In this episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café, Sonia Iris Lozada explores the unseen side of acting — the hours of preparation that audiences never witness. From memorizing lines for a single scene, to scrambling with last-minute sides, to navigating the silence that follows auditions, actors carry invisible labor that shapes every performance. Sonia also touches on the growing reality of self-tapes, where actors double as their own crew — a topic she’ll expand on in a future episode.

But invisible work isn’t unique to actors. Parents, teachers, creatives, and caregivers all hold hours of unseen labor that sustain lives and communities. With humor, compassion, and a touch of Los Angeles reality, Sonia reminds us that even the work that goes unrecognized mattersdeeply.

In this episode, I reflect on watching the Bad Bunny concert on Amazon and the pride of seeing Puerto Rican music honored on a global stage. From the African roots of Bomba, to the storytelling voice of Plena, to the worldwide reach of Salsa, I share both personal memories and insights from my background in Ethnomusicology.

These rhythms are more than genres—they are history, resistance, and the heartbeat of Puerto Rico.

References – Further Reading

• Bomba (Puerto Rico). Wikipedia
• Plena: The People’s Newspaper. Smithsonian Folkways → link
• History of Plena. La Casa de la Plena → link
• Music of Puerto Rico. Wikipedia

• 
  

• “Bomba Pa’ Siempre” by Jimmy Fontanez

• “Llena de Plena” by Jimmy Fontanez

• Used with appreciation and respect for the traditions of Puerto Rican music.

Welcome back to Overheard at Chica’s Café, where the coffee is strong, the conversation is flowing, and the occasional biscotti mysteriously disappears. Today, we’re talking about something every entertainer knows too well: what do we do between gigs? Those in-between stretches where your phone is quieter than a stagehand after a blackout cue.
You know, people think actors, musicians, or performers are constantly in the spotlight. But the truth? A lot of our lives are spent waiting. Waiting for auditions, waiting for callbacks, waiting for the gig that finally makes your family stop asking when you’re going to get a “real job.”

But here’s the secret: the waiting doesn’t mean we stop expressing ourselves. In fact, those in-between times are prime creative hours.

Think about it—expression doesn’t only happen on stage or onset. It happens in the things you do to stay alive and sane. Podcasting? Yep. Writing a poem no one else will ever see? Absolutely. Starting a memoir even if the first line is just, “Dear Diary, Hollywood is weird”? Go for it.

Maybe it’s designing or decorating your place. I once rearranged my living room so many times between gigs, my couch now qualifies as a traveling performer. It’s seen more blocking than some actors I know.

And cooking counts, too! Whipping up a new recipe? That’s performance art with edible applause. Just don’t burn the garlic bread, or the critics will be harsh—and by critics, I mean your own smoke alarm.

The point is: as entertainers, we need to express. If we cork the creativity while we’re waiting for the next “yes,” we start to feel like unopened soda cans—eventually, something’s going to explode.

So, write that song. Start that podcast. Paint the wall neon green if it makes you laugh—though maybe check with your landlord first. Expression isn’t about waiting for permission. It’s about keeping your creative pulse alive so when that next gig does come along, you’re not rusty. You’re ready.
So, whether you’re in rehearsal, in between jobs, or just staring at the ceiling fan wondering if it could double as a set piece, remember: creativity doesn’t clock in and out. It’s who you are.

And until that next big gig shows up—express yourself anyway. You might surprise yourself with what you create.

Thanks for joining me here at Chica’s Café. Don’t forget to grab a refill on your way out—and maybe, just maybe, rearrange your couch tonight. It might inspire your next masterpiece.

"Modern Jazz Samba" Kevin MacLeod(incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Healing Power of Laughter and Escape"Because sometimes Soul Work Looks Like Binge-Watching in Pajamas*

Let’s be real — not every healing moment looks like a spiritual retreat in the mountains or hours of deep journaling by candlelight. Sometimes, healing looks like stretchypants, a perfectly timed meme, and laughing until you wheeze over a ridiculous comedy sketch.
I’m Sonia Iris Lozada — actor, poet, and over-thinker turned wisdom whisperer — and in this week’s episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café, I talk about the underrated brilliance of laughter and the sacred pause of escapism.
And no, I’m not talking about ignoring your feelings or bypassing reality. I’m talking about intentional joy. That full-body exhale that comes when you let go of the need to “fix” everything and just let yourself feel better for five minutes.

A few years ago, I was going through grief, exhaustion, and burnout all at once. You know the kind — where even brushing your teeth feels like a workout.
Instead of trying to meditate it away or “be productive,” I surrendered. I turned on a silly video. And I laughed. Not a polite giggle — I mean an ugly, snorting, can’t-breathe, just-peeled-myself-off-the-floor kind of laugh.
That moment did more for my nervous system than any affirmation ever could.

Escape Isn’t Weakness — It’s WisdomWe tend to treat escape like it’s a dirty word. But the truth is, conscious escapism is an emotional palate cleanser.
Without it, we’d all be walking around like mannequins with unresolved childhood issues — smile painted on, dead behind the eyes. (Yeah… I said it.)
Escaping into a feel-good story, a comedy binge, or a joyful distraction doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you know when to put the heavy stuff down.

This month on Overheard at Chica’s Café, we are delighted towelcome the insightful Albert Bramante, a seasoned talent agent, as well as the accomplished author of Rise Above the Script. In this engaging episode, we dive deep into the intricate world of the current entertainment industry. Albertshares his expert perspective on the evolving landscape, shedding light on the myriad challenges performers face today. We also explore the subtle ways in which artists often unwittingly undermine their own potential, unraveling thecomplex web of self-sabotage that can hinder their careers.

I assist performers, educators, and creators in unlockingtheir full potential by combining psychology, performance strategies, and AI to drive unstoppable progress. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of entertainment and education, I have coached actors to secure transformative roles, guided students to become top-tier professionals, and developed systems to help individuals overcome fear, imposter syndrome, and self-sabotage. As the CEO of Bramante Artists, I manage a diverse group oftalent in Broadway, film, television, commercials, and print. I focus on career development rather than simply booking roles, using psychological insights and industry strategies to foster long-term, purpose-driven success for talent. Inmy role as a college professor, I have taught psychology at Union County College and BMCC (CUNY), creating and delivering courses in Child Development, Personality, and Human Growth, with an emphasis on transformative learningexperiences rooted in practical application. As a practitioner of hypnosis and NLP, I provide powerful mental performance tools in my work, whether coaching actors, mentoring students, or speaking to creatives. My approach centers oneliminating internal barriers and enhancing clarity, confidence, and focus.

Rise Above the Script – Available on Amazon

I’m actively seeking partnerships in:

Acting schools—Courses on the business of acting &mindset (based on my book)

Colleges & universities—Guest lecturing, curriculumdevelopment, and student success initiatives

Performance & wellness programs – Hypnosis + NLPintegration for creative peak performance

AI in education & content—Training educators andcreators to work smarter with AI

AI & Entertainment: The Future of Creativity or the End of It?

In this episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café, Sonia delves into the growing influence of AI in the entertainment industry, including voice cloning, script writing, AI actors, and music creation. Is AI a tool that empowers artists, or is it taking their place? Engage in this intriguing discussion about the essence of creativity in an era where machines can replicate human imagination. Sonia shares her heartfelt, artistic insights as a voice actor and poet.

So what do we do now?

We listen

We create with awareness

We stay present

With our voices and our why

Because in the age of algorithms—

The human soul is still

The wildest art form

Welcome to another episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café. Itfeels like it’s been a lifetime, and to be completely honest, life has thrown quite a few curveballs my way lately. I know this is just a passing phase, but my aspirations of incorporating video into this season’s podcast? Well, they slipped through my fingers like grabbing for air. I’m healing from an injury,and my father’s health has taken a downturn, necessitating several trips to the bustling city of Chicago to be by his side. Although my heart was set on continuing the podcast, the clarity and drive to do so seemed to vanish like smoke in the wind.

On the audition front, there’s little to report. I've had ahandful of commercial auditions, including some for voiceover work. I had a funny audition – love those because I love comedy. However, the world of TV andfilm feels like a barren desert for me, with productions migrating from California in search of better incentives elsewhere.

In the legislative world, two bills have emerged inSacramento, known as AB 1138 and SB 630. According to the SAG-AFTRA website, this means the following:

What’s in the Bills?

These updates are designed to modernize California’s filmand TV tax incentive program and keep us competitive with other states and countries

Raises base credit allocations from 20-25% to 35-40%, with higher incentives for productions outside Los Angeles.

Expands eligibility to include more diverse genres and formats.

Doubles application windows and adds flexibility to better align funding with real-time demand.

Limits delays for recurring series to ensure timely production or funding reallocation.

Provides modest year-over-year increases to reflect rising production costs.

Increases the indie project cap and funding, supporting the vibrant, local storytelling that happens across the state.

I’ll keep you posted on if these bills pass as we reallyneed more productions in California.Also, please get your copy of my book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.

Welcome to a brief episode of Overheard at Chica's Café, where we discuss all things entertainment. This month, we address the current state of the industry, which has been slowed down due to the devastating fires in Los Angeles. As a resident of this city, I have personally experienced the effects of the Sunset Fire and had to evacuate my home.

But amidst the chaos and destruction, one thing remains constant: our love for entertainment. This is why I have decided to record this month's episode in a new format, a video that will be uploaded to both Spotify and YouTube. I hope you will tune in and join me as I discuss the future of entertainment and interview guests about their own journeys in this ever-changing industry.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let's dive into the world of entertainment.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at Chica's Café for another lively and insightful discussion. See you soon!