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
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In this episode, host Melanie Braga sits down with Louie — Navy veteran turned personal trainer and content creator behind Louie in Portugal — for a candid conversation about leaving the U.S. for a new life abroad, earning Portuguese citizenship through descent, the loneliness of losing friends and family after making a big life change, and building an authentic online following alongside wife Morgan and their rescue pup, Biscuit.
Watch on YouTube Here
Listen on Spotify Here
In this episode, host Melanie Braga sits down with Dylan — a 17-year-old DJ and founder of Good Vibes Entertainment with nearly a decade of experience behind the decks — for a candid conversation about starting out as an 8-year-old at a baptism, honoring a late uncle through the company’s name and logo, balancing school, DJing, and a family landscaping business, reading a crowd’s energy, and staying grounded amid industry gossip and growing success.
📅 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
In this episode, host Melanie Braga sits down with Angelica — serial entrepreneur, health and safety coordinator, and host of A Little Bit of Everything — for a candid conversation about balancing a full-time career, entrepreneurship, and motherhood, advocating for her son with autism, promoting skilled trades and women in construction, and turning a childhood learning disability into a platform for resilience and purpose.
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In this episode, host Melanie Braga sits down with Alice — rare disease advocate, Wilson Disease Association board member, and co-founder of the Ontario Rare Action Group — for a candid conversation about the harrowing diagnosis of Wilson disease in both of her young adult children, her daughter’s emergency liver transplant and recovery, her son’s ongoing chelation treatment, and the push for newborn screening and systemic change for the 1.3 million Ontarians living with rare diseases.
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Listen on Spotify
In this episode, host Melanie Braga reunites with Alex Duarte, The Portugeek, for a raw continuation of their conversation covering a strict Portuguese-Canadian upbringing filled with rules, curfews until 21, and the fear immigrant parents carried about the unknown. The episode takes an emotional turn as Alex recounts surviving a near-fatal stabbing at age 20 while working as a security guard, the 8-month recovery that followed, and how the experience reshaped a once-shy outlook on life. The conversation closes with reflections on preserving Portuguese culture for the next generation, a rapid-fire Q&A, and plugs for Alex’s book The Assignment and podcast Two Dudes, One VHS.
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In this episode of Momma Braga Unfiltered, host Melanie Braga sits down with Dr. Supriya Joshi, a hepatologist and author of Healthy Liver Hacks: 175+ Ways to Heal Your Liver and Improve Your Health, for a candid conversation about liver wellness. Dr. Joshi shares the journey that drew her into hepatology, the impact of her social media education work reaching followers worldwide, and the realities of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), including its link to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hormonal changes during menopause. The discussion busts common liver myths, such as the belief that detoxes or supplements can reverse liver damage, and emphasizes that lifestyle pivots, cutting added sugar, prioritizing protein and fiber, staying active, sleeping well, and minimizing alcohol, are the real keys to prevention and reversal. Melanie also shares her personal experience as a patient managing MASLD alongside her husband, highlighting the emotional and practical sides of the liver health journey, before wrapping up with a fun rapid-fire round covering liver-friendly snacks, myth-busting, and daily habits.
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Coming Soon…
Coming Soon…
SEASON 3 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.
