In this final episode of Season 1 of Entre Tías y Amiguis, Adri sits down with her dear friend Andrea Vargas, LMFT, for a heartfelt conversation on the unexpected paths life takes us on, healing generational wounds, and learning to trust the process. Andrea shares her journey from aspiring accountant to therapist, the lessons she's learned along the way, and how our families, cultures, and inner voices shape our healing.

Together, Adri and Andrea reflect on what it means to navigate life as first-gen Latinas, the challenges of balancing our past and future, and the importance of choosing healing—both for ourselves and for those who come after us.

About our Amiguis:

Andrea Vargas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the creator of Sana Sana Colita de Trauma, an Instagram platform offering mental health resources for the Latino community, with an emphasis on Spanish-language accessibility. Andrea specializes in supporting first-gen individuals, immigrants, and their families as they navigate generational trauma and healing.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Andrea’s journey from business to therapy unfolded unexpectedly
• The impact of assimilation, acculturation, and identity on our mental health
• How first-gens navigate the contradictions of adulthood and family expectations
• The role of chosen family and community in healing
• Why dismantling inherited narratives is key to self-discovery
• How we can invite our parents and elders into mental health conversations

In Andrea's Words::

"We don’t just grieve what happens; we grieve what doesn’t happen. Healing isn’t about erasing pain—it’s about making space for something different."

In this episode of Entre Tías y Amiguis, Adri sits down with Stephanie Olano, a marriage and family therapist and founder of Awkward Money, to explore the deeply ingrained financial narratives that shape our relationship with money. They dive into the intersection of financial trauma, cultural identity, and generational beliefs, unpacking the ways that money anxiety manifests and how we can begin to reframe inherited financial scripts. Stephanie shares her personal journey of bridging her expertise in mental health with financial coaching and offers practical insights on how to heal money wounds while developing financial confidence.

About the Amiguis:

Stephanie Olano (she/her) is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of Awkward Money, a coaching platform focused on helping individuals navigate financial trauma and anxiety. With a background in mental health, Stephanie integrates trauma-informed practices with financial education to support BIPOC and immigrant communities in transforming their relationship with money. Through her work, she challenges financial shame, builds awareness of systemic barriers, and empowers people to take financial action that aligns with their values.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How financial trauma manifests and ways to recognize it in yourself
• The role of cultural norms and generational beliefs in shaping financial behaviors
• How money anxiety impacts relationships and decision-making
• The importance of grieving financial losses and reparenting your inner child
• Practical steps to reframe inherited money beliefs and build financial confidence

In Stephanie's Words:

"We have to be able to talk about money trauma in a way that acknowledges both the survival instincts of our ancestors and our ability to create new financial narratives for ourselves."

In this episode of Entre Tías y Amiguis, Adri sits down with Christina Rodriguez, founder of Latinas with Masters. Christina shares her inspiring journey as a first-gen Nicaraguan-American doctoral candidate and the intentionality behind creating a platform that uplifts Latinas in higher education. Together, Adri and Christina unpack their shared experiences navigating academia, deconstructing white supremacy in professional spaces, and finding their authentic voices.

About our Amiguis:

Christina Rodriguez is the founder and creator of Latinas with Masters, a community-driven platform amplifying Latina representation in higher education. A proud Nicaraguan-American, doctoral student in Educational Leadership, and mother of two, Christina is passionate about creating equitable pathways for women of color in academia. Through her work, Christina challenges traditional academic systems, promotes storytelling as a valid methodology, and uplifts her community with love and intention.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- The challenges of navigating predominantly white institutions as Latinas.

- How cultural identity informs the way we show up in professional and academic spaces.

- The importance of storytelling and community in challenging academic norms.

- How Christina’s Latinas with Masters platform is breaking barriers and fostering belonging.

- Practical advice for showing up authentically and unapologetically.

In Christina's words:

"Don’t dummy yourself down to make others feel comfortable. Show up authentically and unapologetically—you belong in every space you enter."