Don't Butcher It with Upasna Barath

Don't Butcher It with Upasna Barath

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My name is Upasna Barath and I'm the host of Don't Butcher It, the anti-self-help, self-help podcast. Self-help is a money-making, capitalist scam. Self-help is an industry which tricks you into thinking you can "be better" via arbitrary things like meditating and juice cleanses. This podcast is way different than those Rachel Hollis books you see at Target with the 30% off sticker. On this podcast, I share my experiences - lessons I've learned, mistakes I've made, and moments that have impacted me most. I also interview one-of-a-kind guests - artists, leaders, and game-changers. With authenticity and a no-b******t attitude, I hope I can inspire you to be a bit kinder to yourself and find an excuse to change your life.Learn more about me at upasnabarath.com. Podcast art by Madeleine Welsch. Music by Kahlil Irfan Hanafi. 2021 Spotify Next Wave Winner.

Upasna Barath


    • Nov 9, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 23 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Don't Butcher It with Upasna Barath

    nothing's different in new york

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 15:36


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

    binary thinking and making bagels for breakfast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 12:12


    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 

    I'm Going Through Changes (with Tanitha Pereira)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 26:28


    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.

    Remember Who You're Fighting For (with Mynk Richardson-Clerk)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2021 37:59


    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.

    To Be a Person on The Internet (with Tavi Gevinson)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 37:04


    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.

    You've Got No Context

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 17:27


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

    Don't Look Back (with Willis Weinstein)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 28:46


    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.

    Know Your Boundaries

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 21:21


    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.

    You're Not An Imposter! (with Kelsey J. Barnes)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 24:55


    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.

    The "Old You" Is Still You

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 21:32


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

    Unbury Yourself (With Jina Ballenger)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 24:01


    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!

    This Podcast Will Not Change Your Life

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 14:21


    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.

    Go Against The Grain (With My Mom)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 23:15


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

    grain rajini
    You Don't Need Trauma, You Need Convictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2021 14:01


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

    You're Not What You Do (With Emily Robinson)

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 28, 2020 35:54


    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.

    To All The White Friends I've Had Before

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2020 24:55


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

    Do It Your Way (With Nikhil Rao)

    Play Episode Play 44 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 14, 2020 37:04


    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.

    Embrace Your Bad

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 18:13


    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.

    It's All in Your Head (With Josh Simmons)

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 21, 2020 42:42


    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). 

    Fake It Till You Break It

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2020 16:10


    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.

    I'm Indian, In Case You Forgot (With Siri Chilukuri)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 42:58


    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.

    You're Just Not That Into You

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 25:36


    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.

    I'm Not Going To Butcher This

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 14:05


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

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