Convos With Sazón

Manny Cruz lleva casi dos décadas haciendo música, pero su camino hasta convertirse en una de las voces del merengue dominicano ha sido uno de búsqueda, sacrificio y evolución. Después de pasar por proyectos vinculados a Rikarena e Ilegales, encontró en el merengue su propia voz y, en 10 años como solista, ha sumado seis nominaciones al Latin GRAMMY y colaboraciones con figuras como Elvis Crespo,...

Teacher and founder of the Fifteen Chapters book club, Glorimar Cepeda, is someone who's proving that the most meaningful movements often begin with a simple idea. We talk about how she never considered herself much of a reader, and the unexpected path that led her to build a community centered around literature, accountability, and genuine human connection. We also dive into how a decade in t...

Emmy-nominated Dominican director & filmmaker, Yaniel Paulino, joins me to talk about building a career on purpose, not permission. From growing up between NYC and the Dominican Republic to carving out his own path as an independent filmmaker, Yaniel shares how his faith, identity, and commitment to authentic Latino storytelling have shaped both the person he is and the stories he chooses to t...

After nearly two decades as a media executive at Disney, Jake Lewis realized the career he'd built no longer reflected the life he wanted. He shares how that realization led him back to his roots, launching Baltimore North Food Truck, and proving it's never too late to reinvent yourself.

En esta conversación desde el TikTok HQ de NYC, Juanes reflexiona sobre el proceso detrás de JuanesTeban, un álbum que nace de reconciliar todas las versiones de sí mismo. Hablamos sobre identidad, duelo, salud mental, creatividad y cómo cada una de esas experiencias encontró su lugar en la música. También hablamos de Colombia, del vínculo que mantiene con nuestra tierra sin importar la distancia...

From opening for Jason Mraz, Lasso, and Reik to earning recognition from Rolling Stone en Español and VEVO, Latin pop singer-songwriter and producer FABIAN takes us behind the milestones to share the journey that shaped him. At just 23 years old, he reflects on balancing ambition with authenticity, opening up about identity, family, vulnerability, and what it truly means to build a career that&#39...

Content creator, Chelsea Henriquez (Chelsea as of Late), joins Convos With Sazón to share  her journey documenting her life online and the opportunities & experiences that have come from over a decade of consistency. She reveals how authenticity became the foundation of both her personal life and career.

Founder and Chief Planner of Nomade Weddings and Events, Laurie Dominguez, knows that unforgettable moments don't happen by accident. In this episode, she shares how rejection, immigration, and an unexpected love for wedding planning led her to build a company rooted in care, creativity, and an obsession with the details that make people feel seen.

Behind every drag queen is a person with a story. Selma Nilla joins Convos With Sazón to unpack the winding road from theater kid to one of New York City's most beloved drag performers, revealing how artistry, craftsmanship, and authenticity intersect. Drag is often reduced to wigs and glitter, but Selma Nilla reminds us it's so much more. This conversation explores identity, performance,...

Makeup artist and educator, Owen Osawe, shares how growing up across cultures, navigating constant reinvention, and embracing imperfection shaped both his artistry and his outlook on life. From discovering beauty through his own insecurities to building a career rooted in community, this conversation is a reminder that growth happens one step at a time.

Colombian-American vocalist, artistic director, DJ and composer, Andrea Chavarro, didn't follow the traditional path into music. From traveling the world in search of purpose to founding New York City's all-women salsa orchestra, Lulada Club, she shares how embracing uncertainty ultimately led her to create the community she once wished existed.

Multidisciplinary artist and chef, Luis "Feo/Ugly" Fernandez, talks about embracing imperfection, building a creative life without permission, and why authenticity always outlasts perfection. In this episode, he reflects on food, music, fashion, painting and the creative thread connecting everything he builds.

With over a billion followers worldwide and players from five continents, FC Bayern Munich has become one of the most influential clubs on earth. Long before the 2026 World Cup spotlight arrived, its managing director of the Americas Dee Kundra, has been helping grow FC Bayern Munich's presence across North, Central, and South America. She discusses the opportunities, challenges, future of foo...

Eddy Cruz and Pedro Paredes have turned memories, Dominican culture, and a whole lot of love into one of New York City's most coveted dining experiences. In this episode, they share how opening up their home to strangers, sharing family traditions and creating community became the core ingredients behind the Nine26 Supper Club.

Customers see beautiful chocolates, but what does it really take to master a craft that demands equal parts artistry and precision? Chocolatier Laura Klemer shares the winding path that brought her into the world of chocolate, including the lessons from years of training, experimentation, and dedication. She also opens up about the realities of pursuing a culinary career, the mindset needed to kee...

Few people have been able to blend stand-up comedy and soccer media the way comedian & soccer personality Alexis Guerreros has, and his journey is a reminder that success rarely follows a straight line. In this episode, he talks about how he built a career by combining multiple passions instead of choosing just one. He also reflects on risk-taking, self-belief, and why the most rewarding oppor...

Artist and professor Meliksah Soyturk has built an international career using photographs, a pen, watercolors and inspiration from two cities central to his life: New York and Istanbul. In this episode, he shares how his passion for history, architecture, and storytelling has evolved into a body of work that bridges cultures and generations.

Fashion designer and creative director, Alicia Corradini, is redefining what modern fashion can look and feel like. In this episode, she reflects on her Colombian-Italian-British identity, emotional storytelling, and why fashion should create more space for authentic self-expression, softness, fluidity, and individuality. She shares inside scoops about her work with Tory Burch, the upcoming launch...

From Movimiento Ananda to her jewelry line Amunet Ilah, Gabriela Figueroa’s work as a movement artist, somatic practitioner and jewelry designer is rooted in ritual, symbolism, and remembrance. She shares the philosophy behind everything she does and the deeply personal experiences that shaped her work into a healing practice centered on movement, breath, sound, and emotional integration.

 For Gabriela Maria Aguilar, MAKEUP BY MARIO’s Social Video Art Director, content is more than just content, it’s culture. She reflects on how her background informs her work and how she approaches storytelling with intention, authenticity, and purpose.

Dance educator, choreographer and Alvin Ailey’s first NY Style Mambo instructor,  Katherine Jimenez joins Convos With Sazón to talk about representation being more than just a buzzword, and rather a responsibility she carries in every room she enters. She shares her perspective on visibility, culture, why showing up authentically matters now more than ever, and the importance of making dance acces...

Nicol Varona Cancelmo, co-founder of OCOA Beauty, shares the deeply personal journey behind unlearning beauty standards that didn't reflect her truth and reclaiming her natural curls, which inspired the creation of her clean, high-end curl care line. Nicol talks about how her Dominican roots shaped the brand and how culture lives at the center of everything she creates alongside her sister. Th...

From the vibrant streets of San Juan to the world’s biggest stages, artist, dancer, teacher and choreographer Carlos Falú has built a career rooted in both tradition and transformation. His journey is a testament to what’s possible when talent meets relentless pursuit. From local beginnings to performing on global stages including Broadway, Coachella and Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl, he also reflects on...

In an industry rooted in European traditions, Melissa Gallardo is carving out space for Latin heritage through candlemaking. She breaks down how her brand, Valorosa, is redefining what luxury and fragrance can look and smell like.

Filmmaker Joel Alfonso Vargas and actress Destiny Checo unpack their upcoming film "Mad Bills to Pay," rooted in real stories, real people, and real New York.  Set during a sweltering NYC summer, the film follows Rico, a young Dominican man navigating responsibility, identity, and survival as he comes of age in the Bronx. Told through a raw, unfiltered lens, it captures the rhythm, press...