Coming To America

Hosted by Ed Halla

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Sep 2026

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About the show

Welcome to "Coming to America," a podcast that explores the extraordinary journeys of individuals who left their homelands behind to chase the American dream. In a world where "America" symbolizes not just a nation but a profound idea and a beacon of hope, we delve into the personal narratives of immigrants who embarked on an incredible adventure. In this imperfect union known as the USA, people from diverse backgrounds and cultures find common ground, forge new identities, and contribute to the rich tapestry of American life. Through intimate conversations and heartfelt accounts, we bring you the experiences, challenges, triumphs, and aspirations of those who dared to dream beyond borders. Join us as we celebrate the resilience, diversity, and shared humanity that define the American story. From the pursuit of freedom to the pursuit of happiness, "Coming to America" reveals the universal essence of the American dream and the unique journeys that make it a reality.

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34 recent

September 29, 202650 min

E34- Burundian in the USA

Wilson Kubwayo is the founder of wksocial, a thriving social media marketing agency that is revolutionizing the way businesses engage and attract their target audience. With years of experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and an MBA in Marketing and Business Innovation, Wilson has developed a deep understanding of digital strategy and community engagement, making him the go-to expert for businesses looking to build a strong offline and online presence. At WKSocial, Wilson leads a team of digital marketing experts and web developers who create customized experiences that drive growth, engagement, and revenue. Their proven techniques have helped countless businesses and organizations increase their online presence, improve their overall engagement, and drive more sales. Wilson's passion for business innovation and implementing effective marketing strategies has established wksocial as a trusted partner for businesses and organizations looking to succeed in the digital age. With his unwavering commitment to delivering results, Wilson and his team at wksocial are dedicated to helping businesses attract and connect with their target audience. https://wk.social/

August 18, 202640 min

E33- Norwegian in the USA

In this episode of Coming to America, the host talks with Grace Moen, an Oslo-born freelance journalist and event producer who moved to Portland with her parents in 1991. They discuss Norway’s geography and economic model (fjords, hydropower, oil policy, and the sovereign wealth fund), social trust, and the country’s push for electric vehicles. Grace shares how her American mother and Norwegian father built a Norwegian-speaking home in Oregon, spent summers in Norway, and navigated the “in-between” identity of immigrants. She reflects on living in San Francisco during the tech boom, returning to Portland for community and arts, and how Oslo invested in transit and public waterfronts. Grace also describes earning an online Harvard journalism master’s during the pandemic, focusing on prison healthcare, and contrasts U.S. punishment-driven incarceration with Norway’s rehabilitation-centered prison design. The episode closes with ways to connect through Grieg Lodge, scholarships, and Portland’s May 17th Constitution Day celebration. https://www.grieglodge.org/ https://www.gracemoen.com

July 28, 202644 min

E32 - German in the USA

In this episode of Coming to America, the host speaks with Meike Bradley, an immigrant from Hamburg, Germany, who first arrived in Portland in 2005 as an au pair on a J-1 visa. Meike shares what it was like growing up in Hamburg—independence, public transit, and a strong cultural scene—then explains how a failed visa extension sent her back to Germany before she found a way to return and planned to study at PSU. She ultimately studied international business management in Breda, Netherlands, while returning to Portland each summer after meeting her future husband through her host family. Now a mom of three girls (including twins), she discusses language at home, travel back to Europe, differences between Germany and the U.S. around structure, hierarchy, and family support, and her upcoming jewelry brand -https://www.baubledots.com/

May 4, 202637 min

E31- Jordanian in the USA

In this episode of Coming to America, the host talks with Esraa Alkhateeb, an immigrant from Amman, Jordan, who moved to the U.S. three years ago and studies biochemistry and molecular biology at Lewis & Clark College. Esraa shares what it was like growing up in Jordan, a safe country amid regional conflict, and how financial constraints led her to seek scholarships. At 16, she left home to attend a United World Colleges campus in Mostar, Bosnia, completing the IB program and gaining an international community and a new learning style beyond memorization. She then came to the U.S. on the Shelby Davis Scholarship, choosing Lewis & Clark for its small size and access to research. Esraa reflects on cultural differences in relationships, loneliness abroad, and what she loves about Portland—nature, diversity, and great food—then encourages young people to pursue opportunities and ignore “you can’t” answers.

March 23, 202648 min

E30 - Dutch in the USA

Kjell van Zoen, use they/he pronouns, from the Netherlands and England, came here in 2004. For money, Kjell work as an organizational development and change management coach, and has passion for making and playing music.

February 5, 202649 min

E29 - Australian in the USA

GEOFF CRAIGHEAD is, in every sense, a global citizen. Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, he studied at the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University, while also playing Australian rules football with the South Melbourne Football Club. His early career carried him to North Australia, where he worked among indigenous communities, and later to Hong Kong, where he lived alongside former triad members and recovering heroin addicts, while serving in the Hong Kong & Kowloon Wharf Police. Geoff eventually settled in the United States with his wife, Sarah, and went on to build a distinguished professional career. He directed field training for Allied Universal, North America’s largest security contractor; served as president of ASIS International, the world’s foremost organization for security management professionals; authored authoritative reference works on skyscraper security and the 19th-century gold rush; and addressed audiences worldwide as a professional speaker. https://www.geoffcraighead.com/

January 13, 202639 min

E28 - Iranian in the USA

Atousa Gorg, P.E. (she/her) is a Resident Engineer for consultant projects in ODOT - Oregon Department of Transportation. In her time at ODOT, Gorg's project management portfolio includes the Engineering Delivery of Interstate Bridge Replacement, I-5 Rose Quarter, I-205 Toll Project and Regional Mobility Pricing Project. Gorg has a Master's of Civil and Environmental Engineering from Portland State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Oregon. She is a multilingual Civil Engineer who immigrated to the US from the Middle East to practice her core values of freedom and equity. She serves as a board member, volunteer, and/or ambassador with several international and local nonprofit organizations, including WTS Portland which focuses on promoting the advancement of women in the transportation industry. In 2024, Gorg received the WTS Portland Member of Year Award and was a past recipient of the International Leadership Award for leading the Community Action Project.

December 9, 202547 min

E27 - Colombian in the USA

David Hurtado was born and raised in Bogota, growing up during turbulent times in Colombian history. He moved to the US in 2008 for graduate studies in public health at Harvard University. He lived in the Boston, MA area until 2015, when he then moved to Portland, where he works as an associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University, researching occupational stress and workplace health and safety. He is married to a Colombian educator, and they have two kids born in Portland in 2018 and 2022. His immigrant story involves science, academia, and rock music.

November 4, 202546 min

E26 - Dominican in the USA

Eleazar Ruiz is a Dominican-born, award-winning brand strategist, creative director, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience across in-house design teams, agencies, and innovative startups. His expertise bridges brand strategy, branding, user experience design and social impact, culminating in the successful launch of brands that tell powerful, culturally relevant stories. Ruiz is the founder of Odd Notion, a studio focused on meaningful, purpose-driven brand development. His approach centers on strategic clarity and visual storytelling, guiding organizations from concept formation to confident, distinguished brand identities. Under his leadership, Odd Notion has grown into a creative hub known for its empathetic and principled design ethos, serving start-ups, established companies, and nonprofits alike. Throughout his career, Eleazar has collaborated with major global clients—including Nike, The Oregonian, Lyft, Microsoft, and Xbox—as well as dozens of emerging ventures, applying both creative intuition and business acumen. In addition to leading creative projects, Ruiz is active in promoting community-driven design and championing the role of design equity in brand building. His work regularly explores themes of identity, culture, and positive social impact, reflecting his belief that design is a transformative force for good. Ruiz has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including Webby Awards, Anthem Awards, and recognition from Indie Agency for his outstanding contributions to the design field. His thoughtful, innovative approach has been celebrated in leading creative publications and recognized for elevating brand experiences with both artistic distinction and strategic vision. He continues to be sought after as a thought leader for his principled methodology and commitment to advancing design that matters. Whether launching new ventures or guiding established brands, Eleazar Ruiz brings clarity, empathy, and outstanding craftsmanship to every brand journey—making him a valued partner for any organization seeking to stand out and connect meaningfully with its audience. OddNotion.com

October 10, 202552 min

E25 - Costa Rican in the USA

Leda Garside is a bilingual/bicultural Latina professional with 42 years working experience. Her career interests center around nursing education, research, health policy, cultural competencies, health promotion, early interventions, best practices in language interpretation services, community health workers initiatives, and health careers mentoring. Being an active member in professional organizations, coalitions and boards are ways to give back to the community and provide a voice on how to work towards eliminating disparities, how services are delivered, assuring best services experienced to the patient. After 10 years of bedside nursing in neurology and cardiology, her nursing career led her to occupational health, outpatient care, and management. Her lived experiences as a clinician have centered in minority health, focusing working with the Latino/a/x and Mesoamerican indigenous communities and other BIPOC population during the last 32 year, this have provided her with a solid foundation for understanding and connecting to the various communities that make up Oregon. Leda is an excellent resource to ensure that -- no matter the project – the work will be grounded in diversity, equity and inclusion. Leda has recently retired from direct patient care but continues her work as an advocate and nurse consultant.

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