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
E128 How to Reclaim Your Story and Step Into Your Power
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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 reconnect with your voice, your truth, and your narrative. As first-generation individuals, many of us were raised in environments where survival came before self-expression. Unfortunately, silence, sacrifice, and strength may have been necessary, but it often came at the cost of not being seen and heard.
This episode unpacks how and why so many of us “lost” our stories, not because they didn’t exist, but because we didn’t always feel safe, empowered, or supported enough to tell them.
You’ll learn:
- What it actually means to reclaim your story (without forcing a positive spin)
- How inherited beliefs and unspoken rules shape your narrative
- Why storytelling is a form of healing, not just sharing
- The role of therapy and safe spaces in processing your experiences
- How to navigate guilt, family ties, and boundaries while honoring your truth
- Why discernment matters when choosing who gets access to your story
This conversation is a reminder that you are not just a product of your experiences; you are the author of how those experiences shape you.
So, the question is: What story are you ready to reclaim?