32 Lessons from 100 Episodes of The Newcomers Podcast
Some of the best things I have learned that I think are worth passing along.
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What does it mean to be an immigrant? Hope. Frustration. Fear. Anxiety. Rebirth. A chance to change your fortunes. Opportunity. One lesson I’ve taken from the past 100 episodes is there’s no single knowable answer to the question.
But sharing these stories and highlighting these themes has been a labor of love. It’s been a privilege. It’s been humbling.
The best part is I’ve stopped feeling like the “other.” I now know I’m not the only one grasping for a foothold, trying to hold onto a world I used to know while settling into a new one.
Enough with my rambling. I can’t believe I’ve had the chance to spend over 100 hours interviewing fellow immigrants and stakeholders for The Newcomers Podcast. I’m certainly better, smarter, and wiser for it.
So, I wanted to share some of the best things I have learned that I think are worth passing along.
#1. Focus on the positives
In my debut episode, Dapo Ajeniya talks about “cold-turkeying Nigeria out of his system.” As someone building a growing business in Nigeria, relocating to Canada came with feelings of “what am I missing out on by leaving.” He describes this state of mind as similar to long hangovers.
A few months after Dapo and his family moved to Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The lockdown allowed him to reflect on the benefits of his relocation.
“I was like, ‘You know what? You’re missing out on all the positives that are right here. You’re not taking it all in because you’ve been focused on your past.’ Everywhere was beautiful, and this is a nice burgeoning city that I am in. But because of how I left Nigeria, it felt like I needed to go back, but then, I couldn’t because everyone’s on lockdown. So I began to take stock, analyzed everything and I think it was that point that I was like, you know what, even though I miss community, food and other things, I’m not missing out in terms of my personal development and growth which was very important too at the time.”
Listen to Dapo's episode here.
#2. Your food tells a story
Every immigrant brings a distinctive element from their culture to their new home. And food probably tops that list. For Ozoz Sokoh, the author of Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria, food represents her Nigerian identity.
“Food goes a long way in shaping who we are but also how we’re perceived. I think it’s important for us to have the knowledge of the history behind our food so we can tell those stories right and we can correct misperceptions.”
Listen to Ozoz’s episode here.
#3. Home is where your people are at
My episode with Amir Feizpour was one of the podcast’s most vulnerable episodes. Amir touched on a raw subject for many immigrants: where becomes “home” once you immigrate.
“So you know, I never really went back home. And you know, after all of these years, I have trouble even defining what I consider home. Toronto is probably the place that I feel most at home, probably because I lived here the longest, but also I have a very strong network of people that I know and have come to call friends, you know, people that I can call in the middle of the night if something bad happens, right? So yeah, the concept of home becomes very, very fuzzy, as you say, and becomes very difficult to define and rely on.”
Listen to Amir’s episode here.
#4. Get involved in your new home’s future
If you plan to make the new country home, this should be a no-brainer. Shilan Zade, who ran for the Conservative candidate for Burnaby North - Seymour, explains it best:
“When you say ‘I come to this country for a brighter future,’ that brighter future, you are responsible for it. You’re also counted as a member of this society. Get involved. In many cultures, we are taught that not knowing is a big problem. Not everybody knows everything. We all know a little bit of something to contribute to society, and you need to share that knowledge with us.”
Listen to Shilan’s episode here.
#5. Build new traditions
Nkechi Runsewe learned this truism the hard way. When she moved from Lagos, Nigeria, to Amsterdam, Holland, for work, she didn’t expect Christmas Day to be the moment the loneliness and emptiness would hit hardest.
“I think one thing we immigrants need to quickly do is start saying to ourselves, ‘What are the things or routines or traditions that I used to have back home that I need to start creating new ones for which fit the context in which I live right now with myself or my family or my loved ones?’ Or else, it can be a really lonely journey sometimes.”
Listen to Nkechi’s episode here.
#6. Approach the immigrant conversation with an open mind
When I asked Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, which big challenges in the Talent to Win Report he’d fix first, given the anti-immigration rhetoric these days, he said:
“There are people who might build it faster, stronger, cheaper. Countries that were behind 30 or 40 years ago have leapfrogged in all kinds of ways—straight to digital, for example. There’s a lot we can learn if we’re willing. Yes, make sure they can do the job. But also ask: What else can you do? What can you teach us? If we can get to that level of openness, there’s so much possibility.”
Check out Daniel’s episode here.
#7. Almost every good thing is outside your comfort zone
Sometimes, leaving the comfort of our home helps us find the best version of ourselves. Comedian Alfred Kainga immigrated to the U.S. at 19. Alone. No family. No friends. He says it was the hardest thing he had ever done, but also the most important.
“I was always funny back home. But I never thought about it as a career. I didn’t start comedy in Zimbabwe. I started my comedy career here. Because now that I was by myself, in an environment where I wasn’t being controlled or coddled or told what to do or not to do, I discovered myself. And I stuck with it. I said, ‘Okay, this is what I like. This is what I want to do.’ The first time I got on stage, man, I knew, ‘I’m going to do this.’”
Listen to Alfred’s episode here
#8. Never undervalue your past experience
Moving to a new country means we often fall into the trap of discarding all we’ve learned from our home country. Yawa Degboe thinks that’s the wrong mindset to adopt as you settle down.
“I think there’s a mindset change that needs to happen. You need to know that you can do it and that you deserve it. Never, ever undervalue your past experiences. It’s all about packaging them and being able to present or “sell” them.”
Listen to Yawa’s episode here
#9. Coordination beats silos if we want to get the best out of immigration
We need a coordinated approach to Canadian immigration policy from the federal government, IRCC, and provinces. Shamira Madhany, Managing Director at World Education Services, explains why:
“If we want immigration policy to matter on the ground, we have to design it with real, practical coordination in mind. That’s how you move from a conversation about immigration in theory to one that actually delivers on belonging and opportunity.”
Listen to Shamira’s episode here
#10. Yes, network, but be deliberate.
When Councillor Ayo Owodunni first moved to Canada, he knew he needed to connect with people. He went to events. He shook hands. He built relationships. But there was no real plan.
“Yes, I was networking,” he said. “But I wasn’t being strategic about it. I wasn’t asking, ‘Where do I want to be in 10 years? Who do I need to know to get there?’” That realization changed everything for him.
Watch Ayo’s episode here.
#11. Come to your new home with an open mind
My lesson from Kateryna Havrylova’s episode is one we immigrants sometimes overlook.
“I came here determined to open my heart to a new culture and open my mind to new knowledge. And I did it. I adjusted. That’s really my advice for anyone thinking about immigrating. Be ready to be open-minded. Be prepared to adjust, to accept the culture you’re coming into. It’s not about changing it to match where you came from, it’s about accepting it. You can still stay true to who you are, but you have to understand that people here are different, their way of life is different, and you need to be willing to follow that if you want to succeed, feel happy, and be included in the community.”
Listen to Kateryna’s episode here.
#12. Speaking multiple languages means you understand multiple perspectives
One of my biggest struggles has been passing on the Igbo language to my two boys. Because language isn’t just a way to communicate; it’s a lens through which we understand the world. Maroro Zinyemba explains it best:
“When you’ve lived in different countries, speaking different languages, you develop a broader understanding of how the world works. More empathy. Better navigation of complex situations. When you have only one perspective, it’s limited. But with multiple lenses, you can see things in richer, more nuanced ways. So many newcomers are at least bilingual, often trilingual or even more, especially from the African continent. That ability to see things from different perspectives, it’s a strength. It helps you make better decisions, have richer conversations.”
Listen to Maroro’s episode here.
#13. Communicating clearly isn’t about changing your accent
Focusing on your accent without adapting your communication style can slow your integration process. As Rotimi Fawole puts it:
“I think a key part of settling after migrating is just learning how to speak, not just “blowing foneh,” but arranging your words in a way that gives you the optimal result for communicating in that environment. Remember, you’ll have to think in your native language, then filter through the translator before you express yourself appropriately. And more importantly, the ‘native voice’ never fully disappears.”
Listen to Rotimi’s episode here.
P.S. “Blowing foneh” is Nigerian slang for speaking with an American or British accent.
#14. Do your due diligence before immigrating
Immigration isn’t just about showing up and seeing what happens next. Sindhu Mahadevan, creator of This Immigrant Life newsletter, puts it plainly:
“We’re past the era of just winging it. If you want to move countries, you have to be deliberate. Don’t assume what worked in one place will work everywhere else. Immigration systems are complex and constantly changing. Don’t take advice from someone who applied ten years ago. Talk to people who are living it right now. And please, seek legal advice before you make big decisions. You’re building your future. Do it with your eyes open.”
Listen to Sindhu’s episode here.
#15. Prioritize rest like you prioritize ambition
Afroedmontonian founder, Lola Oduwole, reminds us that our drive to “make it” as immigrants often leaves no room for actually living.
“I want to see more immigrants taking up space not just in the corporate world—where we’re breaking glass ceilings and chasing success—but also in social spaces where people are relaxing and connecting. For many of us, migrating meant spending our last savings, so the first instinct is to work nonstop to recover that. But there’s a time for everything. We also need to prioritize rest and balance, the same way our non-immigrant friends never compromise on vacations and me-time.”
Listen to Lola’s episode here.
#16. Drop your sense of entitlement
Kaveri Srivastava’s point on entitlement is worth reading again and again:
“Drop any baggage you have, especially any sense of entitlement. You probably went to the best school back home. You might have had a great job. But don’t expect people in your new country to treat you exactly the same way. This is a level playing field, and sometimes you have to reset and start from the beginning. Just be open to that change. There are so many opportunities if you actually look for them.”
Listen to Kaveri’s episode here.
#17. Adjusting will be harder than you think
We often underestimate the difficulty of adjusting to our new cultural reality. Iqbal Chowdhury, an academic and immigrant mental health researcher, knows all about that:
“Realize you’re not just changing places, you’re moving from one cultural setting to a totally different one. Expect language to be a barrier because it’s not just about vocabulary. It’s about communicating ideas, navigating services, and building relationships. The environment is also challenging. Many people arrive from warm climates to Canada’s harsh winters and long periods of darkness. It affects mood, mobility, and comfort in daily life.”
Listen to Iqbal’s episode here.
#18. Find your community
As the founder of the first Nigerian-Canadian comedy club, Grand Komanda knows what it means benefit from your community’s support as an immigrant.
"Identify with your community. That's the very first point of call that you would have to use for a safe landing. Whether you're African, you're from Ghana, you're from Cameroon, wherever you're from, look for your people, connect with them. That's what helped me a whole lot when I got here.'“
Listen to Grand Komanda’s episode here.
#19. Celebrate your wins
Because you are never getting that moment back. Areej AbuAli wishes she’d approached things differently earlier.
“I was so focused on trying so hard to stay in control and make everything work out that there was so much I didn’t actually enjoy. I never celebrated any of my successes at all because it was always about ‘What’s next? What’s next?’ So in hindsight, if there’s one thing I wish I’d done differently, it’s that I wish I’d taken a bit of a breather. I wish I’d enjoyed the present a little more, the experiences I was having and the people I was surrounded by.”
Listen to Areej’s episode here.
#20. Living in Canada means you learn from folks from all over the world
Multiculturalism has been getting some hate of late. But Aashni Shah highlights one of its benefits:
“One of the many advantages of living in a country like Canada, where there are so many immigrants from all over the world, is that you can learn from everyone else and expand your knowledge, your abilities and your capabilities, and discover new partnerships, new working environments, and new skills to learn and grow.”
Listen to Aashni’s episode here.
#21. Show yourself some grace
Yes, you really should. As Onyeka Okonkwo says:
“There’s this life I have here now... and then, there’s everything happening in my head. Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Am I doing enough at work? Am I showing up the way I’m supposed to?’ And I have to remind myself over and over again to show myself some grace. I literally have to tell myself, ‘Whatever needs to be done will get done. Whatever you don’t get to... that’s okay. It’ll wait for another day.’”
Listen to Onyeka’s episode here.
#22. Be grateful for how far you’ve come
There’s always something to do, something to tick off the list, something to achieve as an immigrant. But every now and then, stop, reflect, and be grateful for all you’ve achieved. Noha Tanahi puts it best:
“When you truly appreciate what you already have, you’ll begin to feel satisfied. For me, once I started to focus on all that I have, instead of what I didn’t have, everything changed for me.”
Listen to Noha’s episode here.
#23. Start from wherever you are
Be like Wunmi Adekanmbi, who’s building a community and support for immigrants looking to get into tech careers.
“We don’t need an immigrant with a Master’s degree in engineering driving Uber. We need them to do something aligned with their expertise. At first, I thought the only way to fix this was to work from the top. To push for a massive system revamp at the policy level. But over time, I realized that you don’t need a platform to be a changemaker. You can start wherever you are. That’s where real impact begins.”
Listen to Wunmi’s episode here.
#24. Never let one rude or horrible person color your view of a country
Derek Sivers, whose book Useful Not True is an excellent read, has this great tip on settling into a new country.
“Never let one person represent an entire country or culture. Sample size matters when forming impressions. Every culture has amazing and not-so-amazing people.”
Listen to Derek’s episode here.
#25. Less competing, more cooperating
We have much in common and could go further as a society if we cooperate more. As David Moscrop puts it:
“I see people, day to day, first and foremost, as human beings who are just trying to get through the day. We’re all human, sometimes we get irritated. I’ll admit it, ‘Speed up! Get out! The light is yellow and you’re turning left—go, go, go!’ We all have those little human moments of frustration. But really, we’re all just trying to get through the day. Most of us are workers. We have family connections. We have ambitions and dreams. We share so much in common. We get more by collaborating and cooperating than by competing with each other.”
Listen to David’s episode here.
#26. Always keep your long-term goal in sight
The need to survive can lead immigrants down short-term paths. I liked how Siamak Riahi is always thinking of the long game.
“You need to keep your long-term goal in sight. Don’t let that vision become a mirage. If all you ever focus on is surviving day by day, the goal that made you leave your home country in the first place will fade. Short-term plans are for survival. But long-term goals? That’s why you moved. Don’t lose that.”
Listen to Siamak’s episode here.
#27. Don't limit yourself to your community
Anna Otroshchenko shared great advice on integration and avoiding cultural isolation.
“For example, in my case, don't be friends only with Ukrainians, don't live in the Ukrainian community, don't go to Ukrainian jobs or Ukrainian employers. I would suggest finding friends of different nationalities. It's so cool to learn about different cultures, traditions, and try different foods. Canada is the perfect place to actually explore yourself and the world around you.”
Listen to Anna’s episode here.
#28. Ground your children in your culture
Donovan Francis, a lawyer and dad of two, reminds immigrant parents to raise their kids with a strong sense of identity and heritage.
“My wife and I think it’s important to allow our children, especially our 12-year-old, to fully embrace their Canadianness. She’s fiercely Canadian. We’re a big soccer family, she’s into soccer, I’m into soccer and if there’s ever a match between Canada and Jamaica? She is all in for Team Canada. She’s going to be cheering hard, teasing me, and really owning that Canadian identity. And we love that. We encourage it. But at the same time, we also make sure she and her sibling are rooted in their Jamaican culture. We do that through food, what we cook at home and through music.”
Check out Donovan’s episode here.
#29. Don’t be scared to adapt
Clint Boodram understands that part of integration is adapting your approach to fit your context while holding fast to the values that make you who you are.
“Yes, you change. You have to. But you never let go of your essence. Never let go of who you really are,” he advised. “If the organization you’re in doesn’t appreciate that, that’s okay. Someone else will. Someone else will want to plant you, give you the sun and the water you need to grow. I think sometimes we’re scared of that. We’re scared to lose ourselves in adapting.”
Listen to Clint’s episode here.
#30. Newcomers need belonging the most
When I asked Fatemeh Alhosseini what she’d focus on if she had unlimited money to start a nonprofit for newcomers to Canada, she replied:
“If I had all the money in the world to start a nonprofit for newcomers in Canada, I would focus on building true community and belonging. You know, when we did focus groups with newcomers, many of them refugees, I thought for sure they’d say: ‘We need help with employment, housing, child support.’ But to my surprise, that wasn’t what they said at all. In almost every focus group, in different places, at different times, they said the same thing: ‘We need belonging. We need community.’”
Listen to Fatemah’s episode here.
#31. Choose to love your new home
It’s easy to fall into a doomsday loop while settling into your new home and nostalgia does a number on you. But as Kris Granger says, one way to sidestep the mental grogginess is to fall in love with your new city.
“I chose to fall in love with Sweden. I decided to explore. I started asking people, random colleagues, anyone: ‘What’s cool to do in Gothenburg?’ Turns out there are a lot of beaches here. And after four years of living here, I hadn’t even really been to the beach. I’d never even thought about it. So I went. I went to different types of beaches. And no, Europe is not the Caribbean, but there’s beauty here too. I went with friends, with acquaintances, and by myself. I went with a book. I went with music. And I did things I never even did in Trinidad. I’d go to the beach back home with friends, but never just with a book, alone. I tried new things. I explored hotels, restaurants. I even drove six hours to a county called Dalarna. I went out of my way to discover Sweden to find things I actually like, things that could make me feel at home.”
Listen to Kris’s episode here.
#32. Have an optimistic mindset
For Dikachi Chizim, who moved from Nigeria to Germany, the first thing an immigrant should do to hit the ground running is:
“Work on your mindset. I used to think, ‘Okay, I’m coming to this village, nothing happens here.’ But I always held onto this mindset of even if nothing happens here, something will happen for me. I was very optimistic. That mindset motivated me to apply for jobs, find communities, talk to the people I needed to talk to, and just put myself out there. So I’d say they really need to come in with that optimistic mindset before they even arrive. Because once you land, there’s the culture shock, there’s the language shock, and you start thinking, ‘Oh, it’s doom and gloom. I can’t do anything here.’ But if you’ve already prepared yourself mentally, and you come in thinking ‘I’m going to succeed here. It’s going to work for me,’ that alone is a huge motivation.”
Listen to Dikachi’s episode here.
