This episode of Growing Your Roots brings together a meaningful conversation about culture, heritage, identity and belonging. Elena and Olga share their personal experiences of growing up with Russian and Ukrainian roots and later adapting to life in the United States. From childhood memories in Moscow to the challenges of adjusting to a new country, their stories reveal how deeply our early experiences shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
Moving between cultures can bring both opportunity and uncertainty. The conversation explores culture shock, changing identities and the difficult moments when political or social circumstances influence how we connect with our heritage. One of the guests recalls her experience as a journalist in Russia, where challenging government policies ultimately led to her being fired. These personal experiences highlight an important truth: our identity can be influenced by the world around us but it should never have to be something we hide or suppress.
Yet culture often survives in the simplest and most meaningful ways through food, celebrations, memories, traditions and language. Russian dishes such as borscht, Orthodox Easter, New Year celebrations and the tradition of Old New Year continue to connect the family with their heritage. The conversation particularly emphasizes the importance of language, describing it as a bridge to ancestors, history and cultural traditions. Teaching children their native language can help ensure that this connection continues across generations.
At its heart, “Growing Your Roots” is about knowing where you come from while continuing to grow where you are. Embracing a new culture does not mean leaving your heritage behind. Instead, our roots can become a foundation from which we understand ourselves, appreciate our history, and build our future. This conversation is a reminder to preserve our languages, celebrate our traditions, learn our history and most importantly never be afraid to embrace the parts of our identity that make us who we are.
🎥 Watch the Full Conversation
Watch Elena and Olga share their stories, experiences, and perspectives on culture and identity on YouTube:
Watch the full episode on YouTube (https://youtu.be/FQ9BoE79CLY?si=vp5Uy4dnK6abVthz)