In this episode, Amapola dives deep into what it really means to set healthy boundaries especially for Chicana and Latina moms who were raised to put everyone else first. From cultural guilt to emotional exhaustion, this heartfelt conversation reminds us that saying “no” is not selfish — it’s sacred.

Amapola breaks down how to identify your limits, start small, communicate clearly, and stay consistent. She also shares insight on how to navigate guilt, cultural expectations, and pushback when you begin to stand in your power.

If you’ve ever felt tired, overstretched, or guilty for protecting your peace, this episode is your loving reminder that boundaries are an act of self-respect and self-love.

🌿 Key Takeaways

• Boundaries are not walls — they are bridges that teach others how to treat you.
• Saying “no” doesn’t mean you don’t care; it means you’re caring for yourself, too.
• Guilt is a sign of growth, not wrongdoing.
• Boundaries protect your energy, peace, and mental health.
• You deserve relationships built on respect, not obligation.

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At an early age Edward Andrès Dennis always knew he wanted to be an artist. His fondest memories are of his mother reading books to him and watching Reading Rainbow. Day and night Edward was creating something, a doodle, some craft or writing a story in hopes of one day creating a book for children like himself to read. Edward created art through his teenage to adult life working for some of the most prestigious companies. His favorite times have been spent as a Special Education teacher in inner city Phoenix. Edward currently lives between Los Angeles, California and Phoenix, Arizona where he works as a freelance artist. His 2 life goals are to inspire children that look like him and that his children's books have an impact on youth and how they view the world.

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Edward has worked with brands such as Toyota USA, Yakima racks, Disney, Giant/Liv Cycling, Sesame Street, Shimano, Epic Rides, Corel, Anheuser-Busch, Western Union and Giordana cycling. He has been in publications like Mountain flyer: the mountain bike journal, ImagineFX, Bicycling Magazine,Backcountry magazine, Outside business journal, Pure Nintendo and Nintendo force, Trail builder Magazine. He has also worked on several video games such as Super Ubie Island, Up Up Ubie and currently Super Ubie Island 2.

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Edward has been recognized by the Latino Film Institute as a LatinX in Animation Spark Grant Finalist with Netflix for 2023 and is pursuing the adaptation of his children’s books into an animated film/series. Edward is currently Writing and Directing his debut short film.

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He has been featured on CNN, FOX, ABC, TV AZTECA, TELEMUNDO and UNIVISION for his books.

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In this episode of the Chicana & Latina Moms Podcast, host Amapola Ramirez MS. MSW dives into the powerful and often overlooked topic of empathy regulation. As Latinas, many of us were raised with values like familismo putting family first — and marianismo — the expectation to always nurture, sacrifice, and care for others before ourselves. While these cultural strengths have made us resilient, they can also leave us emotionally drained when we carry everyone else’s struggles on our shoulders.

So how do we stay compassionate without becoming overwhelmed? How do we show up with corazón for our families, our children, and our comunidad, while still protecting our peace? That’s where empathy regulation comes in.

✨ In this conversation, we explore:

• What empathy regulation really means and why it matters for Latina moms.
• How cultural values both strengthen and challenge our ability to set emotional boundaries.
• Everyday examples of empathy regulation in parenting, family dynamics, and community work.
• Practical tools to practice empathy regulation, like breathing, grounding, cultural rituals, and affirmations in Spanglish.
• How to transform empathy from something that drains us into something that empowers us.

This episode is a reminder that taking care of yourself is not selfish t’s an act of love. By regulating our empathy, we create more patience, presence, and connection with the people who matter most.

💬 Favorite takeaway: “Cuidar de mí es cuidar de mi familia. My empathy is a gift, not a burden.”

If you’ve ever felt like you absorb too much of other people’s pain or lose yourself in your role as mamá, hermana, or hija, this episode will give you tools and encouragement to reclaim your emotional balance.

📌 Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy and should not replace professional mental health support. Please reach out to a licensed therapist if you need personalized guidance.

🌸 Join the comunidad:
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another mamá, tía, or amiga who needs this reminder. Together, we can continue building spaces of healing, resilience, and empowerment for Chicana and Latina moms everywhere.

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