Cultura & Cash ™

Hosted by The First Gen Mentor

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Aug 2026

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Spilling more tea from Cultura & Cash™ and meeting with experts to get their thoughts on topics covered in the book!

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August 19, 2026Episode 6548 min

Ep 39: What Your Team Won't Tell You with Tanya Uyigue

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! In this episode, I’m joined by workplace strategist and author Tanya Uyigue, to talk about her new book, 'What Your Team Won't Tell You,' and explore toxic leadership, employee experience, and practical steps for managers to improve trust and management styles. Personal stories included! 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🔸 How toxic leadership styles affect employee turnover 🔸 Common management archetypes and their impact 🔸 How to recognize if a workplace culture has become psychologically unsafe? 🔸 Practical tips for managers to improve team dynamics 🔸 Effective strategies for managers to rebuild trust with teams 👉 Have you ever had a toxic manager and wondered what you can do about it? Then you’re going to want to listen to this one. Hit play to hear all about it! 📲 Connect with Tanya Uyigue: Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyaucoaching/ Follow her on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tanyaucoaching?lang=en Buy her book: https://tanyaucoaching.com/book-page Hire her to host a workplace training or get on the waitlist for Explore 1:1 coaching: https://tanyaucoaching.com/ 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #workplaceleadership #employee experience #leadershipdevelopment #firstgenlatina #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast

August 13, 2026Episode 6439 min

Ep 38: The Tea on My Next Career Move

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! In this solo episode, I continue the conversation about hitting 5 years as The First Gen Mentor and what I have planned for the future. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🔸 My new career move and what led me to this decision 🔸 The challenges of running a business in Spain including taxes and administrative hurdles 🔸 More on my past background and why I’m especially suited for this role 🔸 The importance of representation of Latinos in this industry 🔸 What the next year will look like and what will happen with The First Gen Mentor community 👉 Hit play to hear all about it! 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #careerevolution #entrepreneurship #firstgenlatina #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast

July 30, 2026Episode 6319 min

Ep. 37: Five Years of Entrepreneurship: Highs, Lows, and What's Next

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! In this solo episode, I reflect on my five-year journey as an entrepreneur, sharing the highs and the lows, because entrepreneurship can be a roller coaster! I also reflect on the question “What’s next? Do I want to do this for another 5 years? 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🔸 Five-year milestone reflection 🔸 The Highs: TikTok grant, Eva Longoria endorsement 🔸 Lows: health challenges, legal issues 🔸 Future plans: career evolution and what’s next It’s been a while since I did a solo episode, and you know I had to keep it real for this one! Enjoy! 👉 Hit play to hear all about it! 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #entrepreneurship #firstgenlatina #personalgrowth #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast

July 23, 2026Episode 6251 min

Ep. 36: How to Build Resilience During Career Transitions with Carla Santamaria

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and career coach and mindset coach, Carla Santamaria from @thefirstgencoach to talk about her personal experience with a recent layoff, and strategies she used to land her current role. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🔸 Carla’s personal experience with layoffs and the emotional rollercoaster she experienced 🔸 The role of self-care and mental health during transitions 🔸 Helpful strategies for financial and emotional resilience 🔸 The importance of community support during job loss 🔸 Effective job search strategies and avoiding panic applying Listen as Carla Santamaria shares her personal journey through layoffs, strategies for navigating career transitions, and how to build resilience and community support during uncertain times. Let’s talk about it! 💬 👉 Hit play to hear all about it! 📲 Connect with Carla Santamaria: Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlathefirstgencoach/?hl=en Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-santamaria/ Listen to her podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-first-gen-coach-career-development-for-latinas/id1591669301 Sign up for her free newsletter : http://thefirstgencoach.com/newsletter Register for her FREE training in August: https://www.subscribepage.com/august2026webinar Explore 1:1 coaching with Carla: http://thefirstgencoach.com/consult 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #layoffs #financialresilience #jobsearchingtips #firstgenprofessionals #careercoach #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast

July 14, 2026Episode 6133 min

Ep. 35: How Conchas for Kids is Changing Latino Representation in Toys

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! I took a short break from the podcast (more of that later!) but I’m back! In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and fellow content creator, Estrella from @CafecitoConEstrellita and @Conchas for kids. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🔸 What inspired her to create her toy playset, Conchas for Kids 🔸 What it really costs to make a new toy and challenges she overcame with manufacturing 🔸 Why she chose Kickstarter to crowdfund the start up costs for her new project 🔸 How other Latinas can use Kickstarter to secure funding and 3 tips for successful crowdfunding campaigns Listen to hear Estrella’s inspiring journey from creating Cafecito con Estrellita to launching Conchas for Kids, a project aimed at increasing Latino representation in toys. Let’s talk about it! 💬 👉 Hit play to hear all about it! The last day to pledge to her Kickstarter is August 1st! Support Conchas for Kids Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/conchasforkids/conchas-for-kids-pan-dulce-play-set 📲 Connect with Estrella: Follow @ConchasForKids: https://www.instagram.com/conchasforkids/ Follow @CafecitoConEstrellita: https://www.instagram.com/cafecitoconestrellita/ Subscribe to her Substack: https://substack.com/@cafecitoconestrellita 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #latinaentrepreneur #latinafounder #crowdfunding #kickstarter #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast

April 15, 2026Episode 6021 min

Ep. 34: One Year in Spain- Your FAQs answered!

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! April marks one year since I left Chicago to move to Spain. On this episode, I answer your questions about my experience abroad 1 year post my big move. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🔸 Why I chose Spain over Mexico 🔸 The top challenges I’ve had in my first year abroad 🔸 How I’ve built community in Spain, and do I have any Spanish friends yet? 🔸 How much healthcare costs and how it works 🔸 The health improvements I’ve had since immigrating to Spain This episode is one of a series of episodes I’ll share about my insights about life as an American living in Spain Let’s talk about it! 💬 👉 Hit play to hear all about it! Get tickets to the Milwaukee book signing here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hpgm-presents-giovanna-gonzalez-author-of-cultura-cash-at-boswell-tickets-1986815692219?aff=oddtdtcreator 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #expat #Spain #movingabroad #digitalnomad #latinainspain #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast

March 25, 2026Episode 5945 min

Ep. 33: Unlock Your Book Potential with expert tips from Stacy Ennis

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! On this episode, I’m joined by my friend and former book coach, Stacy Ennis! Stacy is a seasoned book coach and author, shares her extensive experience in writing, editing, and coaching aspiring authors. A must listen for aspiring authors! 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: When it makes sense to work with a book coach The importance of purpose in writing a book Common barriers faced by Latina women and women of color in publishing and how to overcome them The role of support, accountability, and coaching in completing a book The impact of AI on the writing process and ethical considerations Strategies for maintaining flow and consistency in writing to actually get that book done Your book is already within you. All you need is the right support and strategies to make it happen! Let’s talk about it! 💬 Explore Stacy’s writing cohort: https://www.stacyennis.com/ideatodraft?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=referral Disclaimer: I make a small commission if you use the link above to enroll Get to know Stacy Listen to my episode on Stacy’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uup87G_GHU Beyond Better Podcast with Stacy Ennis: https://stacyennis.com/category/podcast/ Stacy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacyennis/?hl=en Stacy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacylynn/ Stacy’s website: https://stacyennis.com/ 👉 Hit play to hear all about it! 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #bookwriting #Latinaauthors #publishing #bookcoaching #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast

March 18, 2026Episode 5824 min

Ep 32: Why I stopped contributing to retirement at age 36- A coast FIRE deep dive

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! On this episode, I share why I stopped contributing to my retirement accounts at 36! What’s behind this shocking decision? 🤯 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: How living abroad has affected my ability to contribute to retirement accounts An introduction to the FI/RE movement How I hit a major financial milestone- Coast FIRE! An inside look into my investing journey, and how the pandemic allowed me to lock in The actual math I’m using to calculate my projected retirement portfolio and how to calculate your projected annual expenses in retirement Why my goal is to die with zero How stepping away from retirement contributions has allowed me to work a job I enjoy and given me extra money to optimize my life now As you consider your own retirement planning, think about how your current situation and goals align with your financial strategies. What does this mean for you? Understanding your retirement options is crucial, especially if you’re considering retiring abroad. Let’s talk about it! 💬 Compound interest calculator: https://www.investor.gov/financial-tools-calculators/calculators/compound-interest-calculator 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast #coastFIRE

March 5, 2026Episode 5726 min

Ep 31: My name is Giovanna and I'm a social media addict

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash! On this episode, I’m talking about my cell phone addiction and how I’ve created systems and better habits to improve my mental health and sleep quality. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: An update on the Spanish adaptation of Cultura & Cash How a business coach encouraged me to detox from social media Navigating grief, insomnia and high stress My step-by-step sleep routine to unwind and get good quality sleep The new habits I’ve adopted to improve my relationship with social media Resources to learn more 👉 Hit play to hear all my reflections because health is wealth! 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez

February 25, 2026Episode 5646 min

Ep 30: The High 5 Banking Method with Sahirenys Pierce, the founder of Poised Finance & Lifestyle

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 3 of the Cultura & Cash podcast! On this episode, I’m joined by my guest, Sahirenys Pierce. Sahirenys is the founder of Poised Finance & Lifestyle and the author of the upcoming book The High 5 Banking Method. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: How her father instilled a mindset of abundance when she was a child How going through an eviction shaped her mindset and led her to a path as a financial educator How she acquired a book deal with Wiley and tips for aspiring authors How she developed The High 5 Banking Method and how listeners can use it to level up their finances How she’s making sure her children are set up for financial prosperity as a first-gen Latina 👉 Hit play to hear all my interview with Sahirenys! You can pre-order her book, The High 5 Banking Method, wherever you buy books, or by visiting her website at https://thepoisedlifestyle.com/the-high-5-banking-method-book/ . 📲 Connect with Sahirenys, the founder of Poised Finance & Lifestyle: Instagram: poisedfinancelifestyle 📲 Connect with Giovanna Gonzalez | The First Gen Mentor: Tiktok: / thefirstgenmentor Instagram: / gigithefirstgenmentor LinkedIn: / giovannagonzalez #GiovannaGonzalez #FirstGenMentor #latinapodcast #moneybook