Best Mike Calderone Podcasts (2026)

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EP 153 | Pedro Rios, Director of the U.S.-Mexico Border Program for the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) 1:02:39

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7d ago1:02:39

1:02:39

Host Ruben Navarrette has a great conversation with Pedro Rios, who -- like him -- has been intimately acquainted with the immigration issue for more than 30 years. The San Diego native, and graduate of the University of San Diego, is the director of the U.S.-Mexico Border Program for the American Friends Service Committee. He is also an op-ed cont…

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Episode 6: Racing’s Path to Growth and Relevance with Jason Settlemoir 49:25

8d ago49:25

49:25

Episode #6 of the Harness Owners Podcast features Jason Settlemoir, Chief Operating Officer of The Meadowlands and a longtime horse owner, a rare combination that gives him one of the most complete perspectives in the sport.By Mike Calderone

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EP 152 | Esther Valdez Clayton, San Diego-based Immigration Attorney 50:05

25d ago50:05

50:05

Host Ruben Navarrette has a great conversation with Esther Valdez Clayton, a San Diego-based Mexican American immigration attorney and evangelical Christian who is also a pro-Trump Republican. The two discuss the ICE raids and the reasons for the drop in Latino support for President Trump. They unpack the complexities of the immigration debate and …

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Episode 5: What Needs to Change with Thomas R. Grossman of Blue Chip Farms. 1:04:28

1M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

By Mike Calderone

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Episode 4: Fixing Harness Racing’s Future with Dr. Eric Dickson 59:59

2M ago59:59

59:59

Dr. Eric Dickson — a top-tier executive and passionate harness racing owner — brings a rare dual perspective to the podcast.By Mike Calderone

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Episode 3: Harness Racing As a Brand with Ron Burke 37:49

2M ago37:49

37:49

Harness Racing as a brand with special guest Ronnie Burke from Burke Racing.By Mike Calderone

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EP 151 | Elsa Sevilla, documentary filmmaker, host of public television "Historic Places w/Elsa Sevilla" and author 53:27

3M ago53:27

53:27

By Cloudcast

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EP 150 | Alfredo Estrada, Publisher of Austin TX-based Latino Magazine. Lawyer and Novelist. 57:45

4M ago57:45

57:45

Host Ruben Navarrette has a candid and far-reaching conversation with his old friend, Alfredo Estrada, the Harvard-educated trailblazing magazine publisher and chronicler of the experience of U.S. Latinos over the last four decades. They talk about how President Donald Trump's war on immigrants is actually a war against Latinos, and the degreee to …

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Episode 2: When Change is Needed 16:14

5M ago16:14

16:14

The Harness Owners – Episode 2: When Change is Needed In this candid episode, we confront a truth that can’t be ignored: the numbers don’t lie. The data tells a story about where our sport is—and where it’s headed if we don’t act. I break down the trends, the hard realities, and why meaningful change isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. If harnes…

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EP 149 | Mike Madrid -- Republican Political Consultant, Co-Host of "The Latino Vote" Podcast & Author 1:19:05

6M ago1:19:05

1:19:05

Host Ruben Navarrette has a spirited conversation with Sacramento CA-based GOP Political Consultant Mike Madrid, Co-Founder of The Lincoln Project, Co-Host of "The Latino Vote" Podcast & Author of "The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy." The two Mexican American Californians talk about politics, the Latino vot…

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Episode 1: A Sport Worth Saving 14:08

7M ago14:08

14:08

Episode 1: A Sport Worth Saving Welcome to the very first episode of Harness Owners—a podcast born out of love, frustration, and hope for the future of harness racing. In this debut episode, we lay out the honest truth: our sport is struggling. If things don't change, harness racing as we know it may not survive. But we believe there’s a path forwa…

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EP 148 | Dr. Jose Angel Gutierrez, JD/PhD 43:13

7M ago43:13

43:13

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his old friend, Dr. Jose Angel Gutierrez, a retired professor of political science at University of Texas at Arlington, a former civil rights attorney, and the author of more than 30 books on history, politics, race and culture. Gutierrez was a young activist in his native Texas who left his mark on the Chicano Civi…

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EP 147 | Dr. Kristina Lopez, PhD -- Professor of Social Work, Arizona State University School of Social Work 29:34

7M ago29:34

29:34

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Dr. Kristina Lopez, PhD, Professor of Social Work. A graduate of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor with a degree in social work and psychology, Lopez explores disparities in early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of underserved children and their families with special emphasis on Latino/a children with autis…

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EP 146 | Dr. Ron Granieri -- Professor of History & Templeton Education Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute 59:27

9M ago59:27

59:27

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his old friend and former Harvard classmate, Dr. Ronald J. Granieri who is a history professor at the United States Army War College, as well as a Templeton Education Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Given that Dr. Granieri's speciality is European history, with an emphasis on the study of allies and…

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EP 145 | Rev. Samuel Rodriguez -- Pastor, Author, Filmmaker and President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference 44:00

9M ago44:00

44:00

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend and spirtual adviser Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, one of the nation's most prominent Latino evangelical leaders. They discuss faith, social activism and impactful storytelling. They also talk about the moral soul of America, which seems to be hurting at the moment -- and what can be done to heal it. Finally, th…

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EP 144 | Marisa Calderon, CEO of Prosperity Now, and Bob Friedman, founder of Prosperity Now 38:42

11M ago38:42

38:42

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Marisa Calderon, CEO of Prosperity Now, and Bob Friedman, the organization's founder. They discuss social activism, racial justice, and prosperity for all. They also talk about what the political parties have done right and wrong over the years, and how organizations like theirs can help make a better world and buil…

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EP 143 | Chris Salcedo, Newsmax-TV Host & Radio Talk Show Host 54:08

12M ago54:08

54:08

Host Ruben Navarrette has a great conversation with his old friend, Chris Salcedo, a fellow professional communicator and broadcaster who traded living in California for Texas about the same time that Navarrette did the opposite. The two talk about politics, MAGA, the turbulent state of media, and why Latinos are finding a new home with a group of …

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EP 142 | Emiliano Limon, Veterano Radio Producer & Podcast Developer 1:03:22

1y ago1:03:22

1:03:22

Host Ruben Navarrette has a great conversation with his old friend, Emiliano Limon, about the new media and what went wrong with the old media. They talk about Limon's long career in talk radio and how that medium changed America -- and then went off the rails. They also discuss broadcast media in general, and what the future holds for an industry …

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EP 141 | Michael Fisher, Former Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol 58:35

1y ago58:35

58:35

Host Ruben Navarrette has a great conversation with his old friend, and former Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, Michael Fisher. They discuss immigration enforcement policy, and the most effective methods of securing the nearly 2000-mile long border between the United States and Mexico. They also talk about politics, leadership and the need to speak…

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EP 140 | Tavis Smiley, author/radio host/media entrepreneur 49:45

1y ago49:45

49:45

Host Ruben Navarrette has a great conversation with Tavis Smiley, his old friend of 30 years and former LA radio co-host. They talk about Smiley's new book, which offers a fresh look at a project he started two decades ago -- "The Covenant With Black America, 20 Years Later." They address the current state of Black America, where it's been and wher…

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EP 139 | Lupita Castañeda-Liles & Maria Soco Castañeda, Ph.D 36:25

1y ago36:25

36:25

Host Ruben Navarrette has a great conversation with powerhouse mother-daughter team, Lupita Castañeda-Liles & Maria Soco Castañeda about their lives, their partnership, and their shared passion for their exciting social media platform, "Becoming Mujeres: Translating Cultural Expectations Into Opportunities." They talk about the mental health challe…

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EP 138 | Dr. Max Cuevas, CEO of Clinicas de Salud del Valle de Salinas 30:35

1+ y ago30:35

30:35

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Dr. Max Cuevas, CEO of Clinicas de Salud del Valle de Salinas, a string of non-profit and low-cost medical clinics sprinkled throughout the central coast and Salinas valley. They talk about the lack of health care insurance coverage, the high cost of health care, and an innovative project being run by the CSVS that …

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EP 137 | Neal Griffin, Wisconsin-based novelist, reporter and retired law enforcement officer 45:24

1+ y ago45:24

45:24

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend, Neal Griffin, about the retired police lieutenant's latest career enhancement -- going from peace officer to crime novelist to beat reporter for a local Wisconsin newspaper. They talk about storytelling, journalism, politics and the state of modern-day policing among other topics.…

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EP 136 | Arnold Torres, Sacramento-based policy analyst, Spanish-language radio host, and political commentator 1:35:09

1+ y ago1:35:09

1:35:09

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his longtime friend, Arnold Torres, about the state of American politics, the various challenges facing the country's 62 million Latinos, and the dangerous times in which we live now that Donald Trump has promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants -- most of whom are Latino.…

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EP 135 | Bob Harrison, Director of Command College, Researcher for RAND Corporation, former police chief and co-host of a podcast 49:20

1+ y ago49:20

49:20

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend, Bob Harrison, director of Command College, researcher for RAND Corporation and former police chief in three different California cities. They discuss policing in the modern era, the recent round of protests on university campuses and what the public thinks of the police when its time to restore order.…

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EP 134 | Martin Mares, Founder and Executive Director of the Ivy League Project; Parlier Unified School Board Member 42:15

1+ y ago42:15

42:15

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his longtime friend, Martin Mares, founder and executive director of the Ivy League Project -- a unique leadership initiative that has taken thousands of high school students from migrant and working-class backgrounds to visit Ivy League and other selective universities -- with remarkable results.…

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EP 133 | Ray Suarez, author; radio/podcast/TV host; former senior correspondent for the PBS Newshour 43:56

1+ y ago43:56

43:56

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend, veterano Latino journalist Ray Suarez, about his new book on immigration, "We Are Home: Becoming American In The 21st Century." Touching on history and politics, they discuss all that immigrants from all over the world give to the United States, and what the United States takes in return.…

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EP 132 | Melissa Vela Williamson, San Antonio-based Public Relations Specialist and author 56:13

1+ y ago56:13

56:13

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend, Melissa Vela Williamson, a San Antonio-based public relations specialist. She is the author of “Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Need to Know.” They discuss the science of communications, the Latino community, and how to get America talking again.…

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EP 131 | Dr. Yasmin Davidds, CEO & Founder of the Dr. Yasmin Davidds Leadership Institute 57:50

2y ago57:50

57:50

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Dr. Yasmin Davidds, a Los Angeles-based organizational psychologist with additional certification in emotional intelligence. A popular speaker, negotiating specialist, and expert on women and leadership, Davidds is the author of several books including, most recently, the forthcoming: "Graciously Assertive: How Beco…

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EP 130 | Veronica Navarrette, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), Montessori-trained Teacher 41:03

2y ago41:03

41:03

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Veronica Navarrette -- his Mexican-born wife, and better 7/8 -- about her long career helping kids on the margins as a bilingual Montessori-trained, certified academic language therapist, dyslexia specialist and speech & language pathologist.By Cloudcast

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EP 129 | David Telisman, communications and marketing specialist, founder and CEO of David Telisman Communications, LLC 48:37

2y ago48:37

48:37

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews David Telisman -- his cousin through marriage -- about branding, messaging, and storytelling about issues ranging from mental health awareness to the experience of being Jewish in America post Oct 7.By Cloudcast

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EP 128 | Jean Twenge, PhD, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and Author 44:26

2y ago44:26

44:26

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews fellow Generation X'er Jean Twenge, PhD -- a renowned national expert, speaker, and consultant on the generations -- about some of what she has learned over 30 years of looking at generational differences, her new book, and what it's like to be a Gen X'er raising three Gen Z'ers.…

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EP 127 | Julio Ricardo Varela, writer, journalist, founder of LatinoRebels.com and MSNBC Opinion Columnist 59:21

2y ago59:21

59:21

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Julio Ricardo Varela -- a Harvard-educated Latino journalist, with roots in Puerto Rico -- about the media, politics, the Latino community and the issues surrounding the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay.By Cloudcast

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EP 126 | Jeff Hall, Sam Taylor, and Tania Ruedas-Ortiz from "Our National Conversation" -- a digital media organization run by Generation Z 48:26

2y ago48:26

48:26

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Jeff Hall, Sam Taylor, and Tania Ruedas-Ortiz from "Our National Conversation" -- a new digital media organization run by Generation Z that aims to fix what's broken in the Fourth Estate and get Americans talking in a civilized way.By Cloudcast

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EP 125 | Nely Galan, independent TV producer/former TV network executive/podcast host/author 51:45

2y ago51:45

51:45

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Nely Galan -- a Latina powerhouse who he first met 29 years ago, and whose remarkable life and career he has followed ever since. Born in Cuba, Galan arrived in the United States at age 5. She's been striving and achieving ever since. As a TV producer, network executive, author, real estate investor, and podcast hos…

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EP 124 | Wendy Patrick, attorney, TV commentator, speaker and author 29:31

2y ago29:31

29:31

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend, Wendy Patrick -- a prosecutor, TV commentator, speaker and author -- about the topic of her new book: how to use the Bible's teachings to make better choices in life, love and friendship.By Cloudcast

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EP 123 | Russell Contreras, Race & Justice Reporter for Axios.com 1:00:24

2y ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Host Ruben Navarrette has a conversation with his friend, veteran reporter Russell Contreras about how he sees digital media. race, justice, Latino culture, politics and journalism from his unique perch -- Albuquerque, New Mexico.By Cloudcast

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EP 122 | Jimmy Sengenberger, Denver-based radio host and columnist for the Denver Gazette 41:42

2y ago41:42

41:42

Host Ruben Navarrette has a conversation with his friend, Jimmy Sengenberger about his experience as a veteran of talk radio and the world view it gives him as a young independent-minded conservative who prefers Reagan to Trump.By Cloudcast

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EP 121 | Angel Mendez, corporate board member and former c-suite executive 44:53

2+ y ago44:53

44:53

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend, Angel Mendez, a member of several boards and former c-suite Silicon Valley tech executive about his unique upbringing as a Cuban raised in Puerto Rico, how corporate America sees Latinos, and the various opportunities that lie ahead for both.By Cloudcast

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The Word of God 37:24

2+ y ago37:24

37:24

Hector and Tyler discuss The Word of God and what the Bible is to us in 2023 from the perspective of grace revealed to us in Jesus and His finished work. ______________________________________________________ Enjoy our content? Subscribe to our podcast and Youtube channel! You can also Leave us a review! ____________________________________________…

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EP 120 | Kristina Lopez, PhD, Associate Professor of Social Work, Arizona State University 47:32

2+ y ago47:32

47:32

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Dr. Kristina Lopez, a trained psychologist based in Arizona who specializes in autism, especially in Latino and other at-risk children.By Cloudcast

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EP 119 | Julia Clasby, Lieutenant, Seal Beach Police Department & "Cop Mom" 51:54

2+ y ago51:54

51:54

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews cop mom & police lieutenant Julia Clasby about the challenges of juggling the separate worlds of law enforcement and motherhood.By Cloudcast

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EP 118 | Alberto Gonzales, Former U.S. Attorney General 28:53

2+ y ago28:53

28:53

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend, Al Gonzales, the dean of the Belmont University School of Law and former U.S. Attorney General about the crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border, the legal back-and-forth over Title 42, and whether Donald Trump is likely to be indicted by current Attorney General Merrick Garland.…

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EP 117 | Rudy Carrasco, Program Director, MJ Murdock Charitable Trust 39:35

2+ y ago39:35

39:35

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his longtime friend, Rudy Carrasco, about racking up a lifetime of achievements, succeeding against the odds, following God's path, and using charitable giving to make a difference in people's lives.By Cloudcast

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EP 116 | Linda Lopez, PhD in Policy and Political Science & CEO of Impact Strategies 33:07

2+ y ago33:07

33:07

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews Dr. Linda Lopez, CEO of Impact Strategies, a consulting firm providing advice to foundations, government and corporate sector on social and economic investments. She is a former Associate Dean at USC, former Chief of the Office of Immigrant Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, and former Senior Advisor to Mayor Eric…

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EP 115 | Kathy Murillo Cano, aka "The Crafty Chica"; entrepreneur, author, speaker, creator and successful self-made brand 17:21

2+ y ago17:21

17:21

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his longtime friend, and former co-worker at the Arizona Republic, Kathy Murillo Cano, aka "The Crafty Chica" about personal branding, building a successful business and her lifelong love affair with creativity and glitter.By Cloudcast

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EP 114 | Arnold Torres, California-based policy analyst and political consultant 22:10

3y ago22:10

22:10

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend Arnold Torres about the 2022 midterm elections, the future of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a leading Democrat, and what happened with the Latino vote.By Cloudcast

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EP 113 | Carlos Sanchez, Texas-based journalist, editor and commentator 26:17

3y ago26:17

26:17

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his friend Carlos Sanchez about the path forward from the 2022 midterm elections and what the future may hold for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, one of the nation's most prominent Republican elected officials.By Cloudcast

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Driving Energy Innovation in Data Centers with Jay Harris and Wayne Johnson, Ep #19 40:18

3y ago40:18

40:18

In this season of Beyond the Meter, we’re taking a closer look at the meaningful impact business energy project have on the world around us. Host John Failla is joined by Jay Harris, Director of Data Center Services and Facilities for Clemson University, and Wayne Johnson, Key Segment Manager for Education at Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions. They…

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EP 112 | Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas 23:27

3y ago23:27

23:27

Host Ruben Navarrette interviews his longtime friend, Rep. Joaquin Castro D-Texas, about the lack of Latino representation in media and Hollywood and the Latino vote in the 2022 midterm elections.By Cloudcast