BEING FIRST GENERATION

Today I am sharing a conversation I had with my friend Dina. Dina and I met in our book club and I cannot wait for you to hear her incredible stories. Dina was born in Croatia and has lived in various parts of the US including New York and Los Angeles. While conflict and war devastated that area of Europe in the 1990s, Dina’s family worked hard to assimilate to American life, consistently maintaining passion for Croatian culture and connecting with other immigrant cultures within their communities. In today’s episode Dina talks about her favorite parts of the Croatian culture. The food, the holidays, the dancing and so much more. We are also going to hear about how her career started. First off in theater to now film and production and the support she received from her family. Croatians are known to be good people, have huge hearts and overall, just love life so we hope you love this episode today. If you learned something new from today’s show head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the podcast. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH DINA Twitter: https://twitter.com/dinmiro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinmiro

Today I am talking with my friend Andrea DeLeon. Over the course of 6 years, Andrea earned her degree in holistic nutrition, competed in fitness competitions, became a health coach and worked as personal trainer, hoping one of these avenues would be the solution to what seemed like an endless, vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting and binge eating. However, it wasn’t until Andrea began to do the internal work, focusing on psychology, emotions and self-love that her life truly changed. Once she accepted that she was an emotional eater and was taught various coping strategies and self-soothing tools for dealing with emotions, she finally achieved the freedom she had been seeking. Freedom from food, body, mind, and self. In addition to earning her body image and self-love coaching certification, Andrea has been working side-by-side with Tony Robbins’ personal trainer, Billy Beck III, which has taught her the science and evidence-based tools behind exercise and the psychology of nutrition. She now has the privilege of using what she's learned to coach amazing women in her Ditch the Scale Academy, helping them fully transform their lives at a deeper level by letting go of their past stories and beliefs and stepping into their power, letting go of their food and body struggles and unleashing their ultimate feminine potential. Tune in to hear how Andrea’s moves to the Unites States with her mom, brother and sister was a bit traumatic, how she learned English and what it was like making friends at an early age in multiple cities. Andrea also shares her favorite Venezuelan dishes as well as her favorite holiday after Christmas. We also get into the cultural expectations of getting the best grades and having the best career and how Andrea went from Bio Medical Engineering to becoming a Nutritionist. This is such a great story. Andrea also shares her very personal breast implant story with us today. Why she got them and what happened after a decade of having them and her thoughts on the whole process now. All this and more on the Venezuelan culture, which Andrea shares is the friendliest on today’s show! If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH ANDREA Website: www.thingsandreasays.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsandreasays/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dtsthingsandreasays  

Today I am chatting with my good friend, Lilit Pilikian. Lilit a first-generation Armenian born in Los Angeles and went to Armenian private schools up until 6th grade. Growing up, she was good at two things: math and art. One day, she realized she could do both together, and that led her to Otis College of Art & Design. As an Industrial Designer, she has primarily worked in consumer electronics, most recently on cutting edge tech toys at Mattel. Lilit has also worked in User Experience as part of the Innovation team at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and as a production designer on a host of film sets. She believes in improving the world around her through creative thinking and problem solving. No matter where she goes or what she does, she thinks differently, and thinks that is in no small part because she is Armenian. Lilit met her husband in high school, and they’ve been close collaborators ever since. Their latest project is a documentary, 100 Years from Home, about the search for her great-grandparents’ long-lost house in Turkey 100 years after the Armenian Genocide, which will be airing on PBS SoCal September 1st at 8:30PM. Tune in to hear more on Lilit’s upbringing, her personal beliefs as well as her families, favorite holidays and Armenian culture (food and dance) as well as dating and career choices. If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH LILIT Documentary: 100yearsfromhome.com  

Today I am bringing you a solo episode where I will be talking about the critical and crucial importance of our mental health. A lot is going on in the world right now and I wanted to just share what was on my heart and mind with you today. A lot of important topics to discuss with you today. The Coronavirus impact, the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor deaths and how that has affected everyone and why we should all be learning and educating ourselves more. Tune in to hear my thoughts on TikTok, the everyday hustle, breathwork and the clear visions we all need to have and how to get them. From trauma to life lessons to learning and laughter, it’s on all today’s show and I cannot wait for you to hear more and share with me your own experiences you’ve had over the last few months. If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork

Today on the podcast, I am sharing a conversation I had with my friend Tanin Matin. Tanin is a Mindset and Emotional Freedom Coach, as well as a Business Coach, for high-powered conscious entrepreneurs. Tanin's work is based on the fundamentals of Quantum Physics, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Integrative Health, Energetics and Consciousness to support her clients in human optimization. Tanin offers emotional breakthrough sessions to help process trapped emotions (personal, absorbed, or inherited) that are deep within the subconscious mind, that feel like tension within the body and heaviness within the energetic system to create a feeling of emotional freedom. She teaches breathwork, energetics, and meditation as powerful tools to shift negative energy into positive energy and to expand your consciousness to cultivate a sense of inner peace and joy in life. She focuses on shifting limiting beliefs and negative emotions into personal empowerment and magnetic vibrational attraction. She is a psychic channel for your Higher Self and Spirit. As a Reflector, she can connect deeply to the essence of your being and reflect to you the visions of your highest self for profound and fast transformation. Tanin was born in Iran and moved to the United States at two years old. She shares with us the reasoning behind not wanting to go to Farsi Persian School at a young age and how that has influenced her now. From the importance of attending Persian parties, what it is like to date in this culture, the expectations of going to college and your future to learning how to create the best Persian dishes for a Vegan menu, we are getting into it all. If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH TANIN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamtaninmatin/ Website: www.TheEnergeticrEVOLution.com

Today I am sharing a conversation I had with Melody Chuang. Melody and I met at our coaching certification program we graduated from a few months ago and I believe we were also the only two first gens there. Melody shares with us some of her deep-rooted cultural stories. Her love for the infamous sweet bean desserts and her favorite holiday, the Chinese New Year! She also talks about what it was like to grow up in a strict household where dates and tank tops were not allowed to her family’s religious beliefs as well as the support she has received for going after her dreams. If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH MELODY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammelodychuang Website: https://www.melodychuang.com

In today’s episode I am sharing a conversation I had with my former coach Alana Lima of @radiatebliss. Alana was born in Brazil and moved to the US when she was younger. She speaks us today about moving between Brazil and the US under certain circumstances and why they moved back to the US (Miami) for good. Alana discovered that her soul resides in Hawaii and is where she currently lives. Tune in to hear us talk about the common misconceptions around being Brazilian such as the native language. Listen to her heartwarming family traditions and what she still celebrates today. We’re getting into speaking different languages growing up, people pleasing, what it is like to grow up with high academic expectations and how to break free from the stigmas. Self-healing and choosing your own wellbeing are just some of the key factors on Alana’s journey she shares with us today. If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde­_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH ALANA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiatebliss Website: https://www.radiatebliss.com

In today’s episode I am sharing a bit more of my personal story with you today. I want to talk to you about how I broke free from my cultural expectations. I’m sharing how I am no longer having the long discussions with my family about marriage and children and why I chose to live alone after college. I have always been a fan of music and today I’ll be talking more about that part of my life and the path I was on then that brought me to working as a Coach and Breathwork Facilitator. I have known from a younger age that I always wanted a business and to be something greater than the boundaries of my culture. I knew I was capable of more; I knew that I would be able to make an impact on humanity and be able to help others. Tune in to hear the rest of my story as well my spirituality journey and the impact it has made on my life and how it led me to the food and body image coaching program I recently graduated from and so much more. If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde­_. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CHECK OUT THE COACHING PROGRAM I WENT TO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungryforhappiness Website: https://www.hungryforhappiness.com

Today I am sharing a conversation I had with my dear friend Harsha Sosa who I met in our Pause Breathwork Facilitator Program. She has a unique background born in India, moved to Dubai & then to Canada. She shares with us about being a Sindhi in Canada covering topics from: making friends, parental career expectations, the cultural gaps she faced (between the 3 countries) & traditions that she will be keeping alive and passing on to her children. To be the person she is today she had circumstances that she had to overcome which allowed her to use her voice for good! Tune in to hear us chat about Indian superstitions, dating, and why service and hospitality are such an important part of the Indian culture. If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next cultural conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH HARSHA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harshasosaempowered/

Today’s episode is special. I sat down with my good friend Robert who I have known for many years to share his story of what it looks and feels like to be a first gen. Robert has had to learn to coexist in three different cultures as his mother is from Mexico and his father from Spain while he was born in the states. Growing up and communicating with two different dialects of Spanish was a bit tricky which he shares with us today. Robert’s parent met in Tijuana, Mexico and later moved to the United States. Robert was born and raised in Los Angeles. His stories are about his childhood memories and what it’s like to go his mother’s & father’s homeland:  Mexico and Spain. How he is viewed and treated plays a role as a Mexican & Spanish American can be a bit out of the norm and he talks about what that looks like with us today. If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH ROBERT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrcali_7/

Today I am sharing a conversation I had with my friend Cynthia. She shares the story of her parents moving to the United States from Nigeria 36 years ago and what growing up in Los Angeles was like. She was born in LA and her parents immigrated from Nigeria. Living in a household that celebrates different traditions can be a bit tough which we learn today. Not everyone has a Santa Claus! Going out to cultural events would be the norm with her family and Cynthia gets into more of that with us on the show. Throughout the summers growing up Cynthia was going to the library and had her head in the books while other children played with their friends. “That was tough” she explains to listeners. From celebrating the holidays to household chores and dating. We’re getting into it today! If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piecesofonye/

Welcome to the very first episode of Being First Generation. The Podcast. I’m your Host Karishma Donde. I’m a Wellness Coach, Breathwork Facilitator, Speaker, Entrepreneur and Disruptor. And I’m here to bring you a show like you’ve never heard before. Being First Generation Podcast was created to bring awareness to those interested in other cultures, want to have conscious cultural conversations or for those who are first gens and craving a community of like-minded individuals who have gone through similar experiences. Expect to hear from others who come from different backgrounds and to understand what it’s like to have parents from different countries and backgrounds than them. They’ll be sharing heartwarming stories of perceptions and expectations that come with various cultures, their celebrations, their immigrant guilt, things they appreciate, unique traditions or beliefs that were questioned as well as things they have learned. To kick off my first solo show I talk about arranged marriages, where I am from, Bollywood movies and unique parenting methods. I also talk about the peer pressure I once felt from my community, how the word “exotic” really rubs me the wrong away! How my past, culture and upbringing led me on the road that influenced me to start this show ! If you learned something new from this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review for the show. While you are there don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you don’t miss the next educated conversation. For up to date info on the show, my coaching programs and more make sure we’re connected on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find me @karishmadonde. All my links are below! Until next time… CONNECT WITH KARISHMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karishmadonde_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishmadonde Show Notes:  https://beingfirstgeneration.blubrry.net/listen/ Coaching Programs: https://www.coachingwithkarishma.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/karishmadonde YouTube:  http://bit.ly/karishmayoutube Breathwork: https://karishma-donde.mykajabi.com/breathwork