This podcast episode features Za Ruiz, an award-winning Dominican-born brand strategist and creative director, who shares his journey from growing up in Santo Domingo to founding his own company, Odd Notion, in Portland. Ruiz discusses his upbringing in the Dominican Republic, the challenges of adapting to life in the U.S., and his commitment to community-driven design and promoting design equity. He also elaborates on the values and culture he has instilled in his company, aiming to support purpose-driven brands and minority-owned businesses. The episode reflects on the impact of the George Floyd tragedy on his professional and personal mission, offering advice to immigrants about maintaining their identity while succeeding in America.

In this episode of 'Coming to America,' we meet Leda Garza, a retired nurse from Costa Rica who immigrated to the United States in the 1970s. Leda shares her rich, diverse experiences as a professional with 42 years in nursing, education, research, and health policy. She emphasizes cultural expertise and advocacy, highlighting the concept of 'Pura Vida' from her homeland. The conversation delves into her life's journey through multiple U.S. states, including Alaska and Hawaii, where she gained profound insights into diversity, equity, and inclusion. Leda also underscores the importance of language access in healthcare and her ongoing work with migrant communities in Oregon. Her story is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the powerful impact of giving back to the community.

In this episode of 'Coming to America,' the podcast welcomes Zhou Fang, who migrated from China to the U.S. in 2010. Now a founder and principal consultant at Intersectional Group LLC, Fang discusses her background, including her upbringing under China's one-child policy and her experiences growing up in a city near Guangzhou. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, she shares her educational journey, attending South China University and later Kansas State University for a graduate degree in mass communications. The conversation covers cultural differences, family expectations, education, and the importance of diversity and inclusion. Fang also elaborates on her current consulting work and her involvement with the Women's Foundation of Oregon, emphasizing pay equity. Finally, she offers advice for prospective immigrants, underscoring the importance of preparation and realistic expectations.

In this episode of 'Coming to America', the podcast discusses the inspiring journey of Jack Phan, who came to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1978. Jack is a serial entrepreneur, startup mentor, and investor based in the Portland metro area. He shares his family's harrowing escape during the Vietnam War, his experiences growing up in America, and his entrepreneurial success, including leading an AI SaaS company and currently building 'Evolve IQ'. Jack emphasizes the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Vietnamese immigrants and how his background has influenced his work. The conversation also explores the integration and lively stories of Vietnamese communities in various parts of the world and their significant contributions to local economies through various businesses.

In 'Coming to America', Lou Raja shares his journey from Boston-born to Congolese upbringing and eventually settling in the United States. He discusses his childhood in Congo, the impact of colonialism, and his dramatic transition to Ashland, Oregon, where he was the only black student in his high school. Lou emphasizes the power of education, having co-founded a school for underprivileged children in Congo. He reflects on the cultural and ethical challenges faced in Congo due to its rich natural resources. Now an inspirational speaker and consultant, Lou advocates for ethical partnerships and sustainable development in Congo. The discussion wraps up with Lou's advice for immigrants: do a thorough self-assessment and remain true to one’s roots while leveraging opportunities.

In this episode of 'Coming to America,' the hosts interview Reverend Dr. Simon, an Anglican priest who discusses his extensive journey from England and Germany to the United States. Ordained in the Church of England in 1995, Simon moved to the U.S. to serve an Episcopal church, eventually becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2011. He shares his experiences growing up in multicultural England, his various roles within U.S. congregations, and his current work as a chaplain and community advocate at Church at the Park, a nonprofit offering support to people experiencing homelessness in Salem, Oregon. The discussion explores cultural differences, social issues, and the contrasting elements within the U.S., such as the juxtaposition of extreme wealth and poverty and the intersection of charity and a lack of social safety nets. Simon also offers his perspective on America’s potential for opportunity and the ongoing struggle to balance its historical ideals with present-day realities.

🎙️ From Tuscan Blacksmiths to Espresso-Fueled Comedy – Meet Stefano Laboni What do you get when you mix: - A four-generation family house in Italy, - A grandfather who could forge anything from iron (but not life advice), - And a spontaneous reggae sound system in a public park? Answer: Stefano Laboni’s life story. In this episode of Coming to America, Stefano, Italian comedian, corporate trainer, and world traveler shares how he moved to the U.S. with a suitcase full of punchlines and turned cultural confusion into comedy gold. We talk about: Reinventing yourself across continents How humor bridges cultures (even when people can’t spell your last name) Grab a coffee (or Yerba mate - thanks to our sponsor www.obvi.love) and tune in for a funny, reflective, and very Italian conversation.

In this special episode of Coming to America, we welcome Niisai Botchway, a Ghanaian musician whose life has been shaped by rhythm, resilience, and remarkable journeys. Niisai first came to the U.S. in 1974 as a member of Hedzoleh Soundz, a groundbreaking Afro-jazz group introduced to American audiences by none other than Hugh Masekela. Before international tours and studio sessions in Nigeria and the U.S., the band was a nightly fixture at the legendary Napoleon Club in Accra. We talk about: The early days of Ghana's live music scene Recording their first album (twice!) Touring the U.S. with Masekela Returning to Ghana, and later to Portland in 1991 at the invitation of Obo Addy, another Ghanaian music legend Finding community and balance as an immigrant, musician, and longtime valet at OHSU 🎶 And for the first time on this podcast—Niisai plays live music! A beautiful reminder of how art travels with us, no matter where we go. This is more than a story about immigration—it’s a tribute to the global language of music and a life well lived between cultures.

Aida Rivas is an Executive Coach and seasoned Program Management professional with over 25 years in the tech industry. Parents immigrated from Honduras to the U.S. when she was a little girl. Aida has lived on both coasts and in the heart of the country, but California has been home for most of her life—until recently, when she moved to Portland, Oregon. Aida loves exploring food from different cultures and has been bringing people together through international potlucks with neighbors since 2001. linkedin.com/in/aidarivas

I this episode of our Immigrant podcast, I am interviewing Sonia Collier who immigrated to the US from Stockholm, Sweden in 1987. She started her advertising career at the Shalek Agency in Los Angeles and was recruited to Wieden & Kennedy in Portland, OR 1991. 1999 she joined Adidas and finished a 22-year career with them end of 2020. She lives with her partner Joe in Portland, Oregon.

In this episode of Coming to America, we sit down with Elisabeth Tschalaer, who moved from Switzerland to the U.S. at just 17 to study in California. Now, after 32 years in Portland, she’s built a life as an artist, journeyman painter, and business owner of Painting Blue Skies. But this episode isn’t just about immigration—it’s a ride through dark matter, Calvinism, famine, California, colonialism, and civil rights movement. Did you know Switzerland has no official capital city and was one of the last countries in the world to grant women ...? listen to find out. Buckle up—this is one episode you don’t want to miss! 🎧 #ComingToAmerica #Podcast #SwissInAmerica #ImmigrantStories #ArtAndCulture #WomenInBusiness #HistoryMatters

Episode 15 of Coming to America features Birgit Hayden—born in Salzburg, Austria, now thriving in Northeast Portland! From her journey across continents to raising three kids in the USA, Birgit balances a career in commercial insurance with serving as the Austrian Honorary Consul for Oregon. Discover how she embraces her heritage through her life story. Brigit enjoys ballroom dancing, and even a beer with friends after a day of skiing or hiking. Tune in for an inspiring cross-cultural story!

Oonagh Morgan grew up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, a period of sectarian conflict that ended with the Good Friday agreement in 1998.She is a graduate of Brunel University, London and the Irish Academy of Public Relations, Dublin. She began her career in Dublin at a global PR agency where she worked with a variety of clients from scrappy startups to international tech giants. Like many Irish immigrants, her ambitions led her to develop her career in the U.S. - a journey that brought her from her native Co. Down in Ireland to the west coast of America where she has been a resident since 2002. Her international career includes roles in Dublin, San Francisco, Portland, and L.A.

Episode 13. introduces Ricardo Aranda, a marketing consultant with experience in marketing and global brand strategy, comes from Venezuela. Ricardo moved to the U.S. in 2004 to complete his MBA at Cornell University and has built his life here ever since. As a strategy consultant, he helps businesses grow by applying large company skills and tools; he is particularly passionate about the multicultural and Latino space. Outside of his professional work, Ricardo is also an author, capturing his experiences and passion for language and culture in his first book Growing Up Bilingüe. His second book, due out on December 18th, is a Spanish children’s book that tells his story as a Venezuelan emigrant father, and his fond memories as told through his children's imagination. You can learn more about his books below link and buy them on Amazon. Ricardo’s journey from Venezuela to the U.S. has shaped not only his career but also his life and family. IG: https://www.instagram.com/growingup.bilingue/ Buy Ricardo's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DC5GRMX4/ Ricardo’s LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-aranda/

In this episode of Coming to America, we’re joined by Angel Trujillo Perez, who shares his incredible journey from Havana, Cuba, to the United States. Angel left Cuba in 1994 and arrived in the U.S. two years later, eventually settling in Portland with his wife and son. Now a Production Supervisor at a manufacturing company, Angel reflects on the resilience and determination it took to build a new life in a foreign land. Angel’s story is one of perseverance, creativity, and the joy of embracing life’s simple pleasures.

Leandro, originally from Brasília, Brazil, moved to the USA in 1999 and has been residing in Portland since 2009 with his wife Valerie and their Maltese dog, Jobin. He is a structural engineer and the owner of LSP Structural.

Ecuadorian in America:

Javier Turek is from Argentina the land of the yerba mate, dulce de leche, and Messi (or football). Came to USA in 2015 for work after finishing his PhD studies in Israel. He now lives in Portland and works as a Research Scientist in AI for Intel. He is married to Natacha and has 2 kids.

In this episode, our guest is "Natasha" from Russia. To protect her identity, we've blurred her face and used a pseudonym, as she still has family in Russia. Natasha is a UX designer who now calls Portland her home.

Benson Nsanzabandi, born in Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in a Refugee Camp in Rwanda. Benson came to the US in 2019 and he is an Accountant at Lewis and Clark college.