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I told him he made me feel like a used napkin. Picked up when it was convenient. Used. And then set aside without a second thought. I said it because it was the truest thing I could find for what I was feeling. Not mean. True. And months later, he told me that line stayed with him. That he knew he'd handled things wrong. He's still inconsistent. And I'm still here, sorting through what that experience left behind, trying to make sense of what it means to open yourself fully t

Some of the best things that have ever been built started the same exact way. Two women. Coffee. And a whole lot to say. That's the origin story of Elizabeth Colon and Marisel Melendez, co-founders of Boricua Talks, a speaker series event rooted in Puerto Rican culture, storytelling, and the kind of sisterhood you don't manufacture. You grow it. Slowly. Over cafe. I had the privilege of sitting down with them on a recent episode of Just Call Me Viv, and honestly? I walked awa

I Have Always Been a Writer I have always been a writer and storyteller. I don't follow writing conventions and I write how I speak. With a little Spanglish and a little sass. Ask my family, they'll confirm this. I have been writing since the MySpace days and creating stories since I was a kid. Back when we coded our own pages and ranked our top eight friends, I was already sharing pieces of myself. Essays. Observations. Reflections that felt bigger than they looked. I was bl

I Went to Prom Alone. And I'd Do It Again. It was 1993. I had a wine-colored dress that was everything. My senior class had gone full ambition on the champagne flutes , we had a word printed on them from a song called Comforter . Hindsight being what it is, probably not our finest planning moment. But that dress? Chef's kiss. I went to prom alone. Not because someone stood me up. I wasn't trying to make a statement. I just did not want to spend the entire night coordinating s

What do you do when you take a Berklee-trained musician, a mother of two, a global pandemic… and an unshakable vision? You get Lisbeth Perdomo and you get Que Mami . When I sat down with Lisbeth for this conversation, I kept thinking about how much I love stories that don’t  follow a neat little timeline. The ones that happen in real life with commuting, motherhood, financial limitations, doubt, cold train platforms, messy beginnings, and still… momentum. Because Lizbeth did

Michelle Fermin shares how she rebuilt after the 2008 housing crash, scaled to $1.5B in sales, and why being coachable, not fearless, drives real success.

A conversation about reinvention, responsibility, and making beauty out of real life. There are some people you meet as a teenager, and you just know  they're going to become something. Not "successful" in the resume sense, something deeper. Like they're carrying a future inside them, even when the world tries to shrink their options. That's how I've always felt about Francesca. We grew up together in high school, in the choir and cheerleading, that sweet spot of being creati

Burnout isn’t just in your head—it lives in your body. In this episode, educator and yoga teacher Katelyn Skerry Notice shares the moment she knew she couldn’t keep living in survival mode, how yoga helped her release stored tension, and one small way to create safety: wake up for yourself. If you’re craving clarity, calm, and a new beginning, start here.

My first podcast guest is Liz Tomasi and this conversation is for every woman who’s felt lonely in midlife and didn’t know how to admit it. We talked friendship, community, friendship breakups, and why it feels scarier to “put yourself out there” as we get older. My favorite line: friendship is like a muscle—you don’t have to work it hard, but you do have to work it. If you’ve been craving deeper connections, I hope this meets you where you are.

I sat down with my longtime friend Maribel Lara (founder of BeGet Love Consulting) and whew… this conversation was for every woman in transition. We talked about being Latina in spaces that don’t always make room for us, learning to ask for help before we’re desperate, redefining ambition, and building a life we don’t need to escape from. My biggest takeaway: Stop listening to everyone else. Listen to yourself. Build for yourself. If you’re on the edge of a pivot, I hope this

The idea that women must compete against each other to succeed is a myth that holds many back. I have seen firsthand how women sometimes mask rivalry with a smile, pretending to be supportive while quietly viewing others as threats. This behavior creates unnecessary tension and limits growth for everyone involved. There is room for all of us to thrive, and when women genuinely support each other, we build stronger communities and open doors for future generations. I believe i

Embracing the Jamona Era, unmarried but thriving

Turning 50

Summer Goal Check-In and Rehaul of Your Mindset.

A quick reflection on who I was and who I will become in this second phase of life.

Becoming a Free Agent in Life: Paving Your Path to the Future Hello, dear readers of Just Call Me Viv. Today, let’s talk about a journey...

Hey, lovelies! If relationships were a cocktail then communication could be that essential ingredient that binds them together like a...

Rise and shine! It's a brand new week, and you know what that means? It's time to unleash your inner fire and conquer the days ahead with...

Ah, sweet Sunday, the day made for cozy blankets, lazy mornings, and embracing the art of relaxation. As the weekend draws to a close,...

Maintaining good health is essential to leading a fulfilling life, and for many of us, it can be a lifelong journey. As we age, our...