The Womb of Heritage & Ink - Vic Alvarez's Creative Heartbeats

Welcome to "The Mountain in Us" podcast, where host Taran Singh explores individuals' exciting, challenging, and heartfelt journeys. In this episode, Taran talks with Vic Alvarez, a Cuban-American educator, writer, and editor, as she expects her first child, Isabel, around Christmas. Vic shares her excitement and apprehension about motherhood, her strong cultural heritage, and its influence on her life and writing.

Vic discusses her journey and challenges with endometriosis, as well as her recent visit to Cuba, offering insights into the country's unique beauty and cultural contrasts and undercurrents depicted on the walls. She reflects on the patriarchal structures in Cuban culture and how they have inspired her writing, including her short stories and upcoming novel Latina Anatomy. This work highlights the evolving roles of Cuban women across generations and their quests for agency.

Taran and Vic connect about the creative process behind her stories, how she draws inspiration from life and heritage, and the importance of embracing one's passions. Vic welcomes motherhood and aims to impart her rich cultural heritage and love for literature to her daughter, Isabel.

Linkedin-www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaealvarez

Books mentioned in. 

1. Tolstoy's Works – Vic mentions reading Tolstoy to her unborn daughter, Isabel, though she doesn’t specify a particular title.
2. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert – Vic listened to this audiobook during her pregnancy.
3. Margaret Atwood's Works – Vic references Atwood’s short story Happy Endings as inspiration for her metafiction piece.
4. David Foster Wallace's Works – Vic also drew inspiration from his writing for her short story.

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Transcript

Taran Singh (Host):  

Welcome to The Mountain in Us, a podcast where the journey gets its voice. I am Taran Singh, your host. Here, we greet the thrills, jolts, ascents, and descents of our uncharted adventures.  

Hey everyone, my guest today is Vic Alvarez, an educator, writer, and editor, joining me from beautiful Florida. She and her husband are expecting their first child, Isabel, around Christmas.  

Vic, welcome to The Mountain in Us. You and Isabel are my very first guests. It’s an honor to see this podcast come to life through your voice.  

Vic Alvarez (Guest):  

Thank you so much. I’m so happy to be here. I’m doing well and look forward to our conversation.  

Taran:  

Awesome! I want to spend some time talking about the womb of heritage, ink, and how you’re playing a very special part in the spark of creation by bringing a baby into this world. Can you share how you feel about starting this new chapter? What’s going on in your head as that day approaches?  

Vic:  

I’m definitely excited, but I’m also just as scared. I think that’s normal for a first-time parent. Starting any new chapter comes with a bit of fear, especially with the delivery process and the responsibility of caring for a being so reliant on you. The closest I’ve come to that is having a puppy, but it’s not the same.  

That added pressure is a little scary, but I’m over the moon excited to finally meet her and see her face. Feeling her kicks and reactions to my husband’s voice has been such an honor and a blessing. I’m excited to see the being that my husband and I created.  

Taran:  

What you said is so sacred. You have a connection with someone not just bound by soul, flesh, and blood, but also through her beats and kicks. Part of her is in you, and part of the creation is in you.  

This is your first time becoming a mother, and there’s such a genuine heritage in your writing and how you show up in daily life. What role do you think your heritage has played in shaping the choices you’ve made as a mother and as an individual?  

Vic:  

I’m Cuban. My mom moved to the U.S. when she was seven, and my grandmother on my dad’s side moved here while pregnant with him. I grew up in a very family-oriented household, focused on roots and maintaining our culture.  

Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be a mother. While other kids dreamed about their weddings, I dreamed about being a mom. It was always a dream of mine, alongside being a writer and editor.  

Growing up in that environment, surrounded by strong women who persevered through so much, really shaped me. I also struggled with endometriosis, so there was a time when doctors suggested IVF. The dream of motherhood felt uncertain for a while, so I’m very blessed and thankful to be where I am now.  

Taran:  

What a journey. As men, we don’t participate in the thick of it—we’re observers. I have a 12-year-old, and we faced challenges when my wife conceived for the first time. Having you go through this and come out on the other side is a blessing. I’m so happy for you.  

You mentioned your Cuban heritage and your recent trip to Cuba. Can you share what it felt like to visit a country where your roots are, even though you weren’t born there? What does Cuba look like for most Americans who don’t know much about it?  

Vic:  

Cuba is beautiful, but it might not match the average American’s idea of beauty. Walking through Havana, you see crumbling buildings with holes in the walls, people living in those conditions. The Spanish architecture is stunning, with pastel yellows, pinks, and greens, but it’s contrasted with graffiti that often carries messages of rebellion, like “4 + 4 = 9,” hinting that there’s more to the story.  

In the touristy parts, the buildings are well-preserved because they belong to the government. It feels like another world—dreamlike yet very present. The beaches are breathtaking, and the lagoons are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.  

But there’s no Wi-Fi, power outages are common, and resources like toilet paper and food are limited. Staying in a local Airbnb and experiencing life there for two and a half weeks was humbling. It made me realize how much we take for granted in the U.S.  

Taran:  

You mentioned the phrase “4 + 4 = 9,” which I find fascinating. I’d love to explore that in another podcast. It seems to reflect the undercurrents of Cuban society, which are less visible but deeply felt.  

You also wrote a short story that reflects your heritage. Can you talk about the inspiration behind it and how it ties into your Cuban roots?  

Vic:  

The story was inspired by my MFA program, where my professor asked us to write a metafiction piece. I combined elements from Margaret Atwood’s and David Foster Wallace’s works to create a story about the strict patriarchal culture of being Latina.  

In Cuban culture, women are often expected to clean meticulously, even when there’s nothing to clean. My dad once had to tell my mom, “There’s nothing to clean. It’s okay.” The story explores these traditional roles and the gratitude women are expected to feel for not having to do “dirty work” like taking out the trash, which is seen as a man’s chore.  

It’s a reflection of how the patriarchy affects both men and women, and how these roles are shifting, especially in the U.S.  

Taran:  

It’s fascinating how societies evolve from patriarchal structures to more equitable ones. American culture, in many ways, pushes for equality at the household level, which is one of its strengths.  

Let’s talk about your creative process. What inspires your stories? How do you take mundane moments and turn them into something profound?  

Vic:  

It’s very random. Sometimes, something happening in my life sparks an idea, and I write it as nonfiction. Later, I realize the character is no longer me, and I edit it into a new story. Other times, a friend’s comment or a visit to an aquarium sparks an idea.  

I have ADHD, so my brain is always asking, “What if?” and I just go with it. Most of my writing is fiction, but it’s rooted in truths—pieces of my relatives’ or friends’ lives combined into new characters.  

Taran:  

That’s amazing. Are there any pieces you’re currently working on that we should look forward to?  

Vic:  

I’m working on a novel called Latina Anatomy, about three generations of Cuban women. It explores the Americanization of their culture, the breaking of patriarchal standards, and women finding their agency. The story is structured around the dissection of a female body, with each chapter linked to a part of the body.  

I’m also working on a short story collection focused on Cuban culture, blending experimental storytelling with cultural heritage.  

Taran:  

That sounds incredible. I love how you’re exploring the evolution of Latina women and tying it to the physical body. Culture is both an evolution and a weapon, and your work captures that beautifully.  

As we wrap up, I want to circle back to Isabel. When you hold her in your arms, what songs or traditions will you share with her?  

Vic:  

I don’t have anything specific, but I’ll share the traditions I grew up with. For example, when a child gets hurt, there’s a saying in Spanish: “Sana, sana, colita de rana” (Heal, heal, little frog’s tail). It’s a comforting ritual that makes the pain feel better.  

I’ve also been reading to her in the womb—mostly Tolstoy and Madame Bovary—so she might come out a little jaded! But I want literature to be a big part of her life. I’m also practicing my Spanish so she won’t lose the language like I did.  

Taran:  

That’s beautiful. Isabel is going to have such a rich palette of food, literature, and culture. It’s a wonderful way to honor your heritage and pass it on.  

Thank you for being part of this podcast. I promise to have you back to talk more about “4 + 4 = 9.” I’ve sent you some books in Punjabi and English as a gift for Isabel, so she can experience different cultures.  

Vic:  

I love that. Thank you so much.  

Taran:  

Any last words for our audience?  

Vic:  

If you’re ever inspired to do something, just do it. Don’t hold back.  

Taran:  

Thank you, Vic. We’ve come to the end of our time here. Thank you for joining us on the conversation trails of The Mountain in Us. Each episode is crafted with love, adventure, and reflection. We hope you enjoyed this one. If you want to be on the show, feel free to reach out.  

Until next time, take care!