Painting with Paper - Art, Heritage & the Indy 500 with Francis Ruiz

Calm Ambition - Magic, Acting & Following the Signs with Steve Valentine

Very Caliente   Hosts: Pablo Alsina & Jennie López   EP 022 - Calm Ambition - Magic, Acting & Following the Signs with Steve Valentine   Summary   Pablo and Jennie sit down with actor and magician Steve Valentine, currently starring as the Mad Hatter in Cirque Alice at Eldorado Reno. Steve walks through his journey from a small English town to Hollywood, the calm ambition that carried him through ten years before Crossing Jordan, his one man show Life and Other Deceptions, his Magic on the Go online school, and his core message: be unrealistic, jump out of the plane and learn to make the parachute on the way down. Honest, generous, and very caliente.   Main Topics   * From England to Hollywood on a cruise ship with a couple of thousand bucks * Refusing to be boxed in: actor, magician, writer, producer * Playing the Mad Hatter in Cirque Alice at Eldorado Reno * “Bad writing” from the universe and learning to read the signs * Ten years away from magic, and the torrent of creativity that came back * Crossing Jordan and the lesson in being your own type * Voicing Harry Flynn in Uncharted 2, and the Nolan North / Christopher Walken dubbing story * Jump out of the plane, learn how to make the parachute on the way down   Intriguing Quotes   * “Calm ambition. You’re not quite sure when or how, but I always kept at it.” — Steve Valentine * “Maybe I’ll be my own type.” — Steve Valentine * “Jump out of the plane, learn how to make the parachute on the way down.” — Steve Valentine * “Be unrealistic. The people who made it were unrealistic.” — Steve Valentine   Key Moments   * [00:01:25] - Cirque Alice at Eldorado Reno, playing the Mad Hatter * [00:02:32] - DJing in the former Yugoslavia before the war forced him out * [00:03:44] - “Calm ambition”: not knowing when or how, but always kept at it * [00:04:59] - “Bad writing” from the universe * [00:05:51] - Ten years away from magic and the creativity that came back * [00:06:50] - Life and Other Deceptions: writing the one man show * [00:10:32] - Garth Brooks’ ‘Unanswered Prayers’ and Michael Caine’s journey * [00:13:22] - “Maybe I’ll be my own type”: how Crossing Jordan happened * [00:16:16] - Houdini series and the hundredth anniversary pitch * [00:16:44] - Buying the rights to Gerry Cottle’s Confessions of a Showman * [00:18:56] - Voicing Harry Flynn in Uncharted 2 and Dragon Age * [00:21:22] - Magic on the Go: teaching the craft, not just the secret * [00:23:19] - Buy the ticket: creating your own opportunities * [00:24:30] - “Be unrealistic”: the people who made it were unrealistic * [00:26:30] - Where to find Steve online * [00:29:23] - A magic trick to close the show   Notable Guests and Resources   * Steve Valentine - Actor, magician, writer, producer * Instagram: @SteveValentine * Website: SteveValentine.com * Magic school: magiconthego.com * Podcast: Magicians Only * Current show: Cirque Alice at Eldorado Reno * Screen credits: Crossing Jordan, Monster High, The Gourmet Detective * Voice credits: Uncharted 2 (Harry Flynn), Dragon Age   Special Announcements   * Catch Steve as the Mad Hatter in Cirque Alice at Eldorado Reno. * Sign up at magiconthego.com to learn the craft properly. * Listen to season one of the Magicians Only podcast.   🎧 Connect with the Hosts   Follow Jennie (@IntentionalUnicorn) and Pablo (@PabloAlsina) on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments, bonus wisdom, and pure good vibes.   🛒 Support the Show   Love what we’re doing? Share the show, leave a review.   🔥 Hashtags to Follow & Share   #VeryCaliente #LatinxPodcast #BilingualPodcast #MindsetShift #AuthenticityMatters #PositiveEnergy #CourageCultureConversation #PodcastLaunch2026 🎧 Connect with the Hosts Follow Jennie (@IntentionalUnicorn) and Pablo (@PabloAlsina) on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments, bonus wisdom, and pure good vibes.   🛍️ Support the Show Love what we’re doing? Share the show, leave a review.   🔥 Hashtags to Follow & Share #VeryCaliente #LatinxPodcast #BilingualPodcast #MindsetShift #AuthenticityMatters #PositiveEnergy #CourageCultureConversation #PodcastLaunch2026

Painting with Paper - Art, Heritage & the Indy 500 with Francis Ruiz

VERY CALIENTE Hosts: Pablo Alsina & Jennie López EP 021 - PAINTING WITH PAPER - ART, HERITAGE & THE INDY 500 WITH FRANCIS RUIZ Summary In this episode of Very Caliente, Pablo and Jennie sit down with artist Francis Ruiz, a Puerto Rico born, Fishers Indiana based painter who left a career in law to pursue art full time during the pandemic. Francis walks through her journey, her unique painting with paper collage technique, and the moment her work was selected to welcome the Indy 500 in downtown Indianapolis. The conversation covers art as healing, the power of perseverance through rejection, honoring her late father through her work, and how every connection in life eventually compounds into the path forward. Raw, warm, and very caliente. Main Topics * From law to art: leaving an attorney career in Puerto Rico to pursue creative work full time in Indiana * The pandemic pivot: how virtual art classes for family and friends turned into a profession * Painting with paper: Francis's signature collage technique using newspaper clippings, race songs, and patterned paper * Honoring her late father through a red sports car in her Indy 500 painting * The Indy 500 reveal moment: driven into downtown Indianapolis and seeing her work blown up bigger than life * Art as healing and the importance of disconnecting from devices * Latino representation in Indianapolis arts and the Indy Arts Council's push for diversity * The role of mentors, the friend Jane, and never being afraid to ask for help * IU Health Fishers commission: a series of three paintings for the new maternity and OBGYN department * Advice for anyone scared to pivot careers: do not be afraid Intriguing Quotes * “Any kind of art is essential for the human being.” — Francis Ruiz * “I'm not afraid of asking for help. I'm not afraid of asking for advice.” — Francis Ruiz * “Every little thing you do, every person that you connect with will have an impact on your life.” — Francis Ruiz * “Life is a collage, but you have to put in the work.” — Pablo Alsina * “Not be afraid, three words, not be afraid. Just go for it.” — Francis Ruiz Key Moments * [00:00:30] - Pablo opens the show and Jennie introduces Francis Ruiz * [00:01:29] - Francis on her journey from Puerto Rico to Indiana and leaving law for art * [00:02:34] - Pablo connects on his own pandemic painting pivot * [00:03:19] - Francis on art as healing and disconnecting from devices * [00:05:09] - Jennie reveals Francis's art was selected for the Indy 500 * [00:05:48] - Applying twice and the lesson in keeping at it * [00:07:30] - The red car: honoring her late father who passed in 2015 * [00:08:24] - Inside the painting: newspaper clippings, race songs, every driver who's won on the bricks * [00:08:50] - The Indy Arts Council surprise reveal and Francis's raw emotional reaction * [00:10:27] - Pablo on life as a collage: every piece matters but you have to do the work * [00:11:34] - The value of mentors and no gatekeeping in the Indy art scene * [00:12:57] - Why everything has a purpose, from being a lawyer to becoming an artist * [00:15:43] - Francis's exhibitions at the Indianapolis Museum of Art * [00:15:53] - The painting with paper technique explained: jelly plates, patterns, newspaper, collage * [00:18:30] - Puerto Rico in every painting: the Boletín Mercantil from the 1900s in the Indy 500 piece * [00:19:45] - Francis's daughter Anna helping with the flow of the bricks * [00:21:06] - IU Health Fishers commission: three paintings for maternity and OBGYN * [00:22:26] - Where to follow Francis: @FrancisRuizGalarte on Instagram and francisruizarte.com * [00:23:50] - Final advice: do not be afraid Notable Guests and Resources * Francis Ruiz - Artist, painting with paper collage technique * Instagram: @FrancisRuizGalarte * Website: francisruizarte.com * Featured: Indy 500 official artwork, displayed at the Indianapolis Artsgarden * Recent commission: IU Health Fishers, maternity and OBGYN department * Exhibitions: Indianapolis Museum of Art * Affiliations: Indy Arts Council, Fishers Arts Council * Mentor: Jane, longtime friend and mentor * Influences referenced: Picasso, Matisse, pointillism Special Announcements * Follow @FrancisRuizGalarte on Instagram to see her Indy 500 reveal video and ongoing work. * Visit francisruizarte.com for her full portfolio and to enquire about commissions. * Share this episode with anyone in the creative community who needs to hear the truth about pivoting careers and trusting the timing. 🎧 Connect with the Hosts Follow Jennie (@IntentionalUnicorn) and Pablo (@PabloAlsina) on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments, bonus wisdom, and pure good vibes.   🛍️ Support the Show Love what we’re doing? Share the show, leave a review.   🔥 Hashtags to Follow & Share #VeryCaliente #LatinxPodcast #BilingualPodcast #MindsetShift #AuthenticityMatters #PositiveEnergy #CourageCultureConversation #PodcastLaunch2026

Hollywood from the Inside Out - Representation, Resilience and Real Talk with Dailyn Rodriguez

VERY CALIENTE Hosts: Pablo Alsina & Jennie Lopez   EP 020 - HOLLYWOOD FROM THE INSIDE OUT - REPRESENTATION, RESILIENCE AND REAL TALK WITH DAILYN RODRIGUEZ   Summary In this must-watch episode of Very Caliente, Pablo and Jennie sit down with powerhouse showrunner, writer, director, and producer Dailyn Rodriguez, the creative force behind Lincoln Lawyer and Queen of the South. Daughter of Cuban immigrants, raised in New York, and now shaping Hollywood from the inside, Dailyn gets real about Latino representation on screen, the political headwinds facing the industry, and how she fights the stereotype machine one script at a time. It's raw, it's honest, and it's very caliente.   Main Topics * Dailyn's origin story: from Washington Heights to NYU to Hollywood * Growing up with TV as a babysitter and finding herself in Que Pasa USA * Her father's Cuban mafia background and how it shaped her writing voice * How intentional representation works behind the camera on Lincoln Lawyer * The real state of Latino representation in Hollywood right now * Why the industry keeps defaulting to crime, poverty, and border narratives * How she transformed Queen of the South into a Godfather-style family saga * Advice for Latino creatives trying to break through * The power of authentic voice and finding the right allies * Pedro Pascal, Eugenio Derbez, Gina Rodriguez, and who's paving the way   Intriguing Quotes * "It's not about being the loudest voice in the room. It's about being the most authentic." - Dailyn Rodriguez * "We just have to write our way out of it." - Dailyn Rodriguez * "I'm not going to perpetuate the same stereotype. I have to find a way to make it something different." - Dailyn Rodriguez * "LA is almost 50% Latino. It's just easy to populate amongst our people." - Dailyn Rodriguez   Key Moments * [00:01:15] - Pablo introduces Dailyn and the connection between Lincoln Lawyer and Very Caliente's mission * [00:01:47] - Dailyn on intentional representation: all kinds of Latinos, all kinds of stories * [00:03:28] - Origin story: immigrant parents, TV babysitter, Que Pasa USA, and finding herself on screen * [00:05:17] - The Cuban mafia dad, New Jersey private school, and a teacher who changed everything * [00:05:43] - From NYU drama to the writing department and a lifelong love of television * [00:06:13] - Dailyn still thanks that teacher, including at the Norman Lear Award acceptance speech * [00:08:51] - The hard truth: Latino representation is regressing in Hollywood * [00:10:38] - Accent authenticity, casting failures, and why it matters to have a Latino in the room * [00:11:41] - What a showrunner actually does and why that seat of power matters * [00:13:01] - Advice for Latino creatives: be authentic, pound the pavement, find your allies * [00:15:45] - Pablo's 2002 film Estado and the studio that told him to make it about gangsters * [00:15:55] - Dailyn's come to Jesus moment about Hollywood's Latino narrative problem * [00:17:31] - Pablo's two-episode run on Queen of the South and his scene with Alice Braga * [00:18:43] - How Dailyn took over Queen of the South and turned it into the Godfather * [00:20:56] - You just have to write your way out of it * [00:22:08] - Why Dailyn is done with multicam and what she's developing next * [00:22:52] - This or That rapid fire: mornings, writers rooms, and the East Coast hip hop declaration * [00:24:36] - Where to follow Dailyn: Instagram and Threads at @dailynrod   Notable Guests and Resources * Dailyn Rodriguez - Showrunner, writer, director, producer * Instagram and Threads: @dailynrod * Known for: Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix), Queen of the South, Ugly Betty, Bette * Norman Lear Award recipient, Imagen Foundation * Shows referenced: Lincoln Lawyer, Queen of the South, Que Pasa USA, One Day at a Time, This Fool, Ugly Betty   Special Announcements * Watch Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix and see Dailyn's vision for authentic Latino storytelling in action. * Follow @dailynrod on Instagram and Threads for updates on her upcoming projects. * Share this episode with anyone in the Latino creative community who needs to hear the real talk about Hollywood. 🎧 Connect with the Hosts Follow Jennie (@IntentionalUnicorn) and Pablo (@PabloAlsina) on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments, bonus wisdom, and pure good vibes.   🛍️ Support the Show Love what we’re doing? Share the show, leave a review.   🔥 Hashtags to Follow & Share #VeryCaliente #LatinxPodcast #BilingualPodcast #MindsetShift #AuthenticityMatters #PositiveEnergy #CourageCultureConversation #PodcastLaunch2026

Boardroom to Tennis Court – Leadership, Latina Power & Transition with Lizette Ibarra

Very Caliente Hosts: Pablo Alsina & Jennie López   Episode Title: E019 - From the Boardroom to the Tennis Court – Leadership, Latina Power & Life in Transition with Lizette Ibarra   Summary: In this energetic and inspiring episode of Very Caliente, Pablo and Jennie welcome Lizette Ibarra — founder and CEO of Latina Chief, executive search powerhouse, author, and passionate tennis player. Lizette opens up about building a company at the intersection of Latino culture and corporate leadership, the current state of diversity in business, and the mindset shifts that fuel successful career transitions. From immigrant roots to tennis courts to C-suites, this episode is packed with real talk on ambition, self-awareness, and living life on your own terms.   Main Topics: * The mission behind Latina Chief and why multicultural talent matters * How Latino purchasing power is reshaping corporate strategy * Navigating the DEI landscape as a Latina entrepreneur * Lizette's book Transitions and reframing life's crossroads * Interview advice from thousands of executive conversations * Tennis as a metaphor for leadership, resilience, and joy * The HEPA Way Society: empowering women through sport and passion * Miami as the melting pot of Hispanic culture and business   Intriguing Quotes:   "If you don't have an inclusive strategy in your company, you're leaving money on the table." – Lizette Ibarra   "Transitions are not happening to me — they're happening for me." – Lizette Ibarra   "Self-awareness is such an important life skill. I'm not looking for perfection — I'm looking for that self-awareness." – Lizette Ibarra   "Life is like a movie. You have so many parts you can play — play them all." – Lizette Ibarra   Key Moments:   [00:00:45] – Jennie introduces Lizette Ibarra: CEO, author, tennis player, and powerhouse Latina leader [00:01:07] – What is Latina Chief? Executive search with a multicultural focus explained [00:02:16] – Why Lizette founded Latina Chief and the moment equity became her mission [00:04:11] – Does Latina Chief work with men too? Pablo asks the obvious question [00:05:19] – DEI under pressure: how Lizette navigates corporate rollbacks and consumer power [00:07:24] – Why Miami is the perfect home base for a pan-Latino executive search firm [00:09:51] – Lizette's book Transitions: reframing life's crossroads as happening 'for you, not to you' [00:13:20] – Where to find the book (Amazon) and the story behind writing it [00:13:39] – Pablo asks for Lizette's top interview tips from thousands of executive conversations [00:17:36] – Lizette the tennis player: from dreaming in Mexico to leading state-level teams in Miami [00:19:55] – The HEPA Way Society: a community for women to find their sport, their passion, their joy [00:20:47] – Pablo draws the parallel between tennis and life — lose a point, so what? [00:21:28] – Lizette's closing inspiration: the "damn it" mentality and going after everything [00:22:24] – Where to find Lizette online + Pablo's mixed doubles invitation   Notable Guests/Resources:   Lizette Ibarra — Founder & CEO of Latina Chief, executive search consultant, author, and tennis advocate 🌐 LinkedIn: Lizette Ibarra / Latina Chief 📸 Instagram: @libarra16 📚 Book: Transitions — available on Amazon   Special Announcements:   📚 Grab Transitions by Lizette Ibarra on Amazon and leave a review if it moves you 🎾 Follow Lizette's HEPA Way Society initiative for women in sport and wellness 🔥 Another powerhouse episode bringing real talk on career, culture, and living fully — only on Very Caliente 🎧 Connect with the Hosts Follow Jennie (@IntentionalUnicorn) and Pablo (@PabloAlsina) on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments, bonus wisdom, and pure good vibes.   🛍️ Support the Show Love what we’re doing? Share the show, leave a review.   🔥 Hashtags to Follow & Share #VeryCaliente #LatinxPodcast #BilingualPodcast #MindsetShift #AuthenticityMatters #PositiveEnergy #CourageCultureConversation #PodcastLaunch2026

From the Hood to the Stage - Faith, Resilience & Purpose with Dr. JayR McIntyre.mp3

Very Caliente   Hosts: Pablo Alsina & Jennie Lopez   Episode Title: EP 018 - From the Hood to the Stage - Faith, Resilience & Purpose with Dr. JayR McIntyre   Summary: In this raw and high-energy episode of Very Caliente, Pablo and Jennie welcome Dr. JayR McIntyre. Army veteran, bestselling author, and Hood Motivator. Born in Long Beach, California, Dr. JayR went from gang violence, losing his mother to AIDS, and 42 days in county jail to three deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, a Bronze Star, and battling PTSD and TBI. After leaving the military he rebuilt himself from bankruptcy through education and faith. In 2025 he ranked as a top 50 motivational speaker in the world. He opens up about mental health, leadership under fire, raising bilingual kids, and the legacy he is building one book at a time. 🔥   Main Topics: * From gang violence and county jail to the US Army and three combat deployments * Mental health, PTSD, TBI, and nearly losing the battle four times * Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and how eight months in Arecibo sparked his entrepreneurship * The Hood Motivator brand and why street-level representation in education matters * His 10-book series: A Good Heart Don't Pay Bills, The Power of the Pivot, The Janitor, and more * Leadership as service under pressure: lessons from combat applied to everyday life * Why life truly starts at 40 and motivating the over-40 crowd to keep going * Bilingualism, Mexican heritage, and raising culturally grounded kids * Faith, legacy, and the mission to leave this earth on E   Intriguing Quotes: * "I woke up in January 2025 and I was a top 50 motivational speaker in the world." - Dr. JayR McIntyre * "A good heart don't pay bills. You can give and give — and when you need it, nobody shows up." - Dr. JayR McIntyre * "The best leaders perform well under pressure. Our whole life is a battlefield." - Dr. JayR McIntyre * "I want to leave this earth on E. Every last thing out of me." - Dr. JayR McIntyre * "Have faith, be delusional. Faith is the evidence of things not seen." - Dr. JayR McIntyre * "Life for us starts at 40 and 50. We were told we wouldn't make it past 18." - Dr. JayR McIntyre   Key Moments: * [00:00:30] - Pablo and Jennie welcome Dr. JayR McIntyre to Very Caliente * [00:01:26] - Origin story: Long Beach, jail, and enlisting in the Army after 9/11 * [00:02:52] - His son following him into the military and the honest speech he gave him * [00:04:43] - Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico, and eight months on the ground in Arecibo * [00:06:21] - The Hood Motivator brand and why representation in education matters * [00:07:05] - Bankruptcy, going back to school for his MBA, and finding his real purpose * [00:08:00] - Ranked top 50 in the world — how speaking life into himself got him there * [00:08:21] - Breakdown of his 10-book series and the stories behind each title * [00:10:43] - How to use your lowest point — jail, bankruptcy, rock bottom — as a launchpad * [00:11:52] - Leadership is service under pressure: what combat taught him about leading people * [00:13:19] - Leaving a legacy like Pac and Biggie — creating enough that it outlives you * [00:13:54] - Why your best chapter starts at 40 and the message to anyone feeling past their prime * [00:15:38] - Dr. JayR's personal algorithm: podcast days, speaking, church, and protecting his energy * [00:16:43] - Raising bilingual kids with Mexican heritage and the power of cultural identity * [00:18:23] - Where to find Dr. JayR's books, podcast, and socials * [00:19:52] - Final message: be delusional, activate your gift, and be okay losing people who don't get it   Notable Guests/Resources: Dr. JayR McIntyre - Veteran, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker Instagram: @thehoodmotivator YouTube: The Hood Motivator Podcast: The Motivators Table Books: Search JAYR McIntyre on Amazon — 10 titles available now Key titles: A Good Heart Don't Pay Bills | The Power of the Pivot | The Janitor | The Three Ps (coming soon)   Special Announcements: * The Three Ps: The Prodigal Bro, The Promiscuous Bro, and The Prolific Bro — coming soon, co-authored with his son * All 10 books available on Amazon under JAYR McIntyre, projected through early 2026 * Follow Very Caliente for more conversations with leaders, veterans, and cultural changemakers   🎧 Connect with the Hosts Follow Jennie (@IntentionalUnicorn) and Pablo (@PabloAlsina) on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments, bonus wisdom, and pure good vibes.   🛍️ Support the Show Love what we’re doing? Share the show, leave a review.   🔥 Hashtags to Follow & Share #VeryCaliente #LatinxPodcast #BilingualPodcast #MindsetShift #AuthenticityMatters #PositiveEnergy #CourageCultureConversation #PodcastLaunch2026