Today's guest is none other than Raja Kumari, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, and India’s top female rapper. Known as Svetha Rao to loved ones, she brings an otherworldly fusion of Eastern and Western music that's completely reshaping the industry.In our chat, Raja Kumari takes us on a journey through her album 'The Bridge’. Released worldwide in April 2023, this album is a work that not only showcases her unique blend of cultures but also marks her debut under her own label that launched two years prior, Godmother Records. Talk about trailblazers, guys, this woman is fearless. She has such a charismatic personality and is truly a natural-born storyteller, who by the way now has over 43 million monthly Spotify streams. I had such a blast interviewing her as she shared captivating insights into her transition from classical dance to hip-hop, her struggles with American labels, and her groundbreaking move back to India, where she found an audience that immediately resonated with her music. We also touch on her collaborations with absolute legends in the industry like John Legend, her approach to songwriting, and her vision for empowering women in music. Join us as we dive into Raja Kumari's world, where music is an expression of identity and a tool we can use to decorate time. Her experiences, from performing at India’s biggest music festival to working with all sorts of iconic figures, highlight her journey as an artist and a cultural innovator.  We talked about:  Finding a guardian angel in Madhuri Dixit + the initial journey to making revolutionary music (2:12) Touring for 'The Bridge' (14:42) Transforming Svetha Rao through the birth and evolution of Raja Kumari (22:44) Slaying the challenges of creating an album during a global pandemic (29:15) Raja's inspiration for naming GodMother + showcasing the power of authenticity and cultural pride (36:55) What’s up next for Raja + healing through music (42:23) Rapid Fire Questions (50:29)  Raja's Soundbite For The Soul (53:43) Connect with Raja: Official WebsiteInstagramLet’s talk Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Nisha Pooja 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 PahujaInstagramLinkedinLet’s talk Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media

Manu Raju is a Chief Congressional Correspondent for CNN and an anchor of Inside Politics Sunday. He has covered Capitol Hill for over seven years with Politico before taking on his current role at CNN. With a career spanning from Congressional Quarterly to inside Washington publishers, he's a familiar face to anyone following political news.Award-winning and always at the heart of the action, Manu's work is driven by a passion for uncovering the stories that matter. His on-the-ground reporting during the January 6 Capitol attack was so impactful, that it awarded him the David Blum Award. I learned so much from listening to him recount the events and provide his perspective on what it takes to develop a story of that magnitude. Manu has a truly awe-inspiring career and his journey is a testament to the evolving landscape of South Asian representation in media. Manu discusses the challenges and nuances of reporting complex political stories, offers insights into the news-making process, and shares his experiences as a South Asian journalist navigating a pivotal era in American politics. It was a fascinating conversation exploring the intersection of South Asian identity, journalistic integrity, and the relentless pursuit of truth in an era of divided media.  We talked about: Manu's role behind the scenes + developing a story as a CNN correspondent (2:38)How the news cycle has shifted + evolved over the last decade (8:20)Manu's coverage of January 6 at the Capital + discussing the news with his kids (13:43)The fragmented perception of media outlets + the importance of unbiased fact-based news reporting (17:36)Navigating stereotypes and South Asian representation in media (22:41)Manu's powerhouse of a family lineup and his experience growing up Brown in the Midwest (26:36)Rapid Fire Questions (36:09)Connect with Manu Raju: InstagramTwitterLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media

Swati Sharma is the powerhouse Editor-in-Chief of Vox, a leading platform for explanatory journalism. I recently had the pleasure of sharing a panel with her earlier this year and felt an instant connection. As the Editor-in-Chief of Vox, she’s on a mission to demystify the complexities of the world by helping her audience move out of ignorance into knowledge, no matter their background.Throughout her storied career, she's been a force at renowned news institutions like The Atlantic, Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. She has overseen digital coverage through pivotal events like the pandemic, racial reckonings, Trump's presidency, and an historic election. Beyond her editorial prowess, she's a Bay Area native with a passion for travel and all things Bollywood. No doubt that Swati was meant to write and tell stories and is a true trailblazer in journalism. We talked about: Swati's role at Vox Media and their relationship to other editorial brands (2:51)The essence of explanatory journalism and why we need it (5:53)Hiring people who live by intellectual rigor and approachability (11:16)Serving + maintaining a diverse audience with intention and integrity (15:03)Facing imposter syndrome + unlearning working twice as hard for half as much (18:21)Shahrukh Khan, Bollywood's influence in South Asian media, and going mainstream with niche topics (24:40)Highschool Swati + her relationship with brown growing up (30:05)Rapid Fire Questions (35:10)Swati's bare bones for happiness (37:27)Connect with Swati:  LinkedinInstagramLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media

Nisha Ganatra, is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actress of Indian descent. And of course, is also my now new cousin. I first got to know her after watching Chutney Popcorn back in 99, which she wrote, directed, and produced herself. Ganatra has directed numerous television shows including Transparent, You Men Her, Better Things, Dear White People, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She also directed the comedy-dramas Late Nights and The High Note. She is the founder of Lady's Car Production. And you know, it's just an overall badass with such an amazing 25-year journey working in Hollywood. And guess what guys? She is just ramping it up. To me, Nisha could have very well written “To be, or not to be” but could Shakespeare have written for Disney Channel’s The Cheetah Girls: One World movie? I think not, but I’ll let you guys be the judge! So don’t miss out on this crazy fun episode with Nisha Ganatra.  We talked about: Her short film Rise + how her 25-year career began (1:48) Chasing the next achievement and dismantling the rival fallacy (10:55) Nisha's experience of breaking into TV and noticing the shift in industry practices (17:46) Nisha's style of directing and providing actors with notes (24:12) Affecting cultural change through impactful art (26:44) Reframing our conditioning to unlearn people-pleasing tendencies (29:57)  What’s next for Lady’s Car Production (32:35) Rapid Fire Questions (36:47) Connect with Nisha: Website InstagramLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Coming at you live from the inaugural summit of SALUTE in New York City, is this very special episode that you won’t want to miss. SALUTE stands for South Asian Ladies Unite To Empower and their mission is to build an impactful community of South Asian women focused on innovation, unity, and progress. Members of this community are rising leaders in their fields, who are making decisions to shape the present and influence the future. Guys, I can't tell you how much I love this community. The founders have built something very special and profound for South Asian Women. The summit itself was not only impactful, but it felt incredibly warm and intimate, which is not easy to pull off. I had a blast talking to so many amazing South Asian women who are just dominating in their fields, checking out all their amazing brands, and also running into all sorts of friends. It felt like one big reunion, so I hope you enjoy this very special Live episode honoring the women of SALUTE.  In today’s episode, I talked with:  Founder of Girls That Invest, Simran Kaur on getting involved with SALUTE and her panel on all things investing (1:50)   NYC Yoga and Meditation guide, Neeti Narula after leading the mindfulness break for the group (6:31)  Managing Director at J.P Morgan Private Bank, Deevana Palazzolo on connecting with her community and sharing her expertise alongside such impactful women (10:36)   Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Associate Dean at Stanford Medicine, Priya Signh on the importance of mentorship, aligned values, and what makes SALUTE special (17:22)  Board Partner and former CEO of Crate & Barrel, Neela Montgomery on cultural identity and navigating the career journey (24:27)  Founder of Brown Girl Angels, Bhargavi Varma on financial literacy and supporting brown co-founders in their founders journey (27:24)  President and Co-Founder of GEP Worldwide, Neha Desai Shah on the many paths to impact and success (33:34)    Speaker and Founder of Silver Linings, Parul Somani on leading her workshop and defining empowerment (36:53)  Co-Founder of SALUTE, Neha Singh on the journey to reaching the summit, experimenting along the way, and finding your voice (42:42) Co-Founder of SALUTE, Era Ray on the vision behind their paid membership and her hopes for ther collective moving forward  (57:52)  Connect with SALUTE: SALUTE Hasan MinhajLet's Connect:  Instagram

 Rooshy Roy is the founder and CEO of Aavrani, a holistic skincare line that uses clean, effective cosmetics rooted in Indian agent beauty rituals, which she saw her grandmother using as a young girl in India. As an adult searching for an easier way to access non-toxic formulas, Rooshy reconnected with her roots by creating the beauty products she wished she had as a young Indian girl growing up in the Midwest. I deeply resonate with this because growing up in Texas, I only saw brands like AVON or Revlon, and none of it was created with my skin in mind. It’s definitely a beautiful thing when the journey to find a solution, molds us into the resource we once set out to find and that’s the nature of Rooshy’s story. Her recent partnership with Lilly Singh on her upcoming haircare line is proving that Rooshy is ready to bring these ancient rituals to the mainstream and share the beauty of the Indian culture. Join the conversation and hear all about this incredible partnership, Rooshy’s path to her current success, how she is harnessing the most powerful beauty rituals of the Ayurvedic tradition, and more. We talked about:   How the AAVRANI and Lily partnership came about  (1:51)The moment Rooshy knew this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship (9:32)Maintaining healthy competition while supporting other holistic brands (14:10)Rooshy's favorite beauty brands, rituals, and holistic practices + what's next for Aavrani (19:42)The shame of turmeric-colored fingers in childhood + how hairy legs can build character (24:20)Dating as the oldest daughter (29:53)Rapid Fire Questions  (34:17)Rooshy's bare bones for happiness (38:50)Connect with Rooshy: AavraniLinkedinInstagramLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Gotham Chopra is an American sports documentarian, media entrepreneur, producer, podcast host, director, journalist, and author.  He is the co-founder of Religion of Sports, Liquid Comics, Chopra Media, and the Chopra Well. Gotham is known for his sports-centric films, having worked with athletes such as, Tom Brady, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Simone Biles, and in today’s episode, he talks with me about his latest project with Serena Williams.We discuss his current role as co-founder of Religion of Sports, a sports-focused media company that was founded in 2016 by Chopra, Michael Strahan, and Tom Brady.  Gotham opens up about  his incredible journey up till now, what it was like growing up with a famous father, and what he believes is the sign of true greatness.    We talked about:  Meet Gotham (1:06)Sports as a universal language of connection (3:36)The role of inspiration and finding fulfillment through failure (8:25)The quality that every truly elite athlete shares (14:45)Upcoming projects Gotham is working on in collaboration with the South Asian community, Serena Williams, and Steven A. Smith (16:45)Growing up with a famous father and touring with Michael Jackson as a child (22:17)Gotham reflects on the culture of early home life and his relationship with India (31:09)How Gotham's relationship with his Dad has evolved over time and influenced his career journey (34:41)Rapid Fire Questions (42:57)Gotham's bare bones for happiness (48:28)Connect with Gotham: LinkedinInstagramReligion of SportsLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Neelu Kaur is an author, facilitator, NLP and executive coach, and a wellness and burnout management expert. She combines leadership development, neurolinguistic programming, and burnout management to offer her clients a healing hybrid of research-based professional development skills intricately intertwined with the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda. Neely’s book, Be Your Own Cheerleader, is an Asian and South Asian woman’s cultural, psychological, and spiritual guide to self-promoting at work to get your professional needs met. Guys, this book is a must-read, even if you're not in a corporate environment. Join me as I sit down with Neelu to discuss her unique approach to focusing on the mind in the workplace, healing our relationship to mental health, and how she continues to overcome the cultural, psychological, and spiritual challenges we all face daily.We talked about: Neelu explains Neuro Linguistic Programming and what to expect in her program (3:40)Self-advocating as South Asian women (12:04)Neelu's role as a core guide with Chief and how she got involved (16:39)The most difficult cultural, psychological, and spiritual aspects of Neelu's journey that had to be overcome  (20:09)The importance of reframing and having discussions around mental health (27:42)Neelu reflects on her childhood and what it was like immigrating to the U.S. (31:44)Neelu's relationship to South Asian culture now vs. back then (36:54)Neelu unpacks her journey through higher education and her quest for credentials (41:54)Rapid Fire Questions (48:46)Neelu's bare bones for happiness (52:21)Connect with Neelu: WebsiteInstagramLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media

As a genderqueer Sri Lankan American novelist and riveting short story writer, SJ Sindhu is one of the most exciting young voices out there today. Her first novel, Marriage of a Thousand Lies, won the Publishing Triangle Edmund White Award for debut fiction and was named an American Library Association, Stonewall Honor Book. SJ’s upcoming book, The Goth House, is a collection of stories that focus on queer joy, as well as shocking cruelty. You know we love a good paradox. In today’s episode, we talk about her upbringing in Sri Lanka, her memories of the Sri Lankan war, and how much that trauma is incorporated into her writing. And I obviously couldn't resist asking her if she loves MIA as much as I do. Find out how she navigated the many intersections of ‘other” she found herself within, the hilarious last-ditch effort she made to throw her Brown parents off her deviant trail, and what she hopes to inspire in younger generations through her work.  We talked about:  How SJ came to know she was a writer (1:54) How SJ's search to find her voice and genre has shifted over time (6:30)  SJ’s genius solution to appeasing her parents and inspiring a fantastic read (8:12) The meaning and inspiration behind her novel Blue Skin Gods (11:48) SJ's new chapter book coming out in October: Goth House (18:34) SJ’s relationship to Sri Lanka, its culture, and growing up there until age 7 (21:34) The first few explicit experiences of racism and discrimination that radicalized SJ (29:29)Telling queer stories and exploring the many possibilities within the marginalized experience (35:18)  Dating as a queer South Asian (36:45) Life as an Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (39:30) Rapid Fire Questions (42:09) SJ's bare bones for happiness (43:00)   Connect with SJ:   Website InstagramMarriage of a Thousand Lies Blue-Skinned Gods Let’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media

Once labeled as the ‘Face of Failure’ by The New York Times, Suneel Gupta is a best-selling author, renowned speaker, Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, and host of a global documentary series (presented by American Express Business Class). Suneel has studied leaders around the world to discover and share simple, actionable habits that lift our performance and deepen our state of well-being. He is also the founding CEO of Rise, a breakthrough wellness company, and has recently released Everyday Dharma, a guide through 8 essential practices for finding success and joy in what you do. A very penetrative and digestible read based on Hindu philosophy, I cannot stress enough on how relevant, healing, and insightful it was to for me.He joins me today to talk all things dharma (your essence or your calling), concepts we formulate around successes and failures, and if in fact, everyone does find what their true calling is.What we talked about:   Meet Suneel (0:19)Touring for his book Everyday Dharma and receiving affirming feedback(4:44)The power of telling your own story (8:49)Work-life balance, inner peace, and devotion to one’s Dharma (11:18)The arrival fallacy and shifting your perspective (19:04)The arrival fallacy and shifting your perspective (29:56)How Suneel has since connected with the people that inspired his book (44:53)Suneel reads his favorite excerpts from the book (48:42)Suneel reads his favorite excerpts from the book (53:59)Suneel's bare bones for happiness (1:02:43)Connect with Suneel: Chasing Life with Suneel Gupta WebsiteLinkedinLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Hitha Palepu is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, CEO of Roshan Pharmaceuticals, and a lover of all things Mr. T and Taco Bell. From a young age, Hitha’s parents encouraged the belief that she didn't have to be just any one thing but her dreams would require hard work and diligence no matter what. Today we discuss how she wrote her book, We’re Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris, in two months, why she feels like she wouldn't have been able to complete this work without the love and support of her husband, the clever way we can borrow confidence, and her experiences with the Vice President. You won’t want to miss this laughter-filled South Asian extravaganza of an episode so be sure to tune in!  What we talked about:  Keeping our last names, why being in your 40's rocks, and how I found Hitha's book (1:51) The process of writing Hitha's book on Kamala Harris (15:52) Hitha explains what a hype file is, what's in hers, and how to use them to borrow confidence (21:08) Do something about it, don't do it half-assed (26:11)  How the principles instilled in Hitha by her parents have influenced her parenting style (30:40) Eating no for breakfast and learning how to say it more (34:21) Waiting for your Doug and why partnering with the right person is so important (39:26) Hitha shares her experiences with meeting Kamala Harris (46:12) Hitha's life-saving luggage advice (50:22) Hitha and I's concept meeting for the ultimate South Asian collab (super top secret - do not steal or you’ll be hearing from our Aunties) (51:40)   #5SmartReads (54:28) The lessons Hitha learned from her first start-up that is helping her now as CEO (55:46)The childhood story that Hitha feels defined her identity as a South Asian (58:49) Rapid fire questions (1:03:13) Hitha's bare bones for happiness  (1:06:44)  Connect with Hitha: InstagramTwitterWe’re Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris Substack Let’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media

Priti Tanna is the author of So, I Married A Coconut, a coming-of-age story turned memoir that explores Priti’s journey through navigating the dichotomy of being a first-generation Indian American. It is an incredibly insightful book about growing up South Asian and having to walk the tightrope between two seemingly opposing cultures. Today, we talk more about her book and how Priti found her path as a writer, what her childhood was like, the pearls of wisdom that came out of her healing journey, her approach to dating and marriage, and why our lives our so parallel.What we talked about:  How Priti decided to become a writer (2:27)When the book became a memoir (5:40)The true meaning behind her book title (12:17)The concept of being a coconut and the bullying we face as kids (14:53)Priti’s experience at her Hindu summer camp and how it shaped her (29:23)Why were twins (35:33)How Priti has approached dating and marriage (40:27)Priti in the Associate of Indians at Rutgers and Bollywood classic reruns  (45:17)What’s next for Priti and the feedback she received for her book from friends (48:17)Priti’s relationship with India now and what she would tell her younger self  (53:19)Rapid fire questions (58:40)Priti’s bare bones for happiness (1:03:06)Connect with Priti: InstagramSo, I Married A CoconutLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

To honor and celebrate Pride Month, you are in for a treat! This week, I am bringing back three episodes near and dear to my heart. Get ready to listen to the third episode of the mini-series, with Maneesh Goyal, where we're talking true hospitality – Indian style.I have been following my next guest for quite a while now through social media and mutual friends.  He has been doing some amazing work and also.... throwing some amazing parties- I definitely was trying to get invited to one.Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Maneesh Goyal is a self-acclaimed "insatiable people-person,"  and was determined to open the next great restaurant in NYC, which had to be Indian given his roots. That idea mixed with his desire to fulfill his father's legacy, one that started in the 80s with the first Indian restaurant—India House—in Texas, led him on a journey of self-discovery of who he truly is and love for where he comes from.Maneesh is the Founder & Partner at SONA & SONA Home and has partnered with global icon Priyanka Chopra- some of you may have heard of her- to bring Indian hospitality and food to the next level.We talk about growing up in Texas as South Asians, the challenges he faces in the restaurant scene that people may not know about, and how he wants to be remembered by those he loves.He tells me how he and Priyanka ended up working together, his favorite memory at SONA so far, and what the true glamour of global India is today.Here is to hoping for a future SONA Dallas to open up! What we talked about: Maneesh's first interactions with the restaurant business (03:49)How he and Priyanka ended up working together (07:23)Maneesh's favorite experience at SONA (13:22)One dish that makes SONA unique (17:55)The pop-up at Soho House in Miami (23:08)The challenges Maneesh faces in the restaurant scene (24:54)The importance of supporting each other as a community (29:29)Our impact on the next generation – the aunties and uncles of the future (38:13)Connect with Maneesh: InstagramLet’s Connect:InstagramProduced and Edited by Ginni Media. Made Offbeat.

To honor and celebrate Pride Month, you are in for a treat! This week, I am bringing back three episodes near and dear to my heart. Get ready to listen to the second episode of the mini-series, with Zameer Kassam, where we're talking diamonds – the kinds that tell your story.With a background as unique as the jewelry he designs, including time at McKinsey & Company, Harvard Business School, and De Beers Louis Vuitton, Zameer Kassam has emerged as one of the global jewelry industry’s most innovative thinkers and artists. He is the Founder and CEO of Zameer Kassam Fine Jewelry, which he launched in 2011. Through every iteration of his career, one thing has remained constant: his passion for storytelling.We talk about his parents' unique immigration story, how his training really started with his family jewelry business, and why he didn't feel Indian "enough" growing up. Zameer talks about how personalizing the jewelry industry truly incorporates everything he is passionate about, what his 3-part process entails, and his genuine connection with each of his clients.  He shows me some of the beautiful sketches he produces for each piece, talks about his partnership with Forevermark and explains traceable diamonds, the fantastic celebrities he has worked with (Ashley Judd, Hasan Minhaj), and the heartwarming story behind his family heirloom.Recently, Zameer Kassam Fine Jewelry has become an official Harvard Business School case!!Grab a glass of champagne (I did), it's time to talk diamonds!What we talked about:  Why Zameer's childhood was different than his other South Asian friends (03:00)How Zameer got into the jewelry industry (06:13)Zameer's three-part process (21:18)How it looks like to have a truly personalized ring (26:01)Why it's worth buying personalized jewelry (30:06)How Zameer stays relevant in the jewelry industry (32:17)How the partnership with Forevermark helped shape his business (35:37)Some of the celebrities Zameer has worked with (39:59)The Harvard Business School case (50:43)Connect with Zameer:WebsiteInstagramLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

It's always nice to interview someone who has nicer equipment than you.Today I talk to fellow podcaster, Ginni Saraswati. She is Founder and CEO of Ginni Media, a podcast production company whose motto is, “Made Offbeat”- which I can relate to. She is also a contributor to Entrepreneur Media and Rolling Stone Magazine.We talk about everything podcasting, her thoughts on the industry, and where she sees it going in the next 5 years. She also talks about growing up brown in Australia, coming out to her family, and what she would like to be known for at the end of her career.Most importantly, we figure out who the OG influencer really is and I talk about the time I shook Madonna's hand, which can be a whole other podcast episode.What we talked about:  How Ginni Media was born (01:25)The importance of a good customer service (06:05)Some of the pain points Ginni had at the beginning of Ginni Media (07:18)The future of podcasting (11:26)Ginni's background - growing up as a Sri Lankan in Australia (15:20)The importance of being rooted in where you come from (20:28)How Ginni's family found out she is gay (30:27)Connect with Ginni:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInYoutube ChannelLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media

In honor of the Indian American Impact Summit we attended last week, we're bringing back to your ears the amazing interview we had a while back with Communications Specialist and my college friend Parag V. Mehta.We start off our interview discussing our University of Texas at Austin days as dandia/raas champions (of course) to how the story of Matthew Shepard changed his life.We then get into Parag's impressive and expansive experience in the D.C. political scene. He addresses many important issues such as South Asians in government and their evolution as activists, questions regarding Proposition 8, his reflections on Hillary Clinton's devastating loss, what happened when Vivek Murthy (our first Indian Surgeon General) was "relieved" of his duty and how to find hope in our crazy political atmosphere today.He also highlights the story of falling asleep while taking the MCAT's, attending the first White House Diwali party organized by his friend Kal Penn, his upcoming big fat Indian wedding, Texas style of course, with his partner Vaibhav and how lotion became a subject matter when he first met with President Obama.What we talked about:  How the story of Matthew Shepard changed Parag's life. (05:53)The importance of diversity in politics (11:17)The start of Parag's political career. (19:12)Highlights of the Obama years & Proposition 8 (22:23)One of Parag's proud moments (27:32)What happened when Vivek Murthy was "relieved" of his duty (29:49)Trump's election and the aftermath (38:41)Why Parag loves working for immigrants (45:39)The one thing that's holding India back (55:15)Rapid fire questions (01:06:16)Parag's upcoming Indian wedding (01:11:03)Connect with Parag:InstagramFacebookLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media.

Anita Verma-Lallian is the CEO and founder of Arizona Land Consulting, a Phoenix-based land investment consulting company that specializes in commercial real estate. But like a true boss, Anita couldn’t stop there. She is also the founder of Arizona’s first South Asian and first female-owned film production and entertainment company, Camelback Productions. Their mission? Focusing on South Asian and minority community storytelling by uplifting the voices of those who belong to these groups. What we talked about:  Anita’s perspective on Arizona’s real estate market  (3:07)Anita discusses her latest 12 million dollar deal and bringing industries to Arizona  (5:48)The importance of Anita’s family in building her business (8:44)Anita’s inspiration for Camelback Productions (13:47)Anita’s ultimate dream story to produce (18:41)Anita’s experience growing up Indian (22:00)Rapid fire questions (27:51)Anita’s bare bones for happiness (30:41)Connect with Anita: InstagramWebsite  - Arizona Land ConsultingLet’s Connect:InstagramThis podcast is produced by Ginni Media

It's a special LIVE episode coming to you from CT. The lovely and brilliant Sheetal Sheth hosted our team for her Always Anjali event, where she talked to kids from the tri-state area about her book and answered all their insightful, and honest, questions.Her co-host, Hasan Minhaj is an actor, comedian, writer, and political commentator who uses his prowess in the art of storytelling to uplift and advocate for the stories of the unique. However, before Hasan is anything else, he is a father and a family man.So it makes sense he would see the value and necessity of Sheetal Sheth’s children's book Always Anjali because guess what, he too has had his Always Anjali moments.  He also told me he can make some mean eggs.Frustrated by the uncommonness of her name, the story follows a young Indian girl's journey to embracing the beauty of being different, teaching her how to be creative and courageous when life doesn't accommodate your unique individuality. I interviewed them both to discuss all things Anjali, parenthood, and what’s next for Sheetal Sheth.   What we talked about:   Why Sheetal picked the name ‘Anjali’ (5:00) How Hasan got involved in the Always Anjali event (10:50) Hasan's own Anjali moment and using your “Starbucks Name”  (12:45) Day to day Dad duties with Hasan (13:45) What Sheetal’s been up to since our last interview (19:30)Sheetal talks about other upcoming projects (22:45)Connect with Sheetal:  www.sheetalsheth.comSheetal Sheth (@beneaththesheetz) • Instagram photos and videoswww.equalitynow.orgwww.therepresentationproject.orgConnect with Hasan:  Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj) • Instagram photos and videosHasan MinhajLet's Connect:  Instagram

New trailer, new headshots, same uncle jokes.To all the new listeners, welcome to the Tuckered Out with Ami Thakkar—where we interview trailblazers, experts, and prominent voices from the South Asian diaspora to discuss the messiness of growing up Brown, find inspiration, admiration, and most importantly, tons of laughter.To all those who have stuck with me this long, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been a fun ride, and we're only getting started.A special ‘thank you’ to my previous guests highlighted on this trailer: Kal Penn, Rabia Chaudry, and Rishi Malhotra. Now let’s chat with some trailblazers. Produced and Edited by Ginni Media