What happens when you do everything you were told would make you successful, but still feel like something is missing?

In Season 2, Episode 8 of The Missing Book Podcast, I sit down with psychotherapist and author Yesenia to talk about her book, The Cycle Ends with Me. And let me tell you, this conversation touched places in my own story that I’m still learning to understand.

As two Dominican women, we talk honestly about growing up in hardworking immigrant families, the pressure to succeed, and the feelings we sometimes learned to carry quietly. We can love our parents, appreciate their sacrifices, and still acknowledge that there were moments when we needed more emotional support.

Yesenia shares how being called “La Nerviosa” at just six years old shaped the way she saw herself, and how she began to understand the little girl behind that label. Together, we explore perfectionism, abandonment, family expectations, and what it means to give ourselves the love, reassurance, and compassion we needed growing up.

There are tender moments, a little laughter, and reflections that made me pause. We also talk about joy, remembering what made us feel free, allowing ourselves to take up space, and understanding that healing takes time.

I hope this conversation leaves you feeling seen and encourages you to be a little kinder to yourself. You deserve care, community, and moments of happiness along the way. 💛

🎧 Listen and reflect with us: What brings you joy?

🎙️ Follow The Missing Book Podcast on Spotify for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

What happens when you stop deciding what a community needs and start asking?

In this episode of The Missing Book, I sit down with my dear friend Luis Jimenez, founder of Helping Our People Evolve (HOPE). Luis shares how growing up in Washington Heights, struggling to read, and finding teachers who believed in him shaped the work he does today.

We talk about the moment his mother helped him realize that HOPE had to be guided by the community, not by his own ideas alone. That lesson led him to listen to families and children, connect them with local artists and educators, and help more kids build home libraries with books that reflect who they are.

Luis also speaks honestly about the barriers people face because of how they speak or look, and why the people creating and teaching our culture deserve opportunities to lead.

Learn more about HOPE: https://helpingourpeopleevolve.org

If this conversation stays with you, share it with someone who believes in the talent already living in our communities.

🎙️ Follow The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.

In Season 2, Episode 6 of The Missing Book Podcast, host Luz Maria Mack sits down with author, educator, and Afro-Latina creative Jessica Jackson, Director of Education and Programs at the Bronx Children’s Museum.

Jessica shares the inspiration behind her children’s books, The Otter in Charge and Mimi Can’t Camouflage, which help young readers explore conflict resolution, self-advocacy, flexibility, confidence, and celebrating what makes them unique.

Luz and Jessica discuss her journey to becoming a traditionally published author through Capstone, the importance of social-emotional learning in children’s literature, and how the Bronx Children’s Museum supports local children and families. They also explore the museum’s Book Bodega, the importance of book ownership and cultural representation, and opportunities for authors and illustrators to collaborate with community organizations.

This inspiring conversation celebrates the people creating joyful, accessible, and affirming literary experiences for children throughout the Bronx.

🎙️ Follow The Missing Book Podcast for conversations with authors, illustrators, educators, poets, and storytellers whose voices deserve to be heard.

About The Missing Book Podcast:

Hosted by Luz Maria Mack, The Missing Book Podcast highlights authors, illustrators, educators, and creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Each episode explores the inspiration behind the work, the publishing journey, and the impact stories can have on readers, families, and communities.