New Episodes, Some News (eee!)

Okay soooo I know I promised Hella First Gen is coming back and it is! But something else happened last month that was both unexpected yet exactly what I prayed for.

Hella Latin@ officially has a home studio in Los Angeles! We're cozied up in Sueños Social Club, a studio owned by a former guest Tiffany Leonardo . In January, I prayed for more opportunities to do in person podcast episodes and it all unfolded seamlessly - that's when I know it's coming from God. Here's a clip of my in-person episode with Tiffany, in the studio!

With the new studio, it felt right to FINALLY pre-launch my Hella Latin@ merch! Which you can find more info on here. I will still be hosting virtual episodes with now a mix of in-person recordings hosted in LA or NYC. I can't wait for y'all to hear some of the episodes we have coming your way!

Speaking of, the episode with Maisa Morrar "Living in Diaspora: From Palestine to Venezuela to America" still lingers on my mind. This episode brought me back to my very first Hella Latin@ episodes, I felt that same curiosity and the same passion.

I randomly met Maisa and her mother at the San Diego airport and I instantly loved them. Her mami was so kind. Maisa was so kind. They shared their Palestinian-Venezuelan story with me and although the convo was brief, the connection was wholesome.

Months later, Maisa came on the podcast. The episode with Maisa reminded me WHY I created my pod. Because theres so much we don't know, so much of our own Latin histories and realities that we aren't told. I'm just trying to do my part and hand the mic back to the people.

Cause storytelling is a revolutionary tool for resistance.

And storytelling is part of us. Its ancestral. Its oral history at play and its cultural preservation. When we share our truth, we create space for humanity, for connection, and for empathy.

Maisa's words, her memories of Palestine and how it changed through the years, her love for her people, and her dreams of liberation - every word is like a thread weaved into me and Hella Latin@ forever.

Honored and in full on gratitude that she trusted me to hold those stories and put it out to you all. If you haven't tuned in, I hope you do  ☕️

Hella Latin@ available on all major podcast platforms. Tap in. Audio and video available on Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Con mucho amor,

Odalys Jasmine

What to look forward to: A new Hella Latin@ episode with Jasmine Romero who is holding it down for Latino writers and actors in Hollywood, and an upcoming Lean in Latinas event with Hady Mendez !

Also, a lot of people ask me how they can support or show love, and honestly, the best way is to let me know how these episodes are resonating. What are you excited to hear more about? What's missing? And if you're a fan, leave a review 🥹 That way, more and more people can find these stories, too.

Okay, that's all from me. Big love to you all. XO.