EPISODE · Apr 9, 2026 · 40 MIN
E329: Rodney Eric Lopez - Cultural Fluency, When you don't speak the language, but you still belong!
from Back2Basics: Reconnecting to the essence of YOU · host Rodney Eric Lopez, Rodney Lopez, Eric Lopez, Leticia van Splunteren, Leticia LAtino van Splunteren
Learn more about Rodney at: https://www.rodneyericlopez.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-eric-lopez/ https://www.instagram.com/rodneyericlopez/ Show Notes 🗽 [02:06] Rodney’s origin story: Born and raised in the Bronx, Puerto Rican roots 💃 [05:27] The pivot: Meeting a professional salsa dancer and discovering a missing piece 👪 [07:13] "So He Won't Understand": Spanish used as a barrier, not an invitation 📖 [08:30] Salsa as cultural fluency: A different kind of language 👨👧 [12:08] Becoming a parent: Finding empathy for his parents' choices 📡 [16:05] Transmitting culture and language to another generation. ⚾ [20:24] The World Baseball Classic: Italian-Americans playing for Italy, Venezuelan pride 🤝 [25:52] What dance teaches: Confidence, connection, empathy, and humanity 🕺 [29:04] The life skill: Dance as something that stays with you forever 💰 [32:47] Letting go of money shame through giving 📚 [36:50] Sparking dinner table conversations about language, culture, and belonging 🧠 [38:50] What makes Rodney tick: Learning something new every day Please leave a review or send us a Voice note letting us know what you enjoyed at:Back2Basics reconnecting to the essence of YOU (podpage.com)Follow us on IG and FB @Back2BasicsPodcast
What this episode covers
What if you could belong to your culture, even if you don’t speak the language? Rodney Eric López is an accomplished educator, artist, and non-profit leader. He is the CEO of Rodney Eric López Enterprises, featured in the hit documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, and author of the upcoming memoir I Don’t Speak Spanish, but I Understand Everything When I’m Dancing! His work centers on the intersection of arts, education, identity, and community leadership, using dance and creativity to bring people together.
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E329: Rodney Eric Lopez - Cultural Fluency, When you don't speak the language, but you still belong!
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