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Ep 187: Rooted in Two Worlds: Maanarak of Grey on Culture Shock, Belonging, and Creativity Across Borders (Part 1)

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

Release Date: 07/30/2025

From Jamaica to Podcast Host: Podcaster Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown (Ep. 202) - Part 1

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

The founder of Carry On Friends! Kerry-Ann was born in Jamaica and moved to Brooklyn, NYC as a teenager. Since starting Carry On Friends, have been a speaker at Podcast Movement, Haiti Tech Summit, Caribbean Digital Divas on a variety of topics including podcast, career, entrepreneurship and Caribbean culture. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple...

From Nigeria to Nursing Professor: Idongesit Obeya (Ep. 201) - Part 3

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DKXsiE 💼 Amazon: https://amzn.to/43VG4Cn 📱Support our Patreon: https://bit.ly/3KwUiTz 📱Connect with Simone! 💼 Website: https://www.thebridgeconcepts.org 📱 Follow us on Social Media: 💼 LinkedIn: / simonewjohnson 💼...

From Nigeria to Nursing Professor: Idongesit Obeya (Ep. 200) - Part 2

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

From Nigeria to Nursing Professor: Idongesit Obeya (Ep. 199) - Part 1

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

Key Themes Identity & Belonging The tension of “you’ve arrived here, now who are you?” Many immigrants carry a dual identity: rooted in a homeland + building a future elsewhere. Letting go of perfection: striving to fit in often causes people to lose parts of what made them uniquely strong. Belonging isn’t only about external acceptance. It begins internally — how you carry yourself, how you reconcile “old home” and “new home.” Financial Literacy in a New Context Systems you took for granted in your home country (banking, credit, retirement, investments)...

From Panama to Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Renaldo White’s Journey of Faith, Culture & Resilience (Ep. 198) - Part 3

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

In this four‑part conversation on The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone W. Johnson‑Smith sits down with Dr. Reynaldo White, a Panamanian‑born pastor, educator, author, musician, and community advocate whose life journey traverses Panama, Miami, and rural Alabama. Dr. White recounts his upbringing in extreme poverty near the Panama Canal and his family’s move to the United States when his father joined the U.S. Army. He reflects on learning English and navigating identity in Miami, then describes the cultural adjustment of pastoring in Alabama—a state where...

From Panama to Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Renaldo White’s Journey of Faith, Culture & Resilience (Ep. 197) - Part 2

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

Episode Summary In this extended conversation from The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone W. Johnson-Smith talks with Dr. Reynaldo White—a Panamanian‑born pastor, educator, author, and former concert pianist now living in Alabama. Over three parts, they explore Dr. White’s journey from growing up in poverty near the Panama Canal to serving as a pastor and community leader in the American South. He explains how his Ph.D. in educational leadership and his bilingual books opened doors both in Alabama and abroad. The episode traces the evolution of his writing...

From Panama to Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Renaldo White’s Journey of Faith, Culture & Resilience (Ep. 196) - Part 1

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

In this episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone W. Johnson-Smith talks with Dr. Reynaldo White—a Panamanian-born pastor, educator and author now living in Alabama. Dr. White recounts his childhood in extreme poverty near the Panama Canal, his family’s move to Miami when his father joined the U.S. Army, and the adjustments he faced learning English and finding his identity in America. They discuss how his Ph.D. in educational leadership opened doors and how his students encouraged him to write his childhood stories, which evolved into a series of books in...

Decoding America and Thrive Abroad with Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast (195)

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

Part 2 of the interview: I was recently interviewed on the Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast by Lola Adeyemo. Listen to Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast If this episode resonates, subscribe, like, and share with others navigating life across borders. Comment below your experiences or questions—we love hearing your story! ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast:...

Decoding America and Thrive Abroad with Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast (194)

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

I was recently interviewed on the Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast by Lola Adeyemo. Listen to Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast If this episode resonates, subscribe, like, and share with others navigating life across borders. Comment below your experiences or questions—we love hearing your story! ______________________________________________________ The Immigrant Experience in America Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3OmWxJZ Official Site: https://bit.ly/3OmWAWg 📱Listen to more episodes on: 💼 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3OK7xCN 💼 Spotify:...

Ep 193: Culture, Community, and Belonging (My Interview on The Kreashon Podcast Part 2)

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

In the second half of my conversation with Maanarak on The Kreashon Podcast, we go deeper into the work I do today. I talk about building community for immigrants, the hidden emotional and financial costs of advocacy, and my drive to help high-achieving immigrants decode workplace dynamics and feel a genuine sense of belonging. This part is all about turning personal challenges into a platform for change. ______________________________________________________ Check out the full episode on The Kreashon Podcast Connect with Maanarak: ...

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In this episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, I sit down with the thoughtful and creative Maanarak of Grey, an artist and podcast host originally from Bonaire in the Caribbean.

Maanarak shares her journey as an immigrant, what it’s been like leaving behind the comfort of home and adjusting to life in a new environment.

From the warmth of island culture to the challenges of navigating unfamiliar social norms, her story is filled with quiet strength and deep reflection.

We discuss:

- The origin behind Maanarak's name
- Living in the island of Bonaire
- Her culture shock and adjustment to living abroad
- What she misses most about life in Bonaire
- The tension between staying rooted in your culture while adapting to a new one
- How her immigrant journey influences her creative work and advocacy
- The importance of building spaces where diverse identities feel seen and celebrated

This conversation is a powerful reminder that migration is not just about relocation, it’s about rediscovery, resilience, and reclaiming your voice.

🎧 Tune in to hear Maanarak’s story and join us in celebrating the depth and beauty of the immigrant experience.

Connect with Maanarak:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KreashonHub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreashon.hub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kreashon
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kreashon/

Disclaimer: The Immigrant Experience in America podcast is produced in my personal capacity. The views and opinions shared by me and my guests are our own and do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the U.S. government or USCIS.

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