Ep. 13: Living with Intention | Silvana Casas-Perez

Ep 17: Canciones de la Vida | Jose Alfredo Guerrero

In this episode, I sit down with Jose Alfredo Guerrero, a Chicago-based educator, musician, and vocalist whose voice you might recognize from across the Chicagoland area. I first met José about 15 years ago during a karaoke night—honestly, I noticed his voice before I ever saw him. Raised in La Villita and a graduate of DePaul University, José has built a reputation for his powerful performances, especially his unforgettable covers of Juan Gabriel. He also performs in the cabaret show Asi Fue: Canciones y Confesiones. We talk about his journey through music, his work in education, and how his talent has opened the door to some truly special moments where he’s been able to share his voice with others. He also has a podcast! Check it out here: Stage Left, Right Vibes [https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVQskkDY1ZVV9i2aQ8PNm?si=b20f36d6b3bd4e86].  Follow Madera Once on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/maderaonce/]   Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]! Don’t forget to rate, subscribe, comment and like the podcast!  * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx] * Podcast Page

Ep. 16: Community, Culture & the Power of Public Media | Silvia Rivera

In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with my dear friend Silvia Rivera [https://cof.org/person/silvia-rivera] — a leader in public media and a passionate advocate for community storytelling. From our early days working in Chicago media to her impactful work at Vocalo, Silvia has always been dedicated to uplifting voices and creating space for authentic narratives. We talk about her version of Chicago, how radio has shaped her journey, and the vital role public media plays in reflecting and strengthening communities. Silvia also shares insights from her current role at the MacArthur Foundation, where she supports initiatives like Press Forward to help sustain local journalism — including critical efforts to expand Spanish-language news across the country.   Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]

Ep. 15: Life As A Cultural Worker | Pablo Serrano

In this episode, I sit down with Pablo Serrano, Cultural Worker here in the city of Chicago, for a deep conversation about what it's like to be here and how he sees himself and his role within the complex and dynamic society we're living today. Find Pablo on Instagram @PabloSerranoArt [https://www.instagram.com/pabloserranoart/]as well as @KombiChicago.   [https://www.instagram.com/kombichicago/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]

Ep. 14: When Business Meets Community | Jesse Íñiguez

What happens when business becomes a vehicle for community change? In this episode, I sit down with Jesse Íñiguez, founder of Back of the Yards Coffeehouse [https://backoftheyardscoffee.com/], to talk about leadership, entrepreneurship, and what he learned running for Alderman in Chicago. After ten years of building a successful neighborhood coffeehouse, Jesse reflects on influence, responsibility, and the work of uplifting the community that raised him. This is a conversation about purpose, growth, and stepping fully into where you’re meant to be.   Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]! Don’t forget to rate, subscribe, comment and like the podcast!  * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx] * Podcast Page

Ep. 13: Living with Intention | Silvana Casas-Perez

Silvana Casas-Perez joins What It’s Like To Be Here for a grounded, thoughtful conversation about finding your professional path and staying intentional along the way. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Chicago Public Schools, Silvana shares how she arrived at social work, what keeps her rooted in the mental health field, and how motherhood has shaped her approach to care, boundaries, and purpose. We talk about the quiet, ongoing work of aligning values with action — especially in careers centered on supporting others. Silvana also reflects on how her immigrant experience informs her worldview, even when it’s not the defining chapter, and why being clear about priorities matters so much during uncertain and demanding times. This episode is about listening, choosing with care, and doing the work — on purpose.   Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/] at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ [https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/]  And on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere [https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere]  Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts!  APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx [https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts] Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ [https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/]