The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

Simone W. Johnson Smith
  • 4.9 (13)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Immigrant Experience In America Podcast amplifies and humanizes the experiences of immigrants living in The United States of America and around the world. We are building a human library of immigrant stories. Connect with us at thebridgeconcepts.org to add yours to our library. Are you an immigrant, expat, international professional, international student new to the United States (or another country) and struggling to make sense of your new environment? Culture shock and adjustment challenges impact many of approximately 218 million migrants moving across the globe (UN, 2024). Are you feeling misunderstood and out of touch because you are struggling to understand the unstated rules of the new culture? That's what we do each week on The Immigrant Experience in America. Every episode is an in-depth look at adjustment challenges, navigating the pitfalls of immigrant life, and becoming a third culture person. I was inspired to start this podcast by my own experience as an immigrant American who legally migrated to the United States but yet has frequent experiences of a love-hate relationship of America with its immigrant population and as a result of a larger vacuum surrounding the positive contributions of immigrants to American Life. We will sit down with successful immigrant Americans to discuss how they navigated the complexity of being an immigrant-American to achieve their American Dream. This is a spot for us to get real - peel back the layers, if you will, of what it means to be an immigrant living away from their birth country. Our intention is to serve as a bridge from your culture to the American (or other country) culture – giving you a roadmap of tools and language to understand the unstated rules of the new country/culture, wherever you find yourself in the world. Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.

  1. 1D AGO

    Antiblackness & The Stories of Authentic Allies: What True Allyship looks Like In Immigrant Journey (Episode 212) Part 3

    Dr Mazella Fuller is back to share her story. It bridges every system immigrants encounter: education, healthcare, and the daily coded rules that shape belonging. As co-editor of "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism," she has curated voices that map the realities of navigating and confronting explicit and subtle bias in America's institutions. Her earlier book, "Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician's Guide," broke new ground by highlighting how race and migration intersect in mental health. Raised in an Afrocentric household in the South, Dr. Fuller's mission to break systemic barriers runs deep. She has spent 30 years advocating, mentoring, and building communities at Duke and Smith College. Whether speaking to mentorship as her daily act of reparations or describing how adjusting to America's unwritten codes can feel like hacking biased systems, Dr. Fuller offers wisdom that will resonate with everyone listening, from new arrivals to longtime Americans seeking to understand what true allyship looks like in the immigrant journey.  Booking website: https://antiracismandequity.com/antiracism-book-promo/   GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 💼 Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn 📱Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

    25 min
  2. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    1D AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Dating Expert Sabrina Zohar: You’re Not Confused, You’re Ignoring the Signs (THIS Mindset Shift Will End the “What If” Loop for Good) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Why do we chase people who don’t choose us, confuse anxiety for attraction, and stay in relationships that leave us questioning our worth?  Today, Jay sits down with Sabrina Zohar, podcast host and one of the most influential voices in modern dating, to unpack the emotional patterns that quietly shape how we love. Drawing from her own healing journey and work with thousands of clients, Sabrina explains how our childhood experiences, nervous system responses, and unhealed wounds influence who we’re drawn to often without us realizing it. Together, Jay and Sabrina explore what emotional availability really looks like, why consistency matters more than intensity, and how boundaries aren’t about pushing people away but protecting your peace. They break down common dating traps, from overanalyzing texts to mistaking butterflies for chemistry, and reveal why self-advocacy is one of the most important relationship skills we’re never taught. Through practical insights and deeply personal stories, Sabrina shows why asking for what you need isn’t “too much,” and why love should feel safe, not confusing. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Stop Chasing People Who Don’t Choose You How to Date Without Abandoning Yourself How to Set Boundaries Without Fear of Losing Someone How to Recognize Emotional Availability Early How to Break the Cycle of Situationships How to Ask for What You Need Without Feeling “Too Much” How to Stop Confusing Intensity for Intimacy You don’t need to chase clarity, overperform for love, or silence your needs to be chosen. Real connection begins when you feel safe enough to be honest, brave enough to set boundaries, and grounded enough to walk away from what doesn’t honor you. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.  Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:01 How to Tell If Someone Is Truly Interested 02:52 Why You Date the Parts of You That Aren’t Healed 06:04 Understanding Your Emotional State Before You Date 07:59 Don’t Ignore These Red Flags! 10:33 What Should a Healthy, Secure Relationship Feel Like? 13:34 Why Slowing Down Creates Real Connection 20:07 What’s Really Draining You About Dating? 24:09 Your Partner Will Trigger You, That’s Okay! 29:03 Building a Strong Foundation for Dating 32:45 How to Advocate for Yourself Without Fear of Losing Them 39:20 Are You Feeling Alone? 42:03 How to Spot Emotional Unavailability Early  44:51 Why Boundaries Are Non-Negotiable 46:56 How to Be Honest About Your Feelings 50:20 How to Communicate Your Needs Clearly 54:52 Why Relationships Must Support Growth 56:57 Timing Is Not a Reason to Hold On 59:23 Texting Etiquette in Modern Dating 01:12:33 Why Real Change Takes Time and Practice 01:18:36 Dating Rapid Fire  Episode Resources: Website | https://www.sabrinazohar.com/   Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sabrina.zohar  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@sabrina_zohar  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@sabrina.zohar   Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Sabrina-Zohar-Show-100094409286590/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. FEB 4

    Antiblackness & The Stories of Authentic Allies: What True Allyship looks Like In Immigrant Journey (Episode 211) Part 2

    Dr Mazella Fuller is back to share her story. It bridges every system immigrants encounter: education, healthcare, and the daily coded rules that shape belonging. As co-editor of "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism," she has curated voices that map the realities of navigating and confronting explicit and subtle bias in America's institutions. Her earlier book, "Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician's Guide," broke new ground by highlighting how race and migration intersect in mental health. Raised in an Afrocentric household in the South, Dr. Fuller's mission to break systemic barriers runs deep. She has spent 30 years advocating, mentoring, and building communities at Duke and Smith College. Whether speaking to mentorship as her daily act of reparations or describing how adjusting to America's unwritten codes can feel like hacking biased systems, Dr. Fuller offers wisdom that will resonate with everyone listening, from new arrivals to longtime Americans seeking to understand what true allyship looks like in the immigrant journey.  Booking website: https://antiracismandequity.com/antiracism-book-promo/   GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 💼 Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn 📱Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

    23 min

  4. JAN 28

    Antiblackness & The Stories of Authentic Allies: What True Allyship looks Like In Immigrant Journey (Episode 210) Part 1

    Today's episode is with Dr Mazella Fuller. Her story bridges every system immigrants encounter: education, healthcare, and the daily coded rules that shape belonging. As co-editor of "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism," she has curated voices that map the realities of navigating and confronting explicit and subtle bias in America's institutions. Her earlier book, "Treating Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Clinician's Guide," broke new ground by highlighting how race and migration intersect in mental health. Raised in an Afrocentric household in the South, Dr. Fuller's mission to break systemic barriers runs deep. She has spent 30 years advocating, mentoring, and building communities at Duke and Smith College. Whether speaking to mentorship as her daily act of reparations or describing how adjusting to America's unwritten codes can feel like hacking biased systems, Dr. Fuller offers wisdom that will resonate with everyone listening, from new arrivals to longtime Americans seeking to understand what true allyship looks like in the immigrant journey.  Booking website: https://antiracismandequity.com/antiracism-book-promo/   GET YOUR FREE GUIDE - JOIN THE NEWSLETTER =https://winning-thinker-5313.kit.com/bb68d8dfce -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 💼 Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn 📱Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

    31 min

  5. JAN 22

    Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle (Episode 209) Part 2

    Urmi Hossain, a Bengali-Italian living in Montreal returned to share her immigration experience as well as my story of being a Third Culture Kid (TCK). Urmi is a blogger, YouTuber, self-published author, speaker, a female mentor, and advocate for women's empowerment. She is also the social media lead for Women in Leadership and campaign manager for Femme Influence. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 💼 Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn 📱Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

    23 min

  6. JAN 15

    Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle (Episode 208) Part 1

    Today, Urmi Hossain, a Bengali-Italian living in Montreal shares her immigration experience as well as my story of being a Third Culture Kid (TCK). Urmi is a blogger, YouTuber, self-published author, speaker, a female mentor, and advocate for women's empowerment. She is also the social media lead for Women in Leadership and campaign manager for Femme Influence. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 💼 Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn 📱Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

    24 min

  7. JAN 7

    Reverse Migration - Moving from New York to Jamaica & the Challenges of doing business in Jamaica (Episode 207) - Part 2

    Winthrop, born and raised in Long Island, New York, to Jamaican and Fijian parents, shares the struggle of balancing his Caribbean heritage at home with the pressure to assimilate as an American kid in the 90s. He details the impulsive decision to leave a finance career path in NYC to embrace entrepreneurship in Jamaica, revealing the intense culture shock and business lessons learned during his first four years in Negril. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 💼 Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn 📱Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

    26 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    Reverse Migration - Moving from New York to Jamaica & the Challenges of doing business in Jamaica (Episode 206) - Part 1

    Winthrop, born and raised in Long Island, New York, to Jamaican and Fijian parents, shares the struggle of balancing his Caribbean heritage at home with the pressure to assimilate as an American kid in the 90s. He details the impulsive decision to leave a finance career path in NYC to embrace entrepreneurship in Jamaica, revealing the intense culture shock and business lessons learned during his first four years in Negril. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 💼 Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn 📱Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.

    28 min
See All (151)

4.9
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Immigrant Experience In America Podcast amplifies and humanizes the experiences of immigrants living in The United States of America and around the world. We are building a human library of immigrant stories. Connect with us at thebridgeconcepts.org to add yours to our library. Are you an immigrant, expat, international professional, international student new to the United States (or another country) and struggling to make sense of your new environment? Culture shock and adjustment challenges impact many of approximately 218 million migrants moving across the globe (UN, 2024). Are you feeling misunderstood and out of touch because you are struggling to understand the unstated rules of the new culture? That's what we do each week on The Immigrant Experience in America. Every episode is an in-depth look at adjustment challenges, navigating the pitfalls of immigrant life, and becoming a third culture person. I was inspired to start this podcast by my own experience as an immigrant American who legally migrated to the United States but yet has frequent experiences of a love-hate relationship of America with its immigrant population and as a result of a larger vacuum surrounding the positive contributions of immigrants to American Life. We will sit down with successful immigrant Americans to discuss how they navigated the complexity of being an immigrant-American to achieve their American Dream. This is a spot for us to get real - peel back the layers, if you will, of what it means to be an immigrant living away from their birth country. Our intention is to serve as a bridge from your culture to the American (or other country) culture – giving you a roadmap of tools and language to understand the unstated rules of the new country/culture, wherever you find yourself in the world. Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.

Information