Unapologetically First Gen

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, we’re talking about relationships—and specifically what it’s like to grow up in a culture where marriage is expected early, only to end up married to Americans in very different ways.

Lesley shares a personal story most people don’t know: she got married at 18 to a Portuguese boy—and divorced by 20. We talk about the pressure to settle down young, the gender roles we grew up with, and the kind of relationships we saw modeled in our community.

We also reflect on how marrying outside our cultur...

This week, Lesley & Stacy are diving into the cultural quirks and beliefs that stuck with us long after childhood - aka, all the superstitions we inherited (and maybe still follow). From the iconic Portuguese rooster to the deep-rooted fear of catching a cold from… wet hair?? Yep, we’re unpacking it all.

We talk:

Sprinkled in...

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, we sit down with our friend Isaac Lungu who shares what it’s been like to move through the world as a perpetual immigrant—from Botswana to several U.S. states, and now Canada.

Isaac talks about the layers of identity he’s had to navigate as someone who grew up African, became “Black” in America, and now raises his kid in a third culture. We explore how systemic issues—from racism to healthcare to capitalism—intertwine with personal experience, and what it means to stay rooted when home is constantly shi...

In the second half of their conversation on hustle culture, Lesley and Stacy go deeper into what it actually looks like to unlearn the first-gen overachiever mindset in real life.

From letting the dishes sit in the sink to resisting the urge to say yes to every opportunity, this episode unpacks the guilt that comes with rest—and the intentional choices it takes to create a slower, values-aligned life.

You’ll hear stories about:

In this two-part series, Stacy and Lesley dive deep into the first gen overachiever syndrome—also known as hustle culture, survival mode, or doing-the-most disorder. In part one, they reflect on their college years packed with jobs, volunteer work, and academic overload, and trace those habits back to childhood expectations around rest, success, and self-worth.

They also unpack how that hustle mentality shows up in parenting, housekeeping, and even reading for fun (yes, really). You’ll hear about generational shifts—from grandma’s “let the dishes sit” mindset to breaking up with the myth of “having it all at the sam...

This week on Unapologetically First Gen, we’re diving into the funny, frustrating, and sometimes embarrassing moments that come with being bilingual.

From accidentally telling people we're "constipated" when we mean congested to struggling with vocabulary around politics, shaving cream, or whether it’s a cup or a glass of water… this episode is for anyone who’s ever had a word get stuck between two languages.

We also talk about the cultural weight of language—how it shows up in our dreams, how it shapes who we feel fluent with, and why describing our work in Po...

This week, we’re talking malasadas, sweetbread, and soup that could bring you to tears. But like most of our episodes — it’s not really about the food. It’s about memory, identity, and what gets passed down.

We reflect on what it means to preserve cultural traditions when you’ve moved away from the language, the religion, or the neighborhood that shaped them. From our mother’s baking to finding joy in overpriced cereal, this episode is full of stories that will hit home for any first-gen kid trying to keep their culture alive — one recipe (or failed vegg...

In this special episode of Unapologetically First Gen, we welcome our very first guest: Remy (yes, just Remy), a creative entrepreneur, twice-over immigrant, and founder of the video editing agency Remy B Reel. Born in Haiti, raised in the U.S., and now living in Ethiopia with his family, Remy shares his incredible journey of navigating life between continents, cultures, and identities.

Remy's story is a powerful reflection on resilience, intention, and living unapologetically. We get into what it’s like to parent abroad, the difference between being an immigrant vs. an expat, and why building a sl...

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, sisters Stacy and Lesley Braga dive into their experiences with education as first-generation college students. They reflect on their early schooling in a bilingual Portuguese-English program, the challenges of transitioning into an English-only environment, and the impact of being the first in their family to navigate higher education.

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In this episode, sisters Lesley and Stacy Braga break down the family dynamics, from sleepovers and road trips to childhood conspiracies and the ever-growing cousin network. They share hilarious stories (including an infamous toothpaste incident), how family bonds shift over time, and the unique experience of growing up in a massive, close-knit immigrant family.

📩 DM us on social media—how many first cousins do you have? What’s your funniest cousin memory?

📸 Check out our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, including a glimpse of the infamous house from the toothpaste incident!

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, Stacy takes us on a journey through her recent trip to the Azores, marking her first time visiting without "the grown-ups." From driving for the first time on the curvy, cliffside roads to navigating the islands’ taxi system, Stacy shares her experiences, challenges, and personal growth throughout the trip.

We dive into the deep emotions of reconnecting with family, the nostalgia of visiting, and the stark contrasts between life in the Azores and the U.S. This episode also explores the slower pace of island life, th...

Episode Summary:

After launching our first episode, we got some great feedback on the term "first-generation." In this episode, we're diving into the differences between first-generation American and first-generation immigrant, how we define our own identities, and why language matters.

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Episode Title: How we Got Here

Hosts: Stacy Braga & Lesley Braga

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, sisters Stacy and Lesley dive into their Azorean heritage, sharing personal stories of growing up as first-generation immigrants from the Azores, a set of nine small islands in the middle of the Atlantic. They explore the unique customs, history, and immigration patterns of the Azorean people, along with heartfelt and humorous anecdotes from their own family’s journey.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Welcome to the very first episode of Unapologetically First Gen! 🎉 In this podcast, we—two sisters, Stacy and Lesley—share what it’s like to grow up as first-generation immigrants. From hilarious childhood moments to deeply personal reflections, we’re here to celebrate the first-gen experience in all its complexity.

In This Episode: