The First Gen Madrina

What does it really mean to be a “good” social worker… and who decided that definition in the first place?

In this episode, we’re unpacking the unspoken pressure many social workers carry like the expectation to always say yes, sacrifice endlessly, and hold it all together no matter the cost. But behind that “perfect” image? Burnout, silence, and a slow disconnection from ourselves.

This conversation challenges the narrative.

We’re talking about breaking out of the box, reclaiming our humanity, and returning to the true roots of social work which are advocacy, justice, and disruption. Because being a powerful social worker isn’t about self-sacrifice… it’s about sustainability.

✨ You’ll walk away with:

•  A new perspective on boundaries and burnout 
•  A reminder that advocacy includes you
•  The permission to redefine what “good” actually means 

Because a depleted social worker can’t change systems, but an empowered one can.

It might be time to stop fitting the mold… and start breaking it.

In this episode, Sara sits down with Carlos Martin to unpack money shame as a first-gen. Carlos shares his journey of immigrating to the U.S. at 11, navigating language barriers, scarcity, and the lack of financial guidance growing up.

Together, they explore how silence around money, cultural expectations, and early experiences shape our relationship with finances  and the shame that can follow. From corporate life to entrepreneurship, this conversation dives into fear, fulfillment, and rewriting your money story.

This is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt behind, conflicted, or ashamed about money.

In this deeply personal episode of The First Gen Madrina Podcast, Sara opens up about the complex emotions that come with out-earning your parents and building a life rooted in choice rather than survival. She explores the quiet tension between pride and guilt, and how money shame shows up for first-gen professionals through overworking, anxiety, and difficulty enjoying success. Through storytelling and reflection, Sara reminds listeners that healing their relationship with money is not a betrayal, but an act of self-care, boundary-setting, and generational change. Tune in to this episode for more on Sara's journey!

In this episode, I interview Akary Busto, human design expert and emotional biohacker. We explore what it means to grow up first gen while living life “on the hyphen.” Through a powerful conversation on migration, identity, language loss, and belonging, we unpack the pressure to assimilate and the quiet grief of losing parts of ourselves along the way. We also dive into Human Design as a tool for healing, self-trust, and reclaiming our roots beyond cultural conditioning, especially as first-gen women navigating multiple worlds. 

By understanding our lineage, trauma stored in DNA, and energetic patterns, Human Design offers a framework to create distance from self-blame and support mental health through awareness, embodiment, and alignment. 

Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram  @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

We’re kicking off a brand-new season of The First Gen Madrina Podcast with this month’s theme: Reclaiming Our Roots as First Gens.

In this conversation, Sara shares her personal journey of identity, healing, and what it means to grow up living in the in-between. From feeling “not Cuban enough” and “not American enough,” to navigating anxiety, ADHD, and cultural expectations around rest and healing, this episode explores the weight many first-gens carry.

Sara also introduces her experience with human design and how learning she’s a Projector helped her stop seeing herself as “too much” or “not enough” and start honoring who she truly is. This episode is a reminder that reclaiming your roots doesn’t mean abandoning yourself. It means evolving, healing, and building a bridge between where you come from and where you’re going.

Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram  @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Sara is joined by bilingual and bicultural Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Janice Castro who is an expert in ADHD. 

Throughout our conversation, we unpack how anxiety, ADHD, and first-generation Latina culture intersect, especially for women whose symptoms are often overlooked. We talk about survival mode, hustle culture, guilt around rest, and the shame that keeps mental health struggles silent in our communities.

We also explore the powerful connection between ADHD and money specifically impulsive spending, budgeting struggles, and why these challenges aren’t personal failures but unmet support needs.

Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram  @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Sara shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and why she hadn’t spoken about it much until now. As a social worker and entrepreneur, she reflects on the signs she missed, how undiagnosed ADHD fueled her anxiety, and the relief that came with finally having answers. This honest conversation also explores the stigma of ADHD in Latine communities, choosing who gets access to your story, and navigating healing on your own terms. 

Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram  @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

In this powerful episode, Sara sits down with money mindset and business coach Debbie O’Hara to explore how she transformed her money story after growing up in survival mode and surviving financial and intimate partner violence. As a first-generation Cuban American, Debbie spent years navigating scarcity, instability, and fear before reclaiming her financial power and rebuilding her life. Now she helps women break generational patterns, heal their relationship with money, and create true financial freedom. This conversation is raw, inspiring, and a reminder that your money story can always be rewritten. This ultimately led Sara to creating Madrina Money: a financial wellness coaching practice. 

Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram  @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

In this vulnerable episode, Sara shares her personal money story. From her family’s immigration journey to the U.S to growing up in survival mode, Sara shares how this all shaped her perception of money. She opens up about how ADHD, anxiety, and generational trauma shaped her spending, saving, and beliefs about security.

Sara reflects on how understanding her mental health helped her break cycles of guilt, avoidance, and fear, and how healing allowed her to build financial systems rooted in compassion instead of shame.

This episode invites you to explore your own money story, understand the “why” behind your habits, and take one small, empowered step toward financial peace. This ultimately led Sara to creating Madrina Money: a financial wellness coaching practice. 

Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram  @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

It’s the final episode of 2025! Join me as I reflect on a year full of pivots, growth, and healing. In this heartfelt closing episode, I open up about the lessons I’ve learned, the courage it took to realign with my purpose, and an exciting new chapter ahead including the evolution of The First Gen Madrina Podcast!

If you’ve ever found yourself navigating change, questioning your path, or learning to trust the process, this episode is for you. Tune in for reflection prompts, powerful reminders, and a glimpse into what’s coming next as we continue healing money wounds and building generational freedom together.