- Founder of the Latinidad Collective, a storytelling platform amplifying Latinx voices
- Co-author of The Book of Awesome Latinas
- Writer and speaker exploring identity, mental health, and culture
Mirtle Peña-Calderón is a journalist, editor, and author who explores identity, mental health, and culture through storytelling that connects personal experience with collective understanding. The founder of Latinidad Collective, Mirtle has created a thriving storytelling platform rooted in culture and community, which explores what it means to be Latino, Latina, Latine, and Latinx in its most authentic form.
In 2026, Mirtle co-authored The Book of Awesome Latinas, which shines a spotlight on 74 powerful and inspiring Hispanic, Latin, and Indigenous women role models from the U.S. and Latin America. She has written for PEOPLE Magazine, People Chica, mitú, Miami New Times, and HelloGiggles. Mirtle also runs two Substack publications: Consider This A Note, where she shares editorial perspectives, and Awesome Latinas: The Substack, where she continues the mission of her debut book. Her decade-long career in communications and media gives her valuable insight into how stories shape public conversation.
In her talks, Mirtle explores storytelling, identity, and mental health through both personal and cultural lenses. She speaks about the Latino and Latine experience, sharing how honest storytelling can support healing in communities built on resilience. She also examines how Latine storytellers are reshaping cultural narratives and why those stories matter beyond their communities. Alongside this, Mirtle offers practical guidance for founders and creatives on finding a clear throughline, refining their voice, and communicating with authenticity.
Audiences leave with practical approaches to more authentic communication and a deeper understanding of how personal and cultural narratives can strengthen storytelling and leadership.
Mirtle's Showreel and Videos
Topics, Sessions and Talks
The Stories We Don't Tell: The Latino Experience
Mirtle Peña-Calderón leads a thought-provoking discussion on honest narratives, mental health, and the Latino experience. She examines the challenges faced by resilient communities that often lack the space to express their struggles. Through her personal experiences and extensive cultural reporting, Mirtle highlights how storytelling can serve as a powerful healing tool rather than a performance and why that distinction matters for Latino and Latine audiences especially.
How Latine Storytellers Are Reshaping Culture
Mirtle Peña-Calderón will explore who tells Latino stories, the evolving landscape of representation, and its significance beyond the community. Drawing from her editorial experience, her involvement with the Latinidad Collective, and insights from her book, The Book of Awesome Latinas, she emphasizes that cultural narratives are essential for all of us. Attendees will learn about the importance of diverse storytelling and its impact on society as a whole.
Voice-Driven Communication For Founders And Creatives
Mirtle Peña-Calderón presents a practical session on why we often struggle with clear communication and how to overcome this challenge. She shares insights from her editorial experience with founders, focusing on identifying a clear throughline, writing with confidence, and developing an authentic brand voice. Attendees will learn effective strategies to enhance their communication skills, ensuring their message resonates and reflects their true identity.
Why We Recommend Booking Mirtle
Mirtle’s decade in editorial journalism and her work founding the Latinidad Collective make her a trusted voice on storytelling, cultural identity, and how narrative shapes understanding. Her talks explore mental health, the Latino and Latine experience, and how underrepresented voices are reshaping culture and media. Clients value her ability to bring clarity to complex and sensitive topics, combining personal insight with editorial rigor.
I have attended multiple writing club workshops with Mirtle. As a therapist, I know that journaling and writing through our feelings can be highly therapeutic, so I am always excited to join in. Mirtle takes the time to curate her writing prompts with intentionality, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and supported. I leave Mirtle's sessions feeling refreshed and empowered, experiencing personal growth just like I would in a therapy session.
Mirtle's writing workshops are thoughtfully designed, combining unique creative prompts with just the right balance of structure and encouragement. Thanks to her, I've romanticized the setup of my writing space and created writing rituals that help the words flow more easily, making the process of writing a book less daunting and more enjoyable. If you're looking for a unique, empowering, and fun space for writers, you must join one of Mirtle's sessions. 10/10.
