Meet Them Mondays

It's sad and scary to think every woman I have ever met has a story about being harassed at some point in her life. This was no different for MYRLANDE ETIENNE, aka Mimi. During a pandemic layoff combined with a dangerous encounter she set out to start a business, Myet Protection, that would not only empower her but her surrounding community. Myet Protection her company, sells alternative tools to guns for self-protection. She also educates women, and men on how to use stun guns, knives, pepper spray, and how to overcome life-threatening situations. In this episode, you'll hear us talk about uncomfortable encounters that we'll never forget as well as her journey from corporate professional to a full-time entrepreneur. Follow her @MyetProtection on social media or MyetProtection.biz and @MeetThemMondays.

When I first met Zi it was clear that he was experiencing something I could never understand. Zi is from Afghanistan, a place that has completely been lost to the Taliban, an extremist religious group that rules under Sharia law - and the place where his immediate family lives. It was a gut-wrenching conversation, but one that needed to be had ... He is trying to communicate as much as possible with them and trying to bring his sister to America. If you know anything about the Taliban is that women and girls are oppressed and erased. They have no basic human rights. If you feel inclined to, the link for his sister's GoFund Me is in the bio of @meetthemmondays account on IG. In this episode, you'll hear him talk about life in his country and his early experiences with death and war. It's not an easy listen, but it will humanize a place we hear so much about, but barely know.

Kris D. is a visual artist and photographer and the co-creator behind the artist talk series Ok Art And Coffee. She's also the founder of the femme artist magazine Warriors Within Collective and the entrepreneur and founder of Kris D. Photography. In this episode, we get candid about taking naked pictures, the time she exposed her butt hole for art, and the beauty of her creative partnership with her husband. For more information or to book a session find her on IG @KrisD_22, @krisdphotography_, @warriorswithincollective and follow the podcast @MeetThemMondays and @CallHerChristian

Jordan The Jeweler is Houston's favorite icy artist but based on his Instagram you would never know it. The young entrepreneur has been in the industry for the last three years but has worked with some of the cities top hip hop creatives. In this episode, he breaks down how being a black jeweler has its challenges, the interview on VICE changed his life forever, and how a Mexican master jeweler took him under his wing and taught him the trade. Get to know him more on IG @JordanTheJeweler, Follow @CallHerChristian, and search @MeetThemMondays for more.

David Rodriguez is known as the man behind The Tipping Point vintage clothing store and coffee shop but few know his story. The chef-turned entrepreneur has been running his business for over 15 years and is a legend in Houston culture. The Mexican immigrant who relocated to Houston in his teen years experienced homelessness at the tender age of six and has since then created success out of his troubled past. In this episode, David talks about a business relationship that turned sour, his hustler mentality, his love for community, and the one move he made that saved his store and got him through the pandemic. Follow @david_tipping, @thetippingpoint_coffee, @thetippingpointstore, @callherchristian @meetthemmondays on Instagram

Francisco Guerrero is the host of the Life Without Limits Podcast. He's a father, a friend, and a person on the human experience just like the rest of us. In his podcast series, he interviews people from all walks of life- from rappers to entrepreneurs and makeup artists to screenplay writers. All these people have a story but each time Francisco uncovers new layers to their story and their work. Life can have its limits if you let it but this podcast brings together people from all walks of life that choose to overcome life's obstacles and win daily. Make sure to follow @LifeW0Limits1 on Instagram and check out the Life Without Limits podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow @MeetThemMondays and @CallHerChristian on IG.

June Da Barber is Monster Energy's first official barber but prior to that opportunity he was cutting hair in a garage and all over Southeast Houston. The barber who has been in the game since he was 16 tells us about manifesting his partnerships, business ventures, collaborations and how ultimately his goal is to spend less time at the shop. June is also the owner of apparel brand SUCIOWORLD and founded clipper beasts a platform to showcase the best underground barbers as well as a way to unify the barber community. Stay in touch with him on ig @JuneDaBarber, @ClipperBeasts, @HTXSucio and check out more episodes on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify.

There is something so badass about seeing women on motorcycles. In this episode we hear from Carolina Paredes one of the co-founders of the Houston Litas. The Litas are a motorcycle group founded in 2015 by Jessica Wise in Salt Lake City, Utah. Paredes talks about the spiritual aspect of riding, empowering women through motorcycles, and the reality of the dangers that come when getting on two wheels. The litas “inspire and empower women by showing them they can do whatever they set their mind to, whether that’s riding a motorcycle, or building an empire. They aren’t afraid to go against the grain and shatter stereotypes in the process.” Follow Carolina on all social platforms @MadeByCarolina, @TheLitas @HoustonLitas on Instagram, or check out thelitas.co for more information.

Everyone talks about working for themselves, but few know the journey of starting your own business. Jorge Casanova @Jorgey co-founded @Diosbrand “Did It Ourselves” with his partner LES aka @steakxshrimp the Houston-based street style brand tells all about taking an idea and seeing it through its inception, surviving the pandemic, and putting on for his Houston community. He also shares the best business advice he's ever been given and the one piece of advice he swears by on a daily. For more information or to check out their apparel visit diosbrand.com

Rican McGusty aka DJ Big Reeks isn't your typical DJ. The civil engineer almost didn't make it as a creative, but after getting laid off from his corporate job his life took a turn. Now the Houston native is known around the city for his vibey sets and as the founder of The Waxaholics, a collective he started back in 2012 of vinyl-only dj's. In this episode, you'll hear him tell the story of the person that gave him that push to become a full-time creative, being the son of immigrant parents, and how he quiets out the noise as a public figure. Make sure to give him a follow on IG @DJBigReeks & @TheWaxaholics

Cristina Ramos Greene recently penned the book Embrace That Girl: A Love Story With The Girl In The Mirror. The book retraces Cris' search for meaning, love and gainful employment. She navigates love triangles and career letdowns, feigns bilingualism, and delves into tarot, superstition and Santeria (it's amazing what it takes to date in Miami). Along the way, Cris begins to realize an important lesson: there is no way to get out of doing the work yourself. It's not easy, but it's worth it. To support the book head to amazon and check out more of her writing at TheCrisRamos.com or follow her on IG @CrisRGreene

It's February, which means it's Black History Month. For this episode of Meet Them Mondays we wanted to talk about the Latino roots in Black culture. It's important to celebrate Black History Month, but we also have to highlight the various human experiences of what being Black is. With Miami being a predominantly Latino city, it made sense to celebrate the Afro-Latinx contributions in South Florida. In this episode, we hear from Jasmely De La Cruz Jackson, entrepreneur and owner of Miami's oldest established Dominican night club and restaurant Club Tipico Dominicano, and Carmen Dorval a medical and non-profit professional. Both women are Dominican but with very different yet similar stories of growing up Black and Latina. Follow all the voices of this episode @ClubTipico / @CarmensitaXoXo @MeetThemMondays and host @RoamFreeWrites on Instagram and for more episodes head to RoamFreeWrites.com for more.

It's beautiful to see how passionate the youth is about climate change. They created a movement that has galvanized masses to understand what is happening with the planet. In this episode, you'll meet John Paul Mejia and Gabriela Rodriguez two youth climate warriors who work with The Cleo Institute. Cleo is a non-profit, non-partisan organization exclusively dedicated to climate change education, engagement, and advocacy in Florida. They're also members of GenCLEO's Youth Empowerment program, which engages and empowers high school and college students, as well as young professionals, to take climate action. Our other guest is Lina Castañeda, a self-proclaimed minimalist whose journey to motherhood sparked a complete change in lifestyle and led her to a non-toxic and natural lifestyle. She also represents The Surfrider Foundation. Surfrider is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves, and beaches through a robust activist network. They broke down how climate change has affected us, where we stand and what actions we can take now along with our friends, family, and community to make impactful decisions on climate. Follow them on socials at @johnpaulmejia & @gabionearth of @cleoinstitute and @minima.lina of @surfridermiami . Follow host Christian Portilla @RoamFreeWrites and @MeetThemMondays

For our first show of 2020, we wanted to bring you an inspirational fitness episode to start the year off in the right state of mind. Our guests are Crystal Ram, the designer and entrepreneur behind activewear line Habit Activ and Julia Lopez, the founder and executive director of Fit Miami Fest, with the inaugural event happening at the end of the month. Both women spoke about their fitness journeys, how shame and generational traumas affect our fitness and body image, and how they got started on their journies of wellness while building their brands. You'll also hear host Christian Portilla get vulnerable about being a Latina and the extremes women of color go to, to fit unrealistic beauty standards. Follow all the voices of this episode @HabitActiv / Crystal_Activ @FitMiamiFest @MeetThemMondays and host @RoamFreeWrites on Instagram and for more episodes head to RoamFreeWrites.com for more.

Governor Ron DeSantis recognized October 15, as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day in Florida. Latino communities are significantly affected by HIV in Florida. In 2018, 34 percent of the 4,906 persons newly diagnosed with HIV in Florida were Latino (compared to 25 percent who were white and 39 percent who were black). Needless to say HIV and its stigma have disproportionately affected our POC communities. In this episode, you'll be meeting two of South Florida’s leaders in the fight Mario Schauer and Paul Seligmann authors, activists and educators in ending the stigma and bringing awareness to HIV. For more information visit MarioSchauer.com or follow him on socials at @MarioSchauer and connect with Paul Seligmann at CareResource.org. Follow host @RoamFreeWrites or @MeetThemMondays

There is a lot of healing to be done in the area of sex and communities of color/ women embracing their sexuality. After much demand we finally hosted our Meet Them Mondays Sex Show with Sex Wellness Educator @Vikerrious and Sexologist @Tyna_tx of @Totality_Wellness . We spoke about stigmas, masturbation, kink, embracing your inner slut, healing through tantra, toys, how much sex we’re really supposed to be having and answering all the questions submitted via the @MeetThemMondays IG page. Aside from this episode, we invite you to to create a respectful dialogue when it comes to asking for what you want, when you want it, in sex. For more information visit Vikerrious.com or email Christina at drcraphael26@gmail.com the Facebook group mentioned in this episode is Clinicians of Color in Private Practice. To connect with host Christian Portilla email info@roamfreewrites.com or @RoamFreeWrites

Living under the Trump administration has put a lot of pressure on people to wake up and see what racist policies can do to a nation and to thousands of people - particularly immigrants. Friends of Miami-Dade Detainees is a visitation program run by Bud Conlin and assisted by Wendy King. Through FOMDD, people of the community can visit an immigrant detained at the Krome Detention Center in Homestead, Florida. I went and saw the facility for myself and visited with an immigrant from Sudan who grew up in the United States and found himself on a wrong path. He was charged for a crime, and his immigration status led to him being detained because of his status. It was cold, we were searched, and the group of five women who went with me all went to visit a detainee. One girl coincidentally ended being paired with a detainee whom she went to high school with. That was wild. The facility is a bit intimidating but it's not impossible to attend, in fact if you're documented and have the time, it is your responsibility to be a watchdog of your community and schedule a visitation. For more information visit https://floridaimmigrant.org/our-work/detentions-deportations/visitation-programs/friends-of-miami-dade-detainees/

Every day in the news, we hear about a new Trump policy that is going to deter immigrants from coming to the United States. With Florida being a border state, it was imperative to have the people doing the groundwork in our community on Meet Them Mondays. On this episode you'll be hearing from  Maria Asuncion Bilbao of United We Dream,  Paula Munoz of Florida Immigrant Coalition & Lis-Marie Alvarado of American Friends Service Committee three powerful Latinxs who organize, educate and galvanize the community when it comes to immigration rights and action. Please note this show is both in English and Spanish*** For more information and to find immigration resources visit : https://floridaimmigrant.org/ https://unitedwedream.org/ https://www.afsc.org/ Follow the Organizations on Instagram: @FlimMigrant @UnitedWeDream @AmericanFriendsService To connect with the Women in the episode : @PaulaBear92 @MariaAsuncionBilbao For more episodes visit RoamFreeWrites.com

This episode was inspired by Father's Day a holiday that isn't always so positively viewed among people. Everyone has a story related to their parents, and for this show, we wanted to hear from people who grew up with absent fathers. Artist Jenny Perez and Andres Gil were on the show to share their stories about their relationships with their dads. For Jenny, it was the inconsistent presence of her father in her life, for Andres, it was missing out on a relationship with his dad for the first twelve years of his childhood because of incarceration. These stories have pain; they're real, and they're vulnerable. For those of you out there that grew up without a dad, lost a dad or are healing from those relationships- this one is for you. Follow our guests on IG @JennyPerezArt and @Beast_By_Dre. The host is Christian Portilla @RoamFreeWrites or @MeetThemMondays for more information visit roamfreewrites.com

I first met Steven Snyder summer of 2016, and my spirit was touched by her story. Steven was in Miami for TransArt, the first art festival of its kind for transgender creatives only* and I was there to cover the story for the Miami Herald. She and other artists were showcasing their work at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach. Hers adorned the dining room walls where we all ate and I remember her impeccable style caught my eye instantly. There was something about Steven that inspired so much love in me. She has this gentle energy about her, a true nurturer, and I couldn't help but be drawn by it. This is the story about her life as an artist and her journey from male to female, it's story that's been in the making for over 60 years and I am so proud and humbled to share it with you on #MeetThemMondays. Stay in touch with Steven on Instagram @StevenSnyderArt, Facebook - Steven Snyder or support her art on www.StevenSnyderArt.com . For more information visit roamfreewrites.com or follow host Christian Portilla @RoamFreeWrites.

Miami is a metropolis, think of it as a brewing cauldron of cultures, ethnicities, and races. With that comes a vibrant mix of religions, spiritual beliefs and a blend of new and old mystic practices. For this episode of Meet Them Mondays we're exploring Miami's bruja culture with Astrologer Valerie Mesa and The Tarot Queen Sisther Pravia. We spoke about botanicas, balancing being a bruja with traditional religion, how to get started on your empath journey, and how to self-care in the bruja world. Valerie even read the 2019 horoscope, and we answered your faq's when it comes to tarot and astrology. Make sure to follow @ValerieMesa @TheTarotQueen and host @RoamFreeWrites on IG. For more information head to roamfreewrites.com.

This episode with Elisa Gonzalez, Nichole Dawkins, and Alexis Vazquez was one of magic, vulnerability, and love. Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience and to quote a good friend "one of the best/worst things to ever happen to your life." In this show, we speak to three mamapreneurs who balance, work, motherhood, and life. We talk about everything from mental health issues during pregnancy, to teen pregnancy, mortality rates among black mamas and blended families. This episode goes out with love and respect for all the women who came before us and who will come after. For more information head to roamfreewrites.com and to connect with the women of the episode follow them on Instagram @ThankYouNicky @ElisaFace and @Tremendo_Mama. Follow Christian Portilla the show's host on @RoamFreeWrites or @MeetThemMondays.

Anthony Blackman is an executive member of The Circle of Brotherhood, a community organization and non-profit for black men in Miami who aim to solve their communities problems. Recently, the C.O.B. made headlines for the 21-day hunger strike protesting gun violence in Miami. Blackman is a recovering addict and was at one point homeless, hitting rock bottom a spiritual revelation with God transformed his life and led him down a path of redemption. He's gone on to start his music production business Blackman Music Group and written and produced tracks like "THE HUNGER 9 ANTHEM "Peacemakers." In this heartfelt interview, he opens up about his past as a victim of physical and sexual abuse, his experiences in jail and his life now as an entrepreneur and activist. For more information visit roamfreewrites.com or follow Anthony Blackman at @BlackmanMusicGroup @CircleOfBrotherhood @CircleOfEnt

Miami is a party city but when you ask locals what the media portrays and what happens in the Miami party scene is entirely different. For this episode, you'll meet Alexis Brown of SocialxChange a curated day party for the black community of Miami, Simone Russell of The KGN a Caribbean cool collective that hosts The Shrine an Afrobeats and reggae party and Daniela Molina of Out of Service, an event company that hosts the reggaeton party #ElPerreo. They each service and cater to different pockets of Miami but in an authentic and cross-pollinated way. They're also women curators of vibes and set the tone for the female party experience of our city. For more information visit RoamFreeWrites.com

Miami Soundwave is Miami's First Female Dj Collective. Brenda Bonnie, DJ PeeWee & Dj Kramer are the women behind the collective who are known for setting the vibes around the city at parties, brunches and their popular ladies night club events. The women curate and host popular brunches, residencies, and act as brand ambassadors for companies like Lyft, Jameson, and others. During Art Basel, they hosted an event with Miami's La Goony Chonga, Pilly Mae and Yung Miami 1/2 from the famous rap duo City Girls. We'll be talking all things industry related, women in music and creating a sustainable career out of creativity. For more check out @MiamiSoundwave or roamfreewrites.com.

It's International Women's Month and we are celebrating it by highlighting some of Miami's bad ass lady hustlers. Anna Robbins , Aja Butler-Burns and Luiza Solano are all women entrepreneurs working hard in Miami and running their businesses in South Florida. Anna Robbins is the founder of 222 Taco and former owner of Coyo Taco, Aja is the jewelry designer behind Aba Jewels specializing in metal work with stones and Luiza runs her thrift company Almost Always Vintage through a series of pop-ups and via Instagram. We'll be learning valuable business tips from these women, hearing their stories and talking about life as business owners and women in Miami. For more information head to roamfreewrites.com

We're always hearing about Miami's music scene and most of us know someone in it, but have you ever stopped to think about Miami's Queer Music? Who are the people pioneering the movement and where do they play? That's where Gami Mami, Keanu Orange, and Skyler Schubert come in. These creatives are pioneering and establishing what Miami's Queer Music Community looks and sounds like. Find out more on @InternetFriends.Us

A lot of people say it's hard to make friends in Miami or build quality relationships but it doesn't have to be that way. CreativeMornings/Miami, DAYBREAKER & Women RUN Wynwood are three of many events in Miami that gather people in productive spaces to discuss health, business, culture while fostering community. David Verjano, Fabio Galarce and Grisell Denise Rodriguez Coronado will be my guests who represent these organizations. We'll be speaking on how these events became successful and how they're changing the narrative about what it means to get together with strangers in Miami.

Chacho Trinidad Jr. knows all too well about dealing with Male Fat Shaming. He struggled with his weight and decided to make a lifestyle change that led him to boxing. Now he's down over 145 pounds and has a new perspective on the journey men face when dealing with weight loss, active lifestyles and the pressures that come with trying to achieve the perfect body.

Eclectic Conversations is a meet up series that hosts different people in intimate spaces to discuss various topics in popular culture. It's a space that embraces open dialogue for people with open minds and a desire to learn more about the world around them. Follow them Eclectic Conversations on FB or IG @ElecticConversations.

Prism Creative Group is an events and culture company based in Miami. It's founder Isabella Acker has been at the core of creating community, music and artisan events that elevate the creative crowd in Miami. Find out more about initiatives created by Prism such as Culture Crusaders, and Support Local by visiting PrismCreativeGroup.com.

III POINTS IS AN ALTERNATIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MIAMI’S WYNWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD. THE FESTIVAL, WHICH WAS FOUNDED BY FOUR FRIENDS IN 2013, AROSE AS A MEANS TO REPRESENT AND UNITE SOUTH FLORIDA'S UNIQUE, DIVERSE COMMUNITY. III POINTS IS A PLATFORM THAT SHOWCASES MIAMI’S UP AND COMING MUSIC ACTS, ALONG WITH LOCAL ARTISTS FROM MANY DISCIPLINES, BY PLACING THEM ALONGSIDE THE GREATEST MUSICAL AND ARTISTIC MINDS IN THE WORLD. THIS IS THEIR STORY. For more info visit roamfreewrites.com

Pancho Manuvers De Pablo, Pazmal & Telescope Thieves are part of a beautiful collective of DJ's and producers behind parties like The Love Below, Lipgloss and Made You Look. You've probably attended one of their parties at your favorite Miami venue and didn't even know it. They're steadily taking over weeknight events in Miami and filling up venue after venue with their impressive music curation and wide ranging tune selection. I'll be sitting with these guys to talk all things music, business and how the hell they get the mamis out on a Tuesday night.

Alison Burgos is the co- founder of Seed Food & Wine Festival. When she became diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2008, she was confined to a wheelchair from 2011 to 2012, then underwent knee replacement surgery, followed by six months of physical rehabilitation to be able to walk again. Becoming more conscious of what she put into her body, she began consuming more fruits and vegetables, until adopting the plant-based diet she eats today. Realizing that changing her diet had put the spring back in her step, along with her wife Michelle Gaber and Burgos saw the opportunity to teach others how to eat their way to better health. As a foodie, and highly aware of the burgeoning foodie scene in Miami, they realized that with Burgos extensive experience as an event producer, that organizing the first of its kind plant-based food and wine festival was the best way to educate as well as enlighten others.

For this episode of Meet Them Mondays, you'll hear Christian Portilla the creator of the show speak on her career with Kristen Soller the host of podcast Kidnapped For Dinner. Kristen featured Christian Portilla on her show to speak about the struggles and triumphs of being a freelance writer and creative in Miami. For more information visit roamfreewrites.com/ @RoamFreeWrites/ @MeetThemMondays or @KidnappedForDinner

For this episode of Meet Them Mondays I'll be speaking with Hana Abdulla about growing up with a Muslim father and Christian mother and leaving "religion" for spirituality.

Valentin Mera has almost two decades in Entertainment, several music productions under his belt, a charismatic personality and a strong passionate voice he is currently working on a new album and has returned to acting and hosting. Before his transition he was formerly known as Diana Mera.

Have you ever wanted to just walk out of your life? Quit your job, sell your stuff and take a trip far away? For Meet Them Mondays 2/26 I spoke with Jorge Palacios @BeyondViewtiful about his Sabbatical on foot from Florida to California. Tune into joltradio.org every other Monday from 7-8 pm for new episodes of Meet Them Mondays or listen live via the Jolt Radio app /watch us in the studio live via the MTM FB page. Find all episodes on www.RoamFreeWrites.com and stay in touch with host Christian Portilla on socials @RoamFreeWrites. @MeetThemMondays @RoamFreeWrites www.roamfreewrites.com

Growing up mixed is a reality for many people in this country. Most recently Megan Markle brought up topics of race and bi-racial identity in America. For this episode of Meet Them Mondays I'm speaking with Yajaira De La Espada and Alexandra Tertulien about growing up mixed. It's not like this topic is new to anyone, but I want you to be a part of the narrative and learn from the journey and experiences these two women, one black and white and another Afrolatina , their stories identifying to many people living in America. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

This is a frank conversation with Miguel Pichardo, Johnny Tsokos and Thaddeus Shorter three dudes I know on different levels about what it means to be a man. We'll also discuss growing up male in black and brown communities and the pressures to "BE A MAN" + fit masculine stereotypes and what happens when you don't fit those descriptions. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

April 20th aka 4/20 is known in cannabis culture as National Marijuana Day. For this episode of Meet Them Mondays I'll be interviewing Mari and Biz of Stoner Girl Diary. Two dope queens from Miami who are changing the narrative of what it means to be a stoner girl with their YouTube series SGD where they educate, smoke, and dive into the world of weed. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

Amor Sierra and Antonella Cerasuolo are female tattoo artists. They'll be talking about their careers, stigmas, slaying in a male-dominated trade and their experiences. Sierra is the owner of @MiamiTattooCo and focuses on “branding” cover-ups of victims of sex trafficking and ex-gang members and @antonella_tattoos an artist and one of the few women of @junkyardstudios who worked her way up the ranks in the industry . @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

For today's show you’ll be meeting Gaby Guzman of @TheJupiterCircle & Jessica Wade of JWI PR @pepper_pr two beautiful souls and hardworking women who are going to share their human experience stories with us. We're talking the fine balance between motherhood, career, family time and the feminine energy. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

Nicholas Garnett and Esther Martinez are a phenomenal storytelling duo and the editors and producers of Lip Service: True Stories Out Loud. Lip Service is a storytelling theatrical performance where people submit real life stories and get to read them in front of an audience. The Miami Book Fair adopted the program back in 2012 and since then Lip Service has gone on to partner with local organizations and put together events like Storypalooza - informal storytelling events where readers get feedback from a panel, and official Lip Service events with eight readers, each with eight minute stories. You'll hear us speak about the art of storytelling and the "high" readers experience after telling their stories. The topics always vary, but most times readers find themselves sharing secrets and life events that they've never been able to say out loud. Both Esther and Nic agree on the healing properties that sharing a story for others to hear can do for the heart and soul. Toward the end of this episode you'll hear a reading from Nic and Esther - please note these stories contain sensitive topics. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

I’m your host Christian Portilla and for this show I was accompanied by my lovely co-host and wife Melani aka @MeloMelz. For those of you that follow my work and my socials you may see my wife behind the scenes and forever my plus one at the events I cover. I asked her to come on the last show of the year because she’s been through this crazy ride with me from the jump and I wanted you all to meet her and give her some air time. She basically lives this journalism career with me but on the silent end. At the start of the new year I am going to add more to this site and to the Meet Them Mondays platform. For starters I'm going to bring more of the human element and focus more on telling every day stories of life. I have been focusing a lot on community, but I also cover culture and lifestyle and I want to bring more of those experiences to this show. With that being said I’d like to have more of you submit your story ideas via email to: info@roamfreewrites.com with the subject line Meet Them Mondays. Themes should be about your life experiences and things you’ve gone through * nothing is off topic * but I want people to hear more human elements to unite us more to each other and really expose the common thread we share in this life journey. We are also changing Meet Them Mondays to every other Monday meaning you'll hear us live on joltradio.org the second and last Monday of the month. Right now we go live on the second and third Monday but our new schedule begins February since I am taking January off to focus on the one year anniversary celebration for Meet them Mondays. Thank you for supporting my journalism work and my career. I love you! @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

The internet has such a strange way of connecting people sometimes, but it's really cool when those connections come full circle. This past week was Miami Art Week also known as Art Basel and I met some inspiring women. On the fly I invited one of them to meet me on Meet Them Mondays to speak with me and the listeners about her project. Veronica Urrea, also known as V is behind Visionnaire Collective recently starting her business to represent artists and has found a way to curate a squad of badass creative ladies on her team. V along with 30 Voices will be spearheading an event celebrating Intentional Women's Day in San Francisco for 2018. I also had Alessandra Mondolfi and Melanie Oliva also known as art activists who participated in the March Against The Patriarchy during Basel drawing attention to the political statements they represent with props and signs and other visuals they've come to get recognition for. For this episode you'll meet all three women who although have many differences all seem to merge together creatively and in expression. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

The Ladies Empowerment And Action Program known as LEAP is the first of its kind and the only entrepreneurship training program dedicated to preparing incarcerated women re-enter their communities and be financially independent. LEAP pairs inmates with mentors, equips them with skills and training to gain employment as they exit prison. They also provide them with educational programs and knowledge to create a small business. The goal of the program is to provide participants with the tools and support to sustain themselves by gaining jobs or the ability to create their own economic opportunities. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

Alex Mitow and James Miille are rebels. The duo behind Miami's own art fair Superfine! Decided they had enough with the stuffy and presumptuous attitude of the art world and wanted to plug back in the vibes into the experience of collecting art. Superfine! The Fair disrupts all notions of typical art fairs with affordable art, great people, and highly curated selections, minus the well-heeled intimidating front. On this episode of Meet Them Mondays, you'll meet the founders, hear their story and learn about all things Art Basel Miami. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

Jan Becker author of The Sunshine Chronicles- an inventive compilation of Facebook posts. Becker is presenting her book at the Miami Book Fair going down next month November 12-19, 2017. The first Miami Book Fair, founded by Miami Dade College and community partners, took place in 1984. Since then, it has been recognized as the nation’s finest literary festival in South Florida. What attracted me to Becker is how she used the human experience and blended it with her daily interactions. In The Sunshine Chronicles Jan navigates domestic life with The Chef and Feline amidst a zany cast of neighbors and characters. From Creepy Maintenance Men with tawdry agendas, and annual invasions from snowbirds like The Winemaker and Grandma, to struggling through the summer with no AC in the car, The Sunshine Chronicles is a unique glimpse of both a small slice of Florida, and one woman's outlook on the world-at-large. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

For eleven years UnityCoalition Coalicion Unida has been advancing equality and fairness for the Hispanic LGBT community you'll be hearing from Herb Sosa, president of Unity Coalition and vice president Aryah Lester. Their largest festival Celebrate ORGULLO is their take on the Hispanic Pride festival. The programming begins October 1-15, 2017 hosting various workshops, services and empowerment for gay Latinos. If you're new to the city, someone who's looking for a tribe, or curious about the LGBT Latino community in Miami, Celebrate ORGULLO is bound to have something for you. Not only will you be meeting like minded individuals but Unity Coalition is big on creating culturally rich experiences for everyone in the community. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com

We've all experienced the nerves of going to our high school prom. From finding a date to making sure we had the perfect tux or dress, or even planning to "lose" it that night. But some of us never made it to prom, and others like our trans brothers and sisters were not able to attend as their authentic selves. This weekend the first-ever TransInclusive LGBT Prom is happening in South Florida. Organized by Carson Graham of TransInclusive, a Trans Led Action Support Group, their mission, and values are to minimize disparities in healthcare, education, housing and employment opportunities; Lift discrimination and focus on social equality for the LGB(T)Q community. The prom is a fundraiser for the TransInclusive resource center and provides a safe and welcoming event for all LGBTQ and allies to attend. We will also be hearing from Arianna Lint, A Trans Latina and activist and leader of the TransLatina Coalition Chapter and founder of outreach program Arianna's Center. She also began her work with Transgender Latina Leaders or TLC. TLC gathers all over the country donating their time to organize and advocate for the issues and needs of the Trans Latina Community living in the United States. The vision of TransLatin@ Coalition is to amplify education and resources to promote the empowerment of Trans leaders. @RoamFreeWrites @MeetThemMondays www.roamfreewrites.com