LiL: 26 | Embracing the Gray w/ Francisco Ortega
Lean into Love by Gina Velez
Episode notes
Today’s guest is Francisco Ortega, who reflects on migration, identity, vulnerability, and the lost art of deep conversation. He shares how self-doubt and imposter syndrome can fuel humility and growth, and opens up about the shame that once led him to fabricate parts of his story in order to belong.
Francisco recounts immigrating from Jalisco, Mexico, living in Tijuana apart from his parents, and arriving in the U.S. in 1978 — experiences that shaped his sense of dual identity. He also discusses his men’s group, his work around dialogue, and how writing an autobiographical-fictional book led to deeper conversations with his family and daughters.
Together, we explore performativity, certainty, yoga, religion, impermanence, and what it truly means to “lean into love” through vulnerability, curiosity, and connection.
00:00 Why Con ...