

The Newcomers Podcast 🎙️
Dozie Anyaegbunam
Interviews with immigrants and stakeholders involved in the immigration process where we explore the immigration journey, raising kids in a new culture, cultural adaptation, integration, identity, and everything in-between.
thenewcomerspod.com
thenewcomerspod.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 12, 2023 • 38min
E14: Osibo Imhoitsike on walking away from a career on the up
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 Osibo Imhoitsike, an experienced adman who moved his family from Nigeria to Canada.Osibo talks about the sacrifice of leaving a career on the up, shuttling between Nigeria and Canada, and the stress of living apart from family. I also learn about what it took for him to settle in Canada, his biggest cultural shocks, and adjusting as a family in a different culture.In this conversation, Osibo and I chat about:* The various triggers that led to migrating to Canada* Dealing with the stress of living apart from his family * Walking away from a career on the up* His biggest cultural shock.Official Links✅ Connect with Osibo on LinkedInOne 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

Sep 19, 2023 • 31min
E13: Ingrid Polini on running a business in Canada as an immigrant
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 Ingrid Polini, CEO of SafetyDocs Global.Ingrid embodies what it means to embrace your uniqueness as an immigrant and hone it as a superpower. As a startup mentor, business owner, and podcast host, Ingrid understands what it means to be an immigrant founder. In this conversation, Ingrid and I chat about:* Dealing with Canadian Experience as an immigrant founder.* People thinking you know less because you speak in a different accent.* Collective vs. individualistic cultures.* How culture influences business.* Her secret sauce for networking in Canada. This episode was short and sweet. Official Links✅ Connect with Ingrid on LinkedInOne 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

Sep 11, 2023 • 26min
E12: Folasade Daini on missing Naija food and settling into Canada with a toddler
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 Folasade Daini, a vlogger, content strategist, and agency owner.Folasade is a former veterinarian turned brand storyteller and is one of the most authentic and enigmatic personalities I have interviewed on this pod. We talk about the processes of immigration, differences in policing culture in Canada, the tax system, and raising a toddler in a new country. In this conversation, Folasade and I chat about:* The tax system * Missing her siblings and Naija food* The different phases of settling into a new country* Cultural differences that an immigrant has to adjust to* Her sweet daughter* And the one thing she would have done differently.Official Links✅ Connect with Folasade on LinkedIn✅ Watch Folasade share her journey on Youtube ✅ Read Folasade’s work on MediumOne 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

Sep 1, 2023 • 42min
E11: Kamil Rextin on raising biracial kids & the Canadian experiment
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 Kamil Rextin, a B2B marketer who moved from Pakistan to Canada.Kamil is not just a badass B2B marketer. He’s also a beautiful mind and a straight shooter. One you can trust to tell you as it is all the time. We chat about resigning from P&G to move to Canada as a student, missing Pakistan, and raising biracial kids in Canada. This conversation had me smiling all through while editing.In this conversation, Kamil and I chat about:* Raising biracial kids* Parenting in Canada vs. parenting in Pakistan* The advantages and disadvantages of collective and individualistic cultures* The advantages you get by immigrating as a student* Never fitting in as a kid in Pakistan* And missing home, and how we carry a romantic memory of our home country around Official Links✅ Connect with Kamil on LinkedInOne 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

Jul 28, 2023 • 54min
E10: Bolaji Oyejide on settling into the United States of America as a teenager
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 Bolaji Oyejide, a griot, author, podcaster, and an all-around amazing human.After moving from Nigeria to America, attending a historically black college as an immigrant challenged preconceived notions about African-Americans, exposing Bolaji to brilliant scholars from diverse backgrounds. We talk about systemic racism, studying in America, and how his immigrant experience inspired him to write 50 superhero storybooks.In this conversation, Bolaji and I also chat about:* Losing cool points on his first night in college* Finding his confidence through dancing* The advantages of going to a historically Black college* Being the “other” as an immigrant* And seeing your dual identity as a strength.Official Links✅ Connect with Bolaji on LinkedIn✅ Listen to Bolaji’s Discover Your Talent podcast ✅ Watch Bolaji on YouTube✅ Buy Bolaji’s books on AmazonOne 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

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 12min
E09: Sam Badoo talks about moving to New York, joining the United States military, and empowering immigrants.
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 Sam Badoo, the Founder and CEO of Fleri Health, who moved from Ghana to Columbus, Ohio.Thriving as an immigrant requires defining one's identity in the new environment, focusing on relationships, integrity, and interactions rather than mere survival. I learn about how in the U.S., outcomes directly reflect choices, necessitating immigrants to believe they can "own their town" through hard work instead of settling for low-paying jobs.Sam talks about how joining the military offers immigrants a pathway to citizenship, the unique challenges faced by immigrant parents in the U.S, and how Fleri Health aims to revolutionize immigrant family care by providing transparency, efficiency, and accountability.In this conversation, Sam and I also chat about:* His journey from New York to Columbus, Ohio, to the United States military* Empowering immigrants to thrive and why he launched Fleri Health* Dealing with the identity of work as an immigrant and why jaiye can be much more fun when we are back on our continent* The immigrant’s tendency to glorify hardship* Raising kids and dealing with the effects of watching police brutality on your kids’ psyche.Official Links✅ Connect with Sam Badoo on LinkedIn✅ Check out his content on InstagramOne Ask If this podcast left you feeling inspired, do me a huge favor and tell one person to subscribe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

Jun 23, 2023 • 42min
E08: Bona Adogamhe on choosing Canada and raising a kid in the West.
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 Bona Adogamhe, a Technical Recruiter with Emerson, who moved from Nigeria to Canada.From learning more about the Canadian work experience to debating whether moving your family to Canada and staying back in Nigeria is a wise move, this chat is packed with a lot of insights for anyone looking to move to a new country with their family. In this conversation, Bona and I also chat about:* Why he chose Canada?* How Canada makes you a hands-on parent* His first day in Calgary, and more.Official Links✅ Connect with Bona Adogamhe on LinkedIn✅ Learn more about Boma on X✅ Reach out to him on Instagram One AskIf this podcast left you feeling inspired, do me a huge favor and tell one person to subscribe. Or share with someone 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

Jun 9, 2023 • 31min
E07: Amir Feizpour on the immigrant's concept of home, dealing with identity crisis, and rebuilding self confidence.
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 Amir Feizpour, the co-founder & CEO of Aggregate Intellect.In one of the most vulnerable episodes I have recorded so far, Amir and I try to explore some of the existential feelings we immigrants face or deal with while settling into a new country. In this conversation, Amir and I chat about:* The immigrant’s concept of home* Dealing with an identity crisis as you shed your old self and adapt to your new society* Rebuilding self-confidence as you struggle to fit in* Dealing with the feeling of being culturally completely out of place, and more. Official Links✅ Connect with Amir Feizpour on LinkedInOne 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

May 18, 2023 • 40min
E06: Nino Melikidze on immigrating as a 17yo, living in 3 countries in 10 years, and dealing with the what-ifs.
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 Nino Melikidze, the co-founder & CEO of Immitracker, who moved to the United States as a 17-year-old.“Everywhere I go, I’m a foreigner.” I still can’t stop thinking about this statement by Nino. It perfectly captures an emotion immigrants struggle with - always feeling out of place. Nino is an experienced immigrant. Her first experience with immigration was as a five-year-old. Since then, she’s moved to the United States, Colombia, and now lives in Canada.In this conversation, Nino and I talk about:* Why moving abroad is probably done best as a student* Dealing with cultural differences as you move across different countries* The exact moment she realized she wasn’t in the comfort of her home anymore* Dealing with the existential immigrant question - will I ever stop feeling like an immigrant? * Why fellow immigrants make the best friends, and more.Official Links✅ Connect with Nino Melikidze on LinkedIn✅ Reach out to her on InstagramOne 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

May 4, 2023 • 53min
E05: Oyin Ajibola on adjusting to the credit system, dealing with covert racism, and making new friends.
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 Oyin Ajibola, who moved from Nigeria to Canada before it became very sought-after.Oyin is a multi-hyphenate. She’s co-published a book (Courage, Change, Faith & Leadership: Inspiring Narratives of Black Women Leaders), runs an immigrant magazine (The Immigrant Muse), actively advocates for the Canadian immigrant community, and works as a Senior Operational Policy Analyst with the Government of Saskatchewan. In this conversation, Oyin and I talk about:* Dealing with the fear of things not going as she planned after uprooting her life in Nigeria* The benefits of starting afresh where you have a community* Dealing with covert racism* Adjusting to the Canadian credit system* Her motivations for launching the Immigrant Muse, and more.Official Links✅ Connect with Oyin Ajibola on Linktree✅ Get Courage, Change, Faith & Leadership: Inspiring Narratives of Black Women Leaders on Amazon✅ Check out the Immigrant MuseOne 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