Teen G.E.N. Talks

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Shany Monroy, Latinx lifestyle and beauty influencer. Shany shares what influenced her to become an influencer and the growth she’s had in her social media and herself. Listen in to hear the balancing Shany’s had to learn for her personal and work life, how she is defining herself and her influencer brand, and the evolution of her...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Nathalia Segoviano, founder of Mom Money Boss. Nathalia describes the steps of how she navigated through credit card and student loan debt to become debt free with thousands of dollars in savings. Listen in to hear more on how her helping friends and family eventually grew to becoming a money coach as well as her journey through c...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Duncan Tonatiuh, an award-winning author-illustrator. Duncan is both Mexican and American. He grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and graduated from Parsons School of Design and Eugene Lang College in New York City. His artwork is inspired by Pre-Columbian art, particularly that of the Mixtec codices. His aim is to create ima...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Molly Stevens, award-winning cookbook author and instructor, and recipe developer. Molly describes how the atmosphere and interactions at the dinner table with family,  friends, and neighbors influenced her to pursue cooking despite the difficulties that would come of studying abroad and the opposition her family had at the t...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Adrianna Cuevas, author and former ESL teacher. Adrianna shares how her passion to become an author started in fourth grade due to her teacher, and the path it took for her to gain the courage to share her stories with the world. Listen in to hear how her experience as a teacher, family and culture influenced her stories and chara...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guests Julien and Kiersten Saunders, the Atlanta based co-creators of the lifestyle blog Rich & Regular. Together, they paid off $200k in debt in five years and were able to walk from their corporate jobs before turning 40. Now they are adding authors to their resume as their debut book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Aw...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Teresa Flores, interdisciplinary artist who is the official Artist in Residence for the City of Los Angeles. Teresa paints the story of her past of when she fell in love with art and the journey she had to take, leaving her home to acquire her Master of Fine Arts. Listen in to hear more of the experiences Teresa went through as th...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Maryl Fleisher, program supervisor of GLAC, holding a BA in Theater, former operations assistant at New Victory Theater, Camp Manager of Camp Broadway, and On With The Show. Maryl recounts how her passion for theater was ignited with musicals in high school, which led her on the path of an arts magnet program. Listen in to hear mo...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Mai Imai, who got her Journalism degree from Syracuse University and is the owner and founder of Paper Treats, an online Japanese stationery shop. Mai shares how her gravitation towards books when she was younger found her love for writing, and her brother’s love for sports would influence her to pursue Journalism in University. S...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest John Parra, an award winning artist, illustrator, author, and educator. John shares how from an early age his parents influenced his love of storytelling with his father’s stories and his mother taking him to the library along with movies and TV shows. Listen in to hear what was the spark for John pursuing illustration and transit...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Carlos Cruz, an artist with a major in communications, program manager of Gameheads, former Impact Manager of City Year Cleveland, and volunteer moderator and public speaker at Latinx in Gaming. Carlos shares how he first got into communications which helped pave the path for him to find Gameheads through a chance encounter at Lat...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Kenneth Hughes!  Kenneth has worked with the Coen Brothers, Michael Bay, Anthony Russo, Jim Carrey, Madonna, and Meryl Streep. He has appeared in countless films, tv, theater, and commercials, and has won awards and screened in festivals including Cannes & Sundance. He is president of Trees of Shade, Inc and president of...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest and fellow library staff, recent real estate agent, and holistic health coach: Tatevik Hakoyan! Tatevik shares her journey as a librarian and how the pandemic made her realize how much she loved to help people, influencing her pursuit in both real estate and health. Listen in to hear more on what Tatevik has learned more about her...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Joey Clift! Joey is a comedian, TV writer, and enrolled Cowlitz Indian Tribal Member. Writing credits include Spirit Rangers on Netflix, New Looney Tunes on Cartoon Network and Molly of Denali on PBS. He was named one of Uproxx’s “26 Native American Comedians To Follow in 2020” and his animated digital short How to Cope with Your...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Stacy, personal trainer and fitness instructor at YIP Fitness, which has online workout programs for Women.  Stacy wants to help her mother — and women everywhere — stay functional and happy as long as possible. Stacy has been a personal trainer since 2014. After being certified with NASM (National Association of Science Medi...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Vero, host of Modern Immigrant, a podcast show dedicated as a space to talk about immigration and to support each other. Vero was inspired by her father’s immigration story while growing up, eventually leading her to create Modern Immigrant after exploring life in the United States. Listen in as Vero shares about her experiences d...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Valerie Gomez, rising third-year Phd student in the education studies department at UCSD and founder of Latina Grad Guide. Valerie shares her story how her parents, Salvadoran immigrants, instilled the importance of education into her and her siblings, eventually guiding her to the path of Higher Education. Listen in to hear more...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Vanessa Flores, illustrator, author, and soon-to-be graphic novelist. Vanessa shares what sparked her interest as both an illustrator and author. Listen in to hear more on her inspiration and journey that has made her a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators as well as the Orlando Giant Illustrator colle...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Sharifa Anozie, speaker, entrepreneur, and author. Sharifa discusses her call to storytelling which influenced her to travel to Los Angeles all the way from New York to pursue it. Listen in to hear more on Sharifa’s journey from CBS to entertainment news, adjustment to Los Angeles, passion as a youth mentor, and strides as an auth...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Brian Gray, content creator, writer, and foodie! Brian shares how urbanbohemian came to be for both name and career, one that involves setting time aside to play video games much to his pleasant surprise. Listen in to hear more on what Brian has noticed as a content creator as it’s evolved over the years along with the role that i...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Kendra Jessie, an indigenous hockey coach and content creator who uses the platform to educate indigenous culture and spread awareness on issues in indigenous communities along with sharing her love of dance. Kendra shares how her love for sports when she was younger influenced her pursuit of dance when she reconnected with her cu...

Welcome to Season 4! In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Dora Herrera, President of Yuca’s Restaurants. Dora shares how Yuca’s Restaurants was founded and grew from there where it became involved with the community as the years passed. Listen in to hear more of Dora sharing her experiences running a family business before and during the pandemic, the influence her r...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview special guest Lilia. Lilia sits down and talks to the Teen G.E.N. Talks hosts about managing stress as a teen and ways that teens and anyone can manage stress.

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview two special guests Rosa & Catherine from Latinx Lens! Rosa is a Chicana Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic, and co-founder & co-host of Latinx Lens. A podcast/website dedicated to highlighting Latinx representation and contribution in film & television they also review newly released films through their Latina lens. She’s a proud...

In this week's episode, Melissa and Desiree interview Johnnie Jae! Johnnie Jae is an Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw rabble-rousing journalist, organizer, creator, and futurist. She is the founder of A Tribe Called Geek, an award-winning media platform for Indigenous Geek Culture and STEM, and #Indigenerds4Hope, a suicide prevention initiative designed to educate, encourage, and empower Native youth!