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feel like you belong

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feel like you belong

sharing the life stories of immigrants, expatriates, and refugees to the United States

Television Show

Feel Like You Belong TV is your source for real stories about the real people we call migrants. They may be the seasonal workers who traverse the country picking our daily produce.* They may be the expatriates who come on temporary assignment for their multinational companies. Or they may be the intrepid** souls who have committed to calling these United States their new homeland.

People have been migrating since time immemorial.*** They have moved for safety from earthquakes and drought. From war and disease. From persecution and economic hardship. They have the same characteristics as our immigrant forebears who gave up the familiarity and comfort of home in order to take risks and build a better life.

Join us here every week with these heroic storytellers and learn about what it is that still makes America a destination for entrepreneurs and risk-takers. The people who moved themselves and their families across deserts and oceans. People who add to each new generation’s vibrancy**** and can-do spirit. Welcome to Feel Like You Belong. 

feel like you belong

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    • About "Whadja Say?"
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  • Contact/
December 31, 2019

Rosine Hounakey: Surviving Human Trafficking

December 31, 2019/ Alan Headbloom

At age 13, Rosine Hounakey was trafficked to work in hair-braiding salons in the United States. Listen to one plucky young woman's story about a sad reality in too many American cities and the courage to rise above such abuse.

December 31, 2019/ Alan Headbloom/
Rosine Hounakey, FLYB, human trafficking, Togo, United States, hair-braiding, Bethany Christian Services, Feel Like You Belong, Alan Headbloom

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

March 11, 2016

Terence Reuben: Running Inspired

March 11, 2016/ Alan Headbloom

Terence Reuben discusses discrimination and racial segregation growing up in Durban, South Africa. Rising above his Apartheid roots, he earned a physical therapy degree and landed a career an ocean away. At Metro Health Hospital, therapist Reuben helps patients recover from injuries. On weekends, triathlete Reuben pushes wheelchair "captains" over marathon courses and across finish lines.

March 11, 2016/ Alan Headbloom/
Feel Like You Belong, Alan Headbloom, interview, Terence Reuben, United States, South Africa, India, Indians, Grand Rapids, West Michigan, myTeam Triumph, Metro Health Sports Medicine, Apartheid, Enclaves, Segregation, Afrikaners, Durban, Indian Ocean, Separation, Working Class, Physical Therapy, Europe, Netherlands, Integration, Athlete, Triathlon, Disabilities, Portuguese, Immigrant, Grand Rapids Marathon

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

March 04, 2016

Nate Krische: Breaking Down the "Illegal" Stereotype

March 04, 2016/ Alan Headbloom

Americans have said it so long, it approaches cliché: "The U.S. is the land of opportunity."  However, this still rings true for thousands of newcomers every year, including Guatemalan-born Natanael Krische.  Listen to the story of 18-year-old "Nate" who entered illegally and worked hard to became a citizen, small business owner, and pillar in his West Michigan community.

March 04, 2016/ Alan Headbloom/
Feel Like You Belong, Alan Headbloom, Nate Krische, Interview, Guatemala, United States, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Robbery, Struggle, Success, English, Jobs, MegaClean Systems, Small Company, Family, Cleaning Services, Minimum Wage, Living Wage, Documentation, Green Card, INS, Belonging, Roots, Making a Difference, Grand Rapids, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of West Michigan, Undocumented, U.S. Border

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

February 15, 2016

Anders and Ewa Rydåker: The Energy of New Americans

February 15, 2016/ Alan Headbloom

From Sweden to the USA, they've shaken hands with the mightiest in both lands. They've saved energy and published books. And along the way, Anders and Ewa Rydåker have planted roots and learned what it means to belong in a place. Join us for a chat with Alan's favorite immigrants!

February 15, 2016/ Alan Headbloom/
Feel Like You Belong, Alan Headbloom, Discussion, Interview, Anders and Ewa Rydåker, Sweden, Swedish, Uppsala, Immigrants, American Swedish Institute, Ever-Green Energy, Solar Energy, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Solar Panels, Coal, Wood Waste, Mulch, United States, Saint Paul, Minnesota, George W Bush, Dual Citizenship, Family, Tradition, Book, Author, Santa Lucia, Belonging, Community, Lucia Morning in Sweden, Midsummer, Norm Coleman

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

October 28, 2014

Vandana Magal: Immigrant Documentarian

October 28, 2014/ Alan Headbloom

This week, Alan interviews Vandana Magal on her newly released documentary on modern communication trends of immigrants and refugees to the U.S.

October 28, 2014/ Alan Headbloom/
Feel Like You Belong, Immigrant Documentarian, communication, separation, talk show, refugee, United States, comminication, Indo-American, Bosnian-American, Chinese-American, Vietnamese-American, Sudanese-American, refugee camp, refugees, diaspora, WhatsApp, Times of India, Economic Times, BGSU, Bowling Green State University, Vandana Magal, Vandana Pednekar-Magal, Grand Rapids Michigan

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

March 31, 2014

Paulo Saiani: Expat Engineer

March 31, 2014/ Alan Headbloom

Brazilian Paulo Saiani talks about life in the United States from the viewpoint of an expatriate. He shares with Alan the struggles and joys of working on a temporary assignment for the Dow Chemical Co. in the U.S. Midwest.

March 31, 2014/ Alan Headbloom/
Paulo Saiani, chemical engineer, Dow Chemical Co., expatriate, Michigan, acculturation, Feel Like You Belong, Alan Headbloom, belonging, United States, overseas assignment, adaptation, international, transnational, fitting in

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.


  • Home/
  • News/
  • Blog/
  • Television Show/
    • Television Show
    • About the Television Show
  • Whadja Say?/
    • Whadja Say?
    • About "Whadja Say?"
    • Glossary
  • What's Up?/
    • What's Up?
    • About "What's Up?"
  • What's So Funny?/
    • What's So Funny?
    • About "What's So Funny?"
  • About Us/
    • Meet the Crew
    • Behind The Scenes
  • Contact/

feel like you belong

Feel Like You Belong is a sometimes serious, sometimes funny, always “touch-your-heart” real conversation about fitting into the American culture. It introduces guests who have made the immigrant journey to the United States. The stories–of both struggle and success–will help newcomers feel more confident in sharing their opinions and expertise, more likely to want to stay in the U.S., be more productive in their jobs, and fully invest in their communities.

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Television Show
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What's Up?
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What's So Funny?
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