Breaking Barriers: How Paulette Erato Is Elevating Latina Voices with the Latinas In Podcasting Virtual Summit

By BIPOC Podcast Creators

1. Paulette, what inspired you to launch the Latinas In Podcasting Virtual Summit, and how does it reflect your personal podcast industry experiences? 

The idea for the Latinas In Podcasting Virtual Summit came from my experience at Podcast Movement Evolutions (PME) in 2022, where I noticed how severely underrepresented Latinas and people of color were in the space. Out of over 1,000 attendees, I only identified 17 other Latines. And yes, I counted! I’m sure there were more, but I didn’t get to connect with them.

It became painfully clear, not only at that event but also at other podcast conferences across the country, that our voices weren’t prioritized. That’s when I realized we needed our own space to elevate our voices, connect, and prove that we belong in podcasting.

This became even more obvious when the event hosts' response to my suggestion of a Latinas In Podcasting networking event at PME this past year could have been more enthusiastic. It showed me just how low a priority diverse voices, especially Latinas, are at these types of events.

2. You mentioned attending a podcasting conference in 2022 and noticed few people of color in attendance. How did that moment influence your decision to create a space specifically for Latinas In Podcasting?

Attending Podcast Movement Evolutions felt isolating. The overwhelming whiteness of the attendees and speakers made it seem like the industry didn’t need or even want to acknowledge us. I constantly searched for other Latinas and people of color to connect with. After experiencing that lack of support, I knew we needed a dedicated space where our voices weren’t an afterthought. That inspired me to create the Latinas In Podcasting Virtual Summit—a place where Latinas are the focus, not the exception.

3. The Latinas In Podcasting Summit empowers early-career and new podcasters. What are some common barriers Latinas face when entering the podcasting world, and how does this summit address those challenges? 

The biggest barrier is the need for more representation. If we don’t see ourselves in these spaces, it’s hard to believe we belong there. Many of us feel out of place because we aren’t shown role models who look like us or share our experiences. And when we are represented at events, it’s often as an afterthought—scheduled at inconvenient times or stuck in awkward venues (event hosts: please stop putting sessions on the expo floor!). 

This summit addresses those challenges by providing a platform for us, led by Latina leaders. It’s about creating an environment where Latinas can see themselves in the industry and thrive. Plus, it’s free and virtual, so there’s no barrier to travel or cost.

4. Podcasting can be challenging, especially for women of color. How do you see the summit contributing to a more diverse podcasting landscape, and what does true representation look like to you? 

Accurate representation means Latinas in positions of power—running networks, producing shows, and getting the ad dollars that usually go elsewhere. It means seeing more Latinas, especially darker-skinned women and those without accents, in front of the mic and on event stages. This summit is just the start, allowing us to build networks and relationships to fill that gap. When we show up at the next big podcasting conference, there’ll be more of us, and we won’t have to question whether we belong.

5. The summit is a free, two-day virtual event. Can you share some details about the format, the types of sessions attendees can expect, and the industry pros participating? 

The summit is divided into two days, with eight 30-minute sessions each day. Day 1 focuses on the basics, such as conceptualizing, recording, and editing, while Day 2 explores more advanced strategies, such as monetization, growth, and YouTube.

The sessions are designed to be practical and action-oriented, giving attendees tools they can apply immediately. We’ll hear from award-winning podcasters like Michelle Jackson, industry insiders like Arielle Nissenblatt, Latina advocates like Stephanie Wharton and podcast production company owner Sasha Willis. To help attendees connect, we also have two live networking sessions sponsored by Softer Sounds.

Extended replays will be available for a low fee in case anyone misses something or wants more time to absorb the information.

6. Beyond technical skills, the summit focuses on building a support community for Latina podcasters. Why is community-building so crucial in podcasting, and how do you envision this summit fostering long-term connections?  

Community is everything in podcasting. My experience attending conferences, receiving mentorship, and connecting with other Latinas and women of color has been critical to my growth—not just as a podcaster but also as an organizer of this event.

That’s why this summit isn’t just about learning technical skills. It’s about building relationships with others who share the same struggles and goals. We’re hosting two live networking fiestas sponsored by Softer Sounds, and I’m considering creating a Slack channel to keep the community connected long after the summit ends. This summit is the beginning of creating mentorships, collaborations, and friendships that will last well beyond these two days.

7. With the summit taking place just after Hispanic Heritage Month, how does this event continue the celebration of Latina culture, and what role do you think podcasting plays in amplifying cultural stories?

I timed the summit to extend the celebration of our culture beyond Hispanic Heritage Month. But it’s also a reminder that we’re Latinas every day, not just between September and October. Many of our sessions reflect that pride, like “A Mi Manera: Defining Your Success in Podcasting” and “How a Bilingual Podcast Fills a Niche and Gets Paid.” We’re not just amplifying our voices during a designated month—we’re saying we belong here year-round.

As for podcasting, there’s no better medium to amplify our stories than the spoken word. It’s a modern extension of our oral traditions, giving our voices global reach.

8. Latinas In Podcasting is about creating content and amplifying Latina voices in an industry that still struggles with diversity. What changes would you like to see in podcasting and media regarding uplifting underrepresented voices? 

We need to see more ad dollars for Latina-focused shows and more opportunities for Latina hosts to shine in mainstream productions. Advertisers should target Latina audiences with Latine products and brands, as we have immense buying power and an engaged listenership. It’s not enough to just talk about diversity—brands need to invest in us, and platforms need to promote our work. Latinos are the fastest-growing podcast audience, so to borrow from the Jerry Maguire movie… show us the money!

9. You also host “La Vida Más Chévere Podcast.” How has your journey as a podcaster and a child-free Latina influenced your approach to the summit, and what advice would you give other Latina creators who feel they don’t fit the traditional mold?  

Being a child-free Latina has allowed me the time and flexibility to invest deeply in this summit, but my background in event planning has shaped it. I advise Latina creators who don’t feel they fit the mold to build their own tables. That’s what I’m doing with this summit. If you can’t make it alone, sit at my table. You belong here just as much as anyone else, and we’re stronger when we support each other.

10. Finally, what’s your ultimate vision for Latinas In Podcasting? How do you hope the summit will evolve in the future, and what impact do you want it to have on the podcasting industry and Latina creators?  

In 2-3 years, I hope Latinas In Podcasting grows to include an in-person component or even a traveling, day-long event in multiple cities. I want to keep it low-cost and accessible for attendees. Whether through meetups or other events, I want us to connect with more people, create collaborations, and build enough momentum that the larger podcast events and sponsors can’t ignore us.

Ultimately, I want this summit to shift the narrative so Latinas and Latines are considered integral to the podcasting industry, not just a checkbox for diversity.

More About Latinas In Podcasting:

The FREE Latinas in Podcasting Virtual Summit is for aspiring podcasters is coming on October 24-25th.

Learn More About Paulette:

Paulette is the creator, producer, and host of La Vida Más Chévere: Through the Childfree Lens Podcast. She is also a first-generation, child-free Latina trying her best to dismantle the cultural BS we all grew up in so that we can design our best lives instead. Catch new episodes of the podcast on all podcast platforms and YouTube.