Carolina Desi Podcast

Sujata Day is a performer, creator, writer, and director known for her work on HBO's Insecure as well as her film directorial debut Definition Please (now streaming on Netflix), among others. Join us as Sujata discusses her background, her work, how she turned her creative ideas into reality, the specific challenges her team overcame in film production and distribution, and so much more!   https://www.sujataday.com/definition-please  

Today we are joined by Arpan Bhandari, PhD candidate of Islamic Studies at UNC Chapel Hill, for a fantastic conversation around Sufism and scholarship. We discuss Arpan's background, surviving in academia, the value of the humanities, the basics of Sufism, its influence on Bollywood and modern pop culture, and some of the most prominent Sufis in history (Rumi, Al-Hallaj, Hafiz, etc). It's sure to be an exciting conversation you won't want to miss! IG / FB / Twitter: @arpandholi

Brown People We Know, hosted by Suraj Kandukuri, is an interview podcast with South Asian Americans taking non-traditional career and lifestyle paths. By sharing these stories, the podcast aims to break down stereotypes about South Asians and to reduce social pressures from within the diaspora community to take a certain path. In this episode, Suraj interviews Ranjan Ravaliya who is a retired engineer who earned her PhD in Chemistry in India during the 1980's. At 62, she decided to come out of retirement by visiting Haridwar in India and training to become a priestess. Today, at 67, she goes by the moniker The New England Priest as she officiates weddings. In this episode, Ranjan shared the story of her family leaving Tanzania during Idi Amin's time and about earning the nickname “Rapid Ranjan” as she hiked Kilimanjaro years later. They talk about her decision to pursue higher education despite her father's wishes, and the funny way that she convinced him to pay for it. And she reflected on parenting as a single mother of two and what she sees her role as a grandparent today.

The Carolina Desis teamed up with Keith Chow (@the_real_chow) of the Southern Fried Asians (@southernfriedasians) podcast and the Nerds of Color (@thenerdsofcolor) to put out a special episode discussing this year's rise in awareness towards AAPI issues as well as the general complexity involved in being labelled as “Asian-American”, especially for those of us living in the American South. What are the similarities in our stories? Who gets to be counted in the coalitions being built? And what does solidarity look like between all of us? Join us as we discuss all these questions and more!   IG & Twitter: @the_real_chow IG: @southernfriedasians Twitter: @southernasians All channels: @thenerdsofcolor

Tricha Kumar is a professional dancer and filmmaker who also happens to be the Bollywood film industry's #1 dance choreographer of Bhangra. Join the Carolina Desis this week as Tricha sits down with us to discuss current projects, her philosophy on dance as a career and an artform, the state of Bhangra in Bollywood, the value of labor as a backup dancer, adjusting to Covid, and so much more! IG: @tricha.k Twitter: @trichakumar Website: trichakumar.com MOON: facebook.com/moonthefilm MOON: https://moonthefilm.com/ Witness to a Devouring Monster: https://www.instagram.com/wtadm_film/ WTADM Fundraising: https://seedandspark.com/fund/wtdamfilm#story

We've spoken before about the immigrant experience coming from South Asia to the US, but never the other way around! This time, we get to know Jessica Kumar, an American Midwesterner and Co-host of the Invisible India Podcast. Over time, Jessica found herself building a life with her husband and children halfway across the world in India. We sat down to ask Jessica about her work, her transition to life in India, raising bilingual children there, the misconceptions she had before arriving, and much more. Invisible India episode mentioned: Debunking Misconceptions about India @InvisibleIndia on IG @IndiaInvisible on Twitter @TheInvisibleIndia on FB

What do Rihanna, Greta Thunberg, and the farmers of India all have in common? They, along with a groundswell of supporters worldwide, are shedding light on the unjustness of three farm laws passed by India's Parliament. The passing of these laws, which has sparked the largest protest in world history, strip away previous protections for workers and open the doors for billionaire corporate interests to destroy an entire way of life for upwards of 60% of India's population still working in agriculture. We sit down with Sahej Preet Singh of the Sikh Coalition to discuss the rapidly developing situation, the plight of the farmers, the ongoing human rights' abuses committed by the government against peaceful protesters, and how it all ties back to us as Americans watching from afar. Please join us for this very special and important episode of the Carolina Desi!   Resources discussed in the episode: @sikhcoalition on IG www.sikhcoalition.org/farmers-protest bit.ly/farmers-protest @khalsa_aid on IG

Sachit Grover is a young Desi-American Actor and Content Creator making his way in the rapidly evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. We sit down with Sachit to discuss his film projects, experiences, and lessons learned both at home and abroad. Tune in to hear more about Sachit's creative process, the challenges of acting in a second language, adapting to auditioning during Covid-19, learning from and working with experienced Bollywood actors such as Ranvir Shorey, and much more! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sachitgrover Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grobrosach/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/grobrosach  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GroBroProduction

Elisheba Haqq is an author, educator, and nurse who has just released her debut memoir Mamaji, chronicling the adversity, challenges, and lessons learned through her own upbringing as a Desi-American in 1970s Minnesota. We sit down with Elisheba to discuss the social and cultural isolation felt in her life, the effects on her family and identity, as well as other core themes that have shaped her and her story. Find Mamaji on Amazon or B&N. 

On today's episode, we had the great pleasure of speaking with Duke professor, economist, author, and self-described nerd Ronnie Chatterji on his 2020 political campaign as the Democratic candidate for North Carolina State Treasurer. Join us as we learn more about his vision for North Carolina, his background working for the Obama administration, the significance of the office of NC State Treasurer, his own experiences as a Carolina Desi, and much more. Remember to VOTE on or before November 3rd. To learn more about Ronnie and his platform, visit www.ronniechatterji.com.

Everyone’s lives have been affected, but what does the rapid spread of COVID-19 look like from the eyes of a healthcare professional on the front lines of the fight? Kunal Joshi is a hospital based board certified physician from the Seattle, Washington area, one of the first places hit hard in the US by the current pandemic. Join us today as he sits down to share his first-hand experiences and insights on the stress COVID-19 puts on the US healthcare system - its workers, its patients, and the community at large. For more information on this evolving situation, visit https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/.

Kripa Shah is authentically herself. She’s proud to be desi, and she’s proud to be gay. Understanding her origins within a socially conservative culture, she had to tactfully manage both finding her truth and then sharing that truth with her loved ones, knowing full well they may never truly understand her. Join us this week as we discuss her ongoing journey from vulnerability to confidence, and navigating the muddy waters in between.

Happy End-of-the-Decade, Carolina Desi listeners! This decade of our lives has been a whirlwind, to say the least. Reflecting on this decade gave us an insight to the evolution (or de-evolution?) of our optimism for the past as well as the upcoming decades of our lives and future generations in this new bizarro world. What do you hope is in store for you? Stay tuned for a special surprise at the end!

Sometimes, Free Speech requires a price to be paid. As a result, in today's polarizing world climate we see violence against political activists, government censorship, self-censorship, "Cancel Culture", etc. Join the Carolina Desis this week as they discuss their observations on these costs, their effects on social media, and why it can still be worth saying what's on your mind in the present day. As always, thank you Yash Mistry for editing this month’s episode!

The Carolina Desis were joined this month by Transformational Coach, Varsha Mathur (@coachingbyvarsha). Varsha is a third generation Desi-American, accomplished master of many career industries so we wanted to get candid advice from someone who’s seen and coaches it all . From the stigma of dating to the taboos of divorce in the South Asian culture, Varsha drops some truth-bombs. We discuss why relationships are the way they are as well as how experiencing a “third culture” affects your understanding and awareness of self-worth.  Get your personal coach on with Varsha Mathur at www.coachingbyvarsha.com. And as always, thank you Yash Mistry for editing this month’s episode!

By definition, Brain Drain is the emigration of highly trained or intelligent people from a particular country. India and other surrounding countries experience the Brain Drain epidemic with their society’s top talent seeking prosperous opportunities abroad in countries such as USA or Canada. Why does this happen? What do countries “abroad” offer that makes the move across the globe worth it? What is the impact? Join the Carolina Desis as they pretend to be geo-politicians. Thank you, Nick Joseph for this month’s episode topic! And as always, thank you Yash Mistry for editing this month’s episode!

The Carolina Desis were invited back to their alma mater to speak to a class about the Religion & Politics in India from 1800s to the Present, taught by Dr. Mou Banerjee. Thank you to the students: Lucas, Amy, Ethan, Darian, Liam, and Aaron (special thanks to Aaron for bringing us this opportunity) for the fantastic conversation! This episode is a highlight reel of the various topics we discussed. Shout out to Yash Mistry for editing this month’s episode! Disclaimer: all of the opinions expressed during the discussions are very much our personal opinions as the Carolina Desis and do not represent Clemson University, in any way.

The episode you have all been waiting for (or at least one of them) is finally here: WEDDINGS! From the planning to the week-long wedding events, the Carolina Desis break it all down with guest Kiran Mohan of Sonaa Wedding & Events (@sonaaevents). Kiran, a Toronto native and recent Charlotte resident, shares her experiences as an accomplished planner and what she wants to bring to the Desi wedding industry in the Southeast US. We discuss the variety and significance of wedding events and traditions that differ among religions, ethnicities, and families in the South Asian Diaspora. Staying true to the core ideals of the podcast, we get Kiran’s take on the evident generation gap and impact of millennial minimalism on wedding planning as a first generation Desi-American. Tune in to learn why there are elephants at Desi weddings and how you can get your hands on a Gulab Jamun cupcake! Book your next event with Sonaa Wedding & Events: www.sonaaevents.com

CD31 Stay Green by Gurtej Singh & Rashmili Vemula

The Carolina Desis have RETURNED. To top it off, they’ve returned with a GUEST. Please join the Carolina Desis this week in their conversation with self-made fitness and nutrition coach, Dee Gautham (@squats_and_samosas). Dee shares her career transition from medicine to tech to full-time fitness and nutrition coach. We discuss the stigmas revolving around fitness, particularly the effect that the South Asian community has on our body image. As a high-achieving, natural-born leader, Dee is the perfect example of a Girl Boss. Tune in to listen to Rashmili fangirl for the entirety of the episode. https://www.deegauthamfitness.com/ IG: @dee_gautham

Meet Udit Rathore: Delhi born, Charlotte raised, and Boston dwelling. Udit and his family moved to North Carolina in the 90s and built a flourishing academy, Sangrock Blackbelt World. The Carolina Desis and Udit discussed everything from his experience in the US Armed Forces, his family’s Sangrock Blackbelt World journey, and the true meaning and impact of self-empowerment and leadership. Udit is soon launching the Sangrock Initiative, a service to underprivileged students to experience the empowerment they deserve through the art of Taekwondo. To learn more about Sangrock Blackbelt World, visit http://sangrock.com/

Time. There’s never enough of it! At least, not for the Carolina Desis. Why is it so hard to come by? Is it a side effect of being an adult? Join them this week as they try to unravel the concept of punctuality and priorities in both the Desi and American cultures. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

We had the pleasure of having a conversation with Manoj Kesavan. Manoj is an architect, urban designer, educator, creator, and everything else under the sun within the Charlotte Arts community. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Que-OS, a non-profit organization whose mission is to "transform the way art/culture is created and shared, and how people connect to causes and community." They create open and inclusive platforms for artists and other creative professionals to engage and create social impact at a large scale. Que-OS organizes BOOM, an annual artist/community-led festival of contemporary art and creativity, which launched in April 2016. Their other initiatives range from the design of an off-the-grid free rural clinic in Haiti to running the Pecha Kucha Night series in Charlotte. Kesavan has been a visiting lecturer/panelist/juror at several universities and writes/lectures internationally. Aside from Manoj’s incredible contributions, we learned about his social capital serving him, working hyper-locally, emerging cultural institutions, and much more. Tune in to hear more about Manoj and his daily work in Human Architecture. Visit http://boomcharlotte.org to find out more! Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

The American Dream: the epitome of what is possible, what you value, and what you want to be. The immigrant American Dream is exactly that but is strongly influenced by heritage, culture, and upbringing. Join the Carolina Desis this week as they reflect on what the American Dream is and what it means to them. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Episode 25 already?! Wow, the silver jubilee. Give us a moment to bask in this ~1 year of existence (thanks to you all!). This week, we spent some time reflecting on our progress, share the evolution of our message, and hint at future projects. There is a lot headed for you all and we are excited to share soon!

Have you considered or even noticed how brands permeate through your life? For example, using the brand name Band-Aid when referring to a bandage. The concept of brands and function are prevalent in any industry and any consumer market. The Carolina Desis explore brands from their childhood that are common in a typical Desi-American household. You may recognize them all! From food and beauty to technology and fashion, tune into this week’s episode about various brands, consumerism, the idea of shopping local, and brand loyalty as a whole. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

We had the honor of speaking with Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera, for this week’s episode! Councilwoman Ajmera was elected in 2017 and is serving her first term on the Charlotte City Council At-Large and has the proud distinction of being the first Asian-American and the youngest woman to serve. She is passionate about creating a sustainable, equitable and safe Charlotte. Her accolades and accomplishments are endless and nothing short of inspiring, but you will find out just how impressive she is when you tune in! Listen in to learn more about Councilwoman Ajmera’s political journey, the Charlotte Women’s March, and her response to anyone who asks about her rotis. Instagram: @dimple4charlotte Twitter: @DimpleAjmera About: http://charlottenc.gov/CityCouncil/bios/Pages/DimpleAjmera.aspx Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

The Carolina Desis are back from the holidays and ready to take on 2018! They’ve had time to reflect on their holidays, which was accompanied by the concept of distance. When is distance good, and when is distance bad? We divided the topic into physical distance and distance as intangible to aid the question. While it is not simple to pinpoint a single answer, we concluded that self-awareness is a key factor in accepting the effects of distance. Tune into this week’s episode to find out how and why. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

It's December already?! We can't believe it's the last Carolina Desi episode of 2017! We wanted to spend some time reflecting on an incredible year, the rise and shift of holiday symbolism, and what the holidays mean to the Carolina Desis. We've come a long way this year and we truly couldn't have done it without YOU. So, thank you to each and every one of you! HAPPY HOLIDAYS and see you in 2018! Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

When time dictates, you will be required to step up into a role for the benefit of your family. The Carolina Desis constantly ask themselves, “What do I do when the time comes? What steps do I take to make sure my family is provided for at any capacity?”. We continuously try to regain diluted information from financials to traditions through conversations with our parents, but what else have we missed? Tune into this week’s episode to better understand the information gap between our parents’ upbringing and our own, and the importance of keeping family traditions alive. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Is love ever truly unconditional? This week, the Carolina Desis questioned unconditional love as they simultaneously attempted to understand the cultural impact and justification of love with conditions. For example, where is the line drawn on conditions that warrant disownment? Or even as simple as, how {desi} family members show affection to each other - which is rather different from how super dad, Danny Tanner, does so. Hasan Minhaj describes the Conditional Love narrative the best in his off-broadway show, “Homecoming King”; basically, the immigrant parents’ attempt to mold their children into “little Kobes”. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Meet Akaash Singh (@akaashsingh)! A fellow American Born Desi Comic (see: Episode 13 with Alingon Mitra), Akaash is a regular on MTV (Wild n' Out, Guy Code), on the cast of Brown Nation on Netflix, and co-host of the American Desis podcast. Born and raised in Texas, Akaash has quite the perspective of growing up Desi in the American South. Before we realized, we went through about 8 topics in our conversation with Akaash and each one is hilarious, yet thought-provoking (as usual, right?). Hear Akaash’s take on being terrified of “real fame”, show business, aging, aunties, and a lot more. The American Born Desi Comics are BACK! The ABDC Independence Day Show was a huge success and they were picked up for the upcoming New York Comedy Festival (@nycomedyfest) as the first and only all South Asian show! Catch the ABDCs on Sunday, November 12th, 7:30p at Caroline’s on Broadway (@carolinesonbway) in New York City. Full details & ticket information here: http://nycomedyfestival.com/…/american…/ Book now with promo code "ABDC5" for $5 off! Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10th, we sat down with Payal Patel to discuss the stigma, assumptions, and systematic challenges surrounding Mental Health Treatment within the Desi community and American culture at large. Payal is a Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist hailing from New Jersey but now settled in North Carolina to start her own counseling practice, Manu Counseling (@manucounseling). Payal has treated numerous clients affected by traumas such as mental illness, sexual assault, and domestic violence - all of which are also prevalent in the Desi community but more repressed from conversation than they should be. Join the Carolina Desis this week as they speak to Payal about the importance of discarding labels when it comes to Mental Health and Wellness. If you are in the Charlotte area, check out Payal’s counseling practice at http://www.manucounseling.com. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

It took us long enough, but we finally had a chance to sit down with Yash Mistry (@yashyog), a Charlotte Digital Storyteller and a Day 1 fan of Carolina Desi! Yash runs Mistry Design Co. where he does Graphic Design, Web Dev, and everything in between. Join the Carolina Desis this week as they discuss with Yash, the process of pursuing and owning a business within the creative field, working for yourself, and the value of connections. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

It’s time for a... BOLLYWOOD BREAKDOWN! We know you’ve been waiting for this. Joining us this week is director, producer, film critic, and writer, Bhavna Singh (@theBhavnaSingh). Bhavna spends all day every day working, thinking, and dreaming about the film and media industries so who better to break down Bollywood with us? We sat down with Bhavna to learn about her projects, her experience covering the International Indian Film Academy Awards, and obviously the history, aesthetics, and perception of Bollywood from a Carolina Desi perspective. (BONUS: This just in, find out where Priyanka Chopra gets her burgers!) Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

This week, the Carolina Desis dive into some of the history, importance, and influence of Dance as a performing art and institution within Desi culture. They differentiate between various fine arts and folk dances while staying true to each topic's religious, cultural, colorful, and emotive nature. How does dance play a tremendous role in a Desi’s life? Listen to this week’s episode to learn more about its rich history and Rashmili’s personal (emotional) attachment to it. For a quick overview on the performing arts in India, check out Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) India. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

SURPRISE! We’re releasing next week’s episode early! Don’t deny that you’re extremely thrilled :) Joining us this week is comedian, Alingon Mitra (@alingonmitra)! Based in NYC, Alingon has written for The Daily Show and has appeared on Last Comic Standing, Conan, Colbert…just to name a few. Hopefully Alingon didn’t mistake our excitement for obnoxiousness but we could’ve truly talked to him for hours. Tune in to hear Alingon’s witty yet perceptive thoughts on Comedy as a genre, craft, and career as well as the evolving representation of Desis in media. Alingon and a few other comedians are doing a show on India's Independence Day called American Born Desi Comics (ABDCs) on August 15th at Caroline’s on Broadway (@carolinesonbway) in New York. Check out their trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xEdC9GMfTtE and find more information about their event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanborndesicomics/. Get your tickets here: ttp://www.carolines.com/comedian/american-born-desi-comics/. Use promo code ‘ABDC’ before Sunday the 13th to get $5 off your tickets! You’re not going to want to miss this episode nor their show! Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Would breaking a mirror really bring seven years of bad luck? The answer differs depending on who you ask. But more importantly, why does superstition still play a part in some of our lives? While each culture has its fair share of superstitions, the mysticism revolving around superstitious beliefs and the ominous control of fate play a different, yet significant, role within the Desi diaspora. Join the Carolina Desis in this week’s episode to learn about common superstitions among Desi cultures and the rooted explanations for supernatural reverence. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

This week, the Carolina Desis are in conversation with photographer Kripa Shah. A Desi, Charlotte native, and strong advocate for equality of all kinds, Kripa recently directed her photography skills towards shaping her passion project, Echoes of Equality. Inspired by personal experiences, Echoes of Equality aims to educate about equality in all its forms and its importance in society. We sat down with Kripa not only to discuss her project as a whole, but also to delve into the not-so-talked-about struggle for LGBTQ Equality within the South Asian community. Tune in to today's episode to learn more about Kripa, Equality, and the human right to be who you want to be. Learn more and get involved with Kripa's project, #echoesofequality Echoes of Equality: https://kripakshah.wixsite.com/kriptography/people. Find Kripa on social @kupppeee and her beautiful photography @therealkriptography! Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

​Happy 4th of July, everyone! Banana Bread and Bald Eagles. Football and Freedom. Apple Pie and the American Dream. A country known for its freedom, opportunities, and prosperity - what's not to love? However, the Carolina Desis are questioned, unintentionally or intentionally, for their patriotism towards any country they may hold dear. Especially in the south, they often find themselves at the crossroads of nationalism and patriotism. Who is to say what's right or wrong? Tune in to this week's episode to celebrate America with first generation Americans. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Think about every detail that describes your identity: nationality, ethnicity, heritage, values, skin color, language. Now, try placing yourself in one category. Can you? Not impossible, but difficult. Quite often, the Carolina Desis find themselves erroneously placed in one category or on one side of the spectrum. "ABCD", "FOB", Too Assimilated, Not Assimilated Enough… what does it all mean? Tune in to this week's episode to learn about an intra-cultural divide within the Desi diaspora, and the effects of the associated stigma. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Have you found yourself questioning a significant part of your identity because of the majority? But, who hasn't? Maybe the real questions are: why and how did you grow from that experience? A central theme in their lives and others, join the Carolina Desis as they explore the effect of their religious differences without a Bible in the Bible Belt. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

While there is no right or wrong answer, the practice and concept of physical discipline are worth discussing. Join the Carolina Desis in today’s episode as they share their personal experiences and views on getting disciplined as children and disciplining as a whole. Bonus: tune in to find out why no one could babysit toddler Gurtej! Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Consider the act of code switching, where you might change your vernacular, mannerisms, and even language based on where you are and the people around you. Have you ever thought about how the switch occurs or how it defines you as a person? Join the Carolina Desis as they explore code switching and the associated challenges of growing up multilingual. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

What exactly makes food an integral part of family, community, and self? Is it the act of cooking? Is it sharing recipes and traditions? Or is it simply enjoying each other's company? The Carolina Desis think it's a special combo of all of the above and much more! Join them today as they discuss an aspect of heritage stemmed from cuisine. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Do you ever get a hankering for a nice, hot cup of Chai? So do our hosts! Join them as they discuss everything and anything related to Desi cuisine - from common misconceptions to key ingredients and their favorite desserts! Jalebi, Paneer, Lassi, Naan, and more: the Carolina Desis break it all down for you on today's episode! Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

What shocks the Carolina Desis to their cores when visiting India? On today’s episode, they discuss everything from calamitous traffic, beautiful architecture, differing lifestyles, animals in the streets, and much more! Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

Originally introduced to South and Southeast Asian markets, Fair and Lovely is a fairness cream meant to lighten skin complexion. Today our hosts discuss how products like Fair and Lovely only encourage and perpetuate the already unhealthy standards of beauty pervasive in Desi cultures and beyond. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.

In this very first episode, get to know our hosts as they examine the roots, perceptions, and misconceptions associated with their "foreign" names. Follow @thecarolinadesi on social media to join the conversation.