Hella Latin@

For more than a decade, Vallejo, California-based Sinaloense fotógrafa Rocio Rivera has been an award-winning professional photographer. After establishing herself as a professional photographer in the U.S. she moved back to the motherland to Mexico to continue her work there — a dream she's always had for herself. In this week’s episode, Rocio shares why she left the United States and how she created her own new American Dream. Many people are saying that the new American dream for children of immigrant parents is to return to the motherland and live a better-quality life. As expenses rise in the US more and more people are redefining what their idea of success is and what it could look like for them and their families in the future. Tune into this week’s episode to hear more about Rocio’s journey home, and how she managed to move her entire life to Mexico. Full disclaimer, Rocio is going to keep it 100%. Keep up with Rocio 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

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.