This week, I’m sharing a dope convo I had on the My First Kicks podcast.. We got into my journey—from rocking kicks as a kid in NYC to working at The Breakfast Club, launching Life as a Gringo, and making the jump from band life to where I am now. Plus, I show off some of my favorite sneakers and drop a few stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

This week, I&rsquo;m sharing a dope convo I had on the My First Kicks podcast.. We got into my journey&mdash;from rocking kicks as a kid in NYC to working at&nbsp;The Breakfast Club, launching Life as a Gringo, and making the jump from band life to where I am now. Plus, I show off some of my favorite sneakers and drop a few stories you won&rsquo;t hear anywhere else.

“Life As A Gringo” is a podcast from Z100 On-Air Personality, Dramos. The show represents the voices of American-born Latinos who live their lives existing in a gray area. Those who are looked at as a gringo or “too white” by their family back in their native land, but were constantly reminded that their house smelled different or their parents music was “weird” by the people they grew up with. This is life as seen through our eyes.

“...one feels at home in both places, yet at home in neither place”
- Ed Morales

Life as a Gringo

“Life As A Gringo” is a podcast from Z100 On-Air Personality, Dramos. The show represents the voices of American-born Latinos who live their lives existing in a gray area. Those who are looked at as a gringo or “too white” by their family back in their native land, but were constantly reminded that their house smelled different or their parents music was “weird” by the people they grew up with. This is life as seen through our eyes.

“...one feels at home in both places, yet at home in neither place”
- Ed Morales

Gringo’s Guide To: Kicks, Culture & The Come Up

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9f21bd17-8e1f-4659-bc7b-b28f01835723/transcript

What does it really mean to be “the man”? In many Latino communities—and beyond—men are taught that having lots of sexual partners is proof of status, strength, and masculinity. In this special episode, Dramos unpacks that toxic message, sharing personal stories about chasing validation, peer pressure, and the role of machismo culture in shaping harmful expectations.He explores why this obsession with “numbers” can lead to dishonesty, emptiness, and broken trust, and why true masculinity means respect, empathy, and protecting the people you’re intimate with—including their sexual health. Dramos also gets real about what he’s learned from his own past, and why having tough, honest conversations is the foundation of healthy relationships and healthy sexuality.

 

This episode is brought to you by Healthysexual from Gilead Sciences.

What does it really mean to be &ldquo;the man&rdquo;? In many Latino communities&mdash;and beyond&mdash;men are taught that having lots of sexual partners is proof of status, strength, and masculinity. In this special episode, Dramos unpacks that toxic message, sharing personal stories about chasing validation, peer pressure, and the role of machismo culture in shaping harmful expectations. He explores why this obsession with &ldquo;numbers&rdquo; can lead to dishonesty, emptiness, and broken trust, and why true masculinity means respect, empathy, and protecting the people you&rsquo;re intimate with&mdash;including their sexual health. Dramos also gets real about what he&rsquo;s learned from his own past, and why having tough, honest conversations is the foundation of healthy relationships and healthy sexuality.
&nbsp;
This episode is brought to you by Healthysexual from Gilead Sciences.

Redefining “The Man”: Sex, Validation, and Machismo Culture

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b3517e15-a31f-46e3-bb33-b31b001bc390/transcript

Growing up in a Latino household, real conversations about sex often felt one-sided—or didn’t happen at all. In this special episode, Dramos opens up about how that silence made it harder to talk openly with friends and partners about sex, intimacy, and boundaries. He explores the fears and cultural pressures that make these talks intimidating, from worries about inexperience to the weight of tradition. Dramos also shares why learning to be vulnerable with peers and partners is so important for sexual health and building real trust. From navigating dating and safe sex to getting tested regularly, this episode breaks down why these “hard conversations” matter—and how having them can help protect yourself and others, emotionally and physically.

 

This episode is brought to you by Healthysexual from Gilead Sciences.

Growing up in a Latino household, real conversations about sex often felt one-sided&mdash;or didn&rsquo;t happen at all. In this special episode, Dramos opens up about how that silence made it harder to talk openly with friends and partners about sex, intimacy, and boundaries. He explores the fears and cultural pressures that make these talks intimidating, from worries about inexperience to the weight of tradition. Dramos also shares why learning to be vulnerable with peers and partners is so important for sexual health and building real trust. From navigating dating and safe sex to getting tested regularly, this episode breaks down why these &ldquo;hard conversations&rdquo; matter&mdash;and how having them can help protect yourself and others, emotionally and physically.
&nbsp;
This episode is brought to you by Healthysexual from Gilead Sciences.

Real Talk: Sex, Vulnerability, and Conversations That Matter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ecc9e7e5-4368-40a0-83e5-b31b001b8e82/transcript

Cultural taboos around sex and sexuality run deep in many Latino households, often shutting down important conversations before they even start. In this special episode, Dramos opens up about how religion, gender roles, and family expectations shaped his own understanding of sexual health—or lack of it. He explores how these cultural norms can leave young people unprepared, misinformed, and anxious about their own well-being. Plus, Dramos shares what he wishes he'd learned growing up, why sexual health is about so much more than just sex, and how we can start having the hard conversations to better support the next generation.

 

This episode is brought to you by Healthysexual from Gilead Sciences.

Cultural taboos around sex and sexuality run deep in many Latino households, often shutting down important conversations before they even start. In this special episode, Dramos opens up about how religion, gender roles, and family expectations shaped his own understanding of sexual health&mdash;or lack of it. He explores how these cultural norms can leave young people unprepared, misinformed, and anxious about their own well-being. Plus, Dramos shares what he wishes he'd learned growing up, why sexual health is about so much more than just sex, and how we can start having the hard conversations to better support the next generation.
&nbsp;
This episode is brought to you by Healthysexual from Gilead Sciences.

Breaking the Silence: Sex, Culture, and the Latino Household

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f0b4d5a1-1ad2-4dd6-8571-b31500086d38/transcript

Gringo’s Guide To: Kicks, Culture & The Come Up

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