Getting Real with Rueben

In this episode, Rueben sits down with 210 Lachisimosa for a raw and emotional conversation about life, loss, and accountability. She shares her journey of building a platform rooted in speaking the truth, being raised by strong women, and navigating some of life’s toughest moments—including the loss of her son, losing her home, and starting over. They also dive into her personal life, her marriag...

In this episode of Getting Real with Rueben, Rueben welcomes Tejano legend Shelly Lares for an honest and inspiring conversation about legacy, mentorship, faith, and the power of authenticity. Shelly reflects on the values that shaped her, her transition from decades of performing into mentorship and music production, and the life changing work she now does through hospice care and music therapy....

This Women’s History Month, I’m sitting down with Clarissa Gamboa for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on  Getting Real . At 19, she became a mom. She navigated single motherhood, government assistance, shame, survival mode — and the pressure to “do life in the right order.” She built a career in real estate, title, and mortgage. She climbed. She achieved. She provided. But somewhere...

In this solo episode of Getting Real w Rueben, Rueben reacts to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance and the online arguments it sparked about unity, language, culture, and what people choose to be offended by. He breaks down how both things can be true at once: the halftime show can be entertainment and still carry a message, and the NFL can spotlight culture while still operating like the...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Rueben sits down with San Antonio content creator and marketing professional Jacklyn to talk about friendship, grief, hustle and finding your purpose. From how they first met through a local event to the deep bond Jacklyn shared with her best friend and how she continues to honor his spirit after his passing, this conversation goes far beyond social media. J...

In this raw and deeply inspiring episode, I sit down with the creators behind Fit and Fluffy to talk about what really happens when life doesn’t go according to plan and how hitting rock bottom can become the start of your strongest comeback. They open up about getting married, getting divorced shortly after, and how those emotional lows became the turning point that pushed them toward fitness and...

It’s the first episode of 2026, and we’re starting the year with intention. In this episode, I talk about New Year’s resolutions, redefining success, confidence, and why perfectionism can hold you back. We get real about goal setting, starting over when you fall off, and how to stop overthinking and just take the leap. If you’re feeling pressure to have it all figured out or comparing yourself to...

In this episode of  Getting Real w/ Rueben , I sit down with  Destiny Navaira , a San Antonio native and rising Tejano artist carving her own lane beyond a legendary last name. While we honor the iconic  Navaira family legacy , the heart of this conversation is Destiny’s  journey as a solo artist navigating an industry that often underestimates women. She opens up about the realities of being a wo...

Ajayy Rivas is one of San Antonio’s fastest-rising comedic voices — a creator whose characters, quick wit, and cultural storytelling have built a loyal following across Texas and beyond. But behind the humor is a layered story of identity, resilience, and purpose. In this episode of  Getting Real w/ Rueben , Ajayy opens up about the roots of his comedy, growing up Latino in South Texas, the experi...

In this exclusive episode of  Getting Real with Rueben , Rueben Hernandez-Valdez sits down with  Selling Sunset’s  Nicole Young for a raw, unfiltered conversation about reality TV, reputation, and redemption. Nicole opens up about the truth behind her feud with Emma Hernan, the “villain edit,” her real-life business at the Oppenheim Group, and what viewers never saw on Netflix. From production sec...

Getting Real w/ Rueben: Getting Wicked for Good  dives into the themes behind the  Wicked Movie 2025  starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, exploring what Elphaba and Glinda can teach us about courage, authenticity, and rising above judgment. In this reflective solo episode, Rueben connects iconic Wicked moments like  Defying Gravity  and  For Good  to real-life lessons about leadership, being...

In this episode of  Getting Real with Rueben , Rueben sits down with a few of the powerhouses behind one of San Antonio’s most iconic family businesses— Karolina’s Antiques . What started as a small shop on the city’s West Side has grown into a vibrant cultural hub celebrating Latino heritage, creativity, and community. Karolina shares how her family turned passion into legacy, how they’ve stayed...

San Antonio’s own  Kristi Waters  — drag queen, performer, and community icon — sits down for her  first full tell-all interview  since announcing her  Stage 3 cancer diagnosis . In this raw and powerful conversation, Kristi opens up about the moment she got the news, the hardest days of treatment, and the community that lifted her through it all. She reflects on how illness reshaped her relations...

In this episode of  Getting Real w/ Rueben , I sit down with  Mark Loves Horror  — San Antonio’s local horror critic known for  spoiler-free reviews , daily horror content, and deep dives into what scares us. We talk about how growing up in Texas influenced his horror fandom, the power of storytelling in fear, balancing authenticity with audience growth, and even what he’s personally terrified of...

n this episode of  Getting Real with Rueben , I sit down with  Erika Prosper , former First Lady of San Antonio, community leader, and advocate for Hispanic culture and education. Erika opens up about her journey, the lessons she’s learned in leadership, and how her Mexican-American heritage shapes her vision for family, business, and community empowerment. As part of our  Hispanic Heritage Month...

In this episode of  Getting Real with Rueben , I sit down with  Gabby — the creative force behind Siempre San Antonio , a platform dedicated to celebrating the culture, people, and hidden gems of the Alamo City. Gabby opens up about her  personal story, her “why,” and the passion that fuels her mission  to highlight San Antonio in an authentic way. We dive into the origins of Siempre SA, the impac...

On this episode of  Getting Real w/ Rueben , I sit down with  Kristian Carranza , candidate for  Texas House District 118 , to talk about her journey from  high school cheerleader  on the Southside of San Antonio to a  community leader and political challenger . We dive into her  2024 campaign , the lessons she learned, and her strategy for the upcoming  2026 race! We also tackle the critical topi...

In this powerful episode of  Getting Real w/ Rueben , I sit down with  The Real Estate Dolls , trailblazers in the real estate industry and the  only transgender real estate brokers in the country . We get real about their  transition journey , navigating identity in a competitive market, and the new wave of fame that has brought their story to national attention. From their earliest days in real...

In this episode of Getting Real w/ Rueben, we sit down with viral TikTok couple Alan-Timoteo Villon and Ruben Hernandez-Villon; two proud Latino content creators who’ve built a loyal following by showing up as their full, unapologetic selves. We dive deep into their journey of love, identity, vulnerability, and visibility. From navigating social media as a couple to embracing body transformation,...