Podcast Summary: Suave – Episode: Building The Future: A Message From Maria
Podcast Information:
- Title: Suave
- Host/Author: Futuro Media
- Description: Suave returns for its second season, offering an intimate portrait of Luis "Suave" Gonzalez as he navigates life post-incarceration. This season delves into the enduring impacts of prison on individuals seeking happiness and stability in the outside world.
1. Introduction to Maria Hinojosa and Her Early Inspirations
Timestamp [00:00 - 01:20]
Maria Hinojosa opens the episode by recounting her childhood experiences growing up on the South Side of Chicago. She fondly remembers watching the evening news with her family while her mother prepared dinner, highlighting a pivotal realization that shaped her future.
“I never saw anyone who looked like me or my family. I never saw people like us in all of the television news that I was consuming. And of course, that made me think, like, how many other people are out there whose stories aren't being told, right?”
— Maria Hinojosa [00:27]
This lack of representation ignited her passion for journalism, leading her to pursue a career that would amplify marginalized voices.
2. Maria’s Journey in Journalism and Founding Latino USA
Timestamp [01:20 - 05:56]
Maria details her academic journey to Barnard College in New York and her involvement in college radio, where she created a show that featured protest music and Latin American politics. Her early work aimed to connect with young listeners who shared similar backgrounds.
“I was a kid behind a microphone right here in New York City, and I was reaching into people's homes with my voice on the radio.”
— Maria Hinojosa [01:20]
Her professional career included significant stints at major networks such as NPR, CBS, CNN, WNYC, and WNBC. At these establishments, she often brought new perspectives, emphasizing storytelling that resonated emotionally with audiences.
“I wanted to create storytelling and journalism that touched people's hearts. I wanted to make people feel something.”
— Maria Hinojosa [04:30]
Recognizing the need for a dedicated platform, Maria became the founding anchor of Latino USA, a radio journal that celebrates news and culture from the Latino community, under the leadership of Maria Martin.
3. Establishing Futuro Media and Its Mission
Timestamp [05:56 - 06:19]
In 2010, Maria founded Futuro Media with the vision of creating a space where Latino USA could flourish and where journalists of conscience could thrive. Futuro Media was designed to uphold principles of radical transparency and journalism of conscience, standing against the traditional notion of objectivity by embracing the newsroom's role in the power dynamics of the United States.
“It was a journalism with radical transparency, a journalism of conscience, a journalism that was transparent about who we are, where we come from...”
— Maria Hinojosa [04:50]
4. Achievements and Growth of Futuro Media
Timestamp [06:19 - 06:08]
Maria reflects on the growth of Futuro Media over 15 years, highlighting key accomplishments such as:
- Latino USA: Celebrating over 30 years on the air, it has been instrumental in launching numerous journalists' careers.
- Futuro Studios: Created to produce unique podcast series and audio documentaries, including acclaimed titles like Anything for Selena and The History of Reggaeton, alongside the Pulitzer-winning Suave podcast in 2022.
“There’s no other Futuro Media and we think that actually being funded by our listeners is really healthy for an organization like ours.”
— Maria Hinojosa [06:05]
5. Launching Futuro Plus: A Membership and Subscription Program
Timestamp [06:19 - 11:55]
Maria announces the launch of Futuro Plus, a membership and subscription program designed to sustain and expand Futuro Media’s independent journalism. She outlines the motivations and features of Futuro Plus in detail:
Motivations Behind Futuro Plus
-
Financial Sustainability: Addressing the recession in the podcast industry and the decline in funding from large corporations and federal sources.
“Making great journalism costs money. So we are launching our subscription service because we want to be able to continue bringing you the kinds of podcasts that you aren't getting anywhere else.”
— Maria Hinojosa [08:30] -
Independence: Emphasizing Futuro Media’s financial independence from public broadcasting and federal funds, ensuring unbiased reporting.
Features of Futuro Plus
-
Ad-Free Listening: Members enjoy uninterrupted content.
-
Exclusive Content: Access to extended interviews, behind-the-scenes episodes, and special subscriber-only playlists.
-
Early Access: Members can listen to entire seasons of new shows upon release.
-
Virtual Events: Opportunities to engage in conversations with Futuro journalists.
“You're going to get access to members only subscription feeds for all of our shows.”
— Maria Hinojosa [10:15]
Maria likens the subscription model to platforms like OnlyFans but clarifies that Futuro Plus maintains professionalism and integrity.
6. Challenges Facing Independent and Public Media
Timestamp [06:19 - 12:05]
Maria candidly discusses the precarious state of independent journalism amidst shrinking podcast budgets and increasing competition for nonprofit funding. She underscores the importance of listener support in maintaining the quality and integrity of Futuro Media’s offerings.
“We are incredibly grateful to have the supports of some pretty powerful and wonderful foundations and really fabulous individuals, but we have to prepare for the future.”
— Maria Hinojosa [07:30]
Additionally, she highlights the broader threats to journalism, such as attempts by political leaders to silence inconvenient media voices and the crucial role organizations like Futuro Media play in safeguarding truthful and empathetic storytelling.
7. The Call to Action: Supporting Futuro Media’s Mission
Timestamp [12:04 - End]
Maria passionately urges listeners to subscribe to Futuro Plus, emphasizing the collective responsibility to support journalism that reflects the diversity and complexity of society.
“We want Futuro to be around for another 15 years and another 15 years after that. It's an invitation for you to take on a bigger role in our future, in our futuro.”
— Maria Hinojosa [11:00]
She contrasts traditional entertainment subscriptions with supporting a nonprofit that prioritizes impactful storytelling and community representation.
“If you think about taking just a little bit of that money that you give every month to those mega corporations and instead support a small organization, a nonprofit that is fighting literally every day to bring you stories that you love.”
— Maria Hinojosa [10:25]
Maria concludes by reinforcing the importance of community support in sustaining independent journalism and invites listeners to join Futuro Media’s mission:
“Become a futurista and let's see what we can grow together.”
— Maria Hinojosa [11:50]
Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps
- Maria Hinojosa [00:27]: “I never saw anyone who looked like me or my family. I never saw people like us in all of the television news that I was consuming.”
- Maria Hinojosa [04:30]: “I wanted to create storytelling and journalism that touched people's hearts.”
- Maria Hinojosa [08:30]: “Making great journalism costs money. So we are launching our subscription service because we want to be able to continue bringing you the kinds of podcasts that you aren't getting anywhere else.”
- Maria Hinojosa [10:25]: “Support a small organization, a nonprofit that is fighting literally every day to bring you stories that you love.”
- Maria Hinojosa [11:00]: “It's an invitation for you to take on a bigger role in our future, in our futuro.”
- Maria Hinojosa [11:50]: “Become a futurista and let's see what we can grow together.”
Conclusion
In "Building The Future: A Message From Maria," Maria Hinojosa eloquently articulates the vision, struggles, and triumphs of Futuro Media. She underscores the essential role of independent journalism in reflecting diverse narratives and calls on listeners to support Futuro Plus to ensure the continuation of impactful storytelling. This episode serves as both an inspirational journey and a compelling invitation to be part of a community dedicated to meaningful, heart-driven journalism.