The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants
Heidy De La Cruz
Recent Episodes
Welcome to episode 70 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!
Today’s guest is Marta Spirk, a Brazilian immigrant who moved to the U.S. at 23, nine months after having her triplets. Marta has worked as a freelance court interpreter and is now a visibility strategist and recording artist with two published books and a podcast. Her passion for learning English was fueled by her exposure to music during childhood, which led to various achievements, including singing the national anthem at a Nuggets game.
Upon moving to the U.S., Marta faced cultural differences, particularly around domestic responsibilities, which were different from those in Brazil. Adjusting to these changes proved challenging, highlighting contrasts between American and Brazilian customs. A return visit to Brazil brought mixed emotions as she navigated family dynamics and committed to overcoming challenges in America.
With Love, Heidy
Connect with Martha:
Website: https://www.martaspirk.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martaspirk/
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/16cEQiwSFsB5kTprwCDtRK
Book Review: https://heidydelacruz.com/the-empowered-woman/
Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!
https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast
I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.
Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at [email protected].
Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz
Welcome to episode 69 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 Aimee Portes - who shares her journey of immigrating to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic. Amy reflects on her early life in the Dominican Republic, explaining how financial pressures led her family to move to the U.S. to pursue better educational opportunities. She describes initial culture shocks upon moving, including adjusting to public transportation in winter and adapting to U.S. conveniences.
Amy also shares her unique perspective on the “American Dream,” which initially meant financial independence and stability. For her, buying her first car within months of working marked a major accomplishment because in the Dominican Republic, she would make $300 a month. Today, her dream has evolved into building a successful entrepreneurship career in the holistic anti-aging industry, helping women regain confidence in their appearance and health.
With Love, Heidy
Connect with Aimee:
Website: https://aimeeportes.com/freebie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Aimee_Portes
Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!
https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast
I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.
Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at [email protected].
Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz
Welcome to episode 68 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 Pat Marino, the author of “We Have All Been the Others": Reflections of a First Generation's Daughter on Belonging, Democracy, and a New American Dream.” Pat is a historian and was a high school ESL teacher. In her book, she shares about her grandparents' experiences living in a segregated Chicago. So, for this episode, we talk about her work as an ESL teacher, what she’s learned as a historian, especially in the immigration space, and her research on writing her book.
This episode is full of history, and it’s enriched by Pat’s work and life experiences.
With Love, Heidy
P.S. This post contains product affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
Connect with Pat:
Website: https://patriciamarino.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marino2137/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriciajmarino/
Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!
https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast
I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.
Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at [email protected].
Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz
Welcome to episode 67 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 Solveiga Jaskunas, an HR consultant and career coach who shares her journey as an immigrant from Lithuania to the United States. We discuss her childhood under Soviet rule, the challenges she faced adjusting to life in America, and her passion for helping other immigrants professionally.
Solveiga shares how growing up in Soviet-controlled Lithuania shaped her resilience. Despite the hardships, her journey taught her to embrace hope and adaptability, which ultimately helped her succeed in both her personal and professional life in the U.S.
She also stresses the significance of building a support system and not being afraid to seek help. Solveiga highlights how leveraging her network allowed her to overcome the challenges she faced as an immigrant, particularly in finding her first professional job.
As a career coach and HR consultant, Solveiga advocates for diversity in organizations. She believes that immigrants bring unique strengths and perspectives and encourages companies to create more inclusive environments that embrace diverse talents rather than focusing solely on traditional qualifications.
With Love, Heidy
Connect with Solveiga:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solveigajaskunaskazlauskaite/
Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!
https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast
I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.
Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at [email protected].
Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz
Welcome to episode 66 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 Soraya Senosier, the host of the Diaspora in Development Podcast. She shares her journey as a Haitian-Canadian growing up in Canada and the cultural impact of the U.S. We talked about societal differences between Canada and the U.S., although as neighboring countries, there are many similarities but more differences. For example, Canada’s cultural mosaic versus the American melting pot highlights the preservation of individual cultural identities.
We also discuss recent negative sentiments toward the Haitian community and reflections on racism and colorism within Caribbean cultures. Lastly, Soraya’s initiative to launch the “Diaspora and Development” podcast addresses the complexities of international development for people of color. It highlights achievements and ongoing challenges like burnout and racism while emphasizing gratitude for the struggles that have enabled a life without fear or persecution in the U.S.
Listen in on this insightful conversation.
With Love, Heidy
Connect with Soraya:
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3VwsfuB626mYx25WIIxORH?si=1cf612e9e7174daf
Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!
https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast
I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.
Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at [email protected].
Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz