Immigrant Identity & Belonging: Serena Arora on Family History and “Immi-Grit”

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Unbound author Serena Arora to explore identity, immigration and the generational stories that shape who we become. Serena shares her parents’ extraordinary journeys. Her father’s escape from Peshawar during the partition of India and Pakistan, and her mother’s families flight from China to Malaysia avoiding the painful tradition of foot binding like her great-grandmother.

As a mixed-race daughter of immigrants, born in Canada, Serena opens up about navigating cultural dissonance, belonging and what she calls “immi-grit” and “immi-guilt.” We dive into the emotional complexities of growing up between cultures, the loss of innocence and the universal struggle of facing discomfort and change.

Serena also discusses how yoga and Ayurvedic practices have guided her life, offering a path toward healing, balance and self-understanding after decades of study.

Whether you’re an immigrant or not, this conversation will resonate. At its core, it’s about identity, resilience and the shared human experience of finding your place in the world.

Music we mention:

Edith Piaf - Non, Je ne regrette rien

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