Immigrant Stories | The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants

Couldn’t be Jewish in Russia and Couldn’t be Russian in the United States - Ep. 132

Welcome to episode 132 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Irene Vaksberg shares her powerful journey from immigrating to the United States from the former Soviet Union at just 12 years old to building and rebuilding her life through entrepreneurship, resilience, and purpose-driven work.In this episode, Irene reflects on growing up Jewish in the former Soviet Union, the discrimination and persecution her family faced, and the sacrifices her parents made to give their children a better future. She opens up about the cultural shock of arriving in the U.S., learning English, navigating reverse discrimination, and adapting to an entirely new way of life after years of scarcity and restriction.Irene takes us through her journey from dreaming of becoming a hairdresser to building a successful salon business in Rhode Island, honoring her father’s legacy by putting his name in lights, before later moving to Los Angeles for new opportunities. She also shares how a life-altering car accident led her to discover neurological wearable technology, transforming her pain into a new mission to help others struggling with chronic pain and mental health challenges. Through it all, Irene’s immigrant identity and lived experiences continue to fuel her passion for inspiring others.With Love, HeidyConnect with Irene Vaksberg:InstagramYouTubeLooking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with me and the Dedicated Tax Pros Family! Send me an email for a free estimate: delacruz.dedicatedtaxpros@gmail.com You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationBarbara Perez LawFor sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comMake a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From Kurdistan to the United States: An Engineer’s Immigrant Journey of Resilience and Reinvention - Ep. 131

Welcome to episode 131 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Sairan Aqrawi shares her powerful journey from Northern Iraq to the United States, arriving in 1996 with big dreams, resilience, and determination. With over 30 years of engineering experience, Sairan has transitioned into coaching, helping women monetize their skills and step confidently into their purpose.In this episode, Sairan reflects on her family background, her upbringing in Northern Iraq, and the realities of immigrating to a new country. She opens up about adapting to American culture, navigating language and cultural barriers, and the challenges of starting over while staying connected to her roots.Sairan takes us through her journey from a long and successful engineering career to becoming a coach and strategist for women entrepreneurs. She shares her passion for empowering women to grow their businesses, particularly through LinkedIn and strategic visibility, and how her immigrant identity deeply influences her work today.With Love, HeidyP.S. Mention this episode and get a free 15-minute consultation with Sairan! Connect with Sairan Aqrawi:InstagramWebsiteLooking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with me and the Dedicated Tax Pros Family! Send me an email for a free estimate: delacruz.dedicatedtaxpros@gmail.com You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationBarbara Perez Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comMake a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Building Financial Freedom with Arise Financial Coaching - Ep. 130

Welcome to episode 130 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Nicole Stanley, founder of Arise Financial Coaching, shares her powerful story as a Puerto Rican woman raised in Florida who turned personal financial struggle into a purpose-driven business helping hundreds of families take control of their money.In this episode, Nicole reflects on her upbringing in a money-conscious Puerto Rican household, the financial stress she witnessed growing up, and how those early experiences shaped her relationship with money. She opens up about getting married at 22 with significant debt, cultural identity challenges, and the mindset shifts that helped her and her husband pay off $30,000 in debt in just 10 months.Nicole takes us through her journey from initially pursuing a traditional professional path to discovering her passion for financial education and coaching. She shares how her own transformation led her to create Arise Financial Coaching, a business that has served over 600 clients since 2020, offering free workshops and personalized coaching to help people build stability, confidence, and long-term wealth. She also discusses how her immigrant identity and cultural background shape how she approaches money conversations today.With Love, HeidyConnect with Nicole:InstagramThreadsTikTokLooking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with me and the Dedicated Tax Pros Family! Send me an email for a free estimate: delacruz.dedicatedtaxpros@gmail.comYou can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationBarbara Perez Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comMake a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“The American Dream is Engraved in the Constitution” - Ep. 129

Welcome to episode 129 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Mohamed Mo Rachadi shares his journey from French Morocco to the United States, arriving in 1970 on a soccer scholarship with limited English and big dreams. Today, Mohammed is a retired academic, author, public speaker, and philanthropist, dedicated to storytelling, education, and community impact.In this episode, Mohamed reflects on his early life in Morocco, his decision to immigrate, and the challenges he faced adjusting to American culture and language barriers. He opens up about the initial setbacks he encountered as a student, the persistence it took to adapt, and how resilience became the foundation of his success.With Love, HeidyConnect with Mo:Speaker PortfolioLinkedInLooking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with me and the Dedicated Tax Pros Family! Send me an email for a free estimate: delacruz.dedicatedtaxpros@gmail.com You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationBarbara Perez Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comMake a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Coaching, you will receive $50! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Navigating Identity, Expectations, and Entrepreneurship as a First-Gen Immigrant - Ep. 128

Welcome to episode 128 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Claudia Garcia, a first-generation immigrant and online business coach, shares her journey growing up in Los Banos, California, navigating responsibility at a young age, and ultimately building a business rooted in freedom, mindset, and generational change.In this episode, Claudia reflects on her childhood as a first-generation daughter, translating for her parents, helping her family navigate systems, and experiencing financial hardship. She opens up about the pressure to succeed, the realities of growing up with limited resources, and how those early experiences shaped her work ethic and desire to create a different future.Claudia takes us through her transition from the classroom to entrepreneurship, leaving teaching to become an online business coach. She shares how her mission is centered on breaking cycles of burnout, long work hours, and financial instability. Through her coaching programs and her podcast, Breakthrough and Conquer, she empowers others to build successful businesses using mindset shifts, productivity strategies, and intentional action.With Love, HeidyConnect with Claudia:PodcastWebsiteInstagramLooking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with me and the Dedicated Tax Pros Family! Send me an email for a free estimate: delacruz.dedicatedtaxpros@gmail.comYou can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast. *This podcast is sponsored by Ir Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationBarbara Perez LawFor sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy@heidydelacruz.comMake a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Coaching, you will receive $50!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.