Blazing Ember Podcast

04/08/2025

In this episode Mirna Eusebio Lithgow CEO of LeapView Group LLC, shares her inspiring journey from door-to-door sales in the Dominican Republic to leading initiatives for Fortune 500 companies. Drawing from her book, Leap Out of Your Lane. Mirna shares three key strategies for success: the importance of self-awareness and compassion, highlighting that while many believe they are self-aware, only a small percentage truly are; grit and courage, which she encapsulates in the 3 Ps—passion, pivot, and perseverance—emphasizing the challenge of pivoting beyond societal expectations; and being a constant learner by implementing a growth mindset, encouraging listeners to view challenges as opportunities for development. As the discussion revolves around these strategies, Mirna’s insights and personal anecdotes illustrate how embracing change can lead to new opportunities, reinforcing the importance of introspection and adaptability in our lives.

03/19/2025

Eduardo Peñalver was one of the first Latinos to be appointed Dean of an Ivy Law School. One he attended as an undergraduate.

A must listen.

In this episode of Blazing Ember Podcast, Maria Fernandez and Diana Santos sit down with Eduardo Peñalver, president of Seattle University, for a powerful conversation on career evolution, student activism, and leadership in academia. Peñalver shares his unconventional path from aspiring doctor to legal scholar, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and mentorship in shaping opportunities. Reflecting on his experiences as a student activist at Cornell, he highlights the impact of Latino advocacy, the complexities of campus protests, and the ongoing need for diversity and inclusion in higher education. His journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of resilience, community, and seizing unexpected opportunities to drive meaningful change.

https://www.blazingember.com/podcast/episode/2ce6e5a4/episode-21-eduardo-penalver

03/18/2025

In this episode of Blazing Ember Podcast, Maria Fernandez and Diana Santos sit down with Eduardo Peñalver, president of Seattle University, for a powerful conversation on career evolution, student activism, and leadership in academia. Peñalver shares his unconventional path from aspiring doctor to legal scholar, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and mentorship in shaping opportunities. Reflecting on his experiences as a student activist at Cornell, he highlights the impact of Latino advocacy, the complexities of campus protests, and the ongoing need for diversity and inclusion in higher education. His journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of resilience, community, and seizing unexpected opportunities to drive meaningful change. https://www.blazingember.com/podcast/episode/2ce6e5a4/episode-21-eduardo-penalver

03/18/2025

In this episode of Blazing Ember Podcast, Maria Fernandez and Diana Santos sit down with Eduardo Peñalver, president of Seattle University, for a powerful conversation on career evolution, student activism, and leadership in academia. Peñalver shares his unconventional path from aspiring doctor to legal scholar, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and mentorship in shaping opportunities. Reflecting on his experiences as a student activist at Cornell, he highlights the impact of Latino advocacy, the complexities of campus protests, and the ongoing need for diversity and inclusion in higher education. His journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of resilience, community, and seizing unexpected opportunities to drive meaningful change.

https://www.blazingember.com/podcast/episode/2ce6e5a4/episode-21-eduardo-penalver

02/27/2025

Diana Santos and Maria Fernandez chose to focus on Latino authors who have written about issues important to our community. In this podcast episode, Tanya Hernandez discusses misconceptions about critical race theory and discrimination by Latinos within the Latino community through research on court decisions from her recent book, Racial Innocence
Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality.

Tanya’s commitment to social justice is evident in her teaching, research, and advocacy as a Professor at Fordham Law School.

The book and podcast episode URLs can be found in the comments.

02/19/2025

In this episode, Professor Tanya Hernandez shares her inspiring journey from her upbringing in New York City to her current role at Fordham Law, emphasizing the importance of following one’s passions and intuition over conventional definitions of success. The discussion highlights Latino lawyers’ challenges, particularly the low representation of Latinas, and underscores the vital role of mentorship and support networks like Lawtina. Hernandez also addresses misconceptions about critical race theory, framing it as an essential tool for understanding systemic racial disparities, while discussing her impactful book, Racial Innocence: Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality. Her book challenges preconceived notions about racism and bias, revealing how a historically marginalized group can experience discrimination while also being discriminatory while highlighting the anti-Black bias that affects Afro-Latinos and African Americans across various sectors. This episode was taped during the summer, and you will hear references to her book launching in Spanish, which is already available.

01/31/2025

In this Blazing Ember episode, Valeria Aloe shares her journey from a successful 20-year career in brand management to becoming an author and speaker after experiencing burnout in 2016. Her story, centered on the Latino challenges of gender bias and cultural influences in corporate spaces, sparked a powerful discussion on unlearning limiting beliefs and embracing self-worth. The conversation explores personal and professional growth, the evolving impact of Gen Z in the workforce, and the importance of fostering inclusive leadership within the Latino community.

Episode 19 https://www.blazingember.com/podcast/episode/24bd6d1c/episode-19-valeria-aloe

01/31/2025

In this Blazing Ember episode, Valeria Aloe shares her journey from a successful 20-year career in brand management to becoming an author and speaker after experiencing burnout in 2016. Her story, centered on the Latino challenges of gender bias and cultural influences in corporate spaces, sparked a powerful discussion on unlearning limiting beliefs and embracing self-worth. The conversation explores personal and professional growth, the evolving impact of Gen Z in the workforce, and the importance of fostering inclusive leadership within the Latino community. https://www.blazingember.com/podcast/episode/24bd6d1c/episode-19-valeria-aloe

01/10/2025

“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” - Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States

The following episodes are perfect back-to-back. They feature two amazing DEI leaders who understand the value of diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace.

Please listen to Diego Carvajal and Maria Melendez. They both bring insightful views and data on this issue.

https://www.blazingember.com/podcast

01/07/2025

First full week 2025!

Two more Blazing Ember podcast episodes with Leticia Ossa-Daza and Roberto Concepción, Jr. will inspire your plans for this year.

Happy New Year! !Felix Año Nuevo!
from Maria Fernandez and Diana Santos

11/01/2024

In this Blazing Ember podcast episode, Diana and Maria welcome Moe Vela, CEO of MoeVela LLC, celebrated for his pioneering roles as the first Hispanic American, Latino, and LGBTQIA senior advisor to Vice Presidents Joe Biden and Al Gore. Moe shares profound reflections on his Texas roots, the powerful influence of his Latino heritage, and the family support that fueled his ambitions, emphasizing the values of authenticity and truth. The conversation explores resilience in the face of childhood trauma, mental health struggles, and the importance of cultural pride and unity within the Latino community, inspiring listeners to embrace self-worth and support each other on their professional journeys.

Episode URL in the comments. A trigger warning is on the episode page; please read it before listening.

Given the election on Tuesday and Moe’s role in the White House, we are accelerating his episodes.