The Latinness Podcast Latinness Podcast

En el ámbito de la fotografía de moda en América Latina, pocos nombres brillan tan intensamente como el de Andrés Oyuela, nacido en Bogotá. Reconocido por su trabajo en resaltar la belleza latina tradicional que admiraba desde joven, el artista colombiano no comenzó inicialmente su viaje como fotógrafo. Atraído por el mundo creativo a través del cine, fue un momento crucial en su clase de iluminación lo que lo llevó a descubrir su talento para capturar la esencia de las personas a su alrededor.

Como joven creativo, Oyuela se abrió camino en la industria impulsado no solo por su habilidad, sino también por un carisma irresistible. Esta combinación ganadora le abrió puertas en Vogue y oportunidades para fotografiar luminarias latinoamericanas como Carolina Herrera y J Balvin, entre muchos otros.

Después de mudarse a Nueva York en busca de un desafío profesional, Oyuela experimentó un momento transformador en su carrera que lo hizo cuestionar el trabajo que estaba haciendo. Fue esta experiencia la que eventualmente le dio paso para establecerse como una voz influyente para la región con una visión creativa firme.

Acompáñanos mientras nos sumergimos en su narrativa y conocemos más sobre su último proyecto "THINGS YOU MISSED”.

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ANDRES OYUELA: “I had to move to New York to realize I was Colombian”

In the realm of fashion photography in Latin America, few names shine as brightly as Bogota-born Andres Oyuela. Renowned for his work in highlighting the traditional Latin beauty he grew up admiring, the Colombian artist didn’t initially begin his journey as a photographer. Drawn to the creative world through cinema, it was a pivotal moment in his lighting class that led him to discover his talent in capturing the essence of the people around him.

As a young creative, Oyuela carved his spot in the industry fueled not only by his skill, but also by an irresistible charisma. This winning combination opened up doors for him at Vogue and opportunities to photograph Latin American luminaries like Carolina Herrera and J Balvin, amongst many others.

After a relocation to New York in pursuit of a career challenge, Oyuela experienced a transformative moment in his career which made him question the work he was doing. It was this experience that eventually has given way to establishing himself as an influential voice for the region with a steadfast creative vision.

Join us as we delve into his narrative and learn more about his latest project “THINGS YOU MISSED”.

San-Diego born ready-to-wear designer Jonathan Cohen always harbored ambitions of launching his own brand. Following his education at Parsons School of Design and experience with industry luminaries like Patricia Field and Oscar de la Renta, Cohen and his business partner Sarah Leff took the plunge in 2011. They recognized a gap in the market and sought to “inject more color” diverging from the monotonous black.

By embracing vivid hues and floral prints inspired by his Mexican roots and California upbringing, Cohen's eponymous brand has made its mark in the New York fashion scene over the past decade. He was recognized as a runner-up in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2018, and gained further acclaim in 2020 for dressing First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on the eve of the presidential inauguration.

Throughout his journey, Cohen has eschewed conventional industry norms, relying on his personal vision to drive his business forward and navigate obstacles. In this conversation, he reflects on the importance of kindness in the pursuit of success, shares how his creative process has been a journey of self-discovery, and discusses the guiding principles behind his work.

En este episodio exploramos la vida y carrera de Maritere Castellanos Esteve, la comediante y creadora de contenido puertorriqueña detrás de la cuenta MADRES EN CUARENTENA. Con más de un millón de seguidores en Instagram, la madre de tres hijos es conocida por su autenticidad y humor. A través de sus redes, comparte anécdotas humorísticas que resuenan con madres hispanas en todo el mundo.

En este episodio, nos sumergimos en el viaje tardío de Maritere en las redes sociales, desde sus comienzos como maestra de drama hasta un intento de casting en Televisa. Nos cuenta sobre sus inspiraciones, proceso creativo y su más reciente lanzamiento: un espectáculo de stand-up comedy en su amada Puerto Rico.
Si deseas conocer más historias de creativos de Latinoamérica, visita www.latinness.com o síguenos en @latinness__.
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In this episode, we delve into the life and career of Maritere Castellanos Esteve, the Puerto Rican comedian and content creator behind the account MADRES EN CUARENTENA. With over a million followers on Instagram, the mother of three is known for her authenticity and humor. Through her social media platforms, she shares humorous anecdotes that resonate with Hispanic mothers worldwide.

In this episode, we immerse ourselves in Maritere's late journey into social media, from her beginnings as a drama teacher to an audition attempt at Televisa. She shares about her inspirations, creative process, and her most recent venture: a stand-up comedy show in her beloved Puerto Rico.
If you want to discover more stories of creatives from Latin America, visit www.latinness.com or follow us on @latinness__.

Xochitl Gonzalez is an American writer, born to a Puerto Rican mother and Mexican father, who has left an indelible mark on the contemporary literary scene. From her first novel, the critically acclaimed "Olga Dies Dreaming," to her Pulitzer Prize-nominated essays on gentrification for The Atlantic, Xochitl's storytelling prowess has enraptured audiences worldwide, establishing her as one of the most acclaimed Latin American authors.

In this episode, we explore Xochitl's late journey as a writer, from her beginnings in the public library to her time at Brown University and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. We delve into her inspirations, creative process and her recent release, "Anita de Monte Laughs Last."

If you want to discover the works of other Latin American creatives, don't forget to visit www.latinness.com or follow us on @latinness__.

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Xochitl Gonzalez: "Soy capaz de desplegar un poco de realismo mágico"

Xochitl González es una escritora estadounidense, nacida de una madre puertorriqueña y un padre mexicano, que ha dejado una marca indeleble en la escena literaria contemporánea. Desde su primera novela, la aclamada por la crítica "Olga Dies Dreaming," hasta sus ensayos nominados al Premio Pulitzer sobre la gentrificación para The Atlantic, la destreza narrativa de Xochitl ha cautivado a audiencias en todo el mundo, estableciéndola como una de las autoras latinoamericanas más aclamadas.

En este episodio, exploramos el recorrido tardío de Xochitl como escritora, desde sus comienzos en la biblioteca pública hasta su tiempo en la Universidad de Brown y el Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Nos adentramos en sus inspiraciones, proceso creativo y su lanzamiento reciente, "Anita de Monte Laughs Last."

Si quieres descubrir las obras de otros creativos latinoamericanos, no olvides visitar www.latinness.com o seguirnos en @latinness__.

Abner Benaim es un destacado director panameño que ha dejado una huella imborrable en la industria cinematográfica latinoamericana. Desde sus primeras producciones que incluyen la comedia “Chance" y el documental "Yo No Me Llamo Rubén Blades", hasta sus obras más recientes como "Plaza Catedral", la cual fue seleccionada en la lista corta para los Premios Óscar, Abner cuenta con una habilidad excepcional para contar historias que resuenan con la audiencia global.

En este episodio hablamos con Abner sobre la importancia de dar la bienvenida a nuevas oportunidades, por qué el talento no es el único factor que garantiza el éxito y qué alimenta su creatividad día a día. Además nos revela detalles de su próximo proyecto: "La Vida Simple” que describe como una "road movie existencial tropical” programada para ser filmada en 2025.

Si deseas conocer más sobre el mundo del cine latinoamericano y descubrir las obras de otros creativos, no olvides visitar www.latinness.com o seguirnos en @latinness__.

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Title: "In Panama, you're not going anywhere if you don't pedal"

Abner Benaim is a renowned Panamanian director who has left a permanent mark on the Latin American film industry. From his early productions, which include the comedy "Chance" and the documentary "Yo No Me Llamo Rubén Blades," to his more recent works like "Plaza Catedral," which was selected for the Oscars shortlist, Abner has an exceptional ability to tell stories that resonate with a global audience.

In this episode, we talk to Abner about the importance of welcoming new opportunities, why talent is not the only factor that guarantees success, and what fuels his creativity daily. He also reveals more about his upcoming project: "La Vida Simple," which he describes as an "existential tropical road movie" scheduled to be filmed in 2025.

If you want to learn more about Latin American cinema and discover the works of other creatives, don't forget to visit www.latinness.com or follow us on @latinness__.

Ana Lorenzana is a Colombian photographer based in Mexico City. Her career started with fashion photography in Paris and New York where she collaborated with magazines such as Crash and Nylon, and eventually included titles such as Vogue and GQ after a move to Latin America. Guided by an insatiable curiosity, Ana discovered a passion for gastronomic photography— an industry she now thrives in— through an unexpected invitation by a colleague.

In this episode we speak with Ana about the importance of being open to new opportunities, why talent isn’t the only factor that assures success and what fuels her day-to-day creativity.

For more stories with Latin creatives, visit us at www.latinness.com or follow @latinness__.

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Ana Lorenzana es una fotógrafa colombiana radicada en la Ciudad de México. Su carrera comenzó con la fotografía de moda en París y Nueva York, donde colaboró con revistas como Crash y Nylon, para luego incluir títulos como Vogue y GQ tras mudarse a América Latina. Guiada por una curiosidad insaciable, Ana descubrió una pasión por la fotografía gastronómica, una industria en la que ahora prospera, gracias a una invitación inesperada por parte de un colega.

En este episodio hablamos con Ana sobre la importancia de estar abierto a nuevas oportunidades, por qué el talento no es el único factor que garantiza el éxito y qué alimenta su creatividad día a día.

Si deseas conocer más historias de creativos de Latinoamérica, visita www.latinness.com o síguenos en @latinness__.