Episode Summary In this heartfelt conversation, host Simone W. Johnson‑Smith sits down with Aramis Jordan, a Puerto Rican‑born immigrant who came to the United States at age 12. Aramis opens up about growing up in poverty, being the first of eleven children to graduate from high school and college, and overcoming trauma inflicted by an alcoholic mother and abusive relatives. He recounts a near‑death experience caused by a urinary blockage that illustrates the precariousness of life in rural Puerto Rico and the kindness of a stranger who helped him reach a distant hospital. Now a successful businesswoman and author, Aramis has poured his story into the memoir Searching for My Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich and returns to Puerto Rico with his wife on their honeymoon to reconnect with his roots. The episode explores resilience, the universality of immigrant stories, and the power of writing to heal and inspire.
Bio: Aramis Jordan is a Puerto Rican‑American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker. Born in Puerto Rico in 1965, he immigrated to the United States at age 12 and became the first in his family of eleven siblings to graduate from high school and college. His memoir Searching for My Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich chronicles an extraordinary journey from rural poverty, maternal abandonment and physical abuse to building multiple businesses and a fulfilling life in the U.S. Aramis now uses storytelling and coaching to empower other immigrants to reclaim their narratives, embrace vulnerability and build community.
Key Takeaways
Leaving home early: Aramis left Puerto Rico in 1977 at age 12; he recalls playing under mango and avocado trees and describes how poverty shaped his childhood.
Educational pioneer: The first of eleven children to graduate high school and college, he underscores the importance of education in breaking cycles of poverty.
Family trauma and resilience: Growing up with an alcoholic mother and an abusive boyfriend forced he to become independent and resilient at a young age.
Near‑death health crisis: A urinary blockage nearly killed him; a stranger guided him family to a hospital miles away when the local clinic was closed. The experience reinforced his belief in divine timing and community support.
Returning with his wife: Aramis revisited his hometown for he honeymoon, navigating roads he had not seen since childhood and reflecting on the enduring memories of place and smell.
Memoir as healing: After 12 years of reflection he wrote Searching for My Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, a memoir that validates the universality of immigrant stories and encourages others to share theirs.
Identity and belonging: He describes grappling with the feeling that his story was "ordinary" until he realized that ordinary stories can be powerful and affirming for others.
Advice for immigrants: Aramis advocates for perseverance, education, vulnerability and storytelling as tools for navigating culture shock and building a meaningful life in a new country.
Notable Timestamps
0:00 – 0:32: Introduction to the Immigrant Experience podcast; Simone welcomes Aramis.
0:41 – 1:02: Aramis explains why he identifies as an immigrant despite Puerto Ricans' U.S. citizenship and shares that he moved to the U.S. at 12.
1:26 – 1:45: He reveals that he wrote a memoir titled Searching for My Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich to document his life story.
2:50 – 3:23: Aramis describes childhood in Puerto Rico, surrounded by nature yet marked by poverty.
3:35 – 3:58: Discussion of his mother's alcoholism, abuse and abandonment at age eight; he lived with strangers and eventually ran away.
4:18 – 4:50: He recalls returning to Puerto Rico for hisr honeymoon with his wife and navigating his childhood village from memory.
5:06 – 5:32: A vivid description of the homemade house on stilts and walls of coconut trees that sheltered his family from flooding.
8:00 – 9:13: The near‑death urinary incident and the stranger Mr. Valdez who directed them to a hospital; he reflects on how small acts of kindness saved his life.
9:53 – 10:11: Recognition that without that stranger he would not have survived; he encourages listeners to trust in community.
Resources & Links
Guest book: Searching for My Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich by Aramis Jordan
Connect with Aramis: LinkedIn | Website
Contact the Podcast: simone.8.johnson@gmail.com | The Bridge Concepts
Listen & Subscribe: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
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