How to Talk to [Mamí & Papí] about Anything

For the next few episodes, we're checking in with some of our early guests. When we spoke last year, Merk Nguyen, podcast co-host and producer of Adultish,  was struggling to be more than a dutiful daughter to her Vietnamese parents. Recently, she's had a realization about her identity, that led to a very important conversation with them. If you loved this episode, listen to Merk's original episod...

Growing up, Leslie saw her parents send supplies and money to relatives in the Dominican Republic, even as her family struggled financially. It bothered her, but she was afraid her parents would call her selfish if she said anything. Catalina Fortich, a licensed marriage and family therapist, helps us rethink that label. Our expert this week is Catalina Fortich, a marriage and family therapist wit...

In this special episode, on the week after the Inauguration, Juleyka speaks with political scientist Geraldo Cadava, author of The Hispanic Republican, who helps us unpack the complex political identities of Latinos in the U.S. And, he offers insight into how and why we should engage with loved ones with whom we disagree politically. Featured Expert:   Geraldo L. Cadava (Ph. D., Yale University, 2...

Shelsea is a college student undecided about her future, and wondering whether she wants to be in school at all. But she feels pressured by her Haitian mom to finish her degree. Then, a seasoned college counselor shares strategies for figuring out your own path and engaging your loved ones in the process. Featured Expert:   Sharon Williams is a college counselors at the University of Chicago’s Lab...

Bianca is passionate about cannabis. She even has a podcast about it! When she started working in the cannabis industry, she finally opened up to her mom about all of it. And, a cannabis entrepreneur and investor helps us demystify the plant, the history, the science and the myths for our loved ones. You can find Bianca's podcast here .  Featured Expert:   Khadijah Adams is a business coach, publi...

Stephanie would like to talk more openly abut sex, intimacy and sexuality with her mom. The two are really close, but they've never been comfortable discussing any of this. And, a sex educator offers strategies (and a cool acronym) to help us get started talking about sex with our parents. Featured Expert:  Dulce Rodriguez is a licensed clinical social worker and a sex educator-in-training based i...

A few weeks ago, Juleyka was invited as a guest on 3 Clips, where podcasters talk about making their shows. We turned part of that interview into a special episode to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we make the show. If you loved this show, listen to our first episode ever, Mom Drove into NYC Amid the COVID-19 Crisis. You can hear Juleyka's interview in 3 Clips with Jay Acunzo here . And,...

When Gloria experienced intimate partner violence in her relationship, she had a very difficult time turning to her family for help. It was particularly hard to open up to her mom, who had her own history of trauma. And, the founder of an organization that works with survivors offers strategies for breaking the cycle. Featured Expert:  Susan Rubio Rivera is Executive Director and founder of of M.U...

Carmen’s dad learned he had pancreatic cancer earlier this year. His reaction took her by surprise, and the family dealt with the possibility of his death in different ways. Then, an occupational therapist who works with the elderly talks to Juleyka about how to care for our aging loved ones. Featured Expert:  Mariella Zuñiga is a geriatric occupational therapist and consultant with expertise in A...

Monica was raised as an independent woman by her very independent Mexican mother. But she’s realizing both of them easily fall back on outmoded gender roles. And, a family therapist returns to the show to give all of us tools to self correct. Featured Expert:  Claudia Cuevas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Mission Viejo, CA. She has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy with a sp...

Daniella and her husband have a young son they think might be on the autism spectrum or have developmental delays. Her parents have a hard time overcoming outdated stigmas about cognitive differences. And a pediatrician who studies healthcare in Latino communities speaks with Juleyka about how to support loved ones who are different. Featured Expert:  Dr. Katharine Zuckerman is a general pediatric...

Growing up, Jeo was never very close to his dad. As an adult, he wants to know him better, to learn about his past and have a real relationship with him. But it’s hard to get him to open up. And, an expert in adolescent development in immigrant communities helps explain the disconnect. Featured Expert:  William Perez is a professor in the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University. He rece...

Carlos is hyper-aware of wealth inequality and issues of access in the U.S., and is puzzled by his immigrant mother's conservative views, especially since she had to sacrifice so much for her family––and for him. And, a political science professor provides some needed context. Featured Expert: Eduardo A. Gamarra is a tenured full professor of political science in the department of politics and int...

Nathalie’s mother and grandmother want her to be happy. But their idea of happiness for her includes getting married and having kids—not at all what she wants for herself. But they bring it up all the time. And a writer dispels the myths around being single, and shares her advice for handling this particular type of family pressure. Featured Expert:  Acamea Deadwiler is a critically acclaimed auth...

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. Featured Expert:   Our expert this week is Gabriela Li...

Rafe grew up feeling very loved, but also feeling very different. In his teen years, he began to understand he was gay, but it took a while to open up, and to talk about a traumatic experience. A licensed clinical social worker who specializes in supporting QTBIPOC clients speaks with Juleyka about how we can all show up for our loved ones.  This episode discusses troubling details, involving viol...

Gaby grew up with parents whose marriage was almost a fairytale: they fell in love young, got married, and stayed together happily ever after. So when her own marriage ended, she felt shame and found it really hard to talk to her parents about it. And, a marriage and family therapist offers strategies for discussing changing relationships with relatives. Featured Expert:   Genesis Games is the own...

Cris Ramos Greene is the author of Embrace That Girl, a memoir about figuring out adulthood and coming to terms with her Cuban-American identity. She talks to Juleyka about breaking the news to her traditional parents that she was moving in with her boyfriend. And, a marriage and family therapist shares strategies to assert your independence without drama.  Featured Expert:  Sara Stanizai (she/her...

As a child, Rose witnessed an instance of domestic violence between her parents that has stayed with her over the years. And a certified traumatologist and psychotherapist who works with immigrant women talks to Juleyka about how those of us in similar circumstances can move forward and heal. Featured Expert:  Our expert this week is Martha Vallejo, certified traumatologist and psychotherapist bas...

We have beautiful news! Doula and childbirth educator Adriana Lozada just brought her show Birthful  to Lantigua Williams & Co. And we're so happy!!! Alternating between interviews with perinatal professionals and birth stories with new parents, Birthful is here to inform your intuition, no matter what pregnancy, birth or postpartum throw at you.  New episodes every Wednesday! +Subscribe to Birthf...

Rita, like the rest of her family, has always been a die-hard football fan. She hid her love for a different team for years, afraid they would be upset. A professor of sports management breaks down BIRGing and CORFing in avid sports fans and what they have to do with family relationship dynamics. Featured Expert:  Michelle Harrolle, director of the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program, t...

Vanessa’s mother moved from Germany to the U.S. as an adult. Vanessa, who was born in the U.S., immigrated to Canada and finds herself comparing their experiences in their adopted countries as she watches her home country from The North. Then, Juleyka speaks with a sociologist who puts citizenship and belonging into a larger context. Featured Expert:  Irene Bloemraad (Ph. D. Harvard; M.A. McGill)...

As a kid, Olga loved writing and developed a passion for journalism. But her parents, immigrants from the former U.S.S.R., strongly opposed her choices, fearing the financial prospects were slim. Long-standing arguments created a rift in their relationship that grew worse over time—leading her to choose between her calling and her family.  In this episode, Juleyka also speaks with a career coach a...

Sisters Taranjit and Bhavneet have lots of interests outside of their work in science, including their podcast, Drive with Us. But their Indian parents seem to always ask "Why are you doing this?" in ways that discourage and alienate them. Today, we're looking at what happens when more traditional ideas about work and purpose clash with a desire to venture out and try new things. A marriage and fa...

We produced something beautiful for Macmillan Podcasts!! Introducing Driving the Green Book, a ten-part documentary series premiering September 15. Follow award-winning BBC broadcaster Alvin Hall as he retraces many of the locations featured in the historic travel guide. From Detroit to New Orleans, Hall takes us on an immersive audio journey, collecting powerful, personal testimony about how Blac...