Growing with Sol

This is the honest preparation guide for what actually happens when you set boundaries with family. With the holiday season approaching, it's time to talk about the outcomes nobody warns you about, including the most painful one: sometimes they just leave. Here's what to expect when you set family boundaries: Best case: They accept the boundary and adjust their behavior (yes, this can actually hap...

This is the grounding conversation we all need when survival mode becomes daily life. The moment when ICE notifications pop up two miles from home and you're left asking: is this paranoia or just what we need to survive? Here's what we're unpacking with Cynthia Magaña, the Chicana Therapist: Understanding "shock and awe" as a military tactic designed to create trauma responses - and why our reacti...

This is the vulnerable exploration of why others can see your gifts before you can. The moment when you realize you've been your own worst enemy, ignoring clear signs of your capabilities while others saw them all along. Here's what we're unpacking about believing in your potential: Why others recognize your potential while you're stuck in self-doubt (and how imposter syndrome hits first-gen indiv...

This is the poetry celebration that validates our dual identity and mental health struggles. The moment when you find books that perfectly capture being "bad Mexican, bad American" and realize you're not alone in navigating multiple cultural spaces. Here's what we're highlighting for Latine Heritage Month: "Bad Mexican, Bad American" by Jose Hernandez Diaz Slice-of-life poetry exploring dual cultu...

This is the linguistic celebration that reclaims the power and beauty of how we actually speak. The moment when you realize that Spanglish isn't "broken" language - it's a sophisticated cultural dialect that deserves respect and celebration. Here's what we're diving into for Latine Heritage Month: Defining Spanglish: the linguistic phenomenon of mixing English and Spanish to create its own legitim...

This is the character development deep dive that shows how love calls us into becoming who we're meant to be. The moment when you realize that fictional transformations mirror our own healing journeys and teach us profound truths about breaking free from toxic conditioning. Here's what Empire of Storms teaches us about growth and purpose: Character redemption isn't about becoming someone new - it'...

This is the book lover's guide to understanding why solo healing has limits and connection is essential for deeper growth. The moment when you realize that fiction isn't just entertainment - it's medicine that shows us what healthy healing relationships actually look like. Content note: This episode discusses themes of trauma and healing. The book contains content warnings for depression, stalking...

This is the hard truth about how your healing journey doesn't just change your life - it rewrites your family's entire story. The moment when you realize that the validation-seeking patterns causing you pain right now are the same ones you might be unconsciously teaching the next generation. Here's what's really happening with intergenerational people pleasing: People pleasing is learned behavior...

This is the gentle guide for when you've decided to stop people pleasing but that uncomfortable feeling has you frozen. The moment when you realize you no longer want to do backflips for everyone's approval but you're frozen because you don't know how to handle their disappointment without immediately backtracking. Here's what's really happening when disapproval feels threatening: Early conditioni...

This is the identity wake-up call that shows you exactly how people pleasing is erasing who you really are. The moment when you stop thinking shape-shifting to fit in is harmless and start understanding how the chameleon effect is slowly making you unrecognizable to yourself. Here's the real cost of being a social chameleon: Opinion shifting: how being agreeable erodes your actual beliefs until yo...

This is the people-pleasing wake-up call that shows you exactly what saying yes is actually costing you. The moment when you stop thinking "just because I don't have plans doesn't mean I'm available" is just a nice idea and start understanding the real personal, professional, and emotional prices you pay when you can't say no. Here's what nobody talks about when it comes to people pleasing: The pe...

This is the self-love reality check for anyone who thinks it's "cliche" to talk about. The moment when you stop believing that harsh self-criticism equals motivation and start understanding why loving yourself is actually the hardest work you'll ever do. In this episode, I break down exactly why self-love feels impossible and give you practical tools to build self-compassion from the ground up. We...

This is the burnout reality check that explains why your relationships are suffering. The moment when you stop wondering why you can't show up for friends and start understanding how exhaustion actually works. In this episode, I break down the real connection between burnout and relationship breakdown - plus three practical ways to maintain connections when you're running on empty. We're getting r...

This is the judgment-free midyear check-in you actually need. The moment when you stop beating yourself up about unmet goals and start making strategic moves for the rest of 2025. In this episode, I break down exactly how to assess your progress without the judgment and give you permission to pivot like the evolved human you are. We're covering all the good stuff: The judgment-free goal assessment...

This is your pocket guide to healing in 2025. As we move through this year, I wanted to share some of the most powerful healing insights from our conversations this past year. Think of this as your roadmap for putting yourself first when everything feels overwhelming. In this special compilation episode, I'm pulling together the wisdom that's transformed my clients' lives and will transform yours...

This is the friendship reality check every woman needs to hear. The moment when you stop taking friendship changes personally and start understanding the beautiful evolution that happens when life shifts. In this conversation, Mitzy Diaz and I break down the truth about how motherhood transforms friendships – and why that's not always a bad thing. We're covering all the good stuff: Why becoming a...

This is the book that will shatter everything you thought you knew about love. The moment when a 160-page book from 1999 becomes your roadmap for understanding why dating feels impossible and society feels broken in 2025. In this soul-stirring episode, I break down bell hooks' prophetic "All About Love" and show you how her warnings became our reality. We're covering all the good stuff: Why hooks...

This is the long-distance friendship survival guide you desperately needed. The moment when you stop letting miles dictate the depth of your connections and start building bonds that transcend geography. In this heartfelt episode, I share the exact strategies that have kept my closest friendships alive across oceans, time zones, and life changes. We're covering all the good stuff: Why long-distanc...

This is the friendship roadmap you've been desperately searching for. The moment when you stop scrolling through social media feeling lonely and start building the community you deserve. In this soul-shifting episode, I break down the harsh truth about adult friendship and give you the exact blueprint to create meaningful connections that actually last. Let's break down: Why American individualism...

This is the character development deep dive you didn't know you needed. The moment when fictional growth becomes your personal roadmap. In this episode of the Growing with Sol podcast, Priscilla and I deliver a breakdown of Queen of Shadows Part 2, where the men's journeys mirror your own struggles with change, trauma, and stepping into your power. We dive deep into: Why Chaol's stubborn resistanc...

In this episode of the Growing with Sol podcast, I dive deep into one of the most pressing issues of our time: the loneliness epidemic and how to create meaningful community in 2025. If you've been feeling disconnected, struggling to make friends, or finding dating impossibly difficult, this episode speaks directly to your experience. I explore how the concept of community has completely transform...

In this episode of the Growing with Sol podcast, I talk the often overwhelming concept of self-care by breaking it down into something actually achievable. If you've ever felt intimidated by those 20-step morning routines or elaborate self-care rituals you see online, this episode is your permission to simplify. I explore why traditional self-care routines can feel impossible when you're dealing w...

In this episode of the Growing with Sol podcast, I dive into the crucial relationship between sleep and mental health. Continuing our wellness series, we explore how quality sleep directly impacts our emotional regulation, anxiety, and depression. I break down what your circadian rhythm actually is and how it influences not just your sleep patterns, but also your hormones, digestion, and body temp...

In this episode of the Growing with Sol podcast, I dive into the powerful connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing. I share how exercise became a lifeline during my own struggles with depression and anxiety, and explore the science behind why movement matters for our mental health. Research confirms that regular physical activity significantly improves mood and depressive symptoms...

In this final episode of my grief series, I shift focus to those supporting someone through the grieving process. As we've explored grief through cultural lenses and personal experiences, now it's time to address how to show up for others during their most difficult moments. I share practical guidance on how to be truly present for someone experiencing grief, from offering your physical presence w...