Voices del Valle is a youth-led podcast spotlighting powerful coming-of-age stories from California’s Imperial Valley. Told through the eyes of local teens, each episode dives into real experiences of growing up in a rural, tight-knit, and culturally rich border community. From navigating mental health and multigenerational households to chasing dreams in sports, music, and media, these stories reveal the resilience, creativity, and identity of young people forging their own paths. Whether facing homelessness or finding purpose through podcasting, Voices del Valle captures what it truly means to come of age in el Valle — with honesty, heart, and hometown pride.
Voices del Valle
Voices del Valle is a youth-led podcast spotlighting powerful coming-of-age stories from California’s Imperial Valley. Told through the eyes of local teens, each episode dives into real experiences of growing up in a rural, tight-knit, and culturally rich border community. From navigating mental health and multigenerational households to chasing dreams in sports, music, and media, these stories reveal the resilience, creativity, and identity of young people forging their own paths. Whether facing homelessness or finding purpose through podcasting, Voices del Valle captures what it truly means to come of age in el Valle — with honesty, heart, and hometown pride.
Hosted by Dr.Tacke’s 2024-25 audio production class at Central Union High School
Episodes
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In this powerful episode of Voices del Valle, Angelina Echeverria sits down with her sister, Mariah, and their mother to explore Mariah’s journey through ADHD, family struggles, running away, and the juvenile justice system. Through honest conversations, they reveal the challenges of growing up misunderstood and the importance of finding the right support before it’s too late. -
In this episode of Voices del Valle, Central Union High School senior Sarah Abigail Vera shares the personal mental health journey that inspired her to create High School The Game. Through conversations with students, educators, and a mental health specialist, the episode explores the pressures, relationships, decisions, and challenges that shape the high school experience—and why talking about them matters.
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Musician Eugene Edwards reflects on growing up in Yuma, Arizona, where isolation, desert life, and a deep love of music shaped his path. From teaching himself guitar to touring with major artists, he shares how small-town roots can lead to a global career.
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In this episode of Voices del Valle, we dive into the personal journey of homeschooling, from the initial decision to step away from traditional classrooms to the eventual transition into public high school. We explore the daily rhythms of home-based learning, the reality of various curriculum styles, and the truth behind the "social isolation" myth by discussing co-ops, sports, and community life. From academic challenges and parental teaching styles to the shift into a large-scale social setting, this episode offers a candid look at the unique experiences, flexibility, and growth that define life as a homeschooler.
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In this episode of Voices del Valle, we hear directly from young people growing up in Slab City—an off-grid desert community often misunderstood and misrepresented. While documentaries tend to focus on the extremes, these voices reveal a more complex reality shaped by resilience, community, and coming of age in an unconventional place.
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Voices del Valle is a youth-led podcast sharing powerful coming-of-age stories from California’s Imperial Valley. Through honest and heartfelt narratives, local teens explore identity, resilience, and life in their close-knit border community. -
In recognition of National Nurses Month, Voices del Valle features a special conversation with Lupe Rodriguez, one of the first Hispanic nurses from the Imperial Valley. Student hosts Keira and Delarine explore Lupe’s journey from growing up during segregation in Brawley to attending Mercy College in San Diego during the 1950s and building a groundbreaking nursing career. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers for future generations. -
In the Imperial Valley, joining the military is more than a decision—it’s a story shaped by struggle, faith, family, and purpose. In this episode of Voices del Valle, students share the real reasons behind why they enlisted. These are the “whys” you don’t see—the ones that change everything. -
The Great Spartan Band at Central Union High School has a long history of excellence and award winning performances. Two of their traditions include The Shuffle and “I’m So Glad,” both from the band traditions of HBCU’s and other bands of the South.This episode explores what these mean to the band members of today and of the past.
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In this episode of Voices del Valle, three students discuss their experiences of being raised by grandparents and how that came to be. -
Growing Up & Raising Up is the story of a teenager who became a mother during her freshman year in high school and how she managed to learn to be a mom and a successful high school student.
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Conversations with celebrities from the Imperial Valley. For Season 1 of Voices del Valley, the celebrities are all graduates of Central Union High School. This episode features the California Angels Spanish Language play-by-play announcer Marco Peralta
