Immigrantly – Details, episodes & analysis

I’m beyond excited about today’s episode because we’re catching up with someone who’s been on quite a journey since you last heard from him. Shahjehan Khan, my cohost from our season of Immigrantly on Love and Relationships, is back—and he’s got some incredible stories to share. From appearing on Succession to taking on iconic roles in Mortal Kombat, Shahjehan has been leveling up in the entertainment world, and I can’t wait for you to hear all about it. But that’s not all—joining us is the amazingly talented Rafay Rashid, an experimental musician with a raw, confessional style that’s impossible to ignore. Rafay is here to dive deep into his battle with drug use and how it’s shaped his music, his life, and his advocacy for sobriety in the arts. This is a conversation about the art of healing and inspiring.  Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN. Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com Don't forget to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the host of Immigrantly, I’m always looking for voices that challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of our understanding of identity and resistance. In this episode, I’m thrilled to introduce two extraordinary women whose work does precisely that. Join me as I dive into the inspiring stories of Laura Vergara, a Queer Colombian feminist organizer, and Ayat Mneina, a Libyan researcher and writer. Laura is at the forefront of redefining girlhood through the Stories of Girls' Resistance initiative, amplifying the everyday acts of defiance against patriarchy and violence across the globe. Ayat brings her deep commitment to social justice, using her voice to break through oppression and empower the next generation of activists. Together, we explore the power of collective action and the role of immigrant experiences in shaping their activism. This conversation goes beyond celebrating resistance; it imagines a future where girls live freely, unburdened by the fight for their fundamental rights. Please tune in for an empowering discussion that challenges narratives and redefines what it means to resist. Immigrantly is a trailblazing podcast that redefines the immigrant experience by diving into the nuanced and multifaceted stories of first and second-generation immigrants. Through intimate and thought-provoking conversations, we explore the intersections of culture, identity, and belonging, shedding light on our world's diverse journeys. Hosted by Saadia Khan, a social entrepreneur passionate about authentic storytelling, Immigrantly breaks down stereotypes and builds bridges across communities, offering listeners a fresh perspective on what it means to navigate life between cultures. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN. Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Lazou (Sherry-Lynn Lee), a multi-faceted talent who embodies the rich tapestry of a “Sino-Mauritian-Canadian-American producer, writer, and artist.” Raised in the vibrant culture of Mauritius, Lazou initially carved out a successful, nearly decade-long career in Silicon Valley as a software engineer and data scientist. However, her true passion led her to make a bold leap into the world of music and media. Her songwriting is a testament to her linguistic versatility, with enchanting melodies in English, French, and Mauritian Creole. Lazou is also the brilliant mind behind the 'Nuances' podcast, a platform that explores the diverse experiences of the Asian diaspora. The show dives deep into the complexities of identity, touching on themes such as LGBTQ+ rights, anti-racism, feminism, politics, religion, career paths, family dynamics, and much more.  Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN. Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.com Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan & Adiba Hussain I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Haziq Ahmed Farid I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insightful episodes. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest Michelle Li is a broadcaster, founder of the "Very Asian Movement" &  Foundation and author of the upcoming book ‘A Very Asian Guide to Korean Food’. The "Very Asian movement" initially started as a hashtag in which other members of the Asian diaspora share solidarity with Michelle and united in a means of sharing Asian pride. Michelle's book is another response to the initial bigotry that she faced. Set to be published in October this year. "A Very Asian Guide to Korean Food" is a children's book detailing many traditional and modern Korean staples, with pronounciation guides for each. In the book, you can also find descriptions of the origins and customary means of preparation of different dishes, brought to life with colorful illustrations. Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Ziya JaffreyI Editorial Review: Yudi Liu ISound Designer & Editor: Manni Simon I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Today's guest is Mathangi Subramanian. She is an award-winning writer of adult, young adult, and children's stories. But, just as she runs the gambit in authorship, she is also a former policy analyst and public school teacher. Her book "Dear Mrs. Naidu," which won the South Asia Book Award, is her most notable young adult work. Her recent book is "A People's History of Heaven," about five girls in the slum of Bangalore, India. Today, we talk about Mathangi's experience in the field of education, how it has become politicized, how books are vehicles for sharing lived experiences, and what it means to foster a curiosity for reading.  Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Yudi Liu I Sound Designer & Editor: Manni Simon I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is in collaboration with the Oyate Group, a community-driven foundation dedicated to empowering youth and small businesses across New York City with career support and critical resources. One of their initiatives is the "Beyond Rising" internship program in partnership with the "Center for Engaged Community Learning."   From a competitive pool of candidates who identify as undocumented, twenty students are selected and provided with funds and resources to aid in their journeys into the workforce.  Joining us in the studio, we have two wonderful students who participated in the program: 17-year-old Shayla Leticia Victoria Valdez and 17-year-old & Eistgcher D' Jesús Ogando Parache.  Our guests are high school students in New York City. We talk about their experience at the internship, their hobbies, and how they engage in self-care.   Join the conversation: Instagram | Twitter |  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Ziya Jaffrey & Saadia Khan I Interpreter: LymarieI Editorial Review: Yudi Liu ISound Designer & Editor: Manni Simon I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest, Elaine Castillo, is the author of the newly released book "How to Read Now: Essays," which attempts to observe American books and movies through a BIPOC lens. Elaine takes a close look at TV shows like "The Watchmen" and writings from Joan Didion to explore the politics of reading and how to read with intent.  Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she graduated from UC Berkeley and obtained her MA in Creative Life and Writing at the University of London, Elaine is a second-generation Filipino American. Her parents migrated from the Philippines in the 70s during the Marcos dictatorship, a story that inspired her 2018 debut novel, "America is NOT the Heart." Praised by NPR, The Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, and others, Castillo's book follows Hero, a Filipino immigrant born to an established family and later radicalized during the Marcos Regime, and her escape to the Bay Area after being captured and tortured by the dictatorship.  Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Ashley Lanuza & Saadia Khan I Editorial Review: Yudi Li I Sound Designer & Editor: Manni Simon I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is the second part of our two-part series. If you are tuning in now, please be sure to listen to the first part of this series titled "Human Rights be Damned-Part One." In the episode, I had a stimulating and insightful conversation with our guest, Rana Ayyub, the widely known Washington journalist and columnist. In our discussion, we talked about the human rights violations occurring in India along with a broader conversation surrounding foreign response or, as discussed in the episode, the lack of response. Today I talk with Brent Huffman, an American director, writer, and cinematographer. His work has been featured on Netflix, Discovery Channel, The National Geographic Channel, VICE, NBC, CNN, PBS, Time, The New York Times, Al Jazeera America, and Al Jazeera English and premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), and many other U.S. and international film festivals. He is also a Professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where he teaches documentary production and theory.  His new documentary, "Strands of Resistance" (2021), examining China's economic relationship with Pakistan, premiered on Vice and Vice News Tonight. An episode of the documentary "Uyghurs Who Fled China Now Face Repression in Pakistan" won a Rory Peck Award in the Best News Feature category at the British Film Institute in London in 2021. Given Brent's firsthand experience in China, filming this documentary Today's episode will center on what's happening in China to Uyghurs and Pakistan's response or lack thereof. Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Sana Khan & Saadia KhanI Sound Designer & Editor: Manni Simon I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Immigrantly's fall guest lineup. In part one of a two-episode series, my  Rana Ayyub, an Indian journalist and opinion columnist with The Washington Post, joins me to discuss the inherent paradox in geopolitics, prioritizing strategic allyship over human rights. As a child, Rana witnessed the demolition of mosques and riots. Then, she worked as a relief worker during the Gujarat riots. She later authored the "Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover-up," an instant bestseller and an investigation into the reality behind the 2002 Gujarat riots. Most recently, Rana has been outspoken about the growing violence toward Indian Muslims and the impediments journalists like her face when trying to uphold freedom of the press and democracy amidst global political pressures. Lastly, Rana & I  talk about mental health and Rana's newfound desire to be seen not just as the brave journalist she is but as a human being who struggles, feels, and hurts. Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Sana Khan & Saadia KhanI Sound Designer & Editor: Manni Simon I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear Immigrantly family, as you know, we are not releasing any new episodes this week; our fall lineup starts next week, August 23rd, with our conversation with Rana Ayyub. Nevertheless, I have exciting and fun audio to share today. In April this year, one of our previous guests and patrons, Paula Wood, hosted a fundraiser for us at her house. At the fundraiser, we asked the guests to define the US in a word or a phrase. Here's a compilation of their responses. The audio is raw, and there is some background noise, but the spirit of the conversation & the diversity of thought is beautiful. Enjoy! Join the conversation: Instagram @immigrantlypod | Twitter @immigrantly_pod |  Please share the love and leave us a review to help more people find us! Host & Executive Producer: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Manni Simon I Immigrantly Theme Music: Evan Ray Suzuki I Other Music: Epidemic Sounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices