AUDIO
LA BREGA: The Puerto Rican Experience in 8 Songs
LOUD: The History of Reggaeton (Series)
Norco 80 (Series)
(Trailer produced by Joaquin Cotler for LAist Studios)
Norco '80 recounts the events of May 1980 when five heavily-armed young men – inspired by an apocalyptic religious movement – attempted to rob a Southern California bank. The deadly shootout and high-speed chase that ensued would help spark a change in police culture nationwide.
Based on the book by Peter Houlahan, Norco 80 uses archival jailhouse confessionals, real police radio traffic, and exclusive interviews with law enforcement, witnesses and suspects to tell the story of how a tiny town in the Inland Empire became the site of one of the most violent bank robberies in US history.
Series Produced and Hosted by Antonia Cereijido with Sophia Palizza-Carr, Joaquin Cotler, Juan Diego Ramirez, Audrey Quinn, and Marialexa Kavanaugh
(Originally Aired on Norco 80 by LAist Studios/Futuro Studios)
Chapter 1: The Robbery
May 9th, 1980 began as a regular day in sleepy Norco, California, a small town about 48 miles east of Los Angeles, known mostly for its horse trails and western look. But around 3:30 PM, five masked men with assault rifles attempted to rob the Security Pacific Bank downtown.
Chapter 2: The Firefight
The bank robbers make it out of the Security Pacific Bank, cash in hand––but they’re immediately met by the police and a firefight begins.
Chapter 3: The Robbers
George Smith didn't set out to rob a bank. He just wanted to survive the apocalypse.
Chapter 4: The Final Chase
The robbers lead police on a winding chase that ends in a devastating standoff at the top of a mountain.
A Conversation About Survivalism
Produced by Joaquin Cotler and Antonia Cereijido
Dr. Casey Kelly discusses survivalism's enduring allure, from pioneer days to prepper conventions.
Listen to the rest of Norco 80 here. Like and Subscribe here.
Puerto Crypto
Produced by Michael O’Brien and Joaquin Cotler
Reporters Joaquin Cotler and Michael O'Brien follow the trials and tribulations of the Puertopians for almost two years, from crypto-boom to crypto-bust.
The Rehab Empire Built on Cakes
Produced/Narrated by Joaquin Cotler
In this episode, Latino USA explores how the rehab empire built on religion, unpaid labor, and confrontational methods continues to receives millions in taxpayer dollars despite allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
(Originally aired on NPR’s Latino USA)
Saint David of Begnaud
Produced by Joaquin Cotler
David Begnaud's passionate coverage of Hurricane Maria's aftermath caused many Puerto Ricans to wonder: is this Cajun actually Boricua?
(Originally aired on NPR’s Latino USA)
PR Podcast Special: Puerto Rico After the Storm
Co-produced by Joaquin Cotler for Futuro Media Group
Today we bring you a special podcast checking on the status of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
(Originally aired on NPR’s Latino USA)
Portrait of Eddie Palmieri
Produced by Marlon Bishop, Antonia Cereijido and Joaquin Cotler
Eddie Palmieri sat down with Maria Hinojosa to talk about his childhood, his long and memorable career, and his latest album, Sabiduría—as well as the love he has for his late wife Ilaida Palmieri.
(Originally aired on NPR’s Latino USA)
We Need To Talk
Sprawling 70 miles east of the five boroughs, Long Island’s Nassau and Suffolk counties are home to over 2.5 million people. Although opioid addiction was hardly a widespread health concern in suburban Long Island before 2005, by 2017 this economically diverse stretch of communities had become the newest battlefield in New York’s war with opioids.
Produced by Joaquin Cotler
(Originally aired on The Fix: Treating New York’s Opioid Crisis by The GroundTruth Project)
“Another Shot” by Joaquin Cotler (from The Fix Original Soundtrack)
Black Banjo Music, the Black Laws, and Black Lives Matter
Produced and Hosted by Joaquin Cotler
Hubby Jenkins plays blues and old-time music on the banjo, guitar, and bones. His self-titled record reflects his upbringing in hip-hop culture, his love for traditional and old-time music, and his commitment to social justice.
(Original conversation aired LIVE on Episode 1 of AudioFiles 2016)
Hubby Jenkins - Know Your History
Produced by Joaquin Cotler
Blues and Old Time musician Hubby Jenkins on revisionist history, blackface minstrelsy, and knowing one's own history.
Eli Efi - Harmonizing the Noise
Eli Efi believes that hip hop saved his life. He grew up in a favela in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and has spent his entire professional career preaching positivity and black empowerment through hiphop and community outreach. Under Efi ’s leadership, the organization CUFA Bronx connects artists and young people of all ages with the resources to create and experience great art.
(Originally appeared on the Roots On The Record Podcast)
Produced by Joaquin Cotler
Healers Not Killers
Produced/Hosted by joaquin Cotler
DeLaCeiba (Johnnito Cienfuegos) is an emcee and DJ who was born in Honduras, grew up in Watts, California, and lives in the Bronx. He and his wife Atiyya are dedicated to working with young people and collaborating to create music that reflects the communities they live in and where they came from.
(Originally aired live on Episode 3 of AudioFiles 2016)