Meet Mindy Gonzales – Poulin | Pop Culture Podcaster & Community Advocate
We had the good fortune of connecting with Mindy Gonzales – Poulin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Mindy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 2020 I believe I had the same thought process as everyone else; in order to stay connected I needed a community online. I wanted a fun and light hearted way to engage others in speaking about their social experiences and pop culture, a place free from politics and religion. Not that we’re not invested in such things personally, but I wanted to create a community where we could speak about our everyday lives in a safe space. I added in the element of surprise on how we pick our topics and people enjoyed the outcome! 5 years later we’re still a small but happy community looking for more people to join!
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In 2018, on what started as a seemingly normal day, my son & I suffered an incredible loss; his father and my Fiancé passed away unexpectedly. Our son was only 7 days short of turning one.
The impact burrowed into every aspect of our lives. Essentially our entire life flipped upside down and landed in an unfamiliar and devastating place. Caring for my son and working multiple jobs while trying to balance the pain of grief and loss of income was jarring.
The first Christmas that approached I wanted to honor him by donating hygienic items to individuals experiencing homelessness, a cause close to his heart. I put out a flyer to collect any and all donations, in hopes that’s I could supply 3 ‘full’ baskets to at least 3 individuals. Filled with food, hygienic items, and warm clothing.
Through the communities kindness we supplied 75 full baskets that year, and Brian’s Christmas Baskets was born. In 2019 we returned and donated out 89 baskets. In 2020, 119.
While immersing myself into the community, I also began working and speaking to people in Western Colorado; learning more about mental health through a professional program I was worked at as a peer specialist. This led me to begin posting on social media to allow my community inside my grief and to allow me to connect with others about theirs lives and experiences.
By 2020, I finally began The Pajama Parties Podcast on one of my personal social medias, which allowed to me connect with more people about our daily lives.
I picked Pajama Parties because it seemed like a fun way to have non-threatening conversations with viewers. My co-host, Sondra out of Austin, Texas began as a guest slot and then returned as the co-host a few seasons later. I introduced our Lottery Board as well, which we spin to determine each podcast’s Pajama Theme, Topic, and Adult Beverage.
Fast forward to 2025 and my donation organization has filled and donated more than 1500 baskets
We’ve shipped across Colorado and into 4 others states as well. I am so proud of this community and its efforts in helping us provide to those who are experiencing difficult life circumstances.
As of 2025, The Pajama Parties Podcast is still where people can come to get to know me and my co-host Sondra after you put the kids to bed and want a friend to talk with!
Every Wednesday we go live on Instagram and talk all things we’ve experienced, all things pop culture, and we have a good laugh while getting to talk personally with our viewers.
We have high hopes for the future and continue to see opportunities to grow and hope you’ll join our community @thepajamapartiespodcast
I truly believe God never moves in our life without using someone else to do it. There were many days when my son and I were held up by the love and support of people when I didn’t know how to continue forward, and I often still find my purpose rooted in that sense of friendship and community, and find myself hoping to provide some of that back to others.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think most can agree that one of the best things about Colorado is the different amount of experiences you can pack into one week.
Downtown experiences with breweries and local shops would most certainly be along our itenary.
A trip around The Monument & a hike to Miracle Rock for a quick overnight camp trip, followed by hot springs and live music!
Plus tacos and pizza, of course.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to recognize everybody who reached out to me to keep my candle burning when everything was dark, especially my close friends and family.
Each person who has been touched by my story somehow, and each person who has carried it with its own impact into their own purpose or story. To all those who have donated time, energy, supplies, efforts, their encouragement, and prayers amidst creating. Everybody who feels they need a friend or feel they can’t continue: you belong here.
And a special thank you to Sondra S. who co-hosts The Pajama Parties Podcast with me. She’s truly a special addition and brings an incredible amount of insight and humor. I’ll forever be thankful to her for the enthusiasm she brings to the Podcast.
Instagram: @thepajamapartiespodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15i4qU82y2/
Image Credits
IMAGES 2 – 3: Emerald Boes Photography (HORRID, Denver, Colorado)
IMAGE 4: Casey Photography, Grand Junction, Colorado
IMAGES 1 & 5: Ian Maxion, Los Angeles California
IMAGE 6: Tara Steerman, Grand Junction, Colorado
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
