Explore every episode of the podcast Immigrant Stories | The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Emotional Cost of the Immigration Experience with Ingrid Perez - Ep. 139 | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:30:23 | |
Welcome to episode 139 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! Ingrid Perez, an immigration attorney and founder of IBP Immigration Law in Orlando, Florida, shares her journey from Brazil to the United States and how her immigrant experience shaped her path into law and advocacy. In this episode, Ingrid reflects on her childhood in Brazil, her family’s move to New York in 1994, and the challenges of adapting to life in a new country. She opens up about the cultural adjustments, the determination it took to pursue higher education, and the lessons she learned while navigating unfamiliar systems as she built her future. Ingrid takes us through her professional journey—from starting her legal career as a public defender to eventually specializing in immigration law and founding her own firm. Today, she is dedicated to helping immigrants understand the complexities of the legal system and empowering them to advocate for themselves. Through her work, she continues to guide individuals and families as they navigate immigration processes and build their lives in the United States. With Love, Heidy Connect with Ingrid Perez: 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 For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Mexico’s Newsroom, to Tech, to Storyteller. Mariana’s journey to the American Dream - Ep. 138 | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:25:42 | |
Welcome to episode 138 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! Mariana Tinoco Rivera shares her journey from Mexico to the United States, where she now lives in Boston and works as a product manager in tech. From her early career as a journalist in Mexico City to pursuing graduate studies in publishing and writing, Mariana has built a global career that eventually led her to Google. In this episode, Mariana reflects on her professional and personal transitions—from journalism to tech, and from life in Mexico to navigating corporate America. She opens up about the cultural adjustments she faced, from adapting to colder weather to understanding new workplace expectations and professional norms. Through each transition, she shares how resilience, curiosity, and adaptability shaped her path. Mariana takes us through her journey from storyteller and journalist to tech professional and community builder. She shares her passion project, Arrival Pod, where she interviews first-generation immigrant women from around the world. Through these conversations, she highlights the shared themes of identity, belonging, and reinvention that connect immigrant experiences across cultures. With Love, Heidy Connect with Mariana Tinoco Rivera:
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 For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E
Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| “The American Dream is Engraved in the Constitution” - Ep. 129 | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:28:53 | |
Welcome to episode 129 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! Mohamed Mo Rachadi shares his journey from French Morocco to the United States, arriving in 1970 on a soccer scholarship with limited English and big dreams. Today, Mohammed is a retired academic, author, public speaker, and philanthropist, dedicated to storytelling, education, and community impact. In this episode, Mohamed reflects on his early life in Morocco, his decision to immigrate, and the challenges he faced adjusting to American culture and language barriers. He opens up about the initial setbacks he encountered as a student, the persistence it took to adapt, and how resilience became the foundation of his success. With Love, Heidy Connect with Mo:
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: 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
For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E
Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Coaching, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| In the Middle of Grief I Moved to the US with Yara | 14 Nov 2023 | 00:30:46 | |
Welcome to episode 40 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 Yara Demarque. She is a finance advisor who immigrated from Brazil because her family wanted to fulfill her sister’s wish of living in the United States after she suddenly died from eating a burger! Not only is that tragic – Yara was also engaged when her family decided to move! What grief Yara went through at such a young age. Yara starts her story by telling us how unstable her life was in the beginning; her family moved a lot, so she barely ever made friends. So, when people ask her if she misses Brazil, she really doesn’t because her family are all here now. She didn’t even want to move to the United States in the first place, but once she arrived, she said, “I’m here; might as well make the best of it.” Listen to her tremendous story of how, in the middle of grief, she changed her whole life and moved to a new country with her family. Yara, you are incredible! Thank you for sharing your journey! Thank you for being here. With Love, Heidy Connect with Yara: Instagram: @yourfinancegirly Website: https://www.newyorklife.com/agent/ldemarqueper Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or YouTube. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please email me at Heidy@heidydelacruz.com. Connect with Heidy Do you or someone you know want to share their immigration story? Please message me on Instagram. Want to start your own podcast? – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here. Also, as a gift for signing up for the podcast newsletter, I'll send you a checklist to get your podcast started and the list of equipment and tools I use! Lastly, 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| I Didn’t Know What a State Was - I Just Wanted to Get to America | 31 Oct 2023 | 00:29:44 | |
Welcome to episode 39 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 Ichko Jackson; she is a life coach who specializes in helping women find quality gentlemen to date. She’s been a certified coach since 2020. Ichko is from Mongolia, and she moved to the United States in 2013. After her mom got into an accident, Ichko had to work, and she was able to save up enough money within a five-year span to move to the United States. She came to attend graduate school here, and when the agency asked her what state she wanted to attend school in, she didn’t even know what a state was. All she knew was that she wanted to come to the United States. Ichko settled in Seattle, but it wasn’t anything like she imagined it would be because it rained a lot. Eventually, she moved to California. I love that Ichko shares she intentionally didn’t hang out with the Mongolian community when she first arrived because she wanted to immerse herself in the American culture and learn English. Her thought was that if she hung out with other Mongolians, they wouldn’t speak English, which she needed to learn. Lastly, Ichko shares how her journey of self-discovery led her to become a coach! Thank you for being here! With Love, Heidy Connect with Ichko: Instagram: @ichkojackson Twitter (X): @ichko_batmunkh Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or YouTube. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please email me at Heidy@heidydelacruz.com. Connect with Heidy Do you or someone you know want to share their immigration story? Please message me on Instagram. Want to start your own podcast? – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here. Also, as a gift for signing up for the podcast newsletter, I'll send you a checklist to get your podcast started and the list of equipment and tools I use! Lastly, 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Coming as an International Student Was Faster | 17 Oct 2023 | 00:32:59 | |
Welcome to episode 38 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 Daniela Diaz; she is a social media manager. Dani helps small business owners with their presence on social media by creating content and helping them manage their accounts. We met at a networking event, and once she told me she was from Venezuela, I asked her if she would be interested in sharing her story. Dani shares how she came to the United States as an international student. Her grandparents were born in the United States, so they were already US citizens; however, the process for them to sponsor her and get her residency was ten years. The faster way for her to come was as an international student. Dani is very raw and honest about her struggles during her first two years living here. And she shares details of things she did to get by. Please listen to this story with an empathic and compassionate heart. Lastly, we end the episode by talking about how she got into being a social media manager. Her aunt owns a jewelry business, and Dani helped her business achieve an online presence. As a result of that, she started to promote this service for herself, and it became her business! Thank you for being here! With Love, Heidy P.S. The app I reference in the episode where you can share passwords with your team is called LastPass. Connect with Dani: Instagram: @danicreativemedia - Website: https://portfoliodanicreativem.my.canva.site/orlando-marketing Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or YouTube. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please email me at Heidy@heidydelacruz.com. Follow me on Instagram Do you or someone you know want to share their immigration story? Please message me on Instagram. Want to start your own podcast? – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here. Also, as a gift for signing up for the podcast newsletter, I'll send you a checklist to get your podcast started and the list of equipment and tools I use! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Women of Welcome Director Bri Stensrud | 04 Oct 2023 | 00:44:44 | |
Welcome to episode 37 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 Bri Stensrud the director of Women of Welcome. And if you’ve listened to any of my episodes you know how much I mention this organization because of the work they are doing within the immigration space. So, being able to interview and get Bri on the show was such an honor for me! Bri talks about how Women of Welcome got started and why. She also talks about her passion for this work and the work that Women of Welcome in the Southern Border. Women of Welcome is a non-partisan Christian organization that is dedicated to sharing the whole truth and scriptures in understanding God’s heart for immigrants and refugees. Their mission states: We believe God calls us to a deep love for the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the forgotten. Together we’re on a journey to understand biblical hospitality in an authentic way. They have videos and bible studies available as resources to help people understand what the Bible says about immigration, how we should approach the issue of immigration as Christ followers, and dive deeper into the word of God. I’ve completed their Bible Study – What Does the Bible Say About Immigration? And it was impactful and I feel like it was important for me to do because of the work I’m doing with this podcast, so I encourage you to go through it too! The first Bible Study that Women of Welcome published was Ruth and Noemi – which is still available on their website. Bri, thank you so much for your heart and the work you’re doing. Also, thank you so much for taking the time to share your work with my audience! God Bless you and this organization. Thank you for being here! With Love, Heidy Connect with Bri: Instagram: @bri.stenz Instagram: @WomenofWelcome Facebook Group: Women of Welcome Facebook Page: Women of Welcome Website: Womenofwelcome.com Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or YouTube. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connect with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please message me on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! If you want to start a podcast – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Become an Immigration Specialist with DOJ Accreditation with Joanne McAfee | 19 Sep 2023 | 00:44:54 | |
Welcome to episode 36 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 episode is a little different than usual because instead of speaking to an immigrant, I am speaking with someone who is an immigrant ally and works in the immigration space without being an immigration attorney. Her name is Joanne McAfee and we connected through the Facebook group Women of Welcome! She had posted that she was partially accredited with the DOJ but was working on getting fully accredited, however, this was the first step. Joanne explained that she is able to service migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers while seeking full accreditation. This, of course, piqued my interest because I had never heard of this program before. In today’s episode, Joanne explains the process of how she got into becoming accredited, what type of work she does, and the program she did with Villanova University. I hope this episode is insightful if you are looking to serve in the immigration space without becoming an immigration attorney. Thank you for being here! With Love, Heidy P.S. Here is the article that I referenced in this episode about the countries that take in the most refugees. Connect with Joanne: Joanne's Bio: Here are a few ways you can support this podcast.
If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connect with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please message me on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! If you want to start a podcast – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "I Thought I Was Going for a Few Months and Stayed for Six Years!" with Louie (English) | 05 Sep 2023 | 00:33:40 | |
Welcome to episode 35 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 Louie Bischoff from NRT Marketing. She tells us about her experience being overseas in Taiwan – falling in love and bringing her then fiancé over to the United States. Louie went through the whole process of getting her fiancé’s green card or permanent residency status. The initial plan was to spend a few months with her friend in Taiwan and she ended up spending 6 years! In those six years, she learned the language, adapted to their culture, and lived with her fiancé’s family. After living in Taiwan for six years, Louie and her partner decided to move to the United States. It was an important conversation and decision they made together weighing the options of where to raise a family and they picked the US. Louie’s biggest shock while filing paperwork for obtaining permanent residency was the questioning of whether their relationship was legit. Her biggest hurdle was trying to translate the legal documents for her husband and him trying to understand concepts of what the question was trying to ask. Listen to the rest of her experience! Thank you for being here! With Love, Heidy Connect with Louie: LinkedIn: Louie Bischoff, MBA Instagram: @Louie_Bischoff TikTok: @Louie_Bischoff Facebook: NRT Marketing Website: Nrtmarketingsolutions.com Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connect with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please message me on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! If you want to start a podcast – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here. Subscribe to The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants YouTube Channel!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "Gatito Inmeegrante" The Best Immigration Story Ever written by Alfredo (English) (South America) | 22 Aug 2023 | 00:15:35 | |
Welcome to episode 34 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 Alfredo Bravo De Rueda, writer of Gatito Inmeegrante screenplay, which he says is the best immigration story ever! He came to the United States from South America at almost 40 years of age. Alfredo starts the show by sharing that his background is in economics but unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to work in his field. This is more common than not with immigrants. For example, I’ve worked at different doctor’s offices, and at least one medical assistant in each office I’ve worked in was either a doctor or a nurse in their home country and hadn’t been able to get licensed or certified in the United States. His first culture shock was the language. Alfredo explains that he learned English back in his home country and he could read and write it, however, once he arrived in the States, he realized he had a hard time understanding people. Another common theme with my guests. One thing I like that he mentioned during our talk was the resources that the US has, for example, the library. And I feel that the Latino community or immigrant community does not use the library as we should. I take my daughter all the time to check out books and I take my son to the story time and toddler time that they have available and I barely see Hispanic people there. And while I’m there, I see all the different classes and activities they have available for the community and I wish that more people would use them.
Do you use your local library? You can send me a message on Instagram with your response. Thank you for being here! With Love, Heidy
Connect with Alfredo: Twitter: @GatitoInmeegran Alfredo’s Story Gatito Inmeegrante
Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connect with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please message me on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! If you want to start a podcast – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here. And subscribe to The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants YouTube Channel - launching September 2023!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Transylvania to Helping People Achieve Their American Dream with Edit (English) | 08 Aug 2023 | 00:33:42 | |
Welcome to episode 33 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 Edit Perez, a Real Estate Agent in Central Florida. She tells us today about her journey coming from Romania. Edit shares that her parents didn’t tell her they were moving when they went on “vacation” to Hungary when she was 15. It wasn’t until they arrived in Austria that they broke the news to her. They had to spend a year in Austria before continuing their journey to the United States. Once they arrived in Missouri, it was a whole new world. She didn’t speak much because she didn’t know English, so she didn’t make friends; she kept to herself. It wasn’t until she moved to California that she opened up and met her now husband. Listen to her incredible journey of coming to the United States and how she eventually became a real estate agent. Now, she is helping people achieve their American Dream of homeownership!
Thank you for being here! With Love, Heidy Connect with Edit: Instagram: @lifestyle_realtor_editperez TikTok: @editperezlifestyle Website: Realtoredit.com Phone: 407-986-0868
Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money.
If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connect with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please message me on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! If you want to start a podcast – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here. Have you signed up for the podcast's YouTube channel? It's launching September 2023! Sign up here. https://www.youtube.com/@TheAmericanDreamInTheEyes
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Be Femme Strong with DACA recipient Diana - (Mexico) (English) | 25 Jul 2023 | 00:29:10 | |
Welcome to episode 32 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 Diana, founder of Be Femme Strong. A women’s merch and apparel company that helps women feel bold and confident. And she is also a photographer. Diana shares her story of growing up undocumented in the United States. She is one of the 643,560 DACA recipients living in the United States. If you’re unfamiliar with DACA – I’ll explain briefly. It is a temporary protection for deportation for undocumented young immigrants. It provides work permit, social security number, and driver’s license for those who qualify, but no path to legal status or citizenship. In order to qualify, recipients had to be younger than 31 on June 15th, 2012, came to the US when they were younger than 16 and lived in the US since 2007. This temporary protection was issued via executive order by President Obama in 2012 after Congress did not pass the DREAM Act, which would provide legal status to undocumented children. Since 2012 there has been no path forward for these recipients to gain legal status and recipients must renew their application every two years and pay a fee of $495. Diana grew up not knowing she was undocumented; she believes it was her parent’s way of trying to protect her. It wasn’t until she was 15 when all her friends were getting their permits and starting to drive that her parents told her why she wouldn’t be able to get her permit as well. She quickly learned that going to college would be a challenge too but that didn’t stop her from studying hard, taking AP classes, and joining the dual-enrollment program in her high school to obtain college credits. Although, she didn’t finish college, she did open up her own business. Listen to how her husband’s death motivated her to start her own business. Thank you for being here! With Love, Heidy Connect with Diana: Instagram: @diana.samantha + @befemmestrong TikTok: @diana.samantha + @befemmestrong Website: Befemmestrong.com
Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connect with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please message me on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! If you want to start a podcast – I want to be your coach! I can help you with a successful podcast launch in just 6 weeks. More information here.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "Our Wealth Matters" with Maribel (Mexico) (Spanglish) | 11 Jul 2023 | 00:34:53 | |
Welcome to episode 31 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 Maribel from Our Wealth Matters. She has been featured in The New York Times and Next Advisor con Time. Maribel is an immigrant money coach! We connected on Instagram and she educates and coaches immigrants on finances and building wealth! Maribel shares her story of growing up with immigrant parents – well really an undocumented mom since her dad was deported shortly after she was born. Her and her mom struggled after that to the point that they slept in their car and at friend’s houses from time to time. Her mom eventually went back to work as a seamstress and her then boyfriend asked if that was what she was going to do all her life. That lit a fire in her to get her income tax preparer license at H&R Block and eventually start her own business. We talked about her experience visiting Mexico for the first time and all the memories she made during that trip. Maribel brings up a situation that happens quite frequently, especially to undocumented workers, is that some employers take advantage of their status by either paying them less than minimum wage or not paying them at all. Please know that if you are undocumented or know someone who is undocumented and are in this situation, they still have rights. On episode 8 – I talk an immigration attorney and he mention this as well. Please seek out, an immigration attorney if you or someone you know is in this situation. The episode ends talking about personal finance and how Maribel’s upbringing was what motivated her to become financially literate and now she educates the immigration community on personal finance and how to build wealth. And she provides 3 financial tips!!! So, make sure to listen until the end! I hope you enjoy this episode and that you learn a tip or two or three ;) !
With Love, Heidy Connect with Maribel: Instagram: @OurWealthMatters TikTok: @OurWealthMatters Website: Ourwealthmatters.com
Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please message me on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Navigating Identity, Expectations, and Entrepreneurship as a First-Gen Immigrant - Ep. 128 | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:33:20 | |
Welcome to episode 128 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! Claudia Garcia, a first-generation immigrant and online business coach, shares her journey growing up in Los Banos, California, navigating responsibility at a young age, and ultimately building a business rooted in freedom, mindset, and generational change. In this episode, Claudia reflects on her childhood as a first-generation daughter, translating for her parents, helping her family navigate systems, and experiencing financial hardship. She opens up about the pressure to succeed, the realities of growing up with limited resources, and how those early experiences shaped her work ethic and desire to create a different future. Claudia takes us through her transition from the classroom to entrepreneurship, leaving teaching to become an online business coach. She shares how her mission is centered on breaking cycles of burnout, long work hours, and financial instability. Through her coaching programs and her podcast, Breakthrough and Conquer, she empowers others to build successful businesses using mindset shifts, productivity strategies, and intentional action. With Love, Heidy Connect with Claudia:
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: 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 For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E
Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Coaching, you will receive $50!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Does the American Dream differs? with Vera (Nigeria) (English) | 27 Jun 2023 | 00:29:07 | |
Welcome to episode 30 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 Vera from Redeemed Christian Lifestyle. She is a Christian life coach who focuses on helping Christian professionals with their spiritual needs, and she runs a Christian teaching ministry for women. We talked about her experience as a child of immigrants and some of the challenges she saw her parents face living in a different country. Her parents came from Nigeria, and one of their frustrations when they first arrived was seeing the commercials on TV of how Africa was being portrayed. Vera gives some facts about Nigeria – like there are over 250 languages spoken in Nigeria alone! People wear Western fashion clothing, except for special occasions; they will wear their traditional Nigerian clothing. And Nigerians have two types of weddings – a traditional wedding and a white wedding. One common theme with children of immigrants that I’ve noticed is that we battle with the sense of belonging and the conflict of having two different cultures. There is your parent’s culture (from their home country), but then there is the American culture (where we live)—trying to navigate through both causes friction between parents and their kids. However, as we (the children of immigrants) get older and have our own children, we understand our parents and their choices more. Vera was the first guest I asked how she thinks the American differs between immigrants and native-born Americans, and I would love to know how do you think it differs, if at all? You can respond in the poll at the bottom or send me your answer on Instagram, and I’ll include it in the next episode! :) With Love, Heidy Connect with Vera: Phone: 713-396-0954 Redeemedchrisitanlifestyle.org Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at heidy@heidydelacruz.com Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please message me on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| A Just Mission with Mekdes Haddis - (Ethiopia) (English) | 13 Jun 2023 | 00:42:48 | |
Welcome to episode 29 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 Mekdes Haddis. She is a speaker, author, business consultant, and coach. Mekdes came from Ethiopia to attend college in the United States. Her parents felt that receiving higher education in the West was the best thing for her. She attended her first year of college in Ethiopia. However, she felt called to ministry and attended a Christian college here. We talked a bit about her life in Ethiopia when she first arrived in the US – how the roads felt so empty and how she enjoys the freedom of being who she wants to be here. Which is something people don’t get in certain countries. And I want to highlight this because those who have never been outside the US or haven’t talked to someone from a different culture may not understand. Mekdes explains how the government in Ethiopia assigns careers for the people depending on the 12th-grade assessment results. For example, if your exam shows that you’re strong in math or science, they may assign you to the engineering or the medical field, and if you’re good at history or writing, they might assign you to teaching or business management. We finish the episode by discussing Mekdes’s book – A Just Mission – Laying Down Power & Embracing Mutuality. You can read my review of the book here. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has gone on mission trips or wants to attend a mission trip to learn more about what we can do right on these mission trips. As promised in the episode, here are all the links to where you can purchase her book. AMAZON, CHRISTIAN BOOK, BARNES AND NOBLE, IVPRESS.COM With Love, Heidy Connect with Mekdes: Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Share this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Write a review. 4. Sign up for the newsletter. 5. Donate money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Finding Your Purpose With Burcu (Turkey) (English) | 30 May 2023 | 00:31:16 | |
Welcome to episode 28 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz where I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time. Today's guest is Burcu Onaranel. She is the owner of Joy, LLC, international speaker, and host of The Coffee O’Clock Podcast. In her podcast she shares joy and inspiration with guest from all over the world who have inspirational stories to tell. Burcu came to the United States from Turkey looking purpose. She had, what people called, "the perfect life" - she had a good career, made good money, had a car, had a degree, yet she wasn't happy. She took a huge risk, quit her job, moved to the United States without knowing English, only searching for her purpose. Once the pandemic hit, she moved back to Turkey to be with her family during those uncertain times. Her experience is different from other episodes I've had but I appreciate her experience because she came to the U.S. to find purpose. She wasn't running away from anything, she wasn't struggling in her home country, however, she was brave to move to a whole new country - the country of opportunities, to find her life's true purpose. And in the four years she was here, she founded her company! She now helps other entrepreneurs reach personal and business goals. In the episode we talk about me being a guest on her podcast and you can listen to it here. With Love, Heidy Connect with Burcu: Instagram Email: burcu@joyyburcu.com Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Sharing this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Writing a review. 4. Signing up for the newsletter. 5. Donating money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Be Open to Learning with Andrea (Ecuador) (English) | 16 May 2023 | 00:37:55 | |
Welcome to episode 27 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast! I am your host Heidy De La Cruz, and today’s guest is Andrea Rotondo from Liquid Cents Bookkeeping. Andrea was 16 when her parents decided to move from Ecuador to the United States. Her dad got a great opportunity to take over a business in the US, and her mom always wanted to live here, so it was the perfect time for them; however, Andrea wanted to finish high school with her lifelong friends. We talked about her experience in adapting to school here in the United States and how the diversity of South Florida was her biggest culture shock because there weren’t people from Ecuador in her community. Andrea also shares how she became undocumented during the process of her sister petitioning her family (her parents and her). To this day, there is no explanation of what happened, but during this period when she was undocumented, she felt like she needed to be invisible so she wouldn’t get deported. Luckily, per paperwork was able to get fixed, but it affected various aspects of her life, like attending college, not being able to drive, etc. We finish the episode talking about her business, Liquid Cents Bookkeeping, what she does, who she helps, and how you can connect with her. Thank you so much for your support; I hope you enjoy this episode and learned something new. With Love, Heidy Connect with Andrea https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrearotondo1/ Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Sharing this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Writing a review. 4. Signing up for the newsletter. 5. Donating money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Chinedu from The Immigrant Investor Show! (Nigeria) (English) | 02 May 2023 | 00:44:50 | |
Welcome to episode 26 of The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrants podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz and today’s guest is Chinedu Akunne from The Immigrant Investor Show. His podcast is about highlighting the immigrant hustle, like pains, wins, and lessons, to help motivate those stuck along the way. It’s a monthly podcast that has been heard in over 45 countries. Chinedu and I connected on Instagram after one of my followers shared that she was on his podcast, so I asked him to be on mine! Chinedu is from Nigeria and came to the United States when he was 17 for college. He’s a licensed pharmacist, real estate investor, short-termrental operator, and podcast host. Right off the bat, we started talking about names and their meaning, so he gave us the meaning of this name, and he looked up the meaning of mine. So, I want to know, does your name have a specific meaning, and if you know why your parents decided on that name? Chinedu talks about his experience with boarding school back home in Nigeria, which helped him transition to attending college in the United States because he was already used to not seeing his family often. We talk about the culture shock he experienced was, how sensitive people are in the United States because growing up in Nigeria, people are more direct, and how the fashion back in 2005 was so different compared to back home going to a British boarding school. I had such a great time talking to Chinedu and learning about his culture. Let me know if anything stood out to you in this episode or if you learned something new. With Love, Heidy
P.S. Towards the end of the episode, Chinedu mentions that he writes five things he is grateful for daily; you, too, can practice gratitude with my gratitude journal, available on Amazon. And they are running a sale right now; you can purchase it for $6.02!! Here is the episode mentioned on The Immigrant Investor Show about investing.
Connect with Chinedu Instagram - Immigrantinvestorshow Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Sharing this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Writing a review. 4. Signing up for the newsletter. 5. Donating money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Brazil to the United States with the Au Pair Program with Rosana (English) | 18 Apr 2023 | 00:30:58 | |
Welcome to episode 25 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host Heidy De La Cruz, and we are celebrating one year of this podcast this week!!!! The official anniversary is April 19!!!! So, to celebrate, I am doing a $50 gift card giveaway on my Instagram starting tomorrow (April 19 until Friday, April 21, 8 pm EST). Follow me on Instagram for the official rules to enter the giveaway!!!! Thank you so much for all your support this past year, and I cannot wait to see how far this podcast gets!!! All for God’s glory, Amen! Alright, let’s get into the episode. Today I talk with Rosana Acklin – who is from São Paulo, Brazil. And she came to the United States through the Au Pair Program. I’ll be honest, prior to this episode, I had not heard of this program, so I learned a lot with Rosana. With this program, participants become nannies for the host families; however, there are requirements for both sides and here are a few: Au Pairs requirements: 1. Must be able to speak English. 2. Between the ages of 18 to 26 years of age. 3. Successfully pass a background check. 4. Training/experience with kids 5. Must have a secondary school degree. Host family requirement: 1. Provide an appropriate private room. 2. Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident fluent in English. 3. Pay a weekly minimum stipend based on the program selected. 4. Include the au pair in family meals, outings, and holidays whenever possible. 5. Limit childcare to no more than 10 hours and a maximum of 45 hours per week. If you would like the complete list of requirements or are interested in the Au Pair Program, please contact an immigration attorney. We talked about her struggle at the beginning of being away from her family and not having other Brazilians around where she lived. Now, there are more people from Brazil, but when she first moved to Michigan, she didn’t know any. We also talked about her experience going back home the first time after moving and how she did not miss the business of living in a big city. I truly enjoyed talking with Rosana about her unique experience of coming to the United States. I learned about the Au Pair Program and am excited to share this knowledge with you all. Thank you so much for your continuous support, and I hope you enjoy this episode! With Love, Heidy Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Sharing this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Writing a review. 4. Signing up for the newsletter. 5. Donating money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "Life with Francy" - From Puerto Rico to Maryland with Francy Devarie | 04 Apr 2023 | 00:38:10 | |
Welcome to episode 24 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast. Today’s guest is Francy Devarie – the podcast host of “Life With Francy Podcast.” She came to the United States from Puerto Rico when she was 15 after she was married at 14! Yes, this is definitely a story to listen to! Francy’s story is a story of hardship to triumph and is such an impactful story. It was moving to hear all the things she went through and see how much she’s thriving now. I was on Francy’s podcast sharing about my poetry book and what events led me to write those poems. You can listen to that episode here. And you can purchase the book here – just in time for National Poetry Month! Thank you for your continuous support! Don’t forget to leave a review on apple podcast or Spotify.
Connect with Francy InstagramLife With Francy Podcast Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Sharing this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Writing a review. 4. Signing up for the newsletter. 5. Donating money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please send me an email at HReynoso213@gmail.com With Love, Heidy Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "Coming to the US From Bosnia to Be a Doctor and Realizing I Had to Repeat Classes" with Marija Dobratic (English) | 21 Mar 2023 | 00:26:22 | |
Welcome to episode 23 of the American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast! I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. Today’s guest is Marija Dobratic. She is a life coach and the host of Legacy Stories LIVE Podcast – another podcast elevating immigrant stories, which I had the honor and pleasure of being a guest on. In today’s episode, we talk about Marija coming to the United States from Bosnia and her wanting to be a doctor, but she quickly found out how different the school system is here and that she had to be pre-med first before going to medical school. We talked about how different the transportation system is in the US compared to Bosnia, where you can walk everywhere. And her experience going back home to visit Bosnia with her family.
If you’d like to connect with Marija, you can follow her on Instagram and TikTok. Make sure to check out her podcast! Thank you so much for listening to today’s episode!
Here are a few ways you can support this podcast. 1. Sharing this episode with a friend. 2. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple podcast. 3. Writing a review. 4. Signing up for the newsletter. 5. Donating money. If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor the show, please send me an email at heidy@heidydelacruz.com With Love, Heidy Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "Through the Eyes of My Grandmother" with Betsy Sloan | 07 Mar 2023 | 00:28:06 | |
Welcome to episode 22 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. If this is your first time here, welcome; if not, welcome back. Today’s episode is a little different – this story is about a grandmother, Martha Sherman, who came to the United States before World War I, and it’s told by her granddaughter Betsy! Martha came from what used to be Russia but is now Ukraine. She fled because she was told to leave her home because she was Jewish. Listen to her incredible journey and all she endured while fleeing to the United States. Toward the end of the episode, Betsy and I get into a good discussion about immigration and current policies. We both agree that there needs to be a better system in place, and we know that the current system is broken. However, there are things we can do in the meantime while reform happens. The simplest thing is to be kind. We don’t know what people have endured getting here, but now that they are here, let’s be kind. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another… I had the pleasure of meeting Betsy because I was a guest on her show - Chatting with Betsy Connect with Betsy: LinkedIn Facebook Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Ace Candles Founder - Thalia! From PR to US - English | 21 Feb 2023 | 00:45:32 | |
Welcome to Episode 21 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast; I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. Today’s guest is the founder and creator of Ace Candles, Thalia. Thalia is from Puerto Rico, the youngest of three, and she was nine when her parents decided to move to the United States. Although she knew English before they moved, she was still placed in the ESOL program (English for Speakers of Other Languages), and it took some time for her to adapt to schooling in the US. We speak about the struggle of being bilingual and bilingual parents. It’s a struggle because sometimes we forget words in one language or we have to translate in our mind what we want to say from Spanish to English and also try to speak to our children in our native language so we don’t lose our culture, but we are more comfortable speaking Spanish. If you are bilingual – I want to hear if this is something you relate to and how you overcome this. Thalia gives us an insight into how they lived in the United States for the first two years, all five of them (her, her parents, and two brothers) in her grandparents’ garage, which was turned into a studio. I loved that she says she loved that time with her family because I’m sure others (me) would have resented having to live like that for two years. We end the episode with Thalia talking about her candle company. Her candles are non-toxic, chemical-free, and smell AMAZING! Check out Thalia's candle etsy shop here: The Ace Candles Follow on Instagram Connected with Heidy If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Unapologetically First Gen with Lesley and Stacy - Ep. 127 | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:54:53 | |
Welcome to episode 127 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! Lesley and Stacy, sisters and first-generation Americans, share their experiences growing up in an immigrant household shaped by their Azorean heritage. From navigating bicultural identities to redefining parenting, mental health, and success, they offer two distinct yet deeply connected perspectives on the first-generation experience. In this episode, Lesley and Stacy reflect on their upbringing, the influence of an eight-year age gap, and how cultural expectations shaped their roles within the family. They open up about being raised between two cultures, the responsibilities placed on first-generation children, and the differences in parenting styles—highlighting how each sister experienced their childhood in unique ways. With Love, Heidy Connect with Lesley and Stacy:
***I’m excited to share a trailer for The Grad School Femtoring Podcast, hosted by Dra. Yvette Martinez-Vu. This award-winning show supports first-gen BIPOC students and professionals in navigating grad school, careers, and productivity in sustainable, values-aligned ways. Give it a listen and grab Yvette’s free Sustainable Productivity Playbook plus curated podcast playlist here: https://creative-trailblazer-5062.kit.com/29b17bb6a4
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:
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 For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E
Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Coaching, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Learning to Unlearn Culture Norms in a New Country with Mariana - Brazil (English) | 07 Feb 2023 | 00:30:52 | |
Welcome to episode 20 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. If this is your first time listening, welcome, and if not, welcome back. I'm so glad you're here today. In today's episode, I speak with Mariana, who came from São Paulo, Brazil as an adult. She received the opportunity to come to the United States through her employer, which was a dream come true! Even though it was a dream, there was still an adjustment period with learning how to do things in the United States. Even grocery shopping was different for Mariana. She talked about when she visited Brazil for the first time after moving to the U.S. – it didn't feel like home anymore. She also talks about her biggest struggle in adapting to the culture here is being less affectionate, especially in the workplace. In the Latino culture, it's common to greet others with a hug and a kiss, even at work, but that's not a norm here, so it takes some time to adapt. My favorite takeaway from this episode is when she mentions that her boyfriend hadn't realized all the opportunities this country has compared to other countries until he started dating her. We are very blessed in this country, spoiled even, but we won't realize it until we talk to others outside our community/culture or visit other countries. The United States has a lot to offer us, and sometimes we take it for granted. After listening to the episode, let me know your takeaway. P.S. Shout out to @immigrant.finance for educating immigrants about finances and helping them build their businesses. I mentioned them at the end of the episode because I took their business course! Chem them out! Connect with Mariana on Instagram! Connected with Heidy: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Orlando Center for Justice Founder Gisselle Martinez - (Colombia) (English) | 24 Jan 2023 | 00:26:01 | |
Welcome to episode 19 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. Today’s episode is with immigration attorney Gisselle Martinez. She and her family moved to the US from Colombia when she was twelve years old. They first moved to South Florida and then to Iowa, which was a complete culture shock. The struggles she and her family went through when they first arrived in the US inspired her to become an immigration attorney. Gisselle is one of the founders of the non-profit organization Orlando Center for Justice for immigration. OCJ serves and represents those who cannot afford private immigration attorneys in Central Florida. They also serve three immigration detention centers in Orlando for kids. These are children who enter the US without a guardian and are placed in these detention centers. If you want to donate to Orlando Center for Justice, you can do so here. Connected with Heidy: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Be Limitless with Sandra & Noemi - Mexico (English) | 10 Jan 2023 | 00:28:05 | |
Welcome to episode 18 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast. This episode is another sibling episode, but this time it’s two sisters, Sandra and Noemi. Their parents came from Mexico and talked about their experience growing up as children of immigrant parents. They talk about having to help their parents out in the fields picking oranges in the summertime and then helping at their mom’s store on the weekends. It wasn’t until recently that they stopped helping their mom – when she closed her business. We talked about the challenge of translating for our parents – with customers, important documents, or having to return items LOL. Another challenge they had growing up as immigrant kids was their parents having to miss sporting events, awards ceremonies, etc. because they were always working. Just an FYI, this episode was recorded outside at a coffee shop which is why you hear outside noise. Sandra and Noemi own an online boutique called Limitless Wardrobe Co. Check out the clothes and accessories. The clothes are super cute! Are you a child of immigrants? If so, what could you relate to – send me a message and let me know. Connect with Sandra & Noemi: Connected with Heidy: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "Different people; Different memories" with Jonathan & siblings - from DR, to New York, to Michigan (English) | 27 Dec 2022 | 00:49:14 | |
Welcome to episode 17 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast, I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. This episode is very special because this episode is with my husband and his older siblings. They share their memories of living in the Dominican Republic and then moving to the USA. You will listen of their very humble beginnings and they struggle they endured adapting to living in a new country. One thing I like about having this podcast and sharing these stories is that people can listen and understand that when immigrants come to the US things are not “handled” to them, like some think. Immigrants must work to get basic needs while learning how to navigate a new country and without knowing the language. I wanted to record this episode with all three of them together because it’s interesting to hear how each of their memories differ even though they came together. Alex was 14, Leiky was 10, and Jonathan (my husband) was 9. Connect with Heidy - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Cuba to Russia, back to Cuba, then the USA with Dr. Gala - Part II (Spanglish) | 20 Dec 2022 | 00:27:27 | |
Welcome to part two of episode 16 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host Heidy De La Cruz and today we continue with my conversation with Dr. Angela Gala. In this episode Dr. Gala talks about the opportunity, she had to come to the United States with the Public Health International Leaders in DC. She also had the opportunity to travel to various countries because of her job. Finish listening to her incredible story. Connect with Dr. Gala - https://www.facebook.com/angela.galagonzalez Connect with Heidy - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Cuba to Russia, back to Cuba, then to the USA with Dr. Gala - Part I (Spanglish) | 13 Dec 2022 | 00:43:50 | |
Welcome to part one of episode 16 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. Today’s guest is Dr. Angela Gala, Nutrigenomic Coach and she is from Cuba. We start the conversation talking about her life in Cuba. She gave the background of her parents, how they met, where they live etc. She provided some Cuban history about the revolution. She had the opportunity to study in Russia for college, but first she had to do one year of college classes in Cuba but all the classes were in Russian, so she could learn the language. She shares about her time in Russia. Connect with Dr. Gala - https://www.facebook.com/angela.galagonzalez Connect with Heidy - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "We Are Going To Disney World" with Melissa Alves - Peru (English) | 29 Nov 2022 | 00:31:47 | |
Welcome to episode 15 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast; I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. Today’s guest is Melissa Alves – she came to the US at age five from Peru. We talked about her first memories of the US – when she first arrived, she remembers waiting a long time in a station wagon at a gas station for her uncle to pick them up. And she remembers crying every day because she didn’t want to go to school because she didn’t understand the language. We also talked about her visit to Peru after moving to the US – years later. Toward the end of our talk, I asked Melissa to provide one piece of advice to someone who may be thinking of moving to the US, and I mentioned the podcast had been listened to in 14 different countries; that number has increased to over 70 countries! So, I want to take the time right now to thank YOU for making this happen, all the listeners and for sharing the podcast, and for supporting it. This wouldn’t have happened without YOU!! THANK YOU!!! If you are interested in joining one of Melissa’s social mixers, please connect with her on Facebook. Here is the link - https://www.facebook.com/Melis.M.Alves Connect with Heidy - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| "I Saw In His Eyes, He Wasn't Coming Back" with Noor (Pakistan) (English) | 15 Nov 2022 | 00:44:47 | |
Welcome to episode 14 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. In today’s episode I speak with Noor Pinna, she moved to the United States from Pakistan at the age of 5 because her father left his family. And she speaks about the journey coming here and honestly, it’s such an impactful story. The connection wasn’t the greatest when we were recording and Noor explains why but overall, her story is still impactful. She has the funniest first memory of the US, which I thought was the cutest, and I feel like this story could be turned into a movie, after you listen let me know if you agree or disagree. Noor talks a lot about her culture and I learned so much just from listening to her, I would love to know what is one thing you learned about Pakistan from this episode? Send me a message on Instagram letting me know! Noor’s Bio Noor Pinna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) & shame resilient coach within her private practice for the past six years. She believes in providing a trauma-informed, holistic, spiritual, creative, and science-based approach. She helps women break free from the barriers of shame, become empowered to advocate and gain self-confidence, create resiliency, establish self-care rituals, implement healthy boundaries, and become a leader in their universe. Noor also works with Muslim men. Noor has done international mental health work, explicitly helping Afghan women. In 2019 Noor delivered her first Tedxtalk on Shame Resilience. She is in the process of publishing her first book, The Sun Still Rises which discusses themes of spirituality, faith, inner child wounds, compassion, self-love, and resilience. Connect with Noor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noor_pinna/?hl=en Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/703349070089786/ Tedxtalk: https://youtu.be/2Kg7BIjA3p0 Connect with Heidy - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The true definition of The American Dream with Little Dreamers Publishing founders (English) | 01 Nov 2022 | 01:02:25 | |
Welcome to episode 13th of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast; I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. We have our first video episode with the founders of Little Dreamers Publishing, Nayeli, Nidia, and Nadia. Three sisters started this company to provide bilingual books to Spanish-speaking families. We spoke about their journey of being undocumented in the US and then getting legal status through the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). This act made hiring people without a work permit illegal and provided legal status to most undocumented migrants who arrived in the US before January 1, 1982. We spoke about the importance of education and financial literacy, which is why they publish bilingual books about financial literacy, STEM, art, and culture. And we spoke about their experience visiting Mexico for the first time since they moved to the US. Although they are all sisters, they all have different experiences and memories, and it was beautiful to listen to and learn more about their journey. I admire their strength and their drive. They didn’t let the hardship and challenges they experienced hold them back. If anything, they are using it to provide education to the next generation so they can do better. In this episode, I mention the episode with immigration attorney Chris Acklin. This episode was recorded before it was published, but you can listen to it here. Chris provides information about the immigration process and how policy changes affect his job and migrant’s lives. Connect & Support Little Dreamers Publishing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littledreamerspublishing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi4dJzOCrjAgUlg9o7QSwTw Connect with Heidy - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Refugee work in Egypt & Ecuador with Adina from Immigrant Finance | 18 Oct 2022 | 00:36:08 | |
Welcome to episode 12 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast; I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. Today’s guest is Adina Appelbaum, an immigration attorney, and financial/business coach. She and her husband run Immigrant Finance, where they help immigrants with their finances – like getting into investing and starting their businesses. Adina tells us about her time in Egypt doing immigration refugee work and refugee work in Ecuador too. Connect with Adina: https://www.instagram.com/immigrant.finance/ Listen to her podcast – Immigrant Finance Podcast Connect with Heidy - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| The Unspoken Truth about Loneliness in Immigration - Ep. 126 | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:45:59 | |
Welcome to episode 126 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! Valentina Rivera shares her journey as a Colombian immigrant who moved to the United States at just 12 years old, navigating cultural shock, identity shifts, and the emotional complexities of growing up between two worlds. Today, she is also a fellow podcaster and the creator of Doce, a space dedicated to immigrant voices and healing through shared stories. In this episode, Valentina reflects on her childhood in Colombia, her move to New York, and the challenges of adapting to a new culture at such a young age. She opens up about the loneliness, identity confusion, and mental health struggles that often accompany the immigrant experience, as well as the deep importance of finding community and belonging. Valentina takes us through her journey into podcasting and storytelling, sharing how Doce was created as a platform for immigrants to feel seen, heard, and less alone. She speaks passionately about the power of storytelling, the role of community in healing, and why creating spaces for candid conversations about immigration matters now more than ever. With Love, Heidy Connect with Valentina Rivera: Looking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with me and the Dedicated Tax Pros Family! Send me an email for a free estimate: delacruz.dedicatedtaxpros@gmail.com
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: 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 For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E
Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Coaching, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From the Philippines to the US with Karen (English) | 04 Oct 2022 | 00:45:11 | |
Welcome to episode 11 of The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrants podcast – I am your host Heidy De La Cruz. In today’s episode, I speak with the owner of Trinket Traces Jewelry, Karen. She was born in the Philippines and shared her experience of living in the Philippines with nannies and having people help around the house but not having any of that here in the United States. We also talked about food in the Philippines, staying connected via Wi-Fi, and her jewelry business. Although she moved when she was five, she remembers the Philippines. Karen also talks about the cultural differences and similarities between the Philippines and the US. Connect with Karen: Website - https://trinkettraces.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/trinkettracesjewelry/ Connect with Heidy - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ If you or someone you know would like to share their immigration story, please send me a message on Instagram. Please leave a review of the show - this will help the show reach more listeners. Thank you. Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Far From Home with Mabel Ninan - (India) (English) | 20 Sep 2022 | 00:37:10 | |
Welcome back to another episode of The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrants – I am your host Heidy De La Cruz. In today’s episode, I speak with Mabel Ninan; she is the author of Far From Home Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth. Her book talks about her immigration journey and how, during the journey, God helped her remember that Earth is not our forever home. This episode is filled with fascinating facts about India and Mabel’s immigration story of coming to the US. Connect with Mabel at - https://www.instagram.com/mabel_ninan/ Purchase her book on her website at - https://mabelninan.com/ If you want to be a guest on this podcast, please send me a message on Instagram, or if you know someone willing to share their immigration story, please let me know - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Mexico to the US to Pack Tomatoes with Rosalba (English) | 06 Sep 2022 | 00:43:22 | |
Welcome back to another episode of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast; I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz. For today’s episode, I spoke with Rosalba Fontanez. She talks about coming to the US when she was 17 with plans to work packing tomatoes and send money back to her family. This was her way to help raise her younger siblings because her father had passed recently. To her surprise, she met her husband the very next day and didn’t go back to Mexico. Listen to her story and connect with her if you want to visit Peru. She ends the episode by telling us how she got into taking groups of people on trips to Peru. Connect with Rosalba at - https://www.instagram.com/rosalba_fontanez/ Website - https://www.rosalbafontanez.com/ If you want to be a guest on this podcast, send me a message on Instagram, or if you know someone who would be willing to share their immigration journey, please send them my information. If you haven’t yet, please leave a review on whatever platform you’re using to listen so other people can learn about this podcast and share it with a friend. Thank you so much for your support. Connect with me at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Immigration Questions & Process With Attorney Chris Acklin (English) | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:46:26 | |
Welcome back to another episode of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants. Today’s episode, I talk to immigration attorney Chris Acklin. He gives his background on how he got into immigration law, he answers immigration questions my followers were interested in knowing and provides insightful information about the immigration process. A little disclaimer: technology was not on my side the day of the recording, so there are glitches. Nevertheless, the episode is impactful! I hope this episode answers questions you may have had about immigration and that you learn at least one new fact about the immigration process in the United States. Thank you so much for listening and for your support. If you need an immigration attorney or have questions, you can contact Chris at Herbert Machnik Law Firm at 269-459-1432. If you know someone who would be interested in being a guest contact me on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Nicaragua to the US with Dali - Part II (Spanglish) | 09 Aug 2022 | 00:42:15 | |
Welcome to part two of episode 7 with Dali from Nicaragua. In this episode Dali shares her experience in the immigration detention center when her and her family first arrived. She shares about visiting Nicaragua after 30 years! And we ended the episode by talking about food. I truly hope you enjoy listening to today’s episode and learn a few things because Dali gives us a few fun facts! Please share this podcast with a friend to spread awareness. Also, please leave a review on whatever platform you’re listening from – this helps other people know this podcast is available. Thank you so much for listening. Connect with Dali Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalitalks/ Website: https://www.dalitalks.com/ If you'd like to be a guest on the show or know of someone who would, send me a message on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Nicaragua to the US with Dali - Part I (Spanglish) | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:38:30 | |
Welcome to part one of episode 7 of The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast, today’s guest is Dali from Nicaragua. Dali is an Anti-Bullying Educator from Nicaragua, in this episode she tells us why and how she started this company. She tells us about her life in Nicaragua and the tough experiences she endured when she first moved to the US – the racism, language barrier etc. I truly hope these stories help people see the true encounters immigrants have when moving here, it’s not easy trying to navigate a new country, especially when people aren’t so welcoming. Please share this podcast with a friend to spread awareness. Also, please leave a review on whatever platform you’re listening on – this helps other people know this podcast is available. Thank you so much for listening. Connect with Dali Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalitalks/ Website: https://www.dalitalks.com/ If you'd like to be a guest on the show or know of someone who would, send me a message on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ Thank you so much for listening – part two with Dali will be available in two weeks! Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Colombia To US With Ana T. (English) | 12 Jul 2022 | 00:28:16 | |
Hello everyone & welcome back to another episode of The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrations – today I am bringing you my talk with Ana T. Ana is from Colombia who came to the US at the age of 11 and she speaks about her expectations coming from movies she had seen before moving to the US, culture shocks, and what she misses the most from Colombia. She also talks about her business Spots on the Fox. https://hype.spotsonthefox.com/junior/ **If you could kindly, please give this podcast a review to help others know about it and if you'd like to be a guest on the show or know of someone who would, send me a message on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ THANK YOU! :) Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Jamaica to US, to Guam with Charmaine - Part II (English) | 28 Jun 2022 | 00:22:33 | |
Hello and welcome back to the American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast with me, Heidy De La Cruz. Today I am bringing you part two of my talk with Charmaine. So if you haven’t listened to part one – listen to part one first and then this one. Here we talk about life in Guam, the culture in Guam, and life in Michigan. **If you could kindly, please give this podcast a review to help others know about it and if you'd like to be a guest on the show or know of someone who would, send me a message on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ THANK YOU! :) Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| From Jamaica to US, to Guam with Charmaine - Part I (English) | 14 Jun 2022 | 00:28:38 | |
Hello and welcome back to the American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast with me, Heidy De La Cruz. Today I am bringing you part one of my talk with Charmaine. She moved from Jamaica to New York and then lived in Michigan for a while and now lives in Guam. In this episode Charmaine talks about visiting the US before her family decided to move from Jamaica, her new school route once she got to the US, and we chat about common misconceptions that immigrants get for seeking out a better opportunity for their families. Enjoy part one! **If you could kindly, please leave a review of this podcast to help others learn about it & if you're looking to be a guest on the podcast send me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ THANK YOU! :) Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Lo Que Pensé Que Iba Ser y No Fue. Con Mayda (Spanish) | 31 May 2022 | 00:23:59 | |
Bienvenidos al podcast El Sueño Americano en Los Ojos de Inmigrantes mi nombre es Heidy De La Cruz y gracias por compartir este momento conmigo. En este episodio hablo con una persona super especial para mi, ella es mi madrastra, Mayda – pero no la considero mi madrastra ella es mi mama. En este episodio hablamos de su experiencia cuando ella por fin se decidió mudar para los estados unidos y la diferencia en culturas de República Dominicana y aquí. Bueno aquí va el episodio que disfruten :) **If you could kindly, please give this podcast a review to help others know about it and if you'd like to be a guest on the show or know of someone who would, send me a message on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ THANK YOU! :) Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Amplifying Underrepresented Voices: George Torres and Siembra Connect’s Mission- Ep. 125 | 30 Dec 2025 | 00:54:36 | |
Welcome to episode 125 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! George Torres, also known as Urban Jibaro, shares his journey as a digital pioneer in the Latino community, from launching Sofrito for Your Soul in 1997 to creating Siembra Connect, a platform dedicated to amplifying creators of color—especially Latinos—across the digital landscape. In this episode, George reflects on his early work building online spaces long before social media existed, including websites that offered cultural content, email access, and event information for the Latino community. He opens up about growing up between New York and Puerto Rico, the cultural richness of living in diverse communities, and how those experiences shaped his commitment to community-building and storytelling. George takes us through his evolution as a creator, from founding one of the earliest Latino digital hubs to his ongoing work in environmental justice and community empowerment in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. He shares his passion for sustainable digital spaces, uplifting creators of color, and creating platforms where community, culture, and connection come first. With Love, Heidy Connect with Urban Jibaro: Get George’s Book: https://stan.store/siembraconnect/p/reclaiming-your-creativity-after-burnout-workbook
Looking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with me and the Dedicated Tax Pros Family! Send me an email for a free estimate: delacruz.dedicatedtaxpros@gmail.com
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: 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 For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to Heidy@heidydelacruz.com Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E
Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Coaching, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Living in Puerto Rico vs Living in The US with Vivi (Spanglish) | 17 May 2022 | 00:35:01 | |
Welcome back to the 3rd episode of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast. I am your host Heidy De La Cruz and I’m so glad you’re here! In this episode I talk to my friend Vivi about the differences between living in Puerto Rico and the US – although Puerto Rico is part of the US there are some cultural differences. This episode is in Spanglish (English & Spanish) and I had so much fun recording it from my car! I hope this episode leaves you as inspired as I felt after talking to Vivi about all the opportunities this country has to offer. Enjoy! Connect with Vivi at her business Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sweet_crumblebyvivi/ **If you could kindly, please give this podcast a review to help others know about it and if you'd like to be a guest on the show or know of someone who would, send me a message on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ THANK YOU! :) Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Llegando de Venezuela con Tania (Spanish) | 03 May 2022 | 00:31:03 | |
En este episodio hablo con mi vecina Tania que vino de Venezuela. Hablamos sobre su vida en Venezuela, cómo se adaptaron a vivir en los Estados Unidos y también comparamos palabras Venezolanas y Dominicanas. Gracias por estar aquí y compartir este momento conmigo. Espero que disfrute mi conversación con Tania :) **If you could kindly, please give this podcast a review to help others know about it and if you'd like to be a guest on the show or know of someone who would, send me a message on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ THANK YOU! :) Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||
| Differences in school systems between Dominican Republic & US with Carla Soto (English) | 19 Apr 2022 | 00:39:54 | |
Hi Friends! Welcome to the first episode of The American Dream In The Eyes of Immigrants! My first guest is Carla Soto and she shares her experience with living in the DR and US. She shares a lot of comparisons of the school systems and living in both countries. Thank you so much for listening and your support. I'd greatly appreciate it if you could subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend, this helps get the word out of this new podcast! I'm so exciting for all stories I will share and bring you guys and thank you for sharing this journey with me. You can connect with Carla at - https://www.instagram.com/carlapsmorales **If you could kindly, please give this podcast a review to help others know about it and if you'd like to be a guest on the show or know of someone who would, send me a message on Instagram at - https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/ THANK YOU! :) Stay up to date with new episode information sent to your email - sign up for the podcast newsletter here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. | |||