In late 2023, Dr. Elizabeth Aranda, a professor in the USF College of Arts and Sciences Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and director of the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center, set out to host thought-leaders and scholars for a monthly podcast that seeks to inform the public about how policies and community organizations can solve the most pressing problems facing im/migrant communities.
Aranda, whose research background addresses migrants' emotional well-being and how they adapt to challenges posed by racial and ethnic inequalities, legal status, and other challenges associated with adaptation in a new place, said that hosting a podcast that would be accessible to broader audiences that might be impacted by public policy was deeply important.
Dr. Heide Castañeda shares her insights and expertise on SB1718 during podcast recording. (Photo by Corey Lepak)
“The goal of the podcast is to present to the public the latest research on important issues regarding immigration in clear, no jargon, language. The reason I started it is because I feel there is a lot of great, high-quality research out there that could both inform the public and policymakers on current immigration issues, but that research isn’t necessarily reaching these audiences,” Aranda said.
“So much of our knowledge is shaped by soundbites from the media without getting a comprehensive understanding of what life is like for immigrants, and how research can lead to real policy solutions to solve the problems with our current immigration system,” she continued.
“By being exposed to thoughtful discussions about issues related to immigration and immigrant life, my hope is that people can apply this information to what they see in the news and acquire a better understanding of immigration issues.”
To date, the podcast has three episodes, and features several experts, including:
Episode 1 – “Effects of SB 1718 on Florida's Im/migrant Communities”
Nanci Palacios, Deputy Director of Faith in Florida
Dr. Heide Castañeda, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida
Episode 2 – “Impact of Detention and Electronic Monitoring on Immigrant Children’s Well-Being”
Dr. Caitlin Patler, Associate Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley
Dr. Mirian Martinez-Aranda, Assistant Professor of Sociology at UC Irvine
Episode 3 – “Revamping Asylum”
Theresa Cardinal Brown, Senior Advisor of Immigration and Border Policy, Bipartisan
Policy Center
Cecilia Menjívar, Dorothy L. Meier Chair and Professor of Sociology, UCLA
Aranda shared that in the latest episode, released the week of January 22nd, she and the visiting guest experts hoped to be able to provide some clarity on the ongoing debate surrounding asylum in the U.S.
“We have only taped three episodes so far, nonetheless, I would have to point to the latest episode that we recorded, because it really unpacks issues with our current asylum system, which is incredibly complicated,” she said. “Yet, through my conversation with two experts on the system, I feel like it was able to demystify a bit about the current debates ongoing in Congress about revamping the asylum system.”
“Im/migrant Lives” episodes 1-3 are now streaming on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and RSS. New podcasts are released monthly.