Life in Our Skin

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Iranian–American Shadon Ghassemlou about the experiences that shaped her middle school years. As a multi–racial teenager with a white mother and an Iranian father, Shadon shares how navigating personal identity—through her ethnic name, harmful stereotypes depicted in 90’s movies, and post– 9/11 attacks which occurred during her 8th grade year—deeply impa...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Javiera Monardez. Javiera shares her journey as an educated and accomplished physician in Chile and the profound identity shift she experienced after immigrating to the United States. Javiera reflects on what it meant to start over in a new country and redefine herself personally and professionally. In Episode 44, we welcome Javiera Monardez. Take a list...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Jessica Portè, a Filipino American who grew up between Northern and Southern California. After a life-altering car accident, Jessica and her family were united in grief, yet the silence around their pain made it difficult to truly process their loss. Jessica shares how loss, culture, and communication impacted her life and shaped her healing journey. In...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita sit down with Aalishba Ahmad, a Pakistani Muslim woman who spent her teenage years attending a Catholic high school. Aalishba opens up about navigating life as a brown girl in a predominantly white environment and how she grew into a self-described social justice warrior—advocating fiercely for students of color. As she beautifully reminds us, “Love is union.” Lis...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Samantha Lee, a Hmong-American woman from St. Paul. Sam talks about the cultural and emotional connection ethnic communities have with their food and how the health and wellness industry re-enforces messages that ethnic food is unhealthy. As a weight loss coach, Sam helps women stay connected to family and culture by creating healthy versions of their cu...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Amanda Rosas, a Mexican-American woman from San Antonio, Texas. Amanda shares stories of being a young girl unequipped to navigate racially inappropriate comments. Further in our conversation, she expands on the ways identity and intersectionality appear in her life as a woman, mother and teacher. In Episode 40, we welcome Amanda Rosas.

We are thrilled to celebrate 3 years of Life in Our Skin podcast, and in this short episode we highlight a few milestones since we launched in July 2021. Thank you for listening! ~ Lisa & Anahita

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Sheena Yap Chan, a Chinese–Filipino woman living in Toronto. Sheena talks about how she moved from being ashamed of her culture to building her self confidence as an Asian woman. Today, she has also learned how to embrace paving her own path of success. In Episode 38, we welcome Sheena Yap Chan. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin: linktr.ee/lifei...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Alia Mohammad, a Palestinian-American raised in Dubai and immigrated to the U.S as a young girl. She discusses how her parents tried to keep their family traditions and values, including experiences with cultural attire and religion while adapting to American life. In Episode 37, we welcome Alia Mohammad!  Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Rossana Corniel, a Puerto Rican military veteran who moved frequently as a young child to several countries including the United States. Rossana shares how she navigated language barriers, overcame adversity, and empowered herself to thrive through awareness, clarity, and control. In Episode 36, we welcome Rossana Corniel. Listen to this episode of Life...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Poiab Vue, a Hmong refugee whose family immigrated to the U.S. in 1979, eventually settling in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Poiab discusses the challenges of growing up Hmong–American and how her rebellious personality set her apart from other Hmong daughters. Today, as a licensed psychotherapist, Poiab aims to empower people in choosing their own path in life a...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Peachy Galindez. Peachy shares her experience immigrating to the United States in her 30's as a young wife and mother. She also discusses her approach to integrating Filipino culture and pride in raising her children in America. In Episode 34, we welcome Peachy Galindez. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Pallavi about moving to the USA at 18 years old to attend Winona State University. Pallavi quickly embraced the American lifestyle and prioritized her independence and career goals despite her parents hopes of an arranged marriage. Furthermore, we discuss blended marriage, cultural traditions, and women in tech. In Episode 33, we welcome Pallavi Sharma....

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with LeeAnn about her experiences as young Laotian-American growing up in the USA while supporting her immigrant parents with language barriers. Through her upbringing, relationships, divorce and second marriage + growing a blended family, LeeAnn shares challenges and joys in her story from then to present day. In Episode 32, we welcome LeeAnn Rasachak. Liste...

Lisa and Anahita chat with Shilpa Lewis, an East Indian woman born and raised in the United States. In this episode, Shilpa talks about the tension and struggles of growing up in an immigrant family. Unlike her peers, her college-educated, traditional father worked multiple jobs to support the family and send money back to India. Shilpa simply wanted to live an American life. This dream was taken...

Lisa and Anahita chat with Laura Merino-Franco, a South American woman from Colombia, a creative entrepreneur, community supporter, and world traveler. In this episode, Laura shares about her adjustment to the American culture after moving to the United States at 18. She paints a transparent picture of her experiences trying to blend in versus how to reinvent herself following a life crisis. We he...

Lisa and Anahita chat with Narate Judy Keyes, a Khmer-American woman from Cambodia, mother, poet, spoken word artist and author. In this episode, Narate shares a beautiful perspective of the refugee camps from the innocent eyes of a child and how being a talkative, social butterfly helped her learn a new culture and language as an immigrant to the United States. We also learn about the cultural te...

Lisa and Anahita chat with Aisha Branch, an Iranian-American woman, wife, mom and entrepreneur. In this episode, Aisha discusses the cultural differences she experienced growing up and the three (3) core pillars of success re-enforced by her father. We learn how certain family expectations led to a life of seeking the approval of others, and how she navigated this beautiful journey of becoming Ais...

In the beginning, Rachel knew very little of her native ancestors. Once understanding that she was Indigenous, she often hid this part of her identity. The negative stigma surrounding Native American people was rampant in her community and she felt ashamed. In this episode, Rachel discusses her journey to fully embracing her identity as a Húŋkpapha Standing Rock Oyate woman and how she navigated t...

At 6 years old, Toral lost her father in a tragic accident not long after her family immigrated to the United States from Gujarat, India. The Indian community comforted Toral and her family during this time, yet there were moments when she needed more support. In this episode, Toral shares her American experience following this tragedy and the integral role tradition, culture, and values played in...

On the banks of Thailand, a pregnant mother crossed the river to a nearby refugee camp. Soon after, she gave birth to a girl she named Saymoukda – a name originating from a dream. Saymoukda spent her early childhood years in the refugee camp before immigrating to St. Paul, Minnesota. Growing up in public housing, Saymoukda was a natural connector between her family and her new community. Saymoukda...

Born in the United States, Natasha spent her early years in student housing at the University of Minnesota with her family. Her parents immigrated to America from Pakistan in pursuit of higher education. In the aftermath of 9/11, Natasha faced racism and fear from her community. This made it even harder for Natasha to feel a sense of belonging. Through her work in the media industry, she realized...

Adopted at 3 months old into a white family, Jen grew up knowing her European and Jewish background. As a theater major in college, she was often typecasted as ethnic characters. She began to realize that others saw her differently than she saw herself. Jen's story took a twist at the age of 23 when her birth father reached out via their original adoption agency. In this episode, Jen shares how th...

Born and raised in Colombia, Naz De La Rosa immigrated to the United States a few years after her family moved to New Jersey. Naz quickly acclimated to American culture, but inside the home it was straight Colombia! In this episode, Naz shares how the Latina women and culture played a significant role in her upbringing and adulthood. Today, as a mother and entrepreneur, she sees her own mother in...

At 16 years old, Alexandra and her family immigrated to Canada from Bolivia and eventually made their way to New York. This can be a difficult transition for any teenager, especially one who is navigating a new country with English as her second language. In this episode, Alexandra talks about those lonely high school years as an ESL student and how she lost a piece of herself trying to blend into...