Latina to Latina

After Alicia’s conversation with advertising superstar Nancy Reyes, she wanted to make t-shirts that read, "I am undeniable." That’s how inspiring this trailblazer’s story is. From learning that “everything feels better when you earn it” to “dealing with a massive career failure” and making the decision to go from “good to great,” Nancy’s success is a testament to what happens when grit and tenaci...

Last night, the final two viable Democratic presidential hopefuls faced off in the eleventh primary debate, and faced questions from one of America's pre-eminent Latina journalists: Univision's Ilia Calderón. Alicia spoke with Ilia about the leap of faith she took to begin her career in the states, what she left behind, and what it means to make history.  Follow Ilia @iliaCalderón on Twitter and I...

Listening to Scherezade Garcia talk about her art and her creative process is watching someone relive the many ways she has made herself free— from other’s scrutiny, from expectations, from the need to justify her very existence. Alicia visited Scherezade’s studio and spoke with her about the notion of selling the Caribbean as “paradise”, the business of being a working artist, and what it means t...

iLe’s natural and inherited musical talents were nurtured between  classic piano training and the hyper-political songs of Calle 13, Puerto Rico’s most influential group in the last few decades. Now the singer/songwriter takes center stage with her haunting and flaring album Almadura. She and Alicia revisit moments of inspiration and desperation—especially for her beloved PR’s political limbo—and...

Cristina Jiménez knows how to agitate for change. The co-founder and Executive Director of United We Dream convinced President Obama to act on DACA. Now, as she prepares to step away from an organization she helped build, Cristina’s sharing what she’s learned: everything from her work on "decolonizing my understanding of myself" to warning against the perils of putting your ego ahead of the cause....

Her professional journey would make an awesome movie. From humble beginnings as an NPR intern to co-founding and producing Radio Ambulante—a powerhouse narrative journalism podcast in Spanish—to launching an international production company, Adonde Media, Martina has never stopped innovating. Today she is at the forefront of digital audio and in demand. But along the way she’s faced some real doub...

Susie Jaramillo created several lines of award-winning children’s books, animated series, and merchandise. And she made the first board book prototype by hand while easing her child into daycare. It’s no wonder when Alicia spoke to her, Susie was celebrating a $2-million seed round for her Encantos Media. She tells us what it takes to thrive as a creative in the corporate world, and build the conf...

She had us at hello. Then we got to know her and walked away inspired. Founder Julissa Prado mixed her grandma’s herbal medicine legacy, a lot of sweat from relatives, $50K in life savings, and her uncompromising drive to grow Rizos Curls, a hair care line that reached $1 million in sales before it debuted at Target. But wait for it: before all that she earned an MBA, managed major brands for Nest...

She calls herself a “fire-starter,” and has a long list of rabble-rousing moments to prove it. Before turning 18, she registered people to vote by pleading “Please register and vote for me! I can’t vote.” Later, she marched in an anti stop-and-frisk protest to the home of NYC’s mayor. But walking into the Working Families Party to volunteer for Obama changed the course of her life. That path led t...

One of the original innovators in the personal blogging space, Ana Flores is not only an early adaptor but also a born innovator. She saw an opportunity in connecting brands to popular online personalities—today’s influencers—and ran with it. Her company brought in millions one year and filed for bankruptcy the next. Like a phoenix, Ana rose from the ashes to build the super successful We All Grow...

She says her music is driven by “connection, communion and lost.” But listening, really listening, to one of Dessa’s albums and then drilling down to a single song, leads you through a tunnel of convulsing rage, unanswered love, and philosophical rifts on your place in the world. She brings that intense presence of heart and mind to this revealing conversation. Follow Dessa on Twitter @dessadarlin...

Listeners often ask us about starting a podcast. In this episode, executive producer Juleyka Lantigua-Williams, gives a masterclass in the art and science of podcasting. From refining a concept, identifying your target audience, and understanding the mechanics of producing an episode, Juleyka offers useful insights about entering and standing out in the industry. Follow Juleyka @JuleykaLantigua on...

We're replaying this one to help you rev up for the new year!! Michelle Poler says being raised in Venezuela during turbulent times made her afraid of everything. While in grad school in the US, she set out to conquer 100 fears and live a life free from worry. In the process, she has inspired scores of people around the world to face up to their greatest challenges. Follow Michelle @michellepoler...

Gina Torres is everything we’ve ever wanted to be: brilliant, strong, stylish, and funny. In this episode, she opens up about the real and very personal reason she left Suits, how she spearheaded the creation of Pearson, and why life at fifty is simply fabulous. Follow Gina on Twitter @ginatorres and IG @iamginatorres; and Pearson on Twitter @PearsonUSA. If you loved this episode, listen to María...

She's a recording artist. She played Celia Cruz on television. She toured around the world. She has had a career many can only dream of. But Aymée also sacrificed so much along the way. She left behind her home and family in Cuba. Crossed into the U.S. as an asylum seeker. And endured years of uncertainly as she pursued her calling to sing. Her voice still breaks as she recounts her trials and tri...

Her genre-bending new memoir, "In the Dream House," recounts an abusive lesbian relationship and implodes safe notions of intimacy. Carmen talks with Alicia about revisiting trauma, mourning for her former self, and the risks of complicating queer narratives. Follow Carmen @carmenmachado on Twitter and IG. And buy her book, In the Dream House . If you loved this episode, listen to Valeria Luiselli...

This popular YouTuber is a bit of a provocateur. “How To Spot a Fake Disability” is among her most viewed and most subversive videos. Annie Elainey, the queer, disabled, intersectional advocate who created #TheFutureIsAccessible, is constantly challenging assumptions about disability and chronic illness. Follow Annie @annieelainey on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube channel ! If...

The founding mother of the farmers' rights movement, Dolores Huerta is still traversing the country protesting, marching, and sometimes getting arrested. And she loves every minute of it. In this live episode, she recounts funny and alarming stories from her decades of fighting for the rights of workers, from the farm to the ballot box. Follow Dolores @DoloresHuerta and @DoloresHuertaFD on Twitter...

Knowing that “beauty is hard to sell on the internet,” this subscription box CEO still pursued a breakthrough company model that would eventually redefine beauty buying habits. But it was not a straight line from a business-school idea to a multi-million dollar annual revenue. Potential investors didn’t get it. Makeup purveyors didn’t see the vision. And customers had to be found. Katia tells Alic...

When a santera declared that it was time for Yvonne and Yvette Rodriguez to work together, the twin sisters didn’t flinch. Today, they’re shaking up the cigar industry with their Miami-based brand, Tres Lindas Cubanas. With charisma and humor, the sisters tell Alicia about launching their business with only $500, harnessing the power of their Afro-Cuban roots in the cigar market, and why they're d...

At work, strong women are thought of as unlikeable. Warm women are rarely seen as leaders. Alicia takes a deep dive into these frustrating realities in her new book, “The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed As You Are.” Our executive producer, Juleyka Lantigua-Williams, joins her to look at the effects of internalizing these demands, the cultural challenges Latinas navigate, and how, t...

After decades of keeping her psychic abilities hidden from her family and friends, Zulema Arroyo Farley found herself unable to deny that she could communicate with the spirit world. The decision to be public about it came with much criticism and pushback, but she knew to be her complete self she needed to not just accept this part of her, but share it with others. In this fascinating episode, she...

Fresh out of college, Jennifer Mercedes was offered the opportunity to produce and host her own baseball video series. She snatched it, and La Chica Deportes was born. Nine years in, she’s done it all: secured sponsorships, interviewed baseball greats, and brought fans closer to the athletes they love on and off the field. Here, she talks about what it’s like to be “the only woman on the field or...

On October 24, Feeling My Flo — the reported podcast where menstruation is an event that happens to all types of bodies — is back with a brand new season all about periods and the people who experience them. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cristela Alonzo knows about starting at square one — and then doing it again and again. In the second part of our interview, she talks to Alicia about facing her make-or-break moment, how she “had to go live a life to have things to talk about,” and why she’s back with her new tour, "My Affordable Care Act.” She writes about it all in her new memoir, Music to My Years. Follow Cristela on Twitter a...