Episodios

  • 597: My Mother Was Raised by Monkeys in Colombia: A conversation with musician Vanessa Forero

    597: My Mother Was Raised by Monkeys in Colombia: A conversation with musician Vanessa Forero
    Jan 13 2026
    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 resilience required to navigate both personal and professional challenges, as well as the importance of storytelling in music and life. The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart: https://harte.substack.com
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    1 h y 5 m
  • 596: Exploring the Heart of Chile with Natascha Scott-Stokes

    596: Exploring the Heart of Chile with Natascha Scott-Stokes
    Dec 16 2025
    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 belonging as an immigrant, as well as the challenges and joys of raising a family in a foreign land.
    Read her book: https://a.co/d/dVI9QOV And the Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart.
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    1 h y 10 m
  • 595: Guaviare: A Journey Through Time and Culture

    595: Guaviare: A Journey Through Time and Culture
    Dec 9 2025
    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, making it an attractive destination for both local and international visitors. Travel to Guaviare and Colombia with BNB Colombia: http://bnbcolombia.com
    The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart. https://harte.substack.com
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    1 h y 7 m
  • 594: "Kolumbiytsi": The thousands of Colombians holding the Ukrainian Front

    594: "Kolumbiytsi": The thousands of Colombians holding the Ukrainian Front
    Dec 2 2025
    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 practices. Emily shares poignant stories from her interviews, highlighting the human cost of war and the psychological toll it takes on soldiers. The episode concludes with reflections on the broader implications of these conflicts and the importance of human stories in journalism. Tune in for this and the Colombia Briefing.
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    1 h y 9 m
  • 593: From Bogotá to Tabio: A Journey of Transformation

    593: From Bogotá to Tabio: A Journey of Transformation
    Nov 25 2025
    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 immigrant. Lorna also shares insights on the spiritual significance of the region (UFOs!) and offers advice for those considering a move to Colombia. https://www.instagram.com/tuwa_shima_santuario/
     The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart https://harte.substack.com
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    1 h
  • 592: Author and legend Wade Davis speaks about his book Magdalena

    592: Author and legend Wade Davis speaks about his book Magdalena
    Nov 11 2025
    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 Hart. https://harte.substack.com
    And please consider supporting us at: www.patreon.com/colombiacalling
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    1 h y 6 m
  • 591: Redefining Womanhood: with Karol Lopez of the Fundación Las Fuertes

    591: Redefining Womanhood: with Karol Lopez of the Fundación Las Fuertes
    Nov 4 2025
    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 States, on to Madagascar, then Panama and back to Colombia again. https://www.instagram.com/las.fuertes
     The Colombia Briefing is reported by Emily Hart. https://harte.substack.com/

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    Check out Colombia Calling, the longest-running English-language podcast about Colombia. Richard McColl's latest book The Mompos Project: A Tale of Love, Hotels and Madness in Colombia Richard McColl's book on Colombian history and politics Colombia at a Crossroads: a Historical and Social Biography La Casa Amarilla, Mompos
    Hotel San Rafael, Mompos     Colombia Calling podcast Latin News podcast
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    1 h y 17 m
  • 590: The Pizarros: A Reflection of Colombian History

    590: The Pizarros: A Reflection of Colombian History
    Oct 28 2025
    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 the upcoming launch events in Colombia. Tune in for this and the Colombia Briefing with Emily Hart.

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    Check out Colombia Calling, the longest-running English-language podcast about Colombia. Richard McColl's latest book The Mompos Project: A Tale of Love, Hotels and Madness in Colombia Richard McColl's book on Colombian history and politics Colombia at a Crossroads: a Historical and Social Biography La Casa Amarilla, Mompos
    Hotel San Rafael, Mompos     Colombia Calling podcast Latin News podcast
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    57 m
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