Immigrant Stories | The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants

Heidy De La Cruz
  • 5.0 (25)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Semiweekly

Heidy De La Cruz hosts The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants. A 2x award-winning podcast about sharing the stories of immigrants and the immigrant experience, including their first memories of the US, the culture shocks they experienced, and their journey learning to navigate a whole new country. Join me, Heidy De La Cruz, in highlighting these stories that are often overlooked but deserve to be heard. I am on a mission to change the immigration narrative to a more compassionate and empathetic approach, like a Jesus approach.

  1. 3d ago

    Immigrant Stories: From Physician in Nigeria to founding Bright Bridge Academy - Ep. 160

    Welcome to episode 160 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! In this episode, Ekeatte reflects on her upbringing in Nigeria, a deeply family-centered and community-oriented society, and her experience working as a primary care physician before relocating. She opens up about the structure of Nigeria’s medical education system, the cultural richness of a country with hundreds of languages, and the differences in healthcare training compared to the United States. She also discusses the emotional and cultural adjustments of moving to America, including early moments of culture shock, misunderstandings, and the challenges of adapting to a new professional system. These experiences shaped her resilience and fueled her commitment to helping other internationally trained physicians successfully transition into U.S. healthcare careers. Ekeatte takes us through her journey from medical practice in Nigeria, through her transition into public health informatics and health systems integration in the United States, to becoming a healthcare consultant and entrepreneur. She shares the inspiration behind founding Bright Bridge Academy, a platform designed to guide foreign-trained physicians toward alternative and fulfilling healthcare careers. She shares her mission to empower immigrant medical professionals through coaching, mentorship, and education, and how her immigrant identity continues to influence her passion for systems change, access, and opportunity in healthcare. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Ekaette Joseph-Isang: Website LinkedIn   Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Immigrant Stories: From Physician in Nigeria to founding Bright Bridge Academy - Ep. 160

  2. Aug 11

    Immigrant Stories: A Nicaraguan-Puerto Rican Story of TWINS!!! - Ep. 159

    Welcome to episode 159 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Adriana and Ana share their unique journey growing up as twins born in Puerto Rico to a multicultural family with Nicaraguan and Puerto Rican roots. Raised in Deltona, Florida, they grew up navigating both cultures while building strong family values, resilience, and a deep connection to their immigrant identity. In this episode, Adriana and Ana reflect on their childhood as daughters of immigrant parents—one from Nicaragua and one from Puerto Rico—and how those cultural influences shaped their upbringing. They open up about growing up in a blended household where Spanish, traditions, and expectations from both cultures played a major role in their identity. The twins also share heartfelt memories of being called “gringas,” adapting to life in the United States, and learning how to balance cultural pride with assimilation. They further reflect on their first trip to Nicaragua at a young age, including humorous and unforgettable moments that helped them better understand their roots. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Adriana: Instagram Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Immigrant Stories: A Nicaraguan-Puerto Rican Story of TWINS!!! - Ep. 159

  3. Aug 4

    Immigrant Stories: Dreaming in Russian with Author Anya Gillinson - Ep. 158

    Welcome to episode 158 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Anya Gillinson shares her powerful journey from growing up in Russia during the Brezhnev era to building a new life in the United States as an immigration attorney and writer. She is the author of Dreaming in Russian, a deeply personal memoir and social commentary that explores identity, loss, and the immigrant experience. In this episode, Anya reflects on her upbringing in the Soviet Union, where she grew up in a politically complex environment shaped by her father’s dissident beliefs and successful yet unconventional medical career. She opens up about the tragic loss of her father, who was killed during a trip to the United States in 1990, an event that became the turning point in her family’s immigration journey. Anya also shares the emotional weight of leaving Russia and the mix of grief, fear, and hope that came with starting over in a completely unfamiliar country. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Anya: Website Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Immigrant Stories: Dreaming in Russian with Author Anya Gillinson - Ep. 158

  4. Jul 28

    Immigrant Stories: From Rwanda to Detroit with Engineer Cedric Muhikira - Ep. 157

    Welcome to episode 157 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Cedric Muhikira shares his journey from Rwanda to the United States and how his experiences as an immigrant inspired him to become a storyteller and advocate for immigrant voices. Today, Cedric is a self-taught writer, engineer, and storyteller using his work to educate others about the realities of immigration while encouraging immigrants to live boldly and authentically. In this episode, Cedric reflects on his upbringing in Rwanda as the eldest son in his family and the values of community and resilience that shaped his perspective on life. He opens up about the cultural shock he experienced after moving to Detroit in 2019, including adjusting to the abundance of food choices, language differences, and the isolation he felt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cedric also shares how friendship and community became essential sources of support as he navigated life in a new country far from home. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Cedric: LinkedIn   Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.    *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E   Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Immigrant Stories: From Rwanda to Detroit with Engineer Cedric Muhikira - Ep. 157

  5. Jul 21

    The American Dream Is Being Able to Rest With Dr. Janice Castro - Ep. 156

    Welcome to episode 156 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Dr. Janice Castro shares her journey growing up in Maryland as the daughter of Peruvian immigrants and how those experiences shaped her passion for mental health advocacy and culturally affirming care. Today, she is a licensed psychologist specializing in adult ADHD, the founder of JC Psychological Services, a speaker, and the host of the Latina ADHD podcast. In this episode, Dr. Janice reflects on her upbringing in a deeply Peruvian household filled with music, food, language, and cultural traditions while navigating life as a bicultural and bilingual Latina in the United States. She opens up about the emotional impact of her father’s deportation when she was 13, her mother’s journey to citizenship, and how those experiences shaped her understanding of privilege, resilience, and identity. Dr. Janice also shares her experiences navigating predominantly white academic spaces as a first-generation Latina student and the pressures that came with constantly having to prove herself. Dr. Janice takes us through her journey from discovering her passion for psychology in high school to earning advanced degrees and building a career focused on supporting neurodivergent adults. She shares the challenges she faced during graduate school and a difficult internship experience that led to burnout, self-doubt, and ultimately deeper self-advocacy. Dr. Janice also discusses her passion for creating culturally affirming mental health spaces, her work with adults with ADHD, and the inspiration behind launching her podcast, Latina ADHD, to help normalize conversations around mental health in BIPOC communities. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Dr. Janice Castro: Website Instagram LinkedIn Podcast   Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.    *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law   For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The American Dream Is Being Able to Rest With Dr. Janice Castro - Ep. 156

  6. Jul 14

    Inglés Pa’ Mi Gente, aka English For My People, with Erika Warner - Ep. 155

    Welcome to episode 155 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Erika Warner shares her journey from Colombia to Spain and eventually to the United States, where she built a life helping immigrants and Spanish speakers learn English with confidence. Today, Erika is an ESL teacher, entrepreneur, and founder of Ingés Pa’ Mi Gente, a platform dedicated to making English education accessible for Spanish-speaking communities. In this episode, Erika reflects on her childhood in Colombia and her family’s decision to move to Spain amid the violence of the 1990s in search of a safer, better future. She opens up about growing up between cultures, learning English in Spain, and navigating the challenges of adapting to different countries throughout her life. Erika also shares her immigration journey to the United States after meeting her husband in Spain, including the visa process, cultural adjustments, and the process of creating a sense of home in a completely new environment. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Erika: Website Instagram    Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.    *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law   For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E   Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Inglés Pa’ Mi Gente, aka English For My People, with Erika Warner - Ep. 155

  7. Jul 7

    Immigrant Stories: Property of The Revolution with Author Ana Hebra Flaster - Ep. 154

    Welcome to episode 154 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Ana Hebra Flaster shares her journey as a Cuban refugee who was abruptly uprooted from her homeland and brought to the United States in 1967. Today, Ana is a writer, speaker, and author who uses storytelling to humanize the immigrant experience and bring awareness to the realities of displacement, identity, and multi-generational trauma. In this episode, Ana reflects on her childhood in Cuba and the devastating impact of the Cuban Revolution on her family. She opens up about the trauma of being forced to leave her home, adjusting to life in New Hampshire, and growing up in a multi-generational immigrant household while balancing two cultures. Ana also shares the emotional challenges of navigating identity, cultural expectations, and the experience of feeling caught between worlds as a refugee in America. Ana takes us through her journey from attending Smith College to becoming a published writer and author. She shares the inspiration behind her memoir, Property of the Revolution, and how writing the book became a cathartic process of revisiting buried memories, family trauma, and the lasting impact of losing her home. Ana also discusses her passion for continuing conversations about Cuba and the immigrant experience through her newsletter, Cuba Curious, and how her Cuban identity continues to shape her work today. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Ana: Website Instagram  Book Substack    Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.    *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com   Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E   Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Immigrant Stories: Property of The Revolution with Author Ana Hebra Flaster - Ep. 154

  8. Jun 30

    The Truth About Living in a Border Town (El Paso) with Devin Miranda - Ep. 153

    Welcome to episode 153 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Devin Miranda shares her experiences growing up in El Paso, Texas, a vibrant border community deeply shaped by immigration, culture, and family. Today, Devin works with La Familia del Paso, a nonprofit focused on providing mental and behavioral health services while also advocating for empathy, understanding, and dignity for immigrant communities. In this episode, Devin reflects on her upbringing in El Paso as the daughter of a military family and the strong sense of community that shaped her childhood. She opens up about growing up in a border city where the realities of immigration, culture, and identity were part of everyday life. Devin also shares her experiences navigating conversations around racism, implicit bias, and cultural identity, and how those moments challenged her perspective and deepened her compassion for others. Devin takes us through her journey from serving in ministry focused on racial reconciliation and diversity to participating in a border immersion trip with Abara in early 2025. She shares how meeting migrants, local church leaders, and community advocates in Juárez transformed her understanding of immigration and reinforced the importance of seeing immigrants through a lens of empathy and human dignity. Devin also discusses how her work with La Familia del Paso and her faith continue to shape the way she serves her community today. With Love, Heidy Connect with Devin: Instagram Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by  Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Truth About Living in a Border Town (El Paso) with Devin Miranda - Ep. 153
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Heidy De La Cruz hosts The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants. A 2x award-winning podcast about sharing the stories of immigrants and the immigrant experience, including their first memories of the US, the culture shocks they experienced, and their journey learning to navigate a whole new country. Join me, Heidy De La Cruz, in highlighting these stories that are often overlooked but deserve to be heard. I am on a mission to change the immigration narrative to a more compassionate and empathetic approach, like a Jesus approach.

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