Meet Susana Jiménez – Mueller | Author and Professional Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susana Jiménez – Mueller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susana, what inspires you?

My passion for writing and documenting stories draws me to people who describe the world in such a way that you can almost taste it because, after all, I’m inspired by nature, rhythm, color, and form.

I’m inspired by these individuals and those who make me feel like nothing is impossible. People who teach me about the microscopic wonders that make us human. Like the creatives who build networks, as though by magic, and find solutions to make their dreams and those of others come true.

I’m inspired by the people whose stories make everyday life and who show us, by peeling away, like the layers of an onion, our human condition: our challenges, joys, love, failures, successes, and resilience.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
After retiring from a thirty-three-year career in the Electric Sector, it was quite easy to get involved at our local library and develop The LISTEN (Life Stories Enrich) Project and learn how to record and edit audio to help writers record their personal family stories.

I had already published my first book, and a second was in the writing in collaboration with three other authors when I was inspired to start a podcast to tell our Cuban stories. I wanted the podcast to be all-inclusive and highlight stories from those living on the island as well as the Cuban Diaspora. The biggest challenge was understanding the new world of podcasting and learning how to launch my solo show. Of course, back then, I didn’t know that was the type of show I was producing. All I knew at the time was that it was Storytelling, categorized as Society and Culture. The podcast is being hear in 69 countries worldwide.

After landing on the title I would use for the podcast – that has also evolved – I had to set up my personal recording studio at home because COVID began. Cuban Stories on the Green Plantain podcast was launched on July 31, 2020.
In tandem, I began to see the need to help others realize the dream of seeing their stories published in many formats, and I formed SusanasBooks, an LLC, as the vehicle to do so.

It has been amazing to use dormant creative skills in the crafting of book covers, as well as editing and formatting books, even translating a few.

Most importantly, I’m stoked every single time seeing the joy of a writer and their family when their book is published or their story is told on my podcast. For me, it is a very emotional endeavor because 99% of the people I help are also of Cuban roots.
I hope the compilation of these human interest stories becomes part of the collective history – one that illustrates the different facets of our lives regardless of where we call home.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in the Tampa Bay Area, But since Miami is my hometown, I will give you an itinerary for that area.

My friend has never been to Miami. He is an architect, loves the water, and is somewhat of a foodie, so after breakfast at Café Bastille Downtown, we would begin with an adventure at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens because I know he will get lost in its beauty.

Dinner will be at home by the pool.

The following day will be a South Beach Day, enjoying the sun and a picnic. Afterward, we will head back to the hotel to change and enjoy an evening of dancing – I will let him choose.

On the third day, I will take him to Coconut Grove – it will be a must-see – meandering on bicycle through all its beautiful streets.

I think we will have to eat at La Carreta that day
and perhaps stop at the Versailles for a cafecito.

Fourth day – Palazzo del Sol on Fisher Island and dinner at L’Atelier.

Fifth Day – walk through downtown to enjoy its architecture. Dinner at Zuma Miami.

Sixth Day – Susana’s five-cent tour 😊 – drive through Los Pinitos, Calle Ocho, Kendall ,Hialeah, and all the old spots. Dinner party at home with friends

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s hard to choose just one person who deserves recognition, so I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family – my husband Jon, my daughter Rebeca, and my son Zachary. They have all provided me with invaluable feedback and encouragement and have been a sounding board in my creative efforts, particularly when I started my podcasting journey almost four years ago.

Website: www.susanasbooks.com

Instagram: @susanasbooks

Linkedin: susanamueller

Twitter: susanasbooks

Facebook: susana.mueller

Youtube: susanasbooks

Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cuban-stories-on-the-green-plantain/id1525139062