Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Miguel Olave to a new episode of The First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Mental Health as a First Gen!Miguel is a father to four Boys, a husband of 10 years, and the Founding Partner of SpeakrBrand, a social media marketing agency for keynote speakers, CEOs, and executives. He is also a mental health advocate who rallied a community around mental health conversations on LinkedIn in the summer of 2019 before the pandemic started. Miguel credits his career growth to building up his personal brand on LinkedIn, which is centered around intentionally embracing vulnerable conversations. As a disclaimer, these episodes can be triggering for some individuals that are struggling with mental health concerns. Although Sara is a social worker, these episodes are meant to educate and bring awareness to mental health challenges that we may experience, especially as first gens. She will not be providing any diagnoses. She will only be sharing her personal experience. For additional support, please reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 1-800-950-6264. If this is an emergency, please call 911. Please know that there is help out there for you, and you do not have to navigate this alone.Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Standing in Solidarity With You This May,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Amina Mostafa to a new episode of The First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Mental Health as a First Gen!Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Amina  was the first her family to be born in the United States. The daughter of Egyptian immigrants, she is the oldest of five and the first to pursue and earn a bachelor’s degree in her family. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from New Jersey City University, demonstrating her early commitment to the field of psychology and her desire to understand the human mind. Her academic journey continued with the pursuit of a master's degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from William Paterson University of New Jersey. She is a founding board member of Generation Fearless, a non-profit organization centered around supporting first-generation women navigating all stages of their lives through education and empowerment. Amina works as a higher education administrator, where she primarily focuses on supporting marginalized students, many of whom are first-generation. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor in New Jersey. She is a mother of two littles with loads of energy. And she is currently a doctoral student at Kean University’s PhD in Counseling and Supervision program. As a disclaimer, these episodes can be triggering for some individuals that are struggling with mental health concerns. Although Sara is a social worker, these episodes are meant to educate and bring awareness to mental health challenges that we may experience, especially as first gens. She will not be providing any diagnoses. She will only be sharing her personal experience. For additional support, please reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 1-800-950-6264. If this is an emergency, please call 911. Please know that there is help out there for you, and you do not have to navigate this alone.Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Standing in Solidarity With You This May,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Priscilla Maria Gutierrez to a new episode of The First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Mental Health as a First Gen!Priscilla María Gutiérrez, J.D. is a Keynote Speaker, Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, and trauma survivor who empowers others to become cycle breakers. Her life's purpose is to help others heal from trauma, overcome limiting beliefs, and create their best lives. As a sober, bisexual Latina woman with diagnosed mental illness, she shows up authentically to exemplify that recovery and healing are very possible. As a disclaimer, these episodes can be triggering for some individuals that are struggling with mental health concerns. Although Sara is a social worker, these episodes are meant to educate and bring awareness to mental health challenges that we may experience, especially as first gens. She will not be providing any diagnoses. She will only be sharing her personal experience. For additional support, please reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 1-800-950-6264. If this is an emergency, please call 911. Please know that there is help out there for you, and you do not have to navigate this alone.Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Standing in Solidarity With You This May,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Rod Colon to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Mental Health as a First Gen!Rod Colón brings over 25 years of experience coaching and consulting today’s professionals and executives to his role as HISPA's (Hispanics Inspiring Students' Performance and Achievement) Talent Development and Leaders in College Director. In this position, Colón serves as a role model to role models, focusing on the recruitment, retention, and professional development of HISPA volunteers; consulting with partner organizations; and advising on ERG best practices. Rod is also an accomplished author, blogger, and radio talk show host, where he discusses career strategy, professional development, and the need for networking and human relationships as a major part of any job search. He also consults professional groups, colleges and corporate leaders on what it means to run a career in the same way a CEO runs a business. As a disclaimer, these episodes can be triggering for some individuals that are struggling with mental health concerns. Although Sara is a social worker, these episodes are meant to educate and bring awareness to mental health challenges that we may experience, especially as first gens. She will not be providing any diagnoses. She will only be sharing her personal experience. For additional support, please reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 1-800-950-6264. If this is an emergency, please call 911. Please know that there is help out there for you, and you do not have to navigate this alone.Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Standing in Solidarity With You This May,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, The First Gen Madrina podcast host Sara Diaz opens up the season with sharing her story of managing her mental health as May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Mental Health as a First Gen!Although Sara has shared her mental health struggles in the past, she felt as though she could not ask her guests to share their stories of managing their mental health without sharing hers first. As a disclaimer, these episodes can be triggering for some individuals that are struggling with mental health concerns. Although Sara is a social worker, these episodes are meant to educate and bring awareness to mental health challenges that we may experience, especially as first gens. She will not be providing any diagnoses. She will only be sharing her personal experience. For additional support, please reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 1-800-950-6264. If this is an emergency, please call 911. Please know that there is help out there for you, and you do not have to navigate this alone.Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Standing in Solidarity With You This May,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Jeffrey Martinez to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Finances as a First Gen!Jeffrey is the Executive Vice President and Head of Branch Banking at PNC Bank. In his current role, Jeff is responsible for more than 2,400 branches, and nearly 16,000 employees, through PNC’s coast to coast footprint. He also serves as a Chair for PNC’s Military Advisory Council and is the Executive Sponsor of PNC’s Latino and Multicultural Employee Business Resource Group. Jeff also served the country for nine years in the U.S. Army National Guard and was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and has been awarded three Army Commendation Medals and New Jersey’s Distinguished Service Medal. He is passionate about giving back to the communities where he lives and works and is involved with several non-profit organizations. He is the Treasurer of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, a LatinoJustice PRLDEF Board Member, and a Member of the NJCU Foundation Board and the Hudson County Community College Employer Advisory Board. Jeff is also an executive advisor to CAALE, where he and I met, and he also works with the Association of Latino Professionals for America to educate students and professionals through informative presentations hosted at New Jersey and New York universities. Jeffrey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Rutgers University and completed the CBA Executive Banking School Program at Furman University.Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Celebrating You on Financial Literacy Month,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Viviana Vazquez to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Finances as a First Gen!Viviana Vazquez is the founder of OverGenPoverty, an online community for people overcoming generational poverty and building generational wealth. Viviana teaches financial literacy lessons through the lens of a first-gen grad, promotes transparency, and shares free resources for her community. Viviana will be sharing with us the importance of financial literacy as well as her journey from becoming a teacher to transitioning to tech!Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Celebrating You on Financial Literacy Month,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Charly Stoever  to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Finances as a First Gen.Charly Stoever (they/he/papi) is a nonbinary latinx money coach, speaker, and host of the Unicorn Millionaire Podcast. They’re helping LGBTQ+/BIPOC twerk their way to early retirement. They're a formerly undocumented Mexican American and ex-stock broker who has traveled solo to 34 countries. Tune in to learn more tips from Charly on how to set up your finances!Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Celebrating You on Financial Literacy Month,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Christina Singh to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Finance as a First Gen!Our first guest this season is a returning guest: Christina Singh! If you haven’t already tuned in to her first episode (episode 23) go back and tune in! Christina is a financial planner at Northwestern Mutual in NYC. In this episode, Christina shares with us about her money story growing up and what she learned about finances. Because of her journey, she decided to help others get a hold of their finances. She also discusses the importance of financial education and being aware of our options. Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Wishing You Luck on Your Financial Journey,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Arianna Dela Rosa to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Celebrating Women's History Month!Arianna is a Holistic Career & Empowerment Coach helping first-gen and BIPOC communities navigate their careers and lives through inner work, healing, and advocacy. For the past 5 years, Arianna has worked in HR, Recruiting, Talent Development, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and now, Coaching. Her mission is to coach our community to build profound confidence in our careers in a system not made for us to thrive. She is particularly passionate about coaching on overcoming self-limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome. In her free time, Arianna enjoys being involved in the arts, attending open mic spaces, watching concerts and musicals, writing, and singing. Tune in now!Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Celebrating You this Women's History Month,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Sara Pena to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Celebrating Women's History Month!Sara currently serves as the Director of External Affairs at PSEG. Prior to her role at PSEG, Ms. Peña served as the Director in the New Jersey Department of State’s Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development under Governor Murphy’s administration. She was twice named NJ’s Insider 100: Policy-Makers Power List for her work leading the Center. During her tenure at the NJ Department of State she was widely lauded for expanding its statewide footprint and national presence in advocacy for Hispanics and Latinx folks. Sara is a proud mother to Anthony, who inspired her to start her own non-profit, Boys to Leaders Foundation in 2013. This organization benefits young men, giving them a strong sense of direction to enhance their achievement and demonstrate her commitment to them and her community. Sara is an amazing community leader! Tune in now! You can find out more about the Boys to Leaders Foundation on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/boys-to-leaders-foundation/.Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Celebrating You this Women's History Month,Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Choua Vang back for a new episode of The First Gen Madrina Podcast for this month's theme, Celebrating Women's History Month!For this episode of The First Gen Madrina Podcast, we bring back Choua Vang, of Cali & Dana! Choua joined us for episode 11, which has been our most listened to episode (go check it out now!) Choua is a marketer by day but also owns a clothing brand called Cali & Dana that specializes in comfortable skinny jeans for curvy petite women. She also co-created ACE - a collaborative pop-up, bringing AAPI creatives and entrepreneurs together. We also learn about Choua's journey of returning to Laos and visiting family for the first time. She was also able to visit with her parents by her side and learn about the country they left behind in pursuit of better opportunities for their family. Her story will leave you with goosebumps!Find cali & dana on Instagram @lovecalindana! You can also check out their website https://calindana.com/.  You can learn more about Ace on instagram @acepopup. Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Celebrating Women's History Month With You, Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Dr. Nicole Pulliam and Dr. Carolina Gonzalez to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Celebrating Women's History Month!Dr. Nicole Pulliam and Dr. Carolina Gonzalez are both administrators in higher education. They are passionate about supporting first generation college students as their own journeys were not easy. In this episode of The First Gen Madrina Podcast, we learn more about Dr. Gonzalez's journey of growing up as a first gen in a Latinx household as well as her journey to college. We have meaningful conversations on identity and imposter syndrome, and they share ideas on how to manage it! You won't want to miss this episode!Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Happy Women's History Month, Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Paulaska Ramirez to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Supporting First Gens!Paulaska is the founder and Executive Director of Generation Fearless, a non-profit that is dedicated to supporting first-generation women. Paulaska was born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey, and later become a proud resident of Paterson, NJ. With over 13 years of experience in higher education, Paulaska has dedicated herself to working with students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from low-income households. Her journey as an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program alum underscores her commitment to advocacy and support for students on their academic journeys. She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice from William Paterson University of New Jersey. She furthered her education with a master's in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Education with a concentration in Organizational Leadership Studies at Northeastern University.Find Generation Fearless on Instagram! You can also check out their website http://generationfearless.org.  Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Helping You Navigate This Lifetime of Firsts, Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Elijah Davis to a new episode of the First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Supporting First Gens!Elijah is an honors scholar at Brigham Young University, majoring in neuroscience and statistics, and aspires to be a physician-scientist. He founded First-Gen United and is involved in research at both Harvard Medical School and BYU. Elijah holds positions such as the Editor-in-Chief of BYU's psychology journal and is an undergraduate researcher. His work includes creating a machine learning model for Parkinson's disease and investigating cognitive epidemiology. Additionally, Elijah is a co-host of the FReal Talk podcast, a startup founder, and actively involved in various volunteer activities. He excels in skills like statistical data analysis, team leadership, and nonprofit management.Find First Gen United on LinkedIn!  Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. ¡Hasta prontoSara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz speaks with Claudia Guevara-Olivier, Alumni Director of America Needs You. Claudia shares with the first-gen community her inspiring story of navigating the challenges of going to college as a first gen. Despite facing many hardships in her life such as loosing her parents to cancer, Claudia persevered and was able to graduate with her Bachelors and Masters degrees!Claudia has dedicated her career to supporting first gen students in various roles. As a staff member of America Needs You, a non-profit organization that provides tools to low income, first generation college students to succeed in college and beyond, Claudia continues to live out her mission. Join us for an empowering conversation on the importance of serving your community!Follow America Needs You on instagram @americaneedsyou. If you would like to support ANY students,  visit their website http://americaneedsyou.org. Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. ¡Hasta prontoSara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz unveils the extraordinary journey of Audrey Fisch, a seasoned professor at New Jersey City University, who, over three decades, has championed first-generation college students. After discovering the challenges faced by these trailblazing individuals in higher education, she created "More Than Bootstraps", an amazing initiative to empower first-generation students, predominantly hailing from low-income communities and communities of color.Join us in exploring the depth of Audrey's commitment as she recounts her experiences and insights, highlighting the talents and resilience of her diverse students. In this inspiring conversation, Audrey and Ashley Delgado, a first generation and More Than Bootstraps student,  share personal stories, shedding light on the obstacles encountered and victories achieved. Immerse yourself in the narratives of triumph over adversity and the transformative impact of educational support.Follow More Than Bootstraps on instagram @morethanbootstraps. If you would like to support MTB students,  visit their website http://morethanbootstraps.org Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. ¡Hasta prontoSara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this podcast, host Sara Diaz explores the unique first-gen journey of Adam San Miguel, a Cuban-American entrepreneur who transitioned from tech world to coffee culture. Take a deep dive as Adam discusses the impact of familial roots, the immigrant experience, and the relentless pursuit of a brighter future for Cuba. Adam shares with us the importance of operating from the lens of social good, which led him to create a non-profit organization called Cuban American Alliance for Leadership and Education (CAALE). During this episode, we are discussing how to find your calling and how to manage the challenges that come with new beginnings. Adam encourages us to follow your purpose and do more for our community. Follow Adam on instagram @cortaditoscoffee and @caaleorg. If you would like to support CAALE students,  visit their website caale.org. Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. ¡Hasta pronto!Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens, In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Audrey Robles, a life and confidence coach, and Sabrina Castillo a life, leadership and business coach to The First Gen Madrina Podcast. Audrey and Sabrina share with us how they navigated their new beginnings from working in the music industry to becoming Self-Made Mujeres. Sabrina and Audrey share their journey of empowering Latina women to break free from societal expectations and redefine what success looks like on their terms. Through their business The Dream Lab, they create a supportive community for Latinas, fostering personal growth and transformations. This episode will leave you inspired to lead boldly, dream big and create a life that resonates with purpose. Follow Audrey and Sabrina on Instagram @theaudreydiaz and @thesabrinacastillo as well as The Dream Lab's instagram @the.dreamlab. Visit their website https://www.thedreamlab.info/ for more information. Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for our blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected.  The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. ¡Hasta pronto! Sara, The First Gen Madrina

Dear First Gens,In this episode, host Sara Diaz welcomes Josh Farris, a passionate scholar, speaker, and advocate with a remarkable journey. Born and raised in a rural farm town in Virginia, Josh's commitment to education innovation and empowering underserved communities, especially first-generation and low income college students, is truly inspiring.In our conversation, Josh reflects on his childhood marked by poverty and visits to his father in prison, providing a unique perspective of the challenges that are often  faced by those with incarcerated family members. From being a director of a national conference for low-income and first-gen students, to creating incredible resources for educational institutions, Josh's dedication is remarkable. As a grad student pursuing a master's in higher education leadership, he continues to break cycles and challenge the norms that are placed on first gens.Join us as we explore Josh's journey and uncover the importance of self-care and breaking societal labels. This episode offers invaluable insights into navigating the education system, creating change, and embracing the power of our narratives.Follow Josh on LinkedIn by searching for Joshua Farris and visit his website https://www.joshfarris.com/. Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for show notes and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. The First Gen Madrina is here to guide you through 2024 and beyond. Also, follow me on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. ¡Hasta pronto!Sara, The First Gen Madrina