Episode 37: Karina Mora Season 4 Intro
Hola! Y bienvenidas to a new season!
I’m Karina host of Elevating la Cultura podcast. I’ve officially gotten to the one year mark of this podcast! And I’m just more and more inspired by the amazing Latinas that have been willing to share their stories.
I took a break for the holiday season, and took time to recharge. But over the break, we have officially passed 1500 downloads over the past 3 seasons. So thank you for continuing to listen and share with your community.
If you haven’t listened to the first three seasons, you can binge listen to season one featuring Latinas entrepreneurs, season two highlighting Latinas in the health and wellness space, and last season 3 with Latina educators.
Each season elevates different stories, but all with the Latina perspective. We all have passion in our areas of expertise, while also pouring into and empowering the next generation. Because honestly it starts with us being willing to put in the work to make generational change.
I’m excited to introduce season 4 featuring Latinas in the creative space. We’ll be hearing from artists, writers, singer songwriters, and so many more amazing creatives doing what they are passionate about.
This is an important conversation for us to have especially because many of us were made to feel like creativity isn’t something that should be a priority. We’ve talked on this podcast, especially last season about the very real pressure for many Latinas to go to college to get a degree in “something that will eventually make us a lot of money”. If we suggest going to college for a creative field it’s often questioned.
This is a complex conversation because we need to acknowledge the very real fear that our parent’s generation may have when it comes to financial stability, but also hold space for the fact that we may have more room in our lives to tap into our creativity and desire for happiness and peace in whatever field we choose. Often times we are made to feel selfish for wanting that for ourselves.
This was definitely the case for me, and something I’m still unlearning and processing through. I remember comments like “oh you’re not the creative one” or “you should go to school to get your MBA,” or another recent one “do you really think you can make money doing that”
When I think about those comments, while they hurt I understand they might have come out of fear of me not having financial stability, or just simply not understanding my reason for pursuing art as a career. I think about what those comments made me believe and how they made me feel, and how I do not want to continue that way of thinking for my kids. I’ve built a business in the creative industry and have met so many amazing creatives that have felt similarly in their own lives. Even now it’s hard for me to call myself a creative because I was conditioned to believe that I didn’t have any creativity. These little lies can really impact someone for their whole life!
As I talked to each guest I want to bring to light that if you too have felt guilty or like doing something creative is a waste of time, then you aren’t alone. Your feelings are valid, but I want to create space for us to shift our way of thinking about creative fields and think of how we can empower the next generation to flourish.
Even if we ourselves aren’t in a creative field I want us to start thinking about how we can encourage the next generation to pursue whatever brings them joy, and to know that one can be successful in a creative field. And perhaps we have to acknowledge that the definition of success is shifting as well, and that’s totally ok!
Many of you know that I’m closely involved and a Super Fan of the non-profit The Firehouse Dream. Jasmine was a guest in Season 1, episode 3. She has built a whole non-profit with the Mission TO CONNECT YOUNG ADULTS WITH A SAFE SPACE TO DISCOVER CREATIVE SKILL SETS AND BE EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED IN ORDER TO THRIVE IN EVERY AREA OF THEIR LIVES.
If that isn’t inspiring the next generation to believe in the power of their creative abilities then I don’t know what is.
So how do we, who have been told that creativity shouldn’t be a priority, heal and shift our perspective in order to empower ourselves in our own lives and give ourselves permission to tap into our own creativity. All while showing the next generation that creativity IS important, and needed.
This really is how my generation is navigating life in general. Healing in order to empower not only our kids, but ourselves too. Often times we forget about ourselves. But I want to tell you that we are worth pouring into. We are worth tapping into our own creativity no matter our age. And I’m highlighting other Latinas who are doing just that. Who are bridging two generations.
Every time I finish recording I’m so excited for these ladies who are being purposeful in what they create. Who want to honor their culture, honor themselves, and honor their legacies. It’s empowering for me to hear their stories and I hope to also bring you some clarity and comfort as you guide others in the areas that bring them joy.
I’m so excited for this Season. It’s going to be great! So subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss when an episode goes life. You can also watch on YouTube to see our the passion behind our conversations. I also encourage you to share with others because the more people we have talking about creators in the Latine community the easier it will be to make a collective change for a better future.
There will be a new episode every Tuesday, so after you listen feel free to take a screenshot to post on IG and tag @elevatinglacultura or send me a DM. You can also comment on our YouTube video if you’re watching online. I always like to hear from people and how they resonate with the stories I share. SO leave a review on apple podcasts so we can get more ears listening to these stories and we can continue elevating la cultura. Alright, enjoy the rest of the day/afternoon/evening whenever you’re listening, y nos vemos next week.
