In episode 63 of Immigrant Conversations, Mehran Sorourian hosts Aisha Koroma, a Sierra Leonean-born refugee, licensed psychotherapist, and founder of the Safe Space Project.

Aisha arrived in the U.S. as a young teen after surviving trauma during her refugee journey. Today, she serves as Assistant Director of Social Integration at HIAS, Refugee Congress Delegate for D.C., and leads global mental health initiatives. She holds certifications in Trauma-Informed Care, Gender-Based Violence, and MHPSS from Harvard, WHO, and Johns Hopkins.

In this episode, Aisha discusses:

1. Her harrowing refugee journey from Sierra Leone and traumas endured
2. Struggles arriving in America as a teenage refugee
3. The mental health crisis in refugee communities and cultural stigma
4. Why Western therapy models fail displaced populations
5. Building trauma-responsive, culturally grounded mental health care
6. Practical advocacy for refugee mental health equity

Keywords: refugee mental health, immigrant mental health, trauma-informed care, MHPSS, Sierra Leone refugee, mental health stigma, displaced communities, Safe Space Project, refugee resilience, immigration trauma, refugee experience

Bio:

Aisha Koroma is a Sierra Leonean-born, U.S. resettled refugee who arrived in her early teens and is now a licensed psychotherapist dedicated to advancing mental health equity for displaced and immigrant communities. She holds certifications in Trauma-Informed Care, Gender-Based Violence, and MHPSS in humanitarian settings, with advanced training from Harvard, WHO, and Johns Hopkins. Aisha serves as Assistant Director of Social Integration at HIAS, Refugee Congress Delegate for D.C., and founder of the Safe Space Project, an initiative to destigmatize mental health in refugee communities. She has led global MHPSS efforts with IOM in Qatar, co-founded Texas’ first refugee mental health clinic, and contributed to the field through publications such as The Handbook of Refugee Experience and research on refugee health equity. Her work bridges lived experience and clinical expertise to create trauma-responsive, culturally grounded systems of care.

Connect with Aisha Koroma:

www.projectsafespace.org

https://www.instagram.com/akcenter4wellbeing?igsh=MWc2ZjdwNXBvbHBwMA==

www.akcenterforwellbeing.com

Info@Akcenterforwellbeing.com

What happens when technology, philanthropy, and AI meet the immigrant journey? In this episode of Immigrant Conversations, host Mehran sits down with Bartlomiej “Bart” Skorupa—Polish immigrant, social entrepreneur, investor, and one of Dell’s 25 World Change-makers. We explore:

•Bart’s inspiring immigrant journey from Poland and the lessons it holds for the future of America

•Whether America is still a good country to migrate to today

•The vision and impact of The Mobile Pathway, bringing access to justice through innovation

•How technology, philanthropy, and AI can work together to solve global challenges

•Bart’s insights on leadership, resilience, and building mission-driven organizations

Tune in for an honest conversation on immigrant leadership, social change, and the power of innovation.

Biography:

Bartlomiej (Bart) Skorupa is an immigrant social entrepreneur, investor, and best-selling author dedicated to inspiring leadership and championing fair access to justice. With a passion for launching mission-driven organizations, Bart works at the intersection of technology, philanthropy, and artificial intelligence to create powerful opportunities for change. Bart's impactful work has been featured in prominent outlets such as NPR, Forbes, Men’s Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, Bravo Network, and Bloomberg Businessweek. Dell recognized his contributions to global change in 2014, naming him one of the 25 World Change-makers alongside figures like Lauren Bush, Edward Norton, and Adam Braun. He is an active member of influential communities including the Fast Forward, SOCAP, Opportunity Collaboration, Salesforce Ohana, and Summit Series. Beyond his professional achievements, Bart finds inspiration in the joys of raising two disruptive daughters in a cabin in the woods.

Suggested book: One Billion Americans

www.mobilepathways.org

https://www.instagram.com/bartjskorupa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlomiejskorupa/

On the fourth anniversary of Taliban returning to power in Afghanistan, Mehran, host of Immigrant Conversations podcast, speaks with Anita Omary, an Afghan advocate who came to the U.S. just two years ago with a mission to fight for women’s rights.

Anita offers a rare and personal perspective on:

• What women’s rights looked like in Afghanistan before and after the Taliban takeover
• Why the support of fathers and brothers is so critical in a patriarchal society
• How culture is shifting as global connections reshape even the most traditional communities
• The heartbreaking story of Halima, a woman Anita knew—forced into marriage with a Taliban fighter, abused, and ultimately killed

This is a raw, moving conversation about loss, resilience, and the fight for justice that continues far from the spotlight.

Bio:

Anita Omary is an Afghan storyteller, public speaker, and Master of Public Administration student at the University of New Haven. Originally from Afghanistan, Anita came to the United States in 2023 after years of working with non-governmental organizations supporting refugee communities. Her lived experience of forced displacement informs her current work, where she advocates for refugee and immigrant rights, women's empowerment, and inclusive policy. Anita is a speaker with the New American Speaker Program and is currently writing a collection of true stories exploring the complex relationships between Afghan fathers and daughters under patriarchy, tentatively titled Being Father of a Daughter Is Not Easy. She speaks Dari, Pashto, Urdu, and English, and continues to use her voice to bridge cultures and raise awareness about the realities many Afghan women face today.

https://medium.com/me/stories/public

Welcome to Immigrant Conversations, the podcast where we explore the untold stories behind migration — stories of courage, sacrifice, and transformation.

In this powerful episode, Mehran speaks with Mohammed Diouf Heubo, a life coach and immigration and wellness advocate who fled political persecution in Cameroon. His migration journey took him through dangerous terrain, harrowing experiences in U.S. detention centers, and ultimately, to a place of healing and purpose.

In this episode we explored:

• Mohammed’s escape from political violence
• The emotional and physical toll of detention centers in the U.S.
• The resilience and the flexibility it takes to be a refugee
• The misconceptions around immigration and refugees

Listen and stay connected by subscribing to "Immigrant Conversations" on your favorite app!

Bio:

I'm a life coach, Immigration/wellness advocate, and storytelling expert with lived immigrant experience. I help individuals and organizations grow through coaching, fitness, and narrative clarity. I have had the honor of presenting on national stages like Dreamforce, one of the largest tech conferences in the world, and Demo Day with Mobile Pathways and Twilio.

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Immigrant Conversations, host Mehran sits down with Marcela Rada Trujillo and Kerstin Kirchsteiger— two inspiring immigrant professionals and mothers — for an honest fireside chat about the realities of raising children in a new country.

We explore the unexpected freedoms of parenting outside cultural norms, the heartbreak of raising kids far from extended family, and the emotional toll of navigating motherhood in intercultural relationships .

While immigrant mothers carry a huge burden at the moment, in the spirit of Mother’s Day, this episode is a celebration: of strength, resilience, and beauty in reclaiming your story.

Grab your cup of tea

Plus, Mehran shares a personal resource that’s helped her reconnect with herself — a journal created by a second-generation immigrant mom, linked in the show notes.

✍Visit thedivineselfbyjosieanderson.com/journal to grab your copy today. https://thedivineselfbyjosieanderson.com/journal/

Marcela Bio:

I was originally from Colombia. I studied engineering and moved to the Netherlands to do my masters in Management of Technology. I work full time, have two little kids, and I’m married.

Kerstin Bio and Contact info:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkirchsteiger/

FB:https://www.instagram.com/kerstin_kirchsteiger/

https://www.facebook.com/kkirchsteiger/

www.kerstinkirchsteiger.com

Kerstin Kirchsteiger, Ph.D. is a Scientist turned Executive Coach for ambitious women who want to build a wildly successful career and make the impact they desire WITHOUT burning out. She is a GENOS-certified Emotional Intelligence practitioner and ICF-ACC-certified executive coach.

Kerstin has been coaching emerging and seasoned female leaders to unlock their full potential and prepare them for the next step in their careers while integrating the demands of work and life.

In her Consulting, she focuses on Leadership development specifically on Emotional Intelligence and the interpersonal sphere. She is passionate about equipping leaders with research-backed, proven tools that make their jobs more enjoyable and impactful, leading to higher performance and improved talent attraction and retention.

She has worked with international clients from Leaders Lounge Australia, Thermo Fisher, Boeing Leadership Network, Quidel, Exelixis, Aprio, and Elemis.

When Kerstin is not working with clients, you can find her mountain biking or enjoying the outdoors with her family.

Immigrant conversations Guest is Richard Hsung, born and raised in China to a Chinese mother who considered America home. Together, they migrate to the States. Richard studied chemistry and became a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. One day he made a promise to his ailing mother, a promise that helps his mom die peacefully but leaves him with a huge responsibility that causes tremendous pain but also healing.

Biography:

Richard P. (Perkins) Hsung was born in China and immigrated to the U.S. as a kid with his mother. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago and became a professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Richard spent ten years editing and completing "Spring Flower," written by his mother, Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins, MD. This three-volume memoir, published by Earnshaw Books (https://earnshawbooks.com), chronicles his mother's life as an adopted child of American medical missionaries, which began shortly after the catastrophic Yangtze River Flood in 1931 that killed millions.

https://richardperkinshsung.com

www.linkedin.com/in/richard-perkins-hsung-2378752ab

Spring Flower: A Tale of Two Rivers: https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Flower-Book-Tale-Rivers/dp/9888552848

Is home the place we are born, or the refuge we find? Can it be both? In this episode of Immigrant Conversations, we explore the meaning of "home" and discuss the challenges faced by refugees, including misconceptions about their experiences. Dr. Diya Abdo, a second-generation Palestinian refugee, shares her powerful story of migration and how she transformed her personal journey into advocacy for displaced communities.

Key Topics in This Episode:

>Dr. Abdo’s Migration Journey as a second-generation Palestinian refugee born in Jordan and her eventual move to the U.S. as a graduate student.

>The displacement of her parents from Palestine, their struggles as refugees in Jordan, and how their story shaped Dr. Abdo’s perspective on migration.

>The evolving concept of home—what does it truly mean to belong?

The challenges faced by refugees today, including the impact of global crises on refugee resettlement and integration.

>The mission of Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR)—Dr. Abdo’s nonprofit that helps college campuses host refugee families, fostering cultural integration and community support.

>How storytelling and advocacy can help reshape perceptions of refugees and empower displaced communities.

Bio:

Dr. Diya Abdo is the Lincoln Financial Professor of English at Guilford College and the founding Director of Every Campus A Refuge. A second-generation Palestinian refugee born and raised in Jordan, Dr. Abdo’s teaching, research, and scholarship focus on Arab women writers and Arab and Islamic feminisms as well as refugee and immigrant issues. Her book AMERICAN REFUGE: True Stories of the Refugee Experience, was selected by the North Carolina Humanities as a North Carolina 2024 Reads Book and by Alamance Public Libraries as the Alamance Reads Book 2024. In 2015, inspired by Pope Francis' call on every European parish to host one refugee family, Dr. Abdo founded Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR), which advocates for housing refugee families on college and university campus grounds and supporting them in their resettlement. The flagship chapter at Guilford College is now one of many ECAR campuses across the nation which have collectively hosted over 600 refugees and supported their inclusion in local communities. Dr. Abdo designed the minor Forced Migration and Resettlement Studies at Guilford College where students learn about refugee issues and receive credit for hosting refugees on campus and supporting them in their resettlement. Dr. Abdo is the recipient of the Emerson Collective Fellowship (2024), the J.M. Kaplan Fund’s Innovation Prize (2021), Campus Compact’s Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty Award (2019), Gulf South Summit’s Outstanding Service-Learning Collaboration in Higher Education Award (2017), and The Washington Center’s Civic Engagement in Higher Education Award (2017). Dr. Abdo sits on the Boards of Refugee Council USA and The Community Sponsorship Hub.

Email Dr.Abdo: Abdod@guilford.edu

Learn more about Every Campus is a Refuge: www.everycampusarefuge.net

Are you an aspiring leader looking to enhance your influence especially when you are the minority? Do you struggle with belonging in rooms where decisions are made? If so, this episode is for you! If so, this episode is for you. Mehran Sorourian the Immigrant Conversations host sits with Dr. Mira Brancu and talk about being a minority as an aspiring leader.

"Are you an aspiring leader striving to enhance your influence, especially in spaces where you’re the minority? Do you struggle with finding a sense of belonging in rooms where crucial decisions are made? This episode is for you!

In this insightful conversation, Mehran Sorourian, host of Immigrant Conversations, sits down with Dr. Mira Brancu to discuss the unique challenges faced by minority leaders. Together, they explore practical strategies for navigating leadership roles while overcoming barriers of inclusion and cultural adaptation.

Tune in to hear about:

>Overcoming imposter syndrome as a minority in leadership.

>Developing your leadership identity and influence when you're underrepresented.

>Finding your voice and confidence in predominantly non-minority spaces.

>How to create a sense of belonging and advocate for others in similar situations.

>Whether you're just starting out in your leadership journey or are looking for tips on how to expand your influence, this episode provides invaluable advice for anyone seeking to thrive as a minority leader."

Bio:

Dr. Mira Brancu is a consulting and coaching psychologist who specializes in women’s leadership identity development and building adaptive, high-performing teams. She is also an Associate Professor, author of the Millennials Guide to Workplace Politics and companion workbook, Psychology Today columnist of the series, A New Look at Women’s Leadership, and host of The Hard Skills live show and podcast. Her award-winning social impact firm, Towerscope, empowers and elevates women in leadership within disrupted, complex learning and innovation systems.

Learn more:

www.GoTowerscope.com

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBRIDM9zFt53CbF8-Y_LiHx_12xdIQpT1

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-skills/id1706366751

Book Suggestions:

-Millennials Guide to Workplace Politics

-Professional Careers by Design by Sharon Hull

-Teaming by Amy Edmondson

-The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencion

Find us on your favorite podcast app.

contact Mehran: Mehran@MehranS.com

https://www.mehrans.com/immigrantconversations