Welcome to Strangers from Radiotopia. I'm Leah Tao.

And I know it's been longer than usual since our last episode and that this whole fall has been a bit wonky.

And I have some news to share, which I'm excited to tell you about.

But first, let's hear a little story. It's been so long.

This is not the kind of epic drama we often do on the show,

but I felt like we could use something light and sweet right now. And you know, there's been a lot

of talk about immigrants this year. So I thought we should meet one of them. Tell me who you are

and where we are. Who am I? That's like a philosophy question. No, I don't mean it

in the existential sense. Your name is so my name is Kalan Chang, originally from Ecuador. I came

to the United States when I was 17 years old. And where are we right now? We're in my office,

which I really like.

Let's leave it at that for now, and we'll return to Callan's work later, because that's kind of part of his story.

But first, let's take a step back.

Callan was born in Ecuador to a Chinese father and an Ecuadorian mother.

I fell Ecuadorian because I grew up there, dancing salsa, I grew up eating rice and beans.

Even though my dad introduced me to Chinese culture, the Chinese food, chopsticks and all

those things, I wouldn't call myself, oh yes, I'm Chinese. I'll call myself Latino.

Cowan's family was poor, and when Callan was seven, his mom moved to Puerto Rico to earn more money for the family,

and Callant barely saw her for the next 10 years until his high school graduation.

But shortly after that, his mom was able to get him a green card and he followed her to Puerto Rico in search of opportunity.

That was the January 31st, 2005. I remember that day. It was yesterday. It was the first time getting on a plane.

Being in the air and just experiences something completely new as an adult.

...