Welcome to Dismantling Diet Cultured: F*ck Being Calladita

In this solo episode, I’m hitting the metaphorical gym—but instead of building biceps, quads, glutes we’re building our inner muscle: self-confidence. But this isn’t your typical “just love yourself” pep talk. I unpack how confidence is not just a personality trait—it’s a form of resistance, especially for women, femmes, BIPOC, immigrants, queer folks, and anyone whose power has been systematicall...

This episode opens with the sound of the drum and a prayer song that honors the spirit of a bird in flight, a sacred reminder of freedom, movement, and resilience. The drumbeat is not just an opening. It’s a call. A heartbeat. A prayer. In a world where systems of oppression try to cut our wings—where the current administration threatens our communities and silences our voices, this episode is an...

In this episode, I break down what “calladita te ves más bonita” really means — and how it's rooted in colonization, patriarchy, and diet culture. I’m inviting you to dismantle Calladita Culture — that insidious expectation that tells mujeres, especially Latinas, to stay quiet, not make a fuss, to shrink themselves, and swallow their pain. From phrases like “no hagas escándalo” to the silence...

In this solo episode, I challenge and dismantle the toxic “beach body” narrative that diet culture loves to push every summer. Spoiler alert: every body is a beach body. You don’t need to shrink, detox, or “earn” your rest, your pleasure, or your food. You already have a beach body—right now, as you are. You do not need to burn, tighten, or disappear before putting on that swimsuit, those shorts,...

Welcome to another solo episode! Graduation season is here—and while timelines and traditions may vary, your accomplishments matter. In this episode I honor ALL graduates—those who walked, those who couldn’t, and those still on the journey. As a Mexican immigrant, farmworker, and first-gen scholar, I share my own bittersweet path through an underfunded school system. I grew up picking berries in t...

In this solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of my acceptance into a prestigious international faculty program in Sweden and Finland—and what it means to finally fulfill a dream I once had to put on hold. I open up about the very real challenges I faced: navigating a complex application process, securing funding, and almost losing this opportunity—not because I lacked merit, but because of f...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lisette for a powerful conversation on everything from impostor syndrome and  calladita  culture to reclaiming your voice and learning to take up space. We unpack how some cultural values can be oppressive, what it means to trust yourself, and the beauty of solo experiences—including learning to truly enjoy your own company. Dr. Lisette Sanchez is an award-winn...

Hola comunidad, and welcome to another solo episode! Today, we’re kicking off Pride Month by celebrating drag—not just as performance, but as protest, survival, joy, and powerful self-expression. This episode is rooted in love and in truth, and it was inspired by something so beautiful that happened at my college campus: a student-organized drag show to end the semester. The Sociology Club that I...

She’s not just spinning tracks—she’s flipping the script. DJ Diana Centeno, aka Baby Dizzle, has been setting California’s dance floors ablaze with her electrifying mixes of cumbia, reggaetón, and rock en Español since 2023. But beyond the flashing lights and pulsating beats is a powerful story of resistance, resilience, and reclaiming space in a male-dominated music industry. Describing herself a...

In this solo episode, I share my insights on the power of community care—a practice that goes beyond individual self-care to create collective systems of support, healing, and resilience. As we witness ongoing struggles related to inequality, immigration, and mental health, it’s crucial to recognize how communities come together to care for one another in times of crisis. I talk about what communi...

La Vida Más Chévere de Childfree Latinas creator and host Paulette Erato joins me for a powerful conversation about choosing your own path—even when it goes against cultural expectations. As the founder of Latinas In Podcasting and a proud Spanglish podcaster, Paulette is no stranger to challenging the narratives we’ve been fed. In this episode, we talk about what it means to reject motherhood not...

In this solo episode, I reflect on what it means to care for ourselves—mentally, emotionally, and physically—during heavy times. With everything happening globally, nationally, and even in our own homes, it’s no surprise that many of us are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or ungrounded. I share my own experiences with mental health and how I’m learning to meet myself with grace, compassion, and soft...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Cynthia Flores, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, speaker, and host of the Heal & Manifest Podcast . A leading voice in the Latinx/e mental health space, Cynthia shares her journey and the work she does to support first-generation cycle breakers—especially Latinas—on their path to healing and self-discovery. We talk about: ✨ The unspoken ru...

Welcome to another solo episode! In this episode, I dive into the social construction of aging and explore the immense societal pressure women face to age "gracefully." From the wellness and beauty industries promoting anti-aging products to the deeply ingrained belief that women must retain their youthful appearance, I unpack how these messages shape our perceptions of aging. I also tac...

Welcome to another episode Today, I have the honor of sharing space with my friend and colega, Bianca Hernandez. Bianca is the Director of Community Engagement at the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center, where she supports survivors of sexual violence, human trafficking, and child abuse through crisis intervention and prevention work. Bianca holds an M.A. in Sociology from San José State University...

In this solo episode, I hold sacred space for our abuelitas—the ones who nurtured us with tender love and the ones who carried their love in silence, often hardened by struggle. Too often, abuelitas are romanticized in media, portrayed as purely loving figures, yet the reality is more complex.  Some provided warmth and comfort, while others, shaped by their own trauma, expressed love through disci...

In this episode, I had the honor to be in community with Sharet Garcia, an educator, entrepreneur, and fierce advocate for undocumented communities. Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and now based in Los Angeles, Sharet shares her journey immigrating to the U.S, the challenges she faced and why she founded UndocuProfessionals, a mentorship and opportunity network designed to uplift undocumented, DACA, and m...

Welcome to another solo episode! Have you ever felt like the gym was a place of punishment rather than empowerment? In this episode, we’re reclaiming fitness from diet culture and toxic industry standards. Movement should be about joy, healing, and self-connection —not about shrinking yourself, earning food, or pushing through pain just to meet unrealistic standards. I’ll be sharing a personal mom...

Welcome to another solo episode! Valentine’s Day is often marketed as a day for couples, reinforcing the idea that love and fulfillment only come from romantic relationships. But what about those of us who are single, healing, or simply don’t buy into the commercialized pressure of this holiday? In this episode, I dive into the societal expectations surrounding Valentine’s Day, from its heteronorm...

Welcome to another episode! In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Alyssa Aparicio (she/her)—a Bronx-born multimedia creatrix, CEO, and founder of  Pussy Empowered™ . Through retreats, events, classes, and her  Pussy Empowered Podcast , Alyssa is redefining embodiment and self-expression in a way that is sex-positive, sex worker inclusive, and deeply liberating. As an erotic performer and...

Welcome to another solo episode! Navigating college as an undocumented student comes with unique challenges—especially in today’s political climate. In this episode, I share five key consejitos to help undocumented students find resources, build community, and protect their mental health. But this episode isn’t just for undocumented students—it’s also for allies who want to show up in meaningful w...

Welcome to another episode! I have the pleasure and honor to have shared the space with my amazing amiga and colega Dr, Yanira Hernanez. Dr. Hernandez is a First-Generation Mexican American bilingual, trauma-focused Licensed Clinical Social Worker, consultant, speaker, and educator. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Dr. Hernandez shares her inspiring journey from UCLA to USC, where she...

Welcome to another solo episode! In this episode, I’m sharing three milestones that have filled my heart with gratitude and pride: being recognized by the Latino Alumni Network at my alma mater, San Jose State University, having my podcast ranked number three in the top 30 anti-diet podcasts, and leading a workshop at Centro Chicano y Latino at Stanford University. But this isn’t just about my acc...

Welcome to another episode! I have the pleasure of being in community with Xochii de la Noche. Xochii is the multi-dimensional bruja of play and pleasure and a new diamond in the House Of Knyle! Based in Long Beach, CA, Xochii has been leaving audiences mesmerized since 2021 with her radiant smile, seductive flow, and hypnotizing prop work. Xochii has graced festivals such as the Ohio Burlesque Fe...

Happy New Year! Welcome to the very first episode of 2025, and guess what? It’s also our 100th episode! I’m so grateful to have you all as part of this amazing community and my podcast journey. This journey wouldn’t be possible without listeners like you. Thank you so much—muchas gracias! As we welcome a new year, let’s leave behind the pressures to shrink ourselves and step boldly into a space of...