- HOST JACKIE TANTILLO - Do What Makes You Happy In Life With Guest Podcaster, Producer And Author Joe Pardavila 30:39
‘The Freedom Flights’ from Cuba to the United States took place between 1965 and 1973. The Cuban Government agreed to allow America to transport fleeing Cuban families, with relatives in the US, to Miami. In 1967, Maria, her brother and her parents were among the hundreds of thousands that fled to start a new life in America. Because the family was sponsored by a New Jersey business man, they settled there to begin their new life.
Maria was 16-17 years old when she came to the United States and according to her son, “considers herself an American.” Joe insists “my mother is old school and worked very hard through out her life. She went to school for as long as her family could pay for it and then went on to work in factories where she was treated terribly as an immigrant.”
Both of Joe’s parent’s families are originally from Spain, even though his mother had been living in Cuba. Joe’s father, a ship mechanic and hard worker came to the US and met Maria. They married when Maria was 19 years old and started a family.
Joe repeatedly mentions through out the interview that as a child and even today, “I never wanted to disappoint my mother.” Both of his parents worked very hard to give Joe and his brother everything they wanted. All Maria asked of her boys was to treat others they way you want to be treated. “Mom encouraged us to do what ever made us happy” says Pardavila. “I’m very grateful for all those little life lessons that were taught to me, whether through osmosis or verbal. It king of stuck to me and it’s a part of my life for life.”
Joe is the Director of Podcasts for Advantage Forbes Books as well as the host of the podcast “Uncertain Times, Survive And Thrive In Business.” He’s also written the book “Good Listen,” where he shares his experience and background as a producer/talent for the ‘Scott and Todd Morning Show’ on WPLJ FM, one of New York City iconic radio shows for 2 decades. He came to understand that he had many “soft skills” he could share and apply with others regarding great communication tools, regardless of what medium you choose to apply them.
The Freedom Flights were an unusual instance of cooperation between the US and Cuban governments. During the Camarioca boatlift in 1965, Castro opened up the Cuban port of Camarioca for the departure of Cubans with relatives in the US (excluding men of military age). The number of boats and fleeing Cubans was so great that the boatlift overwhelmed the US Coast Guard. In an effort to support refugees and quell chaos, the US agreed with Cuba to finance the Freedom Flights, which transported Cuban refugees with US relatives to Miami twice daily, five times per week between 1965 and 1973. The Freedom Flights would bring about 300,000 Cubans to the US and cost approximately twelve million dollars. Although Castro initially agreed to the program, Cubans who signed up faced harassment and humiliation before their departure and property confiscation after.
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