Misma Project

Nury Márquez, Culturally Responsive Healing

Nury Márquez, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist who specializes in helping people heal and transform by focusing on cultural strengths and ancestral healing. Nury shares her own personal journey as an immigrant child of immigrant parents, and how her own experiences with trauma and cultural disconnection led her to pursue a career in mental health. She also talks about the importance of culturally responsive mental health care, and how her practice, Papalotl Therapy [https://www.papalotltherapy.com/home], is designed to meet the unique needs of Latinx/Latine and BIPOC communities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in learning more about decolonized therapy, culturally responsive mental health care, or simply wants to hear from an inspiring and passionate individual. Follow Papalotl Therapy [https://www.instagram.com/papalotltherapy/]

Linda Yepez, With Age Comes Bravery

This episode is a special one, because I’m interviewing my Mother, Linda Yepez.  My Mom is one of the most beautiful Latinas I know, she's kind, funny and open-minded. Of course we’ve had our ups and downs over the years as most moms and daughters do - but as I age and now as a parent myself, I’m in such awe of her.  She didn’t have an easy life, nor did she have the best parenting role models, yet she was determined to break the cycle. Her resilience is inspiring and through her wisdom I’m learning that with age comes bravery.

Kristin Diaz, The Pursuit of Self-Identity

I met Kristin Diaz in college, right away I could tell she was someone I wanted to know. She has a magnetic personality and was born to be a public figure. She has spent her entire career in local news representing the people’s interest and telling overlooked stories.  She has the ability to hold a conversation with pretty much anybody and when she talks to you, she’s makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the room.  Kristin is now in a position that many of us have found ourselves in at one point in our lives, asking the question “Where do I belong?”  With a Cuban-American Father and a Mexican-American Mother, Kristin is no stranger to the feeling of being torn between worlds and not fitting in dominate culture boxes. Kristin now finds herself working on the most important story of her life, uncovering her own identity. Shop sustainable good as Latina-Owned VolverDe [https://volverde.com] - Use code 'Misma15' for 15% off. Can not be combined with any other offer or discount.

Jennifer Lopez, Paving Her Own Path

Jennifer Lopez [https://www.instagram.com/jennnlopez/] is a celebrity Talent Manager working behind the scenes to ensure her clients shine in the spotlight. But there's so much more to her than meets the eye. From an early age, she knew she wouldn't force herself down any predetermined paths. Instead, she started her own business from scratch [https://www.camilacreative.com], and is building her dream home, and life, alongside her parents. Together, they're experiencing the fruits of their labor as a united family. In this conversation, you will hear more about Jennifer's unique perspective as she navigates the intersections of culture, identity, and healing her inner niña.

Shary Nadine Parra, Changing the Face of Therapy

Shary Nadine Parra found her own educational journey as she puts it, "all salt, no pepper". As a high performing Afro-Latina student, she was always the only Dominican in her private New York City schools. The lived-experiences of navigating predominantly white spaces and holding the weight of being the first in her family to seek higher education is what sparked her to try therapy. By her own estimation, she was an unlikely candidate to then become a mental health provider herself. Now - Shary finds herself at the intersection of diversity, equity inclusion and mental health services, bringing both her formal education and cultural humility to clients. Work with SNP [https://workwithsnp.com]