An Immigrant’s Life

Shital Patel a world traveler and one of my favorite people, is today's podcast guest! Once a Safari Rani, she now navigates the vibrant streets of Ottawa. As a first-generation kid, she embodies the spirit of adventure and the transformative effects of travel. Shital believes solo travel is the best way to explore the world, encouraging openness and curiosity along the journey. Join us as we...

Excited to welcome my brother, Jet Labrador, back to the podcast! This time, he’s diving into the incredible journey of becoming a new dad. From the dreams he has for his little one to the fears that keep him up at night, Jet shares it all. We chat about the challenges of balancing his passion for comic book portrait art with fatherhood and the moments that fill him with joy. Whether you’re a pare...

In this episode, I welcome back my good friend Johnny F. Kim to discuss his journey after being laid off from a job he loved, which led him back to his creative roots. While the experience initially shook him, it ultimately opened doors to newfound freedom and inspiration. We explore his passion for jumping rope, how it helps him manage anxiety, and why he advocates for it. Johnny shares insights...

Meet Shayne Nuesca an award-winning journalist whose journey into the field was entirely unexpected. Growing up with limited parental guidance, she faced imposter syndrome rooted in a childhood where affection often took a backseat to her immigrant parents' relentless work ethic.       Her experiences in a diverse community starkly contrasted with life in a less diverse setting, igniting her p...

In this episode, we delve into the transformative journey of Amir Timur, an IT Manager who navigated the darkness of racism and personal struggle to discover his path to healing. Timur’s story is one of profound self-discovery, where he initially distanced himself from his family to confront his inner demons through shadow work, therapy, self-reflection, and meditation. Despite his proud heritage...

Angela Lawrence is a Business consultant who perfectly embodies the third culture kid experience, having lived her early life in India and rest in Houston. Her frequent moves taught her adaptability and connecting with diverse people. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, she left a good opportunity in New York to start a consulting business in Houston, aiming to support small immigrant businesses....

Téa Ivanovic, Co-founder of Immigrant Food, shares her journey and the secret to her success as a restaurateur. She discusses her involvement with Immigrant Food and the restaurant's goal of celebrating immigrants through cuisine. Téa explains their projects that support immigrant communities and highlights America as the original immigrant nation. She also emphasizes the crucial role of immig...

Chachie Abara is dedicated community organizer with Kasamahan Co champions mental health and cultural preservation. Despite relocating to Hawaii, she remains committed to speaking Ilocano to honor her heritage and keep her native dialect alive. Chachie sheds light on native Hawaiian views towards Filipinos and reflects on the profound feeling of not belonging during her visit to the Philippines, a...

William Gee Wong, a journalist and author, joined the podcast to discuss his recent book, “Sons of Chinatown”. The book intertwines his father's immigrant experiences with his own, highlighting a successful immigration story that began with his father arriving in the U.S. with false documents. We also explored America's contradictory relationship with immigrants and examined the current st...

Elda Almario, a dedicated therapist, founded Larô Therapy to emphasize the importance of play and its therapeutic benefits. Her journey into therapy was deeply influenced by her experience as her autistic younger brother's caregiver, which sparked her passion for mental health. Elda also discusses how her immigration experience has shaped her practice and her commitment to advocating for menta...

In this candid conversation, Kiersty from “Ikarus Mind Psychotherapy” generously agreed to interview me for the 200th episode of "An Immigrant’s Life." During our chat, I opened up about personal family stories that have shaped who I am today. I also shared some behind-the-scenes insights about the podcast, including details about the future of the podcast.        🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧  You...

Twisha Shah is a Neuroscientist and co-host of the From Suitcase to Success podcast in this episode, Twisha and I dove straight into a deep conversation. She light-heartedly shared that being an only child was due to her mom’s pregnancy challenges. We explored the cultural pressure in India for male children. Twisha recounted her frustrating experience with racism in the American education system,...

Since childhood, Joyce has been driven by curiosity, often experimenting with bathroom products in hopes of creating explosions, though fortunately without success. Instead, her entrepreneurial spark ignited with Dieux Cosmetics. Growing up as a latchkey kid in an immigrant family, Joyce was cared for by an "older" cousin together with her younger cousins, a quintessential tale of a child...

Dr. Syeda Sufora an optometrist, has faced profound personal challenges that have shaped her perspective on life and faith. Coming from a broken home and experiencing the end of her own marriage, she candidly discusses these trials. She recalls a pivotal time living in a women’s shelter for Asian women, where a robbery underscored the vulnerability, they faced. It was during the birth of her first...

Mudra Dave, co-host of “From Suitcase to Success”, recounts her father's journey from being an engineer in India to a general worker in Canada due to the challenge of lacking "Canadian Experience." Throughout her story, she emphasizes celebrating small successes, maintaining positivity, and pursuing activities she enjoys. Dave also reflects on overcoming bullying and the significance o...

Alyx Ang is a Social Media manager. She came on to talk about her podcast "A for Anxious," spurred by her own experiences with anxiety and a desire to confront it through open dialogue about mental health. She discussed the challenges of familial expectations as an immigrant, particularly her parents' initial lack of understanding regarding mental health issues. She emphasized how isol...

Francesca Douglass-Franco, CEO of Human Save Org. discusses her journey shaped by her upbringing with a single mother, highlighting how responsibility from a young age impacted her relationships, including with her husband. She reflects on pivotal moments like learning to prioritize breaks from her mom, and the absence of a stereotypical strict upbringing. Francesca shares personal challenges, inc...

Kiersty Xavier is the Founder & Clinical Director of Ikarus Mind Psychotherapy. We talked about her upbringing without a sense of belonging, her healing journey, and explored the impact of family dynamics, personal struggles, and the importance of therapy. We also discussed resilience, self-discovery, and the significance of vibing with your therapist.      🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧  YouTube: https...

Connie Mansfield is the owner of PDX Fresh Start & co-founder of Jelly Cup Collective. In this episode, she shares her journey of resilience, exploring childhood trauma and the resilience of children. Connie reflects on her close connection to her Chinese roots, guided by her mother's wisdom. She discusses the challenges of balancing multiple cultures and how her mother's passing inspi...

From weekend cleaning rituals inherited from her dad to lessons of love from Lola Julieta, Jo Del Barrio shares her Bay Area upbringing and struggles. We delve into the challenges of preserving tradition, navigating cultural pressures, and finding solace in community support. We also explore the beauty of brown skin, the importance of positive gender roles, motherhood, and the transformative power...

Brigitte Franzen left Germany for a farm internship in Illinois, never expecting to stay. Yet, the bonds she formed and her love for American life led her to build her own farm, housing 5000 pigs. However, in 1998, the rise of mega hog farms forced her to close her doors forever. Undaunted, she pivoted to become a financial planner, drawing on her farming experiences to aid others. Amidst the pand...

Madina Mamat-Qira is the founder of Madina Taklamakan clothing brand. From East Turkestan to Japan to Canada, she shares her challenges and triumphs as a Hijabi, the beauty of being a Muslim woman, and navigating entrepreneurship during a pandemic. Learn about her brand's origins, the influence of her mother's design instincts, her passion for painting, and her mission to propagate Uyghur...

Joseph Yoo is an Episcopal pastor originally from Korea, now residing in Houston. Our conversation delves into the nuances between Catholic, United Methodist, and Episcopalian churches, providing valuable insights. He reflects on the unique pressures he faces as a Korean-American pastor's son, compounded by frequent relocations due to his father's work. Discover his courageous decision to...

Anastasia Kuznetsova shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Nevinnomyssk, Russia, during the USSR's collapse to finding her artistic voice in Lisbon. Raised by her grandmothers while her parents worked, Anastasia reflects on her childhood, the challenges of academia, and her struggles with self-esteem and panic attacks. She discusses her artistic evolution, inspired by her experience...

Jessica La, a professional musician of Vietnamese descent with a uniquely fitting last name. Despite parental expectations for a conventional career, she cleverly convinced them to support her musical journey. In this episode, we delve into her insights on overcoming performance anxiety through thorough preparation and the importance of taking a 'breather' to her students.    Learn what ig...