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 the Philippines to LA: Carren Jao on a Life Shaped by Storytelling

    12/01/2025

    From the Philippines to LA: Carren Jao on a Life Shaped by Storytelling

    In this episode, Carren Jao, an Emmy-nominated content leader, award-winning children’s book author, and the founder of Red Thread Consulting, shares how she built a career across journalism, public media, and creative strategy. Her work has been recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Los Angeles Press Club, the Asian American Journalists Association, and more. A storyteller who grew up in a Chinese Filipino community, Carren shares how she rebuilt her life and career from Manila to Los Angeles. We talk about the threads that connect her work and the power of stories to make sense of who we are across cultures. She also talks about her two forthcoming children’s books: Shape of Love, inspired by the Filipino balikbayan box tradition, and Maya Breaks It Down, a STEM-forward story that blends breakdancing with the principles of coding. Connect and know more about Carren here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carren-jao/ https://www.instagram.com/carrenjao/ https://bsky.app/profile/carrenjao.bsky.social

    43 min
  2. Immigrant-turned-leader: Krish Vignarajah on Empathy, Policy, and Community for Refugees

    11/13/2025

    Immigrant-turned-leader: Krish Vignarajah on Empathy, Policy, and Community for Refugees

    Krish O’Mara Vignarajah’s voice doesn’t just inform, it uplifts. As President and CEO of Global Refuge, she shares her journey as a baby fleeing Sri Lanka’s civil war with her parents, and how that experience shaped her path toward becoming one of the most influential leaders in refugee advocacy today. Krish has committed her career to public service because she knows how differently life could have turned out. She previously served in the Obama White House as Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama and at the State Department as Senior Advisor under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry. In this episode, she shares her focus and how she is leading Global Refuge through one of the most challenging moments in modern migration. She also discusses why empathy, storytelling, and community action are crucial tools for shaping policy and protecting the rights of newcomers. - Watch Krish’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnnwhQl4mEA&t=180s - Support Global Refuge: https://www.globalrefuge.org

    18 min
  3. From Brazil to Montreal: Alessandra Alvarenga on learning to live, not just survive

    11/06/2025

    From Brazil to Montreal: Alessandra Alvarenga on learning to live, not just survive

    In this episode, Ale Alvarenga shares her story from growing up in Brazil to building a new life in Montreal. She opens up about what it means to start over in a new country, rebuild a sense of home, and stay close to faith and community while far from family and friends. She talks about growing up as a pastor’s daughter, studying in the U.S., and choosing Canada with her husband Ale also reflects on living with bipolar disorder and ADHD, and how she’s learned to spot her own patterns, build routines, and find balance.  A book that helped her on that path is Empowering Books for Women with ADHD, by Estelle Rose. It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation about finding home and learning to live, not just survive. In this episode, we cover:  Childhood and Early Moves in BrazilDecision to Move to the USReturning to Brazil and Its ChallengesThe Move to Canada and New BeginningsCommunity and Cultural Integration in MontrealNavigating Immigration and Education in CanadaTransitioning to a Career in CybersecurityMental Health Journey: Bipolar Disorder and ADHDFinding Joy and New Habits in Life

    49 min
  4. From Iran to New York: Atash Yaghmaian's story of survival and dissociative identity disorder

    10/13/2025

    From Iran to New York: Atash Yaghmaian's story of survival and dissociative identity disorder

    Iranian-American therapist, writer, and activist Atash Yaghmaian joins Arrivals to discuss her debut memoir, My Name Means Fire. Set during the Iranian Revolution and the eight-year Iran–Iraq War, Atash shares a story of survival through sexual abuse, a mother’s superstitious rituals, and the brutality of war. The conversation moves between her outer life and her interior world, where color-named parts speak, offering a rare, compassionate look at living with dissociative identity disorder (DID). We discuss stigma, how writing helped recover memories, leaving Iran at nineteen, and building a life in New York. Pre-order the book here: My Name Means Fire

    48 min
  5. A World Citizen: Alicia Castillo Holley’s story of movement, independence, and resilience

    09/19/2025

    A World Citizen: Alicia Castillo Holley’s story of movement, independence, and resilience

    Dr. Alicia Castillo Holley is a leading figure in venture capital and angel investing, with more than four decades of experience. She has invested in over 90 companies, co-founded more than 15 businesses and three non-profits, and is known for her strategic focus on post-seed rounds in life sciences, climate/energy, and disruptive technologies. In 2020, she launched Wealthing VC Club, an investment group built on transparency, flexibility, and post-investment support. She also helped shape the VC landscape in Latin America, founding Chile’s first entrepreneurship center and the country’s first seed capital fund, while training MBAs and professors on venture capital. Alicia holds degrees from Universidad Central de Venezuela, Babson College, and the University of Western Australia. She has lived in six countries, lectured in more than 30, and is now based in Silicon Valley.

    30 min
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. From Israel to Florida: Sharon Har-Noy Pilcher on Unlocking a High-Performance Mindset

    08/08/2025

    From Israel to Florida: Sharon Har-Noy Pilcher on Unlocking a High-Performance Mindset

    This episode features Sharon Harnoy Pilcher, a world-record-holding skydiver turned mental performance coach, who shares what it takes to make clear, conscious decisions under pressure. Sharon’s story spans growing up in Israel, competing at the highest levels of skydiving, leading elite teams, and building a coaching practice that helps people refine their mental operating system to align with their values and purpose. We explore the connections between a high-performance mindset, immigration, and finding a professional path that feels authentic. Sharon offers practical tools for rewiring unhelpful patterns, explains why most decision-making is emotional rather than rational, and reveals how to build the mental resilience to handle high-stakes moments. The episode closes with a very special meditation you can return to anytime you need grounding. Learn more about Sharon’s work at divinginwards.com.

    44 min
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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.

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