The Newcomers Podcast 🎙️

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I’m speaking with Anna Otroshchenko, COO of Otrofy Inc, who moved from Ukraine to Canada. The Canadian wait time for almost anything is the stuff of legends. But despite how frustrating it can be, I love how Anna deals with hiccups like this. Talking to her felt like I had booked a session with a therapist on the mindset an immigrant needs to adopt when trying to settle into a new country.In this conversation, Anna and I chat about:* Feeling at home in Canada* How to settle in quickly * Canadian culture vs. Ukrainian culture* Her views on the meaning of “home.” This was a fun one. If there’s one thing you should learn from Anna as an immigrant, it’s always to remember that we are in control.No matter how chaotic things might feel, focus on what you can control, take baby steps, and you’ll find your way to the sunlight. Official Links✅ Connect with Anna on LinkedInDid you read it?If you got this email in error or no longer wish to receive emails from The Newcomers Podcast, Substack has a sweet and easy way to unsubscribe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrantThere are a ton of reasons we, as immigrants, feel compelled to work all the time.* You just spent all your savings moving to a new country* You probably took a couple of steps down the career ladder* You’ve got black tax to remit every other month.In this episode, I’m speaking with Lola Oduwole, the founder of Afroedmontonian, who is on a mission to change this notion and inspire immigrants to pause, open up a bit more, and enjoy their new home.In this conversation, Lola and I chat about:* The ‘Deadmonton Myth”* One of her most embarrassing moments during her first week in Edmonton* The abrupt end to the honeymoon phase of her immigration journey* Launching the Afroedmontonian during her maternity leave* Inspiring immigrants to let loose and enjoy themselvesThis was absolutely insightful. If you are planning to immigrate to Canada, Lola dropped some gems like reasons you should move to Edmonton and more.Enjoy!Official Links✅ Connect with Lola on LinkedIn✅ If you’re looking to visit Edmonton sometime this year, we’ve collaborated with Lola to curate a calendar of events happening in Edmonton through the rest of 2024:Did you read it?If you got this email in error or no longer wish to receive emails from The Newcomers Podcast, Substack has a sweet and easy way to unsubscribe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I’m speaking with Siamak Riahi, Founder and CEO of Riahi Patents, who has moved a whopping 14 times across different cities and from the United States to Canada.Siamak likens the early days of his immigration journey to standing in the middle of a tornado and being thrown from one place to another by the strong winds. However, despite feeling that way in the early days, it’s inspiring to see how Siamak turned these adversities into adventures. This conversation talks about the power of a support system and community as an immigrant, and I learnt fresh understandings about surviving, living, and thriving in a new country.In this conversation, Siamak and I chat about:* Underestimating our support system* The importance of community* How each move changes us* Switching from an academic career path to entrepreneurship* Dealing with the immigrant survival mentality, and more.This was a masterclass on how to approach immigrating mentally, especially if you are moving to a new country at a much older age.Official Links✅ Connect with Siamak on LinkedInDid you read it?If you got this email in error or no longer wish to receive emails from The Newcomers Podcast, Substack has a sweet and easy way to unsubscribe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I’m speaking with Dotun Bamisaiye, who moved to Canada long before moving to the Great White North became a thing. I learnt that back then, he would be the only one speaking Yoruba on his train ride to work. Today, he says the train ride hosts a medley of Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo, and other African languages. This episode was an unforgettable trip down memory lane and a masterclass in job hunting as an immigrant and ways to live through tax season. In this conversation, Dotun and I chat about:* Leaving Nigeria reluctantly* The black nod* The danger of a single story* Finding a job when most Canadian employers weren't looking to hire Nigerians* How best to prep for the Canadian tax season and more. Official Links✅ Connect with Dotun on LinkedIn ✅ If you’re looking to do your taxes, Dotun is a great guy to speak to about the best tax planning and compliance approach. ✅ He also offers a personal tax course, Canadian Tax in 60 Mins, for people new to Canada who want to understand Canadian taxation and how to plan for income tax. Did you read it? We launched a new section called Restart, which features long reads about the good, the bad, and the human side of starting afresh in a new country.We’ve also launched a section called The Pantry, a collection of tips, how-tos, stories, and jokes about the immigrant experience.If you got this email in error or no longer wish to receive emails from The Newcomers Podcast, Substack has a sweet and easy way to unsubscribe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I’m speaking with Mo' Ekujumi, Founder & CEO of SkillHat, who moved from Nigeria to Canada.Not a lot of people get to move to a new country like Canada at an age as young as 16. For Mo, his community played a major role in navigating Canada as a young immigrant. From studying in Canada, having a smooth transition, and returning to Nigeria to establish Andela, our conversation didn't disappoint at all. In this conversation, Mo and I chat about:* Moving to Canada as a 16-year-old* The Canadian Uber joke* Then, moving back to Nigeria to help set up Andela* Launching the first online MBA in Nigeria* The beauty of the Nigerian hustle* And the three skills he thinks every immigrant needs to succeed.Some resources he shared during the conversation:* Tobi Oluwole’s LinkedIn storytelling course* $100m Offers by Alex Hormozi* The Millionaire Fast Lane by MJ Demarco* The Power of Self Discipline by Brian TracyOfficial Links👋🏽 Follow Mo on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I’m speaking with Suhas Pai, the Co-founder and CTO of Hudson Labs, who moved from India to the Netherlands as a student, and then, 8+ years later, he moved to CanadaHave you ever heard of the honeymoon phase of immigration? The phase of your immigration journey where everything seems rosy and romantic? And then reality hits you like a truck loaded with sourdough flour. From learning how the pressure of home ownership in North America affects how we approach money, to handling credit in Canada, there’s so much to unpack in this conversation. In this conversation, Suhas and I chat about:* Canada’s diversity and its approach to immigration* The cultural differences between Canada and The Netherlands* The European approach to credit and how that’s defined him* Why he doesn’t want to own a car or a big house, and more. Official Links👋🏽 Follow Suhas on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I’m speaking with Gülsün Demirezen, a Mechanical & Industrial Engineer who specialises in Machine Learning and Advanced Analytics.Being an immigrant means we always feel we are on the clock. We have goals we need to hit within specific time frames. And if you're African, you also have black tax playing a harmonic orchestra in your head all the time. From the struggle of levelling up as an immigrant to never feeling settled in a new country, I’m reminded of so much in this chat with Gulsun.In this conversation, Gülsün and I chat about: * Dealing with grief when you’re far away from home* How being on a work visa can have you feeling like you’ve got a return date* Her lessons after six years as an immigrant, and much more. Official Links✅ Connect with Gülsün on LinkedInOne AskIf this episode inspired you, please do me a huge favor and tell one person to subscribe. Or share with an immigrant who might find it helpful. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I'm speaking with Sahar Rahmani, the former data science leader at RBC and Shopify, who moved from Iran to Canada.Sahar Rahmani could run rings around you all day if you both talked about cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and data science. But that didn’t stop her from feeling overwhelmed by the milk aisle on her first visit to a supermarket in Canada.She ended up calling a friend to ask which one was closest to what they had back home in Iran. I had a similar experience - only mine was with Benylin, the cough expectorant. It’s wild how the things we take for granted back in our home countries suddenly become tripwires as we go through the motions of settling into our new country. In this conversation, Sahar and I chat about:* The importance of finding your community* Passing on the beauty of your culture to your kids* Her saddest moments as an immigrant in Canada* The one thing she would have done differently* The tradeoffs she has had to make, and much more. Official Links✅ Connect with Sahar on LinkedInOne AskIf this episode inspired you, please do me a huge favor and tell one person to subscribe. Or share with an immigrant who might find it useful. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I'm speaking with Tunde Omotoye, the founder of SchooliplyHQ, who moved from Nigeria to Canada as an international student.Grit: that's the feeling you leave with when you speak with Tunde. When Tunde first moved to Canada, the first few months he spent as an international student were particularly challenging. From packing sausages in a factory line to an encounter with a $300 per week tuition scam, chatting with Tunde highlighted lessons in resilience, adaptability, and self-motivation. Chatting with him reminded me how much going the extra mile is crucial for immigrants to overcome the lack of social networks, cultural understanding, and community support that natives take for granted.In this conversation, Tunde and I chat about:* Settling into Canada as an international student* Launching a startup focused on helping international students* Red flags to look out for when hiring an immigration consultant* Life-changing moments as an immigrant, and much more.Official Links✅ Connect with Tunde on LinkedInOne AskIf this episode inspired you, do me a huge favor and tell one person to subscribe. Or share with an immigrant who might find it useful. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Hello, I'd really like to grow this email list. If you enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to Jola and I if you encouraged one friend/fellow immigrant/colleague to subscribe…Very likely, the the only thing you will get in return is warm fuzzy feelings, and if I can attribute it to you, I’d personally send you a thank you email.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In this episode, I'm speaking with Grand Komanda, a Nigerian comedian who moved to Canada in 2019.Community is everything. And Grand Komanda is no stranger to the beauty of tapping into your community as an immigrant. Grand shares his journey into comedy, highlighting how he misses his home country, and he expresses his immigrant experiences on stage. I learn how his role as a comedian lets him pass social commentary on immigration, and how comedy is important in coping with hardships.In this episode, Grand Komanda and I chat about:* The origins of the Nigerian-Canadian comedy club* The things he misses most about Nigeria* Tips for Nigerian/African acts looking to immigrate to Canada* Using his immigrant experience as fuel for his jokes.Official Links✅ Connect with Grand Komanda on Instagram✅ Watch him on YouTube✅ Reach out to him on FacebookOne AskIf you found this story helpful, please forward or share it to one immigrant out there. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com