Why not you? With Diana Maria Riva

0:00On the new podcast, Solita, we share the messy reality of traveling alone as a woman. I can wait 4 hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering the ride on his motorcycle. I choose option B. I'm Julie Pinero and I travel by myself because it's a rare space where I can say yes without asking anyone else first. I'm on a mission to reclaim the word Solita, trading the pity for possibility. Listen to Solita on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Hayes Davenport and Sean Clements. We host the podcast Hollywood Handbook. Each week we talk to someone in show business and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. Everyone has a good time and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting them do our show. We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman, Adam Scott, Danny McBride, Ben Stillert, and a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us.

1:01Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Our hometown is not a test tube. 90 miles northeast of Nashville, a battle for the future of America plays out in one small town. The developers with right wing ties have purchased hundreds of acres of land. We need cities on a shining hill. This is our town, a podcast about what happens when a small town becomes the site of a social experiment and fights back. Guys, you didn't move in on a bunch of dumb hillbillies now, did you? Listen to our town on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Here's what you missed.

2:15There should not be a single law enforcement agency, and it's not have body cameras. Black farmers have been under attack. This is just the latest example of them just slapping DEI on anything. It's raw. And I'm sitting here going. They are playing y'all for foals. Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the Black Information Network. And download Roland Martin unfiltered on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts. Or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Freddie Rodriguez. And I'm Wilmer Botherama. Welcome to those amigos on the iHeartRadio app or everywhere you get your podcast. That's right. You might be watching us from the comfort of your own home on YouTube. Yeah. What else? And YouTube. Yeah. Yeah. Out of different places. You could find our videos. Yes, that's right. Because we have videos. And where else in where else? I don't know. Maybe social media.

3:18Social media. You could be watching us on Instagram or you know, and all that. So for that, we say thank you. And don't forget to subscribe. That's right. We still have children. Anyways, very special episode today. A very empowering episode today. You know, we always say this because we rarely have guests. But when we do, we have the absolute best. People that really touch our lives. People that have absolutely altered, altered the face of our community and that told our stories around the world. And most importantly, people that we just admire, respect and love so much and can't wait to get even deeper to the root of why she is so incredible. Ayanna Maria Riva. She is the third amiga. The third amiga today. That's right. The third amiga. In the hot sea. And also, I got to say this upfront for all of those.

4:19So if I'm a mycultura podcast, network fans, she's also a member of the mycultura family. That's right. You know, she has her own podcast called How Heart Can It Be? Killin' in, she makes it look moe. Isilioso. Killin' it. Well, let's get started. First of all, welcome. Welcome to the zamina. Thank you. That was cool. Finally, we've been sending you invites. We're like, this is it. I've just been hanging out in front of your house and people don't know why. I'm just right at the gate. Oh, you're the one ringing the bell. That's me. That's right. That's me. First of all, I gotta say one thing before we get started is my, my wife is obsessed with you because she's a big fan. Really? Yeah, we watch, you know, we watch a show with Christina and Linda for a very long time and, you know, you were one of the best characters in that entire thing. It's always. So she told me to say hi. Yeah. You're like, yeah, you're like one of those actors that like as soon as they cast you,

5:21like the project just becomes that much better. Oh my goodness. Coming from you, thank you. Yeah, yeah. You're like one of those like clutch player actors. I love that. That'll keep me in the game a little bit longer because I threatened to quit all the time. I quit the business probably three times in a year. I'm like, you know what? Can you swear on the show? Even more specifically, actually, I want to make sure to mention that you play the detective Anapides. And Netflix debt to me. Yes. And that show was opposite Christina apogate and Linda Cateralli. Shout out to Linda. I've known her since we were both in early 20s. She was in Friggin gigs. I was on the 7th show and we laughed. Really, really, really fun. But anyways, why don't you mention that because I forget that I forget that I need to set that up for the fans out there. But but speaking of clutch, you are also clutch for any Rodriguez. I agree. I received that coming from you. OK. I think both of you gentlemen. Do what you do. Right back to you, buddy. Yeah, take take with that with what you will. So you were born in Cincinnati.

6:24Which nobody can believe, I think. Cincinnati. Often times, especially other lathees, they say, I know. And I'm I'll go ahead with that. You don't have a Cincinnati. I don't. I don't agree. Of Cincinnati. I sense in that we were the only Dominicans in the neighborhood. And you know, my my mother and the family immigrated from the Dominican Republic during the Trujillo and both of your parents. Well, my mother. And so we, you know, I was first generation Dominican. And I went to and I was raised in a house speaking Spanish. And then when I went to the little local elementary school is when English became, you know, the every day. But what my parents did so beautifully was that they sent me to the Dominican Republic with my grandparents every single summer of my life. All the way through to when I was a teenager in college. And that kept the language alive. And the entire and everything in my relationships with my family there. So, you know, when there weren't, there's a far bigger Latino population and community in Cincinnati now.

7:25But back then it wasn't. So that kept the culture and alive in being able to just connect with my roots and my family. So it was a good. Are you are your folks still there? Do you still have family in town? Yeah, they're outside of Cincinnati now retired, empty nesters. Nice. But yeah, no, I'm, I'm, but I moved to Los Angeles when I was 25. Because I was pursuing the business. Actually, I didn't know I was going to end up here. I was a theater student and. Wait, but back up a little bit. Yeah. Let's go back to Cincinnati for a second. So you're in Cincinnati. Yeah. You're very far from anything in the entertainment. Yeah. Right. Yeah. You decided, well, was that moment? What was that Ureica moment? Well, you're like, I have to be a part of that. It was unplanned with this because I was a theater major in college undergrad and graduate school in. We're in college. University of Cincinnati. Yeah, Faye MFA. Yeah. Theater performance from the University of Cincinnati College. And the conservator of music. Wow. You know why? Because I told my parents when I was 11 year old, who was a pivotal moment? My grandmother took me to see the Broadway tour of Annie that was in town when I was 11 years old.

8:27And I was like, I don't want to go. I want to go to the skating party that was happening that night because it was just really cute boy that I wanted to go out on the moon night with. And I go to see this plate. And I see these girls the same age as me. These little orphans running around stage singing and dancing. I'm like, oh, shit, they can make a living off of this. I love that already. So I went home that day and I told my parents, I'm going to be an actor. And they said, okay, not a problem. But you're going to get your education. You're going to get your training and education. Because, you know, in LA, a kid says that every five minutes. And since in the city, kids were not saying that. So at least they had the wisdom to make sure that I pursued training. So I did. And so I went to the college conservatory and music at the University of Cincinnati. And my thesis was interning at a local theater, equity house. But the play that came in to the to the residents of the theater company was a play about a very funny, comedic little Latina nanny. Well, I was the only Latina that I was in, I was auditioning for it

9:28just because it was protocol for interns to audition. But not being it just for practice. The director came from LA and he's like her. And like she's not in the ensemble. She's an intern. He's like, she's the one for the role. And they fought over it. But I got the role. And a year later, the role came out here with a new cast. And I got picked up on a series for ABC. I didn't know what was the series with a comedian, Greg Gerardo, Cuban American. Probably the first Latino lead since Freddie Prince. I think they were using that at the time in a multi-cam. And then there were two Latinos because they had me on it. So this was in 96. That was huge. Huge. And I didn't know what anything. I didn't know what a talent agent was. I didn't know what a multi-cam Robbie Benson was. So you were in the show and you didn't have representation? No. I literally went to the top guns with the manager and said, who wants their 10% is already a done deal.

10:29So I was quickly thrown into it. Luckily, I had an ethical group of people that surrounded themselves. That I surrounded myself with that made sure I didn't get taken advantage of. I got very lucky. My first manager, breath cult, who was making sure that nobody took advantage of this. That's cool. And that I was set up. Wow. So I go on Robbie Benson's the director of this multi-cam. And I don't know anything about where I'll tell you. Here's how we were in the scene. And a pen is on the table and it rolls off. And I literally go like this. Go pick it up. Because in the theater, you don't let things sit on the floor. And Robbie took me over to the frame. He's like, I just want to show you what happens when you go off frame. And I like, I'm there in the camera. And then the next minute, I disappear. And he had to just teach me those things. And I luckily, from the theater to a multi-cam, it was the closest relation. Uh-huh. Because the live audience is there. The fourth wall is broken. And so I was able to, and because I had somebody like him just saying,

11:30oh, you got to do is this and this and this. And that was a quick learn. And when it was canceled after six episodes, I'm like, wait a minute, that's when the surprise came in. I'm like, when you guys, we're not done yet. You ordered 13. Like, why would you? I didn't understand that the turnaround could be that fast. But that was it. I decided to stay and do this. Where did you move to when you can truly? Off of Melrose. Wow, you were in the mix. I'm riding like, I didn't even know what I was going to do. I was in the heart of it. I thought, oh my god. Look, it's L.A. CBS is right here. Yeah. The price is right over there. I thought it was huge. And there's Melrose. This was in the height of Melrose place. I'm like, I live on Melrose. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everybody says in Addy that that was some pretty cool stuff. How did your parent, I mean, you know, your parent's feel about that must have been a trip, right? Yeah. Because you didn't come from a Hollywood family. You came from this Latino family. Yes. In Cincinnati, in the Midwest. Yeah. How was that for them when all of a sudden you got a TV show and then you're in L.A. doing this? I'll tell you it was, that's a great question. Because it was a shock.

12:30They always believed in me. But us again, in the theater, they didn't know that it was going to be this way. I was home for a wedding when the second episode of Common Law came out. And it came, and there was a big, newspaper article that I was home for this wedding. I'm dead, dead, dead, and whatnot. And I remember the phone ring, like landline. And I was getting ready to leave that night on a late flight back to L.A. And it was like, hi, this is such and such from ABC7. We're outside your door and love to come in and interview you. And I was like, oh my god. So I said, my mom said, mom, she's cooking dinner. Because I was like, the ABC is outside the door. They want to interview me. And she's like, we are having dinner first as a family. And that's it. And I was like, okay, my mom said that you guys can come in after dinner. And they sat outside in my driveway until we had our family dinner. So they weren't ready for this. But they were ready to just learn on the go. And they've been my cheerleaders ever since. Oh, that's incredible. So what is a perspective now?

13:32Like when they said, oh, I'm going to do this. And then you actually do it. I do it. Just think about that. Like how many stories at a time where, I mean, look at the 90s, and you said you can count in white hand, how many opportunities we probably had to tell our story with with our faces on, right? And to be the characters. Because I tell you, from my perspective, my parents always thought, all the way I have to probably maybe like four years ago, they thought I was doing a high school play. I'm not afraid. Like everything that I did was just like, oh, it's kid me. Like it was just like movie, I made him move in. Yeah. Like it was like, didn't understand the magnitude of the audacity, you know? But where are they with that? In the relationship with you and your industry and the fact that you actually did it? Well, I think that they not even having, not living in Hollywood or knowing anything about the business. I think they just knew that it was just a rejecting business. You know, so they were always ready to catch me if I fell. That's great.

14:32You know, but they also, my mother was the first person to empower me with, why not you? Why not you? Because they want this girl. So what? Why not you? Because they want the skinny girl. So what? Why not you? Because they want the girl with the straight hair. So what? And because of that, I don't even know if she knew what she was saying. Why not you as far as the industry went, but she knew I was worth it. So she has always been that way. And when I, like I said, I'm going to go like, I tend to, I quit the business three times a year because of some bullshit that's happening. I'm like, oh my god, I'm so done with this bullshit. My mother's mentality of why not me keeps me going. Keeps me. So I think that their perspective is never about the business. It's just that they believe in me. Yeah. No matter what happens, they believe in me. Whether I decide to stay in it or not, they believe in me. What do you think that comes from within your mother? I think Latinos are that way. My grandfather, Papito, was this way. When he saw what the dictatorship was doing to the Dominicans and that his family was, you know,

15:35under a threat. My mother talks about how she would be at the family, one of our family members farm, that through he used brother, who Raffi would come and check on with his entourage. And because she was a very beautiful 13-year-old, whenever his, you know, cavalry would start coming down the dirt road, my aunt would hide her under the floor. Because everybody knew what was happening to young women in the Dominican Republic during that era. So my grandfather kind of saw that kind of stuff going on and happening in people disappearing. And you know, you've heard about the Mariaeel sisters, you know, the El Sisters and that story. He's like, I need to take my family somewhere else. And for those who don't know that story, do you mind telling a little bit about that? Through he was a dictator and the Dominican Republic, I think for 10 years, but don't, my history may not be right on that. His dictatorship ended when he was assassinated in I think 62. But no one was able to freely leave and enter the country. You had to have show special circumstances or special reason

16:36for why you would leave. And there were rapes, murders, and kidnappings and disappearing that was a really dark moment of their history. But the country and the people did rise. And they overtook that presidency. And they have a democracy to this day. And the sisters, could you tell me? The sisters were three activists that decided, revolutionaries decided to start their own, they were called Les Mariposas, the butterflies. And they were the, they started their own revolution of trying to take down this dictatorship. And of course, they had, they had targets on their head. And eventually they were the, the Trujillo administration did kidnap them and beat them to death, bludgeon them to death and kill them. So they went down in history as the advocates for democracy and peace and, and down with the dictatorship,

17:36but they paid with it for their lives, with their lives. And they, they are recognized to this day as some of the, the most amazing women in history. I saw the statue in the Mingi, you know, that statue that's dedicated to them and Dominican Republic. I saw that, yeah. Yeah, it's, it's really, there's, there's such a beautiful culture in the Dominican Republic that it's, it's some of the nicest people on the planet. And it's just so beautiful. And they have had their pains and their heart aches. And what I always said, whatever poverty is in the country, they're so rich in spirit that it just, to me, it's just always hold the place in my heart. And I'm just grateful that I spent so much time there growing up. Right. And now, you know, pushing forward to that. And that resiliency was passed on to your mother. I really do. And then, and then your mother passed it down to you. I do. I think my grandfather who taught himself how to speak English with a vitrola, he would just listen to a play, hello, how are you? Hello, how are you? And they went to Puerto Rico first. Yeah. And then from Puerto Rico, they came to the States. And I think that, I tell my daughter all the time

18:37when she's about to take a chemistry test in college, because she's pre-med and she gets her anxiety. And like, Bapito is looking over your shoulder right now. Like that, I always say, you're a riva. Where are your feet? Right. And I taught her to answer rooted in resilience. But you know, when she's feeling too cool, she won't answer me. I said, hey, this is Dave Davenport. And Sean Clements. We host the podcast, Hollywood Handbook, on the big money players network. Our show is extremely accessible to first-time listeners. Each week, we talk to someone in show business, aka the biz, and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. Everyone has a good time, and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting them do our show. We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman. Not that great. You can't help me shape this. Yeah. How about we flip it on his head? No. How about we flip this around? Okay. How much is the surprise one, man? Actually, you think it's the straight man. It's actually the one who's acting weird. Adam Scott. Love. This entire time, you've been expecting

19:38Adam Sandler to come to visit the show. I would never expect that. I would never set expectations for something like that. It sounds like if the universe allows for something like that to happen. Yeah. I am open to it. I'm always going to accept. Okay. You know, Danny McBride, fine. Yeah. It's all this fragile masculinity, exuding. I could smell it walking on the hallway to be honest with you. As I was like, I was like, is that what you need? Nope. It's fragile masculinity. Ben stiller. No. I think there's a lot of times out of context, people don't get it or even know what a circle is. You know what I mean? Like, girl, I go like this. It's so stupid. I grab everyone's silk. I'm excited for you. And fake. Right. Fake and also not interested. Or just like, oh, I've got my life. I don't care about your life. And a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us. Oh, and by the way, Will Ferrell told us personally he loves the show. And he wants to be a guest on every episode. But he's just so busy. Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the I Heart Radio app Apple podcast

20:39or wherever you get your podcasts. On the new podcast, Solita, we share the messy reality of traveling alone as a woman. I can wait four hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering me a ride on his motorcycle. I choose option B. I'm Julie Pinero and I travel by myself because it's a rare space where I can say yes without asking anyone else first. I'm on a mission to reclaim the word solita. Trading the pity for possibility. Every time I tried to be alone, I kept meeting people and they were like, you smiled at us. Not a lot of people smile around here. It's when you're alone that you're most receptive to the world as it is and not the lies you're sold about it. It can be a time where you push your limits, change your mind, or wake up to a new version of yourself. So whether you're a solo travel veteran or you're too nervous to book your first trip, I hope you listen to solita on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

21:42Our town is small taters by most standards, right? But to the people who grew up here, it's everything. What happens when a quiet Tennessee town becomes the front line in a battle over the future of America? Developers with right wing ties have purchased hundreds of acres of land in the area. The first thing you see when it pops up is high nears and apple etch. But they weren't just planning houses. We need cities on a shining hill that exemplify and embody the Christian way of life. Stop right there. Is that normal? A podcast about what happens when a small town becomes the site of a social experiment. God need material! Great! And decides to fight back. Do not use my hard work to sell your bulls**t. They're not just opposing what's being planned for here. Our hometown is not a test too. They feel like they're standing in opposition to an entire administration. Guess you didn't move in on a bunch of dumb hillbillies now, did you? Listen to our town on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

22:47Didn't catch the latest roll in the Martin Unfiltered podcast? Here's what you missed. And the argument is, do you want to win? If you don't win, you have no power. It's real. Those are the very people who I always say voted against their own economic interests, and they complained about the very thing they were seeing. It's raw. I knew that the issue of transgender athletes was not going well with a lot of black men. Rollin' to Martin Unfiltered. I went off. I said, this is exactly what I'm talking about. Y'all go scream at Chanel, but you don't want to see a black luxury company. In the same bag. Catch Rollin' to Martin's Daily Commentary on the Black Information Network. 12 seats. Those are moving south. So if you Democrats, you don't wait to 2030, you better be hitting the ground going hard in the south now. And download Rollin' to Martin Unfiltered on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast. Or wherever you get your podcasts.

23:56That's a beautiful story and it's actually a perfect segue. Do you think a lot of that, I'm heading for you, a lot of that. You know, ancestry has fueled your sense of responsibility to stand up at a time where our culture has needed multiple voices to kind of piece together the right moment in history for us. You feel like that's fuel. You know, I'm pretty sure that you look at your kids. You look at our culture. You look at our community. And it makes you go where that's where we came from. That's part of who I am. So I have to use my voice for that moment.

24:59Yeah, I think that developed in me over time. I think obviously as a young person, I always used to say that I really connected more with my identity when I moved out here because there were so few Latinos in Cincinnati that you just try to blend when you're a young person. You don't necessarily want to stick out because when you do, you get harassed or ridiculed or whatever. So there were things that I didn't feel that matched me. There was still a good childhood, a good upbringing, good life. But when I came out here, when I really started to dive into my mycaldura just as a whole, excuse me. But I think growing as an adult is when I started to recognize even more so the responsibility that I felt I had to be true to my culture, true to my heritage. Also, I'm just proud in general on a Tuesday. I'm proud to be a first generation Dominican. So I'm proud to share that for any reason.

25:59But as a mother, I became even more so proud. And of course, we've kept the culture alive and the traditions and the foods and all that. But when we were on strike in 2023 here in Hollywood, and I decided that something had to be done as far as holding the line for our union to really make a mark for that middle class actor who was trying to fight for that sustainable wage, I thought the only thing I can do is create a creative reason to get us out on that line. And I thought, well, okay, my theme will be Latinos because I know a lot of them. Latinas in particular. I know a lot of them. So we'll get out there every Friday and we'll pick it. And I called our dear friend Lisa Vidal, beautiful actress and human who knows everybody in this town. And I said, you want to organize this with me? I've got this thing. Latinas acting up because we're all actors. And before you know it, we had a group of 80 women that first Friday in front of Warner Brothers just coming together to hold a line.

27:00What we saw over time where these were a lot of young women in various stages of their career, mostly early stages, who were hungry for connection and community out here. Because this town is so, and the business is so isolating and divisive. And that is when I felt my biggest connection to responsibility of curating a group or a platform that allows these women in this town in particular to come together, have each other for support and solidarity because we're not going to get it elsewhere. We have to find it at home. And if your family isn't here, then we have to create a family. What else is left? So is that the primary goal for Latinas acting up or are you guys expanding into other avenues at all? Yeah, we didn't know what's going to run with, become so big, so fast. But our mission statement is to raise visibility of Latinas in all arts and entertainment, areas of performance, journalism, photography, everything from in front of them behind the camera. So not just the ones you see, the all the ones that are in charge of everything to make the project

28:04happen. And we are three chapters, Lale, Chicago, and New York. And we have close to 400 members. And we are there to collaborate. If somebody wants to do a project and we have our online home where we can all talk and say, I need a stylist for the shoot tomorrow. Here comes this one, she's a stylist and they collab and they maybe they don't have the money. They barter something together. We can create our own work and our own projects. But the more we need to know each other, so the more of us, we know the more we grow, thus the platform. Wow. And it's multi chapter, right? You mean you're going to a few states? Yes, yes. We're in those three states of L.A. chapter New York and Chicago. But because we're also, we do a lot of our panels and workshops online, you can be from anywhere. And we're international. So we have girls that are based internationally as well. And we'll have home chapters in Miami.

29:06Miami's asking us, Boston's asking us Atlanta, so that they can meet personally and have their coffee sitals and have their, there's a hangale happening in New York in September that we're going to. And so we'll do that too. But also because this is like a 501C and Lisa and I are giving up our time, we don't want it. If it goes too fast, we won't be available to give of ourselves what we promise. So it's moving fast. No, it's an incredible organization. And I think you guys have done such a consistent job at building and not just infrastructure, but that loyalty and that trust from the community. You know, you're so consistent with how you meet, where you meet and why you talk about. That's kind of part of the, you know, kind of the part of the, when you talk about the pieces of the puzzle and building in more equitable space for for most of us, you know, in this, in this industry, you know, I think it's also something to be said about that building a culture of collaboration is how we're going to get it done.

30:09And I think I think that most of what we've experienced in our, in our fortunate and unfortunate history in this industry is that, you know, we're in this solo mission and trying to just create a blip for ourselves, you know, and, and I think the idea that we embrace that conversation is that like, hey, there's more of us in this, in this together than there was before. I think it's an important reminder of the power of what the community can do when, when say, lock arms together. Absolutely. You have, you have found that the possibilities have gotten a lot more obtainable, specifically with the collaborations within your org. You know, what I do find is that when we are united, like this, we get more attention. So, for example, during the pick up, our group was on the front cover of something every week. The headline could be that Warner Brothers lost $80 million that week, but it was our picture. And every week that they showed us on the cover of Ola and Hollywood Reporter and Vogue and,

31:12you know, this Canadian thing, whatever, I thought to myself, my God, wouldn't it be great if the headline were this often because of all the work that we're doing, all the work that the art that we're contributing. And it's said, it spoke to me that even if we fight at home, we have to be united out there in front because they pay attention when we're united. When we're divided in front of everybody, they use that against us and they don't want to, you know, the other. The images of unity are so much more invested. They are, my goodness. Well, by the way, they're true. They're real. So what, and this doesn't just apply to the thinking of anybody who's in entertainment. What we're seeing as far as how our community is being depicted on television right now, I'm talking the news, then it's really important for us to collaborate and put out all the artistic pieces that show that all that we contribute, all that we do, so that there is a more empathy and compassion for the fact that, you know, what you're seeing on TV is not this

32:13negative criminal thing that the criminals being dragged off the street like that and thrown into a truck. No, they're not. No, they're not. Maybe one in 47. But it's more important. It's more important for us to make sure that the narrative is controlled by us, which I think is is the point of having your own podcast and having your own platform. You know, it gives you this ability to continue to be relevant to the people and to the hearts that need to listen to. Yeah. You know, is that one of the drivers? How did the podcast come about? How hard can it be? Literally came from me reading an article in 2021 that's from Forbes that said, the Gen X woman of which they're over 50 million in this country, represent 50 over 15 trillion with the T trillion dollars of purchasing power. And are the healthiest, wealthiest and most active generation in history. At the same time, society wants to tell us that we're on the downhill slide. We're wrap it up. Our bodies are doing the dumbest of shit that we don't understand.

33:18And I've got chin hairs coming in where they shouldn't be. And I've got eyebrows falling out. And I have more on my plate. I've got aging parents. And I have children that are still dependent on you. So don't tell me I'm done. I have so much shit to do. And we're doing it. By the way, we're not retiring tomorrow. We're also bosses and home business owners. And we are still at that pivotal point where like, I have more to do that. I know that I haven't been recognized for. So with all of that, why don't we talk about it? So I was literally on a train in Spain with Eva. And we were trying to curate this idea for television show that really wasn't, wasn't selling yet. And she said, why don't we pivot this thought process into a podcast? I don't want to do a podcast. And she was, well, you have a voice. You use it. What was your hesitation? What a podcast? Because I didn't know how I didn't think I knew how she goes, you have a voice. You know how to talk though? Girl, okay. Don't threaten me with this medium was built for you. That's true. Do not threaten me with a good time. I do know that. And she put, she,

34:20she posted because what do you want to talk about? And I said, well, I don't know what I want to talk about, but I know what I want to complain about. She was same thing. And I was like, okay, okay. Solution because one of the things I'd recognize is that my squad in Cincinnati, Ohio and my squad in Hollywood, we have different daily lives, us women, us Gen X women up anywhere from 45 to 65. But we are complaining, complaining, confused, frustrated, seeking answers to the same thing. It doesn't matter if my bestie Tina in Cincinnati is not on a red carpet. We're still wondering why we have all these symptoms and these hormonal things, why the mood swings, why do I want to kill this person? Because they sneeze too many times. All, whatever it is. And there's answers out there that the medical field has kept from us that science has been sitting on or that they refuse to put money into the research for. And then we have just the relationships issues. It's not all parrymenopause and menopause. I figured if I get an on to do a podcast and I open the Florida discussion, they will come and my God did they. And the conversation has been, you

35:23know, to hear Gina Torres and Lisa Vidal or Eva Lungoria talk about 50 and over is about saying no, things like that. Prioritizing sleep to hear this OB-GYN talk about how two thirds of Alzheimer's and dementia patients are women. Two thirds, something's wrong, something's happening. So why are we pouring that significant? We need to pour why isn't money being poured into discovering why? Is it because of the depletion of estrogen? Let's talk about it. So that was more my thing. Again, like trying to bring community in the latinus in the industry here with latinus acting up. Same thing with empowering Gen X women, bringing this community of conversation so that we are not walking through this in the dark. Which by the way, you two are married. You would know. Oh yeah. Right. I'm married 30 years. I mean, like your wife is walking through this chapter. Okay. Yeah. What are you experiencing? Because I love to turn the mic on you. Everything you just said, you know, every, you know, she's Gen X like us. Yeah. Every single thing

36:30you just said. Do you find her with frustration and confusion over certain things her body doing the certain emotional journey? 100%. And it's my job to be patient and supportive. And that's after 30 years of marriage is what I've tried to do. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. But that's the best thing about it. As a guy's come into it with their best efforts. But literally it's almost the blind leading the blind because we don't know what to tell you. And I'm hoping the podcast will tell you, do this. Do not do that. You know, it's like you keep fucking with the thermostat and we're going to have a problem. I have it at 58. Hello. So it was just in their comedy just writing some business and he just got assaulted. The cover. A little podcast. But that was my way of giving you a heads up to push the thermostat. Right. Right. It's great advice. Yeah. Okay. Cool. My literally grand. I'm not going to take it personal. Right.

37:31Don't take it. Right. Hey, this is Dave and Port and Sean Clements. We host the podcast Hollywood Handbook on the big money players network. Our show is extremely accessible to first-time listeners. Each week we talk to someone in show business, aka the biz and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. Everyone has a good time and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting them do our show. We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman. Not that great. I actually can you help me can you help me shape this? How about we flip it on his head? How about we flip this around? Okay. How what is the surprise one then? Well, actually, you think it's the straight man is actually the one who's acting weird. Adam Scott. Love. This entire time you've been expecting Adam Sandler to come to visit the show. I would never let go of that. I have. I would never set expectations for something like that. It sounds like if the universe allows for something like that to happen. I am open to it. I'm always going to accept.

38:34You know, Danny McBride. Fine. Yeah. It's all this fragile masculinity. Exuding. I could smell it walking on the hallway to be honest with you. As I was like, I was like, is that what you need? Nope. It's fragile masculinity. Yeah. Ben stiller. No. I think there's a lot of times out of context people don't get it or even know what a circle is. You know what I mean? Like, girl, I go work to save it. Uh, everyone's so dumb. I'm excited for you. Right. Fake and also not interested or just like, oh, I've got my life. I don't care about your life. And a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us. Oh, and by the way, Will Ferrell told us personally he loves the show and he wants to be a guest on every episode. But he's just so busy. Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the I Heart Radio app Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. On the new podcast, Solita, we share the messy reality of traveling alone as a woman. I can wait four hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering me a ride on his motorcycle. I choose Option B.

39:34I'm Julie Beniero and I travel by myself because it's a rare space where I can say yes without asking anyone else first. I'm on a mission to reclaim the word Solita, trading the pity for possibility. Every time I tried to be alone, I kept meeting people and they were like, you smiled at us. Not a lot of people smile around here. It's when you're alone that you're most receptive to the world as it is and not the lies your soul about it. It can be a time where you push your limits, change your mind, or wake up to a new version of yourself. So whether you're a solo travel veteran or you're too nervous to book your first trip, I hope you listen to Solita on the I Heart Radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Our town is small taters by most standards, right? But to the people who grew up here, it's everything. What happens when a quiet Tennessee town becomes the front line in a battle over the future of America?

40:35Developers with right wing ties have purchased hundreds of acres of land in the area. The first thing you see when it pops up is high nears and apple etch. But they weren't just planning houses. We need cities on a shining hill that exemplify and embody the Christian way of life. Stop right there. Is that normal? A podcast about what happens when a small town becomes the site of a social experiment. God need mental rule and decides to fight back. Do not use my hard work to sell your bulls. They're not just opposing what's being planned for here. Our hometown is not a test too. They feel like they're standing in opposition to an entire administration. I guess you didn't move in on a bunch of dumb hillbillies now, did you? Listen to our town on the I Heart Radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Didn't catch the latest role in the Martin Unfiltered Podcast. Here's what you missed. And the argument is, do you want to win? If you don't win, you have no power. It's real.

41:41Those are the very people who I always say vote against their own economic interests and they complained about the very thing they were seeing. It's raw. I knew that the issue of transgender athletes was not going well with a lot of black men. Rollin' Martin Unfiltered. I went off. I said, this is exactly what I'm talking about. Y'all go scream at Chanel, but you don't want to see a black luxury company in the same bag. Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the Black Information Network. 12 seats. Those are moving south. So if you Democrats, you don't wait to 2030, you better be hitting the ground going hard in the south now. And download Roland Martin Unfiltered on the I Heart Radio app Apple Podcasts. Or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Jake Brennan, and on my podcast, Hollywood Land, I revisit some of the biggest stories from Hollywood history, separating the myths people want to believe from the reality underneath them. Like how the story of Marilyn Monroe isn't just the story of a Hollywood icon.

42:47Marilyn Monroe has become so iconic that her death can only be explained through conspiracy theories. And for some fans who can't let go, these stories have metastasized from conjecture to accepted fact. So on August 4th, 1962, Marilyn Monroe died. Then the rumors started, and she died again. And now, we're going to set the record straight and learn about the way Marilyn Monroe actually died. The third way. Learn more about what happens when fame, media obsession, and conspiracy collide. Listen to Hollywood Land on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What are you hoping to, I mean, first of all, I'm so impressed with what you, you and Lisa have been able to achieve with Latin as acting up. I didn't know that it had expanded to all of the different cities and sort of what it's become. I knew the origin of it and why you did it.

43:47But now that you're expanding it is so incredibly impressive, right? So I just want to say that off the back. Thank you. But what are you hoping that it evolves into? But if you've evolved it into what it's become now, what is it in 10 years from now? I think the short answer to that is a studio that produces its own work, its own projects, finances and produces its own project. That's the big dream. Right now, what we have, if I, if I, God forbid, if I die tomorrow and what comes out of it is these women knowing how to create community and collaboration with each other, my job here is done. As a mother, because Lisa and I talked about that the most, that is mothers, that really tugged at us. What we are seeing are things like casting director saying we've got this Nickelodeon show, we got a Disney show and we have searched high, you know, far and wide for this. We need a 24 year old Latina blah, blah, blah, blah. I'm like, hold please. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. So we're building a huge, I mean, at a time where the, you know, departments have been dismantled and executives that look in sound

44:51and feel like like us are not in the room to help guide, by the way, very well, there's have interests from all the studios within, you know, within the stories of this community and help them navigate how to make them real and how to actually make them achievable and producible. You know, it's invaluable to go to an organization like yours and say, hey, I, I don't, I can't pretend I have all the answers, but I definitely can find the wisdom here. You just said it right there. We said what we don't know, we'll find out from somebody else because we have a lot of connections in this town. Lisa and I've been working for over 30 years, over 40 for her. So we know a lot of people, we've knocked on your door. A, Wilma, we walk, knock on your door, Freddie and you guys have come up and you have, all of our friends and acquaintances and peers in this industry have come forward to help us. They've given panels, they've given talks and that if we can do that, we're already making the journey of them pursuing their passion, artistic passion, a more pleasant one than when we grew up in this business,

45:54right? We didn't have that kind of collaboration, but it's coming out and we are quite literally stronger together. Yeah, yeah. I see it going in that direction. I see you guys having your own studio and yeah, it just makes sense. It's, it's already evolving into that. 100% beautiful congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. So what's next for you as an actress? What do you want to do next? Oh my gosh. So that was the one thing that I think that I, I started to pivot into opening my mind of the podcast. The podcast can open doors to the things than the dreams that I have still as an actor because I'm not done. I haven't even tapped into the stuff that I want to do. And part of it was, you know, when I became a single parent and I was for a long time, I put some of those pursuances on the, on the back burner because I was like, I'm not going to be gone from raising my children. I'm going to make sure that I'm here for that. So I still worked, still got great work. And now that I'm an empty nest room, like, all right, where's that horse and that sword? My dream role, like out there with my sword on a horse. I'll take a dragon if it's a

46:58sci-fi, whatever it is. I want to do that. I'm producing. I'm creating a project right now that are being considered. I sold a script with two great writers in the showrunner last year to NBC. So I'm like, I'm getting into there, not waiting for the discussion to come to me. pursuing those dream roles and projects that I said I would do once it was my turn. It's my turn. It is. And I was time for you to claim what, you know, what you not only can do, but the things that you've been waiting to interpret and do in your own. I mean, look, there's, there's a bag of skills and weapons that, you know, that only unlock when, you know, when you, when your roads cross the opportunity, you know, and like, this is this is the time where you got to claim it and be as aggressive as you want with the things that you want to build. Yes. Which is what you're doing. That's what I see you doing with your with your company, with your company, with your, with your studio and your company. And I feel that when we see

48:02our peers and our friends that we've grown up in the business with doing it, then you know, why not me? Why not me? So it's great to dive in and just get, you know, I come to you and say I need your input on this. What do you think? I need, and when you have that, you just feel unstoppable. But you, but that's the thing. We have to be aggressive with using what we do have I think is possible. Yes. Right. We're always so like, let me wear it to something is real before I make that call to a friend of mine that I like, no, like it makes real because you make, it gets real because, because you make that phone call. Yeah. Right. And like we, we talked a lot of extending like make the call, you know, and, and I think that, that, that's what we're lacking. That, that humble confidence to say, it's not fully baked, but I'm, you know, I'm going to go Freddie and like Freddie, that's all the time we do all the time we run stuff by each other all the time. Like is this crazy? And then he's like, betting a good way. We're no, and we're never not going to tell each other not to jump off the, you know, jump off the bridge. But that's what

49:08Wilmer and I have always had in common, you know, we always thought big, right? Yeah. If you don't think big and you don't, you don't freaking go for it, uh, then what? That's just sort of waiting by the phone for something to happen. And that's what I love about what you and Lisa did because you're, you know, what I said in the beginning of this podcast is that you're, you're, you're like a clutch player actor, you know, that every time someone puts you in something, the project instantly becomes better. I'm like, I just think it makes my heart feel so good. No, yeah. That's how I always saw you. Every time I see you in something, I'm like, it's instantly better because you're always, you're always so solid and everything that you do. However, but that comes with when, when, when you're considered that person, I feel like that comes with the, with the, you, you start to develop some leverage, right? You as a person and, and now you're just sort of leveraging the leverage that you've built right into this company. And like you said, you know, you make the call, people pick up the phone and between you and Lisa and everybody else that you're accumulating in your company, it just, it's, it's the natural evolution of you in this industry. I want, you know,

50:10what? I thank you for that because it's always wonderful to have your, your Latinas and your girlfriends and your squads say those things to you. Yeah. When two wonderful gentlemen like you, good men, fathers, husbands, incredible actors and, and incredible businessmen share that with me about my work too. I thank you. And I, and I take it with me because it just, it just reinforces what I do believe, but who doesn't want to hear that re, that reaffirmation and I'll take it, because this is a business who will try every single day to tell women, it's not going to, it's not going to be you. It's, it can't be you. It'll never be you. Why not me? And so you have to take opportunities to sit with people like you. They say, no, no, no, keep going. No, you're right. You're on the right track. Yeah. But you said something too. It's like it, it's not a, it's a standard that you have to live by for yourself. And I definitely want, want women to get that out of my podcast too, that we can have these standards, but they're not a standard if you

51:13don't follow through with them. And that's where that, that aggressive, what did you call it? Quiet humble confidence comes from. Yeah. That you can have your humble confidence and still stick to your standard. And I do think that you can apply that to any area of business though or any dream or passion that you have. We have to find a way to get you a sore in, in a horse, yes. For any to get you some kind of sci-fi, maybe a little time something, you know, yeah. Oh, yeah. Listen, when I saw Robin Wright in Wonder Woman and she comes in with all those Amazonas, she's doing her thing and I'm like, oh my god. This makes me like I can do that. And I can do that at 60 and still be bad at. I'm not sexy, but I could. So you know, we, whatever your dream is, I feel like get a hold on to it and keep aiming for that and see what develops along the way. Absolutely. Well, we're so grateful that you came with us on our podcast and we enjoyed it. I mean, it's just amazing to hear your speaking. And also it's such a blessing for us to

52:16offer this to all of our listeners, you know, to see another Latina doing it in the way that you are and have such an organic story that continues to cement the fact that it doesn't matter where you really did come from or what your ethnicity is that you actually have a path if you want one. Yes. And just congratulations on everything and we'll be touring into your podcast. But only if you listen to ours. Oh, the time. Once I saw Annie Gonzalez on, he was like, I want to come. I want to come. I didn't know girls were allowed. I wonder if this is what's so great. I just I, you know, I've been fans of the two of you for a long time. You know where we met in the 90s, right? You don't even remember that I emailed you last week in that you replied. So I'm going to remember who's the one in menopause here? You or the wife? But I will remind you birds cafe. Birds. You and your beautiful wife. And I was there with a girlfriend. Yeah. And we had been to one like all my award enough to recognize that I was already

53:21a fan. But I hadn't worked quite as much yet. But that's where the first time we actually talk about. Wow. Yeah. When I used to live over on like Beachwood and Franklin area. That's right. Yes. Yes. I'm telling you. I knew I knew you since the 90s. Yeah. And you know, because there wasn't really a lot of us around. So I remember looking at you going like, oh, another one of me. Yeah. Because I would never see it. But I didn't realize you pinpointed it towards birds. No, because I have an insane memory. Women remember you know women don't. Until I'm in a post. I don't forget. It's another thing in menopause, which she commits to what it is that she remembers. Yeah. Go with it. Is that true? Women don't forget. He's here. He's alive and well. He's a very good. Well, thank you so much for being those amigos until the next episode. I will move about around. I'm Freddie Rodriguez. And this was three amigos.

54:22Yeah. On the new podcast, Solita, we share the messy reality of traveling alone as a woman. I can wait four hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering the ride on his motorcycle. I choose option B. I'm Julie Pinero and I travel by myself because it's a rare space where I can say yes without asking anyone else first. I'm on a mission to reclaim the word Solita, trading the pity for possibility. Listen to Solita on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Hayes Davenport and Sean Clements. We host the podcast, Hollywood Handbook. Each week, we talk to someone in show business and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. Everyone has a good time and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting

55:22them do our show. We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman, Adam Scott, Danny McBride, Ben Stillert, and a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us. Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Our hometown is not a test tube. 90 miles northeast of Nashville, a battle for the future of America, plays out in one small town. Developers with right wing ties have purchased hundreds of acres of land. We need cities on a shining hill. This is our town. A podcast about what happens when a small town becomes the site of a social experiment and fights back. I guess you didn't move in on a bunch of dumb hillbillies now, did you? Listen to our town on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Didn't catch the latest Roland Martin unfiltered podcast. Here's what you missed. People wake up and go, oh, damn, wait a minute, they changed all of that? Yes. It's real. This is a wholesale attack. It is targeting black people in every federal agency.

56:26It's wrong. White folks have never allowed that reckoning to last more than a decade. Catch Roland Martin's daily commentary on the Black Information Network. And download Roland Martin unfiltered on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast. Or wherever you get your podcasts. In February of 2024, celebrated illustrator and children's book author, Patreonathers and her husband Michael mailed letters to dozens of friends and family members to let them know they had died by suicide. Dear Hunnies, this is goodbye. By the time you get the shalliter both petr and I will be dead. Next stop, Wonderland. Why did they do it? And what did it do to the people they left behind? Listen to death of an artist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.