Port of Entry

These are cross-border stories that connect us. Border people often inhabit this in-between place. From KPBS and California Humanities, “Port of Entry” tells personal stories from this place — stories of love, hope, struggle, and survival from border crossers, fronterizxs, and other people whose lives are shaped around the wall. Rooted in San Diego and Tijuana, we are a transborder podcast for transborder people. We live life on la linea. Hosted by Alan Lilienthal and Natalie Gonzalez, written and produced by Julio C. Ortiz Franco, mixed and sound designed by Adrian Villalobos.

179 episodes

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Episodes 180

Writing the border: Poet Adolfo Guzman-Lopez on Tijuana, San Diego and ‘California Southern’
yesterday · 38:16
How do we turn the experiences and memories that shaped us into art? In this episode, recorded live at the KPBS San Diego Book Festival, we talk with Adolfo Guzman-Lopez about growing up between Tijuana and San Diego and how those experiences found their way into his writing. Adolfo grew up witnessing two very different worlds: the working-class neighborhoods of 1970s Tijuana and the middle- and upper-class neighborhoods of Pacific Beach, where he accompanied his mother as she cleaned houses. Eventually, Adolfo moved to National City and grew up in the United States. His experiences on both si
Best of KPBS Podcasts - Port of Entry & The Finest
20d ago · 52:20
Best of KPBS Podcasts brings the best of KPBS storytelling to our listeners. Each episode features curated highlights from across the KPBS podcast lineup, paired with conversations with the people who bring these stories to life. This episode features the podcasts Port of Entry & The Finest
The art of protest: Cómo la comedia desafía fronteras
22d ago · 34:09
La protesta no siempre se ve como la imaginamos. A veces toma la forma de una canción, una pintura o una marcha. Y otras veces, de un chiste. En este episodio de Port of Entry, grabado ante un público en vivo durante el evento KPBS Podcasts Live: The Art of Protest (el arte de protestar), conversamos con Lourdes Ayón, tijuanense, comediante, activista y cabildera. Creciendo en Tijuana, Lourdes encontró inspiración en la comedia tanto en inglés como en español. Con el tiempo descubrió que el humor podía ser muchas cosas: una forma de expresarse, de sobrellevar los momentos más difíciles de la v
The art of protest: How comedy challenges borders
29d ago · 30:52
Protest doesn’t always look the way we expect. Sometimes it’s a song, a painting, or a march. And sometimes, it’s comedy. In this episode of Port of Entry, recorded before a live audience at KPBS Podcasts Live: The Art of Protest, we talk with Lourdes Ayon, a Tijuana native, comedian, advocate and lobbyist. Growing up in Tijuana, Lourdes watched comedy in both English and Spanish. Over time, she discovered that humor could be many things: a way to express herself, navigate life’s toughest moments and challenge the status quo. In our conversation, she shares how comedy can spark conversations,
The cross-border Comic-Con experience (December 2024)
1mo ago · 30:26
Hola Friends! Revisiting this episode from 2024, our host Natalie Gonzalez and sound designer Adrian Villalobos plunge into the heart of the pop culture phenomenon known as Comic-Con, experiencing it through the eyes of its devoted fans in Tijuana who make the annual journey across the border to attend the convention in San Diego. Their experiences highlight how Comic-Con has become a cross-border celebration and an annual tradition for many fans in the Tijuana-San Diego region. About Season 6 Port of Entry has a fresh new season for you, with richer stories of our border region. This season s
¿Qué hace tan especial al rey de los deportes? Un especial sobre el Mundial
1mo ago · 39:31
¡Hola, amigos! Julio, productor de Port of Entry, es un apasionado aficionado del fútbol y está decidido de convencer a Alan y Nat de por qué este torneo merece su atención, mostrándoles todo lo que lo hace tan especial. Para empezar, hablamos con Luis Daniel Rodriguez, ex conductor de un pódcast deportivo y ferviente entusiasta del Mundial, justo cuando se prepara para asistir un juego del torneo de este año. Luego, Julio lleva al equipo a visitar a algunos viejos amigos: Exxe Caivano, chef de Exxe Alta Parrilla, y Moumen Nouri, chef de Kous Kous del Valle. Estos grandes amigos, además de ser
What makes ‘the beautiful game’ so special? A World Cup episode
2mo ago · 34:22
Hi, folks! Port of Entry producer Julio is a passionate fútbol fan (soccer for Americans), and he’s on a mission to convince Alan and Nat why they should care about this tournament by showing them what makes it so special. First, we talk to Luis Daniel Rodriguez, a former sports podcast host and devout World Cup enthusiast, as he prepares to leave for this year’s tournament. Then, Julio takes the team to visit some old friends: Exxe Caivano, chef of Alta Parrilla, and Moumen Nouri, chef of Kous Kous del Valle. These close friends, both renowned chefs, are also die-hard fútbol and World Cup fan
Building Bridges: Una graduación transfronteriza une a familias
2mo ago · 28:33
El equipo de Port of Entry investiga los orígenes y el impacto de una ceremonia de graduación muy peculiar; Una ceremonia de una universidad estadounidense celebrada en suelo Méxicano. Este evento fue creado para reunir a familias separadas por las políticas migratorias y brindarles la oportunidad de celebrar juntos un logro importante.
Building Bridges: A cross-border graduation brings families together
3mo ago · 25:08
Hola, friends! In this episode of Port of Entry, our team traces the origins of a groundbreaking U.S. university graduation ceremony held in Mexico — an initiative that has left a lasting legacy in the California/Baja Mexico border region. For the first time in U.S. history, the "Building Bridges" graduation ceremony, organized by San Diego State University’s Imperial Valley satellite campus, brought together families separated by immigration policies who otherwise couldn’t celebrate this milestone north of the border. The episode explores the profound impact of the event by hearing directly f
La Escala Planetaria, Parte 4: Frenando el flujo, Redux
3mo ago · 44:24
Estamos en medio de una crisis ambiental y nuestros estilos de vida urbanos a menudo chocan con los sistemas naturales que nos sostienen, especialmente en la gestión de nuestros residuos. Detener el flujo de contaminación transfronteriza puede parecer una tarea interminable, ya que la basura parece reaparecer tan pronto como se limpia. Abordar esta crisis en la frontera requiere un enfoque multifacético, desde barreras para detener la basura y reforestación de laderas, hasta esfuerzos de recolección y reutilización de residuos. En la cuarta y última parte de esta miniserie, The Planetary Scale
Crossing South: Reescribiendo la historia de la frontera en Baja California
4mo ago · 25:29
En este episodio, el equipo de Port of Entry se sienta a platicar con Jorge Meraz, tijuanense y conductor del programa de viajes de PBS “Crossing South”. Desde hace más de una década, Jorge ha estado contando otra cara de la región fronteriza — una que casi no sale en los titulares. Nos platicó cómo fue crecer en Tijuana y cómo, con el tiempo, la vida entre dos países fue moldeando su forma de ver el mundo e inspirándose a mostrar a través de su lente los colores vibrantes de Baja California. También ha llevado a su audiencia más allá de las narrativas de miedo, resaltando las tradiciones, la
Crossing South: Rewriting the border story in Baja California
4mo ago · 23:33
In this episode, the Port of Entry team sits down with Tijuana native Jorge Meraz, host of the PBS travel show “Crossing South.” For more than a decade, Jorge has been documenting a different side of the border region — one often overlooked by headlines. He shares what it was like growing up in Tijuana, and how, over time, cross-border life shaped his perspective and inspired him to showcase the vibrant colors of Baja California through his lens. He’s taken viewers beyond the usual narratives of fear, highlighting the rich traditions and incredible food that define the region, and inviting aud
AB 91 y el sueño de una educación accesible sin fronteras — y lo que viene después
4mo ago · 41:51
En el episodio de hoy, el equipo de Port of Entry recuenta el camino que llevó a la creación del Proyecto de Ley AB 91 en California. Analizamos la importancia de esta nueva legislación y los retos a los que ahora se enfrenta. Conversamos con los pioneros que ayudaron impulsar este proyecto y dejaron una huella en la en el sector educativo en la region: Mitzi Salgado, educadora y fundadora del Transfronterizo Institute; David Alvarez, asambleísta del Distrito 80 de California; y Joel Pilco, director de programas binacionales e internacionales en Southwestern College. Este episodio muestra cómo
AB 91 and the dream of affordable education without borders — and what comes next
5mo ago · 31:24
In today’s episode, the Port of Entry team follows the journey of how California Assembly Bill 91 came to fruition. We explore the importance of the law and the challenges it now faces. We meet with influential community members who pushed this bill and impacted regional education: Mitzi Salgado, educator and founder of the Transfronterizo Institute; California Assemblymember David Alvarez, represents the 80th District; and Joel Pilco, director of binational and international programs at Southwestern College. This episode highlights how these leaders came together to put forward the bill, mobi
Rebelde del Cine: Emilio Montiel y la audacia de soñar en grande (o cómo un cineasta mexicano construyó su propio imperio cinematográfico)
5mo ago · 39:21
En el episodio de hoy, exploramos la trayectoria cinematográfica de Emilio Montiel, fundador de Producciones Montiel. Emilio es cantante, actor y productor de cine a sus 71 años, Su historia es tan adictiva como su obra. Si te topas con una de sus películas sin ver el número de visitas o leer los comentarios, te sorprendería saber que ha producido más de 200 películas y ha cautivado a audiencias de todo el mundo con sus lanzamientos directos a YouTube, acumulando más de 100 millones de visualizaciones — Sí, has leído bien. Su mezcla única de temas familiares, westerns mexicanos y su propio est
Reel Rebel: Emilio Montiel and the courage to dream big (or how a Mexican filmmaker built his own movie empire)
6mo ago · 36:35
In today’s episode, we explore the filmmaking journey of Emilio Montiel, a 71-year-old singer, actor and film producer — and founder of Producciones Montiel. His story is as binge-worthy as his work. If you stumbled upon one of his films without seeing the view count or reading the comments, you might be surprised to learn that he has produced more than 200 movies and captivated audiences worldwide with his direct-to-YouTube releases, amassing more than 100 million views. Yes, you read that right. His unique blend of family themes, Mexican Westerns and his own musical style defies Hollywood st
La Escala Planetaria, parte 3: Ita y la búsqueda del santo grial
6mo ago · 34:48
Estamos en medio de una crisis ambiental, y nuestros estilos de vida urbanos a menudo chocan con los sistemas naturales que nos sostienen, especialmente cuando se trata de los materiales que usamos para construir. Ese fue el enfoque de los primeros dos episodios de esta serie "La Escala Planetaria", Parte 1 y Parte 2. En esta tercera edición, seguimos a Itamar “Ita” Lilienthal, un bio diseñador y arquitecto emergente que está desarrollando alternativas a materiales convencionales con biomateriales. Él cree haber encontrado un biomaterial prometedor que podría ayudar a reducir nuestra dependenc
Port of Entry short - 2025 Year in Review
6mo ago · 9:13
Hey friends! 2025 was a busy year for us! We featured some truly memorable stories that we were thrilled to share with you: From the excitement of having your own MLS soccer franchise, to the touching journey of a displaced woman trying to reunite with her family, to the innovative approaches environmentalists are developing to tackle everyday challenges. What we didn't get to share with you was how many public engagements we participated in last year — with presentations both north and south of the border. It was a memorable experience to meet some of you in person and hang out with great fri
Trump 2.0: Inmigración y el impacto fronterizo
6mo ago · 41:23
Nos sentamos con Gustavo Solís, reportero de frontera de KPBS, y Cassandra López, Directora de Litigación de Al Otro Lado, para reflexionar sobre los cambios más significativos en la política de inmigración y cómo han impactado en la región fronteriza.
Trump 2.0: A conversation — Immigration and the border impact
7mo ago · 44:27
It’s no surprise that the first year of President Trump's second term offers much to reflect upon, both internationally and domestically, particularly regarding immigration policy and tactics. Many changes have taken place over the past year, which may be confusing for many people. Some of those changes have directly impacted people in the border region. To clarify and help us understand how everything has unfolded, we are joined by two guests: KPBS border reporter Gustavo Solis and Cassandra Lopez, director of litigation at Al Otro Lado. This is a Port of Entry conversation: Trump 2.0: Immigr
The Planetary Scale, part 4: Slowing the flow, redux
8mo ago · 38:52
We're in the midst of an environmental crisis, and our urban lifestyles often clash with the natural systems that support us — especially when it comes to how we manage our waste. Stopping the flow of cross-border pollution can feel like a Sisyphean task. With every effort to tackle it, more trash seems to appear. That's why addressing the pollution crisis at the border takes a multifaceted approach. It involves many different types of interventions — from trash barriers to hillside reforestation to trash collection and repurposing efforts. In this fourth and final installment of The Planetary
The Planetary Scale, part 3: Ita’s quest for the holy grail
8mo ago · 28:44
We're in the midst of an environmental crisis, and our urban lifestyles often clash with the natural systems that support us — especially when it comes to the materials we use to build. That was the focus of the first two episodes of this “Planetary Scale” series, Part 1 and Part 2. In this third installment, we follow Itamar “Ita” Lilienthal, an emerging biodesigner and architect who is developing sustainable material alternatives. He believes he may have found a promising biomaterial that could help reduce our environmental impact. We’ll follow along as Ita leads a workshop where he demonstr
Bonus Episode: Day of the Dead Special - A friend reconnects with her roots
10mo ago · 25:54
In this special Día de Muertos bonus episode, Natalie invites KPBS web producer Leslie Gonzalez to explore Tijuana’s famous Mercado Hidalgo and discover the stunning altar that’s built each year to honor the market’s founding partners who have passed away. But there’s a twist: Leslie has never actually visited Tijuana. Her parents always warned her that it was too dangerous. Now, this trip becomes a personal journey of discovery, connection, and celebration that goes far beyond the border itself. It immerses her in the colors, flavors, and traditions of Día de Muertos. Social media and contact
Bonus Episode: Halloween Special - The (True Crime) Case of Juan Soldado
10mo ago · 1:02:50
Like many cities, Tijuana is rich with folklore and eerie legends. One such tale is the story of Juan Castillo Morales, also known as Juan Soldado, the unofficial patron saint of migrants. In 1938, Castillo Morales, a military private stationed in Tijuana, was convicted of the rape and murder of 8-year-old Olga Camacho, a girl who lived near the military barracks. However, many believe he was wrongfully accused. According to local folklore, his spirit still wanders the old cemetery in downtown Tijuana, where some claim to have heard him proclaiming his innocence, among other supernatural occur
Un breve mensaje para nuestros auditorio en Español
10mo ago · 1:48
A partir de este mensaje el equipo de Port of Entry se tomará una pausa en la producción de sus episodios en español.Peeeerooo es solo pausa temporal……Los episodios en español estarán de regreso a principios de 2026, mientras que nuestros episodios en inglés continuarán lanzándose regularmente.Recientemente, KPBS tomó la decisión de trasladar el equipo de Port of Entry del departamento de programación de audio, donde ha operado desde sus inicios, al departamento de noticias y contenido, con el objetivo de integrar el programa con otras iniciativas de KPBS.En los próximos meses, el equipo se ad