In the ever-evolving landscape of media production, few stories capture the essence of creative entrepreneurship as powerfully as Maribel Quezada Smith’s journey. Her path from a curious high school student to the founder of Diferente Creative is a testament to the power of passion, technical skill, and unwavering curiosity. Growing up in an immigrant family, Maribel learned early on that adaptability and resilience are not just professional skills, but fundamental survival strategies.
Maribel’s origin story begins in high school, where a career assessment sparked her interest in broadcasting. Not content with simply accepting the results, she proactively pitched her school’s principal to establish a broadcasting program. This early initiative revealed a crucial trait that would define her career: a remarkable ability to identify opportunities and transform them into tangible realities. Her persistence led to the creation of a broadcasting curriculum that would inspire future students, demonstrating her commitment to creating pathways for creative expression.
Her academic journey at Ohio University was far from linear. Initially denied entry into the journalism program, Maribel was redirected to video production—a pivot that would prove transformative. The dean’s strategic advice to focus on production, emphasizing her potential to “make decisions” and “change things,” resonated deeply with her entrepreneurial spirit. This moment underscores a critical lesson for aspiring creators: success often emerges from unexpected detours and the willingness to embrace alternative paths.
Technical skills became Maribel’s superpower. Learning video editing, understanding lighting, and mastering production tools weren’t just academic exercises but strategic investments in her future. Her proficiency in editing software, camera setups, and multi-platform production gave her a competitive edge and allowed her to operate across roles with agility and precision.
The transition from traditional media to podcasting wasn’t just a career shift—it was a strategic evolution. When geographical constraints and impending motherhood limited her options in television production, Maribel saw an opportunity. Her podcast, Diferente, became more than a passion project; it was a platform to showcase her storytelling abilities and interview skills. This pivot exemplifies the modern creator’s resilience: the ability to reimagine professional boundaries and create value in emerging media landscapes.
At the heart of Maribel’s approach is a profound understanding of audience connection. She emphasizes that truly meaningful content goes beyond surface-level representation. For brands and creators seeking to engage diverse audiences, her advice is clear: genuine understanding requires more than tokenistic inclusion. It demands deep curiosity, active listening, and a commitment to understanding the nuanced experiences of different communities.
Maribel believes creators are increasingly becoming their own media networks. With traditional gatekeepers losing influence, digital platforms now allow creators to connect directly with audiences. Her entrepreneurial perspective focuses on:
This isn’t just optimism—it’s a sustainable strategy for long-term creative success.
The intersection of her Mexican heritage, immigrant experience, and professional journey provides a rich narrative of resilience. Drawing inspiration from her grandparents—especially her grandfather Pepe, whose life she dreams of portraying in a biopic—Maribel sees personal history as a powerful storytelling resource.
Her ventures, Diferente Creative and BIPOC Podcast Creators, are built around amplifying marginalized voices and carving out space for narratives that are often overlooked in mainstream media.
As the media landscape evolves, Maribel Quezada Smith embodies a new archetype: part producer, part strategist, part cultural interpreter. Her work blends:
This multidisciplinary approach provides a compelling blueprint for succeeding in today’s fragmented media ecosystem.
For aspiring creators, Maribel’s journey is a reminder to:
Her work transcends traditional content creation—it’s about influence, integrity, and creating meaningful cultural impact.
DeepCast Creator serves the entire spectrum of podcast creators, including indie podcasters, podcast studios, agencies, podcast networks, and supporting teams. It caters to newcomers, established podcasters, and large teams managing multiple shows.
You can use either a single account for both (for seamless switching between creator and listener roles) or separate accounts (using show owner email for Creator and personal email for listener features). Each approach has benefits like simplified login or clear separation of activities.
Current addable fields include funding links (Patreon, PayPal, Buy me a coffee, Ko-fi), social media handles, Spotify URL, and website. More fields will be added in future updates.
DeepCast polls for updates based on your typical publishing schedule to balance timely updates with resource management. Support can be contacted for immediate updates when needed.
Supercharging podcasters. You create, we help you grow and monetize it.
