Making It Here

A new House bill would require many Medicaid recipients to log 80 hours of work each month or risk losing coverage. Supporters say it promotes self-sufficiency, but critics warn the paperwork alone could drop thousands from the rolls. Experts say that even expansion states like New York, where about one in three residents depends on Medicaid, could see enrollment slip.

To help unpack it all, I spoke to Sarah Miller. Sarah is an associate professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Her studies have traced Medicaid’s ripple effects from reduced medical debt all the way to measurable drops in mortality, offering clear evidence that coverage saves both wallets and lives.

Today, we talk about what happens when states expand (or slash) Medicaid, why seemingly small paperwork burdens can shut out eligible patients, and how work-requirement rules could reverberate across other safety-net programs. 

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Whitney and Samantha Dobladillo, the duo behind Peruvian Sisters, launched their storytelling platform in 2020 to connect with others navigating the complexities of being Peruvian American. Growing up in mostly white schools on Long Island, they often felt out of place, especially when classmates stared at their home-packed lunches like caldo de gallina.

In this episode, the sisters reflect on those early experiences of othering, the online and in-person community they’ve built around the message “I am Peruvian enough,” and how their bond as siblings, and their mom’s encouragement, has fueled their work.

Read more: https://epicenter-nyc.com/being-peruvian-enough-with-your-sisters/

Follow on Instagram at @peruviansisters and on TikTok at @peruviansisters_ 

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After losing her job during the pandemic, Talisa Almonte turned to art, launching Almonte Studio and building a business rooted in bold colors and personal meaning. In today's episode she talks about honoring her Dominican roots, navigating small business challenges, and growing her brand.

Almonte Studio

Follow on Instagram and TikTok at @almontestudio.

Shop her art products here. 

Contact Almonte Studio or inquire about commissioning a project here.

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For many of us, photography is reserved for milestones, but what if a portrait could help you reconnect with who you are right now? That’s the idea behind Layra Marz Photography, founded by Brooklyn-based photographer Layra Marte. Her work, which lives somewhere between boudoir and fine art, is about helping people, especially women and femmes of color, feel seen and celebrated. In this episode, Layra shares how photographing a global anti-bullying campaign helped her discover her creative voice, what it’s like to build a business without a blueprint, and why she’s more interested in telling honest stories than following anyone else’s rules.

Read more: https://epicenter-nyc.com/small-biz-layra-marz/

Layra Marz Photography: https://www.layramarz.com/ 

Follow Layra Marz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/layramarz/ 

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In this episode, we explore the early days of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy and what his unique background, American-born, Peruvian-based, and multilingual, might mean for the future of the Catholic Church. Host Ambar Castillo speaks with Dr. Hosffman Ospino and Dr. Andrew Chesnut about identity, immigration, and how Pope Leo is already reshaping the conversation around faith and belonging.

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Erika Dox-Martinez spent over two decades in corporate accounting before founding Blissful Vida, a financial wellness company focused on helping Latinas and communities of color reshape how they think about money, success, and self-worth. In this episode, she shares her personal journey out of debt, the mindset shifts that changed her life, and how she’s helping others take control of their finances.

Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/your-key-to-a-blissful-money-life/

https://myblissfulvida.com/ 

Follow on Instagram at @myblissfulvida

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This week we step inside The Perseverance Project, a powerful theater production created by Outside/In, an acting program for New Yorkers navigating recovery. Run by Suzy PetchEam through the Stella Adler Studio’s Arts Justice Division, the program offers more than just performance training, it’s a space for healing, self-expression, and second chances. You’ll hear from ensemble members, teaching artists, and the studio’s artistic director as they prepare for a citywide tour and reflect on what the stage has given back to them.

Learn more: https://stellaadler.com/arts-justice/justice-involved/outside-in/ 

Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/how-theater-helps-men-in-recovery/

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Ofrenda Yoga Studio is one of the only BIPOC-owned studios in Harlem. Today, founder Jazmin Tejada shares how she built a welcoming, bilingual space in East Harlem where neighbors can show up exactly as they are, with music, movement, and community at the center.

From salsa to savasana: the yoga studio offering local vibes in East Harlem

Ofrenda Yoga Studio

Email: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram at @ofrendayogastudio

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Millions of families depend on WIC, but confusing rules and checkout struggles make it hard to use. In this episode, we meet Dani Lopez, founder of Lulo, a free app helping New York families navigate WIC more easily. She shares how her own childhood experiences inspired the platform and why designing with families, not just for them, is the future of better social services.

An app to help moms navigate food benefits

Learn more about Lulo here

Email Lulo at [email protected]

Follow on Instagram at @hello.lulo

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For years, the traditional career path has followed a familiar blueprint — get the degree, land the job, climb the ladder. But for many women, especially women of color, that path can feel limiting, exhausting, or simply misaligned with their values.

In response, more and more women are choosing a different path — one that’s driven by purpose, flexibility, and self-determination. But that shift isn’t easy, especially without a roadmap. That’s why today’s guests built one from scratch.

Ayanna Dutton-Diaz and Delaila Catalino started the “Non-Corporate Girls” podcast with a Google Doc and a shared frustration around toxic work environments. What began as a side project became a platform — now with over 100 episodes, a consulting arm, and a growing community of like-minded women.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/building-a-blueprint-for-the-non-corporate-life/

https://www.noncorporategirls.com/

https://www.noncorporategirls.com/podcast

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