The Stories That Made Us: Cuba, Family, Trauma & Finding Your Purpose with Victoria Collado

From Kendall to Hollywood: Christian Ochoa Lavernia on Purpose, Rejection & Success

Actor and producer Christian Ochoa Lavernia joins me for one of my most personal conversations yet. We've known each other since high school, but this episode goes far beyond nostalgia. Christian opens up about growing up in Miami, being raised by a single mother, navigating anxiety, feeling the pressure of expectations, and ultimately finding the courage to pursue the life he truly wanted. We talk about manifestation, intuition, resilience, and what happened when he spent six months auditioning for The Lord of the Rings—including being flown to New Zealand for the final round, only to face one of the biggest disappointments of his career. Along the way, we explore the lessons he's learned from rejection, the wisdom of stoicism, the power of trusting your path, and why sometimes the greatest opportunities come when we stop trying to control every outcome. This is a conversation about purpose, identity, Cuban roots, fear, faith, and becoming the person you're meant to be. I'm Coral Seco, and this is The Road Leads Back to Me! New episodes every Wednesday!

The Stories That Made Us: Cuba, Family, Trauma & Finding Your Purpose with Victoria Collado

What happens when we finally tell the stories our families were forced to carry in silence? In this deeply moving episode of The Road Leads Back to Me, Coral sits down with filmmaker, director, and producer Victoria Collado for a powerful conversation about identity, immigration, generational trauma, healing, and the stories that shape who we become. Victoria shares the inspiration behind Waiting for Snow in Havana, her upcoming adaptation of the acclaimed memoir about Operation Pedro Pan, and reflects on the responsibility of preserving the Cuban story for future generations. Together, Coral and Victoria discuss: • The lasting impact of Operation Pedro Pan • Generational trauma and how it shapes our lives today • What immigrant parents sacrificed for their children • Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for healing • The emotional impact of the groundbreaking Amparo Experience • Growing up Cuban-American in Miami • Identity, belonging, and cultural pride • The importance of preserving family stories before they're lost • Why owning your story is an act of courage—and rebellion This conversation is equal parts history lesson, therapy session, and love letter to the generations who came before us. Because when we understand where we come from, we better understand who we are. The road always leads back to you. ✨ New episodes every Wednesday!

The Psychology of Lurkers: Why They Watch but Never Support

They watch every story. They view every post. They somehow know everything going on in your life... But they never like, comment, engage, or support. So what's really going on? In this episode of The Road Leads Back to Me, Coral breaks down the psychology of "lurkers"—the people who quietly keep tabs on your life from behind a screen. Whether it's an ex, a former situationship, a fake friend, or someone secretly obsessed with what you're doing, Coral explores why these people continue watching and what their behavior may actually reveal. This episode covers: • The different types of lurkers and how to identify them • Why exes continue watching your stories after a breakup • The psychology behind social media stalking and fixation • The difference between curiosity, attachment, and obsession • Why some people watch but never support • The connection between insecurity, comparison, and lurking • How limerence can keep people emotionally stuck • Why boundaries matter online as much as they do offline • How to stop giving lurkers power over your healing Through a trauma-informed lens and plenty of loving big sister advice, Coral reminds listeners that someone else's attention is not a measure of your worth. Because healing happens when you stop focusing on who's watching—and start focusing on yourself. The road always leads back to you. ✨ New episodes every Wednesday!

You're Dating a Narcissist: The Red Flags We Miss, The Healing We Deserve | ft. Ann Marie Allison

What does narcissistic abuse actually look like—and why is it so hard to spot when you're living through it? This week on The Road Leads Back to Me, Coral sits down with filmmaker, author, and You're Dating a Narcissist creator Ann Marie Allison for an honest conversation about love bombing, trauma bonds, breadcrumbing, cognitive dissonance, and the painful reality of questioning your own worth inside an unhealthy relationship. Ann Marie shares the personal experiences that inspired her film and upcoming book, the decade-long journey to bring this story to life, and the lessons she wishes she could tell her younger self. Together, Coral and Ann Marie explore why intelligent, capable people can find themselves trapped in toxic dynamics—and how healing begins when we let go of shame and start trusting ourselves again. In this episode: • The cycle of idealization, devaluation, and discard • Why narcissistic relationships are so confusing • Trauma bonds, breadcrumbing, and intermittent reinforcement • The role of shame in healing • How laughter became part of Ann Marie's recovery • Red flags everyone should know • Why it's never your fault for wanting to believe the best in someone If you've ever questioned your reality, blamed yourself for someone else's behavior, or wondered why it was so hard to leave, this conversation is for you. You're Dating a Narcissist is now available on VOD platforms everywhere. New episodes of TRLBTM drop every Wednesday!

You Don’t Miss Them — You Miss the Idea of Them

That ex you can’t stop thinking about? You probably don’t actually miss them. You miss the version of them you hoped they would become. In this episode of The Road Leads Back to Me, Coral breaks down the psychology behind heartbreak, nostalgia, grief, and why breakups can feel so emotionally consuming—even when the relationship wasn’t actually healthy. Through a trauma-informed lens and loving big sister advice, Coral explores how we often mourn not only the person, but the future, fantasy, and version of ourselves we imagined inside the relationship. This episode covers: • Why heartbreak feels so emotionally overwhelming • The difference between missing someone vs. missing the idea of them • The psychology behind nostalgia bias and euphoric recall • Why your brain romanticizes the “good moments” after a breakup • The stages of grief in relationships • Why we ignore red flags and cling to potential • How to reconnect with yourself after heartbreak • The importance of values, boundaries, and self-worth in healing Coral also reminds listeners that healing isn’t about pretending the relationship meant nothing. It’s about accepting reality, grieving honestly, and finding your way back to yourself. Because the road always leads back to you. ✨ New episodes every Wednesday.