Ep 183: Shadows of Tehran: From Revolution to Resilience with Nick Berg (Part 1)
The Immigrant Experience in America
Release Date: 05/21/2025
Ep 185: Shadows of Tehran: Healing, Identity & the Power of Story with Nick Berg (Part 3)
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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Ep 184: Shadows of Tehran: From Soldier to Storyteller with Nick Berg (Part 2)
The Immigrant Experience in America
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,...
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Ep 183: Shadows of Tehran: From Revolution to Resilience with Nick Berg (Part 1)
The 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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Ep 182: Exploring Identity, Cultural Conflict, and the Struggle for Visibility with Suhein Beck (Part 3)
The Immigrant Experience in America
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...
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Ep 181: Generational Trauma, Resilience, and the Immigrant Experience with Suhein Beck (Part 2)
The 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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Ep. 180: Exile, Identity, and the Amazon Warrior Spirit with Suhein Beck (Part 1)
The Immigrant Experience in America
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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Ep. 179: Chinese-American: Richard Hsung (Part 2)
The 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,...
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Ep. 178: Chinese-American: Richard Hsung (Part 1)
The 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,...
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Ep. 177: British Expat Experience: James Wilson (Part 2)
The 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...
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Ep. 176: British Expat Experience: James Wilson (Part 1)
The 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_outlineIn 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 transformation.
In this deeply personal conversation, he opens up about growing up during the Iranian Revolution, navigating identity as a biracial, bicultural child, escaping government persecution, learning English from scratch, and ultimately serving in the U.S. Army for over a decade—including Special Operations deployments to conflict zones like Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia.
Nick’s upcoming novel, Shadows of Tehran, is a fictionalized autobiography that captures these experiences through a gripping narrative of resilience, rebellion, and redemption.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
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Nick’s upbringing in Iran and the cultural shock of arriving in America
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How the Iranian Revolution upended life overnight
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What it means to be a “third culture” person—and why he never felt fully Iranian or American
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His early days in Detroit and learning to navigate America’s racial dynamics
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How the U.S. Army became both refuge and purpose
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A surprising and emotional discovery: reconnecting with his CIA-officer father decades later
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Insights into Shadows of Tehran, his upcoming book blending truth and fiction
💬 Notable Quotes:
🔥 “In Iran, I was the American boy. In America, I was the Iranian guy. I belonged nowhere—and everywhere.”
🔥 “Joining the military wasn’t just about serving. It was about trying to belong and trying to help people who couldn’t help themselves.”
🔥 “No matter where you go in the world—color, culture, class—we all want the same thing: to take care of our families and live a life of meaning.”
Connect with Nick Berg:
🌐 Official Website
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Homepage: pnberg.com
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About Nick Berg: Biography
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Contact: Reach Out
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Press & Media: Media Coverage
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Charity Work: Nick Berg Charities
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Blog: The Warrior’s Way
📚 Books by Nick Berg
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Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict – From Iranian Rebel to American Soldier
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Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org
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Other Works:
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Secrets to a Successful Commercial Software (COTS) Implementation
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The Culture of Open: Transforming Your Business Through Transparency, Truth and Trust
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Available on ThriftBooksBarnes & Noble+2Bookshop+2Amazon+2ThriftBooks
📱 Social Media Profiles
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Instagram: @nick.berg3
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Goodreads: Nick Berg
The Immigrant Experience in America
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Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
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Listen on:
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Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN
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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn
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Support our Patreon
Connect with Simone!
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077396568671
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LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson
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Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast
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TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience