Award winning writer, director, producer, and actor Elaine Del Valle joins Gracias, Come Again for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about survival, storytelling, and representation. Elaine opens up about growing up Puerto Rican in the 1980s in Brownsville, Brooklyn, raised in low income housing while surrounded by addiction, poverty, and instability.

 We talk about being sent to Puerto Rico as a form of punishment, an experience many Latino kids can relate to, and how those summers on the island shaped her identity and perspective. Elaine reflects on becoming a socially impactful storyteller who centers voices and communities that are rarely seen or heard on screen.

Elaine began her acting career in the 1990s, appearing in projects like Donnie Brasco, The Sopranos, and lending her voice as Belle the Octopus on Dora the Explorer for 23 episodes. We also talk about her acclaimed film Princess Cut, now streaming on HBO Max, and the importance of telling authentic Latino stories without compromise.

Make sure to stream Elaine Del Valle’s powerful new film Brownsville Bred, available now on Amazon Prime Video. This episode is a must hear for anyone interested in resilience, culture, filmmaking, and stories rooted in truth.

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Dominican icon Vakero sits down for an honest and wide ranging conversation about music, family, and legacy.

The Latin Grammy nominated artist talks about growing up in San Pedro de Macorís, and his role as a later pioneer of Dominican urban music since the 1990s. Vakero opens up about working very humble jobs outside of music like selling apples, becoming a fashion forward artist, and his views on beauty standards, marriage, and fatherhood with 11 kids.

He shares stories from acting alongside Manny Pérez, explains why he declared himself Team Fruta on La Casa de Alofoke, and talks about collaborating with younger artists like J. Noa.

Plus, Vakero reveals exclusive details about a new album coming in 2026 with Dominican producer Maffio and why using his voice for the less fortunate in our countries still matters to him today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dominican icon Vakero sits down for an honest and wide ranging conversation about music, family, and legacy.

The Latin Grammy nominated artist talks about growing up in San Pedro de Macorís, and his role as a later pioneer of Dominican urban music since the 1990s. Vakero opens up about working very humble jobs outside of music like selling apples, becoming a fashion forward artist, and his views on beauty standards, marriage, and fatherhood with 11 kids.

He shares stories from acting alongside Manny Pérez, explains why he declared himself Team Fruta on La Casa de Alofoke, and talks about collaborating with younger artists like J. Noa.

Plus, Vakero reveals exclusive details about a new album coming in 2026 with Dominican producer Maffio and why using his voice for the less fortunate in our countries still matters to him today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step into this powerful, cultural deep dive with Word Life, the Bronx-born Puerto Rican creator behind the viral tagline “Facts is Facts.”  Known for his straight-to-camera truth telling, WordLife has become one of the most trusted voices educating the world on Puerto Rico its history, culture, food, music, politics and the real issues the island faces.

Before the viral moments and millions of views, he was a New York rapper grinding in the music scene. Now he’s fully committed to storytelling that uplifts his people. In this episode, we get into his journey before content creation, his transition out of music, and what it means to be a Latino in hip hop.

We also unpack the biggest misconceptions about Puerto Rico, highlight the major contributions Boricuas have made across entertainment, and dive into the current events he often breaks down online. One powerful point he breaks down is why Latinos must start buying homes in their ancestral countries, the same way tourists are doing in his native Puerto Rico.

And because they both love the sport, they end with a fun segment on Puerto Rican boxing legends Honey names Tito Trinidad, Hector Camacho, Miguel Cotto, Edgar Berlanga & Amanda Serrano and he hits back with the perfect one-word descriptions.

This episode is informative, educational, funny, and a full celebration of Puerto Rico and the Bronx.  BX to the island, this one’s for y’all.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step into this powerful, cultural deep dive with Word Life, the Bronx-born Puerto Rican creator behind the viral tagline “Facts is Facts.”  Known for his straight-to-camera truth telling, WordLife has become one of the most trusted voices educating the world on Puerto Rico its history, culture, food, music, politics and the real issues the island faces.

Before the viral moments and millions of views, he was a New York rapper grinding in the music scene. Now he’s fully committed to storytelling that uplifts his people. In this episode, we get into his journey before content creation, his transition out of music, and what it means to be a Latino in hip hop.

We also unpack the biggest misconceptions about Puerto Rico, highlight the major contributions Boricuas have made across entertainment, and dive into the current events he often breaks down online. One powerful point he breaks down is why Latinos must start buying homes in their ancestral countries, the same way tourists are doing in his native Puerto Rico.

And because they both love the sport, they end with a fun segment on Puerto Rican boxing legends Honey names Tito Trinidad, Hector Camacho, Miguel Cotto, Edgar Berlanga & Amanda Serrano and he hits back with the perfect one-word descriptions.

This episode is informative, educational, funny, and a full celebration of Puerto Rico and the Bronx.  BX to the island, this one’s for y’all.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Aida Rodriguez gets real about healing, relationships and stepping into her power. She opens up about ending a long term relationship, going to trauma therapy and finally feeling healthy, single and sane for the first time. Aida talks about breaking old patterns, ignoring the pressure to “find a good man” and refusing to settle for raggedy relationships ever again. 

She shares lessons from her elegant Puerto Rican abuela, why she honors her by dressing up and why dating apps are not for her, especially when men try to tell her jokes. She also tells us every reason she loves Bad Bunny, how deeply she bleeds for Puerto Rico and why she wants to see the island liberated from the United States once and for all.

Aida dives into her new Director Era, the joy of writing and the importance of lifting up other Latinas in the industry. She calls out the insecurity that keeps women from bringing each other in and thanks Tiffany Haddish, Wanda Sykes and Angie Martinez for embracing her. 

Funny, honest and full of heart , Aida is learning what she wants, what she deserves and who she’s becoming. 

This is her realest chapter yet.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Aida Rodriguez gets real about healing, relationships and stepping into her power. She opens up about ending a long term relationship, going to trauma therapy and finally feeling healthy, single and sane for the first time. Aida talks about breaking old patterns, ignoring the pressure to “find a good man” and refusing to settle for raggedy relationships ever again. 

She shares lessons from her elegant Puerto Rican abuela, why she honors her by dressing up and why dating apps are not for her, especially when men try to tell her jokes. She also tells us every reason she loves Bad Bunny, how deeply she bleeds for Puerto Rico and why she wants to see the island liberated from the United States once and for all.

Aida dives into her new Director Era, the joy of writing and the importance of lifting up other Latinas in the industry. She calls out the insecurity that keeps women from bringing each other in and thanks Tiffany Haddish, Wanda Sykes and Angie Martinez for embracing her. 

Funny, honest and full of heart , Aida is learning what she wants, what she deserves and who she’s becoming. 

This is her realest chapter yet.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step into this raw and hilarious conversation with Planta Industrial, the Bronx based Dominican duo taking over timelines in a NY minute.

They break down how they came together, their mission to go against the current, and how their Bronx and Dominican roots shaped their whole vision. They talk about going "viral overnight" after YEARS of grinding, how their community and the algorithm pushed them to the forefront , not the industry , and how Saso encouraged aka the darknight to step into his own as an artist after seeing his creative brilliance behind the scenes. 

The guys also share what’s next for 2026 , from their new distribution deal to striking gold with their first single “That’s My Bitch,” plus whether they ever worry about breaking up and why the industry plant rumors make them laugh.

They dive into the rock bands, hip hop, and Dominican artists they grew up on , and how that fusion naturally created their Spanglish lane. And yes, we get into how they manifested a COLORS performance early in the game. Culture, brotherhood, manifestation, and momentum in one episode. Tap in before the world catches up.

Their new EP 'Punk Waves Sin Barreras' is out now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step into this raw and hilarious conversation with Planta Industrial, the Bronx based Dominican duo taking over timelines in a NY minute.

They break down how they came together, their mission to go against the current, and how their Bronx and Dominican roots shaped their whole vision. They talk about going "viral overnight" after YEARS of grinding, how their community and the algorithm pushed them to the forefront , not the industry , and how Saso encouraged aka the darknight to step into his own as an artist after seeing his creative brilliance behind the scenes. 

The guys also share what’s next for 2026 , from their new distribution deal to striking gold with their first single “That’s My Bitch,” plus whether they ever worry about breaking up and why the industry plant rumors make them laugh.

They dive into the rock bands, hip hop, and Dominican artists they grew up on , and how that fusion naturally created their Spanglish lane. And yes, we get into how they manifested a COLORS performance early in the game. Culture, brotherhood, manifestation, and momentum in one episode. Tap in before the world catches up.

Their new EP 'Punk Waves Sin Barreras' is out now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.