Unapologetically First Gen

In this episode, the Braga sisters pick up where we left off—this time diving into the really hush-hush stuff from our childhoods: sex ed, puberty, dating, and using the right names for body parts. 

We talk about awkward school sex-ed memories (hello, “Know Your Body”), the American Girl puberty books, and what it looks like to have age-appropriate conversations with kids today. 

We also get into dating under strict household rules, why secrecy breeds better liars (not safer kids), and how we’re approaching honest conversations about birth control, protection, and internet safety with the next generation. 

Resources & Terms Mentioned

• American Girl books 
• Celebrate Your Body (And Its Changes, Too!) The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls
• Donate to Planned Parenthood so teens can continue to get access to reproductive health care 

• Get your Unapologetically First Gen mug — perfect desk buddy and gift for your fave first-gen.
• Join our email list for new episodes, guest announcements, and behind-the-scenes sister moments.
• Follow us on Instagram @UFGPodcast to peek at the sister shenanigans, Portuguese snacks, and episode drops.

In this episode, the Braga sisters get real about the stuff we didn’t talk about growing up—mental health, anxiety, conflict, and “I love yous.” We share stories from childhood (Friday spelling-test stomachaches, anyone?), how those patterns show up in adulthood, and what it looks like to set boundaries with family and clients. We also talk about gentle parenting (for toddlers and coworkers), why conflict felt “off-limits,” and how we’re trying to raise emotionally literate kids now. Plus: a merch update—limited-run vinyl stickers are here, and mugs are back in stock.

• Tik tok video about parenting teenagers in 2025: https://www.tiktok.com/@jay176340/video/7530214463270620447

Some of Lesley’s kid’s favorite books about feelings:

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions
• Feel Your Feelings
• Ruby Finds A Worry

• Get your Unapologetically First Gen mug — perfect desk buddy and gift for your fave first-gen.
• Join our email list for new episodes, guest announcements, and behind-the-scenes sister moments.
• Follow us on Instagram @UFGPodcast to peek at the sister shenanigans, Portuguese snacks, and episode drops.

Lesley and Stacy dive into the human toll of ICE raids and policies—family separation, racial profiling, due-process failures—and how the nonstop news cycle is impacting first-gen communities. From local stories to national headlines, they unpack what’s happening, why it feels so heavy, and where values-driven action fits in. We also talk about job market whiplash, vaccine access, and the empathy gap in policy decisions.

Want to channel your feelings in a productive way? Here are some places to start:

• Support immigrant-owned businesses in your area.
• Learn your rights & share resources from trusted orgs (e.g., local legal aid, community coalitions).
• Stay informed:
• Look for news outlets beyond your usual feed
• Learn about mass incarceration with New Jim Crow
• Mentioned BBC Article: Who has been arrested by ICE under Trump?
• Protest in creative ways: Mexican Flag car magnets 

• Get your Unapologetically First Gen mug — perfect desk buddy and gift for your fave first-gen.
• Join our email list for new episodes, guest announcements, and behind-the-scenes sister moments.
• Follow us on Instagram @UFGPodcast to peek at the sister shenanigans, Portuguese snacks, and episode drops.

If you loved this episode, make sure you hit follow so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Subscribing means every new drop shows up right in your feed, and if you take a second to rate and review the show, it helps more first-gens (and first-gen allies!) find us. And of course, share this episode with a friend, a cousin, or anyone who’d love to laugh, nod along, and feel seen with us.

We’re baaaack! In this mid-summer catch-up (recorded July 31) the Braga sisters get real about rest, community, and doing the work without burning out. We talk about summer memories, why we run the show in seasons, and how the nonstop immigration news cycle has felt heavy — especially for first-gens living it. We also share what’s in store for Season 2, unveil our new merch, and invite you to join our email newsletter so you never miss an episode.

• Unlearning Shame: How We Can Reject Self-Blame Culture and Reclaim Our Power by Devon Price
• The Target Takeback (n.) When a brand loudly embraces diversity and inclusion, then backpedals the moment there’s political (or financial) pressure. Then roll it all back out again when it’s profitable. Think: big public campaigns for Black History Month or Pride, followed by sudden cuts to DEI initiatives.

The Target Takeback led to large scale boycotts, decreased foot traffic, and ultimately, a 19% drop in sales.

• Get your Unapologetically First Gen mug — perfect desk buddy and gift for your fave first-gen.
• Join our email list for new episodes, guest announcements, and behind-the-scenes sister moments.
• Follow us on Instagram @UFGPodcast to peek at the sister shenanigans, Portuguese snacks, and episode drops.

If you loved this episode, make sure you hit follow so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Subscribing means every new drop shows up right in your feed, and if you take a second to rate and review the show, it helps more first-gens (and first-gen allies!) find us. And of course, share this episode with a friend, a cousin, or anyone who’d love to laugh, nod along, and feel seen with us.

In this season finale of Unapologetically First Gen, we sit down with Lesley’s mother-in-law, Soledad Boyd, for an intimate and unfiltered conversation about coming out later in life, navigating Black and queer identity, and what it really means to live unapologetically.

We talk about:

• What it was like to come out in her 50s after raising three kids
• Queerness in a white male–dominated LGBTQ+ scene
• Pride vs. corporate pride
• Blackness, visibility, and generational unlearning
• Why her grandkids won’t grow up with the same shame she carried
• And the joy (and challenge) of dating as a queer woman in Boston

This one is layered, funny, heartbreaking, and beautifully honest. A powerful end to the season and the perfect listen for Pride Month and Juneteenth.

Check out Queer Kids Stuff here: https://youtube.com/@queerkidstuff?feature=shared

🎧 Catch up on the season & subscribe to be the first to hear when we’re back this fall. 

Thanks for listening and supporting the show! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review if you enjoy the show. It really helps us grow.  We’ll see you in the fall! 

In this episode, we’re joined by a very special guest—our cousin, Romeu Bairos, a Portuguese musician, actor, and performer known for traditional Azorean music. 

We talk about:

• His time on the Portuguese version of The Voice
• Why singing in your natural accent is a big deal
• Reconnecting with long-lost cousins and finding home in Boston
• Pissing off MAGA aunties at Portuguese festivals
• His acting career and upcoming movie based on a banned communist novel
• And yes, why capitalism is the cows’ worst enemy

We also get into deeper themes around nationalism, safety as an immigrant in the U.S., and what it means to speak out even when it feels risky.

This one’s heavy and hilarious. 

Check out Romeu’s music here:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6H3GT3ggWowSo4R8LkGPP0?si=eJcGFCLJTFikvig_5TJXTg

If you are being affected by ICE:

If you or someone you know is facing immigration enforcement, the ACLU has multilingual guides on how to respond and protect your rights.

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights

Join the Conversation:

Got episode ideas or stories to share? Join the Patreon to stay in the loop for Season 2. http://patreon.com/UnapologeticallyFirstGenPodcast

Thanks for listening and supporting the show! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review if you enjoy the show. It really helps us grow. 

In this heartfelt, slightly chaotic, and very first-gen episode, Stacy and Lesley reflect on their first season of Unapologetically First Gen—what they’ve learned, how podcasting has unexpectedly deepened their connection with family, and the feedback that’s made them cry (in a good way). What starts as a light episode takes a powerful turn as they dive into the emotional weight of being first-generation, growing up as unofficial translators, and the fear immigrant communities are facing today.

From childhood memories and moon cycle superstitions to the heartbreak of ICE raids and political uncertainty, this episode is a raw blend of vulnerability, cultural commentary, and cousin-fueled love.

In this episode, they talk about:

• How podcasting has helped them stay connected to their 40+ cousins
• The technical and emotional lessons learned this season
• How feedback from listeners—especially family—has shaped their motivation
• Navigating fear, dual citizenship, and immigrant identity in the current political climate
• Setting boundaries while still being deeply tied to family roles
• The importance of grassroots community action in the face of systemic threats

Resource Mentioned:

If you or someone you know is facing immigration enforcement, the ACLU has multilingual guides on how to respond and protect your rights.

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights

Join the Conversation:

Got episode ideas or stories to share? Join the Patreon to stay in the loop for Season 2. http://patreon.com/UnapologeticallyFirstGenPodcast

Thanks for listening and supporting the show! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review if you enjoy the show. It really helps us grow. 

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, we’re talking about relationships—and specifically what it’s like to grow up in a culture where marriage is expected early, only to end up married to Americans in very different ways.

Lesley shares a personal story most people don’t know: she got married at 18 to a Portuguese boy—and divorced by 20. We talk about the pressure to settle down young, the gender roles we grew up with, and the kind of relationships we saw modeled in our community.

We also reflect on how marrying outside our culture has forced us (and our partners) to navigate everything from family dynamics to food, language, and privilege. There’s some humor, some heart, and a whole lot of cultural unpacking in this one.

🎧 Tune in to hear us talk about:

– Getting married young and the aftermath

– Why we didn’t end up with Portuguese guys

– Mental load, masculinity, and growing alongside your partner

– The joy (and chaos) of blending families and traditions

If you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review.

💬 Got your own story about being first gen or marrying across cultures? Share it with us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/UnapologeticallyFirstGenPodcast

Connect with us on Instagram and Threads: @stacybragacopy and @StreamlineWithLesley

This week, Lesley & Stacy are diving into the cultural quirks and beliefs that stuck with us long after childhood - aka, all the superstitions we inherited (and maybe still follow). From the iconic Portuguese rooster to the deep-rooted fear of catching a cold from… wet hair?? Yep, we’re unpacking it all.

We talk:

• The legend behind the Galo de Barcelos 🐓
• Why wearing a jacket became a moral obligation
• The war on wet hair and cold feet
• House shoes, slipper politics, and crumb-related trauma
• And the mysterious "needle test" that “predicts” how many kids you’ll have

Sprinkled in, of course, are a few chaotic kid stories, cultural call-outs, and laughs about how these things still lowkey run our lives. Come for the folk tales, stay for the barefoot confessions.

Share your cultural superstitions with us over on Patreon: http://patreon.com/UnapologeticallyFirstGenPodcast

📲 Connect with us on Social Media: 

• Instagram and Threads: @stacybragacopy and @StreamlineWithLesley
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UnapologeticallyFirstGenPodcast

Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, we appreciate your support! ❤️

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, we sit down with our friend Isaac Lungu who shares what it’s been like to move through the world as a perpetual immigrant—from Botswana to several U.S. states, and now Canada.

Isaac talks about the layers of identity he’s had to navigate as someone who grew up African, became “Black” in America, and now raises his kid in a third culture. We explore how systemic issues—from racism to healthcare to capitalism—intertwine with personal experience, and what it means to stay rooted when home is constantly shifting.

If you enjoy the podcast, subscribe and leave us a review. 

💬 Got your own story about being first gen? Share it with us over on Patreon: http://patreon.com/UnapologeticallyFirstGenPodcast

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, we appreciate your support! ❤️