Don't Butcher It with Upasna Barath

In this episode I lay in bed and talk about why I will be the same person no matter where I live

In this episode I make lox bagels at 7:30 in the morning and talk about things I've been overthinking about ever since I could legally vote 

Upasna talks to Indian Italian model, art director, stylist, and founder of the Tiramisu Party, Tanitha Pereira (she/her). Tanitha discusses her relationship with change, her schooling experience in India, her time on reality television, and more. You can follow Tanitha on Instagram, @tanitha_pereira and join the Tiramisu Party, @tiramisu.party.

Upasna talks to activist, athlete, and friend Mynk Richardson-Clerk (she/her) about her kneeling during the national anthem at her lacrosse games, her experience with college activism, lessons from protesting, and more. Mynk also shares advice for fellow activists.

Upasna talks with writer, actress, and founder of Rookie Mag Tavi Gevinson (she/her) about her motivation behind the Life Skills by Rookie podcast, Gossip Girl and her perspective on reboots, cancel and call-out culture, her relationship with social media, and how her friendships have evolved. Tavi also shares insightful advice for writers and creatives.

In this episode, Upasna explains context collapse and its relationship with self-diagnosing through social media.

Upasna talks to Willis Weinstein (she/her), a gender fluid actor, director, and writer from Chicago, Illinois. They talk about her short film solvitur tondendo, empowering others through creating art, how they deal with self-doubt, and more. You can follow Willis on Instagram, @willisweinstein.

Upasna talks about why boundaries are important and shares her experience with boundaries (aka not having them for most of her life).  She also gives an overview of how you can establish and maintain your boundaries. The Vice article: "Therapists and Fans are Turning Against Instagram's 'Holistic Psychologist'" by Katie Way.

Upasna talks to Kelsey J. Barnes - longtime internet friend and music and culture writer - about imposter syndrome, the impact of romantic relationships on your sense of self, how we choose to post on social media, and stalking crushes. You can follow Kelsey on Twitter and on Instagram, @kelseyjbarnes.

Upasna talks about experiencing grief, making mistakes, overcoming regret, and taking accountability.

Upasna talks to multi-hyphenate Jina Ballenger (she/her) of Chicago Hip-Hop/R&B duo ConSoul. Jina shares advice on how to let your art evolve, how to deal with failure, how to move on when you're stuck on a project, and more. You can follow Jina on Instagram (@theejinabee), check out ConSoul on your streaming platform of choice, follow ConSoul on Instagram (@consoul2), and give ConSoul a 'Like' on Facebook!

In the first episode of this season, Upasna discusses why it's important to center intersectionality on Don't Butcher It.  She also talks about why self-help will not change your life and how to use self-help tools effectively.

 Upasna's mother, Rajini, shares her story of becoming a single mother and the wisdom she's gained through the tough times.

In the final episode of the first season of Don't Butcher It, Upasna explains why trauma doesn't - and can't - define you.

In this episode, Upasna talks to actress, writer, director, and producer Emily Robinson (she/they) (Film: Virgin Territory, Unicorn Store, Private Life, Eighth Grade, Dark Was the Night; TV: Transparent, Saturday Night Live, CSI: NY, Girl Meets World, Criminal Minds). They discuss their opinions on social media, Emily's role as Olivia in Eighth Grade, change-making in Hollywood, and more. Emily also shares advice for being and knowing yourself. You can follow Emily on Twitter, @Emily_Robinson, and on Instagram, @emilyrobinson.

In this episode, Upasna discusses whiteness and friendship. She also narrates a personal essay entitled "To All The White Friends I've Had Before."

In this episode, Upasna interviews Nikhil Rao (he/him), frontman of Washington D.C. based post-punk/rock hybrid band Bottled Up. They discuss the impact of being raised by Indian immigrants, their creative processes behind making music and writing, and Bottled Up's first full-length record, Crystal.  Nikhil also has advice to share. Stay until the end for a surprise. You can follow Bottled Up on Instagram, @bottled_up.exe.

In this episode, Upasna answers a question about a formal greeting that has lost all meaning. She also talks about shadow work and how to get to know your shadow self.

In this episode, Upasna talks to Josh Simmons (he/him), an AmeriCorps Member at United Way of Metro Chicago. They discuss internalized whiteness, the difference between fetishization and preference, and Josh's experience as a Black man on a PWI campus. Josh also shares insight on the importance of finding and knowing yourself. You can follow Josh on Twitter (@Prince_Joshi23) or Instagram (@prince_joshiii). 

In this episode, Upasna talks about the cons of living by the phrase "fake it till you make it." She discusses why she's used the phrase in the past and how it fails to serve people who use it.

In this episode, Upasna talks to Siri Chilukuri (she/her), a reporter, essayist, and scientist based in Chicago. They discuss growing up Indian-American and being raised by single mothers, navigating grief associated with the loss of a parent, and how to stop caring about what other people think. Siri also gives some advice for aspiring writers, as well as information on baseball references in New Girl.  You can follow Siri on Twitter, @schilukuri1.

In this episode, Upasna explains why choosing emotionally unavailable people as romantic interests is a symptom of lack of self love. She discusses her experience with pining and gives advice on how to be honest with yourself in order to break a pattern.

In this episode, Upasna introduces Don't Butcher It - why she started it, what she hopes to accomplish, and what you can expect.