More Than Rice and Beans

In our 3rd episode for season 4, the multi-talented Jacqueline Vazquez joins us. Jacqueline is the Founder and CEO of Lifetime Events by Jacqueline, a premiere wedding and event planning company that creates memorable experiences around the world.

She’s also an internationally recognized industry expert, educator, mentor, author, and more! Tania, Miguel, and Jacqueline discuss the challenges and rewards of being a strong Latina in...

Fewer than a quarter of third generation Latinx in the U.S. speak Spanish, but Wendy Ramirez is on a mission to change that. In this episode, Tania and Miguel are joined by the founder and CEO of Spanish Sin Pena (Spanish Without Shame), Wendy Ramirez.

The trio breaks down the stigma and barriers that keep many Latinx people from learning their first language, talks about how connecting through language learning creates deep commu...

We're back! To celebrate our season 4 premiere, we're joined by Afro-Latina multidisciplinary artist, producer, and playwright Melissa DuPrey.

You may know her as Dr. Sara Ortiz on Grey's Anatomy, but did you know she's also a stand-up comedian, a community organizer, and a theatrical performer with over a decade of experience performing in full-length solo plays?! We dig into her career, advocacy, experiences, and...

George Torres is the guy who knows everyone. He’s a master at connecting people, sharing stories, and building community in digital spaces. 

On this final episode of season 3, Tania and Miguel chat with the award-winning Sofrito for Your Soul founder about the importance of storytelling, how to connect with your culture and traditions in modern ways, the changes and challenges brought by social media, and of course, food!

DOWL...

Carlos Frias’ life has been shaped by food from his father’s work as a prison cook to earn his exit visa from Cuba to his childhood spent watching Cuban men gather at Miami’s coffee windows to his six years as food Editor at the Miami Herald. 

In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Miguel and Tania talk with Frias about his journey to connecting with his Cuban heritage, which later inspired his memoir, his views on the M...

It takes a talented person to become a successful spoken word artist. Or an actor. Or a salsa singer. It takes the one and only Flaco Navaja to do it all. 

In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Tania, and Miguel chat with the multi-faceted legendary Nuyorican about being featured on the In the Heights soundtrack, touring the world with Def Jam Poetry, and more. Plus, you’ll hear Flaco’s suggestions for all things food, ...

Some siblings fight. Others only see each other on holidays. And some start multiple successful businesses together, right in their own neighborhood. 

In this episode of More Than Rice and beans, Tania and Miguel are joined by brothers Paul and Anthony Ramirez. The Ramirez brothers own several successful Bronx-based businesses, including the Bronx Beer Hall, Taste of the Bronx, and From the Bronx. Listen in as this group chats...

People who don’t know Latin music know Tito Puente. In the 1950s, he brought Latin jazz to the mainstream, earning him the moniker “King of Mambo.” Now, his son Tito Puente Jr. continues his father’s legacy. 

In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Miguel and Tania chat with Tito Puente Jr. about his childhood, career, and traditions. Fans of music of any kind will enjoy hearing this perspective of music history and cheer...

What artist wouldn’t love to have a chance to create for Walt Disney Studios?! 

Ed Rodriguez kicked off his impressive career doing just that and serving as Creative Director there for over a decade was just the beginning. In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Tania and Miguel sit down with animator/illustrator/author/all-around-genius Ed Rodriguez to talk about his career, the creation of Kiki Koki, his best-selling ch...

Tania and Miguel are joined by composer/producer Jan Reijnders on this episode of More Than Rice and Beans. 

When you think of salsa music, do you picture a tropical beach? How about a dark New York dance club? What about windmills? 

For Jan Reijnders, the Netherlands provided the backdrop to learn about, fall in love with, and begin composing salsa music. In this fun episode, Miguel and Tania learn about Jan’s background...

Have you ever wondered who is behind all the action figures and miniatures that line the aisles at toy stores? 

Chances are, you’ve seen something created by this week’s guest, sculptor Dave Cortes! Tania and Miguel are joined by Cortes, a legendary sculptor from Brooklyn who has worked with Marvel, DC, Sideshow Toys, and more. In 2016, Cortes created the thirteen-foot bronze sculpture of Captain America that was unveiled in c...

When you start culinary school at age 12, your life moves quickly. At least that was the case for Manolo Lopez, who by age 26 had launched a successful pop-up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn serving just one perfect dish: mofongo. In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Tania and Miguel are joined by chef, entrepreneur, producer, activist, and proud Nuyorican Manolo Lopez. The trio explores the unifying magic of mofongo, the success...

Season 2 | Eps 8 - Final episode of Season 2 - Tania and Miguel chat with the founder and CEO of Trip4Good, Marcelo Munoz. This unique approach to tourism in Chile encourages travelers to engage with and support the local communities that make each destination so special. Plus, Marcelo shares his favorite personal travel stories and teaches us how to make our own tourism more sustainable. He’s also got indispensable advice on creat...

Season 2 | Eps 7 - What would you do if you could spend a month exploring Puerto Rico? More Than Rice and Beans’ very own Miguel is here to give you some ideas. 

Miguel fills Tania in on his time there. From the incredible local food like mofongo and learning to make a traditional bean stew. Eating through Puerto Rico was an adventure. Miguel also talks about his favorite experiences, like exploring the world’s brightest biolu...

Season 2 | Eps 6 - There’s no pride quite like the people from New York’s boroughs have in their neighborhoods. In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Tania and Miguel are joined by Amaurys Grullon, the co-founder of Bronx Native, an apparel, art, and media brand devoted to highlighting the beauty of the Bronx and lifting fellow Bronx creatives. Amuarys shares the inspiration and challenges behind creating a niche brand to se...

Season 2 | Eps 5 - If you’ve ever heard an ad, audiobook, or narration that features the warmest, most inviting midwestern voice ever, you’ve been listening to this week’s guest! Melissa Del Toro is a voice actor from Peoria, Arizona, who runs her own production company, Melissa Del Toro International. In addition to being a killer vocal talent, Melissa is also a proud Puerto Rican who connected with her roots a bit later in life. ...

Season 2 | Eps 4 - One of life’s greatest pleasures is sharing a delicious home-cooked meal with an interesting friend. This week’s guest on More Than Rice and Beans does just that in her series, Dishin’ It. Vivian Guzman is a talented home cook, an avid traveler, and a proud Latinx New Yorker. Tania and Miguel chat with Vivian about the inspiration behind her show, explore how unexpected health problems changed the way she thought...