How to Talk to [Mamí & Papí] about Anything
"My two sons' godmother, who is a first-generation Dominican in New York City, was having a really, really hard time getting through to her mother about taking extra precautions during the start of the COVID pandemic," says Juleyka Lantigua, host and creator of How to Talk to [Mamí & Papí] about Anything, Apple Podcasts' Spotlight show for January 2023. "It was like they were speaking to each other in two different languages. The cultural and generational differences between them seemed to push them further apart as their conversations progressed. I realized they represented millions of children and parents enmeshed in a drag-out white-knuckle fight because those of us who are 'Americanized' see the world—and most importantly, live in the world—very differently from our immigrant parents." Lantigua, who is a veteran reporter and founder and CEO of the digital audio and production company LWC Studios, launched How to Talk to [Mamí & Papí] about Anything in 2020. She found out quickly that many listeners could relate to the experiences discussed on the show. "It was a grand experiment, and we were nervous and excited," she says. "And then the emails started pouring in from listeners who never knew they needed these conversations or those who wished they'd had the show growing up 20,30, 50 years ago!" Each episode features a listener with a problem that can range from navigating relationships with parents who disapprove of their spouse to maintaining a relationship with a difficult parent for the sake of the grandchildren. An expert on the episode’s topic joins Lantigua on the show to offer professional advice and analyze the generational and cultural dynamics at play. "So many of us straddle that hyphen of being American and something else. So many of us are trying to honor our parents' ways while making our own way in the world," Lantigua says. "This is a place to find solace and really good advice." After nearly 150 episodes, Lantigua is taking the plunge into extending the brand with a sister show, How to Talk to [High Achievers] about Anything. And her hope is that there’s more where that came from. "My vision is that the "How to Talk to" franchise continues to grow and serve the rising-majority audience in the US for years to come.”
Episodes
We have a special treat this week. We've launched a new investigative narrative audio series documenting the health and well being of U.S. Latinas. Paulina Velasco, the editor, joins Juleyka for a conversation about exploring delicate topics with Latinas and their families for this project, and dives into the show's themes that most resonated with her as a first-gen.
If you enjoyed this episode listen to The Myths and Gifts of Bilin...
Carmen has decided to go through fertility preservation treatment, but feels disconcerted when loved ones aren’t as supportive as she hoped. And Milan Chavarkar, a nurse practitioner specializing in fertility care, speaks with Juleyka about what to expect during an egg retrieval, and how to prepare for the emotional and physical stress along the way.
Featured Expert: Milan Chavarkar, has been a women's health specialist for 25 years...
Judith’s Iranian Jewish parents expected her to date, and ultimately marry, someone of her cultural background. But her new relationship is creating tension with her relatives--and within herself. And Samira Mehta, a religion and family politics scholar, debunks myths about interfaith marriage in the U.S. and shares strategies for making religious spaces and family traditions more inclusive.
Featured Expert:
Our expert this week is S...
The health and wellness of Latinas is crucial to the health and wellbeing of the U.S. economy. In 100 Latina Birthdays, an original documentary series from Peabody-nominated LWC Studios, reporters in Chicago investigate the health and lifetime outcomes of Latinas in the United States from birth to age 100. In season 1, the stories that unfold center Latinas during their perinatal journeys, childhood, adolescence, and up until age 2...
After feeling inadequate all through childhood, 22-year old Ashley was recently diagnosed with ADHD. She's frustrated that her Mexican parents don’t seem to understand what the news means. And Diana Mercado-Marmarosh, a physician and ADHD coach, speaks with Juleyka about getting to know your neurodivergent brain, and offers advice on coming to terms with a diagnosis later in life.
If you liked this show listen to Telling Mamí She N...
Brad does not feel comfortable speaking with his Costa Rican mom about the childhood sexual abuse he experienced. But a recent family tragedy is making him rethink the need for these difficult conversations. And Luis Resendez, a therapist who specializes in men’s mental health, speaks with Juleyka about how to be a better listener in times of crisis, and shares strategies to help us open up.
This episode discusses some difficult top...
Elizabeth is surprised and relieved to learn her Filipino mom is finally ready to see a therapist, but she's unsure of how to support her. And Roanne de Guia-Samuels, a psychotherapist who works with Filipino women, speaks with Juleyka about reading nonverbal cues and tuning in to communication nuances when speaking with loved ones about their mental health.
Featured Expert:
Roanne de Guia-Samuels is a licensed psychotherapist, mom ...
To celebrate How to Talk to [High Achievers] about Anything Juleyka welcomes back its host, licensed psychotherapist Stevon Lewis, for a special episode. LWC Studios team members grab the mic to open up about their personal and professional challenges, and Stevon offers his insight and advice to help them level up.
Featured Expert:
Stevon Lewis is the host of our sister podcast LWC's How to Talk to [High Achievers] about Anything. He...
After an emotional coming out to his Mexican parents, Fermanparis wishes they showed more interest in his love life and life plans. And Aida Manduley, organizer and licensed therapist, returns to the show and speaks with Juleyka about how to invite curiosity into our family relationships. They offer practical advice for helping parents understand who we really are as adults.
Featured Expert:
The newest narrative podcast from LWC Studios is out now! “Still Paying the Price: Reparations in Real Terms” is a 14-part series exploring how reparations should be paid and to whom. This podcast is meant to be enjoyed in an order that makes the most sense for our listeners. You can begin by listening to this episode or wherever you find your podcasts–-and start your own reparations exploration.
When Estela gets diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer she opens up about her health and body to her adult children in ways her Mexican mother never did with her. And Laura Fejerman, a researcher studying hereditary breast cancer among Latinas, speaks with Juleyka about how to talk with older relatives about their health histories and private parts without making them uncomfortable.
Estela Casas is the author of the book A Place t...
Emilio’s Dominican mother was supportive and encouraging when he came out to her, but when he decides to speak openly with a younger relative about being gay, tensions arise between them. And Laurin Mayeno, a consultant and coach specializing in gender inclusion and justice, speaks with Juleyka about why prioritizing our needs helps us engage more productively during triggering conversations, and offers advice on how to avoid proje...
Musician and rapper Figgy Baby, who identifies as non-binary, tries to bond with their traditional Mexican father by opening up about their intimate relationships and personal life, even when it makes both of them uncomfortable. And Jerry Tello, a therapist and community educator who works with men and boys of color, speaks with Juleyka about rethinking restrictive notions of what it means to be a man and why labels like toxic masc...
Ami has dabbled around in different jobs and careers while trying to figure out her true calling. But her high-achieving Indian parents don’t get what, exactly, she’s looking for. And Samorn Selim, a career coach who works with BIPOC, women and first-gen professionals, speaks with Juleyka about how to get clarity around what we want professionally without feeling beholden to our families.
Ami Thakker is the host of Tuckered Out With...
To close out National Mental Health Awareness Month, we speak with Gina, an engineer who, after landing a dream job, begins to feel anxious, unhappy, and unmotivated, which puzzles her working-class Mexican parents. And Carmen Cusido, a writer and mental health advocate, speaks with Juleyka about how to support our wellbeing by cultivating a sense of belonging and connection in the workplace.
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, so we’re featuring stories that help us broach difficult issues with our loved ones. In this episode, Sunny’s family never acknowledged his mom’s depression or suicide attempts, and he had to learn how to face his own mental health struggles. And mental health advocate Carmen Cusido corrects misconceptions about overcoming a mental illness, and offers advice for moving through difficul...
In advance of National Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we’re featuring stories that help us talk about mental health with our immigrant families. In this episode Kayla is ready to take a bold step to manage her anxiety, but getting her protective family’s buy-in is a challenge. And writer and mental health advocate Carmen Cusido offers tips for being confident when prioritizing our wellbeing.
Featured Expert: Carmen Cusido is ...
Facing a language barrier, Mary is trying to deepen her relationship with her Cantonese-speaking mom. And Sarah J. Shin, a scholar who studies bilingualism and heritage language education, speaks with Juleyka about expanding our vocabulary through low-stakes activities, using technology to express our feelings in our parents’ first language, and modeling for future generations.
Mary Chan hosts The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voi...
While helping her Mexican parents plan for retirement, Lyanne has to be strategic to get them to open up about money. And Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez, a financial coach who works with millennial first-gens, speaks with Juleyka about initiating conversations about money with older relatives, and shares a handy retirement-planning checklist.
Lyanne is the creator of the podcast Moneda Moves.
If you loved this episode, listen to Talking to Mam...
Saadia wants to put a stop to the toxic colorism within her Pakistani family, for the sake of her daughters. And sociologist Joanna Rondilla, who studies colorism, race and beauty standards, speaks with Juleyka about how this type of prejudice is perpetuated in our intimate circles, and where to focus our energy when pushing back.
Saadia Khan is the founder, producer and host of the Immigrantly podcast.
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