What It’s Like To Be Here

In this episode, I sit down with Daisy Navar, a Chicago native, government affairs professional, and proud tía, for a conversation about growing up on the city’s North Side, finding her way into politics, and learning to appreciate life at a different pace.

Daisy takes me back to her childhood near Racine and Belmont, sharing memories of walking to school, riding bikes around the neighborhood, and hearing the sounds of Wrigley Field from home. We talk about how her upbringing and college experience opened her eyes to social inequities and eventually led her into civic engagement.

But this conversation isn't just about politics. At 42, Daisy is thinking differently about success, slowing down, and making room to enjoy the simple things, like a good cup of coffee.

It's a conversation about Chicago, service, ambition, and what it means to find your own pace.

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 

And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts

Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/

In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with artist Ricardo “Naco” Gonzalez for a conversation about art, identity, culture, and community.

Ricardo shares how his love for drawing started as a kid while watching cartoons and how that early curiosity eventually grew into a life as a muralist, wheat-paste artist, and comic book artist. We talk about his connection to his Mexican roots and Michoacán, and how learning about Mexican art in high school helped him begin to better understand his own identity.

Ricardo also reflects on the artists and cultural workers who influenced him, including Héctor Duarte and Pablo Serrano, and the importance of finding community through art. We talk about his recent mural in Blue Island, Illinois, which tells the story of the Pullman Strike, and what it means to use public art to preserve history and create space for people to see themselves reflected.

This is a conversation about finding where you come from, figuring out where you belong, and using art to build connections along the way.

https://www.instagram.com/nacoart

Article discussed: https://cliquecommunications.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/chicago-artists-the-educator-naco/ 

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 

And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts

Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/

In this bonus episode, Pablo Serrano reflects on his time at the University of Illinois, the ways history continues to echo through our communities, and what it means to stand in conviction.

It's a conversation about culture, belonging, courage, and the people who remind us what showing up looks like. 

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 

And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts

Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/

For as long as I've known Leticia Andrade, she's been a hustling real estate broker, helping families achieve their dream of homeownership while making a meaningful impact in her community.

In this episode, Leticia shares her journey of becoming a young mom, how that experience shaped her perspective on success, why financial stability and homeownership are so important to her, and the role faith has played throughout her life. We also talk about her commitment to serving others through her monthly Chicago Homeless Outreach and a free therapy resource she recommends for those in need.

Follow Leticia on Instagram: @SoldByLeticia

Resources:

Chicago Homeless Outreach (3rd Saturday of every month) 

The Family Institute at Northwestern University (free therapy services for qualifying individuals)

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 

And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts

Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ 

In this episode of What It’s Like to Be Here, I sit down with longtime friend and community leader Heidy Mendez Grimaldo. Heidy shares her incredible journey from arriving in Chicago as a seven-year-old immigrant from Guatemala to becoming a "powerhouse" of community service on the city's Southwest side.

The conversation dives deep into the origins of her nonprofit, A Blessing Hand, which sparked into existence during the 2020 pandemic. After seeing a single Facebook post of a neighbor helping others, Heidy set up her own food table within 48 hours—a small act that evolved into a vital partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Mental Health Crisis First Responders: 312-597-5483 (Call or text)

A Blessing Hand on Facebook | A Blessing Hand on Insta

And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts

Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ 

Listen to Roho's interview - scroll up. It's episode 3. 

EXPO FB

Blue 1647

Badass Crosstitch

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In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with spoken word artist and poet Luis Tubens—also known as LoganLu—for a conversation rooted in art, identity, and community. We explore his life in Pilsen, how he turned storytelling into a career as a tour guide and owner of Pilsen Public Art Tours, and the places poetry has taken him—both creatively and personally. Luis also shares his vision for the future and what it means to build something meaningful through art.

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Don’t forget to rate, subscribe, comment and like the podcast! 

In this episode, I sit down with Jose Alfredo Guerrero, a Chicago-based educator, musician, and vocalist whose voice you might recognize from across the Chicagoland area. I first met José about 15 years ago during a karaoke night—honestly, I noticed his voice before I ever saw him.

Raised in La Villita and a graduate of DePaul University, José has built a reputation for his powerful performances, especially his unforgettable covers of Juan Gabriel. He also performs in the cabaret show Asi Fue: Canciones y Confesiones.

We talk about his journey through music, his work in education, and how his talent has opened the door to some truly special moments where he’s been able to share his voice with others.

Follow Madera Once on Instagram.

Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 

Follow us on Instagram and on YouTube!

Don’t forget to rate, subscribe, comment and like the podcast! 

In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with my dear friend Silvia Rivera — a leader in public media and a passionate advocate for community storytelling. From our early days working in Chicago media to her impactful work at Vocalo, Silvia has always been dedicated to uplifting voices and creating space for authentic narratives.

We talk about her version of Chicago, how radio has shaped her journey, and the vital role public media plays in reflecting and strengthening communities. Silvia also shares insights from her current role at the MacArthur Foundation, where she supports initiatives like Press Forward to help sustain local journalism — including critical efforts to expand Spanish-language news across the country.

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 

And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts

Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Pablo Serrano, Cultural Worker here in the city of Chicago, for a deep conversation about what it's like to be here and how he sees himself and his role within the complex and dynamic society we're living today.

Find Pablo on Instagram @PabloSerranoArt as well as @KombiChicago.  

And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 

Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts

Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/