This week’s episode is a special one, as we had our very first guest of the season, Stella Maris, join me. We mainly spoke about life in the diaspora, specifically how we’ve navigated cultural disconnects and the struggle to find real community and friendships. We touched on many aspects, from colorism and imposter syndrome to the stress of adulting and the joy of embracing our roots. It was such a fun conversation to record, and we hope you enjoy listening!

10:57 Navigating Life in the Diaspora

19:26 Cultural Perspectives and Identity

27:23 Embracing Heritage: The Role of Family and Community

28:05 Authenticity vs. Assimilation: The Accent Dilemma

33:10 Colorism and Identity: Navigating Skin Tone in America

37:41 Imposter Syndrome: The Pressure of Representation

40:02 Social Connections: The Struggle to Form Friendships

44:23 Navigating Friendships and Expectations

46:15 Communication and Accountability in Relationships

49:36 The Importance of Mutual Effort in Friendships

51:57 Exploring New Connections and Overcoming Barriers

56:08 Finding Joy in Everyday Life

01:07:14 Lessons Learned in Adulthood

01:07:19 Staying True to Oneself in Adulthood

01:09:34 The Grass is Greener: Living Abroad vs. Home

01:14:47 The Reality of Migration and Loneliness