America's Dreamers

My guest today is Denzel Mendoza, a Dreamer who went from being homeless on the streets of New York to becoming a GRAMMY award winning trombonist.

He was one of 50 undoumented artists who took part in the jazz album called “AMERICAN DREAMERS– VOICES OF HOPE, MUSIC AND FREEDOM” which was lead by composer John Daversa and took home 3 Grammys back in 2019. 

Denzel was born in Singapore and came to the US at age 5. And then when he was nine years old, his father left the country and abandoned him along with his mother and sister. It happened just two months before his entire family was set to get permanent residency… 

leaving him undocumented. 

Denzel has a new digital album out now called “ILLEGAL SON” where he pours out his undocumented experience through this music. 

FIRST: In this episode– Denzel chats about fatherhood and dealing with family trauma and the impact his dad’s departure had on his life. 

THEN: He shares the ups and downs of chasing a music career in NYC and how he ended up in Portland– and how he picked himself off the streets and got on the road–sharing his music and story all over the United States.

AND FINALLY: How winning a grammy has changed his life, and what he’s up to now. 

I would love your feedback! We now have an instagram account for this podcast– go give us some love– we’re at @AmericasDreamers! Or you can tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing the show, it’s a cost-free way to support this content. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you.

My guest today is Chef Byron Gomez, who’s re-defining what it means to be American… one delicious dish at a time! He’s a DACA Dreamer who went from breaking change at Burger King…. to working at Michelin Star restaurants alongside some world-renowned chefs like Daniel Boulud, Ronny Emboruy, and others… to recently getting selected to be on the Bravo TV show TOP CHEF!

Chef Byron came to the US from Costa Rica when he was 8 years old and grew up in Long Island, New York before moving to Colorado. 

FIRST: Chef Byron shares the impact DACA has had on his culinary career, as well as the struggles along the way including working at restaurants for free just to get a bite to eat when money was tight. 

THEN: How he got a shot to be on the show TOP CHEF in the middle of the pandemic. What he learned and why you might see on TV again soon!

ALSO: We get into what he’s up to now. He recently left his job as executive chef at 7908 Aspen Supper club… and he now wants to meet you and cook for you?

AND FINALLY: Chef Byron shares his tips to become a star in your own kitchen… some helpful steps to get started if you finally want to learn how to cook or bake!

I would love your feedback! We now have an instagram account for this podcast– go give us some love– we’re at @AmericasDreamers! Or you can tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing the show, it’s a cost-free way to support this content. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you.

Today I’m chatting with a former news gal: Corina Hierro (@CorinaHierro) who is now a tech entrepreneur.  Corina left the news business and became a founding member of the job-finding app called “Chamba” which helps Latinos find jobs by connecting them directly to employers ready to hire!

FIRST: Corina talks about coming to the USA from Mexico and how she got into the News industry and why she decided to leave and start something new in the middle of the pandemic!

THEN: We talk about getting over fear and uncertainty and starting over with your career and life. And how you can find your purpose and passion. 

AND FINALLY: Only 2% of people working in tech are Latinas and Corina shares some tips on breaking into the male-dominated industry. And how she’s creating impact in her community through Chamba– an app by latinos for latinos. 

I would love your feedback!  Find me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing our show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. 

We now have an instagram account for this podcast– go give us some love– we’re at @AmericasDreamers 

I’ve posted a link there to download the app if you’re interested!

My guest today is the author of the first Children’s picture book written by a DACA Dreamer. Her name is Areli Morales, (@AreliNYC) and she’s a DACA recipient and school teacher. In her book, “Areli is a Dreamer” she shares her experience uprooting from Mexico and moving to New York as a little girl. 

FIRST: In this episode, we get into how a failed opportunity landed Areli a huge second chance to publish this book! 

THEN: Areli will share 5 amazing tips if you’re interested in writing and publishing your own book one day. 

AND FINALLY: We get into what allies– especially teachers in the classroom– can do to support undocumented students or those living in mixed immigration households. 

I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. 

We now have an instagram account for this podcast– go give us some love– we’re at @AmericasDreamers 

I’ve posted a link there to buy her book if you’re interested!

My guest today went from Undocumented to the Supreme Court! Luis Cortes Romero– is an immigration lawyer, advocate, and Dreamer who was part of the team that successfully defended the DACA Program before the U.S. Supreme Court and won.  

Luis was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when he was just 2 years old and grew up in California's Bay Area. He’s currently a partner at NOVO LEGAL GROUP in the Seattle area. 

FIRST: We discuss the route that took him to argue before the nation’s highest court to protect the legal program that allowed him to become an attorney in the first place!

THEN: Luis gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it was like during the arguments before the Supreme Court Justices. And a look at the unique team– including one unlikely conservative key player who joined the effort to win the case. 

AND FINALLY: What he says immigration advocacy looks like right now during a Biden administration. And what activists should be focusing on right now?

I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. 

My guest today is Jocelyn Rivas (@JoselintheWarrior), a #DACA recipient who holds the Guinness World Records for both the youngest PERSON and the youngest WOMAN to run 100 marathons! Picture that: That’s running 26.2 miles 100 times over!  Jocelyn came to the U.S. from El Salvador when she was 6 years old, and grew up in Los Angeles, California.  

FIRST: In this episode, she shares her miraculous birth story. She was born with a medical condition that left her with broken feet. How she defied doctors who thought she’d never walk– let alone run! 

THEN: She shares what inspired her to start running, and why she decided to break two world records. When she’s not running, Jocelyn works in tech and we discuss how she navigates working in such a male-dominated industry. And she shares her tips to go after your dream no matter who crazy or unreasonable it may be. 

AND FINALLY:  We chat about why running forced her to go vegan and why she’s not done yet with pushing the limits of her running– and her advice if you’re hoping to run your first race this year!  

I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. Gracias!

My guest today is a track and field star who made history at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Luis Grijalva (@LuisGrijalva_) is one of the fastest people on the planet but almost didn’t get a chance to compete because of his immigration status. He’s a DACA recipient who was brought to the U.S. from Guatemala when he was a year old. Luis grew up in Northern California and went to Northern Arizona University and he’s now competing as a professional runner. Because he’s a DACA recipient, competing for the USA wasn’t an option, but given his birth– he was able to compete for Guatemala. And winning a spot was the easy part,  the road to Tokyo was so bumpy and a race against time!

FIRST: In this episode, Luis shares all the drama that involved securing a special immigration permit to travel outside of the U.S. and compete at the games. He shares what it took to finally get that document and the unbelievable lengths his Lawyer Jessica Smith Bobadilla (@iamattorneyjessica) had to go to make this all a reality.  

THEN: He explains what it was like to make history on that race track at the Tokyo Olympics, where he became the first Central American to qualify for the 5,000 meter race final. His biggest challenge, lesson and the  most unforgettable memory. Also, what it meant to him to run his new personal best and set a Guatemalan national record at the Olympics

AND FINALLY: We also get into dealing with critics, mental challenges and all the hurdles that come with being a DACA recipient– and what he recommends for overcoming all that to achieve even the most impossible dream. 

I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. 

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ History month! Today’s episode features a guest who highlights the importance of both celebrations this October 2021. 

Nathalie Huerta made history as the Latina founder of The Queer Gym, the first LGBTQ Gym in the US. She’s made it her mission to help clients gain the support they need and feel comfortable while working out without the judgement they may face at regular gyms. 

FIRST: In this episode, Nathalie shares what it’s like to grow up in a large Mexican-American family in California. She’s one of 10 kids! And how her parents inspired her to become an entrepreneur. Plus, the one thing she recommends you tackle first, before starting your own business. 

THEN: She explains why working out is like dating! We discuss health and fitness and how to find a routine that works for both your mental and physical wellbeing… and actually stick with it!

FINALLY:  Nathalie shares her coming out story and gets real about the homophobia that still exists in the Latino community. What she says can be done to combat it and eliminate the toxic conversations and behaviors surrounding the LGBTQ community. 

I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating!

My guest today is a literal example of reaching for the stars! 

Jose Hernandez went from working in the fields with his parents up and down California to becoming the first Mexican-American NASA Astronaut. In 2009, he was part of the STS-128 mission on board the Space Shuttle, Discovery.

FIRST: Jose shares his 6-ingredient recipe for success that helped him land his nearly impossible dream of going to space! It took him 12 tries! He tells us why he didn't give up and what finally got him accepted into NASA.

Jose has broken many barriers but is also honest about both the physical and mental hurdles along the way to achieving his dream.

THEN: Jose’s daughter-- Vanessa also joins us to share what it’s been like to live in her dad’s iconic shadow and how she’s using Tiktok to tell her dad’s story. 

AND FINALLY: Jose gets real about dealing with imposter syndrome and how he’s helping others who may be silently suffering. And he also shares how his life has come full circle! He’s back working the fields with his 80-year old dad… but this time they’re working the vineyards and developing their own brand of WINES! And he shares about the new Netflix film based on his life and all the other cool projects he's working on. 

I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating!

The first episode of 2021! Get ready to be inspired by Dr. Gloria Montiel’s unprecedented career that has broken many barriers and paved the way for countless others in her community. She went from undocumented to the ivy league when she beat the odds and got into HARVARD! Back then she was one of the first undocumented students to ever do that. 

FIRST: We discuss her educational journey. Gloria shares the sacrifices, tears and hard work that it took to get into the Ivy League. Including the moment she was once told, "Mexican girls don’t go to Harvard.” Against all odds, she proved she could. And she wasn’t done yet. 

LATER: She later became the very first undocumented student to graduate from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education master’s program in learning and teaching. Then she made history AGAIN when she became the first undocumented student to get a Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University. 

FINALLY: Gloria shares how she’s using her knowledge, resources, and grant-writing skills to bring in millions of dollars to create opportunities in her Orange County, CA community. You’ll hear how she’s creating opportunities for others like her, by tackling education, health access and community engagement. 

AND BONUS: Why the first thing she did after getting her work permit as a HARVARD grad was to apply for a job at McDonald’s! 

I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers

Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating!