Synopsis
In this interview series, host Alicia Menendez talks to remarkable Latinas about making it, faking it, and everything in between. In often-hilarious and always-revealing episodes, Alicia and her guests take on the challenges of existing, and then thriving, as women of color.
Episodes
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What Grasie Mercedes Needed to Give Up to Level Up
20/03/2023 Duration: 19minThe star of NBC’s Grand Crew built multiple careers as a style blogger, filmmaker and actor in tandem, but as she approached her 40th birthday, she knew it was time to make some hard choices. Grasie shares the mental shifts that set her up for professional success and what she, a serial monogamist, learned by being alone.Follow Grasie on Instagram @grasiemercedes. If you liked this episode, listen to Mayan Lopez Knows That Art Imitates Life and How Melissa Fumero Learned That She Was Funny.
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Why Nicole Chavez Wants to Help You Cultivate Style Confidence
13/03/2023 Duration: 19minShe built an impressive career in television costuming before a friendship with a budding actress led her to celebrity styling. She had no idea what she was doing, but she figured it out. Nicole shares the vision and planning that goes into those red carpet looks, and how we can each simplify our style while still having fun!Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicolechavezstyle. If you liked this episode listen to Cassandra Sethi Wants to Take Your Wardrobe to the Next Level and How Fashion Entrepreneur Camila Coelho Went from Working Retail to Building a Beauty Brand.
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How Patty Arvielo Built a Multi-Billion Dollar Mortgage Empire
06/03/2023 Duration: 19minThis first-generation Latina shares her journey from entry-level employee at a credit union to co-owner of New American Funding, the largest Latina-owned private mortgage company in the nation. Patty shares how leaving corporate America to become an entrepreneur enabled her to build wealth, and the (many) mistakes she has made once, but never again.Follow Patty on Instagram @pattyarvielo. If you liked this episode, listen to How Carolyn Rodz Is Connecting Entrepreneurs with Opportunities and Why Rum Master Distiller Sylvia Santiago Will Never Quit.
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How Going to Space Changed Katya Echazarreta
27/02/2023 Duration: 20minThe electrical engineer and civilian astronaut shares her journey from community college, to NASA intern, to first Mexican-born woman in space. Watch ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA in theaters.If you liked this episode, listen to How NASA Engineer Diana Trujillo's Pursuit of a New Life Led Her to Space and How Amanda Fernandez's Own Educational Challenges Inspired Latinos for Education.
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Why Zoila Darton Believes Community Is the Foundation of a Great Brand
20/02/2023 Duration: 19minThis Panamanian-Jamaican-Jewish New Yorker spent the early part of her career in Latin music, before launching her own creative agency. Zoila reflects on how she secured her first clients, the three years she spent building Word Agency before she started making money, and the secrets to great brand campaigns. Follow Zoila on Instagram @zoiladarton. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Doris Anahí Brings a 'Heart of Service' to Her Art and UNSTUCK: How PR Pro Lissette M. Rios Connects the Dots.
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Cassandra Sethi Wants to Take Your Wardrobe to the Next Level
13/02/2023 Duration: 19minHer early success creating SoulCycle and Equinox’s retail businesses proved that she understood what consumers wanted. So when she decided to pivot to personal styling, she quickly identified what clients needed: a service that would help successful professionals cultivate a sense of style that aligned with their values and systematized their wardrobes. Now the CEO of that business, Next Level Wardrobe, Cassandra shares the observations that allowed her to re-imagine both brands' retail offerings, what it took to grow her client base, and her tips for building a closet that reflects who you are now.Follow Cassandra on Instagram @nextlevelwardobe. If you liked this episode, listen to How Fashion Entrepreneur Camila Coelho Went from Working Retail to Building a Beauty Brand and Why Cuyana’s Karla Gallardo Believes in Fewer, Better Things.
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How Alisha Fernandez Miranda Became a 40 Year-Old Intern
06/02/2023 Duration: 19minShe had a life that was “objectively great” (big career, happy marriage, twins!) but still, she felt like she was “drowning.” So, Alisha devoted a year to chasing down the answer to her most burning question: What might have happened if her life had taken a different path? That year is now the subject of her new memoir, My What If Year, the story of the four internships (and the many misadventures) that got Alisha unstuck.Follow Alisha on Instagram @alishfmiranda. If you liked this episode, listen to How Meg Medina Summoned the Courage to Write and UNSTUCK: Why Irene Quevedo Wants You to Take a Chance on Yourself.
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Adrienne Bailon-Houghton Wouldn’t Change the Journey
30/01/2023 Duration: 20minFaith, family and hard work powered this megastar from her church choir to pop stardom to the set of The Real. But along that way, her faith was tested. Adrienne opens up about the growing pains of fame, the fertility journey that brought her to surrogacy, and her commitment to showing up authentically so that others can do the same.Find Love For The Ages on Peacock TV. Follow Adrienne on Instagram @adriennebailon. If you loved this episode, listen to Eva Longoria Always Knew She'd Succeed and Encanto's Adassa is Guided By Her Why.
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You did it! We reached 2 million downloads!!
27/01/2023 Duration: 04minCreator and host Alicia Menendez and Executive Producer Juleyka Lantigua discuss what it has meant to reach this major milestone and remind our beloved listeners "We make this show for you" as they joyfully thank them for making this possible. Connect with us on Instagram at @latinatolatina, and subscribe or follow us wherever you listen so you don't miss an episode.
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How Nina Terrero Groth Applies her Storytelling Skills to Reimagining the Future of Retail
23/01/2023 Duration: 18minThis talented storyteller began her career in digital news at ABC, NBC and Entertainment Weekly, where her encyclopedic knowledge of entertainment and megawatt charm opened the door to on-air opportunities on platforms like The Today Show, The Wendy Williams Show and People NOW. Then, Nina made a big career jump into corporate communications at Target, where she then pivoted once again, taking on a role as Lead Pipeline Manager for Target Accelerators. Nina shares her best advice for aligning your values and your skills, and the work she’s doing to reimagine the future of retail.Follow Nina on Instagram @nina_terrero. If you liked this episode, listen to Daisy Auger-Dominguez Knows What it Takes to Build an Inclusive Workplace and How Peloton's Robin Arzón Found Her True Power.
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Why Lilia Luciano Prepares for Confidence, Not Perfection
16/01/2023 Duration: 19minThe journalist and podcast host reflects on her journey from Spanish-language television to the Today Show, to the local news job she almost turned down that would ultimately put her on the path to joining CBS News as a national correspondent and anchor. Lilia shares her approach to combating imposter syndrome, her relationship to preparation, and the value of learning every aspect of the craft.Be sure to check Lilia out on CBS News and El Flow podcast. Follow Lilia on Instagram @lilialuciano, and if you liked this episode listen to How Lori Montenegro is Holding the Powerful Accountable and This Is Why María Elena Salinas Is a Legend.
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How Melissa Fumero Learned That She Was Funny
09/01/2023 Duration: 20minThe star of Netflix’s Blockbuster and Brooklyn-99 once doubted that she was built for comedy. Melissa shares how she grew her confidence, the experience that taught her that ease can lead to success, and the tradeoffs required to have a big career and a happy family. Follow Melissa on Instagram @melissafumero. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Olga Merediz Is Ready to Let It All Hang Out and Why Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Stephanie Beatriz Bends the Rules.
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How Ambassador Julissa Reynoso Learned to Talk Less and Listen More
02/01/2023 Duration: 18minShe has a resume like none other: law firm partner, White House Chief of Staff to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, US Ambassador (twice!). Ambassador Reynoso joins the podcast from her current post in Spain and shares how she’s navigated a unique career between the public and private sectors, and the life-changing lesson she learned by watching Dr. Biden.If you liked this episode, listen to Political Power Player Cecilia Muñoz Reminds Us That We Are ‘More Than Ready’ and Code for America’s Amanda Renteria Lost Some Battles, but Is Winning the Political War.
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How Gabriela Garcia Took an Ax to Archetype
26/12/2022 Duration: 17minThe breakout author shares how growing up the daughter of a Cuban mother and Mexican father, in a matriarchal family, informed her understanding of the US immigration system, and shaped the characters in her New York Times best-selling debut novel of “Of Women and Salt.”Find the book here. And follow Gabriela on Instagram @gabimgarcia. If you liked this episode, listen to How Kali Fajardo-Anstine Fought to Tell Her Ancestors’ Stories and Why Angie Cruz Believes That Now is Always a Good Time to Start.
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How Mayra Guillen Learned to Be an Advocate
19/12/2022 Duration: 18minThe disappearance and murder of Vanessa Guillen sparked a movement, one that was fueled by her family's unrelenting demands for answers and accountability. At the core of that family is Mayra Guillen, Vanessa's older sister. Mayra shares what her family's tragedy and call to advocacy has taught her about how power operates.You can watch I Am Vanessa Guillen on Netflix.
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Chef Claudia Sandoval Wants You to Ask "Why Not Me?"
12/12/2022 Duration: 19minThis solo mom won the sixth season of MasterChef and parlayed that success into a catering business, a culinary consultancy, and multiple TV gigs, including her new Discovery+ show, Taste of the Border. Then, when the pandemic sidelined her plans for a brick and mortar, Chef Claudia found a way to rebuild. Now she wants her success to inspire others to ask, "Why not me?"Follow Claudia on Instagram @chefclaudiasandoval. If you liked this episode, listen to Chef Ariel Fox is Expanding Our Understanding of 'Authentic' Cuisine and How Karla Vasquez Reclaimed Salvadoran Food.
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Why Olga Merediz Is Ready to Let It All Hang Out
05/12/2022 Duration: 18minShe was a working actress for more than 20 years before her portrayal of Abuela Claudia in In the Heights on Broadway catapulted her to new levels of success. Now, with the In the Heights' film adaptation under her belt, and a role on the new Netflix sitcom Blockbuster, Olga has more opportunities than she ever dreamed of.... at exactly the moment when she is considering doing less. Olga opens up about her complicated relationship with her own mother, the power of aging, and the necessity of telling her own stories. Follow Olga on Instagram @officialolgamerediz. If you liked this episode, listen to Ana Villafañe is Still a Supernova and How Living Icon Sandra Cisneros Became a Woman Without Shame.
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How Illustrator Andrea Campos Is Using Art to Spread Positivity
28/11/2022 Duration: 20minAfter a decade in corporate, she made the leap from marketing to freelance artistry. Then, the pandemic hit. With little work available, Andrea poured herself into her craft and built an Instagram following among those hungry for a dose of positivity. Two years later, she is the illustrator on Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Fallon's children's book, "Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure." Andrea shares her insights on how children's books go from concept to publication, and what it requires to be a one person start-up working alongside mega-celebrities. Follow Andrea @dreasdoodles. If you liked this episode, listen to Illustrator Michelle Rial Wants You to Feel Better and How Lisette Scott Launched Her Jewelry Business Inspired by her Family's Caribbean Roots.
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How Kate del Castillo Built (and Rebuilt) Her Life
21/11/2022 Duration: 18minThe actress, producer and Reina del Sur star opens up about early fame, proving herself (again) in Hollywood, leaving an abusive marriage, and the lessons she learned from her infamous meeting with El Chapo.Follow Kate on Instagram @katedelcastillo. If you loved this episode, listen to Eva Longoria Always Knew She'd Succeed and America Ferrera Knows What Real Power Looks Like.
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Why Ada Limón Refuses to Perform Identity
14/11/2022 Duration: 19minThe 24th U.S. Poet Laureate shares her journey from theater to marketing to poetry, the loss that inspired her to reimagine her life, and her refusal to allow others’ expectations to shape how she shows up in the world.Follow Ada on Instagram @adalimonwriter. If you loved this episode, listen to How Kali Fajardo-Anstine Fought to Tell Her Ancestors’ Stories and Why Angie Cruz Believes That Now is Always a Good Time to Start.