Her American Story

Mimi Zieman is a board-certified gynecologist, mother of three, women's health advocate, and emerging creative writer living in Atlanta. She is the daughter of refugees and a father who was a Holocaust survivor, she searched for who she was separate from this family identity, and backpacked solo in Nepal before the long haul of medical school. While trekking, she met Everest climbers who invited her to be the doctor on a later expedition. Listen as she shares her story.

Stephanie Mihalas, PhD NCSP ABPP, is a first generation Greek American, licensed and board certified psychologist, as well as a nationally certified school psychologist. Listen as she shares with me the experience she gained working in her father's clinic as a young girl, as well as how narrowly avoiding being at the Twin Towers on 911 caused her to drastically alter her career path.

Author, Physician and Mother Dr. Nadia Hashimi shares with me her story of growing up as a first generation Afghan American in New York. Listen as we talk about her path to becoming a Physician and the inspiration behind her novels.

Dr. Alexandra "Sasha" Retana is a Gastroenterologist, Writer and Mother living in Rhode Island. She shares with me her experience immigrating to the United States from St. Petersburg and her path to becoming a Physician and Writer. Listen as she talks with me about the inspiration behind her debut book Looking for the Enter Sign.

Smita Malhotra is a Mother, Pediatrician and Writer. She shares with me the story of how she met her husband, her family's initial surprising reaction and ultimate acceptance of their relationship.

Writer, Mom and ER Physician Dr. Archana Shrestha shares her story. She talks to me about being a first generation South Asian American, her path to becoming an Emergency Room Physician and how she has kept her passion for writing alive, along side her love of medicine, with the Women in White Coats.

Dr. Monique Chheda, is a South Asian American Mother, Dermatologist and Children's Book Author. Listen as she shares with me her American story and and the inspiration behind her new book, Bindiya in India.

This month's guest is Dr. Madi Sinha, Physician, Mom of 2 and Author. She shares with me her South Asian American story growing up in New Jersey and the inspiration behind her debut novel, The White Coat Diaries.

Vicki is a Chine American Ophthalmologist, Mother, Entrepreneur and Social Media Influencer. She shares her story about growing up in the United States, being raised in a conservative Burmese Chinese household and how she came into her own.

Prasha Sarwate moved to the US from India to live her American dream. She hosts Her STEM Story, a weekly podcast that helps women in STEM excel in their STEM careers and beyond. She talks with me about her experience moving to the United States, establishing her career and starting her Podcast.

Dr. Uchenna L. Umeh (Dr. Lulu aka The Momatrician) is a Nigerian-born Board-Certified Pediatrician, global speaker on youth suicide prevention, 2-time bestselling author and mother of three. She is the CEO of Teen Alive, and Dr. Lulu’s Youth Health Center, both dedicated to at-risk youth and suicide prevention. She shares with me her story of what brought her to the United States and her experiences that lead her to where she is today.

Dr. Julie Ramos, Cardiologist, Mother and first generation American, shares her experience growing up in the United States born to a Mother raised in Costa Rica and a Father raised in Puerto Rica.

It's Springtime and unfortunately COVID-19 is in the air....but while you are having to stay home and shelter in place, listen to these light hearted stories rounded up from previous episodes about dating and romance!

Rena Malik MD is a first generation South Asian American Mom and Urologist. She shares with refreshing candor the challenges of being a young first generation American woman navigating romance while balancing cultural expectations.

Dr. Madhuri Sharma is a first generation South Asian American, Mother, Family Physician and Co-founder of Masala Meals. She shares her experience growing up on the East Coast, living in Colorado and the inspiration behind the creation of Masala Meals.

Win Charles is a first generation Canadian/ Bahamian American and Author born with Cerebral Palsy. Her memoir I, Win is an amazing story of how she remembers her life through the years of having a condition called “CP”. As a competitor in the Kona IronMan Triathlon, CEO of her own jewelry design company, and motivational speaker, Win Charles truly is an inspiration to many. Today Win Charles tours the country, speaking to schools and institutions to raise awareness about cerebral palsy and living a full life no matter what holds you back. She is also an advocate of veterans across the world.

Dr. Shikha Jain is a board-certified Hematology and Oncology Physician on faculty at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. She talks with me about her experience growing up as an Indian American woman in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Listen as first generation Pakistani American, Saira Sufi, shares her story about growing up as a Muslim American in in Topeka, Kansas, her Son Hadi's battle with Aplastic Anemia and how she is helping spread awareness and raise money for Aplastic Anemia research. Please be advised this episode discusses the death of a child.

Listen as Kathleen Burkinshaw, Japanese American author, shares with us her story learning about her mother’s experience in Hiroshima and how she came to share her mother's story in her book The Last Cherry Blossom.

Chinese American, Orthopedic Surgeon and Mom, shares her experience growing up in Southern California, her road to becoming a Physician and how she is passing on her culture and language to her Son.

Rand Diab, MD is a first generation Muslim Syrian American. Listen as she shares her American story about growing up, becoming an Ophthalmologist and raising her children in the States.

Not suitable for children. Rerecorded episode with improved sound! Please take a listen! Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in sex addiction, sexual abuse trauma, and anxiety. She shares her experience growing up as a second generation American with Grandparents that survived the holocaust.

Dr. Sonal Patel shares her incredible journey to the United States from India, (via Nigeria and Libya), arriving to the United States at 9 years old. She talks to me about what it was like growing up in Omaha Nebraska and how her extraordinary experiences have lead her to become the woman she is today.

Lauren Espejo is a Filipino American graphic designer, blogger and podcast host based in New York City. She is the creator of the blog YLWRNGR and host of the You Had Me at YLW podcast.

A quick discussion about definitions

Jamaican American Dr. Dayna Smith shares with me her experience growing up in the States, tells me about her role model that helped her become a physician and her experience with racism.

On this episode my Sister and I (who are first generation Pakistani Americans) talk about how we started celebrating Thanksgiving and how it evolved to be an important holiday for our family.

Preeti shares her experience of growing up as a first Generation Punjabi Indian American in Michigan and tells us about what led her to form ChaiConnect.

Qaali Hussein MD, Somali American, Trauma Surgeon and Mother of 6 shares her story of being the first female at her Medical School to establish a protocol for hijab in the Operating Room.

Not suitable for children. Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in sex addiction, sexual abuse trauma, and anxiety. She shares her experience growing up as a second generation American with Grandparents that survived the holocaust.

General Dentist, Professor, Writer and first generation Pakistani American, shares with us her experience growing up in New Jersey and how this experience has helped shape who she is today.