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 Feyi Fawehinmi, accountant, writer and author of Formation: The Making of Nigeria from Jihad to Amalgamation.When Feyi moved to London in 2004 to study, there were relatively few Nigerians in the United Kingdom compared to today. Most of the folks he met came either as students or through work permits that tied them to specific employers.21 years later, all that has changed. Different immigration programs such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Program (HSMP) that ended in 2008 meant more Nigerians, including folks who felt they had "hit a ceiling" in Nigeria's job market, moved to the United Kingdom without the limitations of a work or study permit.In this conversation, Feyi and I explore what his immigration journey has been like. We also chat about: * Why time is key to integration and building a stable life* Dealing with the loss of status and starting over* Why integration should happen on your own terms* Why newcomers need to be ruthless in the company they keep, and a lot of good stuff. Official Links👋🏽 Follow Feyi on X📚 Buy the Formation: The Making of Nigeria from Jihad to Amalgamation book🖊️ Read Agùntáṣǫólò Notes 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 Noha Tanahi, Settlement Services Manager at TIEs (The Immigrant Education Society). Noha moved to Canada from Egypt looking for a fresh start 20 years ago. But it didn’t take long to start missing home. “I started missing Egypt as I landed at the Montreal airport,” she says.Settling in didn't get any easier. She landed in Montreal, moved to Calgary, then Fort McMurray, then back to Calgary. Stressed, frustrated, and angry, Noha called a shelter for women asking for space so she could leave her home. That phone call changed her life.In this conversation, Noha and I explore the concept of being a newborn when you move to a new country. We also chat about: * How settling into a new country often veers from the perfect script we have in our heads* The loneliness that comes with settling down especially if you don’t stay in a city long enough to make friends* Getting fired from her first job after eight hours* Volunteering and how it led her to her job* Her work at TIES and why she would do her job for freeOfficial Links👋🏽 Follow Noha 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 Maryanne Aghalu, who moved to Canada in 2016 for her MSc, leaving a blossoming career in consulting behind. Maryanne was so sure she was going to go back to Nigeria. Choosing to come to Canada was possible because PwC Nigeria gave her a two-year study leave. “I was going to study, get some international work experience, and then head back,” she says. Well, she’s still here. In this conversation, Maryanne and I chat about deciding to stay back in Canada. We also explore:* Spending her maternity leave in Nigeria* What home means to her now* Underestimating how much immigrating changes us* The cultural gifts we owe our kids, and more good stuff.Something to ponder on: We unconsciously adopt the cultural nuances of our new country but we often only notice how much we’ve integrated when we go back to visit. Official Links👋🏽 Follow Maryanne 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 David Moscrop, host of The David Moscrop Show, and author of Too Dumb for Democracy? Why We Make Bad Political Decisions and How We Can Make Better Ones. David’s piece on the dangers of a cynical immigrant debate had me theorizing some dark scenarios. But the bigger question that I had and one we also explored in our conversation was:Shouldn’t we be asking our politicians much harder questions? And are we solving for the real issues or looking for the next available scapegoat? The cynical utilitarian arguments sounds sexy. But we need to push for a better Canadian immigrant conversation because in the end, we all share commons struggles regardless of where we come from. In this conversation, David and I explore the politics of resource scarcity and scapegoating. We also chat about:* How building community and solidarity can break down the arbitrary divisions certain narratives encourage* The dehumanizing immigrant conversation and why it’s a dangerous path to take* The need to balance technical immigration policy discussions with human rights and a sense of dignity* The power and limitations of personal stories, and a lot of good stuff.Official Links👋🏽 Follow David on LinkedIn🎬 David’s YouTube channel🖊️ Sign up for David’s Substack📚 Buy the Too Dumb for Democracy book 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 Matthew McDonald - RCIC consultant, immigrant, and an all-round great human.The immigrant conversation is a human conversation, then an economic one. But when you read some of the phrasing people use when describing immigrants, you would be forgiven if you imagined UCI numbers walking around Canada instead of humans.Matthew McDonald, RCIC, is one of the few who buck the trend and bring the human into the immigration process. He describes his job as 80% emotional support, 20% legal advice.Matthew moved to Argentina from Canada two years ago with his husband. And the process of settling into a new country has been a great lesson on what his clients experience when they move to Canada.In this conversation, we explored his experience settling into his new home. We also chatted about:* Why it’s hard to make friends as an immigrant * How we can have a better Canadian immigrant conversation* Adding humans to the Canadian immigration process* The relationship between social integration and professional integration.Biggest takeaway: We need big ideas about how we make immigrants feel part of the Canadian society. And Matthew has got some.Official Links👋🏽 Follow Matthew on LinkedIn ☕ Schedule a virtual coffee with MatthewICYMI 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 Olia Stasiuk, Founder of Bonzai AI, author, and all-round superhero. We immigrants - especially if you are one of the privileged ones like myself who didn’t have to learn a new language when we moved - underestimate how hard it is to deal with the double whammy of trying to settle into a new country, new culture, and new lifestyle while trying to learn a new language at the same time.Olia had to deal with that double whammy. Did she have doubts? Yes. Did she feel hurt when people corrected her? Yes. But that didn't stop her. Olia has gone from struggling to communicate to finding her footing, writing an Amazon bestselling book, and launching an AI startup that's made Canada's Top 100 AI Startups two years in a row.In this conversation, Olia and I explored working through her limitations. We also chatted about:* The difference between living and working in the United States and Canada as an immigrant* The concept of the immigrant identity* Why moving to a new country is like gaining a superpower* Her go-to tip for anyone looking to immigrate, and a ton of good stuff. My biggest takeaway: Cultural integration is a choice and we can often feel that we need to shed our old identity to adopt the new identity. But you are better off finding a way to integrate both identities. That’s your superpower. That’s what makes you unique. Official Links👋🏽 Follow Olia on LinkedIn👌🏽 Learn more about Bonzai AI 📚 Get yourself a copy of the 66 Days SUCCESS FormulaICYMI 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 Alfred Kainga, the funniest comic I've listened to in a long while. No jokes. But it took some work to get to where he is today. Here’s a clip from one of his recent shows:Alfred moved to the United States as a 19yo and worked hard at honing his craft after his day job. After years of pushing hard to break through the noise, Rudy Rush passed his name to Kevin Hart as an upcoming comic who could open for Kevin on his 2016 Comedy Central show.Everything changed for Alfred after that gig.In this conversation, we chat about adjusting to life in the United States. We also explored:* Dealing with survival mode* Why he’s never regretted immigrating to the United States even though he originally wanted to move to South Africa* The American diet* And a ton of jokes along the way.This was a hilarious conversation.Official Links👋🏽 Follow Alfred on Instagram👌🏽 Follow Alfred on TikTokICYMI 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 the passionately curious Onyeka Okonkwo, a risk manager at KPMG UK, and a money coach.As an immigrant, it's easy to feel the need to show up and represent your home country's brand. To be great. To be of good behaviour. To show that your people are worth it.Especially now. Especially with all that's going on in the world at this time. When immigrants have become the next best thing to blame for all that's wrong with society.It can be tiring.So, I think we should take Onyeka Okonkwo’s advice…learn to give ourselves some grace. Give yourself permission to fail. To try again. To make mistakes. To live. To love. To enjoy everyday.Onyeka joined me on The Newcomers to chat about why she left Nigeria. We also talked about:* Working in Lagos vs. working in London* Finding her footing in her new home * Her approach to dealing with all the stuff immigrating to a new country throws at you* The burden of black tax* Learning to advocate for herself, and more. Again, give yourself some grace, dear immigrant. You’ve got this. Official Links👋🏽 Follow Onyeka on LinkedIn🖊️ Sign up for Onyeka’s Financial Life Workshop 🎬 Onyeka’s YouTube channel 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 Milan Sanghani — Founder of EdMission, and an immigrant entrepreneur on a mission to make it easier for students looking to move abroad for a higher education.But Milan wasn't always on this path. Nine years ago, all Milan thought about was a research-based MSc in drug metabolism. But after failing to get into schools in Canada, Australia, United States, and a couple of other countries, he started using all the learnings he had picked up trying and failing to get admissions to schools abroad to help prospective students in India with their higher education plans. Milan finally moved to Canada in 2021 mid-pandemic to study Entrepreneurship at Carleton University, Ottawa. In this conversation, we chat about his journey from international student to edtech entrepreneur, moving amidst the pandemic, and how he thinks we can improve the Canadian international students program.He also shared:* How to avoid fraudulent ghost agents* Settling into Canada and dealing with the lack of trust during the lockdown* Common misconceptions international students have* And the mindset you need to have to succeed as an international student. My biggest takeaway: Your best source of information are sources like the IRCC website (I know this is a nightmare to navigate) and the university website. Official Links👋🏽 Follow Milan on LinkedIn👌🏽 Learn more about EdMission 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 Ozoz Sokoh, a Nigerian food writer, explorer, educator, and author of Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria.The late Quincy Jones once said, "Music is the melody of the gods." I agree, and I would add that food is the flavor of the gods.Food is everything. What and how we eat says a lot about us. More importantly, it tells a little about our history, and, in some cases, it’s one of the motifs we use as an expression of our culture and our traditions.For immigrants, food carries an ever deeper meaning. Not to be dramatic, but it’s a link to the past [taste/nostalgia], a bridge to the future [the evolution of said meal in a new place], and a way to hold on to identity in the murky world of being an immigrant.In this conversation, we chat about food as identity. We also explored:* How cooking or eating familiar dishes bring a sense of home and belonging, even in unfamiliar environments* Why understanding the essence and history of a dish is important * Why recording the history of a meal is key to preserving the cultural heritage of a people* The roles institutional bias and racism in food media play in hindering the representation of certain cuisines, and more good stuff. But that’s not all the good stuff. She’s also shared some zesty food recipes.Five Nigerian recipes you can try this Christmas holidays* Nigerian pepper soup: One of my personal favorites. I think it tastes better with goat meat. But you decide. * Agbalumo Carrot Cake: You’ll probably need to check the African store nearby for agbalumo. * Cassava and Coconut Salad: Ozoz has taken a popular Nigerian street food, Abacha, and turned it into something that not only looks delicious, but might have a broader appeal. I’m definitely trying this out over the holidays.* Zobo: Everyone has to try Zobo at least once in their life.* Yedem’blong: This is one meal I’m going to need help putting together. But it does sound enticing. Kolanut with pepper sauce. Who’s got some adventure in them? Official Links👋🏽 Follow Ozoz on Instagram🖊️ Sign up for her Kitchen Butterfly newsletter for more re-imagined Nigerian recipes 📚 Buy her book here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewcomerspod.com