How to Talk to [Mamí & Papí] about Anything

As part of our special series on food and families, LWC Studios' managing producer Paulina shared her concerns that hosting and cooking for the holidays is taking a toll on her aging Mexican mom. And culinary educator and hospitality expert Trisha Pérez Kennealy offers practical tips for maintaining family traditions while transitioning the related responsibilities. Featured Expert :  Trisha Pérez...

On this episode of our food-and-family series our friend Manuela tells us all about how in her Colombian family food is a love language, and how guilty she feels saying “no” when she doesn’t want to eat something a loved one made. And Lisa Jimenez, a therapist specializing in body and eating related issues, returns to the show to help us manage well-intentioned food pushers. Featured Expert :  Lis...

We continue our series about food and family featuring our colleagues. When LWC Studios' senior editor Jordan learned that her mother-in-law was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, she worked to quickly figure out how to offer support and what to cook. Patient advocate Mary Mukira shares advice on caregiving around the holidays by adopting a person-centered attitude and preparing inclusive meals. If y...

As part of a special holiday series we're bringing you stories from our team as they tackle difficult conversations around food and families. In this episode, LWC Studios' audio designer Kojin says his Japanese family loves to cook, but competition in the kitchen is cut-throat. And Mori Lemau Willhite, who runs a Japanese cooking school, offers practical advice for staying focused and non-combativ...

This is the first episode of a special holiday series exploring tensions that arise when food and families mix, featuring the team behind LWC Studios and some of our friends. In this episode, Virginia, the show's producer, is concerned about her Peruvian father’s eating habits, and thinks everyone in her family should eat more vegetables! Registered dietitian Dalina Soto busts some myths about Lat...

Ody's grandmother lived with her family when she was growing up. The expectation of always putting family first created a toxic environment due to emotional abuse from her grandmother, whom she suspects may have had a mental illness. An expert on Latino cultural values breaks down the concept of familism and how it shapes the dynamics at home. This episode originally aired on November 2, 2020. Fea...

Diane's Korean mother and grandmother live in New Jersey, and would like her to visit more often. But Diane has a full life in NYC, and feels guilty and torn. Hatty Lee, a marriage and family therapist who works with Asian-Americans, shares tips on how to speak with loved ones about honoring our individual and family needs. This episode originally aired on June 7, 2021. Featured Expert: Hatty J. L...

Moving to the U.S. was hard for Michelle’s family, and it impacted how she was disciplined growing up. As a parent herself, she’s coming to terms with experiences her parents now deny. Betty Ming Liu, a life coach who specializes in childhood trauma, speaks with Juleyka about nurturing our inner child and ending the family cycle of violence. Michelle Yang is an advocate whose writings on the inter...

Yaffa's Dominican mom wanted her to marry a White American. So when she fell in love with a Dominican man, she kept the relationship and wedding secret. And marriage and family therapist Claudia Parada speaks with Juleyka about how to confront our parents' bias while sparing our romantic partners the drama. Yaffa S. Santos is the author of the novel A Touch of Moonlight . You can learn more about...

Juanita decided to write her life story and got pushback from her Mexican mom, who remembers their family life very differently. And memoirist and writing teacher Yasmín Ramírez shares strategies for reconciling different family accounts of the past, and offers advice for keeping ourselves honest when telling difficult stories. Juanita E. Martinez is a lawyer, writer and performer. You can learn m...

After years of working toward a career as a tenure track professor, Sylvia left this path in academia under duress. And getting her Peruvian parents to understand her decision also proved challenging. And Dr. Michelle Espino Lira, who studies Latinos in higher education, speaks with Juleyka about connecting our bold acts of self-advocacy with the grit and resolve our parents modeled for us. Featur...

Tony’s Vietnamese mom didn't talk much about her father, a Black American soldier who fought in the Vietnam War but whom she never really knew. So Tony decided to find him. And marriage and family therapist Thien Pham who works with adult children of Amerasians and refugees speaks with Juleyka about respecting our parents’ trauma while trying to understand our family history, and finding peace whe...

Brenda thinks it’s time for her Mexican family to speak openly about her father’s infidelity and newly-discovered half-sister, but she's ambivalent about starting the conversation. And marriage and family therapist Gilza Fort Martinez offers advice for creating the right context, choosing the time and place, and exercising sensitivity around family revelations. Featured Expert:   Gilza Fort-Martin...

Though she was a primary caretaker, Sandra had a hard time knowing what to say to her dad at the end of his life. And Oceana Sawyer, a death doula, speaks with Juleyka about acknowledging death with dying loved ones, and taking care of ourselves as we care for them. Featured Expert:   Oceana Sawyer is a professional End of Life Doula who writes and speaks on the liminal space of active dying and g...

Elbert is struggling to accept how his Dominican parents' married relationship works. And Luis Resendez, a marriage and family therapist who works with Latino men, helps us understand what shapes our ideas of marriage and partnership. Featured Expert: Our expert this week is Luis Resendez, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, adjunct professor, author, and CEO and founder of Vida Emotional Well...

Delainy is finally putting a stop to her family's frequent criticism of her weight and looks. And Lisa Jimenez, a mental health counselor who works with first-gens struggling with negative body image, busts health myths and shares tips to build resilience and speak up for ourselves. Delainy Faña is the creator of La Bruja's Art .  Featured Expert:   Lisa Jimenez is a Licensed Mental Health Counsel...

Michelle’s Mexican family never talked about sex. When she began thinking about birth control before heading to college she was on her own to make some really important decisions. And OBGYN Dr. Erica Montes offers tips for discussing family planning and avoiding misinformation about contraceptive methods. Featured Expert:    Dr. Erica Montes, an OBGYN based in Arizona. Dr. Erica Montes is a Board-...

Pabel’s Afro-Latino mother's advice for fitting in and being a professional feels outdated and unhelpful as he navigates racism in the tech industry. And, mindfulness coach Zee Clarke shows us how to breathe through triggering conversations about race and implicit bias at work—and with our loved ones. Featured Expert:   Zee Clarke is a Harvard MBA that went from leading teams at fortune 500 compan...

Charu works hard to get along with her Indian mom so her children can have a relationship with their grandmother, but tensions around her parenting style remain. And therapist Salma Khan offers advice on preserving family bonds with estranged relatives while resisting the need to explain our boundaries. Charu Kumarhia is a journalist, speaker and writer. You can learn more about her work here and...

Last year, Kristie spoke with us about the gendered expectations her dad had of her, despite her professional success. Here, she reflects on how becoming a wife, home-owner and mom-to-be is transforming their father-daughter relationship. If you loved this episode, listen to Kristie's original episode She has a Ph. D, But Papí Still Wants Her to Serve Him. We’d love to hear your stories of triumph...

Last year, Chai told us about her mom’s efforts to find her a husband through Indian matrimonial websites. In this candid follow-up, she updates Juleyka on her dating life, and reflects on how a surprising diagnosis really helped both her and her mom understand Chai, and what she needs in a partner.  If you loved this episode, listen to Chai's original episode Arranged Marriage, No Thanks, Mom. Ou...

Last year Sasha talked to us about her younger sister’s suicide, and the impact her family’s unwillingness to talk about it had on her mental health. This time, she talks to Juleyka about speaking openly about her bipolar disorder, learning to say “no” as part of self-care, and using the movie  Encanto  to talk about her deceased sister with nieces and nephews who never met her. The National Suici...

Last year, Veda explained why they chose not to discuss their queer identity with their Indian parents. Veda returns to update Juleyka on how moving back in with their parents has changed the family dynamics in surprising ways. They also reflect on their developing views on pronouns, gender fluidity, and finding allies among extended family. If you loved this episode, listen to Veda's original epi...

When we spoke last year, Vanessa had just informed her parents she was taking a leave of absence from her physician associate program. She returns to speak with Juleyka about the self- discovery she experienced while getting clarity around career choices, and the steps she took to shift her relationship with her parents during her time off. If you loved this episode, listen to Vanessa's original e...

Mariela used to be the family peacekeeper, but as she learns to acknowledge negative emotions and embrace healthy conflict, she's facing resistance from her Mexican mom. And therapist Nicole Linardi helps us understand the impact sibling order has on relationships, and offers tips for negotiating family expectations. Featured Expert:   Dr. Nicole Linardi is a Bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed M...