In this powerful episode of Growing Up Spanglish, we sit down with Panamanian-Haitian creative strategist and wellness founder Cristina “Cris” Jerome (@cristinaashly_) for a conversation that bridges culture, burnout, and the radical act of rest.

From her no sabo kid upbringing in Virginia to building community in Miami, launching the beloved RnBae showcase, and now leading the mental health nonprofit Off-Worque, Cristina walks us through what it means to burn out, break down, and still find the strength to heal — for yourself and your family.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to hustle harder, prove your worth, or ignore your body’s cries for rest, this one’s for you.

*This episode contains a discussion of suicidal ideation and mental health struggles beginning around the 35:00 mark. Please take care of yourself while listening, and skip this section if needed. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available: 988lifeline.org or dial 988 for 24/7 support in the U.S.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro + Word of the Day: Entre (Between)

02:00 – Cristina’s background: Panamanian-Haitian & proud no sabo baddie

04:00 – Growing up in Virginia: Little Panama at home, Southern outside

07:00 – Moving to Miami and finally feeling embraced

09:00 – Breaking into Power 96 & the early days of social media

12:00 – From digital marketing to Slip N Slide Records

15:00 – Founding RnBae: a show for R&B artists, not rappers

18:00 – Creating community while building a brand

21:00 – Branding RnBae: flower crowns, drinks, and discipline

23:00 – Artist compensation, ticket links & structure

26:00 – The pandemic hits: Cristina tries to expand to LA

27:00 – Burnout, backlash & pulling the plug on RnBae

30:00 – Jumping industries and chasing everything at full speed

33:00 – “If I kept going like this, I wouldn’t exist.”

35:00 – Early childhood mental health moment (TW: suicidal ideation)

39:00 – Why rest feels wrong in Black & Brown homes

41:00 – Founding Off-Worque: rest as resistance, PTO as a tool

43:00 – Creating the Out of Office Fund

45:00 – Do you really want that goal — or did someone assign it to you?

47:00 – Why she quit marketing — and started healing

49:00 – Helping her parents learn to rest, too

51:00 – Cultural pressure: No kids? Not married? You’re “behind”

53:00 – Her first trip to Panama: connecting a missing puzzle piece

55:00 – Healing through land, ancestry & legacy

57:00 – Cookie tin test: certified Panamanian ✅

58:30 – Final reflection: take inventory of your goals — and take one off the list

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple & everywhere you get podcasts

🌐 Learn more or donate to the Out of Office Fund: offworque.com

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