Episodes

  • My Audacious Grandfather

    My Audacious Grandfather
    Jun 2 2025
    Erica Naito-Campbell, the author of Portland’s Audacious Champion: How Bill Naito Overcame Anti-Japanese Hate and Became an Intrepid Civic Leader in conversation with Eliza Canty Jones– chief program officer at the Oregon Historical Society and editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly. Erica speaks about her grandfather’s influence and legacy in Portland, yes, but also about his lesser known story–the trauma and racism he experienced during WWII and how he carried that through his life, how it propelled him to great action. In exploring his story, Erica gains a deeper understanding of her beloved grandfather–the public figure and the private man– and his history. But ultimately she gains a greater understanding of herself, what she wants for future generations, and what she hopes for Portland now. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was hosted, produced and edited by Meg Ritter. Storyboard was edited by Fran Silverman with audio post production by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by our executive producer, Sankar Raman, in October of 2024. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is made possible by the generous support by the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts. For more information about Portland’s Audacious Champion: How Bill Naito Overcame Anti-Japanese Hate and Became an Intrepid Civic Leader, please vist: https://osupress.oregonstate.edu/book/portlands-audacious-champion
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    48 mins
  • I learned a lot about how to survive

    I learned a lot about how to survive
    Apr 30 2025
    When Thao Nguyen was born in Vietnam, she was seen as an outsider. The daughter of a Vietnamese woman and an African-American soldier, she was considered an American in her own country. When she immigrated to the United States in the 1990s, it offered a promise of belonging and a fresh start. But on a summer day in Oregon, her life took a turn she could have never imagined. This episode of Many Roads to Here traces Thao’s powerful journey—one shaped by resilience, identity, and a search for home. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced and edited by Kate Mishkin, with post-production by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Raman in the fall of 2024 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon. Released on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, this story is part of a special series highlighting the voices and experiences of Asian Americans. It was made possible through the generous support of Anne Naito-Campbell and the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition. Learn more at: oregonrisesabovehate.com For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, tune in at prp.fm, or stream Many Roads to Here wherever you get your podcasts.
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    24 mins
  • What Color is Freedom

    What Color is Freedom
    Mar 31 2025
    TK grew up an exile in his own home country of Rhodesia. Under white minority rule, Black people weren’t allowed in certain schools or movie theaters and it could even be dangerous to be out after dark. When Robert Mugabe came to power with promises of freedom and equality, it was cause for celebration nation-wide. But the peace and freedom he promised turned into a dangerous and corrupt system. To find safety, TK would need to give up his successful law career and start over, in a brand new country, in a brand new life. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced, edited and hosted by Selene Ross. Audio post-production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Ramanin the fall of 2023. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution from the Zidell Family Foundation. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.
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    27 mins
  • The Courage to Begin Again

    The Courage to Begin Again
    Feb 27 2025
    Mohsin Jamal is a quick learner. It was an essential survival skill for a young child from Afghanistan’s Hazara minority, a persecuted ethnic group for whom decades of military occupation, war, and political infighting had uniquely high stakes. But thanks to a mind that was quick with numbers and hands gifted at weaving, Mohsin fled and survived war more than once, journeying through Afghanistan and Pakistan, and finally building a life in Portland. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was was produced, edited and hosted by Haleema Shah. Audio post-production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Raman in the fall of 2024. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton for the use of their space to record the interview. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans. in a climate of Anti-Asian rhetoric and increasing violence. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell. To learn more about the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition, please visit https://oregonrisesabovehate.com. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.
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    25 mins
  • Valley of War with no Peace

    Valley of War with no Peace
    Jan 23 2025
    Fifteen year-olds can be… a lot. It’s often when a rebellious streak first emerges, when a kid might start sneaking out, breaking curfew or perhaps, skipping school and lying about their age to become an interpreter for the American soldiers occupying your hometown in Afghanistan. Or at least that’s what being a teenager was like for Nasirullah Safi, who grew up in the Kunar Valley between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a land plagued by constant conflict and war. But guided by the advice of his father and the dreams of his mother, he left Kunar and found his way to another valley: the Willamette. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced, edited and hosted by Selene Ross. Audio post-production done by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Raman in the fall of 2023. Many thanks to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for the use of their space. This episode is a part of a series exploring the stories and experiences of Asian Americans. It is produced as part of the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell. To learn more about the Oregon Rises Above Hate Coalition, please visit https://oregonrisesabovehate.com. For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.
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    30 mins
  • It Takes a Yes from One Person

    It Takes a Yes from One Person
    Jul 21 2024
    This episode brings together two remarkable women, both public servants. Sophorn Cheang is the director of Business Oregon, the economic development agency for the state of Oregon. Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie is the director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement for the state. They’ve worked together throughout their careers, and their relationship is one of friendship and mutual respect. They spoke about what it feels like to finally be inside the halls of power, with the opportunity to make a difference. Together they reflected on the promises and struggles of serving in government, got real about how immigration policy has advanced and stalled over time, and wondered how to involve the community in public policy decisions. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced and edited by Caitlin Dwyer Young, with post production by Gregg Palmer. Our Executive producer is the Sankar Raman. Thank you to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon for letting us use their space to record. And a huge thank you to Toc and Sophorn for the generosity of their time. This episode is produced as a part of Oregon Rises Against Hate coalition, and made possible by a generous contribution by Anne Naito-Campbell. For more stories, visit The Immigrant Story website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.
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    46 mins
  • Life is a Work in Progress

    Life is a Work in Progress
    Jun 6 2024
    What does a mental health journey look like? How can art, music, and therapy bring us to better self understanding and self love? In this episode, Portland Community College student Jose Perez Salazar interviews Joaquin Lopez, one of the creative laureates of Portland, Oregon. They discuss the healing power of art, what it means to listen to your parents’ music, and how Lopez found meaning in staging and singing Latino gay stories. This is our first conversation co-produced by a first-generation student. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. Many thanks to Jose Perez Salazar for co-producing this episode with me. And huge thanks to Joaquin for this conversation, and for his beautiful music. This episode was recorded at Portland Community College and generously funded by the Zidell Family Foundation. Gregg Palmer did our post production. Music was composed and performed by Joaquin Lopez. Our executive producer is the undeniable Sankar Raman. For more stories, visit our website, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.
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    35 mins
  • The Immigrant Story Live Podcast II

    The Immigrant Story Live Podcast II
    May 17 2024
    Welcome to The Immigrant Story Live, where we feature stories from the stage. In each episode of this new series we weave together three stories that were originallyperformed at an Immigrant Story Live Event. For episode two of this series, you’ll hear from three storytellers — Ghassan Bin Hammam, Rama Youssef, and Meghna Damani – who each found themselves trapped in situations they never could have expected. A warning to our listening, this episode contains descriptions of violence and suicidal ideation, so please take care while listening. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced by Degen Larkin. Audio editing was done by Gregg Palmer. Music was sourced from Soundstripe. Graphics for this episode were designed by Jacqueline Pagano. Our executive producer is Sankar Raman. Many thanks to Alton Takiyama-Chung and Nancy Dollahite for coaching our fabulous storytellers. This episode is made possible by a generous contribution by the Zidell Family Foundation. To view the films Meghna Damani discusses in today’s episode you can visit her website https://www.meghnadamani.com or follow her on instagram @megdamani For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, listen live at prp.fm, or stream us wherever you get your podcasts.
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    49 mins