Advertise on podcast: Latinas with Masters Podcast ~ Hosted by Dra. Christina Rodriguez

In this episode of the Latinas with Masters podcast, Dr. Christina Rodriguez interviews Veronica Suazo, a Bay Area Latina graduating with a master's in Marriage, Family, and Therapy from Alliant International University. Veronica shares her remarkable journey from struggling in San Francisco's school system with undiagnosed ADHD, barely graduating high school, to earning her bachelor's from USF and eventually pursuing her MFT degree. She discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, practicing self-care, and breaking generational cycles. Veronica also highlights her podcast, Get Real with V, and encourages Latinas to believe in themselves and pursue higher education. Show some love to our homegirl Veronica by listening to her podcast, Getting Real with V and following her on IG on @motivationbyv

Two besties in a pod! Alexis Linares-Sierra joins me for Season 4, Episode 2 and we get into the messy beautiful parts of it. Growing up first-gen, navigating machismo, coming out, family acceptance, Salvadoran representation in research, and protecting your peace while chasing your doctorate. Alexis is East LA raised, son of Salvadoran immigrants, a sweet soul, proudly gay man owning every part of who he is, and a future DOCTOR in the making at Cal State Fullerton. Pull out a chair and hang out with us amigas. This episode will make you feel so seen and loved. Much Love Always ~ Dra. Christina Rodriguez

Everything you have been waiting for is here in Season 4! I am kicking off the season opener of the Latinas with Masters Podcast with Doctora Mara Noemí Lopez, the inaugural Director of the Hispanic Serving Institution Research Center at the University of Arizona. We get real about our non-linear journeys to higher education, what it really takes to survive and thrive as a first-generation Latina and mother in academia, and how community and healing have carried us through along the way. This episode is for every Latina who has ever questioned whether she is worthy of taking up space in academia. Show up and take up space anyway amigas, red lipstick, big hoop energy, and all. Much Love Always ~ Dra. Christina Rodriguez

Latinas with Masters is a safe space where me and you can share our stories, our narratives and our truths. In this 2nd episode of Let’s Talk About…, I share 10 red flags to look out for during a job interview and as a job seeker myself, how some of these red flags have shown up in my interviews and my personal take on how I handles each and every situation. Don't settle for less amigxs! If you experienced any of these red flags, you are not trippin' and you are not alone. You guessed it, this is only the beginning for this new series of Let's Talk About... where I, Christina Rodriguez will unpack and share the unfiltered truths about what some may be afraid to talk about and what stories that don't get talked about enough. No topic is off limits so if you have a topic or an experience you would like to talk about, hit me up!

Latinas with Masters is a safe space where you can share your story, your narrative and your truth. On this groundbreaking episode, Christina talks about her recent experience with working in a toxic culture environment and how we as Latinas and Women of Color need to speak up more about these toxic workplace experiences to uplift others who may be on this similar journey. This is only the beginning for a new series called, Let's Talk About... where Christina will unpack and share the unfiltered truths about what some may be afraid to talk about or what stories that don't get talked about enough. No topic is off limits so stay tuned.

In this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, host Christina Rodriguez converses with her cousin Leticia V. Garay, a mental health advocate, blogger & a recent MBA graduate from UC Davis. They discuss their shared experiences as Latinas & Nicaraguans in higher education, emphasizing the importance of mental health. Leticia shares her journey through graduate school, the challenges of balancing work and graduate studies, and the significance of therapy. Christina reflects on her own experiences, highlighting the need for culturally responsive mental health support. Together, they underscore the power of community, vulnerability, and self-advocacy in navigating academic and personal challenges.

Join the Latinas with Masters Podcast as we dive into the world of financial empowerment with Lea Landaverde, known as the Latina Wealth Activist. Based in Dallas, TX, Lea is the visionary founder of The Riqueza Collective, an innovative financial coaching practice focused on bilingual financial education. With a Master's in Finance form the University of Utah and over 9+ years of industry experience, Lea integrates expertise in wealth management, investment banking, technology and personal finance to empower the next generation of wealth builders. Lea enriches us with insights into her upbringing as a first-generation Salvadorian Latina, detailing her academic journey through her Master's program, navigating corporate environments, and founding her groundbreaking financial coaching practice, The Riqueza Collective. Thank you for supporting and listening to the Latinas with Masters Podcast. Please share your comments with us! Don't forget to subscribe, like and leave your thoughts on this episode.

On this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina delves into the inspiring journey of Laura Walker, M.Ed., a resilient Mexicana born in Mexico and raised in the U.S. from the tender age of 2. Laura's committment to education, instilled by her mother, drove her to promise her mother that she would graduate high school- a promise she steadfastly kept, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA. Married to her best friend, a dedicated United States Marine, Laura is not only a loving mother of two but also a dedicated scholar. Amidst the challenges of military life, Laura pursued her academic ambitions, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland University College while residing in Japan. Laura continued to demonstrate her unwavering determination by embarking on a Master's program in Elementary Education at Grand Canyon University. While completing her final course in her program, she experiences a health crisis when she experienced kidney failure, forcing her to pause her pursuit of a Master's degree. In a pivotal moment, her sister emerged as her hero and savior, selflessly donating her kidney. This act of love and sacrifice enabled Laura to resume her Master's program and ultimately complete her final course, earning her well-deserved Master's degree. You can follow this amazing Mama Scholar @laurawalker on Instagram. Thank you all for your continued love and support. Peace out! =)

On this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews a straight up C******a, Maria Linares, MPA who is an Emerita Trustee of the California State University, Board of Trustees which was a position appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom. She is a proud Latina first generation college graduate raised in an immigrant working class neighborhood in the city of Santa Ana, CA. Her work throughout the years has focused on serving the most underserved and historically marginalized populations including first gen students, transfer students, students with disabilities, undocumented students, formerly incarcerated and system impacted students, student parents, students without adequate basic needs and many others. Maria is a mother of three and hopes to work in higher education, advocating for the most vulnerable populations through legislation. In five years, she sees herself applying for a doctorate in public policy, an EdD, or working in legislative affairs. Yass! Can we say #FutureDoctora You can follow Maria Linares @Mommyof3royaldolls on Instagram Thank you all of your love and support! Peace out =)

On this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews Vanessa Sirias, First Generation Nicaraguense, digital content creator, actress, producer and comedian. Some of her dope creative work includes "Life of Karen", Christina's absolute favorite, "Nicaraguan's Moms Be Like" and representing Nicoya's on social media as THE FIRST Nicaraguense on Buzzfeed's Pero Like! She hold's a Bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in International Relations and a certificate in Human Rights from Florida International University. Vanessa talks to us about her decisions with choosing communications as her major versus going with her passion to study theater. She talks deeper about the challenges with family expectations as a first generation college student in the US and her experiences with belonging living and going to school in Miami and moving to Los Angeles. Vanessa shares how she started her career in tv broadcasting to making jefa moves as a digital content creator, growing her personal brand and bringing light into her Nicaraguan identity and the Nicaraguan culture because #RepresentationMatters! You can follow this baddie on all social media platforms at @vanessacsirias and check her out on @Buzzfeed @Perolike Thank you all for your love and support! ~ Christina Rodriguez, Creator and Founder of Latinas with Masters @LatinaswithMasters

On this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews Sandy Correa, MS, a native East Los Angeles and first gen Salvadorian and Puerto Rican Latina who recieved her Bachelor's in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz and a Master's in Health Care Management from Cal State Los Angeles. Ana María Gaona, MPA , is a first gen bilingual Latina and the eldest daughter of immigrant parents from Oaxaca, Mexico and Cordoba Spain and is a MPA, Cal State-Northridge graduate who received the Dr. Davidds' Leadership Institute Resilient Leadership Negotiation Certificate and is an honors recipient of the USC Multicultural Women Executive Leadership program. Together, these two amazing amigas are co-founders of Two Peacocks Travel and travelpreneurs elevating the life experiences of Latinas and Women of Color through luxurious and transformational travel. Topics in this episode include the history behind our names, the challenges we experienced as mothers attaining our degrees, having people in power believing in us in the workplace and how working 25+ years in their desired field gave them motivation to start their own travel agency elevating and inspiring Women to step out of their busy lives & experience the beauty of traveling!

On this season 3 opener of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez, Nicaraguan author of, "For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts." What we love about Prisca is that she is unapologetic and uncompromising about protecting and upholding the stories of Latinx communities and we are very fortunate to have her as the first guest of Season 3 on the show.  A c******a feminist, theologian, storyteller, and advocate in her own right, she is also a fellow Latina with a Master's degree who earned her Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School. Christina and Prisca, both sharing the culture and identity of first-generation Nicaraguans, who talk about her book "For Brown Girls" that at this point, is every Brown Girls bible and guide who have experienced imposter syndrome, sense of belonging or simply being called a "difficult daughter".  She's all vibes in this episode as she is not afraid to say it how it is and shares big pockets of wisdom for us Latinx who are navigating graduate school, her views on the the lack of Latinx representation in the media and on social media but most of all, she is hella chill and down to earth sharing some personal favorites and what we can expect and look forward to next from nuestra amiga and Latina Rebel Prisca! We hope you enjoy this podcast episode as much as Prisca and Christina enjoyed bringing this episode to life. Thank you for listening and we greatly appreciate your continued love and support of Latinas with Masters and the Latinas with Masters Podcast.  Rate us! Rate and leave a review of this episode below.

On this episode of Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina interviews Christopher Luis Partida, a graduate Assistant Coach for the Men's basketball team at the University of St. Katherine AND a future #FirstGen Mexicano pursing a Master's degree in Kienisiology at the University of St. Katherine. He's a proud first gen Mexicano from Torrence, CA, raised by Mexican parents who received inspiration from his sisters who both hold PhD's in their respective fields. The lack of sense of belonging at a local community college made him feel college life was not for him. At the age of 26, he discovered he belonged in college and quickly realized he can't graduate college unless basketball is part of his academic journey.  His love of basketball encouraged him to re-enrolled in community college to attend Los Angeles Community College where he earned two Associate degree's in Early Education and Liberal Studies. He transferred to University of St. Katherine where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Arts & Humanities with a History concentration. Christopher's determination and perseverance to graduate college and coach college basketball became a reality because he changed the narrative of his journey, all for the love of basketball!

On this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina speaks with Joseph Valadez (him/his) who shares his childhood upbringing as a Chicano in Southern California, serving in the military, celebrating his sobriety and despite all of the systemic barriers he experienced, he always knew that he belonged on a college campus! Joseph has an A.A. in Sociology and A.A. in History, being a transfer student from Orange Coast College to Cuesta Mesa College. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from CSU Long Beach and is a current graduate student in the MSW program at CSU Long Beach.  There are many Joseph's out there and your story is not heard enough. Please know that through Joseph's voice, your experiences are validated and your truth is being heard. This is one of many stories that we will continue to share and support on the Latinas with Masters Podcast. Thank you everyone for listening, for your love and always your continued support. Peace out folks! ✌🏽

On this episode of the Latinas with Masters Podcast, Christina welcomes Chris Norman (they/them), a queer, Blaxican housing policy & racial justice professional from the San Francisco Bay Area! They are a first-generation college and master's graduate who works to ensure folks from their communities are able to thrive and experience all the joy they can. Chris holds a Bachelor’s in Geography from Dartmouth College and a Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Southern California. Check out this episode to learn more about Chris and the motivation behind their academic and professional success in housing. Thank you for listening, for your love and continued support. Peace out! ✌🏽