Reclaiming Jota: Standing Proud and Honoring Indigenous Roots with Katherine Bahena-Benitez

Hi feelers! This week we are honored to have a chat with our new friend, Katherine Bahena-Benitez. We chat about: 

🌈 Katherine's creative journey

🌈 How she uses empathy to support her work as a creative

🌈 Honoring her immigrant parents and indigenous roots

🌈 And how she has embraced queerness in the Latiné community

Stay in touch with Katherine to also learn more about their upcoming short film, La Tierra de Sueños – a short film about migration. There will be a fundraiser event in Los Angeles, CA this July. It’ll be an event to help raise funds, & to share space for healing & art.

Get tickets to see JOTA

Resources mentioned in intro:

• If you or your loved one need immediate help reach out to:
  The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights hotline
  • To report a raid call 1-844-363-1423
• United We Dream
• If you’d like to donate visit National Immigrant Justice Center

00:00 Intro
01:46 Addressing the ICE Raids
03:41 Resources for Immigrant Support
06:22 Katherine's Background and Artistic Journey
20:13 The Importance of Empathy and Self-Care
29:33 If You Don't Listen The Universe Will Get Your Attention
30:14 Embracing Queerness in the Latiné Community
31:40 Coming Out and Family Acceptance
34:54 Navigating Shame and Self-Acceptance
39:13 Reclaiming Identity Through Art
42:51 Upcoming Projects and Support
45:38 Indigenous Roots and Queerness
49:48 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Transcript

Empaths Anonymous: 0:00

Welcome to Empath Anonymous, a space for dreamers, healers, and feelers. Navigating the fine line between putting yourself first and holding space for others. If you struggle with balancing your needs while still supporting your tribe, then you're in the right place. Welcome to the support group. Hi feelers. It's Crystina and Danie, and we are coming at you from the editor's couch. Mm-hmm. We recorded the episode you're going to hear about maybe a month ago, a little more than a month ago, and we had no idea what was going to transpire, especially in just in the last week. It's very timely, as you'll hear in the episode, that we are talking about the things that we talked about, but we didn't want to just go right into the episode with. Out bringing a little awareness to what is going on in Latina communities today. Correct. So we are definitely excited to have our guest on that we have today who is just the most absolute gem of a person. But we had to really sit with ourselves and say like, you know, these are some of the things that we're always. Talking about when we sit on the couch and the things that affect our communities directly. And so we just wanted to take a second to address some of the ice raids that are happening across Southern California that includes Los Angeles. And San Diego and really nationwide. But here, just in the last two weeks, obviously Southern California has been a little bit more heavily impacted as we've all seen and recognized. And so, us being the girlies that we are and always talking about how certain things impact us individually and as a collective and as. Communities who are aligned in a lot of our experiences being both Latina and black Americans. We just wanted to take a second to say like, our heart goes out to everyone who is directly, both directly and indirectly affected by some of the things happening. Yeah, definitely. I just felt like glossing over this would feel very tone deaf in light of everything. Hmm. But I did just wanna put out a note of encouragement that it is okay to feel scared, overwhelmed, burnt out, heartbroken by all the things that are going on and really take care of yourself throughout these things. I know that it's really easy to kind of doom scroll on social media because we just wanna be in the know. I know what's going on in the world. But it can kind of lead to that like emotional fatigue. But I just wanted to encourage anyone who's listening that like, this is really the time to let your light shine. Whether it's sharing your art, using your business to build awareness. Mm-hmm. If you have a podcast, you know, sharing your voice and your story on your podcast, gathering with your loved ones and the people that you value the most and who see you as a person. Using this time to really be who you are unapologetically full out in a time where it feels scary to do so. Mm-hmm. I think that, as we say a lot in times like this, like love is way stronger than fear and it's times like these where we do need each other. In, as you know, BIPOC communities, and that doesn't mean that I'm telling you to go out into the street and protest. I'm just saying that in whatever way feels best to you right now and however ever you can show up it's really just important that we band together, right? I agree that. Being yourself and showing up as 100% yourself is actually a form of resistance when you're constantly being told that it's not okay to be you. Mm-hmm. So even if you are not monetarily able to afford to miss work, to attend a protest or miss work in general, and you just have to keep showing up to your everyday life in the midst of chaos we understand that and we acknowledge it and it's important to. Take a step back and realize that we can fight in other ways than just being physically present somewhere. Right? And speaking to that, if you do wanna get involved in other ways we have some resources for you. Now, if you or a loved one are being affected directly and you need some help, there's a hotline that you can call. It is the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Hotline. We're gonna put the number in the show notes for you. Also a link to their website and then for other resources or ways that you can like volunteer or help out that may be in a safer way than protesting. Right now there's United We Dream, and they're the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country. They create welcoming spaces for young people regardless of their immigration status. And something that I really loved is that they support women and L-G-B-T-Q, youth and Communities, which I think is really important. Also, again, speaks to our episode today, and I mean, it is. Pride month. It's pride all the time, but I just really wanted to highlight that organization because of that. Mm-hmm. And then if you can and want to donate monetarily I found a, it's a certified and backed organization, so you know that your money is going directly to families. They are a registered nonprofit. It's the National Immigrant Justice Center. And I'll put the link and the all the ways that you can get involved in our show notes below. Yeah. So with that, we just wanted to kind of give a little feeling and little moment of encouragement for everyone because we feel the heaviness and we feel the intensity of, of everything. But I think seeing all of us kind of come together, protest or otherwise, and just kind of figuring out this. I ideology that that solidarity is what we need that's gonna help us get through really tough times now and in the future as we are anticipating. We pretty much knew what happened starting in November, so Right. We were equipped and we were ready. And I think now that fight for lack of a better word, and however you wanted, define that for yourself is going to be really important. Right now. So with all that being said, we send all of our love, we send all of our empathy, and mm-hmm. We're going to introduce our lovely guests for today. Yeah, of course. So stay tuned and enjoy this episode that is for Pride Month primarily when we've recorded this. But it also is a story that highlights immigrant stories. So we hope that you enjoy our conversation with Katherine Bahena-Benitez. Today we have Katherine Bahena Benitez. They/she who is a queer Mexican indigenous, multidisciplinary artist living between New York and California. She is an actor, writer, filmmaker, director, model, and teaching artist. She says, I do this for, this for us. Welcome to the podcast, Katherine.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 7:08

Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for having me.

Empaths Anonymous: 7:12

Of

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 7:12

really sweet. Yes, just.

Empaths Anonymous: 7:14

Yeah, it's such a pleasure. I think that our origin story is so millennial and Gen Z of us, so we connected on TikTok and I was like, I need to talk to this girl. I have to have her on the podcast. We were just. so excited to see all the projects you're working on. we're so excited to have you. Yeah.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 7:32

Yes. Well, I remember I was scrolling through TikTok and then y'all came up and I was like, wait, hold on. They're saying something really beautiful that resonated with me. Y'all were talking about like centering yourself and self love, and I've been on that journey, so it was like perfect. And then I remember that I had followed y'all. Y'all followed back and we were like, wait, I love what y'all do. Yeah,

Empaths Anonymous: 7:53

yeah.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 7:54

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 7:55

It was just such a synergy. Yeah, it was a big love fest. I think that's where we were like, and how quickly it became just like, yes, like let's do it and let's do the interview and let's come on. So it was so nice that you said yes to us and we appreciate it.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 8:07

Of course. Thank y'all for reaching out.

Empaths Anonymous: 8:10

Of course. So we have a segment on our podcast every single week where we ask what's in your cup. So if you're sipping on anything, like share with the girlies and the gays, what you're sipping on, and then of course, how are you checking in? So like, what's in your life cup?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 8:26

Mm, mm-hmm. Well, I was drinking, but just like a milkshake. Right? And it just basically had like Reza Leche, coconut and ice. So that's what I was drinking. I, I would show it on camera, but the cudo, the way that it, it. Started to sit, I think it might like look a little different, you know?

Empaths Anonymous: 8:50

Right. Yeah,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 8:52

yeah,

Empaths Anonymous: 8:52

starts to settle. Yes.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 8:54

yeah. But I guess what's in my cup in life, correct. I guess what's like filling me is just, being back in California, I was in the East coast and just returning to California has been so sweet. The sun, the weather, my family, the art here. I'm reclaiming a part of me that I feel like I just unintentionally lost for some time. So it's just really sweet to be back to return and to just remember my existence here. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 9:22

Yeah. this where you're from originally? Did you, were you born and raised in California?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 9:28

Yes, I was born and raised in California. I was born and raised in a city called Stockton. It's near Sacramento. Yeah. Yeah. And so, yeah, it was just like a beautiful upbringing with also just the realities of, of what it meant to be someone with the identifiers that I hold, which is like first gen, queer child of immigrants, child of Mexican, indigenous peoples. My parents are campesinos, so there was like many layers. To what it was growing up, but it was also like really beautiful, really sweet. Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 10:01

that sounds beautiful. Yes. I love that so much. I know you said it was unintentional, so that's really important to note, I think, because we don't ever intentionally leave our roots behind. I think we

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 10:13

Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 10:13

with life and. All the things that we have going on, especially when you're so involved in artistry and then the industry that you're in, like it's very busy, busy, busy. Like stuff gets stacked on top of each other. So coming back to, I know you're there for a project, right?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 10:26

Yeah. Yes.

Empaths Anonymous: 10:28

So coming back there to, for a project, it's like, it's one thing, but then you kind of have this, this, uh, duality of both. It's like, ah, I get to come home again, but also I still get to work. So,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 10:38

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 10:38

it's a party

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 10:39

I.

Empaths Anonymous: 10:39

ways.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 10:40

Yeah, I do feel like I resonate deeply as far as, you know, sometimes like the migration calls is not because we want to, but because sometimes that's just a path that we need to go on for opportunities to better our lives. I think about my parents who they left Mexico in order to pursue a better life here in California, and how as much as they didn't want to, they felt like they needed to. And so my story doesn't necessarily align. Fully with theirs, but I did feel in a sense that I had to leave home in order to pursue my dreams. But yeah, I never, I would've never thought that my life would end up being in the East coast though. I, I had no idea.

Empaths Anonymous: 11:19

Yeah. that's such a, it's such a culture shock. I mean, you have so much culture over there on the East coast, but it's just so different. I think the West and East coast have so many beautiful parts

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 11:29

Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 11:29

individually that you're just not really sure, like how you're gonna adapt to something so different. But speaking to that and finally realizing that that was gonna be a part of your journey to be on a. Totally separate coast.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 11:42

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 11:42

with our feelers, which is our audience your path to becoming the artist that you are today?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 11:47

Yeah, well, I mean, it was very non-linear, non-linear in the sense that you know, growing up I had no idea that this was something that I could even pursue, which is the craft and the, the journey of storytelling as a performer and as a writer, and specifically in the realms of theater performance and film. I had no idea that this was something that people could pursue. I mean, I'm the first in my family, again, there's like so many layers of being first generation. I feel that I was experiencing life for the first time with my parents, and they don't speak English. So it was just, you know. So, so difficult navigating school, navigating parent teacher conferences, wanting my parents to be involved, but they didn't know how. And then they were constantly working, so I didn't have time to really dream of a life in the arts. I didn't really have time to, to question if that was something even for me. And then it wasn't until high school that I went to a school that is renowned for the performing arts. And at the time I had many friends that were involved in performing arts and it was something that I thought maybe I could do, but I was like, no, those are things that my friends are doing. The school was renowned for the performing arts and then if you weren't in the arts, there were other learning communities that you could be a part of. And so I ended up doing business and, other. Yeah. Yeah. So I was like, okay, my life is gonna be in business. I'm gonna focus on accounting. I don't know, I thought I had my life figured out and it wasn't until college that, that I began to actually sit with the feelings that I was having, which was when I was younger, I was dreaming of a life in the arts. And I remember. Being about 12 or 11 years old and, and watching films and, and movies and they were mostly like Mundo and just, you know, that was our source of, of film because, you know, we didn't have cable so it was all like in Spanish, but it was something that I really enjoyed watching. And then, one time I just remember just running to my mom and I'm like, I'm gonna be an actor. And then me, mommy, she just, she just looked at me and she smiled and she continued washing dishes. And I, I'm so grateful that, that she didn't say anything because I think if she would've shut down my, my dreams, I would've. Totally taking that with me and be like, okay, I'm not supposed to do that. But instead she just, like, she, she just smiled and continued doing her thing. And, and in many ways I feel like that saved me. And yeah. When I got to college, I finally decided that it was my, my turn to pursue this life that I had been wanting for a while and that I needed to do it for me. And that there was no, there wasn't going to be a right way how to do it. I just knew that. Regardless of the obstacles, I was going to be relentless about it. And, and fearless. Yes. And yeah, I'm so grateful that the department ended up really like supporting me. The Department of Theater and Film and Dance ended up really just taking me under their wing. And again, I just, I didn't even change my major. I think it was until I was a junior in college. So. Yeah, after that, yeah, so I was, I was still thinking that business was my path and I was. Very much in love with accounting, and I'm so grateful that I did take business though, because now it's part of my practice as management. Whenever I'm not performing, I do a lot of production management and producing. So yeah, it's just very interesting that that journey, again, it was nonlinear. There was no path that was very clear for me. I was kind of always going back and forth, whether it was for me or not, but I'm so grateful that I took a leap of faith and that I, I jumped to it and now we're here. Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 15:31

Oh my gosh. Amazing. The creative life definitely like finds you sometimes, you know? Mm.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 15:36

Oh my goodness.

Empaths Anonymous: 15:38

choose it or when it's not your first choice, it's like, oh, well I'm gonna show you.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 15:42

Yeah, for sure. I mean, I, I think that it, it was something that I'm so grateful, found me. I think I was supposed to be an artist in this lifetime. Now it makes sense. I was supposed to go through all those hurdles. And I have always been a writer and I had always done a lot of poetry. I remember just writing a whole bunch of notes to my teachers and, and poems. And there was like one teacher who actually really enjoyed my poem and was like, you need to pursue something with writing. And it was because of that teacher that she really did inspire me and I was like, okay, maybe I could do something with writing. So yeah, it was, it was very, very different from. Other people's paths, and I'm sure other people's paths are, you know, just as exciting and just as non-linear. But yeah, I think that's why this life is so magical.'cause you don't know what's going to happen and then at some point it all just makes sense. And so that's where I'm at right now where I'm like, okay, this makes a lot of sense. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 16:36

Right. Yeah. Right. Do you feel like your first instincts to go into business and kind of choose the more traditional path of, I'm gonna go to school and I'm gonna get my degree, and then I'm gonna go work somewhere? Do you feel like it was. Part of the cultural implications of, you know, coming to America and being the daughter of immigrants and feeling like you had to further the dreams for your family and do something that conventionally accepted in society.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 17:06

Oh yeah, I, I do feel that, you know, I, I felt an enormous amount of responsibility to give my parents a better life. I grew up so fast and, you know, maybe it's me being intuitive or being just. I don't know, maybe I've been here before, but I remember just witnessing my parents' journey as a youth and, and wanting better for them, and also feeling that it wasn't going to necessarily happen fully for them without the support of my siblings and I, we needed to do something because, you know, my mom came to United States in her thirties. My dad came into United States when he was like a teenager, but they didn't meet until, you know, later in life and. My mom had her last baby, my youngest sister, when she was probably 39. Half of her life was in, in, in Mexico. And then. For like a decade. She just spent, you know, raising us, raising my sisters and I she didn't really have time to go to school and to learn English, even though she ended up being a nurse in Mexico. You know, they, that that knowledge and that training isn't transferred here into the United States. So, you know, all I knew was like, damn, mommy is now in her forties and things are just. Difficult, they're a lot harder. And then she developed a chronic illness. And yeah, I just knew, I was like, I have to, we have to do something because it's not going to happen without our support for them. And so I wanted to give my parents. Stability, you know? And I wanted to give us stability and it made sense to pursue business. It made sense to pursue something that was going to end up having like a very clear track, very clear road to success, right? My older sister ended up pursuing a career in the medical field. I ended up pursuing, you know, the arts, but I was very much on path to business. And then my other sisters are also leaning towards like more medical fields, right? So it was just like very much like, wow, this path is in our hands. Our parents did the best that they could, and there was just so many barriers for them that now it's our turn. I felt an immense like responsibility to give them a better life and, when I ended up pursuing the arts, I was like, oh my gosh, will I be able to give them the life that I always dreamt of? You know? but it, it, I think it all ends up working out though, because I think the greatest thing for them is just knowing that we're happy with the decisions that we make, and we will always have their support.

Empaths Anonymous: 19:33

Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. It's a big weight For a young person, but it's also so beautiful to be able to like carry on the legacy of your parents.'cause I think that we all, you know, see what our parents did and we as an adult can sometimes look back and realize they did the best that they could with what they had. And so now it's my job to see how much further I can carry our family. Mm-hmm.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 19:55

For sure. Yeah. Yeah. And I know that that's something that is, that is true to me and my sisters. I know not everybody wants to carry that. You know, a lot of people don't wanna be the ones who be to say. Now I have to, you know, pass on the lineage and so forth, the legacy, and, and I think that's also valid. But it just happened to be that for my family, we were like, we're gonna continue with the torch. We're gonna pass it on, and we're gonna continue just fighting. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 20:23

Right. And it seemed like all your siblings were kind of on the same page with you, which helps. Right. It's not like you're doing this all

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 20:28

Yeah,

Empaths Anonymous: 20:29

shoulders. It lends me to our next question because it seems like. know, this responsibility that you've put on yourself, also you being called into the arts, like it's deeply emotional and grounded in a lot of empathy. So can you share with us how you've been able to find comfort in the reality that you may experience empathy and sensitivity in different ways that from others?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 20:56

Yeah. I don't know. A lot of people might be into astrology and I am,

Empaths Anonymous: 21:01

Oh, we are people. We

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 21:01

you know?

Empaths Anonymous: 21:02

in. Girl. We

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 21:03

Yeah. Oh, great. So I'm a cancer and so,

Empaths Anonymous: 21:09

Okay.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 21:10

yeah, I, I feel that, you know, the universe gave me. You know, the opportunity to be born in July for a reason. I'm, I'm very like, intuitive. A lot of my work is driven in. The emotions I felt in life, the things that I experienced in life, and the humanitarian part of me has always existed, has always been there. And of course, the factors of, you know, the things that I witnessed growing up played a role. But I think that, you know, as my mom's calls it, it's, it's like a gift, right? We all have gifts and we all can offer so much medicine to the world. And so my bone or my gift is just basically being, you know, someone who, who has empathy, who can feel, who can resonate with people, who wants to help, who wants to shed light on the things that people don't want to shed light on. And, and, you know, everybody plays a role in society. And I think that's, that's my role and I'm okay with that because I think that's the reason why my art. It speaks so much truth. It's because it is rooted in truth and it is driven by truth and the pursuit of it, and wanting to, to shed light for the world to see, for the people to see, to witness. Yeah, I don't, I would not be able to imagine my life without feeling feelings, without being, without being an empath, without wanting to contribute to society in a greater way.

Empaths Anonymous: 22:30

And most, a lot of creative, I shouldn't say most, but a lot of creatives and people in the arts are empaths because they wanna create A world that they can feel seen in as well. And a lot

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 22:42

A hundred percent.

Empaths Anonymous: 22:43

we share and that we create so political, but it's also so deeply grounded in our feelings and our experiences being in marginalized communities in this country.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 22:55

Oh, 100%. Yeah. I mean, there's, there's so much that is currently happening that has been happening to our communities, and I feel that now is the time to, you know, use our voice, use our bodies, use our knowledge and wisdom to then inform our next generations of artists and, and just people. There's so much.

Empaths Anonymous: 23:16

Yeah.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 23:16

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 23:17

I know. It

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 23:17

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 23:18

We could definitely have, we could sit here For hours. We really could. And talk about

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 23:22

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 23:22

Yeah. It's like we have to just off the record, be so. Careful and meticulous and balanced in what we like bring into like the digital world because it's like, while we are so hyper aware of everything going on, we wanna make sure. that the art that like her and I create together is some, is a place where someone can come and like, kind of find refuge still while seeking truth, but also like find a place of peace instead of like constantly talking about. All the bad things because it's like

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 23:53

For sure.

Empaths Anonymous: 23:53

about all the bad things. So we're searching for art that's gonna make us like feel good while still knowing the truth.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 24:00

Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 24:00

from a place that's informed. Right. Exactly. I think that, you know, of us in queer, black, brown spaces, we just have that understanding of each other already. Hmm. So it's like, I love that art can be so educational, but it can also just be so empowering because it's like, I see you. see me? While we may be from different cultures from different communities, like I at least have empathy or at least can understand your experience and see you in that experience. And I think that it removes this veil and this barrier of like having to explain or having to come from a place of like that defensiveness or that like, well, no, you need to understand me. It's like I already, I already see you for like the fullness of who you are and it's beautiful.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 24:46

Yeah, I agree. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 24:49

I really like your take on being able to find comfort in your empathy as a gift. I think so many of us can be bogged down by having that as a gift, so we stop thinking of it that way. so seeing as that is your truth with the industry that you're in, how do you navigate kind of protecting yourself and that part of yourself and that gift that you have? I guess in an industry that doesn't always prioritize mental health and wellbeing.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 25:22

Mm. Mm-hmm. Oh, this is where I am so grateful that I was raised by my mother, who is a ra

Empaths Anonymous: 25:31

Hmm,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 25:32

so much about medicine and, and I think that that's something that is also Ong a gift, you know, and something that was passed down from. From her mother and so forth. And it's just, you know, this gift of medicine, this gift of protection, this gift of limpias, cleanses. And so I, I always knew that I would be okay because I was born to a mother who had that wisdom and who, whenever I had questions about how to protect my peace, how to protect my energy, me Mommy was just a phone call away. And she was always like, you know. With for your physical body, you know, just all these remedies that she was always willing to offer. And she taught me how to give myself limpias. So that's something that I feel is super, super, super sacred. And I, I do that everywhere I go. And it's not only just like my career, I do it like in everyday practice. I think society as well. You know, it's important that the moment I walk out of my home I feel protected and that I know I will spiritually be more aligned with myself in ways that I could pick up on, on energies or shifts or things like that. And I think it's a, it's a livelihood practice. And so, yeah, I'm, I'm so grateful. I'm so grateful that Miam was someone who, who taught me a lot about Medicina and how the body is the first, I mean, the reality is the body is the first to feel impact. Sometimes we don't, the, the mind doesn't necessarily pick up on things, but the body will, and the body remembers and, yeah, I, I, I remember like when I first. Like my me, mommy was always the kind of woman to, to say these things growing up. And you know, as a youth I was kinda like, okay, you know, I'll just continue on with life and I didn't pay much attention. And then when I began to feel the repercussions of not having that practice it began to make sense. I was like, okay, okay. Mommy has, you know, sbi Doria, she has wisdom in ways that, i, I need to trust that. So yeah, in, in everyday practice, I always, I always make sure to, to carry some form of protection. And, you know, I think regulating my body is really important too. Whenever I feel that some things are not in alignment, I always, I. Do my best to take a step back and regulate myself and just kind of do like an outsider perspective of, of the full experience. Uh, and that's something that I learned and production management as well, which is sometimes you just kind of have to take a step back, evaluate things, and then take action instead of being impulsive. So yeah, there's just so many things that I've learned and, yeah. I think that this, this industry could lean more towards, not tend tending to yourself, but there's also so many people, like there's so many people in the community who actually do take care of themselves, and those are the people that I gravitate towards. Those are the people who I'm like, okay, let's be friends because we have something in common. Yeah, yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 28:33

seek each other out. You're like, I see you doing the things that I like to do.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 28:37

Yes, yes, yes.

Empaths Anonymous: 28:39

it just goes back to, you know, something that we talk about in like self-care practices and mental health spaces a lot is you have to take care of yourself first. Mm-hmm. Especially in work that's like affecting how people feel and see

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 28:56

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 28:57

and see our cultures and experience

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 28:59

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 29:01

Maybe people are watching something that you've produced or something that you've created for the first time in that their first experience of like. Seeing openly joyful queer people on a screen,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 29:13

Yeah,

Empaths Anonymous: 29:13

to take care of yourself. Mm-hmm. Because you know that it's going to affect the entire experience.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 29:20

100%. 100%. I second that. Yeah, I, you know, it's, it's true. You know, and, and I think that's why like, it's, it's so beautiful when you are surrounded with people who do center physical, mental, spiritual health. It's just really sweet because it just feels like everyone's in alignment. And honestly, I cannot do this work without taking care of myself. I think for a while I was doing this work without tending to myself, and then I. You know, experience the consequences of that last year. You know, it was just a reality. I had a wake up call. It was like, girl, if you don't slow down, maybe you don't slow down. The universe will slow you down. And, and the universe did. And so I had to slow down and, and that was like a huge like moment for me to just continue on the path of rest and, you know, mental health. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 30:14

Yeah. So switching gears a little bit to something I'm so excited to talk about because it is Pride Month. So Happy Pride Month to everybody who celebrates,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 30:26

Yay.

Empaths Anonymous: 30:26

are BT, LGBTQ plus or an ally. We love that you allies too. Mm-hmm. So I wanted to ask you. addition to being a highly sensitive person and leading with your empathy and your emotions, what are some ways that you've been able to remain true to your queerness in the Latine community?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 30:47

Mm, there's so much there.

Empaths Anonymous: 30:51

yeah. Big

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 30:52

Big one, but also, yes, happy pride month to all the queers, to my allies. I love us. I love us and I wouldn't change it for a thing. I love my body. I love my. Sexuality. I love who I am in this lifetime because of it. And there's nothing wrong with us. We are gifts. Uh, again, I keep reiterating the word gift because it's such a beauty to exist in this way.

Empaths Anonymous: 31:16

Mm-hmm.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 31:16

say that, you know, my sexuality is something that I'm so proud of and I love, I love it like. I would ask to be queer again in the next lifetime because of, of, uh, yeah, because of just how much, like it's, it's opened so many things for me and my practice as an artist and just in everyday life and how I view nature and how mother nature is also in many ways queer. So I, I think, I think that's why like. You know, growing up I'm so happy that I came out at a really young age. Like I came out, I wanna say, when I was like 11. And so of course, yeah, I know I was a baby and

Empaths Anonymous: 31:56

So precious though. So precious. I know. What was that experience like, if you don't mind me asking?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 32:01

Yeah, I mean, you know, I, again, kind of like when I went up to mi mami about like, I'm gonna be an actress, and I just declared it, I just kind of did the same with my queerness. I just openly went up and I was like, soy gay and I, I was too young to understand the consequences or if there were any, and, I think that that was like something that my parents just kind of like brushed off as well. And it wasn't until when I went to high school and I had my first girlfriend where it became like this reality for them. They're like, wait, hold on. This isn't, Gati isn't just. Like saying these things, this is who Kati is and my parents call me Kati.

Empaths Anonymous: 32:40

Hmm.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 32:40

yeah, I even brought my girlfriend over, you know, we would watch movies and stuff like that and, but you know, my parents would be there and initially they didn't agree and. You know, I think that's, that's normal as far as, I mean it shouldn't be normal, but it was normal in my household as far as them not fully agreeing with me. And I gave them time and I gave them space. I think I always knew that they would come around. I. Of course it did strain the relationship for a few years, but I, I always knew that they would, they would come around and that we would eventually like just have a very beautiful relationship, like the relationship we have now where I can just openly express anything and just, you know, now I imagine my life in ways that I tell my parents I do. See myself marrying a woman or things like that. And that's something that I would've never been able to share in high school. And now, you know, my parents are like fel and so that means a lot to me. And so I think that's why it's so important to, you know, for me to talk about my queerness and Latiné households because the acceptance should be normalized. And also the, the reality of, of queer people's existence should be normalized. And I'm so grateful that I, that I have accepting parents and that they have held me and loved me, and supported me and protected me throughout my journey. And I wish and pray that for everyone, because we all deserve to have parents who accept us and see us fully as we are without needing to change us. So yeah, it's,

Empaths Anonymous: 34:09

Yeah.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 34:10

it, it was a journey, but it was, it was, it's a sweet one now. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 34:15

I love that. I love how you kind of always knew, like in the back of your mind, like this is just a temporary maybe like fear of theirs. Like, you know that you're still their baby. They don't want you to be hurt and they understand like what society is like. They understand the implications of being so out and loud about your queerness and how that can bring dangers to a lot of people in the community. It's happening every day. So I love that you knew kind of in the back of your mind, like, I get it, like. I know you guys are scared, but like, I'm still gonna be me. Yeah. I'm still gonna bring

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 34:46

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 34:46

home. Okay. Yeah. Eventually, like y'all are gonna love it. Yeah,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 34:51

Yes, yes.

Empaths Anonymous: 34:52

Like younger you and like even high school, you didn't Well, and correct me if I'm wrong, it sounds like from your, from my perspective of how you're telling the story, like you didn't have or experience a lot of shame with, you know, coming out.'cause you're just like, this is just how I see the world and who I am and who I love. Were there times where like shame kind of creeped in or were you always just kind of like out and proud about it?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 35:15

There were, there was, there was a chapter in my life. I, it, you know, I was really young. I remember, I think I was 13 years old where I was going to like, Catholic school and what is it called when you go to Catholic school, when you go get Rito, uh, catechism.

Empaths Anonymous: 35:32

a baptism or a communion? Yeah, like school kind of,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 35:35

yeah. Like that's, that's.

Empaths Anonymous: 35:37

uh, confirmation, right? Is that what it's called? Well, it's like their, their

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 35:41

Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 35:43

in a, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Mm-hmm.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 35:44

Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, I was, I was involved in that, around that age, and I remember just feeling very isolated in my experience and, uh, not being able to share that with. Anyone in my class. And that's when I was also experimenting with my self-expression. You know, I was, I was never that feminine and so I was always a lot more mask presenting. Now I'm like very femme. But you know, growing up I was very masked and it was something that I know always, you know, brought up some questions, but I just kind of like left it alone. But it, yeah, it was around that chapter in my life where I was like, damn, I don't know if this is okay. And I remember just praying. Hoping that it would go away. And I ended up writing about it because it was something that I, at that time felt so strongly about, which was, you know, feeling that I needed to pray my queerness away. And I ended up writing a poem called reso, which is, I don't pray anymore. And specific for that experience, not necessarily in the sense that I don't pray now, but it was in that moment. I remember that version of me as a little girl, just. Praying away, wanting to pray away the feelings that I was experiencing. And then eventually, I think that, I think that lasted for like a year. It, it just ended up going away because I ended up, I don't know. Again, I, I feel like maybe I've been here before in the sense that I just knew that I was going to be okay, that there was nothing wrong with me, and I didn't even have anyone in my family who was queer. I didn't have any role models necessarily in that way.

Empaths Anonymous: 37:22

Mm-hmm.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 37:22

don't know where the confidence or the feeling of I'll be Okay. Came from. I had no idea, but I just knew that that I was going to love myself and that I was going to be very vocal about it. And of course I had people in my life who distanced themselves from me. And I had friends who in high school I played sports and just being in the locker room, I had an experience where some of the girls were scared from me and. It's, I mean, there's like some moments that I ended up just blocking from my memory because of just like emotionally how I felt and how it made me feel. But then eventually, like, you know, later on in high school I initially, I was the first. Visibly like queer person with one of my friends and all of a sudden, like everybody was out and about by senior year. So it was like, so it was like, you know, I think we all like grew up kind of like internalizing some of that. And then eventually, you know, once we saw that it was okay to be yourself, then everybody was like, well then I am gay too, or X, Y, and z, and. A lot of my teammates ended up having partners and so, yeah, there was definitely moments where it wasn't the best, but you know, I always felt like everything was going to be okay. I was going to be okay, and that there was no one or nothing that was gonna stop me from being vocal. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 38:39

Man, you're a trailblazer. I know. They're like, I see her do it. Yeah. So I'm gonna do it too. I'm gonna come out too and be myself. Yes. It's

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 38:46

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 38:47

of it, like the just sincerity in being yourself was just kind of like, it was magnetic and it kind of just like transferred to other people who were like, oh my gosh, I've been hiding for so long. And like,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 38:59

Hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 38:59

at this lovely life that she's living. You know, I can live that too. So I

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 39:04

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 39:04

much. Yeah. I don't wanna end the conversation. I feel like we still have so much time. Well, I have something that I wanna ask. Yes, please. Since it's Pride Month, because we did

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 39:13

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 39:13

thing for Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 39:17

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 39:17

ask you how you're going to honor yourself for Pride Month.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 39:22

Oh my gosh. I'm gonna do everything. I'm gonna just like hold, I'm gonna hold the flag. I'm gonna just talk about it. I'm so grateful that I, I am a writer because I ended up writing a solo show called. Jota. And for the folks that don't know what jota means, jota is basically just like another word to describe a gay person with the a being feminine with the o being masculine. But it was also a word used to like dehumanize and ridicule queer people. And so I've reclaimed it, and so now I'm like, si, soy jota. and so I wrote a, a show about it and so that's what I'm gonna be doing for Pride Month is just like, you know, bringing the jota-ness to, to the world. Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 40:06

I love

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 40:06

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 40:07

That's the episode title. Bring the hot. bring the hot. I love that. It's,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 40:12

Yes.

Empaths Anonymous: 40:13

it was, it's, and still to this day is used as a very like derogatory word and it is slang. Mm-hmm. But like the tone in which you call somebody that is. Really telling of like how hateful that word can really be. Mm-hmm. So to just say that like honestly, it's my word and that is who I am. So like

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 40:30

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 40:31

are trying to call me that as an insult, it's not going to work because I've already claimed it for myself. Right. So that's incredible. Is it on the same level as saying fag? Yes. Kind of.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 40:44

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 40:45

Yeah, it's similar. Okay. Yeah, it's very similar. I'm like, I need to understand the context. One

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 40:51

Right.

Empaths Anonymous: 40:52

What was it? Was it was that puta? Oh Yeah. She's been trying to pick up on her like Spanish curse words. Yeah. And I didn't understand, like I thought that puta was like the same as saying like, oh bitch, you know what I mean? And

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 41:04

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 41:05

doesn't. And I was like, oh my God, I've been running around calling everybody. Aha.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 41:11

That's so funny. Yeah. I guess it also, it also depends on the context.

Empaths Anonymous: 41:18

It does.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 41:19

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 41:20

it's like if you're not, it's, you know, tone, like how we're talking about, I mean, you can say like the word bitch in like a certain way where you're like, oh, that she's calling me like a bitch for real. Or you gotta tell your friend something. You're like, bitch, yes.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 41:31

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 41:32

it's, it's very different. But Yeah. no, I guess, there's not real there. It's hard to have that like same, I. I, I'm not sure that Puta does the same thing in Spanish as it does in English. Hmm. Okay. It just

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 41:44

There's just,

Empaths Anonymous: 41:45

yeah.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 41:45

yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 41:46

funny story. I love that story.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 41:47

Yeah. I will say like, even, even Spanish though, like the words in Spanish, sorry. It's just like they come off a little bit stronger, you know? And also like just words in general, like, you know, amor doesn't feel like it equates to love. Like it just, it's hard, you know? So I think that some, some Spanish words that are curse words or things like that just land a little bit heavier in Spanish. Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 42:14

Okay. It's a heavier language. It has a lot of like intention and meaning and passion. Passion. Like it's very romantic. Yeah. So yeah, like if I say that I love someone, I think in English we use that word like so. Flip it willy-nilly, you know, it's just free. But like you said, amor is like, it's deep. It's like true.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 42:36

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 42:37

Yeah. So I get it. Yeah. Language and I'm just learning on the Duolingo, so it's like that doesn't come through like my phone. Yeah. No, duo's not gonna teach you. Yeah. Oh my gosh.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 42:51

Oh my gosh.

Empaths Anonymous: 42:52

I love that you brought up your project. I'm sure we can go on forever and ever and we will support you all the way through all the projects. We're linking everything. So we did wanna give you some extra time to tell our audience all the things that are going to be either coming

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 43:06

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 43:07

How can we support you? Where can we follow you? All the things.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 43:11

Yay. Amazing. Well, yes, you know, I'm doing my solo show Jota and that's going to be happening in Sacramento, California with TRO in partnership with another theater. I'm more than happy to send all the information to you all, and it's basically the story of a young girl who migrated from Mexico and. To California and is now moving to New York. But in the midst of moving and packing her belongings from her room, she finds these objects that spark conversation of her past, but also the history of LGBTQIA plus peoples in Mexico and in the United States. So it ends up being a full encompassing conversation of what queerness means and also the opportunity of. Passing that torch that the story doesn't end because you're leaving home, but that the story continues and that it's important to continue that conversation no matter where you are. And I mentioned people like Juan, Walter Mercado,, Cruz, and some historical moments that happened in Mexico when it came down to queerness. So that's happening in Sacramento, California. Opening is June 20th and closing is June 29th. And. I would love for people to come watch if they can, but also if you cannot come watch it. I'm also doing a short film called La Suenos, which is Translation to the Land of the Dreams, and it's going to be filmed in New York City in later in the summer. I. But in June, I will be starting at like a short fundraising campaign because there is still, I believe, 40% of funds that need to be raised. So if people can't show up to my show and they still wanna support, they can most definitely donate to come and make this dream a reality, which is my short film. And it's also the story of. A young woman who is like una indigena, an indigenous brown woman who is speaking of migration and also holding onto her raices, her roots in New York City. And yeah, I have a few other things coming up later in the year, but of course, feel free to follow me on Instagram. You, you could look me up as Katherine Bahena-Benitez. Or my Instagram handle at underscore I-M-J-S-T-L-I-N. I'm just living because I am. I'm just living. And yeah. And then, you know, once you find me there on Instagram, then you can find my website. You can find all of the other platforms where you can follow me. Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 45:40

Amazing. Love that so

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 45:42

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 45:42

did remember one last question when you

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 45:45

Yes.

Empaths Anonymous: 45:45

full acronym. So we have LGBT, QIA Plus. right? And I know sometime we include a two s.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 45:57

Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 45:58

For Two-Spirit.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 45:59

Yes.

Empaths Anonymous: 46:00

my question is, because your mommy has such deep roots in her indigenous culture, was that a part of the conversation at all? Has it been

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 46:10

Hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 46:11

kind of brought this up to her in a way?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 46:14

Oh, 100%. I mean, queerness I feel is very indigenous. I feel that it's something that, you know, queerness is something that has always existed prior to indigenous peoples wanting to like continue existing because of their erasure. It's like something that is so native, I feel, to the human experience and. Yeah, I bring it up to my parents a lot. I, I, you know, I have conversations with them. There's a, there's a lot more history and, and the reason why, there is the erasure of, of queerness and two-spirit people, but I, I do my best to just inform them and let them know like, hey, you know, we've always been here. And my dad someone, someone who is of indigenous descent, campesino all his life. He has always known that and he has always accepted that. I think it was just a little bit difficult for my mom because, you know, she was, I believe the second generation raised in the Catholic church. So, I think that that was something that, you know, kind of, so, yeah, I don't know, just kind of having more impact on her, but also the realities that indigeneity in Mexico is also intertwined with Catholicism. So there's a lot of indigenous peoples that are. That are still Catholic and still practice in indigeneity and rituals but still hold onto Catholicism. And so that just happened to be my mother's experience. But you know, with time, you know, it opens that conversation, which is why I'm so grateful that in this lifetime I get to be a queer person because it's something that now I can. Spark that conversation for other people and, you know, continue that, that, that reality of growth and learning and unlearning. It's, it's, yeah, it's, it has a lot more meaning and depth to it. Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 47:56

Right.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 47:57

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 47:58

because it's, it's almost like two-pronged, right? So it's like you're a queer person in America, but you're also an indigenous queer person,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 48:08

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 48:09

ancestors had different experiences being an indigenous, queer person. So it's like you have to, it's balancing, well, not necessarily balancing, but it's like marrying together.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 48:19

Yeah,

Empaths Anonymous: 48:20

the like, like you said before, like there's so many layers to who we are. Mm-hmm. And

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 48:25

for sure.

Empaths Anonymous: 48:25

play into each other and it informs like how we show up and like what we use our platforms for.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 48:31

Absolutely. Yeah. Which is why, you know, there's two-Spirit people. Why in Oaxaca, there's muxes, right? Ate culture. So I think that that's like the, just the beauty of it. You know, the more I feel people have an opportunity to dive into history, the more we can learn, the more we as a society, the more we as people can go towards celebrating queerness. And again, queerness is a word that. Doesn't necessarily resonate with all people. And you know, before we were, we, we were able to have the English language. There was other words that, you know, indigenous and native communities were using. But I also feel like it's important to recognize that and just, you know, honor the, the, the huge history that, that we have in, in, in our communities. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And I'm like, what better time to have that conversation than pride month, but also to do it for as long as we can.

Empaths Anonymous: 49:22

Mm-hmm. Yes, yes, yes. Always

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 49:24

Yeah.

Empaths Anonymous: 49:24

all of the time. Yes. absolutely. Are you going to any pride celebrations?

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 49:30

Yes,

Empaths Anonymous: 49:32

Yeah.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 49:33

I, yeah. Yeah. Yes, yes, yes. All of them. Yes, I'll be in California, but you know, I, I really wanted to be in New York. New York has a beautiful place, uh, you know, like, of just community. But, you know, I will celebrate Pride Month, not only on Pride Month, but every day for the rest of my life. I think that's just like really. Really exciting, uh, to know. But yes, there would definitely be moments of, of excitement and celebration. And y'all will probably see, I'll be sharing on social media.

Empaths Anonymous: 50:03

excited. Yeah, yeah,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 50:05

Yes.

Empaths Anonymous: 50:05

of course going to link everything in the show notes

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 50:09

Mm-hmm.

Empaths Anonymous: 50:10

Yeah, we want everyone to follow Katherine's journey and of course we can always have more and more conversations, so we'd love to have you back maybe after maybe some of your projects are done and you can kind of like recap of. You know how everything's going for you. We'll, love to have you back on. But I think that's gonna be all for today, unfortunately. I know I could keep going. I'm like, Ooh, I wanna talk about Drag Race. So she talks about

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 50:33

Oh my God.

Empaths Anonymous: 50:33

talk about, you know, different experiences because, I mean, I've only been to Vegas Pride, LA

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 50:40

Mm.

Empaths Anonymous: 50:40

and San Diego Pride, so it's like, I'm always just so curious to hear people's experiences at other Pride celebrations. Mm-hmm.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 50:48

Oh my gosh. We, we should plan something in the future.

Empaths Anonymous: 50:51

Yes. Yeah,

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 50:52

Yes.

Empaths Anonymous: 50:53

We'll be out in the towns. And

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 50:54

We'll be uh

Empaths Anonymous: 50:55

ever like promoting any of your projects, like in Southern California, oh, we would love to come support you in that way and come see your projects if there's ever an opportunity. So just let us know and then we'll let our feelers know. Yes.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 51:07

Of course. Thank y'all so much for having me. This was such a beautiful experience.

Empaths Anonymous: 51:12

Thank you. We're always so excited to meet a new friend. Well, thank you so much for coming on, and thank you to our feelers. Of course. We're always tuning in and we will see you next time on the Green Public couch. Bye. guys. Bye.

Katherina Bahena-Benitez: 51:24

Bye.