RioProgress The Podcast

In this episode, our operations director, Phil Donaus, sits down with fitness trainer and medical professional Ricky Martinez to discuss his unconventional journey through higher education and the mindset that helped him persevere along the way. From balancing work and school to overcoming setbacks, Ricky reflects on the experiences that ultimately led him to complete his degree. Throughout the co...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus, and operations director, Phil Donaus, reflect on what they've learned through years of working alongside students and families across the Rio Grande Valley. Together, they share observations from the front lines of educational equity, unpack emerging challenges that today's families should be paying attention to, and explain...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus, answers some of the most frequently asked questions from students and families across the Rio Grande Valley in both English and Spanish. Drawing on years of experience working alongside first-generation and low-income students, Maria Fernanda breaks down complex college access topics into clear, actionable advice. Whether you...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus, sits down with Aaron Molina, RioProgress' very first student and beta tester, who recently graduated from Princeton University. Together they reflect on Aaron's journey from navigating the uncertainty of the college application process to earning his degree, offering an honest look at the highs, lows, and lessons lear...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus, talks with Jen and Vero, founders of JZD, a Brownsville-based lifestyle and apparel brand celebrating Latina and LGBTQ+ identities. Together they explore the journey from selling a single "Latina Power" t-shirt on Etsy in 2016 to collaborating with national retailers — and how a desire for safety and representation led to a b...

En este episodio, nuestra directora ejecutiva, María Fernanda Martínez-Donaus, conversa con Olga Méndez, maestra, bibliotecaria y apasionada promotora de la lectura, sobre cómo impulsamos el éxito académico y personal de nuestros estudiantes. Juntas reflexionan sobre el papel que juegan las familias en fomentar el hábito lector, la importancia del ejemplo en casa y la manera en que la lectura nutr...

En este episodio especial, nuestra directora ejecutiva, María Fernanda Martínez-Donaus, conversa con Nubia Nava, educadora, escritora y soñadora, sobre la importancia de preservar el idioma español como una forma de preservar nuestra cultura. Juntas reflexionan sobre el papel que juegan las familias en transmitir el idioma, cómo los padres pueden apoyar a sus hijos en este proceso, y la relación e...

In this special episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus , sits down with Dr. Jesús Chávez , Superintendent of the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) , to discuss how strong public schools build strong communities. Together, they explore the journey from classroom to leadership, the importance of family engagement, and how Brownsville is preparing students for co...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus , talks with Gilbert Hernandez , founder of Búho Books , Brownsville’s independent bookstore. Together they explore the journey from engineering to entrepreneurship — and how a single question led to the revival of a bookstore culture on the border. Gilbert reflects on the lessons college taught him about problem-solving, comm...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus , talks with Dariana Leal , a RioProgress Cohort student and high-school senior, about exploring multiple passions and defining success on her own terms. From balancing architecture and law to overcoming essay stress and family expectations, Dariana reflects on learning to communicate, self-advocate, and find joy in the proces...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus , sits down with cohort student Katia Lui to explore what it means to pursue your dreams and start changing the world. From first encounters with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the joy of finding community with others who share the same mission, this conversation reflects on advocacy, resilience, and the import...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus and parent Sofia Mera leads a candid discussion about the realities students and families face when navigating high school course selection, transitioning to a new district, and making sure students have what they need. Don’t forget to check out our resources on navigating college access, student success, and educational equit...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus , and guest Beatriz Morales reflect on how early experiences with libraries, family, and community shaped their paths in education. They explore what counts as “reading,” the role of cultural wealth, and how support networks make higher education more accessible and meaningful. Don’t forget to check out our resources on naviga...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus and Noel Rangel, continue the conversation on what it means to pursue higher education while navigating financial, cultural, and personal challenges. From FAFSA and the hidden costs of college, to learning the “academic language” of higher ed, Maria & Noel reflects on the realities students face and the strategies that can...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus, and guest Sarah Chavez (future LPC!) discuss what it's like to find your path and work towards it. Don’t forget to check out our resources on navigating college access, student success, and educational equity at RioProgress: https://rioprogress.org/ Relevant Links: Our full episode notes can be found at rioprogress.org/ep...

In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus, and our Director of Operations, Phil Donaus, discuss what RioProgress is, how it came to be, and where it's going. Don’t forget to check out our resources on navigating college access, student success, and educational equity at RioProgress: https://rioprogress.org/ Relevant Links: Our full episode notes can be found at riopro...

In this short episode, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your podcast experience. Learn how to adjust playback speed, turn captions on or off, and save episodes so you can come back to them anytime. En este episodio corto, te mostraremos cómo aprovechar al máximo tu experiencia con el podcast. Aprende a ajustar la velocidad de reproducción, activar o desactivar subtítulos y guardar episodi...