What's better than two family members on this podcast? Of course, three family members!
In our 4th episode, we are joined by our cousin, Charlene Rodriguez Gomez. However, this is more than just family gossip—Charlene is a determined Latina fighting for opportunities for Puerto Ricans in her career. Listen as this trio discusses the challenges facing the people of Puerto Rico, offers financial tips and solutions, and reveals what is really happening in Puerto Rico. Moreover, Charlene gives us new insight into the family and shares her favorite foods and traditions.
Highlights:
About the guest:
Charlene Rodriguez Gomez works with the federal sector in Puerto Rico. Her work has helped to bring vital assistance to areas of Puerto Rico that experience persistent poverty and economic distress. She lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is Tania’s cousin!
Links and resources we talked about in the episode.
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Follow Charlene Rodriguez Gomez
Resources:
Public Service:
In our 3rd episode for season 4, the multi-talented Jacqueline Vazquez joins us. Jacqueline is the Founder and CEO of Lifetime Events by Jacqueline, a premiere wedding and event planning company that creates memorable experiences around the world.
She’s also an internationally recognized industry expert, educator, mentor, author, and more! Tania, Miguel, and Jacqueline discuss the challenges and rewards of being a strong Latina in a competitive industry, explore how family traditions shape the events Jacqueline loves planning, talk travel and bundling a global brand. Plus, Jacqueline shares her hard-earned advice for anyone looking to break into the event planning business.
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Follow Jacqueline Vazquez
Fewer than a quarter of third generation Latinx in the U.S. speak Spanish, but Wendy Ramirez is on a mission to change that. In this episode, Tania and Miguel are joined by the founder and CEO of Spanish Sin Pena (Spanish Without Shame), Wendy Ramirez.
The trio breaks down the stigma and barriers that keep many Latinx people from learning their first language, talks about how connecting through language learning creates deep community and empathy, and discusses Sin Pena's ongoing advocacy work for hurricane-damaged Puerto Rico. If you've ever considered learning Spanish or are trying to connect with an Indigenous language of your own, you don't want to miss this episode!
Links
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We're back! To celebrate our season 4 premiere, we're joined by Afro-Latina multidisciplinary artist, producer, and playwright Melissa DuPrey.
You may know her as Dr. Sara Ortiz on Grey's Anatomy, but did you know she's also a stand-up comedian, a community organizer, and a theatrical performer with over a decade of experience performing in full-length solo plays?! We dig into her career, advocacy, experiences, and of course, food! Plus, Melissa shares why she loves her hometown of Chicago so much and what she's working on next. You don't want to miss this one!
Links:
Follow Melissa DuPrey
We are back for season number cuatro!
We’ve had three incredible seasons introducing you to Latinx people who are genuinely changing the world through their passions, skills, and talents. And we are so excited to continue this journey with our new season, premiering April 6, 2023.
New episodes will drop every other Thursday!
George Torres is the guy who knows everyone. He’s a master at connecting people, sharing stories, and building community in digital spaces.
On this final episode of season 3, Tania and Miguel chat with the award-winning Sofrito for Your Soul founder about the importance of storytelling, how to connect with your culture and traditions in modern ways, the changes and challenges brought by social media, and of course, food!
Links:
· Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
· Visit our webpage: https://www.coquithechef.com/podcast/
· George’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanjibaro/
· Sofrito For Your Soul: https://www.sofritoforyoursoul.com
· Mi Abuelita podcast episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mi-abuelita/id1610812428?i=1000551577377
· Coquito Making Class: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/2062936
Episode 8 Glossary:
o Sancocho: Puerto Rican beef stew, also known as sancocho is a blend of tender beef, soft root vegetables, and bold flavorful broth!
o Sofrito: Spanish sauce that consists of tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, and peppers. Sofrito, which means “to lightly fry,” forms the aromatic flavor base for a range of Spanish recipes.
o Patacones sandwiches: a sandwich with tostones instead of bread.
o Jibarito Sandwiches: an authentic Puerto Rican sandwich made from flattened, fried green plantains instead of bread. This version uses flank steak and is complemented by Swiss cheese, tomato, onion, and a garlic-flavored mayonnaise
Carlos Frias’ life has been shaped by food from his father’s work as a prison cook to earn his exit visa from Cuba to his childhood spent watching Cuban men gather at Miami’s coffee windows to his six years as food Editor at the Miami Herald.
In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Miguel and Tania talk with Frias about his journey to connecting with his Cuban heritage, which later inspired his memoir, his views on the Miami food scene, and his favorite coquito recipe of all time. Plus, we learn what makes a meal genuinely great, hear about his time in Cuba, and gain insight into his latest James Beard Award win.
Links:
Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
Visit our webpage: https://www.coquithechef.com/podcast/
Listen to Carlos on Sundial: https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/sundial
Follow Carlos on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carlos_Frias
Read Carlos Frias’ award-winning journalism for the Miami Herald: https://www.miamiherald.com/profile/218643935
Purchase Take Me with You: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00164X2JU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
It takes a talented person to become a successful spoken word artist. Or an actor. Or a salsa singer. It takes the one and only Flaco Navaja to do it all.
In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Tania, and Miguel chat with the multi-faceted legendary Nuyorican about being featured on the In the Heights soundtrack, touring the world with Def Jam Poetry, and more. Plus, you’ll hear Flaco’s suggestions for all things food, music, and poetry. You don’t want to miss this one!
Links:
Follow Flaco on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flaconavaja/?hl=en.
East Willy B (comedic web series) East WillyB - YouTube
Lemon Anderson Lemon Andersen performs "Please don't take my Air Jordans" - Bing video
Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
Some siblings fight. Others only see each other on holidays. And some start multiple successful businesses together, right in their own neighborhood.
In this episode of More Than Rice and beans, Tania and Miguel are joined by brothers Paul and Anthony Ramirez. The Ramirez brothers own several successful Bronx-based businesses, including the Bronx Beer Hall, Taste of the Bronx, and From the Bronx. Listen in as this group chats about life and food in the Bronx, why the New York beer scene is the best, and more.
Links:
The Bronx Beer Hall: https://www.thebronxbeerhall.com/
From the Bronx: https://fromthebronx.com/
Taste of the Bronx: https://tasteofthebronx.com/
Mainland Media: https://mainlandmedia.net/
Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
Visit our webpage: https://www.coquithechef.com/podcast/
People who don’t know Latin music know Tito Puente. In the 1950s, he brought Latin jazz to the mainstream, earning him the moniker “King of Mambo.” Now, his son Tito Puente Jr. continues his father’s legacy.
In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Miguel and Tania chat with Tito Puente Jr. about his childhood, career, and traditions. Fans of music of any kind will enjoy hearing this perspective of music history and cheer for Jr’s incredible ability to marry the past and the present in his own unique style. This is one you won’t want to miss!
Links:
Book a virtual “A Tase of Puerto Rico” experience: https://www.coquithechef.com/cooking-classes/
Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
Visit our webpage: https://www.coquithechef.com/podcast/
Listen to Tito Puente Jr.: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ROkqvVDXj5JgmN6z2uFrM?si=u_XS1_r3RraU9TsVV410xw&nd=1
Follow Tito Puente Jr.: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfyonYFO5Rv/?hl=en
What artist wouldn’t love to have a chance to create for Walt Disney Studios?!
Ed Rodriguez kicked off his impressive career doing just that and serving as Creative Director there for over a decade was just the beginning. In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Tania and Miguel sit down with animator/illustrator/author/all-around-genius Ed Rodriguez to talk about his career, the creation of Kiki Koki, his best-selling children’s book series, and his production company, IdeaRworks. You won’t want to miss this fascinating look at what it’s like to break into an industry, make it to the top, and then strike out on your own.
Links:
Book a virtual “A Tase of Puerto Rico” experience: https://www.coquithechef.com/cooking-classes/
Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
Visit our webpage: https://www.coquithechef.com/podcast/
Visit the world of Kiki Koki: http://www.kikikoki.com/
Follow Kiki Koki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikikoki_official/
Tania and Miguel are joined by composer/producer Jan Reijnders on this episode of More Than Rice and Beans.
When you think of salsa music, do you picture a tropical beach? How about a dark New York dance club? What about windmills?
For Jan Reijnders, the Netherlands provided the backdrop to learn about, fall in love with, and begin composing salsa music. In this fun episode, Miguel and Tania learn about Jan’s background, career, and journey into Latin music.
VIEW SHOW NOTES
Links:
Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
Visit our webpage: https://www.coquithechef.com/podcast/
Listen to Jan’s music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2zPkFMghUpCvdPylWkFf4v
Follow Jan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jan_reijnders/?hl=en
Have you ever wondered who is behind all the action figures and miniatures that line the aisles at toy stores?
Chances are, you’ve seen something created by this week’s guest, sculptor Dave Cortes! Tania and Miguel are joined by Cortes, a legendary sculptor from Brooklyn who has worked with Marvel, DC, Sideshow Toys, and more. In 2016, Cortes created the thirteen-foot bronze sculpture of Captain America that was unveiled in celebration of the superhero’s 75th birthday.
Don’t miss this exciting episode of More Than Rice and Beans to learn about Cortes’ rise to success, sculpting process, and more!
SHOW NOTES
Links:
Register for a class, shop for authentic ingredients, and more: https://www.coquithechef.com/
Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
Visit our webpage: https://www.coquithechef.com/podcast/
Check out Cortes Studio: https://www.cortesstudio.com/
Follow Dave Cortes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortesstudio/?hl=en
When you start culinary school at age 12, your life moves quickly. At least that was the case for Manolo Lopez, who by age 26 had launched a successful pop-up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn serving just one perfect dish: mofongo. In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Tania and Miguel are joined by chef, entrepreneur, producer, activist, and proud Nuyorican Manolo Lopez. The trio explores the unifying magic of mofongo, the success of Lopez’s pop-up concept that took him to Japan, the impacts of Hurricane Maria, and more.
GET SHOW NOTES
Support our show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ricebeanpodcast
Visit our webpage: https://www.coquithechef.com/podcast/
Follow Manolo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manolo.jpeg/?hl=en
Visit Manolo’s website: https://manololopez.com/
Listen to Manolo’s podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3daSd6XWeeM6wXBEPh6al3
Season 3 airs on Sept 1, 2022, and this season, we’ve got some of the most influential and inspiring creators, writers, chefs, entrepreneurs, and musicians in the Latin community. Be the first to listen, subscribe to our podcast!
Season 2 | Eps 8 - Final episode of Season 2 - Tania and Miguel chat with the founder and CEO of Trip4Good, Marcelo Munoz. This unique approach to tourism in Chile encourages travelers to engage with and support the local communities that make each destination so special. Plus, Marcelo shares his favorite personal travel stories and teaches us how to make our own tourism more sustainable. He’s also got indispensable advice on creating and running your own business, so you won’t want to miss this episode of More Than Rice and Beans.
Season 2 | Eps 7 - What would you do if you could spend a month exploring Puerto Rico? More Than Rice and Beans’ very own Miguel is here to give you some ideas.
Miguel fills Tania in on his time there. From the incredible local food like mofongo and learning to make a traditional bean stew. Eating through Puerto Rico was an adventure. Miguel also talks about his favorite experiences, like exploring the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay on the island of Vieques and meeting the local turtles. Traveling to Puerto Rico is always a special experience, but Miguel is eager to share why this vacation was more meaningful than ever.
Season 2 | Eps 6 - There’s no pride quite like the people from New York’s boroughs have in their neighborhoods. In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Tania and Miguel are joined by Amaurys Grullon, the co-founder of Bronx Native, an apparel, art, and media brand devoted to highlighting the beauty of the Bronx and lifting fellow Bronx creatives. Amuarys shares the inspiration and challenges behind creating a niche brand to serve his community, and shares how Bronx Native is working to educate and inspire their neighborhood and beyond.
Season 2 | Eps 5 - If you’ve ever heard an ad, audiobook, or narration that features the warmest, most inviting midwestern voice ever, you’ve been listening to this week’s guest! Melissa Del Toro is a voice actor from Peoria, Arizona, who runs her own production company, Melissa Del Toro International. In addition to being a killer vocal talent, Melissa is also a proud Puerto Rican who connected with her roots a bit later in life. Join us this week as Tania, Miguel, and Melissa explore how different the Latinx experience can look, how we can use our voices to share our stories, and how you can enjoy Melissa’s voice each week through her podcast, Untold Tales.
Season 2 | Eps 4 - One of life’s greatest pleasures is sharing a delicious home-cooked meal with an interesting friend. This week’s guest on More Than Rice and Beans does just that in her series, Dishin’ It. Vivian Guzman is a talented home cook, an avid traveler, and a proud Latinx New Yorker. Tania and Miguel chat with Vivian about the inspiration behind her show, explore how unexpected health problems changed the way she thought about the food we put in our bodies and dive into what it’s like to experience instability in childhood.
