In this special episode of Unapologetically First Gen, we welcome our very first guest: Remy (yes, just Remy), a creative entrepreneur, twice-over immigrant, and founder of the video editing agency Remy B Reel. Born in Haiti, raised in the U.S., and now living in Ethiopia with his family, Remy shares his incredible journey of navigating life between continents, cultures, and identities.

Remy's story is a powerful reflection on resilience, intention, and living unapologetically. We get into what it’s like to parent abroad, the difference between being an immigrant vs. an expat, and why building a slower, more intentional life has made all the difference for his family.

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In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, sisters Stacy and Lesley Braga dive into their experiences with education as first-generation college students. They reflect on their early schooling in a bilingual Portuguese-English program, the challenges of transitioning into an English-only environment, and the impact of being the first in their family to navigate higher education.

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Ideas for Unapologetically First Gen come from sisterly conversation and caffeine. Support us by buying us a cup of coffee here.

📲 Connect with us on Social Media: 

• Instagram and Threads: @stacybragacopy and @StreamlineWithLesley
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UnapologeticallyFirstGenPodcast

Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or where ever you listen to your podcasts.

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, we appreciate your support! ❤️

In this episode, sisters Lesley and Stacy Braga break down the family dynamics, from sleepovers and road trips to childhood conspiracies and the ever-growing cousin network. They share hilarious stories (including an infamous toothpaste incident), how family bonds shift over time, and the unique experience of growing up in a massive, close-knit immigrant family.

📩 DM us on social media—how many first cousins do you have? What’s your funniest cousin memory?

📸 Check out our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, including a glimpse of the infamous house from the toothpaste incident!

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Ideas for Unapologetically First Gen come from sisterly conversation and caffeine. Support us by buying us a cup of coffee here.

📲 Connect with us on Social Media: 

• Instagram and Threads: @stacybragacopy and @StreamlineWithLesley
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UnapologeticallyFirstGenPodcast

Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or where ever you listen to your podcasts.

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, we appreciate your support! ❤️

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, Stacy takes us on a journey through her recent trip to the Azores, marking her first time visiting without "the grown-ups." From driving for the first time on the curvy, cliffside roads to navigating the islands’ taxi system, Stacy shares her experiences, challenges, and personal growth throughout the trip.

We dive into the deep emotions of reconnecting with family, the nostalgia of visiting, and the stark contrasts between life in the Azores and the U.S. This episode also explores the slower pace of island life, the importance of work-life balance, and the sense of community that shapes everyday living in the Azores.

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• Ideas for Unapologetically First Gen come from sisterly conversation and caffeine. Support us by buying us a cup of coffee here.
• Instagram and Threads: StacyBragaCopy and StreamlineWithLesley
• Subscribe on Patreon
• Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or where ever you listen to your podcasts.

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, we appreciate your support! ❤️

After launching our first episode, we got some great feedback on the term "first-generation." In this episode, we're diving into the differences between first-generation American and first-generation immigrant, how we define our own identities, and why language matters.

• Like, subscribe, and leave a review! It helps more first-gen listeners find the podcast.
• Share this episode with a friend or family member who would love it!
• Ideas for Unapologetically First Gen come from sisterly conversation and caffeine. Support us by buying us a cup of copy: https://buymeacoffee.com/unapologeticallyfirstgen

We know identity is nuanced and personal—how do you define being first-gen? Let us know! DM us on Instagram or Threads at StacyBragaCopy or StreamlineWithLesley

Episode Title: How we Got Here

Hosts: Stacy Braga & Lesley Braga

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, sisters Stacy and Lesley dive into their Azorean heritage, sharing personal stories of growing up as first-generation immigrants from the Azores, a set of nine small islands in the middle of the Atlantic. They explore the unique customs, history, and immigration patterns of the Azorean people, along with heartfelt and humorous anecdotes from their own family’s journey.

• The history of Azorean immigration, including why waves of Azoreans moved to the U.S., Canada, and Brazil.
• The cultural distinctions of the Azores, including language, food, and traditions.
• Personal family stories about growing up with immigrant parents who worked tirelessly to build a new life in America.
• How their parents’ experience shaped their own identity and values.
• The contrast between childhood summers in the Azores vs. growing up in New England.
• The deep connection between memory and senses—especially the nostalgic power of food and smell.

• 00:01:41 - Introduction to the podcast and today’s topic: Azorean identity and immigration.
• 02:13 - The unique culture of the Azores and how accents differ across the islands.
• 04:36 - The struggles of growing up in a fascist regime and extreme poverty.
• 09:13 - The realities of early education in the Azores, working young, and the significance of having a pair of shoes.
• 13:59 - The journey of their parents’ immigration, the risk of starting over, and their early struggles in America.
• 18:27 - Nostalgic memories of summers in the Azores, childhood adventures, and making lifelong connections with food and traditions.
• 23:08 - The importance of community in Azorean culture, including traditional feasts and resourcefulness in farming life.
• 25:28 - How their parents adapted to life in the U.S. while working multiple jobs to support their family.
• Ending - Reflections on first-generation experiences and the value of embracing both cultures.

• "There are more cows in the Azores than there are people."
• "Our parents took one big risk—moving to a new country—and then decided they were done with risks for life."
• "Nothing beats fresh bread coming out of a wood-fired oven. The smell instantly takes me back."

• Instagram & Threads: @stacybragacopy | @rather_be_baking_bread
• Have a First Gen Story? DM us or tag us in your post—we’d love to hear from you!

• Like, subscribe, and leave a review! It helps more first-gen listeners find the podcast.
• Share this episode with a friend or family member who would love it!
• Ideas for Unapologetically First Gen come from sisterly conversation and caffeine. Support us by buying us a cup of copy: https://buymeacoffee.com/unapologeticallyfirstgen

Until next time—keep embracing your roots and making your own path!

Welcome to the very first episode of Unapologetically First Gen! 🎉 In this podcast, we—two sisters, Stacy and Lesley—share what it’s like to grow up as first-generation immigrants. From hilarious childhood moments to deeply personal reflections, we’re here to celebrate the first-gen experience in all its complexity.

• What unapologetically first gen means to us
• The internalized shame many first-gens experience and how we’ve learned to embrace our identity
• The double standards around bilingualism in America
• The pressures of being the eldest child in an immigrant family
• Breaking generational cycles and redefining success on our own terms
• The moment we each realized we were different from our peers

Being unapologetically first gen means fully embracing both sides of our identity—holding space for our parents’ sacrifices while also carving out our own dreams. We are no longer hiding, diluting, or explaining ourselves. This podcast is our way of resisting societal pressures and honoring our roots.

Did this episode resonate with you? Do you have your own first-gen story to share? We’d love to hear from you!

📲 Connect with us on Instagram and Threads:

• Stacy: @stacybragacopy
• Lesley: @StreamlineWithLesley

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with someone who would love it. Your support helps us grow and continue sharing these important conversations.

Until next time, keep embracing your roots and making your own path! 🌱✨