In this can't-miss episode, we sit down with South Bronx legend Jimmy Rodriguez — the Puerto Rican visionary behind NYC staples like Jimmy’s Bronx Café, Sofrito, and Don Coqui for a raw and real conversation about hustle, legacy, and staying true to your roots.

Jimmy opens up about growing up in the Bronx, dropping out of high school, and hitting the streets with his dad as teen selling lobsters, a grind that would later shape his journey as a restauranteur. He shares how a lack of Latino-owned spots in the city fueled his mission to fill that void and how he secured millions as a young man to build what would become cultural hubs for Latinos in NYC.

From legendary nights hosting Celia Cruz, J.Lo, Tito Puentes, Yankees players... to the wild story of why Fidel Castro ended up at his Bronx Cafe (and how Jimmy wound up in Cuba with Castro’s uniform in hand), this episode is packed with surprises.

He gets candid about fatherhood, including being estranged from his son with actress Michael Michele. Plus, we touch on his new spot SoBro, his thoughts on Diddy’s public downfall, and why the Yankees have fallen short in showing real love to the Bronx.

Jimmy’s far from done and considers himself a forever student of life, of the restaurant game, and of the culture. Tap in for a story of resilience, reinvention, and real Bronx royalty.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this interview I sit down with Bronx-born actor David Zayas for an intimate conversation that traces his incredible journey from the streets of New York to the big and small screens. Born to Puerto Rican parents, Zayas opens up about his early years in the Bronx, joining the U.S. Air Force, and then serving as an NYPD officer all before he ever stepped foot on a stage.

While still on the force and juggling Fatherhood, Zayas began pursuing acting, eventually landing iconic roles in shows like Dexter, OZ, and Gotham. We talk about the importance of staying true to his roots as a Latino actor, his work in theater, and his deep connection to LAByrinth Theater Company, where he helped build a cultural space that’s thrived for over 30 years.

He also shares heartfelt stories about being a proud father and grandfather, including how Bad Bunny helped him connect with his granddaughter. Plus, he talks about his marriage to the incredible Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear), and teases what’s next in the Dexter universe.

This is more than a career retrospective it’s a love letter to art, culture, family, and staying grounded while dreaming big.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful and hilarious episode, we sit down with content creator turned TV star Ken Starrrz for a deep dive into his incredible journey from growing up in the Bronx  with a Dominican dad and Colombian mom, to becoming one of the most vibrant voices in digital media today.

 Ken opens up about being a loud, creative kid in a traditional Latino household, getting fired from his last 9-to-5 working in the LGBTQ community, and how that moment pushed him headfirst into content creation. He shares the story of how a personal DM from Diddy led to him landing his own show on REVOLT TV, how Nick Cannon slid into his DMs to bring him on Wild ’N Out, and his thoughts on the importance of creating content that reflects the full spectrum of Latino culture—not just West Coast or Mexican perspectives.

We also talk about his community work—food drives, back-to-school events, and giving back to those in need—and his acting debut alongside the late Pop Smoke. Ken gets real about the challenges and triumphs of the industry and what’s next as he works to launch his own scripted TV show that will spotlight underrepresented East Coast Latino voices.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we sit down with the dynamic Elizabeth Rodriguez: actress, Broadway star, and proud Nuyorican—for a conversation about her journey through some of television and theatre’s most impactful roles. From her breakout as Aleida Diaz on Orange Is the New Black to her polarizing turn as Paz Valdez on Power, Elizabeth opens up about the love, hate, and everything in between that comes with playing complex characters.

We also dive into her latest film Allswell in New York, a raw and heartfelt portrayal of sisterhood and struggle, co-starring fellow Latina powerhouses Daphne Rubin-Vega and Liza Colón-Zayas. Elizabeth shares how growing up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side as the daughter of Puerto Rican parents shaped her perspective—and her passion for telling real, rooted stories.

Plus, we talk about the growing wave of Latino narratives on stage, including Broadway’s current productions of Buena Vista Social Club and Real Women Have Curves, and why representation isn't just important—it's urgent.

This is an unfiltered, inspiring look at identity, resilience, and the magic that happens when Latinas rise together.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with Dominican newcomer Dionni6x, a rising artist reppin’ Barahona and Brentwood. Raised by her abuela after her mom migrated to the States, Dionni shares what it was like growing up surrounded by love, tradition—and Romeo Santos playing in the background.

We talk about her journey to the U.S. where she first visited a McDonald's, hitting her first ever studio session after high school, and launching her music career during the pandemic, uploading raw freestyles and clips on social media that started getting attention.

She opens up about her abuela—an educator—getting emotional when she buzzed off her long hair, and not quite vibing with her choosing music over college. But Dionni’s all heart and hustle. 

Now, she’s working with heavyweights like Maffio and looking to to artists like El Alfa for career inspo.

From Barahona to the Studio, this is a story of Hustle, Heritage, and a love letter to RD.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daphne Rubin-Vega, a true Broadway icon, actor, singer, producer, wife, and mother who's lived many lives and still keeps evolving.

Daphne gets real about her journey — from arriving in the U.S. alone from Panama at just 3 years old, to becoming a defining force on the Broadway stage as the original Mimi Marquez in RENT. We dive into how playing a troubled sex worker and addict etched a lasting (and sometimes complicated) association between her and the character, especially back home in Panama.

We talk about de todo: Latinos in acting bonding together, dealing with imposter syndrome as part of the '90s girl group Pajama Party (which was made for Latinos, but not by us), and the importance of representation that’s authentic.

She also shares behind-the-scenes gems from her time in In the Heights, how her one-woman show Empanada Loca became the inspiration for The Horror of Dolores Roach, and why she’s excited to bring her energy to Shakespeare in the Park this summer.

It’s raw, powerful, and deeply inspiring — just like Daphne.

💬 Tap in and hear how one of Broadway’s most iconic voices has always been more than the role she played.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we get to know Cesar Alvarez, the proud owner of Casa De Lobo — a sleek, members-only social spot making waves in Jersey City’s hospitality scene. 🇨🇴🏙️

Cesar takes us on a journey that starts with his parents’ immigration from Colombia to New Jersey, and how that sacrifice laid the foundation for everything he’s built. He opens up about being raised by a man he calls his idol — his father — and the powerful example that shaped the way he leads as a man, business owner, and father today.

We talk about how he got his start in the hospitality game, creating a space where folks feel safe, celebrated, and connected, and what it means to build community through culture and good vibes.

Plus, Cesar gets real about fatherhood — raising an adult son and a 10-year-old daughter, the lessons he’s picked up through travel, and the growth that comes with balancing business and family.

This convo is all about legacy, love, and leveling up. Tap in.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this exclusive interview, rapper and actor Dave East opens up about his Caribbean roots, embracing his Dominican side, and how his culture shaped who he is today. From the pressure of signing with Nas' Mass Appeal label to landing the iconic role of Method Man in the hit series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Dave reflects on the highs, the lessons, and the grind behind his success.

He also talks about his days as a college basketball player, how his hoop dreams got derailed after he "got into a lil trouble," and the shift that led him to hip-hop. 🏀🎶 Plus, we get personal — Dave shares what it's like being a girl dad to three daughters, and drops his picks for his NBA GOATs. 🐐

This is Dave East like you’ve never seen him before — raw, honest, and inspiring. Tap in. 💯 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more dope.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with rising star Laya DeLeon Hayes, who’s shining bright alongside the legendary Queen Latifah in CBS’s hit series The Equalizer. 🌟🎬 Laya shares her early determination — from knowing she wanted to be a child star at just 6 years old, to voicing the beloved Doc McStuffins, and how her parents made the bold move from Texas to Hollywood to support her dreams. Being educated through a mix of elementary school, homeschooling and the Chesneee school program

Laya opens up about being biracial, linking with VP Kamala Harris and the DNC, embracing her Filipino and African American heritage, and the importance of representation both on and off screen. She gets candid about her deep love for Black horror, the magic of filming in Brooklyn, and what it feels like to be recognized on the streets of New York. 🖤🌆

This is a heartfelt convo about purpose, passion, and the power of dreaming big.

🎧 Tap in and get to know the young queen who's just getting started — and don’t forget to stream The Equalizer Sundays at 10P on CBS. 💥📺

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful and inspiring episode, we sit down with Lomiiel, the Dominican artist behind the six-times platinum smash hit "Hay Lupita." Lomiiel opens up about his mission to be more than just a star in the Dominican Republic — he’s aiming to become a global icon.

He shares his journey of being raised by a single mother, staying away from drama, and why he keeps his music clean and uplifting, especially for his younger fans. Lomiiel also dives into fatherhood, the importance of legacy, and how his upbringing shaped the artist — and man — he is today.

The conversation gets even deeper when he reveals the wild story of how "Hay Lupita" almost wasn’t his song, how he landed on stage with Travis Scott so early in his career, and who influences his music and fashion style in the U.S. hip-hop scene.

Plus, get the inside scoop on his upcoming album "Blesss", dropping in just a few weeks — a project he promises will reflect his growth, gratitude, and unstoppable drive.

Tap in and get to know the heart and hustle behind one of Latin music’s fastest-rising stars. 🌍🎶

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.