Navigating Culture | Motivation for Millennial Immigrants to Chart Their Own Path

Hello friends,Listen to this episode to learn what updates are in store for the Navigating Culture podcast.Sneak peak: Anya, the Navigating Culture podcast, host has decide to pause the podcast till next year. Tune in to find out why.Don't forget to share your thoughts, stories, ideas with Anya via instagram at: @navigatingculture or email the team at anya@navigatingculture.coLove you lots!

What does it mean to make it in The United States of America? So many of us were sold the dream that making it means we need the huge house, the million dollars or the flashiest car. But could ‘making' it mean something else entirely?Meet Johanna Vizmanos, an immigrant from the Philippines who thought coming to America would be the answer to all the frustrations she felt in her mother country. As a doctor's kid, her father wanted her to study for a safe and stable profession. But no matter how much he tried, Johanna had her eyes set on the Internet's Big Lights. She wanted to work in social media, but just couldn't find a way in her home country.So she moved to the USA. Except moving here was not the instant success story that some of us are told it will be. Instead Johanna had to work. As a barista, a cashier, a server…In all this time, she never gave up and started pitching and eventually getting pitched by clients to produce social media campaigns. Finally, it was happening, and Johanna used the momentum she was experiencing on social media to launch her own lipstick line, Kolorete Cosmetics. That's right, our guest today is launching the FIRST-EVER Filipino cosmetics line in the USA. When you ask Johanna what she would change about her story, she responds with a simple, ‘nothing”. She is grateful for the journey because she is creating what she is meant to create in this world. I love Johanna's story because I think we can all learn from it. Instead of seeing success as the end-goal, as the final show-y trophy, we can find success in knowing that we are doing the work everyday to figure out what we really want to bring into the world and living that out. Listen to this episode if you want to learn why your success is in discovering your own path, and staying committed to living it out. ---------Learn more about Johanna below:Instagram - @johannavizmanosLearn more about Johanna's beauty brand, Kolorete Cosmetics below:Instagram - @koloretelipsWebsite - www.koloretecosmetics.com 

At 4 years old, Parisa immigrated to the USA from Iran and became the weird girl with the parents who had weird accents. After the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979, her Arizonian community shrouded her in suspicion — she was now also a weird terrorist. Those labels compelled her to push for that ever-moving goal-post of ‘Good Immigrant' but, as many of us know you can achieve all the features of this title but still not be and feel accepted. She even felt out of place in the Persian community. She was told that she talked too much, that she took up too much space, and that she had too many opinions. Eventually she left Arizona and moved to New York, a place she dreamed about for years. In that glorious city, she dug deep and peeled back the layers. She graduated from Parsons, she became a Drag King, and she embraced her weirdness. Parisa is honest about living. And her honesty prevents her from saying that life suddenly becomes a bed of roses. Despite this she shows with each personal story that when you embrace your quirks, when you welcome being on the margins, when you fall in love with who you truly are, that's when success shows up for you. If you've ever felt alone in this world because of who you are. If you've struggled to feel comfortable, seen and accepted, then listen to Parisa's story and understand that when you commit to unlearning expectations and remembering your truth, your angels smile down on you. 

Western ideals of success, often deeply rooted in capitalism, are often demonstrated as the only goals worth pursuing in colonized countries. In the Caribbean, we show this mentality through the extreme focus on rote memorization, earning all A's in exams and eventually if you're good enough, if you're worthy enough, gaining acceptance into an international university (usually one in Great Britain or the USA). As you can imagine, this extreme focus on winning over the other has mental health consequences. I don't have stats, but my own experience shows that my desperation to achieve spiked (and maybe even created?) my depression and anxiety. And many Caribbean immigrants agree with this sentiment.Today, I'm chatting with Amanda Choo Quan, a self-described failed immigrant who is dealing with the fall-out of this hyper-emphasis on success by any means necessary. She and and I will be chatting about:1. Why it's so easy for everyone and even immigrants, themselves, to not see the obvious signs of their burgeoning mental health issues. 2. What it means to want and also critique The American Dream, and3. How to accept, live with and thrive with anxiety, depression and even a personality disorder.Listen to this episode if you've been thinking about taking a break but feel like pressing pause will leave you miles behind everybody else aka how a successful life also includes resting.

Raise your hand if any of the following resonates with you. 1) You feel like the only way you can accomplish your goals is through working harder and longer than everybody else. 2) You feel that being successful means that you have to just accept working with people who are disrespectful and mean. 3) You feel like you are a disappointment because you worked extremely hard, and your family sacrificed a lot for you. But you're stuck in a career where you don't feel like you'll ever rise through the ranks.If you've said yes to any one of those (or maybe all three), allow me to introduce you to Martha Garza. Martha is a multi-passionate explorer and entrepreneur who was born and raised in Mexico and now lives in the USA. Like you, she experienced those three situations. However, throughout her journey, she managed to move past the cultural limit of needing to hustle, grind, and suppress herself on the path to prosperity.From the pressures of not wanting to disappoint her father, pushing past limiting beliefs that told her she wasn't good enough, to fully exploring life in novel ways, this episode will light an adventurous fire within your belly while inspiring you to be loving and kind.The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:Taking the first step and going for it despite limiting beliefsSeeking the growth not on the outside but through the inner workYour own definition of success is so much worthier than anyone else's Resources:Download your free audio coaching here: navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeListen to more episodes: https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast#recent-episodesBuy Merch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopSave $1000s on your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoPlease know that by rating the Navigating Culture podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, you're co-creating this mission to inspire immigrants to live their own life, no matter what Aunty, Dad or that nosy neighbor next door thinks.Connect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.co/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/navigatingcultureConnect with Martha:Martha's website: https://marthacgarza.com/Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marthacristina/ 

A common belief held amongst older women in immigrant communities is the expectation for younger women to be the traditional good daughter and daughter-in-law. Parween came face to face with this expectation as a random auntie asked her, “What do you do for work?” Parween told her about her business helping women of color improve their financial literacy. The auntie shook her head and cautioned Parween, saying, “You shouldn't get too busy with that career, because you will not be able to manage the business and be a good housewife.”If the elders within your community hold the same viewpoint, know that this is a consequence of the cultural obsession with a very narrow understanding of gender roles. It's a mentality that tells young women that their chief success is equal to how well they run a home, and how much they sacrifice for others. And while none of the former is intrinsically bad, success means more for many young immigrant women, including Parween.If you want to learn how to stretch the boundaries of what success means when you live in a community with strong gender expectations, this episode is for you. Parween discusses how we can accept and honor our community's cultural expectations while finding ways to dream beyond them.The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:How to take the values from your community and evolve themMoving beyond your community's expectations and choosing yourself, your dreams, and your desires.Having compassion for your elders and their values while seeing those values differentlyResources:Download your free audio coaching here: navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeListen to more episodes: https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast#recent-episodesBuy Merch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopSave $1000s on your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoPlease know that by rating the Navigating Culture podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, you're co-creating this mission to inspire immigrants to live their own life, no matter what Aunty, Dad or that nosy neighbor next door thinks.Connect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.co/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/navigatingcultureConnect with Parween:Parween's Website: https://thewealthywolfe.ca/ 

“Therapy?” I can hear the echoes of the aunties' judgments now. Though the guilt and shame took me some time to work through, I eventually decided that this was the right decision for me.I have suffered from depression and anxiety since I was young. As both an immigrant and a Millenial, it is no surprise that this is something I am still dealing with. I was able to push through my hesitation and finally make the decision to find a therapist and if you are struggling with your mental health, I want to encourage you to do the same.This episode is for you if you've ever experienced depression, anxiety, or any mental health issue. It's for you if you are struggling with taking the next step from acknowledgement to seeking help. As someone who has personally straddled that line, take it from me that the next step is the right one. You are not alone and I hope that after tuning in you give yourself permission to seek the help you need. The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:That you are not alone if you suffer from depression or anxietyWhy you should not be ashamed if you are struggling with your mental healthThat seeking help does not make you weak but instead takes real strengthResources:Download your free audio coaching here: navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeListen to more episodes: https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast#recent-episodesBuy Merch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopSave $1000s on your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoPlease know that by rating the Navigating Culture podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, you're co-creating this mission to inspire immigrants to live their own life, no matter what Aunty, Dad or that nosy neighbor next door thinks.Connect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.co/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/navigatingculture

For most of us, there is a tight network of parents, aunties, uncles, and even neighbors who watch our every move, ensuring that we are well behaved, whatever that means. Alicia felt the same pressures growing up. Her parents raised her to be fiercely independent outside of the home. But when her parents spoke, they expected her to follow their every command. And this pressure to be subservient, didn't stop at the perfume she wore or the hobbies she chose, it also extended to her parents' desires of what she studied in high school and beyond.If you've ever felt pressured into pursuing a specific path in fear of letting your elders down, this episode is for you. Although Alicia doesn't have the job security of a doctor, lawyer, or even her former roles, she's making more money than she's ever made. Alicia and I dig deep in our conversation as we place our fingers on the pulse of what it means to redefine rejection, finding beauty and joy in failure and resilience, and discovering who you are all while staying true to yourself.The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:How to find the joy in failureRedefining rejection and finding the beauty in resilience and restMoving away from the need to be strong and finding comfort in being softResources:Download your free audio coaching here: navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeListen to more episodes: https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast#recent-episodesBuy Merch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopSave $1000s on your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoPlease know that by rating the Navigating Culture podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, you're co-creating this mission to inspire immigrants to live their own life, no matter what Aunty, Dad or that nosy neighbor next door thinks.Connect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.co/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/navigatingcultureConnect with Alicia:Alicia's Instagram: @aliciamwenaAlicia's Website: https://aliciarichins.com Alicia's LinkedIn 

We live in a world that often tells us to dim our light. Especially as immigrants in a new country, we're often told to keep our heads down and blend in. Shinjini Das was born in India, moved to Malaysia, and finally immigrated to the USA when she was nine. That first move to New Jersey sparked her journey of learning how to trust and accept her ambitious pursuits from her high-level academic wins to her nationally recognized public speaking triumphs. Keeping up with her go-getter personality, she is now the CEO of a media company that she built from the ground up.Shinjini has found out how to create happiness, peace, and success all on her own terms. In today's episode, she's going to teach you how to do the same. If you want to learn how to discover who you are, stay committed to becoming that person every single day, not be afraid of pursuing your passions relentlessly, and stop repressing your true self for fear of what others may think, this episode is for you. The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:How to discover who you are and stay committed to that person every single dayNot to be afraid of pursuing your passions relentlesslyWhy you should stop repressing your true self for the fear of what others might thinkResources:Download your free audio coaching here: navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeListen to more episodes: https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast#recent-episodesBuy Merch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopSave $1000s on your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoPlease know that by rating the Navigating Culture podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, you're co-creating this mission to inspire immigrants to live their own life, no matter what Aunty, Dad or that nosy neighbor next door thinks.Connect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.co/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/navigatingcultureConnect with Shinjini:Shinjini's Instagram: @speakershinjiniShinjini's Website: https://www.unapologeticallyshinjini.com/ Buy Shinjini's book here: https://www.unapologeticallyshinjini.com/buymemoir 

“You should be more grateful.” We hear that phrase often from our parents. It's also a phrase that is echoed and amplified when we move to a new country. That phrase comes back to haunt us with a specific type of energy when we express our desire to dream bigger.Don't get me wrong - being grateful is important. It helps you love yourself, accept yourself, and feel excited by all the progress you've made on your journey. However, using gratitude as a reason to stay where you are when you want something more is unfortunate.This episode is for you if you've ever felt guilty for striving for more. It's for you if you are walking the line between gratitude and pushing for growth feels like you're balancing on a tightrope. Being grateful does not mean you don't want to grow on your journey. It also doesn't mean you have to stay on the same path that you've been on or beg for validation for your future choices. So tune in and find comfort in the fact that you are not alone in feeling this way. Because you can be grateful and still pursue what you want.The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:Why gratitude doesn't have to get in the way of pushing for growth and pursuing what you wantForced gratefulness or the forced expectation of gratitude is the complete opposite of true fulfillmentBeing grateful and expressing your gratitude through aligned actionResources:Download your free audio coaching here: navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeListen to more episodes: https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast#recent-episodesBuy Merch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopSave $1000s on your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoPlease know that by rating the Navigating Culture podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, you're co-creating this mission to inspire immigrants to live their own life, no matter what Aunty, Dad, or that nosy neighbor next door thinks.Connect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.co/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/navigatingculture

The Navigating Culture mission in its essence is about motivating and inspiring you to discover what lights you up and make it a part of your everyday life. No matter what Auntie or anyone else for that matter says. Most of the time, these explorations lead people outside of the confines of their traditional 9-to-5. But what happens to those of us who do explore and soul search but ultimately decide that the corporate world is where we want to be? Kim Tran is the founder of Your Work Inspires -- a safe and supportive space for women and women of color to share and overcome their limiting beliefs, in order to celebrate their strengths and create new abundance mindsets and behaviors instead.In today's episode, Kim and I have a conversation about how to thrive, work sustainably, and get paid what you deserve inside the four walls of an office space. Tune in to this conversation as Kim provides the tools and knowledge necessary to help you stand up for yourself in a traditional corporate 9-to-5 while showcasing your value within the confines of corporate structure.The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:How to stand up for yourself in the traditional corporate 9-to-5Showcasing your value when you don't always feel valued in a corporate settingHow to successfully pivot even after you've invested large amounts of time and effort in something.Resources:Download your free audio coaching here: navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeListen to more episodes: https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast#recent-episodesBuy Merch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopSave $1000s on your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoPlease know that by rating the Navigating Culture podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, you're co-creating this mission to inspire immigrants to live their own life, no matter what Aunty, Dad or that nosy neighbor next door thinks.Connect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.co/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/navigatingcultureConnect with Kim:Kim's Instagram: @yourworkinspiresKim's Website: www.yourworkinspires.com Kim's Twitter: @kimtrandcKim's LinkedIn 

Nisha Mody is not an immigrant, but she grew up surrounded by these brave souls. Her parents immigrated from India to the USA, which taught Nisha from a very young age to internalize the belief of working hard and earning your place by any means necessary.Like many immigrants and children of immigrant parents, Nisha remembers vividly the lectures from both her parents about working one's finger to the bone in order to make it in this capitalistic society. This is a common mantra held amongst immigrants who justify leaving behind everything they knew in order to survive in a new country.Today, Nisha, a librarian turned coach, uses her lived experiences to help people of color heal their intergenerational trauma, while guiding them through that anxiety and other mental health concerns.If you want to learn how to love yourself, in spite of all the ways you feel undeserving, and if you want to discover how to start healing yourself now in a world that tells you don't deserve peace, then I invite you to sink into this episode. Tune in as Nisha reminds immigrants and people from immigrant communities of one common truth: that you are inherently worthy, no matter what society says about you.The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:Redefining your success comes from understanding that you are worthy, despite what society says about you.Recognizing that your valuable enough to seek out healingThe importance of having a community of people who can support usResources:Download your free audio coaching here: navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeListen to more episodes: https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast#recent-episodesBuy Merch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopSave $1000s on your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoPlease know that by rating the Navigating Culture podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, you're co-creating this mission to inspire immigrants to live their own life, no matter what Aunty, Dad or that nosy neighbor next door thinks.Connect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.co/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/navigatingcultureConnect with Nisha:Nisha's Instagram: @healinghypegirlNisha's Website: https://www.nishaland.com/ Nisha's Twitter: @nishamody 

Maybe you've taken a chance and left your comfortable life to start over in a new country. Maybe you thought, “I'm experienced, I'm established. beginning again should not be that difficult.” Only to realize several months later, you can't seem to figure out where you belong, or what you should be doing in the place you now call home. This is exactly what my guest today, Mariana Pena Vargas, experienced when she emigrated from Mexico to the Netherlands to be with her husband. On top of navigating the culture of her new home country, Mariana was faced with overcoming many bureaucratic obstacles that lowered her self-esteem. In our insightful conversation, Mariana discusses the process of emotional evolution and maturity in a new country, why having an abundant mindset is crucial for immigrants, and the mental shift of redefining your definition of success. If you're figuring out your purpose and finding your footing in a new country that doesn't recognize your brilliance, this episode is for you. Tune in, listen to Mariana's story, and find the strength to start from scratch without losing yourself, so you can make a mark for yourself even when you don't feel seen.The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:The double-edged sword of an immigrant: navigating abundance AND scarcity mindset in a new countryWhy it's never too late to be a rebel OR rebelSteps for redefining success so that it isn't attached to a job title or positionNegotiate better rates for your student loans with Juno, so you can ease the burden and do more with your money.Resources:Live Your Best Life Audio: https://www.navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeMerch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shop Connect with Mariana:Mariana's Website: https://marianapenavargas.com/home Mariana's Instagram: @marianalpvConnect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.coInstagram: @navigatingculture

What would you do if I said, ‘The world doesn't want you to like yourself.' Would you nod your head in agreement? Would you roll your eyes and mutter something about getting over it? Or would your reaction depend on the day or what happened to you the week before? If most of your days feel like the world isn't excited to see you win, I get that. As a Black woman and an immigrant woman, I've had more than my fair share of neighbors, classmates, college professors, etcetera wondering out loud how I managed to be in the same spaces they were.So in today's episode, I'm sharing the 4 things that work for me when it comes to validating myself in a world that doesn't seem to always want me to thrive. I also discuss how we can acknowledge our need for external validation without losing ourselves in the expectations of others. I may not have all the answers and  I still struggle with being happy with just me. If you can relate, I invite you to join this conversation about how to love yourself and transform your worthiness.Shop all available merch including our signature “Who Cares What Aunty Thinks, Live Your Life” sweatshirt!The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:Getting very intentional about your circle and who you're spending your time withAcknowledging and recording the moments when you truly love yourselfExploring therapy and getting an immigrant-story informed therapist, life coach, etc.Resources:Live Your Best Life Pep Talk: https://www.navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeMerch: https://www.navigatingculture.co/shopConnect with Anya:Website: www.navigatingculture.coInstagram: @navigatingculture

Finding your identity is a huge struggle amongst immigrant children. Not only do they have to deal with cultural differences, but they have to navigate the difficult world of acknowledging and breaking generational patterns.Cassandra Le is the first generation daughter of immigrant parents who fled Vietnam as refugees in the 80s. She now resides in Spain after having spent her formative years in the United States. We have a heartfelt and intimate discussion about being brave and forging your own path in order to create your own unique identity. Cassandra shares generational patterns that have been passed down from her parents. Although that comes with generational trauma, it also provides important lessons in strength, courage, and bravery that Cassandra has adopted and applied in her own life. Cassandra's journey through creating her own identity is a lesson in self-awareness and recognition, perseverance, stretching the perceived limits of your identity, and finding home within yourself.Shop all available merch including our signature “Who Cares What Aunty Thinks, Live Your Life” sweatshirt!The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:Recognizing generational patterns and taking what serves you while leaving what doesn'tUnderstanding that no one gets it right all the time, but picking up and trying again is key,Growth comes from stretching the perceived limits of your identityResources:Live Your Best Life Audio: https://www.navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlifeRefinance Your Student Loans: https://www.navigatingculture.co/junoConnect with Cassandra:Cassandra's Website: https://www.thequirkypineapple.com/ Cassandra's Instagram: @cassandratleCassandra's Podcast: Business Without the Buts

Many immigrant children grow up with the expectation of landing a job in corporate America. Having faced the struggles of immigrating to a new country and working multiple jobs to keep the family afloat, immigrant parents want their children to live a life of stability, respectability, and acceptance. Shop all available merch including our signature “Not Today, Aunty” sweatshirt!It's no wonder that many immigrant children feel guilty for rejecting the idea of sitting behind a desk for 8 to 9 hours straight. They want to shed the weight of other people's expectations and pursue their passion, no matter how unconventional it is.Cinthia Jaimes is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. She felt all the weight of those expectations during her bumpy journey to her dream. Cinthia has defied the norm, enrolling and dropping out of college and working a receptionist job before fully investing in her boudoir photography business. Listen to her story and learn how to overcome the need to be perfect, pursuing your creative dreams in a strict household, and building a full AF bank account through a creative career (even if you don't know what that looks like for you).The Three Things This Episode Will Teach You:How to build the mental stamina needed to pursue your passions when it seems like your life circumstances keep saying, ‘no'How to overcome the need to be perfect when you were raised in a strict householdWhy complaining is not a bad thing, and how you can use it to figure out what you really want. CONNECT WITH ANYA CHERRICE:Website: www.navigatingculture.coInstagram: @navigatingcultureCONNECT WITH CINTHIA:Cinthia's Website: www.cinphotos.comCinthia's Instagram: @cinphotosResources:Live Your Best Life Audio: https://www.navigatingculture.co/liveyourbestlife

Immigrants start at the ground level yet are expected to meet shoulder to shoulder with their peers on every level. That's why episode 3 of The Navigating Culture Podcast is about taking control of immigrant stereotypes! Shop all available merch including our signature “Not Today, Aunty” sweatshirt!In this episode of The Navigating Culture Podcast, Akanksha Aurora shares the importance of being proud of who you are and how she finds her ability to code switch a privilege, not a disadvantage. Some of the talking points Akanksha and I go over in this episode include:Code switching as a way to not fall victim to the stereotypes of immigrants but to regain control of what parts of you the world is allowed to see. The lack of immigration representation in the media and how Akanksha's goal is to change this. The concept of being a “good immigrant” and the expectations and burdens that are behind this. Staying true and authentic to the person you were born to be while paving a new pathway to your dreams.There's a lot of power in being able to control your own narrative and how people see you.Remember, we are living by the mantra, “Who Cares What Aunty Thinks, Live Your Life.”If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!CONNECT WITH ANYA CHERRICE:FacebookInstagramCONNECT WITH AKANKSHA AURORA:InstagramTwitterLinkedin

So often immigrants think that they must get outside approval in order to prove they are becoming successful citizens. No matter how hard they try and the things they accomplish, it never seems like it'll be good enough. That's why episode 2 of the Navigating Culture Podcast is about redefining what success looks like to you! Shop all available merch including our signature “Not Today, Aunty” sweatshirt!In this episode of The Navigating Culture Podcast, I'm sharing the importance of taking back ownership of your life and actionable steps you can take right now to redefine what success looks like to you. Some of the talking points I go over in this episode include:My story of growth from caring about what others think about me to only caring what I think about myself. Using other's perceptions as a driving force behind my accomplishments and carrying this drive with a new perspective on what is behind it.The practices I have adapted into my life to keep moving forward and redefine what success means to me. I can promise you that you have what it takes to redefine your vision of success and start living a happier life as a result. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on redefining what success looks like to you and to hear even more about the points outlined above.Remember, we are living by the mantra, “Who Cares What Aunty Thinks, Live Your Life.”If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!CONNECT WITH ANYA CHERICE:FacebookInstagram

When someone asks, "What does it mean to be successful?' What do you think? What person jumps to your mind. It's true that when we were younger, we may have had one version of success we aspired to, but as we grow (physically and in other ways) it's okay for this vision to shift and change with you. That's why episode 1 of the Navigating Culture Podcast is about reinventing your success and your vision! Shop all available merch including our signature “Not Today, Aunty” sweatshirt!In this episode of the Navigating Culture Podcast, Hiwote Getenah shares the importance of allowing yourself to reinvent your vision of success and actionable steps you can take right now to pivot towards this new path. Some of the talking points Hiwote and I go over in this episode include:Why she felt success equaled not one but two science degrees and how she redefined the term success to leave her path in science and pursue her passion in media.How our childhood affirmations can follow us throughout life until we actively unlearn these behaviors. Allowing your gut instinct to guide you in the direction of what is best for you. How comparison syndrome hurts more than it helps us. Your mindset and perception on life can drastically alter the outcome of your journey. Live boldly, courageously, and don't let anything or anyone stand in your way of your vision for success. So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on reinventing your success and to hear even more about the points outlined above.Remember, we are living by the mantra, “Who Cares What Aunty Thinks, Live Your Life.”If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me @navigatingculture!  And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!Learn more about Anya and Navigating Culture at https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast CONNECT WITH ANYA CHERRICE:FacebookInstagramWork with Anya! CONNECT WITH HIWOTE GETENAH:WebsiteInstagramLinkedin

Navigating Culture, hosted by Anya Cherrice, helps immigrants and people from immigrant communities redefine archaic ideas of success and live on their own terms (even if Aunty disapproves). An immigrant from Trinidad, Anya understands the pressure immigrants feel from their community, the people in their new homes, and even from themselves to build a life that's impressive to others, even though it may be extremely stifling to them.Anya will be chatting with immigrant trailblazers who are rejecting their community + their society's expectations of how they should live and creating a lifestyle that is so uniquely theirs, they wake up excited everyday. Learn more about Navigating Culture at https://www.navigatingculture.co/podcast