Arrivals: Stories from first-generation immigrant women

Arrivals Media

Moving to a new country is so much more than what we typically see or talk about. "Arrivals" features first-generation immigrant women sharing their stories of starting from scratch. Discover honest conversations about the tension between where we come from, where we are going, why we stay, and how it expands our lives. Substack: https://substack.com/@arrivalspod Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/arrivalspod/

  1. May 21

    From Brazil to Québec: Starting over, changing careers, and refusing to fit into one box

    When she was little, Rubia wanted to be an astronomer and study the universe. Years later, she became a journalist and learned to tell stories. Today, she works in data, following a path that made sense for her, even when it didn’t look traditional from the outside. Starting over in a new country wasn’t easy, but she kept going, building a career she cared about and a life abroad she dreamed of. She’s now in a place where she no longer feels the need to hide parts of who she is. In this episode, we talk about career changes, immigration, and what it means to keep going without shrinking yourself to fit expectations.

    1h 5m

  2. May 14

    Returning home after 20 years abroad: A more intentional life in France

    Cecile Eskenazi is a French-American product leader and mom of three who spent over 20 years living abroad, building her career across Germany, the UK, and the U.S., including roles at Meta and LinkedIn in Silicon Valley. In this episode, we talk about what it means to return home after decades as an expat, moving back to France, navigating identity, and adjusting to a place that feels both familiar and completely new. We also talk about the emotional cost of living far from family, raising kids between cultures, and that moving back doesn’t always mean what you expect. Cecile also shares how burnout, health challenges, and the pressure of working in tech led her to rethink her priorities and step away from the pace of Silicon Valley. She’s recently launched Live Well with Cecile, a knowledge hub that helps people improve their health through simple, realistic habits. Her first resource is a free Sleep Playbook with practical strategies to get better rest. Where to find Cecile: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecileeskenazi/ More about her work and the Sleep Playbook here: http://livewellwithcecile.com

    51 min

  3. May 8

    From Prague to NYC: Lucie Kim on a life of curiosity and embracing human complexity

    Lucie Kim is a Creative Director, artist, and adjunct professor at The New School. As the founder of the branding practice MyOrb, she builds identities for global lifestyle and luxury brands, while her creative platform, Clementine, facilitates dialogues on how we find meaning in the everyday. In this episode, we discuss: Moving from Prague to Germany and eventually NYC, and the suitcase-ready mentality. A look at Lucie’s family history, including her grandmother’s role reporting live during the 1968 Russian invasion of Prague. The intentional (and often difficult) process of raising a multilingual child in a bicultural household. Why Lucie views creativity as a practice of listening and a tool for navigating human complexity. Where to find Lucie: MyOrb Clementine Lucie's LinkedIn

    56 min

  4. Apr 23

    Breaking Iranian Stereotypes: Sheila’s Story on Creativity, Joy, and Kindness

    Sheila is a Design Operations leader by day and a storyteller by night, but she refuses to let those titles define the boundaries of her life. As the creator of Small Talk with Sheila, she has built a platform centered on the "rom-com" philosophy: the belief that our lives are allowed to be messy, our energy should be "main character," and that every story deserves to be told fully and on our own terms. In this episode, we explore Sheila’s deep reinvention. From navigating a divorce to balancing the weight of immigrant expectations, she shares how she learned to stop over-explaining her choices and start owning her voice. We discuss her "tiny but mighty" approach to taking up space in the tech world, the power of a mother’s support during the hardest times, and the nuance of being an Iranian- American woman in a world that often leans on stereotypes. Listen to Small Talk with Sheila Episode highlights: Sheila’s immigrant background and personal story The motivation behind starting her podcast Small Talk with Sheila Balancing cultural expectations with personal authenticity The importance of storytelling in building connection Sheila's views on stereotypes about Iranians and immigrants Her relationship with her parents and the sacrifices they made

    50 min

  5. Apr 16

    From Osaka to Silicon Valley: Strategic career pivots and embracing the human element in the age of AI

    Yuri Goto’s journey to the Bay Area was a decade-long strategy that required breaking through traditional cultural expectations. Now a Solution Engineer at Snowflake, Yuri delivers AI Data Cloud strategy to major enterprises, but her path to tech in California involved navigating the corporate worlds of IBM and Salesforce in Japan and managing a seven-year long-distance marriage before engineering her own relocation to the U.S. In this episode, we discuss the Japanese business tradition of solo relocation (Tanshin-funin), the necessity of human storytelling in a tech-driven world, and the discipline required to maintain a high-performance career. Yuri talks about her own resilience to hit major professional milestones while navigating the personal realities of IVF and a miscarriage. Beyond her work, Yuri is a mother and a professional Zumba instructor dedicated to building wellness communities. We explore why she’s been sharing her story more within her own community and how she built a reputation as a positive and resilient person.  Where to find Yuri: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurigoto/ Zumba Classes: https://www.zumba.com/en-US/p/yurig In this episode, we cover:  Yuri’s background and cultural heritage The impact that Japanese traditions had on her own life and death perceptions Her Immigration journey from Japan to China and the US Career development in the tech industry without a technical background Balancing long-distance relationships and marriage Motherhood, IVF, and navigating healthcare in the US Skills for navigating the AI era with empathy and authenticity

    59 min

  6. Apr 9

    Met in China, Settled in Romania: Immigrating and Building a Business as a Couple

    Jullian and Andreea’s story is one of constant reinvention and adaptability. In this episode, the co-founders of PodVision share their story as both a couple and an entrepreneurial team. We deep dive into the challenges and joys of starting a business as a couple, the importance of authenticity in podcasting, and their experiences living in China, the US, and now Romania.  Takeaways: Podvision started as a podcasting agency focused on authenticity and partnership. Cultural differences play a significant role in their work with international clients. The immigrant experience shapes their perspectives and business approach. They emphasize the importance of joy in the podcasting process. They aim to connect diverse cultures through podcasting. The challenges of entrepreneurship are compounded by cultural differences. They have created their own form of communication as a couple. Their plans for future opportunities and moving to new places. Where to find Jullian and Andreea's work:  PodVision: https://pod.vision/ EuroWaves newsletter: https://eurowaves.substack.com/ Andreea's LinkedIn Jullian's LinkedIn

    1h 5m

  7. Apr 1

    From Portugal to the US: Empowering podcasters to discover their full potential

    "Don't take up space. Don't be loud." For many women, immigrants, and multilingual creators, these are the internal scripts we fight every day. In this episode, Ana Xavier shares how she became the founder of The Podcast Space and how she has coached impact-driven women, minorities, and multilingual businesses to double listener engagement, secure sponsorships, and position themselves as industry leaders. Ana talks about the reality of building a global brand while navigating her own identity. We discuss her transition from a broadcast producer to a strategic coach, the power of networking, and why she rejects the high-pressure "10x growth" culture in favor of aligned, ethical action. Whether you’re struggling with the fear of showing up on camera or trying to find your footing in a new country, Ana’s micro-impact philosophy will give you the push you need to discover what you’re capable of. In this conversation, we explore: How navigating different cultures and languages helps you see the "human behavior" behind the content.  Why Ana still questions if she's “good enough" and what she does every day to move past it. How to start your business or podcast with a Minimum Viable Product to beat perfectionism. Why Ana took up embroidery and knitting to protect her mental health and stay creative. Takeaways: Ana emphasizes the importance of authenticity in business. She identifies as an accidental entrepreneur, driven by passion. Cultural sensitivity is crucial when working with diverse clients. Building a supportive community is essential for women in business. Delegating tasks can help manage workload effectively. Creativity can alleviate anxiety and foster mental health. Personal growth often involves confronting limiting beliefs. Immigrants face unique challenges in adapting to new cultures. Finding joy in simple, creative activities can enhance well-being. It's important to do good without expecting anything in return. Where to find Ana:  Podcast : https://thepodcastspace.com/podcast Newsletter: https://thepodcastspace.kit.com/32680fa82e Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepodcastspace

    1h 1m

  8. Mar 25

    From Nomad Life to the U.S. Suburbs: Identity Shifts, Motherhood, and the Art of Community

    In this episode,  Laís de Oliveira, a community builder, business strategist, and author, discusses the reality of navigating major life transitions. Laís writes about community, belonging, economic agency, and the courage it takes to build a life and a livelihood on your own terms. As the author of Hacking Communities and a community-led growth strategist, Laís has spent 15 years building movements across four continents, from startup ecosystems in Kuala Lumpur to gig driver communities in Florida. She is currently a fractional GTM executive and the founder of Nest and North, a platform for creative leaders navigating identity shifts. She is also a mother of two, a former law school dropout, and a collector of extraordinary twists and turns. Resources & Links: Book: Hacking Communities Hacking Communities Laís Substack Nest & North

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Moving to a new country is so much more than what we typically see or talk about. "Arrivals" features first-generation immigrant women sharing their stories of starting from scratch. Discover honest conversations about the tension between where we come from, where we are going, why we stay, and how it expands our lives. Substack: https://substack.com/@arrivalspod Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/arrivalspod/

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