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The Homesickness Cure

The Homesickness Cure

By Anya Cherrice

The Homesickness Cure explores how immigrants and first-gen can stop self-doubt, ignore the haters & dream bigger, beyond anyone else’s expectations.

 Whether you’re an immigrant in a new country or feel like the culture in your parent’s house is a universe away from what’s outside their front door, creating a life you like in a place that doesn’t feel like home is really hard. 

If you’re struggling to find yourself while navigating two cultures, pour yourself a cup of tea, I think you’ll like it here. Let's get started!
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How To Find Your Voice In A Culture That Doesn’t Expect You To Have One with Sabreet Kang Rajeev

The Homesickness CureMar 25, 2021

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What's New For The Homesickness Cure Podcast

What's New For The Homesickness Cure Podcast

The Homesickness Cure is going on hiatus. But don't panic yet :). Listen to this episode to learn why and what's in store for the future.

Thanks so much for the support so far. I love you all! xoxoxo

the Navigating Culture podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-culture/id1572883375

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4PLWRpbCAFLP7fPZIvfZpC

All Podcasts: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1751977/episodes

Jul 07, 202104:23
How Black Immigrants Can Learn To Love Themselves In Places Where No-One Seems To Love Them with Natalya Moosa

How Black Immigrants Can Learn To Love Themselves In Places Where No-One Seems To Love Them with Natalya Moosa

Intro

When Natalya was a little girl, she couldn’t forget the reaction of her grandmother upon visiting her. After a long time of not being able to see her, her grandmother was shocked and almost griefed that Natalya had grown a head full of curly hair.

This is because growing up in the apartheid regime in South Africa, having straight hair meant that you can get better educational opportunities and better treatment from society in general.

At such a tender age, Natalya learned that even something as personal as your own hair can be the measurement of one's worthiness.

Later on, Natalya would redeem her identity through the one many things that the apartheid regime denied her of – enjoying her own natural, curly, dark hair.

In this episode, Natalya talks about her experience as a child coming out of the apartheid regime in South Africa and then migrating to Australia. She also opens up about her struggles with self-acceptance and how you can help yourself be more comfortable in your own skin, no matter what community you find yourself in.


Guest Bio

Natalya Moosa is an educator and digital marketing consultant currently based in England. She helps business owners connect with, understand and empower their community by creating effective content marketing strategies.

Key Takeaways
  • From trying to fit in to finding confidence in your identity  [14:45]
  • How Natalya’s natural hair journey helped in her self-acceptance  [18:18]
  • Loving yourself inspires others to love themselves as well  [25:06]
  • Advice to black women who find themselves immigrating to places where people are openly hostile to them  [28:18]
Quotes

“What I found is that oftentimes you put a lot of effort into fitting into a community and building values and belief systems that deny who you are, but in the end, the people who you are trying to please still don’t accept you.” [Anya, 17:09]

“I gave myself permission to be an ambassador for myself and for what I believe I want to be and how I want people to be able to express themselves. I saw it as my duty to stand up and hold my head up high and take up the space that I was meant to fill.” [Natalya, 25:52]

Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Apr 08, 202141:07
Why Every Immigrant Should Consider Culturally Sensitive Therapy, Even If It's Hard

Why Every Immigrant Should Consider Culturally Sensitive Therapy, Even If It's Hard

Intro

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a strong and independent person, but it can become a toxic thing once we ignore our emotional needs and deny ourselves the help that we need.

The immigrant experience is unique and can be complicated at times, and so trying to be independent from a community or from getting expert help may do you more harm than good.

When we do not allow ourselves these moments of vulnerability, we put ourselves at risk of becoming even more vulnerable and confused about our immigrant journey and identity.

And I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to get help. It’s healthy even to find someone who can help you with your journey in life as an immigrant and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

So how can you start this journey of healing and where can you find the help you need?

In this episode, Latinx therapist Alejandra Peña talks about the unique struggles of being an immigrant and how therapy can help you overcome your emotional traumas and mental challenges.

She also shares her top therapist directories and the kinds of questions you should be asking your therapist when coming in for a session.



Guest Bio

Alejandra Peña is a Latinx therapist based in Austin, Texas. She currently works at a local nonprofit that helps survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and is also specialized in counseling immigrants, LGBQ+, and survivors of PTSD and trauma.


Key Takeaways
  • Reasons why immigrants need therapy  [04:31]
  • The taboo around therapy and why immigrants are finding it hard to go to therapy  [10:51]
  • Benefits of looking for a therapist who share a similar story or experience as an immigrant  [16:42]
  • Creating a checklist for the kind of therapist you want to work with  [17:27]
  • Adapting to the dominant culture vs. Embracing your cultural identity  [23:26]
  • Mental struggles that you experience when moving to a different country  [30:49]
  • Questions to ask a therapist  [38:38]
  • Recommended therapy directories  [45:03]
Quotes

“I do think that it's important to find a therapist that you can connect with and maybe has similar experience as you, and one that you can trust.”  [16:46]

“Everybody's story is different. And there is going to be some sharing in therapy, so it'll be more straightforward and just safer with somebody who has a similar experience.”  [17:09]

“Harm can also occur if a therapist does not understand or is not trained in working with immigrants.”  [19:53]

“Therapy is supposed to be a safe space where you could really be yourself. And therapy doesn't have to feel like you, as a client, still needs to educate your therapist about your situation. And sometimes it can feel that way if there isn't that experience and that knowledge on the therapist’s part.”  [22:22]

Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Apr 06, 202152:42
How Immigrants Can Overcome The Overwhelm They Feel From Perfectionism

How Immigrants Can Overcome The Overwhelm They Feel From Perfectionism

Intro

Moving to a new country to start a new life is no easy feat. Whatever generation of immigrant you are, we’ve all experienced being underestimated or perhaps discriminated against because of our race or culture.

Because of this, we might find ourselves over performing and always trying to please others so that we can survive, and to “prove people wrong” about their misconceptions about us. And we do not deserve that kind of stress in our lives.

It might just be an internal pressure that pushes us to want to be perfect and infallible, but you have to know that you are already deserving of every good thing that you have in your life right now.

In this episode, I’m going to share with you some insights that I’ve learned about self-care and how I teach myself to let go of perfectionism and be open to learning and making mistakes.


Key Takeaways
  • Try new things to grow  [03:09]
  • Try new things just because!  [05:36]
  • Mantras to help you let go of perfectionism  [07:21]
Quotes

“We should be trying new things often, so there's no shame in being a novice. Tell yourself this, when you start a new thing.”  [6:27]

“Life, as I said before, is all about learning, growing, and finding new ways to find out who you really are.”  [7:50]

Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Apr 01, 202108:48
How Being A First-Gen Immigrant Helped Me See The Value of Community with En-Noble Travel

How Being A First-Gen Immigrant Helped Me See The Value of Community with En-Noble Travel

Intro

Have you ever struggled with finding a sense of belonging? Like wherever you go, whether you’re at school, in the workplace, or out there travelling, you just always feel out of place?

Don’t worry, you’re not weird. I can relate with that.

It's easy to spark a connection with someone as there are shared interests and experiences that we can always talk about such as music, our hobbies, or even current events. But once we run out of small talk, we begin to realize just how different we really are from the people outside of our home, and that can turn into a struggle for most of us.

This becomes even more apparent when we’re out there, exploring the bigger world. And so how do we find that sense of belongingness when we’re far away from home?

In this episode, Topaz Smith talks about her experience as a black woman travelling all over the world, the importance of understanding different cultures, and how she helps other immigrants and travellers find a community abroad.


Guest Bio

Topaz Smith is an experienced International Consultant, and also the Founder and CEO of EN-NOBLE, an app that helps travellers find community and explore different sub-cultures abroad. Learn more about Topaz and her business, En-Noble, here.

Key Takeaways
  • How your upbringing affects how you interact with the world  [05:13]
  • Dealing with generational trauma  [08:00]
  • How growing up in white spaces has moulded Topaz’s identity  [10:11]
  • Why solo travel is such a transformational experience  [19:53]
  • How to find different sub-cultures abroad  [24:58]
  • Pros and cons of growing up in a multicultural community  [44:44]
Quotes

"Solo travel is a great way to figure out who you are and what you like, what you don't like, what your values are.”

“I really feel like solo travel forces you to sit with yourself, and to ask yourself questions, because you're not attached to what the group is trying to say, or what the group wants to do that week or that hour.”

“The purpose of travel is not to do what you do at home. It's different and you learn from it. That’s how you’re transformed."

Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Mar 30, 202150:15
How To Find Your Voice In A Culture That Doesn’t Expect You To Have One with Sabreet Kang Rajeev

How To Find Your Voice In A Culture That Doesn’t Expect You To Have One with Sabreet Kang Rajeev

Intro

Growing up in a multicultural community both has its pros and cons. For one, you get to see the world from different cultural perspectives which, to me, is a big advantage in today’s world. But on the other side of that, there is also this struggle to define our own identity in the midst of all the cultures that we have assimilated ourselves into.

And so how do we navigate an external world that is very different from our internal world? How do you find your voice when you’re torn between two cultures? And how do you find your authentic self and appreciate your hyphenated identity as a “Gen Zero” immigrant?

In this episode we’ll be chatting with Sabreet Kang Rajeev, a first gen immigrant of Sikh descent, about the struggles and joys of growing up in a multicultural community and how she was able to find her own voice and follow her own path despite the many voices that tell her what to be.



Guest Bio
Sabreet Kang Rajeev is a full-time Social-Science researcher and holds an MA in Sociology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and BA in Sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is currently completing her doctorate at the University of Baltimore.


Key Takeaways
  • What ‘Gen Zero’ means [11:18]
  • Understanding your bicultural identity and finding your own voice [17:04]
  • Finding the beauty in your hyphenated identity [21:33]
  • Awkward conversations are part of the growth process [25:10]
  • Choosing to marry someone of your own choosing and not based on other people’s opinions or standards [30:34]
  • How to exercise your confidence during bad days [38:21]
  • Given vs. Chosen Identity [41:36]
Quotes

"Children are really smart. They're able to understand what is socially acceptable at such a young age, and sometimes they don't ask for help because they think they should already know what to do." [10:41]

"Being an immigrant, you're tough. There's a lot of stuff that you face. And I feel like those lived experiences really help you define your identity." [14:42]

"I learned that there's really great power in bringing people together and having uncomfortable conversations to help them grow. It's not easy. It's a lot of back and forth." [27:10]

"I think the narrative about love is kind of confusing. People look towards love to find something that they're lacking. And I would say, just always look within. Once you look within, you'll find exactly what you need." [31:04]

"I feel like having the courage to show who you are is where the true beauty lies." [42:18]


Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Mar 25, 202149:07
Why Self-Reflection Is Vital To Immigrant Self-Care

Why Self-Reflection Is Vital To Immigrant Self-Care

Intro

When was the last time you just paused and took some time to look into your inner world?

I just recently had my golden birthday, and as a way of celebrating it, I decided to reflect on some of the events that happened in my life, and take some time to be grateful for them.

In the process, I was able to come up with some self-reflection questions that you and I can go back to whenever we need a little bit of encouragement and guidance in our everyday lives.

I hope that these lessons and questions that I’ll be sharing with you in this episode cay help you in your journey to living a life that you’ll truly be proud of.

Key Takeaways
  • Love yourself more  [07:35]
  • Your life is your own  [09:40]
  • Building community is a skill  [10:57]
  • Vulnerability is key to healing and growth  [11:53]
Quotes

“So this time away from people has really allowed me to see that a life well-lived is a life where you’re focused on doing what you want to do, instead of focusing on what everyone else thinks about what you’re doing.”  [08:19]

“For many people like me who didn’t learn that building community doesn’t just happen because you’re popular or because you’re at the right place at the right time, it’s a skill you have to develop and practice.”  [11:25]

“No matter how advanced we get, we need human connection. Not only was [being quarantined] a reminder that community is essential, I learned that building it is a skill that you have to invest in.”  [11:35]

“Pain isn’t bad; it’s just telling you that something is making you uncomfortable, and there are healthy ways to express dissatisfaction, disappointment, and sadness.”  [11:56]

Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Mar 23, 202114:52
How Immigrants Can Push Past Scarcity and Adopt a Healthy Money Mindset Yehdega Tedros

How Immigrants Can Push Past Scarcity and Adopt a Healthy Money Mindset Yehdega Tedros

Intro

As immigrants, having no money in an unfamiliar place is a common fear that we constantly wrestle with as we are far away from our comfort zones and because we are still trying to get used to the environment and the new community that we found in our new home country,

And if you're a second gen immigrant, you probably know how strict parents can be when it comes to money. Growing up, you have to ask them for money for the things you need, and also, for the things you want, and they get to decide whether it's worth spending money on.

In other words, they do all the budgeting on our behalf.

While we all know that this comes from a good place, it unintentionally ingrains in us a scarcity mindset which would later affect our spending habits and financial decisions in our adult life.

And because of this, we may find ourselves becoming financially insecure individuals and lacking confidence in investing and budgeting our own money even if we have reached financial stability and are doing well in our careers.

Or perhaps, just like in Yehdega's case – our guest for today – choosing a career path you do not love in exchange for financial stability.

In this episode, Yehdega shares her experience as a second gen immigrant growing up in Germany, and how Germans teach their kids how to budget their money from a young age. Fun fact: it involves ice cream.

She also talks about how to outgrow this scarcity mindset and shares some money mantras that will help you develop a healthy mindset around money.


Guest Bio

Yehdega Tedros is a User Operations Analyst at Asana, and is also the host of The Idea Of Us, a podcast show that highlights good by interviewing great minds and learning best practices. She is also a proud Eritrean who grew up in Frankfurt, Germany. She currently resides in the US with her husband.


Key Takeaways

How Yehdega deals with conversations around racism as a teenager  [06:45]

Navigating social life and cultural differences during your teenage years  [09:08]

How the scarcity mindset can affect your career choices – and happiness  [12:49]

Affluence does not equal happiness  [14:39]

Breaking out of the scarcity mindset to be successful  [17:31]

“Playing it safe is almost like playing it unsafe” (when it comes to money)  [22:02]

The German way of teaching kids how to budget their own money [26:13]

Money mantras that can help immigrants break away from scarcity mindset and budget their money better  [26:13]

Yehdega’s advice for immigrants who feel like they’re outsiders in their own country  [38:12]

Dealing with rejection in the midst of finding a community  [40:15]


Quotes

“Growing up, we already have a lot of question marks anyways. And if someone questions something as important as your purpose or your career path, that makes us a little bit scared to do the things that are right for ourselves.”  [18:25]

“I believe that success comes from when you truly do what you want to do in life. We should be aligned with ourselves to make the decisions that serve us at the end.”  [19:28]

“Money is the foundation of a lot of things. And it doesn't solve everything, but it solves a lot.”  [29:25]

“I think the value of money depends on what we do with it. If I do something good with it, it becomes good, but it's technically neutral.”  [32:10]

Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Mar 18, 202148:09
How Immigrants Can Figure Out What They Really Want & Redefine Archaic Ideas of Success with Leah Feuer

How Immigrants Can Figure Out What They Really Want & Redefine Archaic Ideas of Success with Leah Feuer

Intro

No matter where you come from, there’s this one narrative that we’ve all been told since we were little kids about how success looks like.

Society highly prizes careers that bring in the most wealth and pride, and so to many, becoming a doctor, an engineer, lawyer, business owner, and/or CEO has become synonymous to being a successful person.

And so, it’s very understandable if you ever find yourself struggling with pursuing your true passion and building the life you want, especially if it falls outside the prevailing notions of success.

In this episode, we’ll be delving into these topics with Leah Feuer, a.k.a. The Professional Mind Organizer.

Leah and I discuss how we can declutter our minds and figure out how we want to live our life and what we want out of our life. We also talk about how you can build the confidence to pursue your true passion and be comfortable about not fitting into the typical definition of success.


Guest Bio

Leah Feuer has 10 years of coaching experience, advising start-ups, launching products, and growing businesses. Today, Leah goes by the title The Professional Mind Organizer. She helps her clients de-clutter their mind, ‘untangle’ their thoughts, and figure out what they really want out of their life.


Key Takeaways


  • Leah’s coaching style  [11:14]
  • How to find the right coach for you  [14:01]
  • Listening to your body and how it can help you find the right coach  [20:17]
  • What the coaching process looks like and how Leah helps her clients explore their full selves  [23:59]
  • How to build the confidence to go after the life that you want  [32:47]

Quotes


“To get to the right coach, you also have to do a lot of work on your own. But you have to understand that to get the help that you need, you need to be honest and vulnerable.” (Anya)

“You have to be willing to step into the unknown and believe that you will land on your feet. And if you do not, you'll be okay. You'll still be able to pick yourself back up after that.” (Leah)

“Life is a nonlinear problem, right? Figuring out how to live your fullest self out in the world and what that looks like - it's not like anyone else has done it. Your journey will be unique and so it requires creativity to solve those problems.” (Leah)

“Confidence can come from achieving what you set out to do.” (Leah)


Live Your Best Life!


Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Mar 14, 202141:56
How To Be Yourself, Challenge The Model Minority Myth and Thrive In Corporate America with Suzanne Leung

How To Be Yourself, Challenge The Model Minority Myth and Thrive In Corporate America with Suzanne Leung

Intro

For centuries since the advent of corporate America, white men have consistently dominated leadership positions in the workplace across all industries. It’s hard enough for a person of color to rise to a leadership position, but even more so if that person is a woman.

Statistics show that women are almost half of the labor force, but only 40% of these hold leadership positions. And out of that slice, 32.3% are held by white women while 7.7% are held by women of color. Source: Catalyst.org


So what are the chances that an Asian immigrant woman could take on a leadership position in a white, male-dominated industry, say, in construction or in a tech-based company?


Let me tell you the answer: very slim.


Because according to that same research, only 2.5% of these leadership positions are held by Asian women here in the United States. And the numbers only get smaller as we go up the corporate ladder, even for white women.


But unlike the statistics and the odds presented to her, our guest this week shows us that being an Asian immigrant woman is not a hindrance for anyone to thrive in the workplace. Despite the status quo, Suzanne Leung was able to rise above a white male-dominated industry; not only in terms of holding a leadership position, but also in terms of work performance and earning the respect and camaraderie of her colleagues.


This week on the podcast, Suzanne Leung talks about her immigrant journey and career trajectory as an immigrant in corporate America. She also talks about the stereotypes that she has encountered as an Asian woman and how she deals with these misconceptions in the workplace.



Guest Bio

Suzanne Leung is a District Manager at Autodesk, a software company based in California. She was born in Hong Kong, raised in Singapore, and currently lives in the United States.



Key Takeaways

  • Why it’s okay to not fit the Asian woman stereotype  [12:11]
  • Things that get rewarded in the corporate world that are actually trauma responses (from a post by Jennifer Kim)  [19:26]  
  • Giving value to your time and services  [24:03] 
  • Breaking away from always trying to prove yourself as an immigrant  [27:57]
  • Finding the courage to show vulnerability in a male-dominated industry  [29:37]
  • How to handle gender stereotypes in your workplace  [31:10]
  • Redefining success for yourself  [34:12]
  • Your unique position as an immigrant  [40:15]


Quotes

“What is truly magnetic, I found, is when authenticity is able to shine through - your realness, your vulnerability, that's what is truly magnetic to people.” (Suzanne)


“Success doesn't mean that I always look or seem on top of it or always look or seem in charge. [To me] success means staying true to yourself and living out the thing that's gonna make you excited and make you the most happy.” (Anya)


“[As immigrants], we think we have to suffer forever and have to be constantly proving ourselves until we burn out. And it's just not healthy. In fact, I don't think people are asking that of us. We need to set boundaries and boundaries are when people start to respect our time.” (Suzanne)



Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide --> here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!


Mar 11, 202146:01
How To Connect To Your Partner In An Intercultural Relationship with Narie Foster

How To Connect To Your Partner In An Intercultural Relationship with Narie Foster

Intro

Like many things, it takes a lot of time and effort to make a romantic relationship work. You plan for date nights, special occasions; you think about the gifts or surprises they like, and generally just making your special someone feel loved and important.

And one of the biggest contributors to a healthy dating relationship is communication.

Now there are times when you and your partner just totally get each other - I mean after all, you’re dating. But what do you do when things get awkward because of conflicting beliefs and/or ideologies?

How do we communicate when we deal with conflicts caused by cultural differences? And most importantly, how can you grow as a couple and as individuals in intercultural relationships?

In this episode, Narie Foster talks about the value of dating coaching, how to resolve conflicts caused by cultural differences, and how people in intercultural relationships can create a deeper connection with their partner.


Guest Bio

Narie Foster is the Co-Founder and COO of M.M.LaFleur, a fast-growing professional womenswear company based in New York City. She is also a Business Coach who advises early-stage startups, mentors and entrepreneurs, and more recently, started her career as a Dating Coach.


Key Takeaways
  • How Narie found her passion in dating coaching  [06:49]
  • Dating advice for people who have gone through traumatic experiences and/or have attachment issues [11:39]
  • The challenges and magic of intercultural dating  [14:17]
  • Date ideas that are better than a movie date  [19:35]
  • How couples with different cultural backgrounds can grow together instead of growing apart  [24:42]
  • The purpose of dating and how it contributes to your personal development  [28:08]
  • How to resolve conflicts and/or arguments caused by cultural differences  [32:45]
Quotes

“I believe that we're most [fulfilled] when we're living in alignment with our internal worlds. And I think it’s the same in choosing a partner and dating.” (Narie)

“Over intellectualizing is a disservice to what your body's trying to tell you one way or the other.” (Narie)

“The point of dating is not to get everyone to like you. The point of dating is to be so specifically yourself, that you're filtering out the people who aren't good matches, and you're attracting the people who are.” (Narie)


Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Mar 09, 202139:17
The Homesickness Cure: Season Two - Trailer

The Homesickness Cure: Season Two - Trailer

New Episodes Are Dropping March 9, 2021

Welcome to season two of The Homesickness Cure podcast!

Whether you’re an immigrant in a new country or feel like the culture in your parent’s house is a universe away from what’s outside their front door, we can agree on something: creating a life you like in a place that doesn’t feel like home is really hard. If you’re struggling to find yourself while navigating two cultures, pour yourself a cup of tea, dear, I think you’ll like it here.

I’m your host, Anya Cherrice, CEO & founder of Navigating Culture, and I’m on a mission to help immigrants learn how to self-validate, remove self-doubt, and achieve their dreams by redefining archaic ideas of success.



Pop in your earbuds and get ready to take notes as I talk to immigrant and first-gen guests and even share some of my own advice on how you can start living life on your own terms (not your parents, not your friends, and not your nosy aunties & uncles.) We’ll be talking about finance, mental health, finding your purpose when it goes against the norm, fitting in & belonging and a whole lot more. Leaning off the edge of your seat, yet?

Let’s get started.

Mar 05, 202101:59
How To Handle Conflict Without Creating Chaos

How To Handle Conflict Without Creating Chaos

Intro

No matter what your personality type is, conflict is something that we just want to avoid. But the thing is, we face conflict on a daily basis – whether that’s internal conflict where we deal with our own personal issues and even minor decision-making tasks, or external conflicts such as dealing with a rude neighbor or a toxic work environment.

It goes without saying that conflict is something that anyone would want to avoid. However, as we’ll be learning in this podcast, the best way to deal with conflict is not to hide from it or ignore it, but to deal with it face-on.

But how do we resolve conflicts in a healthy manner? What are some tools that we can use to help us deal with internal and external conflicts?

Bina Patel, a Conflict Resolution specialist, joins us on the podcast to share her expert advice on conflict resolution.

She talks about how we can resolve conflicts, how to avoid misunderstandings, conflict fatigue, and why it’s important to set personal boundaries and how it plays out in conflict resolution.


Guest Bio

Bina Patel works as a Conflict Resolution Expert, and has helped organizations such as Coca-Cola, The Royal Caribbean Cruises, and the U.S. Army in resolving internal conflicts and improving workplace culture.


Key Takeaways
  • The different types of conflicts you experience on a daily basis  [12:32]
  • Be mindful about the energy we project to people  [14:20]
  • How to manage internal and external conflicts in a hostile environment  [18:22]
  • The importance of setting personal boundaries  [19:56]
  • How to overcome anxiety around building community abroad  [27:23]
  • Is conflict bad? When is conflict a good thing?  [30:36]
  • Journal exercises to deal with internal and external conflicts  [36:15]
  • The right time to deal with conflict, conflict fatigue  [37:39]
  • How conflict resolution can help you achieve peace of mind  [40:17]

Quotes

“How we project our energy is a reflection of what we get in return.” (Bina)

“It's really important that if we [deal with conflict] with a positive mindset despite our previous experience, then conflict can be resolved easily.” (Bina)

“We have to set a boundary for ourselves of what is acceptable and what is not, and the degree to what is acceptable or not.” (Bina)

“So I really find that conflict is a great way to grow ourselves, but also to look inside and think.” (Bina)

“Remember that we have choices, and you have a choice to leave an agency, a friendship, or a relationship. Because if it's hurting you and it's causing more anxiety than you can handle, then it's not healthy for you.” (Bina)

Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!


Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-handle-conflict-without-creating-chaos

Jul 19, 202042:28
How To Be At Peace With Yourself - The Homesickness Cure

How To Be At Peace With Yourself - The Homesickness Cure

Intro

Have you ever made plans to travel solo before, but just couldn’t go through with it because you’re worried about getting bored or leaving your comfort zone for an unknown adventure?

For some, traveling solo isn’t a hard feat because they can make friends easily, find a community abroad, and adapt quickly to a new place and a new culture. But for others, it takes longer for them to find people they can connect with during their travels. This could be because of their personality, or maybe because of their unique backgrounds or interests.

Whatever the reason, some people just find it harder to settle in a foreign country and may experience longer periods of being alone. And this struggle is especially true among people of color and people who have decided to live a nomadic life.

In this episode, Kiersten shares her experience in finding belongingness in a certain country and how women of color travel and create community abroad. She also talks about travel coaching and how she has helped her clients create purposeful travel plans that will help them thrive and live fulfilled lives as expats and nomads.

Guest Bio

Kiersten Brown is a Travel and Mindset Coach who helps women of color create strategic and intentional plans for traveling and living abroad. She is also the author of So You're Inspired, Now What? which is now available on Amazon.

Key Takeaways
  • How to find a sense of belonging when travelling abroad  [03:12]
  • The benefits of traveling to personal growth  [12:33]
  • Advice to women of color who would love to travel solo  [15:27]
  • What is the role of a travel coach?  [21:32]
  • How a travel coach can help you create a purposeful travel experience  [24:32]
  • Exploring alone VS. with a community  [28:11]


Quotes

“You don't have to do what you've been told to do. You don't have to go down this path that life or society has set out for you. That's the biggest thing that I've learned from living abroad is really understanding what I'm capable of – figuring out things, creating a business, etc.” (Kiersten)

“That's such an important aspect when it comes to moving abroad or following your dreams is having people that will support you, and then closing the door on the people that won't support you. (Kiersten)

“I think it's just such a mind shift, when you kind of realize that life isn't working against you [but that] it's working for you.” (Kiersten)

“Figure out who you are and you will find your people so much faster.” (Anya)

Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!



Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-be-at-peace-with-yourself

Jul 19, 202038:26
Am I British, English or a Trini: Where Do I Belong?

Am I British, English or a Trini: Where Do I Belong?

Whether it’s obvious or not the communities you belong too are tied up with your sense of self.

A few superficial examples would be:

You’re the quarterback on the high-school football team. You’re must likely seen as popular, confident, thirst-trap etc. 

And you get labeled as a high school jock.

Or you wear a cross necklace every day and talk about all the church events you attend. People are mostly like to associate you with being pious or religious. And you’ll probably get labeled as the Christian.

The communities we align ourselves with help to shape our sense of self…our identity. Sometimes this identity is very personal, it helps us to keep us sane, it makes life a little more bearable, and sometimes this identity is how everybody else sees us. Sometimes, it’s both.

Usually though, we have some say as to how we navigate those identities. We can take off the helmet and the t-shirt, we can take off the cross and keep our extra-curriculars to ourselves.

What happens when you can’t take off the thing that defines you. What happens when you don’t have any say in your identity because it’s already been defined for you.

That’s exactly what I sat down with Daron to chat about. In England, as opposed to let’s say a country like American or Trinidad, being born in the country doesn’t make you an Englishman or woman. Being white does. And who gets to call themselves white? Well, that varies on who you’re asking.

In this episode, Daron and I will be talking about:
1. What is means to be a naturalized, black immigrant living in England

2. How your race affects not only what communities but also what identities you have access to

3. Is your birth-place as important of an identity-marker as we make it out to be

Intrigued yet? Let’s get into it shall we

To access the ebook, How To Make Authentic Friendships In New Places at 75% off, check out
www.navigatingculture.co/friends and use the discount code: podcast

See ya next week!







Find episode transcript here: https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-am-i-british-english-or-trini-where-do-i-belong

May 20, 202028:08
How to Make Friends And Meet People While You're Traveling

How to Make Friends And Meet People While You're Traveling

Intro

For the past five years, the term 'digital nomad' has made its way to people's bucket list as more and more technologies have afforded us the option to work from home – wherever that may be.

Like our guest for this episode, she has had the opportunity to travel all over South America for a year all while having a full-time job.

With this opportunity also comes the challenge of joining a social circle or a community that can help you settle in the new city that you're in. But how can you do that?

How can you build connections and create a community in a new place where there's a language barrier? Also, how permanent are these relationships and are you obligated to keep them long-term?

In this episode, Hannah talks about how to make friends and find a community during your travels, and also shares her perspectives on friendship and why it's okay to be okay with saying goodbye to newly found connections.

Guest Bio

Hannah Kim is a Tech Support Specialist at Mixmax, Inc. Over the past year, she has travelled all across South America, to places such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and even Argentina – all while working a full-time job.



Key Takeaways
  • Work hard, play hard: What it's like to be a digital nomad  [03:28]
  • Socializing tips for introverts  [06:17]
  • Events where you can meet locals and expats alike  [08:26]
  • Differences between creating/finding a community at your home city versus abroad  [10:35]
  • How to make friends during your travels (and not become too emotionally attached)  [13:34]
  • Diaspora of communities abroad [17:57]
  • How to overcome language barriers and form great relationships with locals and expats alike  [21:39]


Quotes

“There's only one of you. So your perspective [and] your ideas are going to be unique and original. So don't try to copy someone else's life.” (Hannah)

“When we move to new places, we kind of expect strong or authentic friendships to fall in our laps. And then we get sad when it doesn't happen. Some things won't work out but you will find people who you connect with.” (Anya)



Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!


Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-make-friends-and-meet-people-while-youre-traveling

May 07, 202027:21
How To Make Friends In America As An Immigrant

How To Make Friends In America As An Immigrant

Intro

Living as an immigrant in a new country can be challenging. Everything is just new to you - the language, the culture, the people and their interests, and even the food. At some point, it might seem like it’s a lot of work and a lot of stress to move and live in a new country, but as our guests would teach us today, surrounding yourself with the right support system will make things easier.

Our guest is Megha Jindal, an immigrant who moved from New Delhi, India to the US six months after she met her now husband. To me, Megha is the true definition of poise. And in a world that says that toughness, resilience and badass-ery looks a certain way, she has shown that strength is also kindness, warmth, and big-heartedness.

In this episode, Megha talks about her struggles as an immigrant in the US, and how embracing your uniqueness can help you make friends and attract the right people in your life.



Guest Bio

Megha Jindal works as a Portfolio Success Officer at Salesforce. She has more than five years of experience in Customer Success & Project Management and has exceptional skills in turning customers into brand advocates.



Key Takeaways
  • What it’s like to live in a new country as an immigrant  [02:03]
  • Creating community in your new home city  [04:12]
  • Embracing your uniqueness despite social pressures  [10:04]
  • How to live a life you’ll be proud of  [14:59]
  • Productive ways to relieve stress after moving into a new country  [19:58]


Quotes

“When you figure out who you are, eventually, it becomes easier to discern the right people for you. And it just becomes easier to attract the right people to you as well.” (Anya)

“Unique doesn't have to be unique from one person's perspective. It's unique from your own perspective.” (Anya)

“I’m religious and I like to pray. I like to follow discipline. So I also liked connecting with people who were doing that. This is when I realized who I am and I like having that trust and belongingness.” (Megha)

“I feel like that's a lesson for everyone – to not judge things at face value. If you don't understand something or you don't agree with something, ask more questions to figure out the intention behind why someone is doing something. And from there, you can make another judgment or decision if you want to.” (Anya)


Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!


Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-make-friends-in-america-as-an-immigrant

Apr 30, 202023:26
How To Survive Your Loneliness During Quarantine & Social Isolation

How To Survive Your Loneliness During Quarantine & Social Isolation

INTRO

When we think of relationships, we may picture ourselves going out somewhere, like in a café or in the mall, to meet with friends, a loved one, or perhaps with a fellow club member.

But because of the current COVID-19 situation, it has become increasingly difficult (and risky) for us to meet up in person and hang out like we used to. So what can we do to stay connected and look after our relationships while in quarantine?

In this episode, I will share to you some tips on how to host a virtual meetup, and how you can create meaningful conversations with your friends and/or loved ones online.



GUEST BIO

n/a


KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • The magic of structuring conversations  [04:24]
  • Creating more meaningful connections online  [05:04]
  • Three ways to introduce more structure to your conversations  [06:18]
  • Ways to make virtual meetings more exciting + How to host a virtual meetup  [09:09]
  • Why you need to setup an agenda for a virtual meetup with friends  [12:00]


QUOTES

“Feeling lonely isn't such a bad thing. In fact, I would argue that negative feelings are not entirely bad. Because these negative feelings let us know when things are off and when something needs to change.” (Anya)


LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!


Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-survive-your-loneliness-during-quarantine-and-social-isolation

Apr 23, 202014:33
How To Intentionally Choose Your Friends featuring Amica App

How To Intentionally Choose Your Friends featuring Amica App

Intro

One of the things that solo travellers and expats struggle with is finding a community away from home. You’re in a new place, you want to explore the city, and you also want to get settled in as quickly as possible... But where do you start?

You may also wonder whether using online friendship or dating apps can help you find genuine relationships, considering the stigma that surrounds these kinds of apps or platforms. And what even is the definition of a genuine relationship? When can you say that you have truly formed a meaningful relationship with someone?

In this episode, Heeral Pattni shares to us how we can find meaningful friendships online, why it's important to choose your online friends, and the most importantly, how to survive and thrive in a new place with barely any connections.


Guest Bio

Heeral Pattni is a 22-year-old graduate of Politics and International Studies based in London. She is the Founder of Amica, an app which aims to provide women with the opportunity to meet like-minded solo travelers, based entirely on mutual interests.


Key Takeaways
  • The story behind the Amica App  [03:14]
  • How Amica works to connect you with people with similar interests  [07:15]
  • Ways to maintain your friendships without meeting in person  [12:27]
  • Creating community in a time of social distancing  [17:20]
  • Advice to women who are struggling to make authentic friendships in new places  [21:48]
  • Stigma around meeting friends on apps or online  [26:34]
  • Stigma around online dating  [28:30]
  • Three most important values in a friend  [29:49]


Quotes

“For me, community is kind of a safe and supportive place that caters to a lot of different [facets] of my personality.” (Heeral)

“But you also have to find a way to keep living. And I think keeping friends around you that make you feel alive is really important.” (Heeral)

“I think the more that you are aware of how little time you have, the more you're aware of what drains your energy and what gives you energy. And I think that makes it a lot easier to realize who you want to spend your time with.” (Heeral)

I remember this quote [that says], “If you can't enjoy your own company, why inflict it on others?”” (Heeral)


Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!


Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-intentionally-choose-your-friends-with-amica-app

Apr 16, 202032:44
Why Focusing On Self-Care Just Isn’t Enough

Why Focusing On Self-Care Just Isn’t Enough

Intro

Now more than ever, people have become more mindful about self-care. A simple search online can lead you to numerous articles about self-care, such as how to have glowing skin, lose weight, and how to take care of your mental health. There are even apps that can help you with your self-care goals.

But there’s another kind of self-care that people don’t usually talk about, and that’s “community care”.

No matter if you’re an extrovert or an introvert, connecting with like-minded people will greatly benefit your mental health, and in turn, your overall health. This is what community care is all about.

In this episode, we talk about community care and how we can connect with people during the pandemic. We also talk about different ways we can spark new connections online and how you can be a better conversationalist.


Key Takeaways
  • What is community care and how it affects your overall health [01:17]
  • Ideas for “community care” [03:22]
  • How to make virtual meetups more purposeful [03:35]
  • How to connect with people during the pandemic [05:29]
  • How to become a better conversationalist [07:44]
Quotes

“If you can help create juicy conversations when you meet a potential friend, it’ll be easier to discern if you vibe well with the other person.” (Anya)

“Fostering engaging conversations helps everyone in the discussion to experience more of a connection.” (Anya)


Live Your Best Life!

Want to learn how to self-validate, let go of self-doubt, and figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here.

Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-why-focusing-on-self-care-just-isnt-enough

Apr 08, 202010:60
How To Make Friends In A New Place

How To Make Friends In A New Place

Intro
Moving to a new city or country can be stressful for anyone, especially if it’s your first time. The travel itself is taxing enough, and once you arrive at your new home, you encounter a different kind of stress altogether – cultural differences, language barrier, and above all, having only little or no connections.

One of the ways you can overcome this is by finding the right community of people – your tribe – who can help you understand the new culture, learn the native language, and just have someone to connect with on a heart to heart level.

In this episode, Fana talks about how we can get ourselves quickly acquainted with our new home city/country and how we can spark new friendships in a new place.

Since we are in the midst of COVID-19, Fana also shares some ways on how we can stay connected during the pandemic and how to keep long-distance friendships alive even after years.


Guest Bio
Fana Gibson
is a Finance Transformation Change and Comms Lead at the OLX Group. She was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean and currently resides in Berlin, Germany. Fana has an impressive travel history, living in countries such as The US, Rwanda, The UK, and France. She likes exploring new places and has a love for cupcakes.


Key Takeaways

  • How to be comfortable with moving to new places and experiencing new cultures [00:38]
  • What makes Berlin such a great city [20:11]
  • How to find the right community when you move to a different city [22:41]
  • Different kinds of friendships [24:47]
  • Building good relationships even if you don’t speak the native language [03:45]
  • Different ways to learn a new language [06:59]
  • Ways to socialize during the COVID-19 pandemic [09:02]
  • How to make long-distance friendships last [10:38]
  • Most important factor in a friendship (for Fana) [13:27]


Quotes
“It's hard to really grow and develop in a new place if you're constantly looking back and comparing.” (Fana)

“I think as long as you find a common connection with someone, it's easier to build those deeper connections.” (Fana)

“So you only really can build a friendship if you're able to find a common connection not just on your end but with the other person as well.” (Fana)



*Want to learn, how  to self-validate, stop doubting yourself & figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide
here. Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!


Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-make-friends-in-a-new-place

Apr 01, 202027:25
How To Cope With The Loneliness Of Losing Friends

How To Cope With The Loneliness Of Losing Friends

Intro
When I was in college, my friends stood as somewhat like my second family – if I needed help, academically or in my personal life, or if I just wanted someone to hang out with, they would be there in no time.

But now that my friends and I have ventured into our own paths, it has become increasingly difficult for us to keep in touch and/or meet with each other. Hanging out has become a luxury of time and convenience, and I find myself just reminiscing back to those times when I can simply call them out for a study sesh.

It’s not easy to go through such changes in your relationships with people, and you are not alone in that struggle.

If this is happening to you right now, you may be wondering how you can sustain old friendships, create new ones, and cope with the loneliness that comes with the process.

So today, I’ll be sharing with you some of the lessons that I’ve learned in my late 20’s that has helped me cope with the feeling of losing friendships, and the insights I’ve gained about relationships in this season of my life.


Key Takeaways

  • How to build friendships as we transition into late 20’s adulthood [03:03]
  • How to keep in touch with your friends even as they start a new chapter in their lives [04:11]
  • “Appreciate that some friendships are for a season” [05:58]



Quotes
“I've learned that the only consistent thing is change. And when we embrace this fact, not only in our friendships, but in our lives in general, we permit ourselves to be happy.” (Anya)

“We all have the power to communicate, adapt, and even leave to ensure that we meet our needs.” (Anya)

“I'm optimistic that marriage, babies, and relocation do not necessarily mean a friendship is over – when we give ourselves and each other the space to evolve into the next version of who we are, when we find that our evolutions still enjoy each other's company.” (Anya)


*Want to learn, how  to self-validate, stop doubting yourself & figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here. Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Find episode transcript here --> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-cope-with-the-loneliness-of-losing-friends

Mar 25, 202010:00
How To Embrace Culture Shock Rather Than Overcome It w/ The Caribbean Millennial

How To Embrace Culture Shock Rather Than Overcome It w/ The Caribbean Millennial

Intro
If you’re an expat and a frequent traveler, you might be familiar with the term ‘Culture Shock’.

Culture Shock can be quite overwhelming for most people. It doesn’t matter how well-travelled you are – being in a new place is always a new experience and you may find yourself confused by the new culture that you’re currently in.

This is a totally normal reaction because you are still adjusting yourself to something that’s outside of your everyday norm.

It’s an anxiety-inducing experience, but there’s a way to get yourself comfortable with it.

In this episode, Aneakaleigh Neils, Founder of The Carribean Millennial, talks about how we can embrace ‘Culture Shock’ and shares how we can adapt ourselves to new places by finding the right community and connecting with the right people.

She also gives some valuable lessons about building friendships, vulnerability, and how to deal with self-quarantine abroad during the COVID-19 crisis.

Guest Bio
Aneakaleigh Neils is the Founder of The Carribean Millennial, and is also a Self-Reinvention Guide & Mindset Coach. She is an expat from Trinidad and is currently working at the Escuelas Católicas de Madrid in Spain. Aneakaleigh is also the Founder and Host of the Bacchanal Abroad Podcast where she shares different kinds of travel stories and talks about the lessons she’s learned as a Carribean expat.

Key Takeaways

  • How to deal with ‘Culture Shock’ (in Spain)  [04:06]
  • Anika’s unforgettable cultural experience  [07:36]
  • What to expect when living in a different country: communication, culture, etc.  [09:55]
  • Joining an expat community, building friendships, and where to find people with similar values and interests  [10:46]
  • Building Connections: Is it possible to develop deep relationships with the people you meet, and how do you do it?  [14:40]
  • Has language ever been a barrier to building friendships and being vulnerable with others?  [21:32]
  • Learning to let go of friendships  [24:48]
  • Dealing with homesickness  [30:30]
  • Dealing with the COVID-19 quarantine abroad: how to maintain friendships, keeping in touch with people, etc.  [33:19]
  • Key most important value in a friend  [36:54]

Quotes
“It's one thing to have people who come from where you come from, and it's a completely other thing to have people who share your ideals and who share your values.” (Aneakaleigh)

“If you don't understand who you're looking for, what values you want, and the type of people you want in your life, you're always gonna be like running around in circles.” (Anya)

“I feel like a lot of the times when you move abroad, we get caught up in being lonely. And you just want people around, but then you have to know what kind of people you want around.” (Aneakaleigh)


*Want to learn, how  to self-validate, stop doubting yourself & figure out what a successful life looks like for you (not your parents)? Then download our complimentary audio guide here. Take the first step to living your own life beyond anyone else's expectations!

Find transcripts here--> https://www.navigatingculture.co/the-homesickness-cure-podcast-how-to-embrace-culture-shock

Mar 21, 202041:11