Espiritu Coffee Chats

Language has always been more than words. It carries emotion, culture, context, and sometimes the difference between being truly heard and being left behind. In this episode, Arlene and Valerie sit down with Laura Valdez, founder of Valdez Language Services and a Latina entrepreneur with 16 years of experience in translation and interpretation services. What unfolds is a conversation about so much...

Have you ever felt inexplicably lit up around a certain person, like you just plug in and everything brightens? Or maybe you've been in a relationship that felt like constantly climbing a mountain with no clear summit in sight? In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats, Arlene breaks down one of the most advanced and eye-opening layers of Human Design: composite charts, also called relationship cha...

Most of us say we want rest. But when it finally arrives, the guilt shows up with it. The to-do list surfaces. The body sits still while the mind keeps running. In this episode, Arlene and Valerie get honest about something that does not get talked about enough: the issue is often not that we do not have rest. It is that we do not know how to receive it. They trace this back to where it started —...

There are fears you've carried for so long that they've started to feel like personality traits. The fear of failing before you even begin. The fear of the future you can't control. The fear of endings and all the grief that comes with letting something go. In this episode, Arlene and Valerie pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood centers in Human Design — the Splenic Center — and...

Some conversations don't have a tidy ending, and this is one of them. Arlene and Valerie sit down for one of their most honest episodes yet, naming what it actually feels like to be a Latina entrepreneur in the US right now, when political pressure is heavy, DEI funding is disappearing, and most of us are trying to build something meaningful while carrying all of it in the background. They move fr...

Ever wonder why astrology and Human Design are like besties? In this episode, Arlene and Valerie break down how your sun gate your spiritual blueprint connects to your zodiac sign, and why this combo changes everything. Discover how to decode your energy, move beyond surface-level readings, and truly embody who you really are. Learn about gates, authorities, fear patterns, and how to work with you...

If Episode 27 was the reflection, this is the execution. In this follow-up episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , we turn founder lessons into real systems for small business growth in 2026. This conversation is for women in business and Latina entrepreneurs who are ready to: • Implement operational systems • Use AI strategically (without losing their voice) • Build contracts that protect growth • Str...

If you're a Latina entrepreneur or woman founder navigating growth, 2025 likely changed you. In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , we break down the real founder lessons from 2025 — the data we ignored, the intuition we overrode, the systems we delayed building, and the boundaries we finally learned to hold. This is a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it actually takes to grow a small...

From ESL Teacher to Empowered Brand Photographer: Carina Flechner on Confidence, Visibility & Building a Purpose-Driven Business In this inspiring episode, we sit down with San Diego-based personal branding photographer and empowerment coach, Carina Fleckner , to explore her powerful journey from a 23-year career in education to capturing the true essence of women through branding photography. Car...

Love, Money & Legacy: Chris on Balancing Business, Creative Purpose & the Future of Finance In this refreshing episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , we sit down with Chris , co-founder of Surje Coffee and Valerie's partner, for a soulful and smart conversation on navigating love, business, and the evolving economy. Chris is the first masculine energy to grace the podcast, bringing grounded wisdom, in...

In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , Valerie sits down with her fiancé and business partner, Christopher Yian , to unpack one big question: what does it mean to make money human again? Chris opens up about his 10-year college journey, his learning with Bitcoin and financial freedom, and how he turned a traditional Environmental Health & Safety career into a path of entrepreneurship, curiosit...

In this powerful episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , Arlene and Valerie share their most recent ayahuasca experiences—Arlene's third journey and Valerie's fourth. Together, they open up about the sacred healing, grief release, ancestral wisdom, and spiritual downloads they received while working with a male shaman for the first time. From navigating ancestral lineage grief, radical acceptance, and...

In this special Espiritu Coffee Chats episode, hosts Arlene Salcedo and Valerie Urrutia celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the voices of three inspiring Latina entrepreneurs who are transforming business, community, and culture in San Diego and beyond. Meet our powerhouse guests: Jazmine Conejo , founder of Biz Bitches Community , who shares her journey of building authentic communi...

In this candid catch-up, Arlene and Valerie open up about closing Surge Coffee's brick-and-mortar shop , the lessons learned from running a San Diego coffee business , and how that journey sparked a deeper commitment to community events, wellness practices, and holistic entrepreneurship . They share stories of resilience, including hosting the first drag show in East County San Diego , navigating...

In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , hosts Arlene Salcedo (founder of Luna Soul Wellness , spiritual mentor, healer, and Ayurvedic practitioner) and Valerie Urrutia (owner of Surge Coffee ) dive into the wisdom of Ayurveda to explore Vata season —the transitional time from late summer into fall and winter. Arlene shares how Vata season, governed by air and space , influences our body, mind,...

In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , hosts Arlene Salcedo , spiritual mentor, healer, and founder of Luna Soul Wellness , and Valerie Urrutia , owner of Surge Coffee , dive deep into the transformative world of Human Design . Arlene opens up about her journey with Human Design—from discovering her true energy type as a Projector to weaving this system into her spiritual business and family l...

🎙️ Espiritu Coffee Chats | Episode 18: Choosing Joy with India Pierrce, Founder of The Joy Collaborative In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats with Arlene Salcedo and Valerie Urrutia , we sit down with our dear friend and biz bestie, India Pierrce —the powerhouse behind The Joy Collaborative . India is a consultant, educator, and self-proclaimed Joy Ambassador who helps individuals, teams, and...

In this episode, we dive deep into  Donald Trump's Human Design chart and Astrology to uncover the hidden influences shaping his presidency, decisions, and future. From his defined Ego Center and Gate 26 (the Trickster Gate) to his powerful 11th House Sun placement, we explore how his chart reveals both his strengths and shadow tendencies. You'll hear: Why Trump's Human Design Gate 26 makes him pe...

What does Donald Trump's actual astrology chart say about his personality, behavior, and influence? In this episode, Arlene and Val dive deep into Trump's natal chart and current planetary transits to explore how his placements shape the way he moves through power, communication, and public life. From his Gemini Sun in the 11th House (hello, master of media spin) to a Leo Rising (big "main charact...

Ep 15: Prenups Aren't Just for the Rich – Deveney Talks Divorce, Protection & Female Empowerment   In this powerful episode, we welcome our very first guest, Devonay from Wells Gibson Family Law and founder of Prenup Queen . Devonay opens up about her journey into family law, inspired by her own experiences growing up amid her parents' divorce, and how it fuels her passion for advocating for women...

Ep 10: Life as an Entrepreneur & Code-Switching 🎙️ Episode 10 Highlights: In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , Valerie, co-founder of Surge Coffee Co. , and Arlene, founder of Luna Soul Wellness , dive into the complexities of code-switching as Latina entrepreneurs. They share their personal journeys—from corporate America to business ownership—discussing how society has shaped the need for...

EP 14 Embracing Latina Empowerment & Cultural Identity  What does it mean to be a powerful Latina in today's world? How do we stay connected to our cultural roots, family traditions, and spiritual practices while navigating modern life? 🌎💃🏽 In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , Valerie & Arlene share their personal journeys as Mexican American, second-generation Latinas , opening up about...

How can you create a home that feels like a true sanctuary? In this episode, Valerie and Arlene explore holistic interior design , sharing how astrology and human design can guide you in shaping a space that supports your well-being, creativity, and personal energy. Who This Episode is For: Anyone looking to create a peaceful and energetically aligned home Those who work from home and want a balan...

Episode 11: Coffee's Journey from Farm to Cup – Embracing Community and Connection ☕ 🌿 In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , Valerie from Surge Coffee Co. and Arlene from Luna Soul Wellness take you on an enlightening journey through the world of coffee—from the moment it's cultivated to the moment it fills your cup. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur, a small business owner, or simply som...

🎙️ EP 10: Ayurveda & The 3 Dosha Archetypes – Which One Are You? In this episode of Espiritu Coffee Chats , we're diving into the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and uncovering the three Dosha types —Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Joined by our corgi, Frida, we explore how these energetic blueprints shape your body type, personality, and overall well-being . 🌿✨ Who is this episode for? ✔️ If you're curious...