Meet Vicky Aguero | Podcaster and New Yorker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vicky Aguero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vicky, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up In Boston, Ma. My parents came to the US from Cuba and met in New Jersey. I am the oldest of four(two sisters and one brother). I am very close to my family. My parents instilled in us a strong work ethic and we were shown by example how hard work can be satisfying and rewarding. My parents both emphasized the need to respect and be respected and that you earn that by how you treat people and what you put out in the world. Everything I do in my life is shaped by their example. As far as artistically, my mother was always singing and dancing and gave us an appreciation of music and movies. Both parents are great fans of film which shaped my appreciation. My mom used to take us to the movies all the time and my dad would take us to the drive-in each summer. I took my love of films to another level. Seven years ago, I started a podcast with my good friend, Dan Domingues, Hot Date. We do it for the love of ,movies and sharing our passion together. We do not make any money from the show but we continue to do it the love of it. Today, I have a day job that supports my life but my podcast fills my soul.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Once upon a time I thought I would try acting but it wasn’t meant to be. Instead I focused on what I really love and worked in television in Daytime Programming. I really enjoyed being a small part of putting daytime drama on the air. Unfortunately, our New York office closed down during a time when things were slowing down in the economy. I was a little heartbroken but found work in the Dental world due to a great friend who was opening up a new office and asked me to join him. 13 years later, I am still there and am now managing all three of his practices.

However, my heart really lies in the arts and I found my way back in via podcasting. It was easy in that we had no expectations of building an audience or getting advertising. It was not a pursuit for money but for love. We began our podcast journey in March 2015 and have not looked back. Part of my creative outlet is the website that I put together in 2018. I periodically change it up for my own entertainment but I do love that it is part of our brand.

We are doing something that nobody else is doing. At Hot Date, we pick a random date in history, we search for a film that came out around that period that we hopefully have never seen before, and we discuss it. We also discuss our own lives and dig in to what music, films and history surround that random date. We have found some true gems throughout our journey, as well as some true duds. But we do it together. I really am proud of it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a New Yorker, I love all the culture that it offers. I would visit MoMA or The Metropolitan Museum, take in a Broadway show or three, go to some of my favorite theaters such as The Alamo Drafthouse, or Cinepolis, There are great tours that Haunted Manhattan do and I love the East Village Ghost tour in particular although the Five Points Tour is a close second.

There are so many places to eat in NYC so it is hard to pick but I love Quality Bistro. That butter service is to die for. Another great choice is Nocello in midtown for Italian or Rubirosa on Mulberry for pizza.

Little Island Park is a cool place to hang out and there are free performances at the Glade. There is also Battery Park with it’s restaurants and view of the Statue of Liberty and shopping at Brookfield Place.

I’m not really a drinker but there are lots of great places to go, I’m sure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to shoutout my podcast partner in crime, Dan Domingues. Without him there would be no Hot Date podcast. I honestly do not think I could do this with someone else. Dan is an amazing working actor. His talent inspires me every day. Also, he is funny and sweet and a lovely person.

Website: www.hotdatepod.com

Instagram: @hotdatepod

Twitter: @hotdate726

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotdatemoviepodcast

Image Credits
Dan Domingues