Life in Our Skin

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Iranian–American Shadon Ghassemlou about the experiences that shaped her middle school years. As a multi–racial teenager with a white mother and an Iranian father, Shadon shares how navigating personal identity—through her ethnic name, harmful stereotypes depicted in 90’s movies, and post– 9/11 attacks which occurred during her 8th grade year—deeply impacted her sense of belonging and safety. In Episode 45, we welcome Shadon Ghassemlou.Take a listen to the episode, and be sure to read Shadon’s article referenced in our conversation: What's In A Persian Name.Follow us on Spotify and leave a comment.

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Javiera Monardez. Javiera shares her journey as an educated and accomplished physician in Chile and the profound identity shift she experienced after immigrating to the United States. Javiera reflects on what it meant to start over in a new country and redefine herself personally and professionally. In Episode 44, we welcome Javiera Monardez.Take a listen!Can you relate in a way?Follow us on Spotify and leave a comment.

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Jessica Portè, a Filipino American who grew up between Northern and Southern California. After a life-altering car accident, Jessica and her family were united in grief, yet the silence around their pain made it difficult to truly process their loss. Jessica shares how loss, culture, and communication impacted her life and shaped her healing journey. In Episode 43, we welcome Jessica Portè.

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita sit down with Aalishba Ahmad, a Pakistani Muslim woman who spent her teenage years attending a Catholic high school. Aalishba opens up about navigating life as a brown girl in a predominantly white environment and how she grew into a self-described social justice warrior—advocating fiercely for students of color. As she beautifully reminds us, “Love is union.” Listen to this episode to hear more of Aalishba's story. In Episode 42, we welcome Aalishba Ahmad.Life In Our Skin: A podcast created for 'women in the middle'. Our guests share their American experiences living between the white and black communities. Connect with Lisa: Instagram ⁠@lisaharrisandcompany⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Anahita: Instagram ⁠@anahitachampion⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedInAll episodes available via: ⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Samantha Lee, a Hmong-American woman from St. Paul. Sam talks about the cultural and emotional connection ethnic communities have with their food and how the health and wellness industry re-enforces messages that ethnic food is unhealthy. As a weight loss coach, Sam helps women stay connected to family and culture by creating healthy versions of their cultural food. In Episode 41, we welcome Samantha Lee. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin: linktr.ee/lifeinourskin Connect with Sam: Instagram ⁠@superlysam | Podcast: Your Winning Journey Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ About Life In Our Skin: A podcast created for 'women in the middle'. Our guests share their American experiences living between the white and black communities. All episodes available here: www.lifeinourskin.com

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Amanda Rosas, a Mexican-American woman from San Antonio, Texas. Amanda shares stories of being a young girl unequipped to navigate racially inappropriate comments. Further in our conversation, she expands on the ways identity and intersectionality appear in her life as a woman, mother and teacher. In Episode 40, we welcome Amanda Rosas.

We are thrilled to celebrate 3 years of Life in Our Skin podcast, and in this short episode we highlight a few milestones since we launched in July 2021. Thank you for listening! ~ Lisa & Anahita

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Sheena Yap Chan, a Chinese–Filipino woman living in Toronto. Sheena talks about how she moved from being ashamed of her culture to building her self confidence as an Asian woman. Today, she has also learned how to embrace paving her own path of success. In Episode 38, we welcome Sheena Yap Chan. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin: linktr.ee/lifeinourskin Connect with Sheena: www.sheenayapchan.com Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ About Life In Our Skin: A podcast created for 'women in the middle'. Our guests share their American experiences living between the white and black communities. All episodes available here: www.lifeinourskin.com

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Alia Mohammad, a Palestinian-American raised in Dubai and immigrated to the U.S as a young girl. She discusses how her parents tried to keep their family traditions and values, including experiences with cultural attire and religion while adapting to American life. In Episode 37, we welcome Alia Mohammad!  Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram ⁠⁠@lisaharrisandcompany⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram ⁠⁠@anahitachampion⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Rossana Corniel, a Puerto Rican military veteran who moved frequently as a young child to several countries including the United States. Rossana shares how she navigated language barriers, overcame adversity, and empowered herself to thrive through awareness, clarity, and control. In Episode 36, we welcome Rossana Corniel. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram ⁠⁠@lisaharrisandcompany⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | LinkedIn Connect with Anahita: Instagram ⁠⁠@anahitachampion⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Poiab Vue, a Hmong refugee whose family immigrated to the U.S. in 1979, eventually settling in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Poiab discusses the challenges of growing up Hmong–American and how her rebellious personality set her apart from other Hmong daughters. Today, as a licensed psychotherapist, Poiab aims to empower people in choosing their own path in life and to support them in healing through trauma. In Episode 35, we welcome Poiab Vue. Connect with Poiab: www.yourownpathwaytherapy.com Life in Our Skin can be found at www.lifeinourskin.com Connect with Lisa Harris: www.lisaharrisandco.com Connect with Anahita Champion: www.itsanahita.com

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Peachy Galindez. Peachy shares her experience immigrating to the United States in her 30's as a young wife and mother. She also discusses her approach to integrating Filipino culture and pride in raising her children in America. In Episode 34, we welcome Peachy Galindez. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram ⁠@lisaharrisandcompany⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram ⁠@anahitachampion⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Pallavi about moving to the USA at 18 years old to attend Winona State University. Pallavi quickly embraced the American lifestyle and prioritized her independence and career goals despite her parents hopes of an arranged marriage. Furthermore, we discuss blended marriage, cultural traditions, and women in tech. In Episode 33, we welcome Pallavi Sharma. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with LeeAnn about her experiences as young Laotian-American growing up in the USA while supporting her immigrant parents with language barriers. Through her upbringing, relationships, divorce and second marriage + growing a blended family, LeeAnn shares challenges and joys in her story from then to present day. In Episode 32, we welcome LeeAnn Rasachak. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

Lisa and Anahita chat with Shilpa Lewis, an East Indian woman born and raised in the United States. In this episode, Shilpa talks about the tension and struggles of growing up in an immigrant family. Unlike her peers, her college-educated, traditional father worked multiple jobs to support the family and send money back to India. Shilpa simply wanted to live an American life. This dream was taken away at 14 years old when her family moved back to India where she spent her high school years feeling different. Despite experiencing pain and isolation from both cultures, today Shilpa is thriving, knows herself, and lives in purpose helping other women as a mindfulness coach. In Episode 31, we welcome Shilpa Lewis. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

Lisa and Anahita chat with Laura Merino-Franco, a South American woman from Colombia, a creative entrepreneur, community supporter, and world traveler. In this episode, Laura shares about her adjustment to the American culture after moving to the United States at 18. She paints a transparent picture of her experiences trying to blend in versus how to reinvent herself following a life crisis. We hear about her healing journey and search to find self-worth where she "made some noise." In Episode 30, we welcome Laura Merino-Franco. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

Lisa and Anahita chat with Narate Judy Keyes, a Khmer-American woman from Cambodia, mother, poet, spoken word artist and author. In this episode, Narate shares a beautiful perspective of the refugee camps from the innocent eyes of a child and how being a talkative, social butterfly helped her learn a new culture and language as an immigrant to the United States. We also learn about the cultural tensions she felt between being an American and honoring her Cambodian roots. In Episode 29, we welcome Narate Judy Keys. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

Lisa and Anahita chat with Aisha Branch, an Iranian-American woman, wife, mom and entrepreneur. In this episode, Aisha discusses the cultural differences she experienced growing up and the three (3) core pillars of success re-enforced by her father. We learn how certain family expectations led to a life of seeking the approval of others, and how she navigated this beautiful journey of becoming Aisha. In Episode 28, we welcome Aisha Branch. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

In the beginning, Rachel knew very little of her native ancestors. Once understanding that she was Indigenous, she often hid this part of her identity. The negative stigma surrounding Native American people was rampant in her community and she felt ashamed. In this episode, Rachel discusses her journey to fully embracing her identity as a Húŋkpapha Standing Rock Oyate woman and how she navigated the pageant system by "Celebrating Culture & Driving Diversity" as the first-ever Indigenous Miss Minnesota 2022. Following her year of service, Rachel will begin law school to earn a JD in Native American Law through the Native American Law & Sovereignty Institute at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. It is her greatest hope to be a legal force and advocate for Indigenous youth and families under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). In Episode 27, we welcome Rachel Evangelisto. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn

At 6 years old, Toral lost her father in a tragic accident not long after her family immigrated to the United States from Gujarat, India. The Indian community comforted Toral and her family during this time, yet there were moments when she needed more support. In this episode, Toral shares her American experience following this tragedy and the integral role tradition, culture, and values played in her upbringing. This, along with her sensitive and thoughtful heart shaped the woman she would become standing at the intersection of many worlds as a queer, mother, and wife. In her professional life, Toral thrived in diverse settings advocating for underrepresented people and using coaching and meditation to help others navigate work, life, and personal identity. In Episode 25, we welcome Toral Livingston-Jha. Listen to this episode of Life in Our Skin.  ⁠⁠www.lifeinourskin.com⁠⁠ Connect with Lisa: Instagram @lisaharrisandcompany | ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Connect with Anahita: Instagram @anahitachampion | ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠