The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

In this powerful episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, Simone W. Johnson sits down with Dr. Leide Porcu, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, and author of Neither Here Nor There: A Guide for Immigrants and the Therapists Who Walk With Them. Drawing from her own lived experience as an immigrant and decades of clinical practice, Dr. Porcu unpacks the emotional and psychological realities many immigrants carry but rarely name, identity fragmentation, suppressed distress, and multilayered grief. This conversation explores why immigrants often feel unseen in their mourning, how cultural dissonance and acculturation stress show up in mental health, and what culturally responsive care actually looks like in practice. Dr. Porcu also shares practical tools for managing daily stressors such as visa uncertainty, financial pressure, and caregiving burden, without pathologizing survival. This episode is for immigrants, first-generation families, third-culture people, therapists, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the inner world of migration.  "Neither Here Nor There" : A Guide for Immigrants and Those Who Walk With Them by Leide Porcu was published by Routledge in February 2026. The book draws on more than seven years of focused writing and clinical work with immigrants and multilingual families. It addresses a wide range of immigrant experiences — from trauma and hardship to the disorientation, identity conflict, loneliness, and pressure to succeed that can affect even privileged newcomers. It also speaks to the second generation. The book offers practical therapeutic tools, case vignettes, culturally adaptive exercises, and guidance for therapists and allies supporting those living between cultures. Available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Neither-Here-Nor-There-Immigrants/dp/1041091184 Routledge https://www.routledge.com/Neither-Here-Nor-There-A-Guide-for-Immigrants-and-the-Therapists-Who-Walk-with-Them/Porcu/p/book/9781041091189 #immigrantmentalhealth neither here nor there immigration psychology culture shock mental health immigrant grief identity fragmentation acculturation stress imposter syndrome immigrants therapy for immigrants mental health and migration third culture identity The Immigrant Experience in America Decoding America #immigrantexperience  The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theimmigrantexperience Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast  💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.  Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

In this powerful episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, Simone W. Johnson sits down with Dr. Leide Porcu, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, and author of Neither Here Nor There: A Guide for Immigrants and the Therapists Who Walk With Them. Drawing from her own lived experience as an immigrant and decades of clinical practice, Dr. Porcu unpacks the emotional and psychological realities many immigrants carry but rarely name, identity fragmentation, suppressed distress, and multilayered grief. This conversation explores why immigrants often feel unseen in their mourning, how cultural dissonance and acculturation stress show up in mental health, and what culturally responsive care actually looks like in practice. Dr. Porcu also shares practical tools for managing daily stressors such as visa uncertainty, financial pressure, and caregiving burden, without pathologizing survival. This episode is for immigrants, first-generation families, third-culture people, therapists, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the inner world of migration.  "Neither Here Nor There" : A Guide for Immigrants and Those Who Walk With Them by Leide Porcu was published by Routledge in February 2026. The book draws on more than seven years of focused writing and clinical work with immigrants and multilingual families. It addresses a wide range of immigrant experiences — from trauma and hardship to the disorientation, identity conflict, loneliness, and pressure to succeed that can affect even privileged newcomers. It also speaks to the second generation. The book offers practical therapeutic tools, case vignettes, culturally adaptive exercises, and guidance for therapists and allies supporting those living between cultures. Available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Neither-Here-Nor-There-Immigrants/dp/1041091184 Routledge https://www.routledge.com/Neither-Here-Nor-There-A-Guide-for-Immigrants-and-the-Therapists-Who-Walk-with-Them/Porcu/p/book/9781041091189 #immigrantmentalhealth neither here nor there immigration psychology culture shock mental health immigrant grief identity fragmentation acculturation stress imposter syndrome immigrants therapy for immigrants mental health and migration third culture identity The Immigrant Experience in America Decoding America #immigrantexperience  The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theimmigrantexperience Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast  💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.  Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

In this powerful episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, Simone W. Johnson sits down with Dr. Leide Porcu, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, and author of Neither Here Nor There: A Guide for Immigrants and the Therapists Who Walk With Them. Drawing from her own lived experience as an immigrant and decades of clinical practice, Dr. Porcu unpacks the emotional and psychological realities many immigrants carry but rarely name, identity fragmentation, suppressed distress, and multilayered grief. This conversation explores why immigrants often feel unseen in their mourning, how cultural dissonance and acculturation stress show up in mental health, and what culturally responsive care actually looks like in practice. Dr. Porcu also shares practical tools for managing daily stressors such as visa uncertainty, financial pressure, and caregiving burden, without pathologizing survival. This episode is for immigrants, first-generation families, third-culture people, therapists, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the inner world of migration.  "Neither Here Nor There" : A Guide for Immigrants and Those Who Walk With Them by Leide Porcu was published by Routledge in February 2026. The book draws on more than seven years of focused writing and clinical work with immigrants and multilingual families. It addresses a wide range of immigrant experiences — from trauma and hardship to the disorientation, identity conflict, loneliness, and pressure to succeed that can affect even privileged newcomers. It also speaks to the second generation. The book offers practical therapeutic tools, case vignettes, culturally adaptive exercises, and guidance for therapists and allies supporting those living between cultures. Available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Neither-Here-Nor-There-Immigrants/dp/1041091184 Routledge https://www.routledge.com/Neither-Here-Nor-There-A-Guide-for-Immigrants-and-the-Therapists-Who-Walk-with-Them/Porcu/p/book/9781041091189 #immigrantmentalhealth neither here nor there immigration psychology culture shock mental health immigrant grief identity fragmentation acculturation stress imposter syndrome immigrants therapy for immigrants mental health and migration third culture identity The Immigrant Experience in America Decoding America #immigrantexperience  The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theimmigrantexperience Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast  💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.  Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

In this conversation, Dr. Sam Rodriguez Morheim, respected periodontist and author, reflects on his family's Cuban American journey through the eyes of a child. In 1962, following the rise of the Castro regime, his family was forced to leave Cuba, abandoning their professions, possessions, and sense of certainty for an unknown future. Growing up in Brooklyn, Dr. Morheim shares how displacement, resilience, and memory shaped his identity and worldview. This episode explores migration not as a political talking point, but as a deeply human experience marked by loss, adaptation, and quiet strength. From the weight of what was left behind to the values carried forward, this story speaks to immigrants, children of immigrants, and anyone shaped by movement across borders. This is a conversation about survival, family, and how early experiences echo across a lifetime. Cuban American story Cuban immigration Immigrant childhood Exile from Cuba Castro regime 1962 Cuban diaspora Immigrant family stories Brooklyn immigrant history Children of immigrants Immigration and identity Cuban American experience Migration stories Latin American diaspora Resilience and migration Immigrant voices GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

In this conversation, Dr. Sam Rodriguez Morheim, respected periodontist and author, reflects on his family's Cuban American journey through the eyes of a child. In 1962, following the rise of the Castro regime, his family was forced to leave Cuba, abandoning their professions, possessions, and sense of certainty for an unknown future. Growing up in Brooklyn, Dr. Morheim shares how displacement, resilience, and memory shaped his identity and worldview. This episode explores migration not as a political talking point, but as a deeply human experience marked by loss, adaptation, and quiet strength. From the weight of what was left behind to the values carried forward, this story speaks to immigrants, children of immigrants, and anyone shaped by movement across borders. This is a conversation about survival, family, and how early experiences echo across a lifetime. Cuban American story Cuban immigration Immigrant childhood Exile from Cuba Castro regime 1962 Cuban diaspora Immigrant family stories Brooklyn immigrant history Children of immigrants Immigration and identity Cuban American experience Migration stories Latin American diaspora Resilience and migration Immigrant voices GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

In this conversation, Dr. Sam Rodriguez Morheim, respected periodontist and author, reflects on his family's Cuban American journey through the eyes of a child. In 1962, following the rise of the Castro regime, his family was forced to leave Cuba, abandoning their professions, possessions, and sense of certainty for an unknown future. Growing up in Brooklyn, Dr. Morheim shares how displacement, resilience, and memory shaped his identity and worldview. This episode explores migration not as a political talking point, but as a deeply human experience marked by loss, adaptation, and quiet strength. From the weight of what was left behind to the values carried forward, this story speaks to immigrants, children of immigrants, and anyone shaped by movement across borders. This is a conversation about survival, family, and how early experiences echo across a lifetime. Cuban American story Cuban immigration Immigrant childhood Exile from Cuba Castro regime 1962 Cuban diaspora Immigrant family stories Brooklyn immigrant history Children of immigrants Immigration and identity Cuban American experience Migration stories Latin American diaspora Resilience and migration Immigrant voices GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Dr Mazella Fuller is back to share her story. It bridges every system immigrants encounter: education, healthcare, and the daily coded rules that shape belonging. As co-editor of "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism," she has curated voices that map the realities of navigating and confronting explicit and subtle bias in America's institutions. Her earlier book, "Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician's Guide," broke new ground by highlighting how race and migration intersect in mental health. Raised in an Afrocentric household in the South, Dr. Fuller's mission to break systemic barriers runs deep. She has spent 30 years advocating, mentoring, and building communities at Duke and Smith College. Whether speaking to mentorship as her daily act of reparations or describing how adjusting to America's unwritten codes can feel like hacking biased systems, Dr. Fuller offers wisdom that will resonate with everyone listening, from new arrivals to longtime Americans seeking to understand what true allyship looks like in the immigrant journey.  Booking website: https://antiracismandequity.com/antiracism-book-promo/   GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Dr Mazella Fuller is back to share her story. It bridges every system immigrants encounter: education, healthcare, and the daily coded rules that shape belonging. As co-editor of "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism," she has curated voices that map the realities of navigating and confronting explicit and subtle bias in America's institutions. Her earlier book, "Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician's Guide," broke new ground by highlighting how race and migration intersect in mental health. Raised in an Afrocentric household in the South, Dr. Fuller's mission to break systemic barriers runs deep. She has spent 30 years advocating, mentoring, and building communities at Duke and Smith College. Whether speaking to mentorship as her daily act of reparations or describing how adjusting to America's unwritten codes can feel like hacking biased systems, Dr. Fuller offers wisdom that will resonate with everyone listening, from new arrivals to longtime Americans seeking to understand what true allyship looks like in the immigrant journey.  Booking website: https://antiracismandequity.com/antiracism-book-promo/   GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Today's episode is with Dr Mazella Fuller. Her story bridges every system immigrants encounter: education, healthcare, and the daily coded rules that shape belonging. As co-editor of "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism," she has curated voices that map the realities of navigating and confronting explicit and subtle bias in America's institutions. Her earlier book, "Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician's Guide," broke new ground by highlighting how race and migration intersect in mental health. Raised in an Afrocentric household in the South, Dr. Fuller's mission to break systemic barriers runs deep. She has spent 30 years advocating, mentoring, and building communities at Duke and Smith College. Whether speaking to mentorship as her daily act of reparations or describing how adjusting to America's unwritten codes can feel like hacking biased systems, Dr. Fuller offers wisdom that will resonate with everyone listening, from new arrivals to longtime Americans seeking to understand what true allyship looks like in the immigrant journey.  Booking website: https://antiracismandequity.com/antiracism-book-promo/   GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Urmi Hossain, a Bengali-Italian living in Montreal returned to share her immigration experience as well as my story of being a Third Culture Kid (TCK). Urmi is a blogger, YouTuber, self-published author, speaker, a female mentor, and advocate for women's empowerment. She is also the social media lead for Women in Leadership and campaign manager for Femme Influence. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Today, Urmi Hossain, a Bengali-Italian living in Montreal shares her immigration experience as well as my story of being a Third Culture Kid (TCK). Urmi is a blogger, YouTuber, self-published author, speaker, a female mentor, and advocate for women's empowerment. She is also the social media lead for Women in Leadership and campaign manager for Femme Influence. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Winthrop, born and raised in Long Island, New York, to Jamaican and Fijian parents, shares the struggle of balancing his Caribbean heritage at home with the pressure to assimilate as an American kid in the 90s. He details the impulsive decision to leave a finance career path in NYC to embrace entrepreneurship in Jamaica, revealing the intense culture shock and business lessons learned during his first four years in Negril. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Winthrop, born and raised in Long Island, New York, to Jamaican and Fijian parents, shares the struggle of balancing his Caribbean heritage at home with the pressure to assimilate as an American kid in the 90s. He details the impulsive decision to leave a finance career path in NYC to embrace entrepreneurship in Jamaica, revealing the intense culture shock and business lessons learned during his first four years in Negril. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

The founder of Carry On Friends! Kerry-Ann was born in Jamaica and moved to Brooklyn, NYC as a teenager. Since starting Carry On Friends, have been a speaker at Podcast Movement, Haiti Tech Summit, Caribbean Digital Divas on a variety of topics including podcast, career, entrepreneurship and Caribbean culture.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

The founder of Carry On Friends! Kerry-Ann was born in Jamaica and moved to Brooklyn, NYC as a teenager. Since starting Carry On Friends, have been a speaker at Podcast Movement, Haiti Tech Summit, Caribbean Digital Divas on a variety of topics including podcast, career, entrepreneurship and Caribbean culture.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

The founder of Carry On Friends! Kerry-Ann was born in Jamaica and moved to Brooklyn, NYC as a teenager. Since starting Carry On Friends, have been a speaker at Podcast Movement, Haiti Tech Summit, Caribbean Digital Divas on a variety of topics including podcast, career, entrepreneurship and Caribbean culture.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Key Themes Identity & Belonging The tension of "you've arrived here, now who are you?" Many immigrants carry a dual identity: rooted in a homeland + building a future elsewhere. Letting go of perfection: striving to fit in often causes people to lose parts of what made them uniquely strong. Belonging isn't only about external acceptance. It begins internally — how you carry yourself, how you reconcile "old home" and "new home." Financial Literacy in a New Context Systems you took for granted in your home country (banking, credit, retirement, investments) often work differently or not at all here. Language of finance and culture: Understanding the rules is one thing; feeling comfortable playing the game is another. Your immigrant status (first or second generation) is not a barrier — but lack of tailored support or advice is. Cultural Transition & Adaptation Adapting doesn't mean assimilation. Your former cultural values are inputs, not mistakes to erase. Work-life balance can shift in surprising ways when you move across cultures — expectations, definitions of success, even rest change. Boundaries become crucial. Setting them early prevents overwhelm and identity drift. High Achievement & Hidden Costs For high-achieving immigrants, success often comes with hidden stress: needing to prove, over‐performing, feeling isolated. There's a trap in "doing everything" and never pausing to ask "is this what I want?" Forgiveness and rest are underrated. The culture of achievement here sometimes doesn't give you permission to just be. Major Takeaways You don't have to choose between "origin" and "destination". Use both. Your background gives strengths (perspective, resilience) you might be ignoring. Step into the financial system with curiosity, not fear. Ask: What can I learn? What do I need to protect? What am I aiming for? Boundaries = freedom, not restriction. Saying no to what drains you makes room for what nourishes you. Culture shift is more marathon than sprint. Some parts integrate fast, others slowly. Accept mis‐steps as part of the process. Achievement without alignment leads to burnout. Checking boxes doesn't always equal satisfaction. Clarify values, not just goals. Belonging is active. It's a daily choice: engaging with community, voice, identity. It's not passive acceptance.     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

In this four‑part conversation on The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone W. Johnson‑Smith sits down with Dr. Reynaldo White, a Panamanian‑born pastor, educator, author, musician, and community advocate whose life journey traverses Panama, Miami, and rural Alabama. Dr. White recounts his upbringing in extreme poverty near the Panama Canal and his family's move to the United States when his father joined the U.S. Army. He reflects on learning English and navigating identity in Miami, then describes the cultural adjustment of pastoring in Alabama—a state where racial categories rarely include Afro‑Latinos and where his Spanish‑language congregation received hate mail and threats. Despite this hostility, he and his wife built a multicultural church that eventually included nineteen nationalities. When church board members balked at purchasing a property, the Whites bought it themselves and later expanded it to 12,000 square feet to host both international and local congregations. The episode explores Dr. White's academic and professional path—from earning degrees in music performance and serving as a concert pianist who toured 69 countries, to completing a Ph.D. in educational leadership and teaching English Language Learners. He shares how his students encouraged him to write his childhood stories, which became bilingual books funding a school for former child addicts in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. White speaks candidly about family life: his daughter's pregnancy crisis and the premature birth of his granddaughter at 23 weeks, followed by a miraculous recovery he attributes to prayer; adopting two sons with severe autism and raising them with discipline and love; fostering additional children; and the challenges that arise when biological parents reappear years later. He emphasises that parenting requires consistency and community support, urging listeners to embrace the African proverb "it takes a village to raise a child." Throughout the conversation, Dr. White weaves in themes of faith, resilience, and service. He advocates for military training as a pathway to discipline and career opportunities, recounts the benefits his own sons gained from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and contrasts the efficiency of Miami's immigrant community with the slow growth and isolation of rural Alabama. The episode closes with Dr. White's call to build inclusive communities, support immigrant voices, and join his efforts—whether by reading his books, supporting the Nairobi school, or visiting his church in Alabama. Guest Bio Dr. Reynaldo White is a Panamanian‑American pastor, educator, author, and former concert pianist. Born near the Panama Canal, he immigrated to Miami as a child and later served in the U.S. Army. He holds degrees in music performance (bachelor's and master's) and a Ph.D. in educational leadership. Dr. White has performed for two U.S. presidents and toured 69 countries as a concert pianist, but he gave up touring to raise his adopted sons with autism. Now based in Alabama, he pastors Harvest International Ministry, teaches English Language Learners, and writes bilingual books—memoirs and children's stories—that chronicle his immigrant journey and support a school for former child addicts in Nairobi, Kenya. He and his wife Jennifer are parents of three biological daughters, two adopted sons, foster children, and a granddaughter whose survival inspires their faith. Key Takeaways Resilience in the face of prejudice: Dr. White and his congregation endured hate mail and police harassment when they founded a Spanish‑language church in Alabama. Their perseverance led to a thriving multicultural ministry that highlights the power of inclusion. Community parenting: The Whites relied on a network of surrogate grandparents and friends to help raise their adopted sons. Dr. White urges parents to "go back to the village" and involve trusted community members in child‑rearing, especially for children with special needs. The power of discipline and structure: Raising two autistic sons taught Dr. White the importance of consistency. He advocates for clear boundaries and believes military training equips young adults with discipline and transferable skills for civilian careers. Faith and miracles: His granddaughter's premature birth and survival after collapsed lungs reinforced his belief in the power of prayer. This personal miracle underpins his ministry and his commitment to supporting families facing similar crises. Multifaceted identity: Dr. White embraces his identity as both Black and Latino, pushing back against the idea that one must choose. He compares cultural contexts—from Panama and Miami to rural Alabama—and finds pride in each facet of his heritage. From music to ministry: Before entering full‑time ministry, Dr. White performed globally as a concert pianist and holds advanced music degrees. He envisions returning to performance now that his sons are grown, but continues to blend artistry with teaching and pastoral work. Self‑funded ministry: When church leadership hesitated, the Whites personally purchased and expanded their church property, demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to serving their community. Storytelling for social change: Encouraged by his students, Dr. White turned his life stories into bilingual books. The proceeds support a school in Kenya, demonstrating how personal narratives can drive educational and social impact.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Episode Summary In this extended conversation from The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone W. Johnson-Smith talks with Dr. Reynaldo White—a Panamanian‑born pastor, educator, author, and former concert pianist now living in Alabama. Over three parts, they explore Dr. White's journey from growing up in poverty near the Panama Canal to serving as a pastor and community leader in the American South. He explains how his Ph.D. in educational leadership and his bilingual books opened doors both in Alabama and abroad. The episode traces the evolution of his writing career—starting as stories for his students, transforming into memoirs, children's books, and Spanish‑language texts—and how those books now fund a school for former child addicts in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. White also shares deeply personal stories: his family's decision to carry a pregnancy to term despite grim medical odds, the miraculous survival of his granddaughter born at 23 weeks, and his belief that prayer played a key role in her recovery. The conversation delves into parenting and discipline as Dr. White recounts adopting two boys with severe autism, drawing lessons about consistency, love, and community support. He describes how military service provided structure for his sons and other young men, detailing the path from basic training to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and the career opportunities that follow. Dr. White also reflects on his years as a concert pianist performing in 69 countries and how he stepped back from touring to care for his family and devote himself to teaching and ministry. The episode closes with a call to remember that communities thrive when they help raise each other's children and with an invitation to share and support immigrant stories. Guest Bio Dr. Reynaldo White is a Panamanian‑American pastor, educator, author, and musician. After immigrating to Miami as a child when his father joined the U.S. Army, he earned degrees in music performance and educational leadership (Ph.D.) and served as a concert pianist, performing in 69 countries. Dr. White now pastors a church in Alabama and teaches English Language Learners. He has authored more than fifteen books—memoirs, children's books, and bilingual editions—that chronicle immigrant life and support a Nairobi school. He and his wife Jennifer are parents and foster parents to several children, including two adopted sons with autism and a granddaughter whose premature birth inspired renewed faith. Key Takeaways Navigating culture in Alabama: Dr. White describes serving in a state that often sees race only in terms of "black" and "white," leaving Afro‑Latinos invisible. He stresses the need for leadership and understanding in such communities. Stories into books: Encouraged by students, he wrote childhood tales that became memoirs and children's books in English and Spanish. His writing not only preserves immigrant narratives but also funds education abroad. Faith and miracles: Dr. White recounts the premature birth of his granddaughter at 23 weeks and the prayerful journey that led to her survival. The experience deepened his faith and reinforced his belief in miracles. Discipline and structure: Raising adopted sons with severe autism taught him the value of consistency. He advocates for clear boundaries and recommends military training for young adults seeking discipline and career skills. Adoption and fostering: He and his wife adopted two boys with autism and later took in foster children. Dr. White shares the challenges of meeting special needs and the blessings of watching the children thrive. Community parenting: Echoing the proverb "it takes a village," he urges parents to lean on trusted community members. He believes strong communities can transform children's lives and relieve overwhelmed parents. Music and ministry: Before focusing on education and ministry, Dr. White toured as a concert pianist. He hopes to return to performance now that his sons are grown, blending his artistic and pastoral callings.   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

In this episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone W. Johnson-Smith talks with Dr. Reynaldo White—a Panamanian-born pastor, educator and author now living in Alabama. Dr. White recounts his childhood in extreme poverty near the Panama Canal, his family's move to Miami when his father joined the U.S. Army, and the adjustments he faced learning English and finding his identity in America. They discuss how his Ph.D. in educational leadership opened doors and how his students encouraged him to write his childhood stories, which evolved into a series of books in English and Spanish. Those books not only preserve immigrant narratives but also fund a school for former child addicts in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. White shares the challenges of pastoring in Alabama's racially divided culture, the leadership gap he sees in his community, and the joys and trials of raising two adopted sons with severe autism. Throughout the conversation, he speaks candidly about being labeled "not Latino enough," the importance of parental involvement and structure, and his enduring love for Panama. The episode concludes with a reminder to join in part 2 and a call to support the podcast's "human library" of immigrant stories. Guest Bio Dr. Reynaldo White is a Panamanian American pastor, educator and author of more than fifteen books. Born near the Panama Canal, he immigrated to Miami as a child when his father joined the U.S. Army. He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and teaches English Language Learners in Alabama. Dr. White uses his bilingual books—starting with Raise: A Transcontinental Tale from Panama to the U.S.—to promote literacy and fund educational initiatives in Kenya. He and his wife, Jennifer, are community leaders, advocates for immigrants and parents of several children, including two adopted sons with autism. Key Takeaways Cultural complexity in Alabama: Serving as a pastor in the South means navigating a social landscape that often reduces people to "black" or "white," leaving little room for diverse identities. Dr. White sees a need for leadership and community building. From stories to books: Encouraged by his students, Dr. White wrote about his childhood in Panama and his journey to the U.S., leading to a series of books in English and Spanish. He also creates children's books from chapters of his memoirs. Books as social impact: Proceeds from his books fund a school in Nairobi, Kenya, for former child addicts; six of its graduates are now in medical school and two in law school. Educational leadership: His doctorate enabled him to enter spaces often closed to Afro‑Latinos and informed his work supporting English Language Learners across Alabama. Parenting special‑needs children: Raising two adopted sons with severe autism taught Dr. White the value of discipline and consistency. Both sons have exceeded expectations, with one earning significant scholarships and another gaining high test scores in the Marines. Identity and pride: Dr. White identifies as both Black and Hispanic; he pushes back against assumptions that he cannot be both and finds pride in his Panamanian heritage. Love for Panama: Though he moved for better opportunities, he describes Panama as a beautiful country with a unique mix of cultures, remarkable natural beauty and significant economic inequality. ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

Part 2 of the interview: I was recently interviewed on the Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast by Lola Adeyemo. Listen to Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast Apple podcastYouTube MusicSpotifyAmazon Audible If this episode resonates, subscribe, like, and share with others navigating life across borders. Comment below your experiences or questions—we love hearing your story! ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.        

I was recently interviewed on the Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast by Lola Adeyemo. Listen to Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast Apple podcastYouTube MusicSpotifyAmazon Audible If this episode resonates, subscribe, like, and share with others navigating life across borders. Comment below your experiences or questions—we love hearing your story! ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 [email protected] Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.        

In the second half of my conversation with Maanarak on The Kreashon Podcast, we go deeper into the work I do today.  I talk about building community for immigrants, the hidden emotional and financial costs of advocacy, and my drive to help high-achieving immigrants decode workplace dynamics and feel a genuine sense of belonging.  This part is all about turning personal challenges into a platform for change. ______________________________________________________ Check out the full episode on The Kreashon Podcast here Connect with Maanarak: YouTube Instagram Facebook Linkedin ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson   💼 Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast   💼 TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us:  💼 [email protected] 📱 Read my blog:  💼 https://thriveabroad.substack.com/ #ImmigrantAdvocate #RepresentationMatters #ImmigrantSuccess #AmplifyingVoices #ImmigrantSupport #ImmigrantStoriesMatter #BreakingBarriers #ImmigrantPride #VoicesOfTheDiaspora                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.        

I was honored to join The Kreashon Podcast with the amazing Maanarak to share my journey from Jamaica to the U.S.  This first part dives into my early immigrant experience, the culture shock, the language nuances, and that disorienting feeling of being caught between two worlds.  I open up about what it truly means to navigate a new country while trying to hold on to your roots, and how those experiences shaped my mission to amplify immigrant voices worldwide. ______________________________________________________ Check out the full episode on The Kreashon Podcast here Connect with Maanarak: YouTube Instagram Facebook Linkedin ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen on: 💼 Apple Podcast 💼 Spotify 💼 Amazon 📱Support our Patreon 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website  💼 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson   💼 Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast   💼 TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience    Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on The Journey Podcast with David Hackett, where we explored some of the most meaningful threads from my life and work as an immigrant, coach, and podcast host. In this episode, I share how my own journey from Jamaica to the U.S. shaped the way I see the world, and the work I now do to support others navigating similar paths.  We dive into a rich conversation around: - International affairs and global travel - The emotional layers of the immigrant experience - Mental health in immigrant communities - Bilingualism, identity, and the beauty of language - High- vs. low-context cultures and the stories we carry - Spirituality, assimilation, and finding your voice in a foreign land Whether you're living between cultures, working across borders, or simply curious about the complexity of identity and belonging, I hope my story offers something that resonates. 🎧 Tune in and let me know what part of the conversation speaks to you most. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkGXmewJgrA&list=PLoyoNf5zuWSjT48I-PJLLdRYICPHhlc1-&index=4&t=2s   ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 💼 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson   💼 Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast   💼 TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience    Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.        

In Part 2 of my conversation with Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown on The Carry On Friends Podcast, we go even deeper. I share how navigating the immigrant journey as an immigrant woman has reshaped my understanding of identity, resilience, and power.  We talk about the tension between assimilation and authenticity, and what it really means to create belonging without betraying yourself. This episode is for anyone who's had to shrink to survive, but is ready to grow, take up space, and lead with clarity and courage. If you've ever questioned your belonging, struggled with cultural boundaries, or wanted to step more fully into your voice, this one is for you. Tune in and let's continue the conversation. 🌍💬   Watch the original YouTube video of our conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdkEjCk_3Es&list=PLloo1R4UZiU4MX488pKdyG4wEjMSekwgZ  ______________________________________________________ Carry On Friends: The Carribean American Podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLloo1R4UZiU4MX488pKdyG4wEjMSekwgZ  ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 💼 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson   💼 Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast   💼 TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience    Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

I recently had the honor of being interviewed by Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown on The Carry On Friends Podcast, where we explored the nuanced reality of what it means to live and lead, as a third culture immigrant. In this conversation, I shared how my journey shaped the way I navigate identity, culture shock, parenting, and boundaries in both personal and professional spaces.  We spoke about the mental and emotional toll of existing between cultures and the quiet pressure so many of us feel to shrink or silence ourselves just to fit in. We also discussed what it means to redefine success on your own terms and the courage it takes to stay rooted in your values while adapting to a new environment. Whether you're navigating life abroad, raising children in a culture different from your own, or figuring out how to honor your identity while building a career, this one's for you. 🎧 Tune in and let me know what resonates most with your journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdkEjCk_3Es&list=PLloo1R4UZiU4MX488pKdyG4wEjMSekwgZ  ______________________________________________________ Carry On Friends: The Caribbean American Podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLloo1R4UZiU4MX488pKdyG4wEjMSekwgZ  ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 💼 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson   💼 Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast   💼 TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience    Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

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 in times of transition. Tune in and listen to how one woman's story holds space for many of us navigating the immigrant experience, quietly, powerfully, and on our own terms. _________________ Connect with Maanarak: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KreashonHub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreashon.hub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kreashon Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kreashon/ _________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 💼 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson   💼 Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast   💼 TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience    Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.

In this episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, I sit down with the thoughtful and creative Maanarak of Grey, an artist and podcast host originally from Bonaire in the Caribbean. Maanarak shares her journey as an immigrant, what it's been like leaving behind the comfort of home and adjusting to life in a new environment.  From the warmth of island culture to the challenges of navigating unfamiliar social norms, her story is filled with quiet strength and deep reflection. We discuss: - The origin behind Maanarak's name - Living in the island of Bonaire - Her culture shock and adjustment to living abroad - What she misses most about life in Bonaire - The tension between staying rooted in your culture while adapting to a new one - How her immigrant journey influences her creative work and advocacy - The importance of building spaces where diverse identities feel seen and celebrated This conversation is a powerful reminder that migration is not just about relocation, it's about rediscovery, resilience, and reclaiming your voice. 🎧 Tune in to hear Maanarak's story and join us in celebrating the depth and beauty of the immigrant experience. Connect with Maanarak: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KreashonHub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreashon.hub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kreashon Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kreashon/   Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.

In 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, determined progress: raising a family, carving out space in a new culture, and building a business that gives voice to a community often overlooked. In this powerful conversation, we explore: 💬 What it means to live between two worlds as an immigrant parent 🌱 Raising children while raising yourself 🎯 Turning lived experience into a mission-led business 🔥 Balancing burnout, guilt, and ambition as a working mom 📈 How she grew from kitchen-table videos to 230K+ followers and a top-charting podcast Erika's story is a reminder that immigrant success doesn't always follow a straight line, but it's always worth celebrating. Tune in to hear her truth, her grit, and her wisdom. #ImmigrantVoices #LatinaEntrepreneur #MotherhoodAndBusiness #InglesPaMiGente #SimoneSpeaks #ImmigrantExperience #ThirdCultureStories #WorkingMomTruths #PodcastConversation __________________________ Connect with Erika: Website: https://inglespamigente.com/   Instagram: @inglespamigente  Podcast: https://inglespamigente.com/podcast/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Ingl%C3%A9spamigente     __________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 💼 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson   💼 Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast   💼 TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience    Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.

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 understanding. This episode is a moving testament to resilience, redemption, and the power of claiming your story. Connect with Nick Berg: 🌐 Official Website: https://www.pnberg.com/ 💼 About Nick Berg: https://www.pnberg.com/about-nick-berg/ 💼 Contact: https://www.pnberg.com/contact-nick-berg-author-of-shadows-of-tehran/ 💼 Press & Media: https://www.pnberg.com/nick-berg-press-media/ 💼 Charity Work: https://www.pnberg.com/nick-berg-charities/ 💼 Blog: The Warrior's Way https://www.pnberg.com/shadows-of-tehran-blog/the-warriors-way-blog/ 📚 Books by Nick Berg 🔥  Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict – From Iranian Rebel to American Soldier: https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Tehran-Conflict-Iranian-American/dp/B0DMHKHY6L 🔥  Other Works: Secrets to a Successful Commercial Software (COTS) Implementation The Culture of Open: Transforming Your Business Through Transparency, Truth and Trust https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/nick-berg/1458879/ 📱 Social Media Profiles Instagram: @nick.berg3 Goodreads: Nick Berg ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ 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! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 💼 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson   💼 Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast   💼 TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience   

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 patriotism, trauma, and transformation as Nick transitions from a soldier to a storyteller—and begins writing the narrative that would become Shadows of Tehran. _________________ Connect with Nick Berg: Homepage: pnberg.com About Nick Berg: Biography Contact: Reach Out Press & Media: Media Coverage Charity Work: Nick Berg Charities Blog: The Warrior's Way 📚 Books by Nick Berg Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict – From Iranian Rebel to American Soldier Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org Other Works: Secrets to a Successful Commercial Software (COTS) Implementation The Culture of Open: Transforming Your Business Through Transparency, Truth and Trust Available on ThriftBooksBarnes & Noble+2Bookshop+2Amazon+2ThriftBooks 📱 Social Media Profiles Instagram: @nick.berg3 Goodreads: Nick Berg The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel  Official Site Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon Connect with Simone! Website Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077396568671 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson  Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast  TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience  

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 conversation, he opens up about growing up during the Iranian Revolution, navigating identity as a biracial, bicultural child, escaping government persecution, learning English from scratch, and ultimately serving in the U.S. Army for over a decade—including Special Operations deployments to conflict zones like Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia. Nick's upcoming novel, Shadows of Tehran, is a fictionalized autobiography that captures these experiences through a gripping narrative of resilience, rebellion, and redemption. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Nick's upbringing in Iran and the cultural shock of arriving in America How the Iranian Revolution upended life overnight What it means to be a "third culture" person—and why he never felt fully Iranian or American His early days in Detroit and learning to navigate America's racial dynamics How the U.S. Army became both refuge and purpose A surprising and emotional discovery: reconnecting with his CIA-officer father decades later Insights into Shadows of Tehran, his upcoming book blending truth and fiction 💬 Notable Quotes: 🔥  "In Iran, I was the American boy. In America, I was the Iranian guy. I belonged nowhere—and everywhere." 🔥   "Joining the military wasn't just about serving. It was about trying to belong and trying to help people who couldn't help themselves." 🔥   "No matter where you go in the world—color, culture, class—we all want the same thing: to take care of our families and live a life of meaning." Connect with Nick Berg: 🌐 Official Website Homepage: pnberg.com About Nick Berg: Biography Contact: Reach Out Press & Media: Media Coverage Charity Work: Nick Berg Charities Blog: The Warrior's Way 📚 Books by Nick Berg Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict – From Iranian Rebel to American Soldier Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org Other Works: Secrets to a Successful Commercial Software (COTS) Implementation The Culture of Open: Transforming Your Business Through Transparency, Truth and Trust Available on ThriftBooksBarnes & Noble+2Bookshop+2Amazon+2ThriftBooks 📱 Social Media Profiles Instagram: @nick.berg3 Goodreads: Nick Berg The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel  Official Site Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon Connect with Simone! Website Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077396568671 LinkedIn:   / simonewjohnson  Instagram:   / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast  TikTok:   / theimmigrantexperience  

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 being both part of the dominant racial group and an outsider due to her ethnicity and faith. The concept of "whiteness" as a tool for survival in a society that values assimilation, and how racial and cultural identity shifts when others learn of her non-European background. The pain and healing found in reconnecting with her ancestors, including the legacy of Circassians and her grandfather's skincare product, Olaj, which she has turned into a business to honor her heritage. 💬 Memorable Quotes: "Whenever possible, I have exploited my whiteness, my blonde, my blue-eyed, whenever possible, and it is currency. I am ashamed to say how powerful that currency is." "Home is where you feel safe. And I just don't have that. I feel more alien now more than ever." 👑 About Suhein Beck: Suhein Beck is known as The Culture Cultivator. She is a dynamic Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur, and a proud Circassian with roots tracing back to the legendary Amazon Women of the Caucasus. Currently, Suhein is on an International Speaking Tour & Campaign where she draws from her rich Circassian heritage to challenge societal norms and ignite transformative leadership. Her mission is to inspire others to adopt a personal Code of Honor, reclaim their identity, and embody resilience in the face of adversity. In this episode, she courageously shares her deeply personal story—from surviving the trauma of domestic violence and racism in America to facing the difficult decisions of choosing between financial gain and her own integrity. Through her honesty, vulnerability, and fierce sense of purpose, Suhein shows us what it truly means to be an Immigrant, an Exile, a Refugee—and a Warrior. Suhein's Links: www.SUHEIN.com www.ELAJnaturally.com  [email protected]  The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel  Official Site Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn  Support our Patreon Connect with Simone! Website TikTok    

Welcome to Part 2 of this podcast episode.   In this deeply moving episode, Suhein Beck continues sharing her journey as a Circassian immigrant navigating multiple identities while living through the challenges of exile, trauma, and the quest for belonging.  She reflects on the complexities of her heritage, the emotional toll of being displaced, and how these experiences shaped her family's resilience and drive. From escaping gangs in New Jersey to navigating the intricacies of American culture, Suhein's story is a testament to survival, adaptation, and the strength it takes to find home after being uprooted. 💔 Key Themes Explored: Caucasian Misunderstanding: Suhein educates listeners on the true meaning of "Caucasian," explaining how the term has been misappropriated and disconnected from its original roots in the Caucasus Mountains. Immigrant Struggles and Survival: She recounts her family's early days in the U.S. and the harsh realities they faced, from gang threats to the pressure of running a family business in a new land. Generational Trauma: Suhein speaks about the lasting impact of displacement, the constant feeling of not being safe, and how it shaped her worldview. Language Loss and Revival: Suhein discusses the challenges her people faced with losing their native Circassian language and the ongoing efforts to bring it back. The Immigrant Mentality: The immigrant experience instills a mentality of constant preparation, the ability to start over, and the refusal to let fear dictate one's life. 🔥Resources Mentioned: The Unseen Truth by Dr. Elizabeth Sarah Lewis Scholars: Dr. John Colarusso, Dr. Adrienne Mayer, Dr. Janine Davis Kimball Circassian Language and Cultural Revival 💬 Memorable Quotes: "Fear is a luxury. If you have time to be afraid, you have luxury. We don't have luxury." "I am a ghost from an ancient civilization you've never heard of." "Once you are a refugee, an exile, or an immigrant, you understand that at any given moment, anywhere, an earthquake, a disaster, or a change in the political landscape can uproot everything. You become mentally prepared to start over." ✨ Listen now and share with someone who needs permission to pause, soften, and start again from the inside out.  📌 Stay tuned for Part 3, where we explore practical ways to build inner safety and expand your capacity to heal. 👑 About Suhein Beck: Suhein Beck is known as The Culture Cultivator. She is a dynamic Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur, and a proud Circassian with roots tracing back to the legendary Amazon Women of the Caucasus. Currently, Suhein is on an International Speaking Tour & Campaign where she draws from her rich Circassian heritage to challenge societal norms and ignite transformative leadership. Her mission is to inspire others to adopt a personal Code of Honor, reclaim their identity, and embody resilience in the face of adversity. In this episode, she courageously shares her deeply personal story—from surviving the trauma of domestic violence and racism in America to facing the difficult decisions of choosing between financial gain and her own integrity. Through her honesty, vulnerability, and fierce sense of purpose, Suhein shows us what it truly means to be an Immigrant, an Exile, a Refugee—and a Warrior. Suhein's Links: www.SUHEIN.com www.ELAJnaturally.com [email protected]  The Immigrant Experience in America Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon Connect with Simone! Website TikTok

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 Honor. 🔥 In This Episode: Suhein opens up about her extraordinary healing journey, from growing up amid violence, domestic terrorism, and racism in New Jersey, to wrestling with the generational trauma of genocide and exile. Her story bridges continents, cultures, and centuries as she shares what it means to live in exile—not just from a homeland, but from a sense of safety and belonging. 💔 Key Themes Explored: 🔥 Growing up in the crossfire of gangs and mafias—and how she survived 🌍 What it means to be an exile, a refugee, an immigrant—all at once 🧬 Healing from inherited trauma and breaking generational cycles 💼 Becoming an entrepreneur while being guided by an unwavering personal Code of Honor 🛡️ Choosing courage over comfort, again and again 🌀 Finding identity in displacement—and the strength to rebuild, over and over 💬 Memorable Quotes: "You can be born into exile and still rise into your purpose." "We weren't just displaced by force—we were raised in a war of silence." 👑 About Suhein Beck: Suhein Beck is known as The Culture Cultivator. She is a dynamic Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur, and a proud Circassian with roots tracing back to the legendary Amazon Women of the Caucasus. Currently, Suhein is on an International Speaking Tour & Campaign where she draws from her rich Circassian heritage to challenge societal norms and ignite transformative leadership. Her mission is to inspire others to adopt a personal Code of Honor, reclaim their identity, and embody resilience in the face of adversity. In this episode, she courageously shares her deeply personal story—from surviving the trauma of domestic violence and racism in America to facing the difficult decisions of choosing between financial gain and her own integrity. Through her honesty, vulnerability, and fierce sense of purpose, Suhein shows us what it truly means to be an Immigrant, an Exile, a Refugee—and a Warrior. Suhein's Links: www.SUHEIN.com www.ELAJnaturally.com [email protected]    The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel  Official Site Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn Support our Patreon Connect with Simone! Website TikTok  

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 with his wife, where keeping squirrels from digging up his backyard has become a daily scientific obsession. Learn more at Yangtze River by the Hudson Bay.     GUEST WEBSITE: https://www.yangtzeriverbythehudsonbay.site/home-page.html SOCIAL MEDIA: @RichardPHsung Email: [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: "Decoding America: The Immigrant Experience"  Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience    

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 with his wife, where keeping squirrels from digging up his backyard has become a daily scientific obsession. Learn more at Yangtze River by the Hudson Bay.   GUEST WEBSITE: https://www.yangtzeriverbythehudsonbay.site/home-page.html SOCIAL MEDIA: @RichardPHsung Email: [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: "Decoding America: The Immigrant Experience"  Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience

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: Website: www.wmaexpatcoaching.com Podcast: On being good enough - https://open.spotify.com/show/189dE32DgNCXkJQcTb8lpq?si=a66ba332bbe749ac -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: "Decoding America: The Immigrant Experience"  Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience

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: Website: www.wmaexpatcoaching.com Podcast: On being good enough - https://open.spotify.com/show/189dE32DgNCXkJQcTb8lpq?si=a66ba332bbe749ac -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: "Decoding America: The Immigrant Experience"  Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: "Decoding America: The Immigrant Experience"  Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: "Decoding America: The Immigrant Experience"  Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience

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 [email protected] 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  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: "Decoding America: The Immigrant Experience"    Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonewjohnson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience

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 [email protected] 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  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: "Decoding America: The Immigrant Experience"  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=uzDNVxpjYHFz2ppnYcNXF2wrHjPU5dtoNUznVGfz45I   Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077396568671 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonewjohnson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimmigrantexperiencepodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience