Amplifying Our Voices

Join me as I sit down with Noemy Sanchez — a first‑generation Latina journalist whose story reflects the reality so many of us grew up in. From translating at doctor’s appointments as a child, to navigating college alone, to stepping into newsrooms where no one looked like her, Noemy shares what it means to carry your family’s hopes while building a path that didn’t exist before.We talk about the weight of being the eldest daughter, the courage it takes to advocate for yourself, and the moment someone told her she “didn’t look the part” — and how she pushed forward anyway. Noemy opens up about imposter syndrome, authenticity, leaving home for a career in journalism, and using her voice not just for herself, but for her community.If you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or like you had to figure everything out on your own, this conversation will remind you that your story matters — and your voice is powerful.Follow Noemy Sanchez:Instagram noemysancheztv

In this episode, I sit down with Waldo and Jacqui Solano — the couple who built Knoxville’s salsa community from absolutely nothing. Waldo shares his journey from Acapulco to the U.S. with a translator device in hand, asking “is possible work?” and discovering salsa in a way that changed the entire trajectory of his life.We talk about what it means to start over in a new country, to take risks without a blueprint, and to build something meaningful through grit, creativity, and pure corazón. Waldo & Jacqui talk about surviving the 2008 crash, to printing flyers at Walmart, to pioneering salsa in a city that didn’t even know what salsa was, their story is a masterclass in resilience and possibility.Waldo and Jacqui open up about entrepreneurship, mindset, navigating storms, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself again and again. If you’ve ever felt called to build something bigger than yourself — even when the odds are stacked against you — this episode will inspire you to believe in what’s possible.Follow Waldo y Jacqui:www.youtube.com/@WaldoyJacquihttps://www.salsaknox.com/Facebook: Waldo y Jacqui Instagram: waldo.solano

In this episode, I sit down with Matha Vang — a first‑generation Hmong American, consultant, entrepreneur, and mother who has reinvented herself more times than most people dare to try. Matha opens up about growing up in a culture where women are taught to stay small, entering corporate America without a blueprint, and realizing that silence wasn’t going to take her where she wanted to go.We talk about the moment she decided to advocate for herself, the mentors who helped her unlearn generational expectations, navigating imposter syndrome as the only woman or person of color in the room, and how she rebuilt her life through seasons of growth, courage, and mindset shifts.If you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or unsure of your place in the room, Matha’s story will remind you that you are not behind — you’re right on time. And you always have the power to reinvent yourself.Follow Matha Vang:linkedin.com/in/matha-vang-mba-pm-csm-cspoFacebookwww.igniteprojectconsulting.com Chanior Posh Paws

Welcome to Amplifying Our Voices. I’m Patty Hyack, and this is a space for real stories, healing, and belonging. Together, we explore the stories beneath the surface—the ones shaped by culture, identity, and quiet strength. May these conversations remind you that your voice matters, your story is sacred, and you are never alone. Tune in to hear my why and what to expect.