An Immigrant’s Life

In this candid conversation, Kiersty from “Ikarus Mind Psychotherapy” generously agreed to interview me for the 200th episode of "An Immigrant’s Life." During our chat, I opened up about personal family stories that have shaped who I am today. I also shared some behind-the-scenes insights about the podcast, including details about the future of the podcast. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Kiersty🔻  

Website: https://www.ikarusmind.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikarus_mind 

Listen to her episode here: https://shorturl.at/R1Md2 

Twisha Shah is a Neuroscientist and co-host of the From Suitcase to Success podcast in this episode, Twisha and I dove straight into a deep conversation. She light-heartedly shared that being an only child was due to her mom’s pregnancy challenges. We explored the cultural pressure in India for male children. Twisha recounted her frustrating experience with racism in the American education system, where despite her fluency in English, she was pushed into ESL classes due to her schooling in India. Despite her challenges and minimal parental supervision as immigrants, she bravely confronted obstacles. Finding guidance from a mentor was pivotal, marking her realization of mentorship's value. We also discussed the impact of having supportive, high-value friends who have spurred her personal growth. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Twisha 🔻  

Listen to From Suitcase to Sucess: https://shorturl.at/4oODQ 

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twishah 

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromsuitcasetosuccess 

Since childhood, Joyce has been driven by curiosity, often experimenting with bathroom products in hopes of creating explosions, though fortunately without success. Instead, her entrepreneurial spark ignited with Dieux Cosmetics. Growing up as a latchkey kid in an immigrant family, Joyce was cared for by an "older" cousin together with her younger cousins, a quintessential tale of a child of immigrants. Despite the mischief they got into due to minimal parental supervision, Joyce credits this upbringing for fostering her creativity. Despite a complex relationship with her mother, therapy taught her empathy, especially following her father's sudden passing, a topic she openly discusses in this episode and more. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Joyce 🔻  

Website: https://www.dieuxskin.com 

Dieux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dieuxskin 

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joycedeezy 

Dr. Syeda Sufora an optometrist, has faced profound personal challenges that have shaped her perspective on life and faith. Coming from a broken home and experiencing the end of her own marriage, she candidly discusses these trials. She recalls a pivotal time living in a women’s shelter for Asian women, where a robbery underscored the vulnerability, they faced. It was during the birth of her first child that she began to confront and heal from her childhood trauma. Throughout her journey, from navigating the impact of divorce on her faith to challenging misconceptions about divorced Muslims, she offers valuable insights. As a single mother, she emphasizes the importance of self-care and establishing routines. Her experiences have led her to advocate passionately for others facing similar struggles, culminating in her empowering message of prioritizing oneself first. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Dr. Syeda 🔻  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesuflife 

YouTube: youtube.com/@Thesuflife?si=7hTFjX0Wi4x-IlqP 

Mudra Dave, co-host of “From Suitcase to Success”, recounts her father's journey from being an engineer in India to a general worker in Canada due to the challenge of lacking "Canadian Experience." Throughout her story, she emphasizes celebrating small successes, maintaining positivity, and pursuing activities she enjoys. Dave also reflects on overcoming bullying and the significance of self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others. She acknowledges the support of allies while confronting the harsh reality that even within communities, there can be individuals who undermine others' efforts. Her message ultimately advocates for self-compassion and discourages jealousy towards immigrants. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Mudra 🔻  

Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/mudra_daveh 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromsuitcasetosuccess 

Alyx Ang is a Social Media manager. She came on to talk about her podcast "A for Anxious," spurred by her own experiences with anxiety and a desire to confront it through open dialogue about mental health. She discussed the challenges of familial expectations as an immigrant, particularly her parents' initial lack of understanding regarding mental health issues. She emphasized how isolating it can feel to suffer from these issues alone, underscoring the importance of conversations about anxiety. She also shared her journey in overcoming a toxic relationship with social media, highlighting her path to healthier online interactions. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Alyx 🔻  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyxandriaang 

Podcast: https://shorturl.at/kFwfS 

YouTube: https://shorturl.at/qa9Yd 

Francesca Douglass-Franco, CEO of Human Save Org. discusses her journey shaped by her upbringing with a single mother, highlighting how responsibility from a young age impacted her relationships, including with her husband. She reflects on pivotal moments like learning to prioritize breaks from her mom, and the absence of a stereotypical strict upbringing. Francesca shares personal challenges, including parenthood and navigating the complexities of sexual abuse and trafficking through her advocacy work at Human Save.  

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Francesca🔻  

Website: https://francescadf.com 

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francesca_douglassfranco 

Human Save Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansave_org 

Kiersty Xavier is the Founder & Clinical Director of Ikarus Mind Psychotherapy. We talked about her upbringing without a sense of belonging, her healing journey, and explored the impact of family dynamics, personal struggles, and the importance of therapy. We also discussed resilience, self-discovery, and the significance of vibing with your therapist. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Kiersty 🔻  

Website: https://www.ikarusmind.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikarus_mind 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ikarus-mind-psychotherapy 

Connie Mansfield is the owner of PDX Fresh Start & co-founder of Jelly Cup Collective. In this episode, she shares her journey of resilience, exploring childhood trauma and the resilience of children. Connie reflects on her close connection to her Chinese roots, guided by her mother's wisdom. She discusses the challenges of balancing multiple cultures and how her mother's passing inspired her business pursuits. Connie shares the invaluable lessons she learned from her mother and the joys and challenges of parenting in a mixed-race household. Through Jelly Cup Collective, she advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering advice for those seeking to start their own collective ventures. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Connie🔻  

Website: https://www.pdxfreshstart.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdxfreshstart 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jellycupcollective 

From weekend cleaning rituals inherited from her dad to lessons of love from Lola Julieta, Jo Del Barrio shares her Bay Area upbringing and struggles. We delve into the challenges of preserving tradition, navigating cultural pressures, and finding solace in community support. We also explore the beauty of brown skin, the importance of positive gender roles, motherhood, and the transformative power of storytelling. From embracing faith to overcoming loss, each topic reflects resilience and growth. Discover the inspiration behind 'Her Sage Talk' podcast and the joys of connecting with our roots while creating our community. 

🎤ALL LINKS BELOW 🎧 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3g0qe2g 

Apple: https://apple.co/34KNRa2 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2S9eQJx 

RedCircle: https://bit.ly/3yZWX0m 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SW06Oc 

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3x0QLDP 

🔻 Connect with Jo 🔻  

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/jodelbarrio 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo.delbarrio