What It’s Like To Be Here

For as long as I've known Leticia Andrade, she's been a hustling real estate broker, helping families achieve their dream of homeownership while making a meaningful impact in her community.
In this episode, Leticia shares her journey of becoming a young mom, how that experience shaped her perspective on success, why financial stability and homeownership are so important to her, and the role faith has played throughout her life. We also talk about her commitment to serving others through her monthly Chicago Homeless Outreach and a free therapy resource she recommends for those in need.
Follow Leticia on Instagram: @SoldByLeticia
Resources:
Chicago Homeless Outreach (3rd Saturday of every month) 
The Family Institute at Northwestern University (free therapy services for qualifying individuals)
 
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 
And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 
Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 
Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts
Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ 

In this episode of What It’s Like to Be Here, I sit down with longtime friend and community leader Heidy Mendez Grimaldo. Heidy shares her incredible journey from arriving in Chicago as a seven-year-old immigrant from Guatemala to becoming a "powerhouse" of community service on the city's Southwest side.
The conversation dives deep into the origins of her nonprofit, A Blessing Hand, which sparked into existence during the 2020 pandemic. After seeing a single Facebook post of a neighbor helping others, Heidy set up her own food table within 48 hours—a small act that evolved into a vital partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
 
Mental Health Crisis First Responders: 312-597-5483 (Call or text)
A Blessing Hand on Facebook | A Blessing Hand on Insta
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 
And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 
Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts
Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ 

In this lively and personal episode, I sit down with two of my closest friends, Roho Garcia and Ricardo Gonzalez, to reflect on how our paths first crossed and what sparked the creation of EXPO Collective. We revisit the journey of building a collaborative community of over 30 artists, and talk honestly about the inspiration, challenges, and lessons learned from a project that, while no longer active, still left a lasting impact on all of us.
 
Listen to Roho's interview - scroll up. It's episode 3. Sources: 
EXPO FB EXPO IGArt of Futbol 2011
Blue 1647
Badass Crosstitch
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In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with spoken word artist and poet Luis Tubens—also known as LoganLu—for a conversation rooted in art, identity, and community. We explore his life in Pilsen, how he turned storytelling into a career as a tour guide and owner of Pilsen Public Art Tours, and the places poetry has taken him—both creatively and personally. Luis also shares his vision for the future and what it means to build something meaningful through art.
 
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In this episode, I sit down with Jose Alfredo Guerrero, a Chicago-based educator, musician, and vocalist whose voice you might recognize from across the Chicagoland area. I first met José about 15 years ago during a karaoke night—honestly, I noticed his voice before I ever saw him.
Raised in La Villita and a graduate of DePaul University, José has built a reputation for his powerful performances, especially his unforgettable covers of Juan Gabriel. He also performs in the cabaret show Asi Fue: Canciones y Confesiones.
We talk about his journey through music, his work in education, and how his talent has opened the door to some truly special moments where he’s been able to share his voice with others.He also has a podcast! Check it out here: Stage Left, Right Vibes. 
Follow Madera Once on Instagram.
 
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In this episode of What It’s Like To Be Here, I sit down with my dear friend Silvia Rivera — a leader in public media and a passionate advocate for community storytelling. From our early days working in Chicago media to her impactful work at Vocalo, Silvia has always been dedicated to uplifting voices and creating space for authentic narratives.
We talk about her version of Chicago, how radio has shaped her journey, and the vital role public media plays in reflecting and strengthening communities. Silvia also shares insights from her current role at the MacArthur Foundation, where she supports initiatives like Press Forward to help sustain local journalism — including critical efforts to expand Spanish-language news across the country.
 
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 
And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 
Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 
Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts
Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Pablo Serrano, Cultural Worker here in the city of Chicago, for a deep conversation about what it's like to be here and how he sees himself and his role within the complex and dynamic society we're living today.
Find Pablo on Instagram @PabloSerranoArt as well as @KombiChicago.  
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 
And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 
Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts
Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ 

What happens when business becomes a vehicle for community change?
In this episode, I sit down with Jesse Íñiguez, founder of Back of the Yards Coffeehouse, to talk about leadership, entrepreneurship, and what he learned running for Alderman in Chicago. After ten years of building a successful neighborhood coffeehouse, Jesse reflects on influence, responsibility, and the work of uplifting the community that raised him.
This is a conversation about purpose, growth, and stepping fully into where you’re meant to be.
 
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Silvana Casas-Perez joins What It’s Like To Be Here for a grounded, thoughtful conversation about finding your professional path and staying intentional along the way.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Chicago Public Schools, Silvana shares how she arrived at social work, what keeps her rooted in the mental health field, and how motherhood has shaped her approach to care, boundaries, and purpose. We talk about the quiet, ongoing work of aligning values with action — especially in careers centered on supporting others.
Silvana also reflects on how her immigrant experience informs her worldview, even when it’s not the defining chapter, and why being clear about priorities matters so much during uncertain and demanding times.
This episode is about listening, choosing with care, and doing the work — on purpose.
 
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 
And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 
Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts
Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/ 

In this episode of What It’s Like to Be Here, I sit down with my longtime friend Lorena Diaz — an actor, Executive Director of Teatro Vista, and a familiar face on Chicago Med for over ten years.
We talk about her recent autism diagnosis and how it’s reshaped the way she sees herself and her life. Lorena reflects on what it’s been like to finally have language for parts of her experience that didn’t quite fit before, and how that clarity has helped her grow in both her personal and professional worlds.
We also take a walk down memory lane to when we first met at a pub on Halsted Street — back when I interviewed her for a story during my journalism days. From those early improv days to her approach to leadership and collaboration at Teatro Vista, Lorena opens up with honesty and insight about what it means to understand yourself more deeply and show up authentically in your work.
Join us for a heartfelt conversation about friendship, identity, creativity, and how our stories continue to unfold in unexpected ways.
Follow Lorena and Teatro Vista for more. 
 
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatitsliketobeherepod/ 
And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItsLikeToBeHere 
Don’t forget to subscribe, comment and like the podcast! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! 
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-like-to-be-here/id1848903390 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVo7MzDRo2hzoYJX8Hnjx 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CliqueCommunications/podcasts
Podcast Page: https://whatitsliketobehere.podbean.com/