Episode 11 | The New Trend in College Admissions: Interview with Thomas Caleel

Episode 12 | To Ham or Not to Ham: The Holiday Episode

The holidays can bring out the good, the bad, and sometimes, the ugly. Join us as we talk all things holidays, including what old traditions we are re-living with our children, our thoughts on Santa and American consumerism, gift for our kids, and how growing up in a blended family affected some of us as kids and what that looks like now as adults. Also, there’s a big discussion (debate!) about whether or not ham should be at the holiday dinner table.  The Revolving Fall Sicknesses (1:20) A Ham-less Christmas? (3:25) Bringing Back Hallacas (8:08) Giving the Turkey his time (11:01) A Different Perspective about Thanksgiving (13:05) Fake Trees are in (15:17) Don’t eat Pablo! (19:56) Old & New Traditions (24:14) The Santa Dilemma (29:03) Experiences vs. Stuff (36:15) Holidays with Divorced Parents (46:00) End of Year Reflections (1:03:32)

Episode 11 | The New Trend in College Admissions: Interview with Thomas Caleel

The college admissions process is not what it once was. Accessibility to college has increased, making college admissions more competitive. The old “formula” of good grades and extracurriculars as a fool-proof way of getting into college no longer serves students. So what’s the new wave of college admissions? What’s the secret sauce? We’ve invited Thomas Caleel, former MBA Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, (podcaster and dad!) to break it down for us. Who is Thomas Caleel? (1:24) College admissions is at boiling point (2:43) Why has it become so competitive? (4:45) Crafting a Cohort (7:58) Passion goes a long way (8:57) You don’t need all the bells & whistles (17:12) Is there a secret sauce? (18:38) Success Looks Different for Everyone (22:12) College is More than Curriculum (28:15) First Generation Students (29:07) “AI” is not your authentic voice (34:39) When Adriana used Chat GPT to tell someone off professionally (38:59) Adriana’s college admissions experience (41:40) Admissions looks at the whole picture (43:12) Thoughts on affirmative action being axed (44:40) “Who are you at this point in time?” (49:29) Self-awareness at 17 (50:45) How a famous criminal case helped Amy’s dad pick her career (54:00) Raising an adult (56:30) Is College at 18 reasonable? (58:51) Growth happens outside a college classroom, too (1:04:01) When Thomas feels like he’s winning at parenting (1:13:22)

Episode 10 | Fostering Latinidad in Children. Interview with Dr. Sabrina Mendez.

Cultural identity can be a tricky thing to understand & develop. Luckily, we invited Dr. Sabrina Mendez Escobar, born in the Dominican Republic, to explain how cultural identities develop and what role we can play to help develop that sense of ‘latinidad’ in our children. She received her doctorate with her research in ‘ethnic racial socialization’ and she offers actionable tips and tricks for children of all ages, and discloses if there really is “one way” to do this right.  Who is Dr. Sabrina Mendez Escobar? (0:50) The Biggest ‘Aha!’ Moment (2:55) Miami’s Uniqueness (3:59) Is Latinidad the Default? (7:32) Do we get “watered-down”? (11:13) Becoming More Intentional (14:26) The Subtle Blending (16:45) The Judgment (20:45) ‘Yo No Sabo’ Kids (21:48) Books & Stories (23:40) La musica! (27:34) Is there a “right” way? (31:42) Latinos have their differences (34:02) Some Resources (36:57) The Unspoken (but spoken) Competition (39:56) Pressures of Teaching the Spanish Language (43:18) Socio-Political Traumas of Latina America (52:30) You’re not alone! (59:17)

Episode 9 Pt. 2 | Azúcar & Spice: Navigating Intercultural Relationships

Interracial relationships can be tough on their own – now imagine adding a different generation to the mix? The relationship with your (or your partner’s parents) can become difficult when you set a boundary. So how do you establish limits without crumbling the family dynamic, especially with a generation who does not receive boundaries well? Tune in as the hosts continue their interview with Rocio Garza and dive deep into these topics. Boomers Struggle with Boundaries (2:01) Liberation through Therapy (3:35) Keeping Traditions Alive (11:06) A Not So Jolly Christmas (13:15) When Parents Don’t Like Your New Traditions (17:43) “Pink Eye is Fine!” (18:58) Your Kids Grow Up One Day (21:02) From Coach to Teammate (22:52) Traditions in a Non-Cultural Place (24:25) Teaching Kids Spanish (28:09) You want what you don’t have (31:45) Proving Your Latinism (33:09) I’m a POC? (40:23) All the Boxes (41:00) Diversity in Schools (44:29) Loving their Latin Side (47:45)

Episode 9 | Azúcar & Spice: Navigating Intercultural Relationships. Part 1 Interview with Rocio Garza

Raising a child poses challenges on its own, now imagine raising a child with someone from a completely different culture or a different race than yours. There tends to be a lot more explaining than you might have expected, you may need to paint the picture for your partner about why a certain perspective is important to you, or why you want to pass on cultural traditions down to your child. Join the three hosts, along with Special Guest, Rocio Garza, a proud Latina, and lifestyle content creator who married a “gringo,” as they discuss the joy and challenges of being in an intercultural marriage while raising children who also feel their “latinidad.”  Who is Rocio Garza? (1:23) Rocio Meets her Non-Latino (4:13) Leaving a Big City for a Small Town (5:51) Family Opinions (8:50) So Much Explaining (11:43) Lance did his Homework! (13:40) The Backhanded Comments (15:10) The Confusion about all the Gatherings (18:30) Family Reactions & Side Comments (20:28) The In-Laws (28:26) Unexpected Conversations (39:30) Estranged Relationships (42:15) The Burden of Pride (45:12)