Arrivals: Stories of Resilience and Reinvention

In this episode, Carren Jao, an Emmy-nominated content leader, award-winning children’s book author, and the founder of Red Thread Consulting, shares how she built a career across journalism, public media, and creative strategy. Her work has been recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Los Angeles Press Club, the Asian American Journalists Association, and more.A storyteller who grew up in a Chinese Filipino community, Carren shares how she rebuilt her life and career from Manila to Los Angeles. We talk about the threads that connect her work and the power of stories to make sense of who we are across cultures.She also talks about her two forthcoming children’s books: Shape of Love, inspired by the Filipino balikbayan box tradition, and Maya Breaks It Down, a STEM-forward story that blends breakdancing with the principles of coding.Connect and know more about Carren here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carren-jao/https://www.instagram.com/carrenjao/https://bsky.app/profile/carrenjao.bsky.social

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah’s voice doesn’t just inform, it uplifts.As President and CEO of Global Refuge, she shares her journey as a baby fleeing Sri Lanka’s civil war with her parents, and how that experience shaped her path toward becoming one of the most influential leaders in refugee advocacy today.Krish has committed her career to public service because she knows how differently life could have turned out. She previously served in the Obama White House as Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama and at the State Department as Senior Advisor under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry.In this episode, she shares her focus and how she is leading Global Refuge through one of the most challenging moments in modern migration.She also discusses why empathy, storytelling, and community action are crucial tools for shaping policy and protecting the rights of newcomers.- Watch Krish’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnnwhQl4mEA&t=180s- Support Global Refuge: https://www.globalrefuge.org

In this episode, Ale Alvarenga shares her story from growing up in Brazil to building a new life in Montreal. She opens up about what it means to start over in a new country, rebuild a sense of home, and stay close to faith and community while far from family and friends.She talks about growing up as a pastor’s daughter, studying in the U.S., and choosing Canada with her husband Ale also reflects on living with bipolar disorder and ADHD, and how she’s learned to spot her own patterns, build routines, and find balance. A book that helped her on that path is Empowering Books for Women with ADHD, by Estelle Rose.It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation about finding home and learning to live, not just survive.In this episode, we cover: Childhood and Early Moves in BrazilDecision to Move to the USReturning to Brazil and Its ChallengesThe Move to Canada and New BeginningsCommunity and Cultural Integration in MontrealNavigating Immigration and Education in CanadaTransitioning to a Career in CybersecurityMental Health Journey: Bipolar Disorder and ADHDFinding Joy and New Habits in Life

Iranian-American therapist, writer, and activist Atash Yaghmaian joins Arrivals to discuss her debut memoir, My Name Means Fire. Set during the Iranian Revolution and the eight-year Iran–Iraq War, Atash shares a story of survival through sexual abuse, a mother’s superstitious rituals, and the brutality of war. The conversation moves between her outer life and her interior world, where color-named parts speak, offering a rare, compassionate look at living with dissociative identity disorder (DID). We discuss stigma, how writing helped recover memories, leaving Iran at nineteen, and building a life in New York.Pre-order the book here: My Name Means Fire

Dr. Alicia Castillo Holley is a leading figure in venture capital and angel investing, with more than four decades of experience. She has invested in over 90 companies, co-founded more than 15 businesses and three non-profits, and is known for her strategic focus on post-seed rounds in life sciences, climate/energy, and disruptive technologies. In 2020, she launched Wealthing VC Club, an investment group built on transparency, flexibility, and post-investment support.She also helped shape the VC landscape in Latin America, founding Chile’s first entrepreneurship center and the country’s first seed capital fund, while training MBAs and professors on venture capital. Alicia holds degrees from Universidad Central de Venezuela, Babson College, and the University of Western Australia. She has lived in six countries, lectured in more than 30, and is now based in Silicon Valley.

Sonia Troiani Doulton has lived in four countries since leaving Italy in 2005, navigating life as an outsider while raising three children. She began her career in film as a casting director before shifting into psychotherapy, where she now specializes in psychedelic-assisted therapy. In this episode, Sonia shares how culture shock in London, working with refugees, and community experiences like Burning Man, shaped her approach to healing. We talk about belonging, motherhood, and her mission to guide women through transformational retreats, circles, and psychedelic journeys.You can connect with Sonia here: https://soniadoulton.com/Chapters00:00 Sonia's Early Life in Italy03:12 The Journey to London and Career in Film05:34 Transition to Psychotherapy07:59 Cultural Identity and Belonging09:12 Challenges of Migration and Community Building11:28 The Impact of Language and Cultural Differences13:35 Exploring the Refugee Experience16:09 The Call to Psychotherapy22:13 Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing23:18 The Search for Meaning in Life24:27 Cultural Identity and Language in Family26:45 Relocation to New Zealand: A New Chapter28:32 Transitioning to San Francisco: A New Opportunity29:22 The Impact of Burning Man on Personal Growth37:00 Exploring Psychedelics: A Personal Journey41:24 Psychedelic Therapy: A New Frontier43:01 Preparation and Integration in Psychedelic Experiences48:46 Finding Community and Belonging in San Francisco53:18 Navigating Life as an Immigrant53:18 Reconnecting with the Feminine Principle56:40 Resources for Psychedelic Exploration and Feminine Empowerment

In this episode, Heidy de la Cruz, podcaster, writer, and speaker, talks about her award-winning show The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants. Inspired by her Dominican-American upbringing and her family’s path to citizenship, Heidy has recorded more than 140 conversations with immigrants and children of immigrants, giving voice to stories that are too often left untold. She also helps women entrepreneurs and busy moms who wish to start their podcasts with her digital products and 6-week course. We explore how podcasting can be both a business and a calling, what it means to raise bilingual kids, and why the word “opportunity” comes up again and again when people define the American Dream. From navigating language barriers to creating safe spaces for immigrant voices, Heidy shares how storytelling can shift perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and build community.We discuss:How Heidi's immigrant background shaped her identity and experiences.Parenting in a bilingual household and its unique challenges.How Heidi's career journey led her to the medical field and podcasting.Common themes in immigrant stories are often overlooked in most media outlets.Heidi's advice for aspiring podcasters.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background05:53 Navigating Bilingualism and Cultural Identity10:00 Career Journey and Podcast Genesis14:32 Exploring Immigrant Stories18:29 Common Threads in Immigrant Experiences21:29 Defining the American Dream24:26 Achieving Podcasting Success26:18 Changing the Narrative on Immigration28:18 The Attainability of the American Dream31:38 Words of Encouragement33:34 Empowering Others Through Podcasting36:14 Future Aspirations for the Podcast

This episode features Sharon Harnoy Pilcher, a world-record-holding skydiver turned mental performance coach, who shares what it takes to make clear, conscious decisions under pressure. Sharon’s story spans growing up in Israel, competing at the highest levels of skydiving, leading elite teams, and building a coaching practice that helps people refine their mental operating system to align with their values and purpose.We explore the connections between a high-performance mindset, immigration, and finding a professional path that feels authentic. Sharon offers practical tools for rewiring unhelpful patterns, explains why most decision-making is emotional rather than rational, and reveals how to build the mental resilience to handle high-stakes moments.The episode closes with a very special meditation you can return to anytime you need grounding.Learn more about Sharon’s work at divinginwards.com.

Nikita Mandhani is an independent journalist and filmmaker based in India. She spent seven years at the BBC making short documentaries, launching social-first formats, and building new ways to reach underserved audiences. Before that, she worked at The Washington Post in Washington, D.C., and earned her master’s in journalism and documentary filmmaking from Northwestern University.In this episode, Nikita shares her journey of growing up in India, moving to the U.S. to pursue a career in journalism, and ultimately deciding to return home. We discuss how migration, gender, and identity influence her work and worldview, including her own family's untold story of becoming refugees after the partition. She reflects on the emotional cost of immigration, the cultural shocks of moving and moving back, and how she finds grounding through joy, travel, and curiosity.Nikita has reported from across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the U.S., and brings a global perspective to the stories she tells. Outside of journalism, she’s a voracious reader, a beginner scuba diver, an indoor climber, and a regular yoga practitioner.You can find links to her work mentioned in the episode below, especially recommended if you’re drawn to stories about migration, culture, and what it means to belong:Why I made ‘Between Two Cultures,’ our series on the daughters of immigrants Video series - Between Two Cultures The Pain of Familial Separation“This Is Not America. This Is Dearborn”

Born in Lebanon and raised across multiple countries, Zeina Lubus became fluent in five languages and learned to adapt quickly. Her life has been defined by bold pivots, from studying Biology as an aspiring Pharmacist to graduating in Performing Arts, and later transitioning into Compliance and now a Product Manager.Today, she’s a Principal PM at Dun & Bradstreet, where she builds tools that transform global news into real-time insights for risk and compliance teams. Just two years ago, she shifted from managing MENA documentation specialists to leading innovation on the tech side—moving from user to builder.In this episode, Zeina shares how each chapter of her life has been guided not just by resilience but by deep faith. Her story is full of courage, reinvention, and spiritual grounding, reminding listeners that real success is not just about grit, but about walking forward in faith, even when the path is unclear.

In this episode, Ella Musina shares her path from Uzbekistan to the US, reflecting on her multicultural upbringing, immigration experience, and the bold transitions that shaped her life. A seasoned software engineer with a career spanning Google, Apple, Thermo Fisher, and AI startups, Ella also leads a spiritual practice as a psychic and tarot reader.We discuss the integration of these two worlds, tech and intuition, as she opens up about embracing her spiritual gifts after years of hiding them. Ella also discusses her move to Arizona, her reflections on American culture, and how she balances a demanding career in tech with the deep, healing work of Celestial Lights.The conversation ends with a powerful tarot reading that offers personal insight and clarity, marking a first for the podcast.You can learn more about her psychic work here: https://www.celestiallights.net/

Denise Soler Cox is an award-winning activist filmmaker, Top 100 podcaster, and international speaker whose work transforms how we think and speak about culture, identity, and belonging. A former stay-at-home mom turned storyteller, Denise has spoken on over 400 stages, including two TEDx talks, and partnered with leading brands like Microsoft, Amazon, and LinkedIn.Her podcast The Self-ish Latina was named a “Featured Host” by Apple Podcasts North America and with listeners in 32 countries. Denise’s work has been featured by NBC Nightly News, Forbes, CNN, and PBS, and she was honored with the 2023 MPI President’s Award. She is an alum of the Stanford Latino Leaders Entrepreneur Program, a NALIP Fellow, and the 2018 Bridge Builder Award recipient from the Virginia Hispanic Chamber. Her debut book What Will They Say? will be published by Simon & Schuster in 2026.

Michelle Downes is an artist, UX designer, and newbie gardener. She moved to America from Ireland to pursue adventure and continue her education in art and design. Michelle was raised on a farm in the west coast of Ireland which is a huge part of who she is.  She reflects on her childhood experiences, the cultural contrasts she faced when moving to America, and her passion for art and creativity. Michelle discusses her transition into UX design, the challenges she encountered, and how her personal and professional life has evolved since moving to the U.S. She also highlights the importance of community and family in her life, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this conversation, Michelle Downes shares her experiences of moving from Ireland, discussing the cultural dynamics of her new neighborhood, the challenges of navigating identity, and the complexities of her work in UX design and construction. She also reflects on the importance of family connections, especially in light of her aging parents. The conversation highlights the beauty and challenges of adapting to a new culture while maintaining a sense of identity and purpose.

Ala Stolpnik has lived across three countries, worked at tech giants, and now leads her own startup, Wisary—an AI-powered tool designed to improve collaboration between product and engineering teams. Born in the Soviet Union, raised in Israel, and now based in Colorado, Ala shares how her global journey shaped her career in tech, her path into leadership, and what it really takes to leave the 9-to-5 and build something from the ground up. In this episode, we talk about identity, reinvention, building with AI, and the deeply human side of software.You can learn more about Wisary here: https://wisary.ai/

Rebeca Gomez grew up in a small town in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, and began her career as a coastal engineer. After moving to California in her late 20s, she slowly carved out a new path as a Product Manager. Today, she leads the implementation of a digital twin solution for the largest community college system in the U.S.In this episode, we talk about starting over professionally, finding your voice in a second language, and raising a bilingual child. Rebeca shares what it’s like to grow in a new environment while holding on to your culture.

Fiona Siseman moved from Australia to the U.S. after winning the Diversity Visa Lottery, trading stability for uncertainty and a chance to start over. In this episode, she shares what it took to adapt to a new country, navigate cultural shifts, and eventually leave corporate life to launch her own coaching practice.We talk about career reinvention, work culture differences, identity, and what it means to build a life abroad and a business.

Erika Romero moved from Venezuela to Australia in 2010, planning to stay just one year to earn her master’s degree. But when returning home no longer felt like an option, she decided to build a life in a new country.In this episode, Erika talks about navigating visa uncertainty, landing a life-changing job, and slowly coming to see Australia as home. We talk about work culture, identity, accents, and living far from family. Over a decade later, she’s a citizen with strong roots in both countries.

Ethar El-Katatney is a journalist, strategist, and now Editor-in-Chief of Documented, a newsroom serving immigrant communities in New York. Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Cairo, she spent the first part of her career reporting through the Arab Spring and working across global newsrooms like Al Jazeera, AJ+, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg.In this episode, we discuss what it takes to start over—navigating U.S. immigration, the grind of journalism, and the cultural shift of leaving a deeply communal society for a country built on individualism. Ethar shares the highs and lows of building a life far from home, the emotional toll of long immigration processes, and how she’s found purpose in journalism that directly serves the communities she came from.You can connect with Ethar here:https://digitalwomenleaders.com/mentors/ethar-el-katatney/https://www.linkedin.com/in/etharkamal/Documented: https://documentedny.com/about-us/#contactus

Marwa is an Egyptian-born engineer, artist, and entrepreneur who moved to the U.S. for a tech job—and ended up staying. In this episode, she shares what it was like to start over in a new country, navigate isolation, and eventually launch her own startup focused on immersive technology.We talk about identity, burnout in the tech world, and what she’s learned as a highly sensitive person and neurodivergent woman. Marwa also explains why she believes creativity, empathy, and tech can—and should—coexist.Where to find Marwa: https://www.marwamabrouk.com/Substack: https://highseasmind.substack.com/