What It’s Like To Be Here

Ep. 16: Community, Culture & the Power of Public Media | Silvia Rivera

In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with my dear friend Silvia Rivera [https://cof.org/person/silvia-rivera] — a leader in public media and a passionate advocate for community storytelling. From our early days working in Chicago media to her impactful work at Vocalo, Silvia has always been dedicated to uplifting voices and creating space for authentic narratives. We talk about her version of Chicago, how radio has shaped her journey, and the vital role public media plays in reflecting and strengthening communities. Silvia also shares insights from her current role at the MacArthur Foundation, where she supports initiatives like Press Forward to help sustain local journalism — including critical efforts to expand Spanish-language news across the country.   Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]

Ep. 15: Life As A Cultural Worker | Pablo Serrano

In this episode, I sit down with Pablo Serrano, Cultural Worker here in the city of Chicago, for a deep conversation about what it's like to be here and how he sees himself and his role within the complex and dynamic society we're living today. Find Pablo on Instagram @PabloSerranoArt [https://www.instagram.com/pabloserranoart/]as well as @KombiChicago.   [https://www.instagram.com/kombichicago/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]

Ep. 14: When Business Meets Community | Jesse Íñiguez

What happens when business becomes a vehicle for community change? In this episode, I sit down with Jesse Íñiguez, founder of Back of the Yards Coffeehouse [https://backoftheyardscoffee.com/], to talk about leadership, entrepreneurship, and what he learned running for Alderman in Chicago. After ten years of building a successful neighborhood coffeehouse, Jesse reflects on influence, responsibility, and the work of uplifting the community that raised him. This is a conversation about purpose, growth, and stepping fully into where you’re meant to be.   Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]! Don’t forget to rate, subscribe, comment and like the podcast!  * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx] * Podcast Page

Ep. 13: Living with Intention | Silvana Casas-Perez

Silvana Casas-Perez joins What It’s Like To Be Here for a grounded, thoughtful conversation about finding your professional path and staying intentional along the way. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Chicago Public Schools, Silvana shares how she arrived at social work, what keeps her rooted in the mental health field, and how motherhood has shaped her approach to care, boundaries, and purpose. We talk about the quiet, ongoing work of aligning values with action — especially in careers centered on supporting others. Silvana also reflects on how her immigrant experience informs her worldview, even when it’s not the defining chapter, and why being clear about priorities matters so much during uncertain and demanding times. This episode is about listening, choosing with care, and doing the work — on purpose.   Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]

Ep. 12: Growing into your calling | Lorena Diaz

In this episode of What It’s Like to Be Here, I sit down with my longtime friend Lorena Diaz — an actor, Executive Director of Teatro Vista, and a familiar face on Chicago Med [https://www.instagram.com/nbconechicago/] for over ten years. We talk about her recent autism diagnosis and how it’s reshaped the way she sees herself and her life. Lorena reflects on what it’s been like to finally have language for parts of her experience that didn’t quite fit before, and how that clarity has helped her grow in both her personal and professional worlds. We also take a walk down memory lane to when we first met at a pub on Halsted Street — back when I interviewed her for a story during my journalism days. From those early improv days to her approach to leadership and collaboration at Teatro Vista, Lorena opens up with honesty and insight about what it means to understand yourself more deeply and show up authentically in your work. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about friendship, identity, creativity, and how our stories continue to unfold in unexpected ways. Follow Lorena [https://www.instagram.com/itslorenadiaz/] and Teatro Vista [https://www.instagram.com/teatrovista]for more.    Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]