MíraLA Podcast

In this episode of the MíraLA Podcast, host Arianna Lemus sits down with Angelyse Mariah, a bilingual pop artist with Jersey roots, a Caribbean soul, and plenty to say in two languages.

Based in Los Angeles, the Dominican and Honduran singer blends pop and Latin rhythms into a sound all her own. With over a million Spotify streams, she’s building her Spanglish popstar dream with a little attitude and a lot of heart.

Get to know the woman behind the music, her cultural roots, and the dream she’s bringing to life because the songs only tell part of the story.

Follow Angelyse Mariah

https://www.instagram.com/angelysemariah/?hl=en

Follow MíraLA:

Podcast:

https://www.miralapodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralapodcast?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralapodcast

Network:

https://www.instagram.com/miralanetwork?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralanetwork

Film Festival:

https://miralafilm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralafilmfest?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralafilmfest

If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to the MíraLA Podcast, leave us a review, and share the episode with someone who needs the reminder that she does not have to make herself smaller.

Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Nadieme Villar

Intern: Kamryn Dominguez

Editor: Lianna Wainwright

Sponsor: Arres

In this episode of the MíraLA Podcast, host Arianna Lemus sits down with Carolina Paredes, founder of The Modern Woman Movement, for a conversation about the luxury of choosing yourself. Together, they explore what it means to reclaim your power, move through life with purpose rather than pressure, and redefine luxury through the way you live and think. Carolina shares the vision behind her community and the importance of creating spaces where women connect, grow, and rise together. This episode invites you to reflect on what you want for yourself and what it looks like to honor that with intention.

Follow Carolina

https://www.instagram.com/iamcarolinaparedes/

Follow Latinas in Wellness

https://www.instagram.com/latinas.in.wellnesss__/

Follow MíraLA: Podcast:

https://www.miralapodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralapodcast?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralapodcast

Network:

https://www.instagram.com/miralanetwork?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralanetwork

Film Festival:

https://miralafilm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralafilmfest?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralafilmfest

If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to the MíraLA Podcast, leave us a review, and share the episode with someone who needs the reminder that she does not have to make herself smaller.

Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Nadieme Villar

Intern: Kamryn Dominguez

Editor: Lianna Wainwright

Sponsor: Arres

In this episode of the MíraLA Podcast, host Arianna Lemus sits down with Destiny Joelle, a Harvard graduate, actress, and producer whose journey has taken her from Division I basketball to Hollywood.

Together, they discuss marriage, navigating entertainment as a women of color, and creating projects with community at the heart. Destiny shares her perspective on building a creative life alongside her husband and the importance of collaboration in bringing stories to the screen. It’s a conversation about partnership, representation, and creating opportunities together.

Follow Destiny

https://www.instagram.com/destinyjoelle/

Follow 10|10

https://www.instagram.com/1010motionpictures/

https://www.instagram.com/1010productionhouse/

Follow MíraLA:

Podcast:

https://www.miralapodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralapodcast?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralapodcast

Network:

https://www.instagram.com/miralanetwork?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralanetwork

Film Festival:

https://miralafilm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralafilmfest?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralafilmfest

If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to the MíraLA Podcast, leave us a review, and share the episode with someone who needs the reminder that she does not have to make herself smaller.

Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Nadieme Villar

Intern: Kamryn Dominguez

Editor: Lianna Wainwright

Sponsor: Arres

In this episode of the MíraLA Podcast, Arianna sits down with Nikki Perez for a conversation about pussy, politics, and women taking up space in leadership. A lifelong Burbank resident, social worker, working mother, and former Mayor of Burbank, Nikki brings a personal perspective to public service.

Together, we explore her journey as a Latina in politics, navigating motherhood while serving as mayor, and the relationship between local government and the entertainment industry. We also discuss representation, civic engagement, and why women’s voices matter in the decisions shaping our communities.

Part of Season 3’s “Pussy Problems,” this episode invites us to think about how our personal experiences connect to public policy and the power we have to participate, speak up, and create change.

Follow Nikki

https://www.instagram.com/nikkiinburbank/?hl=en

Follow MíraLA:

Podcast:

https://www.miralapodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralapodcast?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralapodcast

Network:

https://www.instagram.com/miralanetwork?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralanetwork

Film Festival:

https://miralafilm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralafilmfest?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralafilmfest

If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to the MíraLA Podcast, leave us a review, and share the episode with someone who needs the reminder that she does not have to make herself smaller.

Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Nadieme Villar

Intern: Kamryn Dominguez

Editor: Lianna Wainwright

Sponsor: Arres

In this episode of MíraLA Podcast, Arianna sits down with Valeria Maldonado Jackson to talk about building a life on her own timeline. At 41, Valeria opens up about being single and without children, her decision to freeze her eggs, and the expectations women face around relationships and motherhood.

Valeria also reflects on more than 20 years in the entertainment industry and her commitment to telling authentic Latina stories. Together, they explore what it means to make room for both the life you’re living and the possibilities you still want to pursue.

Follow Valeria

https://www.instagram.com/valemaldon/?hl=en

Follow MíraLA:

Podcast:

https://www.miralapodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralapodcast?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralapodcast

Network:

https://www.instagram.com/miralanetwork?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralanetwork

Film Festival:

https://miralafilm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralafilmfest?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralafilmfest

If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to the MíraLA Podcast, leave us a review, and share the episode with someone who needs the reminder that she does not have to make herself smaller.

Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Nadieme Villar

Intern: Kamryn Dominguez

Editor: Lianna Wainwright

Sponsor: Arres

In this episode of the MíraLA Podcast, Arianna sits down with Julie Ear, a content creator, entrepreneur, and single mother born and raised in South Central Los Angeles.

As the daughter of Chinese and Mexican immigrants, Julie shares how her multicultural identity, upbringing, and experiences as a mother have shaped the woman and creator she is today. She also opens up about documenting her parents’ decision to self-deport to Mexico, the viral response to their story, and the important conversations it sparked about immigration and mixed-status families.

Julie reflects on transitioning from running a social media marketing business to becoming a full-time content creator, using her platform to advocate for her community, and finding joy even while confronting difficult realities.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up Chinese and Mexican in South Central Los Angeles

• Building a career as a full-time content creator

• Navigating entrepreneurship and single motherhood

• Her parents’ journey of self-deportation

• The realities faced by mixed-status families

• Using social media for storytelling and advocacy

• Protecting joy while speaking out against injustice

Follow Julie Ear

https://www.instagram.com/julieeear/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@julieear

Follow MíraLA:

Podcast:

https://www.miralapodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralapodcast?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralapodcast

Network:

https://www.instagram.com/miralanetwork?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralanetwork

Film Festival:

https://miralafilm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralafilmfest?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralafilmfest

If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to the MíraLA Podcast, leave us a review, and share the episode with someone who needs the reminder that she does not have to make herself smaller.

Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Nadieme Villar

Intern: Kamryn Dominguez

Editor: Lianna Wainwright

Sponsor: Arres

In this episode of the MíraLA Podcast, host Arianna Lemus sits down with Aleja Jimenez, a Creator Brand Architect and founder of Planeta Eclectix. This creator talent development firm helps multicultural talent turn their influence into sustainable businesses, intellectual property, and long-term ownership.

Aleja’s journey to entrepreneurship has been anything but linear. Her path has taken her through fashion, communications, sales, poetry, content creation, and talent management, all while rebuilding her life after sexual abuse, her parents’ deportation, and divorce.

Together, Arianna and Aleja have an honest conversation about reclaiming your voice, rebuilding after life-changing experiences, and refusing to make yourself smaller. Aleja also shares why creators must begin thinking beyond brand deals and explore opportunities in intellectual property, media, partnerships, and businesses of their own.

At the heart of Aleja’s firm is the belief that visibility can be transformative, especially for women who were taught, explicitly or implicitly, to shrink themselves.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Aleja’s nonlinear journey to entrepreneurship

• Rebuilding your identity after trauma and major life transitions

• Turning creativity and influence into a sustainable business

• Why creators should think beyond brand deals

• Developing intellectual property and long-term ownership

• The importance of visibility for multicultural women

• Taking up space without apologizing

Follow Aleja Jimenez

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealejajimenez?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Eclectix: https://www.instagram.com/planetaeclectix?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Follow MíraLA:

Podcast:

https://www.miralapodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralapodcast?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralapodcast

Network:

https://www.instagram.com/miralanetwork?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralanetwork

Film Festival:

https://miralafilm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miralafilmfest?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@miralafilmfest

If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to the MíraLA Podcast, leave us a review, and share the episode with someone who needs the reminder that she does not have to make herself smaller.

Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Nadieme Villar

Intern: Kamryn Dominguez

Editor: Lianna Wainwright Sponsor: Arres

Welcome to Season 3 of the MíraLA Podcast: Pussy Problems.

This season, we’re having the honest conversations women are often taught to keep private. From sexual and reproductive health to identity, relationships, motherhood, healing, pleasure, and the complicated realities of living in a woman’s body—nothing is off-limits.

Host Arianna Lemus sits down with women from different backgrounds to share personal stories, challenge shame, and remind us that our experiences deserve to be heard.

Season 3 begins now. Subscribe to the MíraLA Podcast so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on social media:

• MíraLA Podcast

• MíraLA Network

• MíraLA Film Festival

Listener discretion advised: This season includes mature conversations about sexuality, health, trauma, and other sensitive topics.

MíraLA Podcast #30: The Producers’ Edit

MíraLA Podcast: The Producers’ Edit is a special behind-the-scenes conversation on growth, community and all things MíraLA. Host Arianna Lemus, who leads the podcast with intention and a deep focus on relationship-building and storytelling, is joined by longtime producer Brenda Hernández, who has served as producer, editor, and camera operator, shaping the podcast’s production, structure, and brand.

In this candid Producers’ Edit, Arianna and Brenda reflect on the past, present, and future of MíraLA — from the evolution of the podcast to the growth of the MíraLA Film Festival and other collaborative projects. The episode documents the process behind the work, the challenges and lessons learned, and the moments that have shaped the platform, while also marking a transition as Brenda steps away from the podcast after two years of contribution.

This episode is for listeners who’ve been with MíraLA since day one — and for anyone curious about how collective, community-led creative work actually gets made.

📍 Recorded at Bear Punch Studios in North Hollywood, CA

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

💫 Catch the Conversation

This special Producers’ Edit offers an inside look at MíraLA — the podcast, the festival and the people behind the work.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Special Thanks to our Season 2 Sponsors:

• Latina Hustle — Building pathways for Latinas in business, leadership & community. Explore more: shoplh.co

• Empowered with Gina — Empowerment isn’t a trend; it’s a lifestyle. Learn more: empoweredwithgina.com

• NAMI San Fernando Valley — Championing mental health awareness & community care. Learn more: namisfv.org

• Cactus Foods — Supporting community through food & culture. Available at cactus-foods.com

• Bear Punch Studios — Your go-to creative studio for premium podcast audio and video production. Book your next session at bearpunch.tv

• Nine Glow — Skincare built for sweat, strength, and the glow you earn. Shop at nineskinglow.com

🎧 Credits

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Brenda Hernández

Audio and Video Production: Bear Punch Studios

Editor: Brenda Hernández

In this episode, Arianna sits down with Danitza, a former Correctional Officer turned educator, author, and tech founder, to explore what it means to protect people and preserve truth.

From working in a Protective Custody Unit to earning a PhD in Human Sexuality, Danitza shares how trauma, empathy, and lived experience shaped her path. She opens up about her book Left Vulnerable, her work as a mother and leader, and her latest venture, ELYS, a startup redefining safety and legacy through compassionate technology.

This conversation is about courage, humanity, and making sure what matters most is never lost.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode is brought to you by:

• Empowered with Gina — Empowerment isn’t a trend; it’s a lifestyle.

Learn more: empoweredwithgina.com

Credits:

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Brenda Hernández

Editor: Brenna Cherry