Visit Lake Charles Launches First Spanish-Language Podcast During Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Visit Lake Charles announces the launch of its first Spanish-language podcast series, Visita Lake Charles: Las Voces de Luisiana, hosted by Candy Rodriguez, director of communications at Visit Lake Charles.

“This podcast represents a new chapter in how we connect with visitors,” said Timothy Bush, chief marketing officer at Visit Lake Charles. “At Visit Lake Charles, we're committed to reaching people from all walks of life—regardless of languages and backgrounds. Visita Lake Charles: Las Voces de Luisiana is a prime example of our innovative approach to marketing our destination while also championing inclusivity and connection.” 

The podcast aims to connect with Spanish-speaking audiences by highlighting the unique stories of four individuals with roots in Hispanic and Latino cultures who now call Southwest Louisiana home. Each episode features a different guest: 

·                  Jessica Mangione Colon, Marketing Account Executive at Telemundo Lake Charles and CBS Lake Charles 

·                  Gustavo Garden, Owner of Area 337 & Encanto Daiquiris and More 

·                  Dalia Matheus, Founder of the International Club of SWLA and St. Frances Cabrini Immigration Law Center 

·                  Ricardo Ruvalcaba, Spanish Pastoral Assistant at the Diocese of Lake Charles  

Through their personal stories, each guest shares how their heritage and traditions blend with the region's Cajun and Creole culture—coming together in our festivals, cuisine, and community to reflect the vibrant spirit of Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. 

“As the host of Visita Lake Charles: Las Voces de Luisiana, I'm truly honored to have the opportunity to connect with the Hispanic and Latino community in our own language,” Rodriguez said. “Being bilingual, with roots in both American and Mexican cultures, has allowed me to share Southwest Louisiana's beauty with a wider audience. Our team at Visit Lake Charles understands the importance of embracing diversity, and this special podcast series allows us to welcome a new group of travelers who can experience the joy, hospitality and culture that define our region.” 

To learn more about the podcast, visit www.visitlakecharles.org/lasvoces. Listeners can stream the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and more. Viewers can watch the podcast on our YouTube channel. We also invite you to check out our bi-weekly English-language podcast, Louisiana's Playground.

About the episodes below

Episode: Introduction to Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana

In this episode, listeners will be introduced to the podcast and its purpose. The host, Candy Rodriguez, will provide background information about Southwest Louisiana and set the stage for future episodes. Throughout the episode, you'll explore what makes Southwest Louisiana unique, with explanations about terms like Cajun, Creole, Mardi Gras, and iconic dishes like gumbo and jambalaya and how these traditions, flavors, and celebrations are part of Lake Charles' rich culture. It's a guide to understanding and enjoying all that this amazing destination has to offer!

Episode: Jessica Colon, Media Executive for Telemundo Lake Charles and CBS Lake Charles and Hispanic Business Promoter in Southwest Louisiana

Jessica Mangione Colon is a first-generation American, of Puerto Rican and Sicilian descent, born and raised in the Bronx, New York. She proudly served in the Army National Guard and has lived overseas, accumulating a wealth of diverse experiences. In 2014, she moved to Southeast Texas, and in 2019, she took a major career turn by moving to Southwest Louisiana to sell Louisiana rice to Latin American countries.

Despite her professional accomplishments, Jessica has always felt a strong drive to give back to her Hispanic community. This passion led her to a position at Telemundo Lake Charles and CBS Lake Charles, where she supports the growth of local Hispanic businesses, helps other business owners connect with the region's growing diversity, and provides valuable resources and information to support the development of the Hispanic community. Jessica is also a dedicated mother of two beautiful daughters, who are a central part of her life and motivation. And that's why Jessica is one of our Louisiana voices for Visit Lake Charles. In this episode, she will discuss her background, career, and efforts to support Hispanic-owned businesses in Southwest Louisiana.

About Visit Lake Charles:    

Visit Lake Charles, the official destination marketing organization for Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana, is the only organization in Southwest Louisiana providing advocacy, promotion, and education for the tourism industry. For more information on Visit Lake Charles and things to see and do in Louisiana’s Playground, log on to www.visitlakecharles.org.