Episodes

  • Episode 15: Humvees on Qualia Street

    Episode 15: Humvees on Qualia Street
    Oct 1 2024
    Roberto Perez's roots stretch across the border to Ciudad Acuña, Mexico. Imagine moving to a new country in sixth grade, mocked for not knowing the language—and then turning that ridicule into fuel to master English in less than a year - with nothing but grit and a dictionary in hand. Roberto worked as a shoe salesman in Del Rio, scraping by on an unlivable wage, but hear how his brother's Nissan 300 ZX showed him that there was a whole world beyond the border. And then there’s the wild teenage years: driving friends across the border in his 'taxi' to party in Mexico, and fooling out-of-town girls into thinking he was older than he was. But life on the border wasn’t all parties and fast cars. When Haitian migrants sought asylum under Del Rio’s international bridge, his parents’ neighborhood was overtaken by law enforcement, a reminder of the complex, raw realities faced by border towns.

    00:00 Introduction to Border Kids
    01:16 Meet Roberto
    02:44 Roberto's Journey to the U.S.
    04:09 Challenges of Learning English
    06:46 Life in Corpus Christi
    11:10 Memories of Del Rio
    12:09 Crossing the Border for Fun
    17:01 Reflections on Safety and Growing Up
    24:26 Current Border Issues
    31:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


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    38 mins
  • Episode 14: Miss Del Rio 1999

    Episode 14: Miss Del Rio 1999
    Oct 1 2024
    Annaliz Bosquez is a businesswoman, mother and former beauty queen. She also happens to be the daughter of a border patrol agent and she’s married to one, as well. Imagine crossing the international bridge every day just to attend school, balancing the traditions of Mexico with the pressures of American life. She didnt blend in. She stood out, becoming a beacon of inspiration for young girls while representing her hometown in the spotlight. Having lived in Del Rio, San Antonio, and Austin, she’s witnessed the border's evolution firsthand—and she’s not afraid to speak up.

    00:00 Introduction to Border Kids
    01:16 Meet Annaliz: A Border Kid's Journey
    02:03 Life in Austin and Career Transitions
    04:09 Balancing Cultures: Growing Up Bilingual
    10:59 The Pageant Experience
    15:23 Border Patrol Insights and Immigration Views
    25:21 Concluding Thoughts and Call for Solutions
    27:23 Closing Remarks




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    28 mins
  • Episode 13: Demerits for Speaking Spanish

    Episode 13: Demerits for Speaking Spanish
    Oct 1 2024
    Vianka Heary is a real estate powerhouse now thriving in England as part of her husband’s service in the United States Air Force. Vianka grew up in Mexico but crossed the international bridge daily to attend an American elementary school. But when high school rolled around, she made the remarkable decision to live apart from her parents in a different country—find out why. Her experiences offer a fascinating glimpse into the duality of growing up on the border. And let's not forget the time her grandfather offered her very American future husband tequila in the morning - an example of the cultural differences she navigated with grace and humor.

    00:00 Introduction to Border Kids
    01:15 Meet Vianka: A Unique Border Experience
    02:02 Vianka's Early Life and Education
    05:50 Navigating Cultural Differences
    15:02 Challenges and Misunderstandings of Border Life
    28:16 Reflections on Immigration
    33:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts




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    36 mins
  • Episode 12: We're Not Built That Way

    Episode 12: We're Not Built That Way
    Oct 1 2024
    Josue Gonzalez is a talented musician turned educator. He left Del Rio to see the world, only to return home, driven by a fierce devotion to his family. His story is one of striking contrasts: from his parent’s selfless act of aiding a migrant in distress to the chilling moment when the Los Zetas cartel brutally assaulted a family member. Josue’s heart was shattered by the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde. The event made him confront the terrifying reality of violence in our schools and question the very system meant to protect both students and educators. Josue is a passionate voice for cultural heritage, urging schools to embrace the roots of their students' identities so they can achieve success in areas which they’re more naturally inclined, like music, art and drama.

    00:00 Introduction to Border Kids
    01:18 Meet Josue: Musician Turned Educator
    02:13 Josue's Journey: From Del Rio to the World and Back
    03:53 The Impact of Music and Arts in Border Towns
    08:11 Growing Up Bilingual and Cultural Identity
    12:28 Challenges and Triumphs of Border Life
    15:57 The Role of Arts in Hispanic Communities
    20:42 Childhood Memories and Family Encounters
    22:03 Life Lessons from the Border
    23:03 Growing Up in Del Rio
    26:09 Challenges and Dangers at the Border
    29:47 Immigration and Media Perception
    35:33 Reflections on School Safety
    38:34 Final Thoughts and Farewell





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    40 mins
  • Episode 11: The Hands and Feet of Jesus

    Episode 11: The Hands and Feet of Jesus
    Oct 1 2024
    Christina Yawn is a woman of mixed Mexican and American heritage and doesn’t hold back on the stark realities of growing up in a border town, where blending two cultures shaped her identity and her struggles. She’s also the spouse of an officer stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, and she, too, has served our country, as a medic in the Navy. She shares a gut-wrenching encounter with a migrant woman that cuts through the political noise to expose the raw humanity of life at the border. Hear how her own church played a frontline role.


    00:00 Introduction to Border Kids
    01:16 Meet Christina: A Border Kid's Journey
    01:57 Life in the Navy and Beyond
    04:31 Cultural Identity and Growing Up Mixed
    16:27 Returning to Del Rio: Challenges and Opportunities
    20:40 Perspectives on Immigration
    22:23 Personal Encounters with Immigrants
    22:49 The Val Verde Humanitarian Coalition
    26:01 Stories of Struggle and Survival
    29:51 Challenges and Realities of Immigration
    35:37 Growing Up in Del Rio: The Best and Worst Parts
    39:17 Reflections on Immigration and Media Portrayal
    41:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts






    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/border-kids--6311904/support.
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    42 mins
  • Episode 10: The Prodigal Son

    Episode 10: The Prodigal Son
    Oct 1 2024
    Jake Bostick's family moved to Del Rio as part of his dad’s job as a federal border agent. What started as a fresh start, turned to chaos. Jake was arrested during baseball tryouts for a reason that would disgrace his family. Hear his recollection of seeing his classmates openly use drugs in the classroom and how he lost a dear friend to drug-running and crime. The border’s dark underbelly nearly swallowed Jake whole. He left Del Rio to escape the downward spiral, but the border town never left him. Listen as he shares his journey from addiction to rebuilding his life, and the shocking realities of exactly what 40 bucks could get you just over the river. Listener discretion is advised.

    00:00 Introduction to Border Kids
    01:18 Meet Jake: A Border Kid's Story
    02:04 Jake's Early Life and Family Background
    04:10 Challenges and Realities of Border Life
    07:21 Jake's Troubled Youth and Turning Point
    17:45 Confronting the Consequences
    20:42 A Lighthearted Shift: Language and Culture
    22:11 First Day Cafeteria Confusion
    23:15 Language Barriers and Lessons
    24:30 Experiences of Discrimination
    26:08 Community Support in a Border Town
    27:55 Challenges and Dangers of Border Life
    30:56 Misunderstandings About Border Life
    34:08 Personal Reflections and Immigration Views
    40:58 Memorable Anecdotes and Closing Thoughts





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    44 mins
  • Episode 9: The Black Hole

    Episode 9: The Black Hole
    Oct 1 2024
    Ashlie Nebel has spent most of her life in Del Rio. Her story shows us growing up in a border town isn’t just about geography—it’s about straddling two worlds, two cultures, and two identities. She speaks candidly about the bonds between Del Rio and Acuña, and the harsh realities that have shaken this tight-knit town, including how she learned more than 100 people were seeking shelter in an abandoned building, resorting to splicing a neighbor’s electricity to survive. This episode will shed light on some of the invisible struggles playing out in this community. Listen as Ashlie opens up about what it truly means to be a 'Border Kid' and why this place, with all its complexities, will always be home.

    00:00 Introduction to Border Kids
    01:16 Meet Ashlie: A Life in Del Rio
    02:09 Balancing Two Worlds: Family and Career
    07:06 The Impact of Immigration on Community Safety
    23:18 Navigating Cultural and Social Dynamics
    28:13 Reflections on Growing Up in a Border Town
    39:34 The Changing Social Scene in Del Rio
    40:42 Closing Thoughts and Farewell


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    43 mins
  • Episode 8: My Dad Called Me a Coconut

    Episode 8: My Dad Called Me a Coconut
    Oct 1 2024
    Vanessa Sanchez came to Del Rio just before her sophomore year in high school, bringing with her a whirlwind of experiences from Eagle Pass, California, and North Dakota, —thanks to her father’s role as a Border Patrol agent. Born into a Mexican-American family but raised on the move, Vanessa’s journey is a fascinating blend of cultures and contradictions. She's now "Brown and Proud", but with a Spanish fluency that’s more of a work in progress, thanks to her family's complex relationship with the language. Vanessa’s story reveals the striking contrast between media portrayals and the lived reality of border life, and how her time in Del Rio reshaped her understanding of her own culture and identity.


    00:00 Introduction to Border Kids
    01:16 Meet Vanessa
    02:03 Life in Del Rio
    03:23 Cultural Challenges and Language Barriers
    06:30 Social Dynamics and Friendships
    09:25 Nightlife and Safety Concerns
    17:55 Misunderstandings and Media Portrayals
    21:18 Immigration Issues and Political Views
    28:34 Reflecting on Immigration Reporting
    29:08 Life as a Border Patrol Agent's Child
    33:12 Cultural Identity and Growth
    35:49 Memorable High School Experiences
    38:35 Challenging Moments and Realizations
    42:37 Impact of the Uvalde Tragedy
    47:54 Participating in the Project
    50:22 Final Thoughts and Farewell





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    53 mins