Ever since I applied to become an American citizen, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be the "perfect" American. To answer this question I have to face a childhood trauma before I take my oath. This is the final episode of season two. Stay close to me on social media or my website for details on the next season! ¡Hasta pronto! ABOUT T…

#158. In this solo Spanish-language episode of DIFERENTE, I explore why it's so challenging to listen to our intuition while seeking perfection. En este episodio de DIFERENTE exploro la dinámica entre la intuición y el deseo a llevar una vida perfecta. ----more---- ABOUT THE SHOW: Latina media producer and curiosity expert Maribel Quezada Smith bri…

#157. In this episode I catch up with my friend, fellow podcaster and artist, Stephania Ramos to chat about the common thread that unites so many of us multi cultural folks, the idea that love needs to be somewhat toxic to be real. I call this type of love, "amor de telenovela", you know where slapping someone is a turn on, "no" often means "yes", …

#156 - In this Spanish-speaking episode of DIFERENTE, I catch up with my BFF from Aguascalientes, Mexico Stephania Ramos, after more than 20 years of not seeing or speaking to one another. (That's a story for the next episode.) Steph and I talk about the multiple culture shocks we lived when we moved to the U.S., each of us at a different age, and …

#155 - Arianna Davis, Senior Director of Editorial & Strategy at Oprah and Hearst Magazine's New Multiplatform Lifestyle Brand, and the author of "What Would Frida Do, A Guide to Living Boldly", joins me for this DIFERENTE conversation. We talk about the things we've learned, through Frida Kahlo's story, about sex, feminism and how not to be in a t…

#154 - Do you think your parents gave you a specific name so that you could be called something else? Something that doesn't really sound like your name, but it makes people comfortable, it's easier this way. I know my parents named me Maribel (Mah-REE-bel). That was always my name, until we moved to the U.S., and one day my dad picked up a call fr…

As people of multicultural and multiracial backgrounds, we're often hit with the most random and intrusive questions. Constantly being asked to define ourselves in order to be properly catalogued, and boxed in, according to society's expectations. Why is that? And why do people of multi-racial identity have to divide themselves into percentages, 50…

One of the coolest things I've learned from another culture is how to meditate. Meditation was never part of my life as a child in Mexico, or even as a teenager in Ohio. I discovered it later in life, when I was struggling to figure out how to "tone down" my Latina fury-a title I gave to my reactionary personality back then. Little did I know that …

Let's kick off the New Year with real talk that might make some of you uncomfortable. As a person of color, I deal with "buyers remorse" whenever I'm called to invest in myself or my business. Things like hiring help, paying a business coach, going to therapy, even upgrading my sheet thread count have made me feel bougie, or like an impostor. Raise…

With last week's premiere of Selena, The Series on Netflix, I was reminded of the immense Spanglish subculture that exists within the Latinx community and how there's a lot of debate on whether or not Spanglish is an "acceptable" form of communication. The verdict might be still be out on that, but one thing is certain, much like Selena, el Spangli…

As we prepare to celebrate the holidays without our extended families this 2020 I have been thinking a lot about my first Thanksgiving in the United States, a lonely and weird time, not too different from this year. The good news is that we made it through back then, just like we'll come out of this year as well, by learning how to feel gratitude i…

My guest Denise Soler Cox, filmmaker, top 100 podcaster, two-time TEDX speaker and coach, who produced a short film called "Being Eñye", the stories about American-born Latinos who don't feel Latino enough or American enough. Sound familiar? I thought so! We chatted about finding our way around the world when you're someone who lives within two cul…

What do Día De Muertos and the United States Presidential election have in common? NADA. But this week, they land within 24 hours from each other, and they are both equally important in our bicultural lives! That's why I put this episode together with three things you should know about El Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), and FIVE things you can do…

Because Diferente is a bilingual podcast, this episode is in Español. This is a narration of my experience during one of my first (early) encounters with racism in the United States. Tied together with verifiable facts on the topic, and information about anti-racism practices by three experts, in order of appearance: Roger Senserrich, Editor y Acti…

The past few months have felt like we are living inside of a SciFi movie, often trying to figure out what's real and what's make believe. That's why in this episode I wanted to take some time to reflect about how this Pandemic has affected us on a personal level. Because sometimes we have to be reminded that there are real people behind these COVID…

Welcome back! Bienvenidos de regreso a DIFERENTE! The bilingual podcast that celebrates and explores the complexities of living life between two (or more) cultures. I'm your host, Maribel Quezada Smith, a producer, and creative consultant, from Mexico City, living in the U.S., who loves Hip Hop and Cumbia. I created Diferente to learn, laugh, and g…

Ventana Latina, Corte Informativo, 10 de Abril

Los 'caucus' como experiencia organizativa comunitaria. Charla con Marlén Mendoza

Elecciones intermedia de Iowa Nov. 5 20019 La participación latina

Violencia en México opinión sobre la violencia en México

Juliza: Emigrar o la vida termina. Entrevista con Juliza, quien realizó la forzada travesía de migrar desde su natal El Salvador hasta Iowa, Estados Unidos. con ocho meses de embarazo. Al ser retenida con su pareja, en la frontera sur de los Estados Unidos, fueron separados. Desde entonces nunca se han vuelto a ver de hecho, su pareja se encuentra …

7to Aniversario Libro Club Iowa City Entrevista a Karla Rodriguez y Horacio Olivo

Living the Diferente Life! * BONUS EPISODE * This episode is from a podcast that I was a guest on called Cafe con Pam, hosted by my friend and fellow podcaster, Pam Covarrubias. I wanted to share it with you because it fits perfectly with the spirit of getting out of my comfort zone, which I have been all about this summer. Pam and I talked about m…

La Importancia del voluntariado Entrevista con Omar Martinez Pertenciendo al cuerpo de Bomberos de West LibertyIowa

SPECIAL THROWBACK EPISODE. As promised, here's one of my favorite episodes from season one with Licensed Clinical Therapist, Adriana Alejandre. We talked about how fear and not dealing with our baggage can really hold us back. Stay tuned for season dos of DIFERENTE! Here's the full episode description: Feeling Stuck. How to not let fear hold you ba…

Marlén Mendoza: Activismo y la creación de las políticas públicas.

#143 - This is the final episode of season one of Diferente and the most open and honest moment I've had on the podcast so far. I've asked you repeatedly this year to question the norm and dare to step outside of your comfort zone, and it's only fair I do it too. Because it has come to my attention that some people might be getting the impression t…

#142 - My guest this episode is comedian, actor and Daily Show Correspondent, Roy Wood Jr. His latest hilarious and thought-provoking comedy special is called “No One Loves You”, where he explores some of today's most complicated issues, from the plight of the black superhero to protests during the national anthem. Roy Wood Jr’s comedy has entertai…

#141 - In my opinion, the worst kind of heartbreak is when someone you love passes away. A few weeks ago our friend and guest on Different, Shawn Boxe, passed away. You might remember the episode he was in, last summer. If you do, you probably remember his inspiring outlook on life. So I want to share his episode with you again. In honor of his mem…

#140 - This is another special rough cut edition of Diferente where I am exploring the cultural appropriation of Mexican food, the traditions and the irony of it all! Come chat about all things Diferente with me on Instagram or Facebook EPISODE CREDITS: Producer/Host - Maribel Quezada Smith Diferente theme Music by Keagan Stromberg…

#139 - This is another special rough cut edition of Diferente. Exploring perfection and how the idea of being perfect kills our passion, our creativity, and basically just unnecessarily burdens us when all we need to realize is that we are better off being imperfect. Come chat about all things Diferente with me on Instagram or Facebook EPISODE CRED…

#138 - If you spend any time on social media, this episode is for you! This is a very special unedited episode of Diferente. Don't worry, we'll get back to editing soon enough. In the meantime enjoy this raw and authentic piece I titled "The Other Woman". Come chat about all things Diferente with me on Instagram or Facebook EPISODE CREDITS: Produce…

#137 PART TWO - Continuing my conversation with industry disrupt-her and entrepreneur, Miki Agrawal. MIKI IS A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR WHO USES CREATIVITY AND DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO AND CHANGE CULTURE.SHE IS THE FOUNDER OF SEVERAL ACCLAIMED SOCIAL ENTERPRISES: WILD, THINX, ICON & TUSHY AND SHE IS ALSO AN AUTHOR. Her latest bo…

#137 This is the final conversation in our six-part ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERIES. And in this episode, I chat with industry disrupt-her and entrepreneur, Miki Agrawal. MIKI IS A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR WHO USES CREATIVITY AND DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO AND CHANGE CULTURE.SHE IS THE FOUNDER OF SEVERAL ACCLAIMED SOCIAL ENTERPRISES: WILD…

#136 PART TWO - This is the second part of my conversation with entrepreneur and shoe designer, Salone Monet. We're continuing our journey and conversations on entrepreneurship. In this episode, we cover the growing pains that come with being an entrepreneur and launching your dream business. Salone Monet is a lifelong passion for shoes turned this…

#136 We're continuing our journey and conversations on entrepreneurship. In this episode, we cover the growing pains that come with being an entrepreneur and launching your dream business, with entrepreneur and shoe designer, Salone Monet. Salone Monet is a lifelong passion for shoes turned this political PR girl into an entrepreneur. After receivi…

#135 PART 2 - Continuing episode 135 with my guest, Attorney Sydnee Mack. Whether you are a side hustler, entrepreneur or just getting your toes wet in the world of being your own boss, you don't want to miss all of the wisdom and inspiration these wonderful entrepreneurs have to share! Atlanta-based Attorney and entrepreneur Sydnee Mack shares her…

#135 - Continuing the ENTREPRENEUR series with my guest, Attorney Sydnee Mack. Whether you are a side hustler, entrepreneur or just getting your toes wet in the world of being your own boss, you don't want to miss all of the wisdom and inspiration these wonderful entrepreneurs have to share! Atlanta-based Attorney and entrepreneur Sydnee Mack share…

#134 This is part two of episode 134 with New York Times bestselling author, lawyer, and investor, Danielle Town. In part one of this episode, she shared how she went from a career that was making her sick, to building wealth on her own terms by learning to manage her own investments. Then she wrote a manual for anyone out there who wants to take b…

#134 In this episode, I chat with New York Times bestselling author, lawyer, and investor, Danielle Town, about the role of Money in our romantic relationships, the bad financial habits we pick up as kids, and how we have the power to change the way we look at wealth. If you're like me, you're probably investing in your retirement. But like me, man…

Antes los varios episodios racistas que se han sucitado en Iowa, reflexionamos, la forma en que vivimos y percibimos estos hechos y análizamos la forma en que debemos responder ante ellos.

#133 PART TWO WITH CREATIVE STRATEGIST AND ENTREPRENEUR, ALEX SANTIAGO. Follow Diferente on Instagram, Facebook, or find us online at diferentepodcast.com My guest this episode is Creative Strategist and founder of Social Mosaic Communications, Alex Santiago. Alex has been living his motto of "rebeldia" and creating with a purpose for many years. H…

#133: This is the second episode in a special six-episode series on Entrepreneurship. My guest this episode is Creative Strategist and founder of Social Mosaic Communications, Alex Santiago. Alex has been living his motto of "rebeldia" and creating with a purpose for many years. He works with brands with the goal to Transform Moments. Challenge the…

#132 PART TWO This is part two of episode 132 with The Nailsaloon co-founder and entrepreneur, Andréa Vieira. In part one of this episode, Andrea and I discussed her journey as a producer, and how this experience made her realize what her true passion is in life. Thanks to this passion, Andrea and her partner Claudia Diamante made the jump into ent…

#132: In this (two-part) episode with The Nailsaloon co-founder and entrepreneur, Andréa Vieira, we focus on the courage required to begin the entrepreneurial journey, why we should be proud of the wisdom we earn with age, and how to set realistic goals and expectations as a new business owner. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to start…

#131: My guest this episode is Nikki Novo. A Cuban-American, bestselling author, and intuitive dating coach. "Her latest book, “The Final Swipe: Heal Your Heart, Find Your Person, and End the Dating Search for Good,” was listed as the number one dating book in Amazon. She’s also A certified hypnotherapist with the International Association of Couns…

#130: Do you ever wonder if you're living for yourself and what your heart truly desires, or if you're living for other people's expectations? Many of us make decisions and live according to a set of demands that we never even willingly subscribed to, just because we want to please others, or our egos. I've been reflecting on this fact lately and I…

#129: In the first six months of Diferente we’ve been blessed with amazing guests who have shared their thoughts on what success means to them. Because at Diferente, we believe that success is a personal word, to be defined by each individual only! There is never a wrong answer when it comes to answering this question… What is your definition of Su…

#128: My guest this episode is a fellow passionate creative who immigrated here when she was 18. Her name is Angie Garcia, and the other day we sat in my kitchen sharing stories of our personal experiences living as immigrants in the United States. And how we’ve both learned that part of being an immigrant and living the "American dream" is learnin…

#127: THOUSANDS of people suffer from some sort of confidence issue related to their body size. The scariest part is that this mentality has become the norm. How many times have you asked yourself… Do I look fat? It’s time to start asking WHY? In this episode of Diferente, I confront some of my own beliefs regarding health and diet culture, with an…