In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Dr. Alma Medina, a certified functional medicine coach and pharmacist, right here in the Chicago area. As a fellow first-gen Latina mama, we dove deep into healing from the root - addressing gut health issues, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue that so many mujeres in our community struggle with. We also explored how to reclaim the nutritional power of our traditional Latino foods and why functional medicine is the key to breaking generational health cycles.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode131

What You'll Hear:

• Why functional medicine looks at the whole person vs. treating symptoms in pieces
• How our immigrant upbringing and traditional healing practices connect to modern holistic care
• The truth about gut health being the "command center" of our bodies
• Why Latino foods are actually incredibly nutritious (despite what we've been told)
• Practical tips for busy mamas wanting to eat intentionally without the overwhelm

Resources Mentioned:

• Continuous glucose monitors for understanding how foods affect your body
• Functional medicine lab reviews as an entry point to better health
• Meal prepping strategies for busy families

Ways to Follow Dr. Alma:

• Social Media Pages: Instagram, Facebook, & TikTok
• Website: www.soulbodyholistix.com
• Services: One-on-one coaching, group cohorts, lab reviews

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

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www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this first episode of the "Living in Mexico" series, I'm diving deep into our family's big move to Mexico! After posting about our decision on social media, you all flooded my DMs with the most thoughtful questions, and I'm answering them all. From the practical logistics of dual citizenship to finding schools for the kids, I'm sharing everything about this crazy adventure we're embarking on as a family of four.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode130

What You'll Hear:

• How we're navigating dual citizenship for our family
• The real scoop on Mexican school systems - from guarderías to Montessori schools
• Cost of living comparisons that will blow your mind
• How I'm planning to build a community in Mexico
• The emotional journey of reclaiming our roots and going back to the motherland

Resources Mentioned:

• How to Get Dual Citizenship: Free virtual session with Samantha Alvarez from Hood Girls Travel Too - Tuesday, June 24th at 7 PM CT
• Cost of Living Comparison Tool: Database comparing costs between two cities around the world
• Viva la Mami Collective: Join our community for more resources and support

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this Father's Day episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Alex Fernandez, an educator and father who's been working in Chicago Public Schools for 17 years. As someone who works at my son Diego's school and presented on restorative practices, Alex brought such valuable insights about intentional parenting from the Latino dad perspective. Our conversation really resonated with me, especially as we discussed the challenge of breaking generational cycles while honoring our cultural roots.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode129

What You'll Hear:

• Why "what are you modeling?" is the most important question we can ask ourselves as parents
• How to validate our children's feelings while still maintaining boundaries
• Balancing traditional Latino values with intentional parenting approaches and handling family criticism
• Why therapy and personal growth are essential, plus how modeling accountability changes everything

Resources Mentioned:

• Mistaken Goal Chart

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

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Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

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Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

En este episodio EN ESPAÑOL, invitamos a Liscar Bonilla, fundadora de Amalactar y autora de su primer libro, "Amamantar y no rendirse en el intento: 100 consejos para mamás." En esta conversación, compartí mi propia experiencia de relactación, y Liscar nos brindó consejos invaluables sobre cómo navegar la lactancia como mamás latinas, y desmitificamos algunos mitos que han afectado mamás que desean amamantar.

Lo que escucharás:

• Mi experiencia personal con la lactancia materna
• Los 3 consejos más importantes de Liscar para una lactancia exitosa
• Cómo desmitificar creencias dañinas como "la leche es agua"
• Estrategias reales para conciliar la lactancia materna y el trabajo
• Por qué necesitamos recursos en español para madres latinas

Para obtener notas detalladas del episodio, visita vivalamami.com/episode128

Recursos mencionados:

• Libro: "Lactancia materna y sin rendirse: 100 consejos para mamás"
• Léelo en Kindle
• Liga de La Leche Internacional
• Tarjeta "Conozca sus derechos" de la extracción de leche materna en el trabajo

Cómo seguir a Liscar y Amalactar:

• Instagram: @liscarbonilla
• Amalactar Instagram: @amalactar
• Sitio web: www.amalactar.com
• Facebook: @amalactar
• TikTok: @amalactar

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In this episode IN SPANISH, we invite Liscar Bonilla, founder of Amalactar and author of her first book, "Breastfeeding and NOT Giving Up! 100 Tips for first-time Moms." In this conversation, I shared my own relactation journey, and Liscar gave us invaluable advice on how to navigate breastfeeding as Latina moms, as well as debunk some myths that have plagued moms who want to breastfeed.

What You'll Hear:

• My personal experience with breastfeeding
• Liscar's 3 most important tips for successful breastfeeding
• How to debunk harmful beliefs like "milk is water"
• Real strategies for balancing breastfeeding and work
• Why we need Spanish-language resources for Latina mothers

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode128

Resources Mentioned:

• Physical Book in Spanish: "Lactancia materna y sin rendirse: 100 consejos para mamás"

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The secret is finally out - my family and I are moving to Mexico! In this episode, I'm joined by my husband as we share the announcement that's been two years in the making. We're relocating to León, Guanajuato with our boys, and I'm so excited to bring you along on this incredible journey.

I open up about how this decision came together - from our four-week trip to Mexico that changed everything, to the stars aligning with our current living situation, and most importantly, our boys being at the perfect age for this adventure.

What You'll Hear:

• The real story behind our two-year planning process and what finally made us take the leap
• Why we chose León, Guanajuato over other Mexican cities and how it balances big city life with family proximity
• How the Viva la Mami Collective is evolving to serve Latina moms globally
• Why this move isn't just about us - it's about giving our children core memories in our motherland

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode127

Resources Mentioned:

• VLM Newsletter signup: vivalamami.com/newsletter (subscribers heard this news first!)
• VLM Collective: vivalamami.com/vlm-collective
• Follow our Mexico journey on Instagram @vivalamami
• Watch the full video version on YouTube @vivalamami

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Season 5 of Viva la Mami! I'm so excited to share this new season focused on reclaiming our cultura as Latina mothers. In this premiere episode, I open up about what's been happening in my household with my boys who are 4 and under, and how watching them naturally connect with our traditions inspired this season's theme.

I share updates on our podcast journey - we now have over 120 episodes and 6,000+ downloads - and discuss how we're expanding the show while staying true to our mission of empowering Latina moms to redefine madrehood on their own terms.

What You'll Hear:

• How my boys' natural curiosity about our cultura sparked this season's focus on reclaiming our roots
• What "reclaiming our cultura" means for modern Latina mothers and why we don't have to choose between worlds
• This season's exciting lineup
• Four ways you can support Viva la Mami as we grow and expand to new platforms like YouTube
• A major announcement coming this Monday, May 26th that newsletter subscribers will hear first

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode126

Resources Mentioned:

• VLM Newsletter signup: vivalamami.com/newsletter
• VLM Collective: vivalamami.com/collective
• Email: podcast@vivalamami.com
• The VLM podcast is NOW on YouTube!! If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to @vivalamami.

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, we welcome Mariana Dineen, a registered dietitian and founder of Elemento Health. She shares the importance of nutrition within the Latino community, especially for mothers striving to adopt a healthier lifestyle while preserving cultural traditions. Mariana emphasizes the significance of cultural relevance in nutrition counseling, overcoming language barriers, and the unique challenges faced by the Latino community in accessing healthcare.

She offers practical strategies for meal planning and managing chronic diseases like diabetes through a cultural lens, stressing the importance of balance and inclusion rather than the elimination of cultural foods. We also touched on the impact of stress on eating habits, particularly for busy Latina moms, and how to address these issues holistically.

Mariana’s commitment to cultural sensitivity in her practice, Elemento Health, underscores her dedication to providing accessible and empathetic nutrition care. If you've ever felt shame about your cultural foods or struggled to find a healthcare provider who truly gets you, this episode is for you.

For detailed show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode125

Key topics covered:

• Breaking down barriers to accessing nutrition care for Latinas
• Making traditional dishes healthier while preserving cultural roots
• Managing stress eating and emotional relationships with food
• Practical meal planning strategies for busy mamas
• Culturally sensitive approaches to managing conditions like diabetes

Connect with Mariana from Elemento Health!

• Email: mariana@elementohealth.com
• Instagram: @elemento_health
• Website: elementohealth.com

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
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Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You're listening to the Best of VLM episode series featuring the most popular episodes of the Viva la Mami podcast!

In this episode, I delve into the all-too-common experiences of emotional dysregulation and ‘mom rage’ that many Latina moms face. Joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Jocelyn Flores, founder of Raíz Parenting, we discuss practical tools like mindful breathing techniques and setting healthy boundaries to help manage these overwhelming emotions.

Jocelyn also shares insights on the impact of our cultural background and the importance of self-compassion in the parenting journey. This is an authentic, judgment-free conversation aimed at providing support and reminding mamis that they are not alone in their struggles. We also explore how to break generational cycles of parenting and create a more emotionally secure environment for our children.

For full show notes, visit vivalamami.com/episode124

Connect with Jocelyn Flores

• Website: raiz-parenting.com
• Instagram: @raizparenting

Resources Mentioned:

• Get Raíz Parenting’s Break the Cycle Freebie: www.raiz-parenting.com/freebie

Love this episode? Subscribe wherever you are listening, share this episode with an amiga, and leave a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple podcasts.

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube!

Follow Viva la Mami on Instagram @vivalamami

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Viva la Mami newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you won't miss a thing!

Have a suggestion for an episode topic? Click HERE
Have a suggestion for a guest? Click HERE

Visit the Viva la Mami Website
www.vivalamami.com

Have questions or want to connect? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@vivalamami.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠