Interviews with Immigrants

About Interviews with Immigrants

Welcome to the “Interview with Immigrants” Podcast! Join me, Andrea Szew, an experienced immigration lawyer with one of the Top YouTube Channels on US immigration, as I delve into the captivating and inspiring stories of immigrants. This show aims to cut through the political noise and reveal the real heart, humor, and humanity behind every immigration journey. Discover stories that will surprise and potentially change your perspective on immigration. Subscribe to the show on YouTube and Follow wherever you get your podcasts! It is on all platforms. _____________ I'm Andrea Szew, top U.S. immigration attorney and creator of one of YouTube’s most-watched US immigration channels, inviting you into powerful, emotional, and often hilarious conversations with people who’ve made the journey to the USA. Forget the politics - this podcast is all about the people. Each episode uncovers raw, uplifting, and unexpected stories that go beyond visas and green cards to reveal the heart, grit, and humor behind every immigrant experience. Whether you're curious about immigration, love personal stories, or need a dose of inspiration, this show will surprise you and might even shift the way you see the world.

Publisher

Andrea Szew

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Jan 2025

Latest episode

7 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Apr 2026

   Before The Queen’s Gambit: The Real Story of Susan Polgar

   Welcome back to Interviews with Immigrants — the podcast that cuts through the politics and celebrates the heart, humor, and humanity behind real immigrant journeys. I’m your host Andrea Szew, immigration attorney and the face behind Szew Law Group, where thousands turn each month for US immigration guidance — but this show is about life, legacy, and the stories that deserve to be told. In this episode, I sit down with chess legend Susan Polgar — the real-life trailblazer who was changing the game long before Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit made chess a global phenomenon ♟️👑. Born in Hungary 🇭🇺, Susan takes us from learning chess at just four years old to becoming the first woman to earn the Grandmaster title through traditional norms — breaking barriers in a world that wasn’t built for her. We talk about the Polgar experiment — her father’s belief that “geniuses are made, not born” — and what it was really like growing up under that intense training. Susan shares the challenges she faced as a young girl competing against men, the resistance she encountered, and how she pushed through to redefine what women could achieve in chess. She also opens up about her move to the United States 🇺🇸, the cultural shock of how little respect chess had here, and why she made it her mission to change that — not just by winning, but by teaching, mentoring, and building opportunities for the next generation of players, especially girls. You’ll hear powerful insights on breaking stereotypes before they take hold, the pressure of being “the first,” and how her immigrant journey shaped her mindset, resilience, and legacy. And yes — we talk about The Queen’s Gambit and how Susan’s real-life story compares to the fictional Beth Harmon. 🎧 Available to listen everywhere: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19YtPoXvb47f1M9aGpA6FJ (https://open.spotify.com/show/19YtPoXvb47f1M9aGpA6FJ) Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interviews-with-immigrants/id1792940158?uo=4 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interviews-with-immigrants/id1792940158?uo=4) Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/db753d20-2dff-4a26-87a6-7721e442d9ec (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/db753d20-2dff-4a26-87a6-7721e442d9ec) If this episode made you think, inspired you, or gave you a new perspective on chess or immigration, please share it, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss more powerful stories on Interviews with Immigrants. 🎧 New to the show? Start here on YouTube: Brazilian comedian Jade Catta-Preta 🇧🇷🎤 — https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA (https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA) Mexican-American chef Aarón Sánchez 🇲🇽🔥 — https://youtu.be/iF2gwzmaQJ4 (https://youtu.be/iF2gwzmaQJ4) Hong Kong-native fashion creator Leo Chan 🇭🇰🗽 — https://youtu.be/X7UwahYAQtc (https://youtu.be/X7UwahYAQtc) Argentinian-born actor & restauranteur Guillermo Zapata 🇦🇷🍷 — https://youtu.be/cYFrMfsgL3I (https://youtu.be/cYFrMfsgL3I) From India 🇮🇳 to Michelin: Chef Sujan Sarkar — https://youtu.be/9lvVQfmdMTY (https://youtu.be/9lvVQfmdMTY) Connect with Szew Law Group & Andrea: 👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/szewlaw?lang=en (https://twitter.com/szewlaw?lang=en) 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/szewlaw/ (https://www.instagram.com/szewlaw/) 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/szewlawgroup/ (https://www.facebook.com/szewlawgroup/) 👉 Website: https://www.szewlaw.com/ (https://www.szewlaw.com/) 📧 Need Immigration Help? Email: info@szewlaw.com ☎️ Call: (310) 477-0047 💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1 (https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1) 📅 Schedule: https://szewlaw.com/contact/ (https://szewlaw.com/contact/) #SusanPolgar #QueensGambit #Chess #WomenInChess #ChessGrandmaster #ChessLife #ChessCommunity #ChessHistory #GothamChess #BotezLive #AnnaCramling #ChessInterview #ImmigrantStories #InterviewsWithImmigrants #WomenWhoLead #Trailblazer #BreakingBarriers #ChessPlayers #ChessCulture #USImmigration #ImmigrantJourney #SuccessStory #HungaryToUSA #FemaleEmpowerment

2. 

   19 Feb 2026

   From Barefoot in Kenya to 5 Olympics: Bernard Lagat’s Immigrant Story 🇰🇪➡️🇺🇸

   🏃♂️🇰🇪➡️🇺🇸 From Barefoot in Kenya to 5 Olympics: Bernard Lagat’s Immigrant Story 🥇✨ Welcome back to Interviews with Immigrants — the podcast that cuts through the politics and celebrates the heart, humor, and humanity behind real immigrant journeys. I’m your host Andrea Szew, immigration attorney and the face behind Szew Law Group, where thousands turn each month for U.S. immigration guidance — but this show is about life, legacy, and the stories that deserve to be told. In this episode, I sit down with Bernard Lagat, one of the greatest middle- and long-distance runners of all time. Born in Kenya, Bernard takes us from barefoot runs to wearing a used pair of Nikes from his sister Mary — the woman who changed everything — all the way to five Olympic Games, World Championship titles, and representing two countries on the world’s biggest stage. 🎙️ In this episode, we talk about… 👟 Growing up barefoot in rural Kenya and receiving his first pair of Nikes from the sister who changed everything 🏡 Life as the 5th of 10 children and the values of family, faith, and community that shaped him 🇺🇸 Arriving in America with big expectations — and being picked up in a beat-up Ford Bronco instead of a limo 🦌 🎓 Buying into excellence at Washington State University and learning what it really means to be “all in” 🏁 Going inside his mind during the legendary Athens 2004 Olympic finish against Hicham El Guerrouj 📄 Winning the Diversity Visa lottery and becoming a U.S. permanent resident and citizen 🇰🇪➡️🇺🇸 Representing two countries on the world stage and navigating identity, belonging, and pride 🔥 Defying age and expectations with a 52-second lap at the U.S. Olympic Trials at 41 years old 💬 Rapid-fire fun: rivals, getting lost on a run in Madrid, and who should play Bernard in a movie 💛 The legacy he hopes the next generation of immigrants takes from his journey ⏱️ Key Moments in This Episode 00:00 Running as culture, tradition, and way of life 02:24 Growing up as the 5th of 10 kids in rural Kenya 04:40 The first pair of Nikes — and the sister who changed everything 👟 19:04 Expecting a limo… arriving to a Ford Bronco and deer crossing signs 🦌 33:42 Bernard “calls the race” — inside the Athens 2004 Olympic finish 🏁 38:06 Winning the Diversity Visa and becoming a U.S. permanent resident 🇺🇸 46:48 The iconic 41-year-old, 52-second lap at the U.S. Trials 🔥 51:18 Rapid-fire fun: Denzel vs. Chris Rock, getting lost in Madrid, and more 😂 53:05 The legacy Bernard hopes immigrants take from his story 💛 If this episode made you laugh, reflect, or see immigration a little differently, please share it, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss the incredible voices featured this season on Interviews with Immigrants. 🎧 Behind every immigration story is a celebration of humanity. 🎧 New to the show? Start here: Brazilian comedian Jade Catta-Preta 🇧🇷🎤 — https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA Mexican-American chef Aarón Sánchez 🇲🇽🔥 — https://youtu.be/iF2gwzmaQJ4 Hong Kong-native fashion creator Leo Chan 🇭🇰🗽 — https://youtu.be/X7UwahYAQtc Argentinian-born actor & restauranteur Guillermo Zapata 🇦🇷🍷 — https://youtu.be/cYFrMfsgL3I From India 🇮🇳 to Michelin: Chef Sujan Sarkar on Reinventing Indian Cuisine in America - https://youtu.be/9lvVQfmdMTY 📧 Need Immigration Help? Email: info@szewlaw.com ☎️ Call: (310) 477-0047 💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1 📅 Schedule: https://szewlaw.com/contact/ #InterviewsWithImmigrants #BernardLagat #ImmigrantStories #Olympics #Kenya #TeamUSA #TrackAndField #Running DISCLAIMER: This video and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information in this video should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. the information presented in this video does not create an attorney/client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. You should seek legal advice from Andrea Szew directly by contacting her through email or other means noted above, or from another attorney before taking any legal action.

3. 

   15 Jan 2026

   From India 🇮🇳 to Michelin: Chef Sujan Sarkar on Reinventing Indian Cuisine in America

   What happens when you arrive in America with no roadmap, a bold culinary vision, and a commitment to do things the right way? In this delicious episode of Interviews with Immigrants, Michelin-starred chef Sujan Sarkar opens up about reshaping how America understands Indian cuisine—one restaurant, one region, and one flavor profile at a time. From growing up near Kolkata dreaming of fashion school… To cooking in London’s elite kitchens… To moving to the U.S. on an extraordinary ability O visa and building restaurants across the country… Sujan’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention, cultural pride, and the immigrant hustle. We talk about: 🇮🇳 Why he calls himself “an Indian chef cooking in America” — and not an “Indian-American chef” 🍽 The birth of “new Indian” cuisine and why diners embraced it 🌶 How food, like people, “immigrates” to the U.S. 🧑🍳 The immigrant roots of restaurant kitchens — and doing things legally & ethically 🌱 Vegan & vegetarian Indian cuisine and why it matters 🏆 Earning a Michelin star and redefining what Indian dining can be in America This episode is thoughtful, flavorful, and packed with cultural insight. Whether you’re a foodie, an immigrant, or someone who’s ever had to build a life from scratch—this one’s for you. 🎧 Also available to listen everywhere: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19YtPoXvb47f1M9aGpA6FJ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interviews-with-immigrants/id1792940158?uo=4 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/db753d20-2dff-4a26-87a6-7721e442d9ec ⏱ Episode Chapters: 02:02 Chef Sujan’s journey from West Bengal to London 07:55 Why America wasn’t the original plan 09:48 Culture shocks & the immigrant kitchen reality 11:40 Doing immigration & hiring the right way 13:58 “New Indian Cuisine” — familiar ingredients, traditional flavors 17:03 Introducing Americans to Indian food 20:21 Regional Indian flavors & vegan menus 24:18 Why he keeps his Indian identity strong 27:14 Indienne vs. Nadu — modern vs. regional Indian cuisine 31:17 Indian coffee culture & expanding the brand 33:01 Cooking across continents 34:07 Advice for immigrants coming to America 35:33 Assimilation vs. losing your roots 38:16 Who inspires Sujan 42:18 Why Indian food will explode in the U.S. 44:59 The taste test: khichdi & comfort food 48:11 Final thoughts & gratitude 📍 Visit Chef Sujan’s Restaurants: Indienne (Chicago) — https://www.indiennechicago.com/ Nadu (Chicago) — https://www.naduchicago.com/ Bar Bar (Los Angeles) — https://www.baarbaarla.com/ Sifir (Chicago) - https://www.sifrchicago.com/ 📲 Follow Sujan: @chefsujans 🎧 New to the show? Start here: Brazilian comedian Jade Catta-Preta 🇧🇷🎤 — https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA Mexican-American chef Aarón Sánchez 🇲🇽🔥 — https://youtu.be/iF2gwzmaQJ4 Hong Kong-native fashion creator Leo Chan 🇭🇰🗽 — https://youtu.be/X7UwahYAQtc Argentinian-born actor & restauranteur Guillermo Zapata 🇦🇷🍷 — https://youtu.be/cYFrMfsgL3I 📧 Need Immigration Help? Email: info@szewlaw.com ☎️ Call: (310) 477-0047 💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1 📅 Schedule: https://szewlaw.com/contact/ DISCLAIMER: This video and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information in this video should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. the information presented in this video does not create an attorney/client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. You should seek legal advice from Andrea Szew directly by contacting her through email or other means noted above, or from another attorney before taking any legal action. #ChefSujanSarkar #IndianCuisine #MichelinStar #IndienneChicago #NaduChicago #ImmigrantStories #ImmigrantJourney #AmericanDream #InterviewsWithImmigrantsPodcast #IndianFoodUSA #ModernIndianCuisine #ChicagoFoodScene #VeganIndianFood #FoodCulture #ImmigrantChef #FromIndiaToAmerica #RestaurantLife #FoodImmigration #ImmigrantHustle #GritAndGrace #IndianChef #CulturalCuisine #FusionFood #FoodiesOfYouTube #FineDining #MichelinChefs #IndiaToUSA #FoodStorytelling #ChefInterviews

4. 

   11 Dec 2025

   Vanderpump Rules' Guillermo Zapata on Acting, SUR & Starting Over in America

   Actor Guillermo Zapata discusses leaving Argentina for Los Angeles, building SUR restaurant, and acting in Hollywood in this interview on *Interviews with Immigrants*.

5. 

   6 Nov 2025

   Leo Chan [SHELL]

   Leo Chan shares insights about his career at Shell, but the specific topic of discussion remains unclear in this interview.

6. 

   9 Oct 2025

   From Mexico to MasterChef: Aarón Sánchez Dishes on Culture, Cuisine & the American Dream | Interviews with Immigrants

   Host Andrea Szew interviews Chef Aarón Sánchez about his Mexican-American heritage, culinary journey from El Paso to MasterChef, and preserving culture through food, revealing the immigrant experience that shaped his identity.

7. 

   4 Sept 2025

   From Brazil to USA: Jade Catta-Preta’s Hilarious Immigrant Journey | Interviews with Immigrants

   Host Andrea Szew interviews comedian Jade Catta-Preta about her humorous immigrant journey from Brazil to the USA, sharing cultural shocks and using comedy to find her voice.

8. 

   27 Jan 2025

   Introducing...Interviews with Immigrants

   Discover the heart, humor, and humanity behind immigration stories with Interviews With Immigrants. Hosted by immigration attorney Andrea Szew, this podcast takes a lighthearted yet insightful approach to celebrating the diverse journeys and contributions of immigrants. Through real stories, engaging conversations, and unique perspectives, Andrea shines a refreshing light on the positive impact of immigration. Join us as we explore immigration through comedy, culture, cuisine, and more—offering an inspiring and deeply human perspective on the immigrant experience. Coming soon!

Who has been a guest on Interviews with Immigrants

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Guillermo Zapata
• Leo Chan
• Aarón Sánchez
• Jade Catta-Preta

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 7 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

2

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32