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 hop...
Oct 08, 2024•31 min
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...
Sep 24, 2024•51 min
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. I...
Sep 10, 2024•54 min
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. Con...
Aug 07, 2024•47 min
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 Inst...
Jul 09, 2024•37 min
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 ...
Jun 25, 2024•28 min
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 ...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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 tha...
May 22, 2024•48 min
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 th...
May 07, 2024•50 min
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 a...
Apr 23, 2024•46 min
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 d...
Dec 23, 2023•35 min
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...
Sep 26, 2023•46 min
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, ...
Sep 12, 2023•52 min
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 con...
Aug 29, 2023•42 min
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 pro...
Aug 08, 2023•52 min
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...
Jul 25, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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 ...
Jul 11, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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 ho...
Jun 27, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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 abou...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 7
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 o...
May 30, 2023•54 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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 th...
May 16, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 5
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 h...
Apr 18, 2023•56 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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...
Apr 04, 2023•47 min
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 electr...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 ...
Mar 07, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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 “Aile...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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 t...
Oct 11, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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 E...
Sep 27, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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.” ...
Sep 14, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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,...
Aug 30, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 7
