Highly Relevant with Jack Rico

Welcome to episode 33 of the Highly Relevant podcast. On this week’s episode, we’ve dedicated it to NYC Spanish-language radio. We interview the controversial Dominican radio star “El Pacha” and ask him about why he’s such a lighting rod for controversy, the surprising reason he left Telemundo’s Acceso Total and his blunt and truthful opinions on Luis Jimenez’s new radio show on Univision. Also, we chat with NY radio royalty - Carolina Cadillo Skywalker. We discuss how she got her big break in radio, the creation of the Skywalker last name, criticisms of her Spanish, and her first encounter with radio fame. It’s an interview not to be missed. That, plus a review of “Pirates of the Caribbean 5” and a recap of the top stories in US Latino pop culture this week! EPISODE SUMMARY Frederick Martínez “El Pachá” interview 1:11 - Crazy fans 3:15 - His English 4:24 - How he began in radio 5:20 - From Univision Radio to "Al Despertar" 7:56 - Why morning newscasts are so boring today 8:41 - Personality conflicts lead to leaving Telemundo's Acceso Total NY 13:45 - Reasons to his success on Mega 97.9FM 15:24 - Thoughts on current state of Spanish radio in NY 16:38 - Thoughts on the new Luis Jimenez radio show 18:52 - Opinions on what a morning radio show should sound like today 19:23 - His religious beliefs 20:31 - What people think of him 22:00 - His controversies 22:49 - Major World commercials 23:37 JackedIN (Pop culture recap) 28:14 Carolina Cadillo interview 30:31 - How she got into the business 31:08 - Big break 32:33 - Her Spanish 33:29 - How the Skywalker last name came to be 35:59 What I'm listening to this week 44:17 - Nada - Shakira - There for You - Martin Garrix and Troye Siván - Tiernos - Technicolor Fabrics Carolina Cadillo (Part 2) 45:19 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe.

Welcome to episode 32 of the Highly Relevant podcast. This is the show for those of you who love to live on the intersection of American and Latino pop culture. We talk to Colombian superstar JUANES about some important questions such as why he hasn’t ever collaborated with his Colombian counterpart Shakira, why he will never ever sing reggaeton and why it’s not in him to do a English-language crossover. Also, I talk to Hugo Balta, the senior director of Hispanic Initiatives for ESPN, who is one of the executives responsible for Hispanicizing ESPN. We discuss everything from Latino accents to bilingual sports shows and everything in between. Plus, we listen to the top new songs from Latino artists and a recap of the most highly relevant US Latino stories of the week! EPISODE SUMMARY Juanes interview :47 - Why he hasn’t ever collaborated with his Colombian counterpart Shakira - Why he will never sing reggaeton - Why it’s not in him to do a English-language crossover JackedIN (Pop culture recap) 5:24 ESPN Executive Hugo Balta on "Latinizing" ESPN 7:36 - Peruvians in sports 9:24 - How he began working at ESPN 10:34 - Do ESPN executives give him pushback on Latino ideas 13:05 - How to make a bilingual sports show successful 15:25 - Feedback and criticisms on bilingual show Nación ESPN 22:26 What I'm listening to this week - 25:22 - Bad Liar - Selena Gomez - No Vacancy - One Republic feat (Sebastian Yatra) - Crying In The Club - Camila Cabello ESPN's Hugo Balta (Part 2) 26:13 - NBC's UNIVERSO channel. Will their all-sports, only Spanish, format work? 26:13 - ESPN Deportes 31:47 - Latino accents 33:24 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe.

Thank you for listening to episode 31 of the Highly Relevant podcast. It’s testosterone week! On this episode we get some LOWRIDER culture! Theo Rossi, known for his work as “Juice” Ortiz in Sons of Anarchy, joins me to talk about his new role in the Latino film LOWRIDERS! We also go one on one with two of the toughest men in MMA - the CEO and President of Combate Americas - Campbell McClaren and Alberto “El Patron” Rodriguez, formerly known to many WWE fans as Alberto Del Rio, in what I can only describe as an uncensored, candid and entertaining interview with two men in search of becoming the #1 MMA federation in the world. And we also review Charlie Hunnam’s new action adventure film - KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD, plus, a listen at my week’s favorite music playlist and a recap of the top stories in US Latino pop culture this week! EPISODE SUMMARY: Theo Rossi interview 1:12 - Who do you play and why did you choose to be part of Lowriders? - How much of the lowrider culture did you know before you started working in the film? - There is such a lack of Latino films in Hollywood. Do you feel a movie like this has the added pressure of being successful so more heads of studios feel comfortable in telling more Latino stories? - What do you think is the enduring quality of this movie? - I want to talk a bit about your heritage. I couldn’t find anything on what your nationality is. Are you of Hispanic origin? JackedIN 12:28 Combate Americas interview with UFC co-founder Campbell McClaren and Alberto “El Patron” Rodriguez, formerly known to many WWE fans as Alberto Del Rio - 14:18 - Hiring Alberto "El Patron" Rodriguez to be President of Combate Americas - 15:23 - What does McClaren see with Combate Americas that he didn't see with UFC - 19:24 - Reaching the Latino millennial audience/Media strategy - 21:48 - John Castañeda - 25:41 - Showmanship for athletes - 31:07 - Will Alberto "El Patron" Rodriguez return to MMA for a one time heavyweight fight? - 35:15 - The future of Combate Americas 5 years from now - 37:50 What I'm listening to this week - 40:12 - Goodbye After Tomorrow - Juanes - Safe - Bay Ledges - Aquel Incendio - Sara Valenzuela Review of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword - 41:07 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe.

Thank you for downloading episode 30 of the Highly Relevant podcast. On this week’s episode, we talk with the creator of the most anticipated show in Spanish language TV right now, Univision’s EL CHAPO. We get to the moral and ethical controversies of getting the show done, the fascination of cartel tv shows and if actors Kate del Castillo and Sean Penn will be making cameos. Also urban millennial network VICELAND has a new show called JUNGLETOWN that takes place in Panama. Why are they there and why should we care? I talk to Jimmy Stice, the man behind it all. That, plus highlights of The Premios Billboard, reviews of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Broadway’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. EPISODE SUMMARY: Univision's Silvana Aguirre, creator of 'EL CHAPO' :57 - Who approached her about creating the series El Chapo? - How she got actors to commit to the show given their moral dilemmas. - What factors convinced her that Marco de la O could play El Chapo? - Why viewers are fascinated with drug cartel villains - Will Kate del Castillo and Sean Penn be involved in the show in any way? - Why Latinos aren’t being considered to direct Hollywood's Chapo movies? JackedIN 18:19 Jimmy Stice, Viceland's 'Jungletown' in Panama 20:33 - The basis for creating Jungletown? - Why South America’s Panama? - Are Latinos involved in the series ? - Was the Panamanian government aware of the filming and what was the reaction from them? - What are the serious issues addressed in the series? - Why he thinks the way he does about the environment Review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 - 31:24 What I'm listening to this week - 32:20 - That's What I Like - Bruno Mars - Shape Of You - Ed Sheeran - Humble - Kendrick Lamar Review of Broadway's Musical 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' 33:02 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe.

This might actually be the best show we’ve done. We break down the new Justin Bieber “Despacito” Remix with well known Radio DJ and performer Diamond Boy Luis. We didn’t like it and we’ll explain why. Also, Ulises Bella from the popular LA band Ozomatli joins us to talk about their NYC concert in Brooklyn, the electricity of their live-performances, plus their collaboration with Juanes and Gaby Moreno on their new album “NONSTOP-LA→MEXICO→KINGSTON”. And then to cap it off, we welcome Latin music’s most respected voice, Billboard’s Leila Cobo to discuss her exclusive interview with J Balvin and Nicky Jam on this week’s Latin Billboard Magazine. EPISODE SUMMARY: Jack and Diamond Boy Luis discuss Justin Bieber's Despacito Remix 1:12 JackedIN 9:33 Ozomatli Interview 11:06 What I'm listening to this week 21:59 - There’s Nothing Holding Me Back - Shawn Mendes - Lost In Your Light - Dua Lipa (feat. Miguel) - Que Me Has Hecho - Chayanne (feat. Wisin) Billboard's Leila Cobo discusses her exclusive interview with J Balvin & Nicky Jam 22:51 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe.

Thank you for downloading episode 28 of the Highly Relevant podcast. On today’s episode, we welcome GOTHAM’s Jessica Lucas who plays the villain Tigress and she discuss her thoughts on women in superhero movies plus working with Uruguayan director Fede Alvarez. Plus, my review of the highly anticipated Fate of the Furious and a recap of all the top music, tv and movie news you’ve missed this week! EPISODE SUMMARY: Jack discusses how television sets are becoming obsolete: :49 Gotham's Jessica Lucas: 3:13 - First time viewers to GOTHAM. Will they like it? 3:40 - Diversity and how that dynamic has played out in the show: 5:02 - Are female superheroes oversexualized? 5:42 - Thoughts on upcoming Wonder Woman movie: 6:23 - Working with Uruguayan director Fede Alvarez in Evil Dead: 6:53 JackedIN 8:49 What I'm listening to this week 10:28 - Vicio - Camilo Septimo - Turn Out The Light - Cris Cab (feat. J Balvin) - Cama de Calvos - Teleradio Donoso Movie review of 'Fate of the Furious': 11:18 TODAY Show/Ricky Martin: 12:26 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe.

Thank you for downloading episode 27 of the Highly Relevant podcast. io9/Gizmodo's Beth Elderkin talks diversity in comic books, plus, a chat on the three key problems affecting its industry. Also, we welcome one of the youngest business owners in America, Megan Grassell, to talk to us about how at 17 she came up with an idea that changed the course of her life. EPISODE SUMMARY: A discussion on diversity in comic books :54 JackedIN 14:46 Megan Grassell on starting a business at seventeen - 16:18 - How idea for Yellowberry came to be, making a business of it 17:12 - Financial resources. How did she find it and who managed it: 23:47 - Yellowberry challenges and how they were overcome: 25:18 - Moment Yellowberry took off: 27:25 - Yellowberry social media strategy: 29:59 - Yellowberry outreach for young Hispanic and African-American girls: 31:26 - Advice for teenagers who want to start their own company: 32:19 What I'm listening to this week 33:48 - Angel - Juanes - Ganas de verte - Humbe - Azul - Mahmundi Broadway review of "Amelie" 34:37 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe.

Welcome everyone to the Highly Relevant Podcast and thank you for downloading episode 26. This week we talk Netflix's Ingobernable, our intern attends FOX's Gotham cast party and ask Ben McKenzie on 'Justice League,' plus, we review the Broadway revival of 'Miss Saigon' and we give you our six spring TV shows you must see now! EPISODE SUMMARY: A discussion on Netflix's #Ingobernable. The good and the bad :10 JackedIN 3:39 Intern Andrea Huswan on Gotham, Ben McKenzie, Justice League: 4:57 What I'm listening to this week 8:23 - En Direccion Contraria - Natalia y La Forquetina - Nada Que Perder - Juan Pablo Vega - Heatstroke - Calvin Harris, Young Thug, Pharell Williams and Ariana Grande Broadway review of Miss Saigon 9:27 Our TODAY Show appearance, 6 Must-See TV Shows for Spring 11:03 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media. If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe.

Thank you for downloading episode 25 of the Highly Relevant podcast, which you can now subscribe to via the reVolver Podcast network. This is the show for those who love to have their finger on the pulse of English and Spanish language pop culture in the US. And one person who embodies that description faithfully is my really good friend, Shalim Ortiz, who was just cast as a regular on ABC’s new Latin drama LAS REINAS. He gives me all the details about the show, his cast-mates, which include John Corbett and Sonia Braga, plus, info on his new novela on UNIVISION called LA PILOTO and his opinion on the new television trend - the narconovela. Episode Summary: Shalim Ortiz :57 Shalim (Part 2) 18:32 JackedIN 16:50 What I'm listening to this week 30:36 Nuestra Canción - Monsieur Periné Don’t Fight It - Gavin Turek Mar (Lo Que Siento) - Bomba Estereo Broadway review of Arthur Miller's "The Price" 31:30 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media: Twitter Facebook Instagram If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico: • Click here to subscribe via iTunes • Click here to subscribe via Spotify • You can also subscribe via Stitcher

Thank you for downloading episode 24 of the 'Highly Relevant Podcast' which you can now subscribe to via the Revolver Podcast network. This week, an important new documentary called "Betting On Zero" hits theaters and it centers on the alleged pyramid scheming of the nutrition company Herbalife. It also chronicles in detail how Latinos have been exploited by Herbalife as well. Ted Braun, the director of the film and Latina activist Julie Contreras also a part of the film, join me to discuss the film’s central premise and the financial ramifications Herbalife’s sketchy business dealings have had on the Hispanic community. Episode Summary: Ted Braun :48 JackedIN (news recap) 11:50 Julie Contreras 13:38 What I'm listening to this week 27:52 Pasos de Cero - Pablo Alboran Breakfast In Bed - Mayer Hawthorne Mas Que Suerte - Beatriz Luengo feat. Jesus Navarro from Reik My NY1 Movie Review of "20 Feet Stardom" 29:01 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media: Twitter Facebook Instagram If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico: • Click here to subscribe via iTunes • Click here to subscribe via Spotify • You can also subscribe via Stitcher

Thanks for downloading episode 23 of the Highly Relevant Podcast! This week we're joined by Mexican-American actor Benito Martinez gives us details on Season 3 of ABC’s hit show 'American Crime' and what it was like to work with Tom Cruise in the new movie 'American Made' coming out Fall of this year. Then we chat in an exclusive interview with Jack Hobbs, President of the new reVOLVER Podcast network, about multiculturalism, Spanish language radio, the future of podcasts and an announcement about this podcast you’re listening to right now. Episode Summary: Benito Martinez :51 Why networks have embraced diverse programming 1:17 On his new role in Season 3: 3:36 On his Spanish and Spanish on network TV: 4:55 Does American Crime captures the plight of Mexican jornaleros: 6:29 On Latino directors in television: 7:21 On working with Tom Cruise in 'American Made': 11:02 JackedIN (news recap) 13:31 Jack Hobbs 15:17 Highly Relevant podcast joining reVOLVER Podcast Network: 15:50 On what is the vision for reVOLVER: 16:47 What differentiates reVOLVER from every other podcast network: 18:12 From executive to entrepreneur: 19:36 His views on multicultural podcasts: 20:34 On his affinity of the Hispanic culture: 22:31 Will podcasts be the evolution of radio?: 25:14 Why has radio not evolved? 26:18 On how anyone can get on the reVOLVER podcast network: 31:56 What I'm listening to this week 34:34 Los Amigos Invisibles - Espérame (feat. Elastic Bond) Pitbull, JBalvin, Camila Cabello - Hey Ma Jósean Log - Beso TODAY Show segment 35:30 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media: Twitter Facebook Instagram If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico: • Click here to subscribe via iTunes • Click here to subscribe via Spotify • You can also subscribe via Stitcher

Thank you for downloading episode 22 of the Highly Relevant Podcast! This week, I interview Tommy Torres, a former Ricky Martin producer turned singer, who for the first-time ever, revealed to me why he and other Latin musicians fear crossing-over into the English-language mainstream. We also chat with the premiere Hispanic news anchor in our country - Telemundo and NBC’s Jose Diaz-Balart - who was invited to the private Donald Trump meeting with network anchors and reveals to us never-before heard details on the meeting and what he said to Trump himself. That plus my film review of Marvel’s new Wolverine film…LOGAN. Episode Summary: Tommy Torres :53 How he became a producer 1:15 What differentiates his live shows from other Latin acts: 3:48 How he met Daddy Yankee for the first time and how he describes his song "Tu y Yo": 5:36 What makes Daddy Yankee so special from the rest of the Reggaetonero acts: 8:03 Does he think Spanish language music will ever reach mainstream: 10:39 Tommy reveals exclusively his concerns and fears on why he and other Latin pop stars don't crossover in English: 14:50 JackedIN (news recap) 19:33 Jose Díaz-Balart 21:31 What Telemundo is doing different than Univision to be #1: 22:03 Impact of his immigration town halls: 22:31 How real is the fear of immigration deportation amongst Latinos: 23:26 On bilingual political analyst Ana Navarro: 25:57 His views on Hispanic media adapting to media crisis confronting America: 26:47 Does the "fake news" term offend him: 27:46 Exclusive details on Balart's private meeting with Trump and what he said to him: 29:39 Diversity in general market newsrooms. Is there more work to be done? 36:16 What I'm listening to this week 40:21 Luis Fonsi (feat. Daddy Yankee) - Despacito John Mayer - Moving On Getting Over Frankie J - Not So Dangerous LOGAN movie review 41:24 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media: Twitter Facebook Instagram If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:      •   Click here to subscribe via iTunes     •   Click here to subscribe via Spotify     •   You can also subscribe via Stitcher

Thanks for listening to episode 21 of the Highly Relevant podcast! We have a pretty darn good show on tap for you this week. We interview the female director of the hit bilingual film Everybody Loves Somebody, Catalina Aguilar Mastretta, about creating bilingual and bicultural cinema for a new generation of US Hispanics. Also, the Oscars are this Sunday and who better to talk to about the state of multiculturalism at the Academy Awards than April Reign, the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite movement, plus, my review of Jordan Peele’s black horror film "Get Out". Episode Summary: Catalina Aguilar Mastretta on bilingual movies 1:44 JackedIN (news recap) 16:22 April Reign on Oscar night 18:35 What I'm listening to this week 30:19 'Get Out' movie review 31:33 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media: Twitter Facebook Instagram If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:      •   Click here to subscribe via iTunes     •   Click here to subscribe via Spotify     •   You can also subscribe via Stitcher

Welcome to episode 20 of 'The Highly Relevant Podcast'. Filmmaker Gore Verbinski won an Academy Award for the cerebral and highbrow animated film RANGO and has enjoyed tremendous success as the director of the Hollywood blockbuster franchise PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, but it’s his latest psychological thriller - A CURE FOR WELLNESS that has many people remembering his earlier acclaimed remake of THE RING.  You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media: Twitter Facebook Instagram If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:      •   Click here to subscribe via iTunes     •   Click here to subscribe via Spotify     •   You can also subscribe via Stitcher

Welcome to episode 19 of the "Highly Relevant" podcast! Our friend Carrie Keagan (26:00), host of Bravo After Hours, stops by the podcast to promote her new book "Everybody Curses I Swear," Ice Cube (1:20) joins me to discuss his new high school movie "Fist Fight". We also talk a bit about the American educational system, why raunch comedies aren’t offensive to people anymore and his secret to making hit movies. And if you like Latin pop music, you probably have heard of the Mexican brother/sister duo - Jesse y Joy (8:14). They have a new self-titled bilingual album and we chatted at length about bilingualism in music and in this country. It’s a great show, so put your headphones on or if you’re listening in your car, crank it up. Episode Summary: Ice Cube 1:20 Jesse y Joy 8:14 Carrie Keagan 26:00 You'd like to give us your feedback or get a shout-out? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media: Twitter Facebook Instagram If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe! Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:      •   Click here to subscribe via iTunes     •   Click here to subscribe via Spotify     •   You can also subscribe via Stitcher