As an adult with immigrant parents, you may feel lonely, overwhelmed, and like you’re failing your parents, even when you’re doing everything you can. In this episode of Empowered With Immigrant Parents, Allison Ly breaks down the invisible roles many second-generation adults carry, from being the interpreter and problem solver to holding the emotional weight of family expectations. She explains why setting boundaries with immigrant parents feels so hard and how ignoring your own needs can lead to burnout, resentment, and emotional distance. Through personal stories and real examples, Allison shares how two truths can exist at once, allowing you to honor your parents while advocating for yourself without guilt. This episode offers practical insight and support for adult children of immigrants who want healthier relationships, clearer communication, and a life that doesn’t require self-sacrifice.

How do I feel more understood by the people closest to me? If you grew up in an immigrant household where speaking up felt uncomfortable or where your needs were not the focus, it makes sense that expressing yourself today feels hard. When we never got to practice choosing, sharing, or even noticing what we want, it becomes really difficult for others to understand us. I talk about the difference between being heard and being understood, why decision making can feel stressful for adults with immigrant parents, and what it looks like to slowly build the skill of naming your needs. I also offer a few simple everyday examples to help you notice where this shows up in your daily life and how you can begin shifting it. This conversation is for anyone who wants to feel more connected, more seen, and more confident in their relationships. If you have ever wondered why it feels so hard to explain what you need, this episode will help you understand where that comes from and what you can start practicing today.

If you grew up with immigrant parents, you probably learned early on that being “good” was never enough. You had to be perfect.
You had to be grateful. You had to stay safe.
And you had to hold it all together while making everyone proud.

In this episode, we break down what perfectionism really looks like for adults with immigrant parents and why it often shows up as survival rather than ambition. I sit down with camera operator and second generation Cambodian Chinese American creative, Chris Oeurn, to talk about how she breaks through perfection, pressure, and imposter syndrome while building a career in a male dominated industry.

Chris brings a rare, behind the scenes look at what it means to navigate creative work, self doubt, cultural expectations, and inherited trauma all at the same time. Her story is powerful, relatable, and full of insights that will help you rethink how you talk to yourself when the pressure feels heavy.

Whether you struggle with feeling “not good enough,” overworking, constant self critique, or carrying your family’s sacrifices on your back, this episode is going to hit home.

I co-host this epsiode with Curtis Chinn from the Infatuasian Podcast: Author Jamie Jo Hoang explore the Vietnamese American experience through the eyes of American-born teenagers and their refugee parents. They are fictional, but history "adjacent" for many children of immigrants.

In this episode of Empowered with Immigrant Parents, Allison Ly shares how a simple mindset shift can help you feel more in control—even during frustrating or unpredictable moments. She walks through a real-life example of turning an inconvenient errand into a peaceful, fulfilling day using intentional thought work and emotional preparation. Listeners will learn how to reframe negative thinking, set boundaries with themselves, and choose how they want to show up—no matter the circumstance. This episode offers empowering strategies for adults with immigrant parents who want to reclaim their time, energy, and sense of agency.

Allison Ly shares 3 powerful mindset shifts to help adults with immigrant parents take up more space without guilt. Learn how to challenge thoughts like “I should just be grateful,” “I’m asking for too much,” and “What will people think?” so you can advocate for yourself, set boundaries, and feel more confident in your relationships and decisions.

Taking up space isn’t always easy — especially for adults with immigrant parents. In this post, Allison Ly uncovers how cultural barriers, language struggles, and generational expectations impact self-advocacy. Walk away with deeper insight and a reflection to help you take up more space in your life.

Allison Ly breaks down what boundaries really are—and why they’re not as simple (or selfish) as they might seem. From everyday moments like lending a favorite sweater to navigating deeper family dynamics, especially with immigrant parents, she explores how boundaries evolve, why they feel uncomfortable, and how you can start setting them with more clarity and compassion.