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. Immigrant Stories: Breaking Generational Cycles with Vic Martinez - Ep. 148

    2d ago

    Immigrant Stories: Breaking Generational Cycles with Vic Martinez - Ep. 148

    Welcome to episode 148 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! Vic Martinez shares his personal upbringing, moving from New York to Florida at age four, where he was immersed in a diverse immigrant community. He discusses his parents’ reasons for immigrating from Guatemala and how their journey shaped his understanding of hustle and family values. The narrative highlights the contrasts between his childhood and that of his daughters, reflecting on the evolution of the American Dream and the conscious effort to create a different path for the next generation. This includes his venture into podcast production and video advertising with Brandcrumbs Media. Vic also shares about his most recent trip to Guatemala, where he took his whole family and enjoyed watching his daughters connect with their Guatemalian roots!  Lastly, Vic and I share how our upbringings have shaped our adulthood and parenting. We share what we are doing the same as our parents and what we are intentionally changing.  With Love, Heidy   Connect with Vic: Website Instagram   Learn a new language with https://www.italki.com/ App: https://go.italki.com/heidy2604app Use Promo Code: HEIDY for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more in italki credits!!!!!!! But hurry, only valid for the first 50 users!!!!!    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.

    1h 2m
  2. Immigrant Stories: Dim Sum and Faith with author Jenn Suen Chen - Ep. 147

    4d ago

    Immigrant Stories: Dim Sum and Faith with author Jenn Suen Chen - Ep. 147

    Welcome to episode 147 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! Jenn Chen shares her journey as the daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong, growing up in America while navigating cultural identity, faith, and belonging. Today, she is an author, spiritual director, coach, and companion who helps others embrace their stories and encounter God’s love through every season of life. In this episode, Jenn reflects on her family’s immigration journey and the sacrifices her parents made when they came to the United States in the early 1960s for university studies. She opens up about growing up as one of the few Asian families in a predominantly white community, feeling like an outsider, and navigating the tension between her Chinese heritage and American culture. Jenn also shares how language, faith, and family shaped her resilience and identity. Jenn takes us through her journey from studying bilingual multicultural education and teaching English as a second language to teaching in China, where she met her husband. She shares about her passion for spiritual formation, storytelling, and her book, Dim Sum and Faith, which explores how our stories form our souls and how God meets us even in the difficult and messy parts of life. Jenn also discusses how her immigrant identity continues to shape the work she does today as a spiritual director, coach, and writer. With Love, Heidy Connect with Jenn: Website Instagram Purchase Her Book    Learn a new language with https://www.italki.com/ App: https://go.italki.com/heidy2604app Use Promo Code: HEIDY for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more in italki credits!!!!!!! But hurry, only valid for the first 50 users!!!!!    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.

    50 min
  3. Immigrant Stories: Latino World Traveler Founder Vanessa Fondeur-Adams - Ep. 146

    May 26

    Immigrant Stories: Latino World Traveler Founder Vanessa Fondeur-Adams - Ep. 146

    Welcome to episode 146 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! Vanessa Fondeur-Adams shares her journey from the Dominican Republic to New York City, her experience navigating life as the eldest daughter of a single mother working abroad, and how she has built a successful life as an educator, world traveler, and soul-led entrepreneur. In this episode, Vanessa Fondeur-Adams reflects on her family background in the Dominican Republic and the challenges of being separated from her mother for eight years. She opens up about the instability of her early years, the resilience required to be self-sufficient at a young age, and the pivotal moment of moving to New York at 17 to reunite with her family and start a new chapter. Vanessa Fondeur-Adams takes us through her journey from helping her mother make thousands of pastelitos for their family business to becoming a dedicated educator in New York City for over 17 years. She shares her passion for soul-led entrepreneurship, a mission she is passionate about that involves disrupting industries and following divine guidance, and how her immigrant identity and ancestral roots play a role in the work she does today. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Vanessa: Website Instagram Instagram YouTube   Learn a new language with https://www.italki.com/ App: https://go.italki.com/heidy2604app Use Promo Code: HEIDY for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more in italki credits!!!!!!! But hurry, only valid for the first 50 users!!!!!    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.

    47 min
  4. From Michoacán, Mexico, to founding Her Empire Media with Jen Lara - Ep. 145

    May 19

    From Michoacán, Mexico, to founding Her Empire Media with Jen Lara - Ep. 145

    Welcome to episode 145 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! Jen Lara shares her journey from Michoacán, Mexico, to Washington State, her transition from a corporate career to becoming the CEO of Her Empire Media, and her mission to help women amplify their voices through storytelling and publishing. In this episode, Jen Lara reflects on her family background and the historical Bracero program that brought her family to the U.S. She opens up about the early challenges of the language barrier, the cultural nuances of growing up in a large, communal household, and the pivotal moments that led her to reclaim her voice and help others do the same. Jen takes us through her journey from her early days in Washington to her current achievements as a business leader and mentor. She shares her passion for Her Empire Media, a business dedicated to helping women share their stories through books and public speaking, and how her immigrant identity plays a role in the empowering work she does today. With Love, Heidy Connect with Jen: Website Instagram   Learn a new language with https://www.italki.com/ App: https://go.italki.com/heidy2604app Use Promo Code: HEIDY for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more in italki credits!!!!!!! But hurry, only valid for the first 50 users!!!!!    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.

    25 min
  5. From Puerto Rico to Latina Spellbound Bookstore in Central Florida - Ep. 144

    May 12

    From Puerto Rico to Latina Spellbound Bookstore in Central Florida - Ep. 144

    Welcome to episode 144 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! Sarai shares her journey from growing up in Puerto Rico to moving to Florida at age ten, navigating the challenges of a new language and culture, and eventually fulfilling her dream of opening Spellbound Bookstore, a thriving community hub in Sanford, Florida. In this episode, Sarai reflects on her family background in Puerto Rico and the pivotal move to the mainland US in the middle of her third-grade year. She opens up about the struggles of the language barrier in school, the feeling of being "alone" despite having a close-knit family, and how she found comfort and connection through reading. Listen in as Sarai takes us through her journey from being a dedicated "bookworm" and starting a BookTube channel to navigating a "quarter-life crisis" during the pandemic that led her to take a leap of faith. She shares her passion for Spellbound Bookstore, a project she built to foster local community and support independent literature, and how her identity as a Puerto Rican woman and an immigrant shapes the welcoming, inclusive space she has created today. With Love, Heidy   Connect with Sarai: Website Instagram   Learn a new language with https://www.italki.com/ App: https://go.italki.com/heidy2604app Use Promo Code: HEIDY for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more in italki credits!!!!!!! But hurry, only valid for the first 50 users!!!!!      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   Become 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.

    39 min
  6. From Corporate to Financial Literacy with Crypto Investing - Ep. 143

    May 5

    From Corporate to Financial Literacy with Crypto Investing - Ep. 143

    Welcome to episode 143 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! Joce, also known as Finance Sensei, shares his journey from French Guiana and France to the United States, his transition from a traditional career path to becoming a full-time crypto investor, and his dedication to teaching financial literacy to the immigrant community. In this episode, Joce reflects on his family background, moving from the Caribbean to Florida as a child, and the cultural shifts he experienced along the way. He opens up about the specific cultural shocks of American social boundaries, the pressure to follow a traditional educational path, and the pivotal moment he decided to bet on himself and his passion for finance. Joce takes us through his journey from his early days of messing with computers to his career in the corporate world, and finally to his current achievements as a successful crypto investor and educator. He shares his mission of helping others in his community break free from the "nine-to-five grind" and how his identity as an immigrant fuels his drive to see more people of color represented in the world of investing and on Wall Street. With Love, Heidy   Connect With Joce: Website Instagram   Learn a new language with https://www.italki.com/ App: https://go.italki.com/heidy2604app Use Promo Code: HEIDY for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more in italki credits!!!!!!! But hurry, only valid for the first 50 users!!!!!    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.

    43 min
  7. Shadows of Tehran: From Iran Military to US Military with Author Nick Berg - Ep. 142

    Apr 28

    Shadows of Tehran: From Iran Military to US Military with Author Nick Berg - Ep. 142

    Learn a new language with iTalki App: https://go.italki.com/heidy2604app Use Promo Code: HEIDY for $5 off a purchase of $10 or more in italki credits!!!!!!! But hurry, only valid for the first 50 users!!!!!    Welcome to episode 142 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! Nick Berg shares his powerful journey from Iran to the United States, reflecting on his childhood experiences, the cultural shock of starting over in a new country, and how those experiences shaped the story behind his book, Shadows of Tehran. In this episode, Nick reflects on growing up in Iran, the complexities of his family background—including his father’s connection to the CIA—and the life-altering transition of immigrating to the United States. He opens up about the cultural adjustments he faced, the challenges of navigating identity between two worlds, and the resilience it took to build a new life. Nick takes us through his journey from serving in the U.S. Army to building a career as a technology executive and AI instructor. He also shares how writing his book, Shadows of Tehran, became a therapeutic process that allowed him to process trauma, reflect on his experiences, and tell a story centered on resilience, identity, and perseverance. With Love, Heidy Connect With Nick: Instagram Shadows of Tehran Book   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  Capital BPG 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.

    35 min

  8. Apr 21

    From Separation to Service: An Immigrant Story of Resilience and Purpose - Ep. 141

    Welcome to episode 141 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! Yonny, a Mexican immigrant and paralegal, shares his journey from growing up in Mexico City and Puebla to migrating to the United States at just 15. Today, he dedicates his career to helping immigrant communities through nonprofit legal services. In this episode, Yonny reflects on his childhood in Mexico, the life-changing decision to migrate to the United States as a teenager, and the challenges of adapting to a new country and culture in Washington, D.C. He opens up about the uncertainty of living without legal status, the perseverance it took to keep moving forward, and the emotional and practical hurdles he faced along the way. Yonny takes us through his journey from undocumented status to receiving a work permit and later obtaining his green card. Inspired by his own experiences, he now works as a paralegal supporting nonprofits that provide legal services to immigrant families and unaccompanied children. His work is driven by a deep desire to give back to the community and support others navigating the same complex immigration system he once faced. With Love, Heidy FeedSpot Podcast Article Sign up now and join our exclusive Substack community!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.     *This podcast is sponsored by   Capital BPG 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 Become 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.

    23 min
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About

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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