Immigrantly

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 newspapers and journals, including Granta, The Atlantic Monthly, and The Washington Post.

We had a great conversation about her recent novel Brotherless Night and her debut novel Love Marriage. Both of these books are about families impacted by Sri Lankan politics and conflict, and Sugi has talked a lot about the plots and structures of these books. But today, we get to hear more from Sugi, the person.

I loved talking to her about her writing process, the inspiration behind her work, and her experiences as a Sri Lankan American. It was a rich conversation that I can't wait for you all to hear. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of Immigrantly.

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Rainier Harris & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

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 newspapers and journals, including Granta, The Atlantic Monthly, and The Washington Post.

We had a great conversation about her recent novel Brotherless Night and her debut novel Love Marriage. Both of these books are about families impacted by Sri Lankan politics and conflict, and Sugi has talked a lot about the plots and structures of these books. But today, we get to hear more from Sugi, the person.

I loved talking to her about her writing process, the inspiration behind her work, and her experiences as a Sri Lankan American. It was a rich conversation that I can't wait for you all to hear. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of Immigrantly.

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Rainier Harris & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

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 show. Shin Yu recently started producing and hosting her own podcast, and we chatted about how she got started and what inspired her to take on this new endeavor. 

What I loved most about our conversation was getting to know the person behind the poetry. Shin Yu is not only an incredibly talented artist but also a warm and engaging individual. Her passion for creativity is infectious, and I came away from our conversation feeling inspired and energized.

So, whether you're a poetry lover, a fan of nonfiction, or just interested in exploring new creative mediums, I recommend tuning in to this episode. Shin's insights and experiences are sure to leave you with a fresh perspective on the art of storytelling.

Clips Used:

1. BBC News - "Alaska Willow Oil Project Passed by US President Joe Biden"

2. Associated Press - "The Biden Administration Approved Three Drilling Sites for the Willow Project."

3. National Park Diaries - "The Willow Project, Explained."

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

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 show. Shin Yu recently started producing and hosting her own podcast, and we chatted about how she got started and what inspired her to take on this new endeavor. 

What I loved most about our conversation was getting to know the person behind the poetry. Shin Yu is not only an incredibly talented artist but also a warm and engaging individual. Her passion for creativity is infectious, and I came away from our conversation feeling inspired and energized.

So, whether you're a poetry lover, a fan of nonfiction, or just interested in exploring new creative mediums, I recommend tuning in to this episode. Shin's insights and experiences are sure to leave you with a fresh perspective on the art of storytelling.

Clips Used:

1. BBC News - "Alaska Willow Oil Project Passed by US President Joe Biden"

2. Associated Press - "The Biden Administration Approved Three Drilling Sites for the Willow Project."

3. National Park Diaries - "The Willow Project, Explained."

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

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, entrepreneurial, and media world for a while now, and like me, his personal and career goals have been primarily shaped by a post-9/11 America.

 Asad started Rifelion in 2020 to promote diverse voices in podcasting, and we talked about his award-winning documentary podcast, King of the World. We also discussed the challenges and opportunities of broadcast journalism today and the impact of post-9/11 America on the Muslim community. And, to lighten things up, we shared some laughs over Asad’s experience with figure skating. So tune in for a fun and fascinating conversation!

If you want to listen to our other podcast, Invisible Hate, click here

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

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, entrepreneurial, and media world for a while now, and like me, his personal and career goals have been primarily shaped by a post-9/11 America.

 Asad started Rifelion in 2020 to promote diverse voices in podcasting, and we talked about his award-winning documentary podcast, King of the World. We also discussed the challenges and opportunities of broadcast journalism today and the impact of post-9/11 America on the Muslim community. And, to lighten things up, we shared some laughs over Asad’s experience with figure skating. So tune in for a fun and fascinating conversation!

If you want to listen to our other podcast, Invisible Hate, click here

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

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 performance style. Even if you were to listen for a few minutes, you’d notice a genre-bending nature to her songs. Her songs weave together jazz, folk, Eastern African influences, and what Meklit calls everyday sounds. 

She has performed worldwide, from San Francisco to Cairo to London to Montreal. Her latest, released in 2017, “When the People Move, the Music Moves Too,” was named among the best records of the year by Bandcamp and the Sunday Times UK. 

She is a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow, and a 2019 Artist-in-Residence at Harvard University. Meklit is the co-founder, co-producer, and host of Movement, a new radio series telling stories of global migration through music.

In our conversation, she shares how she looks to music to express longing, pain, hope, and other facets of the diaspora. Her words reminded me of the importance of heritage and how traditional music from our homelands can be integrated into present movement and music. 

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Yudi Liu & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

Order of Meklit's Tracks during the episode

Meklit - Yesterday Is A Tizita

Meklit - Sweet and Salty

Meklit - This Was Made Here

Oddisee - Try Again

Dengue Fever - Ethanopium 

Xenia Rubinos - Hair Receding

Meklit - Float and Fall

Additional Links

Meklit Hadero: The unexpected beauty of everyday sounds | Ted

Dr. Jon Jenkins - Chasing Shadow Words: Exoplanets from Kepler & Beyond

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 performance style. Even if you were to listen for a few minutes, you’d notice a genre-bending nature to her songs. Her songs weave together jazz, folk, Eastern African influences, and what Meklit calls everyday sounds. 

She has performed worldwide, from San Francisco to Cairo to London to Montreal. Her latest, released in 2017, “When the People Move, the Music Moves Too,” was named among the best records of the year by Bandcamp and the Sunday Times UK. 

She is a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow, and a 2019 Artist-in-Residence at Harvard University. Meklit is the co-founder, co-producer, and host of Movement, a new radio series telling stories of global migration through music.

In our conversation, she shares how she looks to music to express longing, pain, hope, and other facets of the diaspora. Her words reminded me of the importance of heritage and how traditional music from our homelands can be integrated into present movement and music. 

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Yudi Liu & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

Order of Meklit's Tracks during the episode

Meklit - Yesterday Is A Tizita

Meklit - Sweet and Salty

Meklit - This Was Made Here

Oddisee - Try Again

Dengue Fever - Ethanopium 

Xenia Rubinos - Hair Receding

Meklit - Float and Fall

Additional Links

Meklit Hadero: The unexpected beauty of everyday sounds | Ted

Dr. Jon Jenkins - Chasing Shadow Words: Exoplanets from Kepler & Beyond

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, Kareem catches a taxi in New York City and tells the driver to take him to their favorite place while keeping the meter running. From visiting new restaurants to flying in a helicopter, Kareem's conversations with his cab drivers are entertaining and insightful.

Kareem is a comedian, content creator, entrepreneur, and fellow podcaster. You may have seen him in a commercial for TheRealReal, on an episode of the Drew Barrymore Show, or even once going viral for dipping his hot dog in his beer at a baseball game. I'm excited to chat with Kareem about his experiences creating "Keep the Meter Running" and his other ventures, as well as his creative process, motivations, and personal life. So join me for an entertaining and informative conversation with Kareem Rahma.

Interested in "Keep the Meter Running"? Click on the link here.

You can buy tickets to Kareem's show here.

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson 

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, Kareem catches a taxi in New York City and tells the driver to take him to their favorite place while keeping the meter running. From visiting new restaurants to flying in a helicopter, Kareem's conversations with his cab drivers are entertaining and insightful.

Kareem is a comedian, content creator, entrepreneur, and fellow podcaster. You may have seen him in a commercial for TheRealReal, on an episode of the Drew Barrymore Show, or even once going viral for dipping his hot dog in his beer at a baseball game. I'm excited to chat with Kareem about his experiences creating "Keep the Meter Running" and his other ventures, as well as his creative process, motivations, and personal life. So join me for an entertaining and informative conversation with Kareem Rahma.

Interested in "Keep the Meter Running"? Click on the link here.

You can buy tickets to Kareem's show here.

Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod | 

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people find us! 

Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Michaela Strauther & Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson