Podcast
The Domino Dialogues: Jugando con las Memorias
Hosted by Somos Society · EN
The Domino Dialogues: Jugando con las Memorias is a podcast series born from Somos Society, the award-winning docuseries documenting the personal stories that shaped Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community.
Hosted by community leader Edwin Desamour, each episode brings guests to the domino table to share memories, reflections, and the everyday triumphs that often go untold.
Through warm, unscripted conversations, The Domino Dialogues: Jugando con las Memorias continues Somos Society’s mission to build a living archive, one that preserves the voices, culture, and resilience of a community that has called Philadelphia home for generations.
Join us as we honor oral history, celebrate identity, and remember that every story matters. One conversation, one tile, one memory at a time.
Visit our website to learn more about our Somos Society project, www.SomosSociety.com
🎧 Streaming on our website, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Inez Ramos on Machismo and Women in Community Movements | Domino Dialogues Short
Mar 2500:01:33Tap to summarizeIn this audio short from Episode 6 of The Domino Dialogues, Inez Ramos speaks about accountability in community leadership and the impact of machismo within movement spaces. She reflects on how women often carry significant responsibility in advocacy work while their contributions are sometimes overlooked, and why these conversations can be difficult but necessary for community growth. This short is part of Episode 6, The Courage to Fight Anyway, now available.
Transcribe →Who Decides If You're Puerto Rican Enough? | Domino Dialogues Short
Mar 1800:01:43Tap to summarizeIn this audio short from Episode 6 of The Domino Dialogues, Edwin Desamour reflects on identity, language, and what it means to belong when you feel caught between expectations. He speaks about the experience many Latinos face when they are told they are not “American enough” or not “Puerto Rican enough,” and how community acceptance often comes from lived relationships rather than cultural gatekeeping. This conversation explores how identity is shaped not just by language or labels, but by connection, presence, and commitment to community. This short is part of Episode 6, The Courage to Fight, now available. These conversations are part of Somos Society’s work to preserve the historical living archive of Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community.
Transcribe →28 Years Wrongfully Incarcerated | Eddie Ramirez | Domino Dialogues Short
Mar 1800:01:08Tap to summarizeIn this audio short from Episode 6 of The Domino Dialogues, Eddie Ramirez shares his experience of being wrongfully accused and spending nearly 28 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He reflects on being arrested at 19 years old, entering the prison system with fear and uncertainty, and the people who encouraged him to prepare for freedom through education, discipline, and planning for life after release. His story is one of survival, preparation, and the long road back to community after decades of incarceration. This short is part of Episode 6, The Courage to Fight, now available. Stories like this are part of the living history Somos Society works to preserve through The Domino Dialogues.
Transcribe →The Courage to Fight | Episode 6 | The Domino Dialogues
Mar 1801:31:58Tap to summarizeWhat does it mean to fight for what you believe in, even when the outcome is uncertain? In Episode 6 of The Domino Dialogues, Inez Ramos and Eddie Ramirez join the table for a conversation about advocacy, identity, and the personal cost of standing up for justice. Inez Ramos reflects on her experiences in community organizing, the women who shaped her political consciousness, and her connection to the Puerto Rican independence movement. She also discusses the importance of preserving cultural memory, including the Juan Antonio Corretjer mural in Philadelphia. Eduardo Ramirez shares his experience of being wrongfully incarcerated for nearly 28 years after being convicted without physical evidence. He speaks about entering the prison system at 19, preparing himself for freedom while incarcerated, and his work today around criminal justice reform and community engagement. The conversation also explores identity, belonging, cultural expectations, art, and the role of community memory in shaping future generations. Featured topics: Advocacy • Wrongful conviction • Puerto Rican identity • Community leadership • Cultural preservation • Philadelphia community history If this conversation resonates with you: • Follow The Domino Dialogues • Share this episode • Leave a comment or rating to support community storytelling If you have stories, photos, or community history you would like to share as part of this living archive, visit: https://www.somossociety.com/la-historia-colectiva These conversations are part of Somos Society’s mission to preserve the historical living archive of Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community.
Transcribe →Inez Ramos on the Women Who Shaped Her Advocacy | Domino Dialogues Short
Mar 1300:02:21Tap to summarizeIn this audio short from Episode 6 of The Domino Dialogues, Inez Ramos reflects on the women she watched growing up in Philadelphia’s Kensington and Norris Square communities. She shares how mothers, neighbors, and organizers shaped her understanding of advocacy and helped guide her toward learning her Puerto Rican history and identity. Her story is a reminder that many of the people who shape movements and communities are not always the most visible, but their impact carries across generations. Episode 6, The Courage to Fight, releases March 15 in recognition of Women’s History Month. If this story reminds you of women who shaped your own path, we invite you to share their stories and help us continue preserving the living history of Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community.
Transcribe →Spel and Philly’s Spray-Painted Streetwear Legacy | Domino Dialogues Short
Mar 1300:02:34Tap to summarizeIn this short from Episode 6 of The Domino Dialogues, the conversation turns to a Philadelphia graffiti artist known as Spel, remembered for turning clothing into wearable art during the 1980s. His hand-painted jackets, shirts, and custom pieces became part of the visual identity of the community, with many proudly wearing his work as a form of self-expression. During the discussion, both Inez Ramos and Eddie Ramirez recall owning and wearing Spel’s designs, highlighting how art, fashion, and neighborhood culture often intersect in ways that aren’t always formally documented. After this clip was shared, community members began responding with photos of original Spel pieces, helping preserve a small but meaningful piece of Philadelphia’s cultural history. Episode 6, The Courage to Fight, releases March 15. If you have photos or memories connected to Spel’s artwork, we invite you to share them as part of this growing community archive at our website.
Transcribe →From the “Badlands” to the Goodlands
Mar 700:01:20Tap to summarizeThis audio clip comes from Episode 5 of The Domino Dialogues, titled “Breaking the Mold.” The episode features Captain Maria Ortiz-Rodriguez of the Philadelphia Police Department and Captain Cecilia Ortiz of the Philadelphia Fire Department. In this moment, Captain Cecilia Ortiz reflects on the importance of conversations that connect history, culture, and lived experience. She explains that what stands out about The Domino Dialogues is how accessible the conversations feel. Instead of presenting history as a lecture, the stories unfold naturally around the table. Captain Ortiz also reflects on growing up in an area that was once labeled the “Badlands” by media coverage in the early 1990s. Within the community, many residents see it differently and refer to it as the “Goodlands,” a reminder that neighborhoods are defined by the people who live there, not just by headlines. Moments like these show how storytelling can reshape narratives about place, identity, and community. As host Edwin often says, the goal of the show is simple: listeners and viewers should feel like the fourth player at the table. This clip highlights how conversation can become a way of preserving history while keeping it connected to the present.
Transcribe →“Pack Up Your Stuff and Get Out”
Mar 700:01:17Tap to summarizeThis audio clip comes from Episode 5 of The Domino Dialogues, titled “Breaking the Mold.” The episode features Captain Maria Ortiz-Rodriguez of the Philadelphia Police Department and Captain Cecilia Ortiz of the Philadelphia Fire Department. In this segment, Captain Cecilia Ortiz shares a story from her work with the Fire Explorers youth program. During an EMT training session, the group began to lose focus and treat the training casually. Captain Ortiz made a decision that caught everyone off guard. She told them to pack up their things and go home. The message was simple: if the work isn’t taken seriously, the training stops. Captain Ortiz explains that in the fire service, the job is never about one individual. Firefighters operate as a unit, relying on each other in moments where lives are on the line. The discipline required in training reflects the reality of the job. The lesson worked. The group returned with a new understanding of what teamwork and responsibility look like. This clip highlights how leadership sometimes means setting clear expectations and holding the line. This short is part of the ongoing promotion for Episode 5: “Breaking the Mold,” a conversation about leadership, service, and the experiences of two women who rose to the rank of captain in Philadelphia’s police and fire departments.
Transcribe →Can We Get Her Mom a Pension?
Mar 700:01:30Tap to summarizeThis audio clip comes from Episode 5 of The Domino Dialogues, titled “Breaking the Mold.” The episode features Captain Maria Ortiz-Rodriguez of the Philadelphia Police Department and Captain Cecilia Ortiz of the Philadelphia Fire Department. The conversation begins with a joke from host Edwin: “Is there any way we could get your mom a pension with the police department?” The laughter opens the door to a meaningful story. Captain Maria Ortiz-Rodriguez shares that her mother once hoped to become a police officer herself but never had the opportunity. Years later, when Captain Ortiz-Rodriguez was working as a young detective in the Long-Term Missing Persons Unit, the work became emotionally exhausting and discouraging. At one point she considered stepping away from the assignment. Her mother reminded her why the work mattered. Families were calling the unit hoping someone would give everything they had to help find their loved ones. That perspective stayed with her and gave her the push to keep going. This short highlights how encouragement, especially from family, can shape the way someone carries responsibility in public service. This clip is part of the ongoing promotion for Episode 5: “Breaking the Mold,” a conversation about leadership, service, and the experiences of two women who rose to the rank of captain in Philadelphia’s police and fire departments.
Transcribe →Coquito Season is here!
Dec 5Tap to summarizeDanny Torres brings the laughter, Johnny Irizarry brings the recipe, and Edwin Desamour honors the legacy: Year 4 of the 4th Annual Johnny Irizarry Coquito Fest
Transcribe →