Sacred Lessons with Mike de la Rocha

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with legendary artist Chaz Bojórquez, widely recognized as the Godfather of West Coast Graffiti, for a powerful conversation about art, identity, and remembering who we are. Recorded inside the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City during the historic Aztlán, túnel del tiempo exhibition, Chaz reflects on bringing Chicano art home, the healing power of creative expression, and the responsibility of preserving our stories for future generations. Together, Mike and Chaz explore how art becomes memory, how fathers and culture shape identity, and why reclaiming our narratives is an act of healing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Def Sound, Black Afro-Caribbean conceptual word artist, producer, poet, and educator for a thought-provoking conversation about identity, freedom, and the courage to become fully ourselves. Together, they explore the stories we inherit about race, gender, masculinity, and belonging, and what becomes possible when we stop performing versions of ourselves created to meet society’s rigid definitions of manhood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Douglas Miles, acclaimed Apache artist, photographer, activist, and founder of Apache Skateboards, for a powerful conversation about art, storytelling, and reclaiming the narratives that shape our lives. Recorded live from the We The People exhibition in South Los Angeles, Douglas reflects on the importance of Indigenous communities telling their own stories, the healing power of creative expression, and the responsibility of passing culture from one generation to the next. Together, Mike and Douglas explore how art can become activism, how fathers help shape identity, and why preserving our stories is essential to building a more honest and inclusive future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with acclaimed chef Eduardo “Lalo” García, the visionary behind Máximo in México City, for an important conversation about food, resilience, and the possibility of beginning again. From being deported from the United States to becoming one of Latin America’s most celebrated chefs, Lalo shares how hardship, determination, and a deep connection to food transformed his life. Together, Mike and Lalo explore how food can become medicine, how feeding others can be an act of love and service, and why our past does not have to define our future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Chris Spencer, comedian, writer, producer, and actor, for a heartfelt conversation about comedy, vulnerability, and the truths we often hide behind laughter. Together, they explore why so many men learn to make people laugh before they learn to express their feelings. From marriage and fatherhood to the healing power of brotherhood, Chris reflects on how trusted friendships give men permission to ask for help, speak honestly about their emotions, and become more fully themselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Carlos Guzman, founder of the influential clothing brand Brown N Proud, for a heartfelt conversation about pride, culture, and identity. From immigrating from México to building a movement that has helped tens of thousands embrace their roots, Carlos reflects on the healing power of representation, faith, and entrepreneurship. Together, Mike and Carlos explore how culture can become medicine, why so many people struggle to feel seen, and what it means to create spaces where our communities can show up fully as themselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Anna Malaika Tubbs, New York Times bestselling author of The Three Mothers and Erased for a powerful conversation about patriarchy, masculinity, and the stories that shape our understanding of power and identity. Together, they explore how systems of gender, race, and hierarchy are woven into our culture, how those systems impact men and women alike, and what it takes to unlearn beliefs that no longer serve us. Drawing from history, research, and lived experience, Anna invites us to question what we've been taught and imagine a more honest, connected, and liberated future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Refujio “Cuco” Rodriguez from the Hope and Heal Fund for a powerful conversation about gun violence, masculinity, and the stories boys are taught about power and protection. Moving beyond policy and headlines, Cuco explores how trauma, silence, and harmful ideas about manhood shape violence in our homes and communities, and why healing must be at the center of prevention. Together, Mike and Cuco reflect on firearms, domestic violence, accountability, and what it means to build a culture where men are taught that strength is rooted not in control, but in care, vulnerability, and connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply moving episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries and a father figure to thousands, for an intimate conversation about love, belonging, and the fathers we find along the way. Together, they explore what happens when men grow up without the guidance, tenderness, or affirmation they needed and how healing becomes possible when we are received with compassion instead of judgment. Drawing from decades of walking alongside formerly incarcerated individuals, Father Greg reflects on chosen family, unconditional love, and the radical belief that no one is outside the circle of belonging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful live episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha convenes a critical conversation at the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center with Barbara Kappos and Jerry Tello on sexual violence and the urgent need for accountability, healing, and community transformation. As the first in a series confronting violence against women and children, this episode moves beyond awareness to examine the difficult truth that much of this harm happens within families and is sustained by silence and shame. Drawing from decades of frontline experience, Barbara and Jerry explore how we support survivors, challenge harmful patterns of masculinity, and create pathways toward repair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply personal roundtable episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with four men from the DENA Heals Men’s Circle for an unfiltered conversation about sex, consent, and the conversations many of us never had growing up. Together, they reflect on coming of age without guidance from fathers or caregivers around intimacy, respect, and responsibility, and how that silence shaped their understanding of masculinity. Through vulnerability and brotherhood, they speak honestly about the messages they learned, the harm those messages can carry, and what becomes possible when men gather to tell the truth and heal generational patterns so the next generation of boys can grow up with a different understanding of manhood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with his brother Yancy "YD" Comins, co-founder of Hands In The Soil, for a powerful conversation on men’s healing, brotherhood, and the medicine of gathering in community. Rooted in their shared experience building the men’s circle at DENA Heals, this conversation explores why so many men are hurting, and how nature, ritual, and honest connection can help us return to ourselves. Together, Mike and Yancy reflect on what happens when men are given space to breathe, to feel, and to heal in community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Sacred Lessons, host Mike de la Rocha sits with Jose Arellano, entrepreneur, community leader, Vice President of Operations at Homeboy Industries, and Mike’s business partner at Tepito Coffee. Together they reflect on Jose’s journey from the streets and incarceration to becoming a leader helping others rebuild their lives. This deeply personal conversation explores second chances, brotherhood, and the power of unconditional love to transform a life. Through his work at Tepito Coffee and Homeboy, Jose reminds us that healing is possible, dignity can be restored, and sometimes a simple cup of coffee can bring people from different worlds together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.