Ep. 128 - What’s the difference between Hispanic and Latino—and do those terms really mean the same thing?

In this episode of The Latino Business Report, we sit down with Dr. Maria Del Carmon Unda to explore the origins and evolving meanings of Hispanic, Latino, and Chicano. This conversation goes beyond labels to uncover how identity is shaped—and why how someone chooses to identify is personal and worth respecting.

Tune in and discover the deeper story behind the words we use every day.

Recommended Reading:

Pew Research Center. (2013). Preferences for the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino” [Data Set].

Pew Research Center Survey of Hispanic Adults.

https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2013/10/22/three-fourths-of-hispanics-say-their-co

mmunity-needs-a-leader/ph-hispanic-leader-10-2013-03-04/

Revilla, A. T. (2000). LatCrit and CRT in the field of education: A theoretical dialogue between

two colleagues. Denver University Law Review., 78, 623.

https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/denlr78&i=634

Perea, J.F. (2003). A brief history of race and the U.S. Mexican Border: Tracing trajectories of conquest. UCLA Law Review, 51, 1213-1258. 

Beltran, C. (2010) The trouble with unity: Latino politics and the creation of unity. Oxford University Press.

Cadava, G. (2020). The Hispanic Republican: The shaping of an American political identity, from Nixon to Trump. Harper & Brothers.

Flores, T. (2021). Latinidad is canceled: Confronting an anti-Black construct. Latin American and Latinx Visual Culture, 3(3), 58-71. https://doi.org/10.1525/lavc.2021.3.3.58

Episode 127 - What happens when the spaces designed to support identity, culture, and opportunity begin to disappear?

Across the country, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are being dismantled or redefined—and students are feeling it firsthand. At the University of Texas at Austin, proposed changes within the College of Liberal Arts are raising serious concerns about the future of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies and the broader network of programs that have long supported student success and community impact.

In this episode of Latino Business Report, we sit down with a student leader who is speaking up, organizing, and refusing to be sidelined. This is a candid, on-the-ground conversation about what’s really happening, why it matters, and what could be lost if these changes move forward.

This isn’t just a policy discussion—it’s a story about voice, identity, and the fight to preserve spaces that have shaped generations.

Episode 126 - Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life? In this episode, From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Strategies for Busy Lives, we sit down with Health, Wellness, and Life Coach Lina Warner to talk about what it really takes to regain control and create a life that feels balanced, focused, and fulfilling.

Certified through the International Coaching Federation, Lina brings both professional expertise and real-life experience to the conversation. As a busy parent herself, she understands the challenges of juggling responsibilities while trying to stay motivated and healthy. She shares practical strategies for building sustainable habits, tackling big goals without burnout, and creating systems that actually work.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, stretched thin, or unsure how to move forward, this episode is packed with insights to help you take that first step. Lina breaks down how accountability, consistency, and the right mindset can transform not only your personal growth but also your relationships—both at home and in your career.

Tune in and discover how small, intentional changes can lead to powerful results—and how you can move from overwhelmed to truly empowered.

Find Out More About Lina at:

website:  www.linawarnercoaching.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linawarnercoaching/?hl=en 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linawarnercoaching 

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@LinaWarnerCoaching 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-warner-83860b307/ 

Episode 125 - Spanish-language television helped shape culture, identity, and political power in the United States.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by media entrepreneur and author Javier Marín to discuss his new book, Live from America: How Latino TV Conquered the United States (Grupo Planeta). Javier traces the rise of the Spanish International Network—now Univision—from its early days to its emergence as the nation’s leading Hispanic media network.

We go behind the scenes to explore the personal rivalries, strategic decisions, and cultural shifts that turned Spanish-language TV into a powerful force—from telenovelas and soccer to news and politics. The conversation also highlights how the U.S. became the world’s second-largest Spanish-speaking country and the role Latino media played in shaping national history.

A compelling look at the network that helped give a community its voice. 🎙️

Find Book at - https://www.amazon.com/Live-America-Latino-T-V-Conquered/dp/B0G6DRVYCQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2W8RORZY0H9FO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wE0KV6hr3IDRNewiFqI_EvNAJOe1UDqkGvsoATuQBm_GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.I2ScgWh6J11aiz3thvqPK3YRQinkhsuymMrefUPQ8YQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=live+from+america+javier+marin&qid=1770710551&sprefix=Live+from+Amer%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1 

Episode 124 - Before sunrise on July 16, 1945, the New Mexico desert became the epicenter of a new and terrifying era. The Trinity test—the world’s first nuclear explosion—changed the planet forever, without warning the tens of thousands of people living nearby.

In the years that followed, families across surrounding communities began to suffer mysterious and devastating health effects. They became known as the Downwinders—ordinary people living with the consequences of an extraordinary and closely guarded secret.

This episode explores Downwind, a world-premiere opera by student composers Michael Smith and Demian Galvan. After traveling to New Mexico to better understand the land and the legacy of Trinity, the composers bring these often-ignored stories to the stage. As Smith writes, “While the family in our opera is fictional, the reality that they face is not.”

Together, we examine the history, the harm, and the haunting beauty of a work that asks a powerful question: what does progress cost—and who is made to pay the price?

Ticket Sales Link -

https://music.utexas.edu/events/5255-downwind

Episode 123 - Texas State University’s New Program Helps ‘LIFT’ Small Business Growth

Small businesses fuel local economies — but growth requires the right tools, training, and support. In this episode, we spotlight Texas State University’s Learning and Insights for Forward Traction (LIFT) accelerator, a six-week program designed to strengthen marketing skills and help small businesses scale with confidence.

Developed by Texas State’s SCALEUP initiative and delivered in collaboration with the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) and community partners, LIFT recently graduated more than 300 small business leaders from across Texas and beyond. Participants reported major gains in marketing confidence, social media strategy, goal setting, and practical execution.

You’ll hear insights from program leaders Dr. Josh Daspit and Dr. Marlene Orozco on how research-driven training translates into real-world growth, as well as why access to practical tools matters for long-term economic stability. We also explore how entrepreneurs are redefining branding, leveraging analytics, and using innovative resources like an AI Business Coach to accelerate their businesses.

Whether you’re a business owner, chamber leader, educator, or economic development professional, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how targeted education and partnerships can strengthen entrepreneurs and communities statewide.

Tune in to learn how LIFT is helping small businesses move forward — faster and smarter.

SCALE UP - SCALEUP : Texas State University 

Podcast Guests

Dr. Josh Daspit is an Associate Professor of Management at Texas State University’s McCoy College of Business and the founding director of the SCALEUP initiative. He’s a nationally recognized expert in entrepreneurship and family business, with more than 50 publications and ranked among the top three most productive family business scholars in the country. His work focuses on translating research into real-world solutions that help small businesses grow.

Dr. Marlene Orozco, LIFT Program Lead and Research Fellow with SCALEUP. Her research centers on inclusive entrepreneurship, Latino and immigrant-owned businesses, and turning data into practical strategies that strengthen communities. She has led major national research efforts, including contributions to the State of Latino Entrepreneurship reports.

Episode 122 - Security vs. Sustainability: The Future of the Rio Grande

The Rio Grande is more than a border — it’s a lifeline for communities, wildlife, and commerce. But floating buoys, razor wire, and increased militarization are reshaping the river’s safety and future.

Join us as Jessie F. Fuentes shares firsthand insight into how these changes are impacting the environment, local businesses, and cross-border cooperation — and why protecting borders should never mean destroying the resources that sustain our communities.

Episode 121 - Today’s guest is a powerful example of what’s possible when passion, resilience, and purpose come together. Lupita McGregor Almuhana is the Founder and CEO of Stressie, a tech-enabled wellness platform delivering fast, personalized, evidence-based tools to help people manage stress and thrive at work.

With nearly two decades of experience driving growth in global marketing and business development—and a lifelong mindfulness practice that took her from yoga studios to India—Lupita bridges science and soul in everything she builds. Her resilience was shaped early, beginning work at just 14 to help support her single mother, an experience that instilled a powerful work ethic and empathy-driven leadership style.

Holding a master’s degree in psychology from Harvard, Lupita is on a mission to make mental health support accessible, scalable, and human-centered for today’s workforce. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, purpose-driven leadership, and how technology can elevate wellbeing in the workplace.

Website - https://www.stressieapp.com/ 

Episode 120 - Dave Munson didn’t launch Saddleback Leather from a sleek office or a polished pitch deck. He started in a dusty leather shop in Mexico—with a hand-drawn sketch, a leap of faith, and one ironclad rule: no breakable parts. His mission? Building something so rugged and well made his kids would fight over it when he was gone.

What came next reads more like an action movie than a business plan. Dodging hitmen. Getting thrown by a raging bull. Living in one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Even accidentally working for the nesmafia.

Out of that chaos was born Saddleback Leather—now a global, iconic brand known for its 100-year warranty, old-world craftsmanship, and a cult-like following that swears by every stitch.

In this episode of Latino Business Report, we dive into a story of grit, faith, and fearless entrepreneurship—and what it really takes to build a legacy that outlasts trends, titles, and lifetimes.

Because the boldest businesses—and the best adventures—are the ones you never planned.

Website - https://saddlebackleather.com/ 

Book - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/theyll-fight-over-it-when-youre-dead-dave-munson/1147277060 

Episode 119 - New Year’s resolutions are easy to make—and just as easy to abandon. If you’re serious about real change this year, this episode is a must-listen. We sit down with Laura Ramirez, a seasoned psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience, to break down why most resolutions fail and what you can do differently starting now. Laura delivers seven clear, practical tips to help you stop drifting, refocus on what matters, and turn good intentions into consistent action. This isn’t about perfection or wishful thinking, it’s about accountability, momentum, and making changes that actually stick. If you don’t want this year to look like the last one, press play.