In 2021, Lizarraga wrote a story in Westword detailing how she and two Latina colleagues were let go from 9NEWS around the same time. She felt she and her stories were treated unfairly at the Denver station because of her Latina background.
The podcast, which began in 2016 and is hosted by journalists of color, explores how race intersects with every part of society from politics to pop culture to food and more.
Lizarraga — the daughter of Ecuadorian and Mexican immigrants and a graduate of Southern Methodist University — will join Gene Demby, B.A. Parker and Karen Grigsby Bates on the podcast. “For years, I have introduced myself as a ‘race and culture reporter’ when the truth is where there are people there is race and culture,” Lizarraga said in a news release. “This beat is in everything and the folks at ‘Code Switch’ have pioneered an entire award-winning show proving, year after year, diverse stories told by diverse people are essential for everyone.”