The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants

Welcome to episode 89  of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Today, I sit down with Lazou, a dynamic and passionate artist whose journey from her home country to the U.S. is as powerful as her music. Lazou grew up in Mauritius, although she was born in Canada. She moved back to Canada for college and then eventually moved to the US after a job offer she couldn’t pass up. And if it wasn’t for that job offer, she had no intention of moving to the US. Lazou shares about starting her podcast, Nuances: Our Asian Stories, her music, and her American Dream. With Love, Heidy_________________________________Connect with LAZOU:WebsiteInstagramPodcast_________________________________Come join me at the first networking event for the podcast! Let’s celebrate all the success of the podcast while networking with other immigrant business owners, past podcast guests, and podcast listeners! Tickets are only $30! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛__________________________________Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFor sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr make a one-time donation hereMy 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms who have limited time but want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for busy women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Welcome to episode 88  of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Sun Jung of Hungry Hungry Gopher shares her journey from South Korea to the US, her experiences with cultural adaptation, and her mission to empower others through holistic health and Korean culinary wisdom. Sun shares insights on the importance of rest, cultural influences on health, and finding a sense of belonging.With Love, HeidyConnect with Sun Chung:Website: ​​https://hungrygopher.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HungryGopher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungrygopher/ Come join me at the first networking event for the podcast! Let’s celebrate all the success of the podcast while networking with other immigrant business owners, past podcast guests, and podcast listeners! Tickets are only $30! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group and Ir Al Sol Swimwear*For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr make a one-time donation here: My 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms whose time is limited but who want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for booked women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Welcome to episode 87 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Stephanie shares her upbringing in Panama City and the cultural shifts she experienced upon moving to the U.S. at age 11. Even before moving, she was introduced to American culture while attending school on the Howard Air Force Base in Panama after her mother remarried. This helped her with some aspects of American life, but leaving her extended family presented challenges. Stephanie shares about the importance of maintaining family ties for immigrant children and suggests frequent visits to their home country to preserve those relationships.Stephanie talks about her transitions from various roles in real estate to founding a digital marketing agency specializing in email marketing. Driven by a desire for entrepreneurship and work-life balance, Stephanie launched her agency after careful planning. Her agency offers content and email marketing services.With Love, HeidyConnect with Stephanie:Website: ​​https://soverve.com/Podcast: https://soverve.com/podcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievrubio/ Come join me at the first networking event for the podcast! Let’s celebrate all the success of the podcast while networking with other immigrant business owners, past podcast guests, and podcast listeners! Tickets are only $30! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group and Ir Al Sol Swimwear*For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr make a one-time donation hereMy 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms whose time is limited but who want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for booked women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Welcome to episode 86 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Sandy Dang shares her story of fleeing war-torn Vietnam and living in refugee camps, building a successful nonprofit, and being appointed by President Obama. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the power of the human spirit. One thing that stood out was how she used her experiences to help other refugees and at-risk youth. She turned her challenges into opportunities to make a difference. She shares about public narrative storytelling, a leadership skill she teaches to help people use their authentic stories to inspire and motivate others. It’s all about connecting with people on a deeper level and creating positive change.With Love, HeidyConnect with Sandy:Website: ​​https://www.inspireleadershipschool.com/Come join me at the first networking event for the podcast! Let’s celebrate all the success of the podcast while networking with other immigrant business owners, past podcast guests, and podcast listeners! Tickets are only $30! You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group and Ir Al Sol Swimwear*For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr make a one-time donation here: My 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms whose time is limited but who want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for booked women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Welcome to episode 85 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Carlos, the VP of Customer Experience and Digital Strategy for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and author of 'The Immigrant Survival Guide to Silicon Valley,' shares his personal and professional journey from Mexico to Silicon Valley, including the challenges and successes of navigating life as an immigrant. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the role of community and mentorship in achieving success. All concepts he wrote about in his book. Carlos shares the cultural complexities faced by immigrants and their children, and he provides insights on overcoming these challenges. With Love, HeidyConnect with Carlos:LinkedInInstagramPurchase his bookThis post contains product affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links.Join the waitlist for information on the in-person event I’m hosting for the podcast!! You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr make a one-time donation hereMy 6-week course on starting a podcast is perfect for busy moms whose time is limited but who want to launch a podcast. And it’s perfect for booked women entrepreneurs looking for a different way to market their business that doesn’t involve social media! Find out more information here.

Welcome to episode 84 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Rée, a second-generation immigrant, shares her experiences growing up in the US with parents from Korea and now living in Korea. She shares about the challenges of not feeling rooted in the US, battling anxiety, and navigating social norms that felt foreign. Lastly, she shares her struggles to communicate how she was struggling growing up. The people around her seemed to understand social norms. However, social norms were challenging for Rée, not just because of her neurodivergence but also because of the way South Korean culture navigates relationships.Make sure to check out her podcast Homeroomed. It’s a podcast to rethink how we educate and prepare the next generation. Education systems around the world have been adapted from the Prussian system after their revolution. The link is below! With Love, HeidyHere is the article I mentioned in the episode. Connect with Rée:InstagramPodcastJoin the waitlist for information on the in-person event I’m hosting for the podcast!! You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*For sponsorship opportunities send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr make a one-time donation here:

Welcome to episode 83 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Today, host Heidy De La Cruz sits down with guest Rée to discuss the powerful stories shared on The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast. Rée, an avid listener, expresses admiration for the way Heidy blends warmth, insight, and compassion in her storytelling. They explore what inspired Heidy to create a platform that highlights immigrant journeys and the deeper impact of these narratives on fostering understanding and empathy.As the conversation unfolds, Heidy shares her connection to the immigrant experience and why she is passionate about amplifying these voices. She reflects on the challenges immigrants face, their resilience, and the importance of telling stories that often go unheard. Rée asks insightful questions, leading to a heartfelt discussion about the power of representation and the responsibility of storytellers in shaping public perception.The episode also touches on the growth of the podcast and Heidy’s vision for its future. She opens up about the lessons she has learned from her guests and the broader impact these stories have had on listeners worldwide. Whether you're an immigrant yourself, a supporter of immigrant rights, or simply someone who values authentic storytelling, this episode offers inspiration, perspective, and a reminder of the strength found in shared experiences.With Love, HeidyConnect with Heidy:WebsiteInstagramJoin the waitlist for information on the in-person event I’m hosting for the podcast!! You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr make a one-time donation here

Welcome to episode 82 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Deb shares her inspiring journey from India, driven by her pursuit of better opportunities in computer science, leading her to study at Carnegie Mellon University. She discusses her career journey, including her internship at Microsoft, employment at PayPal, and her entrepreneurial leap to founding a tech startup, Criya, specializing in AI-driven visual content creation.Lastly, the episode sheds light on Deb’s struggles with H1B and student visas, emphasizing the common challenges immigrants face in securing green cards and the impact on personal and professional aspirations. She also shares that the average weight time for people from India to get a green card is 25 years, but she shares how she obtained hers in 14 days. With Love, HeidyConnect with Deboshree Dutta:Website: https://www.criya.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debduttaofficial/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/criya.co/?hl=en You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*Want to advertise your business & sponsor the podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr you can make a one-time donation here: Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Welcome to episode 81 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Tatiana is a vocal sound healer and was born in Ecuador. She shares that growing up in Educador was a positive experience, but her desire to learn English drew her to move to the US with the Au Pair Program. She completed two years of the program because, after the first year, she didn’t feel that her English was good enough. She currently resides in North Carolina and works as a vocal sound healer, where she focuses on emotional release and helps her clients find their authentic voice. Her practice involves guiding clients to express emotions through sound, revealing hidden traumas and blockages. Tatiana emphasizes the significance of voice in expressing and navigating emotions, sharing her own journey of overcoming discomfort with her voice to positively impact others by sharing immigrant stories.With Love, HeidyConnect with Tatiana:WebsiteFacebookYou can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Bonus insights you won’t hear anywhere else!If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛*This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*Want to advertise your business & sponsor the podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr make a one-time donation here: Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Welcome to episode 80 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Bibi LeBlanc was born in the American Sector of West Berlin, Germany. She explains in today’s episode people’s reactions when she says that and what that actually means. She owns a marketing agency that creates coloring books for businesses! Bibi shares her experience of homeschooling her three boys and taking them to Costa Rica so they would learn Spanish. But also a question she was always asked that threw her off guard because she was a homeschooled mom. And lastly, Bibi was still in Germany when the Berlin Wall was torn down. She shares her powerful testimony of experiencing this magnificent event in world history. With Love, HeidyConnect with Bibi:WebsiteInstagramCheck out this podcast community on Substack!! *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group*Want to sponsor this podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr you can make a one-time donation hereStart your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Welcome to episode 79 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Dr. John Mesa was born in Colombia. He shares about moving to Venezuela during the oil boom with his family and living there for a few years before returning to Colombia. From a young age, Dr. Mesa knew he wanted to be a plastic surgeon but knew it had to be in the US. This is because in Colombia, in order to become a doctor, one has to attend a private university, but Dr. Mesa knew his parents couldn’t afford it. He shares his journey of becoming a board-certified plastic surgeon - a process that should take about 13 years, took him 18 years to complete because of all the hurdles and barriers placed in front of him. But overall, he persevered and didn’t give up! With Love, HeidyConnect with Dr. John Mesa:WebsiteInstagramTikTokCheck out this podcast community onSubstack!! *This podcast is sponsored bySoVerve Marketing Group*Want to sponsor this podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comOr you can make a one-time donationhereI volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at myStan Store!

Welcome to episode 78 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Rooya was born in Afghanistan and remembers they had electricity at one point, and then they didn’t. During the time that communism was taking over, she remembers if people were caught fleeing or speaking out against communism, they were executed.  She shares their journey, going across the desert for three days and four nights to get to Pakistan at age six. Rooya and her family lived in Pakistan for three years before making it to the US. Once in the US, she had to learn to write, read, and speak English. This was a challenge for her because she was proud of being a good student, but then, at nine, she had to start all over again.  Listen in as Rooya shares her incredible journey of coming to the US - thinking that they would be here for a few years and once things settled back home, they would return.  With Love, Heidy Connect with Rooya Ayubi: Website Instagram Check out this podcast community on Substack!!  *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group* Want to sponsor this podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Or you can make a one-time donation here I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Welcome to episode 77 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Ranjeet is a coach and mentor who guides professionals into achieving their American Dream by obtaining an EB1A green card (aka Einstein visa) just like he did. He grew up with a journalist mother and a banker father in India. They valued education a great deal, which fueled his passion for learning.  Ranjeet came to the US to complete his second master's degree, so he has one master's degree in India and another here. Listen in as he talks about adapting to living in the US after moving in his 40s and how he helps professionals navigate the EB1A green card process.  With Love, Heidy Connect with Ranjeet Mudholkar: Website Instagram Forbes Profile Check out this podcast community on Substack!!  https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group* Want to sponsor this podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Or you can make a one-time donation here I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Welcome to episode 76 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Today, I bring you the founder and blogger of This Latina Travel - Bianca Alba! Bianca shares about growing up in the DMV area or DC, Maryland, Virginia - which, before this episode, I had no idea was referred to this way. She shares her experience of obtaining a full-ride scholarship to college and thinking as a first-gen Latina, she had to become a doctor but then changed majors and received her master's degree in public health.  Bianca shares about visiting Bolivia for the first time 11 years after moving to the US. She didn’t know Bolivia since she and her mom moved when Bianca was six months old.  And lastly, we talked about how her job granted her the opportunity to move to Puerto Rico, where she currently lives.  With Love, Heidy Connect with Bianca Alba: Website Instagram Podcast Check out this podcast community on Substack!!  *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group* Want to sponsor this podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Or you can make a one-time donation here I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Welcome to episode 75 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Today, I spoke with Kristy, the host of The Master Delegator Podcast and owner of a virtual assistant agency. Kristy is from the Philippines, and she moved to the U.S. after meeting her husband on a Christian dating app.  She started her business back home in the Philippines, and she was able to continue her agency after moving. Kristy helps entrepreneurs find virtual assistants to help them within their companies.  She shares her experience of coming to the US on a K1 Visa, aka the fiance visa.  With Love, Heidy Connect with Kristy Yoder: Website Instagram Check out this podcast community on Substack!!  *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group* Want to sponsor this podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Or you can make a one-time donation here I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store!

Welcome to episode 74 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Happy New Year! Today is the first episode of 2025 and the new format, where I’m releasing episodes every Tuesday! I’m excited to bring you content on a weekly basis since the show is growing, and I’m so excited for this growth. Also, the podcast is officially sponsored! This past November, I gained the show's first sponsor; their information is below.  Alright, let’s get into the episode. Today’s story is from Diana Rubi. Diana is a creator born in Mexico but raised here in the US. She shares her story of her family’s decision to come to the US and how her dad’s employer sponsored him and the family for residency. Lastly, we talk about her creative endeavors.   With Love, Heidy Connect with Diana Rubi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amigascollective/  Check out this podcast community on Substack!!  *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing Group* Want to sponsor this podcast? Send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Or you can make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Start your podcast with my six-week podcast course! It has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Welcome to episode 73 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Today, I’m bringing you my conversation with Dr. Griselda Martinez. Dr. Martinez is a business coach for women entrepreneurs and hosts the podcast “Unexpectedly Successful,” where she shares guests’ success stories.  She shared with me about her childhood in Mexico - recounting her freedom of playing outside with her siblings from sunrise to sunset. Dr. Martinez ended up moving to the US as an exchange student following the death of her mother. She goes into detail about the positive relationship she had with her adoptive family in Louisiana. Indeed, a unique experience.  Lastly, after pursuing her doctoral degree in New Mexico, she became a permanent resident after navigating various visas in the US. I truly think you’ll enjoy Dr. Martinez’s heartfelt story.  With Love, Heidy Connect with Dr. Griselda Martinez: Website: https://www.drgriselda.com/  Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/66x3kimKtCA4dSHE51IOEj?si=83c13781e7354a27   Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox! https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the show. Send me an email, and I will send you the advertisement packages. Thank you.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Welcome to episode 72 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Today, I’m sharing my conversation with author Sindy F., who wrote If I Denounce My Accent. This novel is based on true events, and I finished it on our holiday vacation in the Dominican Republic. There was something different about reading a book about the Dominican culture and experience while being in the Dominican Republic. Sindy talks about moving from the Dominican Republic to New Jersey at the age of 14 without knowing how to speak English. She shares about her first culture shock and the writing process of her novel. Sindy says the writing process for her was like a love letter to herself. She shares topics that are usually taboo to talk about in the Dominican culture. I’m so excited to share her story with you today.  With Love, Heidy Connect with Sindy: Website: https://sindyf.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sindyfe_/  Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox! https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the show. Send me an email, and I will send you the advertisement packages. Thank you.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Welcome to episode 71 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Today, I spoke with Kathy, a transformational coach, about her unique experience as a first-generation child of immigrant parents from two different countries. Kathy shares heartfelt stories about her upbringing, cultural identity, and navigating life as an immigrant child. Kathy’s mother, a Chinese refugee from Vietnam, and her father, originally from Taiwan, met in Connecticut before moving to Morgan Hill, California, to open an American fast-food restaurant.  Kathy opens up about growing up as one of the few Asian families in a predominantly white small town and on the struggle of belonging, both in the U.S. and when visiting her parents’ home countries. She shares anecdotes about her trips to Taiwan, emphasizing the safety, hospitality, and cultural richness she experienced and the challenges of being labeled as "different."  This seems to be a common theme among us who are children of immigrants.  With Love, Heidy Connect with Kathy: Website: https://www.kathymou.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Kathy.mou/  Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox! https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the show. Send me an email, and I will send you the advertisement packages. Thank you.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Welcome to episode 70 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Today’s guest is Marta Spirk, a Brazilian immigrant who moved to the U.S. at 23, nine months after having her triplets. Marta has worked as a freelance court interpreter and is now a visibility strategist and recording artist with two published books and a podcast. Her passion for learning English was fueled by her exposure to music during childhood, which led to various achievements, including singing the national anthem at a Nuggets game. Upon moving to the U.S., Marta faced cultural differences, particularly around domestic responsibilities, which were different from those in Brazil. Adjusting to these changes proved challenging, highlighting contrasts between American and Brazilian customs. A return visit to Brazil brought mixed emotions as she navigated family dynamics and committed to overcoming challenges in America.  With Love, Heidy Connect with Martha: Website: https://www.martaspirk.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martaspirk/  Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/16cEQiwSFsB5kTprwCDtRK  Book Review: https://heidydelacruz.com/the-empowered-woman/  Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox! https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here. Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.com.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz