Ep 181: Generational Trauma, Resilience, and the Immigrant Experience with Suhein Beck (Part 2)
The Immigrant Experience in America
Release Date: 04/23/2025
The Immigrant Experience in America
In the final chapter of this unforgettable three-part series, Nick Berg and host Simone Johnson dive deep into the healing journey that followed a life of war, exile, and dual identity. Nick opens up about the process of writing Shadows of Tehran—his fictionalized autobiography—as a form of healing and advocacy, reconnecting with his roots while confronting painful truths. He speaks candidly about the emotional legacy of his past, how he found peace through storytelling, and why he believes that sharing immigrant stories—especially those shaped by conflict—is essential to collective...
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In Part 2 of this gripping conversation, host Simone Johnson continues her discussion with Nick Berg—author of Shadows of Tehran and U.S. Special Operations veteran—as he reflects on life in the military, what it meant to serve the very country he once viewed from afar, and how those experiences shaped his evolving identity. Nick shares powerful insights into his missions across conflict zones in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia, the psychological toll of war, and how his training pushed him beyond the limits of fear and survival. This episode explores the intersection of patriotism,...
info_outlineThe Immigrant Experience in America
In this powerful and emotional episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone Johnson sits down with Nick Berg—author, U.S. Army veteran, and self-described "citizen of the earth"—as he shares his remarkable journey from Tehran to America. Born to an Iranian mother and American father, Nick’s story spans continents, cultures, revolutions, and wars. Nick Berg is an American-Iranian author and former U.S. Special Operations soldier, best known for his autobiographical novel Shadows of Tehran. His work explores themes of resilience, cultural conflict, and...
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Welcome to Part 3 of this podcast episode. In this episode, Suhein shares her compelling journey of navigating complex cultural identities as an immigrant in America, the challenges of balancing two worlds, and her journey toward reclaiming her Circassian heritage. From confronting racial assumptions to launching a skincare business rooted in family tradition, Suhein unpacks the layers of assimilation, resilience, and the drive for cultural visibility. 💔 Key Themes Explored: Suhein reflects on her experiences growing up as a Circassian immigrant in America, the tension of...
info_outlineThe Immigrant Experience in America
Welcome to Part 2 of this podcast episode. In this deeply moving episode, Suhein Beck continues sharing her journey as a Circassian immigrant navigating multiple identities while living through the challenges of exile, trauma, and the quest for belonging. She reflects on the complexities of her heritage, the emotional toll of being displaced, and how these experiences shaped her family’s resilience and drive. From escaping gangs in New Jersey to navigating the intricacies of American culture, Suhein’s story is a testament to survival, adaptation, and the strength it takes to...
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In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, host Simone Johnson Smith sits down with the incredible Suhein Beck, known to many as The Culture Cultivator. What unfolds is not just a conversation—it's a masterclass in resilience, identity, and the ongoing search for belonging. Suhein Beck is a dynamic Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur, a proud Circassian with ancestral roots tracing back to the legendary Amazon Women of the Caucasus. She’s currently leading an International Speaking Tour & Campaign that challenges mainstream narratives and inspires transformational leaders to develop...
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Richard Perkins Hsung was born in China in 1966 and was one of the first teens to leave China legally after Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago and became a professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, retiring in 2022. He spent ten years editing and completing (Earnshaw Books) by his mother, Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins, MD. The three-volume memoir chronicles her life as an adopted child of American medical missionaries, survivor of China's brutal communist regime, ophthalmologist,...
info_outlineThe Immigrant Experience in America
Richard Perkins Hsung was born in China in 1966 and was one of the first teens to leave China legally after Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago and became a professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, retiring in 2022. He spent ten years editing and completing (Earnshaw Books) by his mother, Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins, MD. The three-volume memoir chronicles her life as an adopted child of American medical missionaries, survivor of China's brutal communist regime, ophthalmologist,...
info_outlineThe Immigrant Experience in America
James Wilson is an expat coach and accredited therapist with over 16 years of experience in behavioural change. Having worked in the UK, France and the US, James understands the challenges of adapting to a new culture and redefining one’s professional identity abroad. Through his coaching practice, he helps fellow expats navigate transitions, overcome barriers, and build fulfilling lives in alignment with their values. He also hosts the podcast On Being Good Enough, where he explores the emotional realities of expat life. My links are: Website: Podcast: On being good enough...
info_outlineThe Immigrant Experience in America
James Wilson is an expat coach and accredited therapist with over 16 years of experience in behavioural change. Having worked in the UK, France and the US, James understands the challenges of adapting to a new culture and redefining one’s professional identity abroad. Through his coaching practice, he helps fellow expats navigate transitions, overcome barriers, and build fulfilling lives in alignment with their values. He also hosts the podcast On Being Good Enough, where he explores the emotional realities of expat life. My links are: Website: Podcast: On being good enough - ...
info_outlineWelcome to Part 2 of this podcast episode.
In this deeply moving episode, Suhein Beck continues sharing her journey as a Circassian immigrant navigating multiple identities while living through the challenges of exile, trauma, and the quest for belonging.
She reflects on the complexities of her heritage, the emotional toll of being displaced, and how these experiences shaped her family’s resilience and drive. From escaping gangs in New Jersey to navigating the intricacies of American culture, Suhein’s story is a testament to survival, adaptation, and the strength it takes to find home after being uprooted.
💔 Key Themes Explored:
- Caucasian Misunderstanding: Suhein educates listeners on the true meaning of "Caucasian," explaining how the term has been misappropriated and disconnected from its original roots in the Caucasus Mountains.
- Immigrant Struggles and Survival: She recounts her family’s early days in the U.S. and the harsh realities they faced, from gang threats to the pressure of running a family business in a new land.
- Generational Trauma: Suhein speaks about the lasting impact of displacement, the constant feeling of not being safe, and how it shaped her worldview.
- Language Loss and Revival: Suhein discusses the challenges her people faced with losing their native Circassian language and the ongoing efforts to bring it back.
- The Immigrant Mentality: The immigrant experience instills a mentality of constant preparation, the ability to start over, and the refusal to let fear dictate one’s life.
🔥Resources Mentioned:
- The Unseen Truth by Dr. Elizabeth Sarah Lewis
- Scholars: Dr. John Colarusso, Dr. Adrienne Mayer, Dr. Janine Davis Kimball
- Circassian Language and Cultural Revival
💬 Memorable Quotes:
- “Fear is a luxury. If you have time to be afraid, you have luxury. We don’t have luxury.”
- “I am a ghost from an ancient civilization you’ve never heard of.”
- “Once you are a refugee, an exile, or an immigrant, you understand that at any given moment, anywhere, an earthquake, a disaster, or a change in the political landscape can uproot everything. You become mentally prepared to start over.”
✨ Listen now and share with someone who needs permission to pause, soften, and start again from the inside out.
📌 Stay tuned for Part 3, where we explore practical ways to build inner safety and expand your capacity to heal.
👑 About Suhein Beck:
Suhein Beck is known as The Culture Cultivator. She is a dynamic Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur, and a proud Circassian with roots tracing back to the legendary Amazon Women of the Caucasus.
Currently, Suhein is on an International Speaking Tour & Campaign where she draws from her rich Circassian heritage to challenge societal norms and ignite transformative leadership. Her mission is to inspire others to adopt a personal Code of Honor, reclaim their identity, and embody resilience in the face of adversity.
In this episode, she courageously shares her deeply personal story—from surviving the trauma of domestic violence and racism in America to facing the difficult decisions of choosing between financial gain and her own integrity.
Through her honesty, vulnerability, and fierce sense of purpose, Suhein shows us what it truly means to be an Immigrant, an Exile, a Refugee—and a Warrior.
Suhein’s Links:
The Immigrant Experience in America
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