Épisodes

  • Latino Adjacent: Navigating Identity as a Belizean-American with Brianna Adanna Meighan

    Latino Adjacent: Navigating Identity as a Belizean-American with Brianna Adanna Meighan
    Dec 7 2025
    In this powerful episode of Hella Latin@, Odalys Jasmine sits down with Brianna, a first-generation Belizean-American creative from Los Angeles whose work lives at the intersection of art, innovation, culture, and connection. Grounded in her Belizean roots and shaped by her lived experience as the daughter of immigrants, Brianna brings a powerful lens to conversations about identity, belonging, and what it means to grow up “Latino adjacent.” Through honesty and vulnerability, Brianna shares how assimilation, family expectations, language, colorism, and diaspora shape her identity — and how she learned to create her own sense of belonging when none felt clearly defined. The two dive into: The shared first-gen pressure to succeed, assimilate, and honor our parents’ sacrifices What it means to be the youngest child in an immigrant family The responsibility this generation feels: What will you do with what your parents built? The impact of colonialism and tourism on Belizean communities — and the grief and urgency it creates Emotional liberation, authenticity, and unlearning perfectionism This conversation honors the beauty of Belizean culture while spotlighting the universal first-gen journey — identity confusion, quiet resilience, responsibility, community, and the work of embracing every part of yourself. A love letter to anyone growing up between worlds. A reminder that we belong wherever we stand. And a call to carry our culture with pride, protect our homelands, and lead with community at the center. Connect with Brianna on Instagram and keep up with Hella Latin@ episodes, events and experiences here: www.odalysjasmine.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 3 min
  • Beyond Borders: Why These Latinas Created a Space for The Travel Mamis

    Beyond Borders: Why These Latinas Created a Space for The Travel Mamis
    Nov 18 2025
    Odalys Jasmine (Host) sits down with Sandy Correa and Ana Gaona, the founders of Two Peacocks Travel, to explore the themes of empowerment, cultural identity, and the transformative power of travel. They share their experiences as first-generation Latinas, the journey that led to founding their travel company, and the importance of building community among women. In this episode, we dive into: How Sandy and Ana turned their careers in hospital administration into a global travel business. The creation of a safe, supportive space for solo women travelers. How travel fosters self-trust, resilience, and confidence. The importance of reclaiming culture, embracing identity, and redefining traditional roles. Stories from trips to Cuba, Morocco, Peru, and beyond, highlighting experiences that inspire growth and connection. Building sisterhood, community, and sustainability into every travel experience. Whether you’re a first-gen woman dreaming of solo travel, or someone looking to reconnect with culture and adventure, this episode is full of inspiration, practical tips, and heart. ✨ Key Takeaways: Travel is a powerful tool for self-discovery and empowerment. Women supporting women creates lasting community and sisterhood Solo travel can be safe, transformative, and liberating with the right guidance. Embracing your culture and identity enhances every journey. Connect with Two Peacocks Travel! And keep up with Hella Latin@ on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or any other channel you follow us. Subscribe and share! If you’re ready to explore, reclaim, and live fully, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 4 min
  • Live Podcast | For The First Gens and The In-Betweens

    Live Podcast | For The First Gens and The In-Betweens
    Oct 10 2025
    In this episode of Hella Latin@, host Odalys Jasmine sits down live in-studio with author and actor Christopher Rivas, lawyer and content creator Farah Fezz, and DJ and dancer Love Baila for a dynamic conversation on identity, solidarity, and liberation. Together, they unpack what it means to live in the in-between — as first-generation individuals and bodies of culture navigating layered identities and cultural narratives within a western system. How do we reclaim stories through art and community, and build bridges toward collective freedom? We dive into it all. Episode Highlights The beauty and complexity of living “in the in-between” as first-gen individuals How community and solidarity strengthen identity and purpose The importance of art and storytelling in reclaiming narratives Lessons on unlearning misconceptions and embracing collective liberation What it means to build bridges and create space for others Reflections on legacy, presence, and messages to their younger selves This dialogue is a reminder that liberation is not a solo journey but a collective one. It’s about building bridges across cultures, honoring our legacies, and staying present in the moments that define us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 4 min
  • Speaking Reggaeton Spanish: Julian Maldonado on Comedy, Language, and Being Puerto Rican

    Speaking Reggaeton Spanish: Julian Maldonado on Comedy, Language, and Being Puerto Rican
    Oct 2 2025
    Odalys Jasmine sits with Julian Maldonado, a Puerto Rican comedian, actor, and writer from Port Orange, Florida. In 2017, he was announced as a series lead in the upcoming episodic series Deathless. Since then, he has acted in several films funded by the College of Motion Picture Arts at Florida State University. In addition to his acting career, Julian is also a stand-up comedian performing all around the state of Florida and in New York City since 2017. In this week’s episode, Julian joins Hella Latin@ podcast to talk about why he taught himself Spanish as an adult. Spanish is a huge part of our culture, but because of biases and assimilation, not everyone was taught Spanish. But as much as Julian knew he was 100% part of the Latino community, he couldn’t communicate well with his loved ones. So he taught himself, and now it influences his growing career as a stand up comedian. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about his experience and how you can learn Spanish later in life, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 6 min
  • Uncovering Black Latin History with Eileen Ivette

    Uncovering Black Latin History with Eileen Ivette
    Sep 7 2025
    Eileen Ivette is a cultural storyteller and adventure seeker who once spent her days saving travel posts and dreaming of “someday” adventures while working a 9-5 that felt increasingly disconnected from her purpose. Everything shifted in 2019, when she took her first solo trip to Puerto Rico and discovered not just new destinations but also deeper pieces of her identity through the lens of the African diaspora. As the Founder of Black Latin History and an Afro-Latina traveler, Eileen combines her passion for history, culture, and travel to create resources that highlight Black history, events, and businesses across Latin America and the Caribbean—building a community of more than 90,000 travelers and history enthusiasts worldwide. In this week’s episode, Eileen and I talk about her experience as a first-gen, Afro-Colombian living in the US., and we discuss the catalyst behind creating Black Latin History. Keep up with Eileen on her Instagram @eileen_ivette and her website www.eileenivette.com. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 13 min
  • Art as Resistance: Dani Adaliz on Truth, Joy, and Liberation

    Art as Resistance: Dani Adaliz on Truth, Joy, and Liberation
    Aug 26 2025
    Award-winning director, actress, comedian, and writer Dani Adaliz is proof that art can be resistance. From SXSW premieres to viral collaborations with Buzzfeed and Broadway Video, Dani uses humor and honesty to explore identity, liberation, and the human condition. Her directorial debut, Chuchi and Adaliz, premiered at SXSW 2023, won Best Web Series at the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival, and screened at both LALIFF and Stareable Fest NY. As a NALIP Incubator alum, a member of The Alliance of Women Directors, and Film Fatales, Dani continues to push boundaries—now gearing up for her next project, Grocery Grab, set to film in fall 2025. In this episode, Dani and I get real about staying creative in chaotic times, why Palestinian liberation is tied to all of ours, and how art can be both resistance and healing. We talk about making the world better—one story, one laugh, one act of courage at a time. The world may be on fire, but Dani shows us how to keep creating, keep connecting, and keep telling the truth. Keep up with Dani on her website and Instagram @danicoqui. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST, an Afro-Latina-owned boutique podcast production and copywriting studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 22 min
  • A Woman's World part 2: birth control, the phases, and more with Jackie Jaquez

    A Woman's World part 2: birth control, the phases, and more with Jackie Jaquez
    Jul 23 2025
    Jackie Jaquez is back for a part 2! We expand on all things women's bodies, the impact of birth control and menstrual products on our hormones, and a deep dive on each of the phases we cycle through in about 28 days. Jackie is a first-gen Mexicana from LA, a certified menstrual nutritional fitness coach, massage therapist, healthy relationships facilitator at CSU Long Beach, and helps women improve their overall health. Tiffany Leonardo’s 14 years of extensive time in the operating room has fueled her passion for teaching and deepened her understanding of stress and its detrimental impact on the body. In this week’s episode, Tiffany, Jackie and myself have an in-depth conversation on health, wellness, spirituality and more. Listen to this episode for an incredible conversation and take notes because you’re gonna need them! Keep up with Jackie on her TikTok @thewh0remonalclub and Instagram @jackieejaquez. Keep up with Tiffany on her website and Instagram. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST, an Afro-Latina-owned boutique podcast production and copywriting studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 33 min
  • U.S. Latinos are a Sleeping Giant feat. Darlene Lopez

    U.S. Latinos are a Sleeping Giant feat. Darlene Lopez
    Jul 14 2025
    Darlene Lopez helps artists sell out without selling out. As a first-generation Peruvian-American, Darlene’s career goal has been to thrive at the intersection of culture and technology. So what does that look like in this digital age? Latin music. With close to 10 years working in entertainment, Darlene has championed the latest wave of Latin music at tech titans Apple and TikTok. She led the Latin music business for TikTok, successfully advocating for the globalization of Mexican Music with artists like Fuerza Regida, Eslabon Armado, and Peso Pluma. Prior to TikTok, Darlene spent five years at Apple Music overseeing Latin music business partnerships and building out the global strategy for the genre. There, she helped launch Apple’s first artist-led playlist, ¡Dale Play! with Bad Bunny and Drake, as well as project managing Bad Bunny’s Artist of the Year campaign in 2022, among other global campaigns with artists like KAROL G and Rauw Alejandro. Now, Darlene has followed in her parents’ footsteps and started her own small business: a digital marketing agency named Evoke Creative. Here’s where the work really begins: how do we harness the power of live stream shopping for Latin artists to promote their music and sell out their catalog? In this week’s episode, Darlene shares her experience working in the industry and how she eventually was inspired to start her own company. Darlene was sometimes one of the only Latinas in the room advocating for Latin music, but that didn’t stop her from making sure that black and brown artists were represented fairly and accurately. Tune in to hear why representation is so important to her, her family’s immigration story, and why she decided to leave the corporate world to start her own company. Keep up with Darlene on her Instagram @instadar and her website www.evokeculture.com. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com. To learn more about your ad choices visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 14 min