What do parasailing, cassette tapes, and Anne Hathaway have in common? Christy’s mental health journey. In this spicy origin story episode, Melisa interviews Christy with questions about childhood, coping, and coming home to herself — Scorpio-style. We uncover childhood memories, early signs of anxiety, coping mechanisms (including a VERY creative one), and the moment she realized, "Oh, this is deeper than just stress."

Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey or just need some safe, soulful girl talk — this episode is full of honesty, humor, healing, and hella spicy brain vibes. Expect laughter, tenderness, and zero small talk.

A must-listen if you’re healing from anxiety, curious about therapy, or just want a mental health podcast that feels like a deep convo with your smartest, funniest friend.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimers

01:04 Origin Episode: Christy's Story Begins

03:41 Deep Dive: Childhood Memories and Coping Mechanisms

33:48 Societal Programming and Personal Struggles

34:55 Journey into Mental Health Awareness

48:13 Embracing Vulnerability and Evolution

Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com

Also follow us on Instagram : (https://www.instagram.com/mybrainestaspicy)

Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!

• Gin Gin Chews
• Loop Earplugs
• Avulux Migraine Glasses
• LMNT Electrolytes
• Buoy

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.

Distributed by Genuina Media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Flowers for Pedro Pascal: Our Anti-Machismo Icon

🌶️ Episode Summary:
This week, we're trading in rage (mostly) for reverence—and handing out metaphorical flowers to our Lord and Savior Pedro Pascal.

From his tender masculinity to his vocal allyship, Pedro represents something we don't see enough of: a man who is deeply safe to be around. In this episode, we explore why so many women—and plenty of men—feel seen, affirmed, and emotionally unlocked by his presence.

We dig into the cultural weight of machismo, what soft masculinity can actually look like, and why representation like this hits so damn deep. Also: thirsting with respect, Pedro’s sisterly support, and how emotional intelligence can (and should) be sexy.

💐 Whether you’re here to celebrate softness, rage at toxic masculinity, or just crush a little, this one’s for you.

🎙️ Listener Love Notes:
Tag us while you listen (@mybrainestaspicy on Instagram)! Share your Pedro hot takes, your softness wins, or the things you’re unlearning in your relationships. We’re here for the nuance and the fanfare.

Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.

Distributed by Genuina Media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re back — and we’re not easing in.

In the Season 2 premiere of My Brain Está Spicy, Melisa and Christy speak openly, urgently, and unfiltered about the state of things: the unraveling of democracy, the rage of watching history repeat itself, and the heartbreak of silence from those who should know better.

This episode is about immigration, fascism, human decency, and how we find our voices again when everything feels unsafe. It’s not cute. It’s not polished. It’s exactly what needed to be said.

If you’ve felt grief, rage, fear, or that pit in your stomach watching the news — this one’s for you.

“Silence and complacency does not disqualify you from feeding into the system. Because your silence is exactly what they want.” — Melisa

Information links for this episode:

- Trevor Noah: What Now Podcast

- Stacey Abram on 10 Steps to Autocracy MSNBC

- Mehdi 'I don't debate fascists' - Jubiliee Excerpt

- First They Came – by Pastor Martin Niemöller

Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com

Also follow us on Instagram : (https://www.instagram.com/mybrainestaspicy)

Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.

Distributed by Genuina Media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it really mean to have a “support village”? In this episode, Melisa and Christy crack open the messy, magical, and sometimes painful truth about building (and losing) your people.

From childhood church groups to friendship breakups over politics and personal growth, they reflect on:

Why friendship doesn’t need to check every box

The myth of the “one perfect best friend”

How cultural identity and religion shape our ideas of support

When support turns into silence—and how to grieve that

The surprise people who show up when you least expect it

Whether your village is one person or a whole squad, this episode will remind you: support doesn't have to be big to be powerful. And yes, your version of community is valid—even if it doesn’t look like a group chat that’s texting 24/7.

Information Links for Today's Show:

• Mel Robbins Instagram post
• TheSkimm Instagram post highlighting excerpt from Amy Poehler's - Good Hang podcast episode with Katharyn Hahn
• Netflix's - Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones

Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com

Also follow us on Instagram

Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!

• • Traditional Medicinal Tea - Throat Coat
  • Gin Gin Chews
  • Loop Earplugs
  • Avulux Migraine Glasses
  • LMNT Electrolytes
  • Buoy

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.

Distributed by Genuina Media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this fiery episode of My Brain Está Spicy, Melisa and Christy dive into the concept of sacred feminine rage—the often misunderstood and suppressed emotion that holds immense power when channeled correctly.

They explore how anger is not just an emotion to suppress, but a life force that can fuel personal growth, healing, and empowerment. Both Melisa and Christy share their personal experiences with rage, how they’ve learned to embrace it, and how this emotion has been tied to their cultural and generational histories. From the pressure women face to always “stay calm” to how women and men aren't always afforded the safe space or approval to experience rage, this episode challenges the idea that rage is inherently negative.

Tune in as they discuss how sacred rage can be channeled into something transformative, helping us stand up for ourselves, honor our boundaries, and reclaim our power.

Information Links for Today's Show:

• Sacred Rage - A reclamation of life force - @stephanienosco Instagram
• What is Chi?
• The Functions of Female Rage
• Self-Silencing is Making Women Sick

Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com

Also follow us on Instagram

Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!

• • Avulux Migraine Glasses
  • Traditional Medicinal Tea - Throat Coat
  • Gin Gin Chews
  • Loop Earplugs
  • LMNT Electrolytes
  • Buoy

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.

Distributed by Genuina Media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this week’s episode of My Brain Está Spicy, Melisa and Christy talk about how imposter syndrome shows up in their lives and how it impacts their mental health and well-being. Whether it’s questioning their abilities in their careers, feeling like they're not Latina enough, or doubting their worth, the feeling of not being enough is something we've all struggled with at some point in our lives.

The episode touches on the societal pressures that fuel these feelings, especially for BIPOC women, and how the pressure to be “perfect” can create burnout and frustration. Their conversation is all about acknowledging those feelings without letting them define us. It’s a reminder to cut ourselves some slack, embrace progress over perfection, and stop letting imposter syndrome steal our peace.

Join the conversation about how we’re fighting back against imposter syndrome, one step at a time.

Information Links for Today's Show:

• Is Impostor Syndrome Holding You Back From Living Your Best Life? by Arlin Cunic, MA
• It’s Time to Reconceptualize What “Imposter Syndrome” Means for People of Color - by Kevin Cokley
• Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome - by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey

Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com

Also follow us on Instagram

Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!

• • Traditional Medicinal Tea - Throat Coat
  • Gin Gin Chews
  • Loop Earplugs
  • Avulux Migraine Glasses
  • LMNT Electrolytes
  • Buoy

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.

Distributed by Genuina Media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this heartfelt episode of My Brain Está Spicy, Melisa and Christy dive into the powerful theme of self-reflection, identity, and body image. 🌸✨

They explore how cultural expectations, family dynamics, and personal experiences shape the way we view ourselves at different stages in life. The conversation touches on:

The struggles of loving our bodies through the years 💖

Accepting our past versions 🦋 and stopping the blame cycle

Practicing self-compassion and finding peace with ourselves 🌱

Both co-hosts share personal anecdotes from their own journeys, offering a vulnerable space for listeners to reflect on their own growth. Melisa and Christy discuss how sometimes the smallest gestures, like a high-five in the mirror (NAKED), can be a powerful step toward self-love. ✋💕

Tune in for a mix of deep reflection and empowering advice that will leave you feeling pumped and ready to embrace your own journey! 💪🏽

Information Links for Today's Show:

• I have been a thousand different women - by Emory Hall (audio reading)
• Made of Rivers - Poetry book - by Emory Hall
• Mini Inner Child work segment - Nicole Brennan
• Books by Mel Robbins

Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com

Also follow us on Instagram

Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!

• • Traditional Medicinal Tea - Throat Coat
  • Gin Gin Chews
  • Loop Earplugs
  • Avulux Migraine Glasses
  • LMNT Electrolytes
  • Buoy

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.

Distributed by Genuina Media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it actually mean to be “Latina enough”? In this vulnerable and validating episode, Melisa and Christy unpack their own complex journeys navigating bicultural identity, language, and the unspoken rules of Latinidad.

From growing up with varying levels of Spanish, to battling imposter syndrome and cultural expectations, they explore how identity and mental health are deeply intertwined — especially for first-gen Latinas trying to find belonging in every room they're in.

This episode blends reflection, humor, and heart to ask: Who gets to define what being Latina means? And how can we stop shrinking ourselves to fit into someone else’s version of authenticity?

Whether you’ve ever felt like you’re not “Latina enough,” not American enough, or just too much, Melisa and Christy remind us that your identity is yours to own — and that is more than enough.

Information Links for Today's Show:

• Gina Rodriguez To Those Saying She's 'Not Latina Enough' - HuffPost Live Online
• The Cuban Exception: How Colonialism, Capitalism, and White Supremacy Manufactured Cuban American Conservatism - by Christian Ortiz
• You are the love your life - Viola Davis (excerpt from Chaplin Award acceptance speech)

Have a hack you want to share, want to send us some love or have an idea for an episode? Email us at thespicybrainpod@gmail.com

Also follow us on Instagram

Product & Service Links: Some of the links we share may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely love and believe could be helpful. Your support helps keep My Brain Está Spicy running, and we appreciate you!

• • Gin Gin Chews
  • Loop Earplugs
  • Avulux Migraine Glasses
  • LMNT Electrolytes
  • Buoy

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational & entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, or other qualified licensed professionals. For questions about your health, legal, or financial situations, please consult the proper professionals. Listeners should not disregard symptoms or delay in obtaining medical assistance from qualified medical professionals for any conditions they may have.

Distributed by Genuina Media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.