PODCAST · arts
Overheard at Chica's Café
by Sonia Iris Lozada
For years, I've graced the TV shows, movies and the stage, as an actor and performer, sharing unforgettable experiences with countless talented individuals. In those moments, bonds were formed and friendships were forged. Now, on Overheard at Chica's Cafe, you can join me and my eclectic group of friends as we share stories of our lives, delve into our passions, and simply have a good time together. So come on in, take a seat at our table, and listen in on our lively conversations - you never know what surprises await!
Episodes
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050 My New Scene Partner Has No Pulse
My New Scene Partner Has No Pulse CHARACTER BREAKDOWN CHICASuspicious of my new digital scene partner and determined to discover whether artificial intelligence can understand human emotion—or merely imitate it. ME/I (SONIA)An actor using AI to rehearse auditions, analyze characters, and survive...
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049 My Acting Career and I Are Currently Seeing Other People
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN ACTING Long-term love interest. Unreliable communicator. Disappears for months, thensuddenly returns with “AUDITION. DUE TOMORROW.”Commitment status: “We’ll let you know.” CHICACafé owner, observer, and unofficial relationship counselor. Has questions,opinions, and very little...
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048 Everything I Learned While Waiting
Everything I Learned While Waiting What do actors do when auditions disappear? According to Sonia... they organize closets, rediscover forgotten T-shirts, wonder why they own drawers full of mystery cables, and realize that waiting isn't alwayswasted time. In this lighthearted episode of…
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047 So...I Joined a Band for a Week
A gifted week at Musicians Institute became much more than a music program. After decades away from performing, I found myself rehearsing with a band, recording in a professional studio, and performing live once again. Sometimes life doesn't ask us to become someone new—it simply invites us to...
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046 The Audition vs. The Helicopter
Have you ever tried to record something important only tohave the world get louder the moment you hit record? In this episode, Sonia shares the humorous realities ofrecording voiceovers from home while living near the Hollywood Freeway. From helicopters and leaf blowers to moving blankets and...
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045 - Can Actors Sell Short Stories to Hollywood?
In this episode, Sonia explores the idea of writing shortstories as a pathway into film—without becoming a screenwriter. With humor and honesty, she shares what she’s learning about modern “treatments,” storytellingfor the screen, and how actors can begin creating their own material in a…
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044 - Stereotypes in Acting
In this episode, Sonia shares her lived experience navigating identity in the entertainment industry—from early typecasting to evolving roles and the future of AI in performance. Topics include: Latinx representation in Hollywood Typecasting across cultures Middle Eastern representation in the...
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043 Bad Bunny and the Music That Raised Me
In this episode, I reflect on watching Bad Bunny’sperformances on Amazon and the Super Bowl stage — not just as entertainment, but as cultural memory brought into global light. With a background in Ethnomusicology from UCLA, I share how my academic research into Puerto Rican music — through texts...
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042 Still Showing Up (Even When the Passion Took a Coffee Break)
What happens when you still love being on set, but thepassion for the dream doesn’t feel the same? In this episode, I talk honestly about discouragement inacting and entertainment — not the dramatic kind, but the quieter season where you keep showing up without a five-year plan or a constant…
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041 Pull Up a Chair: A New Year at Chica’s Café
As the year turns, we’re keeping it simple at Chica’s Café.No resolutions, no reinventions—just a pause, a coffee refill, and a moment to appreciate the conversations we’ve shared. This short New Year episode reflects on curiosity,observation, and the kinds of everyday moments that make us stop,...
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040 The Artist Who Caught a Cold… and Everything Else
On today’s episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café,Sonia pulls up a chair (and a warm cup of ginger tea) to talk about something every actor, voiceover artist, and podcaster knows all too well: what happens when you get sick… and everything on your creative plate comes crashing into amessy little...
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039 The Invisible Work of Acting
In this episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café, Sonia Iris Lozada explores the unseen side of acting — the hours of preparation that audiences never witness. From memorizing lines for a single scene, to scrambling with last-minute sides, to navigating the silence that follows auditions, actors…
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038 Bad Bunny, Pride, and the Rhythm of Our Roots
In this episode, I reflect on watching the Bad Bunny concert on Amazon and the pride of seeing Puerto Rican music honored on a global stage. From the African roots of Bomba, to the storytelling voice of Plena, to the worldwide reach of Salsa, I share both personal memories and insights from my...
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037 Expressing Ourselves Creatively
Welcome back to Overheard at Chica’s Café, where the coffee is strong, the conversation is flowing, and the occasional biscotti mysteriously disappears. Today, we’re talking about something every entertainer knows too well: what do we do between gigs? Those in-between stretches where your phone…
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036 - The Healing Power of Laughter & Escape
The Healing Power of Laughter and Escape"Because sometimes Soul Work Looks Like Binge-Watching in Pajamas* Let’s be real — not every healing moment looks like a spiritual retreat in the mountains or hours of deep journaling by candlelight. Sometimes, healing looks like stretchypants, a perfectly...
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035 Albert Bramante - Talent Agent
This month on Overheard at Chica’s Café, we are delighted towelcome the insightful Albert Bramante, a seasoned talent agent, as well as the accomplished author of Rise Above the Script. In this engaging episode, we dive deep into the intricate world of the current entertainment industry....
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034 - AI & Entertainment: The Future of Creativity or the End of It?
AI & Entertainment: The Future of Creativity or the End of It? In this episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café, Sonia delves into the growing influence of AI in the entertainment industry, including voice cloning, script writing, AI actors, and music creation. Is AI a tool that empowers artists, or…
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033 What's Going On!
Welcome to another episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café. Itfeels like it’s been a lifetime, and to be completely honest, life has thrown quite a few curveballs my way lately. I know this is just a passing phase, but my aspirations of incorporating video into this season’s podcast? Well, they...
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032 Surviving Entertainment
Welcome to a brief episode of Overheard at Chica's Café, where we discuss all things entertainment. This month, we address the current state of the industry, which has been slowed down due to the devastating fires in Los Angeles. As a resident of this city, I have personally experienced the…
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031 Chica's 2024 Yearend
The year of 2024 brought about a whirlwind of changes in society, politics, and spirituality. It was a time of both struggle and beauty, as people grappled with the shifting landscape of the world. And as we enter this new year. The anticipation for next year's guests was already building, with...
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030 Nathan Singer - Musician/Author
Welcome to another edition of Overheard at Chica's Café where we have the talented musician and author Nathan Singer as our special guest. He shares with us his experience with his band, "Whiskey Shambles", and his transition from professional musician to published author while still being a part...
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029 Danny Mora - Actor/Voiceover
Our guest on this episode is the lively and entertaining Danny Mora. His energy and charisma fills the conversation, and we knew this was going to be a lively and entertaining episode. With Halloween here, we couldn't resist talking about ghosts and all things supernatural. But it wasn't all fun...
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028 Matthew Carauddo - Author/Actor
Our guest for this month's episode is Matthew Carauddo, an acclaimed author of the thrilling fantasy series "Diamond Dragons." In this podcast, we delve into his experience in acting and storytelling, as well as his impressive stage combat skills. Tune in for an engaging conversation! OVERVIEW…
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027 Inam Inamullah - Playwright/Artist
On this month's episode of the Overheard at Chica's Café podcast, we have a special guest, Inam Inamullah, an internationally acclaimed playwright. Our conversation delves into his works such as Khali Plate (Empty Plate) and Ramzan and Jannat, a hilarious adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and...
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026 Sonia Iris Lozada - Auditions
As an aspiring actor, studying the craft is an essential part of the journey. One aspect that actors often neglect is understanding the evolution of a character, from script to screen. We will explore the different approaches to acting and why stage acting is not the same as acting on screen. 1....
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025 Jean Philippe Kaya - DJ, Classical Pianist, Composer
The newest installment of Overheard at Chica's Café Podcast is an exciting interview with the multi-talented Jean Philippe Kaya. As a DJ, classical pianist, musician, and producer, Kaya has made waves in the music industry with his versatile skills and unique blend of genres. Listeners can expect...
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024 Jan Mullen - Music Industry Executive
Our special guest on the latest episode of Overheard at Chica's Café is Jan Mullen, a seasoned music industry executive with an incredible wealth of experience. Her career spans from the alternative punk bands in the vibrant 80's music scene to collaborating with renowned jazz musicians. In this...
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023 Dominic Rambaran - An Actor's Journey
On our latest episode of Overheard at Chica's Café, airing in April 2024, we are joined by Dominic Rambaran, a fellow actor whom I have known for many years. We delve into his experiences in the world of acting and discuss the humorous and challenging moments he has encountered on stage and in…
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022A - Mark Pearson - Entertainment Attorney Bonus
The episode went on for longer than expected, so I decided to add a bonus segment where we discuss the impact of AI on actors and writers, as well as concerns about AI during the strikes.
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022 Mark Pearson - Entertainment Attorney
This month's special guest on Overheard at Chica's Café is entertainment lawyer Mark Pearson. Although this episode may be longer than others, it is packed with fascinating discussions. We delve into the legalities and requirements for success in the music, film, and entertainment industries. AI...
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021 J Alex Greenwood - Author
In this episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café, Alex Greenwood shares an intriguing story about his writing journey and his encounter with a producer who requested him to write a treatment. Alex delves into the challenges and excitement of the process, providing valuable insights for aspiring...
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019 Overheard at Chica's Café 2023 Yearend
Happy New Year to all! As the year comes to an end, I want to wish everyone an amazing New Year filled with love, joy, prosperity, and most importantly, good health. We often take our health for granted, but it truly is the foundation for enjoying life's many blessings. Overheard at Chica's Café...
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020 Jane Shaw - Sound Designer/Composer
Join us in celebrating the beginning of a new year with our special guest, Sound Designer and Composer Jane Shaw. We delve into her journey into the world of sound design for theater, and explore her impressive list of credits. Our conversation is full of fun anecdotes about her career, as well…
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018 Che'Rae Adams - Let's Talk Theater
This month on Overheard at Chica’s Café, we welcome Che'Rae Adams. Che’Rae is the Artistic Director of PlayPen in Philadelphia and the founding director of LA Writer’s Center. We discuss the current state of theater after the pandemic and what’s to come for this creative community. Che’Rae gives…
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017 Sonia Iris Lozada - Life & Acting Updates
My life and acting updates. It's been a few months since my last post, mainly due to the writer's and actor's strike. Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP are ongoing, but I'm grateful for the updates each day. In the meantime, I've been attending many commercial auditions in person and…
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016 Kelly Keefe - Multi-Disciplinary Artist
This month, join us at Overheard at Chica's Café as we welcome Kelly Keefe to the show. We'll have a great time as we share stories about the lessons we've learned through entertainment and life. She'll discuss her music releases, books, and how she developed Heartspace.co through mindfulness....
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015 Steve Walker - Theatrical Agent
In this month's episode, I'm joined by Steve Walker, a theatrical agent. We talk about what it takes to be a successful actor, from preparing for auditions, marketing oneself and honing one's skills. Listen in as Steve gives us a crash course on the responsibilities of an agent and the things...
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014 Marabina Jaimes - Actor, Voiceover Artist & Producer
This month we welcomed Marabina Jaimes, an amazing fellow actor. Our conversation was so lively that we kept interrupting each other! We touched on the SAG-AFTRA Actor's strike, a labor dispute concerning television and film. While it's still permitted to make commercials and do dubbing, many...
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013 Jane Witzenburg - Musician
This month's episode is with musician, songwriter and music teacher Jane Witzenburg. We discuss her journey into acting and music and how she progressed during difficult times. Her band Summercatz has performed throughout the Los Angeles area. Jane is currently teaching privately and at in the…
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012 Doreen Calderon - Fatal Attraction
On this month's episode of Overheard at Chica's Café, I have the pleasure of interviewing Doreen Calderon, a fellow actor and long-time friend of mine. We've shared the stage together in a musical, and right now you can catch her in Fatal Attraction on Paramount+. Our conversation covers her...
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011 Kristi Schultz Theatre Maker & Director
In today's episode we have Kristi Schultz, a theatre maker, director and educator. We discuss her journey from college to New York where she worked at a strip house. Don't get too excited she wasn't stripping. Her stories from that time are entertaining and are the premise of her solo show...
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010 Norma Maldonado - Actor
Norma and I have been friends for many years. Our friendship began during an audition, and we've stayed in touch ever since, discussing how the entertainment business has changed over time. We cover topics like what they expect of an actor when they are auditioning, working on a self-tape or…
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009 Sonia Iris Lozada Acting Experiences
Oops! I forgot to get a guest for this month. If you listen to my other podcast, you'd know why. It's a downer, so I don't want to discuss it here. I decided I'd tell you about some films and TV shows and my experience with them. I basically just go through a few on my resume which you can catch…
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008 Denise Sanchez from Bosch Legacy
Denise Sanchez is the January guest on Overheard at Chica's Café. We met when I played her mom on the TV Show, Bosch Legacy. It was a great experience. Denise is fun and we talk about her career and self-care. We share our acting experiences, laugh and enjoy our conversation. Check out this...
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007 2022 Yearend Episode
It's that time of the year where most of us reflect on what we did or didn't do in 2022. Looking forward to an upward emotion in 2023. I'm hopeful. Even though, like many others, I've had a challenging year in various aspects of my life. I feel hopeful and excited about the new year. It might be…
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006 Lindsay Jones - Tony Award Nominated Sound Designer & Composer
This is an entertaining episode with one of my favorite people Lindsay Jones, a Tony Awards nominated Sound Designer & Composer. He explains how he got started in his career of composing music and sound design. We give a shout out to TSDCA.org (Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Assoc.)…
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005 Rick Garcia - Singer/Songwriter
Rick Garcia and I have been friends for many years and I just had no idea how much he's done in music, film and TV. Listen to this informative interview and learn what it takes to be successful. Rick Garcia was born and raised in San Diego, a small south Texas town located 80 miles from the…
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004 Danny Mora - Life as an Actor
Danny Mora is my guest this month. We reminisce about our first play together many decades ago. Where he couldn’t locate the entrance to the stage and the hysterical experiences of that night. We laugh about funny acting experiences and how we got into acting. This is a very enjoyable and...
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003 Che'Rae Adams - Artistic Director
In this month’s episode we have Che’Rae Adams, Artistic Director of Playpenn and LA Writer’s Center. She’s has been a friend for decades. I’m not telling you how long, but decades. We discuss all entertainment. The enjoyment and love for our fields and our trials and tribulations of working in...
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002 Uli Bella of Ozomatli
Uli Bella is a founding member of the music group, Ozomatli. He and I have been friends for many years and I was excited to interview him for the show. We talk about the new album Marching On and its singles: El Destino & Marching On. Ozomatli’s journey from the formation of the group to the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
For years, I've graced the TV shows, movies and the stage, as an actor and performer, sharing unforgettable experiences with countless talented individuals. In those moments, bonds were formed and friendships were forged. Now, on Overheard at Chica's Cafe, you can join me and my eclectic group of friends as we share stories of our lives, delve into our passions, and simply have a good time together. So come on in, take a seat at our table, and listen in on our lively conversations - you never know what surprises await!
HOSTED BY
Sonia Iris Lozada
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Overheard at Chica's Café have?
Overheard at Chica's Café currently has 52 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Overheard at Chica's Café about?
For years, I've graced the TV shows, movies and the stage, as an actor and performer, sharing unforgettable experiences with countless talented individuals. In those moments, bonds were formed and friendships were forged. Now, on Overheard at Chica's Cafe, you can join me and my eclectic group of...
How often does Overheard at Chica's Café release new episodes?
Overheard at Chica's Café has 52 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Overheard at Chica's Café?
You can listen to Overheard at Chica's Café on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Overheard at Chica's Café?
Overheard at Chica's Café is created and hosted by Sonia Iris Lozada.
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