• Fitness Was Not the Goal, Healing & Health Was: Fit and Fluffy Get Real
    Jan 16 2026

    In this raw and deeply inspiring episode, I sit down with the creators behind Fit and Fluffy to talk about what really happens when life doesn’t go according to plan and how hitting rock bottom can become the start of your strongest comeback.

    They open up about getting married, getting divorced shortly after, and how those emotional lows became the turning point that pushed them toward fitness and healing. What started as a way to cope turned into a lifestyle that changed their confidence, their mindset, and their belief in what their bodies are capable of.

    We talk about running, training for half marathons, and now taking on the ultimate challenge of the Chicago Marathon. They share what it’s like to be big girls in a space that doesn’t always feel inclusive, and why they refuse to wait to be a certain size before chasing big goals. Their mission is simple and powerful: you do not have to look like a runner to be one, and you do not have to be perfect to start.

    This conversation is about resilience, redefining strength, body confidence, and proving that movement is for every body. If you have ever felt stuck, discouraged, or like fitness wasn’t meant for you, this episode is for you.

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • The Mindset Shift for 2026: Growth Over Image
    Jan 2 2026

    It’s the first episode of 2026, and we’re starting the year with intention. In this episode, I talk about New Year’s resolutions, redefining success, confidence, and why perfectionism can hold you back. We get real about goal setting, starting over when you fall off, and how to stop overthinking and just take the leap.

    If you’re feeling pressure to have it all figured out or comparing yourself to everyone else, this episode is a reminder that growth takes time. Success looks different for everyone, and confidence doesn’t have to be loud to be real. This conversation is for anyone looking to reset, refocus, and move into 2026 with clarity and purpose.

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    38 mins
  • Standing In Your Power: Destiny Navaira’s Journey Through Music, Identity, Legacy & Growth
    Dec 19 2025

    In this episode of Getting Real w/ Rueben, I sit down with Destiny Navaira, a San Antonio native and rising Tejano artist carving her own lane beyond a legendary last name.

    While we honor the iconic Navaira family legacy, the heart of this conversation is Destiny’s journey as a solo artist navigating an industry that often underestimates women. She opens up about the realities of being a woman in music, the pressure of public scrutiny, and what it’s been like to pursue her weight loss and wellness journey in the public eye while staying grounded in who she is.

    Destiny speaks candidly about the challenges, the politics of the music industry, and the moments that tested her confidence and resilience. She doesn’t hold back. From creative control and expectations placed on women to redefining success on her own terms, this episode is raw, empowering, and deeply inspiring.

    If you’re an artist, a creative, or anyone chasing a dream while navigating criticism, comparison, and growth, this conversation is for you.

    Follow Destiny Navaira:

    Instagram: @DestinyNavaira

    TikTok: @DestinyNavaira

    Youtube: Destiny Navaira

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    1 hr
  • Behind the Comedy: Ajayy Rivas Gets Real About His Journey
    Dec 5 2025

    Ajayy Rivas is one of San Antonio’s fastest-rising comedic voices — a creator whose characters, quick wit, and cultural storytelling have built a loyal following across Texas and beyond. But behind the humor is a layered story of identity, resilience, and purpose.

    In this episode of Getting Real w/ Rueben, Ajayy opens up about the roots of his comedy, growing up Latino in South Texas, the experiences that shaped his confidence, and how he’s using his platform to uplift the community. From his viral characters to his work on a national HIV testing campaign, Ajay shares the heart, humor, and intention behind everything he creates.

    We talk about finding your voice, honoring the people who raised you, representing culture with pride, and the responsibility that comes with influence. This is Ajay like you’ve never heard him — honest, vulnerable, reflective, and hilarious.

    If you love conversations that blend laughter, culture, faith, purpose, and authenticity, this episode was made for you.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Nicole Young Gets Real: The Truth Behind the Selling Sunset Drama
    Nov 25 2025

    In this exclusive episode of Getting Real with Rueben, Rueben Hernandez-Valdez sits down with Selling Sunset’s Nicole Young for a raw, unfiltered conversation about reality TV, reputation, and redemption. Nicole opens up about the truth behind her feud with Emma Hernan, the “villain edit,” her real-life business at the Oppenheim Group, and what viewers never saw on Netflix. From production secrets and friendships fractured to personal growth and reclaiming her voice, this is the interview every Selling Sunset fan needs to hear.

    Getting Real with Rueben goes beyond the drama to explore authenticity, accountability, and the power of owning your story — one real conversation at a time.

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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • Getting Wicked for Good: The Truth Behind Goodness and Wickedness
    Nov 21 2025

    Getting Real w/ Rueben: Getting Wicked for Good dives into the themes behind the Wicked Movie 2025 starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, exploring what Elphaba and Glinda can teach us about courage, authenticity, and rising above judgment.

    In this reflective solo episode, Rueben connects iconic Wicked moments like Defying Gravity and For Good to real-life lessons about leadership, being misunderstood, choosing truth over approval, and the people who change us for good.

    This episode blends pop culture, mindset, self-growth, and heartfelt storytelling — perfect for Wicked fans, movie lovers, Broadway fans, and anyone navigating their own journey of becoming. Rueben unpacks Glinda energy vs. Elphaba energy, real-world “defy gravity” moments, and how to embrace what makes you different in a world that rewards conformity.

    Whether you’re watching Wicked Part One on release day or discovering the story for the first time, this episode offers a grounded, meaningful take on the magic, the music, and the message behind one of the most iconic stories of our time.


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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Keeping Cultura Alive: The Story Behind Karolina’s Antiques
    Nov 7 2025

    In this episode of Getting Real with Rueben, Rueben sits down with a few of the powerhouses behind one of San Antonio’s most iconic family businesses—Karolina’s Antiques. What started as a small shop on the city’s West Side has grown into a vibrant cultural hub celebrating Latino heritage, creativity, and community. Karolina shares how her family turned passion into legacy, how they’ve stayed authentic in a changing city, and what it means to represent cultura through fashion, art, and entrepreneurship.

    Watch this inspiring conversation about tradition, resilience, and staying true to your roots while growing your brand in modern San Antonio.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • The Queen Who Refused to Quit: Kristi Waters on Cancer, Courage, and Stage Life
    Oct 24 2025

    San Antonio’s own Kristi Waters — drag queen, performer, and community icon — sits down for her first full tell-all interview since announcing her Stage 3 cancer diagnosis.

    In this raw and powerful conversation, Kristi opens up about the moment she got the news, the hardest days of treatment, and the community that lifted her through it all. She reflects on how illness reshaped her relationship with her craft, her body, and her mental — and what it means to return to the stage as a new version of herself.

    Balancing humor and heartbreak, Kristi also shares stories from her legendary drag career, her favorite performances, and her renewed sense of purpose as she steps back into the spotlight.

    This episode isn’t just about survival — it’s about rediscovering your power when the lights go out, and the courage to shine again.

    Follow Kristi Waters:

    Instagram: @thekristiwaters

    TikTok: @thekristiwaters

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    1 hr and 25 mins