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In this special host takeover/Mash-Up-Collab episode the mic is passed and the script is flipped. Cynthia Alonzo Perez, LCSW, host of Confetti All Around, takes the hot seat on the other side of the conversation as Marilyn Mejia-Peña, LCSW, host of Resilience Social Work Podcast guides a powerful and vulnerable dialogue.

Together, they explore the deeply rooted cultural construct of Marianismo—how it has shaped generations of Latinas, impacted identity, and contributed to cycles of self-silencing and sacrifice. Cynthia shares her personal journey with Marianismo, offering a rare glimpse into what her Marianismo looks like, her healing process, the grief that comes with letting go of inherited roles, and the creative tools that helped her reclaim her voice.

This conversation is layered with heart and insight, touching on self-value, emotional freedom, and the courage it takes to disrupt intergenerational patterns. You’ll hear reflections on imperfection, joy, and what it truly means to give ourselves permission to live fully and authentically.

A must-listen for anyone navigating cultural expectations, healing from inherited narratives, or simply craving real talk about resilience, identity, and liberation.

Cynthia Alonzo Perez, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) first gen creative, author, therapist, mother and inner child advocate. Cynthia believes “Inner Child Healing IS Intergenerational Healing” so much that she created courses and books to dive into the science and indigenous intersections of inner child healing as ancestral connection and a conscious awakening. Cynthia has a B.A. in Xicane/Latine Studies and a Master’s in Social Work but her inner child is in many ways her creativity co-pilot and has shown her this expansive way of “working”. Cynthia is the host of the podcast Confetti All Around and has a wellness agency called Rooted in Reflection.

Find Cynthia, her services and shop where you can buy her latest book ⁠My Marianismo: Nurturing Myself from the Roots to the Bloom ⁠ at ⁠https://rootedinreflection.org/⁠

IG @ rooted_in_reflection TT @rootedinreflection

Marilyn Mejia-Peña, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and visionary grassroots entrepreneur dedicated to transforming lives through compassion, sharing expertise, and strengthening resilience. She is the founder and driving force behind Resilience Social Work Inc., which began as a solo practice in 2022 and is now composed of a diverse talented team of clinicians who share the same vision. She leads a mission to uplift and heal communities through comprehensive Trauma-Informed training, consultation, mental health therapy services, social media mental health awareness and wellness campaigns and her latest project hosting the Resilience Social Work Podcast.

Find Marilyn, her services and products including the Podcast Worksheets for this episode to join the collective healing movement at ⁠https://resiliencesocialwork.com/⁠

IG @resiliencesocialwork TT@resilience.socialwork

Marilyn Mejia-Peña, LCSW, Founder, CEO

Resilience Social Work Inc.

562-384-9299

10601 Walker St., Suite 170

Cypress, CA 90630

marilyn@resiliencesocialwork.com

www.resiliencesocialwork.com

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In this conversation, Cynthia and Nikolai discuss the transformative power of literacy and education, emphasizing the importance of personal experiences, relationships, and creativity in teaching children to read. They explore Nikolai's books, which aim to make literacy accessible and engaging for everyone, and reflect on the sacredness of learning and the role of community in education. In this conversation, Nikolai and Cynthia explore the transformative power of modeling in parenting and education, emphasizing the importance of understanding mistakes as learning opportunities. They discuss personal experiences that shape educational philosophies, the significance of community in learning, and the vision for a future where love and support are central to the educational process. The conversation highlights the need for accessible resources and the role of relationships in fostering a nurturing learning environment.

Purchase Nikolai’s books Reading is For Everybody on her website

Follow Nikolai's work https://iamraisingreaders.com/work-with-nikolai

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Cynthia reflects on her transformative break, discussing the emotional turmoil and healing journey she experienced. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in her work and shares insights on connecting with ancestral roots through everyday tasks, particularly in the kitchen. The conversation highlights the significance of gratitude and self-discovery in personal growth, as well as the power of mundane rituals to foster deeper connections with one's heritage.

This episode includes readings from her latest book, My Marianismo, available at rootedinreflection.org.

This episode was recorded early January 2025 and reflects that timeline. Stay tuned for more Marianismo cuentos! Please review our podcast if you enjoy these conversations. Thank you for listening!

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Water as a Mother Figure

In this solo episode Cynthia reflects on various childhood years where water, sacred agua, has nurtured, cared for and protected her. She shares, with gratitude, personal stories of being mothered by water and women who've felt like water throughout her life. This conversation holds space for the ebbs and flows of milestones and memories.

If you like this episode, you'll love Cynthia's latest book entitled, "My Marianismo: Nurturing Myself From The Roots to the Bloom" available at rootedinreflection.org

Please consider leaving a podcast review, we would love and appreciate it. Thank you for your support!

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Cynthia welcomes Georgina Garay Lozano, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to discuss her passion for inner child work and the importance of addressing taboo topics in therapy. Georgina shares her experiences working with sexual abuse survivors and the challenges faced by first-generation individuals in navigating family dynamics and self-identity. The conversation delves into the impact of cultural expectations, emotional labor, and the necessity of setting boundaries for personal well-being. Through their dialogue, they explore the complexities of generational healing and the role of parents in shaping their children's emotional landscapes. In this conversation, Cynthia and Georgina explore the complexities of family dynamics, the journey towards inner validation, and the importance of creating space for vulnerability in parenting.

Work with Georgina at: https://latinxtherapy.com/therapists/georgina-garay-lozano-lmft/

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Cynthia reconnects with returning guest Nadia De Ala, who shares her journey of moving to Oaxaca, Mexico, and the profound changes in her life and business. They discuss themes of abundance, grief in entrepreneurship, the importance of supportive partnerships, and the healing power of ancestral connections. Nadia reflects on her transition from a fast-paced life in the Bay Area to a slower, more balanced existence in Oaxaca, emphasizing the importance of emotional well-being and community support. In this conversation, Nadia De Ala shares her experiences of navigating power dynamics in her relationship, embracing change, and rediscovering creativity and identity after moving to Oaxaca. She discusses the importance of mutual support and cultivating equitable love, as well as the challenges of surrendering to ancestral love and receiving the land's embrace.

Nadia De Ala has offerings available now for 1:1 and group support for stepping into your powerful voice in business and spirit led work.

2025 Offering: Activate Your Voice, a 5-week live workshop for BIPOC women & femmes:

https://realyouleadership.com/group-coaching

Check out Nadia's offerings at realyouleadership.com/about and on IG:nadiadeala

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Cynthia welcomes Mayra Najera, the founder of Gracias Madrecita, a card game designed to foster deeper connections between mothers and their children. The conversation delves into Mayra's personal journey, including her experiences at a darkness retreat that inspired the creation of the game. They discuss themes of generational trauma, the importance of storytelling, and the challenges of navigating familial relationships. Mayra shares her vision for the future of Gracias Madrecita and how it aims to create generational joy through connection and understanding. In this conversation, Cyn and Mayra explore the themes of support, community, and healing through storytelling and shared experiences, particularly focusing on mother-daughter dynamics. They discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for emotional connection, the power of generational lessons, and the legacy they wish to leave for future generations. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of understanding and honoring one's roots while fostering joy and healing in relationships.

Mayra Najera is the founder of Generational Joy Inc. and the creator of a healing deck. Gracias Madrecita© is a question driven card game where Moms and their grown-up kids take turns on a journey of self-discovery. It is more than a card game; it’s our call to reclaim our collective wisdom and generational joy. Mayra started a kickstarter for her cards and consulted with mental health professionals and focus groups to bring a game that is safe for everyone to play. This is a gift of love the the generations before and after us. Thank you to Mayra. Visit the webiste and consider supporting this intergenerational dream.

Graciasmadrecita.com

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Welcome to the podcast Sofia Aguilar!

In this conversation, Cynthia and Sofia discuss their perfect Sundays and the importance of safe spaces like libraries. Sofia shares her various roles as a writer, social media coordinator, book reviewer, and library clerk. They talk about the significance of children's literature and the impact it has on shaping our memories. Sofia also highlights the intentional ways her parents show love through sharing books and memes. They delve into Sofia's involvement with Hip Latina and her goal of increasing visibility for Latinas in all fields. Sofia Aguilar shares her journey as a writer and interviewer, highlighting the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of community and kindness.

Sofía Aguilar is a Chicana writer, editor, and library professional based on the traditional homelands of the Tongva and Chumash peoples, now known as Los Angeles, California. Her work has appeared in the L.A. Times, Refinery29 Somos, and New Orleans Review, among other publications. As a freelance journalist, she frequently covers breaking news, politics, pop culture, media and entertainment, and representation of marginalized communities for media outlets including Latina Media, HipLatina, and Unpublished Magazine. As an alum of WriteGirl and a first-generation college graduate, Sofía earned a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, where she received the Andrea Klein Willison Prize for Poetry and the Spencer Barnett Memorial Prize for Excellence in Latin American and Latinx Studies. STREAMING SERVICE: golden shovels made for tv (2021) is her self-published debut poetry chapbook. Its sequel STREAMING SERVICE: season two, also self-published, was released in June 2022. She is at work on her third poetry chapbook and her first novel, with her debut children’s picture book spotlighting past and present queer heroes from Latin America and the U.S. forthcoming from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She is currently pursuing an M.S. in Library and Information Science at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies. You can find her at sofiaaguilar.com or at @sofiaxaguilar on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.