Producer Spotlight: Liz Darrow and Elias Lopez

Pictured are Elias Lopez (left), Ana Sophia Garcia (middle), and Liz Darrow (right). Co-producers of Community Voz.

Our spotlight(s) this month are Liz Darrow and Elias Lopez, producers of Community Voz! Liz and Elias both work with the organization Community to Community and record their podcast, Community Voz, to talk about the work C2C is doing. Ana Sophia Garcia is another co producer for Community Voz but was unable to attend the interview. Our student intern, Rhone, sat down with Liz and Elias and asked questions about their show!

How did you get involved with the show? Who all is involved?

Liz: I joined C2C in 2016 as the media coordinator, I didn’t take over as a co-producer of the podcast until 2019. Everyone involved in the organization takes part in Community Voz, being in episodes or helping produce them. Elias: I moved to Bellingham to attend WWU. I became aware of C2C when I attended a march that they organized. I reached out to Liz because I wanted to be a part of the organization so I offered any assistance I could. I had been working at KUGS, the WWU on campus radio station, so I had experience producing a podcast.

What do you want listeners to feel when listening to your show?

Liz: I hope people will learn what we do at C2C. Our foundation principle for Community Voz is about accessible conversations regarding events and news. I want listeners to hear reports from people on front line of climate justice and racial justice. Movement work isn’t for everyone so it’s important for people to hear about it and learn about these things from a perspective that isn’t in daily news. Elias: I want listeners to feel curious about the work C2C is doing and feel energized about all the things that people are doing in Bellingham. I think our show provides insight into how to get people involved and make them feel like they can do something.

Why do you feel community radio is important?

Liz: It is important for its DYI aspect. It doesn’t have to meet standards, it gives a lot of freedom to producers, and it’s not over produced. It reinforces that anyone and have a show and it doesn’t need to be scripted. There’s no judgement in community radio which makes it really authentic. Also, anyone can participate! Elias: It allows for an access to people that isn’t through text. It can’t be gate kept because it’s for the community. Community Voz is special in its uniqueness and accessibility to the community. We share important information that is straightforward and easy to access. It keeps the community inspired to continue work.