Latina Leadership Podcast

We often think of legacy as something left behind in a dusty will or a bank account after we're gone. But what if your legacy is actually a "compact package" of history and faith passed down through the very phrases your parents whispered in your ear? For many of us, navigating the "first-gen tightrope" means balancing individual success with the deep-seated cultural weight of familismo, the loyalty we feel toward those who sacrificed for us to be in the room. Today, we are joined by Yurisa Garcia, a high school counselor and the founder of the Si Se Puede Scholarship. Yurisa took her father's mantra and turned it into a financial lifeline for students in the Rio Grande Valley, proving that leadership isn't just about climbing the ladder, it's about throwing a rope back down. In this episode, you will learn how to identify your "received gifts," recognize the friction points in your own community, and design a "catalytic intervention" that creates a lasting impact without needing a million-dollar checkbook. Amiga, your legacy isn't waiting for you at the finish line. It's in the "Si se puede" you whisper to yourself today and the door you hold open for the woman coming up behind you. You are already a leader, now go translate that wisdom into action.

Erasing the Map: How to Unlearn Your Deepest Fears with Listener Michelle.  Reframing solo travel, generational fear, and the superpower of unlearning. We all walk around carrying maps we didn't draw. From the moment we are born, we absorb stories about what is safe, what is dangerous, what paths are open to us, and which ones are strictly off-limits. For Latina professionals, especially first-generation trailblazers, these maps are often drawn with heavy borders of caution, scarcity, and inherited fear. You might feel a deep pull to expand your life, your career, or your perspective, but something heavy is holding you back. In this episode, we meet Michelle, a listener who grew up in Colombia in the 90s, believing the world was wildly out of reach. Fast forward 25 years, and she has traveled to 100 countries, 65 of them solo. Michelle is not just a world traveler; she is an expert in the art of dismantling inherited fear. Today, we are talking about the most powerful skill Michelle learned on her journey: unlearning. Whether you are navigating corporate spaces, starting a business, or just trying to exist outside of the stereotypes handed to you, you will learn the exact three-step blueprint for taking off the lenses you were given and seeing your potential with your own eyes. "Travel was not teaching me to discover the world. Travel was teaching me to unlearn it. Unlearning became my true passport." — Michelle Mentioned in this Episode Gabriel Garcia Marquez ("Gabo"): The Nobel Prize-winning Colombian author whose magical realism inspired Michelle's journey. 100 Years of Solitude: The iconic novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Mexico City (Zócalo): The location of Michelle's first solo trip in 2001. Key Takeaways Name the Inherited Map: Acknowledge the beliefs you hold about your potential, career, or the world that feel like givens rather than choices you made. Find Your Counter-Narrative: You just need one crack in the old story. Read a book, listen to a podcast, or talk to someone who successfully lives outside the narrative of fear. Practice the "Tea-by-Tea" Method: Transformation doesn't require a grand leap. Have a coffee with a coworker you don't understand, or try food from a culture you were taught to be wary of. Use Unlearning as a Leadership Strategy: Challenge standard operating procedures and biases in your workplace to create room for real human connection.

The Voices We Carry: Rosanna, Maritere, and Paola on Reclaiming Leadership Hola, amiga. In this special episode, we move beyond standard self-improvement to witness stories of survival, reclamation, and the profound strength of the Latina experience . We feature three powerful video submissions from listeners—Rosanna, Maritere, and Paola—who demonstrate how leadership is often found in the rebuilding of a life after something tried to break it . Persistence as a Form of Leadership Rosanna, a survivor of domestic violence, shares the reality of her seven-year court battle to maintain a relationship with her daughter, Destiny . Her story illustrates that leadership is often the stubborn, daily act of not giving up, redefining strength as the ability to endure sterile courtrooms and supervised visits to keep a family bond alive.  Reframing Cultural Responsibilities as Superpowers Maritere, the founder of Mija Books, discusses her new book Tío Ricky Doesn't Speak English and flips the script on the common Latino experience of being a child translator . She transforms the narrative of translating for family members from a burden or chore into an act of love, linguistic pride, and a unique "superpower" that builds cultural confidence . From Surviving to Post-Traumatic Growth Paola, a relationship coach and insurance agent, opens up about her journey from domestic abuse survivor to helping women move from "anxious to secure" . Her segment highlights the necessity of safe spaces within our community and the profound realization that moving forward requires understanding that there is nothing "wrong" with you—only a need for a safe environment to heal . Mentioned in this Episode - Mija Books: A company creating diverse children's books. - Tío Ricky Doesn't Speak English: A children's book by Maritere. - Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: The song played by Destiny during a supervised visit . - Post-traumatic Growth: The psychological transformation described in Paola's journey . Quote of the Episode "Your voice isn't your weakness — it's your material."

Where does self-improvement meet self-compassion? Following our conversation on the external pressures of building "The Business of Us," this episode turns inward to the quiet pressures we put on ourselves. Host Andrea Diaz shares a listener's powerful story about "romanticizing" daily life and finding joy in the mundane. Instead of another rigid plan for the new year, we discuss the three essential "permission slips" you need to move forward. You will hear about permission to let go of last year's unfinished business, permission to chase a feeling instead of just a milestone, and permission to build through tiny, consistent actions. This is a conversation about replacing the harsh internal critic with a more curious and forgiving guide, so you can build a year that feels sustainable and truly your own.

When you're the first in your family to build a business, the business plan is only half the story. In this episode, host Andrea Diaz shares listener Vanessa's journey from a corporate role to founding a pet photography studio and the community project "Girls Do the Work." Vanessa gets real about the heavier weight of risk she carries as a daughter of immigrants, explaining that failing didn't just feel personal, it would feel like letting my family down. We explore the psychological concepts behind these pressures, like the cumulative stress of economic insecurity and how our drive is deeply tied to family networks, offering a new map for navigating entrepreneurship that honors both your dreams and your foundation.

What does resilience really look like when you're living it? In this episode, we go beyond the motivational posters for an honest look at the everyday grit it takes to move forward. Through intimate listener stories, from navigating corporate spaces to building a creative life, host Andrea Diaz explores the quiet power of finding your people. We'll talk about the science of how our brains handle chronic stress and how we can start to make meaning from our toughest challenges. This is a conversation about the real time toolkit we build, not to simply bounce back, but to build a stronger way through.

This episode dives into the beautiful and complex dance between our cultural roots, family responsibilities, and personal ambitions. Through an extraordinary, real-life story from a listener spanning teenage motherhood, homeownership, higher education, and building an accidental business empire, we explore how the very things that feel like pulls in opposite directions can actually become our greatest source of strength. We'll unpack the social science behind family as a strategic foundation, challenge the myth of "work life balance" with the more powerful concept of a "portfolio of purpose," and offer practical insights on turning daily tensions into sustainable fuel. It's a conversation about building a successful, authentic life not by leaving parts of yourself behind, but by letting your whole story, your cultura, your familia, and your hustle power your unique journey.

In this powerful episode, we explore the evolving landscape of work for Latinas, moving beyond the anxiety around AI and automation to uncover a path of profound opportunity and agency. Weaving together an incredible listener story of heritage, resilience, and community building with insightful research on technology's impact, we discuss how to leverage our unique cultural strengths our bilingualism, emotional intelligence, and deep community ties to not just adapt to the future, but to actively design it. This conversation offers a practical and empowering blueprint for turning challenges into leverage, using new tools with intention, and building a career and life rooted in authentic purpose and collective power. Tune in for a dose of clarity, strategy, and inspiration to claim your space in the new world of work.

We're rewriting the confidence playbook together this week, exploring how confidence for Latinas isn't about being the loudest voice, it's rooted in the quiet strength we inherit, the resilience we've earned, and the community we build. Through three powerful listener stories from incredible survival and rebirth, to bridge-building leadership, to authentic storytelling, we break down what it really means to own your space at work, in leadership, and in media. This episode is packed with real talk and practical takeaways to help you advocate for yourself, speak your truth, and show up unapologetically as who you are. Tune in and discover how your story is the foundation of your most authentic confidence.

Season 12 is here, amiga, and we're kicking things off with a powerful episode. Your co-host, Andrea Diaz, is taking the mic to dive into the heart of this season's theme: your story. You've already started sharing your incredible journeys with us, esas historias of resilience, growth, and triumph, and in this episode, Andrea explains why this act of storytelling is so revolutionary. She explores how our shared narratives are the bedrock of Latina leadership, how they dismantle isolation, build comunidad, and fuel our collective rise. We'll talk about finding your voice, claiming the power of your heritage, and why one story can inspire hundreds. This is more than a podcast episode; it's an invitation to see your experience as the leadership blueprint it truly is.

Hola Amigas! On today's episode, the LLP traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to attend the Mom 2.0 Summit. Mom 2.0 is a gathering of influencers and leaders who make content online about a number of topics, creating a very educational and diverse gathering of women! Anjelica got the chance to sit down with 10 amazing women at the Mom 2.0 Summit, each of them specializing in different fields such as, affiliate marketing, fertility, marriage and family therapy, and a whole lot more. Tune in to hear these women share their different experiences and perspectives on motherhood, life, culture, career, and more!

Hola Amigas! On today's episode, Anjelica is joined with twice the fun, Rosibel Madera Vialet and Jatnna Abreu, the 2 co-hosts of the Dos Bold Latinas podcast. Similar to our mission here at the LLP, Dos Bold Latinas provides a safe space for Latinas everywhere to have conversations about life, culture, and being a woman. Tune in to hear more about Rosibel and Jatnna's early lives in the Dominican Republic, and how they use their work to not only uplift Latinas around the globe, but uplift themselves as well. The dynamic duo becomes a dynamic trio on today's episode. Listen to Anjelica, Rosibel, and Jatnna become the Tres Bold Latinas!

Hola Amigas! On today's episode, Anjelica sits down with Barbara Holguin, the owner of the Discovery Alcohol and Drug education program. After noticing a lack of accommodations for Spanish-speaking people in the courtroom, Barbara decided that something needed to be done. Barbara has trained many bilingual Latina instructors and counselors, helping to empower women in her niche field of work, as well as helping to meet the demand of Spanish-speakers who are seeking their services. Listen to Anjelica and Barbara discuss what started it all, and how Latinas are often overlooked in niche fields such as this one. If you or a loved one are struggling with Alcohol or Drug addiction, Discovery has expanded their services to accommodate those looking to conquer their struggles with substance abuse. It's never too late to make a difference, whether it be for you, or for someone like you!

Hola Amigas! Joining Anjelica on the podcast today is Melissa Toledo, an entrepreneur who recently launched her consulting business in January 2024. Melissa uses her 8+ years of experience in SaaS sales to help post-seed SaaS start-ups develop and implement go-to-market strategies. Anjelica and Melissa discuss what it's like being a career-driven mother, authenticity in the workplace, and the importance of building relationships with others to help further your career. Tune in to listen to Melissa share some of her own sales tips and tactics with the audience, and learn more about her life as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant. Making Melissa proud to be 100% Mexican and 100% American!   

Hola amigas! On today's episode, Anjelica sits down with El Salvador artist Geraldina Interiano Wise to discuss matters of art, women's autonomy, and life in El Salvador. Geraldina shares her experience as a woman in artistry, and how it has served as a means of empowerment for her and women alike. Tune in to hear Geraldina and Anjelica further the conversation surrounding women's rights and being a woman in general. We are all queens!

Hola Amigas! Today we'd like to introduce you to another new face and co-host here on the Latina Leadership Podcast team, Susie Barrera! Anjelica and Susie sit down to have a conversation about mental health and wellness while putting emphasis on the importance of acknowledging our own pain. Asking for help can often be daunting, but we can't expect ourselves to do it all on our own. Listen to them reiterate the importance of having these conversations, and what we can do to de-stigmatize the topic of mental health within the Latino community. So, tune in to hear them share what works for them during times of need, it may just work for you too!

Hola amigas! We'd like to introduce you to another one of our co-hosts this season, Olga Rodriguez! Olga started as a viewer of the LLP just like you, and when the opportunity presented itself, she knew she had something to offer. Not just for the podcast, but for every Latina our podcast graces. Get to know more about Olga in today's episode as she sits down with Anjelica to discuss matters of higher education, being the boss of your own life, and more. We don't want to spoil it for you, so tune in to get to know more about their conversation, and Olga herself! 

Hola amigas! We'd like to welcome you to our new series here on the Latina Leadership Podcast, Las Patronas! To put it in layman's terms, come meet a couple of girl-bosses! Sit down with Anjelica and Sofia today as they have an off the cuff conversation about culture, flying, being a parent, and much more. Tune in to meet two of our co-hosts as they share their personal stories, fears, and many laughs. 

Newsflash! Our podcast founder, Anjelica Cazares, sits down with Liz Alarcón, the founder and executive director of Project Pulso, a media outlet that shares history, culture, and commentary for and by Latinos. Liz's story began when she noticed the considerable lack of Latino representation in mainstream media. She realized that Latinos needed a place to let their stories be heard, and created Project Pulso to give Latinos a platform to do just that. Not only does Project Pulso elevate Latinos, but they also use their platform to promote other marginalized communities. It is important to Project Pulso, (and us here at the LLP) that oppressed voices do not remain silenced. When minority groups band together in support of one another, we become a greater force that can accomplish many things. Tune in to hear more about the roots of Project Pulso, and check out their page where every post is a celebration of the past, present, and future of Latino heritage and lifestyle. To learn more, visit us at latinaleadershippodcast.com

Dr. Laura Murillo takes the term "girl-boss" to a whole new level. Not only is she the founding President/CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, she is also the founding executive producer and host of six radio stations, four TV stations, the author of the international best selling book, Lead in Life, previously the highest ranked Latina at Memorial Hermann in the Texas medical center, and so much more (if you can believe it!). Dr. Murillo has accomplished many great things that put Latina professionals at the forefront of the conversation. She has created history for her fellow Latinas by breaking the systemic barriers that prevent minorities from occupying high power positions. Host, Anjelica Cazares, sits down with Dr. Murillo to discuss her amazing career, and how she uses her success to give back to her communities and help others tap into their potential to become successful leaders themselves. To learn more, visit us at latinaleadershippodcast.com