In this episode of The Amiga Mía Talk Show, Michelle sits down with unapologetically fierce Colombian-Australian entrepreneur and DJ, Lina Zabaleta, better known as DJ Zalina.
From Bogotá to Melbourne, Lina shares her journey of navigating Australia’s music industry, touring with international artists, and building Chuleo, a Latinx music movement, community, and brand that redefines the scene.Lina opens up about her challenges, wins, and the mindset that drives her, highlighting the power of representation and community in the music industry.
Born in Naarm (Melbourne), Chuleo is a female-led collective that began as an underground Latinx nightclub — a safe, inclusive space for the community to shake ass, feel sexy, and celebrate culture.Today, Chuleo is expanding nationwide: touring international Latin artists, co-presenting the Cadena Latinx Art Festival with No-Reply Collective, and dropping its first line of Chuleo merch.
And this? This is just the beginning. 🔥
Follow Lina's journey here:
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Amiga Mía® is the first Hispanic & Latin media outlet to authentically celebrate cultura in Australia & across APAC.
Proudly female-founded in 2017.
🔗 More stories and articles: www.amigamia.com.au
🧡 Follow us on Instagram: @soy_amigamia
🎧 Listen to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aES3cq...
📩 Join the comunidad: www.amigamia.com.au/newsletter
#chuleo #naarm #latinx #latinosenmelbourne #latinosenaustralia #chuleoclub
In this episode of The Amiga Mía Talk Show, host Michelle sits down with Uruguayan-Australian author Natalia Figueroa to talk all things identity, language and storytelling 💬📚
Her debut novel Hailstones Fell Without Rain is more than just fiction it’s a reflection of migration, memory, and what it means to grow up between cultures. 🇺🇾🇦🇺
They chat about:
This is an honest, warm and deeply inspiring convo for writers, creatives, and anyone who’s ever felt “in-between.”
👇🏽 Hit play, leave us a comment and don’t forget to subscribe to support Latin stories in Australia.
🎙️ Amiga Mía Talk Show – Ep #5: Who is ALELD?
In this episode, your host Michelle from Amiga Mía sits down with Sam Bissett, CEO of ALELD (Australia Latin America Emerging Leaders Dialogue), to explore how this powerful initiative is building bridges between two regions.
We chat all things ALELD’s mission since its 2018 launch, its evolution, and how it's shaping the next wave of changemakers across Australia and Latin America. Sam opens up about his own leadership journey, the cultural lessons he’s embraced from Latin America, and why community engagement is at the heart of diplomacy.
✨ From legacy-building to behind-the-scenes insights into ALELD events and alumni impact, this convo is a beautiful reminder that leadership, like cultura, is best when shared.
¡Dale play! Y let's celebrate the future of Latin-Australian connections. 🌏
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to ALELD and Its Mission
03:24 The Evolution of ALELD
08:09 The Role of ALELD in the Community
10:21 Sam Bissett's Journey to Leadership
14:34 Cultural Insights from Latin America
19:26 The Legacy of ALELD
22:33 ALELD Events and Community Engagement
24:36 Current Initiatives and Future Plans
26:41 How to Get Involved with ALELD
ALELD Website: www.australialatam.com
Instagram: @australialatam
Amiga Mía® is the first Hispanic & Latin media outlet to authentically celebrate cultura in Australia & across APAC. Proudly female-founded in 2017.
For more Latin Australian Community updates head to the Amiga Mía website www.amigamia.com.au.
In this ep, I chat with Bianca, a multi-talented actress, writer, and director (a queen!), who shares about her journey in the creative industry, her cultural heritage, and the inspiration behind her production company and the series 'Miss Vanguard.' She discusses the importance of representation, empowerment, and the challenges faced in the creative field, while encouraging authenticity and self-expression among individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Connection
02:58 Bianca's Background and Creative Journey
05:50 Cultural Heritage and Identity
08:52 Launching a Production Company
12:00 The Birth of Miss Vanguard
14:55 Character Development and Storytelling
17:55 Themes of Empowerment and Voice
20:56 Future Aspirations for Miss Vanguard
24:09 Challenges in the Creative Industry
26:54 Encouraging Authenticity and Self-Expression
29:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Watch the new series of MS Vanguard here:
Amiga Mía® is the first Hispanic & Latin media outlet to authentically celebrate cultura in Australia & across APAC. Proudly female-founded in 2017. www.amigamia.com.au
What happens when a Colombian-Australian journalist sees injustice in the global coffee trade?
She builds a movement — from her kitchen bench.In this inspiring interview, Jacqueline Arias, the founder of República Coffee, shares how her Colombian roots, Sydney upbringing, and journalistic grit led her to create Australia’s first organic, Fair trade certified coffee brand.
✨ From identity to entrepreneurship, from ABC newsrooms to supermarket shelves — this is a story brewed with picardía, passion, and purpose.Don’t forget to subscribe for more powerful Latin-Australian stories that deserve the spotlight.
Watch the video episode here.
For more Latin Australian Community updates head to the Amiga Mía website www.amigamia.com.au.
Amiga Mía® is the first Hispanic & Latin media outlet to authentically celebrate cultura in Australia & across APAC. Proudly female-founded in 2017.
In this episode of the Amiga Mia Talk Show, host Amiga Mia speaks with Alejandra Angeles (Ale), co-founder of Gals en Australia, a community dedicated to supporting Latin women in their professional and personal journeys.
They discuss the challenges faced by Latina professionals in Australia, the importance of community, language, and the initiatives Gals en Australia has implemented to empower women, including the Gals Tribe mentoring program.
Plus the significance of the upcoming She Rises event, and the broader impact of their work on future generations.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Gals in Australia
02:47 The Birth of Gals: A Community for Latinas
11:34 The Evolution of Gals: From Spanish to Trilingual
15:53 Challenges Faced by Latin Professionals in Australia
25:09. Empowering Women: The Gals Tribe Mentoring Program
28:58 Navigating Retirement and Superannuation for Migrants
31:10 Empowering Women Through Resume Building
32:14 Creating a Safe Community for Women
35:41 The Purpose Behind Gals in Australia
38:42 Introducing She Rises: A Celebration of Latina Leadership
51:57 Reflections on Being Latina in Australia
She Rises | Australia’s First Summit Celebrating Latina & Hispanic Leaders
Summit dedicated to celebrating Latina and Hispanic women, bringing together leaders, advocates, and allies to create a more inclusive future.
Through talks, panels, and networking, we aim to empower migrant women, share experiences, and strengthen the Latina community in Australia.
Uniting Migrant Women, Advocates & Allies for a More Inclusive Future
📅 Date: Thursday 1 May 2025
📍 Venue: The Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM
She Rises: Inaugural Summit Honouring Latina & Hispanic Leaders
En este episodio, I sit down with the incredible Lucerito León—artist, salsera, and community leader—to talk about música, identidad, and what it means to chase dreams as an immigrant in Australia. ✨
We get into:
🔥 The fusion of salsa & reggaetón (and how Bad Bunny’s new album hits different for immigrants)
💃🏽 The rise of mujeres in salsa and why representation matters
🌏 How music connects us across cultures & continents
💡 The power of comunidad in uplifting each other Lucerito shares her personal journey, the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and her dreams of paving the way for future generations in the music industry.
Get ready for an inspiring convo full of cultura, pasión, and real talk. Hit play & join the conversation! Let us know in the comments: What does music mean to you? 👇
Chapters:
00:00 🎶 The Fusion of Music Genres
04:51 🇵🇪 Journey into Music: From Peru to Australia
07:42 🌎 Cultural Identity & the Immigrant Experience
10:57 💃🏽 Women in Salsa & Reggaetón
13:41 🎤 Navigating the Music Industry as Immigrants
16:33 🌱 Personal Growth & Relationships in Music
19:59 🎵 The Impact of Music on Cultural Identity
22:48 🚀 Future Aspirations & New Projects
25:36 🤝 Empowerment & Community Support
28:45 ❤️ Reflections on Family & Heritage
31:57 🔥 The Importance of Representation in Music
#LuceritoLeón #LatinMusic #ImmigrantStories #Salsa #Reggaeton #Community #BadBunny #AustraliaLatina #peruvian #peruvianaustralian
In this final EP, I change the format and invite 3 Latinas from Australia to a studio in Sydney to chat all-things Latin Christmas with me. From traditional food, to typical latin Christmas music, to what we wear and everything in-between.
Hear from Ariane, Brazilian Australian, Actor, Juiliana, Australian Colombian, Latin Advocate, Garcia, Peruvian Australian, Latin Music Consultant and Michelle (and host) Australian Chilean, Latin Community Builder.
Special Shoutout!
I want to give a special shoutout to our sponsor, Hija Design, and share an exciting opportunity for Latin entrepreneurs and small business owners. Together with Amiga Mia, we’re offering a free brand identity package to one deserving business from our community.
This isn’t just about a logo—it’s a complete package: a stunning logo, business cards, social media templates, brand guidelines, and more. The goal is to empower Latinx entrepreneurs by giving them the professional edge they need to grow and succeed.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, this initiative is about creating visibility, confidence, and community pride. We’ll also involve the community in voting for the winner, so it’s a collective celebration of entrepreneurship and creativity.
Want to enter or nominate a business? Keep an eye out our Instagram (@hijadesign.co and @soy_amigamia) and website for details.. Big thanks to Hija Design for making this possible!
In this ep, I sit down with Laura Vazquez, an Argentinian-Australian actress who you might remember from the iconic Aussie TV show Home and Away back in the 90s. We get into all the things — her multicultural upbringing, what it was like navigating the Aussie entertainment scene, and how she keeps her Latina roots alive in her fam.
Laura gets real about being a proud Latina in the media, why representation matters, and the impact it has on young girls seeing themselves reflected on screen.
This one’s for anyone who’s ever juggled identities, repped their culture, or just needed a reminder that we belong in these spaces. 💫
In this ep, three Colombianas in Australia and I chat about the controversial lyrics of a new reggaeton song +57 "Mamacita desde 14" , exploring the impact of beauty standards and hypersexualization on young women.
Guests:
They share experiences and thoughts on how these themes manifest in their lives and communities, emphasising the importance of having open discussions about these issues and the need for accountability in the music industry, especially regarding the portrayal of women.
Disclaimer, this episode discusses sensitive topics.
In this ep, I chat with Cindy Flores, a prominent figure in the Mexican Australian community and a passionate advocate for authentic Mexican cuisine.
Cindy shares her journey from Guadalajara to Australia, her experiences in the culinary world, and her mission to promote la cultura Mexicana through food. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities she faced in the Australian food scene and her vision for the future of Mexican cuisine.
Cindy's story is one of resilience, cultural pride, and a commitment to sharing the richness of Mexican food with a broader audience.
In this episode, I reflect on recent adventures, starting with my time in Bali, where I explored two incredible Latin-owned gems: Motel Mexicola in Canggu and Chinchorro in Ubud.
Back home in Sydney, I attend of a few Latin community events, including:
✨ The Cuauhtémoc Mexican Tall Ship Gala Night
👑 The Multiverse Pageant 2024, cheering on a Latin contestant
🌄 Magia de los Andes, a cultural celebration in Western Sydney
Join me for stories of connection, la cultura, and a little bit of sabor from both Bali and my beloved Latin community here in Australia. ¡Vamos a disfrutarlo juntos! 🎙️
In this ep I chat with Milena Sanchez, a London-based British Latina singer, songwriter, and podcaster who has amassed 44k following on Insta and 100k on TikTok.
We chat all-things unique experiences of Latinas living in Australia and the UK, the challenges of cultural identity, and the importance of community.
Milena shares her journey from childhood dreams of stardom 'mini Shakira' to navigating motherhood and her successful podcasting career.
We also chat on Latin music scene, the significance of representation, and the resilience of the Latina community.
This podcast series celebrates Latin Australians who are breaking barriers.
In this ep, I chat with Mariafe Artacho del Solar, an Australian volleyball 3 x Olympian with Peruvian heritage. She shares her journey from Peru to Australia at 11 years old, cultural shocks (e.g missing typical domingos con la familia in Peru) and her experience of the Olympics, including the atmosphere in the athletes' village.
We also chat cultural identity as both Peruvian and Australian. Most importantly, she opens up about the importance of mindset and positive affirmations in achieving success.
Talk about a role model for Latinas in Australia and across the globe!
You don’t want to miss this one!
In this ep, I chat with Jess the Co-Founder of Yo Soy Collective, a movement in Australia formed in 2018 that breaks creative barriers for the Latin American community. We chat about Yo Soy Collective's initiatives, including the Latinx Artist Directory, the 'Here We Are Now' documentary and Jess introduces a new initiative called Sobremesa!
In our chat we talk through the importance of paid opportunities for artists and the need for inclusive and diverse representation in the arts.
👉🏽 Website: https://yosoycollective.com/
🎥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yosoycollective/
In this ep, I chat with Luz Restrepo, Co-founder & Director of Migrant Women in Business Australia, shares her journey as a Colombian migrant in Australia. She arrived in Australia seeking political asylum and within 4 years built and became the CEO of SisterWorks, (Yas reina!) a social enterprise that supports migrants and refugee women, AND that has been endorsed by UN Women.
In 2020, she co-founded Migrant Women in Business, which focuses on empowering thousands of migrant women economically. In 2024, she was awarded the Order of Australia medal! Second Latin in Australian history. 👏🏽 👏🏽
In this ep, I chat with Olivia Vasquez & Olivia Dacal, talented Latina performers and we chat about their roles in the musical 'In the Heights' at the Sydney Opera House. The conversation revolves around familia, pressure, support, representation, and la comunidad latina en Australia.
Olivia Vasquez plays Vanessa, a dreamer who wants to leave the barrio but realises that her home and community are important to her. Olivia Dacal plays Nina, who faces challenges at college but ultimately finds strength in her community. Both resonate with their characters and bring their own experiences to their roles. Plus we chat all things Latina mama's and the important role they play.
Tickets to the Sydney Opera House musical 'In The Hieghts' on until August 24th. https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/musical-theatre-cabaret/heights?gad_source=1
In this episode, I chat with Liliana Sanchez Founder of Moving Cultures, Moving Stories about all-things microaggressions and their impact on marginalised groups, including the Latin community. She shares examples of microaggressions she has personally experienced.
Lily shares her personal journey as a Chilean political refugee and explains how microaggressions manifest within the Latin Australian community. We discuss the importance of representation and the need to combat stereotypes and unconscious biases.
In this episode, I chat about all things latin dancing (Reggaeton and Folkloric), community updates and more! Plus Hear from two in-person interviews with women founders of dance groups in Sydney.
The first interview is with Sera Fichera, a business partner at Tropical Soul Studio and creator of the Bad Girl event. The second interview is with Catalina Lucero, one of the founders of Corazon Chileno, a folkloric dance group.
In this episode, Luara Brandao, the founder of InBraza, shares her journey as a Brazilian creative living in Melbourne and her inspiration behind founding InBraza. InBraza is an Afro-Latin cultural collective that celebrates Baile Funk and Afro-Latin sounds and artists. Lua emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space where people can express themselves freely and authentically. She also discusses the need to empower and provide opportunities for underground and marginalized artists in the Latin American community. Lua's vision for InBraza is to make a global impact and change the narrative around Brazilian music and culture.
✨ Follow InBraza's journey on Instagram here
🎥 Watch a TikTok clip of the show here
