When I started my content creation journey, I had two goals: to increase South Asian representation in mainstream media and help others feel inspired to take a leap of faith to go after what sets their soul on fire. Throughout the year and a half that I’
The Break the Barrier podcast hosted by Ambily is an amazing show that amplifies the voices of South Asian individuals breaking barriers in their respective fields. Ambily's passion and thoughtfulness as a host shines through in every episode, making for an engaging and inspiring listening experience. The guests she brings on the show are incredible, with each one sharing their unique journey and providing relatable insights that leave listeners in awe and inspired.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the diversity of stories and guests featured. This platform provides a space for typically underrepresented voices to be heard and allows for conversations that may not have had a space before. The visibility it creates for South Asian creators is important and valuable. As a host, Ambily creates a safe and comfortable environment for her guests, making sure they feel welcome to share their experiences.
However, one potential drawback of this podcast could be its focus solely on South Asian voices. While it is important to amplify these voices, some listeners may find themselves wanting more diversity in terms of guests from other backgrounds or cultures. Expanding the range of perspectives could add even more depth and richness to the discussions.
In conclusion, The Break the Barrier podcast is a gem that showcases inspiring stories from South Asian individuals who are breaking barriers. Ambily's eloquence as a host and her ability to ask thoughtful questions create natural conversations that keep listeners engaged throughout each episode. This platform not only provides relatable content but also breaks boundaries by highlighting underrepresented voices. It is truly a refreshing and eye-opening podcast that will leave you motivated to pursue your passions and break barriers yourself.
What does breaking the barrier mean for Milan? Being loud in a space that didn't allow that for us I'm so excited to be speaking today with Milan Mathew, a force in the beauty and content world who's redefining what it means to shine in your own skin. From bold makeup looks that celebrate melanin-rich tones to scroll-stopping TikTok and Instagram reels that mix humor with heart, Milan brings color, confidence, and charisma to everything she does - so much so that she just released her feature with Vogue India - an incredible win for our South Asian Malayali community! But behind the camera, Milan's journey is one of self-discovery including solo traveling to Thailand to learn Muy Thai, creative risk-taking, and learning how to embrace her voice in an industry that wasn't always built for people who looked like her. In this episode we cover: Her journey from working in corporate for 11 months, experiencing virality on Tiktok, and taking the leap of faith to going full time in content creationThe role of management in content creation, navigating brand deals, and advice for aspiring creators The spark of solo travel and lessons from her four months abroad Support from her family, especially as she became featured on Vogue Magazine!! Reflections on a five year journey and future projects including an ebook, group coaching, and her own future fashion line!!Thank you so much Milan for coming on the show and breaking the barrier. She can be reached via Instagram @milan.mathew and website milanmathew.co for mentorship
What does it mean to Nimesh to break the barrier? Just start doing I'm so excited to be speaking today with Nimesh Patel, a comedian and Emmy-nominated writer. Nimesh made history in 2017 as the first Indian American writer for Saturday Night Live. Beyond SNL, Nimesh has written for events like the academy awards and the White House Correspondents' Dinner, working alongside big names like Chris Rock and Hasan Minhaj. In this episode we cover:1. His journey from graduating with a finance degree at NYU to getting the blessing from Chris Rock which lit the fire in him to pursue comedy full force 2. His first stand up gig and early experiences, including navigating expectations from his family 3. His breakthrough: being the first Indian American writer for SNL and its aftermath 4. His resilience in the face of setbacks and the role of social media in career growth 5. His personal defining moments of success 6. A day in the life, including balancing fatherhood with comedy and being a husband 7. Future projects (including tidbits from his upcoming Netflix special, Instant Karma, airing soon!) and advice for aspiring comedians So let's dive right into it. Welcome, Nimesh!To reach Nimesh for mentorship or guidance, his Instagram account is @findingnimeshThank you all for tuning in to the Break the Barrier podcast. If you liked this episode, please leave a review, share on your social platforms, and follow @ambilyxx for more
I'm so excited to be speaking today with Payal Desai: a wife, mother, and a former middle school teacher turned full time content creator on social media. After her hilarious “no dusty sons” videos went viral on Instagram, she amassed a 349K following and took the leap of faith to pursue her passion full time. As a true teacher at heart, Payal is passionate about using her platform to deconstruct parenting myths and gender stereotypes while amplifying South Asian voices. She has many gems to share with us regarding her journey, and during this episode we'll get to learn about her in a way that we can't off of social media, including her exciting future endeavors! Let's dive right into it. Welcome, Payal! To connect with Payal for mentorship or guidance, she can be reached via Instagram @payalforstyle
I'm so excited to be speaking today with Rene Subash, a South Indian Malayali food blogger whose cooking videos have been a viral sensation. She's on a mission to make authentic traditional recipes less intimidating and more fun. Based in Liverpool, UK, Rene shares recipes passed down through generations of her Indian family, all while showing that South Indian cuisine doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious. Her approach is all about breaking things down, keeping it simple, and making traditional cooking accessible to everyone. We're excited to dive into her story, her tips for stress-free cooking, and, of course, learning about her from a lens we can't just see on social media. Let's dive right into it.Welcome, Rene! To reach Rene for mentorship, her Instagram is @renes.cravings and her e-mail is renes.cravings@outlook.comThank you all for tuning in to the Break the Barrier podcast. If you liked this episode, please feel free to leave a review and share on your social platforms!
I'm so excited to be speaking today with Rianjali, a South Asian American singer, songwriter, and now producer hailing from Queens, NY. While in school, she was trained in Western vocals during her acceptance to the prestigious LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. While speaking with Rianjali off the mic, I learned she was a former domestic violence case worker in hopes of becoming a mental health therapist. As someone who initially saw music as a passion project, her passion turned into a full-blown career as opportunities came knocking on her doorstep. And we're not talking about small opportunities - we're talking about opportunities to personally train with world-renowned AR Rahman in India, which had her think twice about her initial career aspirations, and she chose to take that flight and follow her dreams. In this episode, we will highlight Rianjali's music journey, how she learned to monetize in this space and create a career with multiple streams of income, any guidance she's willing to share, and what's in store for her future. Welcome, Rianjali!!To connect with Rianjali for mentorship and her services:Instagram: @rianjalimusicWebsite: www.rianjali.comE-mail: mgmt@rianjali.comIf you liked this podcast episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in
I'm so excited to be speaking today with our one and only Ms. Lana Patel, an Afro-Indo-Caribbean trans woman who is a model and has been the face of brands like Pantene, Live Tinted, and HoliChic to name a few. She is also an activist in the LGBTQ+ space and leverages her social media presence to fight for trans individuals to have a seat at the table. Her mantra is that true liberation can only be achieved once each human being is seen as an equal. I met Lana at a Brown Girl Magazine event back in May, and I loved her humble demeanor. It's a full circle and beautiful moment for me to have her on the show to share her story. In this episode, we will highlight Lana's journey on how she found herself and became confident in her identity, how she decided to pursue modeling and the impact its made in her life, her social media presence and how she leverages it to do good for the world, and what's in store for her future. Welcome, Lana!! To contact her for mentorship/guidance:Instagram: @lanapatelxoxoEmail: milianasingh@gmail.com
I'm so excited to be speaking today with Pooja Shah, a Kenyan-Indian-American woman who is a full-time photographer, creative director, and founder of TEMBO TONES: a multidisciplinary, creative studio focusing on photo artistry and brand design. Pooja's cultural identity shapes how she sees the world and inspires her communications with BIPOC creative communities. Her photography explores the themes of nostalgia, identity, and slow living to honor and reclaim the experience of black and brown people. Her mission is to help entrepreneurs and storytellers of color craft impactful visual experiences and today, TEMBO TONES is recognized to work across various industries, creating imagery that is honest and intentional at every step.I can't wait for our audience to hear Pooja's story and any gems she's willing to share from her journey. Welcome, Pooja!To connect with Pooja for mentorship and her services:Instagram: @thelittletembo and @tembotonesWebsite: www.tembotones.comIf you liked this podcast episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in
I'm so excited to be speaking today with Kajal Raju, the first South Asian woman to dance for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. She just recently completed a year on this dance team, and she balances this career with a full-time role in tech as a Product Manager. She is passionate about amplifying South Asian voices in the arts and entertainment industry, and has so many gems to share with us regarding her journey. In this episode, we will highlight Kajal's journey on how she moved across the country from California to North Carolina to pursue NBA dancing, how she balances her corporate role with NBA dancing/friends/family/and everything in between, and what's in store for her future. Welcome, Kajal!
What does breaking the barrier mean for Sweta? "It's intersecting passion with purpose," she answers. The guest on today's episode is very special to me, as she's one of my dear friends. Sweta Sridhar is a woman who wears multiple hats. During the day, she works as a Product Marketing Manager in the financial services and technology industry, and by night she is a career coach and digital content creator. She has made noteworthy accomplishments in the media space including partnerships with L'Oreal, H&M, Amazon, Liquid IV, Bumble, and other fast-growing Fortune 100 brands. I truly have no idea how she manages to do this all while sending me detailed voice notes throughout the week checking in on me while also training for a half marathon. She's not only a powerhouse woman but a great friend I've been blessed to have in my life. In this episode, we will highlight Sweta's journey on how she started in the content creation space, learn what inspires her as she shares her tips and tricks on taking aesthetic photos and landing huge brand deals, and what's in store for her future. Welcome, Sweta!To connect with Sweta and her services:E-mail: contact@swetasridhar.comInstagram: @sweetathansugarWebsite: www.swetasridhar.com (coming soon in 2023!)If you liked this podcast episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in
I'm so excited to be speaking with Neha Dharmapuram, an emerging actress and well-established TikTok dancer who used the pandemic to pour into her passion and creative outlet which is dancing. Her passion for Bollywood is impressive and contagious as she now has over 85,000 followers on Tiktok and over 28,000 followers on Instagram. I personally met Neha in New York City during a launch party for AAVRANI's Vitamin C oil, and she was easily memorable with a kind, humble demeanor. As a Master's graduate, she had to make a tough call with either continuing a career in corporate or pursuing her passion full time - and she chose the latter. I am so proud of her for taking on her FIRST but certainly not last Broadway gig by playing a role in the new DDLJ Come Fall in Love The Broadway Bound musical in San Diego, California! Please check her out and show her all the love.In this episode, we will highlight Neha's journey on how she decided to quit her corporate role, how she navigated the challenges of pursuing acting, how the pandemic shaped her career including TikTok brand deals, and what's in store for her future. Welcome, Neha!To contact her for guidance/mentorship: Instagram: @neha.dharmaTikTok: @neha.dharmaIf you liked this podcast episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in
I'm so excited to be speaking today with Nimrita Chavla who goes by Nim. She is the founder and CEO of a startup skincare spa called NC Skin located in the Chicagoland area, which she self funded after working for 4 years in corporate finance. During her journey to quit her job and pursue her passion full time, she remembers experiencing countless visits to estheticians and dermatologists and initially gave up hope on someone being able to help her with her skin for her brown skin tone. This is what drew her to this field, and she's made it her mission to want to be there for any person looking to achieve results with their skin! She especially wants to make herself available to all the brown girls and guys who need a trustworthy estie bestie to help them better understand their skin and use the right skincare products.In this episode, we will highlight Nim's journey on how she decided to quit the 9-5 corporate life, how she navigated the challenges of starting her business, and what's in store for her future. Welcome Nim!To contact her for guidance/mentorship: E-mail: ncskintherapy@gmail.comInstagram: @ncskin_ and @nchavlaIf you liked this podcast episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in
I figured it's time I keep things spicy and introduce myself as your host! I am thrilled to share my journey with how my passion project on social media turned into getting opportunities to work with fashion and skincare brands like Express, Olive and June, Lunya, and The Saree Room as a monetizing digital content creator. There's so much room for South Asian representation in this space, and I hope my story will inspire you to be the change you wish to see in the world. For me, my "why" was wanting others to embrace their identity and culture as I learned to embrace and love my own.To contact me for guidance/mentorship: Email: ambilyjjose@gmail.comInstagram: @ambilyxx
In this episode, I am thrilled to be speaking with Moumita Sahoo, founder and CEO of Zaila Skin, an ayurvedic skincare brand that fuses the power of ancient Indian botanicals and clinically proven actives to create a fun and effective skincare experience for all skin types. Zaila products are vegan, cruelty-free, and follow the Clean at Sephora standard of formulation.As her story unfolds, we will highlight how she started with an unhealthy relationship with her skin which drove her to make a difference in the South Asian beauty space. Her “why” is for Zaila to be the fun, skin-positive beauty brand that young girls like her needed growing up .To contact her for guidance/mentorship: Email: moumita@zailaskin.comInstagram: @zailaskin and @momo.sahooIf you liked this podcast episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in
In this episode, I am thrilled to be speaking with Fenit Nirappil, a journalist with The Washington Post, who has notably published several front-page articles related to Covid-19.As his story unfolds, we will highlight Fenit's journey on how he pivoted from careers in law and medicine to find his passion in journalism, navigated the challenges of getting his foot in the door, and how the one miraculous call from his mentor on a Friday had him take a leap of faith and move cross-country to begin his role in DC - two days later. Fenit shares honest insight and valuable advice throughout this episode for anyone aspiring to be a high-profile journalist. To contact him for guidance/mentorship: Twitter: @fenitn Instagram: @fenit_nIf you liked this podcast episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in
I'm so excited to be speaking with Elizabeth Priya Kumar, founder and CEO of Premini Events. Her company is an award-winning luxury wedding planning and creative services agency that she built from the ground up. Priya has over a decade of experience planning luxury weddings for her clients all around the world, and her notable work has been featured in Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, South Asian Bride Magazine, and The Knot to name a few. She was also named Planner of the Year by the Wedding International Planners Association. In this episode, we will highlight Priya's journey on how she decided to quit pharmacy school, how she navigated the challenges of changing her degree and starting her business, how the pandemic shaped her career, and what's in store for her future. Welcome, Priya!To contact her for guidance/mentorship:E-mail: brittany@preminievents.comInstagram: @elizabethpriyakumarIf you liked this podcast episode, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in
I'm so excited to be speaking with our very own powerhouse couple iLLEST aka Sanu John and Shereene Manimala, artist manager and The Creative Hype Coach. Sanu and Shereene have been married for almost 6 years, and they've built their music and creative careers from the ground up. In this podcast, we will highlight how this couple quit their 9-5 jobs, faced hardships together, and fully accepted their identities as artists to get to where they are now: AKA being the official DJ for the Chicago Bulls, playing at America's Got Talent, producing shows for Nike and both of them traveling the world with their work. We'll also talk about their dynamic as husband and wife navigating this industry together while maintaining a balance and a healthy marriage. Welcome Sanu and Shereene!
Jessica works as a news reporter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and she's the only South Asian TV news reporter in this market in mainstream media. I know, I couldn't believe it myself! Jessica covers a broad range of topics from basketball to crime. She's a girl who wears many hats and wears them proudly. I'm so excited to be speaking to Jessica to enlighten us on her role and how we can leverage our community to get more people to do what she does. To contact her for guidance/mentorship:E-mail: jessica.madhukar@tmj4.com Instagram: @jessicahmadhukarIf you liked this podcast, please leave a review and follow me on Instagram @ambilyxx to stay up-to-date on the latest guests and content I post! Thanks for tuning in.
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