In Season 2, Episode 3 of The Missing Book Podcast, Luz Maria Mack speaks with retired educator, mentor, and author Angela Arias, lovingly known by her students as “Dr. Mom.”

Angela shares her journey from the Dominican Republic to New York City, her 35-year career in education, and her passion for mentoring first-generation students and women of color. She also discusses her book Half a Century Ago, inspired by her childhood experience as a young immigrant growing up in New York during the 1970s.

Angela explains why she refused to change her story to fit the publishing industry’s expectation that Latino stories must always focus on trauma. Instead, she chose to believe in her voice and publish stories rooted in family, education, resilience, culture, and love.

This powerful conversation reminds us that our stories matter, our destinies belong to us, and we do not have to wait for permission to share our truth.

🎙️ Subscribe to The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #AngelaArias #LuzMariaMack #HalfACenturyAgo #DominicanAuthors #LatinoStories #ImmigrantStories #RepresentationMatters

What happens when someone who struggled with reading grows up to become an author and helps young people believe in themselves?

In Season 2, Episode 2 of The Missing Book Podcast, I sit down with author and educator Liza May Read for a beautiful and honest conversation about finding your purpose, believing in yourself, and having the courage to keep going even when you are afraid.

Liza shares how struggling with reading shaped her childhood and how that journey eventually led her to books, writing, and working with students in New York City schools. We also talk about her book Mirror: Meet Yourself, Become the Author of Your Life and the work she is doing to remind young people that they have the power to write their own story.

We get real about limiting beliefs, self-publishing, finding your voice, learning to ask for help, and doing the work even when everything is not perfect. We also talk about why our past is part of our story, but it does not have to decide what comes next.

One of my favorite reminders from this conversation is simple. You are the author of your life, and you are still writing your story. ✨

🎙️ Subscribe to The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #LizaMayRead #LuzMariaMack #AuthorOfYourLife #Mirror #LatinaAuthors #RepresentationMatters #SelfPublishing #LiteracyMatters #SocialEmotionalLearning #FindingYourPurpose #BelieveInYourself #NYCEducators

What happens when your child asks, “Why doesn’t anyone know we exist?”

In the first episode of Season 2 of The Missing Book Podcast, Luz Maria Mack sits down with her friend, author and entrepreneur Christine Osoria, for a deeply personal conversation about cultural identity, motherhood, representation, and creating the spaces we wish existed.

Christine shares the story behind her children's book, Rosalia the Honduran American, which was inspired by her daughter questioning why people knew about the Dominican Republic but did not know about Honduras. It was a moment that brought Christine back to her own childhood growing up Honduran American in the Bronx and ultimately inspired her to write a story that would help children feel proud of where they come from.

Christine also talks about her journey from self-published author to founder of Lavish Booktique, a pop-up bookstore created to give more visibility to women writers and stories that are too often overlooked.

Luz and Christine get personal about what it means to build something while also being mothers, working full time, raising children, supporting their dreams, and learning that success does not have to happen according to someone else's timeline.

At its heart, this episode is about being proud of who you are, making room for stories that are missing, supporting other women, and permitting yourself to enjoy the journey.

Because our children should never have to wonder whether their culture matters. Sometimes seeing Honduras, hearing Spanish, recognizing a baleada made by Abuelita, or reading about a family that looks like theirs can be the very thing that tells a child: I belong here too.

🎙️ Subscribe to The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #Season2 #ChristineOsoria #LuzMariaMack #LavishBooktique #RosaliaTheHonduranAmerican #HonduranAmerican #HonduranStories #LatinoStories #LatinaAuthors #LatinoAuthors #DiverseBooks #RepresentationMatters #CulturalIdentity #ChildrensBooks #WomenWriters #WomenSupportingWomen #IndependentAuthors #SelfPublishedAuthors #BronxWriters #BronxAuthors #OurStoriesMatter #PublishingDiversity #MotherhoodAndCreativity #BooksThatRepresent

Season 1 comes to a heartfelt close with an inspiring conversation featuring author, educator, and NYU professor Fabienne Doucet.

In this episode of The Missing Book Podcast, host Luz Maria Mack and Fabienne explore the transformative power of children's literature, authentic representation, and why every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

Fabienne shares the inspiration behind her bilingual picture book, Love Is Still Winning (El Amor Siempre Triunfa), a story rooted in hope, kindness, and the belief that love can overcome fear and division.

Together, Luz and Fabienne discuss:

• Why culturally relevant books matter
• Representation in children's publishing
• Equity in education and classroom libraries
• Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
• Dominican, Haitian, and Afro-Latino representation
• The importance of preserving family stories
• Teaching empathy through children's literature
• How love remains at the center of meaningful storytelling

Fabienne also offers a touching preview of her next picture book, inspired by her beloved great uncle—an artist and curator from Haiti whose legacy continues to shape her life and writing.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that stories have the power to help children feel seen, valued, and connected.

Thank you for joining us throughout Season 1 of The Missing Book Podcast. Every guest has reminded us why diverse voices matter and why there are still so many stories waiting to be discovered.

Because every story deserves a reader, and everyone deserves to see themselves in a book.

🎙️ Subscribe to The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #Season1Finale #FabienneDoucet #ChildrensBooks #KidLit #RepresentationMatters #DiverseBooks #InclusiveBooks #LoveIsStillWinning #Storytelling #Literacy #Education #HaitianAuthors #LatinoAuthors #BooksThatMatter

In this episode of The Missing Book Podcast, host Luz Maria Mack sits down with poet, essayist, and educator Lisa Gil Ventura for an honest conversation about love, identity, creativity, and the courage to embrace life as a full-time writer.

Lisa shares her journey from journaling in private to becoming a published poet, how the Dominican Writers Association helped her discover her voice, and why representation in literature matters. Together, Luz and Lisa discuss poetry, publishing, motherhood, social work, imposter syndrome, self-promotion, and the importance of preserving our stories for future generations.

They also explore:

✨ Writing as healing

✨ Dominican identity and cultural pride

✨ The realities of making a living as an artist

✨ Why underrepresented voices deserve to be celebrated

✨ Raising children who are confident in who they are

✨ The power of love, community, and storytelling

📖 Featured Book:¿Con qué papel me envuelves la luna? by Lisa Gil Ventura

🎙️ Subscribe to The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

#DominicanRepublic #LatinoBooks #RepresentationMatters#Book #LisaGilVentura #DominicanWriter #Poetry #LatinaAuthor #AfroLatina #DominicanRepublic #CreativeWriting #WritersLife #RepresentationMatters #LatinoBooks #Memoir #BookPodcast #Storytelling #AuthorsOfYouTube

In this episode of The Missing Book Podcast, Luz Maria Mack sits down with author Tony Plata to discuss the inspiration behind his children's books Weekend with Papi and The Sweetness of My Island. Together, they explore fatherhood, co-parenting, cultural identity, Puerto Rican history, and the importance of preserving family stories for future generations.

Tony shares his journey from first-time author to self-published creator, the challenges of bringing books to life, and why every family has a story worth telling. This heartfelt conversation highlights the power of representation, oral history, and creating books that help children see themselves and their communities reflected on the page.

✨ Topics discussed:

📚Fatherhood and co-parenting

📚Puerto Rican heritage and migration stories

📚Preserving family history through books

📚Self-publishing and children's literature

📚Turning books into 2D animations

📚Why diverse stories matter

If you enjoy conversations about books, culture, family, and storytelling, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode.

📚 Featured Books: Weekend with Papi, The Sweetness of My Island

🎙️ About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast celebrates the authors, illustrators, creators, and storytellers whose work helps fill the gaps on our bookshelves and in our communities.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #TonyPlata #ChildrensBooks #PuertoRicanAuthors #FamilyStories #RepresentationMatters #LatinoBooks #Fatherhood #SelfPublishing #LuzMariaMack #DiverseBooks #LiteracyMatters #WeekendWithPapi #TheSweetnessOfMyIsland

In Episode 6 of The Missing Book Podcast, Luz Maria Mack sits down with educator, author, and community advocate Jennifer Cruzado for a conversation about storytelling, literacy, cultural representation, and the neighborhoods that shape us.

Jennifer shares the inspiration behind her children's book Coco Cherry Mango, a love letter to Harlem, Washington Heights, and Uptown New York City. Together, Luz and Jennifer explore why so many books about New York focus on famous landmarks while overlooking the rich history, traditions, and communities found in Harlem, Hamilton Heights, the Bronx, and beyond.

The conversation also highlights the importance of culturally relevant literature, supporting local street vendors, preserving community stories, and helping children see themselves reflected in the books they read. Jennifer shares her journey creating a Free Little Library in Pelham Bay Park, her commitment to increasing access to books in the Bronx, and why collaboration, not gatekeeping, is essential for uplifting diverse voices.

Plus, get a sneak peek at Jennifer's upcoming picture book, Calling All Cucos, inspired by Caribbean folklore and stories passed down through generations.

Whether you're an educator, parent, writer, or community builder, this episode is a reminder that some of the most important stories are waiting right outside our front doors.

📚 Coco Cherry Mango
📚 Harlem, Washington Heights & Bronx history
📚 Children's books and cultural representation
📚 Free Little Libraries and literacy access
📚 Caribbean folklore and Calling All Cucos
📚 Street vendors and community traditions
📚 Collaboration vs. gatekeeping
📚 Legacy, leadership, and storytelling

Featured Book: Coco! Cherry! Mango!About The Missing Book Podcast

The Missing Book Podcast explores the stories behind the stories—the people, communities, experiences, and conversations that inspire books, creativity, and meaningful change. Hosted by Dominican-American children's author and storyteller Luz Maria Mack, each episode celebrates the voices that help families feel seen.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #JenniferCruzado #CocoCherryMango #ChildrensBooks #Harlem #Bronx #Literacy #DiverseBooks #CommunityStorytelling #LatinoStories #RepresentationMatters

Topics Discussed:

In Episode 4 of The Missing Book Podcast, Luz Maria Mack sits down with author, educator, poet, and mother Carisa Musialik for a heartfelt conversation about representation, literacy, and the power of seeing yourself in a story.

Growing up in Valverde Mao, Dominican Republic, Carisa noticed that the books around her rarely reflected the people, homes, and culture she knew. That experience inspired her to create stories where children could recognize themselves and feel proud of where they come from.

Together, Luz and Carisa discuss:

📚 Why representation in children's books matters

📚 What it means to be Dominican

📚 Raising children who love reading and storytelling

📚 Literacy challenges facing today's students

📚 Self-publishing versus traditional publishing

📚 Why everyone has a story worth telling

This episode is a reminder that books do more than entertain they help us understand who we are, where we come from, and how we belong.

About The Missing Book Podcast

The Missing Book Podcast explores the stories behind the stories—the people, communities, experiences, and conversations that inspire books, creativity, and meaningful change. Hosted by Dominican-American children's author and storyteller Luz Maria Mack, each episode celebrates the voices that help families feel seen.

#TheMissingBookPodcast #CarisaMusialik #DominicanAuthors #DominicanRepublic #RepresentationMatters #ChildrensBooks #LatinoAuthors #AfroLatinoStories #DiverseBooks #LiteracyMatters #ReadingIsPower #Storytelling #SelfPublishing #AuthorLife #BilingualBooks #SeeYourselfInBooks #BooksThatMatter #ParentingAndLiteracy #EducationMatters #CulturalRepresentation #PodcastRecommendations #WritersCommunity #ReadingCommunity #BookPodcast #OwnVoices