Immigrant Squared

Thank you for joining me on this journey for the past two years! New Exciting projects are coming soon Happy and Healthy 2025! Cheers

In this inspiring episode of The Immigrant Squared Podcast, I chatted with Dr. Katrina, a refugee from Vietnam who escaped communist Vietnam as a baby with her family. From a harrowing journey across the sea to being sponsored by Catholic Charities and settling in the United States, Dr. Katrina shares her remarkable story of resilience and determination. Now a medical practitioner and bestselling author, Dr. Katrina reflects on: The challenges of growing up as one of 10 children in a family adapting to a new culture. Overcoming language barriers and finding her path to medicine. The importance of mentorship and how it shaped her career. Balancing Vietnamese traditions with American customs. Her philosophy of using success to give back and uplift others. Dr. Katrina also shares insights from her books, including Live to Give and Overcoming Mediocrity, and offers advice for immigrants and refugees seeking mentorship and opportunities. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation filled with wisdom, hope, and actionable inspiration. Learn more about Dr. Katrina: MDKatrina.com Check out her books: Live to Give, The Confidence of Yes, Overcoming Mediocrity.

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Emily, who shared her family’s remarkable journey as Latvian refugees and their enduring connection to their heritage. Emily’s grandparents were born in Latvia during WWI, as part of the first generation of Latvians under the Russian Empire. They lived through the Soviet and Nazi occupations, with her grandmother actively participating in the Latvian resistance against both regimes. Her grandfather, who operated a train route from Saint Petersburg to Belarus during the war, eventually fled Latvia in a daring escape across the Baltic Sea to Sweden. Her grandmother followed later, escaping to Sweden in a fishing boat under dramatic circumstances. Emily also shared how her grandparents later became refugees in Canada, raising their family while preserving their Latvian culture. Through her research, she discovered her grandfather's involvement in efforts to aid Latvian partisans, even uncovering CIA documents from 1946 revealing his role in missions funded by French intelligence to fight the Russians. Beyond recounting her grandparents' story, Emily discussed her own immigration from Canada to the U.S. and the traditions she continues to honor from her Latvian heritage. She reflected on the power of understanding one’s roots, emphasizing that learning about your heritage can help you make sense of your life. It was a conversation rich with history, resilience, and the enduring strength of family connections.

In this episode of The Immigrant Squared Podcast, I speak with Kamilla, a leadership coach and speaker who shares her inspiring journey from Uzbekistan to the U.S. Arriving as a 19-year-old student with limited English, Kamilla overcame numerous challenges, including cultural adjustment and navigating visa issues, to build a successful career. A turning point in her journey came during Drexel University's co-op program, where she secured offers from top companies, reaffirming her belief in the opportunities available in the U.S. Kamilla reflects on balancing her Uzbek roots with her global mindset and shares invaluable advice for immigrants, encouraging them to pursue their dreams while embracing resilience and growth. Today, she empowers others to take bold steps toward their aspirations through her coaching and workshops.   Kamilla Pinel is a leadership coach, speaker, and entrepreneur whose inspiring journey reflects the courage and determination of the immigrant experience. Originally from Uzbekistan, Kamilla came to the United States with limited English skills and a dream of building a brighter future. She started as an accountant and caregiver while attending community college, later earning a business degree from Drexel University and building a successful corporate career at JP Morgan Chase. During the pandemic, Kamilla experienced a transformative realization: her corporate career no longer aligned with her true aspirations. She made the bold decision to leave her stable job and pursue entrepreneurship, founding You Dream You Do Coaching. Through her proprietary DREAM framework, Kamilla helps high-achieving professionals and leaders create meaningful success by aligning their goals with their values and sustaining energy and momentum. Now based in California, Kamilla combines her deep understanding of resilience, reinvention, and alignment to empower others through coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements. Her story is a testament to the power of dreaming big and creating a life of purpose and fulfillment. Connect with Kamilla: Website: https://www.youdreamyoudo.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamillagpinel/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/youdreamyoudo/

In this episode, I had the honor of hosting my dear friend and an exceptional security professional, Lee Oughton. Lee's journey to Mexico City began in 2016 when he moved to work for a British security company. Lee was amazed by the melting pot in Mexico City. His first reaction upon arriving was, "Are we really in Mexico?". Despite the challenges he faced, Lee embraced the adventure and immersed himself in the local culture. Lee's home base is in the UK, but his career has taken him across the globe, including living in the US and working in Iraq. He has a fearless spirit, always eager to take leaps of faith and explore new environments. Coming from a fast-paced corporate America background, Lee faced the challenge of adjusting to the slower pace of life in Mexico, often referred to as the "mañana (tomorrow) syndrome." He shared invaluable advice on adapting to new places, cultures, and languages—insights that have been shaped by his diverse experiences. Recently, Lee published a book titled "Kindness Games." The concept started as a challenge with a friend struggling with depression during the pandemic. This 30-day initiative brought people together, sharing stories of various individuals, including the inspiring journey of a young immigrant from Pakistan. The book explores life's challenges and the power of positivity and kindness. Lee and I also reflected on the unique strengths of immigrants in the security community. Their resilience and wealth of experiences are invaluable assets to the industry. Lee's parting advice is simple yet profound: "Network and be courageous." This mantra has guided him through his incredible journey and continues to inspire those around him. Tune in to hear more about Lee's adventures, his perspectives on life and work, and the incredible impact of his book. #immigrantesenmexico #immigrantsinmexico #thekindnessgames #immigrantsinsecurity #immigrantsinexecutiveprotection

In this episode, I sit down with Irma, who fled South Africa with just two suitcases due to violence. She shares her journey from the US to Canada and discusses the emotional and practical challenges of immigration. We dive into her 2023 TEDx talk, where she explored how to survive immigration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zMHiihyGqI&t=13s), and talk about the impact immigration has on families, as well as the differences between legal and illegal immigration. Irma passionately believes in the value immigrants bring to their new countries, from their knowledge to their unique experiences. She recalls discovering central heating and the simple joy of taking a walk outside as surprising firsts. Despite feeling different, she worked hard to show that she belongs. We also reflect on how the survival skills we learned in our home countries help us navigate everyday life. Irma shares her seven-step framework for adapting to a new country. Tune in to hear more about her inspiring journey! #southafricaapartheid #immigration #immigrantsincanada #southafrica #immigrantstories #immigrantstruggles #TedX #TEDtalk

Oksana is the youngest of 12 children, and a daughter of Ukrainian refugees. Growing up in Rochester, NY Oksana was immersed into the Ukrainian culture at home but had to follow the American culture outside. Hence she did not feel like she fit into either. In college being surrounded by multicultural students helped her understand herself better and that it was ok to be a blend. As she got older she embraced the Ukrainian side more than her siblings.  In her mid twenties, she had an opportunity to go to Ukraine and spend time working there. Oksana authored the book "Sunflowers Bend But Rarely Break" The book tells the story of her parents' early life as forced laborers in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, when Slavs were also considered sub-human.  You can read Oksana's blog ⁠https://medium.com/@oksanakukurudza⁠ Purchase her book ⁠https://sunflowersrarelybreak.com/⁠ Follow her ⁠https://www.instagram.com/okukurudza2/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/oksana-kukurudza/⁠   #immigrantstories #ukarine #naziGermany #holocaust #immigrantsquaredpodcast

Kamini, a child of Indian immigrants, grew up in a predominantly white community in Connecticut, where she struggled to fit in. Her parents worked hard to provide for their family while striving to maintain a balance between their Indian heritage and the American culture their children were growing up in. They supported Kamini and engaged in difficult conversations when she felt different, which greatly benefited her. Despite feeling different from her peers who attended church on Sundays, Kamini participated in the family tradition of Sunday prayers at home. As a parent herself, she now encourages her children to embrace their multicultural background. Kamini advises investing in people who accept and celebrate cultural diversity. In her work as a life coach, Kamini emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, kindness over judgment, and recognizing our common humanity. She acknowledges that seeking help is often taboo in immigrant and refugee communities. To make it less daunting, Kamini suggests reframing the idea of seeking help as gaining different perspectives from others who have faced similar situations. This approach empowers individuals to view seeking advice not as a weakness but as an opportunity to learn from others while ultimately making their own choices.     If you want to get in touch with Kamini www.kaminiwood.com www.instagram.com/itsauthenticme www.linkedin.com/in/kaminiwood   Kamini Wood is the founder and CEO of Live Joy Your Way and the AuthenticMe® RiseUp program. An international best-selling author Kamini’s mission is to guide her clients in nurturing their mental, emotional, physical and strategic  plans for their lives.  Recognizing the profound impact of self leadership and inner dialogs on external outcomes, she works collaboratively with her clients  to address both external goals and challenges, as well as the internal responses, thoughts and  behaviors that may hinder their desired results. Internal obstacles that get in the way include lack of boundaries, people-pleasing, over giving, over functioning, hyper achievement, perfectionism, procrastination, burnout, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome as well as  other false beliefs about self. Kamini is based out of North Carolina but serves clients all over the word virtually.   #childrenofimmigrants #immigrantsfromindia #immigrantstories #immigrantsquared #refugeestories #immigrantmentalhealth

During these times when antisemitism is at an all times high worldwide, its important to learn where it all started. In this episode Dr. Vivien Sieber shares her family's struggle during the Holocaust, which led her to write the book, "Kino and Kinder: A Family's Journey in the Shadow of the Holocaust". The book revolves around Paula Ticho's family, who owned a cinema in Vienna until it was forcibly taken over due to Nazi antisemitism. Faced with threats from Hitler's regime, Paula sends her son Peter to England for safety and becomes a matron caring for Jewish girls evacuated from Europe during the war. The book delves into the survivors' experiences, including Paula's son's internment and naval service, and her fight to reclaim ownership of the cinema. It spans locations like Brno, Vienna, London, Newcastle, Windermere, the Isle of Man, and Canada, offering insight into pre-war Central Europe and post-war London.  www.viviensieber.eu You can find Dr. Vivien Sieber's book on Amazon To hear the stories of some of the girls from the hostel, listen to this podcast   #holocauststories #kindertransport #ww2refugees #worldwartworefugees #holocaustrefugees #kinoandkinder

Join me for season 2 of the Immigrant Squared Podcast