Immigrantly

"Happiness Is Like A Leaky Tire"

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Immigrantly, I dive head-first into the expansive realm of happiness. Is happiness a fleeting moment or a sustained state of...

Surviving the Messed-Up System

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hey folks, join me for a chat with Yusuf Dahl, who's been through it all, from facing a potential 60-year sentence at 18 to hustling to founding his o...

When AI Meets Feminist Ethics

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is a special treat for all you tech enthusiasts, Black Mirror binge-watchers, and fans of the Terminator franchise! I am delving deep ...

When Is It Ok to Call Someone Resilient

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever feel that the term 'resilience 'needs to capture the essence of our experiences? I sure do! Join me for a critical discussion on this topi...

What We Mean When We Talk About Genocide

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The use of 'Genocide' in discussions about Gaza has captured global attention, stirring a complex debate around its implications. In this episode, Ern...

Feed Drop: Pen's Pals: Putting on for Tehran in the Bay by Rightnowish

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As you know, I am always looking for great stories that we can create in-house and share in this space. And when I heard this story, I knew I had to s...

Preserving Inclusion Amidst Political Backlash

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we witness institutions like the University of Florida and major corporations like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan scaling back their DEI efforts due t...

Beyond Skin Deep: Exploring the Complexities of Beauty

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I am diving deep into the multifaceted world of beauty – an intensely personal and profoundly public topic. The beauty landscape has undergon...

“I Am Not From Here, Not From There”

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Ana Sheila Victorino – she's an amazing human being! Ana's all about well-being and empowerment. She co-founded "Bask & Being" for workplace we...

“Obviously, A Republican Feels For Me”

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode features the remarkable Negin Farsad!, a brilliant writer and comedian known for her hilarious wit and astute commentary. You might ...

The Food Mashup

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm excited to chat with the impressive Chef Jesus Diaz. From starting in a Florida sushi joint to becoming a household name on Despierta America, his...

Cooking Up Love, One Recipe At a Time

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join me as I uncover the heartwarming tale of Send Chinatown Love, a nonprofit born out of the unity of New York City's Chinatown during the pandemic....

I Must Belong Here

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I am joined by Supinder Wraich, a trailblazing Canadian writer and actress. You might recognize her from her standout performance ...

Feed Drop: The Mash-Up Americans Podcast - Lisa Ling

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In January 2023, I sat down with Amy Choi and Rebecca Lehrer, the cohosts of The Mash-Up Americans podcast. Our conversation centered on their series ...

"Diversity Hire": Claudine Gay and Future of DEI

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Harvard's first black president, Claudine Gay, resigned recently following several controversies over the past few months. But the real controversy,...

Love Comes In Many Shapes and Sizes

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Finding meaningful connections becomes crucial in a world where loneliness affects physical and mental well-being. Whether solidifying familial ties o...

What's Your Heart Telling You

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back! Today's guest, Jane Wong, is a poet, a professor, and a restaurant kid - her new book, “Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City,” covers gr...

Holiday Special: Breaking Bread

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the final Immigrantly episode of 2023, I decided to learn more about America’s most popular winter holiday—Christmas. Although I don’t cele...

Crafting Change Through Art

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meet the incredible Siddharth Katragadda, a San Diego-based artist extraordinaire who's not just a painter, photographer, and award-winning filmmaker ...

From Headlines to Chaat Dog: Pervaiz Shallwani's Flavorful Journey

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My today’s guest, Pervaiz Shallwani- From covering intense stories like the George Floyd protests to reporting on the Brooklyn subway shooting, Perv...

The Quiet Violence of Language

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by the ongoing suffering in Palestine, this episode explores language's power and potential harm. Words aren’t harmless and are often dange...

Taboos, Sex, and Feminism with Sangeeta Pillai

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is the multi-award-winning podcaster and sex educator Sangeeta Pillai. Sangeeta hosts the Masala podcast that features interviews with ...

Thanksgiving Special: Adapting Tradition

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We bring to you our annual Thanksgiving episode with interviews with our very own Immigrantly team members on what the day looks like in their househo...

Denied Entry: Navigating Identity with Atheer Yacoub

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Atheer Yacoub is a New York-based Palestinian-Muslim comedian, writer, and podcaster. Through her unique lens, she explores the complexities of her up...

Comedy, Crime, and Creative Wonders

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prepare for a rollercoaster of talent and intrigue as I welcome the incredibly versatile Alex Estrada to our show! As a prolific writer in TV and stan...

Navigating the Military-Immigration Landscape

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest is Dr. Sofya Aptekar- As an Associate Professor of Urban Studies at the City University of New York, she uncovers society’s secrets, from ...

Neighborly Bonds

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join me for a wild ride through the fascinating world of human connection and empathy with an award-winning journalist, Andrea Smardon. We'll dive dee...

A Cinematic Explorer

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode covers the extraordinary journey of Kuwaiti filmmaker Omar Al Dakheel, from his transformative scholarship days in Miami to crafting i...

Special Feed Drop: Tiny Huge Decisions Episode 1

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I have a special episode for you today. I am sharing an episode of the new podcast from APM Studios and Chalk & Blade called Tiny Huge Decisions. Thi...

EmpowerHER: Elevating Latine Voices and Stories

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, I am diving deep into the impact of storytelling and the incredible strength of collective action, and what better time to do...

The Cost of Living in White Space (January 2023)

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, in honor of Latino Heritage Month, we're revisiting one of my all-time favorite episodes. The episode was first released in January 2023. I cha...

From Algorithms to Emotions: Aizzah Fatima’s Journey to Romcom Stardom

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aizzah Fatima is a Muslim-American actress and filmmaker. Her one-woman play, Dirty Paki Lingerie, about the stereotypes faced by Muslim American wome...

Real Talk: A Candid Conversation on Sexuality and Identity

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I sit down with Sadia Azmat, a British Indian writer and comedian who unapologetically shares her experiences with sexuality and iden...

Against the Current: Decoding Love with Mansi Choksi

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

Championing Rights: Anisha Singh and the Sikh Coalition

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode features Anisha Singh, the Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition – the most prominent Sikh civil rights organization in the U.S. ...

Unraveling Class Identity: A Candid Conversation with Jonathan Menjivar

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Missing Kids and The Media: Breaking the Biases

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this second part of our two-episode series on kidnappings, media coverage, and the Latino community, I am finally dissecting the term "Missing Whit...

Missing Kids and The Media: The Story of Sofia Juarez

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 sear...

Unraveling Partition 1947: Untold Stories of Shared Humanity

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 1947 Indian partition was one of the most colossal migrations in recorded history, leaving behind a devastating toll. Over 2 million lives were lo...

Feed Drop: The Trail Ahead Podcast-Ahmad Hijazi on Thru-hiking, Feeling at Home in Nature, and Arab Representation in the Outdoors

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 epis...

The Kaleidoscope of Cultural Creativity

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Nature, Comedy, and Authenticity with Ivy Le

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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”...

Stars, Stripes, and Stories: A Fourth of July Special

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Reality TV, Comedy, and Cultural Adventures

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is the extraordinary Anna Hossnieh, a comedy producer at iHeartRadio and co-host of the thought-provoking podcast Ethnically Ambiguous. ...

Laughs, Characters, and Artistic Roots: Getting Real with Lucie Pohl

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...

Unveiling Media Storm: Boldly Amplifying Unheard Voices

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Unmasking Our Emotional Identities

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 pro...

Embrace the 'Good Enough' Job: Work, Life, and Finding Peace

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s lively episode, prepare to challenge the conventional wisdom about work! I enjoyed chatting with the incredible Simone Stolzoff, author o...

Storytelling Unleashed: Unveiling the Power of Narrative

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

“I Am Always Enough Just Being” (2021)

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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....

Behind the Pages: A Deep Dive into Sri Lankan Politics & Family with V.V. Ganeshananthan

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 newspa...

Ten Thousand Words: Exploring Creativity and Connection with Shin Yu Pai

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

From Figure Skating to Podcasting: A Fun Chat with Media Entrepreneur Asad Butt

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, entrepre...

Movement and Music with Meklit Hadero: A Genre-Bending Journey

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

Riding Along with Kareem Rahma: Creating 'Keep the Meter Running' and More

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, Kare...

Whispers to God: Islam and Mental Health (2021)

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Mixing It Up: A Deep Dive into Cross-Cultural Relationships

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Immigrantly, the podcast that shares immigrant stories and experiences through a nuanced lens. In this episode, I am joined by Lionel Nicol...

Uncovering the Dark Side of Labor: A Climate Activist's Fight for Justice

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 sign...

Ice-Breaking: Immigrantly Goes Live with Sway Bhatia at NHL Event

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Feed Drop: Coming Home

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Here at Immigrantly, I believe in creating a safe space for authentic storytelling. Most stories are built on our platform but sometimes from other ...

The Journey of Becoming

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Tracing the Roots of American Food (With Stephen Satterfield) 2022

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 immigran...

Our Stories Redefined

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 entrepr...

Valentine's Day Special: Swipe Left, Swipe Right

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

"You Are Valid"

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

All of Us Are Unwell

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 thems...

Written In The Stars

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 po...

The Cost of Living In White Space

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Mashing up the Conversation on Grief

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I’m joined by Amy S Choi and Rebecca Lehrer, co-founders and co-hosts of The Mash-Up American podcast, which features stories and interviews o...

Special Feed Drop: Before Me

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome listeners. As some of you may know, our team is taking a much-needed break to rest and recuperate so that we can come back on January 10th, re...

Special: Holiday Hot-Takes

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is nothing Immigrantly loves more than switching up the narrative--and that's why today, we're sharing some controversial opinions, or "hot-take...

Expressing Kinship and Self Through Art

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does following your passion look like? How many aspiring actresses, dancers, writers, podcasters and artists have been told that their powers won...

Tap Dancing As A Way to Communicate

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My today's guest is Gerson Lanza. Born and raised in Honduras, Gerson is a tap dancer and an educator. He is pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in Dance...

Hip Hop Into Your Raw Self

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Music has been an integral part of my life; from classical and popular music to rock, you will find an entire gamut on my Spotify playlist. Whenever I...

Reporting the Human in All of Us

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do we harness the power of authentic storytelling to recreate narratives about immigrants? I sat down with Liz Robbins, the director of journalism...

Thanksgiving Special: The Not So Sweet History of Candied Yams

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Before turning off your phone for a Thanksgiving digital detox or because the turkey requires your undivided intention, spend a moment with the Immigr...

What is Sexuality Anyways?

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

 Why is it that we stumble when we discuss sexuality? It should be a joyous topic rather than one fraught with shame, confusion, and invisibility. Ev...

Election Special: Want to be an ally? Vote!

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode addresses why voting is not just a right that individuals should exercise; it is also a democratic measure of collective accountabilit...

Living Unapologetically Intersectional (2021)

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hey Immigrantly family! As we are working hard to get you some excellent content in the coming days, I also recognize we have some new listeners. Ther...

"It Begins with a Line"

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ruby Jaffrey is a talented, contemporary calligraphy artist who has exhibited her artwork worldwide, including in London, LA, New York, and Karachi. L...

Are Humans and Nature Separate?

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest, Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada, is a Colombian-American athlete, activist, and environmental sociologist who is always on the move. From the fr...

Loving Through Boundaries

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest is Israa Nasir, a psychotherapist, and mental health educator. She is the founder of Well. Guide, a digital mental wellness brand on Instagr...

Lipstick, Runways, and Microaggressions

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest today is an expert on self-expression-Taiwanese-born Romana Lai, a renowned editorial makeup artist who has worked with many of the fashion ...

"She is Being Very Asian"

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest Michelle Li is a broadcaster, founder of the "Very Asian Movement" &  Foundation and author of the upcoming book ‘A Very Asian Guide ...

How Privilege Changes the Lens I Wear

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our Today's guest is Mathangi Subramanian. She is an award-winning writer of adult, young adult, and children's stories. But, just as she runs the gam...

"Oh You Came On A Boat?"

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is in collaboration with the Oyate Group, a community-driven foundation dedicated to empowering youth and small businesses across New ...

What Do Books Really Teach Us?

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest, Elaine Castillo, is the author of the newly released book "How to Read Now: Essays," which attempts to observe American books and movies ...

Human Rights be Damned-Part Two

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is the second part of our two-part series. If you are tuning in now, please be sure to listen to the first part of this series titled ...

Human Rights be Damned-Part One

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Immigrantly's fall guest lineup. In part one of a two-episode series, my  Rana Ayyub, an Indian journalist and opinion columnist with The...

Special: Define the United States in a Word or a Phrase

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dear Immigrantly family, as you know, we are not releasing any new episodes this week; our fall lineup starts next week, August 23rd, with our conver...

My Parents, TikTok & I

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest, Thea Pham, shares her journey in discovering and defining what mental health means to her, how it fits in the complicated puzzle of her...

Before They Were Your Parents

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For Neda Toloui-Semnani, our today's guest, understanding who her parents were and what motivated them to participate in the 1979 Iranian Revolution a...

Once Upon An Abubakr in Hollywood (2021)

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am sharing another gem from the Immigrantly vault. It’s our conversation with Abubakr Ali. He is an actor, writer, and singer. Last year, h...

Who Gets To Be a Citizen of the United States? (with Ramtin Arablouei)

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we have a fellow podcaster in our midst. Ramtin Arablouei is the co-host and co-producer of NPR's podcast Throughline. This show explores histo...

Meeting Abortion with Compassion (2020)

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The first time I introduced today's episode was in September 2020, when we recorded the interview on abortion access with Dr. Meera Shah. She is the C...

We're Not Doing Reproductive Justice Right (Yet)

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On June 24th, 2022, the hyper-conservative Supreme Court overturned Roe Vs. Wade and took away a woman's constitutional right to abortion. Thirteen st...

What Happened to Haitian Migrants in Del Rio, Texas?

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In September 2021, when the images of border patrol agents whipping a group of Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas, came to light, national outrage br...

The Elephant in the Room: Climate Change

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thimali Kodikara is the series producer of "Mothers of Invention," hosted by former Irish president Mary Robinson and comedian-writer Maeve Higgins....

"To Be Brown & Gay" (with Dr. Anthony Ocampo)

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest, Dr. Anthony Ocampo, was raised in Los Angeles as the only son of two Filipino immigrants. He attended Stanford University for Compar...

Tracing the Roots of American Food (with Stephen Satterfield)

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest, Stephen Satterfield, has dedicated his career to organizing, activating, and educating people about the origins and cultures of food.  He ...