S6 E24: Bonus Episode with Alci Gramajo
Join us for a very special bonus episode that was recorded live with an audience at the Latinas Lead in Entrepreneurship Dinner in Chicago, IL sponsored by Walmart. In this episode, Anjelica Cazares talks with COO of Rush Direct Inc., Alci Gramajo about her experience being a C-Suite level executive at a Latina-owned business. Alci shares her story of starting at a warehouse level and moving up to her current role as COO and talks about the mindset it took to get there.
S6 E23: Season Finale, Co-Host Group Chat
In this finale episode to wrap up Season 6, the Latina Leadership Podcast co-hosts reunite for a look back on an amazing season. We talk about our favorite conversations, shining moments, insecurities, lessons learned, and of course laugh at our mishaps! Thank you for sharing this journey with us, and we look forward to seeing you next season with another roster full of incredible Latinas! Share your feedback about who you’d like to see on Season 7!
S6 E22: Julia Morales, Award-Winning Journalist and Baseball Fashionista
Join us on the latest episode of the Latina Leadership Podcast as co-host Sonia Ramirez sits down with Julia Morales, a prominent reporter and host for AT&T SportsNet Southwest and the field reporter for the Houston Astros. In this episode, Julia opens up about motherhood, her entrepreneurial journey and how she maximizes her extra time. She also shares her experience fostering pets, shedding light on the joys of this mission. Tune in as we dive into a fascinating conversation with Julia Morales, an embodiment of Latina leadership in every facet of her life.
S6 E21: Lupe Agirre, Building a Legacy – Her Way
Discover the extraordinary journey of Lupe Agirre, owner of Agirre Construction, as she defies stereotypes and overcomes immense challenges. In this episode of the Latina Leadership Podcast, cohost Diana Rubi delves into Lupe’s story of leaving a lasting legacy. Lupe defied expectations as a woman in a male-dominated industry, overcoming obstacles to achieve success. From being a single mother of three to battling a brain aneurysm, Lupe’s story is one of resilience and determination. Tune in to hear how she transformed adversity into motivation and built a thriving business against all odds.
S6 E20: Adassa, Chatting with the Superstar and Supermom
Join us for a special episode of the Latina Leadership Podcast, where cohosts Sonia Ramirez and Jacqueline Villagomez sit down with the multi-talented Adassa, known for her captivating voice as well as her role as a voice actress in Disney’s Encanto. In this episode, we dive into Adassa’s remarkable singing career and her journey in the music industry. Adassa also shares her experiences of motherhood, offering insights into how her journey as a singer and a mother intertwine, revealing the joys, challenges, and inspirations she encounters along the way. Get ready for an engaging conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and heartfelt stories. Learn more about the Latina Leadership Podcast at https://latinaleadershippodcast.com
S6 EP19: In La Tropi Kitchen with Stephanie Brown
In this episode, Carolina Arenas sits down with Stephanie Bonnin, the talented chef and owner of La Tropi Kitchen. Stephanie goes beyond the flavors and ingredients, emphasizing the significance of sharing the stories and cultural heritage behind the dishes. Join Carolina and Stephanie as they delve into the importance of cooking Latin American foods while celebrating the unique distinctions between different regions. Stephanie’s passion for creating a gastronomical ethnography of Colombian and other regional cuisines shines through as she shares her entrepreneurial journey and the intention she puts into her cooking.
S6 EP18: Magda Llohis de Gutiérrez, La Fashionista
Introducing the remarkable Magda Llohis de Gutiérrez, a fashion-forward trendsetter hailing from Spain but now embracing the vibrant energy of New York City! Join Magda as she sits down with Carolina for an inspiring conversation about fashion and her unique way of life. At the age of 80, Magda continues to serve as a beacon of inspiration, promoting a life filled with joy and vibrant colors through her distinctive fashion sense. Prepare to be captivated as Magda shares her empowering message of living in the present moment. Don’t miss out! Tune in and be part of this incredible journey!
S6 EP17: Jasminne Mendez, The Afro-Latina Storyteller
Carolina and Sonia recently sat down with acclaimed author, Jasminne Mendez, to delve into her life and inspiration behind her writing. This Afro-Latina is proud of her Dominican roots and speaks about her life growing up as an army brat and the desire to see representation in her surroundings. Jasminne has a passion for storytelling and considers herself an author for BIPOC communities. She shares her insight into the world of publishing and why rest is so important in the grand scheme of things, and also gives some great advice for aspiring authors out there! Tune into this episode today!
S6 EP16: Boujee and Blessed, “A Blessed Babe Celebration”
In this special episode, Anjelica attends the very first Boujee and Blessed: “A Blessed Babe Celebration” hosted by Boujee and Blessed founder, Deborah Deleon. Anjelica had the pleasure of chatting with some amazing Latina entrepreneurs from Houston who have truly found their purpose in life and are proudly walking in it! What an encouraging and uplifting message for all women. We hope you find the conversations here as inspiring and empowering as we did!
S6 EP15: Latina Leadership Lunch & Learn
Why is mental health considered a taboo in our culture? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we documented a very special Latina Leadership Lunch & Learn panel on May 18, 2023, co-hosted by Latina Leadership Podcast creator, Anjelica Cazares and KPRC 2 Health Reporter Haley Hernandez. Together they delved into the stigmas and barriers that exist in our Hispanic/Latino community as our panelists discussed ways we can help each other as we continue to make an impact in advocating for mental health, especially for Latinas. Listen to this episode today and we hope it encourages you to begin those important conversations in your own homes.
S6 EP14: The Texas Lyceum State of Texas Women Conference
In this very special collaboration with Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Anjelica had the pleasure of attending The Texas Lyceum State of Texas Women Conference in the Rio Grande Valley! While there, she had the opportunity to chat with several amazing women who play a key role in running things at Coca-Cola Southwest, as well as in Houston’s East End – Veronica Chapa Gorczynski, Ada Ortega, Susanne Brady-Lusk, and Jennifer Irizarry. One is a President, a Director, a VP/GM, and an Account Executive. Each guest had great advice and insight for other women looking to move up in their careers. If you are thinking of making a career move, this episode is just for you! Get inspired and give it all you’ve got!
In this special Mother’s Day episode of the Latina Leadership Podcast, the co-hosts reunite to discuss their perspectives on what motherhood truly means to them. In this candid conversation, the ladies get vulnerable and open up about their own childhoods and the impact their mothers had on them – the good and the bad. What does motherhood mean to you? Let us know in the comments!
S6 EP12: Ana Arguello, Living the American Dream
On this week’s episode, Diana chats with Ana Arguello, VP of Stationary at Walmart. As a 17 year employee at Walmart, Ana is not afraid of a challenge. Originally from Mexico City, she worked her way up to her current VP position. Ana is a hardworking mother of two and proud of her culture and where she came from. Ana considers herself an advocate for teachers and describes why she’s passionate about serving others and making an impact in people’s lives. She also shares some great advice for other immigrants and fellow Latinos in the workforce, and discusses the superpower of immigrants! If you need a motivational message today, this episode will do just that!
S6 EP11: Latina Poder Awards 2023
What is your Latina power? That is exactly what we asked the amazing Latinas who attended the recent Latina Poder Awards 2023, hosted by The Latina Power and Poder Hispano. The special event was held at Xalisko Cocina Mexicana in The Woodlands, TX, and was truly a celebration of mujeres! Our very own Carolina Arenas, founder of Poder Hispano, sits down with The Latina Power founder, Claudia Ayala, to discuss the significance of Latina poder in her life and what led her to create this amazing organization. Tune into this episode today!
S6 EP10: Valerie Ponzio, Country Roots
Join Sonia and Jacqueline as they sit down with Latina country artist and former contestant on The Voice, Valerie Ponzio. Currently based in Nashville, she fills us in on her latest EP, Frontera, and even performs her hit single, Desert Rain. Originally from El Paso, she’s a Texan at heart and a huge Selena fan as well! Listen to this new episode today, and then check out Valerie’s music!
S6 EP9: Katherine González – Merging Café y Cultura
In this week’s new episode, Sonia and Carolina sit down with San Antonio based entrepreneur and founder of Café Cultura 210, Katherine González. She details her passion for roasting coffee beans from her family’s homeland of Guatemala, which began out of a lifetime love for coffee being culturally ingrained in her. With a background in STEM, she takes pride in a properly roasted batch of beans and approaches the process from a scientific perspective. Katherine is onto something amazing, and as a first generation Latina, she’s paving the way for her family and others behind her! Tune in today!
S6 EP8: Bringing Coffee Back with Andrea Arana
Located right in the heart of Montrose sits Las Perras Cafe, a recent addition to the Houston area, owned and run by Latina entrepreneur, Andrea Arana. She sits down with Carolina to dish on her journey from growing up a military brat in Japan to pursuing the dream of owning her own coffee shop. For Andrea, coffee is more than just a nice beverage. She explains the importance of coffee for marginalized groups, and why it means so much to her. Grab your cafecito and listen in!
S6 EP7: Patricia Boral – A Story of Resiliency and Determination
Carolina and Diana sit down with Boral Agency co-owner, Patricia Boral. She and her siblings had to grow up quickly in Bolivia and she and her sister, Brenda, used the obstacles they faced to create their own marketing agency here in Houston. As an entrepreneur, Patricia has a passion for being creative with resources and creating something unique for their clients – and she shared some great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs! Patricia also opened up about her heart for orphans and children in the foster system and giving back. We were absolutely inspired by her story of resiliency and we know you will be too!
S6 E6: Giving Back to the Community with Rosalinda Martinez
On this week’s Latina Leadership Podcast, Anjelica sits down with Rosalinda Martinez, Community Strategy Director for AARP Texas, the largest nonprofit in the nation, as well as a proud Latina and native Houstonian. She shares her passion behind being a philanthropist and giving back to the community that gave so much to her. Rosalinda is doing great things in the City of Houston and beyond! She is truly passionate about helping out her local community and currently sits on several boards, such as Kids Meals and Houston Arts Alliance. Don’t miss this one!
S6 E5: Mariachi Mariposas – Creating Music Through Sisterhood
Sonia and Anjelica chat with Mayra Garcia and Ashley Escamilla of the Mariachi Mariposas, one of the few all-female mariachi groups in Texas! The ladies discuss the differences in co-ed mariachi groups and why having a sisterhood in the Mariachi Mariposas means so much to them. It all comes down to mutual respect and it looks like they’ve mastered this gracefully! We are truly looking forward to seeing them in future shows. Give this one a listen today, and share this with the ladies in your life!
S6 E4: Roni Cabrera – Art Is Where the Heart Is
Join us this week as Anjelica sits down with Houston-based artist and founder of Art in the Heart, Veronica “Roni” Cabrera. Roni discusses her passion for art and what drives her to help her local community of NE Houston. From her guest appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to her future goals for Art in the Heart, Roni shares it all! Don’t miss this conversation!
S6 E3: Meeting a Trailblazer – Dr. Ellen Ochoa
On this week’s episode of the Latina Leadership Podcast, Anjelica sits down with her high school hero, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in space. The scientist, NASA astronaut, and children’s book author talks about her journey that eventually led her to space and now as the Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Listen today and get inspired!
S6 E2: Professor Marie Theresa Hernández Ramirez
Join Anjelica this week as she sits down with University of Houston professor and author, Marie Theresa Hernández Ramirez. Dr. Hernández shares just some of the many stories that molded her as a child growing up in Rosenberg, Texas, and which have also become a large part of her research into Latin America and its strong Texas roots.
S6 E1: New Co-Hosts – Meet the Team!
The new season of the Latina Leadership Podcast is finally here! We are beyond thrilled to finally introduce the new team of co-hosts joining podcast creator, Anjelica Cazares. Meet Carolina Arenas, Diana Rubi, Jacqueline Villagomez, and Sonia Ramirez! These four incredible Latinas all come from different walks of life and are ready to make their debut! Join us in this premiere episode of the new season, where you will learn all about who these ladies are and get their perspectives on everything from friendships to the workplace. Get comfy and enjoy the conversations!