We have a special treat this week. We've launched a new investigative narrative audio series documenting the health and well being of U.S. Latinas. Paulina Velasco, the editor, joins Juleyka for a conversation about exploring delicate topics with Latinas and their families for this project, and dives into the show's themes that most resonated with her as a first-gen.

If you enjoyed this episode listen to The Myths and Gifts of Bilingualism in Babies and Why We Must Talk About Peripartum Depression, from LWC Studios' 100 Latina Birthdays.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Carmen has decided to go through fertility preservation treatment, but feels disconcerted when loved ones aren’t as supportive as she hoped. And Milan Chavarkar, a nurse practitioner specializing in fertility care, speaks with Juleyka about what to expect during an egg retrieval, and how to prepare for the emotional and physical stress along the way.

Featured Expert: Milan Chavarkar, has been a women's health specialist for 25 years and a family nurse practitioner for 20 years. She has worked with people from all backgrounds and seen that conventional medical system has fallen short in achieving true healing. She is dedicated to helping her clients improve their health and vitality through a collaborative and integrative approach. She uses functional medicine, conventional western medicine, natural therapies, mindfulness techniques, medications, supplements, and herbal treatments to treat her patients. She firmly believes that an integrative approach is the future of healthcare. With a 25-year career in nursing, Milan Chavarkar has worked in many capacities in the health care system, nurse, nurse-practitioner, midwife, professor, and manager. Dr. Chavarkar genuinely wants to improve the health care system and is available to guide corporations and individuals as a speaker and consultant. Learn more about her work and practice here.

Milan recommends Resolve, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the American College of Nurse Midwives, The National Association for Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, as resources for anyone who wants to learn more about women's reproductive health and fertility treatments.

If you liked this show listen to Speaking About Breast Health As a Family and Telling Mamí about My IUD.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Judith’s Iranian Jewish parents expected her to date, and ultimately marry, someone of her cultural background. But her new relationship is creating tension with her relatives--and within herself. And Samira Mehta, a religion and family politics scholar, debunks myths about interfaith marriage in the U.S. and shares strategies for making religious spaces and family traditions more inclusive.

Featured Expert:

Our expert this week is Samira K. Mehta. Samira is an Associate Professor of Women and Gender Studies and the Director of Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research and teaching focus on the intersections of religion, culture, and gender, including the politics of family life and reproduction in the United States. Her first book, Beyond Chrismukkah: The Christian-Jewish Interfaith Family in the United States (University of North Carolina Press, 2018), was a National Jewish Book Awards finalist. Mehta is currently working on two academic book projects. The first, God Bless the Pill: Sexuality and Contraception in Tri-Faith America, examines the role of Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant voices in competing moral logics of contraception, population control, and eugenics from the mid-twentieth century to the present and is under contract with the University of North Carolina Press. The second, A Mixed Multitude: A History of Jews of Color in the United States, under contract with Princeton University Press, will trace that history through much of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Her book of personal essays, The Racism of People Who Love You: Essays on Mixed Race Belonging, was released by Beacon Press in January 2023. 

In addition to these academic book projects, Mehta serves as the primary investigator for the Henry Luce Foundation–funded collaboration Jews of Color: Histories and Futures and is working on editing scholarly and literary collections related to her research topics.She serves as a Creative Editor at the journal American Religion and co-chairs both the North American Religion Section of the American Academy of Religion and the board of eFeminist Studies in Religion. She holds degrees from Swarthmore College, Harvard University, and Emory University. 

In addition to speaking at colleges and universities, Mehta frequently teaches and speaks at high schools, churches, and synagogues. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @samirakmehta. Learn more about her work here.

If you liked this show listen to Raised Mormon, She Left the Church Fearing for Her Safety and A Historical Would He’s Trying To Understand.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

The health and wellness of Latinas is crucial to the health and wellbeing of the U.S. economy. In 100 Latina Birthdays, an original documentary series from Peabody-nominated LWC Studios, reporters in Chicago investigate the health and lifetime outcomes of Latinas in the United States from birth to age 100. In season 1, the stories that unfold center Latinas during their perinatal journeys, childhood, adolescence, and up until age 20. 

In episode 1, new parents Wendy Miralda and José Paz are navigating the first year of their daughter Jelyani’s life, in Spanish. Language is key to their connection as a family and as Hondurans living in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood in Waukegan, Illinois. The Paz family never questioned teaching their baby Spanish. But many Latinos in the U.S. grapple with the misconception that doing so could delay their child learning English, or affect their development. There’s also the stigma Latinos face when they don’t teach their children Spanish. Reporter Andrea Flores dives into the research on infant brain development that supports bilingualism, and tackles the harmful misconceptions that divide U.S. Latinos along language lines. For more information, all episodes, and transcripts visit us at 100latinabirthdays.com. Follow us on social media @100latinabirthdays.

After feeling inadequate all through childhood, 22-year old Ashley was recently diagnosed with ADHD. She's frustrated that her Mexican parents don’t seem to understand what the news means. And Diana Mercado-Marmarosh, a physician and ADHD coach,  speaks with Juleyka about getting to know your neurodivergent brain, and offers advice on coming to terms with a diagnosis later in life.

If you liked this show listen to Telling Mamí She Needs Mental Health and Explaining She's Isolated, Depressed, and Caring for a Newborn.

Featured Expert: 

Our expert this week is Diana Mercado-Marmarosh, a Family Medicine Physician, ADHD-Certified Clinical Service Provider, Clinic Medical Director and Former Chief Medical Officer. She is also the founder of OverAchieve Life Coaching. Prior to discovering coaching, Diana typically had 200 charts open and a graveyard of unfinished projects. But that has changed, and now she’s on a mission to empower physicians and healthcare professionals create systems that are simple to implement with ADHD, supporting their zone of genius and reclaiming 5-10 hours per week of their personal life. Her clients learn to leave work at work. She is happily married with two pre-school-aged children and enjoys travel, painting, zumba, yoga nidra meditation, and exploring different cultures. Learn more about her work here.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Brad does not feel comfortable speaking with his Costa Rican mom about the childhood sexual abuse he experienced. But a recent family tragedy is making him rethink the need for these difficult conversations. And Luis Resendez, a therapist who specializes in men’s mental health, speaks with Juleyka about how to be a better listener in times of crisis, and shares strategies to help us open up.

This episode discusses some difficult topics, such as self-harm, child sexual abuse, and suicide. If you decide to listen, please take care of yourself.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential and emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat on their website at 988lifeline.org. 

If you loved this episode, listen to Giving Advice to Parents and Redefining Manhood with Papí.

Featured Expert: 

Our expert this week is Luis Resendez, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, adjunct professor, and CEO and founder of Vida Emotional Wellness. He is also the author of What About Dad?: Understanding and Addressing Postpartum Depression in Men. Luis was born in San Bernardino and has lived in the Inland Empire most of his life. He graduated from both San Bernardino Valley College and Cal State San Bernardino (B.A., Criminal Justice) and began his mental health career as a residential counselor at a boy’s home in the eastern San Gabriel Valley in 2004. A year later he became the in home behavior specialist for an agency based in Los Angeles County. After obtaining my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy 2010 from Pacific Oaks College, he began full time work as a community based therapist for an intensive outpatient (Full Service Partnership) program in the Highland Park region of Los Angeles. In 2012 he returned to the eastern San Gabriel Valley to start a gardening based group therapy program for a public mental health agency in Pomona. In 2015 he passed the California state licensing exam and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Learn more about his private practice, Vida Emotional, here.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Elizabeth is surprised and relieved to learn her Filipino mom is finally ready to see a therapist, but she's unsure of how to support her. And Roanne de Guia-Samuels, a psychotherapist who works with Filipino women, speaks with Juleyka about reading nonverbal cues and tuning in to communication nuances when speaking with loved ones about their mental health.

Featured Expert: 

Roanne de Guia-Samuels is a licensed psychotherapist, mom of 4, and an immigrant twice in America. She has frequented at least 500 Filipino households & counting. She is the author of the Ebook: 5 Pinoy Love Languages & the creator of the presentation entitled: Filipino Core Values & Considerations in Culturally-Responsive Care presented to various organizations including the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities Team. Roanne was the lead clinician & pioneer for Solano County’s first Filipino Outreach Project for 5 years. She has been featured in the Filipino American Woman Podcast, at Apple, Inc., UC Davis Bulosan Center and NPR’s Code Switch. Roanne is a lover of Kapeng Barako (straight from Batangas) , a gardener-wanna-be & enjoys belly-laughing with her children. Learn more about her work and private practice Kalamansi Juice here.

If you loved this episode, listen to Mom Tells Her to Pray Her Depression Away and Redefining Manhood with Papí.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

To celebrate How to Talk to [High Achievers] about Anything Juleyka welcomes back its host, licensed psychotherapist Stevon Lewis, for a special episode. LWC Studios team members grab the mic to open up about their personal and professional challenges, and Stevon offers his insight and advice to help them level up.

Featured Expert:
Stevon Lewis is the host of our sister podcast LWC's How to Talk to [High Achievers] about Anything. He is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice specializing in the treatment of Impostor Syndrome. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in Psychology and Afro-Ethnic Studies from California State University, Fullerton and a Master’s of Science degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Long Beach. He began his therapy career in 2007 as a therapist at a community mental health agency, working with the families of adolescents involved with the juvenile justice system. Until 2019, he served as the Director of Counseling Services at Woodbury University, a small private university in Burbank, CA. He is a clinical member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and am a Past President of the Long Beach-South Bay chapter. You can learn more about his work here.

If you loved this episode follow and subscribe to How to Talk to [High Achievers] about Anything, and listen to When Mamí Doesn't Respect Your Hustle, our 2021 episode featuring Stevon Lewis for the first time.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

​​After an emotional coming out to his Mexican parents, Fermanparis wishes they showed more interest in his love life and life plans. And Aida Manduley, organizer and licensed therapist, returns to the show and speaks with Juleyka about how to invite curiosity into our family relationships. They offer practical advice for helping parents understand who we really are as adults.

Featured Expert: 

Aida Manduley, LICSW, is an award-winning Latinx organizer, international presenter, and trauma-focused clinician known for big earrings and building bridges. Trained as a sexuality educator, social worker, and nonprofit management professional, they’re working to make the world a more equitable place through education, therapy, and community organizing. Their perspective centers intersectionality and maximizing kindness, while retaining both a sense of humor and a sense of justice. From The New York Times to The Rainbow Times, Mx. Manduley has been interviewed by a variety of media outlets. They were even brought on for a debate on the Laura Ingraham show—a popular conservative radio program—and lived to tell the tale. Learn more about their work here.

Aida reminds us we do not have to have these difficult conversations  and recommends the following organizations for the tools and resources they offer: PFLAG, Familia Trans Queer Liberation Movement, and Fe, Familia, Igualdad (this last one has done a lot of cool work at the intersection of Latinidad, queerness and religion) .

If you loved this episode, listen to Getting Divorced, Coming Out and Telling Mamí, and When You Don't Believe in God, But They Rally Want You To.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

The newest narrative podcast from LWC Studios is out now! “Still Paying the Price: Reparations in Real Terms” is a 14-part series exploring how reparations should be paid and to whom. This podcast is meant to be enjoyed in an order that makes the most sense for our listeners. You can begin by listening to this episode or wherever you find your podcasts–-and start your own reparations exploration.

For more information, all episodes, and transcripts visit StillPayingThePricePod.com.

Original score by Kojin Tashiro. Cover art: "Gemini" by Fitgi Saint-Louis.

This series was funded by a grant from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

When Estela gets diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer she opens up about her health and body to her adult children in ways her Mexican mother never did with her.  And Laura Fejerman, a researcher studying hereditary breast cancer among Latinas, speaks with Juleyka about how to talk with older relatives about their health histories and private parts without making them uncomfortable.

Estela Casas is the author of the book A Place to Anchor: Journalism, Cancer, and Rewriting Mi Vida as a Latina on the Border.

Featured Expert: 

Dr. Laura Fejerman's research focuses on the discovery and understanding of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to breast cancer risk and survival and that could be used as targets for prevention and therapy, with special interest in self-identifying Hispanic/Latina women in the US and in Latin America. Additionally, Dr. Fejerman contributes to the elimination of cancer health disparities by developing and implementing programs for cancer education, screening, and navigation in underserved communities in California. Learn more about her work community engagement work and research at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and at The Fejerman Lab.

To find comprehensive cancer information and bilingual reources Laura recommends the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Foundation (breast cancer), and an organization called FORCE (for hereditary breast cancer).

If you loved this episode, listen to Telling Mamí About My IUD and When Relatives Always Comment on Your Body.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to [email protected]. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at [email protected]. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.