The First Gen Madrina
The First Gen Madrina Podcast is a podcast for first-generation students, professionals, and cycle-breakers who are navigating life without a blueprint. Hosted by social worker, coach, and The First Gen Madrina Sara, this podcast explores the real conversations we were never taught to have about mental health, money, and navigating systems while building a life that feels aligned and sustainable.
Each episode blends honest storytelling, practical tools, and culturally responsive insights to help you break generational cycles, overcome imposter syndrome, heal burnout, and redefine success on your own terms. Whether we’re unpacking mental wellness, financial empowerment, career growth, or the in-between moments of becoming, you’ll find guidance rooted in compassion, community, and accountability.
The First Gen Madrina
E-87 Advocating as a First Gen with Alondra Canizal Hsu
Dear First Gens,
In this episode, host Sara welcomes guest, Alondra Canizal Hsu, to The First Gen Madrina Podcast! This gives us a brand new episode for this month's theme, Advocating as a First Gen!
Immigrating to the Midwest from Mexico at the age of 6, Alondra always understood the vehicle to the American Dream to be hard work and higher education, but she quickly realized that as an immigrant, the journey required more than what was available to her, so she relied on first-generation programming, such as Upward Bound, to help her succeed. She graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Journalism, and she went on to earn a Master’s in Prevention Science and Practice from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Master’s in School Counseling from Oregon State University.
Her journey through academia and her career was learning along the way how to network, how to leverage that network, and how to stand in her power through storytelling. She has worked as a prevention educator, a school counselor, and in human resources helping to diversify the teacher workforce. Currently, she helps BIPOC and first-generation professionals share their story through their resume, cover letter, and interviews. She is the Founder & CEO of Soluna Career Consulting LLC, based out of Portland, OR.
Visit thefirstgenmadrina.com for the blog and additional resources. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to stay connected. Also, follow me on instagram @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW on LinkedIn.
Supporting You Into the New Year,
Sara, The First Gen Madrina