Hella Latin@

Lilliana Vazquez 🇲🇽🇵🇷 is a groundbreaking media personality, known as the first Latina host of E! Entertainment’s morning shows, E! News and Pop of the Morning. Currently, she leads as both producer and host of Pop on Peacock, NBC’s new streaming show. Previously, she contributed to TODAY for five years, sharing insights on technology, business, and lifestyle, and bringing her charisma to red-carpet coverage for Access Daily and Access Hollywood. Katharine Pichardo-Erskine 🇩🇴 is a trailblazer who has melded political organizing expertise and executive leadership to become a widely recognized change-maker in the governmental, political, and civic arena. She took charge as Executive Director at Latino Victory with a mission perfectly suited to her 25 years of experience as a successful leader and passionate advocate: building political power within the Latino community and ensuring that Latino voices are included in the nation’s policy and fiscal agenda. In this week’s episode, Lilliana and Katharine share what it means to vote like a madre in this election and beyond. Voting like a madre is not about whether you have kids or not, it’s about voting to give the next generation a better world than how we inherited it. This includes voting to push forward climate initiatives that will improve the environment and slow down climate change as much as possible. As Latinos, we hold a ton of power in our upcoming elections. It’s time that we use it and encourage others in our communities to do the same. Tune in to hear more about how you can vote like a madre and make lasting changes for generations to come.

Johanna Ferreira is a writer, journalist, and digital content creator/strategist. She previously worked as the Deputy Editor of HipLatina (under H Code Media) and is currently a freelance writer who has written and contributed compelling content for several notable media outlets and e-commerce beauty/lifestyle brands including Oprah Mag, Allure, Refinery29, Healthline, and more. A passionate storyteller with close to 10 years of experience, Johanna understands the importance of creating content that speaks truth and representation of marginalized voices. Her work centers on various themes including Latina womanhood, culture, beauty, and wellness — often covered from a socio-perspective. She has hosted and moderated panels that aim to bring awareness to social issues and empowerment to underrepresented communities across race, class, and gender. In this week’s episode, Johanna shares her experiences growing up as a Dominican in the US and how she found her voice. While her mother raised her to be proud of where she came from, she always wanted to explore the world beyond her family’s religious lifestyle. She kept asking questions, respectfully of course, and looking for more and more information. As an adult, her curiosity led her to pursue journalism where she could be the representation in media she didn’t see growing up. Tune in to hear more about how she broke through her family’s expectations and followed her dreams.  Keep up with Johanna on their website and Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Julissa S. Germosén 🇩🇴 is an award-winning technology leader with over two decades of experience leading teams in global enterprise sales, consulting, strategic alliances, product development, go-to-market strategy, and partner operations. She currently serves as CEO of Mariposa Blanca, a business strategy consulting firm. Her forthcoming book, Latina Madrina: Stories, Lessons, and Hard Truths from a Brown Latina in Tech, reflects her journey in the tech industry. Throughout her career, Julissa has driven growth and competitive advantage for Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft and Salesforce, as well as tech startups. Julissa has had the honor of speaking at TEDxMSJC and numerous tech conferences, including Microsoft, Salesforce, HITEC, and LTX Connect. She has also been a keynote speaker at the National Hispanic Media Coalition and has spoken at Rutgers University and the New Jersey Statewide Latina Conference, among others. As a proud immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Julissa is passionate about education and the Latinx community. She created the Latina Leadership Potential Award scholarship at Rutgers University to support Hispanic/Latina women. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Criminology from Rutgers University and a Diversity Management Graduate Certificate from Cornell University. In this week’s episode, Julissa joins us in the podcast to tell us all about her new book Latina Madrina: Stories, Lessons, and Hard Truths from a Brown Latina in Tech. With almost twenty-five years of experience, Julissa knew that she had a wealth of information that needed to be shared with women who looked like her. She often felt so alone in her experiences that she never wanted any other Latinas to feel the same way. So, she’s sharing her best advice in her brand-new book and this interview. Tune in to hear more about Julissa’s book, her upbringing, and how she finally learned how to put herself first.  Keep up with Julissa on her website and Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez is serving her sixteenth term as Representative for New York's 7th Congressional District. In the 118th Congress, she is the Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, and a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources. As a fighter for the equal rights of the underrepresented and a proponent of economic opportunity for the working class and poor, Congresswoman Velázquez combines sensibility and compassion as she works to encourage economic development, protect community health and the environment, combat crime and worker abuses, and secure access to affordable housing, quality education, and health care for all New York City families. Katharine Pichardo-Erskine is a trailblazer who has melded political organizing expertise and executive leadership to become a widely recognized change-maker in the governmental, political, and civic arena. She took charge as Executive Director at Latino Victory with a mission perfectly suited to her 25 years of experience as a successful leader and passionate advocate: building political power within the Latino community and ensuring that Latino voices are included in the nation’s policy and fiscal agenda.  Most recently, Katharine served as Senior Vice President at the MirRam Group, a top-tier New York-based strategic consulting firm where she has managed some of the firm’s most prominent portfolios. Between 2018 and 2022, Katharine also led the firm’s political arm, as President of the Hamilton Campaign Network (HCN). In this week’s episode, we discuss Nydia’s twenty-five political career and how her contributions have improved our country. Nydia shares stories about the man who tried to sabotage her career, her spearheaded policies, and all the amazing ways she’s supported our community. And you can help support her, too! Latino representation in politics has always been an issue, but now is an amazing time for Latinas to join the cause. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn how.  Keep up with Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez on her Instagram and her official website.  Keep up with Katherine on her LinkedIn and the Latino Victory website.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Melissa Llarena is an international Job Interview Coach, Published Author, and the host of the Mom Founder Imagination Hub podcast. She has been career coaching for over 20 years. She believes that you can play the cards in your favor during a job interview no matter how many cards you may feel are stacked up against you. She’s coached professionals around the world on how to effectively and confidently sell themselves during a job interview and helped millions through articles in Forbes, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, Financial Times, CNBC, and Fox Business. In this week's episode, Melissa and I talk about her incredible journey of resiliency and entrepreneurship. Growing up her mother had a manic depressive disorder so that often meant that she was raising her mother more than her mother was raising her. Melissa had to grow up quickly, and I often meant being the person that she could count on the most. Now she feels as if there’s nothing outside of her reach. She funded her college career strictly through scholarship money, she's raising her kids while running a business, and she’s using her imagination to be her most powerful asset in that business. Tune into this week's episode to hear more about Melissa’s incredible story and how you can believe in yourself as much as she does.  Keep up with Melissa on their website and Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini is an Argentinian-Peruvian creative entrepreneur from the Bay Area and the owner of two small businesses. Her first small business, MB Creative Co. is a boutique planning and design firm that has produced over 800 events both locally and abroad since its inception in 2004. Her events are creatively designed and seamlessly translated into an experience with depth and meaning for their discerning clientele. Many of their events have been featured in print and online publications such as Hola! Magazine, BRIDES, The Knot, Grace Ormonde, Marin Magazine, and Today’s Bride just to name a few.  Amidst the pandemic, Michelle launched a second small business called CASITA MICHI. This California-based wellness brand celebrates culture through empowering and nostalgic candles, hand-poured with the planet in mind. With the lack of representation in the home fragrance space, she and her team set out to create a product that would inspire our community to practice self-care through intentional storytelling and culturally empowered phrases. In addition to being a brand that values sustainability and social good, they believe in the power of belonging through purposeful and intentional representation.  In the Fall of 2021, CASITA MICHI became the first Latina-owned candle brand to debut at Macy's and their signature line of vegan coconut wax candles can be found both online and in 400+ Macy's stores across the U.S. They have been featured in USA Today, Hip Latina, Complex, NBC News, Refinery 29, Poderista, Good Housekeeping, Mujerista and Yahoo.  In this week’s episode, Michelle shares her journey as an entrepreneur and how she invested in her creative worth. Throughout her life, Michelle has endured a ton of highs and lows - including a separation, the 2009 market crash, and the Covid pandemic. Through it all she persisted and has two incredible businesses that she uses to lift up the Latino community and her fellow entrepreneurs around her. Check out Michelle’s episode for an incredible story of strength through resilience and confidence in her creative self. Keep up with Michelle on their website and Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Christine knew from a young age, that she wanted to use her skills to empower others. After recognizing her connection and passion for ceremonial cacao, yoga, and wellness, she realized that she was a magical being on the path to remembering. Her book A Child of Magic, as well as the adapted screenplay Lana Livia and The Ancestral Magic, are both based on her own journey of remembrance, serving as a reminder to reconnect with the innate magic within and around us. After her father took his life, she felt she had lost a part of herself that she’d never be able to connect with again. That is until she discovered Mayan cacao from Guatemala. While there, she reunited with her heart, her ancestry, and her ancestral plant medicine. She felt a clear connection and a deep knowing that she was meant to work with cacao ceremonially, not only for her own healing but for the healing of the world. Ever since this discovery, she’s been sharing cacao in the ceremony through The Maltyox (Gratitude) Method and her stories with communities worldwide. After facilitating healing and transformation within many communities, including Poosh Wellness, Alo Yoga, and countless masterminds, she’s taken what she’s learned to write her next book — a guide for readers to experience full self-liberation through harnessing the power of gratitude. Her wish is to cultivate love and enrich others' lives by sharing her gifts, her truth expression, and her magical creations. To embody gratitude, the love, light, & magic and inspire others to do the same. She hopes with all of my creations she can inspire others to live in their truth and tap into their magic. In this week’s episode, Christine shares her recent spiritual experiences, including her journey to her ancestral lands. In Guatemala, she was able to reconnect with her roots and suppressed feelings. She learned about her ancestral spirituality and has dedicated herself to sharing this knowledge with Latin Americans who are also looking to tap into their roots. Listen to Christine’s episode to hear more about her incredible journey!  Keep up with Christine on their website and Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Katharine Pichardo-Erskine is a trailblazer who has melded political organizing expertise and executive leadership to become a widely recognized change-maker in the governmental, political, and civic arena. She takes charge as Executive Director at Latino Victory with a mission perfectly suited to her 25 years of experience as a successful leader and passionate advocate: building political power within the Latino community and ensuring that Latino voices are included in the nation’s policy and fiscal agenda. Today, Katharine is a sought-after strategist. She has appeared on various “power lists,” including City and State New York’s top political consultants list. She is also a regular political commentator on Telemundo as well as other media outlets in English and Spanish. Sindy Marisol Benavides is the President and CEO of Latino Victory of Latino Victory, a progressive organization dedicated to building Latino political power at the local, state, and federal levels. Sindy is a recognized national civil rights leader deeply committed to uplifting the voices of vulnerable and underserved populations. With nearly two decades in the non-profit sector, Sindy has helped build organizations to scale from the bottom up through strategy development, governance, communication, partnerships, and outreach. As a proud Honduran-American, Sindy immigrated to the United States with her family and has experienced the American Dream. She now devotes her career to public service, ensuring that countless young people, women, and immigrants have the same opportunity.  In this week’s episode, Katherine and Sindy join us for the first episode of a very special collaboration between the Latino Victory Fund and Hella Latin@! Our amazing guests discuss how they got into politics, why policymaking is so important to them, and how they are currently making a difference in American politics. If you have been disappointed in the state of our country, this episode is a breath of fresh air. Listen in to hear more about the actions Katherine and Sindy are taking to make immediate and long-term changes for the betterment of our communities.  Keep up with Katherine on her LinkedIn and the Latino Victory website.  Keep up with Sindy on her LinkedIn and the Latino Victory website.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Yomarie "YoMo" Castellano is a proud Puerto Rican and female hair loss empowerment coach and advocate. As a hair loss warrior for the past 10 years due to Androgenic Alopecia, YoMo understands the emotional and physical impacts of hair loss. Her mission is to help women facing challenges in their hair loss journey reclaim their confidence, ignite their inner ch*ngona, and thrive through personalized coaching. She provides guidance and support to help women cultivate a positive self-image and navigate the obstacles surrounding hair loss. Hair Loss Bonita is YoMo's brand and movement, dedicated to empowering women with hair loss to embrace their inner beauty, reclaim their power, and overcome challenges. In this week’s episode, YoMo opens up and shares her incredible story of strength and resilience. After leaving her abusive father with her family, YoMo settled in Milwaukee where she grew up. She later battled with alcoholism, the same disease she lost her father and grandfather. Now she’s five years sober and is now a female hair loss empowerment coach after losing much of her hair to alopecia. YoMo has become the representation she needed for thousands of women around the world. Tune in to hear how she became sober and what she’s doing to feel beautiful inside and out.  Keep up with YoMo on their website and Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Karen Santos is a Peruvian American portrait and branding photographer whose specialty lies in creating images that are dynamic, colorful, soulful, and honest. She's really passionate about using her creative medium to highlight and celebrate communities of color, particularly our Latino community. She believes that imagery has the power to elevate marginalized communities through positive representation. She runs her own photo studio in Oakland, California, and travels to New York and LA often for photography commissions. In this week’s episode, Karen shares how her months-long sabbatical to explore her Peruvian heritage changed her life forever. After finding out she was 87% Indigenous Andean, she wanted to learn more about where she came from and how that affected her artistic style and her never-ending work ethic. Now, she’s a portrait photographer specializing in the most eye-catching headshots we’ve ever seen! Through her work, she’s connected with the most amazing network of women role models from every industry. Fun fact: we met at a networking event in Silicon Valley and I hired her for an event at LinkedIn! Today, Karen is looking forward to enjoying a soft life and embracing a vibrant future. Listen to Karen’s episode to learn more!  Keep up with Karen on their website and Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Mariana Fernández's journey as a fitness instructor is deeply rooted in her upbringing and fueled by a passion for empowering others. Born in Tampico, Mexico, and raised in San Diego with a family of athletes, Mariana's early experiences instilled in her a love for movement and a profound understanding of the mind-body connection. Drawing from her diverse background in theater arts and fitness, Mariana seamlessly blends her expertise into her teaching style. Her classes at Peloton, which she joined in 2020, encompass a wide range of offerings, from invigorating yoga flows to tread classes and meditations designed to cultivate inner peace and happiness. Whether guiding students through mindful movements on the mat or inspiring them to find their stride on the tread, Mariana's classes are a reflection of her commitment to holistic well-being. Central to Mariana's teaching philosophy is the desire to bridge the gap between physical and mental wellness while honoring her Mexican heritage. Through her classes, she infuses elements of Mexican culture, creating a space where her community feels seen and celebrated. Mariana's teaching approach is characterized by a unique blend of warmth, tough love, and infectious energy, creating an environment where students are encouraged to push beyond their limits, no matter where they are on their fitness journey.  Mariana's goal remains the same in every class: to empower her students to embrace their full potential in practice and in life. With her unwavering dedication to uplifting others and her dynamic teaching style, she invites her community to join her on a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and joy. In this week’s episode, Mariana Fernández shares her journey of living between Mexico and the U.S., feeling both too Mexican to be a foreigner and too foreign to be a true Chilanga. As Peloton’s first bilingual instructor, she discusses the importance of picking herself up, staying true to herself, and not letting challenges define her. Mariana also acknowledges the need for Latinos to fight for respect and opportunities, and how supporting each other with compassion and empathy can help us all thrive. Tune in for an incredible episode with this amazing person!  Keep up with Mariana on her Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

In this week’s episode, your favorite dynamic duo discusses how we’re healing their toxic behaviors and tendencies. The first step to healing is acknowledging, right? Tune in to hear me unpack my toxica tendencies, Pabel’s almost bad call with an investor, and how we’re achieving their versions of the American Dream. Keep up with Pabel on his website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Hady Mendez, a Puerto Rican Brooklyn native, opens up about her journey of feeling like she was "too much" but "never enough" — especially in corporate spaces. As CEO of Boldly Speaking, Hady helps organizations recognize the power of diversity and the value of offering equitable opportunities to all employees. As a speaker and facilitator, Hady works to promote inclusion in teams and ERGs, making sure everyone feels like they truly belong. Her mission is to transform the experiences of women and people of color everywhere. She aims to empower underrepresented employees by equipping them with the skills to self-advocate, self-promote, and capitalize on leadership roles within ERGs and throughout organizations. In this week’s episode, Hady shares her experience as a Latina in corporate and how she eventually left it all behind. In her professional career, Hady was constantly made to feel like she was both too much and not enough. As a result, she struggled with feelings of unworthiness and impostor syndrome. Now, she owns her own business and helps women get their dream jobs and their dream pay. Tune into the full episode to hear how she made the transition and learned to be confident in herself.  Keep up with Hady on her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Best friends for almost 12 years turned business partners for almost 2 years, Lucia and Nancy are trailblazing entrepreneurs in the interior design industry. Both 1st generation Latinas of Dominican descent, merged their backgrounds, career experience and love for creativity to create innovative and personalized design solutions. Lucia Genao is the visionary founder and principal designer of Lucia Genao Interiors, a business she launched in 2022 after relocating from New York City. With nearly two decades of design expertise, this esteemed Fashion Institute of Technology alumna breathes life into functional and exquisite spaces. From admiring her father's house-building skills at a young age to fueling her passion for architecture and boundless creativity, Lucia's journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Her artistry shines through in every project, as she curates thoughtful commercial spaces and homes, blending clean lines and opulent details, creating timeless, luxurious havens that embrace each client's unique preferences. Nancy Pineda is an accomplished strategic project manager with over two decades of experience in the corporate world, contributing her expertise to renowned Fortune 100 companies like American Express and JP Morgan & Chase Co and now a fintech company, Mobility Capital Finance (“MoCaFi”). Her profound knowledge encompasses business strategy, administration, operations, project, and change management. As a side hustle, Nancy is the driving force behind the business operations of Lucia Genao Interiors. Nancy's dedication knows no bounds; she fearlessly dives into hands-on work during installation periods, building furniture and skillfully ninja-chopping pillows! Recently, both Lucia and Nancy have relocated to North Carolina. Lucia, along with her husband and two children, enjoys creating family memories, exploring the outdoors, listening to music, and savoring delicious food. Meanwhile, Nancy finds joy in traveling, powerlifting, and trying out new culinary experiences. In this week’s episode, Nancy and Lucia share how they met, how they started a business together, and how they continue to uplift each other every single day. This episode is filled with a ton of fun anecdotes - including how Lucia proposed to her husband, and how Nancy became Luca’s business partner. These two prove that complete strangers can be as important to you as family. Check out Nancy and Lucia’s episode now. Keep up with Nancy and Lucia on their website and Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Michael "Juan Bago" Diaz is a Dominican-American comedian born in New Rochelle, NY, and raised in Connecticut. Diaz started off with aspirations of becoming an actor before diving into sketch comedy. His goal of one day becoming an actor led him back to Washington Heights, NY, where his parents met and many family members still lived. In 2004, a friend connected him with the founder of the New York Latino Film Festival and he wrote and sold his first comedy feature. It sold out at the Latino Film Festival and he created a name for himself, [gained] the buzz. From there, he never looked back and has been an independent filmmaker in comedy ever since. In 2006, Diaz premiered "The Story of Juan Bago," a tale about an underachieving "loser" in his mid-20s who lives at home with his parents and "doesn't bathe very often.”  In addition to "Bago Briefs," Diaz recently launched a podcast titled "Translators" with cohost Jaime Fernandez. Comedians Michael Diaz & Jaime Fernandez are fed up with the representation of Latinos in mainstream media and literature. “The Translators” podcast, features the abundance of creative talent the Latin community has to offer that is often overlooked and misrepresented. Join Michael & Jaime as they uncover the passion, path, and process of each guest to reveal what has made them successful in their highly competitive fields and challenge the myths that come with Latinx stereotypes. Even though we’re speaking the same language, some people still need Translators!  In this week’s episode, Juan shares his experience writing and selling a comedy show as a Latino in the entertainment industry. As a kid, he had a hard time figuring out his identity. Growing up, he thought he was mulatto because he was black and white, and he learned he was Latino he was also shamed for his use of Spanglish. As an adult, Juan is more confident about his identity and who he is, no matter what anyone else has to say about it. He uses that certainty to create hilarious characters and uplift Latino creators in the industry. Check out this episode to hear more about the amazing work he’s doing in TV, podcasting, and beyond!  Keep up with Juan on his website and Instagram. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Juliana Londoño is a proud Latina, bilingual, and licensed mental health therapist in NJ. Her business focuses on the intersectionality of mental health and the Latino/BIPOC communities. Her mission is to bring awareness, education, and resources through various outlets. Juliana has served as a thought leader, keynote speaker, and podcast guest.  She has collaborated with #WeAllGrow Latina, LinkedIn News, and has been featured on Univision and NY Pix11 News. Juliana is a graduate of the Bank of America Women's Entrepreneurship Program at Cornell University. She is currently enrolled in the NASDAQ Entrepreneurship Program, The Milestone Circle. She is a community advocate and volunteers with America Needs You-NJ and Leading Young Women. During her free time, she enjoys figure skating, completing jigsaw puzzles, and spending time in nature.  In this week’s episode, Juliana shares her experience as a Colombian immigrant living in America and her work to destigmatize mental health resources in Latine communities. Growing up, she found strength in her mother’s resilience and tries to embody her “make a way, find a way” attitude in her everyday life. Her work focuses on addressing the cultural context that prevents the Latine community from seeking mental health help. Juliana hopes to provide safe spaces for her people so they can receive the support they deserve.  Keep up with Juliana on her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

A prominent figure in the entertainment industry, Lex Borrero is known for his innovation, executive leadership, and advocacy for Latino culture. He gained recognition in Billboard's "40 under 40" in 2020 and "Latin Power Players" in 2023. His career includes collaborations with artists like J Balvin, Maroon 5, Bad Bunny, and Justin Bieber, resulting in over 500 million records sold worldwide and numerous Billboard Hot 100 hits. His career has spanned various roles in the music industry, culminating in his co-founding of NEON16 with producer Tainy in 2019. NEON16 evolved into a multi-faceted entertainment company with ventures in music, gaming, television, film, and live events, earning accolades as the most innovative music company by Fast Company in 2021. He also played a key role in NEON16's partnerships with the NFL, producing the "Por La Cultura Mixtape: Volume 1" in 2022. In 2023, he acquired ARRO Media, which became the AM16 agency, offering brand services at the intersection of music, culture, and entertainment. AM16 has worked with major brands, generating successful campaigns, and recently led a groundbreaking partnership with Red Bull USA and F1. His remarkable journey has been featured in notable publications, including Forbes, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Deadline, Adweek, Variety, CNN, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Wrap In this week’s episode, Lex tells us how being disruptive and taking chances turned him into an entertainment genius. He has built his career up to what it is today by focusing on empowering the Latino community and believing in the human nature of creativity. Listen to his episode to hear more about his amazing career and all the chisme about his amazing come-up.  Keep up with Lex on his Instagram and LinkedIn. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Maria is here to help you craft a winning strategy that's not just a plan on paper but one that truly works. In her work, she draws from her experience at LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Apple, where she’s built strong relationships with CXO clients. She helps companies build their thought leadership on LinkedIn. She also supported individuals who want to elevate their brand on LinkedIn and position themselves as thought leaders. As a passionate Latina leader with over ten years in marketing and business development across various sectors, she’s learned a thing or two about solving problems and designing processes that scale. She thrives on building trusting relationships with her CXO customers and creating strategies that fuel growth.  In this week’s episode, Maria shares her incredibly inspiring journey to being true to herself no matter where she is. Throughout her life, she learned how to refuse to assimilate and care for herself in every environment. And that includes when she was an international ambassador for Venezuela, when she moved to Iceland with her new husband, and when she had to take her physical health seriously for the first time.  Listen to hear more about how she combated racism, whitewashing, and unrealistic expectations.  Keep up with Maria on her LinkedIn. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Dr. Mariel Buqué (pronounced like a bouquet of flowers) is a first-generation Black Dominican psychologist, a world-renowned intergenerational trauma expert, and the author of the bestselling book Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma. Her mission is to help reduce the recurrence of Intergenerational ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) within communities of color. Dr. Buqué earned her doctoral degree in counseling psychology at Columbia University, where she also trained as a 3-year fellow in holistic mental health within Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), an initiative that was backed by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). There, she offered culturally responsive mental health services across multiple specialty clinics, including Columbia Medical’s OB/GYN and Primary Care clinics. In this week’s episode, Mariel talks about the intergenerational trauma she has seen as an intergenerational trauma expert. With the help of her book Break the Cycle, she has been able to help people all over the world address the trauma that they have experienced and start healing. Tune in to hear more about her experience as a psychologist and how she has been healing the trauma within her own family as well as within others.  Keep up with Mariel on her website and her LinkedIn. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Elisa Hernandez is a bilingual host, producer, editor, and 2x Emmy winner working in the greater Los Angeles area. She is currently the Los Angeles Dodgers stadium host and field producer for NBC/Telemundo Deportes covering Sunday Night Football. Elisa was previously the digital host, producer, and content strategist at NFL Network for the NFL's only U.S. Latino Instagram account El Snap NFL. After graduating from USC with her degree in digital journalism and interning with the NFL Network, Elisa joined their digital media team. In 2016, she worked for Spectrum SportsNet as a digital host and editor-in-chief for Dodgers Nation and as the in-arena host for the Los Angeles Lakers. Recently, her focus has been on creating Spanish content for the NFL, hosting their sole Latino-focused Instagram community in the country, and launching her sports podcast “Sports-Ish.” In this week’s episode, Elisa tells us about her journey towards sports journalism and how she stays true to her most authentic self while working in the sports industry. Growing up, she and her family were always outside playing sports. When she was old enough, her brother took her to a baseball game and she discovered that all wanted to do was talk to the players. From there, she knew she had to pursue sports journalism. In the field, Elisa prioritizes communication and supports the Latinx audience by providing Central American representation and translating the script that she reads on air.  Tune in to hear more of her incredible journey on the Hella Latin@ podcast. Keep up with Elisa on her website and her Instagram. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Jasmine Ruiz is a NYC-based comedian, writer, and content creator. With an extensive background in the entertainment industry, she has honed a diverse skill set including comedy, writing, and content creation. Her passion for storytelling and creativity allows her to create original and engaging content across all platforms. In her current projects, Jasmine has showcased a talent for captivating audiences - including over 100k followers across all her social media platforms. She recently got in touch with a producer who helped her produce a trailer for her dramedy and is manifesting its debut on HBO!  In this week’s episode, Jasmine opens up about what it’s like to be a first-generation cycle breaker. She talks about how hard it’s been putting up with people's criticisms of her to the point where she decided she does not care about anyone else’s opinions anymore. She is putting herself first and thriving while doing it. Even if that means being disruptive. Inspired by Issa Rae and the show Insecure, she produced her own special and it *will* be picked up by HBO (manifesting)! Follow her on Instagram for more updates about her newest project and everything else she has coming up.  Keep up with Jasmine on her website and her Instagram. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Dulce Orozco is a Latina Immigrant Therapist and speaker who works with people of color and from immigrant families. She has over 17 years of experience in the mental health field and has dedicated her career to understanding the challenges people of color and from immigrant families go through that limit them from reaching their full potential. She assists women of color from immigrant families who are ready to work on their healing journey, see a new perspective, and change their relationship with themselves so they can create new realities that honor their uniqueness.  Because of her personal and professional experience working in private practice, community mental health, psychiatric hospitals, and counseling centers, she is fascinated by culture's role in mental health and how we perceive ourselves. As a result, she creates safe spaces to talk about complicated but critical topics. Her first language is Spanish and she is fluent in English and Portuguese. She is also a parent ambassador at Self Help Inc. Dulce was born and raised in Venezuela and has been living in Massachusetts since 2001. She has two young daughters who constantly remind her how to enjoy the present prioritizing play. She loves being a student, and she is usually learning something new. She has presented at Merrimack College, The Thrive Scholars Career and Leadership Conference, The Latina Summit, Dream Builders, GitLab, UMass Amherst, and Prospanica, among other places. Her work has been featured in El Mundo Boston, El Planeta, Authority Magazine, mic.com, and more. In this week’s episode, Dulce talks about the mental health industry in the United States and how Latinx people are affected by outdated policies. Her work focuses on making therapy accessible for everyone, despite the financial limitations of offering a luxury service. And while her name may be Dulce, she wants to be known as a rebel and a change-maker - which is exactly what she’s doing with her private practice.  Keep up with Dulce on her website and her Instagram. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

FARî is a Honduran urban music artist, singer, writer, producer, and drummer still in his 20s. Being underrepresented in the Latino urban music scene, he hopes to bring his music and story to life by mixing his childhood favorites (rap, edm, rock, reggaeton) into unique tracks weaved in with his life experiences. In this week’s episode, FARî tells us all about his life as a successful musician, and how his work focuses on keeping our roots alive. He also tells us all the chisme regarding his new album that was just released, SAKURA, which tells a story of being unique and chasing your dreams. This first full-length album that shows his plethora of studied genres including rap, reggaeton, and everything from the 80s to the 2010s. He also explains how being in Honduras, his Latinidad and how other Latino artists have inspired him through his artistic process. Go check out FARÎ and listen to his new album, SAKURA. Lo rompió! Keep up with FARî on his Spotify and his Instagram. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Andrea Navedo is a Bronx-born-and-raised Puerto Rican American actress best known for her role as Xiomara, a complex and genuine Latina on the CW’s Golden Globe-nominated television series 'Jane the Virgin.' Navedo received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Jane’s loving and outgoing mother. Navedo is the recipient of the Imagen Award for Best Supporting TV Actress, as well as the Elizabeth Peña Breakthrough Artist Award. She can currently be seen recurring in the ABC series 'A Million Little Things.' Navedo’s most recent film credits include Netflix’s 'Bright' opposite Will Smith and the indie films for Hulu 'Miguel Wants to Fight' & HBO Max’s 'B-Loved' coming Feb.14, 2023. Andrea Navedo didn’t see many positive portrayals of Latinas in the media growing up. So when she had the chance to play a starring role in Jane the Virgin as a complex, flawed, and genuine Latina single mother, she jumped at it. Now, she shares bits of her story of growing up in ‘da South Bronx—boogie down, burning”—to inspire young people who grew up like she did and who, after being counted out, still strive to succeed. Her book Our Otherness Is Our Strength: Wisdom from the Boogie Down Bronx is out now.  In this week's episode, Andrea tells us all about how she defied stereotypes and helped bring a well-rounded Latin character to Hollywood. After surviving the burning Bronx and pushing through stereotypical Latin rules, Andrea landed the role of the beloved Xiomara and changed how Latinos are perceived on American TV forever. Listen to hear an incredible story of strength, resilience, and manifestation. Keep up with Andrea on her website and her Instagram. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Ruben Quesada 🇨🇷 is the editor of the award-winning anthology Latinx Poetics: Essays on the Art of Poetry (2022), a collection of original essays from poets of Latin American descent. His poetry collections are Jane/La Segua (2023, digital), Revelations (2018), and Next Extinct Mammal (2011). Ruben's writing was featured in Best American Poetry, Harvard Review, New York Times Magazine, American Poetry Review, Southern Review, TriQuarterly, and Pleiades. He has a history of consulting for notable organizations like the NEA, Illinois Humanities Council, NBCC, and Publishing Triangle Awards. He is an editor, writer, and advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the literary arts. In this episode, we delve into the vibrant world of Latinx poetry with Ruben Quesada, editor of the award-winning anthology "Latinx Poetics: Essays on the Art of Poetry" (2022). Ruben shares his unique journey, growing up in a household where Spanish was the primary language and where Chinese influences were seamlessly woven into their cultural fabric, thanks to their Chinese neighbors. We learn about Ruben's Costa Rican heritage, and how a trip to Costa Rica revealed how his Spanish had been shaped by the diverse linguistic tapestry around him. Keep up with Ruben on his website and on his Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Mario began his artistic career as an illustrator and designer and had a decade-long run with Disney during what is considered its second golden age of animation. His credits include The Lion King, Pocahontas, Atlantis, the Warner Bros film, and Looney Tunes Back in Action. He was an art director for independent animated features and is now a faculty instructor.  Rosemary was born and raised in the South Bronx and started her creative journey as a magazine writer and editor working at Telemundo and NBC, all while creating ideas on the side. This included developing content for animated movies and TV shows with Mario, and together they created this book called Myra and the Drawing Drama, one of their various collaborations which we'll talk a lot about in this episode today. In this week’s episode, Rosemary and Mario share their experiences as first-generation Latinx growing up in the Bronx, pursuing creative careers, and eventually creating a book together. Theirs is an incredible story of resilience and following their dreams. Both Rosemary and Mario have had a tough upbringing, but they were able to endure it all, become some of the best people in their fields, and become incredibly successful storytellers.  Keep up with Rosemary on her website and her LinkedIn. Keep up with Mario on his website and his LinkedIn. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Luis Báez is an entrepreneur, sales executive, and unwavering optimist who's a little obsessed about helping you build a career and business you’re proud of. His pronouns are he, him, and él. His ability to build genuine trust and help people around him shine is why he's been recruited to work at some of the most influential companies in history — including LinkedIn, Google, Uber, and Tesla. Not bad for a First-Gen Nuyorican boy from the Bronx! No one taught him how to sell — putting himself out there is just what he's had to do to create the life he wanted. After closing over half a billion dollars in sales at Fortune 500 companies, she still had trouble putting himself out there confidently as an entrepreneur when he got started. Launching his own business was a totally new ball game, but by combining all the strategic thinking he learned working in Silicon Valley with his NYC hustle, he was finally able to figure out his formula for stacking sales. This system has helped him make some serious impact on the lives of the people he serves — and his own. In this week’s episode, Luis shares his experience as a gay Latino working in the hypercritical environment of corporate sales. Luis is very aware of the societal expectations placed on him - how machismo defines what kind of man he should be, and how he used to navigate code-switching to fit in. He worked tirelessly and in return, he only received a wobbly chair at the table. He soon realized he was not just keeping pace, but outperforming his peers. That’s when he decided to grow beyond his current employer, build his personal brand, and launch his own company.  Keep up with Luis on his website and his LinkedIn. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

How many of y'all are first gen corporate? This episode is for you! Today I'm talking to Maria Medrano, co-founder and CEO of Inspirame, a mission-driven organization dedicated to ending generational poverty through educational attainment. As a first-generation Mexican American and the first in her family to earn a high school or college degree, Maria has held strategic leadership roles spanning two decades at Google, Visa, and Cisco, to name a few, and has used her first gen superpowers to make big career moves Maria Medrano is a global bilingual Latina leader who has made a name for herself with an exceptional track record in managing multi-million to billion-dollar businesses with a focus on bottom-line growth, large-scale project plans, data-driven decision-making, and strategic partnerships. Her leadership style emphasizes supporting long-term growth, business continuity, process improvements, and transformations while ensuring business strategies are aligned with corporate objectives. Throughout her career, Maria has prioritized building a sense of community within corporate settings and bridging the gap between business strategies and community values. She firmly believes that sustainable success comes from aligning business objectives with community needs and has a proven track record of achieving this balance. Despite humble beginnings, Maria's accomplishments have been widely recognized. She has received numerous awards, including the YWCA Tribute to Women Emerging Leader Award, Top 100 Under 40 Diversity MBA, Silicon Valley 40 Under 40, and Top 50 Under 50. In this week’s episode, Maria shares her experience as a Latina making a difference in Corporate America. Corporate America can still present challenges for Latinos, but Maria's journey shows us that it's possible to navigate this space without losing ourselves. She is creating a community that is a beacon of hope for all Latinx in corporate spaces and is a living reminder that we can create our own paths and create our own success stories. Keep up with Maria on her LinkedIn and on Instagram @techoguide_.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Dominique Cordero 🇵🇷 is a Spanish Coach, salsa dancer, and world traveler. When she was twenty-three years old, she was working a soul-crushing “Corporate-America” job when she asked herself, “Is this it?” She felt lost, uninspired, and more than ready for a radical change. So that’s exactly what she did. In three months, she sold my car, broke her lease, packed her life into two suitcases, and boarded a plane to Barcelona, Spain. With that one-way ticket, she was off to live with a host family, work as an Au Pair, and pursue a long-time dream of living in a Spanish-speaking country. From there she was able to immerse herself in Spanish culture, learn how to speak the language fluently, and come home to show off her new skills to all her Spanish-speaking family members.  Her love of Spanish continues to gift her with cherished moments and treasured relationships. And that's why, a decade later, Dominique has devoted her time to helping adults—like you—unlock the habits and methods they need to confidently carry on a conversation in Spanish too. She wants her clients to experience the joy of actually living in Spanish, something that goes far beyond the superficial level of communication. In this week’s episode, Dominique shares how she transitioned into teaching Spanish full-time during the 2020 pandemic and doing it all online. As a proud Puerto Rican, Dominique shares her thoughts on the importance of preserving and celebrating the cultural legacy and communicating with our elders, including her grandfather who settled in the midwest and didn't have anyone to speak Spanish with for a long time.  Listen to hear more about how learning a language changed the course of Dominique’s life for the better! Keep up with Dominique on her website and on her Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Wendy Amara is a proud Guatamalan with Mayan roots and has spent her time as a transformational Strategy Coach, Speaker, Trainer, and Best Selling Author. She has coached thousands of people over the past twelve years and helped them achieve very powerful goals for their lives. Her results-oriented, no-holding-back approach opens up new possibilities for her clients and has them stay accountable for producing extraordinary results. She has coached many prominent individuals including numerous CEOs of large companies and high positioned appointed and elected officials. She supports all her clients in gaining more clarity, connecting to their vision, and developing a plan of action for their lives that will skyrocket them to their goals. Wendy’s wish for every client is that they live a life they are excited about and proud of! She has worked for numerous transformational companies specializing in ontological coaching, result-oriented coaching, and leadership principles. In this week’s episode, we find out how Wendy became a coach way before it was popular. She found out about coaching before Facebook was even a thing! And while undergoing life coaching to find solutions for her ADHD, she found herself wanting to try coaching for herself and support others in her community. She worked with businesses, consulted with others, and even earned her coaching certification to specifically support people with ADHD. Her goal is to get every one of her clients to trust in themselves and learn the tools they need to be the best version of themselves.  Keep up with Wendy on her website and on her LinkedIn. Listen to her podcast Yes Mujer Build It here.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR is an internationally recognized and accredited award-winning public relations expert, author, and national columnist with two decades of general market and multicultural integrated marketing communications experience in agency, corporate, and nonprofit settings. Today, she serves clients as the Chief Communication Architect of her own boutique firm, MVW Communications. Melissa is a 360° integrated marketing communicator but has expertise and accreditation in public relations. As a unique attribute, Melissa has worked in internal communications and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for a corporation during her career. She is one of only 5,000 PR professionals around the world with the “APR” distinction and recently earned her accreditation as a Certified Diversity Professional. Her inclusive PR point of view influences any communication challenge she tackles. In this week’s episode, we talk about Melissa‘s journey into the PR industry. Latinas make up only about 10% of the PR industry and the industry itself tends to favor white men and women more than any other race. And while these facts are discouraging, Melissa has pushed through, taking her nonlinear career journey and creating the amazing PR business that she has today. Listen to find out how she pushed through all her doubts, and became the representation that she wanted to see for herself.  Keep up with Melissa on his website and on his LinkedIn.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Christian Martinez has made significant contributions to his community through his leadership skills, visionary approach, and commitment to education. He co-founded Latitude High, a charter school that focuses on community engagement, personalized learning, and project-based learning. His efforts have served as a prototype for other educational institutions nationwide, inspiring a fresh wave of enthusiastic and committed young leaders who aspire to effect positive change in their localities. In addition to his contributions to education, Martinez's dedication to elevating the voices and narratives of marginalized groups inspired him to establish Noxhegalactia, a magazine and podcast platform that empowers individuals to share their stories and bring attention to the challenges facing their communities. By creating Noxhegalactia, Martinez has fostered an environment in which people are empowered to express themselves and effect change in their communities. In this episode, we dive into Christian’s incredible story of resilience and strength. Christian went from crossing the border with his family as a child to owning and designing his own charter school. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood, trying to stick together with the other immigrant kids to make friends, and watching his mom go back and forth over the border to protect her family members. When his father died he knew he had to provide for his mother. And so he set a goal, made it, and set another goal, until he became the successful man that he is today.  Keep up with Christian on his website and on his LinkedIn.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Natalia Gaitan is a Colombian immigrant who walked out of her wildly successful corporate design job (working with multiple, global brands like JCPenney and T.J. Maxx) and into freedom, joy, and a life of purpose. There was a lot of fear, uncertainty, planning, sleepless nights, and more than a few curse words between her corporate exit and fulfilling her purpose as a branding and design business owner. But at the end of the day, her growth had a limit. She was missing true connection and didn’t feel like she was making a difference in people’s lives. Natalia knew she was meant for more. She was ready to make a bigger impact and build a powerful legacy. Natalia and her company Power Up Brand + Design creates brand and website design for passionate creatives who are ready to stand out online and make a bigger impact.  In this episode, you'll hear about Natalia Gaitan’s journey to pursue fashion and design in the United States, creating her company while being furloughed due to Covid, and how she raises her first-generation kids to lead a more fulfilling life.  Keep up with Natalia on her website and on her Instagram.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Today you'll hear from Hector Terrero. In this episode, he shares his story of coming from the Dominican Republic, being first-generation, landing his dream job at Apple, and becoming a tech entrepreneur. You'll also hear about his journey in creating and scaling Moneda App which happened while on a trip home to DR. With Moneda, his goal is to create economic prosperity for users within Latin America, starting with Dominican Republic. From shopping at Payless, to being bullied in school, to growing up in The Bronx and now traveling the world, wearing the freshest kicks, and building a business... he’s here to talk all about navigating the many firsts. Update: after 7 years of being one of the few Latino engineers working at one of the biggest companies in the world, Hector is onto another first. Connect with him on LinkedIn to follow more of his journey! For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Sandra Velasquez is the Mexican-American founder of Nopalera, an iconic and culture forward Bath & Body brand that celebrates and elevates Latino culture and Latinx goods. Sandra launched Nopalera in the middle of the pandemic from her Brooklyn apartment with no outside funding or savings while working as a CPG sales & distribution manager in New York City. The brand attracted dream retailers like Nordstrom, Credo, Free People, and over 350 influential boutiques nationwide in its first full year and has been featured on NBC's The Today Show, Telemundo, and over sixty national publications. She is the winner of the Valde Latinx Entrepreneur Grant, the Clean Beauty Summer School Pitch Grant, a finalist for the Black Ambition Prize, and won Latino Start-Up of the year at the L’attitude Match Up Conference. She is in this year’s Cosmopolitan x Undivided New C Suite and is currently participating in the Stanford LBAN Cohort 14 and True Beauty Ventures Bridge Mentorship Program. She raised 2.7 Million in her oversubscribed seed round in preparation for partnering with a national beauty retailer. Additionally, Velasquez hosts The Nopalera Podcast which chronicles her journey of building her brand in real time while sharing the stories of others in her community to inspire other entrepreneurs. In her spare time, she mentors other Latina founders. In this episode, you'll hear about Sandra's journey in creating Nopalera, becoming a full-time entrepreneur, and staying true to her roots. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Dr. Jeniree Flores is a Venezuelan immigrant and began her industry polymer chemistry career by performing a variety of roles in technical service, innovation, product development, and marketing. She has experience in several different industries, including chemicals for coatings, oil and gas, and personal care; as well additive manufacturing or 3D printing. Throughout her career, she was worked at various chemical companies, including BASF, REM Surface Engineer and now, Arxada where she serves as the Global Marketing Manager for Energy. Dr. Flores is the author of a patent and of more than half a dozen peer-review publications. Pero like, being a Latina chemist isn't easy. In this episode, you’ll hear about Jeniree’s experience being an immigrant, navigating her career as a brown woman, and ultimately what led her in choosing herself when experiencing a toxic workplace. Check out her podcast Latinx Can to hear more amazing stories about our community, by our community. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Yovy Daniels, Panamanian West Indian Afro-descendant. Professionally she's known as a former TV corporate broadcast media planner who worked in the U.S. Spanish-speaking/LATAM division for networks like FOX, SONY, RCNTV, and Univision. She continues to propel her innovative skills from broadcaster to podcaster with new ventures into public speaking and blogging. She is now the host and creator of Chombita Chronicles podcast where she highlights the Afro-Latinx experience and sheds a light on stories within the community. In this episode, she keeps it real about being Panamanian, Afro-Latina, an immigrant, and how she’s navigated her journey being 100% true to herself and proud of being an Afro-Latina with an Accent. Connect with Yovy D via LinkedIn, Instagram or check out her website and podcast, Chombita Chronicles. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Harleny Vasquez is a First-Generation Latina/Dominicana and a Licensed Social Worker with over 10 years working in social services providing trauma-informed care. She is now the founder of her business, yourEVOLVEDmind, where she is a Social Work Career Coach. Her bread and butter is helping Social Workers in all stages market themselves effectively to build a personal brand to get hired in any area of practice. Her area of focus includes, resume and cover letter writing, personal branding, LinkedIn marketing, salary negotiation and confidence building. She is also a content creator, speaker, workshop facilitator, and podcast host of Social Work Insider. She is on a mission to uplift and elevate the Social Work Profession. In this episode, Harleny talks about her first gen journey in figuring ish out and navigating college, career, and now, entrepreneurship. From non-stop hustler mentality to self love and boundaries — Harleny keeps it real about her journey to becoming a full-time business owner. Connect with Harleny via LinkedIn or check out her website and instagram page (@yourevolvedmind) for more information. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Irving Hernandez is a Dreamer from the border region of San Diego, California. Arriving to the United States at the age of 6, he persevered through various barriers and ultimately graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering. Currently, Irving is a manager at an immigration law firm and an activist in the DACA movement. He has been widely interviewed by local, national, and international media outlets about his experience being a DACA recipient in a border region. He also served as a guest editor of The Guardian and has helped shape the narrative about Border Dreamers, deepening an understanding of what it means to live in the border region as a Dreamer. In this episode, he shares his story and the realities of the immigration system in the United States. Connect with Irving on LinkedIn and read more about his story here. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Ana Gabriela López is a Guatemalan-American Social Impact Founder, Designer and Latina in tech living in Los Angeles, CA. She immigrated at the age of 11 and worked hard to make the most of her new opportunities in the US.  Her grit and love of personal growth earned her a business development role at LinkedIn and the opportunity to make a difference for her home country through the work of her social impact business, Chica Mala.  Chica Mala is defined by a passion to commit to conscious and impactful consumerism. Ana Gabriela partners with over 70 artisans from rural Guatemala to energize small economies specializing in handmade one of a kind clothing. These artisans incorporate the rich Mayan weaving traditions and designs into beautiful finished home goods and lifestyle products. Chica Mala directly contributes to the livelihood and sustainability of the indigenous communities whose jobs are at risk to fast fashion and machine-manufactured goods. Ana wants to shine a spotlight on the richness of her culture and the tangible beauty of her home – all while creating a business that makes a social, environmental, and educational impact. More at https://shopchicamala.com/. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

The Latino community has seen a recent trend in folks loving on our culture and some even going a bit too far with appropriating it. In the words of Bad Bunny (or 'Ben' depending how you feel about him right now), todos quieren ser Latino pero les falta sazon which translates to "everyone wants to be Latino but they're missing the flavor." On a positive note, we also see an increase in our people stepping into their culture proudly — something that wasn't always common for our U.S. Latinos. Through one of my favorite partnerships with the Intuit Latinos Network, I met someone who shared their own story and struggle with identity. Meet Antonio Rodriguez, who joined Hella Latin@ to talk about how it wasn't always "cool" to be Latino. Growing up in Texas in the 70s, Antonio said being Latino wasn't celebrated, it wasn't a trend in media/entertainment and it wasn't something he took pride in. Instead, he was taught to speak English and to act American as possible. "I could hide Spanish but I couldn't hide my brown skin." Tune in to hear from Antonio, a 2nd generation Mexican-American on his dad’s side and 4th generation Tejano on his Mom's side, as he shares his story of owning and embracing his Latinidad. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

I'm joined by two incredible people behind 3Pas Studios, the global multi-platform entertainment company co-founded by the biggest Latino actor in the world Eugenio Derbez and his award-winning producing partner Ben Odell. With its focus on heart, humor, and humanity, 3Pas stories are experienced by fans around the world through film, television, and audio in both English and Spanish. They’re the creators behind Overboard, How to Be a Latin Lover, Acapulco, and De Viaje Con Los Derbez.   Meet Steven Wolfe Pereira, the Chief Business Officer of 3Pas Studios, Co-Founder and Chairman of Encantos PBC and currently serves as a board director of the Latino Community Foundation, Save the Children, and Whalar. From Tufts University to MIT’s Sloan School of Management to Stanford University’s Directors’ Consortium — Steven never forgets his roots. He's a proud Dominican-American, born and raised in New York. I'm also joined by 3Pas co-founder, CEO, and long-time award-winning producer, Benjamin Odell. In television, Benjamin is executive producer of the award winning Apple series, Acapulco, and Emmy award winning unscripted Amazon show, LOL. Prior projects include The Valet, How to be a Latin Lover and Overboard. Benjamin has spent most of his career writing, producing and amplifying Latino and Bilingual content. From Colombia to Spain to LA and Miami, Benjamin is set on putting the culture at the forefront of mainstream media through storytelling. Learn more about 3Pas Studios and the incredible team here. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Ruben Rojas is a Colombian-American artist, fashion designer, podcaster, and activist. In 2013, he traded in his suit for a paint brush and began transforming blank walls into unique empowering messages that today are uplifting communities and challenging the public to create new dialogues. For Ruben, love isn’t a word but rather a way of life and a way to change the world. Through his ‘love’ artwork, Ruben encourages people to live through love actively, to participate in a ripple effect of positivity, and to love themselves and care for each other. Ruben’s ‘Life Through Love’ message started with his murals. In our current climate of chaos, division, and uncertainty, his artwork is a supercritical reminder that love is a powerful verb; choosing to live through love can transcend labels, bring people together, and break down stigmas. From France to Florida to California, Ruben Rojas’ vibrant murals not only inspire viewers to dream hard, live in joy, and love big but they also beautify gray urban spaces. View his Most Popular LA Street Art & Sculptures. Ruben’s work is also found in surprising places. Putting his philosophy of love to the test, he worked with inmates at Lancaster state prison in 2018 to create a Ruben Rojas-style mural with the message “Forgive/Forgiven.” In 2018, Ruben was painting his “Love Yourself” mural in Sherman Oaks and realized his hand-written ‘love’ would have just as much impact printed on a t-shirt. After posting the mural and accompanying ‘love’ t-shirt, he ended up selling 100 shirts, sparking a pivot to start a mission-driven clothing brand and have been worn recently by talent including Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, Cedric the Entertainer, members of NFL’s LA Rams, and more. In this episode, you'll hear about Ruben's journey in stepping out of his suit, and completely into his art that's deeply rooted in love. His story is just another reminder that taking the "non-traditional" career route can bring success and happiness, too. Visit RubenRojas.com and follow on Instagram and Twitter. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Meet Rubén Darío Villa, a first-generation Mexican-American Chicano artist and Bay Area native who worked for Silicon Valley's most notable tech companies before becoming a full-time entrepreneur. Ruben describes himself as a hella chill designer, artist, community builder, and eternal side hustler. After being laid off from Google, Ruben found it a blessing in disguise and a chance to hone in on his work as THE Mr. Fuchila. Ruben started Fuchila Freshners years ago selling air fresheners and nostalgic decor that emulate Chicano iconography. Most recently, he’s opened up his own studio and invited the public to an open house that hosted live music, local artists, and food vendors.  In this episode, Ruben shares his love of art, how he keeps up his work ethic, and what his plans are for his art career now that he is officially out of the tech industry.  Connect with Ruben via www.mrfuchila.com and @mr.fuchila on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Today I'm talking to Christopher Rivas  — a storyteller, actor, social commentator, podcast host, speaker and filmmaker. He's the writer behind the Brown Enough book and voice behind the Brown Enough and Rubirosa podcast. He's also the creator of "The Real James Bond... Was Dominican!" Christopher has a breadth of experience amplifying stories that matter and spark conversation, one that we unpack in this episode is his work in creating Brown Enough. He openly talks about his journey with Brownness, identity, and the struggle to be “perfectly” Latinx.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Cloud Kent, a proud Latino with Colombian and Ecuadorian roots 🇪🇨🇨🇴 uses acrylics, oil sticks and spray paints to illustrate his message from the heart. His work embodies the freedom and child-like innocence that connects the audience back to that pure part of themselves. In the heart of New York City, his morals and his world view were nurtured by his single mother. His creative spark came in the form of art that his father would send from jail. Through an innocent mind, he channeled his empathy from his father as fuel to power and grow his love for art. In 2015, at the age of 25, Kenneth Jeremiah Gomez underwent life saving open heart surgery. After this rebirth, his heart illustrations gained new meaning full of vulnerability. Calling on the imagery of a superhero’s flight, Cloud Kent emerged as an alter ego to save him from himself - his fears, depression, and emotional incarceration.  In this episode, he shares about it all — his story, his surgery, his love story with art, and his relationship with vulnerability. Connect with Cloud Kent via cloud-kent.com and @cloudkent on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Meet Gabriela Milla, an actress, writer, creator and one of the stars in Apple TV+'s hit bilingual comedy series, "Acapulco." Gabriela portrays Isabel, the main character's outspoken, tough, and mischievous love interest that challenges him like a mujeron would.  Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Gabriela was immersed in the arts and a melting pot of culture from a very young age. Her Venezuelan mother and Honduran father decided when she was seven years old to make the move back to Honduras, where she spent the rest of her childhood and attended high school.  In this episode, she shares her beautiful story of owning her bicultural roots, moving back to the U.S., becoming an actress in LA, moving to Miami and going on her own self-love and self-discovery journey. In choosing herself, doors of opportunity opened up — including her role in Acapulco. I hope this episode serves as a reminder for you to continuously choose and love yourself. When you do, opportunities that align with your purpose can and will open up.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Lester is a First-Gen Latino professional from LA with years of experience in higher education, non-profit organizations, community development, and more. Son to immigrant parents, the oldest of siblings and cousins, and the unofficial lawyer/event planner/advocate/etc. of la familia, Lester knows the challenges and resilience of navigating a world where you don't know what you don't know and figuring it out as you go. Lester is passionate about Men's mental health/issues, empowering others, and inspiring Black & Brown communities to thrive. In this episode, he talks about his story and the systemic disrespect Black and Brown first-gen men experience. Connect with Lester on LinkedIn and follow him on Instagram @llarios116. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Meet Kristen Dreher — a faith follower, fourth-generation Mexican American, and soon-to-be mama of 2!  Kristen is all about connection, community, and storytelling. So it’s no wonder she found herself working as a communications professional at Big Tech companies like Google and LinkedIn. When not working, Kristen is all about familia. From a young age, the importance of hard work was instilled in her… and that life lesson has driven her to not only ensure her parents’ sacrifices were not in vain, but also secure more (happiness, freedom, and financial security) for her future familia.  In this episode, Kristen talks about breaking generational cycles, what it took for her to feel comfortable leaning into her Latinadad, and what she calls the biggest identity shift she ever went through: becoming a parent. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Eilyn Jimenez (who you may recognize from her Netflix series, Designing Miami) is the founder and creative director of Sire Design, the internationally recognized Miami-based interior design studio. As an interior design creative, her role is to transform and re-purpose each space, breathing new life into every project. At the forefront of the South Florida design scene, Eilyn and her team built of badass Latinas continue to produce incredible projects which has earned her media coverage in Casa Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, Robb Report, Insider, Mansion Global and more. In this episode, we hear more about her story, her Cuban roots, and her journey to Sire Design and Netflix. Get ready to take some notes! For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Joél is a Dominican born and Brooklyn raised Corporate Hustlaaaa! From section 8 to Big Tech, from selling hats on the street to being a Product Manager at Microsoft, he’s here to tell his story and make y’all laugh along the way. Joél comes from one of NYC’s lowest income neighborhoods — as of 2018, East New York's rate of violent crimes per capita is greater than that of the city as a whole. And the incarceration rate of 1,065 per 100,000 people is higher than that of the city as a whole. Despite systemic disparities, he hustled his way into big tech and is creating generational wealth everyday. Tune in to listen Joél’s triumphal journey! Connect with him on Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter! For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

We have a repeat guest! Jonathan Hermida came on back in 2020 to tell his story, now he's back to tell you about Capsul — a company focused on capturing our family's stories. Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur and transformational coach committed to helping individuals connect more deeply to themselves, others, and the world around them. As the founder and CEO of Capsul, Jonathan has created a revolutionary company that captures and preserves the stories, memories, and essence of individuals on camera so that future generations can look back on, connect with, and learn from their loved one long after their gone.  His vision is to create the largest and most beautiful collection of individual and family memories the world has ever seen.  Follow Capsul on Instagram and find more info at yourcapsul.com. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Meet the one and only, Susie Jaramillo, the brilliant storyteller behind Canticos, Skeletina's World, and Tiny Travelers. Brands that every mami y papi should take note of! Susie is an Emmy-Nominated illustrator, bilingual storyteller, and co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Encantos Media Studios. This Venezuelan-American mama created Encantos' first brand: Canticos, a bilingual baby and toddler brand inspired by Latino nursery rhymes. And it all started as a way to share her culture and language with her bilingual and bicultural kids. Now, Canticos is the #1 bilingual preschool brand, designed to help children become kindergarten-ready in two languages. Her stories are brilliant, captivating, diverse, and most importantly representative of Latino culture, music and beauty. If you remember anything from this episode, I hope you remember to turn off Cocomelon and download Encantos for your bebecitos!  Download Encantos today on your app store and buy any (or all) of Susie's books on Amazon. You can also follow Susie Jaramillo on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Stephanie Nuesi is the CEO and Founder of Max Up, a career coaching firm whose mission is to maximize the potential of the future leaders of the nation. She has interned in various top accounting firms, tech companies and is now a financial analyst at Google.  Stephanie is passionate about career coaching and public speaking. She has given over 300 workshops and events in 10 countries and has been guest speaker for companies like Wiley, The AICPA, UBS, LinkedIn, and more.  She has helped over 5,000 students and professionals from all over the world with her company Max Up. Because of her passion to keep involved with the community, she was chosen as a 2019 Forbes Under 30 Scholar and is now a NextGen 30 Under 30 for the hispanic executive magazine, which highlights the most successful latinos worldwide. In this episode, Stephanie talks about moving from the Dominican Republic to The States and how it turned her world upside down. But her immigrant/first-gen experience was the catalyst behind Max Up. Follow Stephanie Nuesi on LinkedIn and Instagram, and visit www.themaxup.com for more information. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Breyers, your family favorite ice cream brand has partnered with Latinx Therapy to launch Conversaciones Vainilla – a program to help encourage, inspire and facilitate meaningful conversations amongst Hispanic/Latino families.  Latinos have limited access to culturally responsive services that reflect an understanding of their cultural norms, and acculturation experiences. With Conversaciones Vainilla, the goal is to encourage nuestra familias to engage in behavioral health conversation about everyday topics such as therapy, dating, religion, and finances among others. “Nationwide, there are only 10.8% Hispanic and Latino identifying Marriage and Family Therapists, and 5% of Hispanic psychologists” said Latinx Therapy Founder Adriana Alejandre. “As a valued brand within Hispanic households, we’ve partnered with Breyers to spark conversations within families to demystify the stigmas that repeat within multigenerational household.”  Tune in to hear all about Adriana's story, Latinx Therapy, and how to sweeten up difficult conversations.  Access the Conversaciones Vainilla digital toolkit here! For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Diego Montemayor is the CEO and co-founder of Chamba, an app aimed at helping the hispanic community find jobs throughout the US. As an immigrant and Latin entrepreneur, Diego sees the potential of minority groups and how they positively impact a country’s economy through the power they contribute to the workforce. His mission is to help as many members of his community find jobs, as he believes employment is the foundation for the American Dream. Corina Hierro is a community manager for Chamba. Growing up, Corina had big dreams of creating an impact in her community, and as a Mexican immigrant, she knew her purpose was to use her talents to amplify Latinx voices. Shortly after the pandemic began, she joined Chamba with the goal of improving access to employment for underrepresented groups. Diego and Corina share more about Chamba App, their stories, and why this app is empowering our comunidad.  This conversation was brought to you by Apple's investment in Hispanic App creators — Chamba being one of four highlighted.  Follow La Chamba App on all social media platforms and download the app today! For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Illianna Acosta is a Dominican-American Latina born and raised in Queens, NY. Today, she is a Senior Manager of Channel Sales at LinkedIn and the Global Co-Chair of LinkedIn’s Hispanic Employee Resource Group (HOLA). She's also on the National Board of the 100 Hispanic Women National organization, Co-President of the Cornell-Johnson Alumni Club of New York City, and author of her b-biweekly LinkedIn newsletter, “Lost in Translation." Illianna launched this newsletter to shine a light on the challenges and limitations that under-represented groups experience that impact the way we show up at work and in life. Tune in to hear more about Illianna's story on navigating identity, thriving in corporate, and how she brings all her Dominican/New York sazón into every space. Follow her on Instagram @Illianna_a and connect with her on LinkedIn. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Hernán Dillon Noval was born and raised in Mexico and has spent the last 10 years creating, leading, launching and changing the rules of different industries and companies through his company, ABCW Global. His company is a fusion of 3 leading agencies born in Mexico but has since expanded globally, representing clients such as Energizer, EY, Panasonic, and other 250 brands. In this episode, Hernan recounts his immigration story, why he left Mexico, and the challenges/triumphs of expanding a successful business into the U.S.  Connect with Hernán on all social media channels: Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Suanny Garcia is a Cuban-American writer and the Editor-in-Chief at mitú. Suanny leads the creative and editorial department, and recently published, “The New Latina: 100 Millennials Shaping Our World.” Suanny’s continuous goal is to make an impact via compelling storytelling for both mitú and the Latinx community. In this episode, we talk about our First-Gen Latina experience, how we're navigating identity and Latinidad, while also breaking cycles and stereotypes. Connect with Suanny on Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn, and purchase "The New Latina: 100 Millennials Shaping Our World" here! For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Paulaska Ramirez is the daughter of Dominican immigrants; she was born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey. She is a proud first-generation Latina with 12+ years of experience in higher education, working with students of diverse backgrounds from low-income households. Ramirez is also the Founder and Executive Director of Generation Fearless—an organization that aims to empower, uplift, and help first-generation women navigate all stages of their lives. This episode is in honor of the first, the trailblazer, and the fearless! Follow Generation Fearless on all social media platforms. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Alma Zaragoza-Petty is a Mexican-American activist, scholar, podcast host and author of "Chingona: Owning Your Inner Badass for Healing and Justice"—a book that aims to help Latinas embrace their badass spirit. In this episode, Zaragoza-Petty shares her big chingona energy with us and shares her journey in reclaiming her badassery, courage, and power. Buy your copy today via this link! For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

mitú is a leading digital media company dedicated to inspiring, representing, and super-serving U.S. Latinos. In this episode, I sit down Wendy Barba, the Vice President at mitú, and Suanny Garcia, a Cuban-American writer and the Editor-in-Chief at mitú.  We talk about all things mitú—and its brands crema, Things That Matter, Somos and FIERCE—why they're important for the culture, and why representation matters.  For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Rosanna Durruthy is LinkedIn’s Head of Global Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. Her focus is on empowering all employees, members and customers to realize their full potential. With Rosanna’s leadership, LinkedIn aims to continue to build a strong culture that values diversity, inclusion and creating a sense of belonging. In this episode, you'll hear about tia Rosanna's origin story and how little Rosannita played big, took risks, and how it all led her to an executive position within tech.  For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

This episode is full of REALness. At the age of 17, Linda Felix found out she was undocumented and her life turned upside down. But this Latina picked herself up, made moves, and now works at one of biggest tech companies in the world while living her best life. I usually have a whole paragraph to describe each episode and person, but I'll let this one speak for itself. On this Latino Heritage Month 2022, let's continue to celebrate the diversity in color, country, experience and sazón of nuestra gente. ¡Estamos Aquí! For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

On this week's episode, I'm joined by the host of ¿Quién Tú Eres? podcast and founder of Plurawl, Pabel Martinez. Our platforms are centered on sharing other people's stories & experiences, but once a month we go live on LinkedIn to share OUR stories. In this episode, we unpack quiet quitting. What does that mean for us? Is that a privilege Black and Latinos have? What does that look like in practice? These are the many questions we unpack. Tap in! For updates on Unfiltered and/or Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Carlos A. Flores is a doctoral candidate pursuing a PhD in Counseling at Montclair State University where he specializes in multicultural education, social justice advocacy, and career development. Carlos's research focuses on the intersection of Latino/a/x and LGBTQ identity, multicultural training & education, and social justice best practices.  In this episode, he talks about his Latino upbringing, intersectionality and identity, and his coming out story. I already know y'all are going to walk away inspired! Connect with Carlos on LinkedIn. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Christina V. Rodriguez is a first-generation Nicaraguan-American Latina with a multi-cultural and equity-minded mindset with a commitment in creating equitable opportunities for Women of Color in Business, Housing and Academia. She created Latinas with Masters to do just that. She received her Bachelor's degree in Latino/a Studies from San Francisco State University and went on to receive her Master's degree (MBA) with an emphasis in Marketing at Notre Dame de Namur University. She is a currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership. In this episode, we get to know Christina on a deeper level. We talk all kinds of chisme y'all don't want to miss. Follow Latinas with Masters everywhere! For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Melanie Chavez is a First Gen Latina, first time homebuyer and LA native. Her story is rooted in moving away from home to defy her family's expectations of womanhood and what that means as a young Latina. In 2017, despite lack of support from my family, she packed up her car and moved to Seattle with nothing but a dream to live in the Emerald City and to help others like herself. She knew two people and had ZERO job leads.  She proceeded to spend 3+ years at Year Up, became a homeowner, and is now a Talent Sourcer at HighSpot, with a mission to open doors and opportunities for underrepresented talent and marginalized communities. In this episode, you hear all the tea in between and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Evelyn M. Pérez-Albino is a proud Afro-Latina, Dominican employment lawyer, Fortune 500 executive, career strategist and first-generation everything.  In addition to being an employment lawyer at Meta, she’s also the Founder of Ella Elevates, a career strategy firm validating the experiences of professional Women of Color and sharing insights that elevate the community to new heights.  In this episode, Evelyn tells her story in the most real and raw way possible. Connect with her on LinkedIn or follow the Ella Elevates page, or connect via Instagram. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica, is a former newspaper columnist and is now a full-time creativepreneur which has led to multiple product lines, and collabs with national brands. She has authored several craft books and novels, a book about the life of Frida Kahlo, and her latest – The Crafty Chica Creates. Kathy has new products lines with Makers Movement for HSN, Bisque Imports, Madison Park Greetings, and Riley Blake Fabrics. She has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Buzzfeed+ more. In this episode, Kathy talks about her journey in creating Crafty Chica, and gives us all the inspiration and tips needed in how to follow our own dreams. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Estefania Macchiavello, AKA EJ, is a proud first-generation Latina from Peru. 🇵🇪 She's been a recruiter for 10+ years at some of the biggest tech companies like Netflix and now, Meta, but throughout her journey, one thing was very clear—her family's love and support was the foundation. In this episode, EJ and I talk generational love and how our families were the motivation behind every career move. This was an uplifting episode focused on the JOY of being first-generation. We need more of those reminders. Connect with EJ via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejmacchiavello/. Or follow her on IG at @ejmacchiavello. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Part 2 is here! Elisa describes herself as "an American with an accent" and in this episode, she shares her journey of love, healing, and identity.  Elisa now dedicates her time and energy coaching Latinas on how to find their voice and identity so they can create generational love! You can also find her hosting "Living La Vida a Full" Podcast. Connect with Elisa Fucci on Instagram @elisa_fucci_coaching or email her at ElisaFucci.coaching@gmail.com. And if you're ready to book your call with her for a free consultation, click here! For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Elisa describes herself as "an American with an accent" and in part 1, she shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S., to navigating difficult decisions to reach her "American Dream," and to becoming a certified relationship/life coach. Elisa now dedicates her time and energy coaching Latinas on how to find their voice and identity so they can create generational love! You can also find her hosting "Living La Vida a Full" Podcast. Connect with Elisa Fucci on Instagram @elisa_fucci_coaching or email her at ElisaFucci.coaching@gmail.com. And if you're ready to book your call with her for a free consultation, click here! For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Meet Mayra Stewart—a mother, author, teacher, and co-founder of Grow Florecita®. Grow Florecita® is an avenue for us to feel our most empowered. As Mayra says, each of us holds the blueprinted seeds within us to be our best selves and create a world that our children can thrive in.   In this episode, you'll hear about Mayra's journey in navigating motherhood and how her Latinidad plays a role within that. This conversation will have you on the edge of your seat and eating up her every word.  Visit https://growflorecita.com/ to buy Mayra's bilingual book and follow her on IG @GrowFlorecita. In honor of Latino art and artists, claim your 15% discount to the MACLA Art Auction happening in San Jose this week using the code HellaLatin@. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Noel Claudio is a proud Puerto Rican and Dominican who was raised in the hood in Philadelphia and paved his way to being a Latino in tech in Silicon Valley. In this episode, you'll hear all about Noel's first-gen journey from graduating Penn State to leading engineering and ops at Twitter. More importantly, you'll hear the vulnerable parts of Noel's story where he reminds us to stay grateful despite the adversities. Connect with Noel on Twitter @NoelClaudio_ and find him on LinkedIn. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Jasmine Vallejo is a proud First Gen Latina from the south side of San Antonio. Currently, she leads Community Engagement for the Southwest region at Meta, working to keep the local neighborhoods strong through partnerships with nonprofits, organizations, and schools by providing STEM and economic opportunity programs. She is also Board Member of Latinas in Tech, a non-profit that is focused on empowering and connecting Latinas in the technology industry and co-founded Latinos in Tech, an organization that brings together Latinx and allies for community and connections. Coming from a family of migrant farm workers and growing up in an underserved community, it’s important to Jasmine to shine light on the lack of representation in technology and empower communities that shaped her as a young Latina. In this episode, we cry, we laugh, but most importantly we hear from the powerhouse woman herself. Connect with Jasmine on Instagram @jasminevallejo, Twitter @jasminevallejo, and find her on LinkedIn. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Ilhiana Rojas is an Executive & Career Transformation Strategy Coach, a DEI Catalyst, a Hispanic advocate, Bestselling Author, and an international motivational speaker. She was recently recognized by the NY Journal as one of the top 10 Inspiring women to watch in 2021. In addition to coaching, Ilhiana also serves as an advisor for the Network for Executive Women, Center for Women & Enterprise, and Social Enterprise Greenhouse to support their DEI initiatives. Ilhiana graduated with honors as a Chemical Engineer in Mexico City, and currently lives in Rhode Island with her husband and two kids. Most recently, she published a book called, Extraordinary Latinas which became a best selling book! In this episode, we learn about the powerhouse woman she is and her journey in navigating womanhood and ambition. Follow her on Instagram, connect with her on LinkedIn and visit her website, Belive Coaching. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Jasmine Ortiz embodies ambition and determination. She was born in NY, raised in PA, and currently resides in Miami. In her latest single “21”, Jasmine made history by becoming only the 2nd artist approved to record their music video at The University of Miami, second to no other than Drake, her icon. In Jasmine’s music video for “21” she plays tribute to Drake and his video “God’s Plan," and received over 1 Million Views in 2 Days. In this episode, we learn about Jasmine's upbringing, her identity, and where her ambition and hunger to success in the entertainment industry began.  Connect with Jasmine on Instagram @iamjasmineortiz. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Ivan Estrada is a successful Real Estate Broker in Beverly Hills who just released a book, Brand With Purpose, based on his experience building his brand and the obstacles along the way.  Despite his successful career, various accolades, and graduating from USC, Ivan struggled with self-reflection and his own identity, something many Latinos suffer from today. Ivan struggled with homophobia embedded in Latino culture and was told to pass as Italian in order to be successful. He felt like he couldn’t be himself at home or at work. But all the negative influences and stereotypes aside, Ivan found success in being himself and building a brand that’s genuine, real, and with purpose. Born into a working-class Latino family to being featured in Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing and being named “Top 30 Under 30″ in real estate nationwide with the National Association of Realtors, Ivan shares his journey of self-reflection and success. Most importantly, he shows us that staying true to who we are is always the answer.

Ricardo Horna was born in Lima, Peru, raised in Tampa, Florida, and is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. He has been at Google for 5 years and is currently on the YouTube Recruiting team, charged with ensuring a diverse and representative workforce at YouTube. He received his Masters in Communication Management from the University of Southern California, and served as a Teach For America Corps Member teaching Middle School Spanish in inner-city Baltimore for three years. In this episode, he talks about what identity means to him and how he's learned to embrace all its complexities.  Connect with Ricardo on Instagram @ricardo.horna and find him on LinkedIn. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

As his Zepeda for Senate campaign stated, Jaime's story is a story of hope, hard work & helping hands. Jaime Raul Zepeda grew up in Mexico in a working-class neighborhood. Jaime saw vicious inequality there. Mercedes parked in front of women starving. Law enforcement hired as security for the wealthy. A destiny determined by your last name. Moving up was not a dream, it was a fantasy.  At 17 he left Mexico, alone, for America. For years, he hustled to pay for housing, food, and healthcare. Through that hustle, hope, and the help of his friends and family, Jaime now helps people who, like him, struggled to survive. He advises non-profits helping thousands of low-income students prosper in California. He helps FORTUNE 500 companies build people-first businesses. He mobilizes people and resources to help people experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, Black and brown youth in need of mentorship, and the undocumented community. The list goes on. I hope this episode inspires you to share your voice, share your story, and lean into hope. Connect with Jaime on Instagram and Twitter @jaimeraulzepeda, and find him on LinkedIn. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

This episode is FULL of laughs, story, and inspiration. In this episode, Colin talks about feeling "like a white kid with a last name Espinales" his whole life to then being embraced by LinkedIn's Latino ERG, and digging into his Ecuadorian culture through his Father's stories. He simultaneously walks us through that difficult and often dispiriting journey in landing your dream career.  A little backstory: Colin Espinales moved to Chicago from Oklahoma in 2008 with two suitcases and a theater degree. After performing improv around the city, he began to focus on his next phase in life, which led him from waiting tables to customer support to client management and now, to program manager for LinkedIn's Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging team, focusing on professional development for members of underrepresented communities. You can find Colin exploring his beautiful city of Chicago still 13 years later, playing with his two sons, gardening and connecting with others to learn their stories and amplify and uplift one another. Connect with Colin on Twitter @ColinEspinales and find him on LinkedIn. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Fernanda Kelly's successful 20-year career as an actress and television presenter in the US Hispanic market earned her two Emmy awards and three Telly awards for her work as the host of the critically acclaimed show, LAnzate on Univision network. In 2018, Fernanda expanded her career as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry to further express her passion for celebrating individuality. This is where NYTAQ was born, a clothing brand that honors her love for the arts and connecting with female artists who make one-of-a-kind pieces that depict empowerment, strength, and embracing uniqueness. NYTAQ has previously been featured on Despierta América show on Univision Network, Grow with Google webinar, Insightful Babes podcast, and SD Voyager magazine. Fernanda grew up as a border girl, being raised across Tijuana and San Diego. In this episode, she talks about that upbringing and also talks about her journey in pursuing her passion. Y nos cuenta de todo—the ups, the downs, the triumphs, and even the ugly side of entertainment.  Connect with Fernanda on IG @fernandakellyyy and LinkedIn. Also check out NYTAQ on IG @shopnytaq and via website at nytaq.com. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Nestor Melendez is a proud Nuyorican/Boricua, born and raised in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Knights podcast co-host is part jack-of-all-trades, part philosophizer, part rebel, and a professional educator who is focused on having conversations that remind people of who they were, who they are and who they could become. In this episode, Nes gives us a little history lesson on Puerto Rico and its relationship with the U.S. and its Caribbean neighbors, and he ends with what identity/Latinidad truly encapsulates. At the end, he also gives us a much-needed bendición. Connect with Nes on IG @a_tribe_called_nes or on LinkedIn, and check out his podcast on IG @bknypodcast. ICYMI, get your 15% off Tragos game by using HellaLatina at checkout. Check out Tragos on all social media platforms @tragosgame. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Carolina Acosta is Colombian-Dominican mujeron from Queens who created and is now CEO of Tragos, the party game for Latinos by Latinos. She was recently included in Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2021 for the creation of this game. And it all started after working with her partner, John Lim, to launch Azn Flush – the Asian card game equivalent to Tragos. Carolina then launched Tragos in 2019 to build a product that spoke to her identity as a US-born Latina. Tragos is currently the #1 party card game for Latinos and has raised over $20,000 for community driven organizations such as Black Lives Matter, Helping Hands of Puerto Rico, The Immigrant Worker Safety Net Fund, and more.  Get your 15% off Tragos game by using HellaLatina at checkout. Check out Tragos on all social media platforms @tragosgame. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Gabriel Lomeli is a first-generation Mexican-American from Stockton, California and let me tell y'all, he spills so much wisdom in this episode. He talks about designing your own path toward success, and moving from travieso mistakes and heartbreak to pandemic power moves. Gabe has over 10 years of strategic partnership, media production, and instructional design experience. After graduating from San Jose State University, he began his career as a music video producer and editor in the Hip-Hop and R&B scene. Upon completing his Master's program at Stanford University, Gabe joined the lecturing team at the School of Design while operating his own media agency, producing videos for Silicon Valley's top tech companies. Currently, he’s an Account Manager on the Creative Media Strategy team at LinkedIn and volunteers his time speaking to students and sharing tools and strategies that have helped him uncover hidden opportunities. Connect with Gabe on Instagram @Gabriel_L_Jr and find him on LinkedIn. And check out the ‘Music Video Recipe,' his new YouTube Channel reviewing today’s hottest Music Videos.  For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

One narrative often overlooked in the community is the Asian-Latino experience. Lucky to have Ha Na Teresa Park, mi querida Catracha, on Hella Latin@ to share her experience of being both Korean and Hondureña. In this episode, Ha Na Teresa shares her story of leaving Korea, growing up in Honduras and then moving to the United States. Her story paints a full picture of the ebbs and flows of embracing the complexities of identity, and turning it into a strength. Ha Na Teresa is an educator, entrepreneur and a creator who firmly believes in the power of stories to unite people and the power of humanity to love and heal. Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook @teresaparkoficial and find her on LinkedIn. For more info on Teresa and what she does, visit www.teresapark.com. As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership to RisOn—an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect and connect. More details at the end of the episode. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Eliana Murillo is the founder and CEO of Eliment and Company, her mission is to amplify and invest in diverse small businesses, startups and content creators. Eliana previously spent 10 years at Google, where she founded the multicultural marketing team and co-founded HOLA, the Latino employee resource group. While in Silicon Valley, she co-founded the Latinos in Tech Giving Circle. Outside of tech, Eliana co-founded her family's organic Alquimia Tequila, an award-winning product that is 100% USDA-certified organic. She also founded and currently leads Latinas Who Brunch, a national community of badass Latinas with chapters in 17 states and counting. Eliana was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 List in 2017, the top 10 Latina Corporate Executives List by Latina Style Magazine in 2017 and the Top 50 Most Powerful Latinas List by ALPFA in 2019. ​She is a graduate of Harvard College and is originally from Oxnard, California. All that to say, Eliana is a powerhouse Latina everyone in la comunidad should know about. And in this episode, we get to know la mujeron behind the brand. Connect with Eliana on Instagram @inmyeliment, Twitter @eliana_murillo and find her on LinkedIn. You can also find Eliana's co-founded @AlquimiaTequila on Instagram and her community @LatinasWhoBrunch. And fun fact, she is also a RisOn member! As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership to RisOn—an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect and connect. More details at the end of the episode.   For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Nadia Elhawary is both Egyptian and Guatemalan but the hood raised her and her city Pasadena feels like home more than any country. She's a storyteller passing on this wisdom given by her ancestors and her purpose is loving on her people and loving herself deeply. Nadia is all about investing in our hoods, growing our hoods, and owning the block. She's 29 years young. She's an activist for the Black and brown community and especially womxn. When she's not fighting for her community, she's investing in self-love and using spirituality and ancestral practices to keep her grounded in this world. Connect with Nadia on Instagram @mselhawary and follow her co-founded organization, Hood Liberation on IG at @hoodliberation. As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership to RisOn—an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect and connect. More details at the end of the episode. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Brian Ovalles, a Black Latino from Washington Heights, talks about navigating spaces where he was culturally, racially and socio-economically different than his peers. From an early age, he felt like he was always having an away game yet he took every shot people thought he couldn’t make. And now, he’s dedicating his work pa’ la comunidad and transforming a poorly constructed food culture and system with his app, TOM (The Orange Market). In this episode, Brian unpacks imposter syndrome, his Black Latino identity and the story behind TOM.  Connect with Brian on Instagram @brian.ovalles, Twitter @BrianOvalles1, Clubhouse @brainovales and find him on LinkedIn. For more info on T.O.M, visit tom-app.com. And check out Brian’s Cafe 15 in Oakland, more info @cafe15oakland on Instagram. As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership to RisOn—an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect and connect. More details at the end of the episode. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

“If you want to go up in the company, you have to stop fraternizing with people in the mail room.”   In this episode, Yuridia Peña, a Dominican woman from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, talks about her young dreams of working on 5th Avenue and becoming the next Anna Wintour to her first time experiencing class division in Corporate America. Because of her experience, she pivoted and dedicated her career to serving her community. Yuridia went on to work for the NYC labor movement, coordinated demonstrations during the Fight for $15 campaign, promoted legislation to end stop-and-frisk and the list goes on. She also founded Alta Consulting, a boutique public affairs firm helping customers achieve their public relations and communications goals. Connect with Yuridia on Instagram @yudipie, Twitter @yuridiapena, and find her on LinkedIn. Visit altaconsulting.co for more information. As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership to RisOn—an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect and connect. More details at the end of the episode. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Choosey is an Afro-Chicano hip hop artist who grew up in National City and Chula Vista, California. His debut studio album Black Beans (2019), produced by Exile, represented his Afro-Chicano heritage and conveyed themes of ethnic identity, gentrification, and Black-brown unity. The album received positive reviews and was referred to as a "masterpiece" by NBC News and a "breath of fresh air" by HipHopDX.    In this episode, Choosey and I talk about his Black and brown upbringing in San Diego, his passion for creating music and art, and his current artistic endeavors. Connect with Choosey on IG and Twitter @kingchoosey and check out his website kingchoosey.com. And visit his Soundcloud for his OG music!    As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership to RisOn—an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect, connect, and belong. More details at the end of the episode. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Elizabeth Molina is a Dominican-Peruvian Latina, model, beauty mentor, influencer, TedX speaker and founder of the Molina Glow. Elizabeth's personal story of survival led her to her current work in helping others redefine their why surrounding beauty practices. In this episode, we not only dive deep into Elizabeth's Dominican-Peruvian upbringing but we also talk about body, image and what it's like to be a modern Latina woman. And we unpack a phrase I'm sure every Latina has heard, La Belleza Cuesta, beauty is pain. Connect with Elizabeth on IG @elizabeth_molina, find her on LinkedIn and check out her website at elizabethmolinainc.com. Big love to my partner/sponsor, RisOn—an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect, connect, and belong. As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership. Stick around at the end of the episode for more details. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Arabela Espinoza is a Mexican-American creative photographer based in San Jose, CA. When not enjoying an iced vanilla latte or a craft cocktail, you can find her working full-time at Weekend Creative, a creative photography agency that she co-founded in 2018. Her passion for community and photography education has led her to co-create the Weekend Club, an online community for photographers, as well as a freelancing comedy podcast called Per Our Last Email. She also co-owns a photography studio called Little Sunday Studio that is open and available for rent to the creative community. Connect with Arabela on IG @arabelaespinoza and find her on LinkedIn. And while you're at it, also follow @perourlastemail, @littlesundaystudio and @weekendcreative on Instagram! Big love to my partner/sponsor, RisOn—an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect, connect, and belong. As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership. Stick around at the end of the episode for more details. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Martha Nino was born in Mexico and immigrated to the USA undocumented as a child. She grew up in the Bay Area and watched Silicon Valley grow into what it is today. She's a 25-year tech pro and just recently celebrated her 15-year anniversary as a Sr. Marketing Manager at Adobe. In this episode, Martha tells her story in the most real and authentic way possible—from a grass shack in Zacatecas to poverty in the U.S. to a non-linear road into Silicon Valley. For a long time, Martha's voice and story were silent. Finding power, passion and purpose in her voice has given her a reason to keep speaking and writing in the most human way possible. Find and connect with Martha on LinkedIn. Big love to my partner/sponsor, RisOn. RisOn is an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect, connect, and belong. As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership. Stick around at the end of the episode for more details. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Welcome to the third out of four RisOn guided experiences! This month, you'll have an opportunity to explore and communicate your own story in depth. This week we'll focus on breakthrough. Let's use visualization to reconnect to your forgotten life experiences and breakthrough lifelong challenges. Every 5 years since birth: What was your world like? Who was influencing your environment? What messages were you receiving from the world about who, what, and how you were supposed to be? RisOn's audio experience includes basic grounding, reflection and optional journaling (access form by clicking here: http://www.rison.life/HLP). Share your thoughts and tag us, too! For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn. And for more info on RisOn, visit www.RisOn.Life or follow on IG at @RisOn.Life.

Welcome to the second out of four RisOn guided experiences! This month, you'll have an opportunity to explore and communicate your own story in depth. This week we'll focus on discernment. Let's get on a deeper level to discern what you're still hiding. What aspect of your story did you share or not share? What story would you like to let go of? What new narrative do you want to write?  RisOn's audio experience includes basic grounding, reflection and optional journaling (access form by clicking here: http://www.rison.life/HLP). Share your thoughts and tag us, too! For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn. And for more info on RisOn, visit www.RisOn.Life or follow on IG at @RisOn.Life.

How many times have you scrolled through Netflix and saw stereotypical Latino movies and leads? Narcos, Latin lovers, funny sidekick and don't get me started on stereotypical Latina narratives. Folks like Edwin Porres Jr. are out here changing the game. Edwin was born in Guatemala and raised in West Virginia. As a Latino raised in the United States, he didn't recognize himself in the stereotypical Latino roles depicted by Hollywood. So he wrote Hóllyweird with the intention to reflect his own experiences in Hollywood. He then finished the script with his wife, Jamie, whom you’ll meet during our Cafecito & Chisme portion. Find more info about Hollyweird at hollyweirdthemovie.com and look them up on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and check out their Youtube and IMDB page. Big love to my partner/sponsor, RisOn. RisOn is an interactive weekly space created by two first-gen Latinos with the intention to mindfully unburden, introspect, connect, and belong. As a Hella Latin@ listener, you get a free one-month membership. Stick around at the end of the episode for more details. For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

Welcome to the first of four RisOn guided experiences! This month, you'll have an opportunity to explore and communicate your own story in depth. This week we'll focus on awareness. What's your story? Who are you and what brought you to this moment today? What does it look like and feel like to be you?RisOn's audio experience includes basic grounding, reflection and optional journaling (access form by clicking here: http://www.rison.life/HLP). Share your thoughts and tag us, too! For updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn. And for more info on RisOn, visit www.RisOn.Life or follow on IG at @RisOn.Life.