JinTransit

It Goes Down En La Sala:

This episode is the 2nd part of the family conversation centered on Mama Nancy, who shares why keeping the family close has always been her biggest dream.

Timestamps (over two episodes):

00:00 - Introducing the family vacation conversation and special guest Mama Nancy00:30 - Nancy joins as the guest everyone knows best01:38 - Why Nancy wanted a family vacation in the first place02:09 - Her dream of keeping the family together across generations03:05 - Growing up in a big Dominican household that welcomed everyone04:20 - Why love mattered more than comfort or space05:41 - Seeing the joy of the whole family together07:01 - The three values that keep families united: love, patience, compassion09:30 - Why the family house belongs to everyone11:37 - Leaving legacy through what is right for the family12:04 - Coming to America in 1972 and returning to the Dominican Republic13:58 - First job, first move, and the reality of arriving on a tourist visa14:46 - Immigration raids in the 1970s and the fear of getting caught16:38 - Arriving in New York and surviving basement living19:06 - Getting hired, getting fired, and learning factory work20:32 - Low wages, constant job changes, and why work was easy to find then21:06 - Learning English through Columbia University community classes22:36 - Moving from the basement into a better apartment23:29 - Break-ins, family transitions, and another move27:12 - The 1996 blackout and the family checking on each other30:25 - Dating stories, embarrassment, and old-school family courtship33:26 - Dancing, discos, and the nightlife of the era37:07 - Going out together, staying respectful, and having innocent fun40:44 - Choosing private school and deciding to raise the kids outside the Bronx42:25 - Working toward homeownership with determination44:45 - Looking at Staten Island and other housing options46:09 - Finding a house that was affordable and workable47:33 - Sales work, commissions, and saving money for the future49:23 - Why the family needed a house with income potential50:16 - Travel perks, hotel stays, and work life before the move51:18 - A job offer in Florida and why Nancy turned it down54:25 - The house search, the trip to the Dominican Republic, and closing day58:16 - Public school, church support, and Sister Claudia’s guidance60:00 - A neighbor notices her work ethic and offers to sell the house privately62:14 - Saving for Florida, then choosing the house instead63:56 - Family opinions about who the house should have belonged to65:29 - More of Nancy’s work history across elections, city jobs, and Toyota67:17 - Closing reflections on her flying stories, the puzzle, and her family legacy68:44 - Wrapping the two-part episode and comparing 1970s wages to todayNotable quotesCopy“My dream is to keep the family together.”Copy“Love, patience, and compassion.”Copy“That house is not my house. It’s everybody’s house.”Action items

It Goes Down En La Sala:

This episode is a family conversation centered on Mama Nancy, who shares why keeping the family close has always been her biggest dream. The discussion moves from vacation memories into immigration history, early work in New York, and the long road to buying a family home. It is equal parts funny, candid, and deeply personal, with Nancy’s voice anchoring the episode as the family reflects on resilience, sacrifice, and legacy.

Timestamps (over two episodes):

00:00 - Introducing the family vacation conversation and special guest Mama Nancy
00:30 - Nancy joins as the guest everyone knows best
01:38 - Why Nancy wanted a family vacation in the first place
02:09 - Her dream of keeping the family together across generations
03:05 - Growing up in a big Dominican household that welcomed everyone
04:20 - Why love mattered more than comfort or space
05:41 - Seeing the joy of the whole family together
07:01 - The three values that keep families united: love, patience, compassion
09:30 - Why the family house belongs to everyone
11:37 - Leaving legacy through what is right for the family
12:04 - Coming to America in 1972 and returning to the Dominican Republic
13:58 - First job, first move, and the reality of arriving on a tourist visa
14:46 - Immigration raids in the 1970s and the fear of getting caught
16:38 - Arriving in New York and surviving basement living
19:06 - Getting hired, getting fired, and learning factory work
20:32 - Low wages, constant job changes, and why work was easy to find then
21:06 - Learning English through Columbia University community classes
22:36 - Moving from the basement into a better apartment
23:29 - Break-ins, family transitions, and another move
27:12 - The 1996 blackout and the family checking on each other
30:25 - Dating stories, embarrassment, and old-school family courtship
33:26 - Dancing, discos, and the nightlife of the era
37:07 - Going out together, staying respectful, and having innocent fun
40:44 - Choosing private school and deciding to raise the kids outside the Bronx
42:25 - Working toward homeownership with determination
44:45 - Looking at Staten Island and other housing options
46:09 - Finding a house that was affordable and workable
47:33 - Sales work, commissions, and saving money for the future
49:23 - Why the family needed a house with income potential
50:16 - Travel perks, hotel stays, and work life before the move
51:18 - A job offer in Florida and why Nancy turned it down
54:25 - The house search, the trip to the Dominican Republic, and closing day
58:16 - Public school, church support, and Sister Claudia’s guidance
60:00 - A neighbor notices her work ethic and offers to sell the house privately
62:14 - Saving for Florida, then choosing the house instead
63:56 - Family opinions about who the house should have belonged to
65:29 - More of Nancy’s work history across elections, city jobs, and Toyota
67:17 - Closing reflections on her flying stories, the puzzle, and her family legacy
68:44 - Wrapping the two-part episode and comparing 1970s wages to todayNotable quotesCopy“My dream is to keep the family together.”Copy“Love, patience, and compassion.”Copy“That house is not my house. It’s everybody’s house.”Action items

It Goes Down En La Sala: A @JinTransit Series

A family vacation turns into a hilarious, messy, deeply honest time capsule of Dominican family life, sibling energy, and the kind of conversations you only get when everyone is finally in the same room. If you love big personalities, inside jokes, and the chaos of real family dynamics, this one is going to feel painfully familiar.In this installment of It Goes Down en la Sala, Juana S. guides the crew through a rapid-fire set of prompts that quickly spiral from childhood punishments and coping with music to deciding who in the family is smartest, funniest, and kindest. What starts as a light game becomes a surprisingly sweet look at how this family shows love, handles overstimulation, and stays connected across a year of life lived apart.You’ll hear the family compare vacation styles, debate the best holidays, and unpack what it really means to “go with the flow” when you’re surrounded by a loud, loving, blended crew. The conversation jumps from Halloween traditions and pumpkin spice mourning to movie takes so strong they practically become a full review of Gladiator. Along the way, they share the meals they’re proudest of, the relatives who shaped them, and the little rituals that make this family feel like home.You’ll also get the heart of the show: stories passed down from grandmothers, reflections on strong women in the family, and the realization that these vacations are less about escaping real life and more about making time for each other in the middle of it. The episode closes with the bigger vision behind the podcast itself—a family production built to preserve real stories, in real time, with total transparency.

**Perfect for anyone who loves family banter, cultural storytelling, and episodes that are equal parts funny, chaotic, and unexpectedly heartfelt.**

It Goes Down En La Sala:

A family vacation turns into a hilarious, messy, deeply honest time capsule of Dominican family life, sibling energy, and the kind of conversations you only get when everyone is finally in the same room. If you love big personalities, inside jokes, and the chaos of real family dynamics, this one is going to feel painfully familiar.In this installment of It Goes Down en la Sala, Juana S. guides the crew through a rapid-fire set of prompts that quickly spiral from childhood punishments and coping with music to deciding who in the family is smartest, funniest, and kindest. What starts as a light game becomes a surprisingly sweet look at how this family shows love, handles overstimulation, and stays connected across a year of life lived apart. You’ll hear the family compare vacation styles, debate the best holidays, and unpack what it really means to “go with the flow” when you’re surrounded by a loud, loving, blended crew. The conversation jumps from Halloween traditions and pumpkin spice mourning to movie takes so strong they practically become a full review of Gladiator. Along the way, they share the meals they’re proudest of, the relatives who shaped them, and the little rituals that make this family feel like home. You’ll also get the heart of the show: stories passed down from grandmothers, reflections on strong women in the family, and the realization that these vacations are less about escaping real life and more about making time for each other in the middle of it. The episode closes with the bigger vision behind the podcast itself—a family production built to preserve real stories, in real time, with total transparency.

**Perfect for anyone who loves family banter, cultural storytelling, and episodes that are equal parts funny, chaotic, and unexpectedly heartfelt.**

Juana, Kaure and Auntie Maryann break down the realities of changing sexual needs over time, including what shifts in your 30s, 40s, and beyond. They get into the role of confidence, preparation, wetness, and why learning your own body is not just empowering, it can be life changing. If you've ever wondered whether your best sex years are behind you, whether you're "doing it right," or how to become more in tune with your own pleasure, this episode brings the answers without the shame. Essential listening for anyone ready to stop guessing and start understanding what their body actually wants.--Episode Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome back
00:20 — Introducing the conversation about orgasms
00:56 — Orgasms from intercourse versus other types of orgasms
01:32 — Remembering the first orgasm from intercourse
03:20 — Why emotional connection once felt necessary for sex
04:58 — Moving beyond emotional attachment and limiting beliefs
05:27 — The pressure to pretend everything was satisfying
06:11 — Keeping expectations quiet and discovering a new experience
07:25 — An unexpected breakthrough and a new sexual awakening
08:49 — How sexual confidence made casual relationships feel liberating
10:00 — Discovering pleasure later in life
10:22 — Multiple orgasms and unexpected experiences
11:14 — Learning to experience pleasure independently
11:40 — Taking control of your own pleasure during sex
12:08 — How self-awareness changes the sexual experience
13:47 — Recognizing when your partner is close and preparing yourself
15:19 — Using additional stimulation and finding what works for you
16:03 — Enjoyment, release, and letting go
17:11 — Sexual confidence in your 30s
17:38 — Why your 40s can be an especially freeing decade
18:25 — Experience, confidence, and attraction across generations
21:33 — Wetness, arousal, and changing bodies
23:28 — Menopause, perimenopause, and removing shame from the conversation
24:16 — Why foreplay can begin long before the bedroom
26:50 — The importance of mutual desire and mindset
27:23 — How care, attention, and emotional presence affect intimacy
28:20 — Casual versus long-term sexual connections
28:55 — Favorite decades and embracing your 40s
30:47 — The biggest takeaway: learn what works for you
31:16 — Why self-exploration makes communication easier
32:20 — What’s coming in the next conversation
32:28 — Closing remarks

In this episode, Juana, Kaure and Auntie Maryann explore the complex topic of lies in relationships, sharing personal stories and insights on honesty, trust, and human decency. They discuss how lies impact trust and decision-making, offering advice for recognizing and dealing with deception.

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Episode timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the episode and topic of lies

01:53 The emotional impact of discovering lies in relationships

03:49 The importance of honesty and human decency

05:56 Omissions as a form of lying and their consequences

08:06 Signs of deception in dating and relationships

10:03 Manipulation and emotional control through lies

11:57 Personal stories of betrayal and honesty

14:09 Advice for recognizing and confronting lies

15:56 The importance of asking questions and being truthful

18:09 Creating a safe space for honest conversations

19:54 The moral considerations of deception and honesty

22:04 How to handle discovering a lie or betrayal

23:56 Final thoughts on honesty, trust, and human decency

A shocking breakup, a “love” that arrived with grand gestures, and a hard-earned second chance all become part of a bigger conversation about reciprocity, deception, and what real care actually looks like. The women get honest about being hurt deeply, why that pain can make you shut down for years, and how unexpected love can feel almost suspicious when you have lived through enough disappointment. This episode is for anyone who has ever ignored a gut feeling because the chemistry was good, the attention felt flattering, or the relationship seemed too promising to question. If you need a reality check on modern love, this conversation is equal parts healing, warning, and permission to choose yourself first.

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Episode Timestamps

• 00:00 — Opening the show and introducing the conversation about unexpected love
• 03:32 — Why being treated well in your 40s can feel surprising
• 05:50 — Love versus care and why reciprocity matters
• 07:39 — Why grand gestures do not always equal genuine commitment
• 09:56 — What real support looks like in a relationship
• 11:32 — Spotting the difference between attraction and actual care
• 14:02 — Foreplay starts before the bedroom
• 16:11 — Why older women may be better at spotting real kindness
• 17:47 — Protecting your relationship from outside opinions and oversharing
• 21:49 — How someone treats other people reveals their character
• 24:02 — Auntie Maryann on enjoying love without expecting disaster

Living Out Loud: Is It Real? Love, Reciprocity, and the Fear of the Other Shoe Dropping

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Juana is joined by Kaure and Auntie Maryann for a candid conversation about unexpected good treatment in dating and why it can feel suspicious when you have a history of being hurt. The episode explores how reciprocity, care, and emotional safety show up in relationships, especially for women navigating their 40s. We discuss how to tell the difference between grand gestures and genuine care, why keeping something for yourself matters, and how protecting your heart can help you stay open without losing yourself.

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Timestamps

00:00 - Opening the episode with the question of whether new love is real
01:26 - Why unexpected kindness can feel suspicious after heartbreak
03:32 - Kaure explains how a past breakup shaped her reluctance to love again
05:50 - The difference between honesty and withholding key information in relationships
07:47 - Why asking questions early can prevent painful surprises later
09:54 - How being denied support during a major life transition changed Kure’s trust
12:44 - The group calls deceit by design manipulative and emotionally controlling
14:20 - Why drama, secrecy, and “Me and Mrs. Jones” situations are nonstarters
16:08 - Women losing the right to choose when information is hidden from them
17:06 - Practical signs someone may be hiding a relationship
19:54 - Whether to confront lying immediately or store the information
21:26 - Juana explains why she no longer has time to sit with lies
22:44 - The younger generation’s stricter standards around dating and effort
24:41 - Why these conversations matter for creating safer relationships
26:29 - Saving your feelings, finances, and energy by not giving everything away
27:57 - How to advise younger people without preaching
30:11 - Confronting someone only when you have receipts and enough closeness to speak honestly
32:55 - Why raw honesty can be the healthiest kind of advice
34:16 - Auntie Marianne’s closing reminder to be honest, recognize lies, and get rid of the liar.

“A lie is a lie.”- Kaure + Auntie Maryann

“Keep something for yourself.”- Auntie Maryann

“Guard your heart because it guards your life.”-

In this conversation, Heather and I explore themes of personal growth, empowerment, and the impact of COVID-19 on their lives and careers. We discuss the importance of self-approval, redefining success, and creating meaningful experiences for themselves and their communities. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating professional roles while staying true to personal values and aspirations.

Chapters

00:00- Introduction and Connection

02:53- Health and Personal Growth

06:42- Reflections on COVID-19

09:53- Career Pivots and Aspirations

15:23- Redefining Success and Authority

20:23- Empowerment and Self-Approval

25:09- Creating Community and Experiences

28:31- Future Aspirations and Relationships

32:16- Embracing Freedom and Impact

35:15- Conclusion and Next Steps

---Heather Lawrence-Heather currently coaches leaders, in their own lives. Heather inspires powerful people, reminding them of who they are and how to position themselves, generating success as they define it, everywhere. Heather’s coaching practice is an invitation to deeper authenticity, and abundant results. She brings curiosity, and compassion to you especially in moments when the anxiety or discomfort of life transitions attempt to contract your impact. "I believe we are all leaders, of our own lives."- Heather Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l0ileone/

In this episode of JinTransit, Juana and Messellech discuss the challenges and lessons learned from Messellech's journey through divorce and co-parenting. They explore the importance of communication, recognizing emotional and financial abuse, and the role of faith and community in healing. Messellech shares her personal experiences, insights from therapy, and the impact of ambition on family dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the significance of personal growth and the excitement of new beginnings after a difficult transition.

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Chapters

Introductions

Navigating Divorce and Co-Parenting

The Love Story: Meeting and Compatibility

Ambition and Family Dynamics

The Shift: Emotional and Financial Abuse

Mother's Day Revelation

The Confusion of Divorce

The Aha Moment: Recognizing Patterns

Financial Conversations and Tensions

The Job Opportunity and Its Aftermath

The Request for Divorce

Lessons Learned Through Divorce

Navigating Divorce and Co-Parenting Challenges

The Emotional Toll of Divorce

Lessons Learned Through the Process

Finding Strength in Community and Faith

Shifting Perspectives on Parenting and Relationships

Exciting New Ventures Ahead

--Substack: Messellech’s Substack | Messellech Abebe | Substack

Instagram:Messellech Abebe (@messellech_) • Instagram photos and videos