An Immigrant’s Life

Brigitte Franzen left Germany for a farm internship in Illinois, never expecting to stay. Yet, the bonds she formed and her love for American life led her to build her own farm, housing 5000 pigs. However, in 1998, the rise of mega hog farms forced her to close her doors forever. Undaunted, she pivoted to become a financial planner, drawing on her farming experiences to aid others. Amidst the pandemic, she penned "Have Pigs, Will Travel," sharing tales of her life, including pig deliveries across the US. Our conversation explores her writing journey, the challenges of publishing, her advocacy for balance, her non-vegan stance, and the heartbreaking loss of her farm, offering compelling reasons to dive into her book. 

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🔻 Connect with Brigitte 🔻  

Website: https://www.brigittefranzen.com 

Madina Mamat-Qira is the founder of Madina Taklamakan clothing brand. From East Turkestan to Japan to Canada, she shares her challenges and triumphs as a Hijabi, the beauty of being a Muslim woman, and navigating entrepreneurship during a pandemic. Learn about her brand's origins, the influence of her mother's design instincts, her passion for painting, and her mission to propagate Uyghur culture. 

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🔻 Connect with Madina 🔻  

Website: https://madinataklamakan.com 

Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madinataklamakan 

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

Joseph Yoo is an Episcopal pastor originally from Korea, now residing in Houston. Our conversation delves into the nuances between Catholic, United Methodist, and Episcopalian churches, providing valuable insights. He reflects on the unique pressures he faces as a Korean-American pastor's son, compounded by frequent relocations due to his father's work. Discover his courageous decision to transition from a United Methodist to an Episcopal pastorship, despite initial reluctance. We confront the challenges of being a first-generation Korean-American in a culturally specific church and navigating microaggressions in predominantly white congregations. Through it all, his unwavering faith remains a guiding light, even amidst declining church attendance trends. We touch upon the profound joy and challenges of adopting a child with autism, highlighting the resilience and love within his family. 

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🔻 Connect with Joseph🔻  

Website: https://josephyoo.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseph.yoo 

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/JosephYoo 

Anastasia Kuznetsova shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Nevinnomyssk, Russia, during the USSR's collapse to finding her artistic voice in Lisbon. Raised by her grandmothers while her parents worked, Anastasia reflects on her childhood, the challenges of academia, and her struggles with self-esteem and panic attacks. She discusses her artistic evolution, inspired by her experiences in Sri Lanka and driven by her passion for languages. Anastasia opens up about her relationships, her father's well-being in Russia, and the healing power of therapy. 

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🔻Connect with Anastasia🔻  

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@anastasia_kuznetsowa 

Jessica La, a professional musician of Vietnamese descent with a uniquely fitting last name. Despite parental expectations for a conventional career, she cleverly convinced them to support her musical journey. In this episode, we delve into her insights on overcoming performance anxiety through thorough preparation and the importance of taking a 'breather' to her students.   

Learn what ignites her passion for music, her distinctive teaching approach, and her creative process. From enchanting events and weddings to navigating quirky gigging moments like playing piano during a first date or being mistaken for hearing impaired during an online performance, she shares her colorful experiences, and why collaboration fuels her creative fire. 

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🔻 Connect with Jessica🔻  

Website: https://www.jessicalamusic.com 

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

My discussion with Adrian Magno began with career transitions but quickly evolves into a heartfelt exploration of the challenges and joys of fatherhood. Adrian candidly shares his experiences of grappling with imposter syndrome and the importance of storytelling in his work. As immigrant fathers raised in Filipino households, we delve into the complexities of cultural identity and the profound impact of parenthood. Adrian reflects on his journey of self-discovery, navigating the pressures of societal expectations, and the Filipino values he hopes to pass on to his children. From the fear of failing his kids to the enduring lessons of parenthood, Adrian's story offers insights into the universal truths of fatherhood and the resilience of the human spirit. 

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🔻 Connect with Adrian 🔻  

Website: https://www.capturedframes.com 

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

Sukasa IG: https://www.instagram.com/sukasa.films

Dr. Tina Tang is a Retina Surgeon, embarked on a journey from Beijing, China, to Canada, then Massachusetts, and back, all while pursuing her dream career. Growing up in a small Massachusetts town as a Chinese immigrant, she grappled with her identity and the desire to fit in. Yet, the support of diverse friends helped her embrace her heritage and prioritize academics. We delve into the delicate balance between her professional and social life, and the pivotal role of mentors in her decision to specialize in retina surgery. With an unwavering commitment to her purpose, she advocates for guilt-free pursuit of dreams. Discover how she navigates surgery's emotional aspects and her insights on minimalist lessons learned from medicine and career, alongside candid discussions on imposter syndrome. 

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🔻 Connect with Dr. Tina Tang 🔻  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tinat 

Facebook: https://shorturl.at/bcdqR 

Carlo Alcos, a second-generation immigrant, explores his identity journey in the documentary "Outsiderness." Formerly a globe-trotter, he now seeks to uncover his true sense of belonging. Our conversation delved into his upbringing in a Filipino household amidst a predominantly white environment, addressing the challenges of cultural integration. Carlo shared the catalyst for his film, recounting poignant moments of attempting to assimilate into white society. We discussed the concept of white privilege and his mission to promote diverse representation. Additionally, Carlo discussed his re-connection with Filipino culture, including learning to cook Filipino dishes. Through his documentary, he aims to bridge generational and cultural gaps, fostering a deeper connection with his family and community. 

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🔻 Connect with Carlo🔻  

Website: https://www.carloalcos.com 

Substack: https://outsiderness.substack.com 

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

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

Yesse Kim, a Classical Pianist, embarked on a journey from Seoul, South Korea, to the grand stages of Germany. Leaving behind a fractured family dynamic, Yesse's relocation to Michigan with her mother and brother marked the beginning of her odyssey. However, the geographical distance couldn't bridge the emotional chasm, ultimately leading to her parents' divorce—a pivotal moment that shaped her outlook on relationships.   

As she navigated the tumultuous waters of adolescence, Yesse found solace in her piano, but societal pressures pushed her towards a career she never desired. Battling inner demons, she sought refuge in nightly drinks, until a moment of clarity prompted her to embark on a daring quest—to Germany, where her passion for classical piano would find its crescendo.   

Yet, success came at a cost. The pursuit of her dreams strained her bond with her mother, further complicated by cultural expectations and body image struggles. Despite the applause and accolades on the European stage, the pandemic's arrival left her adrift, questioning her purpose.   

In our candid conversation, Yesse shares the secrets behind her concert preparations, the mantra that sustains her, and how changing environments can heal wounds. From performing on stage to mentoring aspiring pianists, Yesse's story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of music. 

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🔻 Connect with Yesse 🔻  

Piano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesse.pianist 

Food Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesse.explore 

Rachel Liza is a talented figure skater and YouTuber. She shares her incredible journey from being adopted from China as a baby, found by the side of a bridge, to embracing life with her white adoptive parents. We delve into her evolving feelings about her identity and the unique challenges she faces, including 'Adoption Trauma' and abandonment issues that she bravely confronts in therapy.  

We also discuss her experiences growing up homeschooled and how it shaped her perspective on education and self-discovery. Additionally, we explore the world of figure skating, where she opens up about the mental hurdles and performance anxiety she navigates on the ice. 

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🔻 Connect with Rachel🔻  

Website: https://rachel-liza.square.site 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.liza 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/rachelliza