You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, I open up about the intense pressure many Latina moms, including myself, feel to maintain a picture-perfect family image, especially in the eyes of our extended familia.

I delve into the constant stress of keeping everything immaculate and everyone well-behaved during family gatherings and the toll it takes. I share insights into the root causes of this family performance anxiety and discuss how it affects our children and us. I offer ways to break free from these unrealistic expectations by setting boundaries, managing family expectations better, and focusing on genuine, meaningful connections over appearances.

This episode is a call to embrace the chaos, laugh at the imperfections, and prioritize what truly matters—love, laughter, and the authentic moments that make our family lives enriching.

In This Episode You’ll Hear:

• The cultural pressure on Latinas to have an exemplary family.
• Why the need to control appearances can actually create more stress.
• The importance of setting boundaries and managing expectations.
• Embracing imperfection and creating genuine connections with your family.
• Letting go of the fear of judgment and focusing on building healthy family dynamics.

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You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, I tackle the cultural expectations placed on Latina moms to maintain spotless homes, addressing the unrealistic standards of being ‘La Mujer Limpia’. Acknowledging the pressures of motherhood, work, and family life, I promote embracing a more realistic and balanced approach to household cleanliness. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How to ditch the guilt of the "mujer limpia" stereotype! 
• Explore ways to create a more realistic cleaning routine that works for you.
• Why we challenge the stereotype: Our self-worth isn't defined by spotless floors.
• Practical tips for you to become a calm and balanced mama.

Want more support? Check out my coaching program, Balanced Madrehood, to rewrite the script of mmadrehood and create a more balanced life. vivalamami.com/balanced-madrehood.

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You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, I dive into the complexities and joys of being a modern Latina mom. It's a role filled with love, cultural pride, and the determination to break cycles for the betterment of our future generations. Yet, it's not without its challenges, including moments of isolation and the struggle to find a community of like-minded Latina moms.

I also share my own experiences of feeling out of place within my family due to my parenting choices and the journey towards accepting my unique path. 

This episode also mentions Balanced Madrehood, my upcoming coaching program tailored for Latina moms seeking support, advice, and a strong sense of community. Balanced Madrehood aims to empower participants through prioritizing self-care, embracing their evolving identities as Latina moms, and establishing healthy boundaries.

My goal is to foster a nurturing community where we can celebrate our victories and navigate our challenges together, affirming the beauty and strength in our shared journey of Latina motherhood.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How to find your Latina mom tribe by overcoming isolation.
• Why having a community of Latina moms can be so powerful.
• The benefits of joining a group of like-minded Latina moms.
• What to expect from Balanced Madrehood.

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, I share the challenges and opportunities of rediscovering personal passions after becoming a mami.

Drawing from my own experiences as a modern Latina mom of two, I share how motherhood shifted my priorities away from activities I loved, such as running, reading, and baking. I emphasize the importance of finding small moments for oneself amid the chaos of parenting and share strategies for incorporating hobbies and interests back into daily life.

This episode will encourage you to prioritize self-care and rediscover the joy in your pre-madrehood passions or develop new ones, highlighting that caring for yourself is not selfish but essential for a fulfilling life and madrehood experience.

Listen to the previous episodes mentioned on this episode: 

• Episode 13: VLM Spotlight: A Mami Musician with Ani Cordero
• Episode 27: How to Find Clarity and Balance as Mamás with Criss Madrigal

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

That's a wrap, amiga! This is the finale episode of Season 3!

In this episode, I share the highlights of the season, including the launch of my coaching program Balanced Madrehood.

As I take a break to focus on my family, I offer a reminder to balance personal and professional life. We go through many seasons as mamis and it's important to take a break or a pause from something that is keeping you from being present with yourself, family, work, or other aspects of your life.

I wrap up with a promise of exciting new content and expert guest interviews in Season 4 to empower and inform you in your madrehood journey, so stay tuned!

Although we’ll be taking a break, the Viva la Mami podcast will still run episodes for the next four weeks. If you haven't had the chance to listen to them yet, now is the time to stay tuned each week during the month of July for you to listen to the most streamed episodes of Season 3!

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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In this episode, we welcome Yvonne Hernandez, founder of Decide Balance and Host of the Decide Balance Podcast, a 5 - minute bilingual (English & Spanish) meditation podcast. She is also a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher and a Reiki Master who sought and implemented holistic healing after being diagnosed with vitiligo, a condition in which skin loses its pigmentation. 

Yvonne discusses the importance of meditation for both children and adults. She shares her personal journey with meditation, how it transformed her life and parenting, and tips on incorporating meditation into family routines. We touch on the historical roots of meditation, the misconception that it conflicts with religious beliefs, and the health benefits it provides. 

This episode emphasizes the need for self-care among parents and the positive impact of meditation on emotional regulation, especially for children. Yvonne's goal is to teach meditation to 1 million children, promoting inner peace and better decision-making for future generations.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How meditation has helped Yvonne’s parenting journey
• Ways to incorporate meditation into your family’s lifestyle
• Some of the benefits for meditation for kids
• Yvonne’s mission of teaching meditation to 1 million children

For full show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode79

Follow Decide Balance!

• Website: decidebalance.com 
• Instagram: instagram.com/decidebalance
• Facebook: facebook.com/DecideBalance 
• YouTube: youtube.com/@decidebalance
• Podcast: decidebalance.com/podcast

Resource mentioned:
OASIS - a bilingual virtual safe space for families to find support as they embark on a mindfulness journey with their family. 

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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In this episode, Crystal Dorado, owner of Verde Holistic Wellness Studio, discusses her mission to reclaim and share ancestral medicine, specifically pre-Hispanic womb healing. Raised in a lineage of traditional healers, Crystal delves into the importance of developing a relationship with the womb and how this ancient practice can support modern motherhood. She provides insights on the benefits of womb massage, traditional healing rituals, and how these practices tie into cultural identity, femininity, and spirituality.

Crystal also highlights the significance of supporting BIPOC healers and sustaining these traditions for future generations. Additionally, she shares personal testimonials and explores the holistic services offered at her wellness studio.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• The benefits of womb healing.
• How this practice supports women's reproductive health and well-being.
• How the pre-Hispanic womb massage can connect to larger themes of femininity, spirituality, and cultural identity.

Follow Verde Holistic Wellness Studio!

• Website: www.verdehws.com
• Instagram: @verdehws
• Facebook: @VerdeHWS
• Crystal’s Personal IG Account:@crystal_dorado

Resources Mentioned:

• Travel Opportunity: October 2024 Retreat
• Dr. Rosita Arvigo’s book: Sastun

For full show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode78

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this solo episode, I celebrate my son’s first birthday and share an important personal milestone – our breastfeeding anniversary. I reflect on my experiences breastfeeding my two children, highlighting the challenges and differences I encountered. I discuss the struggles I faced with inadequate support during my first son's breastfeeding journey and the successful strategies I employed the second time around. 

I also offer four key components that helped me exclusively breastfeed my second one and provide valuable tips for new and expecting mamis. Throughout the episode, I emphasize the importance of trusting your body, seeking professional support, and leaning on your support system. 

Tune in to hear my insightful advice, relatable stories, and to feel empowered in your breastfeeding journey!

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 36: How To Get The Right Support In Your Breastfeeding Journey with Kassi Reyes, IBCLC
• Episode 32: Why Breastfeeding Matters For Latina Women with Ileana Berrios, IBCLC 
• The Lactation Network
• Breastfeeding your newborn — what to expect in the early weeks by Kelly Mom

For full show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode77

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we are joined by sisters Aidee and Monica San Miguel, founders of VOLVERde, an online marketplace of carefully curated, beautiful, effective, low-waste products for your body and home sourced from a variety of responsible brands.

The conversation delves deep into the importance of sustainability, especially within the Latine community. Monica and Aidee share their personal backgrounds, their sustainable practices rooted in the traditions of their abuelita, and the motivations behind launching VOLVERde. They also discuss the impact of consumer culture on traditional practices, how they are instilling sustainable habits in their children, and the significance of reconnecting with one's roots. 

The episode highlights the importance of familial storytelling and preserving cultural traditions for future generations.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• The long-held sustainable cultural traditions that inspired VOLVERde and the significance behind these traditions
• Why Latinos are unconsciously environmentalists
• How one can reclaim the sustainable traditions our abuelitas taught us
• How we can teach our children about becoming responsible citizens of our planet

Follow VOLVERde!

• Website: www.volverde.com 
• Instagram: @_volverde_

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode76

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I have the privilege of sitting down with Brenda Perez Mendoza, a remarkable Latina mom, award-winning dual language teacher, and author. Brenda shares her inspirational journey from a first-generation child of immigrants to a celebrated educator and author, driven by her passion for bilingual education and cultural identity.

She discusses the many challenges she encountered due to language barriers and how these experiences propelled her to advocate for racial justice and bilingual education through her Latinx American Bilingual Series books. These works aim to bridge identity gaps for kids, empowering them and their Latina moms to embrace their heritage through storytelling.

Brenda offers invaluable expertise for bilingual families and educators, underlining the importance of recognizing bilingualism as a superpower.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• Brenda’s philosophy and impact on becoming a leader in education.
• The birth of a bilingual book series and how Brenda reclaimed her love for writing.
• How parents can advocate for their children in schools, their community, and beyond.

Follow Maestra Mendoza!

• Instagram: instagram.com/maestramendoza
• Facebook: facebook.com/lamaestramendoza
• Purchase her book series here!

For full detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode75

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠