Latina to Latina

When her parents’ tourists visas expired, and they were no longer allowed entry into the United States, Elizabeth, an American citizen, persuaded her parents to allow her to stay in Arizona solo.  She was only 15 years-old. Even as she contended with housing and food insecurity, Elizabeth managed to graduate valedictorian of her high school class, before going on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, we talk about the values tension in wanting to change the world and needing to pay rent, why the responsibilities she carried never allowed her to “let loose” like her peers, and her decision to share her story in her new memoir, “My Side of the River.”

Follow Elizabeth on instagram @lizzycancu and find her book My Side of the River here.  

If you liked this episode, listen to How Travel Empowered Nikki Vargas to Bring Her Life Into Alignment and What Jennifer De Leon Had to Confront to Become the First Writer In Her Family.

In her new book,Making the Latino South, the Hunt Family Assistant Professor in History at Duke University chronicles the dramatic racial evolution of non-Black Latinos living in the American South from the 1940s to the early 2000s.

Follow Cecilia on X (formerly Twitter) @ProfCeciliaM , and learn more about her research here, and find her book here.

If you liked this episode, listen to How Natasha Alford’s Lived Experience Informs Her Political Analysis and Storytelling and For Sociologist Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve Getting Latinos to Care about Justice Reform Is Personal.

She wrote her book, Self-Care for Latinas: 100+ Ways to Prioritize & Rejuvenate Your Mind, Body, & Spirit, deep in her own grief, a year after suddenly losing her best friend. Raquel shares what that experience taught her about self-care and community care, living with life-changing loss, and how she is building a career in media from her beloved Orlando, Florida.

Follow Raquel Reichard on Instagram @raquelreichard. Find her new book here. If you liked this episode, listen to How Robyn Moreno Gets Rooted and How Chef Grace Ramirez Found Her Place Outside of the Kitchen .

Check out our live recording of Latina to Latina x Poderistas in conversation with Xochitl Gonzalez, author of the new novel, Anita de Monte Laughs Last - taped before a live audience at The William Vale on March 27th, 2024!

Follow Xochitl on instagram @xochitltheg and find her book, Anita de Monte Laughs Last,here. Learn more about Poderistas and their work and follow them on Instagram @poderistas. 

Thank you to our lead sponsors, Fund for the City of New York and Telemundo's Mujeres Imparables, whose generous funding allowed us to bring you this recording of the event, and to the Latina-owned brands who showed up and showed out for our gift bag: 

Agua Bonita

Bloomi

Bonita Fierce

Brazi Bites

Cindy Castro New York

Loisa

Nopalera

Ocoa

Oeste

Reina Rebelde

Rizos curls

Siete Foods

She started her career as a political organizer, launching Mass VOTE, a state-wide voter engagement campaign, then parlayed those skills into economic development. As the EVP and Regional President at Berkshire Bank, Malia evolved the bank’s strategic focus to prioritize community impact. Malia shares how her theory of change evolved, how she identifies gaps between organizations’ intentions and their impact, and the very personal question she is constantly circling back to in therapy.

Follow Malia and her work on Instagram @theurbanlabz, and find her book From Intention to Impact here. If you loved this episode listen to Why Cristina Tzintún Ramirez Wants Latinas to Be Less Humble and More Demanding and  Code for America’s Amanda Renteria Lost Some Battles, but Is Winning the Political War.

The entrepreneur, TikTok star and author of the personal finance book “Cultura and Cash: Lessons from the First Gen Mentor for Managing Finances and Cultural Expectations” shares her tips for setting money boundaries with those you love most, and the importance of defining the driving values and “why” of your money plan.

Follow Giovanna on instagram @gigthegirstgenmentor and find her book, Cultura and Cash here. If you liked this episode listen to How Alejandra Campoverdi Traced Her Family’s Invisible Inheritances and LEVEL UP: How to Secure Your Financial Future Starting Today.

The prolific author and poet started her career as a community reporter, then pivoted to creative writing. Now, the award-winning author of the new book, Forgotten Sisters, blends fairytale, horror, suspense and more to capture the grit and mysticism of moving between worlds. Cynthia shares how her success has forced her to rethink her boundaries, and how being the mother to two children with autism informs her writing.

Follow Cynthia on instagram@cynthiapelayoauthor. Order her book, Forgotten Sisters, here.

If you liked this episode, listen to How Johanna Rojas Vann Wove the Truth Into Fiction and What Jennifer De Leon Had to Confront to Become the First Writer In Her Family

When the pandemic hit, she lost her news job and doubled down on creating her own content. Now, as a creator and influencer with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, Vanessa explains how her early foray into YouTube (doing song covers in her high school bedroom!) prepared her for the “TikTok Boom of 2020,” a subsequent job offer from BuzzFeed, and what to do when the algorithm steals the joy of performing and creating.

Connect with Vanessa on instagram @vanessacsirias and TikTok at @vanessacsirias. If you liked this episode listen to Why Kat Stickler Doesn’t Have Vulnerability Hangovers and Mayan Lopez Knows That Art Imitates Life.

The Executive Director of The Women's Equality Center shares her insights on the efforts to end El Salvador’s total abortion ban, and Honduras’ total emergency contraception, as well as the movement to expand women’s rights in Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. Paula shares how she came to see reproductive rights as central to civil rights, and how her own fertility journey shaped her advocacy.

Connect with Paula on Instagram @pauavilg. If you liked this episode listen to Why Zaena Zamora is Fighting for Our Reproductive Freedom and Why Jessica González-Rojas Champions Reproductive Justice.

She went from assistant to creative executive in just a few years, and now at OBB Media, she oversees content and strategy for Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Demi Lovato, and Kevin Hart. We talk about getting your foot in the door when you have no connections, learning by osmosis, and how to play it cool when you work with some of the biggest stars of your generation.

Follow Raquel on Instagram @raquellllly. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Marjorie Garcia Advocates for Recording Artists andHow TikTok Star Tefi Pessoa Gets Paid to Be Herself.

The Grio’s VP of Digital Content and Senior Correspondent, and CNN political analyst joins Alicia to talk about blending memoir and cultural analysis in her new book, American Negra.

Follow Natasha on Instagram @natashasalford and learn more about her book American Negra here. If you liked this episode, listen to How Claudia Forestieri Made the Pivot from Journalism to Scripted Television and How O Magazine’s Arianna Davis Made It, on Her Own Terms.

The celebrity hair stylist, curl expert and owner of 5 Salon Spa shares how a fortuitous offer forced her to early up her ten year plan, the ways the pandemic tested her business and her faith, and the importance of never being “too good” to be of service.

Follow Ona on Instagram @_thehairsaint_. If you liked this episode, listen to Julissa Prado, the Million-Dollar Curl Whisperer and Why Beauty Entrepreneur Aisha Ceballos-Crump Stepped Out on Faith.

The entertainment attorney behind J. Balvin, Juanes, Los Tigres del Norte, Carla Morrison and Snow the Product shares how she forewent a performing career of her own to advocate for others, what she’s learned about protecting artists’ rights, and the necessity of studying and understanding the entire entertainment industry.

Follow Marjorie on Instagram @pajareezy. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Doris Anahí Brings a 'Heart of Service' to Her Art and How Melania Luisa Marte Became a Word Weaver.

The civil rights leader behind Texas’ Workers Defense Project and Jolt, and now NextGen America, shares her insights on organizing and mobilizing young and Latino voters, the biggest mistake she made while running for the US Senate, and why she grew up believing that people were jealous of her Mexican identity.

Follow Cristina on Instagram @cristinanextgen. If you liked this episode, listen to How Monica Ramirez Embraced Solidarity to Build a Movement and Code for America’s Amanda Renteria Lost Some Battles, but Is Winning the Political War.

The author of Creep: Accusations and Confessions shares the familial roots of her irreverence, the surprising response to her viral critique of the book, American Dirt, and the work she did in the aftermath of an abusive relationship to make herself whole.

Find the book here. Follow Myriam on Instagram @alt_myriam_gurba666. If you liked this episode, listen to How Kali Fajardo-Anstine Fought to Tell Her Ancestors’ Stories or How History Inspires Cristina Garcia to Fill in the Gaps.

She always thought she’d be a doctor, then a college class refocused her on the power of preventative health care. Now, as a registered and licensed dietician with more than 100K social media followers, Dalina is encouraging us to eat without guilt, embrace our culture, and question dietary absolutism. In this episode, Dalina walks us through the CHULA method, her trademarked approach to freeing ourselves from diet culture.

Find Dalina on Instagram @your.latina.nutritionist. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Radical Health CEO Ivelyse Andino Wants to Reimagine Health Care or How Karla Vasquez Reclaimed Salvadoran Food.

The Columbia University-trained, trauma informed psychologist and practitioner of holistic healing weaves together scientific research, best practices, and personal experience to help us unpack intergenerational trauma in the service of building a legacy of abundance. It’s all part of her new book, Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma.

Find Dr Buqué's book here. Follow her on Instagram @dr.marielbuque. If you liked this episode, listen to our previous conversation with Dr. Buqué.

The fashion designer behind Cindy Castro New York shares how her childhood in Ecuador, and the waste and labor practices she witnessed in her early years in the fashion industry shaped her commitment to building a responsible luxury women's ready to wear brand.

Follow Cindy on Instagram @cindycastro_nyc. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Cuyana’s Karla Gallardo Believes in Fewer, Better Things and Why Nicole Chavez Wants to Help You Cultivate Style Confidence.

The captain and quarterback of Mexico's National Flag Football Team shares her journey to winning gold at the 2022 World Games, how being a competitive athlete has shaped her relationship to her body (and to dating!), and how a professional league would change the sport she loves.

Follow Diana on Instagram @dianaflres33. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Alicia Bassuk Believes Leading Others Begins with Knowing and Leading Yourself and How Health Coach Massy Arias Found Her Real Strength.

The actress and singer-songwriter (and Alicia’s one-time babysitting charge!) shares the magic of growing up in a matriarchal home, the early negative feedback that nearly destroyed her spirit (and the advice that empowered her to keep going), and the action she took early in the pandemic that allowed her to survive and thrive as an artist.

Check out Allison’s album Brontë here. Follow Allison on Instagram @allisontstrong. If you liked this episode, listen to Encanto's Adassa is Guided By Her Why and Ana Villafañe is Still a Supernova.

She helped launch Uber in her native Sweden, then served as Away’s Director of Brand Marketing before opening her own marketing agency. There, she learned the limits of being a consultant (good ideas without good execution are meaningless), and decided to focus her efforts on something she could lead from beginning to end. Babba shares how her journey led her to found Ceremonia, a clean hair care line rooted in Latinx heritage, and the pitch that earned her a $10 million Series A.
 

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.
 

The DeMartini Family Curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art shares how her career veered away from academia and into curation, the impact of exhibition choices on a museum’s collection, and the lessons she’s learned from Black curators who’ve come before her.

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.

How much of our relationship to food begins with our parents’ relationships to food? And how much of that is informed by their experiences of uncertainty and scarcity? Yvonne, a mental health clinician, explores the roots of our relationship to food,  the connections between mental health and eating disorders, and offers a framework for talking about food, eating and well-being. 

Check out Yvonne's latest book Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxietyhere! 

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.

She navigated her way from “wannabe chola” to first-gen college student to White House aide to President Obama. But those bullet-points fail to capture the messiness and pain that exist in making the leap from one to the other. In her new memoir, First Gen, Alejandra is naming everything from the “Invisible Inheritances” we each contend with, to the “Trailblazer Toll” we pay for breaking those cycles and becoming the first.

Find First Gen here. Follow Alejandra on Instagram @acampoverdi. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Aida Rodriguez Believes in Giving Grace and Julissa Natzely Arce Raya Wants You to Reclaim Your Identity.

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.

The beloved financial educator explores the importance of identifying money wounds, challenges us to rethink "emergency" funds as a form of opportunity (you can hear our host hyperventilate!) and teaches us how to set a money intention. If you love the conversation, check out Linda's new book, "Wealth Warrior: 8 Steps for Communities of Color to Conquer the Stock Market."

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.

A senior editor for Fodor's Travel and the author of the travel memoir, Call You When I Land, shares how globe-trotting saved her from committing to a life she knew was not for her, along with her hard-earned insights on learning from failure, and planning trips that foster introspection and growth. 

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.

The President and CEO of Consumer Reports, and author of Buyer Aware: Harnessing Our Consumer Power for a Safe, Fair, and Transparent Marketplace, explains why digital rights is the next frontier of consumer protections, and shares her best advice for flexing your consumer power.

Follow Marta  @MLTellado.

If you liked this episode, listen to Why Valarie De La Garza Calls Her Own Shots and Why Susan Gonzales Wants You to Understand Artificial Intelligence.

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.

The beloved comedian shares the pain of growing up without her father, the decision to reunite with him decades later, and the healing power of giving grace. It’s all part of her new memoir, Legitimate Kid.

Find Legitimate Kid here, and follow Aida on Instagram @funnyaida. If you liked this episode, listen to Mayan Lopez Knows That Art Imitates Life and Why Kat Stickler Doesn’t Have Vulnerability Hangovers.

The Founder and CEO of Bloomi, a wellness brand focused on clean intimate care essentials, shares how her experience as a single mom inspired her entrepreneurship, the creative approaches she utilized to close a one million dollar funding gap, and the crossroads she finds herself at today.

Follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccaalvarezstory. If you liked this episode, listen to How Cece Meadows Built a Cosmetics Line as an Homage to Indigenous Beauty and  How Nopalera CEO and Founder Sandra Velasquez's Luxury Bath and Body Care Line is Disrupting Eurocentric Standards.

The Miami-born and based Cuban-Bahamian artist, designer and author shares her insights on the intricacies of brand partnerships, the power of introspection, and how she learned to manage the business of design without sacrificing her love of the craft.

Follow Reyna on Instagram @reynanoriega_. If you liked this episode, listen to How Illustrator Andrea Campos Is Using Art to Spread Positivity and Artist and Organizer Favianna Rodriguez Knows that Pleasure is Political.

The sex therapist and co-author of the New York Times Best-Seller Sex Talks: The 5 Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life shares her best advice for talking about desire and pleasure, and fostering intimacy. 

Follow Vanessa on Instagram @vanessaandxander. If you liked this episode, listen to How Maude CEO Éva Goicochea Plans to Revolutionize Sexual Wellness and LEVEL UP: Your Relationships Could Use a Refresh.

Find Sex Talks here!

The Inside Edition correspondent shares her path from cheerleader to actress and sportscaster, the “dream job” as a Monday Night Football sideline reporter that quickly turned to a “nightmare,” and how the surprising choice to appear on the cover of Playboy allowed her to reclaim her narrative and rebuild her career. It’s all part of her riveting memoir, Warrior: My Path to Being Brave.

Follow Lisa on Instagram @4lisaguerrero. If you liked this episode, listen to How Lori Montenegro is Holding the Powerful Accountable and Alicia Tells Us about Her Book, The Likeability Trap.

The CEO of Fenton Communications, the largest public interest communications firm in the country, shares the key to successful social impact campaigns, the lessons that nonprofits can learn from consumer brands, and the questions she asks to decide if big opportunities are the right opportunities. 

Follow Fenton on Instagram @fentonprogress. If you liked this episode, listen to How Patty Arvielo Built a Multi-Billion Dollar Mortgage Empire and How Candice Smith is Helping Other Founders Tell their Stories.

The CEO and founder of Prados Beauty leveraged her skills as a make-up artist and her experience as a cancer survivor to launch a beauty brand out of her daughter’s nursery. Cece shares how her company’s strategic partnership with Thirteen Lune and JCPenny brought Prados Beauty to profitability, and how her experiences of domestic abuse and homelessness have shaped her commitment to giving back.

If you liked this episode, listen to How Nopalera CEO and Founder Sandra Velasquez's Luxury Bath and Body Care Line is Disrupting Eurocentric Standards and How Flores Is Reclaiming the Borderlands Narrative.

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.

The writer, musician and poet shares how her parents’ migration from the Dominican Republic to New York City, and her reverse migration from the United States to the DR informs her exploration of colorism, colonialism, and love. She has poured it all into her new collection of poems, Plantains and Our Becoming.

Find Melania on Instagram @melatocatierra and order her book here.

If you liked this episode, listen to Why Ada Limón Refuses to Perform Identity and How Writer Leslé Honoré Knows Poetry Changes Lives.

She grew up listening to her mother’s stories of immigrating from Colombia to the United States, then decided to honor her mom by making those experiences central to her debut novel, An American Immigrant. Johanna shares the inner workings of her writing group, the importance of accountability partners, and the role faith plays in her creative process. 

Follow Johanna on Instagram @johannarvann and find ways to order her book here.

If you liked this episode, listen to What Jennifer De Leon Had to Confront to Become the First Writer In Her Family and How Kali Fajardo-Anstine Fought to Tell Her Ancestors’ Stories.

This serial entrepreneur built her firm, French Press Public Relations, after launching two start ups of her own. Candice shares her insights on how building a service-oriented ethos can take some of the ‘ick’ out of personal branding, the value of choosing which social media platforms to invest in, and the editing required to tell your brand’s story. 

Follow Candice on IG @frenchpress.pr. If you liked this episode, listen to UNSTUCK: How PR Pro Lissette M. Rios Connects the Dots and How Ana Flores Is Helping Latinas Grow.

The acclaimed author joins Alicia to talk about her newest novel, Las Madres, how a stroke changed her writing and her life, and the cruelest feedback she has ever received. 

Find ways to order Las Madres here.

If you liked this episode, listen to  How Living Icon Sandra Cisneros Became a Woman Without Shame and Isabel Allende x Alicia Menendez LIVE at the 92Y.

The newest narrative podcast from LWC Studios is out now! “Still Paying the Price: Reparations in Real Terms” is a 14-part series exploring how reparations should be paid and to whom. This podcast is meant to be enjoyed in an order that makes the most sense for our listeners. You can begin by listening to this episode or wherever you find your podcasts–-and start your own reparations exploration.

For more information, all episodes, and transcripts visit StillPayingThePricePod.com.

Original score by Kojin Tashiro. Cover art: "Gemini" by Fitgi Saint-Louis.

This series was funded by a grant from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

The TikTok star’s funny impressions of her Venezuelan mom and her candid insights into motherhood and divorce have earned her more than nine million followers and counting. In this episode, Kat shares what happens behind the iPhone lens: how she learned to monetize her content, develop boundaries around followers’ feedback, and embrace the power of making others feel less alone.

Follow Kat on Instagram @katstickler. If you liked this episode, listen to How TikTok Star Tefi Pessoa Gets Paid to Be Herself and How Serena Kerrigan Became the Self-Professed Queen of Confidence.

The acclaimed novelist began her career in journalism before her first novel, Dreaming in Cuban, cemented her place in the American literary canon. Now, as Cristina prepares to release her eighth novel, Vanishing Maps, she shares her process for world-building, and her affirmation for anyone who believes they too have a story to tell.

Order Cristina's new book Vanishing Maps here. Follow her on Instagram @cristina_garcia_novelist.

If you liked this episode, listen to Why Angie Cruz Believes That Now is Always a Good Time to Start and How Living Icon Sandra Cisneros Became a Woman Without Shame.

The star of The Horror of Dolores Roach shares the ways her childhood in Chicago prepared her for the ups and downs of Hollywood, how the decision to focus on what was within her control reshaped her career, and why she encourages everyone to go to therapy.

If you liked this episode, listen to ODAAT’s Gloria Calderón Kellett Is a Boss in Any Room and Why Olga Merediz Is Ready to Let It All Hang Out.

This thought leader spent more than 20 years in tech and community engagement before founding AI & You, a non-profit committed to educating marginalized communities about AI and emerging technologies. Susan shares everything from her personal digital best practices to the breast cancer diagnosis that forced her to grapple with her own arrogance, and the freedom she has found in choosing to be child-free.

Follow Susan on Twiter @isusangonzales. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Tech Visionary Irma Olguin Jr. Went Back to Her Farming Roots and How Patty Arvielo Built a Multi-Billion Dollar Mortgage Empire.

The internet personality turned confidence coach and entrepreneur shares how she parlayed a brand into a business, and gets vulnerable about the limits of social media stardom and what happens when the real person and the online brand are no longer fully aligned.

Follow Serena on Instagram @serenakerrigan. If you liked this episode, listen to How Alisha Fernandez Miranda Became a 40 Year-Old Intern and What Medium Tatianna Morales Sees in Her Own Future.

On June 6, 2023, the iconic author and advocate joined our host on stage before a live audience at NYC's 92Y. Their conversation touched on everything from her new novel, The Wind Knows My Name, to her experiences of love and loss, and her reflections on love and sex in her eighties. 

Find The Wind Knows My Name here. Follow Isabel on Instagram @allendeisabel. If you liked this episode, listen to How Living Icon Sandra Cisneros Became a Woman Without Shame and Why Olga Merediz Is Ready to Let It All Hang Out.

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next.

This NBA and WNBA championship ring-holding leadership advisor shares the morning writing ritual that changed her life, an approach to interviewing potential job candidates that gets beyond canned responses, and her belief that information gathering is critical to effective management. 

Find Alicia’s book here. And follow Alicia on Twitter @aliciabassuk. If you liked this episode, listen to Karla Monterroso is Interrogating the Language of Power and Daniela Pierre-Bravo Wants to Help You Navigate Being 'the Other' at Work.

LTL is coming to a city near you! Subscribe to our email list and let us know where we should record next. 

This media-maven turned curandera shares her experience of self-transformation, the loss that defined her early life, and practices you can use to find yourself. It’s all part of her new book: Get Rooted: Reclaim Your Soul, Serenity, and Sisterhood Through the Healing Medicine of the Grandmothers.

Find ways to order Get Rooted here. 

Robyn Moreno is on Instagram @robynnmoreno. If you liked this episode, listen to Mountaineer Silvia Vasquez-Lavado Knows the Highest Mountain is the One Within and Why Kat Armas Believes Your Abuela Has the Answers.

As she was researching her new cookbook, Asada: The Art of Mexican Style Grilling, the LA restaurateur began to realize how men dominate the grill scene. Now, she’s trying to change that by giving others the tools and inspiration to master asada. Bricia explains the financial margins necessary to sustain a successful restaurant, and the pride and responsibility of being Oaxacan.

Discover the secret to incredible asada here. Follow Bricia on Instagram @bricialopez.

If you liked this episode, listen to Chef Ariel Fox is Expanding Our Understanding of 'Authentic' Cuisine and How Chef Grace Ramirez Found Her Place Outside of the Kitchen.

The former Pistolera bandleader launched her business, Nopalera, with a bold mission: celebrate and elevate Latino culture...and disrupt an entire industry in the process. Sandra shares the two year journey from making products by hand in her Brooklyn home to closing out a $2.7 million oversubscribed seed funding round. Come for the insights on product development and distribution, stay for the real talk on leveling up.   

Follow Sandra on Instagram @officialslv. If you liked this episode, listen to Chef Claudia Sandoval Wants You to Ask "Why Not Me?" and How Lory Martinez Rooted Her Business in Multicultural, Multilingual Audio Storytelling.

As a child growing up in San Jose, California, she wondered why her neighborhood was being sprayed with pesticides. The more questions she asked, the more she found herself drawn to environmental justice and community advocacy. Now, she is working to make sure that one of the biggest cities in the US is centering the most impacted communities in its climate change response.

Follow Marta on Twitter @Segura4Change. If you liked this episode, listen to How Estefanía Rebellón's Own Experience Seeking Asylum Informed Her Mission to Help Migrant Children and How Amanda Fernandez's Own Educational Challenges Inspired Latinos for Education.

The Showrunner for the new MSNBC/Peacock docuseries, Leguizamo Does America, pulls back the curtain on how a project goes from a four page pitch deck to a six episode television show, and shares how her family’s forced migration from Chile shapes her understanding of what it means to be American.

In this vibrant, music- and food-filled show, John Leguizamo travels across the U.S. to celebrate and explore the cultural contributions of Latinos. Leguizamo Does America airs through May 21st, Sundays at 10pm ET on MSNBC, and can be found streamingon Peacock.

If you liked this episode, listen to How Kate del Castillo Built (and Rebuilt) Her Life and ODAAT’s Gloria Calderón Kellett Is a Boss in Any Room.

This special episode of Latina to Latina is brought to you by Always.

The CEO and founder of Rizos Curls returns to Latina to Latina! In this engaging and emotional episode, Julissa shares how she broke her big dream (owning a business!) down into smaller, attainable goals; reflects on the unique pressure she navigates as a daughter of immigrants; and highlights the importance of “fun” in her continued success.

Rizos Curls is a clean, cruelty-free hair care brand designed specifically for creating defined, frizz-free curls. Julissa shares how she founded it in 2017 to create products that embrace and celebrate the beauty of curly hair, and how the brand has since ignited a movement across social media for curly haired individuals to embrace their natural hair. Growing up, Julissa struggled to find products that worked for her hair, so at 15, she had her first dream to start the hair care brand she wished she had. She attended UCLA for undergraduate and holds an MBA from Wake Forest University.

This May, Always is launching theAlways Soñando National Scholarship to provide financial assistance and mentorship to 50 emerging Latina college students. Apply now at https://www.always.com/en-us/sonandoscholarship.  Always believes that nothing should stop you from achieving your dreams – especially your period. That’s why Always Ultra Thin Day and Night pads provide up to 100% leak free protection, so you can focus on what really matters – going after your dreams.

The educator and author of the new YA novel, “Borderless,” shares the personal conversation that allowed her to break through as a writer, the unique considerations of writing about an immigrant experience that is not your own, and the dangers book bans pose to young readers. 

Find ways to get "Borderless" here. And Jennifer De Leon is on Instagram @jdeleonwriter.

If you liked this episode, listen to Erika Sánchez is Finding Meaning in the Hurt and Why Angie Cruz Believes That Now is Always a Good Time to Start.

This serial entrepreneur reflects on the lessons she learned as the co-founder and president of mitú, and how she’s applying those lessons to her new role as the CEO and co-founder of the fintech company, SUMA Wealth. Beatriz pulls back the curtain on raising capital, learning how to execute her first acquisition, and her (refreshing!) ambivalence about the sacrifice required to build a business while raising twins.

Follow Beatriz on Instagram @beatrizacevedogreiff. If you liked this episode, listen to How Patty Arvielo Built a Multi-Billion Dollar Mortgage Empire and Chef Claudia Sandoval Wants You to Ask "Why Not Me?".

The new Executive Director of The Young Center reflects on her own childhood experience of fleeing El Salvador during its civil war, the unique challenges children face in deportation proceedings, and why she believes big policy change must be coupled with direct service.

Follow Gladis on Twitter @GladisMolinaAlt. If you liked this episode, listen to How Monica Ramirez Embraced Solidarity to Build a Movement and Monica Muñoz Martinez is Confronting Our Past to Change the Future.

Culinary school helped hone her skills, but she still needed to figure out who she was as a chef. That journey led her to hunting, diving deep into the world of sustainability, and supporting communities in the aftermath of natural disasters. Grace opens up about the grief she experienced in the wake of divorce, and the life changing joy of nourishing others.

Follow Grace on Instagram @chefgraceramirez. If you liked this episode, listen to more of our interviews with chefs! Like: Chef Claudia Sandoval Wants You to Ask "Why Not Me?" and Chef Ariel Fox is Expanding Our Understanding of 'Authentic' Cuisine.

She grew her career as a journalist while serving in the US Army. Now the ABC News Network Correspondent reflects on how 9/11 inspired her call to service, the ways her perspective as a veteran informs her story telling, and how she “goes for it” even in the face of fear. 

Follow Stephanie on Instagram @thestephanieramos. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Lilia Luciano Prepares for Confidence, Not Perfection and Why Investigative Journalist Jean Guerrero is Leaning into the Power of Her Personal Experience.

The CEO and founder of Ochenta Studios, a Paris-based podcast company, shares the skills that have allowed her to differentiate her business and her audio offerings, the trick to scripting hilarious audio comedy, and how the childhood experience of communicating with her abuela shaped her new Spotify fiction podcast, La Cabina Telefónica. 

Listen hereand on Spotify! Follow Lory on Instagram @_lorymartinez_. If you liked this episode, listen to How Grace Bastidas Built a Media Brand for Modern Families and Why Beauty Entrepreneur Aisha Ceballos-Crump Stepped Out on Faith.

The star of NBC’s Grand Crew built multiple careers as a style blogger, filmmaker and actor in tandem, but as she approached her 40th birthday, she knew it was time to make some hard choices. Grasie shares the mental shifts that set her up for professional success and what she, a serial monogamist, learned by being alone.

Follow Grasie on Instagram @grasiemercedes. If you liked this episode, listen to Mayan Lopez Knows That Art Imitates Life and How Melissa Fumero Learned That She Was Funny.

She built an impressive career in television costuming before a friendship with a budding actress led her to celebrity styling. She had no idea what she was doing, but she figured it out. Nicole shares the vision and planning that goes into those red carpet looks, and how we can each simplify our style while still having fun!

Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicolechavezstyle. If you liked this episode listen to Cassandra Sethi Wants to Take Your Wardrobe to the Next Level and How Fashion Entrepreneur Camila Coelho Went from Working Retail to Building a Beauty Brand.

This first-generation Latina shares her journey from entry-level employee at a credit union to co-owner of New American Funding, the largest Latina-owned private mortgage company in the nation. Patty shares how leaving corporate America to become an entrepreneur enabled her to build wealth, and the (many) mistakes she has made once, but never again.

Follow Patty on Instagram @pattyarvielo. If you liked this episode, listen to How Carolyn Rodz Is Connecting Entrepreneurs with Opportunities and Why Rum Master Distiller Sylvia Santiago Will Never Quit.

The electrical engineer and civilian astronaut shares her journey from community college, to NASA intern, to first Mexican-born woman in space. 

Watch ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA in theaters.

If you liked this episode, listen to How NASA Engineer Diana Trujillo's Pursuit of a New Life Led Her to Space and How Amanda Fernandez's Own Educational Challenges Inspired Latinos for Education.

This Panamanian-Jamaican-Jewish New Yorker spent the early part of her career in Latin music, before launching her own creative agency. Zoila reflects on how she secured her first clients, the three years she spent building Word Agency before she started making money, and the secrets to great brand campaigns. 

Follow Zoila on Instagram @zoiladarton. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Doris Anahí Brings a 'Heart of Service' to Her Art and UNSTUCK: How PR Pro Lissette M. Rios Connects the Dots.

Her early success creating SoulCycle and Equinox’s retail businesses proved that she understood what consumers wanted. So when she decided to pivot to personal styling, she quickly identified what clients needed: a service that would help successful professionals cultivate a sense of style that aligned with their values and systematized their wardrobes. Now the CEO of that business, Next Level Wardrobe, Cassandra shares the observations that allowed her to re-imagine both brands' retail offerings, what it took to grow her client base, and her tips for building a closet that reflects who you are now.

Follow Cassandra on Instagram @nextlevelwardobe. If you liked this episode, listen to How Fashion Entrepreneur Camila Coelho Went from Working Retail to Building a Beauty Brand and Why Cuyana’s Karla Gallardo Believes in Fewer, Better Things.

She had a life that was “objectively great” (big career, happy marriage, twins!) but still, she felt like she was “drowning.” So, Alisha devoted a year to chasing down the answer to her most burning question: What might have happened if her life had taken a different path? That year is now the subject of her new memoir, My What If Year, the story of the four internships (and the many misadventures) that got Alisha unstuck.

Follow Alisha on Instagram @alishfmiranda. If you liked this episode, listen to How Meg Medina Summoned the Courage to Write and UNSTUCK: Why Irene Quevedo Wants You to Take a Chance on Yourself.

Faith, family and hard work powered this megastar from her church choir to pop stardom to the set of The Real. But along that way, her faith was tested. Adrienne opens up about the growing pains of fame, the fertility journey that brought her to surrogacy, and her commitment to showing up authentically so that others can do the same.

Find Love For The Ages on Peacock TV. Follow Adrienne on Instagram @adriennebailon. If you loved this episode, listen to Eva Longoria Always Knew She'd Succeed and Encanto's Adassa is Guided By Her Why.

Creator and host Alicia Menendez and Executive Producer Juleyka Lantigua discuss what it has meant to reach this major milestone and remind our beloved listeners "We make this show for you" as they joyfully thank them for making this possible.

 Connect with us on Instagram at @latinatolatina, and subscribe or follow us wherever you listen so you don't miss an episode.

This talented storyteller began her career in digital news at ABC, NBC and Entertainment Weekly, where her encyclopedic knowledge of entertainment and megawatt charm opened the door to on-air opportunities on platforms like The Today Show, The Wendy Williams Show and People NOW. Then, Nina made a big career jump into corporate communications at Target, where she then pivoted once again, taking on a role as Lead Pipeline Manager for Target Accelerators. Nina shares her best advice for aligning your values and your skills, and the work she’s doing to reimagine the future of retail.

Follow Nina on Instagram  @nina_terrero. If you liked this episode, listen to Daisy Auger-Dominguez Knows What it Takes to Build an Inclusive Workplace and How Peloton's Robin Arzón Found Her True Power.

The journalist and podcast host reflects on her journey from Spanish-language television to the Today Show, to the local news job she almost turned down that would ultimately put her on the path to joining CBS News as a national correspondent and anchor. Lilia shares her approach to combating imposter syndrome, her relationship to preparation, and the value of learning every aspect of the craft.

Be sure to check Lilia out on CBS News and El Flow podcast. Follow Lilia on Instagram @lilialuciano, and if you liked this episode listen toHow Lori Montenegro is Holding the Powerful Accountable and This Is Why María Elena Salinas Is a Legend.

The star of Netflix’s Blockbuster and Brooklyn-99 once doubted that she was built for comedy. Melissa shares how she grew her confidence, the experience that taught her that ease can lead to success, and the tradeoffs required to have a big career and a happy family. 

Follow Melissa on Instagram@melissafumero. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Olga Merediz Is Ready to Let It All Hang Out and Why Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Stephanie Beatriz Bends the Rules.

She has a resume like none other: law firm partner, White House Chief of Staff to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, US Ambassador (twice!). Ambassador Reynoso joins the podcast from her current post in Spain and shares how she’s navigated a unique career between the public and private sectors, and the life-changing lesson she learned by watching Dr. Biden.

If you liked this episode, listen to Political Power Player Cecilia Muñoz Reminds Us That We Are ‘More Than Ready’ and Code for America’s Amanda Renteria Lost Some Battles, but Is Winning the Political War.

The breakout author shares how growing up the daughter of a Cuban mother and Mexican father, in a matriarchal family, informed her understanding of the US immigration system, and shaped the characters in her New York Times best-selling debut novel of “Of Women and Salt.”

Find the book here. And follow Gabriela on Instagram @gabimgarcia. If you liked this episode, listen to How Kali Fajardo-Anstine Fought to Tell Her Ancestors’ Stories and Why Angie Cruz Believes That Now is Always a Good Time to Start.

The disappearance and murder of Vanessa Guillen sparked a movement, one that was fueled by her family's unrelenting demands for answers and accountability. At the core of that family is Mayra Guillen, Vanessa's older sister. Mayra shares what her family's tragedy and call to advocacy has taught her about how power operates.

You can watchI Am Vanessa Guillen on Netflix.

This solo mom won the sixth season of MasterChef and parlayed that success into a catering business, a culinary consultancy, and multiple TV gigs, including her new Discovery+ show, Taste of the Border. Then, when the pandemic sidelined her plans for a brick and mortar, Chef Claudia found a way to rebuild. Now she wants her success to inspire others to ask, "Why not me?"

Follow Claudia on Instagram @chefclaudiasandoval. If you liked this episode, listen to Chef Ariel Fox is Expanding Our Understanding of 'Authentic' Cuisine and How Karla Vasquez Reclaimed Salvadoran Food.

She was a working actress for more than 20 years before her portrayal of Abuela Claudia in In the Heights on Broadway catapulted her to new levels of success. Now, with the In the Heights' film adaptation under her belt, and a role on the new Netflix sitcom Blockbuster, Olga has more opportunities than she ever dreamed of.... at exactly the moment when she is considering doing less. Olga opens up about her complicated relationship with her own mother, the power of aging, and the necessity of telling her own stories. 

Follow Olga on Instagram @officialolgamerediz. If you liked this episode, listen to Ana Villafañe is Still a Supernova and How Living Icon Sandra Cisneros Became a Woman Without Shame.

After a decade in corporate, she made the leap from marketing to freelance artistry.  Then, the pandemic hit. With little work available, Andrea poured herself into her craft and built an Instagram following among those hungry for a dose of positivity. Two years later, she is the illustrator on Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Fallon's children's book, "Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure." Andrea shares her insights on how children's books go from concept to publication, and what it requires to be a one person start-up working alongside mega-celebrities. 

Follow Andrea @dreasdoodles. If you liked this episode, listen to Illustrator Michelle Rial Wants You to Feel Better and How Lisette Scott Launched Her Jewelry Business Inspired by her Family's Caribbean Roots.

The actress, producer and Reina del Sur star opens up about early fame, proving herself (again) in Hollywood, leaving an abusive marriage, and the lessons she learned from her infamous meeting with El Chapo.

Follow Kate on Instagram @katedelcastillo. If you loved this episode, listen to Eva Longoria Always Knew She'd Succeed and America Ferrera Knows What Real Power Looks Like.

The 24th U.S. Poet Laureate shares her journey from theater to marketing to poetry, the loss that inspired her to reimagine her life, and her refusal to allow others’ expectations to shape how she shows up in the world.

Follow Ada on Instagram @adalimonwriter. If you loved this episode, listen to How Kali Fajardo-Anstine Fought to Tell Her Ancestors’ Stories and Why Angie Cruz Believes That Now is Always a Good Time to Start.

Comedy and entertainment is the family business (her dad is comedian George Lopez), but it was a TikTok video that caught the eye of a Hollywood writer and inspired Mayan’s new NBC sitcom: Lopez vs. Lopez. Mayan gets candid about her complicated relationship with her father, and the combination of craft-honing and deep therapy that has prepared her for this moment.

Follow Mayan on Instagram @mayanlopez. If you loved this episode, listen to Why Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes is Questioning (Almost) Everything and How Queens' Star Nadine Velazquez is Making the Most of a Second Chance.

The Founder and Chief Innovation Officer for Siete Foods went from making almond flour tortillas in her kitchen to helping lead the fastest growing Latin-focused brand in food and beverage at scale. Veronica shares her initial inspiration (spoiler alert: it didn't start with a business plan!), the exercise that reshaped their brand, and the company's recent decision to take a $90 million investment. Come for the exercise that helped Vero and her family reimagine the brand.

Find The Siete Table cookbook here and follow Veronica on Instagram @sietefoods. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Beauty Entrepreneur Aisha Ceballos-Crump Stepped Out on Faith and Why Designer Jen Zeano Is Building a Queer Lifestyle Brand in South Texas.

The best-selling author of “Woman of Light” and “Sabrina & Corina: Stories” shares how she subverts expectations (in real life and on the page!), the necessity of complicating racial hierarchy, and her commitment to writing Latinas back into the stories of the American West.

Follow Kali on Instagram @kalimaja. If you loved this episode, listen to How Claudia Forestieri Made the Pivot from Journalism to Scripted Television and Erika Sánchez is Finding Meaning in the Hurt. 

She began her music career as a talent manager, before making the big pivot to working as an artist herself. Now her journey through the industry as a first generation daughter of immigrants from a mixed-status family is the focus of a Disney+ documentary, Mija. Doris shares the deep emotional process of following her calling, and how she chose to say no to security in order to bet big on herself.

Follow Doris on Instagram @mijadoris.

If you loved this episode, listen to How Flores Is Reclaiming the Borderlands Narrative and Encanto's Adassa is Guided By Her Why. Show your love and become a Latina to Latina Patreon supporter!

Forced to flee her native Colombia as a child, Estefanía Rebellón knows the pain of being displaced. Now, she's helping migrant children at the US-Mexico border by providing a mobile school program that offers full-time bilingual education. Estefanía dives into the complexity of her personal experience and how the challenges of building a non-profit shaped her "Yes We Can" ethos.

Follow Estefanía on Instagram @estefaniarebellon.

If you loved this episode, listen to Social Impact Strategist Elsa Collins Wants You to Understand the Power of Your Influence and Artist and Organizer Favianna Rodriguez Knows that Pleasure is Political. Show your love and become a Latina to Latina Patreon supporter!

In 2007, Ashley and Lety flew from Mexico to Boston to embark on a trip that would define their relationship…in more ways than one. Join the hosts of Se Regalan Dudas as they share their coming of age story: a (sometimes speedy) journey across the East Coast and their first of many road trips together.

The acclaimed author of "Dominicana" is back with a new novel, "How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water," and reveals how she almost quit writing before either book was published. In this engaging conversation, Angie reflects on the importance of writers confronting their own bias, the necessity of complex and complete characters of color, and how to ward against the "disease of presumed incompetence."

Follow Angie on Instagram @writercruz.

If you loved this episode, listen toHow Author Alexis Daria is Complicating Our Notions of Romance and How Meg Medina Summoned the Courage to Write. Show your love and become a Latina to Latina Patreon supporter!

It Was Said, the 2021 Webby Award winner for Best Podcast Series, returns with a new season to look back on some of the most powerful, impactful, and timeless speeches in history. Written and narrated by Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author-historian Jon Meacham, this documentary podcast series takes you through another season of ten generation-defining speeches. Meacham, along with top historians, authors and journalists, offers expert insight and analysis into the origins, the orator, and the context of the times each speech was given, and they reflect on why it’s important to never forget them.

It Was Said is a creation and production of Peabody-nominated C13Originals, in association with The HISTORY® Channel.

The VP for Dos Caminos and Del Friscos pulls back the curtain on what it takes to launch a restaurant, talks about the difference between competing on Hell's Kitchen as a newbie versus an established chef, and shares the personal change that inspired her new cookbook: Spice Kitchen: Healthy Latin and Caribbean Cuisine. 

Follow Ariel on Instagram @chefarielfox. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Rum Master Distiller Sylvia Santiago Will Never Quit and Master Chef Lorena Garcia Says It Takes More Than Sharp Knives.

Welcome to ¿Quién Are We?, a show about Latino identity and the beautiful things that make us who we are. If you like what you hear, check out more episodes at quienarewe.org. 

Denise Soler Cox was lonely growing up outside New York City. Her parents were Puerto Rican, and the dominant culture in her town was white. It wasn't until she grew up and moved away that she realized there was a whole community of people who feel just like her. She knew she had to share this community with others, and so the idea for a film was born. The only thing she needed to figure out was how to make a film.

Learn more about Denise Soler Cox and her film, “Being Eñye,” at projectenye.com.

Host and producer: May Ortega

Lead producer and mixing: Luis Antonio Perez

Editors: Andrew Villegas, Ana Campbell, Erin Jones

Additional producers: Rebekah Romberg, Jo Erickson

Theme music by Pedro Lumbrano; additional music courtesy Universal Production Music

Cover art: Mia Rincón

Executive producers: Brad Turner, Kevin Dale

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Kim Nguyen, Brittany Werges and

CPR's Latino Audience Working Group.

QuienAreWe.org

Follow May on Twitter: @MayVOrtega

In this intimate conversation, the iconic writer shares how she chose to treat her art as her life partner, the "wobbling and wavering" around her decision to not have children, and how she limits distractions in the service of deep work.

Find Woman Without Shame here. Follow Sandra on Instagram @officialsandracisneros. 

If you liked this episode, listen to How Mysticism Fuels Natalia Lafourcade's Musical Process and Who Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez Is Writing For. And check out the interviews Alicia references with Isabel Allende and Maria Hinojosa!

She spent her early career advocating on behalf of farmworker women. Then in 2017, as Hollywood reeled from revelations of sexual abuse and harassment, she wrote a statement of support that reshaped the #MeToo movement, and set the groundwork for the Times Up Initiative. Monica talks us through that choice, how she persevered through intense resistance, and gets candid about the personal cost of being a public face of a social movement. 

Follow Monica on Instagram @activistmonicaramirez and The Latinx House @thelatinxhouse .

If you loved this episode, listen to Artist and Organizer Favianna Rodriguez Knows that Pleasure is Political and Why Tech Visionary Irma Olguin Jr. Went Back to Her Farming Roots. Show your love and become a Latina to Latina Patreon supporter!

She studied fashion and worked for big clothing brands like Vince Camuto and DKNY, but when it was time to step out on her own, she went back to her passion from childhood -- jewelry. Now, the founder of Jam + Rico reveals how to start even when you don’t think you’re ready, and how to turn a loss of job security into an opportunity.

Follow  Lisette on Instagram @iamlisettescott.

If you loved this episode, listen Why Designer Jen Zeano Is Building a Queer Lifestyle Brand in South Texas and How Bomba Curls' Lulu Cordero Unfurled Her Natural Hair and Ambition. Show your love and become a Latina to Latina Patreon supporter!

We want to hear from you! Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete our survey. Your feedback helps understand what you love about Latina to Latina and how we can make it even better. To show our thanks, we’ll send you a free sticker and you’ll enter for a chance to win a $100 American Express gift card. We appreciate your time.

She was 18 years-old when she began dancing, but her talent and commitment was so undeniable that she quickly made her way from the Alvin Ailey Dance Program to the Knicks City Dancers to sharing the stage with Beyonce, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez. Now the professional dancer and choreographer shares how to turbo-charge your start when others tell you you’re late to the game.

Follow Jessica on Instagram @iliajessicacastro.  If you liked this episode, listen to Why Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes is Questioning (Almost) Everything and Vanessa Birnbaum Rosler’s Yoga Philosophy Ignited a Booming Business.

We want to hear from you! Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete our survey. Your feedback helps understand what you love about Latina to Latina and how we can make it even better. To show our thanks, we’ll send you a free sticker and you’ll enter for a chance to win a $100 American Express gift card. We appreciate your time.