One of the most common questions I get is whether I still get nervous before going on stage. The answer? Every single time. What helps me ground myself is thinking about my abuelitas, Abuelita Pepa and Nena, two grandmothers who were always the life of our gatherings. Whenever music played, they were the first on stage, welcoming everyone at our biggest celebrations. There’s a song by Bad Bunny, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which translates to I Should Have Taken More Pictures. Every time I hear it, I think of my grandmothers and the few pictures I have with them. It reminds me to cherish the moments we have, to take more pictures, and to soak in the time we share with the people we love. This Super Bowl weekend, give a few extra hugs, share a few extra smiles, and yes, take more pictures.

What if I told you our biggest threat isn’t an election or a policy… it’s something much quieter? Cynicism. When we shut off because the news is negative or life gets busy, we let a few voices take control and erode the rights that protect us. Civic engagement doesn’t have to be your top priority, but it needs to be on the list. Understanding the issues, staying informed, and having civil dialogue is the first step to protecting our communities and our democracy. I spoke to Carlos Alfaro about this on the latest episode of The Future of Human Experience.