¿Quién Tú Eres?

Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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John Rios is a Real Estate agent, entrepreneur, and host of The Connected Podcast. On the podcast, John invites guests to open up about the highs, the lows, and everything in between that comes with being an entrepreneur. But it's not just about business; John's guests are also remarkable human beings who have influenced his personal growth, whether mentally, spiritually, or professionally.

In this week’s episode, John shares his journey to finding his most authentic self and how that turned into him not wearing suits to work anymore. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, he tried both Western and holistic medicine to get better. During a holistic treatment, he realized he was not being his most authentic self and experienced an ego death. Now, instead of trying to fit into boxes, he’s being unapologetically himself. Listen to hear more about his incredible journey to authenticity. 

Follow John on: 

Instagram: @johnj.rios

The Connected Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxBFxmf_XDc&ab_channel=ConnectedWithJohn 

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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Paloma Valenzuela is a Dominican-American, screenwriter, playwright, filmmaker, and lecturer originally from the city of Boston. She is the creative director of the production company La Palomita Productions.  She is the writer/producer/creator of the comedic web series "The Pineapple Diaries". The show was featured in the Latina Magazine's "5 Web Series Every Latinx Needs to Watch Right Now", The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, Remezcla, and Hip Latina. She is a 2018-2019 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Neighborhood Salon Luminary and a 2019 City of Boston Artist Fellow as well as was chosen for the WBUR Boston’s NPR Artery 25 in 2019. 

Her work has been an official selection at film festivals such as The New Orleans Film Festival, Roxbury International Film Festival, and Miami Short Film Festival. She has taught screenwriting and film at Brandeis University, GrubStreet in Boston, and the Institute of Contemporary Art and has given workshops at Harvard University, Wellesley College, UMASS Boston, UMASS Amherst, Wesleyan University, and The New School.  She is currently finishing production and post-production for her short film “The Seltzer Factory”, a documentary/narrative hybrid film exploring her maternal family’s history in Hungary and Romania. The film is set to premiere in 2024.

In this week’s episode, Paloma shares her experience creating a web series and how she’s measuring her success as a working artist. There is always the outside pressure to consider yourself an artist when you’ve made it big. But success to her is just continuing to make art. She’s producing her own work, picking up gigs, and teaching in universities part-time, and she feels very successful. 

Follow Paloma on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palomavalenzuelalapalomitaproductions/ 

Instagram: @iamlapalomita

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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With over 11 years of experience, Jordan has carved a niche as a data-driven leader fervently advocating for educational equity and confronting algorithm bias in the Age of Humanics. His journey intertwines technology, education, and policy advocacy, driving impactful change in each sector. As a former Data Acquisition Specialist at Affectiva: A Smart Eye Company, Jordan harnessed the power of data governance, analytics, and visualizations to revolutionize systems and automate protocols. His expertise in R, Python, SQL, and AI applications has been pivotal in shaping data systems and processes across varied domains. 

Jordan's academic endeavors in data analysis, policy development, and urban informatics have given him a deep understanding of technology's societal impacts. Jordan is deeply invested in driving progressive changes within the technology industry, with a keen focus on AI ethics, universal basic income, and algorithm bias. His journey amalgamates analytical insights with a strategic approach, fostering the advancement of progressive technology policy initiatives.

In this week’s episode, Jordan shares his experience with ableist microaggressions and how he's learned to make space for himself in every environment. After escaping childhood abuse at the hands of his family, met his fraternity brothers in college and was quickly accepted by them. Their kindness taught him how to create space and stand up for himself. This, as well as his incredible intelligence, has led him to a career in information data analysis where he advocates for educational equity and confronts algorithm biases.

TW: Domestic Violence, Childhood Abuse, Ableism, Homophobia, Gun Violence 

Follow Jordan on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordaneclark/ 

Instagram: @prodigalson2025 

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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This week, Pabel delves into a candid conversation about the pressures CEOs face in maintaining a facade of success, especially concerning their mental health.

He reflects on the fear many CEOs have about openly discussing their struggles due to potential financial implications for their companies. Pabel challenges the notion that vulnerability is a weakness, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and genuine connection.

Throughout the episode, Pabel shares his personal journey of using journaling as a tool to cope with anxiety and process pent-up energy. He explores the dichotomy of celebrating successes while grappling with self-doubt, emphasizing the complexity of human emotions and experiences.

Pabel also discusses the broader societal pressure to present a polished image of success, drawing parallels between corporate performance reviews and political lobbying. He highlights the danger of sacrificing authenticity for financial gain and reaffirms his commitment to remaining true to himself amidst potential opportunities.

Ultimately, Pabel shares his desire to feel "unpurchasable" and prioritize authenticity over external validation. He encourages listeners to embrace their multifaceted identities and recognize that struggles are a natural part of the human experience. Through this raw and introspective episode, Pabel invites listeners to join him in breaking the mold of conventional success and embracing their true selves.

Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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Melisa Valdez is a Host, Movement coach, and Actor who is an authentic space maker, a proud Afro-Latina excited to bring her energy into any room she enters. She is the In-arena host for the Boston Celtics and has worked hosting other major events for brands such as Red Bull, Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, FazeClan, Embrace Boston, and more. Melisa has a professional dancing background and has traveled the world on tour performing with various major artists, one of them being Elvis Costello.

In this week’s episode, Melisa shares how she took a leap of faith and became a professional dancer. It wasn't an easy decision, she picked up nightlife jobs, retail jobs, and even a banking job to support her dream. But once she knew her mother supported her dream, she was unstoppable. After traveling all over the world as a dancer, she broadened her horizons and booked more diverse performing gigs. And as she performs, she’s providing positive representation for Black and Brown girls in creative spaces all over the country. Listen to hear more about Melisa’s story and what plans she has for the future. 

Follow Melisa on:

Website: https://www.melisavaldez.com/ 

Instagram: @missmelivaldez

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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On this week's episode, join Pabel on a heartfelt journey as he reflects on the precious moments spent with his Abuela. In this deeply personal video, he shares the joy, sadness, and lessons learned while caring for his grandmother, who is 94 years old. From the simple joy of her receiving phone calls from loved ones to the bittersweet realization of missed opportunities, Pabel explores the depth of their relationship and the profound impact it has had on him. Through moments of vulnerability and introspection, he uncovers the importance of valuing time with loved ones and embracing the journey of self-discovery. Join Pabel as he navigates the complexities of family bonds and cherishes every moment with Abuela.

Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.

Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.

Tools like ⁠⁠Plurawl⁠⁠ can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/

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Born in the Dominican Republic, Julia arrived in the neighborhood of Dorchester when she was five years old. Raised by a single mother who was undocumented for most of her childhood, she was forced at an early age to speak up on behalf of her mother and others who felt ignored by the very institutions that were supposed to serve them. 

As a proud graduate of the Boston Public Schools, she was the first in her family to graduate high school and college and the first to purchase her own home in Boston. Driven by a lifelong pursuit of justice and equity, she is proud to have created countless opportunities for others to step into their power and advocate for positive change. She created and led a civic engagement group focused on voter registration, is the founder of a nonprofit education network, and worked on national social justice campaigns as a producer for MTV.

In this week’s episode, I meet up with Boston’s City Councilor Julia Mejia to discuss her journey towards politics. As a first-generation Dominican American child, she often found herself advocating for her community as she was translating for them. As an adult, she continued to advocate for her community as the first Latina reporter for MTV’s News and Docs category. Julia joined politics as an experiment - she wanted to see if she could run and win and uplift her community. And she won by one vote! Check out all this and more in Julia’s episode. 

And if you’re ever in Boston and need of a good cup of coffee check out Ripple Cafe! They have locations in Cambridge and Ashmont and they graciously allowed us to record this episode in their cafe ☕️

Follow Julia on:

Website: https://www.juliaforboston.com/ 

Instagram: @juliaforboston 

Follow Ripple Cafe on Instagram: @ripplecafe

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.