Between La Virgen & The Vision Board

Delaying the Dream

nothing is exactly as it seems, nor is it otherwise. In this episode of LláMame Anything, I share why I chose to defer my PhD for a year—not as a setback, but as a strategy. From protecting my mental health, to expanding professional opportunities in Miami, to negotiating funding and exploring programs that actually fit my vision, I explain why timing matters more than titles. This is a survival guide for anyone who feels pressured to rush into milestones just to keep up. I’ll take you inside my process of applying to new programs, negotiating with institutions, and reframing a “delay” as an investment in alignment. Because success isn’t about moving the fastest—it’s about moving with intention. And whether you’re pursuing academia, entrepreneurship, or just trying to figure out your next step, I want my nieces, nephews (and you) to know: you’re allowed to take the long game. 🎧 Tune in for real talk on ambition, alignment, and why delaying the dream might actually bring you closer to it.

AI isn’t replacing you; it’s just exposing who was faking it.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I actually use AI in my work—not just to write captions or brainstorm ideas, but to plan wellness markets, pitch brand campaigns, and build real-life community experiences that convert.   AI helps me move faster, but it doesn’t replace the strategy, intuition, or creativity I bring to the table. I’m sharing the tools, prompts, and boundaries I use in real time—plus my honest take on what brands actually need right now: less panic, more leadership.   If you’re building a brand, hosting events, or just trying to stay ahead without losing your voice—this episode is for you.   📩 Want to work smarter with AI and keep your marketing soul? Let’s build.

Stop Hiring Influencers: The Business Case for Presence

Hiring influencers isn’t working—and in this episode, I’ll tell you why. Welcome to Llámame Anything, a podcast where presence meets power, and branding meets neuroscience. In this episode, “Stop Hiring Influencers: The Business Case for Presence,” I make the case for why brands, hospitality groups, and experience-based companies need to stop chasing aesthetics—and start investing in the people who build emotional trust in real time. I explore: 🔍 What people actually remember from your event (spoiler: it’s not the signage) 🧠 The neuroscience of somatic memory and how it drives loyalty 💡 The psychology of presence and perception in social spaces 🤝 The real ROI of community hosts, cultural connectors, and presence architects 💼 And how to rethink your brand strategy with the human nervous system in mind As a presence researcher, future PhD, and cultural strategist, I’ve studied these systems—from virtual reality to real-life venues. And I’ve lived them too. This episode blends theory, lived experience, and strategy you can actually use.   👇 Listen if you are: – A brand strategist or marketer building emotional connection – A venue operator or hospitality group seeking long-term impact – A creative, host, or curator tired of not being credited for your value – A culture-forward thinker who knows vibes ≠ presence   🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts: 👉 http://vfo.podbean.com 🔗 Subscribe for biweekly episodes on identity, power, and the business of being seen.   #llamameanything #influencermarketing #brandingstrategy #emotionalmarketing #presencepsychology #somaticmemory #brandtrust #culturalstrategy #hospitalitybranding #neuroscienceoftrust #vanessafrancescaortega

Between La Virgen & The Vision Board

I wasn’t spiraling. I was buffering. Burnout didn’t look like crying—it looked like me saying yes, posting through the pain, and letting men offer “business opportunities” that turned into massage requests. This episode is about: – What burnout really does to your brain – Why scent heals what words can’t – How @canaliving_’s Manifesting Candle reminded me softness is sacred – And why you should never flatten yourself to be understood⁠ I was raised Catholic. But this candle didn’t make me feel guilty—it made me feel whole. 🎧 Listen now on Llámame Anything For anyone who’s been told they’re too much—you’re just too powerful to reduce. ⁠   #llamameanything #burnoutrecovery #bilingualpodcast #softnessissexy #catholicguilt #manifestingcandle #latinaacademic #neuroscience #intentionalritual #phdjourney #complexnotconfused #femininepower #culturalsoftness #nervoussystemhealing

Tata me preguntó y me guía: From Thesis to Hustle

This episode is for my nieces, my nephews, and anyone out there trying to build something real from scratch. When I started Llámame Anything, it wasn’t about going viral. It was a continuation of my master’s thesis—my way of processing identity, power, culture, and technology while preparing for a PhD and surviving in Miami. I was a first-gen college student, a Posse Scholar, and a kid from a single-parent household navigating grief, trauma, and ambition all at once. Now, this podcast is so much more. It’s my voice, my work, my rent money, my resistance. It’s how I went from theory to income, from silence to storytelling, from burnout to business. In this episode, I share how Llámame Anything became a survival guide—for myself and for the people I love. Especially the ones who call me Tata.   In this episode, I talk about: * How my academic work turned into a creative business * Why I created this podcast as a love letter and guide * The trauma I survived (and how I’m healing while building) * The meaning of visibility, vulnerability, and voice * My evolving mission for Llámame Anything If you’ve ever felt too sensitive, too smart, or too late to start… this is for you.