InspiraMe Latina

Authenticity, Influence, and Resilience in the Digital Age

In this episode, we explore what it means to show up with authenticity, influence, and resilience in today’s fast-paced digital world with powerhouse marketing expert and social media influencer Michelle Barone-Lepore. With over two decades of experience, Michelle is a trailblazer in digital strategy, event marketing, and personal branding—and she’s here to share her story and insight with us.
 
Michelle opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her journey, from building a leading marketing agency to becoming the influential voice behind the RED podcast. Through candid conversation and real-life experience, she offers a refreshing take on how to maintain authenticity in an algorithm-driven world, build a brand that truly connects, and harness your influence for purpose-driven impact.
 
From balancing life as a CEO, content creator, and mom, to navigating the evolving challenges of leadership in media, Michelle provides inspiration for anyone looking to grow with integrity and intention. Whether you’re an aspiring influencer, entrepreneur, or creative, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to show up confidently in your space.
 
Subscribe, like, and share this episode with your friends, family, and community—it’s a powerful conversation you won’t want to miss!
Guest Speaker Bio:
Michelle Barone-Lepore | CEO of Michelle Barone Media | Host of RED Podcast
Marketing Expert | Influencer | Community Leader
Contact Information:
📱 Instagram: @michellebaroneonline
🎙 Podcast: Michelle Barone RED
🌐 Website: Michelle Barone Media
 
Michelle Barone-Lepore is a celebrated marketing strategist and influencer with over 20 years of industry expertise. As President of Michelle Barone Media, she leads a cutting-edge agency known for its innovative campaigns and event marketing excellence. Michelle is also the host of the RED podcast, where she curates powerful conversations with thought leaders and changemakers. Passionate about uplifting others, Michelle uses her platform to encourage authenticity, inspire confidence, and help individuals and brands make a meaningful impact—on and offline.

How To Cultivate and Generate Wealth

In this episode, we uncover the secrets to cultivating and generating wealth with Dr. Jasmine Escalera, a LinkedIn Top Voice, certified career and life coach, and PhD in Neuropharmacology. Known as the “Queen of Reinvention,” Jasmine empowers women—especially women of color—to break free from self-doubt, embrace financial confidence, and create the abundant futures they deserve.
 
Jasmine shares her powerful insights on shifting your mindset around money, aligning your goals with intentional action, and overcoming the fear that often holds women back from wealth-building. Through her holistic and science-backed approach, she provides practical strategies to help you take bold steps toward financial security, career growth, and long-term success.
 
Whether you’re navigating career transitions, redefining your financial path, or simply seeking inspiration to take control of your wealth journey, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable tools. Tune in to discover how courage, confidence, and reinvention can unlock your full financial potential.
 
Subscribe, like, and share this episode with your friends, family, and community—it’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!
 
Guest Speaker Bio:
Dr. Jasmine Escalera | Career & Life Coach | LinkedIn Top Voice | Founder of The Courage Crew
 
Contact Information:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-escalera/
 
Dr. Jasmine Escalera is a renowned career and life coach dedicated to helping women of color build confidence, achieve professional success, and create wealth on their terms. As the founder of The Courage Crew, she provides expert coaching, transformative courses, and a supportive community to help women navigate their reinvention journeys. Her work has been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, Fortune, and more. Currently based in Miami, FL, she is writing her debut book, The Courage to Reinvent.
 
Jasmine’s mission is to help women fearlessly pursue financial empowerment, career fulfillment, and a life of abundance.

Empowering Latinas to Rewrite Their Financial Stories

In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative journey of overcoming financial trauma and breaking generational cycles of self-sabotage with licensed Latina therapist Leidy Quispe. With over 20 years of experience, Leidy empowers individuals to confront limiting beliefs, heal deep-rooted financial wounds, and embrace their authentic selves.
Leidy sheds light on the systemic and cultural factors that shape the financial mindset of the Latina community. Through heartfelt storytelling and actionable insights, this episode explores the shame, scarcity mentality, and imposter syndrome that often hinder wealth-building goals. Leidy also unpacks the connection between childhood experiences, trauma, and maladaptive financial behaviors, offering practical tools to help listeners rewrite their money narratives.
Whether you’re looking to heal generational wounds, overcome self-sabotage, or cultivate a healthier relationship with money, this podcast provides a powerful guide to financial empowerment and liberation. Join Leidy on this inspiring journey to discover the resilience and self-worth that lies within and learn how to create a thriving, trauma-free financial future.
Subscribe, like, and share this episode with your friends, family, and community—it’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!
Guest Speaker Bio:Leidy Quispe, Licensed Latina Therapist | Founder of Courageous TherapyTransformative Speaker | Empowerment Advocate | Mental Health Expert
Contact Information:
Phone: 973-282-6299
Website: https://courageoustherapynj.com/
With over two decades of experience, Leidy Quispe is renowned for her ability to guide individuals through the process of healing unresolved trauma, breaking free from limiting beliefs, and embracing personal empowerment. Her work focuses on fostering resilience and creating generational change in the Latina community through actionable strategies and compassionate support.
Leidy’s mission is to inspire individuals to live authentically, rewrite their money stories, and build a life of abundance and financial freedom.

AI Won’t Replace You – Leveraging Technology for Growth

In this episode, we delve into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in marketing and why it’s not here to replace us but to elevate what we do best. Our guest, John Mendez, owner of Stop and Stare Media, shares his expertise on how AI can help realtors, entrepreneurs, and professionals generate content at scale while staying authentic and relevant.
We discuss practical strategies for integrating AI into your marketing efforts, the importance of repurposing content strategically, and how to maintain the human touch in an increasingly digital world. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting to explore the possibilities of AI, this episode offers actionable insights to help you stand out and succeed.
 
Subscribe, like, and share this episode with friends, family, and your favorite content creators – they’ll thank you for it!
 
Guest Speaker Bio:John Mendez, Owner of Stop and Stare MediaDynamic Speaker | Real Estate Marketing Expert | Podcast Host
Contact Information:Address: 2777 Summer St #700, Stamford, CT 06905, United StatesPhone: +1 203-280-3078Email: stopandstaremedia1@gmail.comWebsite: stopandstare.mediaLinkedIn: John Mendez on LinkedIn
John is a dynamic and engaging speaker specializing in no-fluff, practical strategies for public speaking and real estate marketing. In 2023, he delivered over 110 speaking engagements, solidifying his reputation as a sought-after expert in his field.
As the host of the globally ranked podcast Walk 2 Wealth, John reaches thousands of listeners across 57 countries, sharing valuable insights into business, marketing, and personal growth. Through his company, Stop and Stare Media, John provides realtors and entrepreneurs with the tools to generate content at scale using AI and content repurposing strategies.
John’s mission is simple: to empower professionals with the knowledge and tools to thrive in the digital age, without losing the human connection that makes their work truly impactful.

Latinos: Creating Generational Wealth with Real Estate… Even if you are Undocumented!

In this episode, we explore how our community, including those who are currently undocumented, can navigate the process of buying a home in the United States. We discuss the steps, challenges, and resources available to make homeownership a reality, regardless of your immigration status. We also address common fears and concerns, offering guidance and reassurance to help you overcome the obstacles on your path to owning a home. Let’s build generational wealth together, starting with the security and stability of owning your own home.
 
Please subscribe, like, and share with friends and family… but also your favorite Real Estate Agent - they will appreciate it.
Guest Speaker Bio: 
Jessica Coen, Your Mortgage Sherpa/Su Guía Hipotecario
Branch Manager/ Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS 68055
Email: jessica.coen@usmortgage.com
Cell phone: 347-712-6576
Website: https://usmortgage.com/jessica-coen/
 
Jessica started working in mortgages in 1999 when she was finishing college in Puerto Rico. She also became a Real Estate Broker before moving to New York in 2004. In 2005, she opened her own Mortgage Broker office in The Bronx, which she ran until the market crash in 2009.
 
With The Bronx as her home and workplace, Jessica currently serves as a Branch Manager for US Mortgage Corporation, a Direct Lender established in 1994. In this role, she is a staunch advocate for her clients and the Hispanic/Latino Community, a role that has enabled her to provide invaluable support.
 
Her guiding principle is: “Be a resource, not a sales pitch.” She is dedicated to educating our community about the benefits of homeownership and its potential to build wealth for future generations.

The Case for Language Liberation Part 3

This is Part 3, the last part of The Case for Language Liberation episode...
 
Language liberation is an essential tool in the effort to eliminate other oppressions (racism, classism, genocide, sexism, young people's oppression, and so on). This is because language has been used to hold in place the power and structure of the dominant groups and the privileges of their status quo.
 
María Rosa Brea-Spahn, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (ella, she, her/s), is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Brea-Spahn joined NYU Steinhardt in Fall 2017 as the inaugural Director of the Bilingual Extension Track. She graduated with an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Cognitive Neural Sciences and a minor in Language Science from the University of South Florida’s Department of Psychology. Prior to and while obtaining her doctorate, she practiced as a bilingual, certified Speech-Language Therapist in school-based settings and was employed as a Clinical Instructor responsible for training and supervising graduate students with varying levels of expertise.
Dr. Brea-Spahn is a Dominican immigrant, bilingual communicator (user of Español and English), a critical teacher-scholar whose work has been centered at the intersection of multilingualism and disability. She teaches about and implements culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogical practices in her courses, as these are aligned with her overarching commitments to critical inquiry, reflexive praxis, and the redistribution of power in classroom spaces, in a way that remains representative of her students’ brilliant voices. Her classroom and community collaborations focus on researching the impact of standardized linguistic ideologies in speech-language practices, sustaining variability in languaging in the classroom, and co-envisioning a path for linguistic liberation.
Her dedication to student-centered teaching, social justice activism, and community engagement have received multiple accolades. In 2015, Dr. Brea-Spahn was selected for the University of South Florida's Provost Community Engaged Faculty Award. In 2020, she received the prestigious NYU Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award. She is also the recipient of the 2021 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)'s Certificate of Recognition for Special Contributions in Multicultural Affairs. And in 2022, she received the NYU Steinhardt Teaching Excellence Award.

The Case for Language Liberation Part 2

This is Part 2 of The Case for Language Liberation episode...
 
Language liberation is an essential tool in the effort to eliminate other oppressions (racism, classism, genocide, sexism, young people's oppression, and so on). This is because language has been used to hold in place the power and structure of the dominant groups and the privileges of their status quo.
 
María Rosa Brea-Spahn, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (ella, she, her/s), is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Brea-Spahn joined NYU Steinhardt in Fall 2017 as the inaugural Director of the Bilingual Extension Track. She graduated with an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Cognitive Neural Sciences and a minor in Language Science from the University of South Florida’s Department of Psychology. Prior to and while obtaining her doctorate, she practiced as a bilingual, certified Speech-Language Therapist in school-based settings and was employed as a Clinical Instructor responsible for training and supervising graduate students with varying levels of expertise.
Dr. Brea-Spahn is a Dominican immigrant, bilingual communicator (user of Español and English), a critical teacher-scholar whose work has been centered at the intersection of multilingualism and disability. She teaches about and implements culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogical practices in her courses, as these are aligned with her overarching commitments to critical inquiry, reflexive praxis, and the redistribution of power in classroom spaces, in a way that remains representative of her students’ brilliant voices. Her classroom and community collaborations focus on researching the impact of standardized linguistic ideologies in speech-language practices, sustaining variability in languaging in the classroom, and co-envisioning a path for linguistic liberation.
Her dedication to student-centered teaching, social justice activism, and community engagement have received multiple accolades. In 2015, Dr. Brea-Spahn was selected for the University of South Florida's Provost Community Engaged Faculty Award. In 2020, she received the prestigious NYU Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award. She is also the recipient of the 2021 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)'s Certificate of Recognition for Special Contributions in Multicultural Affairs. And in 2022, she received the NYU Steinhardt Teaching Excellence Award.

The Case for Language Liberations

This is Part 1 of The Case for Language Liberation episode...
 
Language liberation is an essential tool in the effort to eliminate other oppressions (racism, classism, genocide, sexism, young people's oppression, and so on). This is because language has been used to hold in place the power and structure of the dominant groups and the privileges of their status quo.
 
María Rosa Brea-Spahn, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (ella, she, her/s), is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Brea-Spahn joined NYU Steinhardt in Fall 2017 as the inaugural Director of the Bilingual Extension Track. She graduated with an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Cognitive Neural Sciences and a minor in Language Science from the University of South Florida’s Department of Psychology. Prior to and while obtaining her doctorate, she practiced as a bilingual, certified Speech-Language Therapist in school-based settings and was employed as a Clinical Instructor responsible for training and supervising graduate students with varying levels of expertise.
Dr. Brea-Spahn is a Dominican immigrant, bilingual communicator (user of Español and English), a critical teacher-scholar whose work has been centered at the intersection of multilingualism and disability. She teaches about and implements culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogical practices in her courses, as these are aligned with her overarching commitments to critical inquiry, reflexive praxis, and the redistribution of power in classroom spaces, in a way that remains representative of her students’ brilliant voices. Her classroom and community collaborations focus on researching the impact of standardized linguistic ideologies in speech-language practices, sustaining variability in languaging in the classroom, and co-envisioning a path for linguistic liberation.
Her dedication to student-centered teaching, social justice activism, and community engagement have received multiple accolades. In 2015, Dr. Brea-Spahn was selected for the University of South Florida's Provost Community Engaged Faculty Award. In 2020, she received the prestigious NYU Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award. She is also the recipient of the 2021 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)'s Certificate of Recognition for Special Contributions in Multicultural Affairs. And in 2022, she received the NYU Steinhardt Teaching Excellence Award.

The Case For Liberation: A Triumph Over Abuse

Jessica Nelson was named Realtor Associate of the Year by the New Jersey Association of Realtors in 2018. Since 2014, when she became a Realtor, Jessica has built a thriving practice representing buyers and sellers in general real estate transactions as well as representing many developers on new construction projects.
In 2017, as the team leader for Nelson Global Real Estate, Jessica became the leading Northeast Ambassador for Zaha Hadid's ultra-luxury residential skyscraper, One Thousand Museum, which is located in Miami, Florida. Jessica also serves on the Legislative, Grievance and Community Service Committees of the New Jersey Association of Realtors. In addition, Jessica is the founder and CEO of My Buddyguard Inc., a nonprofit in Hoboken dedicated to enhancing the security of domestic abuse victims.
Her most important responsibility to date is raising her twin daughters, Kenzie and Hayley. Jessica attended Montclair Kimberley Academy, where she was an all-state softball player and the starting catcher of the MKA Cougars 3-time state championship team. Jessica went on to obtain her bachelor's degree from UCLA. Jessica's roots as a team player are evident in how she manages her business, emphasizing discipline, integrity and performance as the fundamentals of Nelson Global Real Estate.

The Case for Elevated Aspirations: Never Settle for Less

We are excited and most importantly very proud to present our featured guest for today's episode. Dana Cadena.
 
A Real Estate Broker, Coach, Trainer and Public Speaker, who empowers and equip entrepreneurs to outproduce their best results in business, funding incredible results for their families! As she thrives in real estate and finance for over 24 years, it simply means that she weathered through many markets and solved many challenges. She energized by the future of real estate and business moving forward, with prop-tech and AI impacting our daily lives. As the founder of her training and coaching platform: Overachiever Central, She proudly lead business workshops throughout the continental U.S. and beyond. In leadership, She serves as President of the Women's Council of Realtors in Middlesex County, N.J. She proudly participate in the national Black Realtor Network and NAHREP, which are meaningful roles to Dana Cadena. Certified to lead wealth building to youth, She host talks in underserved communities. Her passion is to pour into young people on the topic of building wealth, while living fulfilling lives.