COVID-19 got into our household during the holidays. We had a small gathering on Christmas of only immediate family, and within a few days we all had the virus. We still don’t know how we got infected. While most of us were lucky enough to have only mild symptoms, it was still very scary. Six months ago, I didn’t know anyone personally who had contracted the virus – today I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by a COVID-related death. I’m afraid we have a long way to go with this pandemic. The vaccine rollout has been slow, especially in California, and with the virus mutating, there is a lot more uncertainty.
I still think 2021 will be far better than 2020, but concerts, live sporting events, large conferences and busy restaurants might be further away than we had hoped. Having the virus and surviving it only intensified my conviction that our health and safety must come first. Everything else can be replaced when we get to the other side of this. From a risk versus reward standpoint, I am glad schools will be open in the Fall. There are only so much our kids can take, but we all need to do our part to be safe and responsible. Please wear a mask!
Immigration may be the most emotional issue in our politics, but behind the slogans are real people whose lives are shaped by how our laws actually work. In this episode, I explain why I say I’m “glad Trump is ending illegal immigration”—not because I support cruelty toward migrants, but because I want to end a system that exploits undocumented workers, keeps them in the shadows, and lets bad employers and politicians off the hook. I talk about why enforcement should focus on those who profit from illegal labor, why our broken legal immigration system needs a complete overhaul, and why a real path to citizenship for long-time, tax-paying immigrants is both moral and economically smart. If we care about growth, talent, and basic human dignity, we can’t afford to get this conversation wrong.
After the clip of Donald Trump meeting with Zohran Mamdani went viral, I heard from people who weren’t sure what to make of two supposed political opposites smiling for the cameras and saying they “want the same things.” In this episode, I break down what that moment really tells us about partisan politics—how both parties use identity and outrage while often staying aligned on power and money—and why communities like ours can’t afford to be naïve about the game that’s being played. I also talk about what real political independence looks like for Latinos, and why thinking beyond party labels is essential if we’re serious about building lasting economic and political power.
After my last video about Pharrell Williams, I heard from people who wondered why I’d respond to a comment that, on the surface, seemed harmless. In this episode, I explain why moments like this matter—because even well-intentioned remarks can reinforce damaging narratives about Black and Latino professionals, especially around DEI and merit. And when those narratives come from influential voices, they spread fast. I also get into why unity and consistency in our messaging is critical right now, and why staying silent when false narratives gain traction can cost us economically and professionally.