amalia martino

Angie Balderas has always been brilliant. Raised by Mexican American parents, she tested out of high school at 16, opting to take courses at a Jr. College instead. With a newfound sense of freedom and a more flexible schedule, Angie knocked on the door of a local Spanish-language radio station looking for a job. She was a shoo-in. That very day, she began what would grow into a remarkable career in radio, communications, and engaging the Latino community.

Since that time, Angie’s work has been something to celebrate. In 2018, she was named one of Radio Inc.’s most influential women in radio, a title she proudly held as she appeared on the magazine’s cover in June of that year. Angie would go on to be recognized by the publication again in 2021. As Angie and Amalia discuss this accomplishment, they touch on how proud Angie’s family is of her, their unwavering support, and how no one reaches success without a little help and care from others.

And Angie knows a thing or two about success! Today, she is the Senior Vice President of Entravision Communications, a digital agency focused on reaching both Hispanic and mainstream customers. She also serves on the Executive Board for Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, an organization working to support women seeking management and leadership positions in radio.

Maybe it’s because she’s Amalia’s #2 at the shop. Or maybe it’s because we want to hear a sun-drenched tropical voice, rather than our own urban ones. Whatever her reason, Amalia rarely gives up her podcast mic to anyone. But as you’ll hear, Mafe Cobaleda-Yglesias es differente.  

About her upbringing, Mafe (pronounced “ma-FAY”) says she “had the privilege of growing up in Costa Rica” after her parents fled Colombia during that country’s battle against guerillas. Recently she found time to escape the chilly Seattle weather to reside on the beaches of this popular Central American gem . When she’s not working, Mafe is, “visiting family, visiting beaches, and seeing a few monkeys around.” (We’re not sure if she means that literally or figuratively. Or both.)  

WDP episodes in order they appear:

• Episode 3 (Part 1 & Part 2): Diversity Fuels our Work and Life – Now and Always Ft. Priya Saxena
• Episode 5: Be the Dumbest Person in the Room, and Other Smart Advice Ft. Dr. Murray Ross
• Episode 6: Let’s Talk Money Honey and Food, Love, and Health Ft. Heather Lowrey
• Episode 1: Be Ready. Be Hydrated. For the Community. By the Community. Ft. Black Stax & TVA

Special Thank You to The Whole Damn Pie team:               

• Executive Producer: Lisa Wharf        
• Producer/Writer: Amir Sadeghi         
• Episode Coordinator: Ryann Anderson               
• Graphic Designer: Ciara Honig  
• Copywriter: Darren Teruel  
• Music: “I Love My Life” (written & performed by Black Stax)

A therapist in today’s society can carry so many different meanings. But Heather doesn’t just carry her titles; she utilizes them. To her, they are living, breathing documents. Like the Constitution (but for your mental health). Amalia and Heather talk about the ties between addiction and money. Race and money. Self-worth and money. And intergenerational wealth. (Are you picking up on a common theme here?)

They also point out how far women of color have come, yet how far they have to go, still. These waters run deep, ladies and gentlemen.

Shifting gears slightly, Heather and Amalia discuss topic #1 on everyone’s mind (well, maybe #2; sex might be #1 on peoples’ list): money. Heather has a rather atypical stance on money and our relationship or affair with it: “I mentioned compassion earlier, but it’s also setting time to be with our money,” she says. “So really challenging the avoidance, even when it doesn’t feel good. It feels worse when you don’t know what’s happening. And that doesn’t mean checking your bank balance everyday because that can create fixation, and too much of a fixation can lead to avoidance.” For more about Heather and her work visit www.wisemindfinancial.com

We had so much fun chatting with Priya, we had to keep the conversation going! 

In Part 2, Priya and Amalia dive into how best to approach Diversity and Inclusion work. By acknowledging systems that have been built to exclude and not include, we begin to understand the long-lasting impact that has on BIPOC communities. Amalia and Priya also explore the negative effect of “perfectionism,” and the importance of not falling victim to the need to constantly produce “perfectly.”

It’s honest conversation about white dominant culture, how to recognize it and address it in the workplace, and a reminder to find joy in your everyday life.

Guest: Priya Saxena of Equitable Future discusses how diversity and inclusion have always been at the forefront of their work. 

In Part 1, Priya shares details on their suburban New York upbringing, otherness and the endless curiosity that sparked their dedication to diversity and inclusion. Amalia and Priya discuss how this work is more than just a moment in time for them in this age of “wokeness”, but a value that’s rooted in the work they do. 

It’s an honest conversation about doing purposeful, rewarding and often exhausting but necessary work and taking care of self. 

According to a study by the University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that companies target marketing for nutritionally poor foods directly to Black and LatinX youth, exacerbating health disparities. 

To address this problem, The Vida Agency (TVA),  founded by Amalia Martino, was selected to lead a bilingual campaign to reach Black and LatinX youth within Seattle. The “Be Ready. Be Hydrated”/“Prepárate. Hidrátate” campaign promoted water, as an alternative to sugary-sweetened beverages within an urban lifestyle shared through digital and social media.

With our youth coalition and community partners, TVA ensured that BIPOC youth saw their campaign in the streets as much as online.