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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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