In this episode of the "Living in Mexico" series, I sit down with my husband to have an honest conversation about why so many people are fleeing to Mexico in 2025. We talk about being part of a massive wave of reverse migration, what it means to be children of immigrants returning to the motherland, and why the timing couldn't feel more right (or necessary).

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode142

What You'll Hear:

• Where we fit as second-generation Mexican Americans in this reverse migration movement
• Our honest take on being dual citizens and how we're different from expats
• How the current US political climate is pushing our community out, and why fleeing to safety doesn't make us any less American

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Masterclass: "How to Get Your Mexican Dual Citizenship" - Thursday, November 13th at 7:00 PM CT
• Cost of living comparison tool
• Listen to our previous 'Living in Mexico' series episodes

REGISTER FOR MY FREE MASTERCLASS on how to get dual citizenship in México! 🇲🇽

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the "Living in Mexico" series, I'm sitting down with my husband to tackle one of the most controversial topics we've faced since moving to México: gentrification.

As second-generation Mexican Americans living in León, Guanajuato, we're getting real about whether we're part of the problem, what gentrification actually means, and how our experience differs from what's happening in other places across Mexico. This conversation isn't easy, but it's one we need to have.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode141

What You'll Hear

• The definition of gentrification and whether we actually fit it
• Our Chicago roots and how witnessing gentrification shaped our perspective
• The generational wealth gap we've noticed and what it means for our family's story

Resources Mentioned

• Last week's episode on finding long-term housing in Mexico
• Upcoming FREE live masterclass on Getting Dual Citizenship in Mexico

REGISTER FOR MY FREE MASTERCLASS on how to get dual citizenship in México! 🇲🇽

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the "Living in Mexico" series, I'm sitting down with my husband to walk you through our entire housing journey here in León, Guanajuato. I'm answering one of your most-asked questions: How do you actually find a place to live in Mexico? Spoiler alert: it's not as simple as browsing Zillow!

I'm sharing all the things I wish someone had told us before we started house hunting. If you're thinking about making the move to Mexico or you're just curious about what expat life really looks like, this episode is packed with practical advice and hard-earned lessons.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode140

What You'll Hear

• Why we chose León and how we fell in love with this city during what was supposed to be just a vacation
• The reality of renting in Mexico
• How we actually found our house, what made us say yes to this property, and why location became our top priority
• Our landlord struggles and the maintenance issues we're dealing with

Resources Mentioned

• Inmobiliario websites for finding legitimate rental listings in Mexico: Lamudi, Inmuebles24, Trovit, Vivanuncios
• Facebook groups for housing in León (link available upon request)

REGISTER FOR MY FREE MASTERCLASS on how to get dual citizenship in México! 🇲🇽

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, we welcome Jannese Torres, host of the Yo Quiero Dinero Podcast and author of Financially Lit, and we got REAL about motherhood, money, and breaking generational cycles.

For years, Jannese believed that motherhood was incompatible with financial freedom, watching her own mother sacrifice everything. Now, as a new mami, she's completely rewriting what it means to be a Latina mother while building generational wealth for her daughter.

This conversation is for every mamá who's tired of giving from an empty cup and ready to model abundance instead of sacrifice.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode139

What You'll Hear:

• Why Jannese believed for years that having kids meant giving up financial freedom
• How her daughter already has a five-figure net worth
• The truth about why motherhood feels so overwhelming in America
• How to set boundaries as a Latina mom even when it pisses off your family
• The difference between raising hard workers vs. wealth builders, and why ownership is where real power comes from

Resources Mentioned:

• Financially Lit by Jannese Torres (available in English and Spanish as Yo Quiero Dinero)
• Listen to my interview on the Yo Quiero Dinero Podcast!

Connect with Jannese Torres:

• Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X
• Podcast: Yo Quiero Dinero (available on all podcast platforms and YouTube)
• Website: yoquierodineropodcast.com

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I had the most vulnerable and empowering conversation with Xochitl Carmona, founder of Werk Mija and host of the Werk Mija podcast. As a fellow Latina entrepreneur and now mami, Xochitl opened up about her "dramatica" entrance into motherhood, her NICU experience, and how she's intentionally redefining what it means to be a Latina mother while running a successful business. This conversation touched my heart because it reminded me why we need to keep sharing our stories - especially the ones our cultura has taught us to keep quiet about.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode138

What You'll Hear:

• How Xochitl transitioned from solo entrepreneur to intentional mama business owner and the mindset shifts that came with new priorities
• Her raw and honest birth story - from a healthy pregnancy to an emergency C-section due to HELLP Syndrome and 48 days in the NICU
• Why she decided to break the cultural silence around traumatic birth experiences and how vulnerability became her strength
• The challenges of being a NICU mama and how she's advocating for other families going through similar experiences
• Her approach to redefining motherhood by leading with intention rather than following outdated expectations

Resources Mentioned:

• Viva la Mami guest episodes featuring Latina moms sharing unexpected childbirth stories:
  • Episode 4: A Loss Mami with Valeria Castillo
  • Episode 9: A NICU Mami with Gisela Rodriguez
  • Episode 38: How a Bereaved Mami's Profession Became Her Passion with Anna Calix

Ways to Follow Xochitl:

• Werk Mija website: werkmija.com
• Follow @werkmija on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
• Listen to the Werk Mija podcast
• Shop Werk Mija products!

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the "Living in Mexico" series, I'm joined by my husband Alex as we reflect on our first month living in Mexico.

We discuss the unexpected challenges and surprises we've encountered during the first month of living abroad as second-generation Mexican Americans. Plus, we unpack five key surprises that have reshaped our perspective on life in Mexico.

Join us as we navigate this new chapter and offer insights for anyone considering a big move abroad.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode137

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why healthcare in Mexico completely shocked us (in the best way possible)
• The truth about Mexican private schools and why I've never felt more comfortable dropping my kids off
• How Mexico is both cheaper AND more expensive than we expected
• The work-life balance revelation that's changing how I think about integrating family and career
• Moments when we feel like complete outsiders, despite being fluent Spanish speakers and looking like we belong

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I felt an overwhelming urge to break from my regular programming and speak directly to my Latina mama community about what's happening right now. Even though my family and I moved to Mexico over a month ago, my heart is still very much with our people in the United States. This completely unscripted episode comes straight from my heart as I process the Supreme Court's recent ruling that essentially gives ICE agents the green light to racially profile Latinos.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode136

What you'll hear:

• Why the recent Supreme Court ruling on ICE discrimination feels so personal to me as a Latina mother
• The real reason the U.S. government feels threatened by our growing Latino population and economic power
• My passionate plea to continue raising bilingual, culturally proud children despite the current climate
• How our community's spending power makes us the equivalent of a top-five world economy
• A call to action for all Latina mamas - those with privilege and those without - to stand together

Resources Mentioned:

• Know Your Rights information
  • Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE (English PDF) / Conozca Sus Derechos: Si Se Encuentra Con ICE (PDF en español), National Immigrant Justice Center
  • Red Cards/Tarjetas Rojas, Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• Rapid Response Hotlines to Report ICE Activities, Latinx Therapy
• The Supreme Court Decision on ICE and Racial Profiling, Explained; The New York Times

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I sat down with Beatriz Rivera-Cruz, a former Spanish teacher turned entrepreneur who quit her job to start her own Spanish immersion daycare when she couldn't find what her family needed. As a Puerto Rican mami married to a non-Spanish speaker, Beatriz shares the real struggles of preserving her language and culture, and why perfectionism almost derailed her entire journey.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode135

What You'll Hear:

• Why immigrant mothers carry an invisible burden that monolingual moms don't face
• How perfectionism and judgment kept her from supporting other bilingual families
• The moment her son's relationship with Spanish completely changed through community
• Why "good enough" bilingual parenting is actually extraordinary
• Practical ways to start your bilingual journey without moving mountains

Ways to Follow Beatriz:

• Charla Collective: www.charlacollective.com
• Follow on Instagram and Facebook
• Email: beatriz@charlacollective.com

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
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Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠