Stay Tranquilo – Details, episodes & analysis

Good morning! In today’s episode of Cafecito y Croquetas, we sit down with returning friend of the fam, Orlando Mendez – aka the Cuban Cowboy ☕🥐🤠

We get deep into what it means to be second-generation Cuban-American, carrying the stories of our abuelos while living a very modern Miami life. Orlando shares how losing his grandparents and being part of the legendary Amparo Experience woke something up in him and ultimately inspired his breakout song “Motherland.”

From there, we dive into his unique journey from:

🎭 Acting in Miami & New York to having everything shut down during COVID

🎸 Picking up a dusty guitar in his room and teaching himself country music on YouTube

🎶 Falling in love with Darius Rucker, Tim McGraw & classic country in reverse (modern → Johnny Cash era)

🌊 Realizing his heart will always be in Miami, the Keys, and on the water

Orlando then breaks down his new project, the “Always Summer Six-Pack” EP, including:

How the idea hit him on a flight home from Nashville at one of his lowest points

A writing camp in the Florida Keys where they knocked out 4–5 songs in 48 hours

The story behind songs like:

“Modern Day Pirates”

“Beers Back Home”

“Saltwater Salvation”

“Hurt to Hit”

Why he wants his songs to become anthems in people’s lives, tied to real memories and moments

We also talk about:

🇨🇺 Owning the label Cuban-American instead of running from it

🌴 Why it’s “Always Summer” in Miami, in the Keys, and in your mindset

🍺 How brands like Johnny Cuba, Cow Bakery, Larona, John Bell Construction & more helped make this independent project possible

🎵 Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville, and building a lifestyle around music

If you love Miami culture, Cuban roots, country music, storytelling, and Keys-on-a-boat vibes, this episode is for you.

👉 Always Summer Six-Pack EP drops December 5 – go run it up and show the Cuban Cowboy some love!

Don’t forget to like, comment & subscribe, sip your cafecito, eat your croqueticas, and we’ll see you on the next one.

#CafecitoYCroquetas #OrlandoMendez #CubanCowboy #AlwaysSummer #Motherland #Miami #305 #CubanAmerican #CountryMusic #FloridaKeys

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Good morning, buenas días! Welcome back to another episode of Cafecito y Croquetas, brought to you by Stay Tranquilo & H&Co — and today’s a special one…

🎄 It’s officially the first day of Christmas season!
Thanksgiving is behind us, leftovers are done, and now it’s time for Christmas lights, Christmas trees, and Christmas MUSIC.

In this episode, we break down:
• When exactly it becomes acceptable to put up Christmas decorations
• The great Christmas music debate: our Top 5 Christmas songs of all time
• The classics vs. modern bops — Michael Bublé, Sinatra, Wham!, Pentatonix, Elvis, Ariana Grande & more
• Latin Christmas essentials: Feliz Navidad, Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, Salano, Borito Sabanero
• The perfect Christmas vibe: cigars, whiskey, cold weather vs. staying warm
• The chaos of overplayed Mariah Carey (sorry, Mariah 😅)

Whether you're decorating the tree, driving around looking at lights, or sipping cafecito, this is the perfect episode to kick off a full month of Christmas vibes.

🎅 Drop your Top 5 Christmas songs in the comments!
Let’s see who has the best list.

#CafecitoYCroquetas #StayTranquilo #Christmas2025 #HolidaySeason #ChristmasMusic #Top5Songs #MiamiPodcast #LatinoChristmas #FelizNavidad 🎄

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Happy Friday, Miami! Hoodie season is peeking in—cool nights, sunny days, and a packed weekend line-up. In this Cafecito y Croquetas episode, we run through the best things to do around the 305 and where to eat after.

What’s on deck:

E1 Miami GP (Virginia Key): all-electric powerboat racing with celeb-owned teams—make it a beach day and catch the action from the water.

Miami Beach Polo World Cup (Collins Park): free viewing from the sand + ticketed hospitality if you wanna dress it up.

Miami Heat vs. Hornets (Fri 8 PM): quick preview + a bonus Heat breakdown with former NBA star Greivis Vásquez on State Owns the Assist.

Miami Dolphins vs. Bills (Hard Rock): rivalry vibes for your Saturday night tailgate.

Canes Football: home action to keep the momentum rolling.

Weather check: highs in the low 80s, breezy, cooler nights—prime outdoor seating, late-night walks, and rooftop plans. Cold front early next week = actual hoodie season.

New restaurants to try:

PARI PARI (Wynwood): hand-roll bar (think uni, toro, wagyu, caviar)—reserve ahead.

Amazónico (Brickell): lush, jungle-chic Latin dining with craft cocktails and live energy.

Eight Bar Miami (Miami Worldcenter): raw bar, sushi, burgers, cocktails—ground floor of Maple & Ash; elevated but laid-back.

Make it a weekend itinerary:
Fri: cafecito → Heat game → downtown happy hour.
Sat: beach polo or electric boat racing → dinner at Amazónico or Eight Bar.
Sun: brunch + Dolphins/Bills watch party.

If you’re new here, we drop Miami culture, food, and sports twice a week—like & subscribe and comment what you’re hitting this weekend.
#MiamiWeekend #ThingsToDoInMiami #CafecitoyCroquetas #MiamiFoodie #Brickell #Wynwood #MiamiHeat #FinsUp #MiamiEvents

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On Day 11 of The 12 Days of Tranquilomas, we discuss what is going on in 2023 and some of the amazing content to come in 2023.  
Take a listen to the full convo and let us know your thoughts!    
Follow us on social:  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/staytranquilo/   
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@staytranquilo   
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-dunand-200077124/

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On Day 10 of The 12 Days of Tranquilomas, we discuss why the power of networking, how to network effectively, and how to connect with the right people.
Take a listen to the full convo and let us know your thoughts!  
Follow us on social:  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/staytranquilo/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@staytranquilo 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-dunand-200077124/

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On Day 9 of The 12 Days of Tranquilomas, we discuss why you should start a personal and some of the amazing things that have come from building your personal brand. 
Take a listen to the full convo and let us know your thoughts!  
Follow us on social:  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/staytranquilo/  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@staytranquilo  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-dunand-200077124/

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On Day 8 of The 12 Days of Tranquilomas, we discuss why you should start a podcast and some of the amazing things that have come from starting a podcast. Take a listen to the full convo and let us know your thoughts!
Follow us on social:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/staytranquilo/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@staytranquilo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-dunand-200077124/

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On Day 7 of The 12 Days of Tranquilomas, we discuss the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur.
Are you an entrepreneur or looking to start your own business? Take a listen to the full conversation and let us know your thoughts!
Follow us on social:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/staytranquilo/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@staytranquilo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-dunand-200077124/

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On Day 6 of The 12 Days of Tranquilomas, we discuss the power of purpose and how purpose leads to a happy and successful life.  
Purpose, leads to passion, passion leads to progress and progress leads to results.  
Take a listen to the full conversation and let us know your thoughts! 
 Follow us on social:  
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/staytranquilo/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@staytranquilo 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-dunand-200077124/

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In Day 5 of the 12 Days of Tranquilomas we talk about the 5 tasks to do daily and end your day with:

1. Stretch
2. Meditate
3. Journal
4. Evening walk
5. Have the glass of wine or the cigar if you want (every so often)
   Follow us on social:
   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staytranquilo/
   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@staytranquilo
   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-dunand-200077124/

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