Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcela Alarcón
Hi Marcela , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Marcela. I am a Colombian journalist. I studied Social Communication and Journalism at the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in Bogotá.
My career began in high school. I felt a huge passion for radio and didn’t understand why, as no one in my family had a similar profession. In time, I understood: I didn’t know my father, but at age 17, I decided to find out where I really came from, so I started looking for him without telling my mother. I found his sister, and she told me the story of my father, who had unfortunately already passed away. In the middle of the photos she showed me, she asked me if I wanted to hear his voice. To my surprise, she put a cassette in an old tape recorder, and it was my father’s voice imitating a radio announcer, interviewing family, and believing he was reaching millions of listeners.
I started to cry, and my new aunt didn’t understand until I explained:
“My dream is to do radio, interview people, and be a journalist. Now I understand where that passion comes from.”
While I was in high school, I was a pioneer in the creation of student radio stations. Later, after studying at university, I began to live my dream. My first job was at RCN RADIO, one of the largest radio networks in the country. Then, I worked at another large network, Caracol Radio, where I had my own show, interviewing people, presenting the news, and playing the songs I liked.
It was there, with a large audience, that my love story began. A listener fell in love with my voice and started writing to me. After 6 months of talking by email about the programs and music (never about having a relationship), we agreed to meet in Las Vegas, where I was going on vacation with my friends.
We met in the lobby of the Tropicana Hotel, which ceased to exist this year. A friendship began, and then a long-distance relationship, as he lived in Miami.
One day, the opportunity arose to work in Miami with Caracol Radio, and I accepted. It’s something that just happened; no one looked for it. That’s how I came to live in Miami in 2012, and I married the listener who was already the love of my life.
While this was happening, I worked on the Miami Despierta news program (Blue Network) and was part of other local stations, while working as a presenter for a television network in Colombia. Also, i was a voice in spanish for platform Waze
With my listener base still asking for my company, I started doing podcasts in 2013. I was part of the first podcast project of a radio station in my country, and I left radio to learn about podcasting.
That’s how I became the director of Podcasts for Fucsia and Soho magazine (2022).
After 11 years of living in Miami, FL, Marcela has encountered stories of migration that have touched her heart and led her to create and direct the podcast MIGRACION SEGURA (SAFE MIGRATION), which began as a personal project and is now part of the Univsion podcast portfolio on its Uforia platform.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been an easy road. Miami has been a very generous city to me, but I still miss my family, who are scattered between Colombia and the US. I miss my friends, my work environment, and the recognition I had. As an immigrant, the adaptation process was difficult, but I feel that I have succeeded. And although my goals and dreams have changed, I feel that I am on the path to achieving them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a broadcaster; it’s in my DNA. I love doing interviews, and that’s what has led me to conquer audiences. Today, I’m known for talking about immigration, interviewing lawyers who clarify doubts, and people with inspiring life stories.
My voice is warm, and people seem to like it a lot. Also, my radio show was 8 hours long… so yeah, I think I have a pleasant voice.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
The immigration process isn’t easy. Most of us start from scratch after having an established life in our own countries. It’s hard to begin, but it becomes easier to gain momentum by leaning on your dreams and chasing after them, your goals. Like the Luis Fonsi song says: “Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito” (Step by step, gently, softly)… That’s how you’ll go so far that you’ll surprise yourself with everything you’re capable of and didn’t know.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.migracionsegura.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcelaalarcon1
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/marcelaalarcon
- Twitter: www.twitter.con/marcelaalarcon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/marcelaalarcon
