Better Than Good Enough

These are dark times, gente. Orange 2.0 is here, and things are bad. But we are not alone because we have each other's back. We will fight for us, we will continue to thrive together, we will save us, como siempre. Rely on one another now more than ever. And don't forget to rest, create and rest some more! We have our work cut out for us.

As Latines, we cannot afford to sit this election out. It sounds crazy, but I believe we are under threat with the very real possibility of a second Trump presidency. These mofos are really out here giving us a step by step plan of what they envision for our community. Spoiler? Their America does not include you. There is way too much at stake for us. VOTE against trump. Vote for Kamala even if you don’t like her. Vote even if you’re not excited. This one goes out especially for those of you who think the results of this election won't touch you - you're kidding yourself. Sources used for this episode: @informed_immigrant on Ig https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/alien-enemies-act-explained   https://civilrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Project-2025-Immigrants-Rights.pdf   https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-10-24/trump-says-hell-undertake-the-largest-deportation-in-u-s-history-is-that-possible   https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/politics/2024/10/21/the-future-of-the-daca-program-uncertain-as-legal-battle-continues https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-project-2025-trump-conservative-blueprint-heritage-foundation/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/us/politics/trump-msg-rally-speaker-remarks.html      

Welcome back! We kick off Season 2 of the Better Than Good Enough by talking to Juan Carlos de la Rosa AKA The Modern Macho (@themodernmacho on Ig)! Juan Carlos is building an amazing platform where his mission is to redefine masculinity, help fathers break problematic cycles in parenting and to guide men toward wellness, wholeness, and honest self-reflection in order to live more empowered, healthy, and peaceful lives.  Juan Carlos also graciously shares with us about his own very real experience of coming into painful awareness of the negative impact problematic masculinity was wreaking on his relationships - to romantic partners, to his son, to other men, and to himself- and how he gained the courage, insight, and passion to make the necessary shifts AND help other men do the same. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation! Connect with more of Juan Carlos' content and offerings by following his work on Ig @themodernmacho :)

Business and Life Coach Wendy Amara talks to us about her unique journey into becoming a successful entrepreneur and mujer who empowers other mujeres to build their dream life! Wendy is a true trailblazer who is not just unapologetically taking up space in traditionally white, male dominated spaces as a proud Latina, but who is also making space for fellow Latinas to follow and join her. She shares resources for those looking to embrace their ambitions and get moving towards their goals - Do not miss this episode! You can follow and keep up with Wendy: @wendyamara on Ig wendyamara.com Also, go check out her inspirational podcast, Yes, Mujer, Build It!, wherever you get your podcasts!

Viridiana Rodriguez, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Reiki practitioner, joins us for the second episode in our Latinx and mental health series! She shares with us about the invaluable, cycle-breaking work she is currently doing through her Amarte Community and through her own therapy practice, Amar Therapy. Viri highlights the ways in which she has incorporated "non-traditional" -but very ancient and powerful- interventions to meet the mental health needs of our community. Also, she shares with us about her own journey into the mental health profession and how it has fueled her passion and commitment to helping our people heal. Please don't miss out on this inspiring conversation!! Follow Viridiana and her beautiful community on IG: @amartherapy & @amarte.community For more information on how to work with her, go to her website: amartherapy.com

Returning guest, Prima Jessi, comes back to talk about her unmedicated birth experience. The Latinx maternal mortality rate in the US surged significantly since 2019. It is no secret that the birth experience for communities of color in this country is alarming - particularly for the Black and Hispanic populations. Jessica talks to us about how she was empowered to imagine and make real her own beautiful, safe, and dignified birth experience despite the abysmal state of birth care and access to birth resources/support for women of color in the US. Jessica and Erika shared a few birth prep/support resources that were extremely helpful for them. Here they are for those that are interested: Instagram accounts by white women @painfreebirth @builttobirth Instagram accounts by women of color: @parterajennysilva @badassmotherbirther @jamaabirthvillage Articles on Latinx/Black maternal mortality mentioned: Gruber, Cupito & Dobson, 2013 Hoyert, 2022 2023 CNBC news article by Bertha Coombs: The US has high maternal mortality rates - and it has gotten worse for Latinas

This week I talk about access to mentorship (or lack thereof) in the Latinx community. I share some of my own experiences of moving through higher education spaces without mentorship and highlight why mentorship - across all areas of life - is crucial for the liberation of our people. Enjoy! PLEASE keep the conversation going! Follow @betterthangoodenoughpod on instagram and tik tok. Leave me a comment, like, and share any content you resonate with- it helps a lot! Email the podcast with questions, feedback, suggestions, or share your own story on any of the topics we have covered in previous episodes! Write to [email protected]

This week I want to share with you a little about my experience of what I'm calling "achievement guilt," and I'm curious if any of my Latinx people know what I'm talking about? That uncomfortable feeling you get when you realize your life has comforts and benefits that your ancestors - perhaps even your own parents- never got to enjoy or couldn't even imagine? I'm not alone, right?? I want to know how this shows up for you, IF it shows up for you, and how you deal with it. Enjoy!

Current college senior, Cristina, talks to us about the many challenges of being an undocumented student in higher education AND gives us insight into how it is nonetheless very possible to obtain a college education despite legal status! She openly talks about a situation that is not commonly discussed even amongst Latinx circles. Enjoy!

It's BTGE's very first monthaversary!! I promise this won't be a monthly thing (lol), but as you'll hear, I have very important reasons to celebrate every milestone I can. This week, it's just me for the briefest of check-ins to reflect, celebrate, and give you all a little glimpse into my own experience of starting something new in a format I have zero experience with. If anything, I hope this is a reminder or permission for you all to celebrate yourselves no matter how small your wins are. I assure you: your wins are major, they matter, and I'm so proud of you. Enjoy!

A HUGE topic, I know! Mental Health in the Latinx Community will be an ongoing series on the pod because there’s NO way to cover the topic in just one show. In the first episode of the series, we are taking to Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Manny Romero. He shares with us his experiences of being a mental health professional of Mexican descent, treating the Latinx community, and his passion for demystifying psychotherapy in hopes of reaching those who are uncertain or afraid about seeking the help they need Manny also shares about his journey into the mental health profession. He and your humble host reflect and commiserate on what it’s like to be a licensed mental health professional in our immigrant, Mexican families! Hope you enjoy! Please check out Manny’s podcast, Mr. Therapist and The Counselor on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts Instagram: @mttc_podcast TikTok:@Mrtherapist_thecounselor Website: https://mrtherapistmft.com

This week, my super special guest, Carlos, joins me to talk about our experiences of getting into high school, college, and graduate/medical school with minimal guidance, support, and limited access to resources. We reflect on and commiserate about how our Latinx, first gen, immigrant background impacted our journeys to ultimately achieving our goals. Enjoy!

In this episode, Jessica shares about her struggle to retain Spanish and the judgement, shame, and heartbreak she experienced as a result. She tells us how her journey with Spanish has impacted her Mexican-American identity and her relationship to her culture and to her family. Enjoy!

The very first official episode of Better Than Good Enough kicks off with Sheila, who volunteered as tribute, and opened up about her experience as a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Recipient. Enjoy! Resources for DACA Recipients (and for immigrants in general) mentioned in episode: World Relief: https://worldrelief.org/socal/about-us/our-work/immigration-legal-services/ CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights): https://www.chirla.org/

Introducing Better Than Good Enough! This is a podcast dedicated to raising consciousness in the Latinx immigrant community through real stories from Latinx individuals. Each episode consists of a particular topic relevant to all Latines living in the USA including the first gen experience, growing up bilingual, navigating multiple cultures, racism/discrimination, parent-child relationships, LGBTQ+ issues and more. Through sharing stories, we aim to gain insight into the Latinx collective identity, our strength, our power in this world, and to imagine new and empowering ways forward. Welcome!