What Can I Control? Friendship, LGBTQ Rights & Finding Joy with DJ KICKIT (Karla Rendon)

Teacher Burnout, First-Gen Hustle, and Building Cuídate

Teacher burnout. First-gen hustle. Building your own table. What do they all have in common? They show what happens when the system doesn’t support us—and what’s possible when we choose ourselves instead. In this episode, Leslie Rangel sits down with Alondra Solis, a former teacher turned entrepreneur, to talk about: * Why so many teachers are leaving the classroom in 2025—and how burnout pushed Alondra to make a change. * How Alondra created Cuídate, a brand rooted in community, wellness, and first-gen empowerment. * What it looks like to stop waiting for a seat at the table and build your own. * The power of self-care and community when starting something new. If you’ve ever felt trapped in a career that drained you, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: * Alondra’s early years as a teacher and the breaking point that sparked her career shift. * What it takes to launch a business from scratch while staying grounded. * The mission behind Cuídate and how it supports first-gen entrepreneurs. * Hard-won lessons about balance, identity, and creating something sustainable. About the guest: Alondra is the founder of Cuídate, a wellness brand designed to uplift and empower first-generation entrepreneurs. She brings her heart as an educator into building community spaces that center care, sustainability, and growth. Key Highlights: * From classroom burnout to starting fresh. * Building Cuidate with first-gen leaders in mind. * How self-care became central to Alondra’s entrepreneurial journey. Follow Cuídate:  * https://cuidateatx.com/ * https://www.instagram.com/cuidate.atx/ * https://www.tiktok.com/@cuidate.atx Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/thenewsyogi] Connect with Leslie: https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/ [https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/] https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi [https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi] Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes: https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast [https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast]

Love Island USA Reunion & Beyoncé: What Reality TV Reveals About Us with Taylor Crumpton

Beyoncé. Love Island USA. Reality TV. What do they have in common? They reveal how we see ourselves—and each other. In this episode, journalist Leslie Rangel sits down with writer and cultural critic Taylor Crumpton (The Barbed Wire, TIME, The Washington Post, NPR, Harper’s Bazaar) to explore: * The spiritual and political legacy of Beyoncé * Racial and gender biases in reality TV (including Love Island’s Season 7 drama) * How chosen family, community, and ancestral practices help us navigate visibility and loneliness If you’ve ever loved a reality show, questioned celebrity culture, or wanted a deeper take on pop culture’s impact, this is your episode. In this episode, we cover: * Why chosen family is vital for joy, advocacy, and emotional survival. * How social work shaped Taylor’s perspective as a journalist and critic. * The spiritual and political dimensions of Beyoncé’s career. * The racial and gender biases embedded in reality TV, from Love Island to broader celebrity culture. * How loneliness, escapism, and the political climate shape what we watch. * The importance of community, grounding rituals, and authentic connection in a world obsessed with clout and visibility. About the guest: Taylor Crumpton is a music, pop culture, and politics writer from Dallas. In her work—which can be found in outlets like The Barbed Wire, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, The Guardian, NPR, and many other platforms—Crumpton writes about a range of topics from Black Queer advocacy to the underrepresented hip-hop scenes in the southern United States to pop analysis on releases like “WAP” and “Black Is King” Relevant Links: * https://thebarbedwire.com/2025/08/25/nicolandria-love-island-balm-black-women-in-the-south/ * https://time.com/7301911/love-island-usa-toxic-fandom/ * https://time.com/7000248/love-island-usa-black-love-essay/ * https://www.essence.com/reality-television/southern-charm-black-women-backlash/ * https://www.essence.com/entertainment/opinion-bravo-celebrates-black-culture-work-to-do/ * https://www.essence.com/entertainment/how-venita-aspen-changed-southern-charm/ Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/thenewsyogi] Connect with Leslie: https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/ [https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/] https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi [https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi] Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes: https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast [https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast]

What Can I Control? Friendship, LGBTQ Rights & Finding Joy with DJ KICKIT (Karla Rendon)

This week, I sit down with my friend DJ KICKIT (Karla Rendon) for a conversation about friendship, resilience, and staying grounded in uncertain times. We talk about the headlines, LGBTQ rights, and how stress can show up in our friendships and nervous systems — all through the lens of journalism for the nervous system. We also get real about social media, how it can pull us apart, and the ways we can reconnect meaningfully. DJ KICKIT shares the practices that keep her grounded — music, movement, service — and we explore grace, joy, and the question, “What can I control?” We reflect on how showing up for friends and community matters, even when we can’t control the headlines. ✨ Key Takeaways: * Less social media, more connection * You can’t control the government or the headlines—only your response * Adult friendships are hard; lead with grace * We need each other more than ever and how to be an ally * Motivation + small rituals = real resilience If this episode helped you breathe a little easier, share it with a friend and follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next. Connect with Karla:  Website: www.djkickit.com IG: Instagram/djkickit17 SoundCloud mixes: https://on.soundcloud.com/5yUFaIhwZ3p7O2m3p0 Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/thenewsyogi] Connect with Leslie: https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/ [https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/] https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi [https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi] Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes: https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast [https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast]

Practice Ritual: Finding Peace Amidst News Anxiety, A Guided Visualization

In this episode of the News Yogi Podcast, Leslie Rangel guides listeners through a meditation aimed at coping with news anxiety. The practice focuses on creating internal space and visualizing a protective light that represents inner wisdom and boundaries. This guided visualization helps change makers filter out overwhelming information and reconnect with their inner peace. Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/thenewsyogi] Connect with Leslie: https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/ [https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/] https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi [https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi] Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes: https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast [https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast]

Voice Notes with Leslie: Coping with News Anxiety and Overwhelm

How do you stay informed when the world feels like it’s on fire — and your nervous system is already maxed out? In this solo voice note, Leslie Rangel — journalist, nervous system educator, and first-gen daughter of immigrants — gets real about what it means to care deeply without collapsing. From scrolling through heartbreaking images in Gaza to hearing about renewed ICE raids, she shares the raw truth of what it feels like to be both informed and emotionally overwhelmed. If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling after doomscrolling…  If you want to champion human rights but find it hard to sleep after the headlines…  If you believe in justice and joy… This episode is for you. You’ll hear: * How to tell when your nervous system is overstimulated by the news (and what to do about it) * Why traditional media consumption isn’t designed for bodies with trauma * Nervous-system friendly ways to stay informed — without shutting down * The guilt we feel for experiencing joy in the midst of global suffering (and how to reframe it) * Why taking care of yourself is about showing up This is journalism for the nervous system. ✨ If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs a reminder that it’s okay to care… and still rest. Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/thenewsyogi] Connect with Leslie: https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/ [https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/] https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi [https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi] Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes: https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast [https://www.thenewsyogi.com/podcast]