In this episode, I sit down with Sadia Azmat, a British Indian writer and comedian who unapologetically shares her experiences with sexuality and identity. She cohosted a podcast for BBC called "No Country for Young Women." Recently, she published a book called "Sex Bomb," which explores sexuality and her identity as a Muslim woman As a young Muslim girl growing up in Pakistan, my understanding of sex was shrouded in silence. Sadia and I both navigate a world where discussions about sex are off-...
Sep 12, 2023•45 min•Ep. 239
Why does the concept of a love marriage remain taboo, especially within the South Asian community? The struggle for the right to choose one's partner, the right to love freely, and the right to carve our destinies persists. Today, we will peel back the layers of this intricate issue, exploring the cultural nuances, societal pressures, and personal anecdotes that shape our perceptions of love, marriage, and autonomy. My guest is Mansi Choksi, a writer and journalist based in Dubai. Her work has a...
Sep 05, 2023•52 min•Ep. 238
Today's episode features Anisha Singh, the Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition – the most prominent Sikh civil rights organization in the U.S. Wondering what Anisha does? She's been at the forefront of combatting hate crimes and ensuring the Sikh community's rights are upheld nationwide. With a background working with big names like the Planned Parenthood Federation and the Center for American Progress, Anisha is licensed to practice law and even secured a significant win in a discriminatio...
Aug 29, 2023•52 min•Ep. 237
What does class identity mean to you? Is it confined to the digits on a financial statement, or does it weave a complex tapestry that intertwines with race, ethnicity, and immigration status? Today I am joined by Jonathan Menjivar, the host of the Classy podcast, the groundbreaking podcast here to dissect and decode the enigma of class identity. In 'Classy,' Jonathan navigates those unspoken narratives, delves into hidden aspirations, and confronts the discomfort of unraveling societal expectati...
Aug 22, 2023•46 min•Ep. 236
In this second part of our two-episode series on kidnappings, media coverage, and the Latino community, I am finally dissecting the term "Missing White Girl Syndrome"---where did the phrase come from, why are white women overrepresented in missing person cases, and what can be done to address the disparity? Alongside Immigrantly's research, you'll hear from Liz Alarcón, our collaborator's founder and executive director, in these episodes, Project Pulso. Despite the complex subject, this finale t...
Aug 15, 2023•31 min•Ep. 235
Today's episode is about the disappearance of Sofia Juarez the day before her 5th birthday and the TikTok video 18 years later that reignited the search for her. This narrative-style story will slightly differ from Immigrantly’s usual content, but it’s for a good reason. Sofia Juarez’s case is related to "Missing White Girl Syndrome,"—a term used to describe the overrepresentation of missing white women and girls in the media. Join me in this episode as I unravel Sofia Juarez’s story, and then t...
Aug 08, 2023•27 min•Ep. 234
The 1947 Indian partition was one of the most colossal migrations in recorded history, leaving behind a devastating toll. Over 2 million lives were lost, 75,000 women were subjected to unimaginable acts of violence, and a staggering 14 million individuals were forcibly uprooted from their homes. These numbers paint a haunting picture of the immense human tragedy that unfolded during that time. Today, I am joined by Neha Aziz, a writer, creative, and podcaster who has taken a more nuanced approac...
Aug 01, 2023•56 min•Ep. 233
Today, we are shaking things up! Rather than releasing our usual episode, we have a special treat for you. Get ready to dive into an enlightening episode of "The Trail Ahead" podcast, where athletes and environmental advocates Faith E. Briggs and Addie Thompson embark on thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of race, environment, history, and culture. Faith and Addie sit down with Ahmad Hijazi, a remarkable first-generation Lebanese-American thru-hiker and mountaineer, in this capt...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 25 min
My today's guest is Smriti Mundhra, the founder of Meralta Films, a production company based in both Los Angeles and Mumbai. Her talent and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination for her 2019 film, "St. Louis Superman." This powerful documentary follows the inspiring journey of Bruce Franks Jr, a Missouri politician, in the aftermath of the Ferguson riots. However, Smriti'screative prowess continues beyond that-Smriti is currently making waves as the Executi...
Jul 18, 2023•38 min•Ep. 232
On today's episode, I have the incredible Ivy Le, the creator of the podcast FOGO that explores nature through the eyes of the “most reluctant host” you've ever encountered. Join us as we unravel the secrets behind Ivy's unique approach to hosting and discover the true meaning of FOGO. But that's not all – Ivy's talents extend far beyond podcasting. She is a stand-up comedian, reporter, actress, and poet. This is indeed an enlightening and entertaining conversation with this extraordinary multi-...
Jul 11, 2023•40 min•Ep. 231
As most of you know, I pose a thought-provoking question to my guests at the end of every episode: How would they define America in a single word or sentence? Today, in celebration of the 4th of July, I decided to turn the tables and pose the same question to our incredible team because we wanted to share our unique thoughts and hopes for America with you. So this particular episode enhances your Fourth of July celebrations with a dash of intellectual stimulation and contemplation. It's short, s...
Jul 04, 2023•15 min•Ep. 230
Today's guest is the extraordinary Anna Hossnieh, a comedy producer at iHeartRadio and co-host of the thought-provoking podcast Ethnically Ambiguous. Join me as we dive deep into Anna's world, exploring her obsession with reality TV, her comedic journey, and her unique experiences growing up as a child of Iranian immigrants. We also discover the inspirations that have shaped her creative path and fueled her passion for storytelling. So sit back, relax, and get ready for an engaging and laughter-...
Jun 27, 2023•47 min•Ep. 229
Join me as I chat with the wonderfully funny Lucie Pohl, the voice actor behind Overwatch 2 hero Mercy. We explore her comedic background, including her show "Hi, Hitler" and her connection to playwright Bertolt Brecht. After my interview on her podcast, Immigrant Jam, I am psyched to uncover the person behind the characters and delve into Lucie's fascinating story. Don't miss this engaging conversation about identity, storytelling, and the vibrant world of Lucie Pohl. Join the conversation: Ins...
Jun 20, 2023•41 min•Ep. 228
Join me on today's episode as we dive into the world of Helena Wadia, an accomplished journalist whose work has graced the pages of Evening Standard, NME, BBC, Channel 5 News, and London Live. If you need to get more familiar with these outlets, don't worry! Helena's podcast, Media Storm, is where her journalistic spirit truly shines. Together with co-host Mathilda Mallinson, they uncover underreported stories within minority communities, putting the voices of those often overlooked at the foref...
Jun 13, 2023•45 min•Ep. 227
In this episode, join me as I sit down with Raha Francis, a business and legal strategist turned consultant. But we're not diving into the typical professional journey today. Instead, we explore the depths of what it means to be human beyond our careers and how our "emotional identities" are influenced by the cultures we grow up in. Raha's story begins in Dubai, where she was born to South Asian parents. However, her family immigrated to Canada when she was just a child, shaping her unique persp...
Jun 06, 2023•50 min•Ep. 226
In today’s lively episode, prepare to challenge the conventional wisdom about work! I enjoyed chatting with the incredible Simone Stolzoff, author of the captivating book "The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work." Simone's expertise has appeared in publications like The New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal. Join me on this exhilarating journey as we dive headfirst into the captivating world of work-life balance, redefine our notions of success, and un...
May 30, 2023•50 min•Ep. 225
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...
May 23, 2023•45 min•Ep. 224
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 se...
May 16, 2023•39 min•Ep. 223
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 ...
May 09, 2023•49 min
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 p...
May 02, 2023•45 min•Ep. 221
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 j...
Apr 25, 2023•46 min•Ep. 220
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,...
Apr 18, 2023•44 min•Ep. 219
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 see...
Apr 11, 2023•40 min•Ep. 218
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 ques...
Apr 04, 2023•42 min•Ep. 217
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...
Mar 28, 2023•43 min•Ep. 216
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 unf...
Mar 21, 2023•47 min•Ep. 215
I am thrilled to present an exciting bonus episode to you. Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting 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 Succes...
Mar 15, 2023•22 min•Ep. 214
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 a...
Mar 14, 2023•32 min
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 ma...
Mar 07, 2023•50 min•Ep. 213
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 cul...
Feb 28, 2023•46 min•Ep. 212
