Paulina Aguirre on Using Music as a Healing Outlet and Driving Force for Social Change

two women, Lucy Flores and Paulina Aguirre, in a podcast booth

Paulina Aguirre is a Latin Grammy winner, voice actress, and founder of Mujer de Fe. She discusses with host Lucy Flores her journey to reaching her artistic goals and helping other women reach theirs.

Video Transcript:

Speaker 1: (00:06)

[opening music]

Speaker 2: (00:06)

I’m Lucy Flores, host of Jefa status where we talk to boss Latinas and dig into what makes them tick, what motivates them, what pisses them off, what drives them forward. Basically the how, the what, the why. The point of Jefa status is to bring to the world all the ways in which Latinas are reaching their own Jefa status and what that means to them. What’s fascinating about all these conversations is how often being a boss Latina includes empowering and helping other Latinas to find their better selves. Our guest this week, Paulina Aguirre is another amazing example of that work in action through her foundation Mujer de Fé. Now Paulina Aguirre is a four time Latin Grammy nominee and one time winner and founder of Mujer de Fé. The foundation’s mission is to empower women dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression and abuse, and the organization also works to help women by assisting in their intellectual and spiritual development and providing them with the necessary tools for personal and professional progress.

Speaker 2: (01:11)

Paulina, thank you so much for joining us. We’re so excited to have you. Thank you so much, Lucy. I’m very happy to be here this morning. Thanks. Yes. So as, as my approach on this show, I like to get into the details of the journey. Um, I think it’s so important to talk about how people got to where they are. It’s, I think it’s something just very human nature to constantly compare ourselves to where people are now and not really think about all of the challenges, the obstacles, the, the time, the effort, right. That it took to get there. So let’s do that first. Tell us about your background. You’re from Ecuador? Yes, I am from a very small country, Ecuador in South America, so people don’t know where Ecuador is, but it’s in South America and I was born in the capital Quito. Oh, okay. Yeah, I come from a family of writers, actually my, my grandfather, he was a journalist.

Speaker 2: (02:03)

He used to work for the editorial department and um, and my other grandfather, he was a, um, a teacher and uh, my great grand-uncle, he is, um, probably the most famous or yeah, songwriter or composer of my country. So I somehow have the blood into, into that and also opinion that my mom used to work for a president in my country and she’s 80 now and she had me in her forties. Wow. So I kind of grew up with all the intellectual and the writing and composition, uh, art side. Right. So you got that influence pretty early on. So how did you then make it to the United States? Well, um, in the beginning when I was 13 years old, um, my uncle, he used to live in Chicago and he said he offered my brother, uh, he told my brother, like, why don’t you come to the, you know, to the States to, you know, maybe you can go to high school. And I said, no, no, no. I mean, he want to, but I want

Speaker 3: (03:00)

to go. And yeah, my brother didn’t want to go. He was very, you know, just a homey boy. Yeah. But, uh, but I, I went to Chicago without my parents when I was 13 and I went to high school and that’s when I just discovered a whole new world about music, about, uh, you know, arts. And I just felt like this is my place, like the United States at the time. And so you came all by yourself? With my uncle and his wife and it was a little hard in the beginning and, but I just felt like this is what I want to do. I mean, what I want to do music. I, I participated in a talent show when I was 13 and I won third place. And uh, that’s when I knew that I wanted to do music and I wanted to be in the arts field for my life.

Speaker 3: (03:44)

And so then tell me about that. So then you ended up doing, you got the bug, but you had that influence already pretty early on in your life and your, you’re living in Chicago. Yeah. At 13. Yeah. So then I went back to Ecuador because of course I was like very young at the time. I was 16 when I went, um, back to Ecuador. And, um, and then I just started, you know, like working in everything that was possible, doing jingles and I work in, in some television and doing everything that was possible to do at the time. But, you know, Ecuador is such a small country and at a time, I mean, you didn’t really have the resources to the music because I mean, that was not a career. So I, um, I started working like in different things. I even worked for the government. I was a teacher.

Speaker 3: (04:26)

I used to choreograph, I did like so many different things to be able to, you know, keep up myself. Um, my parents were going through a rough time in their lives with their finances, so I needed to work. And then, uh, eventually I got the visa back and I was able to come back to the States. But it was like a real dream because I kind of like, um, you know, I had a pray one day and it was like the very first Latin Grammys. And I remember Juan Luis Guerra winning the Latin Grammys that day. And my friends, they told me like, um, you know, Paulina, come and see it, watch it with us. And I said, no, no, no, I’m just going to get depressed because this is like a, that’s a dream that I would love to, I would love not to win a Grammy, but I just would love to the music and really be able to do what I’m good for.

Speaker 3: (05:10)

And it just like seems so impossible because I don’t have the resources. It’s just, it just is just a dream. So I don’t want to watch it. So I remember that I went to my room and I started praying like for two hours and I said like, God, if you think that ever, I’m going to be able to do this. So um just help me and let me go back to the States. If not, let just give me the passion to be a good teacher. Whatever you want me to do. I mean just, but I, if I, if I don’t do it, I’m going to die. Right. And then, well, every, all the pieces move. Finally I was able to come to the States. And then, uh, well I met my husband. Um, he’s from Ecuador, but he was already working with artists such as Luis Miguel, Marco Antonio Solís and different people, but we were friends.

Speaker 3: (05:53)

So that was kind of like the beginning in the route. Yeah and what was that like after you got back? I mean, it’s, you know, it’s always interesting to me. It’s like, you know, we kind of, um, we hear these stories and it’s like, I went from here and then I went to there and then, but you know, when you get here you think about it, you know, you came to LA, you, um, you know, obviously my, your husband, but you know, what were you working, you know, like what does, what does that day to day look like in LA, you know, after being in Ecuador. Really heard. Yeah, I can imagine. Right. So like what, you know, I always think about all these, especially living here in Los Angeles, you have all these aspiring actors and singers and entertainers and they’re all so talented and they’re just kind of like trying to live until they get their big break. So I saved $3,000. That was what the money that I had. Okay. So of course, after four, four months been in Los Angeles, I had no car and it was just every time getting difficult. So, um, I had this offer that, uh, Pablo, my husband was my friend and he said, you know, they’re looking like for, um, kids’ voices and they’re looking for some characters and I said, I know how to do that. Like, please hire me. Yeah. Did you actually or you were just like I’ll figure it out. No no no. I can do a kids voice, old person, adult.

Speaker 3: (07:06)

Whatever i’ll do it. No I did the voices for Los Solecitos, which was a, uh, you know, like, um, product that Univision had, and I did like a, the voices for, uh, the uh, there were five of them and I did the voices for five. One of them was called sole amigo and I used to that “hoy amigos” and not just like different voices. There was a smart one that was like, [inaudible] so i mean always have like, you know, like the gift of doing voices. I mean, and the thing is that I just, you know, and thank God, I mean I send like my demo, like singing and also talking and they hire me for eight albums. Wow. That was like the first album I was able to buy my salvage car. And then, you know, I started to make a living, but it was really hard. I mean, every day I was like praying like please, like, please don’t let me go back and just be ashamed that nothing happened with me.

Speaker 3: (07:56)

I mean, so then when this thing happened, I was like so excited and proud and, and then I started my journey and also doing, you know, uh, I started working, um, I met, um, Kenu Brian, who is, um, he’s a vocal coach for and vocal producer for Celine Dion. So I, he took me to work with Alberto Ortica. I worked with Michael Bublé, Marta Sanchez with all these artists. So it was kind of like, you know, for, so for a newbie in Los Angeles, and when you heard that that was a dream and you know, I mean, it was a dream for me. I was like, so I was just like in this biggest studios and working, I was like, Oh my gosh, I cannot believe that this is happening to me. This is really happening to me. So it happened and, and I started working and then I, you know, I started writing my own material. I mean, I always, uh, you know, I always did it, but this time it was like, ah, I’m going to write something that I’m going to do for myself. That’s incredible. So true story. I don’t really use my, my iPod, like my iTunes on my phone, all that often.

Speaker 2: (08:56)

I use like Spotify or other things, so I just don’t really know how to work it. I don’t have a subscription, it’s whatever. But I have a bunch of songs downloaded and my car, because the phone is on Bluetooth, sometimes it automatically just loads by default the iTunes. And the first song that comes on that I’m just like, and I don’t know how to get rid of it because like I just don’t have the time to figure it out. And I literally just switch it over to, you know, the service that I’m using is, Abrazame by Paulina Aguirre. Aw that’s so nice.

Speaker 2: (09:31)

And no kidding sometimes because it literally plays every single, almost every single time I turn on the damn car and there you go. You’re like, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh. You know, the way it starts i’m like no more Abrazame Paulina. I’m just like, shut it off. So you’re literally play in my car every single time. It defaults to my ITunes. So it was like so excited when I heard that you were going to come on. I was like, Oh my gosh, I’m going to tell her to stop telling me about Abrazame all the time. It’s an amazing, song. You know, obviously, um, that’s such a great trajectory. Just a great story.

Speaker 3: (10:11)

I, I, well, I the, I just think that, um, uh, you know, writing in composing music is such a gift. And as every other gift that people, I mean, we all have a gift and we have to recognize and really be able to, you know, see ourselves through the gift that we have been given. And I think sometimes when you get depressed or frustrated is because you’re not fulfilling your call. Right. I, um, you know, last year I was having a talk with Marco Antonio Solís who’s a good friend, and he was telling me like, uh, Paulina, I need to talk to you and I need to tell you this. And he said, you know, I always tell my daughters that for them not to expect to be like me, but because maybe that can happen that maybe not, but you cannot be, um, uh, you have to be faithful to your call, right?

Speaker 3: (10:54)

You have to fulfill it. So don’t, not thinking what is going to happen. Like you’re going to get all the awards and all the things. So, so, you know, I’ve been trying to do that. As soon as I came to Los Angeles, that’s when I wrote my first album Mujer de Fe which got nominated on 2007. And I did that album out of, uh, you know, my obviously appreciation for, for, for God, for my appreciation of faith. And, uh, knowing that I was coming, uh, you know, to Los Angeles, where you really exercise that faith and that difficult, uh, in a difficult city. Right. You know, so, and then I recorded my second album Esperando Tu Voz. And it was in a time of a, you know, I was living, uh, in a, in a desert time, in a, in a time where I was not seeing it, things happening in.

Speaker 3: (11:37)

I wrote that and then I won the Grammy with that one. And um, and I, and I think, um, w and then the F the third one ne, uh, Rompe el Silencio is an album which I was nominated as well. It gets into more of the social thing because I’ve always, you know, I worked for the government, I was talking to Maria and I told you a little bit about it, the it when you work in the field with people and I have, um, you know, I, I was twenty two and I was working there with, transportation department and I have elders, uh, people, you know, with a lot of needs. So then that, that I think at you exercise like that, the cold that I think when, uh, if you’re not involved somehow with a community, you’re not really exercising your faith. Right. Right. So, um,

Speaker 2: (12:21)

and yeah. And it seems like that’s then where, um, you know, following not only that call to your music, but that desire to give back, that desire to work with the community, maybe because of your experience working in the government, but also just in your community and you know, like following those things that, that fulfill you as you were saying. So is that, what did that, did that prompt you, or in what ways did that prompt you to start the foundation and tell us a little bit about, um, Mujer de Fe. So well what happened is

Speaker 3: (12:51)

when I started with the first album, Mujer de Fe and then all the music that I, I started writing for women. I write for women. And that’s my passion, you know, and I started having, um, you know, emails and uh, you know, just messages from women that were telling me like I was raped and, uh, you know, I come out of our Christian community and I just can’t talk about it because I, it’s shameful. And other people, like, you know, my, I’ve been raped inside, um, since I have memory and I live in Mexico. And, uh, when I heard that song, Abrazame I dunno if I didn’t kill myself because I was afraid or because I’m a coward and I mean, I have this words in my head like, you know, and then I started having this messages and of course I didn’t like have a degree as a psychologist or social worker or anything like that.

Speaker 3: (13:41)

But then you make a field because of the need. And that’s what happened with Mujer de Fe foundation. Um, you know, I am very grateful to from BMI because she helped me to open like, um, you know, uh, you’d be part of it, but also, you know, help me to open somehow, um, you know, the, the field to do or the voice to do with other women. Um, and, uh, this BMI events that we had in Beverly Hills or different places just in the city in Los Angeles to somehow have a, you know, uh, be a voice with other women about what’s happening with abuse and other, uh, you know things..

Speaker 2: (14:17)

Right. And so tell me about that. Like, what kind of, um, work does the foundation do? I know you did recently, I think it was in twenty sixteen you also did some outreach to and, and, um, fundraising for the earthquakes that, that occurred in Ecuador. Um, but you know, what’s the, I guess what’s the thing that you find most common that you end up, um, working with or doing through the foundation? Well, um, basically the way that, how we’re not a center because to have a center you need

Speaker 3: (14:48)

to have like the lobby ability of the people that are working in, you know, I mean for the foundation, right? So we decided to open like a, let’s say like a Facebook or a resource center where a woman can get into, you know, Mujer de Fe foundation. We’re actually working on that this year, so it’s not ready, all the things. But we were like thinking how are we going to make it work because we’re doing different things. But where we helped out on the earthquake, we have done several events, but we didn’t know how to, you know, really be, um, useful. Sure. Yeah. So what we did is like, um, so we, uh, been talking to several, um, professionals in the field of psychology, doctors, attorneys. So they are somehow, um, you know, being part of the foundation, uh, pro bono, let’s say that they have a Wednesday from two to five or two from six they have available.

Speaker 3: (15:42)

So they opened that time to help pro bono other, I mean women. So what they do is like women getting to the page and they say, I need a psychologist and, and their zip code is this. So then they see that this professionals are available on these days. That’s incredible. Is a resource center basically because that was the best way because I had a lot of online though, not in a building, right. So not in a building, because a lot of people were telling me like, you know, I’m a doctor and I want to help and then I am a psychologist. I want to help. I’m an attorney, I want to help. So how do you unite all this professionals in one building when you are in the world? Right. So that where we’re working. Um, you know, we’re trying to be, um, uh, is strategic and everything that we do because it’s a little complicated, but it is not as complicated as to have a center.

Speaker 3: (16:29)

Right. It’s is a little easier. So mainly that’s our goal in 2019 to really be able to have a very, um, um, just clear and objective resource center so women can really be helped and find the professionals they need. And is there a certain need that you see more than others? Yeah, well, um, I think, uh, well domestic violence definitely is a, is a problem. I was doing a project with the UN and uh, reading about the statistics in the, and especially in Latin America, so Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, definitely we had a lot of uh, um, uh, situations on 2018 women that were murdered you know by their husbands who are partners. So, uh, definitely domestic violence is a, is a, is a problem but we’re doing, um, you know, we’re working also through music. So one of the projects that we have with jails that I would like to share some time with you and maybe we can do something. Absolutely. But is like to really, um, you know, women cannot go out of jail, but we can build a booth, you know, movable, you know, portable move, booth where we record, uh, women and we do like a music project where they are, you know, singer songwriters and they do that.

Speaker 3: (17:44)

Yeah. That’s incredible. Actually in Ecuador, there is, um, radio station that is a built in jail. Wow. So women, they have a podcast and they have a program, I don’t remember the name, but I cried with them. I went to visit, visit this women in a, in Quito, eh, and um, and they loved my music and they said like, you know, we have this program and we are reaching so many people, so many women outside and we’re just telling them

Speaker 2: (18:11)

their stories. Yeah. And it’s just such an incredible outlet, you know, I mean, we, we know that when people are incarcerated that there’s so many different things that we could do to help them better themselves because eventually you’re going to get out. Right? I mean, I think like, you know, there’s people don’t really think about the fact that if you incarcerate someone for two years, five years, ten years, fifteen years, even thirty years, they’re eventually going to get out. And when they get out, we want them to be not worse, but we want them to be better. We want them to be healed. We want them to be, you know, just a better people with job skills and all the other things so that they can actually be productive when they get out. And, you know, it’s so mind boggling to me when I find out how little resources, um, incarcerated people, especially incarcerated women because incarcerated women, people also don’t recognize that women, the population of inmates has been growing faster than any population.

Speaker 2: (19:07)

Right? So we’re incarcerating women at a much faster rate than we’re incarcerating everybody else and you know, and, and they have such distinct needs when it comes to, you know, their families and maybe they have children and women tend to be, you know, the, the center of these, of households, especially Latinas, you know, and, and so I just, your idea’s amazing. I’m, I would say I’m surprised that there isn’t already something there, but I’m not, you know, if nothing like that exists, I know that I’ve, I’ve definitely heard of, um, uh, like video production and, uh, video storytelling and those types of programs within California. I’m not, I’m not sure about the rest of the country, but there’s a few of those types of programs. I think they’re focused on men’s facilities. Um, but it’s pretty surprising that we haven’t thought about expanding that into music, given that it’s just such an incredible healing outlet

Speaker 3: (20:01)

for people. Yeah. I mean, if you, I think if you go into, you know, um, a facility, you’re going to find many talents, you know, and I have a friend that she works with, um, prostitutes, you know, and we call them the street workers over there. And, um, when, let’s say that they want to, many of them want to quit their job, obviously. Right? But when they, uh, how do they apply to a job? What is their resume? Right? So we don’t do something as a community, you know, like, um, really, uh, train them or teach them to do something or, uh, I know that there is programs,

Speaker 2: (20:48)

obviously there should be some, yeah. You know, I haven’t been able to go to a facility here, but if we don’t do something as a community in which is let them be, I mean, we’re not doing, you know, part of our call as, as, as human beings. That’s exactly right. We do have to be involved in community. When I think when you’re involved, you know, in the community, you’re less sick, you’re less, your ego is, uh, you know, disappears or is less and, and you really feel that you’re doing something for, for, you know, uh, for your genera as, as you know, women and also as a human being. Yeah, absolutely. Well, that being said, let me switch gears just a little bit. You were recently an international judge on the talent show, The World’s Best with James Corden, RuPaul and Drew Barrymore, and you were representing Ecuador. And you know, one of the other issues that we have when it comes to Latina in our community is that there’s just so little representation in mainstream media.

Speaker 2: (21:47)

So, you know, the fact that you were included on this really incredible mainstream show, um, that is super entertaining and reaches probably millions of households in the country. What is your approach to appearances like this? I mean, you’re already incredibly talented and musician, artist, Grammy winner, you know, so you already have your platform. It’s expanded even further when you get to be on a show like this. How do you feel in terms of, um, you know, your obligation to kind of be the representation for Latinas given that there’s, there’s just so little of it, you know, we don’t see ourselves reflected in much of anything, you know, and then when we do, it’s in all of these really terrible stereotypical ways, you know, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a housekeeper or being, you know, it’s all honorable work, but that’s not all we are.

Speaker 2: (22:44)

We’re so much more. Right. So how do you feel when you, you know, kind of like, what’s your approach is it’s super high pressure. Do you feel like you’re the ambassador for all Latinas ever? You know, so what, well, I, um, you know, I always, uh, somehow, um, you know, when I worked for television and radio, I was always like a production or I was an anchor. But are you on radio? You, you’re not really being seen. Right. You know, so, so, well, you found all these people that they had all this amazing costumes and I was like, just like somehow a regular normal person. And, um, and I was bringing basically my talent and my criteria about real work, so, and that feel, I felt like I really had something to say about music and about talent, uh, because, uh, you know, I’m a singer songwriter. Um, uh, for me it’s not like, uh, uh, actually when I won the Grammy, I was overweight. Like, I’m still a little bit though,

Speaker 3: (23:46)

but, but at the time, you know, I was a, you know, not with a best dress. I was, you know, overweight. That was when they asked me on the red carpet. So who’s the designer? And I said, Neiman Marcus, I mean, that was the name of the store so I was not trained, like all the people that were in that place because they are used to television. You know, in my case, I knew that what I had, it was based on a lot of work. My criteria was based on effort and talent. So when I had to speak, I spoke out of the abundance of my heart, which was real work. And I think that, um, a lot of women, they have to some somehow, you know, break that silence and fear and be able to, you know, experience and experiment on. Um, sometimes he didn’t tell us that they, they, uh, they just are afraid of trying because they been in the house for so long that I have a friend, she is from Korea. Uh, her name is Kathy, Kai or khacki or something

Speaker 3: (24:48)

her talent name. So she was my, um, you, you were, um, you know, dancing tap, you know, in the same class and one day I told her, you know, I’m doing, this Broadway thing. Why don’t you try, you told me that you were an actress and I was like nah that’s been too long. I’m too old. So, well, she’d try it out and she got into the, now she’s doing a lot of Broadway things. So I think you have to give it a try. You know, you have to give it a try. If you have a talent, don’t be afraid. Don’t be scared. Really give it a try and try to do the best out of you. And I know we live in a difficult city. Sometimes finances might be a problem, but I think dreams are never impossible for the people that have faith and really work, you know, as strongly and they’re, you know, in their capacities and everything is possible.

Speaker 3: (25:28)

Everything is possible. And you’re going to break down those impossibilities when you do have faith. Yeah and you feel like when you have the opportunity to be included in a platform that reaches so many people, that all you can do is just, just be your authentic self. Just be you. And, and by virtue of you of people seeing you, especially if Latinas seeing you, you know, kind of gives them that extra effort. Like she did it, I can do it too. We were just very few there. I mean, yeah, we’re like, I think two Latinas and um, and a friend from Mexico, Alberto Vellie and a guy from Panama and a guy from Columbia came for a little bit from Broadway. So yeah, we were just not very many Latinos and especially Latinas. But yeah, it was a, you know, I think, uh, we all did a good job and I, I’m very proud that I was taken into consideration. And what’s your experience been like in terms of, you know, you mentioned, you know, Hollywood is not an easy place, but what’s your experience been like in terms of being a Latina and, um, you know, most of your music is in Spanish, right? Um, and like, you know, right now we are having such a, we kind of had a little bit of a increase, like a a boom cycle for Latino music, maybe like, you know, ten, ten or so years, ten, fifteen

Speaker 2: (26:43)

years ago, and now we’re experiencing another one and all of a sudden, you know, Latino is popular again, you know, although obviously we think it’s always been popular. Um, and we all, we have been popular even if we haven’t been acknowledged. Right. But how do you feel in terms of just the experiences that you’ve had, you know, is it, has it been tougher because you knew you were like Spanish language first or you know, what’s that been like in terms of just, um, you know, trying to fit in? If you will.

Speaker 3: (27:11)

Well, I think as sometimes you’re going to be a stereotype in, um, uh, maybe in any job, but I think talent always speaks out. So, um, I’m not, uh, the type of person to be, you know, uh, I’m not fearful. I’m never afraid. And I work, uh, you know, that’s kind of like my flag. I know where I come from. You’d have to know where you come from. Right. Because that’s your strength. Right. And I’m proud that I come from a family that, uh, they’re writers, they’re composers. And when I try to, you know, I’m in a place, I know what I’m bringing. And I think you have to be proud of who you are. I mean, like people that come from, uh, different parts of Latin America, they have to be proud of, uh, what they’re bringing, that we’re not coming to take, uh, from the scenes by we’re coming to bring in and build and, uh, you know, and give to the community. So, uh, I think we have to be clear about who we are, what we’re bringing.

Speaker 2: (28:08)

Yeah, absolutely. One thousand percent. Okay. So we’re getting towards the end. So one of the things that we do, um, is we do quick fire questions and they’re the same. So we ask everybody the same questions. Um, so no right or wrong answer, just whatever comes to mind. Okay. And whatever it means to you. So your thoughts on being a boss, Latina. So name a boss Latina, who recently inspired you? Uh, Ana Navarro. Okay. All right. Any particular reason why? Well, because,

Speaker 3: (28:43)

um, I mean she is, she’s not afraid of about her comments maybe. Um, a lot of people can think that. She can go out of line sometimes, but she, uh, I think she has been setting a, I mean she’s a Republican supposedly somehow, but she’s a Democrat as well, so somehow I feel like that as well. It too. And I like the way that, uh, you know, she confronts people and that she’s funny authentic, apologetic, just says what’s on her mind. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Okay. That’s the way I write music too.

Speaker 2: (29:12)

Yeah there you go. You have to. Um, what do you think is a signature trait of a Jefa?

Speaker 3: (29:20)

Um, someone who know when someone who wa, uh, sees herself in the mirror and know who she is.

Speaker 2: (29:28)

I love it. Absolutely. Um, all right, a little on the, on the flip side here. Who deserves a mal ojo this week? Oh my gosh, there might be too many. Oh my gosh. Donald Trump. You know, I feel like that I’m going to get that answer a lot. He definitely deserves a mal ojo pretty much every single day, multiple times a day. So I agree. Um, awesome. Well, Paulina, it’s been an absolute pleasure having you. Thank you so much. Um, just for some followup information, how can people find you? Are you on social media, Instagram, Twitter, or where, where are you, how can they find you? Instagram Paulina Aguirre Music. I’m also on Facebook Paulina Aguirre Music on Twitter. Paulina Aguirre 7. Okay. And your website for or information on the foundation. Mujerdefe.com

Speaker 2: (30:21)

And where can we download your music? Well, if you go to Spotify and put Paulina Aguirre, Paulina, like a Russian name somehow. Yeah, you’ll, you’ll, you’ll find Spotify. And other, yeah. And note to the listeners. If you put her on your iTunes, and it’s the first Abrazame because it’s an a, you will get Paulina every single time you turn on your car and your iTunes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. And, and unless you figured out how to mix it up do not do the alphabetized list. Let’s take the mal de ojo, I mean, I want to give out buen ojo to everybody. There you go. That’s right. Yeah. You know, maybe we will start with mal de ojo first. That way we can end on a, on a positive note. And even Donald Trump needs a buen ojo you know why because he needs to take lot of decisions he needs buen ojos, I’m going to give him a buen ojo. Agreed ok.

Speaker 1: (31:12)

[closing music]

You may have heard it called "corn smut," and the name might not evoke the most appetizing image. However, in many cultures, particularly in Mexico, it's known as "huitlacoche" (pronounced wee-tlah-KOH-chay) and is considered a culinary delicacy. This fungus, which infects corn, transforms the kernels into dark, mushroom-like galls.

But why is there such a vast discrepancy between how cultures view this unique crop phenomenon?

What is huitlacoche aka “corn smut”?

Photo by Los Muertos Crew: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-ceramic-bowl-with-food-on-brown-wooden-table-7601342/

Huitlacoche has deep roots in Mexico's history, dating back to ancient civilizations like the Aztecs. While it might look unappealing at first glance, this corn fungus is packed with a rich, earthy flavor reminiscent of truffles. Prepared correctly, it's a savory treat that has graced traditional dishes such as quesadillas, soups, and tamales.

While many American farmers view huitlacoche as a pestilence, ruining their corn crops, some farmers in Mexico and other parts of the world willingly infect their corn with the fungus. Why? Because it can often fetch higher market prices than regular corn. This is due to its rarity, unique taste, and the culinary demand, especially in upscale restaurants.

Not to mention huitlacoche is nutritionally superior to regular corn. It boasts higher protein content, is rich in unsaturated fats (particularly linoleic acid), and contains beneficial amino acids and vitamins. This makes it not only a gourmet delight but also a healthy choice.

If it’s so good, then why is huitlacoche constantly underappreciated?

The disparity in perspectives largely stems from cultural differences and, most probably, a lack of familiarity. Many American farmers, unfamiliar with the delicacy that huitlacoche represents, see only the loss of their regular corn crop. However, as globalization continues and food enthusiasts seek out authentic, world-renowned ingredients, the view on huitlacoche is slowly beginning to shift.

Chefs, particularly those championing Latin American plant-based cuisine, particularly Mexican, have played a pivotal role in introducing huitlacoche to new audiences. Their innovative dishes showcase the versatility and flavor of this "Mexican truffle," are gradually changing perceptions and making it more mainstream.

It's fascinating how one culture's pest can be another's treasure. The story of huitlacoche underscores the importance of cultural exchange and open-mindedness when it comes to food. Often, what we're unfamiliar with can seem off-putting, but with a little exploration and understanding, we can uncover hidden culinary gems.

So, the next time you come across huitlacoche on a menu or in a market, give it a try – you might discover a new favorite delicacy you've been sleeping on.

Luz Media

One day, after being relentlessly bullied by some kid in elementary school, I went to my mom to complain about the situation, only to be met with an excuse I will probably hear for the next 10 years of my life, “te molesta porque le gustas”…excuse me, WHAT?

Now, at the time, it made perfect sense. Of course he’s bullying me because he likes me! Because “del odio al amor solo hay un paso,” everyone would say. And when I was younger, I would believe it. After all, every depiction of a romantic relationship I saw at the time seemed to confirm that a little bit of violence here and there was peak romanticism.

I remember watching the telenovela “Rebelde” and idolizing Mia Colucci and Miguel Arango’s relationship. It made me feel all fuzzy inside seeing them together. Since I’m a huge nostalgia junkie, I decided to go back and rewatch the entire thing again now that I’m 27. Needless to say, I was utterly impactada as I watched. What the heck, sis?! That dude literally tried to KILL YOU!

Miguel violently shakes and threatens to throw Mia off a cliff. Then, this doesn’t get addressed again for the entirety of the telenovela. Ok, cool.


Intrigued by the shocking revelations I was having by rewatching “Rebelde” and realizing Miguel is likely an undiagnosed sociopath or, at the very least, has some sort of psychological pathology going on, I began taking a closer look at all my teenage crushes, and it all started to make sense.

Ranging from possessive, manipulative douchebags that hide under the mask of being a “good guy” (I’m looking at you, Noah Calhoun from “The Notebook”) to gaslighting psychos that control your entire life and sneak into your room to watch you sleep without your consent (Edward Cullen from “Twilight” was in its own league, really), I realized I was doomed from the start if mainstream media for tweens like me at the time was my main source of information about the real world, which it totally was.

Conventionally attractive male characters who are controlling, jealous, or possessive are often depicted as “romantic” or “passionate” rather than abusive. At the same time, the women who are being mistreated may be shown as “putting up with it” for the sake of love. Add a bit of misinterpreted Catholicism into the mix with the idea that true love forgives and withstands everything and that, for some reason, it has to hurt, and we get a very distorted perception of what a healthy relationship looks like, which unknowingly led me to accept or excuse unhealthy behavior in my own relationships. It was all I ever saw.

Unequal power dynamics, where the man has control over a woman’s life in one way or another, like being their boss, teacher, a much older man, or someone with more money or influence than them, were painted as the ultimate love story. Take, for instance, Don Armando humiliating, abusing, and manipulating Beatriz Pinzón in “Yo Soy Betty, La Fea” only to end up with her, an outcome even the actor himself has said was absolutely wrong.

In reality, when one partner has more power than the other, they may use that power to control, manipulate, or dominate the other person. This inequality can quickly become physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse. Heck, the most blatant forms of abuse are even shown onscreen and STILL romanticized! In “Amor Real,” Manuel beats Matilde on more than one occasion, and they’re somehow still given a happy ever after. Are we going to address that or…? (TRIGGER WARNING)

Amor Real Manuel golpea a Matildewww.youtube.com

Trauma bonding is what happens when an individual becomes obsessed with their abuser, although it is never called that way or addressed at all in most depictions of abusive relationships. It's thought that being in a state of constant fear can result in an excessive release of opiates—a natural painkiller—in the brain. In turn, this state can cause feelings of euphoria or elation while also increasing endorphin production and decreasing adrenaline levels. As a result, victims may become so accustomed to their abuser's mistreatment that they develop a dependence on their continued presence in order to feel normal again. This is often confused with that wild, intense, passionate love we see onscreen. It's not love, it's trauma.

Considerable and often concerning age gaps were also heavily romanticized and supported by the fallacy that “women mature faster than men” to make it seem less creepy. I mean, no one batted an eye when Vivian Ward ended up with Edward Lewis, who is 18 years her senior, in “Pretty Woman.” And I could go on endlessly about the Hollywood age gap. These depictions can create a societal expectation that such relationships are normal and acceptable. They make it difficult for women in these types of relationships to recognize that there may be power imbalances at play. As Demi Lovato said in one of her latest songs:

“Thought it was a teenage dream, a fantasy.
But it was yours, it wasn’t mine.
Seventeen, twenty-nine.”

Unfortunately, after years of being brainwashed into watering myself down to cater to a male fantasy of an "ideal woman," I found out that abuse is not at all romantic the hard way; the way many women do, and some don’t even make it out alive. These skewed ideas of what love or passion looks like have taken years to unlearn, and despite making progress as a society toward identifying and calling out this toxic behavior, some of the most iconic onscreen couples still follow this harmful blueprint of abuse, Nate Jacobs and Maddy Pérez from “Euphoria” being the first that comes to mind.

It is essential to be critical of the media we consume and to remember that media portrayals of relationships are not always reflective of real-life relationships. Healthy relationships should be based on mutual respect, trust, and open communication. If you or someone you know is in a toxic relationship, it’s important to seek help and support. This can include talking to a therapist or counselor, reaching out to a domestic violence hotline (but let’s remember that not all abusive behavior is physically violent), or confiding in your closest friends or family members.

Just remember that you deserve to be in a healthy and happy relationship and that help is always available.

Some of us have a natural affinity for cooking. We measure with our eyes and hearts rather than going by a recipe’s measurements. Whether you’re skilled (or not) in the kitchen, check out these TikTok accounts for your next cultura meal inspiration or cooking lesson.

1. @edithxgalvez

Edith Galvez uses simple editing to serve up her recipe videos. Her TikTok’s 5 million followers keep coming back her Mexican-inspired recipes.

2. @cookingconomi

Venga, que Omallys Hopper of Cooking con Omi is here to show you how to make some of her favorite Puerto Rican and Latino recipes! We love Hopper’s orgullo for her culture along with her friendly delivery of delicious recipes.

3. @_cookingwitd

Myrna Dahianna Gomez is the creator behind CookingWithD, a cooking account dedicated to Latino foods with an emphasis on dishes from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Don’t watch while hungry, we warned you.

4. @saltycocina

Ana Regalado is the woman behind the Salty Cocina, a must-have account on your feed if you’re looking for easy to follow Mexican recipes. Abuela approved, we promise!

5. @jennymartinezzz

You might have heard of Jenny Martinez from her win on the Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games,” a competition show featuring Guy Fieri. Martinez is using her newfound fame to produce some of our favorite videos on TikTok to make your palate sing.

In the realm of interior design, the touch of Latine artisans has added a vibrancy that's both timeless and refreshing. Let’s go on a journey through the works of some iconic Latina designers, each bringing her unique flair to the table:

Stephanie Watkins

www.instagram.com

The creative spirit behind Casa Watkins Living, Stephanie's platform has blossomed into an eclectic mix of design studios, décor blogs, and DIY sanctuaries. Stephanie's signature "glo-bo" style—a captivating dance of global influences with a modern farmhouse undertone—is something to behold. Dive into her universe through the Casa Watkins Living website and accompanying Instagram page.

Monica Benavidez

www.instagram.com

Monica’s mission is simple yet profound: empower others to realize the beauty within their own spaces. On her blog, Monica Wants It, she navigates the world of interiors, touching upon bold palettes, modern twists, and ethereal floral motifs. Her designs are but a click away on Instagram!

Maca Atencio

www.instagram.com

Maca Atencio, the vibrant soul behind the renowned Hey Maca, hails from Venezuela and now enriches Montreal with her interior design and DIY expertise. With her distinctive flair for blending pastel shades with chic designs, her spaces, be it a sophisticated sitting area or a functional yet artistic office, exude elegance.

Mary Liz

www.instagram.com

Mary, a Puerto Rican jewel in the design world, seamlessly merges contemporary aesthetics with heartfelt DIY endeavors via Casa Chic Designs. Her spaces evoke a calmness intertwined with rustic whispers and coastal tales. A special nod to her children’s rooms—a serene blend of comfort and style. Find inspiration and more on the Casa Chic Pinterest board.

These Latine mavens offer more than just design—they share stories, histories, and cultures. Their diverse backgrounds and unique design sensibilities make them not just artists but storytellers, deserving of a prominent bookmark in your design journey.

Leading Latina astrologist Jasmin Alejandrez-Prasad, better known as Esoteric Esa, is dropping a new affirmation deck, and her efforts to decolonize brujería are more focused than ever. The goal of the “Malas Palabras” affirmation deck is to empower Latinas to embrace taboo thoughts and all those “bad words” that we’re discouraged from saying or have been downright shamed for speaking.


Affirmation decks are cards that feature an uplighting or empowering sentence to encourage meditation and reflection. For many brujas and spiritual Latinas, affirmation decks are an important daily ritual and meditation practice.

Many people report that working with affirmation decks offers a quick boost of motivation, allowing you to tap into that chingona energy within. They encourage reflection and also offer a message that resonates within you, allowing you to integrate it into your thoughts and actions. More often than not, affirmation decks are focused on self-love, personal growth, emotional well-being, and more.

Esoteric Esa is taking a different approach, providing intentional affirmations that reframe dirty language into expressions of empowerment and anti-colonial resistance. The “Malas Palabras” affirmation deck contains 30 cards that explore themes like ancestral healing, sexual liberation, shadow work, and abundance mindset.

Luz got in touch with Esoteric Esa via email about her motivation behind the deck, and she shared, “I created this deck to remind those who are on their decolonial spiritual and healing journey that the process can be lighthearted. Oftentimes, we look at decolonial work and healing as very serious or intensive, which it is at times. However, it's also okay to own your darkness because those sides of our identities serve a purpose as well. I want us to understand the power of our words, and how even bad words or phrases with negative stigma can be used for a high vibrational purpose when manifesting.”

The fact is that when you have been silenced or told to watch your words enough times, censoring yourself becomes second nature. This affirmation deck says “To hell with that!” and it invites you to hold space for yourself, speak your truth without filter, and manifest in a way that’s authentic to you. Enough of bending yourself into shapes you’re not meant to be in.

With the “Malas Palabras” affirmation deck, Esoteric Esa reminds you of a simple truth: your words are your power, and they are self-induced spells, so you should be using them to craft your own empowering narrative. This deck is a guide to do exactly that while transforming language for decolonial power.

If you’ve been hesitant to step into your bruja self, know that that’s colonization at work. To break from that, it’s important to honor ancestral traditions and practice your spirituality to connect with the universal consciousness, which is a distinct source of power. Embracing brujería with this perspective can guide you with greater purpose and help you dismantle the internalized biases that keep you away from beneficial practices.

The “Malas Palabras” affirmation deck is a great way to either dip your toes into or further your spiritual practice. Instead of denying taboo thoughts and shying away from bad words, this deck will help you embrace them and their power to become the baddie you know you should be.

Moreover, supporting a spiritual creator of color that truly represents your cultural background and identity is an additional important aspect. New Age decks made by white creators, whether that’s tarot or affirmations, completely ignore the nuances of our experiences as Latinos.

As Esoteric Esa puts it, “I wanted to create a place of intersectionality for the mixed Latines and those who have a lot of shame for not being ‘enough’ when it comes to the approval of Latinidad. This deck is rooted in smearing perfectionism, which is something I find often in New Age and White spiritual spaces.” She went on to emphasize that she intentionally incorporated Spanglish as an acknowledgment that not all Latinos are completely bilingual.

By prioritizing decks created by people of color, we not only support diverse voices within the spiritual community but also affirm the validity of our own cultural narratives. We reclaim our agency in shaping the spiritual landscape, ensuring that our stories, words, symbols, and traditions are honored and celebrated in their truest form.

When asked what she wants people to gain from this deck, she said, “Those who work with them will learn how to embody their energy from an authentically unapologetic mindset even further. That's a very powerful place to manifest from, and incorporating these cards will help many rework through guilt and shame from Patriarchal colonial harm by exploring taboo topics from religious sexual oppression to mental health. The community can expect a fun and quirky introspective approach when integrating these into their spiritual practice. Especially since each card offers a tip as a journal prompt exercise to work with the power of the phrases more intimately.”

In the space of spiritualism and brujería, Esoteric Esa is one of the most respected voices in our community. She publishes in and contributes to major national outlets, including Cosmopolitan, PopSugar, Refinery29, and Bustle, among others. This new product reflects her values and core mission, which is to decolonize brujería and help Latinas shift their mindset for unapologetic, authentic transformation.

“Malas Palabras” Affirmation Deck

Esoteric Esa

If you’re ready to speak the unthinkable, you can find the “Malas Palabras” affirmation deck here, ready for pre-order.

Esoteric Esa “Malas Palabras” Affirmation Deck
$44.44
Luz Media

Ready to step up your game night with some Latino creativity? If you're tired of the same old games and looking to add a little cultura to your gathering, we've got you covered. We put together the best board games created by Latinos that are sure to bring laughter and competition to your party.

Grab your amigos, your favorite snacks, and dive into the world of Latino-inspired board games.

Get Loud: A Bilingual Guessing Game That Gets the Party Pumping

https://tragosgame.com/products/get-loud-english-spanish-word-game

If you're looking to turn up the volume and get everyone involved, Get Loud is the game for you. This competitive bilingual guessing game is a blend of Taboo and charades, pero with a Latino twist. It's available in both English and Spanish, making it perfect for sharing la cultura with friends of all backgrounds.

From national dishes to celebrities, this game covers it all. Whether you're acting out words or describing them, you'll be laughing and cheering as you race against the clock. So, gather your crew, get those vocal cords ready, and let the guessing game begin.

Get Loud: Bilingual Guessing Word Game
$39.99
$30.00

Millennial Lotería: Revamped Traditions for a New Generation

https://millennialloteria.com/

First up, we've got a game that's like Lotería's cool younger cousin – Millennial Lotería. This modern twist on the classic "Mexican Bingo" brings the nostalgia of Lotería but with a millennial twist. Say goodbye to boring numbers, and say hello to images and words like "la student debt" and "el brunch." It's a party game that pays homage to Latino culture while keeping it fresh for the new generation.

Created by the talented Mike Alfaro, this game is a celebration of both tradition and modernity. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to yell "Yaaaaasssssssssss, Millennial Lotería!" when they win? So, order it online, porque, you know, millennials and their online shopping.
Millennial Lotería
$24.95
$24.95

Tragos: Cheers to Shared Traditions and Unforgettable Nights

https://tragosgame.com/

Now, let's raise our glasses to Tragos, the ultimate party game that's made for Latinos, by Latinos. This game taps into the cultural bonds that unite us and turns them into a night of laughter and camaraderie. Think of it as a drinking game that's packed with Latino references, dares, trivia, and more. The rules are simple – pick a card, follow the instructions, and let the fun flow

Whether you're challenging your amigos to a drinking duel or sharing some puro fun with a trivia round, Tragos guarantees a night to remember. Created by Carolina Acosta and John Lim, this game is all about celebrating our roots while making new memories. Order it now!

Tragos: The Party Game para Latinos
$18.99
$18.99

Amigas Circle: Real Talk with Your Girl Squad

https://weallgrowlatina.com/

Let's switch gears to something a bit more chill but equally amazing – Amigas Circles. Think of it as your perfect excuse to gather the squad, whether it’s for a cozy night in or a lazy afternoon hangout. These cards are packed with questions that touch on everything from your wildest dreams to those oh-so-relatable Latina experiences, all courtesy of We All Grow Latina.

So, next time you and your amigas are looking for something to do, forget the usual Netflix binge and dive into Amigas Circles instead. It’s about getting real, laughing till your stomach hurts, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. Because at the end of the day, it’s those moments of genuine connection that you’ll remember the most. Get yours here.

Amigas Circle: Conversation Cards
$44.00
$44.00

Latino Card Revoked: A Hilarious Tribute to Latino Culture

https://cardsforallpeople.com/collections/latino-card-revoked

Last but not least, we've got Latino Card Revoked, a trivia game that's as hilarious as it is informative. Created by comedians Glorelys Mora and Tori Pool, this game is a test of your Latino knowledge. If you can't answer the questions, you might just need your Latino card revoked!

It's a light-hearted way to learn more about our diverse culture while sharing plenty of laughs. With questions that cover everything from Latino history to pop culture, this game is a reminder that our stories and experiences are worth celebrating. Get yours here!

Latino Card Revoked
$21.99
$21.99

Preguntas Bilingual Conversation: Heartfelt Convos, Bilingual Style.

https://hijadetumadre.com/

Alright, amigas, get ready for Preguntas, the card game that’s like the heart-to-heart you didn’t know you needed, mixed with all the flavor of our bilingual lives.

Crafted with love by the brains at Hijas De Tu Madre, Preguntas offers a mix of questions that’ll have you sharing stories, debating dilemmas, and laughing over memories in both English and Spanish. It’s the perfect way to bridge generations, cultures, and amigos who might not share the same first language but definitely share the same sense of humor.

Preguntas is your go-to for a night filled with laughter and a few "I can’t believe you just said that" moments. Pick up your deck and let the questions lead the way to deeper connections.

Preguntas: A Bilingual Conversation Game
$39.00
$39.00

These board games are more than just a way to pass the time – they're a celebration of our cultura, our traditions, and the joy of coming together. Let the games begin!