My Migrant Soul

What does it do to a person… to witness the world at its most confronting?

Not from a distance. But up close. Through a lens. In real time.

In this episode of My Migrant Soul, Imran sits down with Jake Simkin - a photojournalist and filmmaker who has spent over two decades documenting life inside war zones, humanitarian crises, and places most of us only see in headlines.

From Afghanistan to Syria, Jake's work is not just about conflict. It's about people. Behind every image is a story of survival, fear, resilience, and sometimes… quiet moments of humanity that don't make the news.

But this conversation goes deeper than the work itself.

It explores what it means to carry those experiences.

To witness injustice. To walk away… and not fully leave it behind.

Because some stories don't stay where they happened. They stay with you.

• Jake's early life and the influences that shaped his path

• The moment photography became more than just a craft

• What it's like working in Afghanistan and Syria

• The reality behind the images we see in the media

• Experiencing fear, risk, and "scary moments" in conflict zones

• The concept of moral injury and its lasting impact

• Stories that are hard to forget — even years later

• Witnessing injustice and the human cost of conflict

• The migrant crisis and the responsibility of telling these stories

• What "safety" really means after seeing the world this way

When you see the world at its most fragile, it changes how you understand humanity.

This podcast is proudly supported by Westend Business Hub, Westend Digital, Westend Photography, Westend Podcast and WeConnect.

Their support helps bring these important stories to life and creates space for voices and experiences that matter.

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What happens when you're born into a world that doesn't recognise you?

No country. No citizenship. No official identity. Just survival, family and hope.

In this deeply moving episode of My Migrant Soul, Imran sits down with May Joy Naw Nyo - a refugee, community leader and someone whose story quietly redefines resilience.

Born stateless in Thailand after her parents fled Myanmar, May spent the first 20 years of her life in a refugee camp. No passport. No nationality. No clear sense of where she belonged. Then came Australia.

A new country. A new language. A completely different way of life.

From not understanding simple phrases like "have here or takeaway" to becoming a confident community development professional, May's journey is not just about adapting - it's about rebuilding identity from the ground up.

This conversation moves beyond hardship. It explores perspective, gratitude and the kind of resilience that reshapes how you see your own life.

Because when you've had to choose between life and death, everything else looks different.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Growing up stateless and unrecognised by any country

• Life inside a refugee camp and what it teaches you about survival

• The culture shock of arriving in Australia

• Language barriers, confidence and starting from zero

• How volunteering became a turning point

• Learning about money, opportunity and building a future

• The emotional weight of receiving an Australian citizenship certificate

• The question many migrants carry - "Where is home?"

• The strength that comes from perspective and gratitude

Key Takeaway: When you've lived through survival, you stop measuring life by what's missing - and start valuing everything you have.

Special Thanks to Our Partners This podcast is proudly supported by our incredible partner businesses: Westend Business Hub, Westend Digital, Westend Photography, Westend Podcast and WeConnect

Their continued support helps bring these powerful stories to life and fosters a platform where voices, experiences, and communities can be shared. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to connection, growth, and empowering diverse stories that inspire meaningful change.

If this story shifted your perspective, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

And follow My Migrant Soul for more stories that remind us what it really means to belong.

Every migrant story carries layers - identity, sacrifice, reinvention.

In this episode of My Migrant Soul, host Imran Abul Kashem sits down with Sunil Abbott, whose journey proves that it's never too late to start again.

Migrating from India to Australia in his late 50s, Sunil faced a completely new world - new systems, new culture, and a new pace of life. From learning how to operate basic technology to navigating business ownership in a foreign country, his early years were anything but easy.

But instead of retreating, Sunil rebuilt.

From running Indian restaurants near Melbourne's iconic sporting precinct to founding Club 60 Tarneit - now a thriving community of over 800 members - Sunil transformed isolation into connection, and uncertainty into leadership.

This is a story about identity, ageing, belonging… and the quiet courage it takes to begin again.

In this episode, we explore:

• Migrating later in life and redefining identity

• The emotional reality of starting over in your late 50s

• Learning new skills - from language nuances to technology

• Building a business in a new country

• The power of community and combating isolation

• How Club 60 Tarneit grew into a multicultural movement

• Celebrating culture while embracing a new home

"If you want to stay in this country, you have to build your identity again - and learn to enjoy life in a new way."

This podcast is proudly supported by our incredible partner businesses: Westend Business Hub, Westend Digital, Westend Photography, Westend Podcast and WeConnect

Their continued support helps bring these powerful stories to life and fosters a platform where voices, experiences, and communities can be shared. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to connection, growth, and empowering diverse stories that inspire meaningful change.

What does it mean to truly belong?

In this episode of My Migrant Soul, host Imran Abul Kashem sits down with Nasz Khan - a woman whose journey begins with displacement and evolves into deep purpose.

From growing up questioning her identity in Singapore to becoming a cornerstone of community life in Seabrook, Nasz's story is a powerful reminder that belonging isn't something you find - it's something you build.

This is a conversation about courage, conviction, and choosing to show up for others, again and again.

Nasz Khan has spent nearly two decades quietly shaping the heart of Seabrook.

Since settling in Australia in 2005, she has led initiatives that bring people together - from founding the Seabrook Community Gardens to helping develop Homestead Run Park, organising ANZAC Dawn Services, and even sparking the idea behind the local shopping centre mural.

During COVID, she stepped in where it mattered most - delivering meals, lifting spirits, and reminding people they weren't alone.

Alongside her community work, Nasz is also an autism teacher at the Western Autistic School, where she champions a belief-led approach - seeing potential where others may not.

• Growing up feeling "in between" cultures and identities

• The moment that led her to choose Australia - without knowing anyone

• What it really takes to build community from the ground up

• Why small actions often create the biggest ripple effects

• Her philosophy in autism education - belief, expectation, and care

• The darker side of systems that lose sight of purpose

• Navigating workplace challenges, bias, and standing your ground

• The importance of bridging cultures, not staying within them

"Don't stay in your silo. Be the bridge. That's how communities are built."

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

This podcast is proudly supported by our incredible partner businesses:

Westend Business Hub, Westend Digital, Westend Photography, Westend Podcast, and WeConnect

Their continued support helps bring these powerful stories to life and fosters a platform where voices, experiences, and communities can be shared. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to connection, growth, and empowering diverse stories that inspire meaningful change.

My Migrant Soul – A Podcast by Imran Abul Kashem Stories of Resilience, Struggles, and Success in a New Land Every migrant has a story—of dreams, struggles, and triumphs. My Migrant Soul brings you powerful, real-life conversations with migrants from diverse backgrounds who have navigated the challenges of starting over in a new land. Hosted by Imran Abul Kashem, this podcast sheds light on personal migration journeys, cultural transitions, and the resilience that fuels success. Through heartfelt interviews, we celebrate the courage, sacrifices, and victories of those who dared to chase a better future. Tune in for inspiring stories that remind us of the strength within every migrant soul.