Performance Parakone

In this episode of the Performance Parakone podcast, host Vinicius "Vini" Pie sits down with Christian Espinosa, Assistant Director of the Human Rights and Relations Department for the City of Omaha, community leader, and economic development advocate.

Chris doesn't define himself by the title. He starts where he grew up: downtown Mexico City, a city of 22 million, raised by a single mother who had him as a teenager. He talks about not knowing what he wanted at 17, chasing an engineering degree because that was the path people respected, and lasting one semester before switching to economics. Three months in Windsor, Canada at 19 showed him there was a wider world, and at 23 he landed in Iowa City with enough English to ask where the bathroom was.

What follows is the part most people skip in their own telling. Failing the TOEFL badly enough to go ask the Korean students at the next table if he could join their flashcard group. Working the hospital kitchen to cover tuition, capped at 20 hours a week like every other international student. Cold-emailing a professor at Northern Iowa who happened to need someone to interview immigrant workers in meatpacking plants. Finishing a master's in sociology and graduating straight into the 2008 recession.

Then he turns it into a framework.

Chris and Vini close on planning: setting checkpoints at 30, 40 and 50 and working backwards from them, and what to do when you have no idea what you want. Chris's answer is to start from what you don't want. His own version was simple enough to steer a whole career by. He didn't want to be old and poor.

Thank you to Chris for joining us. Nobody gets there alone! :)

Connect with Christian Espinosa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-espinosa-torres-77bb117/

Resources

Barrientos Scholarship Foundation:

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/

Upcoming events:

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/events

Scholarship recipients:

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/recipients

Apply:

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/apply-now

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome back

00:49 - Chris's title, and who he is behind it

01:25 - Growing up in Mexico City

02:12 - Wanting to be an engineer

02:48 - One semester in, and switching to economics

04:24 - Economics is really about behavior

05:28 - Social media as a comparison machine

07:23 - Why segregation hinders economic mobility

09:51 - Where small businesses get stuck on AI

11:04 - The landlord trap

12:06 - That's not business, that's culture

13:03 - Do you actually have to grow?

13:57 - The self-made millionaire myth

14:43 - Vini on leaving engineering school

15:58 - Three months in Windsor, Canada

19:04 - Arriving in Iowa City at 23

19:46 - Working the hospital kitchen to pay for school

21:10 - Failing the TOEFL, and the Korean flashcard table

25:53 - Cold-emailing a professor, and the meatpacking research

28:19 - Graduating into the 2008 recession

31:13 - Have a plan, and set your checkpoints

31:55 - "I don't want to be old and poor"

35:44 - The bridge at Memorial Park

36:33 - Takeaways

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode of the Performance Parakone podcast, host Marcos Becerra sits down with JT Martin, the winner of the 2023 NE Visionary Award and creator behind The Corn Belt, a social-focused media publication that has spent the last four years showing the magic of Nebraska, to Nebraska and everyone else.

JT started The Corn Belt in 2022 after a run making football content that built what he calls more of a “crowd” than an audience. He went looking for something he was actually passionate about, landing on the idea that Nebraska has nowhere near the media representation it deserves, and set out to experience the state through the lens of his phone camera. Four years later The Corn Belt has reached 200 million people and built an audience of roughly a quarter million across platforms, covering everything from tanking (watch the episode to find out what this is lol) in western Nebraska to Cinco de Mayo Fest in Omaha, which is where he and Marcos first met.

We get into what it actually takes to build something in Nebraska instead of leaving to build it somewhere else.

JT closes with an open invitation: He hosts weekly calls with local creators, and he'd rather answer a DM from a student who doesn't know where to start than have them not start at all. He also makes the case for rural Nebraska, which he thinks is doing some of the most interesting work in the state and getting the fewest resources for it.

Thank you to JT for coming on. Go support local! :)

Follow The Corn Belt: @thecornbelt on Instagram and Facebook 

Connect with JT Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtmartin1/

Resources

Barrientos Scholarship Foundation: https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/

Upcoming events: https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/events

Scholarship recipients: https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/recipients

Apply: https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/apply-now

00:00 - Welcome back

00:33 - What is The Corn Belt?

01:13 - Meeting at Cinco de Mayo Omaha

01:35 - Ritmo, Omaha's first Latino music festival

03:08 - Four years in, and how JT started The Corn Belt

03:25 - A crowd versus an audience

03:38 - Nebraska needs more media representation

04:53 - Scholarships and storytelling as parallel work

06:00 - Nebraska's best export?

07:09 - The new library grand opening

07:55 - A name in the memorial, Lucy Mora

08:44 - 200+ million people reached through The Corn Belt

09:51 - The entrepreneurial kids coming up

10:26 - Nebraska-raised versus coastal

11:36 - Omaha's culture and how it can help you grow

13:01 - Organic social is underinvested here

14:33 - Where to put more gas in the tank

15:38 - Why the small creators can win now

16:10 - What attention equity does for a local business

17:03 - Why polish isn't the point

18:04 - Nebraska as the BEST place in the world to build

19:39 - Events worth checking out in Nebraska, and Omaha

21:53 - Corn Jam, a Corn Belt event

22:27 - Advice for students who want to start creating

23:53 - Takeaways

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode of the Performance Parakone podcast, host Vinicius "Vini" Pie sits down with Katie Kodad, Program Manager of Culture & Inclusion at Children's Nebraska and a new member of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation board.

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠!

In this episode of the Performance Parakone podcast, host Marcos Becerra returns from hiatus and introduces the newest voice of the show: Vinicius "Vini" Pie.

Vinnie shares his path from Brazil to York, Nebraska as an international student and soccer player, to Omaha, where a volunteer shift setting up tables at the VivaBusiness Luncheon turned into a front-row seat to the Barrientos ScholarshipFoundation. Marcos reflects on a year in New York spent rethinking what the podcast is actually for, and why the speaking and interviewing skills it built for him and past co-hosts were too valuable to keep to themselves.

Together they lay out what's changing. Seasons will tighter, with episodes trimmed to around 30 minutes. A new student host, developed throughBSF's Student Success program, will take the mic each semester, learning to be a mentee and a mentor in the same seat. And underpinning all of it is theConstitution, a framework we proposed to give future hosts creative freedom inside a clear set of guidelines, so the show stands for the same things no matter who's behind the mic.

The episode closes with "The Infinite Story," a letter Marcos wrote to every host who comes after him, tracing the 105-year Barrientos family journey in Omaha and the $500 his father used to start the foundation more than twenty years ago.

We’re excited to share this season with you, and see how the podcast grows from here! :)

Resources

Barrientos Scholarship Foundation: 

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/

Upcoming events: 

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/events

Scholarship recipients: 

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/recipients

Apply:

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/apply-now

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠ or visit ⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠!

Chapters

00:00 – Back from hiatus

00:40 – Meet Vinicius "Vinnie" Pie

01:54 – From Brazil to York to Omaha

02:33 – Meeting Marcos at the Viva Business Luncheon

05:33 – Why Marcos wanted more than a guest

06:35 – A year in New York, rethinking the show

07:43 – Omaha's first Latino music festival

09:27 – Viva Business Luncheon 2026

12:45 – What's changing this season

14:17 – Rotating student hosts

17:49 – The Constitution

22:02 – What's coming up

22:44 – Building something bigger than one person

25:06 – 105 years of the Barrientos family

26:21 – "The Infinite Story"

28:15 – Thank you's

In this episode of the Performance Parakone Podcast, hosts Marcos and Suleyma welcome Katherine Garcia to discuss her journey from El Salvador to becoming a successful interior designer in Omaha. They explore her educational path, the challenges of being a first-generation Latina in the corporate world, and the importance of community and mentorship. Katherine shares her aspirations for the future and offers valuable advice for young professionals looking to break into their desired fields. The episode also highlights the dynamic relationship between the two sisters, showcasing their support for each other as they navigate their careers.

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to Hurrdat ONE Website or

In episode 13 of the Performance Parakone podcast, hosts Marcos Becerra and Suleyma Garcia welcome the inspiring Rita Rodriguez, a bilingual media

Connect with Rita on Linked in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-rodr%C3%ADguez-9660632b

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to Hurrdat ONE Website or

In the season 1 finale of the Performance Parakone podcast, hosts Marcos Becerra and Suleyma Garcia recap the achievements of the Barriento Scholarship Foundation over the past year, including fundraising milestones, the growth of the Student Success Program, and the announcement of scholarship recipients.

They discuss upcoming events, community engagement initiatives, and personal stories that highlight their connection to the community. The episode emphasizes the importance of support and solidarity within the community, especially during challenging times.

Interested in the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation? Learn more here: 

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/

Local:

GoFundMe for Impacted Families:

https://linktr.ee/privaterelay01

CIRA hotline for impacted families to get pro bono legal representation:

402-884-0876

Attorneys looking to provide pro bono support can join the CIRA network:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspxid=bYdLbkfZPUOYDCNz1yij-bOdbYbI7rZ

CnpGdxDdhbgZUM1NBWExaRjVKTUoxSUlJNDBKRzc4QVRXVS4u

Help locate somebody whose been detained:

https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search

Families afectadas que necesitan una ayudar además de representacion legal pueden llenar esta forma:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKuTpLNEXYs4ppf8kmGCWF3xhSECtDaFsqh4jT85FNt3bICA/viewform

Donate to the bond fund for detained individuals:

https://www.prairielandsfreedomfund.org/donate

National:

Become an interpreter at NIJC: immigrantjustice.org

Print and carry a Red Card:

Download it from https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas - it lists your rights during encounters with ICE

Connect with an immigration lawyer.

Know Your Rights: ACLU offers toolkits for immigrants at

aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights

BSF

2025 recipients: https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/recipients

Upcoming events: https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/events

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to Hurrdat ONE Website or

In this episode of the Performance Parakone podcast, hosts Marcos Becerra and Suleyma Garcia sit down with Tony Aguilera, the president of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF) board. As they dive into the importance of community support and educational opportunities for Latino students in Nebraska, Tony shares his inspiring journey and the pivotal role BSF plays in empowering first-generation college students.

Tony discusses his experiences in mentoring youth and building career pathways, emphasizing the significance of internships and mentorships in navigating the workforce. He reflects on the challenges he faced while pursuing higher education and how those experiences shape his vision for the future of BSF. Marcos and Suleyma explore the foundation's growth, including its expansion into trades and the introduction of the Student Success Skills Program, designed to equip students with essential life skills and career readiness.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the scholarship application process, which opens on March 1st and closes on March 31st, as well as the importance of community partnerships in creating opportunities for students. Join us as we celebrate the power of perseverance, mentorship, and the transformative impact of education.

You can go to the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation website to apply:

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/apply-now

List of scholarships: 

BSF, In Honor of Ella and Vidal Barrientos, Arts/Education - $6,000

CHI Health, Healthcare - $1,000

Cinco de Mayo Omaha, Communications, Journalism, Marketing - $4,000

Clarkson College, Healthcare - $2,500

Geena Gomez, Masters in Education/Special Education - $5,000

JE Dunn, Construction Mgt. at UNK, UNL, or UNO - $5,000

Lozafina, General - $1,000

MagicTouch/Eddie Sandoval, Nursing - $2,500

MagicTouch, Business - $2,500

Methodist College, Healthcare - $2,500

Nebraska Furniture Mart,

Business/Communications - $3,000

Metro Community College Only

BSF/MCC, Any - $5,000

CHI Health/MCC, Healthcare - $5,000

JE Dunn/MCC, Trades - $5,000

MagicTouch/MCC, Trades - $5,000

Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)/MCC, Trades - $5,000

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel!

In this milestone 10th episode of Performance Parakone, Marcos and Suleyma celebrate with special guests Tally Velasco and Michelle Vega from Lozafina Marketing. As partners of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation, Tally and Michelle share their insights on the importance of community engagement and the role their Latina-owned marketing firm plays in uplifting diverse voices in Omaha.

Tally, the executive digital content curator, discusses her journey in digital content creation and the challenges of promoting clients while managing a busy schedule. Michelle, the executive director of creative designs, reflects on her path from a sports marketing internship to leading design efforts at Lozafina. Together, they explore the dynamics of working in a predominantly white industry and the impact of being a woman of color in the marketing field.

Xitlally “Tally” Velasco is the Executive Digital Content Curator at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. She is a University of Nebraska at Omaha journalism graduate with a concentration in public relations and advertising and a minor in Psychology. Velasco is a first-generation college student with roots in Oaxaca, Mexico. Her work interests include copywriting, editing, marketing, social media management, and event planning. You can contact Tally at [email protected].

Michelle Vega is the Executive Director of Creative Designs at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. She also proudly served in the Girl Talk Sports Marketing & Communications Internship Program, co-created by Lozafina and EPIC for Girls. Michelle is a University of Nebraska Omaha graphic design graduate and a Goodrich Scholarship Scholar. You can contact Michelle at [email protected].

Link to their website https://www.lozafina.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lozafina/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lozafinallc/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/LozafinaLLC

Twitter: https://x.com/LozaFina  

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel!

In this episode of Performance Parakone, Marcos and Suleyma welcome Diego Martinez, a passionate student and advocate for the immigrant community. Diego shares his compelling journey from Guadalajara, Mexico, to Omaha, NE, detailing the challenges and triumphs of adapting to a new culture and language. His story is one of resilience and determination as he navigates the complexities of higher education without the privileges many take for granted. 

Diego opens up about his aspirations in aviation and the importance of giving back to your community through the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF). He discusses the struggles of finding financial aid without a Social Security number and the crucial role BSF plays in supporting the dreams of students who may be in similar situations. Diego's dedication to helping others is evident through his involvement in various projects, including developing a mental health app for students and volunteering his interpreting skills for the Omaha Public Schools. 

This episode is a testament to the power of perseverance and community support, showcasing how Diego uses his talents to uplift others while pursuing his dreams of becoming a pilot. Join us as we explore Diego's inspiring journey and the impact of BSF in empowering students like him. 

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!