Moving countries often comes with opportunity, growth and new beginnings, but it can also come with grief that no one really prepares you for.

In this solo episode of Migrant Munch, I talk about what it means to grieve the life you left behind: the people, the moments you missed, the version of yourself that existed back home, and the quiet ache that shows up when you see life going on without you.

Drawing on my own experience as a migrant and my background as an organisational psychologist, I unpack concepts like migratory grief, ambiguous loss, and identity shifts, and why these feelings are far more common (and normal) than we realise.

This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered:Why does this still hurt, even though I chose this life?

If you’ve been carrying this grief silently, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I sit down with Helani, an entrepreneur at 22, a parent and strong believer in unconditional love. She shares how Buddhist philosophy has quietly shaped the way she loves, feels, and lives, after spending years trying to unlearn the things she grew up with. We reflect on culture not just as heritage, but as values passed down, questioned, and consciously chosen, especially through the lens of raising the next generation.

✨ This episode is for anyone who is trying to find themselves, trying to raise a child or for anyone who is curious about what it means to feel unconditional love.

In this episode, I chat with the amazing Sonia, who has lived in multiple countries, carried her culture across borders, and built a life grounded in deep authenticity and passion for her work. After realising just how often migrants feel misunderstood in healthcare, she founded a company dedicated to culturally competent care, creating spaces where people finally feel seen for who they truly are.

We talk about growing up between cultures, navigating the invisible weight of being misunderstood, and what it means to advocate for care that honours identity, heritage, and lived experience. Sonia’s story is a powerful reminder that culture shapes us, and everyone deserves to be understood in the fullness of who they are.

If you've ever wished someone could understand your culture, your story, or the parts of you that don’t always translate well to others from different cultures or backgrounds, this episode is for you.

For more information on Tala Thrive, visit: https://www.talathrive.com/

You can also purchase the affirmation cards we talk about here: https://shop.talathrive.com/products/affirmation-conversation-cards

In this episode, I chat with Vish, who studied and worked as a chemical engineer before finally choosing the path her heart always knew - hospitality. Today, she runs a bakery she absolutely loves.

We talk about the migrant experience, navigating life as an international student, struggling with accent bias, and what it takes to keep showing up even when it feels impossibly hard. Vish’s story is a reminder that sometimes the career you’re meant for is the one you circle back to.

This is for you if you’ve ever questioned your career choices, life as an international student, or if you ever needed a reminder that pushing through can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

In this episode, I chat with Dorcas, a proud South African migrant and PhD researcher exploring the intangible traditions of culture, and the stories and rituals that shape who we are.
We talk about identity, curiosity, and what it really means to stay connected to your roots while creating a life in a new country. It’s a powerful reminder that culture isn’t lost when we move, it simply lives within us.

This is for you if you’ve ever wondered where you come from, who you are, or how to hold on to your heritage while finding home in a new place.

Migrant Munch is back!

In this episode, I chat with the amazing Kishwar Chowdhury. From a career in printing to making her mark on the MasterChef stage, she shares how her parents helped her stay connected to her roots whilst growing up in Australia, and how she proudly showcased South Asian food on a global stage. We explore what it means to celebrate culture, her life before (and after) MasterChef, and her advice for parents raising kids across different cultures.

It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation about identity and the quiet power of embracing every part of who you are, no matter where you come from.

In this solo episode, I share the story of a migrant’s suitcase - the one that carries not only our belongings, but also our hopes, fears, and dreams that tie into everything we become as a migrant. This is a personal reflection on what a suitcase can really represent in the migrant journey, with insights from guest episodes.

Listen to this episode if you have ever packed up your life and wondered what really travels with you as you start your new life.

Meet Vlad, an extrovert from a country full of introverts! In this episode, he shares his journey of moving from Estonia to Australia, and the cultural contrasts he’s noticed along the way. With authenticity and humour, he opens up about navigating small talk, Melbourne’s food and coffee culture, and the everyday quirks of living in Australia. We dive into his love for Sri Lankan kotthu rotti, Chinese food, and bucket-list travel destinations. Vlad also reflects on the struggles of migrating, and leaves advice for other Europeans making the leap to Australia.

This episode is a mix of real experiences and raw reflections that will leave you feeling so wholesome!