ORIGINAL PODCAST
Welcome to Beautiful Journey, a powerful and uplifting podcast series presented by FirstGen, a Michelson Philanthropies initiative dedicated to empowering immigrant women through storytelling and programming that facilitates their pathways to success.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
Through the art of storytelling, each month we will present the many different adventures, difficulties, successes, and lessons that these women have encountered throughout their beautiful journey. We will also discuss the phenomenon that despite the isolation and need to reach out for help, female immigrants tend to lean towards their national groups to feel secure and welcome, and this is an attempt to create a safe community. Each story will be as unique as the women being interviewed in order to present a raw and authentic experience for the listener.
Latest Episode
Sylwia Wiesenber, founder of Bawdy Beauty
The Beauty of Entrepreneurship: Sylwia Wiesenberg’s Success Story
In this episode of Beautiful Journey, host Alya Michelson welcomes Sylwia Wiesenberg, a beauty entrepreneur and the founder of BAWDY Beauty, DOPE Naturally, and TONIQUE Fitness.
Sylwia’s story is one of resilience and determination. Born in Poland, she embarked on a global adventure to pursue her college education. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, she built a successful career in finance and advertising before leaving it all behind to create her beauty line.
“We often hear about the challenges immigrant women face. But at Beautiful Journey, we also focus on the hope, the triumphs, and the inspiring moments that define their new life in America.”
EPISODE 2
A Journey of Empowerment: Lola Adeyemo’s Inspiring Story
With Lola Adeyemo
Lola Adeyemo, Founder & CEO of EQImindset
Alya Michelson, Co-Chair of Michelson Philanthropies
MEET THE HOST
Alya brings her classical training, life experiences, and talent to all her creative pursuits, including her newest venture: FirstGen, a storytelling platform that celebrates global citizenship by highlighting how the immigrant experience strengthens the American story. Harkening back to Alya’s journalistic roots, FirstGen celebrates the stories of America’s 23 million immigrant women—famous and unknown, artists and entrepreneurs, innovators and trailblazers.
While every immigrant woman’s story is different, they frequently share common experiences of arrival, integration, and renewal.