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From Immigrant to Icon
In this episode of ListenUp with Al Neely, we sit down with Yasmine Charles to explore her powerful journey from immigrant to icon and the experiences that shaped her path.
Yasmine shares how immigration, military service, and discipline influenced her leadership, resilience, and success in the culinary world. This conversation highlights identity, perseverance, and how purpose can transform life’s challenges into impact.
Chef Yasmine Charles opens up about a life forged through adversity, specifically from deportation as a teenager to serving as an American soldier, and ultimately becoming a renowned chef and homelessness advocate.
Her story turns raw and deeply practical as she reflects on a sister’s suicide attempt. With months spent living in her car while attending Norfolk State University, and the lived experiences that shaped her mission. Those chapters particularly became the foundation for a dignity-first approach to addressing homelessness, following one rooted in empathy, structure, and real solutions.
Yasmine also lays out a blueprint that prioritizes keys, private rooms, on-site therapists, and job support, challenging systems that rely on charity without accountability. Along the way, she speaks candidly about choosing a child-free life, setting boundaries with family, reframing forgiveness, and defining healing on her own terms.
Her voice is warm, honest, and unflinching, offering not just kitchen wisdom, but recipes for resilience that resonate far beyond food.
This episode is essential listening for creatives, advocates, veterans, students, and anyone navigating purpose through hardship.
In this episode, we discuss:
• From immigrant to icon: Yasmine’s journey
• Military discipline and leadership
• Transitioning from service to the culinary world
• Resilience, identity, and purpose
If you enjoyed this episode, check out this episode, The Taste of Art | Chef Jeremiah Cardinal
Learn more about Yasmine Charles’ culinary journey and professional work on her YouTube channel.
Transcript: From Immigrant to Icon
Introduction to Yasmine Charles’ Journey, From immigrant to Icon
Al Neely: Welcome to ListenUp. Today we’re joined by Yasmine Charles, whose journey from immigrant to icon reflects resilience, discipline, and purpose.
Yasmine Charles: Thank you for having me. Every chapter of my life taught me something that prepared me for the next.
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If you enjoyed this episode, check out this episode, The Taste of Art | Chef Jeremiah Cardinal
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