Dishing on Immigration: Recent Episodes
Alexandra Dishnica
My name is Alexandra Dishnica. I am a teenager helping immigrants and activists share their stories through interviews. My goal is to create a community through the discussion on immigration policies as our first collective step towards reform.
Meet Ana Guerrero,
On this episode of Dishing on Immigration, I interviewed Ana Guerrero, an immigrant from Mexico and advocate for first-generation students. Ana speaks on how being Mexican woman living in the U.S. has influenced her perspective on the world and how she embraces both her Mexican and American identity. Moreover, Ana describes her passion for education, experience earning a PhD, and how she helps students navigate their academic careers. Listen to this episode to learn more about Ana Guerrero and the culture of education.
Meet Dorothy Chow,
Dorothy is a fellow daughter of immigrants and podcast host! On this episode of Dishing on Immigration, Dorothy touches on her experiences as a Chinese-Cambodian American, from dealing with generational trauma to discovering her Cambodian heritage. More so, she talks about her podcast—Death in Cambodia, Life in America—which revolves around her father’s experience as he persevered through the Cambodian Genocide. Listen to this episode to learn more about Dorothy, Dorothy’s podcast, and the power in storytelling.
Meet Marieta Oslanec, an immigrant from Slovakia and entrepreneur. On this episode of Dishing on Immigration, Marieta and I discuss her spiritual and immigration journey. Specifically, Marieta dives into her motivations for pursuing the legal field within the U.S. With hardships along the road, she found spirituality as a guide and wrote a book, Love is the Law: 21 Universal Laws to Activate Your Inner Genius & Uplift Humanity. Marieta tackles her life endeavours with courage and determination and urges everyone to stay true to their intuition and dreams. Now Marieta has created ImmigrationBiz Academy which aims to help other immigrants achieve their entrepreneurial goals. Much can be learned from Marieta’s spiritual awakening and success in the legal field. Listen here for more on Marieta and stay tuned on her Youtube Channel.
Meet Orlando Rene Chavez, an entrepreneur and immigrant from Mexico. Rene immigrated as a young boy and in this episode of Dishing on Immigration, he reflects on how the American Dream has shaped his life. Coming to the U.S. in hopes for a better future, Rene reflects on both the benefits and challenges to immigration. He shows unwavering strength, always looking to improve himself and help others achieve their goals, especially through entrepreneurship. Rene and his wife, Leslie, have created Biznesito, a LatinX Entrepreneurship Academy. In his words, “it [entrepreneurship] is the American Dream because it allows you to take control of your life”.
Meet Maral, a first generation American with an Armenian background. Maral speaks about her family’s upbringing in the US. Given this experience, she talks about what it is like to be raised in an immigrant household as a first generation daughter. Maral also touches on the unique experiences that first generation Americans face and the inspiration for her instagram account @firstgendaughters which is aimed at creating a safe space for first gen daughters like myself or the accounts co-founder, Anya. Listen here for more about Maral and follow First-Gen Daughter Diaries on instagram for more on what it is like to be a first generation American.
The founders of First-Gen Daughter Diaries (Maral left, Anya right)
Meet Shwetha, a fitness coach and immigrant from India. Shwetha speaks on the variety of experiences that accompanies an immigrant’s life in the US— being removed from a sense of community in her home country, adapting to American lifestyle, and developing a sense of individuality. Additionally, Shwetha speaks about breaking stereotypes and empowering women of color, especially through fitness and mindset coaching. Through her work she ensures women gain strength and confidence. Shwetha is an amazing role model and does not allow difficult situations define her. Listen to this episode to learn about Shwetha’s authentic account of her experience in the US as a brown, immigrant mother.
Meet Zara Bagramian, an Armenian immigrant and mindset coach. Although Zara is currently living in Canada, Zara’s experience leaving her home country and moving to Canada mirrors an American immigrant’s experience. Moreover, her story is one that we can all learn from. In addition to being an immigrant herself, Zara works as a mindset coach helping women abroad find confidence, resilience, and their own voice. Zara is an inspiration to all, tackling challenges head on and helping woman become leaders like herself. Listen here to learn more about Zara and her immigrant experience.
Zara’s Instagram Zara’s Facebook
On today’s episode of Dishing on Immigration I had the privilege of speaking with Elin, a passionate individual and rising freshman at the University of California, San Diego. Elin, an Armenian immigrant from Iran, speaks on her experience expanding her family business, Elo Gifts. Additionally, she opens up about dealing with financial struggles, adapting to life in the US, and the nuances of an American lifestyle. Listen here to learn more about Elin’s thoughts on culture, family, and the power of education.
On today’s relatively short episode of Dishing on Immigration, I speak about my own experience. I am opening up this podcast speaking by letting you all know who I am. I, Alexandra Dishnica, a first-generation American speak about my family’s story in the US and my upbringing. I explain how my heritage has impacted me and has influenced many of my passions and interests. In addition, I talk about how I began this podcast and the power of story telling. I hope to inspire Americans to stand up for what is right.
On today’s episode, we interview Gary Donato, a scholar and expert on immigration policy and politics. As a professor, Gary Donato speaks about the critical role history and politics plays in everyday life. He also talks about developing his immigration policy course at Bentley University. Specifically, we discuss different aspects of American immigration policy, such as the politicization and the complexity of the US immigration system. Listen to this episode of Dishing on Immigration to learn more about Professor Donato and the power of education and analysis.
Meet Dung Duong! On today’s episode of Dishing on Immigration, Dung shares his story of escaping a third-world country, living in refugee camps, immigrating to the United States, and ultimately growing up in poverty.
Now Dung works as an optic engineer who wants to make an impact on the world. Additionally, he is the author of the book, Shifting Optics, in which he speaks about his view on life. In his writing he, “doesn’t dwell on what he lacked in his youth. Instead, he focuses on what he did have: intrinsic motivation, a strong will, and the desire to positively impact the world”. Learn more about Dung, his immigration experience by listening here and on Spotify.
On today’s episode of Dishing on Immigration we hear from Adina Appelbaum. Adina is an immigration attorney from the DC area working for a non-profit organization. In an effort to empower people, Adina and her husband also founded the Immigrant Finance School. By teaching people about personal finances, Adina hopes to aid immigrants and build generational wealth. Listen here to learn more about Adina’s inspiration, social activism, and thoughts on the US immigration system.
Meet Isabeau! Isabeau is a first-generation American who is currently a student at the University of Chicago. She talks about growing up with a multi-ethnic background and how this has impacted her life. She shares about her experience of exploring her Afro-Caribbean identity and hopes that others too can find pride in who they are. Listen here to learn more about Isabeau, her passions such as poetry, and how to explore your heritage.
Meet Pedro Salazar, an immigrant from Peru. Pedro came to the US at the age of 17 as an exchange student. In his time in the US he has worked hard, finished law school, and overcome challenges to build the life he lives today. Now he lives in North Carolina with his wife and daughter and he works as a corporate counsel. Additionally, he has written one book thus far, Through the Eyes of Santiago: The Story of a Peruvian Boy Living in an American Maze, and he is writing another on his experience as a student in the Midwest. He hopes to change negative perceptions of the word “immigrant” and teach people about the power of eduction. Listen to learn more about Pedro and his experience.
On episode 18 of Dishing on Immigration we hear from Dulce Vasquez. Dulce immigrated to the US from Mexico at the age of seven. Dulce speaks about her life before moving to the US and learning how to adapt to life in America. She also gives a very interesting perspective on immigration as she lived undocumented for several years. Dulce went on to getting her BA and Masters degree and she is currently working in education. She also speaks about her political campaign as she is running for City Council. Listen to this episode to find out more about Dulce, her campaign, and issues such as predatory lending and the injustices of the immigration system.
Today we learn about Milana Dostanitch, an immigrant from Cyprus. Milana came to America in search of educational opportunities. She now works as an employment lawyer and is passionate about education and combatting discrimination in the workplace. Through her job she also educates the public on these issues. Despite life’s challenges, with hard work and dedication, Milana has established a career fighting for peoples rights. Listen to this episode of Dishing on Immigration to learn more about Milana and her story.
On today’s episode, we interview activist and first generation American, Ramon Valdez. Ramon speaks about how he got involved in immigration reform and his role with the nonprofit organization, Innovation Law Lab. Ramon’s background on immigration policy allows us to dive into many critical and specific issues in regards to American immigration policy. We also cover many cases that him and his organization are working on. At the same time he stresses how immigration and similar systems need to be decriminalized and humanized. Listen to this episode of Dishing on Immigration to learn more about Ramon and how to get involved.
On today’s episode, we interview Jordan Sher. Jordan is a writer and activist who focuses on sharing immigrant stories, especially stories of survivors from the Bosnian genocide. Jordan talks about his inspirations, his work in social justice, and his upcoming historical fiction book. He also focuses on how tragedies in the past such as genocides or authoritarian regimes can tell us a lot about today and can be acknowledged as cautionary tales. Listen to this episode of Dishing on Immigration to learn more about Jordan and his work
By Jordan Steven Sher At 49, Selima Vejzovic, has crystal clear and haunting memories of her life at the time of the genocide in Srebrenica that led to the five-day slaughter of 8, 372 men and boys beginning July 11 in 1995. 2020 marks the 25 th anniversary of this heinous war crime.
Today I am interviewing instagram’s Americles. Americles has a very interesting upbringing and perspective on immigration. He is half European and half Chinese, and his mother immigrated to the US from Asia. His mother has an incredible story and found asylum in the US. Furthermore, Americles attended an international school growing up that supported leftists views, the exact views that caused his mother to flee from her home. As a result, he took a nativist view on immigration. He has moved on from this and talks about inefficiencies of US immigration policy and debunks myths about immigrants. Americles also shares his patriotic views of the US and the America Dream. Learn more about Americles and his story by listening to this episode of Dishing on Immigration.
Today I am interviewing Javier. Javier was brought to the US when he was 3 months old and he has lived here for most of his life. His mother, siblings, wife, and children are all US Citizens, but Javier was not as fortunate. He was deported to Mexico and is now living in Tijuana. Javier is an active immigration activist and advocates for social justice. He uses his platform on instagram to post meaningful artwork. He is also involved with volunteer work at an orphanage in Tijuana, border angels, and is looking to expand his passion into a nonprofit organization. Javier talks about how he found out he was undocumented, what his artwork means to him, and the injustices of American immigration. Learn more about Javier and his story by listening to this episode of Dishing on Immigration.
Today I am interviewing immigration activist Wes Watkins. During Covid-19 it became very apparent to Wes that immigrants are not getting the aid they needed. He found inspiration in his friends and neighbors, and teamed up with several organizations in Orange County, California and started a fundraising campaign. Listen to this episode to learn more about Wes and his campaign, Immigrant Relief. Visit his website, https://www.immigrantreliefoc.com and check out his instagram account here.
Today I am interviewing Naomi, an immigrant and DACA recipient from Mexico. Naomi was brought to the US at the age of 6 and grew up in California. Naomi covers many topics including how immigrating has impacted her life, her culture, and the difficulties of the US immigration system. Learn more about Naomi and her experiences by listening further.
Today I am interviewing attorney, Alicia Morgan. Alicia is originally from Kentucky and now has her own firm, Immigration Lawyers USA in Miami. She found her passion for law and is now working to help many immigrants. Alicia speaks about many important topics like “machismo”, her faith, and laws passed by the administration during Covid-19. Listen to hear more about Alicia and visit her website, www.immigrationlawyersusa.com.
Today I am interviewing rising freshman, Joanna. She is a first generation American of Mexican heritage currently living in California. Joanna speaks about the struggles many immigrants face today, whether it be deportations or dealing with biases and stereotypes. Furthermore, she reflects on her experience as the daughter of an immigrant and how this shapes her identity. Listen here to learn more about Joanna’s experience.
Listen to my interview with Isadora Velazquez. Isadora was born in Puerto Rico and came to Miami for schooling. She found her passion for immigration law and is now an attorney working to help many people in difficult situations. Listen to hear about her job, inspirations, and check out her instagram page for more information @isalawfirm
Today I am interviewing Toneille, an immigrant from Jamaica. Toneille came to the US as a very young girl and settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She speaks about racial equality, her work as an educator, Jamaican culture, and much more! Learn more about Toneille’s experience and identity by listening further.
Today I am interviewing Elda, an immigrant from Albania. Elda came to the US aspiring for a better life and economic situation for herself. Elda speaks about what being an immigrant means to her and the inefficiencies of immigration system. Her young daughter, Esther, also chimes in to the conversation asking, “what is an immigrant?” Learn more about Elda’s experience by listening further.
Today I am interviewing Gressa. She was born in Prishtina, Kosovo. Gressa lived a typical life in Kosovo, with no ambitions to move to America. Her younger brother Gentian, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Gentian and his father moved to Alaska in hopes for a better treatment. Their they were hosted by another Kosovar Albanian family. They were then relocated to Boston where the Make a Wish Foundation helped Gentians wish of reuniting with his family come true. Listen to hear about Gressa’s experience moving to Boston and adapting to life at her high school.
The first episode of Dishing on Immigration covers current immigration policies.
We learn about visas, green cards, and citizenship and the process of acquiring these statuses. Furthermore, we talk about the inefficiencies about American immigration. Then we delve deeper into immigration quotas, Trump’s Travel Ban, America’s Zero Tolerance Policy, deportations, and programs like DACA, as a precedent before interviewing immigrants and hearing their story.
Today I am interviewing my mother, Irma. She was born in Kavaje, Albania during Eastern Europe’s communist regime. As soon as communism fell, her family gathered some belongings and walked for three days southwards to Greece. An economic and political crisis led my mother to America where she and my father were granted political asylum. Learn more about Irma’s experience immigrating to America.
The first episode of Dishing on Immigration covers current immigration policies.
We learn about visas, green cards, and citizenship and the process of acquiring these statuses. Furthermore, we talk about the inefficiencies about American immigration. Then we delve deeper into immigration quotas, Trump’s Travel Ban, America’s Zero Tolerance Policy, deportations, and programs like DACA, as a precedent before interviewing immigrants and hearing their story.