The First Gen Madrina
The First Gen Madrina is a podcast for social work students and professionals who are ready to build a career that doesn't cost them their peace. Hosted by Sara Diaz, LCSW, this show blends real talk with practical tools for anyone navigating this field.
Each episode digs into the parts of social work that grad school never prepared you for: burnout that gets treated like a personal failing instead of a systemic issue, the guilt that comes with setting boundaries, advocating for fair pay in a field that expects you to sacrifice for it, and the quiet grief of being "the first" to do any of this. Sara brings her own story as a first-gen Latina and licensed clinical social worker into every conversation, along with guests who understand what it's like to hold space for everyone else while trying to figure out who's holding space for you.
Whether you're still in your MSW program or years into practice, this is your reminder that rest isn't a reward you have to earn, ambition and burnout aren't the same thing, and you don't have to do this alone. Welcome to the familia.
The First Gen Madrina
Latest Episodes
Bonus Episode: Surprise Update About The Podcast
For the first time since launching The First Gen Madrina Podcast, I'm pulling back the curtain on a decision that's been months in the making.Growth doesn't always mean starting over. Sometimes it means getting clearer about the...
E131 How to Redefine Success On Your Own Terms with Melissa Gallardo
What does success look like when the version you were taught no longer feels aligned?In this episode, Sara sits down with Melissa Gallardo, founder and CEO of Valorosa Candles, a culturally inspired home fragrance brand rooted in Latin t...
E130 How to Redefine Success with Sara
As first gens, many of us grew up with a very specific definition of success: get the stable job, make good money, buy the house, choose the career that others respect. But what happens when the life everyone imagined for you doesn’t align with...
E129 How to Reclaim Your Story and Turn It Into Leadership and Impact with Chris Ward Jr.
In this episode, we explore what it truly means to reclaim your story and how your lived experience can become one of your greatest leadership assets. Our guest, Chris Ward Jr., Strategic Advisor and Leadership Storytelling Strategist, breaks d...
E128 How to Reclaim Your Story and Step Into Your Power
Welcome back to a brand-new season of The First Gen Madrina Podcast, and this month, we’re diving deep into Reclaiming Your Story as a First Gen.In this powerful kickoff episode, we explore what it truly means to reconnec...
