varsity to the show! Brad shares his journey into music, proving he’s more than just a rapper. Plus, he gives us the inside scoop on his short stint in reality TV, and his thoughts on the current state of Chicago Pro sports. Don’t miss this conversation packed with stories,…

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[Quick Tip] Every Day You Wait Someone Else Gets the Gig - 314 20:00

7M ago20:00

20:00

In this quick tip episode, I’m tackling something that holds many speakers back —decision-making. Whether you’re using speaking to market your business, win clients, or land paid gigs, hesitation can cost you big time. Every day you wait, someone else is taking the stage. In this episode, I cover: Why making decisions feels so challenging. The resu…

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How to Deliver a Magical Audience Experience and Get Booked More with Lee Warren - 313 51:13

7M ago51:13

51:13

I saw Lee Warren speak at the Professional Speaking Association summit and he was one of the star turns of the event. The theme was standing out, and his talk was aimed at helping speakers to do exactly that, for the right reasons. Lee was a magician by night and a sales director by day before he fell into professional speaking. That was 15 years a…

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YEAR ONE 1:18:22

7M ago1:18:22

1:18:22

Send us a text This week, we’re celebrating a huge milestone—our one-year anniversary of the show! The boys take a trip down memory lane, sharing their favorite moments from the past year. Plus, with all the hype surrounding the Super Bowl, we break down our thoughts on the big game. And to wrap things up, we’ve got a fun game for the audience to j…

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Episode 18 - Adelaide Pilar stops in to share her story. 23:46

7M ago23:46

23:46

Adelaide Pilar, musician, Puchuca, strong leader, stops in to the podcast to share her story. You can catch her regularly rocking her Zoot suit pants as frequent performer at Knotts Berry Farm. Originally from Texas, Adelaide delves into the roots of Afro-Latin jazz and the historic ties to the zoot suit. You can check out her website for upcoming …

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[Quick Tip] How to Get More People to Follow You - 312 13:07

7M ago13:07

13:07

Many experts and authors that reach out to me are frustrated that they are struggling to build a following. They often compare themselves to others and think they aren’t connecting with people because of their persona, or their style, but that’s not it. There is a reason that others, often less qualified, are reaching and engaging more people and i…

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Episode 17. Sam and Maria Campos share their stories of car clubs and zoot suits 32:10

8M ago32:10

32:10

Episode 17. Sam and Marie Campos were helping with a 3D lowrider bike printing workshop at Casa 723 and stopped in for a visit with El Pachuco Stories. Sam Campos is a member of the Old Memories Car Club and Maria has a history of her own with lowrider cars. Oscar Ruelas joins us for this episode. Ray Estrella and Jim Ruel host this episode of El P…

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NEW YEAR SAME PLOT 1:06:50

8M ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Send us a text This week on FOR THE PLOT, Manny’s older brother, Petie, joins the conversation for a dynamic episode. The guys dive into their New Year’s resolutions, unpack the creative spark behind Teddy’s latest project, and take a deep dive into the fascinating (and wild) future of AI. Don’t miss this lively mix of personal insights, creative i…

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Episode 16. Dr Denise Sandoval, Chicana/o Studies Professor 32:38

8M ago32:38

32:38

Episode 16. Dr Denise Sandoval, Tenure Professor at California State University Chicana/o Studies Department, stops in to deliver a history lesson in Chicana/o Studies. You can check out her work at the Peterson Museum where she co-curated the "Best in Low" exhibit, highlighting the craftsmen and craftswomen who have created world reknowned lowride…

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Overcoming the Challenges to Building a Sustainable Speaking Business with Arel Moodie - 311 1:02:41

8M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

The road to making speaking a sustainable business is littered with people who quit because the journey was so much tougher than they ever anticipated. There are lots of people dangling the golden carrot of gigs worth thousands, and becoming a six figure speaker … and it is absolutely possible, but those who make it are a fraction of those that sta…

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Unleash Your Creativity to Increase Your Visibility with Azul Terronez - 310 1:05:31

9M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

What should come first, your book or your talk? That’s one of the questions I posed to Azul Terronez, book coach to some of the best known thought leaders around. Azul is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and book coach who specializes in helping leaders write and publish books that elevate their brand. As the CEO of the six-fi…

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Episode 15. Merry Christmas A Todos Ustedes 11:56

9M ago11:56

11:56

Episode 15. The El Pachuco Family wishes everyone a safe and happy holidays. We wanted to share some holiday cheer in this short episode. Feliz Navidad. Ray Estrella and Jim Ruel host El Pachuco Chronicles. If there are any topics and stories you would like us to explore shoot us a message via email or social media and we'll see what we can do. elp…

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BACK TO WORK 58:06

9M ago58:06

58:06

Send us a text This week on FOR THE PLOT, we dive into the drama surrounding Drake’s lawsuit against UMG and what it could mean for the music industry. Then, we uncover the bizarre story of the UnitedHealthcare CEO investigation. Finally, we discuss the strange reports of alien drone activity in New Jersey. Tune in for all the twists, turns, and wi…

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[Quick Tip] The Secret Ingredient for Getting More Speaking Gigs - 309 19:28

9M ago19:28

19:28

I want to share something that I know will get you more speaking gigs and ramp up your confidence for outreach. It’s relevant for live events, podcasts and any other type of It’s very simple yet so many people struggle to execute on it, but hopefully this episode will give you inspiration and some concrete steps to take to implement this in 2025. I…

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Episode 14. Guests Patty, Ms. CherryDoll and Chamuco the Pinstriper share their stories. 26:57

9M ago26:57

26:57

Episode 14 Patty “Cherry Doll” talks about running the Eddie Cochrane Memorial Car Show in Bell Gardens, CA, October 6, 2024, and her history of putting on other charity events as part of the Gypsy Three. You can find out more about events she is invovled in on social media. Instagram: Ms.Cherrydollb Eric, El Chamuco the Pinstriper, talks about bui…

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The Inside Track on Becoming More Bookable as a Speaker with Seth Dechtman - 308 1:08:04

9M ago1:08:04

1:08:04

One of the questions I get asked most is how do I get booked consistently for paid speaking gigs. I have my views on this from a speaker and speaking coach perspective, but I wanted to get a view from someone with another angle. That’s why I invited Seth Dechtman onto the show. Seth works with event planners for some of the biggest organisations an…

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Episode 13. Featuring guest Alex "Arizona Events" Rodriguez 33:26

9M ago33:26

33:26

Episode 13 features Alex Rodriguez (the one from Arizona who produces the Arizona Supershow at the Cardinal Stadium. We discuss the possibility of doing a screening of Zoot Suit in 2025 (stay tuned - coming this June). Also featuring longtime family friend Fernando Silva shares some of the adventures of Ray and Fernando at Viva Las Vegas and gives …

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[Quick Tip] How to be a Great Guest and Still Share Your Message Effectively on Podcasts, Panels & Fireside Chats - 307 21:12

10M ago21:12

21:12

“I’ve been booked to do a fireside chat at a conference, have you got any tips?” This is a question I got a few weeks ago from one of my Green Room clients, and she actually had the event this week. In response I shared with her some tactics she could use before and during the event to ensure she influenced the direction of the conversation to wher…

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How to Get Results on Social Media as a Speaker with Mark Saxby - 306 1:00:37

10M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

I’m going to be real here. When I look back at my life from my death bed, I am not going to say … “if only I’d spent more time on Linked In”. Most of the people I speak to would be happy to spend less time on social media and free themselves from the guilty feeling that they should be doing ‘more’! But the truth of it is that social media is import…

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Episode 12. Featuring famed airbrush artist Alfred Lopez, Capone Designs 20:07

10M ago20:07

20:07

Episode 12. Ray's longtime friend Alfred Lopez, aka Capone Designs airbrush artist is our guest. Taking time away from painting a yacht! Alfred stops in to share some stories of his history with El Pachuco Zoots including the story behind his business name. You can check out his work on Instagram @caponedesigns With Jim Ruel travelling the country …

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[Quick Tip] Are Free Speaking Gigs Worth Doing? - 305 16:03

10M ago16:03

16:03

“I’ve been approached to speak at an event, but they have no budget for speaker fees, should I do it?” … is a question I get asked a lot. So, I say … “Firstly, that’s not a question I can answer for you … but here’s some ideas for how you can assess the value of an opportunity for you and your message, and how you can make low fee or free gigs pay.…

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Episode 11. Juan Rubalcaba, all the way from Hawaii, our dear friend drops in to share some stories. 28:12

10M ago28:12

28:12

Episode 11, Juan Rubalcaba comes to us all the way from Hawaii to be a guest on the podcast. A longtime friend, he has a ton of stories to share, including painting the store itself! Oscar Ruelas also drops in the say a quick hello. Finally, Phyllis Estrella joins us to introduce Victor, who was part of the second edition of the El Pachuco Dance en…

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Changing the Narrative with Gethin Jones - 304 1:00:22

10M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Trigger Warning - this show briefly discusses difficult topics including self-harm and suicide. Gethin Jones is a survivor, but what few people would have believed, (including Gethin), was that he would also become an international speaker and thought leader. Growing up in the care system, he spent a total of 8 years in prison, battled intravenous …

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How to Put together a Game Changing Signature Keynote - 303 23:32

10M ago23:32

23:32

Business Book publisher and business author Alison Jones said “for business book writers a signature talk changes the game.” Arel Moodie, Professional Speaker, Disney Show Host and Founder of Talkadot said: “If you feel like you are not getting booked enough. You need a signature talk. If you feel like you are constantly chasing clients and they ar…

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Episode 10. Ray Estrella Sr. shares stories of the early days of El Pachuco. 36:38

11M ago36:38

36:38

Really the reason we started this podcast was to document the history of El Pachuco Zoot Suits, so we hope you appreciate as much as we do to have Ray Sr. join us to share more of the history of the store. We also sat down with filmmaker/artist Jesse, Pachuco Muerto who has done great work helping to document Pachuco happenings. You can follow his …

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SCARY HOURS 1:07:29

11M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

Send us a text Welcome to FOR THE PLOT’s Halloween Special! Get ready to dive into spine-chilling tales, haunted locations, and the scariest movies of all time. Grab your popcorn and don’t turn off the lights, because things are about to get SPOOKY! As always, IT’S ALL FOR THE PLOT! Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts listed below: FU…

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[Quick Tip] Does Your Idea have Enough Impact? - 302 13:07

11M ago13:07

13:07

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That’s a famous and overused quote from Maya Angelou - that really applies to speakers. Because people won’t remember your name or the exact words you say, but they will remember how your message made them feel…

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Episode 9. Tia Lucy shares her stories of the early days of El Pachuco Zoot Suits 31:08

11M ago31:08

31:08

Tia Lucy - Lucy Durant Valenzuela, of the Lucy’s Fashion Jewelry fame sharing her stories of the early days of El Pachuco Zoot Suits. Not to be left out, Tia Gloria joins us as well with her infectious laughter. And we had a guest drop in who was shopping in the showroom: Romulo Chavez joins us to share stories of his father’s fight with other Pach…

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Episode 8. Sleepy Lagoon Murder relative drop in guest 51:50

11M ago51:50

51:50

Episode 8 is a customer drop in episode. We invite customers who happen to be perusing the El Pachuco showroom to join us on the podcast to share their stories. From a family of young Pachucos who wear zoot suits as their daily attire to a relative of Jose Diaz, whose death in Sleepy Lagoon precipitated the Zoot Suit Riots. In order: Eric and Cecil…

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MARVINS ROOM 1:20:25

11M ago1:20:25

1:20:25

Send us a text Welcome to Spooky Season Plotters! On this week’s episode, we welcome our guest and most loyal listener, Marvin McCouri! Tune in as we dive into our experiences with stage fright, share some chilling personal spooky stories, and break down the meaning behind a few of Teddy’s song lyrics. As always, IT’S ALL FOR THE PLOT! Guest social…

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How to Set Your Self Free and Be More You with Michelle Minnikin - 301 1:09:59

11M ago1:09:59

1:09:59

The definition of ‘self-expression’ is the expression of one's feelings, thoughts, or ideas, through words, choices or actions, especially in writing, art, music, or dance. Sounds easy doesn’t it? The trouble is that we are all so bogged down with messages about how we should look, think, speak, and act; that it can make it difficult to let go of e…

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Episode 7. Eddie Soler and Oscar Ruelas share car club stories. 1:14:43

11M ago1:14:43

1:14:43

Episode 7 features Oscar Ruelas and his good friend Eddie Soler to share more stories of the early days of the car clubs. From the Dukes CC to the Old Memories CC. And then shares how they managed to fix up cars without almost no money. Louie Carranza, President of the Brown Pride CC also stopped in to join the conversation. El Pachuco Chronicles i…

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Why You Are Shackled by Self-Doubt and How to Break Free - 300 42:33

11M ago42:33

42:33

This show was prompted by the question of a podcast listener, but reflected a recurring issue with people that I work with. My clients have written great books, become accomplished experts in their field and have a big message to share, but when it comes to sharing their views in person or on stage, a number of them begin to doubt themselves. It sh…

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Episode 6. Pachuca Maria and Adrian share their stories. And Larry the dancer drops in as well. 51:20

11M ago51:20

51:20

An old friend, Larry stopped into the showroom and share some time on the podcast. He was part of the initial dance and model zoot suit troup from the early days and shares some of his stories with us. Pachuca Maria and Adrian Rodriguez, on their weekly visit, share their stories of how they got involved with zoot suits and modelling. Phyllis Estre…