A single moment can erase a whole future and leave a family doing math with memories. I’m Lizzette Perez, and this week I have two friends with me that share a story, that’s heavy but necessary: two mothers, two sons, two different states, and the same ending. Natasha Betancourt my childhood best friend (From The Bronx, in NYC) opens up about losing her son Nicholas Vargas Jr. to gun violence in New York. Erica O’Brien (originally from the Bronx, now in Orlando) shares how she moved to Florida to give her son Phil a better life, and still lost him to gun violence in Florida. If you’ve ever believed “it could never happen to me,” this conversation challenges that belief.

We talk about what grief really looks like years later: guilt that doesn’t shut off, PTSD, anger that comes in waves, and the pressure to stay strong for the siblings also dealing with grief. Natasha and Erica share how siblings and grandkids carry the loss, how a home can feel haunting by their absence, and why rituals like birthdays, angel anniversaries, favorite meals, and cremation can become lifelines. They also say plainly what not to say to a grieving parent and what kind of support actually helps.

Then we move toward prevention and purpose. Erica explains her nonprofit work and her mission to fund youth programs and bring back youth centers, especially for middle school and high school kids who need safe outlets. We get into gun safety, locked storage, access, and why community support can change a kid’s path before a tragedy happens.

Natasha shares her experience with No Voice Unheard

If this hits your heart, please leave these Moms a comment and review so more people can find these stories and this message.

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Eric “E-Stylz” Santiago is a celebrity fashion stylist who works across film, TV, music, and editorial fashion. He accepted the invite to be on this podcast although he had no clue what this show was even about.

Currently he is wardrobe supervisor for The Tamron Hall Show on ABC. He has styled celebrities, performers, models, and television personalities and has worked on red carpets, magazine shoots, and TV productions.

So, I broke format for this episode. E-Stylz Shares why he would never move here and what it may take to change his mind.

Give him a follow on Instagram @OfficialEStylz

https://www.instagram.com/officialestylz?igsh=eHFkbHhuaTB3dnEx

TikTok @EStylz

https://www.tiktok.com/@estylz?_r=1&_t=ZT-94Z2Pwy41pG

Grab his book on Amazon https://a.co/d/04qABeJ8

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Meet Wendy Carrero. A childhood friend from The Bronx who now lives in Ft. Myers Florida. She knocked on my door to surprise me with a visit so I took advantage to get her on the show. She came on not knowing what my podcast was about.

We talked the dynamics of being a kid in The Bronx, fighting boys and getting bullied in school and the changes we felt when moved to Florida. Wendy shares her story of why Florida wasn't her plan until it had to be.

If you would like to support my Labeled and Loved Fundraiser to help Moms with Special Needs Kids like me attend a special weekend retreat please visit this link

https://labeledandloved.networkforgood.com/projects/263440-lizzette-perez-s-fundraiser?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQUQVlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehKNOt12egjyNjg4KAL6EKPfuJ1os0hn0016v3gWXC5Yg93wCndPvViV_UBU_aem_-qclcBvRHEHJbL6cQTryVA

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After losing everything in a divorce, Ivette Rivera rebuilt her life and helped build the brand behind Bodega Flava.

Ivette Rivera joined the show without even knowing what this Podcast was about. She shares her sentiments about what moving to Central Florida was like back in the 90's vs. now.

During this episode we share the Flava's of NYC that we missed and how she is changing the cooking game with her Organic Latin Seasonings called Bodega Flava focusing on healthier ways to create the cultural foods we love!

*****Currently, her website is being updated*****

You may reach out and order in the meantime at Orders@BodegaFlava.com

Follow on all platforms @BodegaFlavaNYC

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ivetteriveranj?igsh=MXRkaGtvcXphM3Nycw==

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ivetteriveranj?_r=1&_t=ZT-94ZAx2kTC9t

If you would like to support my Labeled and Loved Fundraiser to help Moms with Special Needs Kids like me attend a special weekend retreat visit this link

https://labeledandloved.networkforgood.com/projects/263440-lizzette-perez-s-fundraiser?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQUQVlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehKNOt12egjyNjg4KAL6EKPfuJ1os0hn0016v3gWXC5Yg93wCndPvViV_UBU_aem_-qclcBvRHEHJbL6cQTryVA

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We talk about so much in this Episode I wasn't sure what to name it! My guest is The Bronx Bomber, DJ Kool Mike Ski, We talk about the Cultural things that collectively makes us who we are today.

Check out his reaction to what this podcast was about as he came on blindly, not even knowing what the name of show was!

We talk about what brought him to Florida, what he enjoys about it as we reminisce about all things New York.

If you would like to support my Labeled and Loved Fundraiser to help me and Moms like me with Special Needs Kids like me attend a special weekend retreat visit this link

https://labeledandloved.networkforgood.com/projects/263440-lizzette-perez-s-fundraiser?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQUQVlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehKNOt12egjyNjg4KAL6EKPfuJ1os0hn0016v3gWXC5Yg93wCndPvViV_UBU_aem_-qclcBvRHEHJbL6cQTryVA

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For fun, I came up with the idea to invite some of my first guest without telling them what my podcast was about. They were brave enough to say yes!

My very first guest is originally from Brooklyn. His name is Luis Hernandez and he was picked to be my first guest for a very specific reason. Listen to find out why and to hear his story as a New Yorker who now lives in Florida.

If you would like to support my Labeled and Loved Fundraiser as discussed in Episode 1, to help me and Moms like me with Special Needs Kids like me attend a special weekend retreat visit this link

https://labeledandloved.networkforgood.com/projects/263440-lizzette-perez-s-fundraiser?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQUQVlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehKNOt12egjyNjg4KAL6EKPfuJ1os0hn0016v3gWXC5Yg93wCndPvViV_UBU_aem_-qclcBvRHEHJbL6cQTryVA

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Besitos to you, I am Lizzette Perez and this episode is all about me and why I started doing this podcast. I talk about family, my transition to Florida and all the crazy things leading up for me to tell about it in this episode so you can get to know me.

In 2023, over 72,000 people moved from New York To Florida making New Yorkers the largest amount of transplants to leave the city for sunshine vibes. That's just one year and when I meet another New Yorker, we can't help but talk about our memories whether good or bad. All other episodes will include a guest, All of course, New Yorkers who now live in Florida!

If you would like to support my Labeled and Loved Fundraiser to help Moms with Special Needs Kids like me attend a special weekend retreat visit this link

https://labeledandloved.networkforgood.com/projects/263440-lizzette-perez-s-fundraiser?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQUQVlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehKNOt12egjyNjg4KAL6EKPfuJ1os0hn0016v3gWXC5Yg93wCndPvViV_UBU_aem_-qclcBvRHEHJbL6cQTryVA

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