Akil and Hong welcome Christina Llerena to the show! Christina is the Dean of Student Affairs at the college, and beyond diving in to all of the areas under her purview, the trio discuss her path to SBCC from Detroit and then New York, and then dive deeper into Christina's favorite foods and pieces of culture. Items discussed include: burgers at the Kitchen at Calvary Chapel, Paella, Chicken Parmesan, Nedra Glover Tawwab, Astrology, Taylor Swift, and Depeche Mode
Mentioned in this episode:
SBCC Student Services - https://www.sbcc.edu/studentservices/
SBCC EOPS - https://www.sbcc.edu/eopscare/
SBCC Enrollment Services - https://www.sbcc.edu/enrollmentservices/
SBCC Admissions and Records - https://www.sbcc.edu/admissions/
SBCC Dual Enrollment - https://www.sbcc.edu/dualenrollment/
SBCC Raíces - https://www.sbcc.edu/raices/
SBCC Dismissal and Probation - https://www.sbcc.edu/probation/
SBCC Academic Counseling - https://www.sbcc.edu/counselingcenter/
SBCC University Transfer Center - https://www.sbcc.edu/transfercenter/
SBCC Transfer Achievement Program - https://www.sbcc.edu/tap/
Waking Life (film) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waking_Life
Scene from Waking Life - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCO-ZsoRvxE
The Kitchen at Calvary Chapel - https://calvarysb.com/the-kitchen
Paella - https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014667-paella-master-recipe
Chicken Parmesan - https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017169-chicken-parmesan
The Far Western Tavern in Old Orcutt (used to be in Guadalupe) - https://farwesterntavern.com/
Sacred Pig BBQ in Hayward - https://sacredpigbarbecue.com/
Scarlett Begonia - https://scarlettbegonia.net/
One Pot Chicken - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/19/dining/one-pot-chicken-dinners.html
Oaktown Spice Shop - https://oaktownspiceshop.com/
L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele - https://damicheleusa.com/santabarbara/
Nedra Glover Tawwab - https://www.nedratawwab.com/
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab - https://www.nedratawwab.com/set-boundaries-find-peace
Drama Free by Nedra Glover Tawwab - https://www.nedratawwab.com/drama-free
The Daily - https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily
Astrology - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology
Chani Nicholas - https://chaninicholas.com/
Astrology Hub - https://astrologyhub.com/
Taylor Swift - https://www.taylorswift.com/
Depeche Mode - https://www.depechemode.com/
Motown Museum - https://www.motownmuseum.org/
Memento Mori by Depeche Mode - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_Mori_(Depeche_Mode_album)
Detroit Techno - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_techno
Johnny Marr - https://johnnymarr.com/
1989 by Taylor Swift - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmU8B4gZ41icgJv5WmjkK6c3KyOpVEDkI
The Bones of What You Believe by Chvrches - https://chvrch.es/
Rob Brezsny - https://freewillastrology.com/
Captions provided by Zoom
1
00:00:01.870 --> 00:00:14.919
Hong Lieu: Hello and welcome to another episode of SBCC Vaquero Voices - a podcast highlighting the unique voices that comprise our campus culture, and how we're all working together to serve our students and the community at large. As usual, I'm joined by co-host Akil Hill - What's good y'all?
2
00:00:14.940 --> 00:00:28.670
Hong Lieu: and today we were honored to welcome Christina Grenier to the show. Welcome, Christina Dean Christina Dean Christina! I wish my my are rolling, but you know
3
00:00:29.050 --> 00:00:46.410
Hong Lieu: so you're the dean of student affairs. And I guess the question is, where does the Dean fit in in terms of roles? And you know role and responsibilities between the Vice President affairs, Paul Arnold we had on the show.
4
00:00:46.530 --> 00:00:59.920
Hong Lieu: and then you have an associate dean as well. Christopher Johnson. Is that also student affairs? So within your purview. So if you could just break down a little bit, how duties get like with the purview of each kind of role, and and where you fit into the the campus community in that effect?
5
00:00:59.950 --> 00:01:01.719
Christina Llerena: Sure, sure. So
6
00:01:01.850 --> 00:01:26.079
Christina Llerena: so I report to the Vps student affairs. Paloma, like you've mentioned, and the Dean is student affairs overseas roughly, about 8 areas. So I oversee all of the categorical programs under Eops. So Eops care Cal works guardian scholars, and next up.
7
00:01:26.110 --> 00:01:35.490
Christina Llerena: Okay? Then I also oversee enrollment services and all those folks, as well as admissions and records
8
00:01:35.620 --> 00:01:36.870
Christina Llerena: right?
9
00:01:37.120 --> 00:02:01.950
Christina Llerena: And then that also includes right now dual enrollment. So that is part of right. The in our team. I also oversee a new program called raises. I don't necessarily oversee everyone. But I'm a huge support to the 2 of 3 staff members. They're kind of like just trying to build that momentum of that new program.
10
00:02:01.950 --> 00:02:14.299
Christina Llerena: I also with Becky. Saffled my administrative assistant. She also we are the the dream team for dismissal and probation. So we handle all that
11
00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:37.749
Christina Llerena: work around that. And then I also support academic counseling center. So everything that goes into academic counseling. So I'm probably oh, and I, how can I forget transfer. So university Transfer center, Utc and I support tap as well, which the transfer achievement program and all those amazing folks doing that work. So
12
00:02:37.830 --> 00:02:46.900
Christina Llerena: I don't. I'm just gonna stop right now, because there's so basically she does. She has little time to sleep. That's what that's the translation on that.
13
00:02:47.090 --> 00:03:14.070
Christina Llerena: Yes, and I'm right now temporarily overseeing. Eops care cow works because we're going to head towards a new director. So yes, I they kill you. 100 correct. I often have work dreams, and I hope they eventually diminish because everyone's like real real dreams, not work dreams. Right there. There's a movie called waking life. Where, like they, they? Yeah, they take your. They take you.
14
00:03:14.070 --> 00:03:20.710
Hong Lieu: You're waking life for money, but they get your dreams for free, right? So
15
00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:32.290
Christina Llerena: I had a couple of weird ones. Yeah, they're thrown in with, like old text test anxiety dreams, like, yeah. And then I'm like at my job. And I don't know. It's crazy
16
00:03:32.290 --> 00:03:55.640
Hong Lieu: because I almost got kicked out of college a couple of times for active immigration. I still have dreams that, like you gotta pass this test, but then I show up, and I know nothing, and I'm just like like trying to negotiate with the professor like, please please help me. But in real life I actually got saved. So it's always the dreams are always more precarious. And Phd. Program, too, on top of it. I just finished my first semester. Oh, my goodness.
17
00:03:55.760 --> 00:04:09.520
Christina Llerena: that's crazy! But I so it's a Phd. In higher Ed, but we have to take stats next semester, and I'm already having like pre test anxiety dreams for that. So I'll let you all know.
18
00:04:10.010 --> 00:04:29.289
Hong Lieu: So in terms of yeah, go ahead a keel. No, go ahead. Go ahead. I was, gonna say, in terms of doing all this, where? Where do you find the time? How do you kind of coordinate what you're doing? I mean, what is your day just nonstop running around just all over the place? Or is there kind of a flow that you've kind of settled into? Or is that still something you're figuring out. Cause that's a lot.
19
00:04:29.340 --> 00:04:49.219
Christina Llerena: Yeah, it is, I think. Well, I've been in the position over a year, and I feel like, you know your year, and anything is sort of like, you know an experiment. Once you go through the cycle, especially in higher Ed, you kinda understand the rhythm of the seasons, and can kind of figure out like the Evan flow and high times, low times, and all of that.
20
00:04:49.330 --> 00:05:13.749
Christina Llerena: What I didn't realize is that add, when you're in administration, it's really like kind of always high time. Because when I was in the summer I was like, Oh, I can't wait for summer and pull on us all. That's the worst like, it's really, really busy. I was like, Oh, okay, but basically, II work through the day. My husband makes money, he's all. What do you do like all day, all year in his meeting
21
00:05:13.770 --> 00:05:37.719
Christina Llerena: like? That's it like you don't. What are you doing? But actually, I am in a lot of meetings. A lot of it is touching, base, facilitating. Try to bridge gaps around, collaborating, trying to meet people's needs in their like respective. You know, departments advocate for them and hire conversations around resources or like systems, flow, systems change.
22
00:05:37.740 --> 00:06:06.480
Christina Llerena: So I try. Everyone says Dean, is like a really tough job, because your sandwich in the middle, right like you are the essential, like middle manager. And then you also have a lot of people under you that you have to support, but that you don't always work with on the day to day. So that's probably the most challenging, because I love being with people, but if I have to, you know, be there, or if I'm technically your boss. But I'm not with you all the time. That's kind of that's probably the biggest grind cause. I can't.
23
00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:10.750
Christina Llerena: I don't really have access to be able to support them in the way that I want to, you know.
24
00:06:11.440 --> 00:06:32.559
Akil Hill: Yeah, I like the point that you made, which is so critical that that hope the you know the viewers don't miss. But I like the piece when you're like, you know, you come in the first year, you assess you just look at the landscape, you know. I feel like, you know, especially if you're not. If you have no prior history in higher Ed, like, I feel that
25
00:06:32.670 --> 00:06:53.509
Akil Hill: that's such. There's so much wisdom in that right? Because you know. Sometimes you want to come in. You start a new job. You want to put your stamp on it, and you know what I mean. Versus coming in kind of just seeing how the everything flows. And you know that's just a a great reminder for me. You know, when you seek out to do something new. Sometimes you just need to observe for a while
26
00:06:53.890 --> 00:07:17.259
Christina Llerena: oh 100. I think that people are experts and what they do here. And you know, the lifetime of anyone in Higher Ed is usually a pretty long life span. So people have a lot of content expertise. They know the institution. They know the culture and help me, that I started as a director and then got promoted internally. But I think that
27
00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:28.550
Christina Llerena: you really like. I always feel that the best team or the best, most empowered or high high performing team is a self managed team, and I don't mean that as a cliche like I really think that
28
00:07:28.550 --> 00:07:49.769
Christina Llerena: you are sort of a support around the overarching like macro system. But the inner day to day is a lot around people's relationships, communication and structure. And and you're just supporting that and containing that. It's not necessarily about me inserting anything of my expertise if that makes sense
29
00:07:50.210 --> 00:07:58.310
Hong Lieu: and it. And it does make a lot of sense, because it's when you speak of it as a support job where you're you're you're trying to help folks just keep them kind of
30
00:07:58.310 --> 00:08:20.960
Hong Lieu: keep them in the game, so to speak. I remember when I was a project lead doing video game stuff, you know, I would oversee teams like 50, 60 people. And you can't. You know, you wanna get into each person. See how you're doing. It is everything. Okay? But you really can't. So you just have to kinda find key folks check in with them. Make sure that those folks are communicating out. And this you really have to have a good team. So I guess in that in that vein.
31
00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:27.310
Hong Lieu: if someone were to think about oh, I want to work in student services, or I want to work for for the college in a student services kind of role?
32
00:08:27.340 --> 00:08:40.170
Hong Lieu: Is there like a character trait or something? Is it really just that independence and self serving kind of like being able to manage yourself, and or just understand what you have to do and just go? Or is there is there like a key kind of character trait that you would think of. That would make someone really well suited to the work.
33
00:08:40.710 --> 00:09:08.770
Christina Llerena: I think you. I think humility helps to be honest, I think. You know you have to sort of genuinely like people like that. Also help both of those 2 things are much easier said than done. Let's be honest like that's not low hanging fruit by any means. Humility, and being able to work with other people. Those are probably a lot of things when people go in academic. I'm trying to do this to get away from a lot of people
34
00:09:08.770 --> 00:09:13.819
Christina Llerena: humility, the ability to listen. I think also, I just
35
00:09:13.820 --> 00:09:33.779
Christina Llerena: I'm I just think this is I mean, it's always hard, but just being able to own failure in general, like I'll never forget. One time I was talking to kindred, and I was just saying, I think it was in my interview for this position I talked about several. There's several errors. I have so many I could choose from right around like mistakes, learning from mistakes.
36
00:09:33.780 --> 00:09:48.049
Christina Llerena: And and she and I said, Yeah, you know, I just hope I do better, and she goes. Oh, don't worry, you know. The more responsibility take on the bigger the mistakes, and but on the other flip side, then bigger the learning like. At least that's how I feel. But
37
00:09:48.070 --> 00:10:08.729
Christina Llerena: yeah, III think it's healthy to make mistakes. I think it's healthy to own that. And to model that I'm just not into perfectionism. I'm not. I just I wasn't. I never kind of fell for that. I mean, don't get me wrong. I like order. I like nice things, but I just think it's a setup. And so that's what I try and model
38
00:10:09.590 --> 00:10:22.460
Akil Hill: and hearing. That is just like super warming to my are really, really like the perfect imperfection. Right? And so, yeah, that's that's that's yeah. That's powerful. I really, I respect that a lot.
39
00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:26.910
Hong Lieu: cause it's like 2 things that you think like, I said. It sounds like low hanging fruit.
40
00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:37.450
Hong Lieu: Be humble and modest, and be willing to when you make a mistake, own up to it and move on from that. And in practice. And I've seen throughout my career, you know, throughout my professional life
41
00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:54.709
Hong Lieu: you don't see it very often, and you definitely don't see it in higher, in leadership positions. I mean, just I've worked in private sector where the public sector. This is not a city college thing. This is not a you know. Thi, this is just a thing. I see that we we seem to like favor the traits that are not
42
00:10:54.710 --> 00:11:19.650
Hong Lieu: as good for the job. You don't really want someone super confident, blustery, like, Oh, yeah. Well, you know, like just, I'll I'll take you to the, to the promiseland, or whatever, when in reality, like you said, your interactions with most of the people that you work that work underneath you, so to speak. You know that's a weird turn of phrase, but just to work that work for you, just trying to support them. So if you. So the person that comes in blustery kick me in your wing, they can't actually do the work that they say they're gonna do.
43
00:11:19.650 --> 00:11:44.470
So you really do need. Someone that's humble and modest, modest, understands, has a good perspective on where they are in the world and what things are, and is willing to do the work, and when they make mistakes on it to it, I mean, those are 2 things that have served me so well in my life in terms of people look at me like, Oh, that's really novel and unique that you are like this. And and to see that kind of reflected, and see someone that actually values those things in a leadership position like you, I mean, that's it really does.
44
00:11:44.610 --> 00:12:08.510
Hong Lieu: Comforted because I've seen a lot of times for me personally where that hurts me. We're also I'm the person that lacks. I lack ambition, or I'm a little too kind of frank when I need to be more professional, you know, like those those kind of things. But those are conversations that people are having as well where I think we're kind of coming around and understanding that. Yeah, it's better to just walk it like you talk it, and just be how you are and live it and live through that to try to put on some kind of
45
00:12:08.510 --> 00:12:18.960
Hong Lieu: facade, and and and you know, fake it till you make it, you know, like that whole idea of being like complimented for faking it till you make it to me is just like disgusting. But like, I think we're coming around to that. So
46
00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:41.790
Christina Llerena: yeah, I think cause. You know I'm a social worker by trade. I started my career, you know, as a Foster care case worker and the Bronx, and you know Spanish Harlem during the Aids epidemic, and I was just a very like independent, stubborn like. I wanted to get out. You know, I grew up outside of Detroit, a suburb of Detroit, and I,
47
00:12:41.830 --> 00:13:01.239
Christina Llerena: my whole goal was like, I'm living in New York City by like I left, you know, 4 days in a you hall with a friend. We moved to New York City and got like a sublet. I don't even know if people can do that anymore. But we did. And you know I didn't have any money. I just figured it out. Luckily I got a job, I think, like my whole family was
48
00:13:01.300 --> 00:13:19.209
Christina Llerena: panicking, you know, but I was like, I'm just gonna make it work. And so I started off, you know, working in these situations where people really was a lot of validity had no trust in me or the system I was representing.
49
00:13:19.250 --> 00:13:23.840
Christina Llerena: and so I think I learned very quickly
50
00:13:23.850 --> 00:13:48.559
Christina Llerena: to adapt to that, and not take it personally, and to just, you know, I guess in some ways have a work ethic around it like, just be persistent, you know, not in like a creepy salesperson way. But like, just be like, All right, cool. You're not ready for this. That's fine. I'll be back next week, you know, like I really wanna hook you up with food stamps, or I really wanna hook your. You know your granddaughter up with this holiday program like.
51
00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:59.549
Christina Llerena: here's the form. I'll slip it under your door. You know I would. I would out have foster parents like not open the door for me, you know, for months. But I would just keep coming back. And I think
52
00:13:59.550 --> 00:14:29.019
Christina Llerena: there is a lot of that in the role that I'm still in now. And I think you you just have to understand that people are in different places when you come into any leadership, and also in their life, not just like with institution or their team, but also where they are in their priorities in their life. So I just try to be aware of that, and as much as I could be authentic and also real with them. II think it does get reciprocated with time eventually.
53
00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:38.190
Akil Hill: Yeah. As you say, the war where attrition is real. Just keep pushing. Keep pushing, you know.
54
00:14:38.470 --> 00:14:57.310
Akil Hill: and I think that speaks to the human condition, too, like you can wear people down with goodness over a period of time. It's absolutely true. II know that's that's factual, you know. I'll tell you guys one quick story. So there was this one guy, you know, like, you know, I'm Muslim. And so you're supposed to say you greet people with
55
00:14:57.310 --> 00:15:15.670
Akil Hill: salams right? And there's a saying that the more you see that same person like the more like you'll wear them down by giving them salams, which is like giving them peace. So when I was in, I was in Mecca, and I walked. Every day I walked past a certain gate, and this guy the first day is face uptight.
56
00:15:15.760 --> 00:15:21.109
Akil Hill: and I was like salams, and then he was alright. He didn't wanna return it right? And then, by the end of the third day that I was there.
57
00:15:21.390 --> 00:15:34.449
Akil Hill: slums, give me a hug. We were like family. So it's it's a real thing in in is just like wearing people down with with goodness and and and glad tidings. And and and it does work. It does definitely work
58
00:15:34.450 --> 00:15:55.120
Christina Llerena: and absolutely works on the opposite, where you can wear them down with good things. But if you do one bad thing, they kind of have their life forever and not cause. I am that kind of person. I do not forget about those kind of. I can deal with a lot of lot of little things in there, but if you cross a certain line I will not forget. I will cut you on mine, not in real life, because I'm not about, you know, like that. But but you're done so.
59
00:15:55.120 --> 00:16:10.560
Hong Lieu: But you know what, and and just hearing that that little tidbin will get more this in our next segment. But just hearing about that. Another common line I've seen in folks that value humility, and and you know the things that only up to mistakes is a work ethic and
60
00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:27.210
Hong Lieu: being exposed, to quote unquote what I call the real and and just hearing that little, that little negative story you've seen it. You seen what the real and that is what helps put things in perspective. When you see the real, you understand what is not real, what is not that important, or what is easily tossed aside at the end of the day.
61
00:16:27.210 --> 00:16:51.050
Hong Lieu: the things that stay in your mind like things that resonate with you, and just kind of you you think about. You roll over a line, your mind and you, and really kind of form who you are. That is, that is the real to me, and if if you're exposed to it, then you never forget it, you know, and it stays with you so just I mean seeing that through line of of first you mentioned humility and being able to mistakes. But then you mentioned, oh, yeah, I was doing this, and I had to work hard to get to get anywhere with that.
62
00:16:51.050 --> 00:16:55.820
I mean that it just connects and it makes a lot of sense. And it's just this common through line. It's like, Oh, yeah.
63
00:16:55.820 --> 00:17:22.190
Christina Llerena: we know we're dealing with. When you seen the really, you're dealing with good people. So we know Christina is automatically good people. I always used to say, well, my grandmother, she's always say, pray for your enemies right, pray, and I would be like, Are you like? You know you're a teenager. Do you like what grandma like? Give me a break. But I understand now that you have to remember that, like I, when I came to higher. Ed, I used to joke around. I'd be like.
64
00:17:22.190 --> 00:17:45.510
Christina Llerena: so you guys are stressed about this like, I used to have to decide if kids were hospitalized like they would come to this er I used to work at King's County, public hospital in Brooklyn. It's the second largest public hospital in the country right outside of outside of Brooklyn. But oh, in Chicago is the biggest and the adolescent site ward, right? And so I had to, as a social worker decide that day
65
00:17:45.580 --> 00:18:14.689
Christina Llerena: if they were, gonna be hospitalized, or if they were, gonna be out patient, if they were suicidal or homicide enough, homicidal enough to receive immediate treatment right? That to me was like the biggest burden. It was just so pain on so many levels, right? And now I'm like I come here, and people be like freaked out about whatever. And and so I'm like, oh, this is so much more refreshing. This is not a life or death emergency folks.
66
00:18:14.850 --> 00:18:26.699
Hong Lieu: Yeah, cause that's that refrain like, don't worry. It's not life or death. And for a lot of people, if they don't know anything worse, then right? It feels like it. But if you actually have seen it, then you do have that perspective, like, Okay, it really isn't. And I can really
67
00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:56.369
Hong Lieu: do have an ability to deal with this. Get through the day and just work. Just get to the next day, cause I was growing up when you're you have so survival in 6 on just trying to get to the next day, because that is not promised. And then it's it's a it's a benefit when it happens. You know you act surprised when it does, and you know. So it's all. It's that kind of those kind of scenarios that not saying you, you should seek it out actively, but the same time, if you've been in it, you know, and and it will carry you carry you the rest of your days, for sure.
68
00:18:56.850 --> 00:19:15.170
Hong Lieu: But II mean that actually makes a brilliant segue to our next segment. What brought you to Sbcc? So we've heard a little bit already. I guess the the question from there is from your work on the East coast. What brought you West? I mean, what brought you in a higher Ed, I mean, where? Where is? Where does that? How does that path go? If you wanna
69
00:19:15.170 --> 00:19:27.670
Christina Llerena: so yeah, I went to University of Michigan, I moved out to New York City right away. Ii got my masters in New York at Columbia. I got a full scholarship, so I'm a huge fan of
70
00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:51.129
Christina Llerena: free free money for school. So that's you know. That was that was really how I was able to to get my masters. And then I worked there in the school system, and I decided pretty quickly that I was working in a middle school and for students that were categorized as sed, which is considered seriously, emotionally disturbed.
71
00:19:51.260 --> 00:20:11.000
Christina Llerena: And I quickly realized that most of them were not disturbed, that most of them were victims of poverty and violence in their neighborhoods and families that had been suffering from a multiple of issues, addiction being part of it, but also those you know socioeconomic circumstances.
72
00:20:11.060 --> 00:20:22.009
Christina Llerena: and I just had so much compassion, fatigue, you know II through my whole being into that work, and you know I had students that
73
00:20:22.020 --> 00:20:46.319
Christina Llerena: would, you know? Follow me home. They wanted to live with me, you know, or like stay under my, you know, like will you adopt me? I mean all that, and it just breaks your heart. And so I was really wasted like done. And so I, my sister, was out in San Francisco, and I kept visiting, and I'm all wait. Why do I experience winter like? Why do I do that like I don't really need
74
00:20:46.510 --> 00:20:55.700
Akil Hill: hey, Barry Winters? No joke, I mean there's no snow, but it's cold. I know about that Midwest man. I live in the Mid West.
75
00:20:55.700 --> 00:21:17.969
Christina Llerena: Why would you do that to yourself? I'm a grown up. I don't need to choose this. So so at that time I decided, all right. Well, let me just see if I can get more prevention because I done so much a queue like er kind of work. And II was like, let me go more. And so I did, and I ended up. You know it. It all lined up. You know how life works right like, if things flow.
76
00:21:17.970 --> 00:21:36.600
Christina Llerena: You know you're in the right place. And so I interviewed, for like 5 positions, I got offers at all of them. I was like what. And so I was like, I obviously need to move to California. So I moved at that time. It was 2,000. So it was a long time ago, right? It was Pre. 9, 11, so I was not in New York City at 9 11
77
00:21:36.600 --> 00:22:02.849
Christina Llerena: which you know, was a blessing in a lot of ways. But in any case, I moved to Oakland initially, because it was just cheaper rent and whatnot. But I was crazy like commuting to Redwood City from Oakland, you know, just when you're a newbie in the bay. You're like you do all this nut stuff, you know. It was. It was like, Oh, yeah, public transit. Just take, Bart. You're like this is not like the subway at all, like 5 stops
78
00:22:02.950 --> 00:22:12.680
Christina Llerena: totally. I never had a car. I didn't have a car for 6 years in New York City. And then I was like, Oh, my gosh, Bart! Just like goes in a circle.
79
00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:16.939
Christina Llerena: So that was a little bit of a shock. But
80
00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:35.689
Christina Llerena: long story short, my sister was there because her now husband was going to usf law school, and so I kinda had them as sort of a touch point. And then I did eventually move into San Francisco and that whole part of my life. I worked for city governments, and I worked for like community based programs. So
81
00:22:35.690 --> 00:23:00.260
Christina Llerena: I worked for Redwood City and child abuse prevention at school sites so built up a whole home visitation program to prevent child abuse in the school. So it was awesome. Then I moved to onto Daily City. I worked in the city of Daily City, starting an early intervention program for young kids that was like in the era, bring in transitional kindergarten to communities that did not have it, and bringing in like childcare that was a foregone.
82
00:23:00.260 --> 00:23:25.959
Christina Llerena: and we did a whole bunch of that work. It was. It was definitely community organizing that that role. And then ultimately, I moved on to City PAL Alto and I led the suicide prevention and nonprofit, which was out of 2 dual suicide clusters. I don't know if you all heard about those, but those were pretty famous
83
00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:50.969
Christina Llerena: public health epidemic as suicide. So I worked in in those communities. But I had been an adjunct teacher, and I had been kind of working in essentially for the college of San Mateo. For 5 years in the community we did satellite based like at head, start, this kind of thing. They were on this family services curriculum. So it was out of human services. And so I did that for 5 years as an adjunct.
84
00:23:50.970 --> 00:24:05.809
Christina Llerena: And then everyone was like, Why don't you just like become like an adjunct? Why don't you just try counseling? And so I had a consulting business at the time, because I had sort of left city government, and this is when my husband and I got pregnant with our first daughter.
85
00:24:05.810 --> 00:24:35.340
Christina Llerena: and it boom! But I just was traveling so much, and I was like, I can't do this and be a mom. So I ended up becoming an adjunct counsel at a whole bunch. I was that, you know, kind of frequent flyer, whatever freeway, flyer kind of thing. And then the budget hit like the budget bottomed out in the State, you know. 8. And so I was laid off from both my agent gigs and I went back to work in the community at Sacred Heart Community center. I took over that. I was an education director for all their
86
00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:44.070
Christina Llerena: educational programs. And and I ultimately said, No way, I'm not going back to higher. Ed, like you all are crazy. And then
87
00:24:44.110 --> 00:24:53.860
Christina Llerena: and then and then I had a good friend like 2 years later, or 3 years for 3 or 4 years later, and she said, There's an opening, and you need to apply.
88
00:24:54.050 --> 00:24:59.959
Christina Llerena: And I was like, so I did, and it was like destiny from then. And I became a tenure track
89
00:25:00.090 --> 00:25:27.530
Christina Llerena: counseling faculty. I worked at West Valley College, which is like South Bay and and I was there for 8 years. I worked mainly in transfer helped with the first year experience programming. And then I was appointee mentee. So I was really involved in the Punta program. And then ultimately I got tapped and reassigned as a faculty to lead the trio program which I really loved. It's basically a Federal equivalent of Eops
90
00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:50.850
Christina Llerena: and then Covid hit. And what happened is what what led me to Sbcc was. I knew I wanted to. There was regime change during Covid, and so I was taken off the assignment of trio, which I was kind of broken hearted about, and for a lot of reasons that you know, they just didn't want faculty in those roles, and they were shifting more to admin folks, and so
91
00:25:50.850 --> 00:25:58.849
Christina Llerena: I had to kind of have my own come to Jesus like, do I want to be an administrator like. Is that really my calling? And my husband was like.
92
00:25:58.850 --> 00:26:03.830
Christina Llerena: Do it, do it, girl, do it. And so I ended up starting to apply.
93
00:26:03.830 --> 00:26:13.220
Christina Llerena: and I wasn't gonna apply to Santa Barbara, but he was the one that was like, I'm like, I don't think we can afford to live there, I don't. It's too expensive, and he was all just do it.
94
00:26:13.490 --> 00:26:19.369
Christina Llerena: and the rest is history. I was the Eo, and we recreated our life. So basically I commute. I live in orchid.
95
00:26:19.390 --> 00:26:45.169
Christina Llerena: We were able to buy a new home, which was a huge dream of ours. I pay for it with my commute. But my, our kids are thriving, and it's been really healthy for us on many levels. And before it would take us 45 min, take our kids to soccer practice less than 5 miles in Sunnyvale. So now I'm you know I commute. I still commuted 45 min there. But now I have a really beautiful commute. So I'm thankful.
96
00:26:46.230 --> 00:26:56.659
Hong Lieu: was it an adjustment going from a big like the big city like the Bay area? I mean, yeah, was it a positive adjustment, or was it to take a little while? Then you had to like reframe or or cause orchid is
97
00:26:56.660 --> 00:27:21.110
Hong Lieu: not sleepy. It's a sleepy town. It's beautiful. It's a great place to raise the family and live, but it is sleepy like it is definitely not for me, downsized completely. Detroit, New York, Oakland downsize Ed. This was his requirement, he said, I wanna live cause we this. So he's from Madrid, my husband's from Madrid. He grew up in San Jose.
98
00:27:21.390 --> 00:27:44.030
Christina Llerena: and I mean he moved. He moved to the States when he was 13, so went to high school in the States, and all that. But he's a total city kid, and I've lived in cities, for, like, you know, already, almost 20 years and we were just like done. We were done with the we were just done with it. I can't. It was like a spiritual like. We can't do this life like anymore. And so
99
00:27:44.030 --> 00:28:04.199
Christina Llerena: he said to me, I will be supported. But he's like, I don't want to live in Santa Barbara. That's 2 city for me, and I want a place with one street like with a barbershop, a cafe like you know what I'm saying, like a library, and maybe a bookstore, and that's what we got in orchid, and they have great schools.
100
00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:19.400
Christina Llerena: and then we hooked up the house, so it was very intentional. And then he's a runner. We have dogs. There's like trails all behind our house. So we just kinda had. We did that sort of spiritual reckoning and covid that we wanted to redesign our life. And
101
00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:37.299
Christina Llerena: you know, II it is my kids did complain, and we'll get into this. I know the segment about food. They were still like, there's no food here, Mom, and we're like like, this is not Mexican food. There's no Chinese food. There's no thai food. There's no Indian food. I'm like, we're not in the bay like, I'm sorry.
102
00:28:37.530 --> 00:28:45.970
Hong Lieu: Yeah, there might be one restaurant in San Maria, but there is not a choice anymore. You have to figure out what dis you like it that one restaurant. And then it's order that
103
00:28:46.290 --> 00:29:12.030
Christina Llerena: every time you go there, that's that's yeah, or you gotta cook, which you know, I'm sorry. That's okay for a while. When you're a kid like you know what I'm saying. You cannot spend my money. How about that? So I'm okay with that. But it that was a huge adjustment. I think, also for our kids. It was a little tough in the beginning, just because when you're in a small town everyone knows each other, and
104
00:29:12.080 --> 00:29:18.050
Christina Llerena: I never had. I both of us don't have that reference point. So we didn't know how to prepare them for that.
105
00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:34.850
Christina Llerena: They're both like white presenting. And they're like Latina, half Latina. So they're like, kind of like, everyone would be like calling them white girl in this and that. And they're like, Wait. And then they're like, there's no diversity is just like and like Latina like there's no so.
106
00:29:34.930 --> 00:29:58.060
Christina Llerena: But you know it is what it is. And II really do stand by, and not everyone agrees. But I think it's good to have it like, have some contrast in your up like bringing. You know what I mean like there can be isolation growing up in the same urban like that can be a bubble, too. Right? So I'm glad they have something to compare it to, and
107
00:29:58.110 --> 00:30:08.149
Christina Llerena: and you know we do go back to the day we see our family there. I think ultimately we just wanted, you know, more peaceful and a higher quality of life. And I think we got that
108
00:30:09.260 --> 00:30:10.290
Hong Lieu: absolutely.
109
00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:35.489
Hong Lieu: although, yeah, definitely, definitely feel feel for the kids there. Because I miss my anonymity something fierce, like being in La. No one knows who I am, no one. I'm no regular. I could go to the same place every day for the rest of my life. And I they still want to. Hey! What I'm hung is this like, I'm not a regular at the places I go to. But here people recognize me like, II mean, II just like, yeah, it's just kinda strange, very strange. My kids know people they're like, Oh, that's my teacher. Oh.
110
00:30:35.490 --> 00:30:54.480
Hong Lieu: that's like, my, yeah, it's crazy. I was like, Wow, I've never. I never grew up like that. And I will also say that II thought I knew everything when I was coming, leaving la! Going to college when I was 18, like, Oh, yeah, we've been here. We in the big city for 18 years. We know it's a we we big dogs. We're good and going to San Luis for college, going to Cal poly and learning about different ways of life. You know, Central Coast living
111
00:30:54.480 --> 00:31:09.459
Hong Lieu: haven't tried it for the first time. Things of that sort, I mean, it really expanded my mind in a way that II do appreciate. II appreciated it then, but I appreciate it much more. Now give me a much fuller spectrum of human existence, because the city life is not the only life. And just because there's a lot of facets of city life.
112
00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:35.920
Hong Lieu: do you? Do you still owe it to yourself, because I, even friends of mine, I know, would have really flourished had they been exposed to some of the things that I was exposed to in in a small town environment much other than their lives, because they didn't even know that was an option and didn't know that it was a choice that they could even seek that out because it just the the like, I said, when survival is your only goal, then you don't have time to think about what else there could be, what other options there are for survival. So it was one of the things where I wish I
113
00:31:35.950 --> 00:31:39.590
I wish there was a way to introduce that I'm interested, that duality that you speak about
114
00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:54.960
Akil Hill: for more people at a younger age. So it's good. It's in that in the grand scheme of things it'll be good for your good for your daughters. But yeah, I can see definitely the the culture shock in in the short term. Well, also, what I hear, though, is, it's, you know, community looks a lot different, right? So you know.
115
00:31:55.000 --> 00:32:06.760
Akil Hill: you know, it's a luxury that I feel in a lot of ways. I mean that you don't rely, really realize it when you're a teenager. But to be able to have access to people that know you that know your family, where you guys are, where you live.
116
00:32:06.780 --> 00:32:33.810
Akil Hill: You know, you just don't get that in in the in the city living as much. You know what I mean. And so yeah, I mean, I know what it's like to go from small town where everybody knows you to a bigger town where you're just, you know, just a number. So yeah, they'll appreciate it when when they get older to, you know. They come back. And people are like, how you been, how's your family like that's, you know, like, that's that means something, you know.
117
00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:35.040
Christina Llerena: Totally.
118
00:32:35.470 --> 00:32:55.109
Hong Lieu: Yeah, that's that's definitely home. When you come back, we say what's up. But also you saying people know where I live. I'm already scared like. See that that idea of like people knowing where I live. I'm like that just means I'm gonna get robbed, you know, like, so it's it's all mindsets. It's something so hard to kick, you know, like, for sure. But I wanted to touch on one more thing you mentioned early on, you know you talked about confat, compassion, fatigue.
119
00:32:55.150 --> 00:33:23.560
Hong Lieu: and that idea. I feel like I feel like we should kinda highlight that a little bit more, because it's something that is just absolutely natural, a normal feeling. And you, I mean, it's something that you definitely need to if you're starting to feel those inklings and things because it it, you're putting a very difficult situation where you're caring for in your case, kids, you know, you're caring for kids more in a lot of ways than their parents care for them, you know, in in some ways where the parents are doing the best they can. I'm not absolutely not saying it's a neglect thing.
120
00:33:23.560 --> 00:33:44.609
Hong Lieu: but I'm saying that whatever the circumstances may be, you're you're you're putting yourself out there and doing a little bit more just because you can. And that's difficult. When you realize that the last mile you know you talk about last mile and anything. That last mile is the parents also co-signing and co-OP opting in, and then that's where, and it just can't happen for whatever reason.
121
00:33:44.730 --> 00:34:02.239
Christina Llerena: So in terms of hitting that, I mean, and it's something that not to say that happens just like that here at City College. But there are those elements there at play where you're you're absolutely like, Okay, we can get you there. You just gotta do. And then, for some reason, it doesn't happen. And so you have 2 options. That point, you can either just be like what the what's wrong, or you can
122
00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:25.149
Hong Lieu: be like, okay, let's just keep trying. And the keep trying is where that fatigue develops and not say you don't keep trying, cause you absolutely have to, but seem like you have to be cognizant of those things. And just, you know, whatever that means, get help, whatever that help means, whether it's therapy for yourself whether it's additional resources for the people you're helping, just whatever it takes. We just, you know, just just being cognizant of that, that it's a normal thing. It happens to anyone that does this kind of work
123
00:34:25.150 --> 00:34:42.560
Hong Lieu: not easy. And it's just if you're an empathetic. If you have a shred of empathy in the core of your being. It's gonna be a very difficult situation always. And it's just one of those things where. just remember how the good you're doing, just, you know, shine a light on the positives, appreciate yourself and putting yourself through that. And just yeah.
124
00:34:42.620 --> 00:34:47.909
Hong Lieu: And it's part of the lot. The longer path of of getting to where you are and and and you know where you are today. So
125
00:34:48.520 --> 00:34:54.439
Christina Llerena: yeah, and II totally agree on. And I think that what helps me is that
126
00:34:54.449 --> 00:35:18.090
Christina Llerena: we have to remember. You know how our system is designed, and it's broken in a lot of ways. And it it has. You know, there's a constant fight for funding, and we're really having to serve students with, you know, threatened resources up and down all the time. And that's that's what we're we live like. That is our reality. And so
127
00:35:18.090 --> 00:35:47.630
Christina Llerena: I think, identifying that and remembering that and not holding ourselves 100 responsible for the system. Do you know what I'm saying? Like, we are agents, we are agents like we, we do have free will. We do have opportunity to make impact, but we can't take on all of it, because then you'll just your heart will be broken all the time, you know. So I think it is a real fine line, and having to discern that, and to remember, you know
128
00:35:47.630 --> 00:35:57.410
Christina Llerena: what we're operating within, and and not holding all the like accountability for that. That's why I was saying, I'm not a fan of perfectionism, because.
129
00:35:57.410 --> 00:36:26.019
Christina Llerena: like it's, you know, the system. Thi the game is rigged right like we know already that there's a lot of a lot of pockets, a lot of places for students to fall through the cracks. And we we are getting better, and that's all we can do. But it's not like a one and done. And we need to remind ourselves that we're doing our best with what we have, and it does very day to day like. Towards the end of the semester. I was like praying through the week more.
130
00:36:26.190 --> 00:36:29.189
Christina Llerena: you know. Now I feel a lot better. So I'm thankful for that.
131
00:36:30.260 --> 00:36:58.669
Hong Lieu: Yeah. And it's and is one of those things where people are quick to highlight grift and the best. But but just on the service of it all, above all else, funding can always be more. You can always increase that funding and the proportion of funding that is spent on programs like that is just woefully insufficient. Bo. W. You know. Take beyond the scumbags that that take someone that skim off the top to take some of that money. Just what what is being allocated is just, you know it's it's not enough. But it's, you know, that's that's a conversation for a different day, I'm sure.
132
00:36:59.020 --> 00:36:59.700
Hong Lieu: No.
133
00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:22.460
Hong Lieu: alright, thank you for that. Say, going along now to good evening. Our food section. This is your chance. Now you can talk. And, Emile, whether you've cooked eaten recently or throughout your life that you want to. Highlight. It could be more than one dish. No, we're not. We're not a limit here, so I have to put a plugin for the kitchen
134
00:37:22.460 --> 00:37:51.790
Hong Lieu: in downtown. It's it's well, Hong. You can give the deeds on where exactly. It's right by Alastairo, the wastewater treatment plant, and it's a church the the the is that the I'll look at the church. I'll put the name of church to show notes. I think Calvary Chapel and it they've been there a long time, but this is their food area. They have a eating area like a food court. And it's one of the habit brothers, I believe. And it's yeah, just
135
00:37:52.050 --> 00:37:53.349
Christina Llerena: really good.
136
00:37:53.790 --> 00:38:20.270
Christina Llerena: Yeah. You go in. They have like a special. It's like super affordable. You get like a soda, and then your choice of fries. You can get like regular sweet potato onion rings or a combo. Becky introduced it to me, and then you get you could do like a burger. That's their usual. But there's all these other Combos. It's so delicious. So that is, I have to say, like I was saying to Hong is, we have a stressful week. Will be like, Hmm.
137
00:38:20.270 --> 00:38:29.709
Christina Llerena: really think we need to fit in the kitchen this week like tomorrow. We need to move that meeting because this is just gotta happen. But it's only open Wednesdays.
138
00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:41.800
Hong Lieu: Sundays and Fridays. Right? Huh? Yes, I think Wednesday, Friday, I'll get the they have what they do have a web page, so I'll get that web page in the show notes. But yeah, shout out to Becky Saffold for for getting me hip to the kitchen as well, because I'll like
139
00:38:41.800 --> 00:39:05.609
Hong Lieu: I'm going over there to eat a burger, I mean, I don't even go to church on the regular, so I don't know if I'm be down with this like I'd be worried. They'd be pressedalizing to me, or something. But no, it was. It was all similar. It was good, and it was really like, you know, cause the habit is now just owned by like young brands. So it's it's still good. But it's not like that old school habit. This is one of the brothers, so it does kinda feel like they're going back to that old school kinda way. They were doing it like when it was just a Burger joint.
140
00:39:05.670 --> 00:39:08.170
Hong Lieu: not just like corporate pagan.
141
00:39:08.270 --> 00:39:17.580
Hong Lieu: The grind on the Paddies is a little coarser. So you can. Yeah. And every the ranch is good. I mean, yeah, it's just a great place. So
142
00:39:17.830 --> 00:39:27.679
Christina Llerena: yeah, so that's one of my favorites. I do. I'd like to cook, but I don't cook under pressure. My husband is an amazing cook
143
00:39:27.690 --> 00:39:32.909
Christina Llerena: being a Spaniard, he makes a crazy good paya
144
00:39:32.970 --> 00:40:01.839
Christina Llerena: he does it the classic way like on the grill. All of that. That's our Christmas Eve dinner so that we get the pan, the oil and the rice off from Spain. We don't play. Ingredients have to be like cause the oil's very specific. The the rice like there's you have to get it. There's certain, you know. Pay a rice. There's actually many different categories of payer rice in Spain. But in any case he gets that.
145
00:40:01.840 --> 00:40:05.830
Christina Llerena: and we do that. That's a huge part of like our family.
146
00:40:05.930 --> 00:40:07.159
Christina Llerena: I love that
147
00:40:07.200 --> 00:40:33.800
Christina Llerena: I do meet. Make personally a mean chicken Parmesan. It's like just a classic right like Italian feel-good dish. And I have to be honest, I've I'm almost having to triple the recipe when I make it, because my family I'm like, how do I triple this? And it's still gone, like you all are just animals. They just eat it all but and II do like I mean, I have to say.
148
00:40:33.800 --> 00:40:44.170
Christina Llerena: even though we have our food deprivation moments in Santa Maria. I really like. The tavern an old orchid. They have a crazy.
149
00:40:44.210 --> 00:40:53.410
Christina Llerena: freaking, simple try tip, sandwich and their garlic fries with like a perfect like heaven, wise and beer. I mean, it's just like
150
00:40:53.630 --> 00:41:16.809
Christina Llerena: delicious, like the right combo. They hit it. But I, my favorite, what a big issue! Like what we loved in the bay was barbecue. We love all kinds, and there is a whole like a whole slew of barbecue restaurants, and I got I'm blanking on the name of one that it's a chain. It started in Hayward.
151
00:41:16.810 --> 00:41:26.090
Christina Llerena: It has a pig on the it's like a really cute pig face, anyhow, is their logo. But anyhow, that is that that I miss. We do do our own, but it's not the same.
152
00:41:27.080 --> 00:41:32.340
Hong Lieu: I will definitely get that in the show notes. I'll I'll find the this hailer haywered barbecue
153
00:41:32.380 --> 00:41:58.830
Hong Lieu: restaurant, and I will get that in the show notes for sure. Because yeah, the barbecue in that area. Santa Maria is Santa Maria style barbecue, which is not low and slow, low. It's slow and slow, but not inside of a smoker. The right role, you know, the the beans.
154
00:41:58.830 --> 00:42:03.590
Christina Llerena: Yeah. Oh, yesterday to Scarlett.
155
00:42:25.490 --> 00:42:28.080
Akil Hill: They're pretty good there. Alright good to know.
156
00:42:29.220 --> 00:42:38.459
Hong Lieu: Excellent choices. Excellent choice. I'll get them all the show notes. Aqua. You got something for us? Yeah, we're. I'll go. I'll real quick.
157
00:42:39.290 --> 00:42:51.149
Akil Hill: you know. I was thinking. This time of year. I always do like one pot chicken which is super easy, because everything's in all in one pot. So I don't have a
158
00:42:51.460 --> 00:42:53.310
Akil Hill: recipe. Well, I
159
00:42:53.400 --> 00:43:22.479
Akil Hill: I found something online a while ago. I've been making it for a while, but that seems to be the family favorite around this time of year, or or at least you know Roxanne and Amina have been requesting it so. But it's super simple. Couple of rice. You do. I do chicken thighs. I feel like the meat is a little bit tender more tender. Just kind of serum up. You can season it, anyway. Like. However, you like. Lately I've been doing this a Persian lime
160
00:43:22.560 --> 00:43:35.379
Akil Hill: seasoning that I get from Oaktown spy shop, which is, that's the plug that has to go on the show notes Oaktown spy shop. If you're into spices like, literally
161
00:43:35.430 --> 00:44:02.600
Akil Hill: amazing shop, it's local to the Bay area. I think they have like 3 locations one in Oakland, one in El Cerritos and I. They opened up a new one. I'm not sure where that's at, but great spices. One of my favorite stores that I like to look at online. Anyways, I do. They have a Persian curry line. I just season it up Sierra on both sides throw the onions in there a couple of rice
162
00:44:02.600 --> 00:44:14.590
Akil Hill: and then brother dies back in. I use chicken broth cover, you know. Maybe like almost the whole container and then just
163
00:44:14.910 --> 00:44:25.479
Akil Hill: turn it low, and 25 min later you got one pot chicken you can throw whenever you whatever you like. Last night II threw in potatoes, and that my daughter really enjoyed that. So
164
00:44:25.750 --> 00:44:44.629
Akil Hill: that's that's my pick for the week. Anyone wants any tidbits. See me in these streets or on campus, and I and I'll I'll let you out. Know a little bit more. But that's that's my pick one pot chicken make it happen. It's you, won't, you know. It's easy. It's easy, especially in a weeknight.
165
00:44:45.770 --> 00:44:47.920
Christina Llerena: Hard! Do you get a hold?
166
00:44:48.470 --> 00:45:13.000
Hong Lieu: I'll I'll find a generic recipe and throw in the show notes, and then I'll I'll make sure to put your contact to phone there as well for the, for the. I got a quick shout out, Quick! Restaurant shoutout downtown! They just opened on State Street. They used to be the copper coffee pot that old school restaurant location. But it's a Neapolitan place.
167
00:45:13.170 --> 00:45:37.089
Hong Lieu: and Neapolitan pizza is not for everyone, because it's you know, if you grow up in America especially, you might have kind of Neapolitan pizza a little later, because I know I did. I was, you know, eating New York slices for a long time, or the, you know, after you finish your baseball practice. 58 pizza like a rusty's, or something like that. That style of pizza. So Neapolitan pizza may be not the first choice for a lot of folks, cause it can be kind of soggy it can be, kinda you know this and that, but
168
00:45:37.600 --> 00:46:04.770
Hong Lieu: Leantika Pizario de Michel. In Santa Barbara. They do, you know their claim is, do we do, Neapolitan? Just like they do in Italy? And it is you know for better or worse, if depending how you feel about it. You know the middle is, gonna be a little soggy. It's not gonna that if you pick up the slice. It's gonna flop, and you know, but it's gonna have that black, the blistering on the outside of the crust. It's gonna have, you know. So it's and their Marguerite is gonna be sauce, you know the slices, the little circles of Mozzarella a little bit of basil. So it's that style of pizza.
169
00:46:04.800 --> 00:46:30.070
Hong Lieu: if you like that salad pizza, it's just it's really well done. And you know they also have the citrus cell. That's really good. So just trying to shout them out because they're they're a new business, and I know State Street could always, you know, you always always use a little extra little extra business, especially during the holidays, so shouting them out, still waiting, still waiting for Mr. Softee to open. But that'll be soon. And yeah. So just wanted just a little little little shout out, so
170
00:46:30.070 --> 00:46:35.480
Christina Llerena: all right, we're moving right along, Christina. Take us home. Higher learning piece of culture, book, movie music.
171
00:46:35.530 --> 00:46:40.100
Hong Lieu: you know if your daughter's got recommendations where we can hear that, too. So yeah, let her rip.
172
00:46:40.240 --> 00:46:51.169
Christina Llerena: Well, there is this one II feel like I don't know if any. Everyone is into her, but she is not. Everyone knows of her. Her name is
173
00:46:51.730 --> 00:47:05.039
Christina Llerena: Her name is Nedra, or I don't know if it's Niedra or Nedra Glover to wab, so NEDR. A. And then Glover, and then TA. Wwab, and she is
174
00:47:05.480 --> 00:47:20.970
Christina Llerena: from the D. She's from Detroit, and she went to Wayne State. And now she's kind of like I mean, I don't know. She's like an Oprah protege kind of, but she's got that endorsement, but she's a social worker, and she's very
175
00:47:21.020 --> 00:47:40.200
Christina Llerena: big on professional boundaries and in higher Ed. I feel like like similar to the theme of our whole conversation. It's really important to have healthy boundaries. Not just between you and the work, but also between you and your colleagues around your boss like just, you know.
176
00:47:40.200 --> 00:47:55.860
Christina Llerena: all the dynamics, right, all the moving parts. And so she I really like her because she's super present on Instagram. She does a lot of like mini videos, just like small shorts. And she has 2 books.
177
00:47:55.920 --> 00:48:10.119
Christina Llerena: One just came out, I think, around boundaries. It's like, well, once called set boundaries find piece, and then the other one, I think, is drama free, which I like the title but she
178
00:48:10.560 --> 00:48:17.109
Christina Llerena: I just think she keeps it real. I really like her because she's accessible. But I also feel like
179
00:48:17.220 --> 00:48:36.729
Christina Llerena: she's super relevant for everyone, and she's a black female author. I just, I feel like mental health needs to become more accessible for everyone. That's something that's really important to me. And so I am that Nerd, like, I read mental health books like, I read nonfiction. I'm a huge fan
180
00:48:36.850 --> 00:48:53.070
Christina Llerena: of the daily. I listen to the New York Times, the daily, podcast every single morning. It's like my ritual, no matter what. It's been hard er because of everything that's going on with Gaza and Israel, and they do a lot of like
181
00:48:53.110 --> 00:48:59.080
Christina Llerena: deep dive journalism with folks and survivors. And so I have to be honest like sometimes
182
00:48:59.220 --> 00:49:03.380
Christina Llerena: it's hard to listen to it. You know what I mean. But I still feel like that's
183
00:49:03.520 --> 00:49:15.629
Christina Llerena: important. So I listen to that a lot, and that's something that I go. And then like. This is kind of a fun fact that not everyone knows about me. But I am like super into astrology.
184
00:49:16.010 --> 00:49:36.690
Christina Llerena: And I, when I lived in New York City I did a program. I had a mentor. And I have, like all I have, a real like hard core podcast line up for all things, astrology. I'm super picky. I know that's like a joke for a lot of people. But I still think it's a really interesting archetypal
185
00:49:36.690 --> 00:49:46.449
Christina Llerena: like framing for us to understand ourselves and others. And my kids like love. It make fun of me at the same time, which I think is really helpful.
186
00:49:46.590 --> 00:50:06.069
Christina Llerena: And yeah, so one of my, and I've shared a lot with people here. But there's this one astrologer. Her name's Channie CHAN. I. And she's got a really dope app. I love her app. She's super social justice focus. So just like, let you know that she's
187
00:50:06.130 --> 00:50:25.580
Christina Llerena: She does tackle sometimes like the world events kind of thing, but she's also deeply personal. I love her. I think she's like really she has a positive spin, but she also is accessible, not cause, you know. Sometimes astrologers can get like way out there, and you're like what and then I also like astrology, hub.
188
00:50:25.660 --> 00:50:36.089
Christina Llerena: and believe it or not. I'm just going to be like, confess at all. So my oldest daughter doing it. I'm doing it. I'm going big. My oldest daughter.
189
00:50:36.100 --> 00:50:40.329
Christina Llerena: She says that she got through. She got through covid
190
00:50:40.400 --> 00:51:07.869
Christina Llerena: which hit for her in seventh grade. Hard time, right when you're like seventh grade. Taylor Swift is what got her through Covid. Okay, her, and probably the rest of the the female population. Right? And so she and her friend believe it or not, I don't know how they did it. I don't even like this is where your parent you're like. I'm not gonna ask that many questions, but they got tickets to 3 shows. So they went to the opener in Arizona. They went to the closer analysis.
191
00:51:07.870 --> 00:51:26.979
Christina Llerena: and then one previous right. And so even now I'm like dude. I still listen like I like her as a lyricist, like I think she's interesting. So I do occasionally listen to Taylor Swift. So I'm just gonna out myself.
192
00:51:27.220 --> 00:51:40.810
Christina Llerena: I'm just gonna keep it. III have no interest in any of that. I hear you. I hear you so. And then it's also ironic. I just saw to pesh mode in La on Friday night, and my husband's
193
00:51:40.880 --> 00:51:44.019
Christina Llerena: like high like that. Was this intro to like
194
00:51:44.070 --> 00:51:53.730
Christina Llerena: the us? I mean. It's like super sentimental. He feels like therapists for like 20 years. Right? So we stop. We've seen them, I think, 8 times. That was our eighth
195
00:51:53.820 --> 00:52:11.190
Christina Llerena: And does he know that they're local to Martin Gore lives in Montecito, Turner, librarian over there? His daughter was best friends with Martin Gore's daughter? And I'm like
196
00:52:11.190 --> 00:52:34.819
Christina Llerena: you do not understand how incredible that is do you not like? And he's like, I know, I know, but it's, you know, like I don't know him that well, the others but he would like she would go to his house, he would pick her up from. He would pick her up from his house, and I was like, Oh, my God, this is unreal, you know. But no, every time there's a foundation event my husband hobbies like is Martin coming.
197
00:52:34.820 --> 00:52:51.080
Christina Llerena: But yeah, so that's been that the Pesh mode is like a major special place in my heart. And yeah, when you have that kind of relationship, I'm sure you both understand. There's so many more I mean I won't. I won't even get into like I grew up on motown.
198
00:52:51.080 --> 00:53:09.619
Christina Llerena: I love always will love, you know, like I've been to that museum like 10 times Detroit is
199
00:53:09.620 --> 00:53:31.769
Christina Llerena: to me. That's just like joyful use, like it's just. I love it so, and I love all the heartbreak. I'm a sucker. So yeah. So to Pesh Road they represented man, and it was great, too, to be honest cause like my husband, 52 will be 52. My husband's 52, and we're all like looking around. We're like, Damn, we look good. We look pretty good.
200
00:53:31.860 --> 00:53:40.209
Akil Hill: Yeah, it's true. 52. These, these, this time of year, is not 52, our parents generation thing. It's so true.
201
00:53:40.650 --> 00:53:45.489
Christina Llerena: So we're like, okay, this makes this feel a little bit better. We still got a little spring in our step.
202
00:53:46.060 --> 00:54:09.880
Hong Lieu: and the Pash mode is not just banking on the hits. That lab that only put out this year was good, it was. And they played a lot of it. It's deep. Yeah, yeah, that's where that's where folks are always like, oh, man, they're just gonna play the new stuff. It's like when your new stuff is that good? It's okay. You know, I can get with it. So that that new. Andy Fletcher. Yes, and yeah.
203
00:54:10.000 --> 00:54:13.930
Christina Llerena: they're just adorable. They're adorable, that's all. I'm gonna say.
204
00:54:14.470 --> 00:54:43.799
Hong Lieu: I remember seeing them 99. So it was the ultra tour. And it was a pond in Anaheim. And just yeah, that no matter when you see him, it's like there's a lot of bands for me that way. But to Peshma is definitely one of those where, of course, you you wanna hear the hits. But whatever they're doing is usually pretty good. And they're just like, yeah, they're like legends, like every time I meet, like Indie Indie musicians like you're legend like, don't say that. But there's artists that where you can say, like, you're straight up a legend, you just have to own it just just like, yeah. Own. Your.
205
00:54:44.100 --> 00:55:09.090
Akil Hill: The funny thing is, I've been, you know, Hong and I've been doing this show for a while. And once you said the Peshmold on my oh, my guys, just I was gonna lose it right now. I'm shocked that you hold it. You've contained it so well, and I don't know if it's a sign of wisdom. Are you getting older? But I know what she said. Your best mode on my oh, Hans, gonna come out right now.
206
00:55:09.090 --> 00:55:20.409
Christina Llerena: man, that that holy Trinity like here the Smiths, the peshmal just like carried me down. I would not have. I would not have gotten into Punk Rock, if not for new wave, because that was my ticket into the groups, because they're like.
207
00:55:20.410 --> 00:55:36.270
Hong Lieu: What do you listen to this like? No. But I like this like, okay, so let's post punk. Let me show you about the old, you know, like it was always that like like recommending thing, it's like, everyone's a record store owner like in back in the day before the Internet. Everyone was like that smart do that? A smart person that would like refer you to other movies or music should be listening to
208
00:55:36.520 --> 00:56:00.530
Hong Lieu: and without. But without that ticket in. They don't give you any info. They're just like, you're whack, whatever. So they're having. That new wave was my way, and it's the same thing with. When I suppose Djing spinning records, you talk about motown, and when you dig in the crates, when you're looking for records a lot of times you don't know half the artists that you're looking at. So you look for you look for labels. So you're looking at Mode Town. You're looking at all those all those old labels like chess records, all that's a deca.
209
00:56:00.530 --> 00:56:23.849
Hong Lieu: You're looking for those kind of labels that would that you're like, okay. If I pull this. It's guaranteed it's gonna it's gonna be slap in some way. It's gonna because the producer who's on it that played on it are gonna be on point. So even if you don't know the artist, you're gonna know the sound. And you're gonna it's gonna vibe with the rest of your mix. That's where when you dig in the crates. That's where having those labels having that knowledge labels, you know, sun records when you wanna do that kind of Memphis sound.
210
00:56:23.850 --> 00:56:46.539
Hong Lieu: you know, motown for that Detroit. And then, when Detroit evolved and became this huge electronic music, so a lot of my friends from high school were very yeah. And that was that was like it had that. It was like Happy House. It was a happy house. It was like a happy house sound, but it was really grimy, like it was really like dusty sense and stuff. So that Detroit Techno is like, really on
211
00:56:46.540 --> 00:57:16.069
Hong Lieu: on point, too, so like that that have me knowing about that kind of stuff like II don't know if it's a lost art, or it's just the things have changed. I think this is. Things have changed everything. Everything is everywhere, everything's everywhere, all at once. So you don't have to have this regional specificity. You don't have to have this knowledge of like sub cultures. And like plugging into this, you can just, you know Google for 5 s. And you're you know as much as I do in like 5 s of of Googling. You don't have to say you don't have the same attachment to it. But you you know as much about it.
212
00:57:16.260 --> 00:57:32.910
Hong Lieu: Oh, which one Johnny Johnny Marr or Johnny Marr, he used to say, like I I'm sure you remember he'd be like straight up like we're the best band in the world like super. And then everyone was like, Yeah, you kinda are. But and it's the thing about like it took a lot of
213
00:57:32.910 --> 00:57:47.659
Hong Lieu: people time to catch up to that sound of like, okay, we're really despondent, but the music doesn't have to match. The music can be more rose. But it can also have a little bit of you can add some Vpm to it, and make a slap a little bit, and and then get people like
214
00:57:47.660 --> 00:58:11.010
Hong Lieu: swaying awkwardly and still having a good time, you know, like you're sad, but you're happy, you know what that. And that was the thing. Yeah. Finding finding those bits of happiness, despite what's going on your life despite you can. Still, there is still an outlet for everyone, and that was what that's how that music really spoke to. You know, I know the kids it needs to lay that hit me up that stuff. My sister's really big in a new wave. It's like
215
00:58:11.030 --> 00:58:34.840
Hong Lieu: the music is sad. We're sad most of the time. We're being honest. But in in this, in this moment, if I bought this ticket you talk. My daughters might take the Taylor Swift. My son, was born when 1989 came out. That album by Taylor Swift. So I'm kind of like a I'm not a Diehard Taylor Swift, Fan, 1989, is my favorite record from her for a lot of people that's like the most accessible record, you know. But but just when my son was born I needed music. Listen to that was kind of
216
00:58:35.020 --> 00:59:03.829
Hong Lieu: just like, whatever cause, like, you know, I barely conscious at that time. So, but it was that that album. I remember that album in the church. There's a band called Churches, and the the Church's Album, and the Taylor swift album I listen to, though, just beginning, and just put it on headphones like, Oh, yeah, it was a day, and but it but the the songwriting and the music musicianship, and everything is just really good. So it was so when this era, like connect with her, is a way you know what I'm saying it's like to try to create a backdrop so that I can.
217
00:59:03.830 --> 00:59:12.160
Christina Llerena: And obviously that connection, obviously the connection I'm I'm the same way I'm like, I don't even want to like.
218
00:59:12.430 --> 00:59:25.939
Hong Lieu: But you have to understand how, how, how widespread that connection is because she took that I that ability to connect that songwriting. She's I mean, she's in Nashville like
219
00:59:25.940 --> 00:59:55.219
Hong Lieu: kind of a Pop country. But she took. She took that ability to connect with her fans and really resonate what they're going through, and became the biggest Pop Star planet at this point. It's her and beyonce, that's all I know about Taylor Swift. That's all I know about Taylor Swift, according to Kanye. But that's that's that's it. That's all I got.
220
00:59:55.220 --> 01:00:05.149
Hong Lieu: Yeah. So so just just really, really great pigs. Just yeah. And then also, I wanted to talk about that Neder Glover to wab, because that idea of setting boundaries
221
01:00:05.150 --> 01:00:31.419
Hong Lieu: is something that I'm really bad at really bad at that. So I've anyone has any information on that. Yeah. So I guess I guess I have 2 questions along those lines. And in terms of, is there any nuggets of wisdom that you gleam in those books that you want to share with the listeners about sending boundaries and number 2 admin strategy question, because I guess II love you know I love astrology, but it's all I what is there? What additional information is there to glean? Is it just applying
222
01:00:31.440 --> 01:00:43.660
Christina Llerena: astrological concepts to current events and stuff. Or is there new kind of? I think you can go? I do. I do think it's interesting to look at.
223
01:00:43.870 --> 01:00:59.770
Christina Llerena: You know the political arena, and then there's trends, and also like generational cycles. So you can go through like looking at transits. I'm gonna sound like such a nerd right now, I'm just like for real. But in any case, like you can look at.
224
01:00:59.770 --> 01:01:24.480
Christina Llerena: you know, certain themes through our history. And so there is a real, interesting way of looking at astrology. History just trends in humanity, right like in terms of tyranny, in terms of genocide, in terms of Renaissance, in terms of revolution. You know, there's like that whole piece. Then there's a more the relational like, more micro or interpersonal, which, of course, kind of got it gets like exploited, like around.
225
01:01:24.480 --> 01:01:28.230
Akil Hill: like love signs and all that. You know what I mean, but more around.
226
01:01:28.250 --> 01:01:36.360
Christina Llerena: Where are your possible like, you know, strengths and weaknesses? Or where are there certain themes or stories?
227
01:01:36.360 --> 01:02:00.470
Christina Llerena: That you may wrestle with in your life or look at? And you know it's all about for me. I've always Rob Resney is another like kind of quirky. I'm sure you all. He's in a lot of day or month these all throughout the country. He's a big fan of like free will astrology. So like people looking at potentially these themes that come up in their birth chart. And then how you apply them in your life. So I think
228
01:02:00.470 --> 01:02:22.749
Christina Llerena: it's introspective, but it depends on how much where you want to go with it. Do you want to look at trends or like, or do you want to look at sort of the seasons like of your life, right? And where you're headed in certain points? In terms of the Boundaries piece. I think for me. I love her work because she
229
01:02:22.940 --> 01:02:46.039
Christina Llerena: she's really all for people stating their truth, but in a kind way, and finding that discerning that way of being kind of real with yourself and others, but that is honoring vulnerability and being respectful at the same time. And so I think for me personally, I've had to learn throughout my life, like
230
01:02:46.040 --> 01:03:01.090
Christina Llerena: when I'm setting boundaries, I kind of can sometimes go overboard like, avoid it. You know what I mean or like, you know, obviously with my dear loved ones. My family like be almost like strict and like hey? No like that's it versus like trying to find more of a balanced approach.
231
01:03:01.090 --> 01:03:20.920
Christina Llerena: And I think she has a lot of really good advice for people like, if you don't have healthy relationships with your biological family like, it's okay, like, or you're saying, like giving people freedom to have the kind of relationships with people they may feel pressured to that. They don't necessarily
232
01:03:20.940 --> 01:03:27.270
Christina Llerena: feel good about, and so that that gives them more opportunities. Cause it's really hard sometimes if you don't get along
233
01:03:27.270 --> 01:03:51.190
Christina Llerena: with your family, you know, and that you don't know that you can have a chosen family, or you don't feel like you. You have guilt around some of that or whatever, and I think she taps into that ability to be like, you know what this is not working for me. But I can like visit this relative in this context and this works. But I don't have to like give all of myself up similar. What Hong and I were talking about like visiting folks at the holidays.
234
01:03:51.190 --> 01:04:09.239
Christina Llerena: You're like, Yeah, sometimes we just go. And we're like, we're not gonna tell everyone we're there because we'll like, be expected to be at everyone's home. You know what I mean, like, it just makes us crazy. So trying to find ways to like meet people, but also like not dishonor yourself. And I think she just does it in an interesting way.
235
01:04:10.020 --> 01:04:16.180
Hong Lieu: Thank you for that. Thank you for that. Because, yeah, I think I think there's an inherent honesty that I'm missing in terms of
236
01:04:16.180 --> 01:04:40.459
Hong Lieu: a lot of times we were raised to. Not just, you know. You grit through, get through and survive. But you also. We're not only surviving, we're thriving because I can still see all my relatives. I can still do all this, and I think it's taken me a long time to be able to say honestly, like, no just surviving zit, that's all I got at this point. That's my bandwidth limit. So I can't put on like I can't be the good Asian son on top of survival.
237
01:04:40.460 --> 01:04:51.059
Hong Lieu: I just need survival. And it's still, I guess that is a tough thing. It's still a tough thing for me to communicate with with, you know my parents specifically, but with, you know, with a lot of folks in terms of
238
01:04:51.100 --> 01:05:02.840
Hong Lieu: being more honest about what it really took and what that impact was, and that would allow me to set better boundaries. Like, I definitely appreciate how that you know that that specific example and how that tied. So
239
01:05:02.870 --> 01:05:14.560
Akil Hill: it definitely makes me wanna look after that book. For sure. Yeah, I definitely, I'm definitely gonna look into it, you know, for me, I was kind of thinking a little bit about just expectations, you know. And and, you know, like
240
01:05:14.590 --> 01:05:18.359
Akil Hill: really having the right expectation of
241
01:05:18.510 --> 01:05:45.249
Akil Hill: each person that's in your life. Right? So I think for me, personally speaking, like the expectations. If I'm expecting too much from a person, then you're always gonna be disappointed, right? And so really understanding, like, okay, this is what this person's bandwidth actually is. And so I'm gonna keep it in this lane with this person. Because if I'm have this expectation of XY. And Z. I'm gonna be disappointed every single time.
242
01:05:45.510 --> 01:06:01.280
Akil Hill: and and so, and and I think it takes a while to to arrive at that point, but I feel like, but I do feel like even with Co. Workers right like you, there's certain coworkers you expect certain things from and
243
01:06:01.430 --> 01:06:30.520
Akil Hill: I think if at least for me, like right. I wouldn't expect something from someone, because I specially when you work at a place or for me like for 20 years, right like. So I know this person strength is this if I need this, I go to this person. If I need something else, I go to that person. And so. But yeah, that's something definitely you. I feel that you learn over time. But I'm definitely interested in this book. I think it's an amazing pick. I can't wait to get into it. I'm not to.
244
01:06:30.640 --> 01:06:32.959
Akil Hill: you know. Have to go to the Charlestor's after work.
245
01:06:34.740 --> 01:06:59.259
Christina Llerena: No, serious. I'm dead serious. I'm like, look at. I have it up right here. So I get everything audio, because I have the commute so that I just knock it out that way and whatever works. But yeah, and she's a guest on a lot of podcasts, too. So people just want to like, dip into that and just see if they like her. But yeah, it's so refreshing when you feel like people keep it real. And you're like, I can apply this
246
01:06:59.260 --> 01:07:22.330
Hong Lieu: to my life. I don't know. I'm just a fan of that. That's the only way, because the people that don't keep it real. Try to give you advice. There's no way you can make it actually happen? The applicability is the problem like, you can't seriously believe I'm gonna live like this like that is not living my best through his life trying to trying to follow those Maxim's and ideas and stuff. So that's where that's for the folks like we said, we've you. You've encountered the real. Then you keep it real. And the people that keeps it real.
247
01:07:22.330 --> 01:07:30.840
Christina Llerena: And it's actually, you know, you can walk it like you're talking sleep last night. That is like, I want to run a victory lap.
248
01:07:31.370 --> 01:07:46.169
Hong Lieu: Yeah, see, I'm definitely good. With that I sleep pretty well. And in terms of expectations, I'll I'm 0 expectations, guy. II don't mind if people put a million things on me, but I put nothing on anyone else. II do my best, I do my, I that way. I'm always pleasantly surprised. So yeah.
249
01:07:46.330 --> 01:07:56.839
Hong Lieu: but you know. But I will say I, honestly, it is a privilege to be able to live like that because it takes a lot. I mean, I have to be in a comfortable position personally, to be to be able to live that life. So it's not that. Yeah, it's like.
250
01:07:56.840 --> 01:08:21.710
Hong Lieu: And now that I'm a sell out public sector employee, I can do that. But it's not for everybody, you know. So I'm in the streets, but I'm the guy in the back corner just watching like enjoying the show. People ain't trying to. People are trying to look at me. You can look at my. I'm no killer, so I'm not the lever.
251
01:08:21.710 --> 01:08:32.960
Hong Lieu: I'm not the lever in the operation. I'm not the I'm not the crux, but I'm I'm there. So yeah, I'm not the crux of there. So well, yes, Christina. Awesome picks.
252
01:08:33.080 --> 01:08:56.550
Akil Hill: I guess, on the show. Yes, it was an honor. It was definitely an honor. And I'll say this real quick. I you know it's funny. One of the things I love about this show is just, you know us getting to know the you know, the just different people on the campus. And but I actually like really felt like II got to know you like. I learned a lot about you like.
253
01:08:56.550 --> 01:09:07.479
Akil Hill: And now a lot of things make sense to me, because I will hear you in the office, and I'll be like, where is she from? Like I know she's not. And then now what you said once you said New York in Detroit. I'm like II. It all clicked.
254
01:09:07.490 --> 01:09:21.350
Akil Hill: So II love it. I love it. I'm here for hearing that I'm like.
255
01:09:21.460 --> 01:09:26.589
Akil Hill: I actually got to know you today. So thank you for being a guest.
256
01:09:26.760 --> 01:09:50.350
Christina Llerena: So before we leave any parting words for our listeners, is it? What's the best way to get in touch with you? Just go through Becky, or in terms of best way to get through me is Becky. Becky knows me, and where I am at all times, so she will, and she will come, get me. You can ask people. She will pull me out of meetings. She will find me. But yes, anytime, if you want to. Email. You want to stop by whatever works I'm usually trying to run
257
01:09:50.350 --> 01:10:07.789
Hong Lieu: run from one place to the other. But I'm happy to always have coffee or chat that that's a it's a delight to be able to have a conversation. So and this was great. You guys really are the highlight of my day. Alright. We'll get all that information. Thank you and Christina again, an Honor, thank you as always Akil, until next time.
258
01:10:08.820 --> 01:10:11.349
Akil Hill: This was Vaquero Voices. Take care.