The holidays are often filled with joy, connection, and delicious food, but let’s be real—they can also come with stress, unmet expectations, and complicated family dynamics. In this live-recorded episode of Entre Tías y Amiguis, I sit down with Victoria Cortez, LMFT and founder of First Gen Feeler, to offer you a holiday survival guide. We talk about navigating boundaries, showing up authentically, and redefining traditions in ways that honor both your family and yourself.

About our Guest

Victoria Cortez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, boundaries and wellness coach, and the founder of First Gen Feeler. She works with first-generation individuals who are navigating their own healing journeys, breaking generational patterns, and learning to feel their emotions in healthy ways. Through her work, Victoria helps others create balance and safety within themselves while embracing growth.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- How cultural values (like familismo and marianismo) influence holiday expectations.

- The importance of setting boundaries that bring people in, not shut them out.

- How to navigate roles and dynamics that resurface during family gatherings.

- Practical tips to prepare for emotional, financial, and physical boundaries during the holidays.

- The power of redefining traditions and creating space for new ways of connecting.

Guest Quote

"Boundaries aren't about keeping people out—they're about creating safety so we can nurture the relationships that matter." — Victoria Cortez

Chapters:

00:08 — Welcome to the Live Episode

02:19 — Defining the “First Gen Feeler”

04:26 — Cultural Values and Holiday Expectations

09:01 — Bicultural Family Dynamics and Creating New Norms

13:39 — Roles and Self-Awareness During Family Gatherings

16:05 — Why Setting Realistic Expectations Matters

20:44 — Boundaries: From Physical to Financial

27:49 — Showing Up Authentically in Family Spaces

32:29 — The Role of Safety When Establishing Boundaries

44:02 — Societal Expectations, Resentment, and Starting New Traditions

48:36 — Practical Tips: Your Holiday Survival Kit