Jaime Roque
Jaime Roque is the host of ReCurrent (new season coming out November 4, 2025). Jaime is an audio story teller, musician, and educator whose work bridges public radio and audio podcasts. On ReCurrent, he guides listeners through sound-rich journeys that illuminate how cultural heritage lives in everyday places—from his mother’s kitchen table and radiating out to murals, sacred sites, and neighborhood hubs.
Shreya Sharma: Tell us about ReCurrent in ten words or less.
Discovering the unexpected places and impacts of cultural heritage.
SS: Why did Getty decide to make podcasts?
Audio lets people experience Getty’s research, conservation, and collections in new ways. It’s another way to democratize access, highlight underheard stories, and introduce listeners to all the work Getty does that you can’t necessarily see by visiting a gallery.
SS: Who should listen to ReCurrent?
If you’re curious about how culture shapes art and the world around you, this is for you. ReCurrent goes beyond what people traditionally expect from Getty—into murals, soundscapes, and living communities—told with audio recorded out in the field. You’ll learn alongside me in real time as the story unfolds.
SS: Which ReCurrent episode had the most impact on you?
The first one. My mom passed during that first season, and making that story reshaped my sense of what matters. It reminded me that the work is about people first—memory, care, and presence.
SS: Have you ever come across any story/piece of art you encountered as an adult that you wish you’d have seen as a kid?
Yes—the story of América Tropical. I visited Olvera Street countless times growing up and never knew that powerful mural—and its history—was right there. I wish I’d learned earlier how art in public space can speak truth, disappear, and be recovered again.
SS: What’s a moral from a story that stuck with you the most? Why?
That cultural memory survives because ordinary people decide it’s worth saving. From family photo boxes to community murals to a single tape someone bothered to keep—preservation is a collective act of love.
SS: Art is the best way to learn a new culture. Do you agree? Disagree? Thoughts?
Art is a beautiful doorway—one of the best. But art s a house with many doors: food, music, language, place, and people. The richest understanding comes when you step through several at once and listen.
SS: What has surprised you most about making your show?
It wasn’t surprising as much as it was a reminder of how 24/7 the creative headspace is—in the best way. Ideas hit on my walks, during my bike rides, or while I’m eating dinner. I’ll pull over to record a line or idea into my watch voice notes app before it disappears. It’s a lot of work, but I can’t imagine doing anything else, and I feel lucky to make this show.
SS: What’s one podcast that you love that everyone already knows about?
Ear Hustle. I’ve been listening since day one. It’s intimate, humane storytelling about life inside and after prison—told with care, curiosity, and beautiful “real-world” sound. It’s such a great listen.
SS: What’s one podcast you love that not enough people know about?
Good Food (KCRW). I love the public-radio-meets-podcast vibe, and how food provides a look into other cultures one dish at a time. It’s also a little left-field compared to what I usually subscribe to, which keeps my ears fresh and curious.
Thank you, Jaime!