Momma Braga Unfiltered is an extension of Momma Braga’s beloved Inspiring Corner, offering a fresh, open space for people to share their stories in their own voice. Through honest conversations, we aim to spark inspiration, empowerment, and connection for all who listen.
Season 3
In this episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered, Melanie Braga sits down with filmmaker Dan Watt for a heartfelt conversation about purpose, passion, and the courage to reinvent your life at any age. Dan shares his journey from ballroom dancer to Hollywood producer to documentary filmmaker, and the powerful story behind “Everybody Dance,” his global love letter to inclusion and the transformative power of the arts. They explore failure as redirection, the magic of transferable skills, and the mentors who give us permission to chase our dreams. If you’ve ever needed a reminder that it’s never too late to begin again, this conversation is for you.
🎬 Watch “Everybody Dance” on Amazon Prime and Tubi
🎙️ Subscribe for more inspiring conversations
Watch on YouTube Here
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In this episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered, Melanie Braga sits down with multi‑hyphenate entrepreneur Ray Bernardo — DJ, wrestling manager, performer, and the powerhouse behind “Don’t Overpay by RAY.” Ray opens up about his journey from sales to the car business, the evolution of his DJ career (now fully booked through 2027), and the mentorship that shaped his path in wrestling through Santino Morella and Destiny Wrestling. They dive into the business philosophies that guide him — honesty, integrity, under‑promise and over‑deliver — and how he balances creativity with discipline across every venture. Ray also shares personal reflections on sobriety, resilience, family, and the mindset shift that changed his life. If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, wrestling fan, or someone rebuilding your life with purpose, this conversation will hit home.
🎧 Follow Ray Bernardo
🎙️ Subscribe for more real, raw, inspiring conversations
Watch on YouTube Here
Listen on Spotify Here
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting over, moving abroad, or completely reinventing your life, this episode will hit you right in the chest. Louie’s journey from Fall River, Massachusetts to building a new life in Portugal is packed with emotion, culture shock, manifestation, personal growth, and the messy reality behind becoming a full‑time content creator.
In this deep conversation, Louie opens up about leaving behind old friendships, navigating Portuguese citizenship through descent, and the moment he and his wife Morgan decided to take a leap of faith and move across the world. You’ll hear how they found their 100‑year‑old home on a Quinta, rescued their dog Biscuit, and built “Louie in Portugal” and “Morgan in Portugal” into thriving lifestyle brands.
This episode is raw, inspiring, and full of practical insight for anyone curious about expat life, Portugal, content creation, or breaking free from limiting beliefs.
This isn’t just a “moving abroad” story. It’s a blueprint for anyone who feels stuck, wants more out of life, or is ready to take responsibility for their happiness. Louie’s philosophy — “You are in charge of your own happiness” — is woven through every part of this conversation.
If you’re craving a reset, this episode will give you the push you’ve been waiting for.
🎧 Tune In Grab your headphones — this is one of those episodes you’ll want to listen to all the way through. It’s honest, emotional, funny, and packed with wisdom you can actually use.
Watch on YouTube Here
Listen on Spotify Here
🎙️ Some conversations stay with you long after the recording ends. This is one of them.
Dylan Harris — aka DJ Good Vibes — started DJing at just 8 years old, and from the moment he put a song on at a baptism and watched that dance floor come alive, he knew this was his calling.
But what moved me most was the story behind the name. Good Vibes is a tribute to his uncle — a man he never got to meet, who passed away in a motorcycle accident. His uncle wasn’t a DJ, but when he walked into a room, everyone smiled. Dylan carries that legacy to every single event. That’s not just business. That’s love. 💛
🎧 In this episode:
- Building Good Vibes Entertainment from the ground up — at 17 The deeply personal meaning behind the name and logo
- Balancing two companies, high school & being lead AV tech at his school
- His most goosebump-worthy night: the 50th Anniversary of the Portuguese Club of Mississauga with nearly 700 guests
- How his Portuguese roots, family & mentors shaped his musical identity The real challenges of the industry — and how Dylan grew thick skin without losing his heart
Thank you, Dylan, for reminding us that music isn’t just sound — it’s the moments people carry with them forever. 💛
📅 Book Dylan Harris — DJ Good Vibes: 🌐 http://www.goodvibesentertainment.ca 📞 416-888-8570 📸 DM on Instagram for bookings!
Watch on YouTube Here
Listen on Spotify Here
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Season 2
Join host Melanie Braga on Momma Braga Unfiltered for an inspiring conversation with Marissa, the visionary founder of Maker Market Collective—a vibrant hub in Port Credit, Mississauga that empowers local makers and celebrates creativity. Discover how Marissa transformed a spark of an idea during the pandemic into a thriving retail space featuring over 70 local vendors. Hear her insights on community collaboration, flexibility in small business, and staying human in the entrepreneurial grind. From creative origins to community impact and future dreams like workshops and youth creativity programs—this interview is a masterclass in turning passion into purpose.
📍 Location: Maker Market Collective, 113 Lakeshore Rd East, Port Credit, Mississauga
Join Melanie Braga for a deeply personal and heartfelt conversation with Devin Meireles—writer, storyteller, and cultural advocate—on Mama Brega Unfiltered. In this powerful episode, Devin shares how exploring his Portuguese-Azorean roots shaped his identity, inspired his writing, and led to his latest book, The Scars Saudade Wrote. Devin opens up about reconnecting with family traditions, embracing cultural pride, the creative power of authenticity, and breaking the silence around infertility—a topic rarely discussed openly in the Portuguese community. His journey of vulnerability and growth offers hope, connection, and lessons on honoring where we come from while creating who we are.
In this heartfelt episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered, host Melanie Braga sits down with the inspiring duo Dr. Lakeisha Culpepper and Derrick Culpepper — the powerhouse couple behind Active Dads Rule and the viral “Super Dad” video seen by over 50 million viewers worldwide. Together, they share how one simple moment of love — Derrick combing his daughter’s hair — turned into a global movement redefining fatherhood. From their humble beginnings to mentoring through faith, leadership, and laughter, the Culpeppers open up about parenting, resilience, and breaking generational cycles to build stronger, more intentional families.
In Part 2 of this heartwarming Momma Braga Unfiltered interview, host Melanie Braga reunites with the unstoppable duo Dr. Lakisha Culpepper and Derrick Culpepper — the powerhouse couple behind Active Dads Rule.
This continuation dives even deeper into their shared mission of faith, family, and service — and how they’ve built a marriage rooted in communication, grace, and growth. From balancing love and leadership to raising children with heart and purpose, the Culpeppers unpack what truly keeps their relationship strong after 25 years.
In this episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered, Melanie Braga sits down with JCT — the Luzo King — for a powerful, heart-filled conversation about music, identity, and perseverance.
Discover how this Luso-Canadian artist and producer has built his own musical universe, blending Portuguese soul with global urban energy. From performing with an accordion at age 9 to creating chart-moving anthems and producing independently under his brand JC7, JCT opens up about his creative process, his Azorean roots, and how he’s redefining success on his own terms.
In this heartfelt episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered, host Melanie Braga sits down with Nina LaCosta — community builder, mental health advocate, event planner, and chair of the Enchanted Hope Foundation. Together, they have an honest and deeply moving conversation about living with high‑functioning anxiety and panic disorder, balancing leadership with vulnerability, and finding hope through community. Nina opens up about her personal journey — from postpartum depression to discovering the healing power of connection, music, and self‑compassion. She shares practical tips for coping with anxiety, how to support others silently struggling, and free Ontario programs that make therapy more accessible.
💬 Topics covered:
- What high‑functioning anxiety really looks like
- The truth about panic disorder and invisible battles
- Small, free ways to ground yourself daily
- The role of music, cold exposure, and movement in calming anxiety
- Breaking cultural stigma around mental health
- How community and vulnerability build true strength
✨ Get inspired, feel seen, and remember — you are never alone.
From a spark of imagination at age six to running a thriving business at thirteen, Cristiana and her mom Monica of Cute Button Girl are proving that creativity, kindness, and hard work can turn small dreams into big legacies.
Watch Here
Listen on Spotify Here
In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Melanie sits down with Carlos, the creative force behind Alma Lusa, a brand that celebrates Portuguese heritage through modern, meaningful design. From his journey between Canada and Portugal to building a global community united by culture and pride, this conversation is all about passion, purpose, and muito alma!
Watch Here
Listen on Spotify Here
Season 1
Steven Spice is a remarkable young man whose strength and spirit continue to inspire everyone who meets him. Living with Chiari Malformation, a rare brain disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord, Steven has faced intense challenges – including neurological symptoms and multiple surgeries – yet he continues to advocate, educate and shine with resilience. It’s been four years since Steven last joined us on Momma Braga, making this long-overdue conversation even more meaningful. We’re honoured to welcome him as the very first guest as Momma Braga Unfiltered – a perfect full-circle moment for a true warrior.
A powerful episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered as we flip the script with Steve Melo (Ben Fate of Comedy Portuguese) to talk about the realities of Type 1 Diabetes in children. Honest, insightful and truly eye-opening. Tune in and join the conversation.
In this lively episode, we chat with Hugo Brito, the brillant mind behind the iconic Vavo Brito. We dive into Carnival traditions, the importance of attending comedy shows with an open mind, embracing cultural humour and the role of mental health in creative work. It’s heartfelt, hilariuos and full of cultural pride.
A warm, funny, and culture-filled conversation with The Portugeek, where we give into Portuguese heritage, parenting, creativity, Disney, anime love and his new book The Assignment. It’s nostalgic, geeky, heartfelt and full of laughs – a true celebration of community and identity.
In this episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered, we sit down with Portuguese-American creator and cookbook author David Rodrigues to talk food, culture, family, and the power of staying authentic. From viral comedy to preserving traditions for the next generation, David shares his journey, his cookbooks, and his mission to uplift the Portuguese community. A warm, funny, and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.
This episode is wild, honest, and full of laughs. I sit down with unapologetic comedian Joe Botelho to talk comedy, family life, raising kids (including a daughter with special needs), anime, superheroes, and everything in between. I even spill a few Momma Braga secrets… and yes, the bloopers are priceless. If you love real talk with heart and humour, you’re in the right place.
Get ready for an inspiring and heartwarming episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered as Melanie Braga sits down with her best friend and The Baby Spot founder, Grace Cross!
Together, they dive into the global pulse of modern parenting — from breaking taboos around miscarriage and mental health to celebrating cultural diversity, family structures, and the beauty of imperfect parenting. Discover the latest 2026 parenting trends, from nostalgic 90s throwbacks to the return of traditional play and the rise of mindful, self-compassionate parenting.
Grace also shares powerful insights on the future of family wellness, community, and the importance of raising children with empathy and authenticity. Tune in for laughter, real talk, and a celebration of parents everywhere — because every story matters, and every parent belongs.
Get ready for one of the most honest, emotional, and inspiring conversations you’ll hear this year. Melanie Braga sits down with Steve “FingaStylz,” creator of Da Podcast, to uncover the real story behind the mic—his Portuguese roots, childhood resilience, self‑made journey back to Canada with just $300, and the love that rebuilt his life. From wrestling lessons to healing through family (and cats), Steve opens up like never before. If you love raw storytelling, cultural pride, and the heart behind creative hustle, this episode is a must‑watch.
