Overheard at Chica's Café

Sonia Iris Lozada
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

For years, I've graced the TV shows, movies and the stage, as an actor and performer, sharing unforgettable experiences with countless talented individuals. In those moments, bonds were formed and friendships were forged. Now, on Overheard at Chica's Cafe, you can join me and my eclectic group of friends as we share stories of our lives, delve into our passions, and simply have a good time together. So come on in, take a seat at our table, and listen in on our lively conversations - you never know what surprises await!

  1. 044 - Stereotypes in Acting

    5D AGO

    044 - Stereotypes in Acting

    In this episode, Sonia shares her lived experience navigating identity in the entertainment industry—from early typecasting to evolving roles and the future of AI in performance. Topics include: Latinx representation in Hollywood Typecasting across cultures Middle Eastern representation in the 1990s Ethnomusicology and cultural depth AI and identity in acting Reclaiming narrative through creative work References and inspirations: Cultural and music studies from University of California, Los Angeles (Ethnomusicology) Ongoing discussions in diversity, casting, and AI ethics in entertainment . https://poeticresurrection.com/store/ https://sonialozada.com/ #RepresentationMatters#LatinxVoices#ActingIndustry#VoiceActing#Authenticity#DiversityInFilm#Storytelling#AIandCreativity

    9 min
  2. 043 Bad Bunny and the Music That Raised Me

    FEB 28

    043 Bad Bunny and the Music That Raised Me

    In this episode, I reflect on watching Bad Bunny’sperformances on Amazon and the Super Bowl stage — not just as entertainment, but as cultural memory brought into global light. With a background in Ethnomusicology from UCLA, I share how my academic research into Puerto Rican music — through texts such as El Jíbaro de Puerto Rico, La Música en Puerto Rico, La Música Folklórica de Puerto Rico, and Voz Folklórica de Puerto Rico — deepened my understanding of traditions like Jíbaro, Bomba, Plena, and Aguinaldo. But this episode is not only scholarly — it’s personal. I revisit childhood memories of my father playing Jíbaromusic loudly while driving down Chicago Avenue in Chicago, and the shame I once felt. I reflect on how that discomfort evolved into teenage pride and later adult understanding. I also honor my mother, who sang “Preciosa” and “En Mi ViejoSan Juan” in the kitchen, and my uncle who played guitar and cuatro, going door to door during the holidays performing Aguinaldos. This episode explores: What once felt too loud became legacy.What once felt distant became home.

    6 min
  3. 042 Still Showing Up (Even When the Passion Took a Coffee Break)

    JAN 31

    042 Still Showing Up (Even When the Passion Took a Coffee Break)

    What happens when you still love being on set, but thepassion for the dream doesn’t feel the same? In this episode, I talk honestly about discouragement inacting and entertainment — not the dramatic kind, but the quieter season where you keep showing up without a five-year plan or a constant sense of inspiration. This isn’t an episode about quitting or forcing motivation.It’s about staying present, redefining success, and letting the work be part of your life instead of the explanation for it. If you’ve ever felt discouraged but still here — still doingthe work — this conversation is for you. Music: Blue Ballsa by The Blue Cherries

    6 min
  4. 041 Pull Up a Chair: A New Year at Chica’s Café

    12/30/2025

    041 Pull Up a Chair: A New Year at Chica’s Café

    As the year turns, we’re keeping it simple at Chica’s Café.No resolutions, no reinventions—just a pause, a coffee refill, and a moment to appreciate the conversations we’ve shared. This short New Year episode reflects on curiosity,observation, and the kinds of everyday moments that make us stop, laugh, and think a little differently. Thank you for being part of the conversations thisyear. Here’s to good stories ahead—and whatever unexpected dialogue wanders into the café next. Pull up a chair. The conversation continues. Blessings for the New Year.

    3 min
  5. 040 The Artist Who Caught a Cold… and Everything Else

    11/30/2025

    040 The Artist Who Caught a Cold… and Everything Else

    On today’s episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café,Sonia pulls up a chair (and a warm cup of ginger tea) to talk about something every actor, voiceover artist, and podcaster knows all too well: what happens when you get sick… and everything on your creative plate comes crashing into amessy little pile. With her voice still not quite back to its usual sound—todaycomes with a complimentary side of rasp—Sonia dives into the hilarious, humbling reality of being a multi-hyphenate creative whose entire job depends on having a functioning throat. From the dreaded “booking-out” email to agents,to the guilt spiral of falling behind on content, to the dramatic inner monologues that only artists understand, this episode is a gentle reminder that being human comes first. Sonia shares compassion, humor, and honesty about navigating deadlines, expectations, and recovery while sick. She encourages listeners, especially those in creative fields, to release perfection, slow down, and trust that their audience—and opportunities—will still be there. Whether you’re an actor juggling self-tapes, a podcasterkeeping up with your release schedule, or simply someone who’s been under the weather, this episode is a soothing, funny exhale. You’re doing enough. You’re allowed to rest. Creativity will wait for you. In This Episode: • What really happens when creatives get sick• The guilt of “booking out” with your agents• The pressure of staying consistent while healing• Why raspy-voice episodes should count as a vibe• Releasing perfection and honoring your humanity• A gentle reminder that your audience won’t disappear

    7 min
  6. 039 The Invisible Work of Acting

    10/31/2025

    039 The Invisible Work of Acting

    In this episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café, Sonia Iris Lozada explores the unseen side of acting — the hours of preparation that audiences never witness. From memorizing lines for a single scene, to scrambling with last-minute sides, to navigating the silence that follows auditions, actors carry invisible labor that shapes every performance. Sonia also touches on the growing reality of self-tapes, where actors double as their own crew — a topic she’ll expand on in a future episode. But invisible work isn’t unique to actors. Parents, teachers, creatives, and caregivers all hold hours of unseen labor that sustain lives and communities. With humor, compassion, and a touch of Los Angeles reality, Sonia reminds us that even the work that goes unrecognized mattersdeeply.

    6 min
  7. 038 Bad Bunny, Pride, and the Rhythm of Our Roots

    09/30/2025

    038 Bad Bunny, Pride, and the Rhythm of Our Roots

    In this episode, I reflect on watching the Bad Bunny concert on Amazon and the pride of seeing Puerto Rican music honored on a global stage. From the African roots of Bomba, to the storytelling voice of Plena, to the worldwide reach of Salsa, I share both personal memories and insights from my background in Ethnomusicology. These rhythms are more than genres—they are history, resistance, and the heartbeat of Puerto Rico. References – Further Reading Bomba (Puerto Rico). WikipediaPlena: The People’s Newspaper. Smithsonian Folkways → linkHistory of Plena. La Casa de la Plena → linkMusic of Puerto Rico. Wikipedia “Bomba Pa’ Siempre” by Jimmy Fontanez “Llena de Plena” by Jimmy Fontanez Used with appreciation and respect for the traditions of Puerto Rican music.

    6 min
  8. 037 Expressing Ourselves Creatively

    08/31/2025

    037 Expressing Ourselves Creatively

    Welcome back to Overheard at Chica’s Café, where the coffee is strong, the conversation is flowing, and the occasional biscotti mysteriously disappears. Today, we’re talking about something every entertainer knows too well: what do we do between gigs? Those in-between stretches where your phone is quieter than a stagehand after a blackout cue.You know, people think actors, musicians, or performers are constantly in the spotlight. But the truth? A lot of our lives are spent waiting. Waiting for auditions, waiting for callbacks, waiting for the gig that finally makes your family stop asking when you’re going to get a “real job.” But here’s the secret: the waiting doesn’t mean we stop expressing ourselves. In fact, those in-between times are prime creative hours. Think about it—expression doesn’t only happen on stage or onset. It happens in the things you do to stay alive and sane. Podcasting? Yep. Writing a poem no one else will ever see? Absolutely. Starting a memoir even if the first line is just, “Dear Diary, Hollywood is weird”? Go for it. Maybe it’s designing or decorating your place. I once rearranged my living room so many times between gigs, my couch now qualifies as a traveling performer. It’s seen more blocking than some actors I know. And cooking counts, too! Whipping up a new recipe? That’s performance art with edible applause. Just don’t burn the garlic bread, or the critics will be harsh—and by critics, I mean your own smoke alarm. The point is: as entertainers, we need to express. If we cork the creativity while we’re waiting for the next “yes,” we start to feel like unopened soda cans—eventually, something’s going to explode. So, write that song. Start that podcast. Paint the wall neon green if it makes you laugh—though maybe check with your landlord first. Expression isn’t about waiting for permission. It’s about keeping your creative pulse alive so when that next gig does come along, you’re not rusty. You’re ready.So, whether you’re in rehearsal, in between jobs, or just staring at the ceiling fan wondering if it could double as a set piece, remember: creativity doesn’t clock in and out. It’s who you are. And until that next big gig shows up—express yourself anyway. You might surprise yourself with what you create. Thanks for joining me here at Chica’s Café. Don’t forget to grab a refill on your way out—and maybe, just maybe, rearrange your couch tonight. It might inspire your next masterpiece.  "Modern Jazz Samba" Kevin MacLeod(incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    9 min
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About

For years, I've graced the TV shows, movies and the stage, as an actor and performer, sharing unforgettable experiences with countless talented individuals. In those moments, bonds were formed and friendships were forged. Now, on Overheard at Chica's Cafe, you can join me and my eclectic group of friends as we share stories of our lives, delve into our passions, and simply have a good time together. So come on in, take a seat at our table, and listen in on our lively conversations - you never know what surprises await!

Information

  • Creator
    Sonia Iris Lozada
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sonia Iris Lozada
  • Show Website
    Overheard at Chica's Café