Immigrantly

Season 14 of Immigrantly, titled “People’s Choice,” launches today. Our first guest of the season is Ali Noorani, the president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. Prior, he was the director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Advocacy Coalition. As the author of two books, one of which  - "Crossing Borders: The Reconciliation of a Nation of Immigrants" was recently published, Ali is recognized by many as a thought leader and activist in immigration policy. His experiences are far from just intersectional; they demonstrate essential truths on how we can address and reconcile our identities with the contradictions we see across sectors in this country. One of the most exciting ways to support us is becoming a member of our . For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you're entitled to special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team. Host: Saadia Khan  l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Yudi Liu l Sound design & Editor: Bronte Cook l  Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar

For season 13 finale, our guest is someone who defies the conventional boundaries of musical expression. Arooj Aftab, is a Grammy-winning Pakistani singer, composer, producer, and editor whose music has gained international recognition for its infusion of many genres. Her song, “Mohabbat,” was featured on Barack Obama’s list of favorite songs for the Summer of 2021 & won the 2022 Grammy for "Best Global Music Performance". Her music is usually described as “Neo Sufi” as it heavily draws from the stylistic and structural components of Sufi music. She uses things like repetition, meters, or the use of specific instruments. But make no mistake, Arooj’s music has no set genre. You can hear hints of jazz, minimalism, and South Asian classical weaved into her songs. Her music is captivating and haunting at times, it feels like it sucks you into the emotion of the song. Her third studio album, Vulture Prince, was released last April, receiving heavy praise from publications like Pitchfork, NPR, and Al Jazeera. Her music was recently featured on Coke Studio Pakistan Season 14-Coke Studio is a very popular Pakistani television show where established and emerging musicians from across all sorts of genres showcase their talents..  We’re so excited to talk to Arooj about artistic expression and the way emotions like love, grief, and longing are conveyed through music. One of the most exciting ways to support us is by becoming a member of our . For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you're entitled to special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team. Hosts: Saadia Khan & Shahjehan Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Sarah Doh l Collaborative Editorial Review: Asad Butt l  Editor: Bronte Cook l  Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar  You can find us on Twitter & IG

Our guest today is Maria Akopyan. Maria is a family lawyer, divorce coach, and the founder of Dignified Divorce Coaching. Born in Armenia and immigrated to Los Angeles, California at only ten months old, Maria focuses on helping recently divorced women smoothly transition to a single life in a healthy, positive way. Her work challenges the notion that divorce is lonely and painful. Maria proposes that it’s also an opportunity for rediscovery and empowerment. Maria’s expertise stems from her exposure to family law and her passion for life coaching.   One of the most exciting ways to support us is by becoming a member of our . For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you're entitled to special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team. Hosts: Saadia Khan & Shahjehan Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Ashley Lanuza l Collaborative Editorial Review: Asad Butt l  Editor: Bronte Cook l  Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar  You can find us on Twitter & IG

Our guest today is Frances Tang, the founder, CEO, of Awkward Essentials, an innovative personal hygiene company. Their most well-known product is called the dripstick, a post-sex cleanup tool that absorbs excess fluid leftover from a partner. During her work in developing this product, Frances immediately became passionate about deconstructing taboo conversations about sex. One of the most exciting ways to support us is by becoming a member of our Patreon by going to patreon.com/immigrantly. For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you can get special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team.   You can find us on Twitter @immigrantly_pod & IG @immigrantlypod.   Hosts: Saadia Khan & Shahjehan Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Ashley Lanuza l Sound Editor: Bronte Cook l Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar

Dating can be a rocky ride at the best of times, especially in this day and age when narratives and how-tos are thrust upon us by the media, culture, and even friends. It becomes hard to filter what we want out of a relationship from what society expects us to enjoy. And then there is the issue of ignoring narratives that aren't as common or flashy. Today's episode looks at power and privilege with ability and disability. Then, we apply those concepts to the world of dating, unpacking questions that may be top of mind for some and regrettably novel for others. Our guest Felicia Jadczak breaks it all down for us. Felicia is a tech guru, yes-woman, radical speaker, and consultant for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of She Geeks Out, an organization committed to helping companies create and foster inclusivity in the workforce and workplace.  One of the most exciting ways to support us is by becoming a member of our . For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you're entitled to special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team. Host: Saadia Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Anoushka Rai & Yudi Liu l Collaborative Editorial Review: Asad Butt l  Editor: Bronte Cook l  Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar  You can find us on Twitter & IG

Today's guest, Dr. Bushra Sabri, teaches at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing & is a recognized expert in exposure to violence and psychosocial outcomes caused by experiencing health inequities among minority and immigrant women. She currently leads Its WeWomenPlus, a research study for immigrant women's health, safety, and empowerment funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.  We talked about implicit assumptions about pain, pre and post-migration stressors, trauma, and the human body, and how this can manifest internally and interpersonally. One of the most exciting ways to support us is by becoming a member of our Patreon by going to patreon.com/immigrantly. For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you can get special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team.   You can find us on Twitter @immigrantly_pod & IG @immigrantlypod.   Host: Saadia Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Yudi Liu l Editor: Bronte Cook l Sound Editor l Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar

Today's guest is family in all senses of the word. Tina Khan (A.K.A Shahjehan khan's mom) describes her journey into marriage and how love is nurtured in her life. Tina shares stories of heartbreak, love letters, & socio-cultural distinction in the context of arranged marriage, with great sage and sass. This episode will make you feel all the feels. So let's jump right in!!   One of the most exciting ways to support us is by becoming a member of our Patreon by going to patreon.com/immigrantly. For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you can get special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team.   You can find us on Twitter @immigrantly_pod & IG @immigrantlypod.   Hosts: Saadia Khan & Shahjehan Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Anoushka Rai & Yudi Liu l Collaborative Editorial Review: Asad Butt from Rifelion Media l Sound Editor: Bronte Cook l Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar

Our guest today is trailblazing a unique approach towards navigating relationships. Jessica Fern is the author of The book takes its readers into an exploration of the relationship between attachment theory and consensual non-monogamy.      One of the most exciting ways to support us is by becoming a member of our Patreon by going to patreon.com/immigrantly. For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you get special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team.     You can find us on Twitter @immigrantly_pod & IG @immigrantlypod     Hosts: Saadia Khan & Shahjehan Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Sarah Doh l Collaborative Editorial Review: Asad Butt l  Editor: Bronte Cook l Sound Editor: Chris Boecker l Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar

Did you attend a sex-ed class in middle or high school? If the answer is no, you're not alone. In the United States, only twenty-four states mandate sex education, which leaves nearly half of the country inadequately educated on their sexual health. Justine Ang Fonte, M.Ed, MPH, makes it their mission to provide comprehensive sex-ed, intersecting it with the impacts of colonization, the porn industry, and underfunded schooling. Not only are these essential conversations to have— ones that decrease the rate of emotional, mental, and physical risks that may come from sexual activity—but it's vital for our immigrant communities, where sex may be a taboo topic.  You can find Justine at www.JustineFonte.com Following are some of the resources Justine mentioned during the interview:     One of the most exciting ways to support us is becoming a member of our Patreon by going to patreon.com/immigrantly. For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you're entitled to special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team. You can find us on Twitter @immigrantly_pod & IG @immigrantlypod   Hosts: Saadia Khan & Shahjehan Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Ashley L. Lanuza l Collaborative Editorial Review: Asad Butt from Rifelion Media l Sound Editor: Bronte Cook l Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar

Sujata Day, the producer of and actress on and , joins us in the studio to discuss her work, a product of what is personal and public. Influenced by heritage, family bonds, and inborn passions,   Sujata attributes this specific voice to the Black and Brown collaboration in the entertainment space. So how did she take control of her career, move away from secondary characters to starring in her film? An inspiring patchwork of perseverance, networking, mentorship, talent, and humor, Sujata is stirring up the Hollywood pot. We're tuned into hearing how it's going.      While some are afraid to ask for what they need, Sujata has discovered that it takes forward conversations, relationship building, and wealth of confidence and support to get from point a to z, a personal story to a hit debut and Netflix streamed film. She speaks to Saadia and Shajehan about growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, her connection with her older brother, and the critical pieces of her identity naturally embedded in her work. One of the most exciting ways to support us is becoming a member of our . For the price of an overpriced oat milk latte, you're entitled to special shoutouts, automatic submission to our raffles, and an opportunity to interact with our team. You can find us on Twitter & IG Hosts: Saadia Khan & Shahjehan Khan l Executive Producer: Saadia Khan l Creative Producer: Kylee. C Roberts l Development Producer: Aleeza Kazmi l Content Writer: Yudi Liu l Collaborative Editorial Review: Asad Butt l Sound Editor: Bronte Cook l Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki l Other Music: Podington Bear, Jahzzar