The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA) Titelbild

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

The Immigrant Experience in America (TIEIA)

Von: Simone W. Johnson Smith
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 The Immigrant Experience In America Podcast amplifies and humanizes the experiences of immigrants living in The United States of America and around the world. We are building a human library of immigrant stories. Connect with us at thebridgeconcepts.org to add yours to our library. Are you an immigrant, expat, international professional, international student new to the United States (or another country) and struggling to make sense of your new environment? Culture shock and adjustment challenges impact many of approximately 218 million migrants moving across the globe (UN, 2024). Are you feeling misunderstood and out of touch because you are struggling to understand the unstated rules of the new culture? That’s what we do each week on The Immigrant Experience in America. Every episode is an in-depth look at adjustment challenges, navigating the pitfalls of immigrant life, and becoming a third culture person. I was inspired to start this podcast by my own experience as an immigrant American who legally migrated to the United States but yet has frequent experiences of a love-hate relationship of America with its immigrant population and as a result of a larger vacuum surrounding the positive contributions of immigrants to American Life. We will sit down with successful immigrant Americans to discuss how they navigated the complexity of being an immigrant-American to achieve their American Dream. This is a spot for us to get real - peel back the layers, if you will, of what it means to be an immigrant living away from their birth country. Our intention is to serve as a bridge from your culture to the American (or other country) culture – giving you a roadmap of tools and language to understand the unstated rules of the new country/culture, wherever you find yourself in the world. 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.2021 Simone W. Johnson Smith Sozialwissenschaften
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  • From Panama to Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Renaldo White’s Journey of Faith, Culture & Resilience (Ep. 197) - Part 2

    From Panama to Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Renaldo White’s Journey of Faith, Culture & Resilience (Ep. 197) - Part 2
    Oct 15 2025
    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 career—starting as stories for his students, transforming into memoirs, children’s books, and Spanish‑language texts—and how those books now fund a school for former child addicts in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. White also shares deeply personal stories: his family’s decision to carry a pregnancy to term despite grim medical odds, the miraculous survival of his granddaughter born at 23 weeks, and his belief that prayer played a key role in her recovery. The conversation delves into parenting and discipline as Dr. White recounts adopting two boys with severe autism, drawing lessons about consistency, love, and community support. He describes how military service provided structure for his sons and other young men, detailing the path from basic training to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and the career opportunities that follow. Dr. White also reflects on his years as a concert pianist performing in 69 countries and how he stepped back from touring to care for his family and devote himself to teaching and ministry. The episode closes with a call to remember that communities thrive when they help raise each other’s children and with an invitation to share and support immigrant stories. Guest Bio Dr. Reynaldo White is a Panamanian‑American pastor, educator, author, and musician. After immigrating to Miami as a child when his father joined the U.S. Army, he earned degrees in music performance and educational leadership (Ph.D.) and served as a concert pianist, performing in 69 countries. Dr. White now pastors a church in Alabama and teaches English Language Learners. He has authored more than fifteen books—memoirs, children’s books, and bilingual editions—that chronicle immigrant life and support a Nairobi school. He and his wife Jennifer are parents and foster parents to several children, including two adopted sons with autism and a granddaughter whose premature birth inspired renewed faith. Key Takeaways Navigating culture in Alabama: Dr. White describes serving in a state that often sees race only in terms of “black” and “white,” leaving Afro‑Latinos invisible. He stresses the need for leadership and understanding in such communities. Stories into books: Encouraged by students, he wrote childhood tales that became memoirs and children’s books in English and Spanish. His writing not only preserves immigrant narratives but also funds education abroad. Faith and miracles: Dr. White recounts the premature birth of his granddaughter at 23 weeks and the prayerful journey that led to her survival. The experience deepened his faith and reinforced his belief in miracles. Discipline and structure: Raising adopted sons with severe autism taught him the value of consistency. He advocates for clear boundaries and recommends military training for young adults seeking discipline and career skills. Adoption and fostering: He and his wife adopted two boys with autism and later took in foster children. Dr. White shares the challenges of meeting special needs and the blessings of watching the children thrive. Community parenting: Echoing the proverb “it takes a village,” he urges parents to lean on trusted community members. He believes strong communities can transform children’s lives and relieve overwhelmed parents. Music and ministry: Before focusing on education and ministry, Dr. White toured as a concert pianist. He hopes to return to performance now that his sons are grown, blending his artistic and pastoral callings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com 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 ...
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    28 Min.
  • From Panama to Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Renaldo White’s Journey of Faith, Culture & Resilience (Ep. 196) - Part 1

    From Panama to Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Renaldo White’s Journey of Faith, Culture & Resilience (Ep. 196) - Part 1
    Oct 8 2025
    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 English and Spanish. Those books not only preserve immigrant narratives but also fund a school for former child addicts in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. White shares the challenges of pastoring in Alabama’s racially divided culture, the leadership gap he sees in his community, and the joys and trials of raising two adopted sons with severe autism. Throughout the conversation, he speaks candidly about being labeled “not Latino enough,” the importance of parental involvement and structure, and his enduring love for Panama. The episode concludes with a reminder to join in part 2 and a call to support the podcast’s “human library” of immigrant stories. Guest Bio Dr. Reynaldo White is a Panamanian American pastor, educator and author of more than fifteen books. Born near the Panama Canal, he immigrated to Miami as a child when his father joined the U.S. Army. He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and teaches English Language Learners in Alabama. Dr. White uses his bilingual books—starting with Raise: A Transcontinental Tale from Panama to the U.S.—to promote literacy and fund educational initiatives in Kenya. He and his wife, Jennifer, are community leaders, advocates for immigrants and parents of several children, including two adopted sons with autism. Key Takeaways Cultural complexity in Alabama: Serving as a pastor in the South means navigating a social landscape that often reduces people to “black” or “white,” leaving little room for diverse identities. Dr. White sees a need for leadership and community building. From stories to books: Encouraged by his students, Dr. White wrote about his childhood in Panama and his journey to the U.S., leading to a series of books in English and Spanish. He also creates children’s books from chapters of his memoirs. Books as social impact: Proceeds from his books fund a school in Nairobi, Kenya, for former child addicts; six of its graduates are now in medical school and two in law school. Educational leadership: His doctorate enabled him to enter spaces often closed to Afro‑Latinos and informed his work supporting English Language Learners across Alabama. Parenting special‑needs children: Raising two adopted sons with severe autism taught Dr. White the value of discipline and consistency. Both sons have exceeded expectations, with one earning significant scholarships and another gaining high test scores in the Marines. Identity and pride: Dr. White identifies as both Black and Hispanic; he pushes back against assumptions that he cannot be both and finds pride in his Panamanian heritage. Love for Panama: Though he moved for better opportunities, he describes Panama as a beautiful country with a unique mix of cultures, remarkable natural beauty and significant economic inequality. ______________________________________________________ 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 💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast 💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience 📱 Share your story with us: 💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com 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. Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.
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    35 Min.
  • Decoding America and Thrive Abroad with Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast (195)

    Decoding America and Thrive Abroad with Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast (195)
    Oct 1 2025

    Part 2 of the interview:

    I was recently interviewed on the Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast by Lola Adeyemo.

    Listen to Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast

    Apple podcast
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    SpotifyAmazon Audible

    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: 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
    💼 Instagram: / theimmigrantexperiencepodcast
    💼 TikTok: / theimmigrantexperience

    📱 Share your story with us:
    💼 simone.8.johnson@gmail.com

    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.

    Please note: I do not provide immigration legal services or case-specific guidance. My work focuses on cultural adjustment, financial empowerment, and personal growth.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    21 Min.
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