Immigrant Stories | The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants

Welcome to episode 89  of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today, I sit down with Lazou, a dynamic and passionate artist whose journey from her home country to the U.S. is as powerful as her music. Lazou grew up in Mauritius, although she was born in Canada. She moved back to Canada for college and then eventually moved to the US after a job offer she couldn’t pass up. And if it wasn’t for that job offer, she had no intention of moving to the US. 

Lazou shares about starting her podcast, Nuances: Our Asian Stories, her music, and her American Dream. 

With Love, Heidy

_________________________________

Connect with LAZOU:

Website

Instagram

Podcast

_________________________________

Come join me at the first networking event for the podcast! Let’s celebrate all the success of the podcast while networking with other immigrant business owners, past podcast guests, and podcast listeners! Tickets are only $30! 

https://stan.store/heidydelacruz 

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

__________________________________

Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. 

*This podcast is sponsored by 

SoVerve Marketing Group 

Ir Al Sol Swimwear

Capital BPG

For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or make a one-time donation here

My 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms who have limited time but want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for busy women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 88  of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Sun Jung of Hungry Hungry Gopher shares her journey from South Korea to the US, her experiences with cultural adaptation, and her mission to empower others through holistic health and Korean culinary wisdom. Sun shares insights on the importance of rest, cultural influences on health, and finding a sense of belonging.

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Sun Chung:

Website: ​​https://hungrygopher.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HungryGopher 

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

Come join me at the first networking event for the podcast! Let’s celebrate all the success of the podcast while networking with other immigrant business owners, past podcast guests, and podcast listeners! Tickets are only $30! 

https://stan.store/heidydelacruz 

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast 

Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. 

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group and Ir Al Sol Swimwear*

For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or make a one-time donation here:

My 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms whose time is limited but who want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for booked women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 87 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Stephanie shares her upbringing in Panama City and the cultural shifts she experienced upon moving to the U.S. at age 11. Even before moving, she was introduced to American culture while attending school on the Howard Air Force Base in Panama after her mother remarried. This helped her with some aspects of American life, but leaving her extended family presented challenges. Stephanie shares about the importance of maintaining family ties for immigrant children and suggests frequent visits to their home country to preserve those relationships.

Stephanie talks about her transitions from various roles in real estate to founding a digital marketing agency specializing in email marketing. Driven by a desire for entrepreneurship and work-life balance, Stephanie launched her agency after careful planning. Her agency offers content and email marketing services.

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Stephanie:

Website: ​​https://soverve.com/

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast 

Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. 

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group and Ir Al Sol Swimwear*

For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or make a one-time donation here

My 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms whose time is limited but who want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for booked women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 86 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Sandy Dang shares her story of fleeing war-torn Vietnam and living in refugee camps, building a successful nonprofit, and being appointed by President Obama. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the power of the human spirit. 

One thing that stood out was how she used her experiences to help other refugees and at-risk youth. She turned her challenges into opportunities to make a difference. She shares about public narrative storytelling, a leadership skill she teaches to help people use their authentic stories to inspire and motivate others. It’s all about connecting with people on a deeper level and creating positive change.

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Sandy:

Website: ​​https://www.inspireleadershipschool.com/

Come join me at the first networking event for the podcast! Let’s celebrate all the success of the podcast while networking with other immigrant business owners, past podcast guests, and podcast listeners! Tickets are only $30! 

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. 

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group and Ir Al Sol Swimwear*

For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or make a one-time donation here:

My 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms whose time is limited but who want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for booked women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 85 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Carlos, the VP of Customer Experience and Digital Strategy for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and author of 'The Immigrant Survival Guide to Silicon Valley,' shares his personal and professional journey from Mexico to Silicon Valley, including the challenges and successes of navigating life as an immigrant. 

He emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the role of community and mentorship in achieving success. All concepts he wrote about in his book. Carlos shares the cultural complexities faced by immigrants and their children, and he provides insights on overcoming these challenges. 

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Carlos:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Purchase his book

This post contains product affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links.

Join the waitlist for information on the in-person event I’m hosting for the podcast!! 

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. 

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*

For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or make a one-time donation here

My 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms whose time is limited but who want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for booked women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 84 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Rée, a second-generation immigrant, shares her experiences growing up in the US with parents from Korea and now living in Korea. She shares about the challenges of not feeling rooted in the US, battling anxiety, and navigating social norms that felt foreign. Lastly, she shares her struggles to communicate how she was struggling growing up. The people around her seemed to understand social norms. However, social norms were challenging for Rée, not just because of her neurodivergence but also because of the way South Korean culture navigates relationships.

Make sure to check out her podcast Homeroomed. It’s a podcast to rethink how we educate and prepare the next generation. Education systems around the world have been adapted from the Prussian system after their revolution. The link is below! 

With Love, Heidy

Here is the article I mentioned in the episode. 

Connect with Rée:

Instagram

Podcast

Join the waitlist for information on the in-person event I’m hosting for the podcast!! 

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. 

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*

For sponsorship opportunities send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or make a one-time donation here:

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 83 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today, host Heidy De La Cruz sits down with guest Rée to discuss the powerful stories shared on The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast. Rée, an avid listener, expresses admiration for the way Heidy blends warmth, insight, and compassion in her storytelling. They explore what inspired Heidy to create a platform that highlights immigrant journeys and the deeper impact of these narratives on fostering understanding and empathy.

As the conversation unfolds, Heidy shares her connection to the immigrant experience and why she is passionate about amplifying these voices. She reflects on the challenges immigrants face, their resilience, and the importance of telling stories that often go unheard. Rée asks insightful questions, leading to a heartfelt discussion about the power of representation and the responsibility of storytellers in shaping public perception.

The episode also touches on the growth of the podcast and Heidy’s vision for its future. She opens up about the lessons she has learned from her guests and the broader impact these stories have had on listeners worldwide. Whether you're an immigrant yourself, a supporter of immigrant rights, or simply someone who values authentic storytelling, this episode offers inspiration, perspective, and a reminder of the strength found in shared experiences.

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Heidy:

Website

Instagram

Join the waitlist for information on the in-person event I’m hosting for the podcast!! 

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. 

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*

For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or make a one-time donation here

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 82 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Deb shares her inspiring journey from India, driven by her pursuit of better opportunities in computer science, leading her to study at Carnegie Mellon University. She discusses her career journey, including her internship at Microsoft, employment at PayPal, and her entrepreneurial leap to founding a tech startup, Criya, specializing in AI-driven visual content creation.

Lastly, the episode sheds light on Deb’s struggles with H1B and student visas, emphasizing the common challenges immigrants face in securing green cards and the impact on personal and professional aspirations. She also shares that the average weight time for people from India to get a green card is 25 years, but she shares how she obtained hers in 14 days. 

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Deboshree Dutta:

Website: https://www.criya.co/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debduttaofficial/?hl=en 

https://www.instagram.com/criya.co/?hl=en 

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. 

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*

Want to advertise your business & sponsor the podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or you can make a one-time donation here:

Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 81 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Tatiana is a vocal sound healer and was born in Ecuador. She shares that growing up in Educador was a positive experience, but her desire to learn English drew her to move to the US with the Au Pair Program. She completed two years of the program because, after the first year, she didn’t feel that her English was good enough. 

She currently resides in North Carolina and works as a vocal sound healer, where she focuses on emotional release and helps her clients find their authentic voice. Her practice involves guiding clients to express emotions through sound, revealing hidden traumas and blockages. Tatiana emphasizes the significance of voice in expressing and navigating emotions, sharing her own journey of overcoming discomfort with her voice to positively impact others by sharing immigrant stories.

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Tatiana:

Website

Facebook

You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!

Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!

Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*

Want to advertise your business & sponsor the podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or make a one-time donation here:

Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 80 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Bibi LeBlanc was born in the American Sector of West Berlin, Germany. She explains in today’s episode people’s reactions when she says that and what that actually means. She owns a marketing agency that creates coloring books for businesses! 

Bibi shares her experience of homeschooling her three boys and taking them to Costa Rica so they would learn Spanish. But also a question she was always asked that threw her off guard because she was a homeschooled mom. 

And lastly, Bibi was still in Germany when the Berlin Wall was torn down. She shares her powerful testimony of experiencing this magnificent event in world history. 

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Bibi:

Website

Instagram

Check out this podcast community on Substack!! 

*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*

Want to sponsor this podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Or you can make a one-time donation here

Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.