Viva la Mami - Latina Motherhood, Modern Parenting, Latina Well-Being

In this episode, I tackle the challenge of how moms can prioritize ourselves when time is stretched thin. I identify common barriers, such as cultural expectations and internalized guilt, and share five strategies for self-care, including redefining 'me time', learning to say no, delegating tasks, multitasking strategically, and embracing good enough. I emphasize that self-care is necess...

In this episode, we welcome Melissa Llarena, who is a business coach, a mami, and author of Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Stretching Every Mom’s Superpower for Maximum Impact . We discuss the importance of nurturing imagination as mamis, pulling inspiration from our cultural backgrounds and personal experiences. Melissa shares her journey from growing up in a chaotic environment to becoming a p...

This is part 3 of a 3-part interview series from an IRL community pop-up event in Chicago where I had the honor of interviewing mujeres who wanted to share their madrehood stories. In this VLM Spotlight episode, we welcome Kate Macon, who shares the many ups and downs she experienced as a Latina mami. Kate talks about how she overcame a traumatic divorce, finding love again, and blending families....

This is part 2 of a 3-part interview series from an IRL community pop-up event in Chicago where I had the honor of interviewing mujeres who wanted to share their madrehood stories. In this episode, we welcome Sonnet Pacheco, owner of Blooming Bellies. She is a seasoned professional in women's healthcare and shares her journey in creating a welcoming 3D ultrasound studio and boutique. Blooming...

This is part 1 of a 3-part interview series from an IRL community pop-up event in Chicago where I had the honor of interviewing mujeres who wanted to share their madrehood stories. In this episode, we welcome Marisa Ikpoh, president and founder of The Give-n-Receive Inc., who shares her journey of creating a free community pop-up boutique in Chicago. Her organization offers gently used clothing an...

In this episode, we welcome Juliana Shoumbert from La Mami Bilingüe is back to discuss the transition of sending our children to school for the first time, focusing on preschoolers and kindergarteners. Juliana, a former educator and mami of two, shares her personal experiences and top five tips for preparing children emotionally and socially for school. She emphasizes the importance of routines, e...

In this episode, we welcome Erika Milla, creator of Spanish En Casita, an online community for parents striving to raise bilingual children. As a dedicated mom raising bilingual kids, Erika shares how she's preserving Spanish at home. In our conversation, we dive into the mental and emotional struggles of bilingual parenting and the ups and downs of dual immersion programs. Erika also opens u...

Welcome to Season 4, amiga! In this episode, I share Viva la Mami's mission to support modern Latina moms with relatable stories, expert advice, and practical tips. This season, we will mix solo episodes, expert chats, and real talk with fellow Latina moms. Stay tuned every Thursday to feel empowered to redefine your madrehood journey. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and reach out with...

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast! In this episode, I open up about the intense pressure many Latina moms, including myself, feel to maintain a picture-perfect family image, especially in the eyes of our extended familia. I delve into the constant stress of keeping everything immaculate and everyone well-behaved...

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast! In this episode, I tackle the cultural expectations placed on Latina moms to maintain spotless homes, addressing the unrealistic standards of being ‘La Mujer Limpia’. Acknowledging the pressures of motherhood, work, and family life, I promote embracing a more realistic and balan...

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast! In this episode, I dive into the complexities and joys of being a modern Latina mom. It's a role filled with love, cultural pride, and the determination to break cycles for the betterment of our future generations. Yet, it's not without its challenges, including moment...

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast! In this episode, I share the challenges and opportunities of rediscovering personal passions after becoming a mami. Drawing from my own experiences as a modern Latina mom of two, I share how motherhood shifted my priorities away from activities I loved, such as running, reading,...

That's a wrap, amiga! This is the finale episode of Season 3! In this episode, I share the highlights of the season, including the launch of my coaching program Balanced Madrehood . As I take a break to focus on my family, I offer a reminder to balance personal and professional life. We go through many seasons as mamis and it's important to take a break or a pause from something that is...

In this episode, we welcome Yvonne Hernandez, founder of Decide Balance and Host of the Decide Balance Podcast, a 5 - minute bilingual (English & Spanish) meditation podcast. She is also a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher and a Reiki Master who sought and implemented holistic healing after being diagnosed with vitiligo, a condition in which skin loses its pigmentation.  Yvonne discusses the...

In this episode, Crystal Dorado, owner of Verde Holistic Wellness Studio, discusses her mission to reclaim and share ancestral medicine, specifically pre-Hispanic womb healing. Raised in a lineage of traditional healers, Crystal delves into the importance of developing a relationship with the womb and how this ancient practice can support modern motherhood. She provides insights on the benefits of...

In this solo episode, I celebrate my son’s first birthday and share an important personal milestone – our breastfeeding anniversary. I reflect on my experiences breastfeeding my two children, highlighting the challenges and differences I encountered. I discuss the struggles I faced with inadequate support during my first son's breastfeeding journey and the successful strategies I employed the...

In this episode, we are joined by sisters Aidee and Monica San Miguel, founders of VOLVERde, an online marketplace of carefully curated, beautiful, effective, low-waste products for your body and home sourced from a variety of responsible brands. The conversation delves deep into the importance of sustainability, especially within the Latine community. Monica and Aidee share their personal backgro...

In this episode, I have the privilege of sitting down with Brenda Perez Mendoza, a remarkable Latina mom, award-winning dual language teacher, and author. Brenda shares her inspirational journey from a first-generation child of immigrants to a celebrated educator and author, driven by her passion for bilingual education and cultural identity. She discusses the many challenges she encountered due t...

In this special Mother's Day episode, I dive into the lessons I learned from being a mother of one to a mother of two. I share my personal experiences, challenges, and the invaluable lessons I've learned about love, letting go, teamwork, and embracing the chaos that comes with parenting. The episode is a blend of heartfelt advice and real talk aimed at empowering mothers to take care of...

In this episode, I open up about the intense pressure many Latina moms, including myself, feel to maintain a picture-perfect family image, especially in the eyes of our extended familia. I delve into the constant stress of keeping everything immaculate and everyone well-behaved during family gatherings and the toll it takes. I share insights into the root causes of this family performance anxiety...

In this episode, we dive deep into the cultural pressures faced by Latina moms around cooking and maintaining family traditions. I discuss the high expectations to be exceptional cooks, carrying on cherished family recipes, and the guilt and identity issues that arise from not meeting these expectations. I share personal stories of my family's cooking talents and my struggles in the kitchen,...

In this episode, we dive into the world of bilingual parenting with the acclaimed Maritere Rodriguez Bellas behind @latinaboomermom , is an award winning author, bilingual parenting expert/mentor, speaker, writer, and podcast host for parents raising bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural children.  Maritere provides practical advice on creating a family language plan, the importance of starti...

In this episode, I tackle the cultural expectations placed on Latina moms to maintain spotless homes, addressing the unrealistic standards of being ‘La Mujer Limpia’. Acknowledging the pressures of motherhood, work, and family life, I promote embracing a more realistic and balanced approach to household cleanliness.  In this episode you’ll hear: How to ditch the guilt of the "mujer limpia&quo...

DOORS ARE OPEN for Balanced Madrehood, a 3-month coaching program for the modern Latina Mom. Revisit our recent Instagram Live where we explored Balanced Madrehood, a program designed to empower millennial Latina moms to navigate motherhood while honoring their cultural heritage. In this episode, you'll learn: What Balanced Madrehood is and how it can help you achieve your momma goals. The un...

Feeling overwhelmed by all the parenting advice out there? Don't worry, mama! You have the wisdom of your ancestors on your side. In this episode, I discuss how Latina moms can embrace a simpler, more rooted approach to parenting by leveraging the rich traditions of our heritage. I share three significant ways to reclaim traditional mothering practices: trusting our instincts over technology,...