About

Borikén Podcast was born out of grief—and a deep sense of purpose.

In February 2017, just months after Hurricane María devastated Puerto Rico, my stepfather suffered a major heart attack. His body, like so many others on the island, was overwhelmed by the trauma of the crisis. Thousands of families lost loved ones during that time. At his funeral, I made him a promise.

Shortly after, I returned to Boston to complete my Master's degree in Public Health. That promise grew into Borikén Podcast—a project I didn’t realize would transform me. It became a journey of decolonizing my own thinking and connecting with others committed to doing the same. Through these conversations, I found community among those who use their voices to speak truth, challenge injustice, and push for liberation across borders.

My name is Debbie Perez, I'm host to Borikén Podcast.

I'm a filmmaker, writer, poet, and activist.

 I’m also a public health professional with over a decade of experience examining how systems and institutions uphold the legacy of colonization by design.

After losing my stepfather, my mission became clear: to amplify Puerto Rican voices and shed light on the injustices our communities face. I wanted to join the thousands who had long been resisting the systemic exploitation of Puerto Rico. This struggle didn’t begin with me, but I felt called to be part of the movement—to speak up, raise awareness, and advocate for those still at risk.

Puerto Ricans continue to face erasure in media and public discourse, and that erasure contributes to the ongoing crisis.

We never truly moved past the storm—it continues to strike us from all sides.

In conversations with people both on the island and throughout the Diaspora, I’ve learned so much. But it wasn’t until I moved back to Puerto Rico that I realized how much more needs to be said. That’s why I relaunched the podcast—to create a space that bridges the Diaspora and the island, offering a culturally grounded lens on urgent issues.

My goal is to build alongside those who envision a better future for our people—connecting us through stories, ideas, and conversations that inspire real action.

Every purchase from the Borikén Podcast shop supports this mission. And if you book time with me, I’d be honored to help you explore your own path to reconnecting with the island.

I aim to create a space where we can approach these complex conversations with empathy, courage, and a shared commitment to learning and healing—together.

Thank you to everyone who has believed in this podcast and in me. I promise to keep pushing forward for our community, for our future, and for our right to be free.

¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!

Photo Credit: Mikey Cordero

Images: BTS from set of @AlbizuFilm