The Newcomers Podcast 🎙️

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

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