This Is EZ With Friends

I'm back on my bullshit with another solo episode. This one is about my decision to stop drinking a month ago. Trigger warning: I cry in the episode. Couldn't help myself. Had a lot of feelings while talking about what led up to this decision and how it has impacted the way I see myself and my life. Don't worry. I'm not trying to convince you to stop. I'm just documenting this time, and the wave of emotions that came with it.  As per usual, I'm excited to share a little bit of my story in the hopes that it might resonate with some or all of you. Wishing you a happy day, a happy week, a happy month, a happy rest of the year. I have a few more episodes coming your way before I wrap this thing up for the year. Press play! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

If you're a day one listener of TIEZWF, you remember my first ever episode with my bestie Kim on the topic of toxic relationships. I would encourage you to go back and listen, but the truth is that it's cringeworthy. We both listened to it a while after we recorded it and felt so embarrassed by our lack of self-awareness. We've been apologizing off-mic ever since, but we're back to say we're sorry and we're not perfect.  We go real deep in this episode about our toxic traits. We're just letting y'all know that we had no business talking about our ex-partners as if our sh*t don't stink. It's easily one of my favorite episodes ever. We laughed, we successfully avoided crying, and we made promises to work on the not-so-great qualities that we haven't quite conquered yet.  It's funny and, hopefully, relatable to some or all of you. Please enjoy this extremely vulnerable episode. Press play! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Jen Mejan and Deborah Danhof came highly recommended by several people that I love and trust. Ralph and I were shopping for homes at the height of the COVID real estate bubble, and we had just about given up on homeownership. We went through several different agents that were unresponsive, sometimes flaky, and seemingly out for themselves. We understood that it was a business transaction, but we also wanted to work with someone who understood that buying a home is an emotional process as well. It's stressful, and for us, it was brand new.  They helped us find a home that was perfect for us, answered all of our questions, and negotiated a killer deal during an unprecedented time in which folks were being outbid by hundreds of thousands of dollars for homes that didn't seem worth what people were paying.  One of the lessons I learned during the home buying process was that I should have done my homework a lot sooner. I could have bought a home YEARS before I actually did, but I lacked the resources and the know-how.  I bring you an episode that is as fun as it is informative. You had questions, I asked them, and I got your answers! I even got answers to the questions you didn't ask, such as “do you have any favorite real estate stories.” I got chills hearing about a haunted house situation, and you probably will too.  It's a great episode. It was so much fun to record. I'll admit that I don't feel optimistic about the current state of the real estate market, but I still think it's possible to get educated on what you can afford and figure out where you'll need to go to land that house you've always wanted.  What are you doing still reading this? Go press play! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Miguel and I have the gift of gab. We recorded for almost three hours and the conversations were just too good for me to leave in the archives. I started editing this episode weeks ago. If you saw my story last week, you know my hard drive crashed and all my progress was lost. I had to fight the urge to throw my laptop out the window, and here we are. I mustered up the energy to start over. This episode is a collection of tangents separated by cheesy piano clips. It's called art, look it up. Conversations are fire, bro. Topics include, but are not limited to: friend breakups, how to handle people who disagree with us, complex relationships with our parents, mansplaining, personal growth, controlling rage, and a bunch of other random shit that you definitely need to hear. Do yourself a favor and press play. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Miguel Sandoval is an educator, a native plant lover, and just an all-around cool-ass dude. I met Miguel a few years ago when my friend Niki posted a picture of him with a poll that read “What is Miguel talking about?” The options were: succulents, the moon, or music. I was like “Your husband sounds like my husband,” and we planned a date for our husbands to meet. Miguel later helped Ralph with our landscaping, and if you've never had the pleasure of seeing their work, I'll include it in my Instagram post for this episode. Miguel agreed to join the podcast to talk about his experiences working with young people, and all the ways we can empower them, and ourselves. He's a brilliant mind, and it was truly a pleasure to sit and chat with him. Editing the episode over the last few days had me reflecting on how I show up for the young people in my life, and was a reminder that our culture needs a serious makeover. It's a great episode, ok? Press play and stay tuned for part 2, where more knowledge gets dropped. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Greetings, loyal followers far and wide! I was going to release an episode today with the homie Miguel Sandoval, but I felt inclined to keep it real with y'all about what's been going on in my personal life. Today I bring you a solo episode, and with it, a piece of myself. I've had to postpone some of my episodes due to being in a state of overwhelm. This happens to me sometimes, and I've learned to be kind to myself through it. I thought that if I shared a vulnerable story about myself some of you might see a little of yourselves in it, and thus feel less alone. That's the whole point of the podcast, afterall. It's a safe space. A place where people can share and not be judged. As part of my healing process, I'm sharing loudly and proudly. I'm not okay right now, and that's okay. I will be.  Thanks to all of you who listen, who reach out, and who make space for me in your lives. I appreciate you so much. It can be lonely on this end of the mic, but even if I feel lonely, I know I'm not alone. Special thanks to my therapist, Cynthia, who doesn't even follow me on here but has added so much color to my life and given me the freedom to be kind to myself, unapologetically. I know therapy isn't for everyone, but it's definitely for me and I encourage any of you who have been wanting to give it a try to go for it. And understand that your first therapist might not be the one, but the one is definitely out there. There is so much power in being heard and understood. We all need to feel like our story matters. And it does matter. Your story matters. Whoever you are. The fact that you read this far means you needed to hear this. Sending you love and light. Releasing this episode earlier than usual because I want to go to bed early. LOL! Besos.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Kellie G. Espinoza is my neighbor turned friend that I met a little over a year ago when Ralph and I decided to have a yard sale on a weekend when we weren't even allowed to. Kellie and her husband Joey were among the five people who actually stopped by. Her Texas twang and cheery disposition were like magnets for the friend addict in me. We exchanged Instagrams and I learned that her thumb is as green as they come. Joey's culinary background and Kellie's natural talent in the garden create the perfect recipe for a powerhouse couple and some bomb ass backyard dinner parties.  Kellie joined the podcast to share all about her passion for gardening, health, apothecary, and personal growth. We got to drinking on this episode, and went on several tangents that include but are not limited to: setting boundaries, friendship, old relationships, word association games, dog rescue, food, gardening, and pretty much anything else that we felt was worth mentioning.  It's a hoot. There's a lot of laughter. Kellie is rad. She is loved and appreciated.  Follow her @gardentotablebliss. And then follow her @innatespiritbeauty for some incredibly clean apothecary curated from her own garden. Just support everything she does, because she does everything with her whole heart. Press play! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Luis Humberto Chaidez is a first generation latino, historian, and educator. On trend with the latest episode, Luis and I met through Aileen. I look forward to seeing him at social gatherings because I almost always learn something new about world history. He joined the podcast to talk about the patriarchy, and the ways in which he shows up as a man for his students, and in his personal relationships. We talked about the times in our past when we felt shame about our latino roots, the impact that religion had on our early adulthood, our complex relationships with our parents, and the work that we do in our own lives to chip away at the patriarchal bullshit that inevitably shows up from time to time. It's an excellent conversation. We both admitted to having cry playlists, and we even tell the story of Luis being a hero during one of our most recent hangouts. Quit scrolling and press play! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Jorge Castillo is a baseball reporter for ESPN, was previously a sports reporter for the LA Times, graduated from Yale, grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, and is the proudest Puerto Rican I have ever met. The only person I know with a resume as impressive as Jorge's is his wife, Aileen Villarreal-Castillo, season one guest of the podcast, and my good friend of almost 30 years. Power couple of the century, and two of the greatest people you'll ever meet. Jorge moved to LA in 2018 to work for the LA Times (but really to be with Aileen

Welcome to Season 3 of This Is EZ With Friends! Jasmine Garcia is a curator, resin artist, podcaster, event host, and vinyl DJ. When Jasmine isn't creating art, she can be found networking, collaborating, connecting with, and supporting underground artists. I met Jasmine at one of her art shows and, admittedly, felt a little inadequate in her presence. She's heavy into the music scene and as you've gathered from her resume, she can really do it all. We met for a hike a few weeks later, and she agreed to come chat on the podcast about the challenges that sometimes arise when trying to collaborate with other women. We talked about insecurities, and the cattiness that shows up in certain female relationships. We rescheduled this episode a few times, and I was on the verge of telling Jasmine to forget about the whole thing. In fact, I did tell her to forget it. We had a mini-argument through text when I told her that I didn't feel she was supportive of my project, and also felt that she didn't have respect for my time (so scary, I know). After some extremely mature back-and-forth, we decided to record anyway. We discuss it on the podcast, among other things. It's a good one. Press play! You can follow Jasmine @florecita_jazz on Instagram, which will lead you to the many other pages that showcase her Vinyl Hangouts and Art Shows. Follow. Engage. Support. #thisisezwithfriends #thisisezwithjasmine #cattiness #cattinessamongwomen #matureconversations #femalepodcasters #latinapodcasters #TIEZWF #vinylhangouts #artshows #womensupportingwomen --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Mario Zapata is Nicaraguense and he came to this country on September 19, 1978/1979 (he didn't seem sure, and I'm not sure either). He traveled on PanAmerica's final flight from Nicaragua to LAX and arrived at 4:30 in the afternoon. He's also my dad.  My parents divorced when I was four, and I've spent my entire life trying to piece together what happened. I'm still not sure, but I had the desire to get to know my dad a little better since I didn't grow up in the same house as him. He indulged my curiosity by sitting with me and allowing me to ask him a series of random questions ranging from “What's your favorite movie” to “What's the greatest compliment you've ever received.” I spent the month of September trying to get 1000 listens, and realized that this podcast isn't really about that. It's about sharing stories and documenting history. 20 years from now, this interview will still exist. This conversation is a time capsule, and I'm so grateful. Thank you to everyone who listened to all of this season's episodes.  I love you. I appreciate you. Until next time.  Mario Zapata es nicaraguense y vino a este país el 19 de septiembre 1978/1979 (no parecía seguro el, y yo tampoco). Viajó en el último vuelo de PanAmerica desde Nicaragua a LAX y llegó a las 4:30 de la tarde. Él es mi papá. Mis padres se divorciaron cuando yo tenía cuatro años y pasé toda mi vida tratando de averiguar lo que pasó. Todavía no estoy segura, pero tenía el deseo de conocer un poco mejor a mi papá porque no crecí en la misma casa que él. Él satisfizo mi curiosidad sentándose conmigo y permitiéndome hacerle una serie de preguntas como  "cuál es tu película favorita" hasta "cuál es el mejor elogio que has recibido". Pasé el mes de septiembre intentando conseguir 1000 escuchas y descubri que este podcast no se trata realmente de eso. Se trata de compartir cuentos y documentar historia. Dentro de 20 años, esta entrevista seguirá existiendo. Esta conversación es una cápsula del tiempo y estoy muy agradecida. Gracias a todos los que escucharon todos mis episodios. Los amo. Los aprecio. Hasta la proxima. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Naomi Cruz and I were at the same party several years back when I found out she was an immigration lawyer. I had so many questions and only asked a few for fear of coming off as a total creeper. I stalked her for years - attending several of the same parties, co-hosting the games at our mutual friend's baby shower, and finally luring her onto the podcast as part of my higher, diabolical plan. She has no idea about this, so please don't tell her. Naomi is Oaxacan, has been a lawyer for 10 years, and owns an immigration law firm with a partner. She joined the podcast to drop knowledge about immigration and school us commoners on what the situation really is. We all know that these types of careers can be taxing, so of course I asked Naomi what she does to unwind when she's not using her law powers to help the Latino immigrant population of Los Angeles. What I found is that Naomi can do it all. She is the poster woman for work-life balance. If you've always been curious about immigration and/or work-life balance, this episode is for you. If you've never been curious about it, it's for you too. Press play, boo. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Lauren Renee is 25 and full of life. She's a queer artist, model, and actress who joined the podcast to talk about people-pleasing until we realized we're both only children and Virgos, so we talked about that instead. Topics include homophobia, loneliness, abandonment issues, and our leap into maturity as a result of growing up around adults. Lauren shared her story of being brought up in East LA with her aunt and grandmother after her mother got married and left for Mexico. It's an awesome conversation, in which we both got pretty vulnerable. Join us. Press play.  You can follow Lauren at @laureen_renee. Episode edited by Alex Zamora (@zamoravisuals) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Raymundo Archila is a filmmaker in every sense of the word. He's a storyteller, writer, director, and editor, who is currently promoting his short film “Manhunt,” also known as “La Siguanaba,” based on a Central American urban legend. He joined the podcast to talk about his experience as a Salvi youth in a predominantly white and Asian neighborhood. His connection to his Central American roots went from non-existent to hyper-present. He stays involved in the Salvadoran community and seeks to promote his culture in everything he does. Some of his friends refer to him as the Salvadoran senator and it checks out. Press play to hear us bond over our Salvi/Nica roots.  You can find Raymundo Archila @raymundoarchila.  This episode was edited by Alex Zamora (@zamoravisuals) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

If I had a quarter for every time Trish and I got drunk and sang karaoke together, I'd have about five dollars. We are living proof that you can bridge the gap between boomers and millennials. Ralph used to house sit for Trish long before I came along, since she was busy traveling the globe during the summer months. Her black lab Marlon (RIP), was the goddog at our wedding. Patricia "Trish" Soto is an artist, retired teacher, singer, future belly dancer, lover of culture & travel, and a true citizen of the globe. She has been to 58 countries and shows no signs of slowing down. This episode will make you want to book that flight to that place you've been wanting to visit forever. Press play and then follow Trish on Instagram at @travelontrish, to witness some of her global adventures. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Has life ever brought you to a crossroads? A place in your timeline where you've had to decide whether to stay in the same old relationship, job, apartment, or friendship - or take a leap of faith and try something totally different and outside of your comfort zone? Nereida Gutierrez wears many hats but identifies as an artist, creative, and community organizer. She is a beacon of light and a force to be reckoned with. Relationship struggles and a strong desire to be there for her son drove her to move to LA and become her own boss. Now she answers only to herself, and it's really awesome to hear about. We talk about quitting jobs, quitting relationships, saying yes to ourselves, and trying to move away from the societal pressures that tell us we have to work and live by a certain set of rules. It's an amazing conversation, and I'm so excited to share it with all of you. Press play, honey!  You can follow Nereida at @nerdayduh, which will link you to her artist account @nereidaarts. Her art can be found at @artspacehp. Go check it out! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Work has been insane, I did my first-ever comedy open-mic a few weeks ago, and the truth is that I didn't have an episode lined up for you. On yesterday's mental health walk, I decided to record my first-ever solo episode. Topics include but are not limited to inner child work, the stand-up experience, a dance while walking group that I'd like to start, social media, a documentary about Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz, and Taylor Swift. It's random. It's uncensored. It's untamed. It's me. And I hope you like it. Press play! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Rosario Calatayud-Serna is a founder, administrator, non-profit professional, and a creative. She's also one of the coolest people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Rosario joined the podcast to talk about her beginnings in the nonprofit world, and opening a business in Huntington Park at the height of the pandemic. When I asked Rosario how she continued to pursue one goal after another without fear, she assured me that fear was present the entire time, but she did all of it anyway. We talk about building the muscle in our minds that allows us to say “not today, fear” over and over again. This podcast inspired the hell out of me, and I hope it does the same for you. Press play!  Find Rosario on instagram @rorocs @artspacehp @thepophop @latienditaccg. What isn't she involved in? Am I right? This episode was edited by the very talented Alexandro Zamora: @zamoravisuals.  Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Nicole Presley is a Latina culinary rockstar with an inspiring story. She left her career in marketing behind to pursue her dream of creating her own culinary brand. She started vlogging in 2011, and eventually, her brand took off. If her name sounds familiar, it's because you may have seen Presley's Pantry on the shelves at Target or Walmart. Perhaps you've seen her book “Viva Desserts” on the shelves at Vroman's. She is an incredibly talented woman with a story that will make you want to get out there and pursue your own dreams. We chatted about food, matchmaking, marriage, and food again - because why not? This episode will leave you feeling hungry, in every way possible. Press play, foodies! https://presleyspantry.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Rachel Yoffe (pronounced like coffee), and I work in production finance together at a studio that can't be named because we signed non-disclosure agreements. Let's just say we're guardians of the finance galaxy, wink wink. Rachel's not just an assistant accountant. She's also heavily involved in musical theater and was recently cast as the lead role in an original zombie musical titled Losing Your Humanity. She joined the podcast to talk about being a highly sensitive person in an environment that didn't always treat her with kindness and respect. Despite having a great home life, Rachel dealt with depression and loneliness while in the public school system. She was different from the other kids - often feeling misunderstood and unseen. Rachel is fully comfortable being vulnerable but has found that wearing her heart on her sleeve has made her more susceptible to getting hurt. She shared with me the ways in which she has built up her confidence, learned to identify great friends, and poured her pain into her art. What are you waiting for? Press play! Tickets to Losing Your Humanity can be found here: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/6630?tab=tickets. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Nicole Lopez is a proud born and raised SELA activist, community organizer, and congressional candidate. When she's not talking about politics (or pop culture) she loves talking about the importance of prioritizing one's mental health and chasing dreams. Oh, and she loves talking about her dogs! Overall, Nicole loves connecting with other women of color as they work to uplift each other and break generational curses. She graced the podcast with stories about growing up in a traditional Mexican household and learning to become her biggest advocate after dealing with traumatic events in childhood and being hospitalized in 2020. Her insight will make you reflect on whether or not you're showing up for yourself in your own life. If you've ever battled your parents' voices inside your head, this one is for you. Press play! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Dale Trumbore is a celebrated composer and writer. If you don't believe me, check out her bio at daletrumbore.com. She's been praised by The Washington Post and The New York Times for her work, and it's no surprise to me. We used to be neighbors, and hearing her play the piano through the wall of our duplex, remains one of my most soothing memories. She joined the podcast to talk about her decision to not become a mother, which made me feel a lot less alone in making that decision for myself. We talked about societal pressures, weighing pros and cons, feeling guilty, feeling judged, feeling selfish, and finally feeling relieved, and excited for our childless futures. It's empowering. It's honest. It's EZ with friends. Press play! You can read more about Dale at https://www.daletrumbore.com/. Check out Dale's book here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Staying-Composed-Audiobook/B09WXQP7T4?qid=1652916772&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=94QBX8XH068MD6Y1BNZB --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

Danellia Arechiga aka Dane Real is the multidimensional mami. She's a birth worker, a mother, a teacher, a healer, a musician, a writer, and one of the most free and confident women I've ever met.  We met back in the early 2000s and lost touch for many years until we reconnected on social media. Her Instagram captions were like warm hugs for my soul. I told her while we were recording, that I wasn't stalking her, but I kinda was. She was and still is, so authentic. Her energy is absolutely electric. She creates healing and nurturing spaces for women, and last year I had the privilege of having her guide me through a vaginal steaming. I'm so grateful that she agreed to join the podcast to talk about sexual wellness, solo dance parties, saying yes to creativity, and learning to love the skin you're in. Women like Danellia are a gift, and I'm so glad I get to share her with all of you. What are you waiting for? Press play! How you can connect with Dane: Instagram @themultidimensionalmami : https://www.instagram.com/themultidimensionalmami/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themultidimensionalmami Twitter: @_DaneReal: https://twitter.com/_DaneReal Personal website: https://www.danelliaarechiga.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisisez/support

The podcast is back, and so is Mark, for this introductory episode about slowing down in the new year. I know that it's March, but it's never too late or too early to start implementing healthier habits and behaviors. I talk about shoveling food into my mouth at an alarming rate, having road rage, and the benefits of my break from social media at the end of last year. If you're feeling burnt out and tired of living life in the fast lane - take a load off, boo. Stop what you're doing and go have a listen. So great to be back! Happy March, everyone! Host: Erika Zapata Guest: Mark Morales Editing: Thomas Zipperer

As a Christmas gift to all of my listeners, I am releasing a bonus episode that I recorded over the Thanksgiving break with my family. Surprisingly, I didn't have to twist anybody's arm. Everyone willingly chatted with me about their favorite Thanksgiving memories and the things they are most grateful for this year. There seemed to be an overwhelming appreciation for community. I bring you this episode as a reminder that we all seek human connection. Take some inventory this holiday season and don't forget to tell your loved ones that they mean the world to you. Happy Xmas, everyone! Love & light from This Is EZ With Friends. Season 2 will likely drop sometime in early February. I have some great conversations lined up! Stay tuned!

The season finale of This is EZ with Friends has arrived and I am honored to share it with all of you. Aileen Paola Villarreal Castillo and I have been friends since 1994. We shared a love of Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harry Potter, The Backstreet Boys, and Back To The Future. Our braces and hairy legs set us apart from the rest and we owned our awkward pre-teen phase like a couple of divorcees who didn't need to take shit from anyone. Aileen got in trouble in the fourth grade for writing “Aileen DiCaprio” on all of her assignments. That's the least of her accomplishments. Homecoming queen. University of Notre Dame graduate. Senior Personnel Manager for the Notre Dame Football team. Director of Media Relations for the Detroit Tigers. PR & Client Services Director at Independent Sports & Entertainment. Ex-girlfriend of Kevin Richardson (she dumped him). We killed two bottles of champagne and talked about being kids together, coping with imposter syndrome, and learning to appreciate the gifts we bring to the world. It's a beautiful episode. It's a beautiful friendship. Thank you to my very sweet and wonderful community of supporters. It has truly been a pleasure churning out these episodes. Nothing gives me more joy than sitting down with the people I love and getting deep with it. If you've read this far, I'll let you in on a little secret. At the end of this episode (you have to push through the jingle at the end), there are SIX WHOLE MINUTES of bonus content. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. Podcast out!

Jessica Estrada always knew that she wanted to be a mom. At age 40, she made peace with her single life and even contemplated having a baby on her own. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life. They got pregnant within their first six months of dating and, sadly, Jess miscarried. She took the experience in stride and hoped that she would get another shot at motherhood. At 43, Jess is engaged and just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Lucas. She joins the podcast to talk about the raw truths of pregnancy and motherhood. Topics include an at-home birth plan, a complicated labor, breastfeeding, mom guilt, sleep deprivation, and all the joys that motherhood has to offer. Press play for some refreshing honesty.

Marissa Leal is an artist, a dental hygienist, and one of my favorite people in the world. She volunteered her time and her story to the podcast, and to say that I am grateful would be understating it. Marriage struggles, health struggles, and a fear of vulnerability made for a difficult year for Marissa. But don't worry, it was a healing podcast for both of us. Life isn't always easy, but it's EZier with friends. Press play, listeners. Check out Marissa's Instagram: @night.mare_creates Or her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/nightmarecreatesshop/?etsrc=sdt

Jake Rothfeld grew up in a New Jersey town where an opioid epidemic created a rise in suicide cases. It was commonplace for Jake to find out that someone he grew up with had succumbed to dark thoughts. Despite having great parents and an excellent support system, he battled his own demons during his seventh grade year. Jake brings so much insight to the podcast, which allowed me to talk about my own battle with depression. Have you ever felt inadequate? Maybe you've been called “too sensitive.” In any case, this one's for you. Resources for suicide prevention can be found below: https://www.sprc.org/ https://didihirsch.org/services/suicide-prevention/ https://neveralone.love/about/

Mark Morales is a Texas native, an ex-musician, and definitely not my old boss. He and I caught up after COVID times and busy lives. Mark talks about losing his mom during the pandemic and coming to terms with his mortality after her death hit his family pretty hard. It's not a sad podcast at all, because Mark is a glass-half-full kinda guy. He's funny, he's smart, and he's one of the coolest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. If you don't catch yourself giggling through this episode, you can have your money back. Topics include: hair loss, getting older, selling breast milk, and reincarnation. Need I say more?

Christina Arzate spent a few years getting to know herself before setting up her Hinge profile, joining a sexual empowerment group, and dying her hair purple and pink. Christina wears wrestling t-shirts to dates and she DGAF. Her optimism about dating in these dark times is a breath of fresh air. She shares funny dating stories and real issues that plague a dating culture that values casual relationships over long-term connections. Spoiler alert: everyone is lying about this. In this episode, we coin the term “raw dogging people with your emotions.” It's funny, it's provocative, and it's just plain old truth. Do yourself a favor and press play. You can find Christina Arzate's sexual development coach at @iamjocelynsilva on Instagram.

Alejandro Zamora is a fine art photographer based in Los Angeles, who identifies as a heteroromantic bisexual. He joins the podcast to talk about his journey from a sexless relationship to sexual rediscovery. It's a beautiful story with an incredible message about learning to say yes to yourself and the things that make you feel good. We chat about first times, “the sex talk,” and healthy communication with a sexual partner. Press play, you won't regret it! Some of the resources from the podcast include: https://www.sexpositivelosangeles.org/ - Sex-Positive Los Angeles is a non-profit organization that creates educational and social experiences around positive sexuality, identity, lifestyle, consent, and body-positivity for adults. We provide a chance to explore, learn, and grow in a safe, welcoming, and consensual environment through consensual touch events, workshops and discussion groups This Article : Every successful relationship is successful for the same exact reasons — Quartz

Monica Villaruel is an LA Native, a public research scientist, and a bonafide badass. She works for the California Department of Public Health - focusing on the areas of maternal, child, and adolescent health. She joins the podcast to talk about self-development, therapy, and emotional hard-ons (tune in to find out what these are). We coined the term emotional hard-on, so you won't find this kind of sexy talk anywhere else. Exclusively on This is EZ with Monica. Thank you for continuing to support the podcast. Just one note because I couldn't remember the name of the website during the podcast, so I'm sharing . Mark Manson's website is called Life Advice That Doesn't Suck. You can check it out by visiting https://markmanson.net/. His material is excellent. You won't regret it. I just finished taking his “Improving My Life” course. So good.

Erik is an aquarius. He's left handed and color blind. He joins the podcast to tell his beautiful coming out story - a process that he refers to as finally “just being.” Erik's Catholic upbringing in a Mexican household created a tumultuous journey to self discovery. He was prepared to hide his truth in order to avoid telling his parents, but life had other plans. Erik fell in love in his early thirties and could no longer hide his true self. Four powerful letters. An angry song. A man unchained and no longer willing to dilute himself for the comfort of others. Have a listen! If you or your family are experiencing difficulties during your coming out journey, here are some resources: https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm Love and light. Thank you so much for listening.

Erika and Kim talk about their long, toxic relationships in their early twenties. Being young and in love isn't easy, especially if you're with the wrong person. Listen to what they did, how they learned, and what they know now.

Hello and welcome to the trailer episode for This is EZ With Friends. My name is Erika Zapata and I am your host. I'm just a woman who decided to start a podcast after a long battle with paralyzing fear of the unknown. I haven't found a niche yet, but so far I've had the great privilege of discussing toxic relationships, spirituality, and coming out as queer with some wonderful guests. Thank you for listening and I hope you'll stick around for the long haul. Special thanks to: Mark Morales: Original Music Alex Zamora (@zamoravisuals): Podcast Photography Ralph Moreno: Podcast Equipment Jessica Estrada: Telling me to just publish this already and stop waiting for it to be perfect. For more content - please visit www.thewhothewhat.com Or find me on Instagram @ez_thewhothewhat If all else fails, you can email me at thewhowhatblog@gmail.com