This episode felt special to me. I sat down with Harvi — a soon-to-be high school graduate heading into psychology — for a conversation about growing up as children of immigrants, and honestly… it became so much bigger than I expected. We talked about the invisible weight so many of us carry: the love, sacrifice, and survival behind our parents’ journeys, alongside the pressure to achieve, be grateful, stay “good,” and keep everything together. And while preparing for this episode, I realized I didn’t want this to feel like a typical interview. I kept thinking… what if Harvi and I approached this like we were writing a guidebook together? Not one with perfect answers, but one that tries to make sense of the complicated space between immigrant parents and their children. And somewhere in the middle of preparing for this EP, the title became clear (LOL) We Turned Out Fine… But Also, Did We? A guide for immigrant parents, their children, and everything we’re still figuring out in between. Throughout this conversation, we unpack: -what our parents carried through migration, survival, and intergenerational trauma -how pressure can sometimes be disguised as protection -the “good daughter” role, how our mothers pass what they know down through their day to day, and how it shapes identity -the myth of balance and why busyness often replaces peace -mental health stigma in South Asian and immigrant communities -achievement-based self-worth, perfectionism, and emotional suppression -what it means to unlearn survival patterns that were once praised and the complicated space between empathizing with our parents while still being honest about the impact certain things had on us What I loved most about this conversation is that it never became a blame game. It became about curiosity. About trying to understand what shaped our parents… while also being honest about what shaped us. Harvi brought so much wisdom, honesty, and gentleness into this conversation, especially as someone still living these experiences in real time. Huge shout out to this young, wise soul! So whether you’re a parent trying to do better, a child of immigrants trying to understand yourself, or someone somewhere in the middle of both — I hope this episode makes you feel seen. And maybe even gives you language for things you’ve felt for a really long time. Instagram: harvi.gilll Support the show If you like what you hear please click on "subscribe" or "follow" - It's free and you will get notified when the newest episodes are posted! Check us out on Instagram, X, and YouTube @mfupodcast. Give feedback, middle finger recommendations as well as random thoughts to info@mfupodcast.com. Thank you for listening! In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
