Best Firstgen Podcasts (2025)

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First Gen Latinas #latinas #firstgen 48:48

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5d ago48:48

48:48

This week, my guest is First Gen academic influencer Cynthia Nunez. As a first generation Mexican American, she became aware of issues of racism at an early age. We connected on both being eldest daughters and being family oriented. She also shares how faith and spirituality have always been present in her life. She also has a podcast called “Acade…

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Faith is Resilience #latina #faith 56:14

12d ago56:14

56:14

This week, my guest is Rubi Tapia. In addition to being in a doctoral program for biomedical engineering at Northwestern, she also hosts a podcast called “Academic Comadres” with her amiga Cyn Nunez. Rubi reflects on the current political climate and disturbing anti-immigrant rhetoric. She shares how she was undocumented until she was sixteen years…

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Sharing Our Stories #latina #immigration 53:21

19d ago53:21

53:21

This week, my guest is the lovely Heidy De la Cruz. In addition to being an award-winning podcaster, of “The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants podcast.” She is a wife and mom. In our conversation, her passion for podcasting and for sharing the courageous stories of immigrants shines through. Heidy is currently located in Central Florida and …

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Joy as Resistance #latina #art 48:19

3M ago48:19

48:19

Episode 10: Dr. Yohana Junker – Joy as Resistance #latina #art This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed my dear friend and colleague Dr. Yohana Junker. In addition to being an artist and Reiki master, Dr. Junker is an Associate Professor of Art, Spirituality, and Culture at Claremont School of Theology. We have an amazing conver…

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Choose your hard #latina #intuition 38:12

3M ago38:12

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Episode 9: Dr. Marisol – Choose your hard #latina #intuition This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed Dr. Marisol. She is an alchemist, mystic, and curandera. I know you are going to love this conversation! She is Salvadoran American and has lived on both the east coast and west coast of the USA. We talk about migration and the …

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Educated Latinas #latina #education 38:11

3M ago38:11

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Episode 8: Dr. Christina Rodriguez – Educated Latinas This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed Dr. Christina Rodriguez. In this conversation, she shares her cultural background and doctoral journey. She is Nicaraguan and grew up in the Bay Area. Currently, she lives in Vallejo, California with her husband and children. She is al…

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Gifts from the Ancestors #latina #ancestors 38:23

4M ago38:23

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Episode 7- Gabriela Meza: Gifts from the Ancestors #latina #ancestors This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed Gabriela Meza. She truly embodies the transnational experience as she grew up in various parts of California and in El Sauzal, Baja California. We were able to speak about indigenous struggles and solidarity work. One o…

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Where is the love...of neighbor? #latina #citizenship 43:36

4M ago43:36

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Episode 6: Danielle Guillen- Where is the love... of neighbor? #latina #citizenship This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed Danielle Guillen. Danielle is a social impact consultant from the Inland Empire and is of Mexican American background. We talked about her family connections to Chihuahua, Mexico and growing up with Chican…

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Best of Both Worlds #losangeles #latina 54:38

4M ago54:38

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Season 4, Episode 5: Lola Barraza- The best of both worlds #losangeles #latina This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed Lola Barraza. Lola is an esthetician and energy reader based in Los Angeles. She shares with us her experience as a Mexican- American who also spent a lot of time in Mexico. Lola comes from generations of small…

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What is a spiritual awakening? #intuition #latina 44:46

4M ago44:46

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Episode 4: Nichole Christine- What is a spiritual awakening? #intuition #latina This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interview Nichole Christine. She is a psychotherapist and coach based here in California. If you tuned in last week, you would know that she is Gabrielle Celeste’s sister, and they have a podcast called “The Spiritual Sis…

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Am I intuitive? #spirituality #latina 39:44

5M ago39:44

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Episode 3: Gabrielle Celeste, Am I intuitive? This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interview the wonderful Gabrielle Celeste. Gabrielle Celeste is an intuitive astrologer. She shares a bit about her journey and the ancestral work she has done. We talk about the importance of intuition, family, and her Catholic roots. Speaking of family,…

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How to be confident in yourself #confidence #latina 47:06

5M ago47:06

47:06

Episode 2: Grace Agostino, How to be confident in yourself This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interview the lovely Grace Agostino. Grace Agostino is the Vice President of Network Sales at Nueva Network, working with national brands and agencies. She is not only an expert in marketing and media, but she also has decades of experience i…

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Should I stay, or should I go? #faith #latina 39:32

5M ago39:32

39:32

Carla Santamaria: Should I stay, or should I go? This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interview Carla Santamaria. She is originally from San Pedro, Honduras and is Miami based. Our conversation covers her experiences growing up in the Mormon church. I am so appreciative of her honesty as she shares how racism and harassment eventually l…

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S3,E10: How can I become resilient? 42:40

6M ago42:40

42:40

Season 3, Episode 10: Odalys Jasmine, How can I become resilient? This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed the lovely Odalys Jasmine. As a first-generation Hondureña, Odalys leans into her sense of curiosity through the art of storytelling. She proudly represents her community of Southeast San Diego, California and is the host o…

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Lucinda Weller, Esq. (Season 2, Episode 3) 18:32

6M ago18:32

18:32

As part of the First Gen Lawyer's Project, Karl Strauss, Esq. and Noah Woods, Esq., both members of the Toledo Bar Association (TBA), interview Lucinda J. Weller, managing attorney of the Stability and Independence for Survivors Practice Group at Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO), on her journey through her career and what brought her to the p…

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S3, E9: How can I deepen my faith? 42:37

6M ago42:37

42:37

Season 3, Episode 9: Rev. Milly Silencio, How can I deepen my faith? This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed Rev. Milly Silencio. Milly is Peruvian and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. We talk about growing up in urban cities and our love of music! Milly is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological …

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S3, E8: How can I improve my money mindset? 42:47

7M ago42:47

42:47

Season 3, Episode 8: Yesenia Godoy, How can I improve my Money Mindset? This week on “The Gold Hoops and God” podcast, I interviewed Yesenia Godoy. She is a money mindset coach based out of New Mexico. She was born in Mexico and grew up in the Southwestern part of the United States. Yesenia shares that she often served as an English translator for …

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S3, E7: Take the leap! 45:27

7M ago45:27

45:27

Season 3, Episode 7: Jaylah Sandoval- Take the leap! This week on “The Gold Hoops & God” podcast, I interviewed Jaylah Sandoval. She is a multimedia personality and has worked in many fields including tech, modeling, and radio. Jaylah shares her unique experience of growing up Salvadoran and Costa Rican in Boca Raton, Florida. She also shares how t…

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S3, E6: Can I heal myself? 43:43

7M ago43:43

43:43

Season 3, Episode 6: Adriana Espinosa – Can I heal myself? This week on “The Gold Hoops & God” podcast, I interviewed Adriana Espinosa. She is the host of the “Finding the Healer Within” podcast. Her podcast focuses on tapping into healing and most importantly, finding a sense of comfort. She is in Houston, Texas and shares with us a bit about her …

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S3, E5: Your network is your net worth! 48:46

8M ago48:46

48:46

Season 3, Episode 5 –Your network is you net worth! In this week’s episode of “The Gold Hoops & God Podcast,” I have a fabulous conversation with Paulette Erato. She is the founder of the Latinas in Podcasting network and host of “La Vida Más Chévere de Childfree Latinas” podcast. As an eldest daughter and self-proclaimed Valley girl, Paulette’s Me…

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S3, E4: It’s 5 o’clock somewhere! 48:48

8M ago48:48

48:48

S3, E4: It’s 5 o’clock somewhere! In this week’s episode of "The Gold Hoops and God Podcast," I interview the lovely Jessica Yañez. Jessica is the host of, “The Wine and Chisme Podcast.” Her show recently celebrated 5 years on the air. We love that! She has also created the first directory of Latine wineries as well. Jessica is a California girl ju…

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S3, E3: Embracing myself, Embracing my faith 40:50

8M ago40:50

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Season 3, Episode 3 – “Embracing myself, Embracing my faith” In this week’s episode, I have a fantastic conversation with Dra. Judith Susan Rocha. She is a social worker and Associate professor in Chicago. Considering the complexity of political borders, she shares how she has been able to fully claim her Mexican identity through dual citizenship. …

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S3, E2: Children of the Borderlands 53:20

8M ago53:20

53:20

Season 3, Episode 2: Dr. Alicia Reyes-Barriéntez, “Children of the Borderlands” In this week’s episode, I interview professor and poet Dra. Alicia Reyes- Barriéntez. As an expert in political science, Dra. Alicia has incredible insight into Latinx identity and migration. She shares with us today a bit about her journey and her own experience of gro…

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S3, E1: Finding My Community 52:50

9M ago52:50

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Season 3, Episode 1: Dr. Jacqueline Hidalgo, “Finding My Community” In this episode, I interview my friend and colleague Dr. Jacqueline Hidalgo. Our conversation covers how she has navigated her Costa Rican identity in cities and spaces with little Central American representation. She also shares her commitment to the broader significance and empow…

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Creating a Community for First-Gen Student Success: Insights from FirstGen Forward Leaders 44:52

9M ago44:52

44:52

Send us a text What drives a first-generation college student to not only enroll but thrive? Join us on First Gen FM as we shine a spotlight on the inspiring stories of Dr. Martina Martin, Catherine Johnson, Ashlee Kocina Young, Wendy Beesley, and Dr. Jennifer Sutton from First Gen Forward. Guests share their personal journey of either discovering …

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Writing Smart Girl, a memoir of a first-gen journey: A conversation with author Dr. La'Tonya "LT" Rease Miles 46:32

10M ago46:32

46:32

Send us a text What happens when a first-generation college graduate transforms her experiences into a powerful memoir? Dr. La'Tonya "LT" Rease Miles joins me on FirstGen FM to share how a simple conversation with her daughter Zoe and an inspiring interview with Erica Alfaro sparked the creation of her memoir, "Smart Girl." LT describes how writing…

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George A. Thomas (Season 2, Episode 2) 22:32

10M ago22:32

22:32

As part of the First Gen Lawyer's Project, Noah Woods, Esq. and Brandi Doniere, Esq., both members of the Toledo Bar Association (TBA), interview George A. Thomas, CEO of the Fair Housing Center, on his journey through his career and what brought him to the practice of law. Through meaningful mentorships, programming and podcasts, the TBA hopes to …

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Guiding Students From First-Gen Student to First-Gen Professional with Lisa Rivera 34:01

10M ago34:01

34:01

Send us a text Lisa Rivera, the director of First Generation Student Initiatives at Suffolk University, joins us to share her journey from being a first-gen student in Florida to making her mark in higher education. Listen as Lisa recounts how the AVID program and her mentor, Ms. Dennison, were pivotal in her path to Allegheny College. Her story is…

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S2, E10: Kitchen Curandera 58:29

11M ago58:29

58:29

Thank you for checking out the "Gold Hoops and God Podcast" In today’s episode, I interview the lovely Dr. Claudia Serrato. Dr. Serrato is an amazing indigenous cultural and culinary anthropologist. She serves her community as both an educator and chef. She helps to make cultural knowledge and indigenous foodways accessible. Growing up in East Los …

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How New Policies May Shape the Future of American Higher Education: Thoughts from a recent webinar 14:20

11M ago14:20

14:20

Send us a text In this episode, I share a few takeaways on post-election landscape with insights from Ted Mitchell and Michelle Asher Cooper from a recent webinar: Post-Election Outlook: What to Watch in Higher Education. I talk about what I heard from these experts from the American Council on Education and the Lumina Foundation, and the potential…

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Kim Kuhn (Season 2, Episode 1) 17:48

11M ago17:48

17:48

As part of the First Gen Lawyer's Project, Karl Strauss, Esq. and Noah Woods, Esq., both members of the Toledo Bar Association (TBA), interview Kimberly B. Kuhn, a Partner with Churchill, Smith, Gonzalez & Kuhn LLP., on her journey through her career and what brought her to the practice of law. Through meaningful mentorships, programming and podcas…

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S2,E9: Does where I live change who I am? 45:33

11M ago45:33

45:33

Thanks for listening to the Gold Hoops and God podcast! In this episode, I interview my good friend Nisi Baier, LMFT. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Nisi specializes in helping people navigate their relationships and manage their stress. Originally from Oak Park, Illinois…she currently lives in western Maryland. We chat about how she has a ver…

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Navigating Career Paths: Success Stories and Strategies for First-Generation Students with Mike Wysocki 45:09

11M ago45:09

45:09

Send us a text Join us for a conversation with Mike Wysocki, a first-generation graduate, who reveals how he turned hurdles into stepping stones on his journey to success. From a working-class suburb of Boston to the broader horizons of UMass Amherst, Mike candidly shares how a change in major from engineering to sociology opened unexpected doors. …

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S2, E8: Am I Latina enough?, an interview with Steffany Farros 46:39

12M ago46:39

46:39

Welcome to the "Gold Hoops and God Podcast!!" In this episode, I interview the fabulous Steffany Farros. Originally from Livermore, California…she has lived in Berlin, Germany for over a decade. Steff shares incredible insights on navigating her Argentinian Greek identity and the value of education. This is a fun conversation as we dive into our lo…

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The Assets First-Generation Students Bring to College with Jen Schoen 24:42

12M ago24:42

24:42

Send us a text Let's talk about the strengths first-generation students bring to campus based on a research article and an ASHE research presentation. Join me, Jen Schoen, as we challenge the deficit narrative and uncover the qualities that these students contribute to higher education. As part of First-Generation Student Celebration Week, I draw f…

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S2, S7: Encountering La Virgen, an interview with Dr. María Del Socorro Castañeda 52:45

12M ago52:45

52:45

Welcome to the Gold Hoops and God podcast! In today’s episode, I interview Dr. María Del Socorro Castañeda. She shares her incredible story of coming to the United States as a young girl from Juárez, Mexico to growing up and becoming a professor. Dr. Castañeda has used her own resilience and deep faith to build an amazing organization. With her dau…

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Searching for Scholarships: 3 Tips for First-Generation Students with Jen Schoen 11:47

12M ago11:47

11:47

Send us a text Discover three secrets to finding scholarships tailored for first-generation students that are ready for our students to use. Join me, Jen Schoen, as I share tools like College Greenlight and Scholarship Owl to discover opportunities that fit student's background and aspirations. We'll talk about asking for help from teachers, adviso…

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S2, E6: Queer Faith, an interview with Belén Morales 49:23

12M ago49:23

49:23

Welcome to the "Gold Hoops and God Podcast!!" In this episode, I am interviewing the amazing Belén Morales (she/they). They are a nonprofit strategist and founder of Root and Bloom consulting. Belén shares some incredible insights on navigating identity, her journey of faith, and representing Oakland with deep pride. Check out Belén's consulting co…

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Building Bridges for First-Gen Professionals: Insights from Brianna Logan, CEO of FirstGen Evolve 39:57

12M ago39:57

39:57

Send us a text Brianna Logan's journey from her parents' Caribbean roots to becoming a successful CEO is inspiring. In our latest episode, Brianna, a first-generation college graduate, shares her personal story of overcoming challenges and finding her path in the professional world. Her experience navigating college and her career without a clear r…

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S2, E5: Brujitas y Cafe, interview with Dra. Arfuso 56:53

1y ago56:53

56:53

Welcome to the Gold Hoops & God podcast!! In this episode, I interview professor and brujita Dra. Arfuso. She shares her connections to ancestral traditions including Palo. Her experience of growing up Cuban American in California is a unique one. Her advocacy for disability justice and care for the earth are amazing. Our conversation also touches …

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Empowering First-Gen Students: Building Sustainable Support Programs at the University of Missouri with Selena Meints 42:30

1y ago42:30

42:30

Send us a text Discover the journey of Selena Meints, the First Generation Initiatives Coordinator at the University of Missouri, as she shares her story from being a first-generation college student to leading a first-gen initiative on campus. Selena shares her journey navigating the college experience without a traditional support system, which i…

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S2, E4: Tacos & Tahdig, an interview with Drea Hightower 58:40

1y ago58:40

58:40

Welcome to the Gold Hoops & God podcast! In this episode, I interview my good friend and photographer Drea Hightower. She deep dives in the complexity of identity by sharing how she learned of her Mexican heritage. A world traveler, Drea also shares with us how she has embraced Persian culture and religion in her marriage. Her husband is originally…

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Navigating From College to Career: The Transition of First-Generation Professionals with Cesar Margarito 33:57

1y ago33:57

33:57

Send us a text First-generation students have unique needs as they navigate their transition from college to their first professional career. Join me as I chat with Cesar Margarito, whose transformative journey from a small Mexican town to working on his a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California sheds light on the experiences of fi…

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S2, E3: Non-linear Faith, an interview with Dr. Grace Vargas 53:41

1y ago53:41

53:41

In this episode, I interview my friend and colleague Dr. Grace Vargas. Dr. Vargas shares her experience navigating academia as a first-generation professor. She sheds light on the unique experience growing up Cuban American in the Baptist tradition. Be sure to follow Dr. Vargas on Instagram @latinagv Support the show Thanks for checking out my podc…

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Supporting First-Generation Graduate Students: A New Program at The Chicago School with Jennifer Stripe Portillo 36:34

1y ago36:34

36:34

Send us a text Curious about the unique hurdles first-generation graduate students face and solutions to support them? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jennifer Stripe Portillo, Dean of Student Success and Title IX Coordinator at the Chicago School. Jennifer opens up about her own journey as a first-gen college student and shares how i…

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First-Gens for Kamala Virtual Event 1:33

1y ago1:33

1:33

Send us a text Here's the link to register: https://tinyurl.com/FG4Kamala October 1, 2024 from 8:00pm - 9:30pmET, First-Gens for Kamala Note that there will be speakers from the first-gen community - authors, CEOs, Non-profit founders - as panelists but Vice President Kamala Harris herself is not expected. From event organizer Dr. Sara E Whitley an…

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S2,E2: Xicana Confessions, an interview with Brenda Vaca 1:02:50

1y ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Welcome to the "Gold Hoops and God Podcast!!" In this episode, I am interviewing the lovely Brenda Vaca, poet and owner of Riot of Roses Publishing House. Brenda shares with us how formative her identity as a Xicana has been, what it means to be truly prophetic, and the importance of storytelling as a liberative practice. Be sure to check out Riot …

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The Power of Representation: First-Gen Narratives in Popular Culture with Dr. James Winfield 30:48

1y ago30:48

30:48

Send us a text Join us as we explore the increasing presence of first-gen narratives in popular culture and question whether this trend stems from educators' growing interest or a genuine rise in such stories. From "A Different World" to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," we dissect how these shows tackle themes of belonging and equity. Dr. Winfield pr…

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S2, E1: Finding Your Passion, an interview with Alex Drake 40:19

1y ago40:19

40:19

Welcome to the "Gold Hoops and God Podcast!!" In this episode, I am interviewing the fabulous Alex Drake. Our conversation touches upon the complexities of feeling “Latina enough,” finding your passion, and the importance of understanding that energy is everything! Alex is also a wonderful tarot reader. Be sure to follow Alex on Instagram @grateful…

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Three Statistics to Know About First-Generation College Students 7:55

1y ago7:55

7:55

Send us a text What if the key to enriching our educational system lies in a group that's often overlooked? Discover why first-generation college students are crucial to the lifeblood of higher education in my latest solo episode. I'll take you through three compelling data points that highlight the massive presence of first-gen students in U.S. co…