If you’ve ever felt split between worlds and cultures, searched for your place, or recognized love without needing translation, this story is for you.
I was born and raised in South Dakota by Dominican parents (yup, you read that right), growing up between languages, traditions, and ways of being that didn’t always fit neatly into one place. That mixed upbringing shaped how I move through the world—and how I understand belonging. As we enter 2026, this episode is an honest reflection on how Tradition Café began, what it’s taught me, and why home doesn’t have to be singular or fixed.
Belonging often shows up in the smallest moments: a plate of rice and beans, a familiar gesture, a hand that knows your name without words. In this episode, I share a vulnerable reading of Homecoming, my first published story, and what it taught me—that home isn’t just where you come from, or even where you return to. Home is something you’re allowed to make and remake, shaped by the many worlds that raised you.
We talk heritage, chosen family, memory, and the ongoing work of making space for many voices at one table. This episode is also a moment of gratitude—for the listeners, sponsors, friends, family, and of course my amazing guests, who have helped carry this show forward.
Come for the story, stay for the warmth, and leave with the reminder that you don’t have to choose a single place to belong.
If this episode moved you, consider subscribing, sharing it with someone who needs a seat at the table, or leaving a review so more people can find their way here.
Thank you for being part of Tradition Café.
