Podcasts Archives - Mexico News Daily

Introducing Season 2 of the ‘Confidently Wrong’ podcast: Raising expat kids in Mexico

Travis Bembenek — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:00:53 +0000

Most everyone knows Mexico is a great place to retire — for decades now people from the U.S., Canada and beyond have been moving to the country. It’s hard to go anywhere nowadays, from the tiniest beach towns to the most remote mountain communities, and not find foreign retirees making Mexico their new home.

Since the COVID pandemic, younger digital nomads have also begun to flock to the country in increasingly greater numbers. Several neighborhoods in Mexico City have become ground zero for digital nomads, bringing with them the good and bad that comes with a sudden large influx of newcomers. But it’s not just Mexico City: Digital nomads have also settled in cities large and small throughout the country.

School, community, family, culture — how does it all work for expat families raising children in Mexico? Parents, teachers and kids share their perspectives in this season of “Confidently Wrong.” (File photo)

So the country is now full of foreigners over 55 and under 35 … but what about those in between? The perception for most people has historically been that, as a foreigner, you can’t raise your kids in Mexico. I remember once hearing a foreign visitor expressing shock that the expat woman she was talking to had given birth to her children in Mexico. The expat sarcastically replied, “Believe it or not, Mexicans have babies too!”

So what about that perception? Is it “confidently wrong”? Is Mexico actually a viable place for foreigners to consider raising and schooling their kids? And if so, where? And at what ages? How is it similar or different from schooling in other countries? And how are expat kids schooled here different than their family and friends back home — socially, culturally and even emotionally?

It is with that background that we bring you the second season of “Confidently Wrong: Raising Expat Kids in Mexico.” Each episode of this season will dive into “confidently wrong” assumptions about raising and schooling kids in Mexico. We will bring you interviews with parents, teachers, administrators and kids. We will share their stories with you and you will hear, in their own words, what the experience was like.

We’re not doing vague hot takes or “Mexico is perfect” soundbites. We’re sharing what people wish they’d known, what surprised them, what was harder than expected, and what ended up being better than they imagined. You will hear it in their own words — how they chose schools, how kids adapted (or didn’t), what community looked like, and what they’d do differently if they started over.

This season is not meant to tell you that raising kids in Mexico is better or worse than in your home country. It is meant to inform, educate, entertain and help ensure that you are not making decisions based on “confidently wrong” assumptions. We have worked hard to bring you a very wide range of perspectives on the topic, and if you’ve ever even considered Mexico with kids, you’ll want to hear these conversations before you decide anything. Check out the first episode (available on Spotify here or YouTube here) in which we frame up what is coming in Season 2 — it’s going to be very fun!

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

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The Mexico they don’t show you: Confidently Wrong interviews Servant Steve

Travis Bembenek — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 13:30:51 +0000

As we point out in each weekly episode of Mexico News Daily’s “Confidently Wrong” podcast, there is an abundance of people who are confidently wrong about Mexico. The media narrative and social media algorithms reward viral (and often incorrect) information, serving only to reinforce the inaccurate, incomplete or misleading perceptions that already exist.

Our mission at Mexico News Daily is to be the most balanced and complete source of news and information about Mexico. Day in and day out, we are waging a constant battle against those who are in the “misinformation for clicks” business. Occasionally, we run into someone else trying to show the “real Mexico,” only to find out that the real motivation behind the curtain is to sell real estate, health supplements or something worse. It seems like just about everyone these days is trying to get your attention about something, only to sell you something else.

I get it, it’s the world we live in. But it does highlight the need to make us as consumers (or scollers on social media) more aware. I guess you could say it’s the modern-day version of being offered something free in return for listening to a timeshare presentation. It sounds good at first, but then quickly turns into: Let the buyer beware!

It is with that backdrop that we were intrigued by Steve. Servant Steve lives in Mexico with his family and posts on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. He creates short videos in which he tells stories about what he sees in Mexico that “they don’t show you” back home. His stories hit a chord with us as they seemed genuine, heartfelt and true. He highlights the preconceived notions of topics as broad as family, faith, raising children, the definition of middle class and personal safety — just to name a few. His message resonated with us as he — like our team at MND — is inspired to show the Mexico they often don’t tell you about. So we reached out to him.

Click on the link below to watch the latest episode of “Confidently Wrong” in which we interview Steve. His story, his motivation, his message and his passion are fascinating. Check it out and get inspired!

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

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Confidently Wrong about Water in Mexico: A new podcast from our CEO

Travis Bembenek — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 13:00:31 +0000

Perhaps the most common piece of advice one is given when traveling to Mexico is, “Don’t drink the water!” Other common advice includes not having ice in your drinks, or not eating salads or not brushing your teeth with tap water. I have even heard people say that you must make sure to keep your mouth closed in the shower.

So are these pieces of advice still relevant today? And if so, why? What’s so different and unique about water in Mexico?

I have worked in the water business for over 15 years in Mexico and have seen hundreds of water systems in businesses across the country. Although I am not a technical water expert, I do have a perspective that I think can help people make sense of the water situation in the country.

Other than crime issues, I would say that water is the biggest concern that I hear people talking about. Some people ask about the impact of nearshoring or new factories on the water supply. Others lament new home construction and the lack of water availability. And still others worry about all of the greenhouses popping up in many parts of the country, using precious water to grow crops for export to relatively water-rich countries like the U.S. and Canada.

With so much to learn on the topic, MND has created a separate content section called “Water in Mexico” and our site has constant coverage on the issues facing the country. You can see the articles here.

I also have written several articles with my perspective on the issue:

In this week’s episode of MND’s Confidently Wrong podcast, we tackle the issue of Water in Mexico. Not just the dos and don’ts of drinking water, but also the things you need to know if you are looking at buying or building a house in most parts of the country. Water is not a straightforward issue in Mexico, so it’s important to be educated and informed on the topic.

Check out this week’s episode here on our Youtube channel or on Spotify here.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

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‘Confidently Wrong about Gentrification in Mexico,’ a new podcast by our CEO

Travis Bembenek — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 13:00:34 +0000

Gentrification is an issue affecting cities around the globe. Mexico is no stranger to the topic, which MND has covered in depth, especially over the past few months. We even have had some of our Mexican writers in different cities weigh in from their perspective as many people began to intertwine the issue of immigration with that of gentrification. A series of small protests in Mexico City this summer served to further add confusion by mixing the two issues, and a lot of international media attention was given to the protests. So much so that many Americans, Canadians, and others considering moving to Mexico began to ask, “Am I still welcome in Mexico?”

Most of us already living here found this concern to be misplaced and unfortunate. Ask pretty much any immigrant to Mexico (and I have asked many) if they feel welcome by the local population and comfortable living here, and the answer is almost always a resounding “Yes, absolutely!” Politicians both locally and nationally made sure to separate the topic of gentrification (which is a real problem in an increasing number of cities in Mexico) with that of immigration (which I would strongly argue is absolutely not an issue — you can read why here).

So what does it all mean? Is this something to be concerned about? Where is the problem most prevelant? And most importantly, how should you think about the problem here in Mexico so that you can be aware of it? Check out MND’s Confidently Wrong podcast this week as we do a deep dive into the issue.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

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‘Confidently Wrong about Mexico City’: A new podcast from our CEO

Travis Bembenek — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 13:00:50 +0000

I meet a lot of expats across Mexico that have never been to Mexico City. It always amazes me when I hear the reasons why, but the general consensus is that people think they will not like it. They (again, despite not having been there) cite reasons such as the traffic, the crime, the smog, the amount of people. In a nutshell, and in my humble opinion, they are “confidently wrong” about a place they have never been to.

It’s not just expats. I recently took an old friend from high school to see the city. He has spent years living in European cities and with a certain European air of superiority, assumed that Mexico City could not possibly be as good as what I had said all of these years. After five days of walking in neighborhood after neighborhood, he finally admitted that he had been very “confidently wrong,” and is already talking about coming back again soon.

Why is it that so many people are confidently wrong about the city? And better yet, when did Mexico City get so cool? I first wrote about this topic early last year, but in this week’s podcast, we dive deeper. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend CDMX to a first-time Mexico visitor, but I think it is criminal to say you like Mexico and NOT have been to Mexico City. Imagine going to the U.K. and not visiting London. Or the Netherlands and not visiting Amsterdam. Or France and not visiting Paris. You can do it, but you most definitely are missing out on a hugely important part of the country.

The reality is that Mexico City today is consistently recognized as one of the top cities in the world — for its culture, its food, its parks, its people and much more. So take a listen and find out why people have an outdated misperception, and most importantly, why you need to add CDMX to your bucket list of places to go!

You can watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here or on Spotify here. Thanks for tuning in.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

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‘Confidently Wrong’ about the Mexican peso: A new podcast from our CEO

Travis Bembenek — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 13:00:30 +0000

My first experience with the Mexican peso came just weeks before I arrived in Mexico in January of 1996 for a semester of studying abroad in Guadalajara. In a period of just a few weeks, the peso devalued against the dollar from 3 to 6. Said differently, things almost overnight cost half as much for those of us fortunate to have US dollars. Even for me, a poor college student, things seemed impossibly cheap. My city bus fare to the university was about 3 cents. A subway fare, about 7 cents. Even McDonalds had a simple cheeseburger extra value meal called the “Golazo” which cost 2.99 pesos (50 cents!). As you might imagine, it became my go-to meal.

I learned a lot about currencies that semester in Mexico, and have followed the exchange rate of the peso versus the dollar closely ever since. Predicting short-term movements of currencies is said to be a fool’s game, but over the past 25 years, from that crash in late 1995 until the COVID pandemic in early 2020, the peso’s movement against the USD was pretty predictable. In over two decades, the average depreciation of the peso was about 10% per year. Some years it was more, sometimes it was less, but that was the average. This meant that it was a pretty safe bet that, if you had USD, Mexico was likely going to get less expensive as the year progressed.

It was also a relatively safe bet to assume that inflation and interest rates would be higher in Mexico, while GDP growth would be lower. This made for a fairly safe assumption that the peso would depreciate each year. And depreciate it did. As we all know, over that 25-year time period, the peso further weakened from 6 to over 20 pesos to the USD. When the pandemic hit, currencies behaved as expected. There was a “flight to safety,” with the USD appreciating as a result and emerging market currencies, including the Mexican peso, depreciating. The peso quickly fell to 25. But then, everything changed. The peso began a multi-year strengthening against the USD, defying just about every “expert,” and since then has been unpredictable.

These past five years have witnessed countless “Confidently Wrong” predictions about the peso. And as a result, this week’s podcast is a deep dive into the peso, what has happened, why have so many people been wrong, and where it might go from here. Check it out!

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

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What should AMLO’s legacy be? A perspective from our CEO

Travis Bembenek — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 13:00:57 +0000

I first attempted to weigh in on how to think about AMLO’s presidency over two years ago. Since he was first elected, I have been constantly asked by foreigners how I feel about his presidency and what I think about him. They tend to hear one of two extremes from their Mexican friends — that he was the “best president ever” or an “absolute disaster” — and they are not sure which version to believe.

With that being said, in the newest version of MND’s “Confidently Wrong” podcast, we tackle that very question: What should AMLO’s legacy be? And was he a net good or bad for the country?

It’s important to remember that the “confidently wrong” predictions leading up to his election were off the charts. The idea that Mexico would “become the next Venezuela,” that the Mexican peso would crash, that foreign direct investment was going to disappear or that Mexico would become a “communist country” were just a few of the predictions by many so-called experts.

Obviously, none of those things happened. So how can we analyze his presidency? Clearly AMLO triggers strong emotions in both directions, but what do the facts and data tell us?

To find out, check out the latest episode of MND’s “Confidently Wrong about AMLO” on our YouTube channel Mexico News Daily TV, below, or on Spotify.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

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MND Deep Dive: Gentrification and protest in Mexico City

MND Plus — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 15:28:39 +0000

Hundreds of people protested gentrification in Mexico City’s Condesa and Roma neighborhoods last week, largely singling out Americans. Protesters cited anger over rising rents and the displacement of Mexicans, which they attribute to an influx of foreign residents, many earning U.S. dollar salaries and using platforms like Airbnb for short-term rentals. Slogans such as “Free us from American gentrification,” “You’re not an expat, you’re an invader,” and “Dispossession comes disguised as Airbnb” were displayed.

Chants of “fuera gringos” and “gringos, go home” also rang out. Resentment was also fueled by perceptions that some foreigners do not assimilate, learn Spanish, or significantly contribute to local tax collection, underscoring economic inequality where Mexicans struggle to afford housing in desirable areas.

While many demonstrations were peaceful, a smaller group engaged in acts of vandalism and violence, damaging businesses, defacing monuments, and attacking individuals. The Mexico City government, led by Mayor Clara Brugada, issued a statement denouncing gentrification and affirming a commitment to “the right to decent housing” through public policies.

This week, our subscriber-exclusive podcast takes a look at the protests, the reasons behind them and whether or not protestors are right to blame digital nomads for the cost of living crisis in Mexico City.

This podcast was produced using AI tools. All information collected and discussed in this episode was investigated, written, and edited by human journalists. Compiled from Mexico News Daily articles by Peter Davies and Sarah DeVries. Edited by Chris Havler-Barrett and Caitlin Cooper. Podcast produced by Chris Havler-Barrett.

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MND Perspective podcast: A global perspective on life in Mexico

MND Plus — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:00:55 +0000

Imagine having traversed 150 countries across two decades, even sporting a world map tattoo, and then choosing one special place to call home. That’s the remarkable journey of Nellie Huang, a global adventurer who, along with her Spanish husband Alberto and their 10-year-old daughter (who herself has visited over 60 countries!), found their haven in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

After years of “daily grind” in the Netherlands, the family sought a more intentional way of life, discovering Mexico’s vibrant culture and welcoming community. Nellie, a professional travel writer for over 15 years with bylines in publications like Lonely Planet and National Geographic, is now bringing her extraordinary insights to Mexico News Daily as a weekly contributor.

Her “Where to Travel in Mexico in 2025” series offers tailored tips for various traveler profiles, from digital nomads to foodies, whether they’re a “Mexico Novice” or “Mexico Expert”. She’ll also draw on her vast global experiences to showcase how Mexico’s diverse landscapes rival top international destinations. Nellie’s goal is to inspire readers to discover the true “magic” of Mexico beyond common tourist areas, revealing a “universe unto itself”.

This podcast was produced using AI tools. All information collected and discussed in this episode was investigated, written and edited by human journalists. Compiled from a series of Mexico News Daily articles by Travis Bembenek and Nellie Huang. Edited by Rose Eglhoff and Chris Havler-Barrett. Podcast produced by Chris Havler-Barrett.

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MND Deep Dive Podcast: The future of Mexico’s auto industry

MND Staff — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 17:37:11 +0000

Mexico, a leading global vehicle producer, faces a complex automotive landscape where cars remain notably expensive for domestic consumers despite high export volumes. Factors contributing to high costs include supply chain issues, advanced vehicle technology, and significant taxes. Gasoline prices are also high, even though Mexico is a major oil producer.

Paradoxically, while Mexico exports nearly 88% of the vehicles it produces, imports account for 66% of domestic car sales. About one-third of these imports come from China, making Mexico the top importer of Chinese-made cars globally. This includes a significant percentage of General Motors cars manufactured in China.

This situation presents a “conundrum” for President Claudia Sheinbaum, particularly ahead of the USMCA trade agreement renewal in 2026 and potential U.S. tariffs on Mexican-made vehicles threatened by former President Trump. Balancing relations with China and the U.S. may require difficult decisions regarding Chinese investment or import quotas.

Amidst these challenges, Mexico is exploring electric vehicles and improved public transportation. A significant project is the domestically designed Olinia EV, intended to be accessible and affordable for Mexican families, with an expected price under 500,000 pesos (around US $25,000). The Olinia project aims to support Mexico’s clean energy transition and build domestic EV manufacturing capability, potentially being produced in states like Sonora.

This podcast was produced using AI tools. All information collected and discussed in this episode was investigated, written, and edited by human journalists. Compiled from a Mexico News Daily article by Travis Bembenek. Edited by Rose Eglhoff and Caitlin Cooper. Podcast produced by Chris Havler-Barrett.

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