Month: <span>October 2019</span>

Ep. 7 – Barbara Fernandez Valdes, Educator & My Amazing Mother

Barbara Fernandez Valdes

Today’s show is a special one because I interview an amazing woman who was in education for over 30 years, who fought for equal rights for her students and lastly and selfishly most important is my loving mother.

I recorded this show while taking the altMBA and I am so glad I did it because I got to see a side of my mom you don’t normally get to know and on top of that record. I learned a lot more about her childhood, her struggles, and the perseverance she portrayed early on in her life to accomplish her dreams.

Outside of me bragging about my mom, October is a special month for her because her favorite holiday is Halloween and she also celebrates her wedding anniversary with my dad on the 29th.

I have no doubt that listening to this episode will give you some behind the scenes information on my mom’s story as a Latina and growing up with my grandparents who came to the US to seek a better life. Enjoy and let me know your favorite part in the comments!

LinkedIn – Barbara Fernandez Valdes

Ep. 6 – Jorge Ayala – Owner of El Barrio’s La Fonda Boricua & Curious Soul

Jorge Ayala

Today’s episode brings on the show Jorge Ayala who currently owns La Fonda Boricua in El Barrio. I have to admit I knew little about Jorge before agreeing to meet with him but it was a refreshing conversation and I believe an important one.

He moved from Puerto Rico in the 80’s to obtain his masters degree and continue his education but one thing never changed. That one constant was his never-ending curiosity. He loved learning how people work and function and just the different dynamics of human interactions. This lust for learning led him to work on neighborhood social programs in East Harlem eventually allowing him to take over a restaurant, La Fonda Boricua, a staple in the neighborhood.

Several decades later he has used his community involvement coupled with his quest for learning to continue the history of La Fonda. He has learned how to run a restaurant and is overly humble to admit he knows more than the average man.

The podcast closes with some solid advice that no matter what your upbringing or schooling it should never impede your quest for wisdom and knowledge. Some of the smartest minds in the world didn’t have a formal education and that shouldn’t be a barometer on how you interact with people on a day to day basis.

Listen and hopefully learn a bit about Jorge and his life. After if you are in the NYC area, maybe swing by La Fonda and check out the amazing artwork and enjoy it’s tasty Puerto Rican cuisine.

Here is the link to his episode of “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”