About Our Guest: Raul ‘Neto’ Longoria is a candidate for the Texas State Board of Education, District 5. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and he has dedicated his career to Austin ISD as a bilingual special education teacher and parent support specialist.

Raul is also a social justice warrior, public servant, and from Eagle Pass, Texas, he brings a powerful perspective on what happens when policy meets people and how communities can fight to preserve opportunity, belonging, and hope for their children.

About the Episode

The Austin community is navigating a tough moment, school closures that affect not just students and teachers, but entire neighborhoods and the sense of belonging that schools create. In this episode, we’ll explore the human side of these decisions: what they mean for the children, the families, and the educators who call these schools home. It’s not just about loss, it’s about what loss gives back: courage, clarity, and the permission to live fully again.

About the Episode

“The War Story” is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to rebuild after job loss. We’ll explore how to move through uncertainty, position yourself for new opportunities, and rediscover your purpose when life takes an unexpected turn.

Valerie Braxton-Williams, MBA, PMP is Business Strategy Engineer. She is a collaborative problem solver that enjoys serving as a liaison between the Company and the Customer. She is process focused and has supported start-up operations, go to-market campaigns, product rebranding initiatives, and regulatory compliance programs.

Valerie engages cross-functional teams to achieve prioritized enterprise goals. She believes that decision making should make technical sense, exhibit positive business viability, andhave broad and diverse mass-market appeal.

This episode explores how loss becomes the unexpected catalyst for transformation. Through Vivian’s story of losing her husband and discovering strength through vulnerability, we’ll dive into how humans process grief, rebuild trust with themselves (and others), and learn to speak about what hurts instead of hiding it.

It’s not just about loss, it’s about what loss gives back: courage, clarity, and the permission to live fully again.

Vivian Cobb is an award-winning speaker, author, and conversation advocate who helps people find the courage to talk about what truly matters, especially when it’s uncomfortable. After the sudden loss of her husband and the financial crisis that followed, Vivian transformed her pain into purpose, helping others avoid the unspoken costs of silence around money and emotion. A TEDx speaker, storyteller,and upcoming author of Unspoken Costs: How to Have Relationship-Saving Money Conversations, she inspires audiences worldwide to move from grief to growth through the power of honesty and human connection.

To contact Vivian for about the book are my contact form on my website, Havethoseconversations.com, or my email, vivian@viviancobbspeaking.com.

This week, Diana and Patrick drop the guardrails and go full transparency about where life has them right now.

Patrick shares updates on the Austin school closures. A story layered with emotion, policy, and purpose. Diana opens up about her ongoing job search, the interviews that have reignited her hope, and how the podcast itself became her “proof of progress” through the uncertainty.

Together, they unpack what it really means to keep moving forward , even when the path detours, the plans shift, or the future feels blurry. It’s a conversation about momentum, faith, and the creative fire that refuses to go out.

School Closures in Austin: Patrick Perez Unpacks the Real Impact.

In this powerful episode of Life & In Between Podcast, co-host Patrick Perez steps into the spotlight to unpack one of Austin’s most pressing and painful realities — the wave of school closures reshaping communities, families, and futures across the city.

Patrick brings both passion and perspective, offering a heartfelt take on what happens when the classroom lights go out but the lessons keep coming.

“The Art of Showing Up: Creating Space for Humanity in Divided Times”

In this episode, Diana and Patrick welcome Jes Mendoza — writer, producer, and host of The Art of Showing Up, a podcast that unpacks what it really means to be present. Jes blends honest storytelling, reflection, and conversation to create a listening experience that feels like sitting down with a friend who reminds you that you already belong here.

Together, we’ll dive into how showing up takes on new meaning in today’s climate of frustration, fear, and division and how we can hold space for our feelings while still leaving room for empathy and humanity.

How to Outsmart the City’s Sneakiest Roommates: Your Unwanted Roommates, Exposed. They don’t just ride the subway… they ride it into your home, your restaurant, and your business.

To contact Steve for an extermination job please call 718-269-8376

Steve Gonzalez has spent the past 20 years battling the true underworld of city life roaches, rodents, bedbugs, wildlife, and every creepy-crawly in between. As an Urban Inner-City Exterminator and owner of Edy’s Pest Control in New York, Steve has turned pest control into both an art and a science. His specialty isn’t just eliminating infestations, it’s educating communities, and showing people how pest control is about public health and quality of life. From roaches that act like they pay rent to rats with subway season passes, Steve’s seen it all and he’s just as passionate about sharing prevention tips and community education as he is about clearing out the unwelcome guests.

Life & In Between Podcast“When Culture Becomes Connection: The Power of Employee-Led Communities”
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Silvia Kraemer, a dedicated advocate and transformational leader in the healthcare world. Silvia shares her journey as a proud Latina, a change-maker, and a woman deeply committed to uplifting underrepresented communities through equity, compassion, and strategic leadership.

With a career that bridges social impact and operational excellence, Silvia reflects on what it truly means to lead with heart. From her roots to her professional path, she brings wisdom, warmth, and authenticity to our conversation.

Join us as we explore how Silvia navigates life, career, and service... proving that purpose and passion can (and should) coexist. Her voice reminds us that real leadership happens in the in-between moments: in listening, learning, and leaning into our shared humanity.

Tagline: How one leader’s passion for heritage transformed the workplace into a place of pride, celebration, and connection.