Guests and founders of Eye of An Immigrant, Komal and Jasneet Kaur are friends who met in Kansas City. Their parents' stories inspired them to start a platform that amplifies the immigrant narrative. (Flatland)
Guests and founders of Eye of An Immigrant, Komal and Jasneet Kaur are friends who met in Kansas City. Their parents' stories inspired them to start a platform that amplifies the immigrant narrative. (Flatland)

The Filter | Idle Hands

November 24, 2021  |  Ieshia Downton, Vicky Diaz-Camacho  |  2 min read

We speak with the founders of Eye of an Immigrant, an initiative led by two high schoolers working toward immigration reform and better support for the immigrant community. We also chop it up with chef Jayaun Smith, a 25-year-old professional chef who has curated several pop-up shops across the metro and is a personal chef for local NFL stars and celebrities.

Curious to know what we’ve been checking out lately? Here’s a list. 

Here’s our reading and listening list:

  • This Throughline episode “Nostalgia Bone” really struck a chord. Many of us have thought about pre-pandemic days, right? That’s nostalgia.
  • DIY home remodels were trendy in 2020 but this Harvard study says it’s unlikely to continue. 
  • Not everyone had a new project or hobby this past year and that’s OK, say wellness experts. Read this Washington Post article to learn why it’s OK if you weren’t productive.
  • The Atlantic launched a new column last year called “How to Build a Life” and this one is a nice read. It’s a good reminder to do things that are good and meaningful for you — as in tailoring activities to what you personally need. 

Vicky Diaz-Camacho covers community affairs for Kansas City PBS. Ieshia Downton is the social media coordinator for Kansas City PBS.

Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.

Nick’s Picks | Messi, Jail, Buses, and More …

June 1, 2026

World Cup Team(s) Arrive It’s starting to feel real. The first World Cup team has landed in Kansas City. Defending champions Argentina touched down at KCI airport on Sunday and will begin practicing today at Sporting KC’s training facility in Wyandotte County. Much of the attention, of course, is focused on Lionel Messi. The soccer…

Related Stories

Hosts Vicky Diaz-Camacho and Ieshia Downton pose with their guest Oscar Orozco. A collage of yellow and green against a paper-like background frames the image with "The Filter podcast" logo on the top left corner.

Trailer: Listen to a Teaser of the Filter’s Season Finale

In this teaser, you'll get a peek at what episode four is about: belief systems and misinformation.

Read More >

The Filter | Verify This

Ever wonder how belief systems are shaped? How about misinformation? In episode four of the Filter podcast, our hosts Ieshia and Vicky do just that.

Read More >
A photo illustration of a hand tapping on a search bar.

Trailer: The Filter Ep. 4 Teaser on Beliefs and Misinformation

In this teaser, you'll get a peek at what episode four is about: belief systems and misinformation.

Read More >