What Dichos?

El que tiene boca, se equivoca

Translation: He/she who has a mouth with make errors

How many times have you said something totally confident only to later realize that you may have been wrong? Probably many times. To make errors is completely a human experience.

But when does saying the wrong things become a dangerous action? Usually when those lies are repeated constantly without fact-checking.

In this episode, Laura Lopez Williams, a local teacher, joins in to discuss the power of words and how her experience as a teacher is more than just teaching children math operations, but also teaching them about empathy and compassion.  Laura Lopez Williams is a first generation American raised in the San Fernando Valley. She has served the local school system for over 20 year as a teacher.

We discuss the dicho Él que tiene boca, se equivoca and how it resonates beyond making a mistake in our speech but also the power of words. Laura shares her perspective as an educator and offers a unique viewpoint of her childhood education experience.

The day we recorded was January 18, 2021, Martin Luther King Jr Day, so naturally we discuss the importance of his memory and how his actions are not different from the current movement (i.e. Black Lives Matter).  Since history is unfolding before our eyes, we take a moment to discuss the mob at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Keeping in line with education, we also discuss our current reads and talk about we aim to stay educated and informed.

Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

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Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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Año Nuevo, Vida Nueva

Translation: New Year, New Life

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2021, please walk in, take a seat and keep your hands and feet inside your house until we are all cleared to do so because we are still in a pandemic....!

We have all heard the saying #NewYearNewME, but how cliche is that? Honestly, let's all be real and stop lying to ourselves and those that have to deal with our BS. It's the same you, just a different year. So how about we talk about this year as an opportunity to try being a better version of yourself?

In this episode, Belen covers why she doesn't do resolutions, kind of does intentions, and why they may or may not be the same thing.  Take these suggestions lightly, Belen is not a life coach, but there are plenty of really cool ones that have build services just for BIPOC. Check them out here:

@TheBizBruja
@SexinSpanglish
@AskCoachDre
@LatinaLeading
@AlicaOcampoLifeCoaching
@LeadingMediaLLC

(these are just a few off the top of my head, research and connect with individuals that are more suited for your goals and needs)

One of Belen's goals this year is to read for pleasure and has joined the challenge with @thejefalife and @latinaleading. Check out their leadership book challenge and join in!

In the meantime, enjoy the growth, take care of your health, drink water, and don't be racist!

Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @whatdichos

Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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A mal tiempo, buena cara

Translation: In bad times, a good face

Do you like laughing? Well, get ready for the final episode of 2020 where all you will hear is laughter, because at this point in the 4th decade of quarantine, we may have lost it and all we can do is laugh. This week's guests are the hosts of Espooky Tales, Cristina and MJ.

In this episode, we unpack the dicho A mal tiempo, buena cara and how it applies to the fabulous year we will forever know as 2020. We can all agree, this year is not what we expected but we can consider all of the "positive" things that have come out of this year. Despite the impending doom of all the 2020 events, we can find the small silver linings and appreciate the smaller things that remind us of the importance of life. But when is positivity too much? Can being too positive be toxic?

2020 has been a true testament to our spirit and ability to adapt. Although "going back to normal" may not instantly come back when the clock strikes at midnight and we turn into 2021. In the words of Doc Holiday (in the film Tombstone), "'There is no normal life, Wyatt. There's just life." We recognize the importance of all the essential workers, like doctors, nurses, teachers, grocery workers, postal workers, janitors, and many more and how the most ordinary people have done so much for society in the rollercoaster of 2020.

Of course, 2020 can't be over without a conversation about aliens and which one of us three will happily walk into a spaceship.

Cristina and MJ are co-hosts of Espooky Tales, a podcast about cuentos, folklore, y más. Two friends discussing everything Espooky, with a focus on Latinx stories, folklore and legends. Check them out on Instagram (@espookytales) and listen to their episodes.

Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @whatdichos

Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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Virgen Vieja, Puta Segura

Translation: Old Virgin, Definite Whore

In this episode, La Futura Doctora Ana joins in to discuss the dicho Virgen Vieja, Puta Segura and the dichotomy of Madonna-Whore complex. We discuss the topic of sexuality, sex education in the Latinx Community, and why we are all so afraid to have "these types" of conversations with our family and children.

La Futura Doctora Ana is a Certified Sex Coach and educated Latina who's purpose in life is to bring science-based sex education to marginalized communities and get Latinas talking about sex. She is also the host of the Sex in Spanglish podcast. If you would like to own your pleasure and learn more about her services, connect with her via IG (@sexinspanglish) or her website, sexinspanglish.com.

Reference:
El mundo de la prostitución en el refranero español

Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

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Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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Mejor sola que mal acompañada

Translation: Better off alone than in bad company

In this week's episode, Vanessa Graves, host of Hija de Tu Madre Podcast, joins me for a conversation on the infamous dicho, Mejor sola que mal acompañada.

We discuss how this dicho was introduced to Vanessa by her mama and the heavy importance of self-preservation and self care. We dive into the possibility of this dicho as a cover up to our true healing and how this can also be applied to friendships and all type of relationships we can come across in our lives.

What is your interpretation of this dicho? Has it helped you heal from a breakup or the end of a friendship?

Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

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Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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Amor Eterno, parte 2

Eternal Love, part 2

Thank you all for your outpouring of love. After last week's episode was released, I received so many beautiful messages.

In this week's episode, I recap the story about the loss of Sebastián. Realizing that many things were left unsaid about feelings and the aftermath. Anxiety after the initial loss, coping with stress and fears, dreams and memories, and the attempt of therapy are a big part of this story as well.

Warning: This episode contains a personal story of infant loss, death, anxiety, and sadness.

If you or someone you know has experienced an infant loss, please reach out to a trusted person or trained professional. One particular resource is First Candle. (IG: @FirstCandle)

Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @whatdichos

Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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Amor Eterno

Eternal Love

In this episode, I recap a little about my mini break. Anxiety, time change, election, pandemic, etc all contributed to the peak stress I was feeling over the course of the month. As a Thanksgiving Special I want to Thank all of the listeners, guests, back-end support and Diosito Lindo for putting me on this journey.

This year, 2020 has been especially rough for all of us. This year, on November 26, 2020, marks the 7th anniversary of my son's, Sebastián, passing. I share with you his story and my story about his passing.

Warning: This episode contains a personal story of infant loss, death, anxiety, and sadness.

If you or someone you know has experienced an infant loss, please reach out to a trusted person or trained professional. One particular resource is First Candle. (IG: @FirstCandle)

Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @whatdichos

Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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¿Eres Superstitious?

In this episode, I recap the last 3 weeks where I have been M.I.A. The break was much needed and I have no regrets, but sorry if you missed me.

Spooky Szn has techincally passed, but who says that Fall (Autumn for you fancy folks) isn't filled with more suspenseful spooky times?

I consider myself a semi-superstitious person and believe some of the superstitions that  mami and tias have said to me. But, let's be honest, some of them are a little bit "off the wall." So, being how I am surrounded by skeptics, I have invited Julian and my beau, Juancarlos to discuss these with me. Have fun listening to the explanations and interpretations!


Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @whatdichos

Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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La Llorona

Translation: Wailing Woman

Have you heard the story of La Llorona? How old were you when you first heard it? Was it used to make you behave?

La Llorona is such a big part of our Latinidad as much as we breath air to survive. The origins of La Llorona are unknown due to the lack of written history, but because it is based on oral tradition and verbal storytelling, we have some idea on how this story of betrayal has taken shape. In this episode, you will hear some of the Aztec (pre-hispanic) connections to goddess, sacrifice, and translations of friars. We will discuss the somewhat modern renditions of the story.

There is another version of La Llorona, that is more of a love story. The story has also been put into song. You can listen to the song here: La Llorona by Pablo Castañejo

You can read more about the story of La Llorona from the article written by Amy Fuller on History Today: The Wailing Woman


Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @whatdichos

Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

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Cuando se quiere, se puede

Translation: When there is a will, there is a way

In this episode, Geraldine Estevez joins me all the way from New York! Well, she joins in virtually. I'm super excited (as always) to have her as a guest because we talk about the chaos of our lives and how we are totally at peace with not having it all together, at the moment, because best believe once we hit the ground, we running!

Gera (as we call her) is a prominent figure in my family. She was born in the Dominican Republic and now currently lives in the Bronx, New York (HELLO, JLO VIBES!). She has made it her mission to not be boxed into one category and has followed her own goals and dreams.

To stay up to date with Geraldine, check out her IG pages:
@geraldine.estevez

Send me your favorite dichos, stories, or memories that you would like me to feature at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @whatdichos

Intro Theme Music Credit: Mariachiando - Doug Maxwell / Jimmy Fontanez

—————————————————-

Affiliate Link:

Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour.
Free delivery on your first order over $35.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show