the whole damn pie

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.

In this episode Amalia’s guest is Roberto Yglesias, during the week he is a successful Product Manager for one of the top Software companies in the world (yes, that Software Company), and on the weekends, an adrenaline seeking National Rally Champion . Roberto’s passion for cars as a child, eventually led him to discover rally car racing (rallying). That’s just like normal track racing, right? Wrong! Rallying takes place on gravel and dirt roads, surrounded by trees and unpredictable terrain. Picture 80 – 90 vehicles racing each other at top speeds through windy roads in the forest and you still don’t get the full picture. 

Luckily Roberto gives Amalia a Rally 101 of sorts, explaining the ins and outs of it all including how a young boy growing up in Costa Rica would eventually travel to the U.S., becoming the latest Rally Champion of Latino decent to hold the title. But this conversation isn’t all about finding a higher gear. They also discuss how finding something as unpredictable and uncontrollable as racing has done wonders for his mental health. In Roberto’s words “I’m an overthinker always strategizing so I have a hard time being present. So, when I’m driving, it forces me to be present. I found this to be very good for my mental health.” 

It's that “being present” that has benefitted him in more ways than one, from strategizing for projects, analyzing opportunities, to impacting his overall outlook on life. So buckle up and get ready for Amalia and Roberto to take you on a ride; learning to disconnect, embracing the unpredictable, and feeling the adrenaline to enjoy life to its fullest. 

Enjoy! Keep up with Roberto @PuraVidaRally on Instagram

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.)  

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

You have probably heard of Kaiser Permanante, where Dr. Ross is a big-wig, but may not know what they do, or even why you heard of them. Yet, they are extremely relevant in our social conversation about the disparities in the American healthcare system. But today’s chat is not about HMOs, HSAs, FSAs, or even WFH (working from home). etc. 

While any conversation with Dr. Murray Ross, or Murray, as Amalia calls him, has the potential to become quite heady and intellectual, Amalia keeps it eye-level, boots-on-the-ground, and light-hearted– although its implications are quite meaningful and practical. The gist of the today’s The Whole Damn Pie: each-one-teach-one.

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. 

We’re all used to operating at 110% at any given moment. Listen to how applying the concept of “Pura Vida” brings more joy, fun, and relaxation to your life, and can help improve your professional life too, especially in an agency environment and managing equally important clients and projects.

“Pura Vida” is a way of living. Where people live in the moment, enjoying and celebrating life. In work, it’s about taking the time to slow down, analyze, and think about not just what you’re doing but finding your “why” as well.

Mafe, shares her experience growing up and working in Costa Rica, and how “Pura Vida” was the missing factor once she moved to the United States. Now Vice President at The Vida Agency, she’s instrumental in molding the Agency’s culture and to ensuring “Pura Vida” is more than a concept or saying on a t-shirt..