Behind The Work by Jessica Santana

In this episode of Behind The Work , Jessica Santana breaks down the 10 most powerful lessons learned from over a year of interviews with successful executives, entrepreneurs and visionaries. These aren't generic tips. they're real principles that ambitious people are using to stay the course on their dreams and build legacies. What you'll learn:   ✓ Why waiting for the "right time" is a myth  ✓ H...

Shawna Young has built her career around a simple but radical belief: that investing in underinvested founders isn't charity — it's the multiplying force that changes entire communities. It's not just about writing a check. It's about what happens when the right person finally gets the room, the resources, and the relationships they were always capable of using. This week, Shawna joins Jessica on...

Judith Martinez has built her life around a single question: what would you do if you were one percent more courageous? It sounds simple. But for the young women of color she has spent her career serving, that one percent is the difference between staying small and stepping fully into who they were always meant to be. This week, Judith joins us on Behind The Work. Judith is the Founder and CEO of...

Charlotte Castillo was seven years old when she became the Chief Translator for her Dominican immigrant family in New York City. She didn't know it then, but she was already doing the work — figuring things out beyond her years, building courage in real time, and learning how to move between worlds. Twenty years later, she's still translating. Just on a much bigger stage. This week, Charlotte join...

Dulce Vasquez was born in Mexico, grew up undocumented in the United States, and went on to study at Northwestern, UCLA, and Sciences Po in Paris. She served as a Los Angeles City Commissioner, ran for City Council in District 9 and State Assembly in District 57 — two of the highest-poverty districts in all of Los Angeles — and built a digital platform that turns complex policy into content that a...

Heidi Rojas has spent her career giving her gift away — writing the songs that made other people stars. Two UK number one hits. Collaborations with Pitbull, Kelly Rowland, Natasha Bedingfield, New Kids on the Block. Music on Pitch Perfect 3, Glee, American Idol, and Good Morning America. And for a long time, she stayed behind the curtain — because that's where the work was. This week, she steps in...

We need to talk about burnout. Not the buzzword version. Not the "take a bubble bath and drink more water" version. The real thing — the kind that creeps in quietly, disguises itself as dedication, and doesn't announce itself until you're already running on empty. In this solo episode, Jessica Santana gets honest about burnout, what it actually looks like for high-achieving, purpose-driven people,...

In this solo episode, Jessica Santana unpacks what Emma Grede actually got right, what the discourse got wrong, and what none of us are talking about loudly enough: proximity bias is not a remote work problem. It is a design problem. And in a world being reshaped by AI, it is becoming more urgent, not less. This episode is for you if: - You've ever been told your work is great but your "visibility...

Cheryl Campos has spent her career refusing to be put in a box — and building entire ecosystems so others don't have to be either. This week, she's sitting down with us to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to break into venture capital, build community from the ground up, and move capital to the people who've been locked out of it for too long. Cheryl is the Co-Founder of LaFamilia VC...

Jessica Santana has spent years building relationships that open doors — not just for herself, but for others. This week, she's pulling back the curtain on the proactive relationship-building strategies that have shaped her journey as a founder, leader, and connector.  Jessica is the host of Behind The Work. In this solo episode, she's getting into the real, tactical side of networking — what it a...

Miki Reynolds is the Head of Programs and an investor at Slauson & Co, where she develops and leads programs — like their Friends & Family accelerator — that advance their mission of economic inclusion. She brings a fierce passion for supporting an inclusive community of entrepreneurs, having directly advised 350+ early stage companies from idea to seed stage, primarily led by Black, AAPI,...

Derrell Smith is a former NFL player and advertising executive turned food entrepreneur and food personality. As the CEO of 99Eats, he has built a meatball brand called Amaze Balls and is currently the Host & EP at Reach TV Network and Taste Made. After leaving his corporate job, he founded and grew a successful catering business serving 20,000+customers globally to date. Catch him at your loc...

A first-generation American, Hector Mujica grew up in South Florida after his parents immigrated from Venezuela in search of opportunity. Raised in a humble middle-class family, he watched his father serve as a pastor and community elder while his parents worked hard to provide for their families. Hector isn’t a career politician.  As the Head of Americas Philanthropy at Google, he led global prog...

Rhapsodi Pierre-Jacques and Jamaila Holder discuss how women can break into tech and careers in artificial intelligence during this live episode of Behind The Work.  Connect with our host, Jessica Santana: Subscribe to the Behind The Work newsletter: https://jessworldwide.substack.com/ Follow Jessica on Instagram: http://instagram.com/@jessworldwide Follow Behind The Work on Instagram: http://inst...

Terence Simpson is the CEO of JoinLinks, an app where you can meet new people who share your interests through in-person hangouts of around 15 people or less called “Links”.  🎧 Tune in to learn: ✨ How he is addressing Black loneliness through his work  ✨ His entrepreneurial story and what led him to start JoinLinks ✨ The importance of building community and how to start  ✨ Considerations for...

Congresswoman Luz Maria Rivas is an American engineer, educator, nonprofit founder, and elected official serving as the U.S. Representative for California’s 29th Congressional District since January 3, 2025. She is a member of the Democratic Party and the first Latina to represent her district in the U.S. House of Representatives.  🎧 Tune in to learn: ✨ Her journey from San Fernando Valley into...

If you’re ready to stop forcing, stop rushing, and start trusting the process, this episode of Behind The Work with host Jessica Santana and Stacyann Russell, Founder & CEO of The Daraja Collective, explore the power of surrender, divine timing, and what it really means to believe you can have it all.  As we approach a new year, unpack why letting go of control isn’t giving up—it’s creating sp...

This Is Your 2026 Ultimate Reflection Guide for Planning and Goal Setting! DOWNLOAD HERE: https://www.jessicasantana.com/2026eoyguide.html Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or leader navigating a new season, this week I break down why reflection is a non-negotiable part of personal and professional development. From understanding the lessons the year taught you, to recognizing the patterns t...

If you’re ready to level up your mindset, your habits, and your future, this episode of Behind The Work with host Jessica Santana dives deep into the power of investing in yourself every single day . Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or leader, Jessica shares the routines, strategies, and mindset shifts that help you grow consistently and show up as your best self—no matter where you’re star...

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck, this episode of Behind The Work with host Jessica Santana breaks down the life-changing power of practicing gratitude every day. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or simply striving to live with more intention, Jessica shares practical tools and mindset shifts to help you build a gratitude practice that’s consistent, meaningful, and...

If you’ve ever wondered how to throw an event that people actually show up for, this episode of Behind The Work with host Jessica Santana is your ultimate guide. Whether you’re planning a community event, workshop, conference, brand activation, or networking experience, Jessica breaks down the proven strategies that help increase attendance, boost engagement, and deliver unforgettable moments. Thi...

In this episode of Behind The Work, host Jessica Santana sits down with Pauleanna Reid — Celebrity Ghostwriter and Communications Advisor to CEOs — to uncover the power of storytelling, self-belief, and personal legacy. Pauleanna is the strategist behind some of the most influential voices shaping culture today. But her own journey has been one of resilience, reinvention, and choosing to use her v...

In this episode, we sit down with Tanya Menendez, Founder & CEO of Nearshore, to talk about her journey building technology-enabled manufacturing companies. From co-founding start-ups to reshaping how products are made closer to consumers, Tanya shares insights on entrepreneurship, supply chain innovation, and building in industries that don’t change overnight.  🎧 Tune in to hear: - How Nears...

In this special role-reversal episode of Behind the Work, our host Jessica Santana takes the guest seat as she’s interviewed by Tracey Samone — Founder of Legacy Estates Stewardship Sanctuary. Together, they explore what it truly means to live with courage — not just in big moments, but in the everyday decisions that shape who we are. Jessica opens up about her personal journey, and how courage ha...

In this next episode of ⁠Behind The Work⁠, our host, Jessica Santana⁠, sits down with Nikki and Natasha, Leaders of Casa Mkali. Casa Mkali is a creative agency and wellness house designed to underpin the very foundation of fitness and wellness. Backed by a powerful combination of exercise science and creativity, it's a space where wellness practitioners and enthusiasts alike can discover the tools...