Life in Our Skin

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with Pallavi about moving to the USA at 18 years old to attend Winona State University. Pallavi quickly embraced the American lifestyle and prioritized her independence and career goals despite her parents hopes of an arranged marriage. Furthermore, we discuss blended marriage, cultural traditions, and women in tech. In Episode 33, we welcome Pallavi Sharma.

In this episode, Lisa and Anahita chat with LeeAnn about her experiences as young Laotian-American growing up in the USA while supporting her immigrant parents with language barriers. Through her upbringing, relationships, divorce and second marriage + growing a blended family, LeeAnn shares challenges and joys in her story from then to present day. In Episode 32, we welcome LeeAnn Rasachak.

Lisa and Anahita chat with Shilpa Lewis, an East Indian woman born and raised in the United States. In this episode, Shilpa talks about the tension and struggles of growing up in an immigrant family. Unlike her peers, her college-educated, traditional father worked multiple jobs to support the family and send money back to India. Shilpa simply wanted to live an American life. This dream was taken away at 14 years old when her family moved back to India where she spent her high school years feeling different. Despite experiencing pain and isolation from both cultures, today Shilpa is thriving, knows herself, and lives in purpose helping other women as a mindfulness coach. In Episode 31, we welcome Shilpa Lewis.

Lisa and Anahita chat with Laura Merino-Franco, a South American woman from Colombia, a creative entrepreneur, community supporter, and world traveler. In this episode, Laura shares about her adjustment to the American culture after moving to the United States at 18. She paints a transparent picture of her experiences trying to blend in versus how to reinvent herself following a life crisis. We hear about her healing journey and search to find self-worth where she "made some noise." In Episode 30, we welcome Laura Merino-Franco.

Lisa and Anahita chat with Narate Judy Keyes, a Khmer-American woman from Cambodia, mother, poet, spoken word artist and author. In this episode, Narate shares a beautiful perspective of the refugee camps from the innocent eyes of a child and how being a talkative, social butterfly helped her learn a new culture and language as an immigrant to the United States. We also learn about the cultural tensions she felt between being an American and honoring her Cambodian roots. In Episode 29, we welcome Narate Judy Keys.

Lisa and Anahita chat with Aisha Branch, an Iranian-American woman, wife, mom and entrepreneur. In this episode, Aisha discusses the cultural differences she experienced growing up and the three (3) core pillars of success re-enforced by her father. We learn how certain family expectations led to a life of seeking the approval of others, and how she navigated this beautiful journey of becoming Aisha. In Episode 28, we welcome Aisha Branch.

At 6 years old, Toral lost her father in a tragic accident not long after her family immigrated to the United States from Gujarat, India. The Indian community comforted Toral and her family during this time, yet there were moments when she needed more support. In this episode, Toral shares her American experience following this tragedy and the integral role tradition, culture, and values played in her upbringing. This, along with her sensitive and thoughtful heart shaped the woman she would become standing at the intersection of many worlds as a queer, mother, and wife. In her professional life, Toral thrived in diverse settings advocating for underrepresented people and using coaching and meditation to help others navigate work, life, and personal identity. In Episode 25, we welcome Toral Livingston-Jha.

On the banks of Thailand, a pregnant mother crossed the river to a nearby refugee camp. Soon after, she gave birth to a girl she named Saymoukda – a name originating from a dream. Saymoukda spent her early childhood years in the refugee camp before immigrating to St. Paul, Minnesota. Growing up in public housing, Saymoukda was a natural connector between her family and her new community. Saymoukda, like her mother, had a grand imagination and stories would later contribute to her work as a playwright, poet, and author. In Episode 25, we welcome Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay.

Born in the United States, Natasha spent her early years in student housing at the University of Minnesota with her family. Her parents immigrated to America from Pakistan in pursuit of higher education. In the aftermath of 9/11, Natasha faced racism and fear from her community. This made it even harder for Natasha to feel a sense of belonging. Through her work in the media industry, she realized there was no representation of women who looked like her. Natasha positioned herself to represent other Pakistani-American and tell their stories. Today, a mother, wife, and media professional, she feels responsible to be the voice for other under-represented. In Episode 24, we welcome Natasha Chughtai. 

Adopted at 3 months old into a white family, Jen grew up knowing her European and Jewish background. As a theater major in college, she was often typecasted as ethnic characters. She began to realize that others saw her differently than she saw herself. Jen's story took a twist at the age of 23 when her birth father reached out via their original adoption agency. In this episode, Jen shares how this connection revealed her true ethnic background and single-handedly changed the trajectory of her life. In Episode 23, we welcome Jen Rotty. 

Born and raised in Colombia, Naz De La Rosa immigrated to the United States a few years after her family moved to New Jersey. Naz quickly acclimated to American culture, but inside the home it was straight Colombia! In this episode, Naz shares how the Latina women and culture played a significant role in her upbringing and adulthood. Today, as a mother and entrepreneur, she sees her own mother in herself and is proud to serve and attract clients that “look like her.” In Episode 22, we welcome Naz De La Rosa from Miami.

At 16 years old, Alexandra and her family immigrated to Canada from Bolivia and eventually made their way to New York. This can be a difficult transition for any teenager, especially one who is navigating a new country with English as her second language. In this episode, Alexandra talks about those lonely high school years as an ESL student and how she lost a piece of herself trying to blend into her surroundings. Today, Alexandra lives in Minnesota with her husband and young daughter where she’s dedicated to providing her daughter with a healthy and happy childhood. Her journey forward includes a path of self healing focused on both her mental and physical health. In Episode 21, we welcome Alexandra Phillips.

What better way to jump start 2023 than with our 20th conversation! In this Episode (recorded in September 2022), we discuss the cultural impact of weight and wealth and what it means for women as we age. If either of these topics resonate with you, then you'll want to click the play button. And in your free, go back and listen to our earlier episodes!

From the orphanage steps in New Mexico, our guest was born to a Spanish mother and raised by black family members. Spending most of her life self-identifying as a black woman with mixed heritage, Dorothy–Inez experienced colorism from both family and peers. Years Later, she recognized the importance of embracing all parts of her and is ready to explore her Spanish, Native American and European roots. Today, Dorothy-Inez proudly “RE-presents” all women with her cultural makeup and continues guiding women, as a confidence coach, to show up and shine from the inside out. As Dorothy–Inez says, "Confidence is courage, be about it." In Episode 19, we welcome Dorothy–Inez.  

Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Life in Our Skin podcast!

A Transracial Adoptee (TRA) is an adoptee raised in a different culture and ethnic background than their origin heritage. In this episode, we welcome our first guest, Amy Thureen. Amy identifies as a transracial adoptee- born in India, raised in Minnesota by Swedish/Norwegian parents. Being the youngest in a multiracial adopted family gave her a unique perspective and lived experience. Join us for this episode of Life in Our Skin.

We are asking the BIG question, what "race" box do you check? A topic that can feel simple for some people and frustrating for others. As young girls finding their place in the world, it caused Lisa & Anahita uncertainty and confusion. In this episode, you'll hear about the evolution of their identity, which box they checked, and the origin of race terminology. Join us for this episode of Life in Our Skin.

Meet little Lisa and little Anahita. Growing up 10 years apart in predominately white communities, Lisa and Anahita mostly played with white dolls. In this episode, we share how lack of representation played a part in the toys and characters of our respective generations and how good it felt to finally be seen. Join us as we go back in time to explore the dolls, characters, and princesses that made up our childhood.

Buckle up for a delicious episode where we take a personal and lighthearted approach to the foods that make up our family dynamics. You'll hear a snippet of the famous tahdig that many Persians race to the table to get a bite of and the impact of the aromas that filled our homes. PLUS, Filipino lumpias, stinky fish, bratwurst and more....how a multiracial family experiences food from many different cultures. We hope you're hungry! 

In this episode, we discuss the unsettling feelings that we carried throughout the 4th of July leaving us uncertain as to what we were celebrating. The conflict and duality of being cognizant of our American history and honoring its past while still celebrating the journey of our immigrant families was multilayered and full of mixed emotions.