Maria Medrano knows first-hand the value of opportunity: the opportunity to receive an education, the opportunity to pursue higher education, the opportunity to break out of poverty, and the opportunity to start a company that has investors kno

Deena McKay: The Only Constant in Tech is Change

May 23rd, 2024 32m 6s

From thinking she wanted to be an athletic trainer freshman year of college to graduating with a bachelors (and masters) degree in information systems, Deena McKay, scrum master and host of Black Tech Unplugged podcast, is no stranger to the no

Consuelo Rios: A Conversation with Elias' Mom

Mar 28th, 2024 20m 56s

This episode is a special one.Elias shares a conversation with his mother, Consuelo Rios. The two stand in the kitchen of the brand new house Elias just bought his mother — his largest purchase since selling Drift. The two discuss their journey

Enna Jimenez: La Jefa

Mar 22nd, 2024 33m 22s

We're continuing Women's History Month with La Jefa herself, Enna Jimenez. Emma immigrated from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts with her family as a young girl, became a first-generation college graduate, and paved her way into Vice President posi

Freada Kapor Klein: None of Us Are Free Until All of Us Are Free

Mar 7th, 2024 35m 31s

To kick off Women's History Month, we're highlighting one of Elias Torres' role models: Freada Kapor Klein.Freada has considered herself an activist since high school, and since then, she's founded SMASH — an organization that helps low-income

Hannah Zhou & Rhea Acharya: Harvard WeCode Conference

Feb 8th, 2024 27m 16s

Today, Harvard University juniors Hannah Zhou and Rhea Acharya join Elias on the show to discuss the upcoming Harvard WeCode Conference happening on February 17 and 18.Register for the conference or learn about sponsorship opportunities here: h

Guillermo Diaz Jr.: Look for Your Ships

Jan 25th, 2024 49m 25s

Growing up in Colorado, Guillermo Diaz Jr. always dreamed of having palm trees in his backyard. Now, after many years of hard work and diligence, he has more palm trees than he knows what to do with, which is why he created Conectado.Conectado

Guillermo Diaz Jr.: Look for Your Ships

Jan 25th, 2024 49m 25s

Erik Cardenas: Being You is a Superpower

Jan 11th, 2024 37m 6s

Do you need to go to college? How do you find the career path right for you? These are the types of questions Elias and his guest, Erik Cardenas, discuss on today's episode.Growing up in Texas, Erik was the first in his family to go to college.

Katty Coulson: Do Good, and Do Good

Nov 30th, 2023 27m 57s

(0:31) The origin story of Katty Coulson’s name(01:21) Katty’s life in Mexico(5:49) Katty crosses the border(12:44) Katty finds her way into tech(17:43) The secret to Katty’s happiness(22:17) Why Katty has, and will always, give back to the com

The American Dream Podcast is Back!.

Nov 24th, 2023 39m 46s

Elias Torres is back for another season of the American Dream podcast. This season, you can expect more conversations with underrepresented leaders who have pushed themselves to get to the top, raw truths from those who are no stranger to being

Eneida Roman on the Founding and Future of AmplifyLatinx

Nov 24th, 2023 35m 15s

(1:18) All about Eneida(4:36) The origins of AmplifyLatinx(7:29) How Eneida became CEO of AmplifyLatinx(12:10) Why Eneida committed to work in the United States(14:18) The official kick off of AmplifyLatinx(17:49) Elias’ introduction to Amplify

Edrizio De La Cruz on Why Hispanics Don’t Advance in Tech Entrepreneurship

Nov 24th, 2023 25m 18s

(4:45) The settle mentality(12:11) How are we holding people back?(15:15) Lift as you climbBuy Edrizio’s book, The Underdog Founder, hereListen to Edrizio’s previous American Dream episode hereConnect with Elias on LinkedInConnect with Edrizio