Tamarindo

This week on the pod, Vanessa Vancour joins Brenda to discuss the power of authentic storytelling, how we can all be savvy consumers of media, and why it’s more important than ever before to seek out and celebrate community as we enter this new era.

Vanessa is a Mexican-American, Award-winning storyteller, bilingual editorial consultant, and Latinx marketer with a career committed to lifting diverse narratives—and meaningful conversation–into her work.

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. 

SUPPORT OUR SHOW

Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1

Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast 

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is a rough week for our beloved Los Angeles, the home of this podcast. Several of our Tamarindo past guests have lost homes and thousands have been directly affected. We are thinking about everyone whose lives have been disrupted by this massive disaster and about everyone who is stepping up to help. 

To help the most vulnerable, please donate to this fund: Cash Aid for Outdoor Workers Impacted by L.A. County fires. 

It is against this painful backdrop that we start this season of Tamarindo, reflecting on this moment with our guest Wendy Amara, a Life and Business Coach who empowers women to achieve their next-level career, life, and business goals. As a proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and a mom of three—including a pair of twins—she brings heart, resilience, and real-life wisdom to her coaching practice. 

Wendy Amara is joining Encuentro, our restorative retreat in Puebla Mexico, May 2-6, 2025. With expertise in managing overwhelm, Wendy is teaming up with us to lead power conversation on managing burnout from a place of calm and clarity. There is still time to sign up for Encuentro! Apply by January 30th before the price goes up! https://www.tamarindopodcast.com/encuentro-25

As mentioned on this episode, Wendy invites listeners to be part of the FREE 2025 Quantum Leap Challenge. To out more about Wendy's programs and join her FREE 2025 CHALLENGE to help you manifest your goals with calm and ease, go here:

https://wendyamara.kit.com/2025quantumleapchallenge

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. 

SUPPORT OUR SHOW

Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1

Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today’s episode is brought to you by SavyLadies.org, a  nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women to take control of their financial futures. Savvy Ladies is providing women with the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions, plan for the future, and achieve long-term financial independence. To tell us a bit more about this tool, our guest is Mara Cristina Tache, Savvy Ladies Jr. Board Member and co-chair of the Jr Board.

Go to the Savvy Ladies Free Financial Helpline to submit your financial question and get matched with a pro bono financial professional for FREE to help guide and give advice to move forward, explain and learn how to manage your money that works for you

Visit:  https://www.savvyladies.org/free-financial-helpline/

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Tamarindo is hosting Encuentro! Join us in Puebla, Mexico  May 2 - 6, 2025 for a restorative, culture filled, retreat.  Beginning each day with wellness activities, you’ll recharge and experience Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of the battle of Puebla. This retreat is intended for women and non-binary folx facing burnout looking for a culturally rich wellness experience. We have extended our EARLY BIRD introductory price of just under $2,000.  Head on over to https://www.tamarindopodcast.com/encuentro-25

Join our informational call December18th at 5:00pm PT: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtcOivrDsjGNKLFM8o9gDxQtnydXtnd_pi#/registration

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As we process the 2024 Election, we meet with our friends from the Women's Foundation of CA, a statewide, publicly supported foundation dedicated to achieving racial, economic, and gender justice by centering the experience and expertise of communities most impacted by systemic injustice. We speak to the organization's first Latine CEO, Bia Vieira and to Los Angles City Council Member and Women's Foundation Board Member, Eunisses Hernandez.

Bia Vieira is the Women’s Foundation California first Latine CEO, where she leads the Foundation’s work to advance gender, racial, and economic justice. The Foundation’s program strategy is focused on building community-based power through investing in nonprofit organizations, training community leaders in policy advocacy, connecting key partners, and mobilizing significant financial resources.

Eunisses Hernandez is a community organizer, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, and a

lifelong District 1 resident in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Highland Park, she led campaigns, coalitions, and commissions that transformed local and statewide policy before running for City Council in 2021. Since taking office in December 2022, Councilmember Hernandez has prioritized a Care First agenda that focuses on investing in community care, workforce development, social services, and harm-reduction programs that help make our neighborhoods safer and healthier places for all Angelenos.

In this episode, we mention Encuentro, a restorative retreat.Join us in Puebla, Mexico  May 2 - 6, 2025 for a restorative, culture filled, retreat, at a UNESCO world heritage site known for its exquisite cuisine and varied architecture. Beginning each day with wellness activities, you’ll recharge and experience Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of the battle of Puebla. 

This retreat is intended for women and non-binary folx facing burnout looking for a culturally rich wellness experience.

All the tiers above are for the same experience, so act today for maximum savings. To be invited to participate, please complete our interest form by November 15, 2024: https://www.tamarindopodcast.com/encuentro-25

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. 

SUPPORT OUR SHOW

Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1

Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast 

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Richard Cabral is an Emmy-nominated actor, producer, writer and storyteller. His story is one of resilience, having battled addiction, incarceration, and generational trauma. Recorded before a live audience at Cal State Los Angeles, Richard generously opens up to us about his personal story, how he first discovered his talent for writing, and what the craft of acting means to him today.  See his upcoming play Time Alone on Nov. 16 and 17th at Plaza de la Raza. For Tickets and info: https://www.plazadelaraza.org/news/2024/10/5/time-alone

Richard Cabral is known for End of Watch (2012), Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014) and Walk of Shame (2014), Mayans M.C. (2018-2022), Twisted Metal, (2023) and RZR (2024), among others. 

TIME ALONE traces the parallel journeys of a young man convicted of killing a gang rival and a woman whose son ⁠—⁠ a police officer ⁠—⁠ is murdered in the line of duty. Both end up in places of extreme loneliness: a solitary confinement prison cell and the silent house of the bereaved. As time itself seems to unravel, their tales both contrast and mirror each other, providing answers to each other's questions ⁠—⁠ until they find new doors to life.

In this episode, we mention Encuentro, a restorative retreat.Join us in Puebla, Mexico  May 2 - 6, 2025 for a restorative, culture filled, retreat, at a UNESCO world heritage site known for its exquisite cuisine and varied architecture. Beginning each day with wellness activities, you’ll recharge and experience Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of the battle of Puebla. 

This retreat is intended for women and non-binary folx facing burnout looking for a culturally rich wellness experience.

All the tiers above are for the same experience, so act today for maximum savings. To be invited to participate, please complete our interest form soon while spots remain: https://www.tamarindopodcast.com/encuentro-25

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. 

SUPPORT OUR SHOW

Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1

Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Tamarindo, we speak with Adrian, the founder of Queerchata, a transformative dance community designed to create an inclusive, degendered space for queer and trans individuals to explore Latin dance. Adrian shares their journey of discovering dance as a form of self-expression, the inspiration behind Queerchata, and the journey of building a welcoming environment across cities. They discuss redefining traditional dance roles, fostering chosen family within the Queerchata community, and celebrating culture in non-traditional ways, while reflecting on the importance of visibility and their vision for Queerchata’s impact on the larger dance world.

In this episode, we mention Encuentro, a restorative retreat.Join us in Puebla, Mexico  May 2 - 6, 2025 for a restorative, culture filled, retreat, at a UNESCO world heritage site known for its exquisite cuisine and varied architecture. Beginning each day with wellness activities, you’ll recharge and experience Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of the battle of Puebla. 

This retreat is intended for women and non-binary folx facing burnout looking for a culturally rich wellness experience.

All the tiers above are for the same experience, so act today for maximum savings. To be invited to participate, please complete our interest form by November 15, 2024: https://www.tamarindopodcast.com/encuentro-25

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. 

SUPPORT OUR SHOW

Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1

Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast 

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Tamarindo Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Sandra León-Villa, a first-generation, Autistic Xicana, Activist, and Liberation Psychologist who has over 13 years of experience specializing in trauma treatment and BIPOC mental health. Dr. León-Villa is not only a mental health professional but also a passionate advocate for cultural competency in the mental health field.

We dive deep into neurodiversity and its impact on BIPOC communities, exploring the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals from underserved backgrounds. Dr. León-Villa shares her insights on how trauma and neurodiversity intersect, and the importance of providing culturally informed care to ensure a more inclusive and healing approach to mental health.

Brenda mentions this event: https://www.bobbakermarionettetheater.com/around-town/2024/11/2/jinwjgbjqi5tbh3tpe5f2izyrcc9wj

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. 

SUPPORT OUR SHOW

Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1

Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast 

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode of Tamarindo is a partnership with the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC), an organization dedicated to making a cultural home for the diverse identities that shape the community.

October 3rd marked Latina Equal Pay day, a day of action that calls attention to the Latina wage gap. Our friends at the NHCC invited Tamarindo to lead a conversation about how we can raise the pay for Latinas. We had a fantastic panel of Latina changemakers:

Melanie Fontes Rainer  who serves as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services where she leads the Department’s enforcement of federal civil rights and privacy laws and directs related policy and strategic initiatives.

Stephanie Rodriguez who is the Secretary for the New Mexico Higher Education Department. 

Pola Lopez, a  New Mexico-born, self-taught artist with a rich background in the Southwestern cultural heritage. She has been a prominent figure in the New Mexico art scene.

Even though October 3rd is behind us, the work to bring pay equity for Latinas is ongoing. This powerful conversation shows some of the innovative ways that Latinas are leading the way for pay equity. Follow these resources to learn more:  

Equal Pay Today – A campaign aimed at closing the wage gap, offering resources on how to advocate for change, with a focus on Latina Equal Pay Day. (Learn more at EqualPayDay.org)

Justice for Migrant Women (Founded by Friend of the pod, Monica Ramirez) – An organization dedicated to protecting and supporting Latina and immigrant women in the workforce. This org also pushed for better data around the Latina Wage gap to capture part-time workers, rural workers, and others that are often marginalized. 

National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) – They provide critical research and advocacy tools to help fight for wage equality, with a focus on women of color.

Lastly, you can call your representatives and ask that they support to bills that could make a difference: The Paycheck Fairness Act (Makes available info around pay discrimination; trains women and girls how to negotiate; conducts studies on how to end pay discrimination) and The BE HEARD Act which extends protections against harassment

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song and also helped produce this episode. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. 

SUPPORT OUR SHOW

Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1

Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast 

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is the author of the National Book Award finalist The Undocumented Americans. Her work, which focuses on race, culture, and immigration, has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Vogue, Elle, and NPR. Her 2024 novel Catalina was longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction. She joins us for a mini interview about her latest book. 

Tamarindo is a lighthearted show hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval talking about politics, culture, and self-development. We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. Join us as we delve into discussions on race, gender, representation, and life! You can get in touch with us at www.tamarindopodcast.com

Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval are executive producers of Tamarindo podcast with production support by Karina Riveroll of Sonoro Media. Jeff Ricards produced our theme song. If you want to support our work, please rate and review our show here. 

SUPPORT OUR SHOW

Contribute to the show: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tamarindopodcast1

Follow Tamarindo on instagram @tamarindopodcast and on twitter at @tamarindocast

Tamarindo podcast is a Latina-hosted podcast that discuses Latine culture, politics, and personal-development. It is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Delsy Sandoval who are both based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, we discuss culture from a progressive Latina lens including political issues, mental health and well-being, and personal development. Our guests are changemakers advancing justice, culture-makers breaking barriers, or healers including therapists and health practitioners promoting the wellbeing of Latinos.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.