In this Father's Day episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Alex Fernandez, an educator and father who's been working in Chicago Public Schools for 17 years. As someone who works at my son Diego's school and presented on restorative practices, Alex brought such valuable insights about intentional parenting from the Latino dad perspective. Our conversation really resonated with me, especially as we discussed the challenge of breaking generational cycles while honoring our cultural roots.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode129

What You'll Hear:

• Why "what are you modeling?" is the most important question we can ask ourselves as parents
• How to validate our children's feelings while still maintaining boundaries
• Balancing traditional Latino values with intentional parenting approaches and handling family criticism
• Why therapy and personal growth are essential, plus how modeling accountability changes everything

Resources Mentioned:

• Mistaken Goal Chart

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

En este episodio EN ESPAÑOL, invitamos a Liscar Bonilla, fundadora de Amalactar y autora de su primer libro, "Amamantar y no rendirse en el intento: 100 consejos para mamás." En esta conversación, compartí mi propia experiencia de relactación, y Liscar nos brindó consejos invaluables sobre cómo navegar la lactancia como mamás latinas, y desmitificamos algunos mitos que han afectado mamás que desean amamantar.

Lo que escucharás:

• Mi experiencia personal con la lactancia materna
• Los 3 consejos más importantes de Liscar para una lactancia exitosa
• Cómo desmitificar creencias dañinas como "la leche es agua"
• Estrategias reales para conciliar la lactancia materna y el trabajo
• Por qué necesitamos recursos en español para madres latinas

Para obtener notas detalladas del episodio, visita vivalamami.com/episode128

Recursos mencionados:

• Libro: "Lactancia materna y sin rendirse: 100 consejos para mamás"
• Léelo en Kindle
• Liga de La Leche Internacional
• Tarjeta "Conozca sus derechos" de la extracción de leche materna en el trabajo

Cómo seguir a Liscar y Amalactar:

• Instagram: @liscarbonilla
• Amalactar Instagram: @amalactar
• Sitio web: www.amalactar.com
• Facebook: @amalactar
• TikTok: @amalactar

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In this episode IN SPANISH, we invite Liscar Bonilla, founder of Amalactar and author of her first book, "Breastfeeding and NOT Giving Up! 100 Tips for first-time Moms." In this conversation, I shared my own relactation journey, and Liscar gave us invaluable advice on how to navigate breastfeeding as Latina moms, as well as debunk some myths that have plagued moms who want to breastfeed.

What You'll Hear:

• My personal experience with breastfeeding
• Liscar's 3 most important tips for successful breastfeeding
• How to debunk harmful beliefs like "milk is water"
• Real strategies for balancing breastfeeding and work
• Why we need Spanish-language resources for Latina mothers

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode128

Resources Mentioned:

• Physical Book in Spanish: "Lactancia materna y sin rendirse: 100 consejos para mamás"
• Read it in English on Kindle

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The secret is finally out - my family and I are moving to Mexico! In this episode, I'm joined by my husband as we share the announcement that's been two years in the making. We're relocating to León, Guanajuato with our boys, and I'm so excited to bring you along on this incredible journey.

I open up about how this decision came together - from our four-week trip to Mexico that changed everything, to the stars aligning with our current living situation, and most importantly, our boys being at the perfect age for this adventure.

What You'll Hear:

• The real story behind our two-year planning process and what finally made us take the leap
• Why we chose León, Guanajuato over other Mexican cities and how it balances big city life with family proximity
• How the Viva la Mami Collective is evolving to serve Latina moms globally
• Why this move isn't just about us - it's about giving our children core memories in our motherland

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode127

Resources Mentioned:

• VLM Newsletter signup: vivalamami.com/newsletter (subscribers heard this news first!)
• VLM Collective: vivalamami.com/vlm-collective
• Follow our Mexico journey on Instagram @vivalamami
• Watch the full video version on YouTube @vivalamami

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Season 5 of Viva la Mami! I'm so excited to share this new season focused on reclaiming our cultura as Latina mothers. In this premiere episode, I open up about what's been happening in my household with my boys who are 4 and under, and how watching them naturally connect with our traditions inspired this season's theme.

I share updates on our podcast journey - we now have over 120 episodes and 6,000+ downloads - and discuss how we're expanding the show while staying true to our mission of empowering Latina moms to redefine madrehood on their own terms.

What You'll Hear:

• How my boys' natural curiosity about our cultura sparked this season's focus on reclaiming our roots
• What "reclaiming our cultura" means for modern Latina mothers and why we don't have to choose between worlds
• This season's exciting lineup
• Four ways you can support Viva la Mami as we grow and expand to new platforms like YouTube
• A major announcement coming this Monday, May 26th that newsletter subscribers will hear first

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode126

Resources Mentioned:

• VLM Newsletter signup: vivalamami.com/newsletter
• VLM Collective: vivalamami.com/collective
• Email: podcast@vivalamami.com
• The VLM podcast is NOW on YouTube!! If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to @vivalamami.

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, we welcome Mariana Dineen, a registered dietitian and founder of Elemento Health. She shares the importance of nutrition within the Latino community, especially for mothers striving to adopt a healthier lifestyle while preserving cultural traditions. Mariana emphasizes the significance of cultural relevance in nutrition counseling, overcoming language barriers, and the unique challenges faced by the Latino community in accessing healthcare.

She offers practical strategies for meal planning and managing chronic diseases like diabetes through a cultural lens, stressing the importance of balance and inclusion rather than the elimination of cultural foods. We also touched on the impact of stress on eating habits, particularly for busy Latina moms, and how to address these issues holistically.

Mariana’s commitment to cultural sensitivity in her practice, Elemento Health, underscores her dedication to providing accessible and empathetic nutrition care. If you've ever felt shame about your cultural foods or struggled to find a healthcare provider who truly gets you, this episode is for you.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode125

Key topics covered:

• Breaking down barriers to accessing nutrition care for Latinas
• Making traditional dishes healthier while preserving cultural roots
• Managing stress eating and emotional relationships with food
• Practical meal planning strategies for busy mamas
• Culturally sensitive approaches to managing conditions like diabetes

Connect with Mariana from Elemento Health!

• Email: mariana@elementohealth.com
• Instagram: @elemento_health
• Website: elementohealth.com

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, I delve into the all-too-common experiences of emotional dysregulation and ‘mom rage’ that many Latina moms face. Joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Jocelyn Flores, founder of Raíz Parenting, we discuss practical tools like mindful breathing techniques and setting healthy boundaries to help manage these overwhelming emotions.

Jocelyn also shares insights on the impact of our cultural background and the importance of self-compassion in the parenting journey. This is an authentic, judgment-free conversation aimed at providing support and reminding mamis that they are not alone in their struggles. We also explore how to break generational cycles of parenting and create a more emotionally secure environment for our children.

For full show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode124

Connect with Jocelyn Flores

• Website: raiz-parenting.com
• Instagram: @raizparenting

Resources Mentioned:

• Get Raíz Parenting’s Break the Cycle Freebie: www.raiz-parenting.com/freebie

Feeling overwhelmed by navigating cultural expectations and modern parenting as a Latina mom? Join Balanced Madrehood, Viva la Mami's signature coaching program designed to empower Latina moms to create a more balanced and fulfilling madrehood journey. Head over to vivalamami.com/balanced-madrehood to learn more!

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, we welcome Erika Milla, creator of Spanish En Casita, an online community for parents striving to raise bilingual children. As a dedicated mom raising bilingual kids, Erika shares how she's preserving Spanish at home.

In our conversation, we dive into the mental and emotional struggles of bilingual parenting and the ups and downs of dual immersion programs. Erika also opens up about homeschooling her kids and gives tips for other parents on similar journeys. In addition, talk about the importance of community, cultural pride, and staying intentional in raising bilingual children.

For full show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode123

Follow Erika Milla!

• Instagram: instagram.com/spanish.en.casita

Feeling overwhelmed by navigating cultural expectations and modern parenting as a Latina mom? Join Balanced Madrehood, Viva la Mami's signature coaching program designed to empower Latina moms to create a more balanced and fulfilling madrehood journey. Head over to vivalamami.com/balanced-madrehood to learn more!

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this special bonus episode, I talk with author Catalina Margulis about her debut novel "Again, Only More Like You" which releases TODAY, April 29th, 2025! Catalina shares her journey from journalism and magazine editing to becoming an entrepreneur, book coach, and author while raising four children.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode122

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Catalina's experiences as a working mom inspired her novel's exploration of friendship between women on different sides of the motherhood spectrum
• The challenge of living authentically while balancing family responsibilities
• Finding creative fulfillment through "time sprints" and dedicated self-care that isn't just bubble baths
• Overcoming mom guilt when pursuing personal passions and career goals
• Embracing imperfection and focusing on your strengths as a parent

Connect with Catalina Margulis

• Website: catmargulis.com
• Book Website: againonlymorelikeyou.com
• Instagram: @catmargulis

Feeling overwhelmed by navigating cultural expectations and modern parenting as a Latina mom? Join Balanced Madrehood, Viva la Mami's signature coaching program designed to empower Latina moms to create a more balanced and fulfilling madrehood journey. Head over to vivalamami.com/balanced-madrehood to learn more!

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠