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April is Earth Month — a time to reflect on the state of our planet, address urgent environmental issues, strategize action, and hold ourselves and others accountable. In that spirit, we’re bringing back an essential conversation from the Immigrantly vault. This episode with futurist and climate optimist Amer Jandali originally aired on May 28, 2024. Some references may sound a bit dated, but the message is as fresh and relevant as ever. Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan & Bobak Afshari I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the barriers to success weren’t personal but structural, intentional, and decades in the making? In this episode of Immigrantly, host Saadia Khan sits down with demographers Jennifer Hook and James Bachmeier, authors of a groundbreaking new book, Texas-Style Exclusion: Mexican Americans and the Legacy of Limited Opportunity, that traces how Mexican immigrant families in Texas were systematically excluded from public education and opportunity throughout the 20th century—and how those policies still resonate today. We unpack why Texas created systems to exploit labor while blocking social mobility, how educational inequality was baked into policy, not culture, what comparing Mexican and European immigrant outcomes means, and the quiet generational cost of being born in the wrong place with the wrong identity. This conversation reframes the myth of meritocracy and compels us to confront the uncomfortable truth: success in America has always depended on who you are, where you’re from, and what you are allowed to access. We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Identity isn’t always a box you check; it’s a journey. In this episode of Immigrantly, host Saadia Khan sits down with Beatriz Nour, the creator of Inbetweenish, a podcast that unpacks the complexities of belonging across cultures, languages, and traditions. Beatriz shares her personal story of navigating three cultures, four languages, and two religions, reflecting on the struggles and privileges of being in between. From growing up as a minority in Egypt to questioning her Arab identity and redefining what home truly means, Beatriz challenges the idea of fixed identities and explores what we gain when we embrace fluidity. Plus, they discuss code-switching, immigrant nostalgia, and the biases we inherit and how to unlearn them. What does it mean to belong? Are we all living in cultural contradictions? And can we ever feel at home anywhere? Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about identity, migration, and the universal search for belonging. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when we step outside our own understanding of identity and embrace the messy, beautiful, and sometimes contradictory stories that shape us? In this episode of Immigrantly, host Saadia Khan sits down with writer and television executive Nayantara Roy to explore the intersections of storytelling, belonging, and cultural memory. From navigating multiple worlds as an immigrant to uncovering the power of secrets in fiction, Nayantara shares insights from her acclaimed novel, The Magnificent Ruins, and her upcoming book, Sisters of a Halved Heart (coming Spring 2026). She also discusses the complexities of code-switching, the joy of language, and how her work in television influences her creative process.  Nayantara and Saadia dive into the emotional weight of representation, the evolving nature of happiness, and whether some stories are best left untold. It’s a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation that will leave you reflecting on your own narratives. We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you go from fleeing your home country to building a Luxury Fashion Empire? Dr. Neri Karra did just that—without the fluff, the nonsense, or selling out. In this episode of Immigrantly, I sit down with Neri to talk about how she built a global brand, teaches at Oxford, and still finds time to write about immigrant entrepreneurship experiences in her book "Pioneers: Eight Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs." We’re unpacking  The wild journey from refugee camp to fashion powerhouse Why hearing “No” a thousand times makes you sharper The truth about “sustainable” fashion (and why she’s not buying it) How ambition and kindness can work together This one’s got wisdom, wit, and just the right amount of Oprah! We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am excited to re-drop one of my favorite episodes featuring the incredible Kareem Rahma! When we first recorded this chat, Kareem was all about "Keep the Meter Running." Now, he's taken his journey to new heights with "Subway Takes." It's a series of short videos created by Kareem Rahma that offer his opinions on brands and pop culture, and he is gearing up to launch his very own podcast. This conversation is packed with unexpected twists and insights that you'll love. So, dive in now, and be sure to come back for a brand new Immigrantly episode with engaging guests and fresh perspectives.  We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does serving in the U.S. military while challenging its norms mean? In this episode of Immigrantly, Saadia Khan sits down with Lieutenant Julie Roland, an active-duty naval aviator and law school graduate who advocates for systemic change.  Julie takes us behind the scenes of military life, its hierarchies, recruitment strategies, and the challenges of gender equity in a male-dominated space. She also shares her insights on reimagining military recruitment to address sexual assault, the complex role of the U.S. military in global politics, and the nuanced patriotism that comes with service. Beyond the uniform, Julie is a community advocate and magician (yes, really!). Listen in as she unpacks the intersections of duty, justice, and personal identity. We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Links: Vet Voice Foundation – Elevating veterans' voices in civic engagement and policy advocacy. VoteVets – A progressive veterans' organization advocating for responsible foreign policy and support for veterans. Meals on Wheels – Delivering meals to seniors, including veterans in need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a family story takes you on an unexpected journey? In this episode of Immigrantly, I sit down with Jake Warren, founder of Message Heard and the creator of Finding Natasha, a profoundly personal podcast about tracking down the woman who saved his mother’s life decades ago in the Soviet Union. Jake’s mother, a young British ballerina, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train in Russia. But her dream quickly turned into a nightmare when she fell gravely ill, abandoned in an isolation ward until Natasha, a fellow dancer, risked everything to help her escape. Decades later, Jake embarks on a quest to find this woman, uncovering powerful themes of fate, memory, and the ripple effects of human kindness. Join me as we explore the intersection of storytelling, history, and identity and reflect on the ways in which we all have someone in our past worth finding. We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a country built by immigrants starts redefining who belongs? In this episode, I sit down with Claudia Yoli Ferla, a Venezuelan-born Latina and the Executive Director of Move Texas to discuss the latest political chaos surrounding immigration, voting rights, and civic engagement. From the new administration's executive orders threatening birthright citizenship to mass deportations, we tackle the fear-mongering narratives shaping policy and why they don’t hold up. Claudia, a DACA recipient, and TPS holder shares how young voters reject political apathy and mobilize for real change.  Is the American Dream just a marketing gimmick? Why do politicians keep using immigrants as political pawns? Can young, diverse voters flip the script in Texas? We’re calling out the myths, exposing the power plays, and showing how you can fight back at the ballot box, in the streets, or by simply sharing this episode. We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by Bilt Rewards- go to JoinBilt.com/Immigrantly to get started Some stories demand to be told. This one, in particular, struck me deeply. I sat down with Nancy Wang, a storyteller, artist, and author of Red Altar, to talk about her ancestors—Chinese immigrants who helped build California’s fishing industry against all odds. Their ingenuity, their fight against racist laws, and their sheer will to survive felt eerily familiar. As we spoke, I found myself reflecting on the weight of legacy. How many immigrant stories like Nancy’s have been erased? How many sacrifices did it take for communities like hers and mine to thrive in a country that often tries to erase our presence? Nancy shared how her ancestors were banned from fishing during the day, forcing them to innovate by using fire baskets to catch squid at night. They were resilient, determined, and unwilling to be erased. As she spoke, I couldn’t help but think of today’s immigrants facing exclusion and finding ways to survive. This episode is more than history; it’s about the living, breathing legacy of immigrants in America. It’s about resilience, the cost of belonging, and why telling these stories matters now more than ever. Listen in, and let’s make sure these stories don’t stay hidden 📖 Check out Nancy’s book at https://www.ethnohtec.org We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [email protected] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices