Shows
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep 188: Rooted in Two Worlds: Maanarak of Grey on Culture Shock, Belonging, and Creativity Across Borders (Part 2)In this continuation of our conversation, I sit down once again with the deeply creative and reflective Maanarak of Grey, an artist and podcast host originally from the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean. In Part 2, we explore how art, storytelling, and stillness have helped her process the transitions of immigration, what it means to live between cultures, to grieve a place that still feels like home, and to reimagine belonging in unfamiliar spaces. This episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and remember that creativity can be both a compass and a lifeline...2025-08-0656 min
Thriving in IntersectionalityBuilding Bridges Between Worlds: Simone W. Johnson-Smith on Thriving as a Third Culture ProfessionalWhat happens when personal loss becomes the catalyst for finding your voice? For Simone W. Johnson-Smith, a personal loss in 2021 ended six years of procrastination and launched a movement that now reaches over 100 countries.
From Jamaican immigrant to U.S. diplomat to award-winning author and podcast host, Simone's story is about recognizing the psychological realities of living between cultures and empowering others to thrive in that beautiful, complex space.
About Our Guest
Simone W. Johnson-Smith is a global voice and cultural bridge-builder. With over two decades of experience navigating immigration systems and international...2025-08-0145 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep 186: From Struggle to Six Figures: Erika Warner on Building a Mission-Driven Life as an Immigrant MomIn this episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, I sit down with Erika Warner, a Latina entrepreneur, educator, founder of Inglés Pa’ Mi Gente, and mom. Erika’s journey began when she immigrated to the U.S. as a child, navigating the emotional and linguistic challenges of learning English in a world that didn’t feel like home. Today, she runs a thriving six-figure business teaching English to Spanish-speaking immigrants, people who share her story and her struggle. But Erika’s success didn’t happen overnight. Her story is one of slow, determ...2025-07-2443 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep 185: Shadows of Tehran: Healing, Identity & the Power of Story with Nick Berg (Part 3)In the final chapter of this unforgettable three-part series, Nick Berg and host Simone Johnson dive deep into the healing journey that followed a life of war, exile, and dual identity. Nick opens up about the process of writing Shadows of Tehran—his fictionalized autobiography—as a form of healing and advocacy, reconnecting with his roots while confronting painful truths. He speaks candidly about the emotional legacy of his past, how he found peace through storytelling, and why he believes that sharing immigrant stories—especially those shaped by conflict—is essential to collective healing and understa...2025-06-0522 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep 184: Shadows of Tehran: From Soldier to Storyteller with Nick Berg (Part 2)In Part 2 of this gripping conversation, host Simone Johnson continues her discussion with Nick Berg—author of Shadows of Tehran and U.S. Special Operations veteran—as he reflects on life in the military, what it meant to serve the very country he once viewed from afar, and how those experiences shaped his evolving identity. Nick shares powerful insights into his missions across conflict zones in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia, the psychological toll of war, and how his training pushed him beyond the limits of fear and survival. This episode explores the intersection of patr...2025-05-2919 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep 183: Shadows of Tehran: From Revolution to Resilience with Nick Berg (Part 1)In this powerful and emotional episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone Johnson sits down with Nick Berg—author, U.S. Army veteran, and self-described "citizen of the earth"—as he shares his remarkable journey from Tehran to America. Born to an Iranian mother and American father, Nick’s story spans continents, cultures, revolutions, and wars. Nick Berg is an American-Iranian author and former U.S. Special Operations soldier, best known for his autobiographical novel Shadows of Tehran. His work explores themes of resilience, cultural conflict, and transformation. In this deeply personal...2025-05-2123 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep 182: Exploring Identity, Cultural Conflict, and the Struggle for Visibility with Suhein Beck (Part 3)Welcome to Part 3 of this podcast episode. In this episode, Suhein shares her compelling journey of navigating complex cultural identities as an immigrant in America, the challenges of balancing two worlds, and her journey toward reclaiming her Circassian heritage. From confronting racial assumptions to launching a skincare business rooted in family tradition, Suhein unpacks the layers of assimilation, resilience, and the drive for cultural visibility. 💔 Key Themes Explored: Suhein reflects on her experiences growing up as a Circassian immigrant in America, the tension of fitting into American culture, and the unique challenges of be...2025-04-3032 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 180: Exile, Identity, and the Amazon Warrior Spirit with Suhein Beck (Part 1)In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, host Simone Johnson Smith sits down with the incredible Suhein Beck, known to many as The Culture Cultivator. What unfolds is not just a conversation—it's a masterclass in resilience, identity, and the ongoing search for belonging. Suhein Beck is a dynamic Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur, a proud Circassian with ancestral roots tracing back to the legendary Amazon Women of the Caucasus. She’s currently leading an International Speaking Tour & Campaign that challenges mainstream narratives and inspires transformational leaders to develop their own higher standards and adopt a personal Code of Hono...2025-04-1629 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 179: Chinese-American: Richard Hsung (Part 2)Richard Perkins Hsung was born in China in 1966 and was one of the first teens to leave China legally after Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago and became a professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, retiring in 2022. He spent ten years editing and completing Spring Flower (Earnshaw Books) by his mother, Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins, MD. The three-volume memoir chronicles her life as an adopted child of American medical missionaries, survivor of China's brutal communist regime, ophthalmologist, immigrant, and mother. Hsung lives in Madison,WI wit...2025-03-1229 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 178: Chinese-American: Richard Hsung (Part 1)Richard Perkins Hsung was born in China in 1966 and was one of the first teens to leave China legally after Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago and became a professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, retiring in 2022. He spent ten years editing and completing Spring Flower (Earnshaw Books) by his mother, Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins, MD. The three-volume memoir chronicles her life as an adopted child of American medical missionaries, survivor of China's brutal communist regime, ophthalmologist, immigrant, and mother. Hsung lives in Madison,WI wi...2025-03-0525 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 177: British Expat Experience: James Wilson (Part 2)James Wilson is an expat coach and accredited therapist with over 16 years of experience in behavioural change. Having worked in the UK, France and the US, James understands the challenges of adapting to a new culture and redefining one’s professional identity abroad. Through his coaching practice, he helps fellow expats navigate transitions, overcome barriers, and build fulfilling lives in alignment with their values. He also hosts the podcast On Being Good Enough, where he explores the emotional realities of expat life. My links are: Web...2025-02-2622 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 176: British Expat Experience: James Wilson (Part 1)James Wilson is an expat coach and accredited therapist with over 16 years of experience in behavioural change. Having worked in the UK, France and the US, James understands the challenges of adapting to a new culture and redefining one’s professional identity abroad. Through his coaching practice, he helps fellow expats navigate transitions, overcome barriers, and build fulfilling lives in alignment with their values. He also hosts the podcast On Being Good Enough, where he explores the emotional realities of expat life. My links are: We...2025-02-1928 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 175: The Burnout Medical Doctor: Grenadan-American Dr. Nicole Perrotte (Part 2) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! Click the link below to purchase a copy of Simone's newly released book...2025-02-1224 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 174: The Burnout Medical Doctor: Grenadan-American Dr. Nicole Perrotte (Part 1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! Click the link below to purchase a copy of Simone's newly released book...2025-02-0533 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 173: A Ukrainian-American Experience: Alina Trigub (Part 2)With over a decade of experience in real estate investing and a background in tax-efficient strategies, Alina Trigub help IT professionals explore passive real estate opportunities that align with their goals—without disrupting their demanding schedules. www.SAMOFinancial.com info@samofinancial.com 201-754-8251 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3...2025-01-1529 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 172: A Ukrainian-American Experience: Alina Trigub (Part 1)With over a decade of experience in real estate investing and a background in tax-efficient strategies, Alina Trigub help IT professionals explore passive real estate opportunities that align with their goals—without disrupting their demanding schedules. www.SAMOFinancial.com info@samofinancial.com 201-754-8251 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Sp...2025-01-0825 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 171: A Russian-American Experience: Anya Gillinson (Part 3)Anya Gillinson was born in Moscow, Russia, into the family of a renowned physician and a concert pianist. When she was thirteen years old, her father was killed during a botched robbery on his first and last visit to New York. Two years after his death, Anya moved to New York with her mother and younger sister and went on to graduate from high school, college, and eventually law school. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Of...2025-01-0126 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 170: A Russian-American Experience: Anya Gillinson (Part 2)Anya Gillinson was born in Moscow, Russia, into the family of a renowned physician and a concert pianist. When she was thirteen years old, her father was killed during a botched robbery on his first and last visit to New York. Two years after his death, Anya moved to New York with her mother and younger sister and went on to graduate from high school, college, and eventually law school. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Of...2024-12-2531 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 169: A Russian-American Experience: Anya Gillinson (Part 1)Anya Gillinson was born in Moscow, Russia, into the family of a renowned physician and a concert pianist. When she was thirteen years old, her father was killed during a botched robbery on his first and last visit to New York. Two years after his death, Anya moved to New York with her mother and younger sister and went on to graduate from high school, college, and eventually law school. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America O...2024-12-1830 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 168: Decoding America & Coming Home To Yourself - The Immigrant ExperienceIn Decoding America & Coming Home to Yourself: The Immigrant Experience, author Simone Johnson Smith offers hope and guidance in navigating the complexities of immigrant life. Drawing from her own journey and insights from her acclaimed podcast, in the Immigrant Experience in America, Smith skillfully explores the immigrant’s disorienting shi from a collectivist to an individualistic culture, delving into the profound culture shock and the transformative process of becoming a hybrid identity, which she terms a “ third-Culture Person” capable of bridging both cultures. is book is a practical guide and a powerful call to action, urging you to embrace and har...2024-12-1106 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 167: An Iraqi-American Experience: Sairan Aqrawi (Part 2)Sairan Aqrawi is the CEO of International Transition Expert, a successful transformation coach, an engaging speaker, a knowledgeable and attentive mentor, a co-author of a bestselling book, and so much more! A humble yet professional leader, Sairan has the knowledge and motivation to help you live your best life. Her goal is to leverage your strengths and empower you to transform your life, finding your true happiness, and making you feel at home wherever you are. Sairan is an ACC Associate Certified Coach and a distinguished mentor at George Washington University’s Women in Engineering (WiE) and Wom...2024-12-0428 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 166: An Iraqi-American Experience: Sairan Aqrawi (Part 1)Sairan Aqrawi is the CEO of International Transition Expert, a successful transformation coach, an engaging speaker, a knowledgeable and attentive mentor, a co-author of a bestselling book, and so much more! A humble yet professional leader, Sairan has the knowledge and motivation to help you live your best life. Her goal is to leverage your strengths and empower you to transform your life, finding your true happiness, and making you feel at home wherever you are. Sairan is an ACC Associate Certified Coach and a distinguished mentor at George Washington University’s Women in Engineering (WiE) and Wom...2024-11-2823 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 165: Palestinian-American Experience: Olivia Abousaid (Part 3) Master Certified Coach Olivia Abousaid understands the profound impact of self-improvement through her own journey. Born and raised in Dallas to Palestinian parents, Olivia has cultivated a deep appreciation for personal growth and transformation while navigating the complexities of cultural and political externalities. Now based in Los Angeles, she harnesses her life experiences and coaching expertise to empower individuals to transform grief into action. Olivia's grief and transformation coaching transcends one-size-fits-all solutions. She creates a safe, supportive space for clients to explore their unique goals, navigate grief, overcome challenges, and embrace their authentic selves. Here's where p...2024-11-2026 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 164: Palestinian-American Experience: Olivia Abousaid (Part 2) Master Certified Coach Olivia Abousaid understands the profound impact of self-improvement through her own journey. Born and raised in Dallas to Palestinian parents, Olivia has cultivated a deep appreciation for personal growth and transformation while navigating the complexities of cultural and political externalities. Now based in Los Angeles, she harnesses her life experiences and coaching expertise to empower individuals to transform grief into action. Olivia's grief and transformation coaching transcends one-size-fits-all solutions. She creates a safe, supportive space for clients to explore their unique goals, navigate grief, overcome challenges, and embrace their authentic selves. Here's where p...2024-11-1329 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 163: Palestinian-American Experience: Olivia Abousaid (Part 1) Master Certified Coach Olivia Abousaid understands the profound impact of self-improvement through her own journey. Born and raised in Dallas to Palestinian parents, Olivia has cultivated a deep appreciation for personal growth and transformation while navigating the complexities of cultural and political externalities. Now based in Los Angeles, she harnesses her life experiences and coaching expertise to empower individuals to transform grief into action. Olivia's grief and transformation coaching transcends one-size-fits-all solutions. She creates a safe, supportive space for clients to explore their unique goals, navigate grief, overcome challenges, and embrace their authentic selves. Here's where p...2024-11-0628 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 162: Afghan-American: Sara Stanizai (Part 2)Sara Stanizai, LMFT (she/her) is a licensed therapist who founded Prospect Therapy to create a queer- and trans-affirming practice that focuses specifically on serving first-generation American and immigrant communities. As a queer first-gen herself, Sara’s clinical and professional work focuses on serving the Afghan diaspora, specifically fellow Afghan-American women, through retreats and group experiences that help participants find community and reconciliation with self, culture and ancestry. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Off...2024-10-2326 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 161: Afghan-American: Sara Stanizai (Part 1)Sara Stanizai, LMFT (she/her) is a licensed therapist who founded Prospect Therapy to create a queer- and trans-affirming practice that focuses specifically on serving first-generation American and immigrant communities. As a queer first-gen herself, Sara’s clinical and professional work focuses on serving the Afghan diaspora, specifically fellow Afghan-American women, through retreats and group experiences that help participants find community and reconciliation with self, culture and ancestry. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Off...2024-10-1627 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 160: Hong Kong Immigrant to the UK: Summie Yeung (Part 2)Summie Yeung is a Life & Career Transition Coach, dedicated to empowering multicultural people in English-speaking countries to break free from traditional career paths and cultural expectations. Summie's immigrant journey began when she was 15, when she arrived in the UK from Hong Kong without her parents. She started her career with the conventional path of securing a stable job in technology consulting. Amidst turbulence at her last workplace, she read the book "Third Culture Kids," which illuminated the impact of cultural identity on career choices. This realization, coupled with her own career dissatisfaction, led her to seek coaching and e...2024-10-0931 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 159: Hong Kong Immigrant to the UK: Summie Yeung (Part 1)Summie Yeung is a Life & Career Transition Coach, dedicated to empowering multicultural people in English-speaking countries to break free from traditional career paths and cultural expectations. Summie's immigrant journey began when she was 15, when she arrived in the UK from Hong Kong without her parents. She started her career with the conventional path of securing a stable job in technology consulting. Amidst turbulence at her last workplace, she read the book "Third Culture Kids," which illuminated the impact of cultural identity on career choices. This realization, coupled with her own career dissatisfaction, led her to seek coaching and e...2024-10-0235 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 158: Overcoming the Challenges of H4 Spousal Visa - Varuni Sinha (Part 3)Varuni Sinha is a New York City-based writer and multimedia producer. She has written for The Post and Courier, Time Out New York, and created 360-degree campaigns for global brands such as Yamaha and Panasonic. A former guest lecturer at the University of Delhi, where she taught “Race and Politics Through Literature” and wrote a dissertation on the history of Indian comic superheroes, tracing their origin story to Hindu gods and their American cousins. Her paintings have been displayed in solo and group exhibitions in galleries across India. Support Varuni's Book: "Golden Handcuffs: An Immig...2024-09-2528 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 157: Overcoming the Challenges of H4 Spousal Visa: Varuni Sinha (Part 2)Varuni Sinha is a New York City-based writer and multimedia producer. She has written for The Post and Courier, Time Out New York, and created 360-degree campaigns for global brands such as Yamaha and Panasonic. A former guest lecturer at the University of Delhi, she taught “Race and Politics Through Literature” and wrote a dissertation on the history of Indian comic superheroes, tracing their origin story to Hindu gods and their American cousins. Her paintings have been displayed in solo and group exhibitions in galleries across India. Support Varuni's Book: "G...2024-09-1841 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 156: Overcoming the Challenges of H4 Spousal Visa: Varuni Sinha (Part 1)Varuni Sinha is a New York City-based writer and multimedia producer. She has written for The Post and Courier, Time Out New York, and created 360-degree campaigns for global brands such as Yamaha and Panasonic. A former guest lecturer at the University of Delhi, she taught “Race and Politics Through Literature” and wrote a dissertation on the history of Indian comic superheroes, tracing their origin story to Hindu gods and their American cousins. Her paintings have been displayed in solo and group exhibitions in galleries across India. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to T...2024-09-1039 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 155: Costa Rican Black Expat Experience: Frederick Mines (Part 2)Frederick Mines is an expat from the U.S. who has lived in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica for over 20 years. Listen to his re-entry to the U.S. after being gone for 20+ years and his immigrant experience living in the Caribbean coast of central America. Visit Fred's tour buisness at https://www.landovertours.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Goo...2024-08-1422 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 154: Costa Rican Black Expat Experience: Frederick Mines (Part 1)Frederick Mines is an expat from the U.S. who has lived in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica for over 20 years. Listen to his re-entry to the U.S. after being gone for 20+ years and his immigrant experience living in the Caribbean coast of central America. Visit Fred's tour buisness at https://www.landovertours.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Goo...2024-08-0421 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 153: Costa Rica Afro-Caribbean Experience: Dr. Armando Jackson (Part 2) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000773...2024-08-0135 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 152: Costa Rica Afro-Caribbean Experience: Dr. Armando Jackson (Part 1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php...2024-07-2135 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 150: Reverse Migration: An American Experience migrating to Costa Rica (Part 2)Nikki Singletary is a software engineer and a Chow Chow owner who frequently travels for a change of scenery, to check out a webdev conference, or simply to satisfy her travel bug. She recently moved to Costa Rica to experience the nomadic life with her pupper. Her travel blog - https://www.breakfastincluded.co/. More about Nikki at: https://www.breakfastincluded.co/author/nikki-singletary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Of...2024-06-0534 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 149: Reverse Migration: An American Experience migrating to Costa Rica (Part 1) Nikki Singletary is a software engineer and a Chow Chow owner who frequently travels for a change of scenery, to check out a webdev conference, or simply to satisfy her travel bug. She recently moved to Costa Rica to experience the nomadic life with her pupper. Her travel blog - https://www.breakfastincluded.co/. More about Nikki at: https://www.breakfastincluded.co/author/nikki-singletary Other projects: Taco Bun Bun - A web development agency Nikki offers over 10 years of experience in software engineering and full stack web development. In addition to a BS...2024-05-2933 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 148: Reverse Migration: A Canadian Experience migrating to Jamaica (Part 3)Connect with Cami: Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@camiathomeyoutube Medium: https://medium.com/@camiathome Website: https://camiathome.com/ Ebook: https://camiathome.com/getting-remote-job/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 2024-05-2227 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 147: Reverse Migration: A Canadian Experience migrating to Jamaica (Part 2)Connect with Cami socials: Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@camiathomeyoutube Medium: https://medium.com/@camiathome Website: https://camiathome.com/ Ebook: https://camiathome.com/getting-remote-job/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE...2024-05-1537 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 146: Reverse Migration: A Canadian Experience migrating to Jamaica (Part 1)Connect with Cami socials: Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@camiathomeyoutube Medium: https://medium.com/@camiathome Website: https://camiathome.com/ Ebook: https://camiathome.com/getting-remote-job/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE...2024-05-0937 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 145: Nutrition In America: You Are What You Eat! with Marci Kenon (Part 2) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! Facebook: h...2024-05-0146 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 144: Nutrition In America: You Are What You Eat! with Marci Kenon (Part 1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! Facebook: https...2024-04-2339 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 143: A Jamaican International Student In S. Korea (Part 2)Jervian Johnson is a very energetic, passionate and dedicated young lady who strives for the highest standards in all her endeavours. Jervian believes that while it is important to achieve personal success academically and professionally, a component of true success is giving back to others and contributing to national development. As such, she has actively participated in various clubs and societies while pursuing her secondary and tertiary education. She is currently a volunteer in the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Jamaica, which was awarded the 2017 Prime Ministers Youth Award for Excellence in the category of youth development. She has volunteered...2024-04-1733 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 142: A Jamaican International Student Experience In S. Korea(Part 1)Jervian Johnson is a very energetic, passionate and dedicated young lady who strives for the highest standards in all her endeavours. Jervian believes that while it is important to achieve personal success academically and professionally, a component of true success is giving back to others and contributing to national development. As such, she has actively participated in various clubs and societies while pursuing her secondary and tertiary education. She is currently a volunteer in the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Jamaica, which was awarded the 2017 Prime Ministers Youth Award for Excellence in the category of youth development. She has volunteered...2024-04-1035 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 141: A Sierra Leone/UK Immigrant Experience in America (Part 3)Nina Lewis, a seasoned leader in clinical operations, brings a wealth of global experience to her role as Senior Director at Altesa. With a dynamic career spanning diverse countries and continents, Nina's journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for serving both professionally and within her community. Originally hailing from Sierra Leone, Africa, Nina's career has taken her across the globe, from London, UK, to her current home base in Atlanta, GA, USA. Her extensive international exposure has enriched her understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives, which she...2024-04-0320 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 140: A Sierra Leone/UK Immigrant Experience in America (Part 2)Nina Lewis, a seasoned leader in clinical operations, brings a wealth of global experience to her role as Senior Director at Altesa. With a dynamic career spanning diverse countries and continents, Nina's journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for serving both professionally and within her community. Originally hailing from Sierra Leone, Africa, Nina's career has taken her across the globe, from London, UK, to her current home base in Atlanta, GA, USA. Her extensive international exposure has enriched her understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives, which she...2024-03-2733 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 139: A Sierra Leone/UK Immigrant Experience in America (Part 1)Nina Lewis, a seasoned leader in clinical operations, brings a wealth of global experience to her role as Senior Director at Altesa. With a dynamic career spanning diverse countries and continents, Nina's journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for serving both professionally and within her community. Originally hailing from Sierra Leone, Africa, Nina's career has taken her across the globe, from London, UK, to her current home base in Atlanta, GA, USA. Her extensive international exposure has enriched her understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives, which she...2024-03-2134 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 137: Feed Drop: Deep Culture Podcast: Three Brains, Two Minds, and One PersonWe are taking a break from our regularly scheduled episodes. This week I will be presenting a signature talk about my forthcoming book, "Come Home to Yourself: An Immigrant Experience Decoding America, Fall 2024" at the London Intercultural Institute, EmpowerHer 2024. March 7-8, 2004. The event will be streamed live on LinkedIn. Registration for Zoom closes today., March 6. I will present at 1:15 p.m. EST. https://londoninterculturalcenter.co.uk/empowerher-2024 Feed Drop: Deep Culture Podast, Episode 5. In this episode, hosts Yvonne van der Pol and Joseph Shaules reflect on a question they wer...2024-03-0621 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 136: Russian Immigrant Experience: Author of UnlimitedInterview with the Eugina Jordan, author of Unlimited - The 17 proven laws for success in a workplace not designed for you. Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: htt...2024-02-2829 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 135: Puerto Rican Immigrant Experience (Part 2) - Aramis Jordan Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1...2024-02-2130 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 134: Puerto Rican Immigrant Experience (Part 1) - Aramis Jordan Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1...2024-02-1433 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 133: Healthcare for Humans - Dr. Raj Sundar (PT 2)Dr. Raj Sundar is a full-spectrum family physician and community organizer. He hosts Healthcare for Humans , a podcast dedicated to educating others on how to care for culturally diverse communities so they can be better healers. He works with others to create systems that treat each person with dignity, respect their histories, celebrate their joys, and honor their hopes Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on:...2024-02-0731 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 132: Healthcare for Humans - Dr. Raj Sundar (PT 1)Dr. Raj Sundar is a full-spectrum family physician and community organizer. He hosts Healthcare for Humans, a podcast dedicated to educating others on how to care for culturally diverse communities so they can be better healers. He works with others to create systems that treat each person with dignity, respect their histories, celebrate their joys, and honor their hopes. Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Goo...2024-01-2830 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 131: Feed Drop: Deep Culture Podcast - Culture from the brain-mind-science perspectiveThis week we are taking a break from our regularly scheduled interviews. This podcast - Deep Culture podcast from the Japan Intercultural Institute by Dr. Joseph Shaules and team has helped me under the disorientation that one experiences after moving to a foreign country. I am sharing a few episodes with you because I think it will help you understand your own immigrant experience. In season 1, episode 4 of the Deep Culture podcast, Yvonne and Joseph dive deep into talk about culture from the brain-mind-science perspective. They share their excitement about new area...2024-01-2323 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 130: Daughter of Chinese Immigrants Experience, Author of Unfinished Business: Breaking Down The Great Wall of Adult Child & Immigrant Parent (Pt 2)This is Part 2 of the previous episode. Amy Yip is a Somatic Life Transformation and Mental Fitness coach, keynote speaker, author, and self-confidence trainer. She works with women of color leaders to strengthen their mental fitness, heal intergenerational wounds, find their voice and the courage to speak up, and have agency to let go of all the ‘shoulds’ so that they can be the authors of their own life stories. Her mission is to empower AAPI women to be seen, to be heard, and to f-ing rock the boat. Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTu...2024-01-1430 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 129: Daughter of Chinese Immigrants Experience, Author of Unfinished Business: Breaking Down The Great Wall of Adult Child & Immigrant Parents (Part 1)This is Part 1 of the episode. Amy Yip is a Somatic Life Transformation and Mental Fitness coach, keynote speaker, author, and self-confidence trainer. She works with women of color leaders to strengthen their mental fitness, heal intergenerational wounds, find their voice and the courage to speak up, and have agency to let go of all the ‘shoulds’ so that they can be the authors of their own life stories. Her mission is to empower AAPI women to be seen, to be heard, and to f-ing rock the boat. Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https...2024-01-1031 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 125: A Senegalese Experience (Part 2)This is Part 2 to Episode 124. Connect with Aicha: Aicha's TED Talk: Deconstructing the Color of Language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxgQ0WqV0Zc Start In The Beginning (SITB): www.sitbstudio.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aichaly Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcas...2023-12-1128 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 124: A Senegalese ExperienceAïcha is an executive, speaker, and CEO with 15 years of experience in Strategic Insights across multiple industries and Fortune 500 companies including Comcast, Independence Blue Cross, and URBN Inc. She is currently Head of Consumer Insights at Opensignal, the leading global provider of insights integrating network experience and market performance. Aïcha is also the Founder & CEO of Start in The Beginning (SITB) where she helps professionals and entrepreneurs learn how to communicate their value so they can make a lasting impression, expand their influence, and accelerate their growth. A native of Senegal, West Africa, she draws fr...2023-12-0435 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 123: International Student Journey - Part 2This is Part 2 of Episode 122 featuring Crystelle Desnoyer. Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz Connect with Simone! 2023-11-2553 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 120: Being Jewish In Belarus, Part II Marina Raydun’s published works of fiction include a compilation of novellas One Year in Berlin/Foreign Bride, a suspense novel entitled Joe After Maya, as well as a two-part series, Effortless. Year One is her first (fictionalized) memoir. Born in the former Soviet Union, Marina grew up in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a J.D. from New York Law School and a B.A. in history from Pace University. She is an avid music fan, a cat lover, and an enthusiastic learner of American Sign Language. Whenever she is not writing, Marina enjoys spending time with her family, catchin...2023-11-0740 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 119: Being Jewish in Belarus, Part 1 Marina Raydun’s published works of fiction include a compilation of novellas One Year in Berlin/Foreign Bride, a suspense novel entitled Joe After Maya, as well as a two-part series, Effortless. Year One is her first (fictionalized) memoir. Born in the former Soviet Union, Marina grew up in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a J.D. from New York Law School and a B.A. in history from Pace University. She is an avid music fan, a cat lover, and an enthusiastic learner of American Sign Language. Whenever she is not writing, Marina enjoys spending time with her family, catchin...2023-11-0146 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 118: From Brazil To Google Evangelist & Telling Empowering Stories, Part II Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and a passionate storyteller, Sil loves to explore the world and different cultures. She believes her mission is to build bridges that connect people to their goals, so bridging cultural gaps is one of her strengths. With 30 years of experience in companies such as Google and WPP ad agencies, Sil left the corporate world to focus on her company, STORY by Sil Curiati, where she helps people Talk the Walk by making sense of their fragmented stories, feeling proud about them, and developing the ability to identify their superpowers. As a l...2023-10-2434 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 117: From Brazil To Google Evangelist & Telling Empowering Stories Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and a passionate storyteller, Sil loves to explore the world and different cultures. She believes her mission is to build bridges that connect people to their goals, so bridging cultural gaps is one of her strengths. With 30 years of experience in companies such as Google and WPP ad agencies, Sil left the corporate world to focus on her company, STORY by Sil Curiati, where she helps people Talk the Walk by making sense of their fragmented stories, feeling proud about them, and developing the ability to identify their superpowers. As a l...2023-10-1742 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 116: From Dominican Republic, Gen. Z Retires Her Parents At Age 24!Part II Stephanie Nuesi is a first-gen and proud latina. She grew up in a small town in the Dominican Republic and came to the US in 2015. Without speaking a word of English, she found her way to her dream roles by overcoming rejections. She currently work in Finance at Google, supporting the company’s growth and profitability efforts. She graduated from Baruch College with a BBA in Accounting, Information Systems Technology, and Social Responsibility. With more than 60M+ views, she shares my career advice and content creation tips with millions of people on LinkedIn, Ins...2023-10-1022 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 115: From Dominican Republic, Gen. Z Retires Her Parents At Age 24!Stephanie Nuesi is a first-gen and proud latina. She grew up in a small town in the Dominican Republic and came to the US in 2015. Without speaking a word of English, she found her way to her dream roles by overcoming rejections. She currently work in Finance at Google, supporting the company’s growth and profitability efforts. She graduated from Baruch College with a BBA in Accounting, Information Systems Technology, and Social Responsibility. With more than 60M+ views, she shares my career advice and content creation tips with millions of people on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Stephanie has been fe...2023-10-0434 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 110: An American In Japan: How Wanderlust, change, new cultures led to a wife, life and new home abroad In the engaging Part 2 of our podcast, we delved into how Dr. Shaules started his Deep Culture Podcast. Our conversation revolved around the topic of deep culture, its subtle impact on individual behaviors, beliefs, values, and perceptions—whether consciously acknowledged or not. We uncovered the concealed hurdles of global living, illuminating the profound role culture plays in shaping cognition, influencing thought processes and our experience of the world. Dr. Shaules also graciously shared insights into his online learning course, a masterclass focusing on the fascinating intersection of culture, brain, and mind. Connect with Dr...2023-08-3035 min
21st Century Expression with Marty Education#18 Learn to Communicate BETTER | Simone W. Johnson-SmithWe're joined today by Simone W. Johnson-Smith - mother, wife, and former U.S. Diplomat with 12+ years and counting as a Federal Government employee. She is an immigrant-American from Jamaica, now living in the U.S. for over 2 decades.
Simone shares her experiences as an immigrant, the hardships she's overcome, while giving some incredibly useful advice on succeeding in a new country - culturally, profesionally, and socially.
Simone has also herself learned Spanish and French, and she shares her ups and downs, as well as how she's been able to maintain Span...2023-08-2258 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 107: Dr. Glen Laman, Jamaican Entrepreneur, Author and KC Old Boys AssociationDr. Glen Laman was born in rural Jamaica in the parish of St. Ann. He attended high school at Kingston College and worked briefly for Reynolds Jamaica Mines. In 1969, he migrated to the USA where he attended Pace University and Brenau University for undergrad and master’s degrees respectively. He has had an extensive career in corporate America as an Information Technology and Business Project Manager, having worked at major corporations such as the Coca-Cola Company, J C Penney and AT&T. Some 40 years after completing his undergraduate degree, he graduated from the University of Management and Te...2023-08-0830 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 106: 2021 Global Teacher Prize Winner (Keishia & Dr. Treisha Thorpe) - Part 3This is the final part (Part 3) of the Episode! In this inspiring episode, we have the pleasure of hosting special guests, Treisha and Keishia Thorpe. Originally born in Jamaica, these remarkable women share their incredible journey of immigrating to the United States and making a significant impact in the fields of education and athletics. Dr. Treisha Thorpe is the founder of U.S. Elite, an organization that has been transforming the lives of young athletes since its inception in October 2005. Through its Track and Field Program, U.S. Elite provides invaluable information and resources to...2023-08-0223 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 105: 2021 Global Teacher Prize Winner (Keishia & Dr. Treisha Thorpe) - Part 2This is Part 2 of the Episode! In this inspiring episode, we have the pleasure of hosting special guests, Treisha and Keishia Thorpe. Originally born in Jamaica, these remarkable women share their incredible journey of immigrating to the United States and making a significant impact in the fields of education and athletics. Dr. Treisha Thorpe is the founder of U.S. Elite, an organization that has been transforming the lives of young athletes since its inception in October 2005. Through its Track and Field Program, U.S. Elite provides invaluable information and resources to benefit Elite Olympic...2023-07-2637 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 104: 2021 Global Teacher Prize Winner (Keishia & Dr. Treisha Thorpe) - Part 1Part 1 of the episode! In this inspiring episode, we have the pleasure of hosting special guests, Treisha and Keishia Thorpe. Originally born in Jamaica, these remarkable women share their incredible journey of immigrating to the United States and making a significant impact in the fields of education and athletics. Dr. Treisha Thorpe is the founder of U.S. Elite, an organization that has been transforming the lives of young athletes since its inception in October 2005. Through its Track and Field Program, U.S. Elite provides invaluable information and resources to benefit Elite Olympic Developmental and...2023-07-1930 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 102: Caribbean American Heritage Month w/ Nadine Johnson-Stone: Realtor & BankerListen to my first conversation interviewing a family member. My sister details her experience growing up in Jamaica and the transition to the United States. Listen for childhood reflections about our simple but full lives in Westmoreland, Jamaica. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode coming out next Wednesday. Connect with Nadine Johnson-Stone here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-johnson/ IG: GNSR_Realty and nadinejohnson TikTok: @n_johnson81 Let’s Connect! Email: simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.fac...2023-07-0729 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 103: Caribbean-American Heritage: Nadine Johnson-Stone, Realtor and Banker, Part IIPart II of Nadine's interview. Listen to the continuation of my first conversation interviewing a family member. My sister details her experience growing up in Jamaica and the transition to the United States. Listen for childhood reflections about our simple but full lives in Westmoreland, Jamaica. Connect with Nadine Johnson-Stone here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-johnson/ IG: GNSR_Realty and nadinejohnson TikTok: @n_johnson81 Let’s Connect! Email: simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Immigr...2023-07-0737 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 91: My Story Continued...Interview with The Finance, Business and Purpose Podcast, Adina AppelbaumListen in as I discuss my career path with Adina Appelbaum, host of the Finance, Business and Purpose podcast. Have you felt lost about how to figure out the direction of your career? In this episode, guest Simone W. Johnson Smith shares her inspiring story of how she navigated the educational and career systems in the U.S. to discover her career path after immigrating to the U.S. from Jamaica as a young girl to later on become a U.S. diplomat. Simone's story provides a powerful example of the importance of constantly learning, being cur...2023-04-1631 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 89: Gay, Tortured, and Abused In Turkey: The Burak Yilmaz Story, Author of "If My Mother Never Left"In this episode, Simone interviews Burak Yilmaz from Turkey who shares his story of imprisonment, torture and poverty on the route to freedom. In 2002 Burak Yilmaz was thrown into a Turkish prison for publishing a Sex in the City-style book about the underground gay community within the Islamic-run country. After years of torture, Burak was released and he immediately fled to New York City where he endured homelessness, racism, and sexual abuse on the way to becoming a registered nurse. His upcoming book, If My Mother Never Left, is a continuation of his h...2023-04-0928 min
SYNARCHY167. How to Navigate Your Career Journey with Simone W. Johnson SmithHave you felt lost about how to figure out the direction of your career?
In this episode, guest Simone W. Johnson Smith shares her inspiring story of how she navigated the educational and career systems in the U.S. to discover her career path after immigrating to the U.S. from Jamaica as a young girl to later become a U.S. diplomat.
Simone's story provides a powerful example of the importance of constantly learning, being curious, and following the signs for guidance on the next step in following your purpose.
From following he...2023-04-0435 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 57: Top 20 American Culture Podcasts!In this episode, we share updates on the progress of our podcast as well as outlining some important new features to come. Sincere thanks fot Anuj Agarwarl and the Feedspot team for nominating us as one of the top 30 American Culture podcasts. See the full list below: http://blog.feedspot.com/american_culture_podcasts/ Let’s Connect! Email: theimmigrantexperiencebtyad@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Immigrant-Experience-In-America-103525698906957 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonewjohnson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimmigrantexperiencepodcast/ TikTok: https://w...2022-10-1209 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 56: From the Philippines to Marketing Advisory and Consulting ServicesIn this week's episode, I have Evelyn Swaim joining me. Evelyn Swaim is an accomplished senior marketing executive with a passion for driving measurable impact and results. She has spent the last 20 years in the technology sector, crafting marketing strategies that have helped a myriad of companies – hyper-growth start-ups, mid to large enterprises, with a focus on B2B, B2C, and SaaS – grow their brands, revenues, and bookings. As a digital savvy and data-driven leader, Evelyn has proven success leading high-performing teams that take ownership of the whole funnel, always striving to deliver value and impact to th...2022-10-0542 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 55: The Zimbabwean Experience - Author of " Send Her Back & Other Stories"In this week’s episode, I have Munashe Kaseke joining me. Munashe Kaseke was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe. She migrated to the United States of America at age nineteen when she received a scholarship to study at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She holds Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Administration degrees. Send Her Back and Other Stories is her debut book, a beautiful collection of the human experience. In this collection, you will meet black immigrant women in varying circumstances. Munashe currently lives and works in Northern California. In this ep...2022-09-2854 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 54: The Cameroonian ExperienceIn this week’s episode, I have Igxtelle Mbah Acha Dopgima joining me. Igxtelle was born and raised in Cameroon, and eventually immigrated to the US. She is an international speaker and counselor, helping Immigrants and Multinationals find their authentic self. She is the founder of The Immigrant Mom, a non-profit organization founded in the United States supporting mothers and women who are parenting in a new country, different from the country and culture of their upbringing. The Immigrant Mom has the vision to empower every immigrant/multinational woman with the tools necessary for an over...2022-09-2130 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 53: Love 4 ImmigrantsIn this week’s episode, I have Maribel Rodriguez joining me. Maribel Rodriguez loves her roots and her parents’ countries, Colombia and Puerto Rico. Having been to both countries and growing up in Brooklyn, NY a melting pot of many cultures, she has a love for people of diverse cultures and walks of life. She studied photography at The Rochester of Technology and Social Enterprise at American University. This is where Love 4 Immigrants was founded as a graduate capstone project out of the frustration of seeing immigrants being depicted in the media in untruthful and inhumane ways. In a...2022-09-141h 01
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 52: The Japanese ExperienceIn this week’s episode, I have Yuri Damitz joining me. As a coach, Yuri helps purpose-driven, career-oriented women connect with their mission and get to the next level of happiness and fulfillment. She started her career in the financial industry as a consultant and held several leadership positions at banks and financial institutions. After climbing the corporate ladder for 20 years, she had a midlife crisis that turned into an existential crisis. She started her healing and self-discovery journey. This led to discovering her mission to empower other women to align their work with their true...2022-09-071h 02
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 51: Understanding American Culture Part 2In this episode, my guest Lanie Denslow from last week shares Part 2 of her story. Lanie is the Founder & Principal at World Wise Intercultural Training & Resources, where she works with clients to improve their global business communication skills. She is a leading author, popular speaker and trusted advisor on how culture shapes business practices and business protocol around the world. She is known for using humor and candor to help others grasp the complexity of today’s global business environment. Lanie is co-author of Working with Americans and author of World Wise: What to Know Before You Go ...2022-08-3139 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 50: Understanding American Culture Part 1In this week’s episode, I have Lanie Denslow joining me. Lanie is the Founder & Principal at World Wise Intercultural Training & Resources, where she works with clients to improve their global business communication skills. She is a leading author, popular speaker, and trusted advisor on how culture shapes business practices and business protocol around the world. She is known for using humor and candor to help others grasp the complexity of today’s global business environment. Lanie is co-author of Working with Americans and author of World Wise: What to Know Before You Go (Bloomsbury) both internationally reco...2022-08-2440 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 49 : The International Student Experience Part 2In this episode, my guest Dr. Kareem Heslop from last week shares Part 2 of his immigrant story. Dr. Kareem was born in Jamaica. At age 4, Kareem left his birth family to live with a retired couple from around Portland Province. He lived with his adopted family since then and became a part of a stable and loving home. Kareem knew at the young age of 12 that he wanted to be a scientist. He knew he wanted to attend college, but it would be difficult financially. It was then he set his sights on academic scholarships. He was...2022-08-1721 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 48: The International Student Experience Part 1In this week’s episode, I have Dr, Kareem Heslop joining me. Dr. Kareem was born in Jamaica. At age 4, Kareem left his birth family to live with a retired couple from around Portland Province. He lived with his adopted family since then and became a part of a stable and loving home. Kareem knew at the young age of 12 that he wanted to be a scientist. He knew he wanted to attend college, but financially it would be difficult. It was then he set his sights on academic scholarships. He was one of the first recipients of...2022-08-1041 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 47: The Refugee ExperienceIn this week’s episode, I have Tijana Brien joining me. Tijana immigrated with her family during her pre-teen years. She was born in Sarajevo, in the former Yugoslavia, now known as the country of Bosnia. She has a mixed heritage, her father being Croatian and her mom Bosnian. She is a successful full-time lawyer who is now a partner at her law firm, Cooley LLP. Tijana’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and securities litigation matters. She has substantial experience in a wide range of disputes both in federal and state court, including cont...2022-08-0328 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 46: The Afro-Panamanian Experience - Federal Resume WriterIn this week’s episode, I have Janine Wiggins joining me. Janine is a certified federal career coach and certified federal job search trainer. Her business, Resumes by Neen, LLC, provides resume and coaching services for individuals transitioning from a private sector position into a government job. Her company also provides resume services for service members transitioning out of the military into a federal or civilian job. She is a graduate of the University of Mobile with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and 5+ years of experience in the resume writing business. She worked for 13 years in...2022-07-2752 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 45: The Venezuelan-Chinese Experience (pt. 2)Part 2 of Cecilia Li's story. 2022-07-1320 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 44: The Venezuelan-Chinese Experience (pt. 1)In this week’s episode, I have Cecilia Li joining me. Cecilia Li is a Chief Information Officer with a career of success as a strategic partner to executive management and board of directors delivering vision, and recommendations while leading cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment. With over 20 years of experience with a focus on customer service and digital transformation, she is often discussing relevant topics in conferences and webinars related to cyber security, innovation, business intelligence, automation, and operations optimization. She currently works at Urban Edge Properties; a New York stock exchange (NYSE...2022-07-0626 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 43: Scholarships! Scholarships!I’m interrupting my usual podcast schedule to share with you a list of scholarships. Congratulations to all new graduates! A lot of you are heading to your summer vacation and preparing for your first semester away -- we wish you the best and stay safe. This episode is geared towards sharing with you a list of scholarships that I have found to be beneficial or forwarded by others. You may do your own research and I hope you take advantage of these resources. 1. Charles Rangel Fellowship 2. United Negro College Fund 3. Black MBA Scholarship 4. Voyager Scholarship 5. Fulbright Scholarship 6. Marshall Scholarship 7. Rho...2022-06-3010 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 42: The Filipino ExperienceLindsay was born and raised in the Philippines as a third generation Chinese immigrant. She is also a first generation US immigrant after she moved to the US 13 years ago. She graduated as a Management Engineering major and worked in the IT industry across several countries such as the Philippines, Poland, Canada, and now in the USA. She now lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and two young kids. Lindsay has two decades of track record as a global technology leader. She has grown her career in various industries such as consumer packaged goods (Procter & Gamble), hardware and software servi...2022-06-2949 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 41: The Educator's Experience - St. VincentCheryl Phills-King originates from St. Vincent where her main focus was education. She later migrated and worked in the Drew University Library. Mrs. Phills-King has an active lifestyle through formal employment and volunteerism. Her husband Baldwin King was a professsor at University of the West Indies and Drew University, New Jersey and is currently the Professior Emeritus of Chemistry Department - Drew University. The couple has entered the documentation and publishing of the Caribbean experience (2 volumes of Caribbean trailblazers among others) in their latter years - see several publications by Ms. Phills-King and her spouse Baldwin King. "People need t...2022-06-2234 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 40: The Afro-Latina Experience (Pt. 2)Jenniffer Whyte is a Spanish teacher in a private school setting. She migrated from the Dominican Republic via her father where she resided in New York, later Atlanta metro area and later settling in Alabama. In this episode, Jenniffer - an afro-latina in the south, details her journey as a black latina navigating racism, prejudice while serving as a mom, pastor's wife, spanish teacher, podcaster and so many more. If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to add of our Human Library of immigrant stories, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at...2022-06-1538 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 39: The Afro-Latina ExperienceJenniffer Whyte is a Spanish teacher in a private school setting. She migrated from the Dominican Republic via her father where she resided in New York, later Atlanta metro area and later setting in Alabama. In this episode, Jenniffer - an afro-latina in the south, details her journey as a black latina navigating racism, prejudice while serving as a mom, pastor's wife, spanish teacher, podcaster and so many more. If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to add of our Human Library of immigrant stories, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at...2022-06-0841 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 38: The Retiree's Experience - St. VincentArtie Phills is a vibrant retired person! He migranted from St. Vincent and has had a successful career in the Telecommunications Industry for over 30 years. Now retired, Artie is just as active, if not more, than his formally employed season. Way to go Artie!! You are the example of how to flourish in retirement - over 20+ years and counting in. If you or anyone you know would like to be interviewed to add of our Human Library of immigrant stories, call us at 240-232-5579 or email us at info@thedreamacademy.us 2022-06-0438 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 37: Mexico to VP of Certificate Management - Avalara (Pt. 2)Silvia Aguirre, emigrated from Mexico at a early age. As the older of two daughters, Silvia set out to learn as much as she could to support her sister and mom as they adjust to life in the United States. Silvia's journey is one of hardwork, volunteerism, and sacrifice. She deserves as the great things that is now a part of her life. Silvia's journey reminds me of a poem I learned in high school and has been an anthem for my journey here in the United States. "The heights of great men/women were not attained b...2022-06-0332 min
The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)Ep. 36: Mexico to VP of Certificate Management - AvalaraSilvia Aguirre, emigrated from Mexico at a early age. As the older of two daughters, Silvia set out to learn as much as she could to support her sister and mom as they adjust to life in the United States. Silvia's journey is one of hardwork, volunteerism, and sacrifice. She deserves all the great things that is now a part of her life. Silvia's journey reminds me of a poem I learned in high school and has been an anthem for my journey here in the United States. "The heights of great men/women were not attained b...2022-06-0130 min
AS(Fem)RKatherine JohnsonHappy Women and Girls in Science Day!
I have an extra story for you this week about Katherine Johnson, NASA research mathematician. Her calculations allowed astronauts to enter space for the first time, walk the moon for the first time and get home safely when things went wrong. She was a brilliant woman with many "firsts" and we are celebrating her on Women and Girls in Science Day during Black History Month.
This video includes soft-spoken storytelling, occasional close whispers, soft tapping, lid sounds, mic brushing with makeup brushes, and...2021-02-1217 min