Growing Up in Ukraine, Fleeing War, and Starting Again in America with Kateryna Bikir

In this episode, Ukrainian psychologist Kateryna Bikir shares the moments that shaped her before and after the 2022 Russian invasion — growing up with limited resources, the generations of trauma from war and conflicts, the realities she confronted as a young mother, and the choices she faced when safety could no longer be taken for granted.

We explore how she and her family faced sudden displacement after years of asking the question of "what if?" became reality, what it meant to restart life in unfamiliar countries, and how her work in mental health evolved through each stage. This conversation weaves together identity, motherhood, migration, professional reinvention, and the quieter emotional layers behind beginning again — without sensationalising the circumstances that forced the change. 

Key Takeaways

• Children normalise hardship when they have nothing to compare it to. Kateryna recalls accepting scarcity as “just life” until she saw other ways of living. 
• Generational trauma shaped every branch of her family tree, from starvation to war to economic instability.
• Education was a turning point, giving her access to worlds and opportunities her family didn’t have.
• A health scare shifted her toward psychology, prompting her to rethink how she wanted to spend her life.
• Motherhood revealed the gaps in Ukraine’s medical and social systems, influencing her desire to support others.
• The 2022 invasion required immediate decisions, including whether her children would be safe or have access to medication.
• Migration is not linear—the Czech Republic was a temporary refuge, not a long-term landing place.
• Professional identity is often lost during immigration, especially when degrees are not recognised.
• Rebuilding life requires routine, community, and structure, particularly for children.
• Her current work focuses on bridging cultures, supporting refugees, and helping individuals find stability in new environments.

About:  Kateryna Bikir is a Ukrainian psychologist, entrepreneur and educator who advocates for refugees’ mental health and equitable access to resources. 

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 4:25 Childhood in Post-Soviet Ukraine
• 7:13 Divorce, tight finances, long food queues, and repurposing clothing
• 13:49 Economic Difference First Becomes Visible
• 15:58 Generational Trauma - collectivisation, starvation, war, and family killed
• 22:53 Working at Age 12, Early Independence & University
• 29:02 Shifting from Law to Political Science
• 33:04 First U.S. Cultural Shock
• 36:42 Returning to Ukraine With New Eyes
• 40:43 Building a Life With Her Husband and Shared Histories of Trauma
• 44:28 The War of 2014 and the Early Warning Signs
• 46:26 Health Scare & Turn Toward Psychology
• 49:09 Health Issues of First Child & Attitude Toward Mental & Physical Handicaps
• 54:25 February 2022: Explosions & Decision to Flee
• 1:00:24 Leaving Her Mother Behind in Occupied Territory
• 1:01:14 Working With Refugees in Czech Republic
• 1:07:29 Her Family’s Adjustment & Coping Mechanisms - Structure, Routines
• 1:09:59 Decision to Move to the U.S.
• 1:15:20 Starting Over in America
• 1:21:04 Children’s Adjustment and Anxiety
• 1:22:49 Advocacy and Cross-Cultural Support
• 1:26:40 Personal Wellness Tools
• 1:27:49 Advice for Host Communities
• 1:30:32 Advice for Those Facing Displacement from Natural Disaster, War, etc
• 1:32:23 A Tool For When You Feel Overwhelmed
• 1:35:28 Where to Find Kateryna & Closing