In this powerful episode of The Unaparent, bestselling author, speaker, producer, and public thinker Julissa Arce joins Katia for a deeply honest conversation about identity, parenting, and the myths of the American Dream.

From growing up undocumented and climbing the ranks on Wall Street, to walking away from corporate success in pursuit of truth and justice—Julissa’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and reclaiming power. Together, we explore what it means to raise culturally rooted kids in a country that often erases our history—and how motherhood can become a political act.

We discuss:

• Why assimilation is not the goal
• Teaching our kids pride in their roots
• How the American Dream is a myth for many
• Writing new narratives in books, policy, and parenting
• Her experience navigating motherhood, race, and visibility
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🎧 Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

📚 Mentioned Books by Julissa Arce:

• You Sound Like a White Girl
• My (Underground) American Dream
• Someone Like Me

Follow Julissa: @julissaarce

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⁠The Unaparent Podcast⁠ is a ⁠Studio Dama⁠ production. For production, sponsorship, and ad inquiries contact marina@studiodamadesign.com or send a DM to ⁠@studio.dama.design⁠

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 – Katia Catch-Up & Guest Introduction

03:00 – An Unapparent Truth of Parenting

05:10 – From Undocumented to Wall Street

08:40 – The Lie of Assimilation & Rewriting the American Dream

12:10 – Cultural Pride, Language, and Representation

17:15 – Parenting Without a Village & Redefining Success

20:10 – Motherhood, Activism & Speaking Out

27:00 – Systems That Harm & How to Create Change

32:50 – What Gives You Hope? Final Reflections