Journeys Podcast

Leonina Arismendi is an immigrant from Uruguay who has lived many lives — as an artist, a civil rights activist, and now a published author. Their story has taken many turns, but the running thread has always been about creation: finding a career in art, establishing safe spaces for marginalized artists, building grassroots organizations from the ground up, and now helping migrant farmers share their stories through Farmer's Footprint for the past three years. Leonina is currently working on a series of writings in Spanish for News Latino Today supporting communities in North Carolina and beyond with information on the impact of climate change. They currently serve as a Lead Prevention Ambassador for Young Gifted and Green and a Climate Reality Leader in DC. They also received one of eight inaugural Environmental Artivist Fellowships of 2024 from Social Arts and Culture and the Aspen Institute's Arts Program, and is currently co-working on a public arts project in Ward 5. Listen to the episode to hear how Leonina has found a sense of power as an undocumented parent, and prioritizes work that's rooted in joy. The organizations mentioned in this episode include: Defensores de la Cuenca Young, Gifted & Green™ Iglesia del Pueblo Freedom Church of the Poor Photo by Gabriela Paola Franco Peña and Ben Israel for Nature Forward's Pertenecido: Nuestras Raíces, Nuestra Tierra: A Naturally Latinos Photo Book.

On our sixth episode of the fourth season of Journeys, we sit down with two-time Olympic rower for Team USA and co-founder of Peruvian Brothers Giuseppe Lanzone. Giuseppe discusses the sacrifices it takes to make the Olympics, recapturing your heritage, and starting a business as an immigrant. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

On our next episode of the fourth season of Journeys, we chat with Rola Z, the creator of Funny Arabs Show, DC's only Dark Comedy Show and Co-founder of DC Traumedy Festival. Rola discusses her experience finding community and bonding with people through comedy to get through trauma. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

On our fourth episode of the fourth season of Journeys is Mariia Ulianovska, a Ukrainian journalist and documentary filmmaker. Mariia discusses her experience with American bureaucracy and what we lose when we leave home. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

On our third episode of the fourth season of Journeys is Adele Yiseol Kenworthy, a first generation Korean American artist-organizer . On this episode, Adele discusses her art, how she does community engagement through art, and what social practice means to her. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

On our second episode of the fourth season of Journeys is Mahima Patel, whose family originally moved to the US from India. Mahima discusses her experience being the eldest daughter in an immigrant family and how she has worked to move away from hyper-independence.

Welcome to Season 4 of Journeys! Our first guest is Yasmin Elhady, an attorney and comedian who fled with her family to the US from Libya. She explains what wearing hijab means to her, how to stand up for herself and others, and how communities can find meaning and healing in comedy. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Follow Stella's "love journey" from Armenia to the U.S., where she opened Yerevan Cafe in the heart of Adam's Morgan with her husband in 2021. In this episode, Stella shares her perspective on approaching cultural diversity with curiosity, bringing a slice of Armenian life to DC, and the meaning behind Armenian apricots' unique flavor. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Join us as we hear from Liz Kleinrock (she/her), a Korean-American transracial adoptee, queer, Jewish, anti-bias and anti-racist educator, facilitator, and author. In this episode, we discuss Liz's experience growing up as an intercountry, interracial adoptee, her current work in raising awareness in the intercountry adoptee community, and her upcoming second book. In 2018, Liz received the Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2019 delivered her TED Talk, “How to teach kids to talk about taboo topics." In the spring of 2021, Liz released her first book, “Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community.”

Yao Zhao is a man on a mission. In his family's home in China, sichuan peppers were a culinary staple, and now he's determined to expose the world to the unique, tingly spice. On this episode of KAMA Journeys, he tells us about the cooking experience that inspired his business “50Hertz Tingly Foods,” the story behind its creative name, and why exactly he's so passionate about sharing Sichuan's magic with everyone he meets.

Join us as we hear from Téa Ivanovic, the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Immigrant Food, a social enterprise startup that fuses innovative gastronomy and social justice advocacy. In this episode, we hear how Téa first came to the U.S. for tennis, began working in the political field, and has now opened three restaurants with the mission to celebrate immigrants' contributions through food, while being an advocate and platform for educating on behalf of immigrants.

Join us for the beginning of Season 3, as we follow Sana Salah through her unexpectedly dramatic journey from Kolkata, India, to the US. Sana, who works with the American Red Cross, explores the difference between low-context and high-context communication and the power of courage when talking to strangers. She's learned firsthand that the willingness to be open and direct can take you incredibly far — even as far as her first Thanksgiving meal, and a meaningful relationship to follow. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Andres Almosny has enough cultural ties to weave an intricate tapestry — being born in Argentina to Venezuelan parents, moving to the Dominican Republic as a young person, and marrying his Puerto Rican wife before moving to the U.S. in early 2020. Being focused is a key part of his approach to making a lifetime of transitions feel sustainable and achievable. As a former sports broadcaster and current development coordinator at Lutheran Social Services, Andres brings a goal-oriented mentality to everything he does. Taking ownership of his identity as an immigrant has kept him in positive spirits with an open mind, and given him a penchant for finding a soccer team wherever he goes. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Anna is a security professional with over 10 years of experience in the government and private sector. She mentors students from her alma mater- American University, as well as Girl Security- a non-profit organization preparing girls, women, and gender minorities for national security careers. Anna immigrated twice in her life, and is very passionate about cross cultural communication, and supporting immigrants and refugees. In January 2022, she launched AlisAdel www.alisadel.com- a social entrepreneurship venture. In addition to being an aspiring social entrepreneur, Anna is the host of the Immigrant² Podcast. On her podcast Anna provides a safe space for immigrants and refugees to share their journeys, struggles, successes, and advice for other immigrants. In addition, she is partnering with and hosted organizations who work tirelessly to support immigrants and refugees.

Growing up in Poland, Maz Bednarczyk says criticizing one's own country was almost like a national sport — so they were struck by such a stark sense of American exceptionalism that relies on competitive outlooks and discounting the opinions of outsiders. In reality, they learned, life in the U.S. is complicated, dynamic, and constantly evolving. But that was no problem for Maz, who approaches learning and acclimating to American life with a healthy dose of curiosity. Marta Bednarczyk (they/them), known to friends and colleagues as Maz, is an expert in intercultural and non-formal education with more than eight years of experience developing and delivering training courses, workshops, and e-learning activities on leadership, human rights, global citizenship, and more. Listen to the episode to hear their thoughts on combating assumptions with curiosity and compassion. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Krish O'Mara Vignarajah is the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) — the largest faith-based national nonprofit exclusively dedicated to serving immigrants and refugees. In this episode of Journeys, Krish shares with us her story of how her family came to Maryland from Sri Lanka and her thoughts on the U.S. immigration system.

When you imagine an immigrant journey, do you think of a harrowing trek across borders, or the joy of winning a visa lottery? To Obiekwe Okolo, an immigrant from Lagos, Nigeria, these binary options leave much to be desired. In fact, the vast majority of migrants make their way to new countries on trips that may just seem ordinary at the time. At least that's how it was when he arrived in the U.S. at age 6, thinking his family trip might just be a vacation. Now an artist and creative director living in D.C., Obiekwe reflects on what it means to have a “normal” immigration story, and how to find a sense of belonging within it.

Keshni was born and raised in an apartheid segregated township in South Africa, she now also considers Washington D.C. home. And after a decade here, she has finally gotten used to Orion being the right way up in the night's sky. Her stories are influenced by her evolving definition of home and belonging, and the tides of political and social change that move us all.

Kenya Ahuatzi is very happy to live in the U.S. now, where she works as a Spanish teacher and has a vibrant and supportive community of friends. But she hadn't expected it to be this way. Prior to the move from Mexico, Kenya and her family were really apprehensive about what life in the U.S. might look like, and she's been pushing back against that narrative of fear ever since. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Our third episode of Journeys Season 2 features Simone Dichiara, an immigrant from Italy who studies stars, supernovas, and black holes. Listen to the episode to hear more about Simone's journey to becoming an astronomer and the work he does now on observing the universe.

Gerardo Dominguez is a newly naturalized US citizen, but on some level, El Salvador will always be home. In this latest episode of KAMA Journeys, Gerardo shares the relief and contemplation that comes hand-in-hand with a new passport. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road And check out Gerardo's company, District Spanish, an academy that offers online classes with native Spanish speakers. You can get in touch with them via email, or contact Gerardo directly.

Our first episode of Journeys Season 2 features Golara Haghtalab, an immigrant from Iran who authored Immigrant: Courage Required, a memoir that explores the impact of change and adaptation on a courageous life. Listen to the episode to hear more about Golara's experimental artistic endeavors, her story of reinvention, and how she decided to publish her story. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

In the final episode of our min-series highlighting the voices of Afghan refugees, Abdul Noori shares his story of courage, the pain he experienced when separating from his family, and his commitment to helping others in his same situation. He shares his rawness and emotion of moving to a new country alone, while fearing for his families' life everyday back in Afghanistan. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

In the third installment of our mini-season featuring Afghan refugees, Zarmina Hamidi tells the story of how she moved to the US as a refugee with her siblings and parents in 1988. Having spent most of her life in Virginia, she's had to learn to balance the identity that she was born with: Afghan and the identity she adopted: American. As a refugee caseworker, mother, and actress, Zarmina wears a lot of hats. She says her father, and his lessons of compassion, are with her every step of the day. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

In the second installment of our mini-season featuring Afghan refugees, Javaid Rafat discusses the history of Afghanistan leading up to the government being overthrown and his experience moving to the U.S. with his family 2016. Javaid provides an insider's look into how it was working for an international organization in Afghanistan, and discusses his family's experience with the refugee crisis that took place at the end of 2021. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

In the first installment of our mini-season featuring Afghan refugees, Rahela Rezaie talks about how to build the courage it takes to start something new. After 10 years in the U.S., she's just finished a manuscript for her autobiographical novel tentatively titled The Golden Cage, where she explores the courage through the eyes of Mahtab, a young woman who fights for life, love and human rights in Kabul, Afghanistan. Listen to the episode to hear Rahela's thoughts on the connection between courage and culture. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

The U.S. is the land of opportunity — for people to explore their strengths, discover their talents, and pursue the American dream. But while talent is universal, opportunity is not, according to Helena Guerra in our final episode of season 1. Listen to the episode to find out how Helena connects the dots between her own journey to the U.S. with that of the undocumented, unaccompanied migrant children she works as a legal assistant for CAIR Coalition in D.C. Helena turns to her roots in Portugal to reflect on what freedom means to her, and what belonging might mean to all of us. Music: Acid Road - Ketsa

Born to Ukrainian immigrant parents and raised in Ellicott City, Maryland, Leeza Malachevsky talks about the challenges of navigating generational trauma and unlearning mental health stigma that children of immigrants often experience. Listen to the episode to hear what Leeza has learned about setting boundaries, re-parenting herself with compassion, and honoring her own needs. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Join us on this week's episode to hear how Fabiola Delgado, originally trained in human rights law, began working at the Smithsonian, and how she continues to support human rights through art. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Carlos Carmonamedina studied Fine Arts in Mexico and Romania. His artwork, which combines his love for travel, bicycles, food, old cameras and comics has been featured in many exhibitions around the world. After living in Europe for 7 years, he is now settled in Washington DC, where he works as an illustrator and graphic designer. His postcard art, known as “DC is my city”, is a testament to our time, a homage to an exciting and awesome metropolis changing at an ever-accelerating pace. Music: Acid Road - Ketsa

The concept of Patriotism has received a lot of attention, especially over the last few years with the increased polarization of the United States. Joining us for part two of our interview with Paola Salas to hear how, from growing up on a military base to then moving to D.C., her understanding of patriotism changed. Music: Acid Road by Ketsa

Washington D.C. is an amazing city with a diverse and vibrant local community. However, the city is often seen only as the seat of the federal government and is local community is often ignored and overlooked. Join us to hear how Paola Salas became involved in the DC community and her recommendations for others on how to get involved to support their community, neighbors, and city. Music: Acid Road by Ketsa

Kibonen's unique search for identity begins by leaving her home country of Cameroon to launch her career in the United States as a designer and philanthropist. Her clothing infuses African culture and contemporary designs. She explains her purpose is to make a difference in Africa and build employment opportunities in her hometown of Bamenda, Cameroon, where she launched a fair-trade textile manufacturing plant. She speaks on her journey to help others and find her purpose. Music: Acid Road by Ketsa

Ed Beetar, a journalist from Syria and co-founder of KAMA DC, tells us how he used laughter and comedy to overcome the negative emotions endured during the war in his home country. Through humor, he has been able to speak the truth publicly on the current problems of Syria. He says humor has saved his life many times. Ed grew up in Syria and moved to the U.S. in 2013, but his love of laughter has followed him his whole life. Music: Acid Road by Ketsa

Transformations can take many shapes: a single coming-of-age moment, a shared experience or a years-long evolution. For Sarah Ahmed, transformation came in the empowering moment of becoming a U.S. citizen. Listen to her story from KAMA DC's Storytelling Night in November 2020, where she shares the power of using her own voice to heal generational trauma. Music: Acid Road by Ketsa

So much of the immigration journey is focused on where you're going. But what happens when you look back at where you came from? Hangda Zhang moved to the US as a college student. Now she works in the DMV area, with a stable career and a supportive social circle. Her family, though, is still back in China, and reflecting on that distance has been particularly meaningful over the past year. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

We all have recipes handed down through generations of family: they tell stories about who we are, where we come from, and what defines our heritage. Sherina Kunnath, the guest on this week's episode, tells us how and why coconut is unique to cuisine from her home state of Kerala, India. Native to the region and versatile beyond imagination, coconut is present in almost every dish. Learn how Sherina's journey from a teen in her mother's kitchen to an experienced chef with Cuisine: As Told By has been shaped by the recipes and support of her family. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

Hanan Seid wears a lot of hats: Social Media Strategist, Digital Illustrator, Author, Poet, Artist. And she also comes from a lot of places: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. Being so many people at once can seem like a lot, but Hanan channels her struggles with identity into her writing, and processes it with us on this episode of KAMA DC Journeys. Music: Ketsa - Acid Road

In the premiere episode of Journeys, we chat with Rajiv Desai (he/him), founder and CEO of Chrysalis, LLC. Rajiv is no stranger to taking a chance; in fact, he says it's at the core of his identity as an immigrant who was born and raised in India. His secret? Surround yourself with people who have similar values as you do. Listen to the episode to learn more about how Rajiv quit his corporate job as a practitioner of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to forge his own, authentic path to help smaller organizations get started with their DEI journeys. Music Credit: Ketsa - Acid Road