Empowering conversationZ with an Immigrant

How to make difficult changes, especially regarding your culture, beliefs, and assumptions? Learn to negotiate. Both with yourself and with others. Listen to this episode and learn from Reut Schwartz-Hebron, an immigrant from Israel who initially worked as an HR director and was blindsided by the non-verbal cues she received at work and more. She is currently the author of two books: Outswim the sharks and The art and science of changing people who don’t want to change and the certifying Partner with KCI. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when new episodes air: https://mehrans.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6dfc4750bd3f20b3caae4503f&id=0329b857f8 List of episodes: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz Contact Mehran: Mehran@MehranS.com Reut Schwartz-Hebron Bio: In her role as Certifying Partner with KCI, Reut has trained and certified hundreds of HR leaders, coaches, consultants, and other change professionals to use powerful Neuroscience-based models for guiding people through difficult change. She started her career at the rank of a Lieutenant Commander working with elite training teams in the Israeli military, and was the first woman consultant to be offered a prestigious field position with a combat unit. She has a BA in Psychology, an MBA in Business and Organizational Development, and has been collaborating with Neuroscientists for the last 17 years to develop a neuroscience-based Unlearning Model. While she supports coaches and change leaders to use a wide range of Neuroscience-based models, she is internationally renowned as one of the top experts in this specific field of guiding people to unlearn and relearn as part of making transitions and transformations.  For the past 25 years Reut coached and consulted in organizations that range from Fortune 500s such as NIKE, Avaya, GSK, Comcast, and Philips Medical to medium sized companies in a large variety of industries including financial, high-tech, telecom, universities, hospitals and other health organizations, retail, manufacturing, and government agencies. She is a published author of books and numerous articles, but perhaps most importantly, she is a mother, a wife, a sister, and an avid supporter of human rights.  To learn more about Reut’s work and the Certification in Applied Neuroscience, please visit: www.KCIcertification.com

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Pavna Sodhi about the challenges of the LGBTQ community, the process of Coming out, the role of family, community, and the host culture in the process. Common issues LGBTQ and their families face especially as an immigrant in BIPOC communities, the Role of host culture in the process, how to educate our children, and a lot more… https://positivespacenetwork.ca/ https://egale.ca/ https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/ https://lgbtq.wvu.edu/state-and-national-resources/-resources-for-queer-and-transgender-black-indigenous-people-of-color https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/lgbt https://www.strongfamilyalliance.org/parent-guide/ Dr.Sodhi’s last episode: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c2a4e1fa/ez28-managing-covid-trauma-for-immigrants List of books for children: https://www.readbrightly.com/9-great-lgbtq-books-kids/ & https://www.familyequality.org/family-support/lgbtq-books/early-elementary/ Dr. Pavna Sodhi Bio: With over 20 years of psychotherapeutic and research experience, Dr. Pavna Sodhi (she/her) has interacted with a multitude of populations in both clinical and academic spaces. Her professional background and personal narrative offer a unique research perspective regarding culturally responsive trauma work, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities, and immigrant mental health. Her research has been featured in national and international scholarly journals and books. In 2017, she wrote, Exploring Immigrant and Sexual Minority Mental Health: Reconsidering Multiculturalism (Routledge). Content from her book is supported by first- and second-generation immigrant narratives, who share their experiences of migration, trauma, overt/covert racism, identity formation, and mental health concerns. She is currently authoring a book regarding decolonizing mental health and trauma-informed practices. Insta : @sunotherapy Website: www.pavnaksodhi.com Twitter: @DrPavnaKSodhi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavna-k-sodhi-67b81615/?originalSubdomain=ca Book: https://www.routledge.com/Exploring-Immigrant-and-Sexual-Minority-Mental-Health-Reconsidering-Multiculturalism/Sodhi/p/book/9780415841870

Immigrants face many aggressions in society especially professionally, one is around their language and their accents. In this episode, our guest is Meenakshi Iyer and we talk about Why it's important to celebrate our culture What is language inclusion Examples of microaggressions around language and accent And much more… Here are the TED talk links: Taiye Selasi: Don't ask where I'm from, ask where I'm a local - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCKzpXEW6E Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg Sir Ken Robinson - Do schools kill creativity? - https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?language=en EZ33: Immigrants guide to racist comments: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/8e97f693/ez33-immigrants-guide-to-racist-comments EZ44 How to deal with imposter syndrome with Kim Meninger: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/916ec209/ez44-how-to-deal-with-imposter-syndrome-with-kim-meninger EZ 45 tips to speak with confidence when starting from scratch: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/905031b9/ez45-tips-to-speak-with-confidence-with-mehran-sorourian Newsletter sign up link: https://mehrans.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6dfc4750bd3f20b3caae4503f&id=0329b857f8 Apple podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowering-conversationz/id1502034147 Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/mehrans.com Her bio: Meenakshi Iyer thrives at the intersection of People, Process, and Technology. She is a T-shaped servant leader with an international and interdisciplinary career in IT, Agile/Business Process Transformation, international healthcare, HR, and Training, in India and the USA, spanning more than two decades. “Stop, breathe, think, act.” is her motto. Meenakshi is the Founder and Principal of NorthStar Solutions and Services - a future-of-work oriented, virtual coaching, training and consulting practice serving clients globally. She is an ICF-certified Personal Agility and Self-Leadership Coach. She specializes in supporting People and Technology leaders in co-creating their personal transformation and leadership development journeys. Meenakshi is fluent in four languages, and has lived and worked in 10+ cities in India and the US. Connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenakshi-iyer-northstar/ More about her and her work - https://www.northstaratwork.com/

Mehran is a communication coach helping countless immigrants and minorities improve their communication skills at work. In this episode, I, Mehran the host of the Empowering conversationZ podcast share the story of the very first time I spoke English with a native English speaker. How it felt, the shame, and how I became fluent in English plus the 4 tips that I give my clients on improving their language while using the wisdom from my previous guests and many conversations I've had with successful immigrants, refugees, and Dreamers. Listen, Subscribe and share! EZ3 Attitudes on climbing the corporate ladder: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c0a6d889/ez03-on-attitude-for-climbing-in-corporate EZ10 Born Twice, CEO's Story https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c1174648/ez10-born-twice-a-ceos-story EZ Frederic Cherau on Accent and Culture https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c23901b0/ez15-frederic-chereau-on-accent-and-culture EZ08 Perfectionism, know it & manage it: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c119a0f0/ez08-perfectionism-know-it-and-manage-it EZ35 Upwardly and their role in supporting you get your first job as an immigrant https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/9159709c/ez35-immigrants-and-first-professional-job Sign up for our mailing list to be notified when an episode is released. https://mehrans.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6dfc4750bd3f20b3caae4503f&id=0329b857f8 Booking a complimentary session: https://www.mehrans.com/service-page/explore-coaching?referral=service_list_widget

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong, that you are an imposter waiting to be found? If so, this episode is for you. We have Kim Meninger who's an expert in the area of imposter syndrome with years of training corporate women and men on the podcast. She shares her experience about: -What imposter syndrome is, -The history behind it, -Who suffers from it, -How men and women suffer from it differently -The underlying racism - and what can we do about it. Both as an individual and as a manager. Kim Meningers bio: As a women’s leadership coach, Kim Meninger is passionate about empowering women to become more confident, visible and influential leaders. Having spent over 10 years in the high-tech industry, she experienced first-hand the unique challenges and opportunities facing women in traditionally male-dominated environments. She strives to be the resource to women that she did not have during her own corporate career. Kim has a BA in psychology and an MBA from Boston College. She is an ICF Associate Certified Coach and CCE Board Certified Coach with certifications in career, executive and leadership development coaching. The Impostor Syndrome Files Podcast – Listen to the stories of women who have struggled with and have learned to manage Impostor Syndrome. If you are a new listener, make sure you subscribe here: Sign up for our mailing list to be notified when an episode is released. https://mehrans.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6dfc4750bd3f20b3caae4503f&id=0329b857f8 Nominate our next guest: Suggested episodes: EZ08 Perfectionism, know it & manage it: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c119a0f0/ez08-perfectionism-know-it-and-manage-it EZ16 Aftermath of accepting verbal offer: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c0b492e1/ez16-aftermath-of-accepting-verbal-contract EZ22 Creating your leadership advantage: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c31f426c/ez22-creating-your-leadership-advantage EZ33 Immigrants guide to Racist comments: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/8e97f693/ez33-immigrants-guide-to-racist-comments

Migrated at 18, faced an identity crisis as a Japanese Brazilian living in Utah, tried many jobs, pivoted multiple times until she found her desirable career. My guest this week is Fabiola Fujiwara. She is an HR professional with 10+ years of experience in developing, implementing, and administrating corporate policies and procedures. Fabiola shares with our audience her migration journey as well as the many valuable insights as an HR professional. One must listen to this episode if they don't know -How to negotiate, -How to start conversations when they are happy with their jobs, -How to build their network -Why it's important to keep your resume up to date.  Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when new episodes air: https://mehrans.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6dfc4750bd3f20b3caae4503f&id=0329b857f8 Resources: Fabiola’s Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabiola-fujiwara/ Washington Post article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/brand-studio/wp/2020/11/30/feature/culture-fit-is-outdated-its-time-to-think-about-culture-add/ Mehran email: Mehran@MehranS.com Podcast website: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz Episode 3:https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c0a6d889/ez03-on-attitude-for-climbing-in-corporate Episode 40: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/90f54071/ez40-hr-addressing-immigrants-common-issues

Migrated despite her will, slept on cardboard boxes, and left her house at the age of 15 because she couldn’t tolerate her abusive father anymore. My guest this week is Dr.Bahareh Sahebi who talks about her migration journey and the different elements that make leaving abusive relationships difficult especially for immigrants. She also educates us on the steps to take to prepare. Dr. Bahareh Sahebi Bio: https://www.family-institute.org/therapists-locations/staff/bahareh-sahebi Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology with specialization in the treatment of trauma Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Illinois and a practicing clinician at The Family Institute · Assistant Program Director, Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, in the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies at Northwestern University · Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University Clinical Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy · Teaching Faculty in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University · Clinical Supervisor of the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program at the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic Dr. Sahebi is a researcher, educator & consultant of the ParentLENS.com project that she co-developed with one of the most prominent figures in the profession of Marriage and Family Therapy, Dr. Mudita Rastogi She is also the recipient of Dr. Christine Bard, Compassion and Skill in Rehabilitation Practice Award; nominated by the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals In the more recent 2 years: Associate Editor for the Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy Co-author of the Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) Handbook currently in press Published the preliminary article on telehealth clinical supervision practices and clinical supervision during a global pandemic published in Family Process Sahebi B. (2020). Clinical supervision of couple and family therapy during COVID-19. Family Process, Vol. 59(3) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12591 Co-authored series of 4 published articles for caregivers, teachers, and psychotherapists related to E-learning for children during the global pandemic You can sign up for our mailing list to be notified when an episode is released. Please write us a review: https://mehrans.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6dfc4750bd3f20b3caae4503f&id=0329b857f8https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowering-conversationz/id1502034147 You can connect with Mehran: Mehran@MehranS.com Resources for domestic abuse: https://www.womenslaw.org/about-abuse/abuse-specific-communities/abuse-immigrant-communities & https://www.thehotline.org/ & https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/userfiles/file/Children_and_Families/Immigrant.pdf

Setting goals can be hard for us immigrants. Most of us haven't learned how to set them right and how to achieve them. That's why in this episode, Mehran, Empowering conversationZ host talks about a personal experience that made her aware of setting balanced goals in life. and the culprit behind her failure in reaching her 40th birthday goals. In this episode, you will hear about the importance of goal setting. several techniques in setting goals. achieving them while living a balanced life. As a career coach, she helps her clients set goals and reach them feeling supported and in this special episode, she is sharing the many techniques that she uses in her practice. my email: Mehran@MehranS.com Read more about Mehran: https://www.mehrans.com/about subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about her group sessions: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz Goal setting by Jim Rohn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOOYeMDLgC0 Explore coaching with Mehran https://www.mehrans.com/book-online

Immigrants rarely are aware of their rights and the resources available to them. Most often they choose silence for cultural and personal reasons feeling unsatisfied at work. In this episode Sarah Calfee, an experienced Human Resource professional with over 20years of experience, educates our listeners on the following topics: -When to seek HR help and when to start searching for your next job -How can immigrants discuss difficult conversations with HR -Different strategies to speak up You can connect with Sarah via https://www.calfeehrconsulting.com/ Her Bio: Sarah Calfee, Principal Consultant, Calfee HR Consulting Sarah is an HR Consultant with more than 20 years of experience in Human Resources. Over the years, she has earned an MBA, the SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification, and a diversity trainer certificate. Since 2009, Sarah has maintained a passion and focus on developing increased awareness in diversity, equity, and inclusion matters. She was the 2020 Diversity Committee Chair for the San Diego Society of Human Resource Management, working with HR professionals on how to address DEI concerns in their organizations and communities. Most recently, Sarah has been designated President-Elect for the 2022 San Diego SHRM board of directors. Using her education and experience, Sarah understands business objectives and how they tie to people. She helps organizations and individuals work through sensitive scenarios to anticipate the people's impact and to translate communications so different parties hear the right message. Her goal through this approach is to help others develop higher emotional intelligence, successfully navigate sensitive topics, and foster an intentional culture. In addition to her consulting work, Sarah is a speaker for organizations about a variety of HR and DEI topics, volunteers as an HR Guru for Hera Hub, and is a part-time nanny for her infant grandson. 👉Subscribe to Empowering conversationZ podcast and hear immigrant stories and issues important to immigrants on your favorite app by searching Empowering conversationZ or through our page https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz Don’t forget to subscribe to our email list and receive information that is beneficial to you and your growth! Recommended episodes: -EZ16 Impacted by undocumented contract https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c0b492e1/ez16-impacted-by-undocumented-contract -EZ33 Immigrants guide to Racist comments https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/8e97f693/ez33-immigrants-guide-to-racist-comments -EZ24 Immigrants and "Bad Bosses" https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c329a6d8/ez24-immigrants-and-bad-bosses

Evelyn Perez migrated to the United States from Guatemala at a very young age after crossing the Rio Grande River. In this episode, she talks about her immigration journey, the nights she locked the doors to stay safe while her mom worked, the days she had to try to fit in and many incidents that made her feel like an outcast both as a child and as an adult. One of the main parts of the conversation was her divorce process. How her immigrant family finally supported her decision despite their cultural norms, alcoholism, abuse, and the process that enabled her to stand up on her feet while supporting her boys as a single mother. Her Bio: Evelyn Perez is a leader who is passionate about advocating, equipping, and raising young Latina women leaders. She is originally from Guatemala but has called the Bay Area home since immigrating at the age of 2. She has served her community throughout several stages of life. Perez currently serves as director of ministries to an organization in California. In 2018 she decided to pursue her calling to ministry and is now attending North Park Theological Seminary. Perez experiences deep joy when hanging at the skatepark, with her two sons Andres and Fernando or simply taking a day to enjoy all nature has to offer. Subscribe to Empowering conversationZ podcast and hear immigrant stories and issues important to immigrants on your favorite app by searching Empowering conversationZ or through our page https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz Immigrant platform story: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/9101fbc6/ez38-educational-platform-i-build-during-pandemic Website for becoming a teacher: https://khoshhaulam.com/ EZ25 episode: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c1b79b7b/ez25-refuge-for-rape-victim

In this special episode, Mehran talks about her newfound cause and how the pandemic helped her find it & bring it to life. -The struggles of building an educational platform -How can the audience support her cause -How immigrant educators can benefit from this platform If you have any questions or suggestions send her an email Mehran@MehranS.com Website of her platform: https://khoshhaulam.com/ Join their newsletter to learn more and receive coupons.

Mehran, your host, has the honor to share with you another immigrant story. My guest today is Ilya Somin who migrated as a young child with his parents from Russia. In this episode, as always we will talk a little about Ilya's migration journey, what foot voting means, and how as an immigrant you can get a better education for your child or have a greater impact on your community. in the end, we will hear about Ilya’s opinion on Afghanistan and what he is doing to help Afghan refugees. Link to Khoshhaulam: https://khoshhaulam.com/ Link to vote for Mehran until October 8th: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BRAVARisingStar2021 Link to Ilya's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Free-Move-Migration-Political-Freedom/dp/0190054581 Ilya's Memoire: https://www.law.gmu.edu/assets/files/faculty/Somin_HIASMemoir.pdf Ilya's Biography: ILYA SOMIN is Professor of Law at George Mason University. His research focuses on constitutional law, property law, democratic theory, federalism, and migration rights. He is the author of Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom (Oxford University Press, 2020), Democracy and Political Ignorance: Why Smaller Government is Smarter (Stanford University Press, revised and expanded second edition, 2016), and The Grasping Hand: Kelo v. City of New London and the Limits of Eminent Domain (University of Chicago Press, 2015, rev. paperback ed., 2016), coauthor of A Conspiracy Against Obamacare: The Volokh Conspiracy and the Health Care Case (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013), and co-editor of Eminent Domain: A Comparative Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2017). Democracy and Political Ignorance has been translated into Italian and Japanese. Somin’s work has appeared in numerous scholarly journals, including the Yale Law Journal, Stanford Law Review, Northwestern University Law Review, Georgetown Law Journal, Critical Review, and others. Somin has also published articles in a variety of popular press outlets, including the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, the New York Times Room for Debate website, CNN, The Atlantic, USA Today, US News and World Report, Newark Star Ledger, South China Morning Post, Legal Times, National Law Journal and Reason. He has been quoted or interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, The Economist, the Christian Science Monitor, The Guardian, the Associated Press, CBS, MSNBC, NPR, BBC, Reuters, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Al Jazeera, and the Voice of America, among other media. Somin’s writings have been cited in decisions by the United States Supreme Court, multiple state supreme courts and lower federal courts, and the Supreme Court of Israel. He has testified on the use of drones for targeted killing in the War on Terror before the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. In 2009, he testified on property rights issues at the United States Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Somin writes regularly for the popular Volokh Conspiracy law and politics blog, now affiliated with Reason magazine (previously affiliated with the Washington Post from 2014 to 2017). From 2006 to 2013, he served as Co-Editor of the Supreme Court Economic Review, one of the country’s top-rated law and economics journals.

800,000 people lose their lives to suicide every year. Aside from its statistics and its increasing rate, suicide is personal for Mehran. In this episode, Mehran, the podcast host talks about her personal encounter with suicide, the pain of losing someone to suicide, and the 7 lessons she learned from the journey. Below are the promised links: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/suicide-prevention https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression https://www.reuters.com/article/us-immigrants-more-depressed-than-those/immigrants-more-depressed-than-those-who-stay-idUSTRE7335VJ20110404 https://www.today.com/specials/suicide-attempt-survivors/ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/15/2019-28429/implementation-of-the-national-suicide-hotline-improvement-act-of-2018 Suicide hotline: 800-273-8255 Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis Books: It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Devine Books: I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One by Brook Noel Books: Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig Shattering the silence: Youth suicide preventionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRo5Db_7yVI Lessons from the mental Hospital https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHHPNMIK-fY Brene brown on Vulnerability https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0 What I learned from my husband’s suicide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb_1IklnhaU The bridge between suicide and life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CIq4mtiamY&t=672s Subscribe to Empowering conversationZ podcast and hear immigrant stories and other issues important to immigrants on your favorite app by searching Empowering conversationZ or through our page https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz

In this episode, Empowering conversationZ hosts Jane Leu Upwardly Global Founder and Jina Krause-Vilmar the current President and CEO. Together they talk about: -Upwardly Global story and the meaning behind its name, -How supported over 18000 immigrants and what it can do for you and your family, -The different ways male and female immigrants transition to the workforce, -And ways immigrants can network in order to reach their professional goals. Jane Leu is Upwardly Global’s founder. An internationally recognized social entrepreneur and expert on global immigration and workforce issues, Jane has nearly 20 years of experience as an innovator in the social sector. In addition to Upwardly Global, Jane was on the founding side of numerous projects and enterprises, including the Craigslist nonprofit venture forum, RefugeeWorks, seven Welfare-to-Work programs, and the Hauser Research Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and most recently Smarter Good, a professional services firm that leverages talent in emerging and often high out-migration markets, like the Philippines. As the Founder and CEO of Upwardly Global (2000-2009), she focused on creating the day when skilled immigrants from around the world will be seamlessly integrated in the U.S. workforce in ways that optimize their skills. Upwardly Global’s innovative idea and Jane’s leadership has been recognized by many awards, including Ashoka: Innovators for the Public; the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award; the Jefferson Award for Community Service; as well as awards and support from the Manhattan Institute, Robin Hood Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and Draper Richards Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Jane’s vision and work have been covered by National Public Radio, BBC, CNN, TIME, and Wall Street Journal. Jane holds a master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University. She is on the Advisory Council of the Migration Policy Institute, Joshua Venture Group, and Ashoka U, Ashoka’s university division. Jina Krause-Vilmar (President & CEO): Jina brings 15 years of experience in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. She oversees the agency’s workforce operations in four cities. Under Jina’s leadership, Upwardly Global has expanded to skill a growing number of immigrant and refugee professionals. The organization is implementing an ambitious strategy to bring clear outcomes, strong evidence, innovation through a collaborative partnership with public and private sectors. Prior to Upwardly Global, Jina worked alongside the government, the UN and corporations, to craft and implement solutions to enable refugees and immigrants to integrate into the workforce. At HIAS, she was charged with reshaping and building the agency’s economic integration programming in the U.S. and internationally, bringing clear outcomes, strong evidence, and collaborative partnerships with the public and private sectors. From 2013 to 2016, Jina started the Near East Foundation’s refugee portfolio in Jordan and Lebanon, advising the U.S. Department of State and USAID on Iraq and Syria response, and initiating the One Refugee Response. Jina has been interviewed on Aljazeera America, the New York Times, Huffington Post, and Guardian, and published in CNN, Times Magazine, and other news outlets. Jina co-chaired, alongside UN Women, an international network of agencies to advance women and girls. Jina earned her MSc in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/all-news/covid-19-resources-for-job-seekers-alumni/ https://www.imprintproject.org/ https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/all-news/where-can-i-find-help-during-the-pandemic-government-assistance-faqs/ Subscribe to Empowering conversationZ here https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz

How lonely do you feel as an immigrant? -Did you have difficulty finding your first employment in the U.S? -Are you looking for meaningful connections to serve as your allies? -Are you currently looking? If so, listen to this episode of Empowering conversationZ where Haleemat Fa-Yusuf talks about her journey in the States and how one organization became the pillars of her success. She will also talk about what in her experience is important to find a meaningful job here in the states. Bio: Haleemat is a Nigerian immigrant living in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and their 3 young kids. Asides from her passion for serving marginalized communities through her career in public service, Haleemat is on a personal journey to make the most of life; paying attention to often overlooked concepts like the gorgeous blue skies and a beautifully illustrated children's book. She admires the simplicity, humor, and inspiration from the works of children authors like Sue Hendra and Kobi Yamada. She especially enjoys Kobi's work: What do you do with an idea? Upwardly Global website: https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/ Subscribe to Empowering conversationZ podcast on your favorite app: www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz follow us on Instagram: @mehran.sorourian or FB www.facebook.com/Empowering.conversationZ.podcast

Some conversations are hard to have for immigrants especially when it comes to racism and sexism. They could be easily misunderstood for lack of communication skills or cultural differences. They might be unaware of ways to respond when racist comments are made. That’s why I invited Maame Afon Yelbert-Sai who is an internationally recognized thought leader, passionate activist on anti-racism and anti-sexism work. As an immigrant, she is sharing with us -Ways to educate ourselves and increase our awareness. -How to define the boundaries between ignorance and racism/sexism. -How to have race-related conversations in our personal and professional lives. her bio: Exuberantly embracing her calling as a consummate connector and networker, Maame Afon enjoys her work as an activist, facilitator, executive/life coach, and mentor, supporting leaders internationally. She is an internationally recognized thought leader, passionate advocate for women and girls and a leadership development enthusiast. She is also a recording artist who uses music to promote social change and philanthropy. Maame Afon currently serves as the board chair of African Women’s Development Fund, USA and We Care Solar, and sits on the board and advisory council of other international organizations including Cocoa360, Ghana Bamboo Bikes, Days for Girls-Ghana, Moremi Initiative, Street Business School, Women Leaders for the World, and Nurturing Minds/SEGA among others. She holds a B.A. in French and Spanish and an M.A. in human rights, gender, and international development. She was named among 100 African Women in Development by Donors for Africa (2020) and has been recognized as one of the 18 African Feminists to know by For Harriet (2015). She has also been featured in AfroElle Magazine (2015) and the #Pretty-Period Campaign that celebrates black women. In 2019 she was featured in Leading Ladies Africa (LLA) as part of the release of her #RightNowAfrica single. Maame Afon is the recipient of several fellowships namely, 2020 Perennial Fellow, 2019 Rise Up Leader, 2017 Hive Global Leader, 2016 Cordes Fellow, and 2009 Woman Leader for the World. Furthermore, Maame Afon contributed her story to We Will Lead Africa - Volume Two: Women (African Everyday Leadership Stories) – 32 stories by 36 contributors, available now on Amazon. She is currently working on a full chapter titled “Steward Transformation” as part of her contribution to “The Palgrave Handbook of Learning for Transformation.” As a Whole Woman, she brings all of who she is to her work as Chief Steward of MILT (Management for Impact Leadership and Transformation), the organization she founded in 2017. She also enjoys her calling as mother and wife, raising her three children with her husband. Social Media Handles Website: www.themiltedge.com | www.maameafon.com FB: Maame Alice Yelbert-Sai; @themiltedge IG: @MaameAfon @themiltedge T: @Maameafon @themiltedge Subscribe to Empowering conversationZ podcast on your favorite app: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz follow us on Instagram: @mehran.sorourian or FB https://www.facebook.com/Empowering.conversationZ.podcast

She burst into tears as she talks about her biggest dream. A dream so big and unimaginable that aches her heart. For most of us, her dream is our everyday life. Empowering conversationZ guest this week was Maria Estrada, a trauma nurse, and a firm believer in humanity instead of documents. In this episode, she talks about the pains of not belonging, the pains of being rejected and disrespected during her migration journey, and also the many strengths she developed through time. Bio: Maria Estrada was born in Mexico, and raised in San Diego, CA. Once in the states, she felt rejected as a Mexican national in America. She never felt belonged, as she was not Mexican enough to be accepted by her Mexican natives, or American enough to be allowed a place in her American society. Regardless, she embraced her Latina/Chicana roots in college and learned to wear her “undocumented” label like a badge of honor. Maria is currently an undocumented nurse practicing in the state of Texas. Working as a Trauma nurse felt like a perfect fit for her as she could find peace and solace knowing that she would serve those most in need. She finds satisfaction in providing healthcare to her community, for which healthcare is often denied, people like her father. Her path to citizenship has been bumpy and traumatic, however, she has healed from her traumas through motherhood and she shares her narrative as an undocumama. Subscribe to Empowering conversationZ podcast and hear immigrant stories and other issues important to immigrants on your favorite app by searching Empowering conversationZ or Through our page https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz

In this special episode of Empowering conversationZ, we are reflecting back on one year of living through the pandemic. I take you to our early lockdown days, our fears, and what I learned from hundreds of immigrants I interacted with since then. I talk about their hidden immunity in overcoming the obstacles Covid-19 created for us. And I share a trick to stay hopeful and positive during the most difficult times. As you know, we just turned one year old. If you haven’t listened to the past 30+ episodes, find us on your favorite app by searching Empowering conversationZ or through our page https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz We truly appreciate it if you leave us a review on the apple podcast. Also, you can sign up for our mailing list to be notified when an episode is released. https://mehrans.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6dfc4750bd3f20b3caae4503f&id=0329b857f8

As we are celebrating one year anniversary of the show, I am sharing the process, the fears, and the thing that got me to start the show a year ago. Listen and see how the thing can help you initiate something great! and if you want to know about the obstacles along the way listen to some of the difficulties along the way listen to https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c421e15c/updates-and-changes I am extra thankful to Dr. D my guest on the first episode, Dr. Nelson Chau my guest on the 3rd episode, and my great friends Salma Sarwary 2nd episode guest and Homa Taghizadeh 6th episode guest have been incredible supports during the early days. If you want to know more about them and the wisdom they shared with our community, go back and listen to their incredible journeys. Here are Empowering conversationZ with Dr.D https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c130cb4b/ez01-birth-of-a-miracle Dr. Nelson Chau https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c0a6d889/ez03-on-attitude-for-climbing Salma Sarwary https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c40c7bc6/ez02-from-horror-to-confidence Homa Taghizadeh https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz/episode/c3220ba2/ez06-story-of-a-refugees-sacrifice Subscribe to our show on your favorite app by searching Empowering conversationZ or through our page https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz

With her law degree and a passion for the film industry, she moved to Los Angeles with a Fulbright scholarship hoping to go back despite her dad’s last-minute shocking advice. 10 years later, she is an independent film producer and writer of several documentaries as well as a podcaster on immigrant stories. In this episode, she talks about her journey and her difficulties as an immigrant in the film industry along with her passion for podcasting. Bio: Sasha was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. After graduating from law school she started her career in a film production company based in Moscow. She served as head of the legal department and as a producer on the production of several feature films involving major Russian talent. In 2010 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and came to Los Angeles to study film producing. She’s been working as a producer since. Besides running the We The Aliens podcast, she is currently serving as an associate producer on a feature documentary Oleg about Oleg Vidov, the “Robert Redford of Soviet Union,“ who defected from USSR in 1985. She is also working on a documentary feature of her own - I Clown You, a film about clowns, who work in hospitals in Israel. Yeah, it’s a thing. Sasha holds a law degree from the State University Higher School of Economics (Moscow, Russia) and an MFA in Film Producing from the New York Film Academy (Los Angeles). She is a Fulbright Alumna Link to We the Alien’s podcast: https://www.wethealienspod.com/links/ To read more about the I Clown you documentary visit: http://www.iclownyoudoc.com/ To Support I clown you project: https://www.documentary.org/project/i-clown-you Sasha’s Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/W24DX3Vln9o Sasha’s TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@kapusterofficial?lang=en Find Empowering conversationZ podcast: https://www.mehrans.com/empowering-conversationz