In this captivating episode, I invite you to join us as we delve into the extraordinary life and work of Eshe Lewis. As a researcher focusing on the experiences of Afro-descendant women in Peru, Eshe has dedicated herself to illuminating their stories and challenges. Alongside her role as the host of the fifth season of the podcast Sapiens, she leads the innovative Sapiens Public School Training Program. With a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from the University of Florida, Eshe's passion lies in collaborating with Afro-descendant communities in Peru. Over the past decade, she has worked tirelessly on social movements, women's issues, Black feminism, and gender violence. Eshe's impact is palpable within these communities, exemplified by the groundbreaking 2015 study she conducted on Afro-Peruvian women's experiences with intimate partner violence and state-run Women's Emergency Centers. Join me as we talk about Eshe's research and her personal journey. Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Rainier Harris & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Those who know me know that as someone who has always been open about my mental health journey, starting conversations about mental health is crucial. That's why, when Mental Health Awareness Month arrived, I jumped at the opportunity to reshare a great conversation with you from the Immigrantly vault. In 2021, I interviewed the founder of Brown Girl Therapy, Sahaj Kohli.  Brown Girl Therapy began as a passion project, but it quickly grew into a worldwide community, providing a haven for those seeking a space to engage in discussions about mental health. In addition, Sahaj has a monthly mental health advice column at The Lily, a Washington Post publication, where she answers questions about identity and relations. Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm so excited to introduce today's guest, V.V. Ganeshananthan, who also goes by Sugi. She's a novelist whose work has appeared in many leading newspapers and journals, including Granta, The Atlantic Monthly, and The Washington Post. We had a great conversation about her recent novel Brotherless Night and her debut novel Love Marriage. Both of these books are about families impacted by Sri Lankan politics and conflict, and Sugi has talked a lot about the plots and structures of these books. But today, we get to hear more from Sugi, the person. I loved talking to her about her writing process, the inspiration behind her work, and her experiences as a Sri Lankan American. It was a rich conversation that I can't wait for you all to hear. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of Immigrantly. Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Rainier Harris & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson   

I'm particularly excited to have Shin Yu Pai with me today. I've been a fan of her poetry for a while now, and it's truly an honor to have her on the show. Shin Yu recently started producing and hosting her own podcast, and we chatted about how she got started and what inspired her to take on this new endeavor.  What I loved most about our conversation was getting to know the person behind the poetry. Shin Yu is not only an incredibly talented artist but also a warm and engaging individual. Her passion for creativity is infectious, and I came away from our conversation feeling inspired and energized. So, whether you're a poetry lover, a fan of nonfiction, or just interested in exploring new creative mediums, I recommend tuning in to this episode. Shin's insights and experiences are sure to leave you with a fresh perspective on the art of storytelling. Clips Used: 1. BBC News - "Alaska Willow Oil Project Passed by US President Joe Biden" 2. Associated Press - "The Biden Administration Approved Three Drilling Sites for the Willow Project." 3. National Park Diaries - "The Willow Project, Explained." Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

I'm thrilled to have Asad Butt, my friend, and co-host of our other podcast Invisible Hate, on the show today. Asad has been in the business, entrepreneurial, and media world for a while now, and like me, his personal and career goals have been primarily shaped by a post-9/11 America.  Asad started Rifelion in 2020 to promote diverse voices in podcasting, and we talked about his award-winning documentary podcast, King of the World. We also discussed the challenges and opportunities of broadcast journalism today and the impact of post-9/11 America on the Muslim community. And, to lighten things up, we shared some laughs over Asad’s experience with figure skating. So tune in for a fun and fascinating conversation! If you want to listen to our other podcast, Invisible Hate, click here Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson     

My guest today is Meklit Hadero, the Ethiopian-born, San Francisco-based artist. She is best known for her innovative Ethio-Jazz vocals and electric performance style. Even if you were to listen for a few minutes, you’d notice a genre-bending nature to her songs. Her songs weave together jazz, folk, Eastern African influences, and what Meklit calls everyday sounds.  She has performed worldwide, from San Francisco to Cairo to London to Montreal. Her latest, released in 2017, “When the People Move, the Music Moves Too,” was named among the best records of the year by Bandcamp and the Sunday Times UK.  She is a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow, and a 2019 Artist-in-Residence at Harvard University. Meklit is the co-founder, co-producer, and host of Movement, a new radio series telling stories of global migration through music. In our conversation, she shares how she looks to music to express longing, pain, hope, and other facets of the diaspora. Her words reminded me of the importance of heritage and how traditional music from our homelands can be integrated into present movement and music.  Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Yudi Liu & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson  Order of Meklit's Tracks during the episode Meklit - Yesterday Is A Tizita Meklit - Sweet and Salty Meklit - This Was Made Here Oddisee - Try Again Dengue Fever - Ethanopium  Xenia Rubinos - Hair Receding Meklit - Float and Fall Additional Links Meklit Hadero: The unexpected beauty of everyday sounds | Ted Dr. Jon Jenkins - Chasing Shadow Words: Exoplanets from Kepler & Beyond

In this episode, I sit down with Kareem Rahma, the creator of the popular series "Keep the Meter Running" on TikTok and YouTube. In each episode, Kareem catches a taxi in New York City and tells the driver to take him to their favorite place while keeping the meter running. From visiting new restaurants to flying in a helicopter, Kareem's conversations with his cab drivers are entertaining and insightful. Kareem is a comedian, content creator, entrepreneur, and fellow podcaster. You may have seen him in a commercial for TheRealReal, on an episode of the Drew Barrymore Show, or even once going viral for dipping his hot dog in his beer at a baseball game. I'm excited to chat with Kareem about his experiences creating "Keep the Meter Running" and his other ventures, as well as his creative process, motivations, and personal life. So join me for an entertaining and informative conversation with Kareem Rahma.   Interested in "Keep the Meter Running"? Click on the link here. You can buy tickets to Kareem's show here. Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

As Ramadan, the month of fasting, is underway, I find myself drawn to the deeper meaning of fasting and how it can fuel my spiritual connection. This led me to revisit one of my favorite podcast episodes from the Immigrantly vault, which explores the intersection of Islam and mental health. The episode, released in June 2021, features my thoughtful conversation with one of our previous writers, Sarah Doh, who sat down with two practicing Muslims from very different backgrounds to tackle the question of "What role does God play in your mental health?" basically engaging in deep and meaningful conversations about the role of faith in mental health. Listening to these powerful conversations reminded me of the profound connection between spirituality and mental health. Even during the most challenging moments, we can draw upon our faith as a source of strength and comfort. So, whether you're a new listener or have already enjoyed this episode before, I invite you to join me in exploring this powerful intersection between faith and mental health.  A special shout-out to Omar Hisham Al Arabi for his beautiful recitation of Surah Maryam Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Please share the love and leave us a review on  to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Sarah Doh & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I  Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds    

Welcome to Immigrantly, the podcast that shares immigrant stories and experiences through a nuanced lens. In this episode, I am joined by Lionel Nicolau and Ilana Weitz, co-producers of the hilarious and insightful podcast Culture Jumpers. Together, we'll explore their personal experiences with cross-cultural relationships and how they navigate the challenges and joys of blending their diverse backgrounds. So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to laugh, learn, and be inspired by the dynamic duo behind Culture Jumpers. You can listen to Culture Jumpers . Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Please share the love and leave us a review on  to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Yudi Liu & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I  Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds  

Get ready to be inspired and informed in this podcast episode as I sit down with Saket Soni, a labor organizer and human rights activist making a significant impact in the fight for workers' rights. Originally from Delhi, India, Saket is the author of a new book called “The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America,” a gripping true story that shines a light on the hidden world of forced labor and immigrant dreams in America. With his firsthand experience and unflinching dedication to justice, Saket gives us an eye-opening glimpse into the lives of those who have been forgotten by society. Join me for an enlightening and entertaining conversation as we delve into the urgent need for workers' rights and the captivating story of The Great Escape. Don't miss out on this episode because you’re in for a wild ride with Saket Soni. You can buy the book here. Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Please share the love and leave us a review on  to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I  Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds      

I am thrilled to present an exciting bonus episode to you. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a live podcast event on February 19th, celebrating South Asian culture at the NHL New Jersey Devils game in New Jersey. It was a fantastic experience, and I had the opportunity to interview the incredibly talented Sway Bhatia. For those who may not be familiar with Sway, she is a young actress who has captured our hearts with her roles in popular shows like The Mighty Ducks Game Changers and Succession. In addition, she is a multi-talented artist who sings, dances, plays the drums, skates, and does sketch comedy – all while being a teenager. I am genuinely amazed by her talent and her work ethic. Please note that the acoustics are not perfect, but the content is so great that I couldn't resist sharing it with all of you. How about this: Before I spoke with Sway, we also had a chance to hear briefly from Donny Khan - Donny is the Senior Director of Hockey Development & Strategic Collaboration at the NHL, and he spoke about the vital work the NHL is doing to reach out to more diverse audiences…in North America and overseas. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode with Sway Bhatia – a true inspiration.   Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Please share the love and leave us a review on  to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds  

 Here at Immigrantly, I believe in creating a safe space for authentic storytelling. Most stories are built on our platform but sometimes from other sources. And today, we are doing just that. We will share an episode called Coming Home from a podcast we love from the UCLA Labor Center called Re: Work. A group of undocumented youth cross the border from the US into Mexico to cross back and turn themselves into border patrol. Why would you do something that would so blatantly risk you ever being able to come into this country again? We follow the story of one courageous young person, Luis Leon, and the journey that took him from a small town in North Carolina to the border crossing in Laredo, TX. Find Re: Work wherever you get your podcasts.  the link to the Re-Work podcast! Be sure to give them a review and follow the podcast. Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Please share the love and leave us a review on  to help more people find us!     

My today's guests are a fantastic duo. Lilliana Vazquez is a Puerto Rican and Mexican TV personality, style expert, and interviewer. You may recognize her as a former contributor on the Today show, the former host of E! news, or as a correspondent for Access Daily and Access Hollywood. She is outspoken about the stakes of being a Latina in a field where she is often in the minority.  Her co-host is more of a behind-the-camera type of guy; Joseph Carrillo is a celebrity makeup artist and facial masseur. You've seen his talent with a blending brush and an elegant eye shadow palette before, even if you didn't know it then—because his client history includes Lizzo, Priyanka Chopra, Teyana Taylor, and Paris Hilton. His makeup looks and beauty tips have been featured in Harper's Bazaar, Allure, Vogue, and the New York Times. So, what brought these two together to create a great podcast for you to tune into? We find out during this conversation! You can listen to the podcast . Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Please share the love and leave us a review on  to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I  Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds    

Today, In honor of Black History month and to pay homage to the African contribution to American food, I am re-releasing another gem from the immigrantly vault. It’s my interview with Stephen Satterfield. This conversation profoundly impacted how I view African cuisine in America. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when it happened and even now as I revisit it with all of you.    Stephen Satterfield has dedicated his career to organizing, activating, and educating people about the origins and cultures of food. He founded Whetstone Radio Collective, a food magazine and media company that explores the history of American cuisine through the lens of cultural, socioeconomic, and human connections. Stephen's work disrupts the food canon in more ways than a few: writer, publisher, producer, former sommelier, and social entrepreneur. For example, his docuseries on Netflix, "High on the Hog," traces the foundation of American cooking from Texas to Africa and peels the layers of generations across time and geography. In today's episode, beyond flavors & taste, Stephen and I dive into the journey of African American cuisine in the U.S. and how food can be a catalyst for change.  Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us!  Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan & Yudi Liu I Editorial review: Shei Yu I  Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds  

My guest is Micha Cooper Edwards. She is the founder and CEO of Soleil Space and Soleil Entertainment. At her core, Micha is a visionary media entrepreneur—her expertise span over 15 years in media and across many markets. Micha has led international campaigns for iconic brands like NIKE, Jordan, and PepsiCo, as well as social impact efforts and corporate partnerships for Netflix and HBO documentaries. As an independent producer in Hollywood and a native of Trinidad and Tobago, Micha felt the weight of underrepresentation, and that's how Soleil came about. We spoke about representation, why Micha prefers to use the term transculutralism instead of multiculturalism, and what lies ahead.  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Yudi Liu & Saadia Khan I Editorial Review: Shei Yu  I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmad Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds  

Between “ghosting,” “Icks,” and the question of whether or not to swipe right, the dating world isn’t the same as it used to be. Forty-eight percent of adults aged 18 to 29 have used a dating app before, hoping to find that special thing called love — or maybe just something casual. But how do we feel about swiping left on someone so quickly? And have dating apps actually made it harder to find meaningful relationships? The Immigrantly team wanted to discuss all the ooey-gooey details of dating apps, love, and relationships this Valentine's Day. I got together with two team members, Kayla and Shei, to get their experiences and opinions on modern dating. Listen to this episode to join the conversation! Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Living in New Jersey is about to become more affordable under the new ANCHOR property tax relief program created by Governor Murphy and the Legislature. The State will soon deliver over $2 billion in tax relief to more than two million homeowners and renters. Eligible New Jerseyans can receive up to $1,500. Apply today. Even if you didn't qualify under the previous program, you may now. The deadline is February 28th. Visit: anchor.nj.gov Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther I Editorial Review: Shei Yu  I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmad Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds              

Immigrantly family, today I’ll be chatting with Mari Uchida. She is a photographer, director, a fiercely creative artist whose work has been seen in the New York Times, Time Out New York, The Lincoln Center of Performing Arts, Broadway World, and other platforms. Her subjects are photographed against varied backdrops, from city streets to the performing stage.  She uses photography to highlight people left out of the frame. We spoke about the art of photography, why she chose it, and why her craft has led her to projects, including the inaugural Broadway Asian Men calendar “Unapologetically Asian” with East Side Stories and Collaborazians.   Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Living in New Jersey is about to become more affordable under the new ANCHOR property tax relief program created by Governor Murphy and the Legislature. The State will soon deliver over $2 billion in tax relief to more than two million homeowners and renters. Eligible New Jerseyans can receive up to $1,500. Apply today. Even if you didn't qualify under the previous program, you may now. The deadline is February 28th. Visit: anchor.nj.gov Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Yudi Liu I Editorial Review: Shei Yu  I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmad Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds

Today's guest, Dr. Mimi Khuc, is a writer, teacher, and scholar of things unwell, a pedagogy that examines humans' relationship to the world and themselves as one with differential unwellness because of the structures around them. Mimi is a Professor of Asian American studies and disability studies. Presently, she lectures at Georgetown University and is the 2023 Activist in Residence at FLOURISH at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Beyond academia, Mimi is the managing editor of the Asian American Literary Review and has appeared for talks organized by institutions like the ACLU, Ford Foundation, and Catapult. Before this conversation with Mimi, the term unwell was no more than a descriptor to me. I hadn’t realized that there is an entire study and practice dedicated to centering unwellness beyond the human body. Mimi and I chatted about current wellness trends and how they harm productivity structures. We connected this to ableist notions of resilience and grit, especially in immigrant communities. And finally, we also talked about ways to take care of ourselves and each other amidst this messiness. It was a thought-provoking, unique, and entertaining discussion. Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Living in New Jersey is about to become more affordable under the new ANCHOR property tax relief program created by Governor Murphy and the Legislature. The State will soon deliver over $2 billion in tax relief to more than two million homeowners and renters. Eligible New Jerseyans can receive up to $1,500. Apply today. Even if you didn't qualify under the previous program, you may now. The deadline is February 28th. Visit: anchor.nj.gov Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Yudi Liu I Editorial Review: Shei Yu  I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmad Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds

Today's guest is Mangesh Hattikudur. He is a podcaster and co-founder of Kaleidoscope, a podcast production company. He’s also the co-host of the podcast Part-Time Genius, the former senior vice president of iHeartRadio, and the co-founder of the magazine Mental Floss. But it is his more recent podcast that we’ll be talking about today. Toward the end of 2022, Mangesh released Skyline Drive, a podcast where he dives into astrology and tries to understand what we find so alluring about the stars. Everyone from BTS fans to Ronald Reagan has found comfort in astrology, and Mangesh does a great job of exploring why.    Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Living in New Jersey is about to become more affordable under the new ANCHOR property tax relief program created by Governor Murphy and the Legislature. The State will soon deliver over $2 billion in tax relief to more than two million homeowners and renters. Eligible New Jerseyans can receive up to $1,500. Apply today. Even if you didn't qualify under the previous program, you may now. The deadline is February 28th. Visit: anchor.nj.gov Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela StrautherI Editorial Review: Shei Yu  I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmad Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds

Carmen Rita Wong is a journalist, entrepreneur, and personal finance expert. Once the host of a TV program called On The Money, Carmen has worked with CNN, CBS, and NBC, and she was a financial advice columnist for four different magazines, including Glamour and Good Housekeeping. She is also the author of five books, including the most recent memoir, "Why Didn't You Tell Me"? Carmen's mother was Dominican, but Carmen spent the first 31 years of her life believing she was also half-Chinese through her father, whom she calls Papi Wong. In this memoir, she discusses the whirlwind of her identity and the complex relationship with her mother.   Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Living in New Jersey is about to become more affordable under the new ANCHOR property tax relief program created by Governor Murphy and the Legislature. The State will soon deliver over $2 billion in tax relief to more than two million homeowners and renters. Eligible New Jerseyans can receive up to $1,500. Apply today. Even if you didn't qualify under the previous program, you may now. The deadline is January thirty-first. Visit: anchor.nj.gov Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela StrautherI Editorial Review: Shei Yu  I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmad Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds