The holidays are here and during a global pandemic! Are you ready for this new normal? Your LUL comadres share their take on this new reality as well as their best advice on preparing for safe family gatherings, worry-free events, & gift-giving. Most importantly, listen in to keep your financial goals in order during this truly unexpected holiday season. Cozy up to listen to our Spanglish stories, our holiday mishaps, and some of our best client advice to planning the most seamless holiday season yet. Tune in wherever you stream your favorite podcasts and remember to comment, like, and subscribe. The best gift this holiday season is the gift of connection... we look forward to connecting with you on this episode and so many more at LevelUpLatina.com!

In this episode, we are joined by Facebook's Global Head of Multicultural Communications, Sonia Sroka. A proud immigrant and Latina, Sonia shares her personal philosophies as a powerhouse in the tech field. We discuss everything from Facebook's diversity efforts, support of small businesses during a global pandemic, to informed civic engagement. Plus, we share critical election resources. It was an honor to learn from Sonia, the lessons of her upbringing, and her winning spirit. Tune in for a moving message on Latinx pride and progress and find important details on how to get voter-ready before a historic election.  More on our exceptional guest: Sonia is an award-winning communications leader. In her position, Sonia is responsible for the strategy and execution of campaigns to educate and inspire multiethnic and multilingual people about Facebook’s products and tools. A proud Salvadoran (Salvadoreña), she also serves as the official Spanish-language spokesperson for Facebook sharing information in-language and in-culture. Sonia was recently named one of People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Women. She was also named in PRWeek’s “40 Under 40” list and was added to Diversity Journal's "Women Worth Watching" list. LATINA Style magazine branded her “Latina Executive of the Year.” Most recently, Sonia helped place Facebook as one of the top 5 companies demonstrating great effort to support Diversity and Inclusion in the Latino Community within Silicon Valley.

If there's one topic we've been asked to cover the most it's gotta be this one! So many women have discussed their journeys grappling with Imposter Syndrome. On our show, we talk about each of our experiences with it and how one of us doesn't feel it at all. Is that even possible? Do you believe Imposter Syndrome is real? Is it only an American phenomenon? Is it just something first-generation women of color feel? This episode covers individual journeys, coping skills, and even how to handle it as an entrepreneur or business teammate. It's a must-tune-into show, so don't miss it.

What a random episode we have for you. First off, CHEERS! In this episode, we are toasting to business milestones and recording this episode in celebration of our recently announced iTunes Apple Podcast feature. What a beautiful way to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month. This episode covers recent success stories (we are listed in the iTunes' Success Category after all), confessions from our youth, and even our usual COVID and political tangents. It wouldn't be a girlfriends podcast if we weren't all over the place with drinks in hand, hearts open wide, and opinions in plain sight. Listen now... comment, like, and share! And once again cheers to LUL and cheers to you, too!

Who doesn't love a good soirée? In this episode, we are joined by two incredible party pioneers who've taken the event industry by storm and supercharged it. Our special guests are the co-founders of Festively.com - two businesswomen reinventing the world of party planning. We can't wait for you to hear all about their incredible business journey, innovative online platform, and essential event coordinating tools. Aspiring entrepreneurs, event vendors, service providers, or simply fun-loving partygoers must listen & learn from the impressive duo running Festively.com. 

Sometimes we love motherhood and sometimes it gets the very best of us. While we're ever-grateful, we're also human and reflecting on the thankless moments, those crazy sleepless nights, our need to ask for help, and the very scary journey of letting our kids grow up and grow apart from us. We chat to the point of crying and even get an odd moment of quiet thanks to the universe getting one of us mommas to slow the heck down. Tune in if you're a mom, support a momma in your life, or look forward to becoming one someday soon. 

In this listener-requested episode, we talk about each of our unique career journeys of first-gen women in Operations and Leadership, Law, and Nonprofit Executive Management. This is one you must hear until the end to get a dose of honest inspiration, especially if you're feeling stuck! As the show goes on, you'll hear as we get more and more fired-up about what we know for sure, what we learned the hard way, and what will make the career of your dreams truly possible. This is an episode that will challenge how you embrace discipline, counter familial expectations, and command compensation as first-generation women. DO NOT MISS IT!

At a time when our country feels so divided, we dive in to talk about how Latinos are often in competition with each other and why. We wanted to take a look at what cultural competitiveness meant to us and possibly you too! Is it comparing, judging, or distancing ourselves from the many beautiful Latino experiences across the globe? Is it something we do unconsciously or are we well aware?  In this episode, we openly share tales from our upbringings and the very beliefs that may have actually divided us so that we may instead unify Latinas no matter our countries of origin, closed-minded influences, or what the media tells us about our culture's beauty standards, communities, and traditions.

Our monthly random episode is here! In it, we "chat" with a very special guest who actually got a little too close to Vero, but we're not jealous. This one is so random as we talk weird twitches and even spend one too many minutes talking about farts. Tune in to hear all about how we are tackling a new normal of back-to-school in the time of COVID, religious commitments during a pandemic, husbands that actually cook, our genius, our values, and more. 

We get super personal on this episode sharing moments in our lives where toxic family dynamics have shaken us. At times, we were the toxic ones... toxic family members and even toxic friends. Join us as we majorly open up about the very ways we've coped, share how upbringings make an impact, and comment on how we've handled forgiveness in the midst of toxicity. We look forward to hearing from our listeners on this extremely juicy topic. Don't miss it.

Attention ladies.... special guest, Dr. Erica Montes, MD OB/GYN covers so much goodness in this episode. On this very important show, we cover not only this Latina's inspiring journey to becoming a medical doctor but also what it's like to be an expert in her field. We talk about women's health with a special focus on being "A Modern Mujer" juggling career dreams and family aspirations. We cover topics specific to vaginal care, cancer prevention, and so much more. This is one ALL women must listen to, if not for you, do it for your vaginas! Tune in.

The women of LUL are raising 8 children between 4 months & 14 years old (4 daughters & 4 sons). With all that, there's bound to be a lot of advice, trial & error, and lessons to share from their parenting journeys. In this part two of the "momager series," we chat all things creative parenting, creative consequences, and even the difference between growing up first-gen and how that's influenced our parenting decisions today. You won't hear from three experts, but rather three women doing their very best as moms. Tune in today whether you're a momma yourself, the cool tia, an aspiring momma, or anything in between.

Our monthly jibber-jabber is here. We get together every last week of the month to share all of our rambling, beautifully complex thoughts. We don't know it all, but we do know each other. We love opening our friendship up to you our listeners. Welcome to our most lighthearted show of every month. Spanning over 20 years of friendship and the women of LUL still have so much to share and discuss. Listen in today for a dose of random, friendship, COVID considerations, anniversary moods, and breaking barriers!

We have a very special guest on this episode of the LUL podcast discussing her journey into the field of guidance and counseling as a young Latina. Couldn't be more pleased to have Dr. Norma Reyes (based in San Antonio, Texas) on this important episode as we delve into her upbringing and career field.   Norma's extensive research has focused her career on the development of Latinas. She's a wonderful example to women pursuing higher ed. and progressing! In her journey, we found so many similarities to our listeners. We chat about her rocky path into the field of counseling and the best advice for our communities grappling with taboos associated with seeking professional help and social-emotional counseling. Lots of personal tales in this one as our founders chat about their own experiences in therapy.   This is one you don't want to miss! 

A listener asked us to talk about the American Dream, and more specifically, how that dream could very well be dead in the Latinx community. Well, we added the dead part, but you get the drift, yes? Do you think the American dream is alive & well? Is it possible and attainable for today's modern-day Latinos? On today's show, we jump into our own definitions of the American dream, how we strive for it, systemic challenges, and the difference now from when our parents immigrated to the U.S. in pursuit of an American Dream of their own. Listen and comment. Is the American Dream dead? 

Trigger warning: in today's episode, we candidly discuss violence against women, both physical and sexual in nature. We would like to respectfully acknowledge we are not experts or doctors regarding this very heavy topic. We bring this topic to our show, in honor of Vanessa Guillen who violently lost her life while serving in the military. We've decided to share our thoughts on her murder and the injustices that followed in support of all women, especially those facing a world that doesn't truly do enough to protect our rights, freedoms, and safety. We invite you to listen and share. In today's show, we share the national hotline for domestic abuse: 1−800−799−7233.  We would like to also share the national sexual assault hotline: 1-800-656-4673 and encourage women enduring abuse of any kind to urgently call these hotlines and/or reach out for help from a trusted confidant (including us at LUL). As we like to always say, "no estás sola" / "you are not alone!".

The best episode recorded to date...hands down. Listen now! We flowed and we felt all the feels talking about Money & Wealth... for women, and for LATINAS! What do you think about when you think of wealth? Does it elicit fear, belonging, or maybe something completely unknown? In this very candid episode, we talk about wealth as women, and moreover, as first-gen Latinas. You don't want to miss this very real chat about changing perspectives, evolving generations, and growing to a place where wealth is more than just the material side of life.  

Bringing you our classic banter on this our monthly random episode. Talking about our lives as mommas managing summer staycations, adapting to new & weird social distancing norms, celebrating father's day, and a little something about sex after back-to-back-to-back babies. Like we said... it's the random show. Don't miss it! Listen and level up with us.

Today, our very special guest, Sylvia Banderas Coffinet highlights her impressive career with truly down-to-earth lessons in leadership, vision, hard work, and achievement. Learn from this trailblazing Latina powerhouse herself with "an iron will to succeed".  All women striving to elevate their careers, can't miss this episode! More on our special guest:   Sylvia Banderas Coffinet is the Publisher and Chief Brand Officer at HOLA! USA. Sylvia is a true American Latina success story who beat the odds. She received her undergraduate degree in Latino Studies and Spanish Literature from Columbia University and completed the Publishing School for Professionals program at Stanford University.   Recognized by Forbes as a “Trailblazing Latina Executive in Media” at the age of 35, Sylvia works tirelessly on authentic representation - and telling positive and uplifting stories about Latinas! Her seasoned background includes working with People en Español, Latina, Glamour, and Town & Country.   Sylvia (originally from Sunny So. Cal) lives in New York City with her husband, daughter, and two adorable dogs.  

The Level Up Latina podcast turned 1-year-old last month, and after 50+ episodes, we are reflecting on all we wish we would have known, or better yet, what we learned the hard way. Our labor of love podcast is filled with juicy details on motherhood, marriage, career and so much more... in the process of crafting this show, we've grown into our dynamic, shared so much more than we ever thought we would, learned countless technical skills we never thought possible, laughed and cried. Tune in to hear about our highs and lows and definitely listen in if you ever wanted to start a podcast of your own!

In this episode, we wanted to chat about everything it means to manage a household, but with heavy hearts, we kicked-off the conversation sharing frustrations about the state of our world and continued racial inequality. This conversation then led naturally into one aspect of motherhood... raising kind human beings who get to start their experiences in life as part of our homes, and in our cases, as loving siblings (for the most part)! While this pre-recorded topic is light-hearted, we've decided to add it to our podcast platforms without social media promotion. It is currently June 2nd, 2020 and June 1st-7th we're muted in solidarity with the black lives matter movement. A cause we standby, listen and learn from daily, and donate to. These momagers are muted, but not silent. #BLM

Another month coming to a close means another random episode for you! Tune in as we catch up on Quarantine highs and lows. A few tales of testing the waters as sheltering-in-place mandates lift. How are you handling this change? We also turned 1 on May 1, 2020 and celebrated with a virtual happy hour. Sharing highlights of our first official year in review. Listen to check-in with your favorite podcast comadres... the women of Level Up Latina, LLC.

May is mental health awareness month and we know times are wilder than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic. Then again, juggling motherhood, careers, and/or relationships is already tough on our mental health! How are you coping mujeres? In this episode, we cover a bit of all the emotions stirring up inside... overwhelm, busy schedules, dreaded mom guilt, and how to get in self-care during a freaking quarantine. If you're trying to balance out a busier than ever schedule and care for your mental state all at once (plus, in some cases, care for a family too) you won't want to miss this show! Listen now!

Life is heavy already and when you pile on racism and a lack of equality it sure takes a toll. In this "keeping it real" episode of the LUL podcast, we talk about our feelings around social injustices, racism, and changing times due to a contentious political climate. Join the conversation and create a dialogue for change. Comment on this podcast or share it, so together we may use more of our voices and privilege for the greater good of every American, not just some Americans. 

Episode 48 is for everyone considering marriage or hoping to stay in it! You might think you've heard it all, but we've got our best advice (learned sometimes the hard way) covered in this one. Couples today are under more stress than ever and if you're considering a big commitment, such as marriage or cohabiting, there's a lot to think through before the big day and beyond! Don't miss this juicy episode on love and survival...

Nothing about life is normal at present. Catch up with the #LUL ladies as we bring you our monthly installment of the random episode: COVID-19 edition. Be warned we drop f-bombs when needed and reference sex and food, like always. We just can't help it, as we are completely comfortable among amigas de toda la vida. We hope this episode inspires you to be you, too! Listen, comment and share... and catch up on all episodes of the labor of love that is The Level Up Latina podcast.

Episode 46 is slam-packed full of great content... Whether it's effectively landing the job, gracefully losing it, or wisely transitioning careers at any age, this is the show you don't want to miss. From winning resume tips, to interview skills, and the best advice everyone needs in their professional lives! Making smart and essential career transitions during the highs & lows of life will make your next career move the best one yet. Elevating your career and making the most out of your current situation is one decision, habit or life-skill away. Listen today and keep the conversation going... find us online on Facebook and Instagram: @leveluplatina.

Growing up Latinas means we witnessed a lot of machismo in our culture. We're now mothers and wives defining gender roles on our own terms. What's your take on fitting a gender role deeply influenced by culture, generational patterns, and history? In episode 45, we talk about how our upbringing impacts our marriages to Latino men and what it means to live true to ourselves in spite of comparisons, judgments, and upbringing. Join the conversation as we share our journeys filling, and often rebelling, against gender roles in daily life. 

What is your new normal? As the world grapples with a global pandemic so much has changed. The women of Level Up Latina continue to shelter in place, work from home, homeschool our children, and do our very best to remain sane during scary and uncertain times. Listen to our positive spin on how we manage this new normal, appreciate those on the front lines and keep ourselves productive in trying times. Much to discuss including completing the nationwide census, voting for change and quarantine self-care! How are you staying safe and sane during the COVID-19 outbreak? Share your tales with us on Instagram or Facebook: @leveluplatina.

Episode 43 is a special edition of the Level Up Latina podcast. In one we never expected to record, we talk about our new normal as we oddly adjust to what has turned our entire world upside down. As the Covid-19 global health crisis ravages our communities, we three are working from home, counting our blessings, and coping as best we can.  We share our thoughts on this scary time, our best advice to navigating it all, and our well-wishes for a better tomorrow full of kinder, more compassionate individuals. We know everyone's experiences are different, and in this episode, we simply hope to share our journeys combined with our usual positivity in hopes for a better tomorrow ahead... a tomorrow that cannot come fast enough.

Our monthly random episode is here. In it, we discuss all things kinky, novel, and guilt-free when it comes to sex. As women, and specifically Latinas, we often get put into boxes that may fill us with doubt, shame, or insecurity when dealing with sexual exploration. Listen as we share juicy details about our own sexual experiences in the hopes that more women will feel free to liberate themselves as openly as they wish! Be warned... the content in this show is for mature audiences and may offend any not in the mood to talk sex, intimacy, and raunchy adventures along the way!

In this episode, we recount our labor stories (there's 6 of those between us with one new story DUE today... come on baby Gudiel #3). There's nothing quite like giving birth. Women all have unique journeys, and while there's no right way, learning from each other is invaluable. We impart all of our lessons in this one. The details may get messy but this episode is definitely full of warm and fuzzy, motherly love!

In episode 40 of the #LUL podcast, we talk about the pressures and stigma from the Latino community as women who've stepped up to solely provide for ourselves, and in some cases, our entire families as major breadwinners. Mixed feelings and a whole lot of stereotypes later we work through what it feels like to go against tradition as Latinas and Key Breadwinners!

Break-ups are tough and ending one's career is no exception. In this episode, we talk about the journey of making the decision to move on, waiting too long to do so, toxic workplace environments, what it's like from the boss' chair, and more! Whether you're new to the work force, mid-career, or a veteran, there's so many lessons to take from this robust topic. Also, you just never know what you'll hear on our show, so be warned, this one will make you crave ICE CREAM!

Episode 38 has all of our random thoughts on Mexican Vacation spots, quinceñeras, schooling toddlers and teens, FOOD (duh!), road trips, Netflix and celebrating Vday! Don't miss it. We wrap the month and share exciting travel plans for one of our three partners as her sabbatical abroad comes to a close. 

In episode 37 of the Level Up Latina podcast, we cover all the ins and outs of DIY self-care including our mommas and grand-mommas homemade remedies and wild wives'-tales! Some tips include the use of urine on our face as well as raw egg all over one's body! Try these at your own risk. Keeping in mind, we are NOT doctors advising you to try this at home. Listen to learn about the useful do-it-yourself self-care hacks we use to find more natural, and sometimes, cost-effective ways to treat colds, intimacy needs, skin issues and more!

We've all been there. We've balanced it all before... schooling, hobbies, a social life, work, marriage, and/or kids, but then suddenly it all comes crashing down. Overwhelm creeps in and if we're not careful: BOOM, we crash! Are you capable of Asking For Help before you hit a wall? Listen in as we chat along with Vero's almost 1 year old son (who insisted on chiming in too) on the many ways asking for help has made a difference, after we let go of the guilt or shame and asked for it! Today's tip of the day is a serious one! Tune in! 

Episode 35 is near and dear to us. Recorded in Mexico City with our powerhouse friend, and incredible business owner, Lissette Padilla. Journey with us as we all feel inspired by this amazing woman's drive to do it big as an expat living full-time in Mexico though having lived all of her life in the US. After moving abroad, she diligently made a way building a successful business from the ground up! This incredible woman is now a wildly recognized entrepreneur. This is an episode you do not want to miss. Find out more on Ms. Padilla's business via instagram: @thenailsocietyags and tune in NOW... her words of wisdom are full of honestly and heart. 

Be warned: episode 34 is The Random Episode where once a month we talk about anything and everything... and boy do we mean ANYTHING. This one is a bit risqué or as we like to say... REAL, so listen with headphones on! We are in Mexico City TOGETHER as we discuss everything from love to children and sex, plus our favorite topic: food or maybe our favorite topic is friendship! Yes, friendship is our favorite. Our village and the love in it is more than apparent in this week's show! Listen NOW to be a part of this village and our typical feel-good vibes!

It's that time of year where everyone is thriving, tanking, or simply no where in between meeting new year goals and/or resolutions! Listen in as we inspire everyone with our "keeping it simple can-do formula" and stretch visions by sharing our very own "Big Audacious Scary Goals." This is definitely a must listen to episode if you want to level up your LIFE this decade, and beyond! Be warned the episode does include our kids.... well at least they sure try their darnedest while carrying on behind us! After all our goal is progress NOT perfection with each and every single podcast! TUNE IN NOW to feel the love!

Need tips navigating home, work and life balance? Episode 32 of the Level Up Latina podcast, The Balancing Acts of Life, is full of our best tips for avoiding the stress, burnout, & chaos of imbalance. Learn from our do's and don'ts to find the inspiration to make this year your most fulfilling yet. Remember, we can have it all, it just won't look perfect all the time! Listen now to avoid the pitfalls of over-juggling. Beautifully (and imperfectly) balance your 2020 with us!

Our monthly episode about everything and anything that comes to mind, is now live! This fan favorite is filled with our personalities inside and out, daily stories, struggles, and laugh out loud madness. Amigas, tune in now. Be warned:  we talk food (per usual, you'll get hungry so have a torta handy please), relationships & sex, family & holidays, and so, so much more! Listen now! 

Talking all things finances on episode 30 of the #LUL podcast! As the holidays approach, it's easy to throw budgets out the window, accumulate debt, and mean well in doing so! Listen to this cautionary tale of why we should manage income and expenses ALL YEAR LONG! We vulnerably share from our financial mishaps to help other women avoid the same pitfalls. Whether you're newly entering the working-world, single, married, or well into adulthood, this episode is full of GREAT TIPS everyone needs! Don't miss it.

This one is dedicated to our better halves... our husbands, what makes us the same, different, and oh so imperfectly, perfect for each other. Listen for relationship inspiration whether married or not. Lessons a plenty on episode 29 of the #lul podcast all about Husbands and Marriage on our Terms! 

Making Difficult Decisions & Having Tough Conversations is episode 28 of the Level Up Latina Podcast. In it we cover juicy work topics and even juicier relationship tales on making tough decisions, having difficult conversations, and even the aftermath of avoiding both! We've all been there and the stories we share in this episode are real, raw and relatable. Tune in for some inspiration. Comment, like & share! 

It's that time of the month where we chat about anything and everything! Listen in as we give our best holiday advice to survive the tough stuff. Plus, our tip of the day includes challenging your happiness in the workplace. It's a fun one! Listen in and comment on your highlights. We hope you'll enjoy The Random Episode, 3rd Edition, as much as we love bringing it to life for you!

As many gear up to celebrate Thanksgiving, or the now popular Friendsgiving, we decided to chat all things Friendship Making and Breaking on episode 26 of the Level Up Latina Podcast. Listen in as we go off the rails a bit enjoying candy nerds (Vero), receiving best friend kisses mid-show (Irene), and talking about the friendships we were promised (Cecy)... it's a fun one and we know you'll love it, friends; or at the very least, it'll make you want to get together with your friends (or make new ones using our tips)!

Don't you ever wish you could give the younger you sage advice? On this, the 25th episode of the Level Up Latina podcast, we fill it with advice we'd give our 25-year-old selves! We are looking back on what we lived in our 20’s, what we learned, loved, and failed in! So much to learn from after almost 15 years!  Tune in to hear our cautionary tales because hasn't thought: What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew at 25!?!? Share your advice with us in the comment section and tune in for some laughs, regrets, words of wisdom, and good old feel-good-20-plus-years-friendship-vibes!