La Brega: Stories of the Puerto Rican Experience is a seven part bilingual podcast produced in collaboration by WNYC Studios and Futuro Studios and hosted by Alana Casanova-Burgess. The show explores Puerto Rican culture and history and is created and produced by Puerto Ricans including the music and illustrations.
Background
The podcast is hosted by Alana Casanova-Burgess and produced in collaboration by WNYC Studios and Futuro Studios.[1] The show debuted on February 24, 2021.[2] The show is a seven part series produced in both English and Spanish that explores Puerto Rican culture and history.[3] There are some notable differences between the English episodes and Spanish episodes such as cultural and historical references that are only made in the Spanish episodes.[4]
The phrase "la brega" means "the struggle", which is a common expression in Puerto Rico and describes the Puerto Rican mindset to struggle against adversity and injustice.[5] The first episode includes interviews with Puerto Ricans who explain what the phrase means to them.[6] The show discusses how potholes are a serious problem in Puerto Rico and how communities have addressed the problem.[7]
The show was renewed for a second season.[8] The second series debuted on January 26, 2023.[9]
The show's soundtrack includes songs by well known Puerto Rican musical artists such as Xenia Rubinos.[10][11] The soundtrack was released as an EP on April 11, 2023.[12] The podcast's illustrations were also done by Puerto Rican artists.[13]
On October 5, 2023, WNYC canceled the podcast in the midst of a broader cost-cutting effort.[14]
