Podcast
Suave
Hosted by Futuro Media · EN
Winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting
The U.S is the only country in the world that allows minors to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Approximately 2,500 juveniles have been effectively sentenced to die in prison — considered “irredeemable” by the state for crimes committed when they were just teenagers. One of them was David Luis “Suave” Gonzalez, who entered prison at 17 expecting to leave in a coffin. Suave tells the story of what happens when your whole world is a prison cell, and you suddenly get a second chance at life. It’s the story of one man’s incarceration and redemption and an unusual relationship between a journalist and a source.
Selected as an Apple Podcasts Series Essential.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York (hosted by Rosie Perez)
2d ago00:39:25Summary readyThe 1960s brings social and political change to the world and to New York City, where a young Johnny Pacheco keeps people dancing with his orchestra and charanga music. The Dominican musician is also going through a divorce and his lawyer, Jerry Masucci, happens to be a fan of Johnny’s music. The two form a music partnership that will forever change music. They call their music label Fania Records. Listen to Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York out now wherever you listen to podcasts.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
The First Time The Men’s World Cup Came to the U.S.A.
6d ago00:26:58Summary readyThe Men’s World Cup is coming to our continent – and to this country. So we’re using this huge event to dive deep into what soccer means in the United States with a new podcast called “American Futbol.” We hear from immigrants all across the country for whom soccer is a touchstone, but who’ve also woven the sport into American culture and life. And we go back to the 90’s, to the very first time the World Cup came to the United States. There was Oprah, there was O.J., and it changed soccer in the U.S. forever. Follow American Futbol and listen to new episodes every Wednesday.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
My Futuro is Impactful: Our Projects for 2026
2w ago00:17:47Summary readyIt’s been a time of growth at Futuro – we’ve been breaking news and bringing rigorous in-depth journalism at Latino USA, creating ambitious podcasts at Futuro Studios, and sharing some awesome behind the scenes moments and stories at Futuro+ with our subscribers.In this week's special episode, Futuro Studios Executive Editor and host Maria Garcia is joined by Managing Editor of Latino USA Fernanda Echavarri, and Grammy-nominated Senior Producer Jeanne Montalvo to bring you a sneak peak of some of the incredible projects we have in the works!The Futuro Plus Team includes associate producer Liliana Ruiz, production managers Victoria Estrada and Jessica Ellis, marketing manager Luis Luna, and development manager Danetsy Len. Mixing by Multitude Productions.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
TRAILER DROP: Our Thing — The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York (hosted by Rosie Perez)
3w ago00:02:16Summary readyA new podcast from Futuro is coming to you soon! In 1964, an Italian-American ex-cop and a Dominican musician in New York City opened “the Motown of Salsa,” Fania Records. Artists like Héctor Lavoe, Willie Colón, Celia Cruz and La Lupe made the label hip, rebellious, sexy and political all at once. At their height, Fania toured the world, sold millions of records and changed culture forever. But as the label grew, Fania Records became mired by legendary falling-outs. In the most comprehensive audio narrative yet, Pulitzer Prize winning Futuro Studios and Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Rosie Perez, tell the story of a generation of artists who created salsa music, a cultural legacy that continues to shape the world today. Listen to Our Thing, The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York starting on May 26! Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
Introducing – La Brega: Season Three
Feb 1100:36:14Summary readyThe hit podcast returns from Futuro Studios for its third season. La Brega tells stories of the Puerto Rican experience.In Season 3 of La Brega, we’re bringing you stories of Puerto Rico’s champions. We’re going to go to the ballfields and cultural battlegrounds where carrying the flag takes on even more meaning. We’ll meet fighters who have represented us in courtrooms and in boxing rings, and icons who have worn Puerto Rico on their sashes and their jerseys. We’re going to ask: what do we learn about Puerto Ricanness by spending time with our champions? La Brega: Season 3 is out everywhere on 2/3. New episodes every Tuesday on the La Brega: Campeones feed.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts. https://bit.ly/joinfuturoplus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
SummaryThis Giving Tuesday, Futuro reflects back on 2025
Dec 200:36:54Summary readyIt’s been quite the year, for the United States and for Futuro Media. At Latino USA, we’re bringing you in-depth reporting from the front lines. At Futuro Studios, we’re developing ground-breaking shows like La Brega Season 3, which is set to premiere early next year.In this special Giving Tuesday episode, Futuro Media founder Maria Hinojosa reflects on the year behind and the year ahead. She’s joined in conversation by Latino USA Managing Editor Fernanda Echavarri and Futuro Studios Executive Editor Maria Garcia.The Futuro Plus Team includes producer Tasha Sandoval, production managers Victoria Estrada and Jessica Ellis, marketing manager Luis Luna, and development manager Danetsy Len. Mixing by Multitude Productions. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on La Brega and all our podcasts. https://bit.ly/joinfuturopluWant to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts. https://bit.ly/joinfuturoplus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
33 Years Later, Suave’s Long-Lost Mixtape
Sep 2400:32:14Summary readySuave has been named an Apple Podcasts Series Essential and to celebrate we wanted to bring to the main feed one of our exclusive Futuro+ bonus episodes.In season one, Suave told host Julieta Martinelli about a mixtape he recorded inside his prison cell at SCI Graterford more than three decades ago. It remained a mystery lost to time… until today. In this episode, the making of Suave’s long-lost mixtape, the music that inspired it, and liner notes for his favorite 90’s hip-hop and reggaeton tracks. Plus, a discussion about the importance of music in prison and the artists Suave and Julieta love.Season 2 of Suave was made possible by The Mellon Foundation. Mellon makes grants to support the visionaries and communities that unlock the power of the arts and humanities to help connect us all. More at mellon.org. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus.
Summary33 Years Later, Suave’s Long-Lost Mixtape - Bonus - Plus
Jun 3, 202500:34:30Summary readyIn season one, Suave told host Julieta Martinelli about a mixtape he recorded inside SCI Graterford 33 years ago. It remained a mystery lost to time…until today. In this episode, the making of Suave’s long-lost mixtape, the music that inspired it, and liner notes for his favorite tracks. Plus, a discussion about the importance of music in prison and the artists Suave and Julieta love. The Futuro+ team includes producer Sam J Leeds, production managers Francis Poon and Jessica Ellis, marketing manager Luis Luna, development manager Danetsy Len, and engineers Gabriela Baez and Stephanie Lebow.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts. https://bit.ly/joinfuturoplus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
Patience - Ep. 7
May 27, 202500:37:02Summary readyIn the final episode of Season 2, Suave and the team visit a location in the Bronx with deep significance to Suave— a place where you can say his journey towards freedom began. As Suave takes inventory of the past, and the challenges of the last couple of years in particular, he comes to terms with the weight of institutionalization. And he reveals one surprising and life-changing decision. Season 2 of Suave was made possible by The Mellon Foundation. Mellon makes grants to support the visionaries and communities that unlock the power of the arts and humanities to help connect us all. More at mellon.org. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus.
Summary
A Homecoming - Ep. 6
May 20, 202500:38:14Summary readyAfter the crisis he’s been going through, Suave could use a change of scenery, so the whole team decides to go on a trip to Puerto Rico. It’s Suave’s first time back since he was a child to the island where his mother was born and raised— a moment he used to fantasize about in prison. There he reconnects with family who come from a long lineage of survivors… and of Santería practitioners. A spiritual belief his mother always believed would be linked to his salvation.Season 2 of Suave was made possible by The Mellon Foundation. Mellon makes grants to support the visionaries and communities that unlock the power of the arts and humanities to help connect us all. More at mellon.org. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus.
Summary