THE MAKING OF ME

How Dance Became My First Language: Identity, Culture, and Finding Belonging Beyond Words | The Making of Me

35 min · I går
episode How Dance Became My First Language: Identity, Culture, and Finding Belonging Beyond Words | The Making of Me cover

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What if the language of your heritage lives not in your words — but in your body? In this beautiful and deeply personal episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Rodney Eric López — featured in the acclaimed documentary Mad Hot Ballroom — shares how growing up in the Bronx as a Puerto Rican who didn't speak fluent Spanish shaped his identity, and how salsa dancing gave him a powerful new way to connect with his roots. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discover: * How language shame shaped Rodney's sense of identity growing up in the Bronx * The way salsa dancing became his bridge to his Puerto Rican heritage and community * Why he chose passion over corporate stability — and never looked back * How movement and art can create belonging when words fall short * The inspiring story behind his memoir "I Don't Speak Spanish, But I Understand Everything When I'm Dancing" * What it truly means to find your people through culture and creative expression Whether you've ever felt caught between two worlds or struggled to find where you belong — Rodney's story will move you in every sense of the word. 🔗 Learn more about Rodney Eric López & his memoir: https://www.rodneyericlopez.com/ [https://www.rodneyericlopez.com/] 🔗 Connect with Rodney Eric López on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-eric-lopez/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-eric-lopez/] 📌 Don't forget to: 👍 Like this video if it resonated with you 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 💬 Comment below — What's one cultural tradition or art form that connects you to your roots? #Identity #Dance #LatinoCulture #Salsa #MadHotBallroom #MakingOfMePodcast #RodneyEricLópez #Podcast #Belonging #Bronx #PuertoRican #CulturalIdentity #Memoir #Creativity #PersonalGrowth

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509 episodes

episode Why You Should Stop Waiting for the Perfect Moment and Just Start | The Making of Me artwork

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episode How Dance Became My First Language: Identity, Culture, and Finding Belonging Beyond Words | The Making of Me artwork

How Dance Became My First Language: Identity, Culture, and Finding Belonging Beyond Words | The Making of Me

What if the language of your heritage lives not in your words — but in your body? In this beautiful and deeply personal episode of The Making of Me Podcast, Rodney Eric López — featured in the acclaimed documentary Mad Hot Ballroom — shares how growing up in the Bronx as a Puerto Rican who didn't speak fluent Spanish shaped his identity, and how salsa dancing gave him a powerful new way to connect with his roots. 🎯 In this episode, you'll discover: * How language shame shaped Rodney's sense of identity growing up in the Bronx * The way salsa dancing became his bridge to his Puerto Rican heritage and community * Why he chose passion over corporate stability — and never looked back * How movement and art can create belonging when words fall short * The inspiring story behind his memoir "I Don't Speak Spanish, But I Understand Everything When I'm Dancing" * What it truly means to find your people through culture and creative expression Whether you've ever felt caught between two worlds or struggled to find where you belong — Rodney's story will move you in every sense of the word. 🔗 Learn more about Rodney Eric López & his memoir: https://www.rodneyericlopez.com/ [https://www.rodneyericlopez.com/] 🔗 Connect with Rodney Eric López on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-eric-lopez/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-eric-lopez/] 📌 Don't forget to: 👍 Like this video if it resonated with you 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 💬 Comment below — What's one cultural tradition or art form that connects you to your roots? #Identity #Dance #LatinoCulture #Salsa #MadHotBallroom #MakingOfMePodcast #RodneyEricLópez #Podcast #Belonging #Bronx #PuertoRican #CulturalIdentity #Memoir #Creativity #PersonalGrowth

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