Victor vs. Victim with Trainer, Trish Igancio

Trish Ignacio, “TrishTheIsh”  is a Filipino-American Personal Trainer & Influencer. Her love for fitness and the desire to empower people especially women has been the focal point of her training business.  Trish speaks on health panels, runs Bootcamps all across the states, & has built an international online training program. The goal is to find balance all across the board :mind, body & spirit. When you love and take care of yourself, you are able to fully give & connect with others.

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture

"I was taught that being vulnerable didn’t mean that I was weak, it meant that I was stronger." - Trish Ignacio

In this episode, we chat with personal trainer, Trish Ignacio about the importance of feminism. In this interview, Trish talks about how her family has always encouraged to be a strong woman.

“If we are strong women that attributes to other strong women in our life”

Trish also talks about the importance of being standing strong and not playing victim.

“If you want to change the world, you have look at yourself at a warrior and i believe all women are.”

Audrey talks about the feeling of otherness as a kid vs now and why she had to nix sad hour.

"You can have a victim mentality or a victor mentality." - Trish Ignacio

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 30, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

Fashion and Feminism with Gentle Riot Founder, Estefany Arias

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture

"At the beginning of 2017, I decided I’m going to start living my life for me" - Estefany Arias

In this episode, we chat with Gentle Riot founder, Estefany Arias about women of color in fashion. In this interview, Estefany talks about being a feminist and a woman of color in a profession that isn’t always cognizant of her beliefs.

“Yes I’m a feminist, but the industry that I work in and that I love, fashion, isn’t always inclusive.”

Estefany also talks about learning about self care and how certain practices changed how she goes about her everyday

“I used to think self care was a nice long shower, but that’s just basic care. So what do you do to actually take care of yourself?”

Audrey talks about how her dog saved her from depression and growing up in Paramount.

"Sometimes I’m like am I woke enough? It’s always a process of continuing to grow" - Estefany Arias

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 29, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

Break It Down, Rake It Up with Financially Savvy Latina Founder, Natalie Torres

atalie Torres-Haddad an Award Winning Author of the International Latino Book Awards of 2016, for her published book Financially Savvy in 20 minutes.  The first Salvadorian American woman to publish a book dealing with student debt.  A workshop facilitator, a real estate investor and brand collaborator. A first generation graduate and part of the 4% of Latinos in the US with a Master's degree MPA from CSUN and from CSULB, Finance & International Business. Born in El Salvador, raised in Inglewood she was surrounded by those facing permanent debt.  Determined to be the exception, by age 24 bought her first rental property and several after.   She is most known for founding LA’s Prom Closet helped over 1,000 high school girls. Her activities have been covered in Huffington Post, LA Times, Fox 11, Univision, KCAL9, La Opinion and Toastmasters Magazine. Has travel to over 30 countries, lived in Spain & France and resides in Huntington Park with husband and 2 dogs. 

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture

"You don’t need money to make money. You can barter, if you have something that someone wants you can make it happen" - Natalie Torres

In this episode, we chat with Financially Savvy Latina Founder and Author, Natalie Torres about money, money, money. In this interview, Natalie talks about dealing with debt and raising your credit score.

“Don’t focus on your debit, that’ll go away! Have something that’ll motivate you.”

Natalie also talks about how getting your finances together can change the people you surround yourself with.

“If you’re doing well and doing better, you’re going to surround yourself with people that are doing better.”

Audrey talks about her own debt, her credit score obsession, and how relationships have changed how she deals with money.

"You need to value yourself and know your worth" - Natalie Torres

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 28, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

Swag, Swag, Swag with Swaje Founder, Imani Quinn

Imani Quinn founded and launched SWAJE June 25, 2016 and began building the company a year prior. Imani is a creative who has taught dance through the Los Angeles school district for the past 4 years before leaving to pursue her company full-time. SWAJE is a multicultural lifestyle brand that is focused on creating multicultural awareness through textile design as well as female empowerment through Goddess’ That Give; a platform of SWAJE meant to give back by mentoring young girls from underprivileged communities. Imani is an artist and social activist first and foremost who uses SWAJE as well as her dance workshops and Women Soul Circles as a tool in building community, engaging in social activism and elevating the consciousness of our community at large. 

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture.

"Self awareness is so important. You might not be able to change habits over night, but have the awareness to notice them." - Imani Quinn

In this episode, we chat with Swaje Founder, Imani Quinn talks about growing up in a primarily white school. In this interview, Imani retells her first racist experience and how she dealt with it.

“You can feel things, but you don’t know how to conceptualize them if you don’t have a language for it.”

Imani also talks about the importance of self awareness and why she believes many people are born with a sense of privilege, not just white people.

“It’s so easy to play the victim, but when you have self awareness it’s less about pointing fingers and more about understanding yourself.”

Audrey talks about learning to trust the process, religion, and Master P’s “Them Jeans”.

"Decide what you want and the universe will flow that in." - Imani Quinn

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 26, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

TBT to 90s Hip Hop with Dizon Dreams Founder, Lainney Dizon

Lainney Dizon oversees all marketing initiatives for Dizon Dreams, a creative agency specializing in social media marketing for TV and music. Currently, she assists with the marketing initiatives of Pilgrim Studios, the world's most diverse television production company. She is also the editor-in-chief of LA Pulse Magazine, an online platform dedicated to LA's emerging creative artists. When she's not making marketing and editorial magic, she's hosting The Drop Party, a monthly 2000's HipHop dance party in DTLA. 

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture

"It’s not really about competition, it’s about growing with each other" - Lainney Dizon

In this episode, we chat with The Drop and Dizon Dreams Founder, Lainney Dizon talks about growing up as a brown girl. In this interview, Lainney discusses dealing with other people’s perception, scrutiny, and expectation all while jamming to hip hop.

“I feel like being a brown girl you’re very unrepresented and underestimated. No one expects you to come out on top.”

Lainney also talks about the importance of being authentic in everything she does and including that in her social media persona.

“Be authentic and share your story, because no one else can share it - it’s your own to make.”

Audrey talks about her run in with the illuminati, dealing with haters, and her undying love for Oprah, Tupac, and Lauryn Hill.

"I attract authentic people if i’m authentic with myself." - Lainney Dizon

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 26, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

Following the Music with Geminelle 

Geminelle, San Diego native, has been pursuing music at a professional level since the age of 13. In the beginning of her career she was a member of the girl group MISS. While she enjoyed her time within the group, she soon began to pursue her solo career.After graduating high school, Geminelle decided to take a break from music to seek a degree in education. Her passion for helping others and being a vessel for change made attaining her M.Ed a major achievement. It was at this time that she realized her gift as an educator and an artist are intertwined: that both music and education can have an impact in an individual’s life. With the help of her friends, family and fans she was able to say farewell to San Diego as she embarked on her “Follow the Music Campaign”. As she settles into New York, a population full of promise, she is continuing to develop her craft in a city known for sharpening the skills of budding artists.

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture.

"A lot of our own capability is how we manifest our own thoughts" - Geminelle Rollins

In this episode, we chat with singer/songwriter, Geminelle Rollins about growing up with mixed heritage. She talks about how she came into her own and learned how to accept every part of her culture.

“For me there was growth that needed to happen from going from almost afraid to identify as mixed race to being able to choose what you want to identify with in which space.”

Geminelle goes on to talk about how she doesn’t know if she labels herself as a feminist but, she is all about rooting for women.

“I’m all about women supporting women and creating spaces for women to be vulnerable.”

Audrey talks about getting to know people through your network and how being instagram thirsty has helped her on her come up.

"As a woman i tried to teach the men around how to teach women, talk to women, and court women." - Gimenelle Rollins

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 25, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com, SoundCloud, or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

Knowing Your Heritage with Ethiopian Diaspora Fellowship founder, Rediate Tekeste

Rediate is a first-generation Ethiopian-American and founder of Ethiopian Diaspora Fellowship and co-founder of Integrate Africa.  Rediate started both organizations to build bridges between cultures, people, and ideas. She has 10+ years of experience consulting and working for social action organizations including the Clinton Initiative, America Reads Program, World Vision Ethiopia as a journalist and then Selam Children’s Village. Rediate discovered her passion for social impact media while working as an international Field Producer for Girl Rising. She received her B.A in Intercultural Communications at Arizona State University and her Master of Communication Management degree at University of Southern California.

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture.

"You are not only what you think you are but what other’s view you as" - Rediate Tekeste

In this episode, we chat with Ethiopian Diaspora Fellowship, founder Rediate Tekeste about the importance of knowing your culture. As an Ethiopian-American, she talks about why it’s not a weakness to be multicultural.

“We need to be empowered by being both cultures. What’s powerful about you being both? What’s powerful is that you can relate to other people even though you’re not exactly like them”

Rediate goes on to talk about tradition and story-telling and why that’s an avid part of her business.

“If we’re not capturing these stories, we’re losing them. The only way you can take your power back is if you’re telling your own story.”

Audrey talks about her interracial, interfaith home and why she thinks that’s so important, especially now, in Trump Nation.

"We are the keepers of tradition and if those traditions don’t get passed on, we lose them." - Rediate Tekeste

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 24, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com, SoundCloud, or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

Coffee and Culture with Beans & Bars founder, Ashlee Turner

Ashlee Lena Turner, founder of Beans & Bars, a hip hop coffee shop, has married two of her greatest interests and passions into a unique perspective of what the coffee industry is missing. In a city where urban coffee shops can be found on almost every corner, Ashlee Lena has anxiously watched as coffee shops have managed to become mere replicas of one another. Various brews of coffee are plentiful but an urban cultural experience for the coffee and ambience connoisseur is absent. It has since been her dream to create Beans & Bars, a coffee shop that serves a variety of robust blends of coffee alongside an urban, tranquil, hiphop cultural experience.

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture.

"I have appreciation for any music that is in that hustle period" - Ashlee Turner

In this episode, we chat with Beans & Bars, Founder, Ashlee Turner about the importance of hip hop. In this interview, Ashlee talks about making her passion for coffee and music and making that her profession.

“What’s more universal is music? And another universal thing is coffee so I think what you should do what you love and make it your business.”

Ashlee also talks about the effects of the election and how she’s still reeling from it.

“I don’t want to see dreamers being deported. Even thinking about the election takes me back for a minute.”

Audrey talks about her love for hip hop music and how she wishes all her Instagram captions started with Drake lyric.

"Do what you love and make it your business" - Ashlee Turner

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 23, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com, SoundCloud, or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

The "-isms" with Social Media Influencer, Mandie Torres

Mandie Torres, social media influencer, @dandy.mandie posts show almost every side of her from going to shows, parties, community events, posting funny/dumb videos, talking about social injustices, self love, relationships, learning about your roots, empowering women and just people in general, or her just straight up feeling herself. Lately Mandie has been getting more involved and planning events about culture, self love/care, decolonization, and creating spaces for POC to feel comfortable and not alone in their experiences; and for them to just kick back and catch a breath in a system that barely allows us to. 

"Social media has it’s pro and its cons but, it’s so much easier to spread awareness which is always a pro" - Mandie Torres

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture.

In this episode, we chat with social media influencer, Mandie Torres about the feeling of otherness. In this interview, Mandie talks about growing up in a primarily white school and how she uses that to her advantage now.

“I wouldn’t say I felt weird, but it was confusing because I was born in America but I wasn’t American enough. It’s like i live here but, Mexican is what runs through my blood”  

Mandie also talk about finding her voice and using that to help people despite potential backlash.

“I always try to practice what I preach. Be unapologetic. Stand your ground, even if you look like a bitch. Say what you have to say”

Audrey talks about the struggle of being perceived one way due to social media and how she overcame that during the rise of Worthy Women.

“I wasn’t aware of how many people were digging what I was posting and how it was helping them” - Mandie Torres

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 22, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com, SoundCloud, or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

Google, Fear, and Motherhood with Lil' Libros co-founder, Patty Rodriguez

Patty is the co-founder of Lil' Libros, the Senior Producer at "On Air With Ryan Seacrest," and the creator of MALA by Patty Rodriguez.

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture.

“This isn’t just about me anymore, now [having my son] there’s substance in my life and in my heart to make the world a better place” - Patty Rodriguez

In this episode, we chat with Lil Libros Co Founder, Patty Rodriguez about the importance of getting it on your own. In this interview, Patty talks about how google is basically her BFF and how she used it to persuade MAC to create the Selena collection.

“There is no excuse to getting where you want to be and having the life you want - if you have a phone you can do anything you want”  

Patty goes on to talk about how she deals with fear and how that motivates her to get what she wants.

“Sometimes I ask myself, “Why do I feel fear?” Most of the time when you feel fear it’s a good thing because it’s your heart telling you this is where you belong. Everything worth having is scary.”

Audrey talks about being of service to your community, what that looks like, and why it’s so important.

“It’s not about being fearless, it’s about taking a stance in how you handle your fear” - Audrey Bellis

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 21, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com, SoundCloud, or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.

Reality TV and Representation with Casting Director Tiffany Dejillo

Tiffany Dejillo was raised East San Jose, CA, a diverse working-class suburb in the Silicon Valley.  As a Gen-Xer from a close-knit family of Filipino immigrants, she grew up with Riot Grrrl ideals, gangsta rap, and Bay Area pride.  Now, Tiffany is a Reality TV veteran with over 15 years of production and casting experience, and cites the joy of changing people's lives for the better as her personal mission.

Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture.

"I look up to all women who are unapologetic in their opinions" - Tiffany Dejillo

In this episode, we chat with Reality TV Casting Director, Tiffany Dejillo about breaking through the glass ceiling to get what you deserve. In this interview, Tiffany talks about how she didn’t suffer from “otherness” until she got older.

“I noticed it was a little harder for me being a woman, being brown, being small. I was these things all along but, I had no idea.”

Tiffany goes on to talk about being called a “feminazi” and how that offended her but, being labeled as a feminist never has.

“Why is feminism that still needs to be around? Why haven’t we surpassed that? It’s really uncomfortable to know we haven’t”

Audrey talks about the importance of representation of brown girls on tv and how people use that to identify themselves and others.

“I think it’s so important as women to be leaders that drive the community” - Audrey Bellis

This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 20, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com, SoundCloud, or on iTunes.

This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.