597: My Mother Was Raised by Monkeys in Colombia: A conversation with musician Vanessa Forero
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
Release Date: 01/13/2026
598: The Quest for the Nicaragua Canal: A Historical Perspective
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl interviews Jessica M. Lepler, Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire, about her new book 'Canal Dreamers.' The conversation delves into the historical attempts to build a canal across Lake Nicaragua in the 1820s, the geopolitical interests of foreign investors, and the complexities of Central American history. Lepler shares insights from her extensive research, including the role of families in uncovering historical documents, the impact of the 1825 financial crisis, and the perspectives of...
info_outline
597: My Mother Was Raised by Monkeys in Colombia: A conversation with musician Vanessa Forero
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with musician Vanessa Forero about her unique journey as a singer-songwriter, her family's history, and the impact of the music industry on artists. Vanessa shares her experiences of accidentally becoming a singer, her diverse musical influences, and the challenges she faced in the industry. They also discuss her mother's incredible story of survival - raised by monkeys in Colombia -, the process of capturing family memories, and the search for identity and family connections. The conversation highlights the emotional...
info_outline
596: Exploring the Heart of Chile with Natascha Scott-Stokes
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with author Natascha Scott-Stokes about her journey from Germany to the UK and eventually to Chile. They discuss her experiences living in Guatemala during a time of conflict, her transition to life in Chile, and her reflections on the country's culture, landscape, and social issues. Natascha shares insights from her book, 'Tales from the Sharp End: A Portrait of Chile,' exploring themes of inequality, personal history, and the impact of climate change. The conversation delves into the complexities of identity and...
info_outline
595: Guaviare: A Journey Through Time and Culture
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with Bruce McLean and Marcel Reina about traveling in the largely unknown department of Guaviare, Colombia. They explore the region's rich cultural heritage, accessibility, and the diverse activities available for tourists. The conversation delves into the importance of tourism for local economies, the challenges faced by indigenous communities, and the role of tourism in preserving cultural traditions. The episode highlights the growth of tourism in Colombia and the opportunities for sustainable travel in Guaviare,...
info_outline
594: “Kolumbiytsi”: The thousands of Colombians holding the Ukrainian Front
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Emily Hart about her extensive reporting - for a piece in Delayed Gratification magazine - on the phenomenon of Colombian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. They discuss the complexities of recruitment, the motivations behind these young men joining foreign conflicts, and the harsh realities they face on the battlefield. The conversation also touches on the economic factors driving these decisions, the impact on families left behind, and the ethical implications of such recruitment...
info_outline
593: From Bogotá to Tabio: A Journey of Transformation
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl reconnects with Lorna Phillips, (last on the podcast in Episode 173: "The Dating in Colombia episode.") who shares her journey of moving from Bogotá to Tabio, Colombia, and transforming her life into a sustainable business focused on tourism and community engagement. Lorna discusses the challenges she faced while building her retreat, Tuwa Shima, during the pandemic, and how it became a turning point for her business. She emphasizes the importance of community, cultural integration, and personal growth in her journey as an...
info_outline
592: Author and legend Wade Davis speaks about his book Magdalena
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
Magdalena: River of Dreams, A Story of Colombia, is a captivating and essential book from Wade Davis--renowned, award-winning, bestselling author and photographer, and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence for more than a decade-- that brings vividly to life the story of the great Río Magdalena, illuminating Colombia's complex past, present, and future in the process. Also, as Davis is the author of the inimitable book on the Amazon river, One River, it's humbling to have someone of this stature on the show, please enjoy. The Colombia News Brief is brought to you by journalist Emily...
info_outline
591: Redefining Womanhood: with Karol Lopez of the Fundación Las Fuertes
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, Karol Lopez of the Fundación Las Fuertes joins Richard McColl and Emily Hart to discuss the misconceptions surrounding the onset of menstruation and the societal expectations placed on young girls as they transition into womanhood, especially in a country like Colombia. Lopez challenges the narrative that menstruation defines womanhood and highlights the pressure young girls feel to conform to traditional feminine roles. Hear about the Fundacion Las Fuertes and Lopez's journey to this point which has taken her from Colombia to the United...
info_outline
590: The Pizarros: A Reflection of Colombian History
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl interviews Dutch journalist Robert Friele about his book on the Pizarro family, exploring their significant role in Colombian history and politics. The conversation delves into the storied family's legacy, the political landscape of Colombia, and the unique characteristics of the M-19 guerrilla movement. Friele shares insights from his research, the challenges of interviewing family members, and the impact of Carlos Pizarro's assassination on Colombian society. The discussion also touches on the reception of Friele's book and...
info_outline
589: Unlocking Colombia's Historical Memory with Data
Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia
In this episode of the Colombia Calling podcast, host Richard McColl engages with academics David Anderson (Associate Professor in Analytics at Villanova University in PA) and Galia Benitez (Associate Professor of International Relations at Michigan State University) to discuss their research on using Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyse violence in Colombia. They explore the challenges of data collection, the human impact of their findings, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in social science research. The conversation delves into the complexities of measuring violence,...
info_outline