Immigrant Stories | The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants

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!Mohammed Rashadi 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, Mohammed 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, HeidyConnect with Mo:Speaker PortfolioLinkedInLooking 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: [email protected] 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:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! 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 Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationBarbara Perez Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] 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.

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, HeidyConnect with Claudia:PodcastWebsiteInstagramLooking 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: [email protected] 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:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! 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 Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationBarbara Perez LawFor sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] 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.

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, HeidyConnect with Lesley and Stacy:Podcast ***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/29b17bb6a4Looking 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: [email protected] 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:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes!  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 Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationFor sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] 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.

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, HeidyConnect with Valentina Rivera:PodcastInstagramLooking 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: [email protected] 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:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! 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 Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationFor sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] 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.

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, HeidyConnect with Urban Jibaro:InstagramWebsiteGet 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: [email protected] 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:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! 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 SoVerve Marketing GroupIr Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationFor sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] 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.