In this episode of Heart to Heart, I sit down with educator, creator & proud Miami Cuban Betty Williams for a conversation filled with heart, laughter & a whole lot of cafecito energy 🤍

We talk about growing up in Miami with an Argentinian father & Cuban mother, life in Westchester, marrying into a Dominican family & how culture shapes identity, family & the way we move through the world.

Betty also shares her journey from dreaming of being on children’s television to becoming an early childhood special education teacher creating bilingual educational workbooks & content that support both children & parents. We dive into how her brother with Down syndrome deeply influenced her path as an educator & the full circle moments that brought her back into the classroom.

And of course… we had to test her Cuban credentials with a hilarious round of “Like, Literally Cuban,” where Betty decoded iconic Cuban sayings complete with hand gestures, drama & all 😂🇨🇺

A conversation about purpose, identity, teaching the littles, embracing your roots & building a life that feels aligned with who you truly are.

Cristy Diaz didn't set out to become a voice for Miami women — but a spinal surgery, a social media moment, and a lot of courage later, here she is. In this episode she walks us through her journey from surgery recovery to podcast host, why she's committed to bringing the most uncomfortable women's topics into the open, and the stories that have moved her most along the way.

She covers miscarriages, cosmetic surgery gone wrong, Botox, facelifts, hair extensions, what men really think about women's appearance, and her son's emergency medical situation. She also shares what she'd love to see more women talking about and where she wants the Heart to Heart Podcast to go next.

Honest, funny, emotional, and completely real — this one is for every woman in Miami.

Manny Alfonso:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannyalfonso8/

Kiko Suarez:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/querikoconkiko/

Eduardo Moya:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_moya/

Follow Us! - A Day in Miami:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adayinmiami/

Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/20WEys6jxiliBCLoo9iSID

________________________

Produced by: Ben Schwede

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benthecreatorrr/

0:00 Intro

1:22 Podcasting

3:45 Her Spinal Surgery Journey

12:57 Starting Her Podcast

17:18 Bringing Out Women Guests

20:10 Miscarriages

21:52 Overwhelming Stories

23:01 What Women Don’t Want to Talk About

25:48 Failed Breast Augmentation Story

27:33 Botox

29:43 Face lifts

31:17 Hair Extensions and Transplants

34:59 Grandmas and Wigs

37:58 Kiko on What Men Like in Women

40:49 ADIM Singles Event

44:42 Where to Find Christy’s Podcast

45:06 What She Would Like to See More Of

47:22 Her Son’s Surgery Story

1:00:46 Top 3 Restaurants

1:03:10 Outro

What does it really mean to be a working mom today… and how different is it from the generation that raised us?

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Berthier & Magda Rodriguez Brenner to talk about how motherhood reshapes identity & purpose, what has changed (and what hasn’t) for working moms, and the pressure of balance versus the reality behind it.

We also dive into the village it takes to support a working mother… and what we’re choosing to carry forward versus do differently.

An honest conversation about ambition, guilt, balance & redefining success in this season of life 🤍

Miami is having its moment and it is not just about growth, it is about intention.

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Medina to talk about the vision behind eMerge Americas and how it is helping shape Miami into a true hub for innovation, culture and connection.

We go beyond the headlines and into the heart of it all, what it really takes to build something meaningful in a city that is constantly evolving. From creating spaces where people can come together, to redefining what Miami can be on a global stage, Melissa shares the why behind the work and the reality of bringing a vision like this to life.

This conversation is about more than tech.

It is about community.

It is about showing up.

And it is about building what matters, together.

If you have been hearing the buzz around eMerge or wondering where Miami is headed next, this is the conversation you do not want to miss.

🎧 Listen now wherever you stream

🎟 Still do not have a ticket to eMerge This is your sign

In this minisode, we sit down with Danny Diaz Leyva & Ryan Holtzman to unpack the evolving world of youth sports & the growing pressure kids are facing today.

What was once about teamwork, growth & fun has in many ways shifted into something more intense. From early specialization to competitive environments that feel more like business than play, we explore how the culture around sports is changing & what that means for our kids.

This conversation is not about blame it is about awareness. As parents, coaches & a community, how do we protect the joy of the game while still encouraging excellence?

A thoughtful & honest look at where youth sports are today & how we can bring heart back into the experience 🤍

In this candid and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Danny Diaz Leyva, Jose Felix Diaz, and Ryan Holtzman—three Miami-born fathers navigating life, leadership, and legacy in a city that’s evolving faster than ever.

Together, we talk about what it means to raise children in Miami today—the beauty, the pressure, the opportunity, and the responsibility. From balancing ambition and presence, to shaping values in a culture driven by growth and change, this conversation pulls back the curtain on modern fatherhood in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

We reflect on how Miami has shaped us—and how we, in turn, are shaping the next generation. There’s honesty, there’s perspective, and there’s a shared commitment to building lives rooted in purpose, family, and intention.

This is a conversation about showing up—at home, in our work, and in our community—and redefining what it means to lead with heart.

🤍 If you’re raising a family, building something meaningful, or simply trying to stay grounded in the middle of it all, this one is for you.

What does it mean to create art that carries culture, memory & celebration all at once?

In this first fully bilingual episode of Heart to Heart, I sit down with acclaimed artist Maria Fernanda Vogel, recently named Artist of the Year for the @kiwaniscluboflittlehavana Carnaval Miami 2026. Known for her vibrant, expressive work that blends Latin heritage with contemporary design, Maria Fernanda shares the story behind her artistic journey & the inspiration that fuels her creations.

We talk about the role of art in community as well as the cultural heartbeat of Carnaval Miami & how creativity becomes a bridge between tradition & modern expression.

From the meaning behind her work to the responsibility of representing such an iconic celebration, Maria Fernanda reflects on how art can honor where we come from while inviting others into the story.

This conversation is about more than art.

It’s about identity, heritage & beauty of creating with heart.

On this deeply reflective episode, we sit down with Natalie Caruncho for a heartfelt conversation about divorce, loss, grief & the journey of finding resilience in the midst of life’s hardest transitions. Natalie opens her heart with honesty, sharing the emotional terrain of relationship endings & the strength it takes to rebuild a sense of self and hope.

This episode also lovingly honors the legacy of Ms. Gerri Caruncho, beloved former teacher at Gulliver Prep School whose passion for movement, mentorship & community touched countless lives & whose passing from cancer reminds us of the preciousness of each moment & the power of legacy.

Together,Cristy and Natalie dive into hard questions we all face after loss: How do you grieve what you once believed? How do you honor what was good even when the ending wasn’t? Through vulnerability & compassion, Natalie invites listeners into the beauty & the pain of rediscovering joy after heartbreak & the courage it takes to trust again, both in yourself & in life.

If you’ve ever carried grief quietly, wondered how to walk through loss with dignity, or held onto love in its many forms, this conversation will meet you with empathy, perspective & a full heart.

In this intimate episode of Heart to Heart, Cristy sits down with author Elizabeth “Lisi” Lopez, for a soulful conversation about finding your voice, holding onto faith & embracing the quiet courage it takes to tell your story. 🤍

Lisi shares the heart behind her book 📖 Painting the Maple Tree, reflecting how the stillness of uncertainty of the pandemic became an invitation to slow down & finally put pen to paper. What began as a chaotic season in the world became a sacred season of creation.

As a mother, wife & writer, she opens up about how storytelling became both a refuge & a revelation, a space where healing & inspiration quietly came together. ✨

Thus conversation explores the pages we write, the ones we live & the spaces where we rediscover who we are becoming. It’s a reminder that finding yourself is rarely loud, but always meaningful. 📝

If you are navigating a season of growth, reclaiming your voice or learning how to live with intention, even when life feels messy, this episode will feel like sitting down with an old friend who gently reminds you that your story matters. 🫂

🎧Listen now & pull up a chair with us.

📲Subscribe for more conversations rooted in authenticity, connection & heart.

🤍Like, comment & share with someone who needs this today.

In this intimate episode of Heart to Heart, Cristy sits down with author Elizabeth “Lisi” Lopez, for a soulful conversation about finding your voice, holding onto faith & embracing the quiet courage it takes to tell your story. 🤍

Lisi shares the heart behind her book 📖 Painting the Maple Tree, reflecting how the stillness of uncertainty of the pandemic became an invitation to slow down & finally put pen to paper. What began as a chaotic season in the world became a sacred season of creation.

As a mother, wife & writer, she opens up about how storytelling became both a refuge & a revelation, a space where healing & inspiration quietly came together. ✨

Thus conversation explores the pages we write, the ones we live & the spaces where we rediscover who we are becoming. It’s a reminder that finding yourself is rarely loud, but always meaningful. 📝

If you are navigating a season of growth, reclaiming your voice or learning how to live with intention, even when life feels messy, this episode will feel like sitting down with an old friend who gently reminds you that your story matters. 🫂

🎧Listen now & pull up a chair with us.

📲Subscribe for more conversations rooted in authenticity, connection & heart.

🤍Like, comment & share with someone who needs this today.