Arrivals: Stories of Resilience and Reinvention

Arrivals Media

Conversations with first-generation immigrant women building new lives from scratch. Every episode explores real decisions, tensions, and transformations behind leaving home, starting over, and figuring out who they are in places that don’t always see them clearly.

  1. From Italy to SF: Sonia Troiani on self-discovery, belonging, and the power of psychedelic therapy

    09/05/2025

    From Italy to SF: Sonia Troiani on self-discovery, belonging, and the power of psychedelic therapy

    Sonia Troiani Doulton has lived in four countries since leaving Italy in 2005, navigating life as an outsider while raising three children. She began her career in film as a casting director before shifting into psychotherapy, where she now specializes in psychedelic-assisted therapy. In this episode, Sonia shares how culture shock in London, working with refugees, and community experiences like Burning Man, shaped her approach to healing. We talk about belonging, motherhood, and her mission to guide women through transformational retreats, circles, and psychedelic journeys. You can connect with Sonia here: https://soniadoulton.com/ Chapters 00:00 Sonia's Early Life in Italy 03:12 The Journey to London and Career in Film 05:34 Transition to Psychotherapy 07:59 Cultural Identity and Belonging 09:12 Challenges of Migration and Community Building 11:28 The Impact of Language and Cultural Differences 13:35 Exploring the Refugee Experience 16:09 The Call to Psychotherapy 22:13 Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing 23:18 The Search for Meaning in Life 24:27 Cultural Identity and Language in Family 26:45 Relocation to New Zealand: A New Chapter 28:32 Transitioning to San Francisco: A New Opportunity 29:22 The Impact of Burning Man on Personal Growth 37:00 Exploring Psychedelics: A Personal Journey 41:24 Psychedelic Therapy: A New Frontier 43:01 Preparation and Integration in Psychedelic Experiences 48:46 Finding Community and Belonging in San Francisco 53:18 Navigating Life as an Immigrant 53:18 Reconnecting with the Feminine Principle 56:40 Resources for Psychedelic Exploration and Feminine Empowerment

    57 min
  2. Changing the Narrative on Immigration: Heidy de la Cruz on Redefining the American Dream

    08/22/2025

    Changing the Narrative on Immigration: Heidy de la Cruz on Redefining the American Dream

    In this episode, Heidy de la Cruz, podcaster, writer, and speaker, talks about her award-winning show The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants. Inspired by her Dominican-American upbringing and her family’s path to citizenship, Heidy has recorded more than 140 conversations with immigrants and children of immigrants, giving voice to stories that are too often left untold. She also helps women entrepreneurs and busy moms who wish to start their podcasts with her digital products and 6-week course.  We explore how podcasting can be both a business and a calling, what it means to raise bilingual kids, and why the word “opportunity” comes up again and again when people define the American Dream. From navigating language barriers to creating safe spaces for immigrant voices, Heidy shares how storytelling can shift perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and build community. We discuss: How Heidi's immigrant background shaped her identity and experiences.Parenting in a bilingual household and its unique challenges.How Heidi's career journey led her to the medical field and podcasting.Common themes in immigrant stories are often overlooked in most media outlets.Heidi's advice for aspiring podcasters. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:53 Navigating Bilingualism and Cultural Identity 10:00 Career Journey and Podcast Genesis 14:32 Exploring Immigrant Stories 18:29 Common Threads in Immigrant Experiences 21:29 Defining the American Dream 24:26 Achieving Podcasting Success 26:18 Changing the Narrative on Immigration 28:18 The Attainability of the American Dream 31:38 Words of Encouragement 33:34 Empowering Others Through Podcasting 36:14 Future Aspirations for the Podcast

    40 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Conversations with first-generation immigrant women building new lives from scratch. Every episode explores real decisions, tensions, and transformations behind leaving home, starting over, and figuring out who they are in places that don’t always see them clearly.