BIOGRAPHY

FIDEL T. RODRIGUEZ

For over 30 years, Fidel Rodriguez has worked as a producer, educator, mentor, and community organizer. Fidel produced several number-one-rated Hip-Hop radio programs for Clear Channel and Pacifica Radio and has planned educational conferences, Hip-Hop concerts, and wellness training for numerous government and non-profit entities. Fidel has spoken internationally on topics such as, but not limited to, Wellness, Native American and African cultures, Colonialism, and Capitalism with the intention of harboring paradigm shifts amongst audiences.

For over a decade, Fidel has worked for the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission as a Human Relations Specialist. He develops art intervention projects to fight against hate, facilitates adult leadership training, and leads youth development programs for those impacted by childhood trauma. Much of Fidel's professional advocacy and activism has been informed by his own journey to healing childhood trauma and the systemic trauma induced by his experiences in the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Fidel's commitment to raising the consciousness of youth and young adults, through community organizing in the streets of Los Angeles, has been profoundly inspired by his mentors, love for education, and most significantly, his inititiations into Mexican, Native American, and African traditional medicines and religions. These experiences have equipped him with the historical context to understand the complexities of our society and developed his capacity for equanimity, empathy, and compassion.

Fidel is a thought leader, innovative, and visionary. Fidel graduated from the University of Southern California as a McNair Scholar with degrees in Chicano/Latino and African American studies. Additionally, he is a certified trainer for Franklin Covey and an initiated Awo, one who possesses specialized esoteric knowledge in the ancient wisdom of Ifa. He was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, and is of Indigenous, Mexican, and African descent.

PODCAST

Richard Cabral - Healing Traumatic Wounds

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Javier Laval - Raising Our Consciousness in an Era of AI

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“Spreading Seeds has really change my life, the way I think and how I act. Now I don’t snap on people no more. Fidel has taught me the 7 breaths and that has really helped me a lot with my anger. My point is that without this class I will be a lose. If it wasn’t for this class I would still have an anger problem.” - Spreading Seeds participant

Spreading Seeds Wellness Center a non-profit (501(c)(3) organization.

Our mission is to provide mentorship, wellness and leadership skills for youth and young adults that have been adversely effected by childhood trauma and juvenile and criminal justice system.

Spreading Seeds programs offer engaging experiences that focus on nurturing healthy relationship while exposing participants to knowledge, culture and narratives of redemption.

Spreading Seeds curriculum is based on evidence based practices, de-colonizing methodology, indigenous cultural paradigms, universal principles and healing circles.

Spreading Seeds ultimately guide and nurture participants on their journey to better understand their trauma, and discover new ways to let go of painful experiences so that they may begin to reconnect to their essence and live in the present moment. This is the process of self-realization and self-mastery, a life long journey. There is no quick fix.

Guiding Principles:

• Integrity, Dignity, Kindness, Empathy, Equanimity, Grit, Love

Goals

• Create an environment that is nurturing for participants

• Development character based on universal principles 

• Develop grit: a combination of passion and persistence

• Develop consistent wellness practices

• Increase self-awareness, knowledge of self and culture

• Increase critical thinking and self-reflection skills

• Develop short and long term goals

Testimonies

"Dear Fidel, Thank you for presenting at our annual All Staff Workshop las Sunday. The concept of empathic listening you discussed for both the instructors and customer and service staff hit the nail on the head for what I felt they needed to 'sharpen the saw' for the work they do with children and parents enrolling at my gymnastics centers.  The discussion on character being a quality of tremendous importance personally and professionally was directly in line with our Mission Statement and Philosophy, and introducing the concept of meditation to them as a way to focus more deeply and manage stress in their lives was a true gift....You did a terrific job Fidel.  At the end of the day when I asked for their favorite talks and best ideas learned your name came up."   - Jeff Lulla / Founder & President, Fun and Fit Gymnastic Centers

Participant experiences with Spreading Seeds: Mind Body Spirit 

“This class has planted the seed in me big time. I want to spread more seeds to other people. What I learned is positive… how to live different. To fight for my life and move forward, come up in the world for me and my kids, my eating habits, physical, breathing and anger; and I find myself thinking different. I want to break the cycle of my life and show my kids different in every angle of life. I want everything I could get from this class and pass on…”

“It makes me think about what really goes on and what happened in my life.”

“Spreading Seeds is a good opportunity for a better life and you will learn how to deal with life! Thank you for your time!”

“Spreading seeds made me gain new knowledge that I didn’t know before. It made me realize that it feels good to stretch everyday. Right now I am working on myself… to not relapse.”

“The Spreading Seeds program has been effective in my life, on some level it has inspired me to be a better man, as well as a father and also it helped me spiritually as well physically and to get a better hold on my life and to know my history that they did not teach me in school.”

“Fidel’s class (Spreading Seeds) has really helped my life in a big way. He gave me hope for myself and my family. I see the world in a whole other way I understand the life cycle. Enirere!”

“Health-showing me how to keep in good shape and healthy. Kung Fu- building me stronger physically and also mentally. Room of knowledge- teaching me a lot of things about me and my ancestors that I would of never learned.”  

“Knowledge makes you feel better. Breathing makes you feel better.”

“This program has affected my life in many ways. One of them being that I learned about my Mexican heritage, and the real history behind the American empire. But yet I have a lot to change and work on myself spiritually, physically and mentally.”

“Puberty...Marriage...Child bearing… Death… smart class, positive.”

“I been learning a lot of positive thinks like Health it makes me feel good. I love doing exercise.”   

Youth and Young Adult Development Projects



RISE UP for Humanity: Justice for the Forgotten is a yearly youth leadership conference that was created to raise consciousness around social justice and build a progressive youth network in LA County. Participants are engaged in empowering social justice and wellness workshops and provided with support to positive change efforts in their schools after the conference.

Each year Rise Up hosted over 300 youth and 50 adults from over 20 high schools in Los Angeles County that participated in 3 sessions with over 21 workshops during the course of the day that are facilitated by professionals and experts in their fields. The conference objective is for students to return back to their schools and develop a social justice project with their teachers and mentors. Some of the subject areas that students may focus can range from: poverty, racism, sexism, climate change, xenophobia, homophobia, prisons, trauma, bullying, Indigenous rights, to name few.

Past Speakers: Immortal Technique, Poet and Teaching Artist Mayda Del Valle, 2014-15 Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, Mike de La Rocha - CEO Revolve Impact, Jasmine Abdullah - Black Lives Matter, Get Lit Poets, Najeeba Syeed J.D., janaya khan - Black Lives Matter, Dr. AnnMaria De Mars, Temryss Lane M.A., JoAnna Harper, Dr. Loni Cupchoy, Margaret Prescod, Rhythm Arts Alliance, Sage Trudell - Native American Activist, Kim McGill - Youth Justice Coalition, Mark Lopez - East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, JoAnna Hardy, Hip Hop artists 2MEX and Medussa, the Get Lit Poets and percussionist Nakeiltha Nikki Campbell.

Rise Up For Humanity was produced by Fidel Rodriguez for the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission

Rise Up for Humanity: Justice For The Forgotten • 2019 • USC

Rise Up for Humanity: Justice For The Forgotten • 2018 • USC

Rise Up for Humanity: Justice For The Forgotten • March 24, 2017 • TCE • Los Angeles • CA

RISE Up for Humanity: Justice For The Forgotten • April 29, 2016 • Goodwill • Los Angeles • CA

Nearly 10 million people live within Los Angeles County, which makes it the most populous and diverse county in the United States. For many, living in Los Angeles can be very challenging-both socially and economically and for many youth, overcoming these obstacles can be daunting and chaotic both physically and mentally. Eight young musicians, known as The Bricks, were raised in this abundance of diversity juxtaposed with the complexity of being a teenager and have risen above their own personal hardships to artistically utilize their experiences to create meaningful, quality music.

The Bricks were chosen from among hundreds to participate in a historic government youth program called Project 1 designed to mentor musically talented youth through the process of making music that share stories and social issues that directly affect teens and young adults. The Bricks are Maria Tuadi- lead vocals/acoustic guitar, Anthony Gutierrez-vocals/acoustic guitar, Louie Gonzalez-guitar, Marcy Mejia-bass, Alex Baldwin-vocals, Tevin Douglas vocals/percussion and Jose Garcia-drums.

The Bricks brand of music delivers an eclectic mix of Hip Hop, Soul, Rock, Latin and world music that invigorates audiences wherever they perform. While most teens and young adults wait for the next trend to be marketed to them, The Bricks are leading the way using the same approach that has worked for many great bands- original music with a message. Following the footsteps of the greats, such as Nina Simone, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, U2, Ozomatlil, The Roots, Linkin Park or Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Bricks are creating music about issues important to them and to society. By combining their stories, their perspective, and their music they are able to be creative and uplifting and still hit many significant social topics such as violence against the homeless, domestic violence, juvenile justice, racism, sexism, homophobia or the timely topic of immigration. 

The Bricks debut EP This Land co-produced and mentored by professional and Grammy Award-winning producers KC Porter (Santana, Ozomatli), JB Eckl (Santana, En Vogue), Money Mark (Beastie Boys), DJ Khalil (Eminem, Dr. Dre), DJ C- Minus (Korn), Big Duke (Psycho Realm), Scarab (Living Legends), Erik "Blu2th" Griggs (Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks) featuring guest appearances by Immortal Technique and Sick-Jacken of Psycho Realm and a public service announcement by actor Danny Trejo. The Bricks EP was mastered by Chris Bellman for Bernie Grundman Mastering. The Bricks brand of music delivers a socially conscious and eclectic mix of Hip Hop, Soul, Rock, Latin and world music. 

"Being a part of The Bricks has made me more aware of the world and its social issues. I found myself responsible for telling the stories of the oppressed, the invisible, and the different. The great question was, ‘how do I tell the world it's got issues without shoving it in its face?’ Well, with this band, I believe I've found the answer—music," - Maria Tuadi, The Bricks - Lead Singer

Executive Produced by Fidel Rodriguez for the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, in collaboration with the non-profit Oneness, Los Angeles College of Music and some of the music industry’s most talented music professionals, The Bricks ventured on a journey to write a new soundtrack for their generation that reminds us all that music can do much more than entertainment can also educate, provoke thought and inspire. 

The Bricks - This LAND 

The Oracles of Hip Hop

divine forces radio (dfr) focuses on raising awareness, consciousness and truthfulness as an antidote for historical amnesia and healing through critical thinking interviews and conscious and uplifting music.

For over 10 years divine forces radio hosted and produced by Fidel Rodriguez has engaged and entertained its listeners through conscious hip hop music, critical thinking and enlightening information through interviews on culture, global spiritual traditions, history, health and politics.  Developed from one of the most engaging radio shows ever launched at Clear Channels 92.3 The Beat back in 1998, divine forces radio, formerly "Seditious Beats", was hosted and produced by Fidel Rodriguez with  DJ Icy Ice of the World Famous Beat Junkies.  “Seditious Beats” first aired on KKBT FM (92.3 FM "The Beat") where it premiered in February of 1998, and eventually evolving into divine forces radio and adding resident DJ's Orator, Counterstryke, and Breeze with many guest DJ's over the years. 

Since its inception in 1998 to its departure in 2009, the growth of divine forces radio was nothing short of spectacular:

·     Increased its ad revenue and also increased its listener ship by 275%.
·     Went from #14 in Arbitron ratings, to the #1 radio program in Los Angeles in its time slot within 3 months of its debut.
·     Currently airing on the strongest radio station in the United States -- 112,000 watts KPFK (90.7FM) in Los Angeles and KPFK (98.7FM) in Santa Barbara
·     Diverse audience with strong Latino and African American following.
·     divine forces radio /Seditious Beats & Fidel Rodriguez also have received awards for their commitment to social and community issues from United States Congresswomen Maxine Waters for "years of dedication to raising consciousness, promoting unity and providing our youth creative avenues for positive change through the radio airwaves” and former State Senator Tom Hayden for their “enormous and continuous efforts to touch and transform lives through conscious radio”.

·     dfr received its second award for seven years of dedication to conscious radio in Los Angeles from Congresswoman Maxine Watters, "divine forces radio (dfr) in recognition of the seventh anniversary of one of the best programs on radio today featuring conscious hip-hop music and promoting political awareness, and for all the positive and devoted work dfr has done to uplift, enlighten, and educate while entertaining its listening audience and the community".

·     divine forces radio was nominated for Best Radio Show in Los Angeles by the LA Weekly for 2005.

·     Certificate of Appreciation presented to divine forces radio May 2006 “Thank You For Making A Difference” Antonio R. Villaraigosa Mayor

·     Recognition on divine forces radio 9 Year Anniversary February 21st, 2007 Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa

·     Certificate of Appreciation presented to Fidel Rodriguez May 22, 2007 “For your commitment and dedication to serving the City of Los Angeles’ 30th Anniversary Celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month” Antonio R. Villaraigosa Mayor

·     “Certificate of Special Recognition presented to Divine Forces Radio February 21, 2008 on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary celebrating a decade of revolutionary radio programming that strives to raise consciousness by sharing the wisdom of ancient cultures and the struggles for justice in our society in a format that entertains as well as enlightens its listeners; and in recognition of its strong support of positive programs that help improve the quality of life of inner city youth in Los Angeles and beyond”  Maxine Waters Member of Congres.

Innovative, positive, and exciting, divine forces radio flawlessly blends music, education, in-studio guests, and spiritual consciousness within theme-based shows.  There is even a “Word of the Week”, where listeners improve their vocabulary and comprehension while having a chance to win books (over 3300 in the past 10 years) to promote literacy in Los Angeles. With songs intertwined with entertaining movie sound bites and knowledge breaks that are sure to make you scratch your head in astonishment, dfr focuses on seeking the root of “truth”.

Some past guest have been: KRS-ONE, Reverend Michael Beckwith, Thich Nhan Hanh, Public Enemy, Dilated Peoples, Russell Simmons, Africa Bambaataa, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Tony Touch, Brother J (X-Clan), David Icke, Miguel Ruiz, RZA, Sifu Shi Yan Ming, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, SWAY (MTV), Talib Kwali, Gang Starr, Immortal Technique, Del The Funkyhomosapian Ozomatli, Luis Rodriguez, Akil (Jurassic 5), DJ Q-bert, DJ Revolution, Jeff Chang, Tommy Chong, Chief Joseph Chasing Horse, Sabac Red, Orval Looking Horse, Jose Arguelles, Super Natural, Lady Bug Mecca, Psycho Realm, and many others.
                                       
divine forces radio- Listener Comments

“Popular education is a rare find in radio these days, especially when the focus is relevant to many young minds who are at the crossroads of identity construction and development.”  – dfr Listener Renee Rodriguez – Orange County Human Relations Commission

“Hello divine forces radio,

I just wanna say thank you for putting together the beautiful show every Friday night. It's educational and I am always inspired and bugging out on the knowledge you share with me. Much peace to you folks at divine forces radio.” Porschia Baker

“Your show inspired me so much brotha, because I have a learning disability and you’ve help motivate me so much…..I’m not the best reader but two years ago listening to dfr I started reading books and now I am hooked” Maskman MC

“I first heard the show (dfr) about five or six weeks ago and I haven’t missed it since.  You dudes break it down for all of the people who aren’t knowing what’s really going down in this world.” Faithful Listener, Ulysses Washington III

“I’ve lived in Los Angeles for 7 years now, and your show (dfr) is one of the most original and stimulating programs (radio or otherwise) that I’ve experienced since I’ve lived here.” E. Christian Moore

“divine forces radio exposes listeners to information that is left out from the news and commercial of rap radio…dfr is the only hip hop radio show that encourages listeners to be aware of the events of the world…..and is an inspiration for young hip hop listeners who believe in social justice”.  Karl Pacho

Radio History Photos

Past Productions

Radio Workshops 

ADVENTURES IN CONSCIOUSNESS

Divine Forces Media Inc. - mindful, inspiring and empowering content and consulting

Divine Forces Media provides thought provoking and paradigm shifting content for conferences, radio, film and television productions.

Instagram @fideltrodriguez

CONTACT 

Leadership, Wellness Trainings and Speaking inquiries for Mr. Fidel Rodriguez please email - divineforcesmedia@gmail.com