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Debbie Millman is a writer, designer, educator, artist, brand consultant and host of the podcast Design Matters.Design Matters is one of the world’s very first podcasts. Broadcasting independently for 19 years, the show is about how the world’s most creative people design the arc of their lives. On top of it all, she has authored 6 books, her latest one called Love Letter To a Garden comes out in April and is a definite shift from her previous works. Which is no surprise to me because Debbie is the very definition of evolution, constantly learning, changing, growing and all the while, having a blast.
Debbie recounts her journey as a OG podcaster and explains her process of preparing deeply researched interviews that uncover her guests' stories with authenticity and depth, emphasizing the importance of respect and engagement in meaningful conversations. Debbie also opens up about her latest book, Love Letter to a Garden, a visual and personal exploration of her quest to cultivate greenery in her life. She discusses how gardening became a source of connection and creativity during the pandemic and how this new venture has inspired her future projects.
We also talk about what makes New York City kids so unique, why we’re both glad we didn’t peak in high school, how she designed her high school prom, and why she is still keen to keep walking up the mountain.
A Love Letter to Gardening: Debbie introduces her latest book + She shares how the project began during the pandemic and how it combines illustrations, photographs, and stories (2:53)The Mental Health Benefits of Nature: The therapeutic value of gardening + practical advice for beginners + how gardening has enriched Debbie’s creative process and daily routine (5:56)The Origins and Evolution of Design Matters: Debbie recounts the early days of Design Matters and describes its growth over 20 years + chapters of the podcast’s evolution (9:29)The Art of Interview: Debbie shares her approach to conducting meaningful interviews + She reveals the challenges of navigating interviews with unengaged guests and maintaining authenticity (12:27)Advice for Aspiring Podcasters: Debbie offers candid advice for podcasters, emphasizing the importance of passion, preparation, and perseverance + she advises maintaining a day job to sustain creative freedom and avoiding the pressure of chasing trends or chart (20:45)Debbie’s Creative Roots and New York City Upbringing: Reflecting on her childhood in New York City + how her high school and college experiences shaped her career path (24:39)Living a Creative Life Without Peaking: Debbie’s reflections on her ever-evolving career and her aspiration to continue climbing her creative "mountain." (38:36)Rapid Fast Round: (39:13)Connect with Debbie Millman:
WebsiteInstagramLinkedInXThe Design Matters Podcast!Get Debbie’s books!Let’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.
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Nasreen Shahi is a well-known fashion and lifestyle influencer, celebrated for her vibrant online presence and a community of over half a million followers on social media. Through her platform, Hey Nasreen, she shares style inspiration, wellness tips, and personal insights, offering her audience an authentic look into her life.
Beyond her role as an influencer, Nasreen is a resilient advocate for breast cancer awareness. Diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer at 40, she has courageously shared her journey, empowering women by speaking openly about her health battles and challenging the cultural stigmas that often surround such diagnoses in South Asian communities.
In this episode, Nasreen speaks candidly about the emotional and physical toll her diagnosis has taken and describes her initial shock, especially given her healthy lifestyle before the diagnosis. She talks about her ongoing treatments, the challenges of choosing between different therapies, and the side effects she endures. Nasreen shares her perspective on the need for a more proactive approach to women’s health and highlights the lack of open discussion about breast cancer. She recounts stories of South Asian women who keep their diagnoses private due to cultural stigma, hoping to inspire others to speak openly and seek support. Nasreen also touches on the joys of motherhood and how her journey has led her to a more present and intentional life. Despite the challenges, she has continued her work as an influencer, driven by her desire to help others through her openness and authenticity.
Living with a Metastatic Diagnosis: Nasreen describes the unexpectedness of her diagnosis + the early stages of treatment + living with metastatic breast cancer means being on indefinite therapy + importance of early detection + Nasreen opens up about the difficult side effects + the difficult choices patients face between various treatment options and the unpredictable effects of each therapy (2:56)A Proactive vs. Reactive Healthcare Approach: Contrasting the two approaches + how societal expectations often cause women to self-blame after a health diagnosis (8:00)Cultural Stigma in the South Asian Community: The cultural stigma surrounding breast cancer in the South Asian community + anecdotes of women who keep their diagnoses private out of fear + Nasreen urges more open conversations to break these stigmas + setting an example for the younger generation (10:52)The Things Cancer Can Teach: Nasreen reflects on how her experience has changed her perspective on life and motherhood (15:28)Navigating Work as an Influencer with Cancer: Explaining the flexibility needed to accommodate treatments + the support Nasreen receives from her audience and brands + emphasizing the importance of authenticity in her journey + Nasreen discusses moments of joy she has experienced + gratitude for the support network she has gained through sharing her journey (20:32)Rapid Fast Round (24:25)Final Reflections and Advice: Nasreen offers advice to listeners, encouraging them to let go of others’ judgments + the importance of breaking free from cultural shame (26:00)Connect with Nasreen Shahi:
WebsiteInstagramTikTokLet’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.
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Davy Gardner started his career as an audio writer and creator whose work can be found on networks like Radiotopia, Wondery, and Audible, among others. He has won multiple awards and honors valuing his work as a writer in various genres such as comedy and audio drama. He was a playwright and performer for six years at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City.
For over two years now, Gardner has been the Head of Tribeca Audio and Curator of Audio Storytelling at Tribeca Enterprise. He made a great contribution to taking the “Film” out of the Tribeca Festival and pushing it further towards a multimedia festival that it has been for a while.
In this episode, Davy discusses the evolution of the Tribeca Festival into a multimedia event and emphasizes the importance of audio storytelling. He highlights the challenges independent podcasters face, such as discoverability, and the role of curatorial entities like Tribeca in promoting innovative content. He also shares his journey from writing for the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater to his current role, stressing the need for creative risks and the value of public recognition. Finally, reflects on personal experiences, including the impact of his mother's death and the importance of recognizing and managing feelings of being "tuckered out."
“I Don't Have A Billboard On Times Square”: The challenges that independent podcasters face + audio storytelling as an emerging genre parallel to what comes to everyone’s mind when podcasting is mentioned + the disproportionate recognition the audio art form gets in the public eye and ways entities such as Tribeca can play a role in this. (04:49)
Getting Audio On The Red Carpet: Emphasizing the importance of recognizing audio creators + getting the first Getty Image and the word out there about one’s podcast (14:12)
Improv Guided My Life: Davy explains how he got into performing after being on the writing side + how improv comedy got him out of depression after his mother’s passing + the way performing and improv can support a writer’s journey (17:45)
State of Podcasting and Independent Creators: Discussing the challenges of audio as a whole is going through for decades now + the importance of creative risk-taking while not being ruled by the money tap + Davey encourages independent creators to focus on their artistry and not get discouraged by financial difficulties (22:01)
Growing Up in New York City: Davy tells about his upbringing and experiences being a high schooler in NYC + NYC as a melting pot of people from diverse backgrounds + not ending up dead as a teenager and rubbing elbows with the Ivy League kids (28:39)
Attending The Happiest College: The challenges of adjusting to the new environment both literally and figuratively + forming career-defining connections throughout the years in college (35:55)
Being “tuckered out”: The way to sustain anything is if it brings you joy + no shame in being in and out of feeling “tuckered out” when there is a constant pressure of getting back to happy + Davy shares his experiences with grief and how they shaped his perspective on life (39:00)
Concert Highlights: Davy Gardner shares his experience seeing Arcade Fire and the impact it had on his career + having a complete concert experience while watching the live recording of LCD Soundsystem's "Dance Yourself Clean" (48:42)
Connect with Davy Gardner:
LinkedInInstagramOfficial websiteLet’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.
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“So much of what Bash and I do through our work is what we call this Revised Americana…we’ve had such a Euro-Centric what American storytelling is, but how can we change that narrative through the films that we make, through the commercials that we make, through all of the content that we put out there…I think Breakin’ was an opportunity to do that…”
Breakdancing? At the Olympics? Hell. Yes.
Today is a watershed moment for the @dynamicrockers and @rocksteadycrew1977 who were just kids at the time they created this dance movement in a NYC that was going through a tumultuous time.
Welcome to another special episode where I will be interviewing trailblazers from all backgrounds. Because let's face it, being Tuckered Out is universal.
Jamaal Parham and Bashan Aquart are known as the Brooklyn-based directing team JamsBash and have spent the last decade crafting award-winning TV shows, commercials, documentaries, music videos, and a film. They worked with people like Michael B. Jordan, Robert DeNiro, Mindy Kaling, Samuel L. Jackson- just to name a few.
Their work is driven by their innate desire to tell stories of the authentic American experience, infused with magical realism and rooted in a love of boundary-pushing design and classical filmmaking technique.
We discuss breakdance's origins and growth, its cultural relevance, and whether it should be considered sport, art, or both (it’s a topic my friends), how hiphop and breaking grew together in parallel, their relationship with art and storytelling, and all agreed that stories that begin and end in NYC are stories that could never happen anywhere else or be replicated anywhere else.
We dive into their latest documentary, "Breakin' On the One," they share their thoughts on the challenges of doing comedy in "sensitive times," the importance of preserving African American cultural heritage through dance, how communication through a cypher of movement it is such a beautifully uniquely black and brown thing, and what our Bboy names would be if we could all actual breakdance.
Mine is Trick Tucker.
Also, Bashan was attacked by a beetle during the interview. He survived.
Early Creative Influences: Jamaal and Bashan's diverse backgrounds + family expectations influencing their creative careers (7:20)Finding their Place in the Creative Realm: The moment Jamaal and Bash discovered their calling for storytelling and filmmaking (12:00)Inclusivity, Humor, and Career Building: Making people laugh without offending them + transition from theater to film and TV + the importance of building long-term relationships with clients (27:00)"Breakin' On the One" and the NY Competitive Spirit: Creating a documentary on breakdance + New Yorkers against NY + breakdance as a life saver (38:20)Breakdance is Art or a Sport, its Global Spread: Jamaal details the European tour of breakdancing crews + the artistic elements of breakdance + acceptance of breakdance in Eurocentric cultures (48:30)Connect with Jamall Parham:
Visit Jams and Bash's websiteLinkedInIMDb pageConnect with Bashan Aquart:
LinkedInIMDb pageLet's Connect:
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Ginni Media
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Rianjali is an award-winning, NYC-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter/composer. Previously working as a former domestic violence and teacher, Rianjali found her “pinch me moment” when Oscar award-winning musician A.R. Rahman invited her to work with him And she hasn’t looked back.
From composing music for hit shows on Amazon Prime and Netflix to collaborating legends such as U2, Bishop Briggs, and Shawn Mendes, Rianjali’s big mission in life is to change the perspectives of South Asian musicians’ perspective in the diaspora and to encourage women to explore careers within music and film, and she does this with humor and heart through her Mild Mannered and Timid Podcast, which Rianjali co-hosts and produces, sharing her no-holds-barred views on the society, music, and culture of the South Asian diaspora.
Rianjali’s production company is Mild Mannered Timid whose short films include Seeing God, which won Best Documentary at the South Asian Film Festival of America, and Saltwater, which was officially selected for the Wisconsin Film Festival and Chicago South Asian Film Festival of America.
This drive to break barriers and defy traditional expectations and stereotypes defines every aspect of her life from her marriage to her music to her films. She is a true trailblazer and and yes, now my soul sister
Rinajali shares her crazy ride and lets us into her darkest moments, the challenges she faced taking care of her parents and South Asian expectations, and her decision to follow AR Rahman to Chennai. She reveals how AR Rahman became her personal Mr Miyagi and what he’s like up close and personal. We talk about how her marriage to Kunal by a queer Hindu priestess inspired her first doc; how her latest short film,Saltwater, explores communication in South Asian families; and how her film work helped her connect with her own family.
The Mild Mannered and Timid Podcast: Challenging the stereotype of South Asian women + using humor to deal with pain +wanting to support South Asian community + the freedom to be honest about South Asian culture + fear of being shamed five years from now (04:48)
Breaking the Film Barrier: Making debut movie with $800 + getting married + the tattooed, weed-smoking queer Hindu priestess + Saltwater and how Indian fathers communicate + having your film used in film classes (12:42)
Rianjali and Kunal - How the Crazies Found Each Other: Rianjali details her husband’s talents as an attorney and musical creative + how she and Kunal connected through music + how their parents thought they were crazy + how Kunal supports and complements her. (20:11)
Rianjali’s Dark Journey: Rianjali’s early love of singing and how her teacher pushed her to musical high school + Giving up singing for college and being diagnosed with depression + Getting polyps on vocal cords and fighting back + Getting a “realistic” job and the stress of helping battered women. (24:44)
Enter AR Rahman: Rianjali tells how a singing clip on Facebook led to her meeting AR + how she had to care for her sick parents + Singing for AR while he videoed her like a dad + the offer of a lifetime to go to India + Deciding to go and the guilt of “abandoning” her parents. (30:12)
Rianjali’s Journey Begins: Joining AR Rahman in Chennai as a purple-haired girl in a traditional Indian community + the intensity of being mentored by AR and learning on the fly + how AR took care of her like a father + her first triumphs with Amazon and Netflix and Bollywood (41:34)
Returning to Earth: Rianjali talks about finding her musical voice, being South Asian but wanting to do her own thing + the joy she took in becoming a full-time teacher + how the pandemic forced her to switch from gigging to writing music + advising people on the hard realities of the music business + the South Asian impulse to be realistic about career choices and how it clashes with following your dream. (50:32)
Rianjali and U2: Rianjali recalls her jamming session with Bono, the Edge, and AR Rahman. (59:01)
Current and Future Projects: The excitement of making documentaries with Academy Award-Winning Vanessa Roth + plans to showcase traditional South Asian recipes and moving beyond South Asian food + having her dad star in a pilot episode, how he shared his life story with her on camera, and her love-hate relationship with him + the clash of generational attitudes towards family and ambition in South Asian culture (01:01:16)
What Now for Rianjali? Rianjali reflects on her changing goals in life and work + her desire to be known as just a female composer + the importance of getting more women into making music and film + the pleasure of helping people on their own music journeys.
Connect with Rianjali:
Rianjali's Official WebsiteInstagramMild Mannered and Timid Podcast
Let’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by
Ginni Media
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Welcome to the first special episode where I will be interviewing trailblazers from all backgrounds. Because let's face it, being Tuckered Out is universal.
Bill Teck is a writer, producer, director, and the founder of the Generation ñ Media brand. His films include One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich & the Lost American Film (2014). A Cuban-American who grew up in Miami, Bill has been named by Newsweek Magazine as One of 20 Latinos to Watch and by Hispanic Business Magazine as One of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America.
His amazing new HBO documentary, Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Chronicling the legendary Stevie Van Zandt, it features a wealth of never-before-seen footage that traces Van Zandt's career as a producer, musician, songwriter, activist, actor, and a whole lot more. For those who know Stevie best as consigliere to Bruce Springsteen and Tony Soprano, Bill beautifully captures the story of a true Renaissance man and amazing human being.
In this episode, Bill recalls his Miami days as an out-of-place rock and roll fan in a disco town, and we bond over our love of British invasion music. Bill dives deep into the making of the documentary, revealing the challenges of keeping up with a man who never stops creating and the thrill of finding lost footage that even Stevie didn’t know he had. Bill describes how Stevie’s driving force is his passion for rock ‘n’ roll as a force for social change. Finally, he shares what observing up close Stevie’s musical originality, his fifty-year-old marriage to Maureen, and his close lifelong relationships have taught him about life and himself.
Talking Stevie Van Zandt: Falling in love with Stevie + the British invasion music scene + how Bruce Springsteen and Stevie “lived the legend” as lifelong friends (04:12)Landing the Dream Job: How Bill’s early love of Van Zandt inspired the documentary + the years of rejection before being accepted by Stevie’s “powerhouse” wife + being inspired by Stevie and Maureen’s touching relationship (08:53)Hanging out with the Legends: Learning the secret to a great band + talking Stevie with fans Bono and Paul McCartney + singing with Eddie Vedder at 4 a.m (10:41)Back in the Day: Bill misses wild rock stars flying everywhere, but welcomes the new diversity of voices in the music industry (13:58)“This Beard Was Not Gray When I Started:” Touring Barcelona one day and going to a trial in DC the next (15:57)Rock and Roll Evangelist: Bill reveals Stevie’s unique way of linking music to political change (17:40)The Unseen Stevie Van Zandt: Stevie and Maureen’s rock and roll wedding + film of the couple falling in love + the Stevie and Mandela tape lost in a drawer (19:50)Quiet Pioneer: How Stevie combined hip hop with punk before Run DMC and Aerosmith, and his Grammy-winning reggae song (22:39)Lessons Learned: Bill relates how observing Stevie taught him not to compromise in work (24:09)Stevie the Mensch: Convincing Stevie to appear in the film + filming Stevie with his family + Stevie inviting fans to eat with him + how Ami doesn’t mind Stevie wearing a Ganesh shirt (25:16)Lessons From Stevie: If your first dream dies, just stay with it, because you never know what's gonna happen + how even a two and half hour film doesn’t do justice to Stevie’s career (27:07)Miami and Music: Bill recalls reading Rolling Stone while his friends were into disco + learning to love all music + why the Smiths are so popular with Latinos (33:32)Concert Stories: Bill’s most epic concert + seeing Stevie and Bruce before Hollywood stars + how Bono stopped a fight at his concert (35:30)What Next for Bill: (40:01)
Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple debuted on JUNE 22 (8:00 p.m.–10:25 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.Connect with Bill
billteck.comBill's IMDb pageLet’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media
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Anjali Virmani is the Global Head of Creative Solutions at Time Out Media. Shuttling between 10 global offices with a brief of 333 cities, she crafts and implements the Time Out global brand story, strategy, and identity, building bridges between the Time Out brand and its consumers globally.
Anjali’s passion for diversity, uniting, and empowering people of all ages and cultures shines through in her life and career. She sees her role at Time Out as a gateway to building bridges between brands and consumers and fostering connections worldwide. And she is in a unique position to unite diverse communities through the shared experiences of food, culture, and general joy.
Anjali shares her incredible journey from her childhood, always feeling out of place, to finally finding her home in New York and Time Out. She reveals the challenges and the exhilaration of managing the amazingly diverse Time Out brand. We dive deep into the evolving nature of DEI, race, and what it means to be South Asian for our generation compared to our parents. We go into breaking out of the mold of Good Indian Girl and the importance of learning new things. Finally, we reflect on being the freest South Asian generation and look forward to a new era of diversity for our children even if we still have a long way to go.
The Lowdown on Time Out: Time Out’s story from its humble origins as a free magazine to its rise as a global brand + the excitement of creating food spaces and music festivals in Lisbon, Abu Dhabi. and New York + the challenges of appealing to Gen Z (5:38)Spreading the Time Out Message: The challenges of combining local, national, and global brands + traveling in Asia and Europe + future expansion of Time Out into Barcelona and Budapest (12:45)“Indians Come In All Shades, Right?”: Anjali shares her story of growing up in Manchester and the US as the only brown girl, not knowing if she’s white or black, and finding her voice in the “blonde hair” publishing world + the joy of living in New York and having a mix of everything + the shift from “multicultural” to “mainstream” marketing and uniting diverse cultures rather than emphasizing “otherness” (20:03)Our Parents and Us: Anjali on moving to the United States at 10 years old + Anjali and Ami envy their parents’ social lives and sense of community + how parents allow their children freedom while keeping them grounded + how the price of freedom can be loneliness (27:48)Back In The Day: - Anjali shares her early days of acting and tending bar and always wanting to do new things + backpacking and worrying her poor parents + how South Asian parents give their children freedom while keeping them grounded (31:13)Rapid Fast Round: (38:11)Anjali’s Bucket List: (39:39)
Connect with Anjali:
LinkedIn ProfileTime Out
Let’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.
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Utkarsh Ambudkar, aka UTK, is an actor, rapper, and singer and is featured in the CBS hit show Ghosts. He is also known for his roles in Pitch Perfect, The Mindy Project, and Never Have I Ever.
Kaly, aka Kunal Patel, is a highly-respected rapper who has collaborated with artists such as Indian musical composer and Oscar winner A.R. Rahman. As a side hustle, he also happens to be an attorney.
These guys have been friends forever, but they've never really worked together. Now, in collaboration with their producer, Shankar Tucker, they have released their independent seven-track EP titled Too Grown Men, exploring themes of heartbreak and struggle and defying stereotypes.
In this episode, we dive into the familiar theme of growing up on the fence between American and South Asian cultures, their own personal growth and experiences as artists, what they each bring to their music, and their plans for the future.
Utkarsh discusses his early years in the music scene with MTV Desi, the BTS of his epic Oscar Performance with Questlove, why he hasn't been to an ashram in India to find himself yet, and the potential plans for going on tour. Kaly tells me about growing up Jersey without any brown people around him, why he is a rappers rapper, how he still keeps his east coast roots living in LA, and what it has been like working with the legendary A.R. Rahman.
The Story of Too Grown Men: Utkarsh and Kaly dive into the creation of the EP and the theme of growing up between cultures and achieving a sense of freedom + Don’t Care, the first album Utkarsh and Kaly worked on together + how Utkarsh’s writing compliments Kaly’s prolific output + getting married and having kids + their producer Shankar and white people who are more Indian than Indians (03:45)Back in the Day: Utkarsh talks about leaving college, VJing for MTV, and his first break + the early Indian music scene and meeting Karsh Kale and future Grammy winners Goldspot(13:10)Indian Music Scene: Kaly celebrates his good luck in working with A.R. Rahman + Punjabi rappers going viral on TikTok + Indian artists who now write for mainstream performers (16:52)Out on the Road: Utkarsh lays out his movie and TV schedule for the next six months + how he’d love to tour with Kaly and his wife + not getting enough Indian food in the White House + the age and beauty of Indian culture (19:01)Growing up Indian and American: Kaly talks about not growing up in India and seeing his relatives in India every six months + Ami and Utkarsh go deep into what makes a healthy attitude to being South Asian and American, proudly wear the flag on your chest or just relax and operate as a human being + Utkarsh describes being relaxed about taking roles originally for white and black people, and being less worried about what people think + Kaly and Ami discuss growing up brown and being ignored rather than discriminated against + the importance of a natural, organic pride in South Asian culture (23:40)Organic Chemistry in the Studio: The story of the song Bring in the 808s. From thinking up the first line driving into the studio to writing the whole song in less than an hour (30:53)Rapid Fast Round: Highlights include rapping at the Oscars, asking Tom Hanks' wife permission to use the restroom and changing in a janitor’s dressing room (35:24)
InstagramIMDB page
Connect with Utkarsh:
Connect with Kaly:
InstagramYouTube channel
Let’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.
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Maryanne J. George is a Grammy Award-winning artist and a clinical mental health therapist. With five Grammy wins and nine nominations attributed to her collaborations with Maverick City Music, her impact on the music industry is undeniable. Together with Maverick City Music, she has helped redefine the boundaries of contemporary Christian music (CCM) earning critical acclaim, widespread recognition, and a dedicated fan base.
Maryanne has released a brand new independent track called Labor, just in time for Mother's Day, and this song really captures the journey not just of motherhood but womanhood and personal growth.
In this episode, we talk about motherhood and the journey we thought it would be, the journey that it is, and all the beauty and ugliness of it. We talk about how motherhood is the hardest thing you'll ever do, and the most rewarding. Finally, we go deep into how we navigate the expectations of being South Asian, career, and motherhood, and how they shape the lessons we teach our children.
What We Talked About:
A Labor of Love: Maryanne reflects on being a mom at the height of her career, the expectations and judgments about motherhood, and her desire to give a gift to her daughter inspired her new song, Labor (4:48)The Great Journey of Motherhood: Maryanne and Ami talk frankly about the challenges of motherhood, including not wanting children and a career, difficult pregnancies, and post-partum depression, and how they would never go back and make a different decision + motherhood as the highest form of growth: how being a parent helps you reflect and heal in your own life, how children teach you what matters + Maryanne describes being a mother has made more confident and comfortable in her skin than she has ever been (7:42)South Asian Motherhood, Then and Now: Ami and Maryanne acknowledge how the sacrifices of their South Asian parents enabled them to pursue their dreams + the conflict between the traditional expectations of South Asian motherhood and the need to be happy and fulfilled for oneself and one’s children + how their pursuit of career and motherhood can help their children grow and live their dreams + how Ami is being a cool mom (11:47) Growing Up Brown in America: Maryanne opens up about the expectations of her culture and her constant fear of how her decisions would impact her wider family + the balance between being American and celebrating and defending her culture + navigating the music and gospel worlds while being neither white nor black (17:13)“You Know What, Girl? There's No Typical South Asian:” Maryanne celebrates her multiple identities of being South Asian, Christian, a female artist, and a mother all in one (19:53)Connect with Maryanne:
https://maryannejgeorge.com/InstagramTwitter/XYouTube Channel
Let’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media
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Zarrar Khan is an award-winning Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker. Born in Karachi and currently based out of Toronto, Zahra’s works have been screened and awarded in over 100 festivals, including TIFF, Bocarno, and BFI London.
In Flames, his genre-bending feature directorial debut, premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival as part of the Director's Fortnight. A story about Pakistani women, about resilience, it’s a perfect mixture of education, entertainment and thriller, and has garnered critical acclaim and prizes worldwide.
In this episode, Zarrar delves deep into the process of creating In Flames and its subsequent controversy, and the importance of portraying Pakistan in all its complexity. He passionately expresses the importance of telling stories of Pakistani women at a time of worldwide crisis for women’s rights. He shares his thoughts on the state of Pakistani cinema. Finally, he shares his insights into living as both a Canadian and a Pakistani and learning to fall in love with all of Pakistani culture.
Zarrar is truly committed to telling stories that amplify historically marginalized communities, about voices that need to be heard.
In Flames comes out April 12th across North America
What We Talked About:
The Birth of In Flames: Zarrar describes how he developed the idea for In Flames through his early short films + the strong relationships he forged with his female cast + the urgency to show this film to the world at this time of crisis in women’s rights from Iran to Roe vs Wade (3:28}Pakistani Culture and the Making of In Flames: Zarrar explains how he combined the genres of thriller, family drama and supernatural to capture the fear-filled lives of women in the religious society of Pakistan + why the Pakistani Oscars called the film a “lasagna” (5:56)Stirring the Pot: Zarrar describes how the film generated controversy across Pakistan + navigating the censors through the controversial parts + how the film has resonated with young people and how the old guard's objections are “a badge of honor.” (9:23)Seeing Pakistan in A New Light: Zarrar discusses the value of an outsider’s perspective in exploring traumatic issues + how being a male director helped him tell the stories of Pakistani women + how female directors can bring the same outsider’s perspective to shining a light on toxic masculinity (11:48)Shooting Karachi: Zarrar describes the challenge of capturing the unique beauty of his birthplace on a microbudget + his pride in debuting his Karachi-born female lead + fleming the racier scenes in closed sets and the importance of having females in the crew (13:53)“They’re Actors - They Can Act:” Zarrar opens up about filming the racier scenes in closed sets + how his process of making cast feel safe and relaxed contrasts with the legacy of “traumatizing” actors (17:53)Shining a Light On Pakistan: The challenge of representing Pakistan in film without stereotypes + pride in showing the lives of Pakistani women in their complexity and diversity (21:14)A Karmic Moment: Zarrar shares the joy of shooting their take in a pregnancy ward at the same time a man’s wife had a baby (22:55)A Renaissance in Pakistani Cinema: Zarrar reflects on Pakistan’s first attendance at the Cannes Directors Fortnight for 40 years + how Pakistani cinema emerged from the “dark ages with the help of the internet and social media” (24:21)Between Two Worlds: How Zarrar divides his time between Canada and Pakistani + how his children have lived in four different cities + he describes his idyllic childhood and his gratitude to for his family’s support for his career in the arts + the joy of reuniting with Pakistani culture as a member of the diaspora (27:05)Pakistan And Me: Celebrating the diversity of Pakistan’s subcultures + Zarrrar’s relationship with religion and his take on Islamophobia (33:29)Rapid Fire Round: (36:08)Zarrar’s Bucket List: (41:32)
Connect with Zarrar:
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Anu Seghal is a children's author and the founder of The Culture Tree, a cultural literacy and language education company that celebrates South Asian culture. Priya Krishna is a food reporter and video host for the New York Times and the best-selling author of multiple cookbooks, including Indian-Ish and Cooking at Home. Her latest book is Priya's Kitchen Adventures.
The Culture Tree will be hosting their first annual AAPI Children's Literary Festival in collaboration with the Asia Society. This is a unique gathering place for writers, illustrators, publishers, and fans of AAPI literary works. It features readings, meet-and-greet sessions with authors like Priya, illustrators, panel discussions, and writing workshops, engaging the youth with the full diversity of South Asian culture.Anu and Priya delve deep into how The Culture Tree and the AAPI Literary Fest will help immerse children in South Asian culture through the love of reading and food. We talk about the importance of food in our culture and what comfort food we still love, Anu shares her journey with The Culture Tree , and Priya discusses how her dad gets stopped at Costco to discuss his recipes that are now shared worldwide.
The AAPI Children’s Literary Festival will be in person Saturday, May 11th from 1 to 5 p.m. at 725 Park Avenue, New York City.
What we talked about:
Growing the Culture Tree: Anu breaks down the Culture Tree’s mission of celebration and education + the importance Anu places on the languages of South Asia + how South Asian culture is one of the most diverse in the world and the need to celebrate it all + the heartwarming support the Culture Tree receives from the wider community (3:28)Anu’s Journey: Growing up in an inter-religious, multilingual family and her passion for teaching South Asian languages + how having children inspired her to challenge South Asian stereotypes + her pride in seeing her kids haggling in a Delhi bazaar (7:33)Lit Fest: Putting Kids First: The original inspiration for the Lit Fest + TikTok and teaching middle schoolers the lost art of recipe reading + having children do their own writing and illustrating + how children run their panel discussion in the Festival (18:12)Priya's Kitchen Adventures: How Priya’s created an interactive cookbook that normalizes South Asian cooking from a young age + how she came to be involved in the Lit Fest + how she refused to bring Indian food to school so she could fit in + how she first promoted Indian cooking + celebrating the support she has received from Madhur Jaffrey and other South Asian cooking experts (23:15)Priya’s Further Adventures: Priya describes how her local Mutai shop was her first New York Times project + Her pride in her YouTube videos highlighting the unseen labor in the food industry + her latest project exploring identity beyond the South Asian American paradigm + her parents suddenly becoming famous (30:51)Final Goals: Anu and Priya express their hopes to promote the Lit Fest annually for children as young as five as well as middle schoolers + their wish for parents to join in the fun (35:17)Rapid Fire Round: (37:43)Anu’s Bucket List: (40:39)Priya’s Bucket List: (40:46)Connect with Anu:
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Connect with Priya:
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InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.
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Rochelle Pinto is the head of editorial content for Vogue India. She has had quite a career and is exactly how you think a Vogue head would be-poised, intelligent, well-spoken, beautiful, and as a bonus, she’s totally down to earth. In case you were also wondering if she does gets to work with and receive advice from Anna Wintour, the answer is yes. Yes she does.
Rochelle shares her insights into what is currently happening in Indian fashion, content, beauty, and all things Vogue. She speaks frankly about the challenges of representing India in all its diversity and richness and describes growing up in Goa free of gender stereotypes, how her parents keep her grounded, and the ways Vogue India is currently uncovering untold and fascinating stories all over the country.
What we talked about:
Walking The Vogue Tightrope: Rochelle talks about the need to balance a younger audience without alienating Vogue’s original supports + appealing India’s growing market outside of Delhi + the ever-changing role of editor-in-chief and having to deal with twitter wars (2:38)The Vogue Sisterhood: Rochelle talks all about learning every day from the legendary Anna Wintour and getting to see her work up close + She expresses her gratitude for the support and advice of her predecessors Megha Kapoor and Priya Tanna (8:56)Tapping into the Indian Zeitgeist: How the boom in the fashion scene and demand for Indian luxury goods in even small towns reflects the growing pride in Indian identity + discovering pride marches in small Indian towns + Indian artists not needing validation from America (22:06)Current Projects: Balancing 64 projects across multiple time zones + the booming beauty industry in India + celebrating the third year of Forces of Fashion (23:46)Rochelle’s Learning Curve: Being the youngest columnist in Hindustan Times and what she wouldn’t get away with on today’s social media + Co-authoring Kareena Kapoor Khan's first book + Adapting to the age of cancel culture and the perspective from her mother “You’re not that important.”Working with Twinkle Khanna: Rochelle shares her experience as founding editor of Tweak, and how Twinkle taught her to stand by her convictions (34:05)Growing Up in Goa: Rochelle celebrates learning to change tires as well as diapers + the inspiration she draws from her parents (37:56)Keeping a Shanti Over You: How staying with her parents and sleeping in her old bed keeps Rochelle’s perspective + not letting your identity be defined by your job (45:17)Rapid Fire Round: (48:20)Rochelle’s Bucket List: (49:36)Connect with Rochelle:
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We're going to Broadway!
Today, I am talking with the two South Asian leads in a very beloved Broadway show: Michael Maliakel and Sonya Balsara, who play Aladdin and Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin on Broadway.
Michael made his Broadway debut with Aladdin in September 2021. He has had theater experience, including being part of the national tour of the Phantom of the Opera. Sonya also made her Broadway debut as Jasmine in Aladdin and has recently worked on the pre-Broadway lab of The Karate Kid, Sense and Sensibility, and West Side Story in Tokyo, Japan.
In this episode, we talk about South Asian representation, what working on Broadway has really meant to them, and they also share some super fun behind-the-scenes stories.
What we talked about:
Broadway Journey: Michael describes auditioning during COVID with a flying carpet on Zoom + how the Aladdin cast is more ethnically diverse post-George Floyd + Sonya relates her excitement on getting her first break on Broadway. (01:49)History of Aladdin on Broadway: How the show was adapted from the original movie + how the leads put their unique spin on the beloved Broadway hit (06:59)South Asia Takes On Hollywood: Michael and Sonya describe their unusual position as South Asian leads in a Broadway hit + the expansion of South Asians into the entertainment industries compared to the 1980’s and the reduction of stereotyping and typecasting. (10:35)Wow Moments: Sonya describes the inspiration and lessons learned from playing the Girls Scout Convention on Disney Broadway + Michael talks about performing Aladdin for his parents + South Asian parents’ fears for their children’s career paths (16:08)Bollywood on Broadway?: How Bollywood shaped the leads’ childhood + the possibility of Broadway incorporating Bollywood in the future (21:19)Daily Grind of Showbiz: The unique challenges of needing to sing, dance, and act and having to do each performance as if for the first time (26:52)Looking to the Future: The leads describe the rare good fortune of being in a long-running show + becoming a first-time Dad mid-show (31:34)Growing up South Asian: Sonya opens up about being half-Indian half-white and not totally belonging + Michael reveals how growing up Indian Catholic led to him being teased by fellow Indians + the importance of accepting and celebrating your identity (36:29)Fast Fun Round: Pet peeves, celebrity crushes, greatest bloopers, ultimate professional collaboration (45:59)Connect with Michael:
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This podcast is produced by Ginni Media
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In honor of SXSW coming up next week, I wanted to share a previous episode with one of the keynote speakers for the conference!
Rohit Bhargava is the Founder and Chief Trend Curator of the Non-Obvious Company and is widely considered one of the most entertaining and original speakers on trends and marketing in the world.
Rohit believes the world needs more Non-Obvious thinking. He helps leaders and professionals to be more open minded, see what others miss and learn to anticipate the future. He is the author of seven popular business books, including his signature Non-Obvious Megatrends which has been read or shared by more than 1 million people and was a #1 WSJ bestseller + USA Today bestseller earlier this year.
Outside of speaking and consulting, Rohit is also the co-founder of Ideapress Publishing - a fast growing independent publisher that specializes in working with top authors to publish beautiful business books.
We talk about what a Futurist does, why he is the trend guy, what the Human Mode trend is and why it's here to stay, how starting a publishing company kept him from becoming an a&&hole, and the reasons he wanted to start supporting the South Asian community.
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Kavita Mehta is a a non-profit leader with 20 years of service and a deep commitment to fostering cultural change, organizational transformation, and movement building.
Kavita is the Executive Director for Sahki for South Asian Women, a survivor-led gender justice organization whose goal is to eradicate gender-based and domestic violence. Sakhi is the second largest organization of its kind in the US, and celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. It has really changed the conversation on gender-based violence in our community while uniting survivors and institutions to work together.
In our conversation, Kavita delves into how Sakhi provides a safe space and community for survivors; the high rate of gender violence in the South Asian diaspora, the challenges in overcoming it, and its connections to South Asian culture and beliefs. We talk about South Asian family dynamics and how they have impacted us, She generously opens up about her own trauma, how it drove her to do the job she does, and how she overcomes trauma to this day
What we talked about:
Kavita’s Sakhi Journey: How Kavita joined Sakhi at the advent of the MeToo movement + the challenge of COVID + preparing for the migrant crisis in New York City. (6:26)A Force for Transformative Change: Sakhi’s unique holistic survivor outreach from counseling to housing + how 48% of South Asian Americans have experienced gender-based violence + Saki’s inclusive rebranding (10:50)The Need for True Community and Safety: How fear of judgment and the need to keep up appearance isolates and suffocates South Asians + how feeling like an outsider in childhood impacts adulthood 19:45)Live in the Trauma Or Live in the Healing: Kavita opens up about her violent and traumatic childhood + haunted by the life her mother could have had + how she found healing through her work with Sakhi + South Asians breaking the stigma around mental health. (24:31)The Hidden Trauma in South Asian Families: Amy and Kavita reflect on their gradual awareness of childhood toxicity + the need to educate the next generation (29:02)What next for Sakhi: Celebrating Sakhi’s 35th anniversary + ringing the bell of the New York Stock Exchange + gala (34:16)Lessons Learned: Kavita’s anxiety, learning when to accelerate and when to slow down + Sharing internal struggles of making decisions (37:26)The Need for Self-Care: Kavita talks frankly about her need for regular therapy + the case that haunts her to this day (39:30)Rapid Fire Questions: (42:35)Kavita’s Bucket List: (45:36)Connect with Kavita:
Sakhi for South Asian WomenLinkedinLet’s talk Connect:
Instagram
This podcast is produced by Ginni Media
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When I met my next guest for the first time after getting to know her on social media, I felt like I’d known her forever.
Akruti Babaria is the founder of Kulture Khazana , a business is dedicated to sharing Indian culture with children through educational and play activities.
Her story began in 2018 after the birth of her son, Ayaan. When Akruti realized that the diverse places she has lived in had no sign of her culture or community, so she decided to do something about it
Now through Kulture Khazana, Akruti is able to shares the South Asian culture with children around the US and all of its beautiful treasures.
Kulture Khazana has a variety of incredible Indian toys and Diwali gifts as well as games, puzzles and online story albums for kids of all ages. Kulture Khazana is also is now the first Indian cultural toy brand founded in target.com and nordstrom.com, and now will be launching with macys.com this year!
As a mother of two little girls who is trying to share our culture as much as possible . I could not recommend checking out Kulture Khazana more.
What we talked about:
Going full force for Holi: Akruti talks about the upcoming launch at Macy + her new products that make Holi safe and fun + her most popular product (02:52)The Story of Kulture Khazana: Akruti shares her original journey to normalize Indian culture through stories + the challenge of COVID + the diversity of products and sensory experiences in Kulture KhazanaPersonal Highlights: Akruti shares her pride in talking to her son’s school for Diwali + her new school district campaign to expand South Asian culture to all classrooms. (19:31)Lessons from Akruti’s Journey: People are willing to help + Not letting “no” ruin your larger purpose is the key to peace of mind (23:27)Growing up Brown in School: Akruti opens up about being treated differently for being Indian + how it became the impetus to help Indian girls find their voice (27:18)Women in Indian Culture: Challenging the subservient view of women in traditional Indian stories. (34:15)What Next? Akruti gives the lowdown on her upcoming projects (39:08)Rapid fire questions (40:10)Connect with Akruti:
Kulture KhazanaLinkedinInstagramLet’s Connect:
Instagram
This podcast is produced by Ginni Media
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How is it February already?? While we are working on a few other projects these past few weeks, we're going to share an episode from the end of last year that we also submitted for The Webby Awards this year. Please do go watch "To Kill A Tiger", it's one of the most powerful documentaries I've seen
Nisha Pahuja is a writer, an artist, and director and now an Emmy-nominated filmmaker. Her passion for social impact is marked by a quiet courage towards exploring complex social issues that often breed division through the lens of her camera. We chat about her latest award-winning documentary "To Kill a Tiger," which has won 19 awards from prestigious festivals such as TIFF, Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Canadian Screen Awards, and Doc Aviv and has names like Dev Patel and Mindy Kaling attached to it. The film earned its way on The New York Times Most Anticipated Fall Releases list and Anne Thompson at the IndieWire’s Oscar Contenders list.
I had the pleasure of moderating the premier of the film here in Dallas with some of the executive producers and was absolutely blown away by the film.
Nisha's storytelling prowess goes beyond this latest project, with notable credits like the Emmy-nominated "The World Before Her," the documentary "Bollywood Bound," and the insightful series "Diamond Road." Her work doesn't just capture stories; it sparks conversations and challenges perspectives, especially around themes of cultural evolution, the reality of stereotypical depictions, and the grip that shame has on so many of us. As an immigrant from India to Canada, Nisha's unique vantage point enriches her narratives, bridging diverse worlds with empathy and insight. Her journey is not just about making films but also the art of fostering understanding, catalyzing change, and alchemizing adversity into inspiration.
We talked about:
How Nisha got involved with Kill A Tiger and what she feels were the hardest parts to film (4:16)Western and eastern societal parallels around discussing and handling sexual assault (8:10)Nisha’s relationship with shame and the concept of shame as a cultural inheritance (12:05)How Karen and her family are doing now and current projects in the works (17:20)What experiencing immigrating from India and growing up in Canada was like (18:50)Nisha’s relationship with our culture (23:50)The World Before Her, the initial journey to documentary making, and her perspective on representation (29:30)Connect with Nisha Pahuja
InstagramLinkedinLet’s talk Connect:
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Nick Rathod has been thinking a lot about the power of culture and using it as a platform for change. And he has some experience with that.
Over the span of his 20-year career, Nick Rathod has built successful campaigns, businesses, governmental and non-governmental institutions and been a key advisor to the nation's leaders. Nick has served as special assistant to the President and Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs in the White House, and was also the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Obama-Biden transition team.
Nick has also built a number of nonprofit organizations. Most notably, Nick was the founder and first Executive Director of the State Innovation Exchange. Nick has most recently served as the campaign manager for Beto's race for governor of Texas. He is now the President of Impact and a founding partner in the People of Culture Studios in Hollywood, California.
Nick shares his vision of affecting real change by using Hollywood culture to connect people of color to the mainstream, how he brought his 20 years of experience in politics to bear on the upcoming election, and his fascinating journey of growing up brown in rural Nebraska.
Nick is also currently a partner in building the first ever sneaker and streetwear museum in Houston, TX. NBD.
Honestly, Nick is one of those undercover badasses that has done so much in his professional journey, is sincerely the kindest to everyone, and really never asked for the spotlight.
We need more people like Nick in this world.
What we talked about:
People of Culture Studios + how Hollywood movies can bring stories of sexism and patriarchy as well as people of color to Middle America + bridging Hollywood and DC. (04:35)DEI and the challenge of creating authentic brown stories in movies without becoming a niche. (14:27)#ImmaBeHonest and tackling mental health taboos in the Black and South Asian communities. (16:06)United Dream Fund supporting immigrant investors + building the first ever sneaker and streetwear museum in Houston. (22:24)Beto campaign and championing women's reproductive health, immigrants and the LGBTQ community in Texas + Nick’s love of Texas. (26:51)Election year: Democrats need to break out of the DC bubble and connect with people to beat Trump + how Vivek Ramaswany embodies the worst stereotypes of South Asian men. (29:54)How Nick’s family have supported him in his career + balancing individuality and compromise in marriage. (36:33)Growing up brown and poor in Nebraska and overcoming racism and bullying to develop empathy + his sister, the debt owed to his immigrant parents and taking his father to meet Obama. (39:04)Rapid fire questions (50:29)Nick’s bucket list. (51:35)Connect with Nick:
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InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media
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Dr. Aditi Nerurkar is a Harvard physician, stress expert, speaker, national television correspondent, and host of the podcast, Time Out with Eve Rodsky. She is also a lecturer at Harvard Medical School in the Division of Global Health and Social Medicine, and serves as the co-director of the Clinical Clerkship in Community Engagement. She has spoken at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, the HBS Women's Conference, and many other events.
Most importantly, her new book, The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body For Less Stress and More Resilience, came out this past week, where she focuses on how to maintain healthy levels of stress.
In our conversation, we reflect on how the pandemic and other traumatic events of the last three years have impacted us all. Aditi shines a light on the unique challenges that make us more stressed out than our parents and opens up about the insights into stress she gained on her journey as a patient and as an expert while sharing practical tools for navigating the new normal.
Reading this book was probably the best thing I've done for myself to start out the year!
What we talked about:
How stress and burnout is the norm not the exception. You are not alone and it is not your fault. (03:54)How information overload impacts the natural stress of parenting (08:55)Healthy versus unhealthy stress + achieving the “sweet spot.” (18:04)Dismantling the myth of multitasking + monotask to overcome stress and burnout.(21:26)Aditi’s stress journey + her personal techniques for relaxation. + supporting the gut-brain connection to decrease stress-triggered illness. (25:55)Aditi’s family immigration story + tackling taboos of mental illness in South Asian culture and around the world. (36:14)Aditi’s deep connection to Bombay as key to her Indian identity. (42:09)Rapid fire questions. (49:05)Connect with Aditi Nerurkar:
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InstagramThis podcast is produced by
Ginni Media
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We're back! It's the new year and we hope everyone had a safe and peaceful holiday....and we also hope you're ready to get Tuckered Out this year! And what a way to start off 2024...
Megha Tolia is the President and COO of Shondaland as well as a beacon of ingenuity and leadership. Her professional journey began at Neutrogena and spanned over 20 years, where she honed her expertise in building mission-driven, consumer-centric brands. Her trajectory took a thrilling turn when she leaped into the media universe, bringing her strategic prowess to Shondaland, the brainchild of the legendary Shonda Rhimes. Megha shares her transition from the structured world of consumer goods to the vibrant and unpredictable realm of television production. It's a narrative of embracing new challenges and the excitement of stepping into the unknown.
In our conversation, Megha delves into her personal journey, reflecting on her rich Indian heritage and the influence of her family’s immigration story. We also discuss navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry, her role in supporting Shonda Rhimes’ vision, and her efforts to implement structure and strategy in a creative powerhouse.
As we reflect on the year and look ahead, Megha's journey provides an inspiring example of balancing tradition with innovation, and structure with creativity.
We talk about:
Moving to Dallas, Texas + adjusting to a new city (2:41)The learning curve of shifting from CPG to the entertainment industry + discovering the initial opportunity (8:52)Megha's favorite Shondaland shows to watch and work on (20:11)How their team has grown + what it's been like working so close with Shonda Rhimes (28:59)Becoming a co-founding director of the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and SMU Cox School of Business (35:57)Magha's family immigration story + how she nurtured her love of dance growing up (40:45)Rapid Fire Questions (52:09)Connect with Magha:
LinkedinLet’s talk Connect:
InstagramThis podcast is produced by
Ginni Media
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