In this episode, Gadiel sits down with Bronx-born Puerto Rican creator Jasmine Ruiz (@thejasmineruiz) to talk about quitting corporate America, saving $14K, flying to DR, and building a life as a full-time content creator and actor. They dive into what it means to be the “cycle breaker” of the family, why asking questions can make you the black sheep, how classism and colorism show up in Latino communities, and why joy, humor, and intentional living matter now more than ever.
Gadiel and Jasmine have a raw, funny, and real conversation about starting over, identity, and breaking cycles. Jasmine shares how she quit her corporate job, left a relationship, and flew to the Dominican Republic in the same week, then rebuilt her life as a full-time content creator and actor.
They talk about the reality behind “I hit six figures”, the dry spells of self-employment, and why you need a financial cushion before you quit your 9–5. Jasmine also opens up about being the first in her family to graduate high school and college, enter corporate America, and then walk away from it.
From there, the conversation goes deep into:
Growing up in the Bronx projects and still finding joy
Being labeled the “black sheep” and “snob” for asking questions
Cycle breaking: questioning family scripts, beliefs, and traditions
How education and critical thinking can cause tension at home
Politics, NYC, Zohran Mamdani, and frustration with leadership
Classism & colorism in the Dominican Republic and the U.S.
Consumerism, brands, Jordans, and why minimalism feels better
Selling books vs. selling sneakers (and why the books hurt more)
Fantasy & sci-fi, Octavia Butler, and how reading shapes your mind
Astrophysics, curiosity, and trying to grow intellectually while creating
If you're a first-gen kid, a creative thinking of leaving your job, or someone trying to break generational cycles and live more intentionally, this episode will hit home.
Connect with Jasmine:
📸 Instagram: @thejasmineruiz
🎥 TikTok: @thejasmineruiz (or The Jazz Ruiz style handle, update as needed)
☕ Coffee Brand: @moments.coffee.nyc
Connect with Gadiel:
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