Is bullfighting a sacred art form steeped in honor, or simply normalized cruelty masquerading as culture? And why do so many expats fail when trying to build a life in Mexico?

In Episode 7 of Navigating Mexico, Mike Stoltz tackles one of Latin America's most deeply polarizing traditions: the corrida de toros. Joined by a diverse panel of experts, we examine this controversial blood sport from every angle:

• • Carlos Rangel (Investigative Journalist, Newsweek en Español) shares his firsthand immersion into the world of matadors and the shocking paradox of how bullfighters revere the animals they kill.

  • Dr. Beatriz Vanda Cantón (Professor of Veterinary Pathology and Bioethics at UNAM) debunks common myths about adrenaline numbing the pain, breaking down the exact physiological and neurological trauma the bull endures.

  • Prof. Stephen Neufeld (Historian and author of The Perilous Beast) explores how death became a commercial spectacle and what our fascination with violence says about society.

In the second half, serial entrepreneur Wendy North (MedMex Travel, Navigating Vallarta) joins the show for an honest reality check on expat life. We unpack why chasing a "Beverly Hills lifestyle on an Encino budget," fleeing problems back home, and hiding in the "expat bubble" lead so many newcomers straight to burnout.

Finally, we kick off our new segment, Lost in Translation, alongside Jessie Ruiz, deciphering the hilarious and confusing quirks of Mexican Spanish—including false friends like embarazada and why everything negative relates to madre while everything cool is padre.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe today and stay one step ahead on your journey through Mexico!

How are deadly immigration raids impacting America’s reputation abroad?

In this explosive episode of Navigating Mexico, host Mike Stoltz breaks down recent Pew Research data showing a dramatic shift in Mexican public opinion—where favorability toward the U.S. plummeted from 61% down to just 29%.

What’s driving this historic decline? We examine the surge in fatal enforcement stops, the deliberate lack of body cameras, and the struggle for federal accountability alongside two expert guests:

🔹 Verónica Cárdenas (Former Assistant Chief Counsel for ICE): Gives an insider’s look into why DHS oversight has been watered down, how dangerous traffic stops replaced standard procedure, and why agents aren't being held accountable.

🔹 Ruby Powers (Immigration Attorney): Unpacks the tragic case of Lorenzo Salgado Arreujo, contrasting official DHS statements against eyewitness accounts and video evidence from the scene.

⚠️ A must-listen episode for expats, legal minds, political analysts, and anyone following human rights and U.S.-Mexico relations.

🎧 Listen now, hit subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Why are Mexican citizens and global travelers waiting over a year just to secure a U.S. visitor visa? And how is this massive bureaucratic backlog costing the U.S. economy billions in lost tourism?

In Episode 5 of Navigating Mexico, host Mike Stoltz sits down with U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They discuss the staggering wait times for U.S. visas, the real-world impact on families and tourist hubs like Las Vegas, and a new bipartisan bill designed to fix the broken system by redirecting passport fees.

We also explore how anti-immigrant rhetoric and political posturing are actively discouraging international travel and trade. Finally, Mike shares a personal story from election night in the South of France in 2008, reflecting on the realization that ultimately drove him to choose the expat life in Mexico.

In this episode, we cover:

• • [00:00] Welcome to Navigating Mexico & the 1-year visa wait time problem.

  • [02:00] Special Guest: Congresswoman Dina Titus joins the show.

  • [04:30] The numbers: 400+ day wait times in cities like Bogota, Mumbai, and Mexico City.

  • [06:00] How visa delays are crushing international tourism and local economies.

  • [08:00] The human cost: Grandparents missing weddings, graduations, and family events.

  • [10:15] The Bipartisan Solution: Using existing fees to hire staff and speed up processing.

  • [12:30] How political rhetoric (border walls, tariffs) impacts international relations.

  • [15:30] Expat Reflections: Why Mike left the U.S. for a life abroad.

Special Guest:

• • Congresswoman Dina Titus: Representative for Nevada's 1st Congressional District and Co-Chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus.

Subscribe to Navigating Mexico for your essential guide to living your best life abroad—keeping you safe, informed, and one step ahead!