This week, I’m taking you back to 2006 with Lara Rios’s Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps—a mid-2000s romcom that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply relatable.

Marcela Alvarez, a 27-year-old animator in Hollywood, discovers a family secret that throws her entire identity into question. In an effort to “out-Latina” her relatives, she creates a ten-step plan to reconnect with her culture—only to realize that authenticity isn’t found in checklists, but in embracing who you already are.

In this episode, we unpack Marcela’s journey of self-discovery, complicated family dynamics, and the humor (and heartbreak) of trying to “fix” ourselves when our foundations feel shaky.

I also share how this book mirrored my own experiences with cultural identity, family secrets, and learning to accept that I am enough—exactly as I am.

💛 Shelf Therapy Takeaway: Healing happens when we stop trying to prove we belong and start embracing the messy, beautiful truth of who we already are.

Thank you for listening! See you next Monday!