Love Letters To Immigrants

About Love Letters To Immigrants

Love Letters to Immigrants is a storytelling podcast that centers the human side of immigration.Through intimate conversations, immigrants share their journeys in their own words. Stories of leaving home, navigating uncertainty, building belonging, and finding meaning across borders.These are experiences too often reduced to headlines or political debates, stripped of their complexity and humanity.Hosted by immigration attorney Elizabeth Garvish, the show creates space for honesty, nuance, and connection. Drawing from her professional work supporting immigrant families and entrepreneurs, as well as her own experience navigating life in a new country, Elizabeth approaches each conversation with empathy and care.Each episode explores what it truly means to start over and includes a Love Letter to an Immigrant, a moment of encouragement offered to those carrying the emotional weight of migration.This podcast is for anyone seeking deeper understanding, human connection, and stories that remind us that immigration is not an exception to our history. It is part of who we are.If you believe listening can be an act of care, this show is for you.

Publisher

Elizabeth Garvish

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Feb 2026

Latest episode

26 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Starting Over and Betting on the American Dream with Marco Scanu

   What happens when the life you planned changes overnight? In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth sits down with entrepreneur Marco Scanu, who shares his journey from Venezuela to the United States. After first falling in love with America as a college student, Marco dreamed of eventually building his life here. But in 2009, a frightening threat forced him and his family to leave Venezuela behind and start over sooner than they expected. Marco shares how his immigrant experience shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, resilience, and opportunity, and how he ultimately built a business that has helped thousands of immigrants pursue their own American dreams. Elizabeth and Marco also talk about the power of words, the importance of staying connected through our differences, and why optimism matters most when life doesn't go according to plan. Chapters 01:00 Meet Marco Scanu and his Venezuelan-Italian roots06:30 His father's immigrant story and entrepreneurial influence15:20 Marco's own journey to the United States17:30 Entrepreneurship, failure, and learning to start again22:00 The threat that changed everything27:30 The American dream, then and now34:15 The power of words, leadership, and connection40:20 What home means to Marco43:00 Marco's Love Letter to Immigrants Connect with Marco Visa Business Plans: visabusinessplans.comProfitWise: profitwiseonline.com Resources Learn more about Garvish Immigration Law Group:https://www.garvishlaw.com Connect with Elizabeth Garvish:https://www.elizabethgarvish.com Subscribe If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that they belong exactly where they are. Every shared story helps create a more compassionate world.

2. 

   29 Jul 2026

   Finding Home Within Yourself: Sarah Moody on Belonging, Resilience & Living in Alignment

   What does "home" really mean when you've lived in multiple countries, cultures, and identities? In this heartfelt episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with executive coach and entrepreneur Sarah Moody to explore her remarkable immigration journey, from England to Jamaica to the United States, and the lessons she's learned about resilience, identity, and belonging along the way. Although Sarah's story may not fit the stereotype of an immigrant experience, her struggles will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they didn't belong. She shares what it was like arriving in suburban Chicago as a 13-year-old with a British accent, grieving the loss of everything familiar, and eventually discovering that true belonging isn't found in a place, it's built from within. Together, Elizabeth and Sarah discuss alignment, entrepreneurship, personal growth, letting go of expectations, and why learning to love yourself may be the most important step in any journey. The episode concludes with an emotional Love Letter to Immigrants reminding listeners that the hardest chapters are often the beginning of something extraordinary. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Sarah's immigration story: England → Jamaica → America 05:40 Finding friendship and belonging 08:55 Alignment, identity, and crossing borders 17:55 What does "home" really mean? 22:30 Becoming an entrepreneur 25:40 The mindset shift that changed everything 32:15 Belonging to yourself 35:05 Family expectations, freedom, and authenticity 44:00 Sarah's Love Letter to Immigrants 47:55 Closing thoughts About Sarah Moody Sarah Moody is an executive coach, entrepreneur, and founder of two successful companies dedicated to helping leaders create meaningful success from the inside out. Drawing from her own immigration journey and decades of leadership experience, Sarah helps executives and entrepreneurs align their careers with their values while building resilience, confidence, and fulfillment. Sarah Moody's Website: https://www.rockyourbrainrockyourlife.com Connect with Sarah Moody on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmoody Learn more about Garvish Immigration Law Group: https://www.garvishlaw.com Connect with Elizabeth Garvish: https://www.elizabethgarvish.com Subscribe If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that they belong exactly where they are. Every shared story helps create a more compassionate world.

3. 

   15 Jul 2026

   What if the strongest people in the world are the ones willing to leave everything behind and begin again?

   In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish welcomes immigration attorney Giedrė Dailidėnaitė, whose own immigration story began when her father won the Diversity Visa Lottery, giving their family the opportunity to leave Lithuania and build a new life in the United States. Giedrė shares the remarkable history that shaped her family, from her grandfather's imprisonment in Siberia under the Soviet regime to arriving in America as a 17-year-old determined to build a future through education and hard work. Together, Elizabeth and Giedrė discuss resilience, the immigrant spirit, practicing law with compassion, and the realities of representing clients in one of the most challenging moments in modern immigration history. This conversation is both a celebration of the courage it takes to start over and a reminder that even in uncertain times, hope, kindness, and perseverance remain some of our greatest strengths. Chapters 00:00 – Immigration is a human story01:18 – Meet Giedrė Dailidėnaitė03:31 – A family history shaped by resilience05:44 – Winning the Diversity Visa Lottery08:25 – Starting over in America at 1711:39 – Why immigration law15:17 – Learning resilience through failure17:42 – Practicing immigration law during uncertain times21:34 – Inside today's immigration courts30:53 – Fighting for clients who deserve a chance35:14 – Why immigrants make America stronger40:57 – Finding hope in difficult moments45:36 – Giedrė's love letter to immigrants47:15 – Closing reflections Resources & Links If this conversation resonated with you, consider supporting organizations that advocate for immigrants, refugees, and families navigating the immigration system. Every act of compassion helps build a more welcoming future, and sometimes hope begins with simply refusing to give up. American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): https://www.aila.org HIAS: https://www.hias.org National Immigration Forum: https://immigrationforum.org National Immigration Law Center (NILC): https://www.nilc.org I Am An Immigrant: https://www.iamanimmigrant.com Garvish Immigration Law Group: https://www.garvish.com

4. 

   1 Jul 2026

   What if the biggest risk isn't starting over, but staying where you are?

   In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with renowned futurist, entrepreneur, author, and technology executive Cathy Hackl to explore the power of reinvention. Born in Costa Rica and raised across multiple countries because of her father's diplomatic career, Cathy shares how an international upbringing shaped her resilience, curiosity, and willingness to embrace change. From Emmy-nominated journalist to public relations executive, from international speaker to one of the world's leading voices in emerging technology, Cathy's career is a testament to what can happen when you're willing to walk into the unknown. Together, Elizabeth and Cathy discuss immigration, identity, entrepreneurship, motherhood, gaming, artificial intelligence, and why some of life's greatest opportunities begin with a leap of faith. Whether you're starting over in a new country, changing careers, or simply wondering what's next, this conversation is a reminder that reinvention isn't something to fear. It may be exactly where your greatest purpose is waiting. Chapters 00:00 – Immigration is a human story01:04 – Meet Cathy Hackl04:09 – Growing up between Costa Rica and the United States06:14 – From journalist to tech futurist07:48 – Finding the courage to reinvent yourself11:00 – Motherhood, Spain, and discovering technology14:20 – The moment everything changed18:04 – Raising kids in a digital world20:06 – What does home mean?22:09 – Reinvention as a lifelong journey24:17 – Cathy's love letter to immigrants26:33 – Where to find Cathy27:09 – Closing reflections Resources & Links Cathy Hackl: https://www.cathyhackl.com Cathy Hackl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhackl HIAS: https://www.hias.org National Immigration Forum: https://immigrationforum.org National Immigration Law Center (NILC): https://www.nilc.org I Am An Immigrant: https://www.iamanimmigrant.com Garvish Immigration Law Group: https://www.garvish.com If this conversation resonated with you, consider supporting organizations that empower immigrants, refugees, and entrepreneurs building new lives around the world. Sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin with the courage to start over.

5. 

   10 Jun 2026

   Between Two Worlds: Identity, Ambition, and Belonging with Roman Zelichenko

   What happens when an immigrant child grows up to help shape the future of immigration? In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with Roman Zelichenko, entrepreneur, former immigration attorney, and founder of LaborLess and GMI Rocket. Roman shares his family's journey from the former Soviet Union to the United States as Jewish refugees, arriving in America after spending time stateless and rebuilding their lives from the ground up. Together, Elizabeth and Roman explore the realities of growing up between cultures, the sacrifices immigrant parents make for their children, and how those experiences shape identity, purpose, and ambition. They also discuss entrepreneurship, creativity, navigating uncertainty, and why community remains one of the most powerful forces in any immigrant's journey. This conversation is a reminder that while immigration systems may change, the courage to begin again and the power of human connection remain constant. Chapters 00:00 – Immigration is a human story02:30 – Meet Roman Zelichenko03:20 – Leaving the Soviet Union and arriving in America05:30 – Starting over as a young immigrant family07:30 – Building careers and opportunities in a new country09:30 – From immigration attorney to entrepreneur11:30 – The idea behind LaborLess16:00 – Building businesses in the immigration space19:30 – Creativity, entrepreneurship, and finding your strengths22:00 – Letting go of certainty24:30 – What improv taught Roman about fear and resilience27:00 – Immigration, courage, and choosing love over fear29:00 – Building community and connection30:30 – Roman's love letter to immigrants33:12 – Closing reflections HIAS — https://www.hias.org National Immigration Forum — https://immigrationforum.org I Am An Immigrant — https://www.iamanimmigrant.com National Immigration Law Center (NILC) — https://www.nilc.org Garvish Immigration Law Group — https://www.garvish.com If this conversation resonated with you, consider supporting organizations that assist refugees, immigrants, and families navigating the immigration system. Every immigrant story begins with courage, but no one builds a new life alone.

6. 

   6 May 2026

   What Does it Mean to Build a Life Between Two Countries?

   In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with immigration attorney Natalia Munoz to talk about identity, belonging, motherhood, purpose, and the emotional realities of building a life far from home. Natalia shares her journey from Colombia to the United States, the unexpected twists that kept her here, and how her own immigration experience ultimately led her to a career helping others navigate the system. Together, Elizabeth and Natalia reflect on fear, resilience, practicing law with love, and the power immigrants bring to this country every single day. This episode is a reminder that home can exist in more than one place, and that beginning again is one of the bravest things a person can do. Chapters 00:00 – Immigration as a human story01:15 – Natalia’s journey from Colombia to the U.S.03:35 – Finding purpose in immigration law04:30 – Motherhood, work, and career shifts07:03 – Growing up in Colombia10:55 – Helping immigrants through difficult systems12:13 – Student visas and sponsorship challenges14:30 – H-1B setbacks and immigration uncertainty16:30 – Green cards, advanced parole, and citizenship19:15 – Practicing law with love20:23 – Expecting miracles in immigration cases23:42 – Why immigrant attorneys understand differently24:39 – Defining home between two countries26:30 – Natalia’s love letter to immigrants28:38 – Closing reflections Resources & Links If this episode resonated with you, consider supporting organizations that advocate for immigrant families, legal access, and human rights in immigrant communities. Learn more about the work discussed in this episode through Garvish Immigration Law Group.

7. 

   22 Apr 2026

   Finding Strength Within the Journey, with Ati Williams

   What if everything you needed to start over was already within you? In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with entrepreneur and Emmy award winner Ati Williams to explore the resilience, uncertainty, and growth that come with building a life across borders. Ati shares her journey from Nairobi, Kenya to Canada and eventually the United States, navigating student visas, sponsorship challenges, and the emotional weight of leaving home at a young age. Along the way, she reflects on the grit it takes to move forward without certainty and how that experience shaped her into the person she is today. This conversation goes beyond immigration logistics and into something deeper. Together, they explore identity, self-trust, and the idea that while systems and circumstances may shift, your value and potential remain constant. At its core, this episode is a reminder that even in the most uncertain moments, you already have everything you need to begin again. Chapters 00:00 Intro01:00 Meet Ati Williams02:06 Leaving Kenya and choosing a new path03:47 Adjusting to life in Canada04:42 Moving to the U.S. and navigating visas05:30 Building a life and career in America06:10 How immigration shaped resilience07:35 Empathy and perspective as an immigrant08:30 Facing fear, uncertainty, and misinformation10:09 Owning your value beyond a passport10:34 Building a career and unexpected opportunities12:00 Lessons from interviewing and entrepreneurship13:51 Balancing heart and logic in business15:00 Letting life unfold and personal transformation16:33 Becoming more of who you are17:30 Expectations, identity, and redefining success19:39 Listening inward instead of external pressure20:13 Travel, perspective, and raising global citizens21:25 The emotional weight of the immigration process22:33 Proving worth and reclaiming identity23:57 Choosing citizenship and protecting family24:30 Redefining the idea of home26:27 A love letter to immigrants28:00 Closing Resources If this episode inspired you, explore organizations working to support immigrant communities and expand opportunity. https://mutualaidla.org/

8. 

   8 Apr 2026

   Finding Home in the In-Between

   What happens when you choose to see immigration not as a system, but as a human story? In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with Allison Ponsford Ricker to explore the deeply personal side of immigration, one shaped by resilience, identity, and the courage to keep moving forward. Allison shares her journey with honesty and clarity, offering a window into the emotional realities that often go unseen. From navigating uncertainty to redefining what belonging looks like, her story is a powerful reminder that immigration is not just about paperwork, it is about people. Together, they reflect on the strength it takes to build a life in a new place, the importance of being seen and heard, and how small moments of connection can create lasting impact. At its core, this conversation is about empathy, perspective, and the idea that when we truly listen to one another, we begin to change the narrative. Resources If this episode inspired you, there are meaningful ways to support immigrant communities and turn empathy into action. Eastside Immigrant Families Mutual Aid Fund Support Street Vendors impacted by ICE raids

9. 

   25 Mar 2026

   The Legacy Within: How Generational Courage Shapes Identity and Growth

   What does it mean to carry the legacy of someone who sacrificed everything for your future? In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with entrepreneur and author Justin Breen to explore how one woman’s journey fleeing persecution shaped generations that followed. Justin shares the story of his grandmother, whose strength, resilience, and unwavering love became the foundation for his family’s path forward. That legacy now lives on through his latest book, Epic Journey, a project he describes as a love letter to purpose. But this conversation goes deeper. Together, Elizabeth and Justin reflect on identity, self-discovery, and the idea that many of the challenges we face begin within. They explore what it means to break from conditioning, trust your inner voice, and choose love even when it feels difficult. At its core, this episode is a reminder that the courage of those who came before us lives within us and that healing, growth, and purpose all begin from the inside out. Chapters 00:00 Intro01:00 Meet Justin Breen02:04 Immigration legacy and family roots03:11 A book as a love letter04:12 His grandmother’s story05:18 Sacrifice and generational impact07:57 Self-discovery and purpose10:30 The “no excuses” mindset12:00 Questioning societal conditioning14:30 Following your path15:30 Perspective and choosing positivity18:07 Redefining what it means to serve19:30 Transformation and personal loss20:30 A “broken hearted” world23:00 Self-love and protecting your energy24:00 Awakening and redefining success26:30 Immigration and humanity27:30 Trusting intuition28:30 Understanding purpose30:40 Feeling ahead of your time31:00 Practicing with intention33:42 Following intuition across generations35:30 Healing through love and forgiveness37:00 Choosing love over fear38:36 Rethinking success39:30 A message to his grandmother41:14 Gratitude across generations41:30 Closing Resources If this episode inspired you, explore organizations working to support immigrant communities and expand opportunity. https://lataco.com/donate-non-profits-immigrant-rights

10. 

    11 Mar 2026

    Building the American Dream While Helping Others Build Theirs, with Jimmy Lai

    In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with immigration attorney and law firm founder Jimmy Lai to talk about the courage, uncertainty, and persistence that shaped his journey from Taiwan to Oklahoma. Jimmy shares what it was like to spend a decade in the United States on a student visa, face repeated rejection in the job market, and ultimately create his own opportunity by launching a law firm through the E-2 investor visa. What began as a necessity quickly became a mission to build a business grounded in empathy, service, and opportunity. Their conversation explores immigration, entrepreneurship, identity, and the emotional complexity of building a life in a country that does not always make immigrants feel welcome. Jimmy also reflects on practicing law with empathy, growing a values-driven firm, and why believing in yourself matters most on the hardest days. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:00 Meet Jimmy Lai 02:00 From Taiwan to Oklahoma 03:00 Visa barriers and job rejections 05:14 Why Jimmy chose the E-2 visa 07:12 Family support and sacrifice 09:23 Preparing for the E-2 interview 10:21 Starting a law firm from the ground up 12:30 Learning law and business at once 13:49 Early struggles and shifting mindset 15:34 Growth through abundance thinking 16:30 What immigrants really contribute 18:00 LinkedIn, visibility, and personal brand 20:30 Building a values-driven team 21:00 Boundaries, burnout, and lawyering differently 23:12 Leading with empathy 25:48 Success, happiness, and identity 28:15 Immigration uncertainty under policy shifts 30:30 What home means now 33:08 Vulnerability as connection 35:30 A love letter to immigrants 37:20 Closing Resources If this episode inspired you, explore organizations working to support immigrant communities and expand opportunity. https://organizingokies.org/projects https://linktr.ee/mplsmutualaid

11. 

    25 Feb 2026

    Alex Gertsburg: Resilience, Belonging, and Protecting Your Confidence

    In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with entrepreneur and attorney Alex Gertsburg to explore his journey from Soviet-era Moldova to the United States at just four years old. Alex shares what it meant for his parents to leave everything behind during a brief emigration window for Jewish families in 1979, arriving in Cleveland with nothing but courage and determination. From growing up feeling different to building a successful legal and entrepreneurial career, he reflects on resilience, identity, and the quiet strength immigrant families carry. Together, they discuss assimilation, imposter syndrome, naturalization, America’s shifting immigration climate, and why protecting your confidence may be the most important survival skill of all. This episode is a reminder that immigration is not a headline. It is a human story. Resources I Am an Immigranthttps://iamimmigrant.comA storytelling and advocacy platform amplifying immigrant voices. National Immigration Law Centerhttps://www.nilc.orgAdvances and defends the rights of low-income immigrants through policy and legal advocacy. National Immigration Forumhttps://immigrationforum.orgPromotes inclusive immigration policy and public education initiatives. ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Projecthttps://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rightsProtects immigrants’ civil liberties through litigation and advocacy. Freedom for Immigrantshttps://www.freedomforimmigrants.orgAdvocates to end immigration detention and supports people in detention. Georgia Asylum and Immigration Networkhttps://www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprofit/volunteer/organization.392822-Georgia_Asylum_Immigration_NetworkProvides free immigration legal services and support for immigrant survivors in Georgia. Timecode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and shifting from fear to love02:35 Leaving Moldova during Soviet-era emigration05:00 Starting over in Cleveland08:00 Growing up feeling different13:30 Immigrant parent sacrifice and hustle18:30 The current immigration climate22:00 Immigration law as transformational work24:30 The ripple effect of saving one life29:45 Naturalization and becoming American34:00 History, pendulum swings, and hope36:30 A love letter to immigrant children40:20 Closing reflections

12. 

    11 Feb 2026

    Oleg Karakash: Choosing Gratitude, Creating Possibility, and Beginning Again

    In this episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, Elizabeth Garvish sits down with Oleg Karakash, a Ukrainian immigrant who has been sharing his family’s journey across borders with honesty, warmth, and remarkable perspective. After leaving Ukraine with his wife and two daughters, Oleg reflects on what it means to rebuild life from scratch, arriving in the United States with very little and learning to trust both community and uncertainty. He talks about the people who showed up when his family needed help most, the challenge of navigating temporary immigration status, and the emotional weight of not knowing what comes next. Throughout the conversation, Oleg returns to the idea of gratitude, not just for moments of safety or success, but for loss, disruption, and change. He shares how redefining home as a state of being rather than a physical place has given his family freedom and resilience as they continue to move forward. The episode closes with a Love Letter to an Immigrant, offering encouragement to anyone facing an uncertain future and reminding listeners that even the hardest chapters can open new doors. Chapters 00:00 Immigration is a human story 01:00 Meet Oleg Karkarash 02:33 Leaving Ukraine and choosing safety 05:29 Arriving in the US through Uniting for Ukraine 06:38 Finding community and support in Iowa 09:55 Acts of kindness that made survival possible 12:25 Gratitude as a way of life 16:23 Redefining the meaning of home 20:19 Freedom, perspective, and choice 23:51 Letting life unfold across borders 26:44 A love letter to an immigrant 30:31 Turning empathy into action Resources If this episode resonated with you and you want to turn empathy into action, check out Minneapolis Mutual Aid, a community-based support offering direct aid, resources, and solidarity for immigrants and marginalized communities.

13. 

    11 Feb 2026

    Jenny Feterovich: Leaving Home, Becoming Brave, and Choosing Possibility

    Welcome to the first episode of Love Letters to Immigrants, a storytelling podcast centered on the human side of immigration. Host Elizabeth Garvish sits down with award-winning TV and film producer and entrepreneur Jenny Feterovich, who immigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union as a teenager through Operation Exodus. Jenny shares what it was like to leave home at 13, grow up in the Midwest, navigate discrimination, and take on adult responsibilities far too early. Together, Elizabeth and Jenny explore how immigration reshapes family dynamics, why immigrants are not “addicted to certainty,” and how agility, humility, and courage can become lifelong strengths. The episode closes with a deeply moving Love Letter to an Immigrant, written for the hardest days, when the journey feels unbearable. Chapters 00:00 Immigration is a human story 01:00 Meet Jenny Feterovich 02:46 Leaving the Soviet Union and Operation Exodus 06:53 Arriving in America at 14 08:59 Growing up too fast as an immigrant 12:03 Lessons that shaped Jenny’s life 16:07 Fear, politics, and belonging 25:09 Moments of kindness that mattered 28:57 A love letter to an immigrant 33:36 Turning empathy into action Resources If this episode resonated with you and you want to turn empathy into action, check out ⁠Minneapolis Mutual Aid⁠, a community-based support offering direct aid, resources, and solidarity for immigrants and marginalized communities.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Guest appearances

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