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 Iqbal Chowdhury, a Research and Teaching Assistant at Dalhousie University, Canada, whose academic work on immigrant integration and mental well-being is deeply informed by his personal journey to Canada.When we talk about immigration, we often focus on the logistics or the challenges, such as finding a home or similar. Now these are important. But I think the the psychological journey of rebuilding your identity in a new country is probably more important.And Iqbal’s research reveals how economic stability serves as the first steps towards cultural integration and belonging. You need economic security before you can truly engage with your new community. Iqbal explains the troubling phenomenon of the "healthy immigrant effect" and how it deteriorates over time as newcomers struggle to find suitable employment that match their qualifications. This disconnect between expectations and reality ends up affecting the immigrant's mental health and integration process.In this conversation, Iqbal and I chat about the stark contrast between our imagined and actual immigration experiences. We also explore:* The work we need to do as immigrants to accept our multiple identities* The importance of maintaining connections with one's cultural community while building new relationships* How language barriers create cascading challenges in professional and social settings* Finding the delicate balance between integrating into a new culture while honoring your heritage* Plus, Iqbal shares practical advice for prospective immigrants to better prepare mentally for the journey aheadOfficial Links👋🏽 Follow Iqbal on LinkedIn📚 Read about Iqbal’s research 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 Urmi Hossain, who after 14 years in Canada, still identifies as an Italian-Bengali living in Canada rather than Canadian.In her words, “I feel like I'm betraying my origins if I put Canadian because I only became Canadian later on in my life.”I find her position so fascinating because she's one of the few immigrants I've met who don't struggle with the state of in-betweenness - where you feel like you're suspended between your former culture and the new one.To Urmi, Canada will always be her second home, the first place where she felt she could be comfortable in her dual identity. The first place where she met people who were navigating multiple cultural identities like herself. People who spoke more than one language. Unlike Italy where her friends were ‘strictly Italian.’But...Urmi still thinks she probably is going to retire to Italy.In this conversation, Urmi and I chat about Canada’s multiculturalism and how it helps people like her feel at home. We also explore:* What do we mean when we say “Canadian culture”* The quality of Canadian coffee vs. Italian coffee* Choosing to move to Canada* Why she’ll probably retire to Italy at some point, and more good stuff.Official Links👋🏽 Follow Urmi 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

To celebrate #IWD2025, The Newcomers Podcast will be publishing daily episodes between March 2nd - 8th celebrating a female immigrant. Come celebrate with us as we tell the stories of some of the many amazing immigrant heroines.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.For our seventh and final #IWD2025 episode, I'm speaking with Rehana Malik-Mbanga, CEO, Stimbok Corporation, and Founder, When African Women Talk (WAWT).As immigrants, we often tiptoe around the emotional and psychological toll immigration places on us. As Rehana puts it, “You are under immense pressure to achieve. You didn't come here to fail.”Aside that, you are also expected to constantly represent your community in good light. And so we end up always in defense mode, always looking to swat away stereotypes and show that we are capable of being good, of being smart, of being worthy of recognition.It’s exhausting.To combat this and create a safe space where Black women can be themselves, Rehana founded WAWT.In this conversation, Rehana and I chat about What it was like to move to Edmonton, Alberta 10+ years ago. We also explore:* The idea of our “immigration age”* The importance of rejecting victimhood narratives* Creating genuine relationships through intentional community-building* Launching WAWT and how her mission for the community changed along the way* The diverse experiences of Black immigrants in Canada, and more great stuff.Official Links👋🏽 Connect with Rehana on LinkedIn👉🏽 Apply to join WAWT📰 Read the current issue of the WAWT magazine This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

To celebrate #IWD2025, The Newcomers Podcast will be publishing daily episodes between March 2nd - 8th celebrating a female immigrant. Come celebrate with us as we tell the stories of some of the many amazing immigrant heroines.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.For our sixth #IWD2025 episode, I'm speaking with Sindhu Mahadevan, Quality Assurance Team Lead, Vital Bio, and creator of This Immigrant Life newsletter.Sindhu moved from India to to the United States as an international student. After nine years in Uncle Sam's country, she moved to Canada as a permanent resident.The immigration journey comes with an interesting emotional burden that shapes how an immigrant engages with their everyday life. And for individuals on a temporary status, the uncertainty often has them in a state of existential anxiety:* Will I get kicked out if I lose my job? * How do I go on PTO even though I am feeling burnt out?In her words, “Canada was where I truly felt at home. People will say immigration is just paperwork, you shouldn't let it define you...I think it sounds good for the movies, but it makes a huge difference what that scrap of paper says.”In this conversation, Sindhu and I chat about the differences between the immigration systems of Canada and the United States. We also explore:* The renegotiation of identity that comes with being an immigrant* Her relationship with borders* Finding belonging in Canada* How to approach Canadian immigration in 2025, * Plus a vetted list of immigration experts you can follow on LinkedIn.Official Links👋🏽 Follow Sindhu on LinkedIn👉🏽 Sign up for Sindhu’s This Immigrant Life newsletter📰 Read about Sindhu’s story on CBC Canada🗣️ Follow Sindhu’s vetted list of immigrant experts:* Matthew McDonald* Kubeir Kamal* Veronica Sepehr* Madhur Parashar This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

To celebrate #IWD2025, The Newcomers Podcast will be publishing daily episodes between March 2nd - 8th celebrating a female immigrant. Come celebrate with us as we tell the stories of some of the many amazing immigrant heroines.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.For our fifth #IWD2025 episode, I'm speaking with Fatemeh Alhosseini, Executive Director at Impakt Foundation. Resilience as a function of the system, personalized support, narrative therapy as a tool for cultural immersion, Fatemeh left me with a lot to think about after this conversation. And I think it’ll be same for you.Fatemeh moved to Canada from Iran 10 years ago as an international student. After an MA in Developmental Psychology, and then a PhD in same with a focus on resilience, she joined Impakt Foundation as the Executive Director.In this conversation, Fatemeh and I chat about Impakt Foundation’s “for newcomers, by newcomers” model. We also explore: * Moving to Canada 10 years ago to study* Why we immigrants need to get involved in building and implementing immigrant settlement and support programs* Why she chose to work at Impakt Foundation* The Impakt Foundation origin story (The Tailor Project)* Why resilience isn’t a personal feature, and more good stuff.Official Links👋🏽 Follow Fatemeh on LinkedIn🫶🏽 Learn more about Impakt Foundation💖 Learn more about The Tailor Project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

To celebrate #IWD2025, The Newcomers Podcast will be publishing daily episodes between March 2nd - 8th celebrating a female immigrant. Come celebrate with us as we tell the stories of some of the many amazing immigrant heroines.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.For our fourth #IWD2025 episode, I'm speaking with Shamira Madhany, Managing Director & Deputy Executive Director at World Education Services (WES).“We're having the wrong conversation about immigration.” If there's one person qualified to say this, It's Shamira. Her family came to Canada from Kenya in the early 1970s, fleeing potential political instability after Idi Amin expelled Ugandan Asians.Despite being well-educated with business experience, Shamira's father couldn't find employment in his field. Her father took a job at a golf club (cleaning, picking up towels), while her mother worked in a factory.This experience led to Shamira's life mission—solving the disconnect between Canada's need for workers and the barriers preventing high-skilled immigrants from getting jobs.In her words, “I don’t want to give out umbrellas anymore because it’s too tiring. I want to change the climate.”In this conversation, Shamira and I explore how it felt watching her parents struggle to find their footing after immigrating to Canada. We also chat about:* Why she joined WES* The economic impact of immigrant underemployment* The cost of workforce shortages to Canadian businesses* The biggest issue with the Canadian immigration system* How we can connect the macro (immigration policy) with the micro (the immigrant experience* The work she and a host of other amazing souls are doing to make it easier for high-skilled immigrants to get the jobs they deserve, and more good stuff. Official Links👋🏽 Follow Shamira on LinkedIn🫶🏽 Learn more about WES This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

To celebrate #IWD2025, The Newcomers Podcast will be publishing daily episodes between March 2nd - 8th celebrating a female immigrant. Come celebrate with us as we tell the stories of some of the many amazing immigrant heroines.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.For our third #IWD2025 episode, I’m speaking with Kateryna Havrylova, Co-Owner and CEO, Best Solution Windows & Doors.Helplessness, panic, worry, uncertainty, guilt, longing...Kateryna has probably felt all these emotions and more in the past two years. A routine family vacation for her husband's birthday turned into an extended stay in Poland when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, 2022.Her city (Kharkiv) was among the first to be occupied by Russian forces. And so with her 3yo and husband in tow, Kateryna moved to Germany after some months in Poland, then Germany, then back to Poland, and then Canada.Canada was supposed to be a 10-day visit to spend time with some familiar faces. However, the family made the spontaneous decision to stay because Canada felt welcoming and safe. For the first time in a while, Kateryna wasn't afraid anymore.In this conversation, Kateryna and I explore the impact of the war on her 3yo son and her relationship with her parents and grandmother. We also chat about:* Her unfounded fears of integration* Becoming antifragile * Why she feels safe in Canada* Losing her car import business and starting afresh* Tips for newcomers to Canada, and more good stuff. Kateryna is a superhero!Official Links👋🏽 Follow Kateryna on LinkedIn🫶🏽 Check out Kateryna’s new business, Best Solution Windows & DoorsFREE Immigration WebinarIn a time when Canada's immigration plan emphasizes skilled, bilingual newcomers with in-Canada experience, make sure you’re positioned for long-term success! Join Veronica Sepehr of Westdale Immigration for a 30-minute power-packed session where she’ll answer any pressing immigration questions you might have and break down key updates that could impact your preferred immigration pathway.Here’s what she’ll cover:📌 New Prioritized Categories for Express Entry – Focusing on what they mean for Education & STEM professionals📌 Why French Matters – Boosting your chances for temporary & permanent residence📌 2025 Immigration Trends – Key updates (OWP, CEC, PNP, RCIP)Sign up HERE | Only 18 seats left out of 30. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

To celebrate #IWD2025, The Newcomers Podcast will be publishing daily episodes between March 2nd - 8th celebrating a female immigrant. Come celebrate with us as we tell the stories of some of the many amazing immigrant heroines.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.For our second #IWD2025 episode, I’m speaking with Wunmi Adekanmbi, lecturer and biochemist researcher turned immigrant tech talent advocate, and Founder of Immigrant Techies Alberta.There's this quote on Wunmi's LinkedIn profile that exemplifies how she approaches the immigrant journey and her life in general:“There are no paths anywhere, paths are made by walking.” Antonio MachadoWunmi moved to Canada in 2011 with high expectations as a highly skilled biochemist lecturer and researcher. “I came here with the mindset of Canada is looking for me because I had been handpicked by Canada to bring all my awesome skill set here,” she says. But after three years of trying break into academia in Canada, she had to change tack and reinvent herself.Her experience of career disruption plus the frustrating waste of immigrant talent Canada has been famous for in the past decade led to the birth of Immigrant Techies Alberta, a tech enthusiast group for highly-skilled immigrants (and those who share similar interests) who are already in or are interested in pivoting to tech careers and startups.In this conversation, Wunmi and I explore her immigration journey and all the lessons it came with. We also chat about:* The psychological toll of career disruptions* Why immigrants need to manage or run the immigrant settlement services* Her biggest wins with Immigrant Techies Alberta* Why we mustn’t settle for less, and a ton of other good stuff.Official Links👋🏽 Follow Wunmi on LinkedIn🫶🏽 Join the Immigrant Techies Alberta group This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com

To celebrate #IWD2025, The Newcomers Podcast will be publishing daily episodes between March 2nd - 8th celebrating a female immigrant. Come celebrate with us as we tell the stories of some of the many amazing immigrant heroines.Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.In our first #IWD2025 episode, I’m speaking with Maroro Zinyemba, Zimbabwean-Canadian, and Dean, Faculty of Skills & Foundational Learning, NorQuest College, Edmonton, Alberta. "Home to me is where your roots are. So no matter where in the world you end up... you are rooted somewhere in something." As an immigrant, the concept of identity, home, language, and heritage can be a challenging conversation, especially if you have kids. How do you pass on your cultural values, nuances and all the subtleties of your identity to your kids? How do you keep your mother tongue going strong within the family? Remember, the kids are only interested in surviving playground politics and will learn the language and cultural nuances that help them make friends.In this conversation, Maroro and I explore the concept of home and how context influences her identity. We also chat about:* The challenges of passing on our language to our kids* Why ecosystems or community structures are key to passing on the language* Language as a form of identity* The fluidity of the immigrant identity, and more good stuff.Official Links👋🏽 Follow Maroro on LinkedIn♀️Get involved in #IWD2025 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 Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University and New York Times bestselling author. He’s the author of Open Borders, one of the best books on immigration in my opinion, The Myth of the Rational Voter, named "the best political book of the year" by the New York Times, and Build, Baby, Build.It is human nature to find someone or something else to blame for our problems. And it's been a well-played hand in the Canadian immigration debate in the past ten months or more.But as Bryan says, 'Shouldn't we be focused on addressing the real problems? If we have a housing problem, focus on deregulating the housing sector and build more housing. If the problem is crime, then improve law enforcement rather than blame the newcomers.'In this conversation, Bryan and I chat about the economic gains from immigration. We also explored:* Scapegoating versus tackling the real problems* Lessons from the Gulf Monarchies approach to immigration* The Canadian immigration conversation* Why Open Borders is back in print, and a lot of other good stuff. Official Links👋🏽 Follow Bryan on X📚 Buy the Open Borders book📚 Buy the Build, Baby, Build book📰 Read Bryan’s blog Bet On It This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com