Meet Leiden

We recently connected with Leiden and have shared our conversation below.

Leiden, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

As a migrant, Cuban-Mexican woman, I have had to adapt to changes since I was a child. I have learned to find family in my friends. As an artist and person who is dedicated to creating music, I have learned to connect with my center, with what moves me and makes me happy, and try to defend it. I think that’s where my resilience comes from. During the pandemic I learned a lot about solidarity, support, resistance.
I had to leave the stage, but I focused on creating an art and social impact project with women in prison in Mexico. I taught collective creation workshops so they could tell their stories through the composition of testimonial songs.
Carrying out social projects with music is the super power that keeps me strong as an artist and as a woman.

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Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I like to think that my music contributes to the identity of the new Latin American song. May my music heal hearts and also change narratives. I have more than 10 years in music, I am the director of Jueves Music, the first women’s record label in Mexico, I am a TEDX Speaker and I created “Volver al corazón” a testimonial song project with women in prison.

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There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I always recommend connecting with our center, our heart, that place from where the momentum comes. Always work as a team, because this is how projects are strengthened. Value your own work and the work of the people who collaborate with you. Carrying out all this allowed me to better develop my work and my career.

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What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Self-care is important. Give yourself the gift and always seek moments of tranquility, self-love, and friendships without thinking about work. Time at home or distract yourself with outdoor activities. When I get overwhelmed I try to embrace my loneliness and turn to friends later. I love to dance, so I recommend dancing, walking or activities that help you distract yourself.

Contact Info:

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Image Credits

Live performance: Kathy Vázquez
Others: Raza Cósmica

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