In this episode of Getting Real with Rueben, Rueben welcomes Tejano legend Shelly Lares for an honest and inspiring conversation about legacy, mentorship, faith, and the power of authenticity. Shelly reflects on the values that shaped her, her transition from decades of performing into mentorship and music production, and the life changing work she now does through hospice care and music therapy.

The episode also explores what it means to show up fully as yourself in every space, how Tejano music has evolved over generations, and why preserving culture while creating room for growth is so important. From leadership and advocacy to healing through music, this conversation is full of wisdom, heart, and purpose.

This Women’s History Month, I’m sitting down with Clarissa Gamboa for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on Getting Real.

At 19, she became a mom.
She navigated single motherhood, government assistance, shame, survival mode — and the pressure to “do life in the right order.”

She built a career in real estate, title, and mortgage. She climbed. She achieved. She provided.

But somewhere along the way, hustle culture started costing her time with her family.

Then came the bold decision: sell the cars, leave Texas, and move her entire family to Puerto Rico with no real plan — just faith and a feeling.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up fast
• Being a teen mom and finding your power
• Chasing success vs. defining it
• Marriage, motherhood, and missed moments
• Slowing down in Puerto Rico
• Rebuilding life and business on your own terms
• Trusting your gut when it makes no logical sense

This is a conversation about healing, courage, family, and rewriting your story.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode… if you’ve ever felt behind… if you’ve ever wondered what happens when you bet on yourself — this one’s for you.

Press play.

In this solo episode of Getting Real w Rueben, Rueben reacts to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance and the online arguments it sparked about unity, language, culture, and what people choose to be offended by. He breaks down how both things can be true at once: the halftime show can be entertainment and still carry a message, and the NFL can spotlight culture while still operating like the billion dollar business it is.

Rueben also calls out the hypocrisy behind Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show, digs into how outrage spreads, and shares a real conversation about extremes, research, and how we move in today’s America. From boycotts to big corporations to the way we judge people based on symbols, Rueben challenges listeners to lead with grace, think critically, and look inward before pointing fingers.

Then he pivots local and addresses the buzz around San Antonio Socialites, confirming he was briefly part of the original cast, why he stepped away, and how the rollout and behind the scenes vibe did not align with his standards. If you’ve been curious about what happened, this is the most direct and respectful version of Rueben’s truth.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Rueben sits down with San Antonio content creator and marketing professional Jacklyn to talk about friendship, grief, hustle and finding your purpose. From how they first met through a local event to the deep bond Jacklyn shared with her best friend and how she continues to honor his spirit after his passing, this conversation goes far beyond social media.

Jacklyn opens up about growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, being raised by strong, hardworking women and how her family’s story shaped her work ethic and drive. She also shares her journey from studying psychology and becoming a therapist to building a successful career in marketing and content creation, and why the creator industry can feel lonely when no one wants to share knowledge or offer help.

Together, Rueben and Jacklyn talk about Latino family pressure, being the strong one in your family, setting boundaries, healing, and learning that you do not have to carry everyone’s weight to be successful. This episode is about ambition, community, grief, resilience and choosing to build a life that feels meaningful.

If you are navigating loss, building a creative career, or trying to balance family expectations with your own dreams, this conversation will hit home.

Topics include:
San Antonio creators and small business marketing
Grief and honoring loved ones after loss
Latina ambition and family pressure
Mental health and boundaries
Building a career in content creation
Community over competition

Follow Jacklyn:

Instagram: @byjacklynsof

TikTok: @byjacklynsof

In this raw and deeply inspiring episode, I sit down with the creators behind Fit and Fluffy to talk about what really happens when life doesn’t go according to plan and how hitting rock bottom can become the start of your strongest comeback.

They open up about getting married, getting divorced shortly after, and how those emotional lows became the turning point that pushed them toward fitness and healing. What started as a way to cope turned into a lifestyle that changed their confidence, their mindset, and their belief in what their bodies are capable of.

We talk about running, training for half marathons, and now taking on the ultimate challenge of the Chicago Marathon. They share what it’s like to be big girls in a space that doesn’t always feel inclusive, and why they refuse to wait to be a certain size before chasing big goals. Their mission is simple and powerful: you do not have to look like a runner to be one, and you do not have to be perfect to start.

This conversation is about resilience, redefining strength, body confidence, and proving that movement is for every body. If you have ever felt stuck, discouraged, or like fitness wasn’t meant for you, this episode is for you.

It’s the first episode of 2026, and we’re starting the year with intention. In this episode, I talk about New Year’s resolutions, redefining success, confidence, and why perfectionism can hold you back. We get real about goal setting, starting over when you fall off, and how to stop overthinking and just take the leap.

If you’re feeling pressure to have it all figured out or comparing yourself to everyone else, this episode is a reminder that growth takes time. Success looks different for everyone, and confidence doesn’t have to be loud to be real. This conversation is for anyone looking to reset, refocus, and move into 2026 with clarity and purpose.

In this episode of Getting Real w/ Rueben, I sit down with Destiny Navaira, a San Antonio native and rising Tejano artist carving her own lane beyond a legendary last name.

While we honor the iconic Navaira family legacy, the heart of this conversation is Destiny’s journey as a solo artist navigating an industry that often underestimates women. She opens up about the realities of being a woman in music, the pressure of public scrutiny, and what it’s been like to pursue her weight loss and wellness journey in the public eye while staying grounded in who she is.

Destiny speaks candidly about the challenges, the politics of the music industry, and the moments that tested her confidence and resilience. She doesn’t hold back. From creative control and expectations placed on women to redefining success on her own terms, this episode is raw, empowering, and deeply inspiring.

If you’re an artist, a creative, or anyone chasing a dream while navigating criticism, comparison, and growth, this conversation is for you.

Follow Destiny Navaira:

Instagram: @DestinyNavaira

TikTok: @DestinyNavaira

Youtube: Destiny Navaira

Ajayy Rivas is one of San Antonio’s fastest-rising comedic voices — a creator whose characters, quick wit, and cultural storytelling have built a loyal following across Texas and beyond. But behind the humor is a layered story of identity, resilience, and purpose.

In this episode of Getting Real w/ Rueben, Ajayy opens up about the roots of his comedy, growing up Latino in South Texas, the experiences that shaped his confidence, and how he’s using his platform to uplift the community. From his viral characters to his work on a national HIV testing campaign, Ajay shares the heart, humor, and intention behind everything he creates.

We talk about finding your voice, honoring the people who raised you, representing culture with pride, and the responsibility that comes with influence. This is Ajay like you’ve never heard him — honest, vulnerable, reflective, and hilarious.

If you love conversations that blend laughter, culture, faith, purpose, and authenticity, this episode was made for you.

In this exclusive episode of Getting Real with Rueben, Rueben Hernandez-Valdez sits down with Selling Sunset’s Nicole Young for a raw, unfiltered conversation about reality TV, reputation, and redemption. Nicole opens up about the truth behind her feud with Emma Hernan, the “villain edit,” her real-life business at the Oppenheim Group, and what viewers never saw on Netflix. From production secrets and friendships fractured to personal growth and reclaiming her voice, this is the interview every Selling Sunset fan needs to hear.

Getting Real with Rueben goes beyond the drama to explore authenticity, accountability, and the power of owning your story — one real conversation at a time.

Getting Real w/ Rueben: Getting Wicked for Good dives into the themes behind the Wicked Movie 2025 starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, exploring what Elphaba and Glinda can teach us about courage, authenticity, and rising above judgment.

In this reflective solo episode, Rueben connects iconic Wicked moments like Defying Gravity and For Good to real-life lessons about leadership, being misunderstood, choosing truth over approval, and the people who change us for good.

This episode blends pop culture, mindset, self-growth, and heartfelt storytelling — perfect for Wicked fans, movie lovers, Broadway fans, and anyone navigating their own journey of becoming. Rueben unpacks Glinda energy vs. Elphaba energy, real-world “defy gravity” moments, and how to embrace what makes you different in a world that rewards conformity.

Whether you’re watching Wicked Part One on release day or discovering the story for the first time, this episode offers a grounded, meaningful take on the magic, the music, and the message behind one of the most iconic stories of our time.