Area 51
Rahul Menon & Sanjay Krishna
It's just immigration, it's not rocket science, or is it? If you're a visa / “temporary” status holder in the US and have often found that it was easier navigating through the politics of Game of Thrones than understand the US immigration system, you're not alone. In this podcast, we aim to talk about the problems we face as immigrants here. The way we see it, we're all in for a long 20+ year long (some even up to 436 years!) rollercoaster ride waiting for our Green Cards, dealing with the dizzying highs of getting approved visas to the stomach-dropping lows of dealing with government bureaucracy and 221g’s. Add in a few more flavors such as Trump, COVID-19, layoffs and recessions to this quagmire of a maze, and we may as well be living the Hunger Games in pursuit of permanent residency in the US. We realized early on that whining about this situation can only get us so far. The more we educate ourselves and others about the system, the better armed we are to beat the system. And if we can all have a few laughs along the way, we might just be able to make process a little more fun.
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Top 10 Area 51 Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Area 51 episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Area 51 for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Area 51 episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
03/21/23 • 68 min
The term alien is used to describe any person not a citizen or national of the United States. Very welcoming right. We have all felt outrage being called an alien at some point during our stay here. One person actually decided to do something about it. In this episode, we are joined by filmmaker Vidyut Latay to talk about her feature documentary film, Alien. Directed by someone who has first hand experience in navigating the immigration system, Alien exposes the human toll of America's dependence on high-skilled legal immigrants. With the tech layoffs and a broken immigration system looming over our heads, there could not have been a better time for someone to showcase the plight of the community.
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
06/19/24 • 51 min
One of the biggest impediments in moving to Canada is the stress of finding a new job. What if you could have the best of both worlds? What if you could work for your US employer and still enjoy the immigration freedom Canada has to offer? Sounds too good to be true right? Apparently not.
In today's episode, we are joined by Marc Pavlopoulos, the founder of Syndesus. Being a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Marc has seen first hand the negative impact that the H-1B lottery system has on the STEM talent in the country. Companies scramble to find alternative options when their employees have been unsuccessful in their 3rd and final attempt at the lottery for the coveted work visa. Having the unique advantage of understanding the Canadian Immigration system, he immediately saw a solution that would help companies retain their talent and as a result Syndesus was born. By partnering with the employee's existing employer, Syndesus is able to relocate the employee to Canada on a work permit becoming the link between the employee and their existing employer.
Tune in to hear about Marc's early days in Silicon Valley and his passion for leveraging tech to solve problems. You'll walk away understanding how Syndesus works and how this is a great option to pursue if you're considering a transition to Canada. At the end of the episode Marc has a discount for all Area 51 podcast listeners. If you ever choose to work with Syndesus in the future, this is definitely something to take advantage of!
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
The Terminal
Area 51
09/19/23 • 80 min
A month ago, around 21 Indian students were detained on arrival, interrogated and deported back to India. What started off as a journey filled with hope, excitement and an opportunity to chase the coveted American dream ended as a nightmare as they were detained, interrogated and deported back to India banned from any further travel to US. Many of those students had sacrificed much to make it to that point and had nothing to show for it. Manisha and Balaji were two of those students. In this episode, they walk Rahul, Sanjay and Jon Wasden through their traumatic journey. Even though they've been to hell and back, they are determined to correct the injustice they've faced and raise awareness on this issue.
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
O Canada, Can You Let Me In?
Area 51
05/31/24 • 63 min
Often considered a consolation prize for those facing immigration issues, Canada has always been a topic of discussion for visa holders in America. In today's episode, we are joined by Sindhu Mahadevan to better understand the Canadian immigration landscape. Creator of the immigration newsletter 'This Immigrant Life', Sindhu is a 'US dropout' who has lived in both US & Canada. Due to this first hand experience, Sindhu has a unique perspective on the immigration systems in both the countries.
Join us as we delve into the intricacies of the Canadian immigration system and how they differ from their US counterparts. Whether you're considering a move to Canada or just curious about the process, this episode will provide you with valuable information and practical advice. Discover if Canada might be the ideal place for your new start or if it's better for you to continue living in America.
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
12/12/23 • 72 min
In today’s episode, we welcome Hemant Gangolia the founder of iNRI. Hemant is an immigrant entrepreneur who has faced his fair share of obstacles on the path to success. Rather than give in to these setbacks, he used them as stepping stones to propel himself forward. With a dream to democratize access to one of the fastest growing economies, he embarked on a mission to create iNRI, an investment platform that allows Indian expats to invest in Indian index and debt funds.
Join us as we trace Hemant’s journey through IIT, IIM, Mckinsey, Walmart, Meta, YCombinator and the US immigration system. For an immigrant entrepreneur there is a treasure trove of information as Hemant details how he launched his company while being on a dependent visa in America. If you’re interested in generating passive income, tune into the episode to understand more about iNRI.
At the end of the episode, Hemant has a giveaway for all the listeners. If you’d like to take advantage of the giveaway, reach out to us at [email protected].
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
Immigration Voice
Area 51
01/28/25 • 85 min
In today's episode we dive deep into the world of immigration advocacy with Adnan Zafar from Immigration Voice. Ever since it was created 19 years ago, IV has been leading from the front and standing up for issues faced by immigrants in America.
In an unprecedented and rare media engagement, this episode offers listeners an exclusive, unfiltered glimpse into Immigration Voice's inner workings. Breaking their long-standing tradition of media reticence, Adnan candidly shares the untold story of their relentless advocacy—revealing the strategic challenges they've confronted, the sacrifices made by their team, and their successes such has securing H4-EAD for spouses which has made them the champion of visa holders in America. This intimate conversation promises to demystify the organization's approach, shed light on their behind-the-scenes struggles, and provide a rare, in-depth understanding of their mission to create systemic change in U.S. immigration policy.
Immigration Voice's candid revelations not only illuminate the complex path to professional and personal stability in America but also serve as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of organized advocacy. This episode is more than just an interview—it's a pivotal moment of visibility, understanding, and collective aspiration for a more just immigration landscape.
Support Immigration Voice: https://immigrationvoice.org/
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If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
The Brooklyn Curry Project
Area 51
05/03/24 • 50 min
As an Indian immigrant in America, one thing we all miss is the food back home. We've felt it and we're sure all of you have as well. Have we done anything about it? Probably not!
In today's episode, we are joined by the founders of the Brooklyn Curry Project, Swetha and Venkat , two immigrants from Bangalore, India, whose shared love for traditional Indian cuisine sparked a business that has taken the New York food scene by storm. In this episode, we dive into their story, exploring how a lemonade stand transitioned to a South Indian food stall , turning their passion for food into a successful venture. From supporting Indian farmers to building a strong community of dosa lovers, Brooklyn Curry Project has done it all.
Tune in to hear about the Brooklyn Curry Project's rise to fame, their awesome community and what the future holds for this dynamic couple. It's an episode filled with heart, flavor, and inspiration you won't want to miss!
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
No Suits
Area 51
04/09/24 • 71 min
In today's episode, we are joined by John Moye, one of the founders of Pro Se Pro to talk about their game changing tool in the fight against immigration delays. Developed by attorney Brad Banias and technologists John Moye and Andrew Steinmeyer, Pro Se Pro is a revolutionary tool that provides immigrants with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to file lawsuits against the government for unreasonable processing times. Through Pro se Pro, immigrants can assert their rights and demand accountability from immigration authorities, paving the way for a more transparent and efficient system.
Tune in as John explains the reason behind starting Pro Se Pro and walks us through the different services they offer and their goal of empowering immigrants through their tool. At the end of the episode, John has a giveaway for all the listeners. If you'd like to avail their services, use the code AREA51 to take advantage of the discount they are offering the Area 51 podcast listeners!
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
03/02/24 • 47 min
The immigration backlog is something that has deeply impacted every Indian immigrant’s life in America. We have all complained about it numerous times and have pretty much given up hope for any change. That’s what makes Anuj different. In today’s episode we sit down with Anuj Christian, the dynamic force behind a nationwide campaign for immigration reform. Anuj shares his remarkable story of traversing all 50 states of America in his peaceful advocacy for Immigration reform. From grassroot initiatives to community mobilization, Anuj’s tireless efforts are driving real change, one state at a time. Tune in as we explore Anuj’s incredible journey and his fight for social justice.
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
The Phantom H-1B Menace
Area 51
08/14/23 • 50 min
In a galaxy not so far away, the stories of Indian immigrants in America intersect with a pressing issue that could be straight out of a Star Wars plotline. Join us in Area 51's latest episode as we delve into the intricate web of work visas, FDNS site visits, data collection and fraud findings, guided by a seasoned immigration attorney, Jonathan Wasden who is nothing short of a Jedi in the realm of law.
Jon takes us on a journey starting from his days as an attorney for the government to fighting for Indian Immigrants and their rights. Tune in as we dive headfirst into understanding immigrant data gathering, voluntary immigration exercises, multiple H-1B registrations, lawsuits against the government while raising thought-provoking questions about privacy, rights and other hurdles in the quest for the Indian American dream.
May the force be with you (You're going to need it...)
If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
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FAQ
How many episodes does Area 51 have?
Area 51 currently has 21 episodes available.
What topics does Area 51 cover?
The podcast is about Immigration, Aliens, Society & Culture, Humor, Comedy, Podcasts and Usa.
What is the most popular episode on Area 51?
The episode title 'O Canada, Can You Let Me In?' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Area 51?
The average episode length on Area 51 is 56 minutes.
How often are episodes of Area 51 released?
Episodes of Area 51 are typically released every 35 days, 13 hours.
When was the first episode of Area 51?
The first episode of Area 51 was released on Dec 17, 2022.
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