How to Talk to [Mamí & Papí] about Anything

As an adult, Lorilee made the decision to disclose to her Filipina mom the sexual abuse she says she endured as a child. And Mira Yusef, advocate and community organizer against gender-based violence, speaks with Juleyka about how to have hard conversations about abuse, disclosure and accountability. Lorilee is the host of Trauma Survivor Thriver’s Podcast. You can learn more about her work here ....

While speaking to her Korean mom about anti-Asian violence amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Phyllis must also confront her family's prejudice. And racial justice attorney and activist Manjusha Kulkarni offers advice for talking with parents about challenging racial discrimination. Phylllis writes about parenting,  race and diversity, and being raised by an immigrant family on her blog, The Napkin Hoa...

When Ashley turned to therapy and medication for her depression she worried her Puerto Rican mom would feel guilty.  And MarySue Heilemann, a nurse and researcher who studies transmedia and the mental well-being of Latinas, busts myths around mental health treatments and offers tips for getting our parents to accept our choices. Featured Expert:   Dr. MarySue Heilemann, PhD, RN, FAAN is a professo...

As a high school student Terry dreamed of going away to college, but she knew her Cuban parents would never allow it. And Juleyka speaks with filmmaker and activist Denise Soler Cox about how to tackle the ongoing push and pull between Latino family expectations and our self-determination. Terry Catasús Jennings is an award-wining children's book writer and the author of The Little House of Hope a...

When Kathy left corporate America to become an energy worker, her Salvadoran mom didn't understand her choice, or why Kathy felt so drawn to it. And Cynthia Pong, a career coach, helps us break down corporate trauma and speak with our parents about finding purpose in our work. Featured Expert:   Cynthia Pong is a nationally recognized, award-winning, NYU-trained lawyer turned career coach whose pa...

Bunmi is looking for a partner, but talking with her Nigerian mom about her love life is complicated. And Sherrae Lachhu, a relationship coach for BIPOC couples and individuals, speaks with Juleyka about differentiating our relationship values from our parents'. Featured Expert :  Sherrae Lachhu is a licensed marriage and family therapist who empowers individuals to be the best versions of themsel...

Amy’s Puerto Rican mom began making retirement plans around the future grandchildren Amy would give her. But Amy had to tell her she was not planning to have kids. And Psychologist Maritza Mikolich returns to the show to explain codependency and offer advice on setting boundaries when sharing personal decisions with loved ones. Featured Expert :  Dr. Maritza Mikolich is a Licensed Marriage and Fam...

Brenda wants to talk to her Mexican dad about his history with alcohol abuse and the violence it caused, but he's usually closed off about it. And Katheryn Perez, a therapist who works with first-gen and BIPOC clients, offers strategies for broaching the subject with empathy and care—for everyone involved, including ourselves. Featured Expert :  Katheryn Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family The...

Nathalie says her fears around money, and her need for structure as an adult, come from how she was raised, but speaking vulnerably about it with her Dominican mom has always been hard. And Dr. Lisette Sanchez, a bilingual and bicultural psychologist helps us understand intergenerational trauma and what happens when our values conflict with our needs. Featured Expert :  Dr. Lisette Sanchez, PhD is...

In her multigenerational Cuban-American household Yasmin is expected to be the main caretaker and problem-solver for her family, and the toxic dynamics are taking a toll on her confidence, spiking her stress levels and worsening her mental health. And Raquel Carrasquillo, a therapist and life coach who works primarily with Latino clients, shows us how to put our own needs first when looking after...

Kelsey and her Guatemalan dad had a distant relationship during her teenage years, but as an adult she wants to get to know him better, and strengthen their father-daughter bond. And, psychologist Gabriela Livas Stein returns to the show with strategies for deepening our relationships with our parents while navigating normative family roles. Kelsey Milian Lopez is the author of the poetry collecti...

Abbas is a physician who cannot convince his Indian mom to get regular medical screenings. And public health professional Mary Helen O'Connor shares strategies for effective health messaging and for nudging our parents to be proactive about their health. Abbas is a physician by training and profession, and he's also the founder of Mipsterz , an arts and culture collective for emerging Muslim creat...

Helen's father encouraged her to study, to have ideas, to be self-reliant. But he also expects her to behave more traditionally as an Armenian woman, daughter, and future wife. And Amalya Tagakchyan, an Armenian-Americans therapist, speaks on resisting gender norms and navigating the pushback from parents. Featured Expert :  As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Amalya provides a warm, non-judgmen...

Irene encounters roadblocks as she tries to share her political engagement with her Mexican and Guatemalan parents. And Natalia Ortiz, a racial-justice organizer and professor of education, helps us talk with our families in concrete terms about the fight for systemic change.  You can learn more about Irene's organizing work here . Our expert this week is Natalia Ortiz, assistant professor of educ...

Malischa has big plans for her dream career, but her Haitian parents have a more traditional definition of success. And Dorianne St. Fleur, a career and leadership coach who works  with women of color, shares a handy acronym to help us make decisions with purpose and discuss them with our loved ones. Featured Expert :  Dorianne St Fleur is an HR leader, Diversity & Inclusion strategist, and career...

Alex is doing his best to ease tensions and make sure everyone gets along while he and his long-time girlfriend save for a house. And Omar Torres, a licensed psychotherapist, talks to us about navigating cohabitation dynamics. Featured Expert :  Omar Torres is a licensed Clinical Social Worker based in NYC. His approach to therapy focuses on integrating the various aspects of personal identity and...

Katherine was raised by her Ecuadorian parents  to be independent, and feels that asking them for help comes at a cost. And therapist Evelyn Mejia shares ideas for maintaining firm boundaries while speaking our parents' love language. Featured Expert : Evelyn is a first generation, bilingual and bi-cultural Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. She was born in Guatemala raised in San Francisco's Mis...

After dropping out of college and eventually returning to school, Kelly had a hard time explaining to her Puerto Rican parents why she needed them at graduation. And Rosemary Perez, a professor of higher education, shares strategies for asking loved ones to support our career and educational goals. Featured Expert :  Dr. Rosemary (Rosie) Perez is an Associate Professor in the Center for the Study...

Haidar is in a relationship. And he wants it to be long term but worries he might mess things up. Coach Varsha Mathur offers advice on how to go after what we want with intention. Unlike a traditional coaching session,  this conversation was not conducted in a confidential setting and all participants were made aware of this when recording this episode. Varsha Mathur is a dating and relationship c...

As a self-described "traditional dater," Mio feels discouraged by online dating apps and a new dating culture where she feels pressured to take the initiative. Coach Varsha Mathur shows us how to connect genuinely on any platform. Unlike a traditional coaching session,  this conversation was not conducted in a confidential setting and all participants were made aware of this when recording this ep...

Felipa is trying to break a pattern in her dating life of not feeling seen or respected, but dating in her conservative hometown makes that a challenge. Coach Varsha Mathur offers strategies for discovering what we really want in a relationship, and why. Unlike a traditional coaching session,  this conversation was not conducted in a confidential setting and all participants were made aware of thi...

On this special series, first gens speak directly with an expert about how to navigate challenges in their love lives. Juleyka volunteered to go first and opens up about dating after divorce in a "discovery conversation" with dating and relationship coach Varsha Mathur, who shares her insight on why we should question what we want when re-entering the dating world. Unlike a traditional coaching se...

Because of his progressive political views, Max feels a disconnect with his conservative Cuban-American family. And Ana Sofia Pelaez, an organizer in Miami, shares her insights on speaking with parents about contentious home countries. Featured Expert :  Ana Sofia Pelaez is the Co-founder of the Miami Freedom Project . She’s progressive Cuban-American first-gen, and an activist who has organized L...

Alberto was excited to start his own business but had to be strategic about telling his concerned Mexican mom. And Marlene Orozco, who studies Latino entrepreneurs in the U.S., speaks with Juleyka about the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face, and how their families can best support them. Featured Expert :  Marlene is a doctoral student in Sociology and is the Lead Research Analyst wit...

When Camila changed her mind about joining the Air Force, her Colombian parents were very disillusioned. And Yasmin Navarro, a college counselor who works with first-gen students and their parents, speaks with Juleyka about exploring college and career options while managing pressures and expectations from family. Featured Expert: Yasmin Navarro is a college counselor at Berkley High school, a pub...