Hella Latin@

A Path of Least Resistance

Reyna Noriega is a Miami-based Black and Afro-Latina visual artist, author, and educator. In 2019, she published a collection of poems entitled In Bloom where she offers us a window into her life. Her work is devoted to uplifting women so they can heal and find happiness, while also recognizing themselves, feeling represented and empowered. In this episode, Reyna Noriega talks about her journey to becoming the artist she is today and opens up about her Bahamian and Cuban upbringing. Our conversation is all about the power of manifesting, pursuing passions, staying true to who you are and choosing a path of least resistance. 

Follow Reyna at @reynanoriega_ on IG, @reynasnoriega on Twitter and connect with her on LinkedIn. For more updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Con Sangre Emprendedora

In this episode, Roxanna Sarmiento reminds us that both entrepreneurship and creativity are deeply engrained Latinidad and immigrant culture. And tapping into that power is a gamechanger. Our conversation was so insightful and beautiful. Roxanna talks about her bicultural American identity, and her deep Dominican and Colombian roots. From growing up in Santo Domingo and Miami to eventually becoming Partner and COO of #WeAllGrow Latina —she spills all the chisme! Follow Roxanna on Twitter and IG at @helloroxsar and connect with her on LinkedIn. For more updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Twists, Turns y Pura Risa

In this episode, I chat with Joshua Encarnacion, a 1.5 generation Dominican-American currently serving as the CEO of Outco and helping people grow into their full potential. Born in Manhatten, NY and raised in Lawrence & Springfield, MA, Joshua had to work through a lot of adversity. But despite all the twists and turns, he has nothing but love for his folks and the people he's met along his journey of growth—which consists of sports, math, reading, perreo, bachata, y Cafe Bustelo! Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn and visit www.outco.io. For more updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Depression and Machismo Culture

 Alcohol abuse, machismo culture, lack of mental health awareness—just a couple of things our community battles every day. In this episode, Alex Magaña vulnerably opens up about his experience with depression in a culture where men don't typically express their feelings. In the first half of the episode, I'm in the listener seat with you while Alex shares every moment that collectively led him to a life-changing situation. Connect with Alex on Instagram @alexelguerito and find him on LinkedIn. For more updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Guyana Meets Honduras

In this episode, I chat with Gabriela Gonzalez, a multi-racial Latina American who opens up about her Honduran and Guyanese roots. She also schools us on all things Guyana—it's history and Caribbean culture. Together, we unpack her experience navigating two Latino identities while embracing what American means to her. This episode is the perfect reminder that Latinidad is both beautiful and hella diverse. Connect with Gabriela on Instagram @thekaleidoscopedome and find her on LinkedIn. Special shoutout to @casita_candles! Go support this Latina/Salvadorian-owned small business in San Diego. For more updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Vida Undocumented

In this episode, I chat with the one and only, Ariadna Manzo. She opens up about her life as an undocumented Chicana and all the barriers she had to overcome to get to where she is now. This jefa tells her story in the most beautiful, vulnerable and raw way. And it's an experience so many people in our community can relate to. For those who want to learn more about the undocumented experience or those who are undocumented but never opened up about it, this episode is for you. Connect with Ariadna on Instagram @AriadnaManzo. For more updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

La Latinista

In this episode, I have a cafecito date with La OG Latinista, Yai Vargas. This Dominican woman es increíble. She is a career and diversity strategist and the founder of The Latinista, a national network for Latinas and women of color invested in professional development. In our conversation, Yai covers a lot of important topics so pon atención. She also talks about her Dominican roots, her childhood in New York, and how she became the entrepreneur she is now. Connect with Yai and follow The Latinista on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. And for more updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Overcoming First-Gen Struggles

In this episode, I chat with my friend, Emilie Rodriguez aka EMZ. Our conversation is so special because we cover a topic most Latin@s don’t talk about—mental health. Together in this episode, we unpack our San Diego upbringing, our first-gen struggles, and how we're healing through self-care. Emilie vulnerably talks about her own experience with anxiety and how her Mexican-Filipino family navigated through their own trauma. This powerful womxn is on a mission to destigmatize conversations around mental health. She's currently launching a new IG page dedicated to affirmations and mental health resources. Follow Emilie @djemz_ on Instagram and @ems_ on Twitter for more details. And for updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Afro-Colombiana and Proud

In this episode, I chat with an Afro-Colombiana badass, Catalina Peña. She is the founder of Catalyst Creation, a professional development firm that aims to change and decode the hiring ecosystem. Catalina and I had the most real and authentic conversation about... well, everything. Together we unpacked the realities of being a Latina-American and the complexities in our community. She openly shared her Afro-Latina experience and her journey from Colombia to the United States. Trust me, you’ll want to be her mejor amiga after this. Follow Catalina @curiouscata and @catalystcreation. For more updates on Hella Latin@ episodes, follow me @OdalysJasmine on Twitter, @ohjaaaasmine on Instagram, and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Hola, soy Odalys Jasmine