What does it mean to protect culture in a world that’s rapidly shifting? And what role do Indigenous foodways, regenerative economics, and memory play in shaping a more equitable future? In this episode, we’re joined by Fabiola Santiago, Founder and Executive Director of Mi Oaxaca and alumnus of the Next Economy MBA program, to explore how tradition, identity, and social impact strategies converge in meaningful and transformative ways. A diasporic Zapotec from Santiago Matatlán, the World Capital of Mezcal, Fabiola brings lived experience, ancestral knowledge, and a deep commitment to community-led change.

With more than fifteen years of work in community health, policy, and narrative strategy, Fabiola shares how her immigration story, education journey, and family history shaped the vision behind Mi Oaxaca. We explore how the organization strengthens belonging, cultural continuity, and sustainable business practices by centering Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Through her work, Mi Oaxaca acts as a bridge, offering education and immersion for visitors while supporting community empowerment, land stewardship, and cultural preservation at home.

We also explore the Gala-Guetza, Mi Oaxaca’s annual celebration designed to generate cultural awareness, economic opportunity, and long-term transformation. The conversation turns toward mezcal as more than a product; it’s a reflection of land, lineage, intentionality, and care. As Fabiola explains, the nuances of mezcal making mirror human identity: complex, shaped by environment, and strengthened through time and connection.

What You’ll Learn:

Learn how Fabiola’s experiences with immigration, education, and family have shaped her work at Mi Oaxaca. [0:02:17]
Explore Mi Oaxaca’s role in empowering the local community to connect to its roots and educating its visitors on Oaxaca’s culture and heritage. [0:09:21]
Understand the organization’s pivotal role in cultural education and transformation, and how the upcoming Gala-Guetza event supports this. [0:17:08]
Hear about some of the factors that influence the integrity and nuances of Mezcal production and how these intricacies mirror human traits and perceptions. [0:26:45]

Memorable Quotations:

“I think for me, home is wherever we choose that we feel a deep sense of belonging and that the place that we choose also chooses us.” — Fabiola Santiago [0:03:48]

“Speak us into existence. Because without that culture, that knowledge, [or] those systems, there would be no Mezcal industry. There would be no Oaxaca-inspired restaurants.” — Fabiola Santiago [0:23:45]

“There are a lot of things we need to unlearn and just leave in the past — we can’t bring everything with us. Focus on what we can bring into the future.” — Fabiola Santiago [0:38:45]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: