Life in Spanglish

Dascha Polanco opens up like never before. She gets real about her journey from growing up in New York City with strong Dominican roots 🇩🇴🗽, to becoming a young mom chasing big dreams all while juggling school and work. Dascha shares how she landed her career-defining role on Orange Is the New Black, and for the first time, she speaks out about being a victim of domestic violence, revealing that she endured abuse even while living life in the spotlight as a TV star. She also reflects on the pain of losing her soulmate, Xtassy, who passed away unexpectedly 🕊️, and the newfound joy of becoming a young grandmother after her daughter welcomed a baby. From working under the legendary Martin Scorsese, acting alongside Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, to now being a globally recognized actress, Dascha opens up about the highs and lows of fame, what keeps her grounded, and her next big chapter launching her career as a full-blown musical artist in 2025 🎤✨ This is an unfiltered conversation about resilience, reinvention, healing, and stepping into your power on your own terms. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In this can't-miss episode, we sit down with South Bronx legend Jimmy Rodriguez — the Puerto Rican visionary behind NYC staples like Jimmy’s Bronx Café, Sofrito, and Don Coqui for a raw and real conversation about hustle, legacy, and staying true to your roots. Jimmy opens up about growing up in the Bronx, dropping out of high school, and hitting the streets with his dad as teen selling lobsters, a grind that would later shape his journey as a restauranteur. He shares how a lack of Latino-owned spots in the city fueled his mission to fill that void and how he secured millions as a young man to build what would become cultural hubs for Latinos in NYC. From legendary nights hosting Celia Cruz, J.Lo, Tito Puentes, Yankees players... to the wild story of why Fidel Castro ended up at his Bronx Cafe (and how Jimmy wound up in Cuba with Castro’s uniform in hand), this episode is packed with surprises. He gets candid about fatherhood, including being estranged from his son with actress Michael Michele. Plus, we touch on his new spot SoBro, his thoughts on Diddy’s public downfall, and why the Yankees have fallen short in showing real love to the Bronx. Jimmy’s far from done and considers himself a forever student of life, of the restaurant game, and of the culture. Tap in for a story of resilience, reinvention, and real Bronx royalty. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In this interview I sit down with Bronx-born actor David Zayas for an intimate conversation that traces his incredible journey from the streets of New York to the big and small screens. Born to Puerto Rican parents, Zayas opens up about his early years in the Bronx, joining the U.S. Air Force, and then serving as an NYPD officer all before he ever stepped foot on a stage. While still on the force and juggling Fatherhood, Zayas began pursuing acting, eventually landing iconic roles in shows like Dexter, OZ, and Gotham. We talk about the importance of staying true to his roots as a Latino actor, his work in theater, and his deep connection to LAByrinth Theater Company, where he helped build a cultural space that’s thrived for over 30 years. He also shares heartfelt stories about being a proud father and grandfather, including how Bad Bunny helped him connect with his granddaughter. Plus, he talks about his marriage to the incredible Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear), and teases what’s next in the Dexter universe. This is more than a career retrospective it’s a love letter to art, culture, family, and staying grounded while dreaming big. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In this powerful and hilarious episode, we sit down with content creator turned TV star Ken Starrrz for a deep dive into his incredible journey from growing up in the Bronx  with a Dominican dad and Colombian mom, to becoming one of the most vibrant voices in digital media today.  Ken opens up about being a loud, creative kid in a traditional Latino household, getting fired from his last 9-to-5 working in the LGBTQ community, and how that moment pushed him headfirst into content creation. He shares the story of how a personal DM from Diddy led to him landing his own show on REVOLT TV, how Nick Cannon slid into his DMs to bring him on Wild ’N Out, and his thoughts on the importance of creating content that reflects the full spectrum of Latino culture—not just West Coast or Mexican perspectives. We also talk about his community work—food drives, back-to-school events, and giving back to those in need—and his acting debut alongside the late Pop Smoke. Ken gets real about the challenges and triumphs of the industry and what’s next as he works to launch his own scripted TV show that will spotlight underrepresented East Coast Latino voices. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In this episode, we sit down with the dynamic Elizabeth Rodriguez: actress, Broadway star, and proud Nuyorican—for a conversation about her journey through some of television and theatre’s most impactful roles. From her breakout as Aleida Diaz on Orange Is the New Black to her polarizing turn as Paz Valdez on Power, Elizabeth opens up about the love, hate, and everything in between that comes with playing complex characters. We also dive into her latest film Allswell in New York, a raw and heartfelt portrayal of sisterhood and struggle, co-starring fellow Latina powerhouses Daphne Rubin-Vega and Liza Colón-Zayas. Elizabeth shares how growing up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side as the daughter of Puerto Rican parents shaped her perspective—and her passion for telling real, rooted stories. Plus, we talk about the growing wave of Latino narratives on stage, including Broadway’s current productions of Buena Vista Social Club and Real Women Have Curves, and why representation isn't just important—it's urgent. This is an unfiltered, inspiring look at identity, resilience, and the magic that happens when Latinas rise together. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.