Transplants - Conversations With Women Thriving Abroad #10 Grief, identity, and reinvention in a foreign land | Fernanda Santos | Brazil → USA
7 snips
Nov 11, 2025 
Fernanda Santos, a Brazilian author and former New York Times staff writer, opens up about her journey of love, loss, and reinvention in the U.S. She shares how a chance encounter at a job fair reshaped her destiny. After the tragic loss of her husband, Fernanda discusses navigating grief, raising her daughter, and finding her voice authentically. She reflects on the importance of embracing one's identity, shares insights on resilience, and reveals how she found love again while honoring her past.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Discovering A New Identity Label
- Fernanda discovered a new racial and regional identity label when she moved to the U.S. and joined Latino journalist networks.
- She embraced the term strategically while educating others about Brazil's distinct Portuguese heritage.
Love Found At A Job Fair
- Fernanda met her future husband, Mike, at a job interview and they married within a year and a half.
- That spontaneous decision reshaped her plan to return to Brazil and became the foundation of her life in the U.S.
Write As You Speak
- Write as you speak to find an authentic voice and produce a strong first draft.
- Then revise sentences and mechanics to sharpen style without losing your natural perspective.
