Beyond Borders

Beyond Borders

por Sacha Ledan and Solenn Thircuir
CarrerasSociedad y Cultura
The Truth About U.S. Immigration Nobody Explains | Former White House Advisor & Immigration Lawyer
This episode explores the complexities of U.S. immigration policy through the experiences of experts Doug Rand and Tahmina Watson. We discuss how immigration intersects with innovation, economic growth, and individual lives, highlighting misconceptions, policy shifts, and practical advice for talent navigating the system. In this episode, we explore the complexities of immigration policy, the impact of recent legislative changes, and the personal stories of those navigating the system. Our guests, experts in immigration law and policy, share insights on how policy affects lives and what reforms are needed for a fairer system. key topics The intersection of immigration policy and real-life experiences Misconceptions about immigration law and policy Impact of political shifts on immigration systems Practical advice for talent seeking visas and green cards The importance of legal guidance in navigating immigration Impact of 2017 regulation on immigration The 60-day grace period for visa holders Challenges of policy transparency and communication The three and ten-year bars on green cards The demographic and economic importance of immigration The role of social media in disseminating immigration information The paradoxes and emotional complexities of immigration The influence of immigration on American culture and economy Chapters 00:00Understanding Immigration Beyond Policy 04:11Personal Journeys into Immigration Law 07:12The Interconnectedness of Immigration and Society 10:43Challenges in the Immigration System 13:55Navigating Complex Immigration Processes 19:38The Impact of Political Climate on Immigration 24:15Building Lives in an Evolving Immigration Landscape 30:01Navigating the Visa Maze: H1B and Alternatives 38:48The Origins of the H-1B Visa 41:05The Case for Green Cards 42:31Challenges in the Green Card Process 44:46The Shift in Citizenship Aspirations 47:02Understanding Immigration Complexities 48:48The Bureaucratic Maze of Immigration 51:32Policy Adjustments and Layoff Protections 53:58The Impact of Policy on Lives 56:55The Role of Communication in Immigration Policy 01:00:57Navigating Social Media and Information Dissemination 01:09:39Living in Love and Fear 01:11:21The Paradox of Immigration Perception 01:13:51America's Fabric Woven by Immigrants 01:15:15The Importance of People in Communities 01:18:00Demographic Challenges and Immigration Solutions 01:20:04The American Dream and Immigrant Perspectives 01:22:45The Emotional Impact of Citizenship 01:25:58The Complexity of Immigration Policy 01:30:50Hope for Future Immigration Reforms 01:33:49The Need for Law Changes 01:39:38Finding Accurate Immigration Information
E13
21 jul 2026
1:30:50
The Marine Corps Veteran Who Wants to Replace Soldiers with Robots
What happens when a combat veteran becomes the person building the robots he once wished had fought beside him? Mike LeBlanc has lived on both sides of that question. A Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mike went on to earn a degree from Harvard before diving deep into Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem. Today he's the co-founder of a startup developing humanoid robots for military use, including the Phantom MK1, already being tested on the battlefields of Ukraine. In this episode of Beyond Borders, Mike sits down with Sacha for one of the most thought-provoking conversations we've had. We go from the psychological whiplash of returning from combat to the ethics of autonomous weapons, to why he believes sending robots to war is not a dystopian nightmare but a moral imperative. In this episode we cover: 🪖 What deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan actually felt like and the jarring speed of returning to civilian life 🤖 The Phantom MK1: what it is, how it works, and what it's already doing in Ukraine ⚖️ The ethics of autonomous weapons: who should be in the loop when a machine makes a life-or-death decision? 🌍 The global arms race in AI and robotics and what it means for deterrence, stability, and civilian safety 💡 Why hardware, not software, may be the most transformative force in human history 🏛️ Should tech companies get to dictate how the military uses their technology or should we trust our generals? 📖 Mike's upcoming book What If Anger Is the Answer? and how controlled rage can be a force for meaningful change About Mike LeBlanc Mike LeBlanc is a Marine corps veteran, Harvard graduate, entrepreneur, and robotics founder. After tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he built a career at the intersection of defense, technology, and innovation. His startup is developing humanoid robots designed to reduce soldier casualties in active conflict zones. He is also the author of the upcoming book What If Anger Is the Answer?, which draws on military discipline, philosophy, and personal experience to reframe how we think about emotion and drive. If this conversation made you think, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you're building, leading, or navigating something hard — this podcast was made for you.
E12
21 may 2026
56:38
Impact Investing, Global Careers & Founder Support — With Sophie Durey
“I never imagined my path would take me from humanitarian work in Paris to investing in Silicon Valley.” That’s the unexpected journey of Sophie Durey—a global impact leader, investor, and entrepreneur whose career has spanned France, Switzerland, China, Mexico, and now the heart of Silicon Valley. In this episode of Beyond Borders: American Dreams, Real Stories, Sophie opens up about her international career, her transition from the nonprofit sector into impact investing, the challenges and opportunities of building a purpose-driven life in the U.S., and what she’s learned from supporting founders across the world. Sophie began her career in Paris after earning her Master’s from Sciences Po, then moved to Geneva to join Quadia, where she rose from investment analyst to Head of Impact Evaluation. In 2017, she landed in Silicon Valley, where she founded The Impact Evaluation Factory, co-built a multi-family office for self-made entrepreneurs, and today serves as Partner at Tamar Ventures and Venture Director at Tamar Capital, backing early-stage startups and designing programs to develop better founders. Her story is a masterclass in reinvention, global grit, and forging a mission-driven career across borders. 🚀 KEY TOPICS COVERED: ✓ Building a global impact career across Europe and the U.S. ✓ Transitioning from nonprofit work to impact investing ✓ How impact evaluation actually works for startups & VC funds ✓ Investing in early-stage founders with purpose-driven models ✓ What it takes to build a career in Silicon Valley as a European immigrant ✓ Starting a consulting firm in the U.S. ✓ Lessons from supporting founders through Tamar Ventures & Tamar Capital ✓ Navigating identity, purpose, and belonging across multiple countries ✓ The realities of being a multi-continent operator and investor 💼 WHO IS THIS FOR? → Immigrants building careers in impact, VC, or entrepreneurship → International professionals trying to break into Silicon Valley → Founders interested in impact measurement or purpose-driven business models → Students exploring careers in social impact or venture capital → Anyone seeking honest stories about reinvention across borders → Listeners who want a nuanced look at global careers and immigrant journeys
E11
18 dic 2025
40:21
Nothing Was Given to Her. She Still Made it to Stanford - Julieta Gabiola
Pr. Julieta Gabiola grew up in a poor rural village in the Philippines, with no financial security, no network, and almost no pathways toward higher education. Today, she’s a professor at Stanford. The distance between these two worlds is filled with turning points she rarely shares — moments of doubt, courage, discrimination, reinvention, and a quiet, relentless determination that changed everything. In this episode, Julieta opens up about: • the unexpected event that first pushed her into nursing • what made her start over again — this time in medicine • the structural barriers she faced as a first-generation student and immigrant • the discrimination she encountered in academia, and how she chose to respond • the mindset that sustained her through years of uncertainty • why globalizing education is her life’s work *• the deeper meaning of resilience when starting with nothing This is not just an inspiring journey. It is a blueprint for purpose, courage, and long-term leadership. Explore Julieta Gabiola’s work ABC’s for Global Health (website): https://abcsforglobalhealth.org/
E10
21 nov 2025
52:00
From Driving for Uber With an Expiring Visa to Raising Millions for his Startup - Florent Breton
"I wondered if I'd made a huge mistake." That's what Florent Breton thought while driving for Uber in San Francisco, watching his student visa expire, and getting rejected by companies who wouldn't hire immigrants on temporary visas. Ten years later, Florent has led teams at Tesla, launched two venture-backed startups, raised millions, and became a US citizen. This is his real story — the visa struggles, the National Interest Waiver green card process, building a family in America, and what it actually takes to succeed as an immigrant entrepreneur. KEY TOPICS COVERED: ✓ Student visa to green card pathway ✓ National Interest Waiver (EB-2 NIW) process ✓ Job searching on temporary visas ✓ O-1 visa vs NIW green card ✓ Immigrant founder visa strategies ✓ Fundraising in Silicon Valley as an international founder ✓ Tesla career experience ✓ Venture-backed startup journey ✓ US citizenship process for entrepreneurs ✓ Immigration policy and reform
E9
6 nov 2025
35:38
Leading with the Why: Orestis Trasanidis on Europe, Silicon Valley, and the Mindset of Innovation
In this episode, Orestis Trasanidis shares his journey from Greece to Silicon Valley, exploring how purpose and cultural understanding drive innovation across continents. Drawing from his experience leading the EIT Hub in the U.S., he reflects on the contrasts between European and American startup mindsets—and how collaboration bridges those worlds. Together, we unpack what it truly means to “lead with the why” in a global innovation ecosystem shaped by communication, adaptability, and shared vision.
E8
21 oct 2025
30:14
The Lawyer Behind the Founders: Daniel Zimmermann’s Silicon Valley Story
Daniel Zimmermann is an accomplished lawyer with extensive experience in complex corporate transactions and venture technology issues. For more than 20 years, he has advised entrepreneurs, emerging companies and technology startups, and draws on his global experiences counseling companies in the United States and Europe. His technology clients span the industry, including telecom, infrastructure, digital media, software, energy, clean tech, ecommerce, FinTech, edtech, digital health and healthcare IT, robotics and big data. Daniel is originally from Germany and has been in the US for over two decades. He has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyers and Chambers USA as one of the top venture capital and corporate lawyers in California.
E7
10 oct 2025
49:36
From Bridgerton to the Grammys: Nathalie Bonin’s Musical Journey
Nathalie Bonin is an internationally acclaimed violinist, Grammy-winning composer, and inspirational speaker who blends the power of live music and storytelling to ignite transformation. Her career spans performances on the largest stages to Netflix, Bridgerton, and collaborations with Stevie Wonder. Known for her soul-stirring performances and emotional storytelling, Nathalie empowers audiences to reconnect with their authentic selves, embrace resilience, and unlock their creative wings.
E6
24 sept 2025
47:00
Inside the World’s Headlines: Anjan Sundaram on Journalism and Courage
Anjan Sundaram is an Indian author, journalist, academic, and television presenter. He is the author of three memoirs of journalism, Stringer, Bad News and Breakup, and has been called "one of the great reporters of our age" by the BBC special correspondent Fergal Keane.
E5
10 sept 2025
40:01
Teaching Innovation, Building Startups: George’s Playbook for Entrepreneurs
George has a diverse professional background that includes entrepreneurship, venture capital, business innovation, and digital transformation. Prior to attending graduate school, he worked with several startups and co-founded his own data mining software for economic forecasting. While attending UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, he was the co-president of the Berkeley Entrepreneurs Association where he hosted pitch competitions, mentored startups, and connected entrepreneurs with venture capital firms. He lectured at the Haas School of Business on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, AI, IoT, and Business Strategy. He is also currently co-authoring a book on New Business Strategy & Innovative Design. George holds an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from London South Bank University. Prior to joining SkyDeck, George worked with Anheuser-Busch InBev and consulted on innovation and business strategy.
E4
28 ago 2025
44:46
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