Episode #5
Healing is for the Brave -- You're Sacred No Matter What.
Healing isn’t linear—it’s cyclical. And you don’t have to prove your worth to be healed; you are born sacred, no matter what." In this heartwarming and deeply grounded episode of Curando Con Cultura , Yazmine sits down with her amiga and community sister, Frida Fernanda Soto Leyva, LCSW. Frida is a circle keeper and Holistic Therapy Manager at Denver Healing Generations, born in Las Nieves, Durango, and rooted in Denver. Recorded live inside the sacred walls of El Centro del Barrio on 38th & Lipan, this plática unpacks the difference between sterile Western therapy and the relational, ancestral power of La Cultura Cura . Frida shares her journey weaving curanderismo passed down by her mother into therapeutic spaces, explaining how Western models treat generational wounds like temporary band-aids while viewing people through a lens of deficit. Together, Yazmine and Frida reflect on letting go of what isn't ours to carry, the magic of women's circles, and how gathering in community reminds us that we never have to walk our paths alone. In this episode, we talk about: Ancestral Roots & Durango Lineage: How Frida’s mother taught her to view healing as a sacred duty to the people despite the impacts of colonization. Decolonizing Mental Health: Why Western therapy falls short for BIPOC youth and centering innate sacredness over "fixing what's broken." The River of Life: Finding balance between physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health when life stumbles. ️ El Centro del Barrio & Sacred Circles: What transforms when we step out of isolation, lay down our burdens ( cargas ), and step into community trust. Protecting Your Internal Fire: Real talk on boundaries, avoiding burnout in human-centered work, and unlearning the survival response of doing everything alone. Whether you need a reminder to set boundaries, put down baggage that isn't yours to carry, or reconnect with your village—this plática is medicine for your spirit. ️✨ Resources & Links Mentioned: Denver Healing Generations: Connect on Instagram (@ denverhealinggenerations ) or on Facebook ( Denver Healing Generations Network ) or visit their website to subscribe to their intentional quarterly zine (and check out Chismosos Corner !). Connect with us: What resonated most with you from today's conversation? Leave a comment in the Spotify Q&A, Apple Podcasts or tap in on Instagram @curandoconcultura . Remember: Love yourself, love your village, and stay rooted.
