Newcomers ON FIRE! – Details, episodes & analysis

Newcomers ON FIRE — Real stories. Real struggles. Real breakthroughs.

In this episode, we speak with Kalpashree Gupta, a former Fortune 100 executive, leadership coach, and immigrant from India who transformed her life after burnout. From restarting her career in the U.S. to embracing healing, service, and authentic leadership, her journey shows that success is more than titles — it’s about alignment, resilience, and purpose.

If you’ve ever questioned your worth, faced burnout, or wondered how to balance career growth with personal well-being, this conversation will give you both practical tools and hope.

In this episode:

• Kalpashree’s move from India and lessons from restarting in the U.S.

• Rising in Fortune 100 companies and the importance of mentorship

• Facing burnout and discovering the hidden impact of trauma

• The role of service and giving back in personal healing

• Building resilience through mindfulness and daily rituals

• Redefining success beyond job titles and achievements

Listen now for inspiration, clarity, and a reminder that “you are capable of giving yourself everything.”

Newcomers ON FIRE — Real stories. Real struggles. Real breakthroughs.

In this episode, we speak with Yauhan Mehta, a career coach, organizational psychologist, and immigrant who built a thriving life in Canada while helping others do the same. From arriving as a teen to landing a role at Deloitte, his story is filled with honesty, growth, and practical tools.

If you're feeling lost, burned out, or uncertain about your path as a newcomer, this conversation will inspire you to keep going.

In this episode:

• Yauhan’s journey from newcomer to career success

• The impact of burnout and the importance of mental health

• How coaching helped him—and now helps others—find clarity

• Navigating imposter syndrome at every level

• Defining personal values as a foundation for fulfillment

Listen now for insight, hope, and the motivation to take your next step.

Sanaz and Livia, were two newcomers who defied the odds and emerged as champions at the prestigious Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition (OCMC).

Through their gripping stories, you'll discover practical strategies for conquering self-doubt, embracing a growth mindset, and mastering the art of pitching and presenting. Prepare to be motivated as these two trailblazers share their secrets to success, from harnessing the power of feedback to leveraging their unique strengths and turning challenges into opportunities.

Download this Episode's Workbook and check out our full show notes here: https://onfire.show/winning-the-ontario-colleges-marketing-competition-secrets-of-success-from-sanaz-bahadori-and-livia-barbosa-de-oliveira-nof15/

Gurasis Singh, moved from India to Canada to study Media Strategies and Advertising. He faced numerous struggles like finding housing, lost job opportunities, and cultural barriers related to his strong accent and appearance. However, Gurasis persevered through networking, persistence and maintaining a positive mindset. He shares his journey to overcoming immigrant challenges and eventually launching his own podcast “My Thick Accent” to showcase immigrant success stories.

Full show notes here: https://onfire.show/my-thick-accent-is-my-superpower-with-gurasis-singh-nof14/

Joco Amante shares his journey of applying to over 500 jobs before finally landing his dream role. Joco invested his life savings to study for an MBA in Canada, but after graduating, he struggled to find work. He opens up about the constant rejection taking a toll on his confidence and the stress of being on a study permit. Joco provides valuable insights on lowering your expectations as a newcomer, extending your financial runway, and the importance of networking. Listen to this episode to gain perspective and actionable tips to land your dream job.

Full Show Notes and Resources here: https://onfire.show/lessons-from-500-nos-how-to-land-your-dream-yes-with-joco-amante-nof13/

Episode Highlights:

• Overcoming Language Barriers: We dive into Maria’s journey of overcoming self-doubt and fear of judgment to find her voice.
• The Power of Networking: Learn how Maria leveraged volunteering and networking to expand her connections.
• Standing Out on LinkedIn: Get tips on optimizing your LinkedIn profile and consistency strategies to build authority.
• Getting Recruiters to Notice You: Discover Maria’s unique approach to proactively reaching out to hiring managers about open roles.
• Acing the Interview: We share step-by-step techniques to thoroughly prepare for critical job interviews.

Key Takeaways:

1. Volunteer at non-profits to gain confidence and connections. It’s a launch pad!
2. Build an inventory of professional stories using the STAR method to showcase your skills.
3. Reach out directly to recruiters and hiring managers to get on their radar.
4. Overprepare for interviews by practicing responses and doing mock interviews.
5. Conclusion: Maria’s story exemplifies that with courage, dedication and self-belief, your biggest career goals as a newcomer are achievable one step at a time. Stay positive and persistent. Your breakthrough moment awaits!

More info HERE

Nazia Iqbal moved alone from Pakistan to Canada as a student. Despite facing tremendous cultural obstacles, she powered through initial struggles to climb from retail banking to impressive corporate roles, breaking barriers for immigrant women along the way. Gain an uplifting blueprint and mindset-shifting insights to overcome your career struggles as a newcomer.

Episode Highlights:

• Arriving in a New Country and Culture
  • Dealing with the shock of doing everything solo for the first time
  • Facing bitter Canadian winters and health challenges
• Launching a Career from Scratch
  • Convincing the bank to take a chance on her
  • Learning sales skills on the fly with zero training
  • Managing intense pressure, quotas and customer demands
• Corporate Culture and Communication Barriers
  • Cracking norms that prefer silence from women and immigrants
  • Battling imposter syndrome to gain confidence in sharing opinions
• Unexpectedly Building a Network of Advocates
  • Relationships with casual lunch buddies paying off with key referrals
  • Winning promotions due to good performance instead of connections

Key Takeaways:

1. Stick it out in tough entry-level jobs to gain experience and work toward career goals.
2. Speak up and be assertive instead of waiting for permission or a formal invitation.
3. Don’t assume people will think less of you for needing help – proactively ask for help.
4. Cultivate genuine work relationships – you never know where they may lead.
5. Develop transferable skills everywhere possible to increase options down the road.
6. Conclusion: Let Nazia’s perseverance inspire you to rise above the labels, challenges and preconceptions that hold far too many newcomers back. Remember, every small win and connection opens more doors over time. Stay patient yet assertive and know your career is what you make of it, despite external perceptions.

Where to find Nazia

• Nazia’s LinkedIn Profile

Where to find Miguel

• Miguel’s LinkedIn Profile

Referenced

• Book: Peace of Mind: Becoming Fully Present by Thich Nhat Hanh
• Elevate your 2.0 Podcast experience with Fountain.FM App

I chat with Luki about whether informational interviews (also known as “coffee chats”) are essential or overhyped. We share our experiences using them to build connections and get job promotions. We also give best practices for improving your coffee chat skills.

Episode Highlights:

A Conversation that Started on LinkedIn

• I posted that “informational interviews are underrated”. Luki countered saying they can be overrated and should be rebranded as “curiosity conversations.”
• This online debate inspired us to share our differing experiences and come up with advice.

A Tool that Got Me Six Promotions

• I attribute coffee chats for my biggest career moves – they helped me land six promotions. But I learned the hard way how to have good ones!

How to Request a Meeting

• Share your situation and specific question you have for them. Suggest a short meeting like 15-20 minutes. Provide a calendar link to make scheduling easy.

Best Practices for the Conversation

• Prepare questions ahead of time, but keep it a flowing chat rather than an interrogation.
• Set and respect the time expectation. Mention when time is almost up.
• End with next steps like another meeting or you providing value in the future.

Key Takeaways:

• Coffee chats can be valuable, but focus on learning about the person instead of direct career help. Mutual value matters most.
• Framing meetings as “curiosity conversations” sets a collaborative tone from the start.
• Practice coffee chat skills whenever you can. Use reflections and tools to keep improving.

Conclusion: Overall, we agree coffee meetings are great ways to build meaningful connections, though the approach matters. Try our tips to get better at networking through information conversations!

Full ShowNotes HERE

Newcomers ON FIRE! Featured by Feedspot 20 Best Canadian Career Podcast

Episode Highlights:

• Navigating the Early Struggles: Sabina recounts her early challenges finding work in Canada despite being told it would be easy. She realized she needed to understand the Canadian job market better.
• The Power of Volunteering: Sabina talks about how strategic volunteering opened doors for her and led to her first job in Canada. She stresses being purposeful when volunteering.
• Becoming an Intercultural Expert: Though intercultural skills were not initially her expertise, through deep observation, curiosity and investing in her own development, Sabina uncovered what would become her life’s purpose.
• Behind the Scenes of Business Edge: Sabina gives us a peek into the evolution of Business Edge, one of the most impactful programs for newcomer career success, which she helped co-create at the Rotman School of Management.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on continually improving your self-awareness and understanding the market’s needs. Find where you can add value.
2. Be intentional when volunteering. Choose roles aligned with your professional goals that allow you to build transferable skills.
3. Keep developing your communication skills – how you come across interculturally is vital for newcomer job search success.
4. Programs like Business Edge provide the personalized coaching and community support newcomers need to unlock their potential faster.
5. Conclusion: Sabina leaves us with inspiration and sage advice on embracing the journey, building community, seeking support and redefining what success means for you in Canada. Her passion shines through everything she does to empower newcomers.

Where to find Sabina

• Sabina’s LinkedIn Profile

Where to find Miguel

• Miguel’s LinkedIn Profile

Referenced

• Business Edge Program
• Elevate your 2.0 Podcast experience with Fountain.FM App

Ruth Javier is an expert in overcoming the challenges of relocating to a new country. Ruth shares invaluable insights on improving your communication skills, finding the courage to pursue your dreams, the importance of networking and volunteering, embracing your unique accent, and strategies for maintaining a positive mindset. Get ready to be inspired and empowered to make your newcomer journey a success.

Episode Highlights:

• The Power of Communication: Learn how to improve your English and become an effective communicator, no matter where you're from.
• Chasing Your Dreams: Discover how to find the strength and courage to go after your dreams, even when it seems like a whole new world.
• Networking and Volunteering: Explore the importance of building connections and giving back through volunteering to create a better life for yourself.
• Embracing Your Unique Accent: Understand why your accent is a strength, not a weakness, and how it can set you apart.
• Maintaining a Positive Mindset: Uncover practical strategies for staying positive and resilient, even when faced with rejection and challenges.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on improving your communication skills to succeed in your new life.
2. Don't be afraid to chase your dreams, regardless of where you come from.
3. Embrace networking and volunteering as powerful tools to build your future.
4. Your unique accent can be your superpower in connecting with others.
5. Cultivate a positive mindset to overcome rejection and adversity.
6. Conclusion: Ruth's journey is proof that success is within reach for newcomers. By applying her insights, you'll be better equipped to navigate the challenges and turn them into stepping stones toward your goals.