First Generation Programming Services
Welcome back, First Gens! This week is very special because it’s our 100th episode! Can you believe it? 100 episodes of sharing stories and building community with you all. It’s amazing to think of how far we have come in these 100 episodes and how much we have learned by chatting with other first gens and learning their stories. As a reminder, this month’s theme is Mental Health as a First Gen, and for this very special episode, we are of course welcoming a very special guest, Dr. Paul Rivera.
Dr. Paul Rivera
Dr. Paul Rivera is a proud first-gen Latino, born and raised in Los Angeles by Mexican and Salvadoran parents. He has a PhD in Economics, and is a former diplomat, a strategist, a coach, and most importantly, a cycle breaker. As the co-founder of Be.Act.Change, he’s made it his life’s work to help individuals and organizations find alignment and resilience, and his journey is one that so many of us will deeply connect with.
During my conversation with Paul, he shared what it meant to grow up with no blueprint. Like so many of us, he didn’t have mentors or role models to lead him down a certain path. Even now, with all his accomplishments, his family doesn’t always understand his career or values, and this can feel pretty lonely. But instead of holding everything in, Paul decided to embrace who is he and not hold back.
Mental Health as a First Gen
Of course, we also chatted about mental health and what it’s like to manage it as a first gen. Mental health is something that is not often spoken about and emotions are often tucked away, not shared or explored. As we are sure you know, this can cause damage over time. So, what did Paul do to combat this? He went to therapy, he has a supportive partner, and he practices breathwork. He shares with us that this isn’t “woo-woo.” It’s indigenous, spiritual, and scientific, and it’s a tool we can reclaim to regulate our nervous systems, reconnect with ourselves, and silence the noise of imposter syndrome.
Our conversation with Paul reminds us that we are not alone. We are not broken. We are building something, and this takes courage and resilience. Remember that I am always in your corner, and you have a community ready to support you on your journey.
The First Gen Madrina/The Social Work Madrina
If you are a University, College, Company or Organization, The First Gen Madrina offers workshops on a variety of topics (such as imposter syndrome, time management, managing burnout, building a self-care plan, etc..), custom built mentorship programs as well as customized services tailored to your needs.
In order to follow along, remember to rate, review, and subscribe to The First Gen Madrina Podcast to stay connected. Also, follow on Instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Sara acknowledges that the term first gen can be fluid, so The First Gen Madrina is committed to supporting all first gens! This isn’t just about breaking barriers—it’s about providing unwavering support that propels individuals to embrace life’s challenges and triumphs.
Also, in case you have missed it, I recently announced a new branch of The First Gen Madrina called The Social Work Madrina. The Social Work Madrina will bring intentional support to social workers and more programming on mental health. Within TSWM, you will find The Madrina Network: A Community for Social Workers!
Our community deserves more support, guidance and resources.
Soooooo are you ready? Here are some highlights of the community!
Monthly zoom calls to discuss the successes, challenges and needs of the social work community.
Opportunity to network with fellow social workers from all over the U.S!
Monthly workshops with different social work-related themes.
Optional coaching time with me for additional support!
Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for more information! Check out thefirstgenmadrina.com/themadrinanetwork for more information soon!
¡Hasta pronto!
