Unapologetically First Gen

We made it—one full year of Unapologetically First Gen 🎉
For our anniversary episode, we wanted to do something special (and very on brand): invite family into the conversation.

In this episode, Lesley and Stacy are joined by two of their older cousins, Michelle and Suzete, for an unfiltered, no-outline conversation about immigration, identity, and what it means to grow up first-gen—even within the same family. As some of the oldest cousins on their dad’s side, Michelle and Suzete helped pave the road the rest of us walked on, and their stories r...

In this episode, we slow things down and talk honestly about self-care in times of anger, grief, and nonstop news cycles. We’re not experts, and this isn’t a “just light a candle and you’ll be fine” conversation. It’s a real check-in on what it looks like to take care of ourselves so we can keep showing up.

We share what’s been grounding us lately — from therapy tools and reading fiction again, to leaning into play, silliness, and hobbies that don’t need to be productive or monetized. We also talk about setting boundaries with th...

In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, Stacy walks us through some of the most common — and most harmful — myths about immigrants in the U.S., using research from the International Institute of New England as a starting point.

Lesley reacts in real time, adding personal stories, lived experience, and plenty of righteous anger as we unpack why these myths persist, who they harm, and how dehumanization shows up in policy, media, and everyday conversations.

This episode is heavy but necessary. We talk about immigration backlogs, asylum, crime myths, voting misinformation, economic impa...

Happy New Year… and yes, we’re already tired. 😅 In this 2025 recap episode (recorded January 4), the Braga sisters get honest about a year that felt like the longest 12 months ever — politically, personally, and for the immigrant community at large. We talk about job instability, self-employed health insurance sticker shock, the corporate-to-contractor pipeline, and what it really looks like to build a business while life is life-ing.

We also bring the levity: jury duty stories, appliances dying in dramatic fashion, a very niche drag show (Hanukings!), and a truly unhinged podcast pitch that made us roll our eyes into anot...

In this episode, the Braga sisters sit down with Kayla Guardado—a yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, and somatic curandera—to talk about reclaiming identity, honoring ancestry, and finding rebellion in healing. Kayla shares her journey from Honduras to the U.S., the “be safe, achieve more” mindset so many first-gens inherit, and how grief cracked her heart open and redirected her life’s work. We get into layered healing, why “witchy” is a reclamation, and simple ways to come back to your center when the world feels loud.

We also cover: teaching beyond the classroom, generational joy and generation...

In this feel-good convo, the Braga sisters reflect on how their parents have grown alongside them—from “we don’t talk about that” to warm, boundary-respecting grandparents who queue up pranks and apologies. We talk therapy, boundaries, asking for help, and the cultural shifts that made space for softer relationships. Plus: airport independence (!!), phone-call anxiety is universal, and Dad’s legendary prankster era lives on with a new little pink-loving sidekick.

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In this episode of Unapologetically First Gen, the Braga sisters sit down with actress Maria Timonina — most recently seen on Netflix’s The Gringo Hunters. Maria shares her journey as the daughter of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, growing up in Ohio, studying acting in Boston, and chasing her dream career in Los Angeles.

We talk about family memories, immigrant identity, and what it’s like to navigate being white-presenting but still first-gen in today’s political climate. 

Maria opens up about ICE raids in her community, the emotional toll of speaking out, and why prote...

In this episode, the Braga sisters pick up where we left off—this time diving into the really hush-hush stuff from our childhoods: sex ed, puberty, dating, and using the right names for body parts. 

We talk about awkward school sex-ed memories (hello, “Know Your Body”), the American Girl puberty books, and what it looks like to have age-appropriate conversations with kids today. 

We also get into dating under strict household rules, why secrecy breeds better liars (not safer kids), and how we’re approaching honest conversations about birth control, protection, and internet safety with the next g...

In this episode, the Braga sisters get real about the stuff we didn’t talk about growing up—mental health, anxiety, conflict, and “I love yous.” We share stories from childhood (Friday spelling-test stomachaches, anyone?), how those patterns show up in adulthood, and what it looks like to set boundaries with family and clients. We also talk about gentle parenting (for toddlers and coworkers), why conflict felt “off-limits,” and how we’re trying to raise emotionally literate kids now. Plus: a merch update—limited-run vinyl stickers are here, and mugs are back in stock.

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Lesley and Stacy dive into the human toll of ICE raids and policies—family separation, racial profiling, due-process failures—and how the nonstop news cycle is impacting first-gen communities. From local stories to national headlines, they unpack what’s happening, why it feels so heavy, and where values-driven action fits in. We also talk about job market whiplash, vaccine access, and the empathy gap in policy decisions.

Resources & Take Action

Want to channel your feelings in a productive way? Here are some places to start:

We’re baaaack! In this mid-summer catch-up (recorded July 31) the Braga sisters get real about rest, community, and doing the work without burning out. We talk about summer memories, why we run the show in seasons, and how the nonstop immigration news cycle has felt heavy — especially for first-gens living it. We also share what’s in store for Season 2, unveil our new merch, and invite you to join our email newsletter so you never miss an episode.

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In this season finale of Unapologetically First Gen, we sit down with Lesley’s mother-in-law, Soledad Boyd, for an intimate and unfiltered conversation about coming out later in life, navigating Black and queer identity, and what it really means to live unapologetically.

We talk about:

In this episode, we’re joined by a very special guest—our cousin, Romeu Bairos, a Portuguese musician, actor, and performer known for traditional Azorean music. 

We talk about:

We also get into deeper themes around nationalism, safety as an immigrant in the U.S...

In this heartfelt, slightly chaotic, and very first-gen episode, Stacy and Lesley reflect on their first season of Unapologetically First Gen—what they’ve learned, how podcasting has unexpectedly deepened their connection with family, and the feedback that’s made them cry (in a good way). What starts as a light episode takes a powerful turn as they dive into the emotional weight of being first-generation, growing up as unofficial translators, and the fear immigrant communities are facing today.

From childhood memories and moon cycle superstitions to the heartbreak of ICE raids and political uncertainty, this episode is a r...

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: