Stay Tranquilo Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: 12 Grapes, New Intentions & Cafecito: Kicking Off 2026 the Latino Way
Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Stay Tranquilo Network (A & B)
Duration: ~15 minutes
Theme: Embracing Latino New Year traditions, reflections on time and intentions, and personal growth for 2026—all served with a laid-back, cafecito-infused vibe.

Episode Overview

This episode of Stay Tranquilo kicks off the new year by diving into the unique Latino tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight, exploring how cultural rituals shape intentions for the year ahead, and sharing personal goals for growth in 2026. The hosts combine humor, nostalgia, and genuine reflection in a conversation that’s both relatable and motivating, all with their signature “don’t stress” ethos.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The 12 Grapes Tradition: Timing, Meaning, and Practice

• Cultural Ritual Dissected:
  The hosts open with a playful debate around the 12 grapes, a Latino tradition where you eat one grape for each stroke of midnight, each representing a wish or intention for the new year.

  • A: “Do you do the grapes before the countdown of New Year's, or do you do it after 12 o'clock strikes and then eat your grapes?” [00:43]
  • B: “There's no law of, like, you need to eat the grapes before the countdown starts… It's like 12, 6, 5, 4… I think that's a crazy, crazy thing.” [01:23]
  • A: “I've always done them after 12 o'clock strikes… if you're doing before, then... you’re eating them in 2025, so it's like those wishes are going to be stuck into.” [01:51]

• Intention vs. Tradition:
  Host A shares their practice of assigning a specific intention or wish to each grape, treating each like a mini birthday candle. In contrast, Host B views the grape-eating as a broader symbol of good luck, with less granular intention.

  • A: “I go very in depth into every grape…” [03:20]
  • B: “I guess… my intentions are more like just like a me, myself thing… but when I'm eating my grapes, I'm not thinking about, like, my intention.” [02:58]

• Regional and Family Variations:
  The conversation highlights the mix of grape types (red, white/green), timing (before, at, or after midnight), and even modifications like dropping the last grape in champagne. The tradition spans beyond Cuban communities, with Colombian families joining in, but isn’t well-known in places like Dallas.

2. Reflections on New Year’s Eve and Time

• Celebrating Across Time Zones:
  The hosts share how New Year's Eve feels different depending on location—Miami’s all-night fiestas versus quieter celebrations elsewhere.

  • B: “Miami is the only place… everyone’s party until 5 o'clock in the morning.” [07:44]
  • A: “St. Augustine… By two o’clock, it's everyone go home.” [07:40]

• The Fluidity of Time:
  They muse over how time zones make New Year celebrations a rolling, global phenomenon, and how it can impact the “right” way or moment for traditions.

  • A: “Time is kind of crazy because there’s definitely like, okay, it’s New Year’s, we celebrated. But, like, they didn't. You haven’t even celebrated yet.” [06:56]

3. Setting Intentions and Goals for 2026

• Personal Growth and Self-Improvement:
  Both hosts are intentional about reflecting on the past year and building new routines. Themes include:

  • B: “My big intention is self improvement… being more intentional, how I approach my days…” [08:19]
  • A: “I think I did a really good job, you know, getting in the gym, taking care of my health. But I want to evolve that even more…” [09:29]

• Concrete Goals:

  • Health & Wellness: More exercise, meditation, reducing alcohol (Dry January), and quitting nicotine (“Zins”).

    • A: “I want to start meditating more in the mornings, doing more of, like, routines… want to consume less alcohol in 2026 overall.” [09:29]
    • B: “Getting sharper, getting rid of the vices.” [11:49]

  • Service & Community: Volunteering and food drives are priority areas.

    • A: “That's a huge, huge, huge thing for me… just being able to give back, I think, is another big one for me.” [10:13]

  • Business Development: Continuing to grow their Stay Tranquilo brand.

    • A: “Obviously, the business as a whole—continue to grow that, continue to evolve and make it better and bigger.” [10:41]

• Memorable Quote:

  • B: “Time slows down for nobody. So if you're not adjusting to the times… you're gonna get left behind… it’s important for everyone to really just lock in and move forward.” [12:01]

4. Mindfulness and “Slowing Down Time”

• Slowing Down by Disconnecting:
  The hosts discuss the illusion of time speeding up as you age and suggest that creating new experiences or unplugging helps you savor life more.
  • A: “…As you get older, it feels like time goes faster and faster… to really slow down time is… actually taking time to disconnect.” [12:33]
  • B: “I think it's like a sense of control, just a control over… your work, life, balance. I think that’s how you can really slow down time.” [13:32]

5. Maintaining Tranquilo Traditions

• Some Things Never Change:
  As they look ahead to 2026, the hosts celebrate the stability and comfort found in simple rituals—like cafecito and croquetas—while joking about which pastries are welcome at the table.
  • A: “The only thing that's not changing in 2026 is we're still drinking our guacita. So that's not going anywhere.” [14:38]
  • B: “Maybe throw in a different Croata. Or just keep taking hamon. It's not bakalao. Leave those. Leave those at the store.” [14:47]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• About the Grapes:

  • “I've always done them after 12 o’ clock strikes… if you're doing before, then... you’re eating them in 2025, so it's like those wishes are going to be stuck into.” (A, [01:51])
  • “No one's actually keeping track. And then, like, they find out, oh, New Year’s in 30 seconds, and they start throwing grapes.” (B, [06:11])

• On Intentions:

  • “My big intention is self improvement. Just improving myself, you know, being more intentional, how I approach my days…” (B, [08:19])
  • “That's a huge, huge, huge thing for me… just being able to give back, I think, is another big one…” (A, [10:13])

• On Time:

  • “Time slows down for nobody. So if you're not adjusting to the times… you're gonna get left behind.” (B, [12:01])
  • “As you get older, it feels like time goes faster and faster… to really slow down time is… actually taking time to disconnect.” (A, [12:33])

Important Timestamps

• 00:43 – Introduction to the 12 grapes tradition
• 01:51 – Discussion on proper grape timing and intentions
• 03:20 – Approaches to setting intentions with the grapes
• 05:31 – Grapes as a Latino (or Cuban/Colombian) custom
• 06:56 – Talking about New Year across time zones
• 07:44 – Comparing Miami NYE to other cities
• 08:19 – Personal goals and intentions for 2026
• 09:29 – Specific areas of self-improvement
• 12:01 – Reflection on time and the need for growth
• 12:33 – How to "slow down time" and the importance of disconnecting
• 14:38 – Promising that cafecito won’t change in 2026

Tone and Language

The conversation is upbeat, deeply rooted in Latino culture, with genuine camaraderie. The hosts blend humor (“no Grace being eaten in Dallas, Texas” [03:46]), personal anecdotes, and motivational takeaways, leaning into a lifestyle that’s about enjoying the moment, staying present, and always trying to “stay tranquilo.”

Summary Takeaway

This episode offers a heartfelt, fun, and thoughtful glimpse into how Latino new year traditions shape personal and collective growth. Whether you’re reflecting on your own rituals, setting fresh intentions, or just in need of a reminder to slow down and savor life’s little joys, the Stay Tranquilo team delivers both laughter and inspiration for the year ahead.