56. La Platicast
La Platicast is an episodic podcast produced in both audio and video formats. The show is rooted in plática
—an informal, relational conversation that carries depth, cultural knowledge, and lived experience. Through candid dialogue, La Platicast explores themes including (but not limited to) masculinity, identity, art, culture, community, and self-expression. Rather than positioning itself as a space for definitive answers, La Platicast invites multiple perspectives and lived truths. Each episode centers curiosity, reflection, and exchange—honoring the idea that understanding is often communal, evolving, and contextual. Hosts Carlos Contreras Host PhD Candidate, University of New Mexico Chicana/Chicano Studies Program Carlos Contreras is a poet, educator, artist, and community-based cultural worker whose practice centers dialogue, creative production, and collective inquiry. As host, Contreras guides conversations with intentionality, grounding discussions in cultural context while leaving room for vulnerability, contradiction, and discovery. Benjamin Hensley Engineer & Co-Host Benjamin Hensley is a longtime friend and co-creative partner of Contreras. As engineer and co-host, Hensley supports the technical production of the podcast while also participating in conversation—helping shape the flow, tone, and rhythm of each episode.