Best Simone W. Johnson Smith Podcasts (2025)

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Decoding America and Thrive Abroad with Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast (194) 25:15

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13h ago25:15

25:15

I was recently interviewed on the Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast by Lola Adeyemo. Listen to Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast Apple podcastYouTube MusicSpotifyAmazon Audible If this episode resonates, subscribe, like, and share with others navigating life across borders. Comment below your experiences or questions—we love hearing your st…

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Ep 193: Culture, Community, and Belonging (My Interview on The Kreashon Podcast Part 2) 27:48

14d ago27:48

27:48

In the second half of my conversation with Maanarak on The Kreashon Podcast, we go deeper into the work I do today. I talk about building community for immigrants, the hidden emotional and financial costs of advocacy, and my drive to help high-achieving immigrants decode workplace dynamics and feel a genuine sense of belonging. This part is all abo…

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Ep 192: Culture, Community, and Belonging (My Interview on The Kreashon Podcast Part 1) 28:27

22d ago28:27

28:27

I was honored to join The Kreashon Podcast with the amazing Maanarak to share my journey from Jamaica to the U.S. This first part dives into my early immigrant experience, the culture shock, the language nuances, and that disorienting feeling of being caught between two worlds. I open up about what it truly means to navigate a new country while try…

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Ep 191: My Story of Moving from Jamaica to America (The Journey Podcast) 38:53

29d ago38:53

38:53

I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on The Journey Podcast with David Hackett, where we explored some of the most meaningful threads from my life and work as an immigrant, coach, and podcast host. In this episode, I share how my own journey from Jamaica to the U.S. shaped the way I see the world, and the work I now do to support others nav…

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Ep 190: My Interview on Carry on Friends Podcast - From Culture Shock to Confidence: My Third Culture Journey (Part 2) 34:23

1M ago34:23

34:23

In Part 2 of my conversation with Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown on The Carry On Friends Podcast, we go even deeper. I share how navigating the immigrant journey as an immigrant woman has reshaped my understanding of identity, resilience, and power. We talk about the tension between assimilation and authenticity, and what it really means to create belonging …

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Ep 189: My Interview on Carry on Friends Podcast - From Culture Shock to Confidence: My Third Culture Journey (Part 1) 28:28

1M ago28:28

28:28

I recently had the honor of being interviewed by Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown on The Carry On Friends Podcast, where we explored the nuanced reality of what it means to live and lead, as a third culture immigrant. In this conversation, I shared how my journey shaped the way I navigate identity, culture shock, parenting, and boundaries in both personal and …

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Ep 188: Rooted in Two Worlds: Maanarak of Grey on Culture Shock, Belonging, and Creativity Across Borders (Part 2) 56:24

2M ago56:24

56:24

In this continuation of our conversation, I sit down once again with the deeply creative and reflective Maanarak of Grey, an artist and podcast host originally from the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean. In Part 2, we explore how art, storytelling, and stillness have helped her process the transitions of immigration, what it means to live between …

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Ep 187: Rooted in Two Worlds: Maanarak of Grey on Culture Shock, Belonging, and Creativity Across Borders (Part 1) 29:50

2M ago29:50

29:50

In this episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, I sit down with the thoughtful and creative Maanarak of Grey, an artist and podcast host originally from Bonaire in the Caribbean. Maanarak shares her journey as an immigrant, what it’s been like leaving behind the comfort of home and adjusting to life in a new environment. From the warmth of …

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Ep 186: From Struggle to Six Figures: Erika Warner on Building a Mission-Driven Life as an Immigrant Mom 43:56

2M ago43:56

43:56

In this episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, I sit down with Erika Warner, a Latina entrepreneur, educator, founder of Inglés Pa’ Mi Gente, and mom. Erika’s journey began when she immigrated to the U.S. as a child, navigating the emotional and linguistic challenges of learning English in a world that didn’t feel like home. Today, she run…

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Ep 185: Shadows of Tehran: Healing, Identity & the Power of Story with Nick Berg (Part 3) 22:48

4M ago22:48

22:48

In the final chapter of this unforgettable three-part series, Nick Berg and host Simone Johnson dive deep into the healing journey that followed a life of war, exile, and dual identity. Nick opens up about the process of writing Shadows of Tehran—his fictionalized autobiography—as a form of healing and advocacy, reconnecting with his roots while co…

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Ep 184: Shadows of Tehran: From Soldier to Storyteller with Nick Berg (Part 2) 19:36

4M ago19:36

19:36

In Part 2 of this gripping conversation, host Simone Johnson continues her discussion with Nick Berg—author of Shadows of Tehran and U.S. Special Operations veteran—as he reflects on life in the military, what it meant to serve the very country he once viewed from afar, and how those experiences shaped his evolving identity. Nick shares powerful in…

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Ep 183: Shadows of Tehran: From Revolution to Resilience with Nick Berg (Part 1) 23:17

4M ago23:17

23:17

In this powerful and emotional episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone Johnson sits down with Nick Berg—author, U.S. Army veteran, and self-described "citizen of the earth"—as he shares his remarkable journey from Tehran to America. Born to an Iranian mother and American father, Nick’s story spans continents, cultures, revolutio…

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Ep 182: Exploring Identity, Cultural Conflict, and the Struggle for Visibility with Suhein Beck (Part 3) 32:15

5M ago32:15

32:15

Welcome to Part 3 of this podcast episode. In this episode, Suhein shares her compelling journey of navigating complex cultural identities as an immigrant in America, the challenges of balancing two worlds, and her journey toward reclaiming her Circassian heritage. From confronting racial assumptions to launching a skincare business rooted in famil…

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Ep 181: Generational Trauma, Resilience, and the Immigrant Experience with Suhein Beck (Part 2) 30:30

5M ago30:30

30:30

Welcome to Part 2 of this podcast episode. In this deeply moving episode, Suhein Beck continues sharing her journey as a Circassian immigrant navigating multiple identities while living through the challenges of exile, trauma, and the quest for belonging. She reflects on the complexities of her heritage, the emotional toll of being displaced, and h…

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Ep. 180: Exile, Identity, and the Amazon Warrior Spirit with Suhein Beck (Part 1) 29:53

5M ago29:53

29:53

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, host Simone Johnson Smith sits down with the incredible Suhein Beck, known to many as The Culture Cultivator. What unfolds is not just a conversation—it's a masterclass in resilience, identity, and the ongoing search for belonging. Suhein Beck is a dynamic Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur, a proud Circas…

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Ep. 179: Chinese-American: Richard Hsung (Part 2) 29:30

7M ago29:30

29:30

Richard Perkins Hsung was born in China in 1966 and was one of the first teens to leave China legally after Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago and became a professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, retiring in 2022. He spent ten years editing a…

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Ep. 178: Chinese-American: Richard Hsung (Part 1) 25:29

7M ago25:29

25:29

Richard Perkins Hsung was born in China in 1966 and was one of the first teens to leave China legally after Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago and became a professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, retiring in 2022. He spent ten years editing a…

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Ep. 177: British Expat Experience: James Wilson (Part 2) 22:52

7M ago22:52

22:52

James Wilson is an expat coach and accredited therapist with over 16 years of experience in behavioural change. Having worked in the UK, France and the US, James understands the challenges of adapting to a new culture and redefining one’s professional identity abroad. Through his coaching practice, he helps fellow expats navigate transitions, overc…

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Ep. 176: British Expat Experience: James Wilson (Part 1) 28:27

7M ago28:27

28:27

James Wilson is an expat coach and accredited therapist with over 16 years of experience in behavioural change. Having worked in the UK, France and the US, James understands the challenges of adapting to a new culture and redefining one’s professional identity abroad. Through his coaching practice, he helps fellow expats navigate transitions, overc…

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Ep. 175: The Burnout Medical Doctor: Grenadan-American Dr. Nicole Perrotte (Part 2) 24:50

7M ago24:50

24:50

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.f…

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Ep. 174: The Burnout Medical Doctor: Grenadan-American Dr. Nicole Perrotte (Part 1) 33:36

8M ago33:36

33:36

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN Spotify: https://spoti.f…

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Ep. 173: A Ukrainian-American Experience: Alina Trigub (Part 2) 29:10

8M ago29:10

29:10

With over a decade of experience in real estate investing and a background in tax-efficient strategies, Alina Trigub help IT professionals explore passive real estate opportunities that align with their goals—without disrupting their demanding schedules. www.SAMOFinancial.com [email protected] 201-754-8251 -------------------------------------…

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Ep. 172: A Ukrainian-American Experience: Alina Trigub (Part 1) 25:03

9M ago25:03

25:03

With over a decade of experience in real estate investing and a background in tax-efficient strategies, Alina Trigub help IT professionals explore passive real estate opportunities that align with their goals—without disrupting their demanding schedules. www.SAMOFinancial.com [email protected] 201-754-8251 -------------------------------------…

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Ep. 171: A Russian-American Experience: Anya Gillinson (Part 3) 26:55

9M ago26:55

26:55

Anya Gillinson was born in Moscow, Russia, into the family of a renowned physician and a concert pianist. When she was thirteen years old, her father was killed during a botched robbery on his first and last visit to New York. Two years after his death, Anya moved to New York with her mother and younger sister and went on to graduate from high scho…

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Ep. 170: A Russian-American Experience: Anya Gillinson (Part 2) 31:16

9M ago31:16

31:16

Anya Gillinson was born in Moscow, Russia, into the family of a renowned physician and a concert pianist. When she was thirteen years old, her father was killed during a botched robbery on his first and last visit to New York. Two years after his death, Anya moved to New York with her mother and younger sister and went on to graduate from high scho…

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Ep. 169: A Russian-American Experience: Anya Gillinson (Part 1) 30:09

9M ago30:09

30:09

Anya Gillinson was born in Moscow, Russia, into the family of a renowned physician and a concert pianist. When she was thirteen years old, her father was killed during a botched robbery on his first and last visit to New York. Two years after his death, Anya moved to New York with her mother and younger sister and went on to graduate from high scho…

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Ep. 168: Decoding America & Coming Home To Yourself - The Immigrant Experience 6:12

10M ago6:12

6:12

In Decoding America & Coming Home to Yourself: The Immigrant Experience, author Simone Johnson Smith offers hope and guidance in navigating the complexities of immigrant life. Drawing from her own journey and insights from her acclaimed podcast, in the Immigrant Experience in America, Smith skillfully explores the immigrant’s disorienting shi from …

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Ep. 167: An Iraqi-American Experience: Sairan Aqrawi (Part 2) 28:48

10M ago28:48

28:48

Sairan Aqrawi is the CEO of International Transition Expert, a successful transformation coach, an engaging speaker, a knowledgeable and attentive mentor, a co-author of a bestselling book, and so much more! A humble yet professional leader, Sairan has the knowledge and motivation to help you live your best life. Her goal is to leverage your streng…

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Ep. 166: An Iraqi-American Experience: Sairan Aqrawi (Part 1) 23:00

10M ago23:00

23:00

Sairan Aqrawi is the CEO of International Transition Expert, a successful transformation coach, an engaging speaker, a knowledgeable and attentive mentor, a co-author of a bestselling book, and so much more! A humble yet professional leader, Sairan has the knowledge and motivation to help you live your best life. Her goal is to leverage your streng…

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Ep. 165: Palestinian-American Experience: Olivia Abousaid (Part 3) 26:51

10M ago26:51

26:51

Master Certified Coach Olivia Abousaid understands the profound impact of self-improvement through her own journey. Born and raised in Dallas to Palestinian parents, Olivia has cultivated a deep appreciation for personal growth and transformation while navigating the complexities of cultural and political externalities. Now based in Los Angeles, sh…

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Ep. 164: Palestinian-American Experience: Olivia Abousaid (Part 2) 29:29

11M ago29:29

29:29

Master Certified Coach Olivia Abousaid understands the profound impact of self-improvement through her own journey. Born and raised in Dallas to Palestinian parents, Olivia has cultivated a deep appreciation for personal growth and transformation while navigating the complexities of cultural and political externalities. Now based in Los Angeles, sh…

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Ep. 163: Palestinian-American Experience: Olivia Abousaid (Part 1) 28:19

11M ago28:19

28:19

Master Certified Coach Olivia Abousaid understands the profound impact of self-improvement through her own journey. Born and raised in Dallas to Palestinian parents, Olivia has cultivated a deep appreciation for personal growth and transformation while navigating the complexities of cultural and political externalities. Now based in Los Angeles, sh…

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Ep. 162: Afghan-American: Sara Stanizai (Part 2) 26:47

11M ago26:47

26:47

Sara Stanizai, LMFT (she/her) is a licensed therapist who founded Prospect Therapy to create a queer- and trans-affirming practice that focuses specifically on serving first-generation American and immigrant communities. As a queer first-gen herself, Sara’s clinical and professional work focuses on serving the Afghan diaspora, specifically fellow A…

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Ep. 161: Afghan-American: Sara Stanizai (Part 1) 27:43

11M ago27:43

27:43

Sara Stanizai, LMFT (she/her) is a licensed therapist who founded Prospect Therapy to create a queer- and trans-affirming practice that focuses specifically on serving first-generation American and immigrant communities. As a queer first-gen herself, Sara’s clinical and professional work focuses on serving the Afghan diaspora, specifically fellow A…

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Ep. 160: Hong Kong Immigrant to the UK: Summie Yeung (Part 2) 31:05

12M ago31:05

31:05

Summie Yeung is a Life & Career Transition Coach, dedicated to empowering multicultural people in English-speaking countries to break free from traditional career paths and cultural expectations. Summie's immigrant journey began when she was 15, when she arrived in the UK from Hong Kong without her parents. She started her career with the conventio…

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Ep. 159: Hong Kong Immigrant to the UK: Summie Yeung (Part 1) 35:13

12M ago35:13

35:13

Summie Yeung is a Life & Career Transition Coach, dedicated to empowering multicultural people in English-speaking countries to break free from traditional career paths and cultural expectations. Summie's immigrant journey began when she was 15, when she arrived in the UK from Hong Kong without her parents. She started her career with the conventio…

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Ep. 158: Overcoming the Challenges of H4 Spousal Visa - Varuni Sinha (Part 3) 28:48

12M ago28:48

28:48

Varuni Sinha is a New York City-based writer and multimedia producer. She has written for The Post and Courier, Time Out New York, and created 360-degree campaigns for global brands such as Yamaha and Panasonic. A former guest lecturer at the University of Delhi, where she taught “Race and Politics Through Literature” and wrote a dissertation on th…

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Ep. 157: Overcoming the Challenges of H4 Spousal Visa: Varuni Sinha (Part 2) 41:58

1y ago41:58

41:58

Varuni Sinha is a New York City-based writer and multimedia producer. She has written for The Post and Courier, Time Out New York, and created 360-degree campaigns for global brands such as Yamaha and Panasonic. A former guest lecturer at the University of Delhi, she taught “Race and Politics Through Literature” and wrote a dissertation on the hist…

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Ep. 156: Overcoming the Challenges of H4 Spousal Visa: Varuni Sinha (Part 1) 39:27

1y ago39:27

39:27

Varuni Sinha is a New York City-based writer and multimedia producer. She has written for The Post and Courier, Time Out New York, and created 360-degree campaigns for global brands such as Yamaha and Panasonic. A former guest lecturer at the University of Delhi, she taught “Race and Politics Through Literature” and wrote a dissertation on the hist…

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Ep. 155: Costa Rican Black Expat Experience: Frederick Mines (Part 2) 22:09

1y ago22:09

22:09

Frederick Mines is an expat from the U.S. who has lived in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica for over 20 years. Listen to his re-entry to the U.S. after being gone for 20+ years and his immigrant experience living in the Caribbean coast of central America. Visit Fred's tour buisness at https://www.landovertours.com/ -----------------------------------------…

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Ep. 154: Costa Rican Black Expat Experience: Frederick Mines (Part 1) 21:44

1y ago21:44

21:44

Frederick Mines is an expat from the U.S. who has lived in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica for over 20 years. Listen to his re-entry to the U.S. after being gone for 20+ years and his immigrant experience living in the Caribbean coast of central America. Visit Fred's tour buisness at https://www.landovertours.com/ -----------------------------------------…

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Ep. 153: Costa Rica Afro-Caribbean Experience: Dr. Armando Jackson (Part 2) 35:33

1y ago35:33

35:33

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3…

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Ep. 152: Costa Rica Afro-Caribbean Experience: Dr. Armando Jackson (Part 1) 35:09

1y ago35:09

35:09

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3…

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Ep. 151: Feed Drop: Rubber Time or Slaves to the Clock? 31:45

1+ y ago31:45

31:45

They are always late! They are slaves to the clock! Joseph Shaules and Yvonne van der Pol explore cultural stereotypes about time. They discuss Edward Hall’s monochronic time and polychronic time, the embodied and embedded nature of time, and Ishita Ray shares her experiences with time logics in India. And you can take a quiz to test your own time …

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Ep. 150: Reverse Migration: An American Experience migrating to Costa Rica (Part 2) 34:30

1+ y ago34:30

34:30

Nikki Singletary is a software engineer and a Chow Chow owner who frequently travels for a change of scenery, to check out a webdev conference, or simply to satisfy her travel bug. She recently moved to Costa Rica to experience the nomadic life with her pupper. Her travel blog - https://www.breakfastincluded.co/. More about Nikki at: https://www.br…

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Ep. 149: Reverse Migration: An American Experience migrating to Costa Rica (Part 1) 33:14

1+ y ago33:14

33:14

Nikki Singletary is a software engineer and a Chow Chow owner who frequently travels for a change of scenery, to check out a webdev conference, or simply to satisfy her travel bug. She recently moved to Costa Rica to experience the nomadic life with her pupper. Her travel blog - https://www.breakfastincluded.co/. More about Nikki at: https://www.br…

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Ep. 148: Reverse Migration: A Canadian Experience migrating to Jamaica (Part 3) 27:43

1+ y ago27:43

27:43

Connect with Cami: Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@camiathomeyoutube Medium: https://medium.com/@camiathome Website: https://camiathome.com/ Ebook: https://camiathome.com/getting-remote-job/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on…

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Ep. 147: Reverse Migration: A Canadian Experience migrating to Jamaica (Part 2) 37:43

1+ y ago37:43

37:43

Connect with Cami socials: Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@camiathomeyoutube Medium: https://medium.com/@camiathome Website: https://camiathome.com/ Ebook: https://camiathome.com/getting-remote-job/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in Am…

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Ep. 146: Reverse Migration: A Canadian Experience migrating to Jamaica (Part 1) 37:20

1+ y ago37:20

37:20

Connect with Cami socials: Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@camiathomeyoutube Medium: https://medium.com/@camiathome Website: https://camiathome.com/ Ebook: https://camiathome.com/getting-remote-job/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in Am…

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Ep. 145: Nutrition In America: You Are What You Eat! with Marci Kenon (Part 2) 46:07

1+ y ago46:07

46:07

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to The Immigrant Experience in America on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Get More of The Immigrant Experience in America Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg Listen on: Google: https://bit.ly/3OorihJ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co…