Yan Yu: Coming to America

After a quarter century in the United States, sociology professor Yan Yu shares her secrets about culture, education, friendship, and belonging.

Nkechy Ezeh: The Critical Importance of Early Childhood Education

After moving to the U.S. from Nigeria, Nkechy Ezeh battled the relentless snows of her adopted Michigan and the seeming coldness of the American don't-just-drop-in culture. However, a far greater shock awaited her: learning that despite its wealth of knowledge about early childhood development, Americans weren't applying it to educate the children of our most marginalized families. Listen as an award-winning educator talks about equity in education and her brainchild, the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative.

Jorge Gonzalez: Community Connector

Jorge Gonzalez is a community connector.  Born in Michigan to immigrant parents, he spent part of his youth in Mexico and part in the Grand Rapids Public Schools.  With a background in banking and community development, he is the perfect choice to lead the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce into its next phase of growth. Join us as he talks about the power of education and the need for all citizens to be culturally competent in today's marketplace.

Ning Liu: Defying Expectations, Living Authentically

“How do I buck the expectations of my parents and a billion people back home?” Chinese students in the U.S. ask this question this every day. “Do I listen to the counsel of my family, as tradition dictates? Or do I follow the passions of my heart?” Creative business strategist Ning Liu talks about her life journey in the context of this cultural conundrum.

Ray Nadda: Pet Entrepreneur

Lebanese-born Ray Nadda moved to the U.S. for college, stayed, and became a U.S. citizen. He worked in corporate America for two decades before learning he was better off calling his own shots. The owner of Wash 'n Wags pet grooming salons shares his thoughts about work, culture, and being a transplant.

Carlos Pava: Voices for Health

What would you do if you became ill in a country where you didn't speak the language? Fortunately for thousands of patients in the U.S., this is the very issue that Carlos Pava concerns himself with. As Vice President for Voices for Health, Carlos supplies interpreters to hospitals so that patients can receive care in their first language when it matters the most--in a medical crisis. Join us as we explore the medical side of language and culture!

Anthony Chang: Plumber, Black Belt, & Researcher

Joining Alan in the studio is cancer researcher Anthony Chang.  Curious since his elementary school days, Anthony tells of his love for learning: from plumbing systems to martial arts.  What makes this medical physicist passionate about his life in the U.S.?  Creating micron-scale views of cancer tissue and sharing this pursuit of knowledge with his American students.

Kyle Lim: Hapa Ever After

In his coming to the U.S. to study international development, a Singaporean begins to examine the deep personal issues of race, identity, and belonging. Listen as Kyle Lim discusses his own biracial background in the context of race and place in the United States.

Susan Im: 2nd-Generation Korean American

Susan Im rejoins Alan in the studio, this time to talk about growing up second-generation Korean American in rural Michigan.  She shares her newfound awareness of race, racism, and her own ethnic identity, which solidifies after the bludgeoning murder of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American mistaken for Japanese by unemployed auto workers in the 1970s.

Antoine Dubeauclard: Trans-Atlantic Innovator

Antoine Dubeauclard, Renaissance man, moved in his childhood with his family to the United States.  There, he learned to speak fluently his third language (English), graduated from college (University of Michigan), and started a thriving business (Media Genesis) in Metro Detroit.  In his spare time, Antoine brews craft beer in his home, does paintings on wood, and creates photography in black and white.  He shares with Alan his thoughts on creativity and culture. 

Veronica Ramirez: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Veronica Ramirez joins us to talk about doing business in the Hispanic community in West Michigan.  We cover business misconceptions, cultural hurdles, and the need for education-including the Dreamer generation.

Reyna Grande: Award-Winning Author

The youngest of three children, Reyna Grande was born into poverty in Iguala, Mexico and raised through early childhood by her grandparents after her parents immigrated illegally into the United States in search of work to feed their family.  Her coming-of-age story will inspire all of us who identify with the underdog who doesn't give up.  Join us as we talk with the plucky young woman who went on to become an American citizen, mother of two, and award-winning author.

Birgit Klohs: Economic Development Officer

How serendipity can shape a person's career: Alan interviews German-born Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place.