The First Gen Madrina

Hosted by Sara Diaz

Business Education Health Fitness

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Episodes

128

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The First Gen Madrina Podcast is a podcast for first-generation students, professionals, and cycle-breakers who are navigating life without a blueprint. Hosted by social worker, coach, and The First Gen Madrina Sara, this podcast explores the real conversations we were never taught to have about mental health, money, and navigating systems while building a life that feels aligned and sustainable . Each episode blends honest storytelling, practical tools, and culturally responsive insights to help you break generational cycles, overcome imposter syndrome, heal burnout, and redefine success on your own terms. Whether we’re unpacking mental wellness, financial empowerment, career growth, or the in-between moments of becoming, you’ll find guidance rooted in compassion, community, and accountability.

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60 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 12610 min

E-126 How to Break the Silence Around Money and Conflict

Welcome to the first episode of a brand-new season where we’re diving deep into Conflict and Money.When we think about money, we usually focus on numbers: how much we make, spend, or owe. What often goes unspoken is how conflict, both internal and relational, shapes our financial lives.In this episode, we unpack the ways conflict shows up beyond arguments. Sometimes it’s the conversations we avoid, the boundaries we struggle to set, or the silence we carry around money. As first-generation individuals, many of us were never taught how to navigate these moments, especially when money has been tied to survival, stress, or family expectations.We talk about: Why avoiding money conversations is a form of conflict How people-pleasing and guilt impact financial decisions The emotional weight of supporting family while trying to build your own future What it means to advocate for yourself financially without shame This isn’t just about money. It’s about your voice, your boundaries, and your mental health.If you’ve ever felt anxious, stuck, or guilty when it comes to money… this episode is for you.Grab your cafecito or your wine, and let’s start the conversation!

May 20, 2026Episode 12533 min

E-125 The ‘Good’ Social Worker Trap: When Helping Becomes Self-Abandonment with Stephanie Sorady, LCSW

What happens when being “good” social worker becomes your identity? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Stephanie Sorady, LCSW, a Latina trauma therapist, speaker, and founder of Luz Trauma Therapy. Together we unpack the hidden weight that many first-gen social workers may carry.From people-pleasing and over functioning to the deep impact of parentification, Stephanie brings a trauma-informed and culturally grounded perspective to the patterns that keep us stuck. Together, we explore how these roles show up in our relationships, mental health, and sense of self, and most importantly, how to begin unlearning them.This conversation is especially for social workers who have been taught to hold it all together, often at the expense of their own needs. Stephanie shares insights on setting boundaries, navigating relational stress, and redefining what it means to be “strong” in a way that actually honors your well-being.If you’ve ever felt like you have to do it all for everyone else...this episode is for you.

May 6, 2026Episode 12412 min

E-124 How to Combat the "Good" Social Worker Mentality with Sara

What does it really mean to be a “good” social worker… and who decided that definition in the first place?In this episode, we’re unpacking the unspoken pressure many social workers carry like the expectation to always say yes, sacrifice endlessly, and hold it all together no matter the cost. But behind that “perfect” image? Burnout, silence, and a slow disconnection from ourselves.This conversation challenges the narrative.We’re talking about breaking out of the box, reclaiming our humanity, and returning to the true roots of social work which are advocacy, justice, and disruption. Because being a powerful social worker isn’t about self-sacrifice… it’s about sustainability.✨ You’ll walk away with: A new perspective on boundaries and burnout A reminder that advocacy includes you The permission to redefine what “good” actually means Because a depleted social worker can’t change systems, but an empowered one can.It might be time to stop fitting the mold… and start breaking it.

April 15, 2026Episode 12341 min

E 123 Money Shame as a First Gen with Carlos Martin

In this episode, Sara sits down with Carlos Martin to unpack money shame as a first-gen. Carlos shares his journey of immigrating to the U.S. at 11, navigating language barriers, scarcity, and the lack of financial guidance growing up.Together, they explore how silence around money, cultural expectations, and early experiences shape our relationship with finances and the shame that can follow. From corporate life to entrepreneurship, this conversation dives into fear, fulfillment, and rewriting your money story.This is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt behind, conflicted, or ashamed about money.

April 1, 2026Episode 12211 min

E122 Money Shame as a First Gen with Sara

In this deeply personal episode of The First Gen Madrina Podcast, Sara opens up about the complex emotions that come with out-earning your parents and building a life rooted in choice rather than survival. She explores the quiet tension between pride and guilt, and how money shame shows up for first-gen professionals through overworking, anxiety, and difficulty enjoying success. Through storytelling and reflection, Sara reminds listeners that healing their relationship with money is not a betrayal, but an act of self-care, boundary-setting, and generational change. Tune in to this episode for more on Sara's journey!

March 18, 2026Episode 12147 min

E-121 Reclaiming Our Roots: How Human Design Heals with Akary Busto

In this episode, I interview Akary Busto, human design expert and emotional biohacker. We explore what it means to grow up first gen while living life “on the hyphen.” Through a powerful conversation on migration, identity, language loss, and belonging, we unpack the pressure to assimilate and the quiet grief of losing parts of ourselves along the way. We also dive into Human Design as a tool for healing, self-trust, and reclaiming our roots beyond cultural conditioning, especially as first-gen women navigating multiple worlds. By understanding our lineage, trauma stored in DNA, and energetic patterns, Human Design offers a framework to create distance from self-blame and support mental health through awareness, embodiment, and alignment. Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

March 4, 2026Episode 12011 min

E-120 Reclaiming Our Roots: A First-Gen Journey Home with Sara

We’re kicking off a brand-new season of The First Gen Madrina Podcast with this month’s theme: Reclaiming Our Roots as First Gens.In this conversation, Sara shares her personal journey of identity, healing, and what it means to grow up living in the in-between. From feeling “not Cuban enough” and “not American enough,” to navigating anxiety, ADHD, and cultural expectations around rest and healing, this episode explores the weight many first-gens carry.Sara also introduces her experience with human design and how learning she’s a Projector helped her stop seeing herself as “too much” or “not enough” and start honoring who she truly is. This episode is a reminder that reclaiming your roots doesn’t mean abandoning yourself. It means evolving, healing, and building a bridge between where you come from and where you’re going.If you are interested in having Sara speak to your organization, visit the Madrina Speaks section of her website below!Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

February 18, 2026Episode 11947 min

E-119 Anxiety, ADHD & the First-Gen Latina Experience with Dr. Janice Castro

In this episode, Sara is joined by bilingual and bicultural Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Janice Castro who is an expert in ADHD. Throughout our conversation, we unpack how anxiety, ADHD, and first-generation Latina culture intersect, especially for women whose symptoms are often overlooked. We talk about survival mode, hustle culture, guilt around rest, and the shame that keeps mental health struggles silent in our communities.We also explore the powerful connection between ADHD and money specifically impulsive spending, budgeting struggles, and why these challenges aren’t personal failures but unmet support needs.Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

February 4, 2026Episode 11812 min

E-118 The Diagnosis That Set Me Free: Living and Leading with ADHD with Sara

In this episode, Sara shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and why she hadn’t spoken about it much until now. As a social worker and entrepreneur, she reflects on the signs she missed, how undiagnosed ADHD fueled her anxiety, and the relief that came with finally having answers. This honest conversation also explores the stigma of ADHD in Latine communities, choosing who gets access to your story, and navigating healing on your own terms. If you are interested in having Sara speak about mental health, visit the Madrina Speaks section of her website below!Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.

January 21, 2026Episode 11744 min

E-117 From Scarcity to Strength: Debbie’s Path to Helping Women Build Wealth

In this powerful episode, Sara sits down with money mindset and business coach Debbie O’Hara to explore how she transformed her money story after growing up in survival mode and surviving financial and intimate partner violence. As a first-generation Cuban American, Debbie spent years navigating scarcity, instability, and fear before reclaiming her financial power and rebuilding her life. Now she helps women break generational patterns, heal their relationship with money, and create true financial freedom. This conversation is raw, inspiring, and a reminder that your money story can always be rewritten. This ultimately led Sara to creating Madrina Money: a financial wellness coaching practice. Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on Instagram @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.