Latina to Latina

Her life story is the stuff of movies. She was a goth kid in private school while her dad ran an underground gambling syndicate. A teacher suggested she write about it. And today she's the executive producer of USA's hit drama Queen of the South. The plot points connecting the two eras are filled with derailed projects, hard choices, and moments of euphoric triumph. In this lucid interview, Alicia...

When she read about a 24-hour daycare center, the producer and director knew it would become the heart of her next verité film. Filmed over two years, “Through the Night” offers an emotionally searing portrait of the unpaid, often invisible work of motherhood and caregiving, and a masterclass on intimate storytelling. Find Loira Limbal on Twitter @DJLaylo . If you liked this episode, listen to the...

The E! Host and style expert struggled with infertility for six years before becoming pregnant. Now, she's sharing her journey in the hopes of helping others feel less alone. Here, she reflects on the unique challenges Latinas run up against on their Advanced Reproductive Technology journeys, the loneliness of keeping her heartbreak a secret, and the life-changing power of surrender.  Follow Lilli...

Intuition is one thing. The ability to connect with the spirit world to help others is entirely another. And for Tatianna Morales a lifelong pursuit in understanding and channeling the wisdom in the occult has resulted in legions of fans, helped her find her purpose, and launched a lucrative business. Follow Tatianna @tatiannatarot . If you loved this episode, listen to What Happened After Zulema...

Growing up, Irma Olguin expected to join the next generation of farmworkers in her family. But the CEO of Bitwise Industries, which has turned California’s Central Valley into a thriving tech hub, says she experienced so much ‘serendipity in her life’ that she realized everything that lifted her out of poverty and struggle was possible for her home community. Someone just had to address the inequa...

A decade ago, she began sharing her fitness trials and triumphs online after experiencing the dark side of the industry. Since then, she has motivated millions to find their motivation, strengthening techniques, and focus—and built a wellness empire that includes an app and the TRU Supplements line. In this episode, Massy gets candid about her recent divorce, and all the things we don’t see on Ins...

Growing up, she was so close to her family, it was unimaginable she’d ever even go away for college. But a curious mind and an adventurous heart freed her to “dream wild” and create her own “fantasy version of my life.” If you liked this episode, listen to How Writer Leslé Honoré Knows Poetry Changes Lives and How Writer Karla Cornejo Villavicencio Maintains Control of Her Narrative . Show your lo...

Set on being a brain surgeon since childhood, and armed with “unwavering self-confidence” instilled in her by her mother, Analiz powered through college, medical school and a PhD program. Facing steep climbs and faith-testing challenges along the way. Now, the accomplished neurosurgeon and research scientist opens up about leading in the operating room, navigating bias as an Afro-Latina doctor, an...

When she learned that there were virtually no Salvadoran cookbooks in print in the United States, this food writer and cooking instructor made it her mission to capture the food and the spirits of the women of El Salvador. If you loved this episode, listen to Why Pioneering Journalist Maria Hinojosa Put Herself in the Story and How Documentarian Cristina Costantini Fed Her Soul While Making Mucho...

She's a rapper, a performer, a complete science geek, and now a podcast creator and host. And Deeply Human , her new show from the BBC, doesn't stray far from her ambitious curiosity and insatiable creative appetite. In short, it's all the things we've come to love about Dessa. If you loved this episode, listen to   Dessa's first interview with Alicia , and then How Majo Molfino Helps You Break th...

She was researching fatness and wound up “onboarded” into fat activism. That set Virgie on her professional path, and radically changed the trajectory of her personal life. She breaks down the difference between “fat liberation” and “body positivity,” explores the parallels between her Mexican grandparents’ pursuit of the American Dream and her pursuit of thinness, and encourages us to imagine a w...

She believes the secrets you keep make you vulnerable. And she is sharing plenty of them in her new book, The Soul of a Woman. Isabel joins Alicia from her cozy writing room in her attic for an intimate chat that touches on infidelity, maternal grief, and the process of becoming "a woman on her own terms." If you loved this episode, listen to Why Pioneering Journalist Maria Hinojosa Put Herself in...

Her poems have gone viral and reached millions. Now the writer behind "Brown Girl, Brown Girl" opens up about finding her way out of an abusive marriage, the decade where her kids became her poems, and the power of putting what you want into words. Find Leslé's latest book here . If you loved this episode, listen to How Coco Illustrator Ana Ramírez González Extends Herself with Her Art and How Wri...

A co-founder of BuzzFeed’s Pero Like, and an alum of MiTu, Jenny spent the early part of her career creating viral sketch videos for big media companies. Frustrated, she decided to break out on her own. In this hilarious conversation, she reveals what goes into creating her videos (she has a second bedroom dedicated to wigs and props!), gets real about the nitty-gritty of monetization, and dreams...

When the digital entrepreneur launched the self-care app, Mend, she was focused on helping users recover from the fallout of romantic breakups. Now she and her team are taking on a new challenge: professional burnout. Elle talks Alicia through the warning signs, the science of recovery, and the steps necessary to tackle what the World Health Organization calls an "occupational phenomenon."  If you...

Chicano Squad is a new show hosted by Cristela Alonzo, who you've heard on past episodes of Latina to Latina. The show tells the story of Houston's first-ever all-Latino police team, their divided loyalties, and a city on the brink. Formed in the 1970s to face a growing number of unsolved homicides in their own community, a squad of five young officers with little training and few resources was as...

The chief distiller at Puerto Rico's Destilería Serrallés, maker of Don Q, is as committed to her craft as ever, but honest about the sacrifices she made along the way to mastering this male-dominated art form. If you loved this episode, listen to Powerhouse Marketer Ana Valdéz on Using Media to Create Change and How Majo Molfino Helps You Break the Good-Girl Myth . Show your love and become a Lat...

The entrepreneur, whose hair care line has already made it to Nordstrom shelves, traces her enterprising spirit to a childhood backpack candy business. And gets real about the cultural challenges and triumphs of loving your natural hair. Follow Lulu Cordero on Instagram @lulu.ceo.bomba . If you loved this episode, listen to How Fashion Entrepreneur Camila Coelho Went from Working Retail to Buildin...

Fitness coach Yami Mufdi wants you to shift your mindset from on how your body looks to how it feels. She breaks down all the components—nutrition, intention, routine—to get to a healthier you. Follow Yami Mufdi on Instagram @yamimufdi . If you loved this episode, listen to Nicole Mejia Wants You to Love Yourself—All of You and Why Dr. Julie Ramos Insists You Take Care of Your Heart. Show your lov...

Personal finance expert Ramona Ortega of My Money, My Future gives us some real talk about how to take control of your finances today so you can own your time, your money, and your life from now on. Plus essential advice for starting a business—and investing in yourself. If you loved this episode, listen to Daniela Pierre Bravo Teaches Us How to 'Earn It' and How Pinnacle Founder & CEO Nina Vaca B...

Psychotherapist Genesis Games gets real about why it’s important to assess your relationships truthfully, so you can set healthy expectations and comfortable boundaries. Plus, how to navigate different kinds of relationships—with family, friends, and significant others. Follow Genesis Games on Instagram @miamitherapist_ . If you loved this episode, listen to Alicia Tells Us about Her Book, The Lik...

To launch this special series, Alicia talks to experts about how each of us can step into our fullest potential in the new year. Life and business coach Wendy Amara explains how to lay out the action steps that will help you accomplish your goals, and shares personal stories about leveling up when she expanded her business - and when she had twins! Follow Wendy Amara on Instagram @wendyamara . If...

The digital director of Oprah Magazine talks to Alicia about the maverick moves that landed her jobs in journalism. And she discusses her new book, What Would Frida Do?  and what the icon's “Viva la vida” mantra means to her. Follow Arianna Davis on Instagram @ariannagab . If you loved this episode, listen to Why Pioneering Journalist Maria Hinojosa Put Herself in the Story and How Documentarian C...

The blogger and founder of Elaluz and the Camila Coelho Collection shares how a promise to her mother pushed her to work hard in a very competitive industry. And she gets real about using her massive platform to fight the stigma of people living with epilepsy—like her. Follow Camila Coelho on Instagram @camilacoelho . If you loved this episode, listen to How Joanna Vargas Built a Beauty Empire wit...

The successful owner of makeup brand Reina Rebelde talks about how she chose to leave a high-profile law career to find her way back to herself. And how she convinced her family that starting a business was the right path for her. Follow Regina Merson on Instagram @reginamerson . If you loved this episode, listen to How Girls Night In Founder Alisha Ramos Started a Stay-at-Home Movement and How Be...