Down to Brown

In the final episode of Down to Brown, Lahari talks to Nirmitha Iyangar, apparel designer, mother, and gun violence survivor. Nirmitha is a long-time Down to Brown listener, and when talking to Lahari, realized it was time to tell her story. Together, Lahari and Nirmitha talk about the harrowing incident; ways South Asians can take action with gun control and why we should care; how gun violence intersects with gender-based violence in our communities; and our community's journey with trauma. You can get more involved in the fight towards gun control here: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/take-action/volunteer/https://giffords.org/take-action/https://www.everytown.org/https://www.bradyunited.org/https://wearorange.org/about/

Lahari talks to Jigisha, founder of Ji Clothing and Living about our responsibility as consumers, especially in the context of the interiors and textiles space. We unpack the "trendiness" of purchasing local artisan-made work, how our behavior impacts craftsmen from countries outside the US, the "savior complex" of purchasing goods, and how we can be adapt to be more fair and equitable consumers.

Lahari talks to Victoria Kennedy and Isabelle Seale, who are product and design leaders turned investors who set early stage companies up for long term success. Their VC, Seed to Harvest, believes companies built by and for women of color (WOC) are the new unicorns. We talk about the basics of the VC world, exploring generational wealth as it impacts WOC, and access to financial literacy. Learn more about them on their website https://www.seedtoharvestvs.com/This episode was sponsored by Brooklyn Delhi, use code LAHARI10 at checkout for 10% off!

Host meets host! Host of Down to Brown, Lahari Rao chats with Mitali Dargani, host of London-based Brown Game Strong, to review Prince Harry's book, Spare. They examine how Prince Harry, a man who is building a global platform to vouch for racial equity and media toxicity, delivered his value proposition in his book. We approach it from a lens of 2 women who's ethnic and nationalities fuse India, British, Spanish, and American identities. We ask universal questions around intentionality, family trauma/patterns, forging your own path, global history, etc.

Gita Vellanki is the founder and CEO of Neeshi. Working with medical experts and doctors, Neeshi uses natural superfoods at the right ratio can help you balance your hormones naturally to result in no heavy periods & ridding cramps naturally. Lahari Rao asks Gita how her upbringing and identity brought her to this path of helping women live healthier lives, common stories she hears, and how menstrual health and health are the same.

Janani Ramachandran is City Councilmember for Oakland, district 4. She is the youngest member to be sworn into this position in Oakland, as well as the first South Asian and queer woman of color. Janani talks to host Lahari Rao about how her global upbringing between India and the US informed her perspective to take action locally. As someone who strives to be the voice for the voiceless, Janani has exposure to the trials that face both countries, and shares her thoughts on how South Asians can become more involved and why it is so important.Show notes: (1) California's 2022-2023 Asian population (2) California legislature LGBTQ+ representation (3) Gun violence in America 2022

Host of Down to Brown, Lahari Rao, returns after 5 months to address her thoughts on 2022 and what it meant for women and women of color - that it blew. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade and trends that women saw in business, media, and politics...she thinks we can do better in 2023. Lahari talks about a Down to Brown 2023 that focuses on women coming together to find their true voices and selves - whether it's their bodies, minds, or spirits.

[TRIGGER WARNING ]In the wake of Sania Khan's tragic murder, Lahari Rao, host of Down to Brown focuses on domestic violence and abuse, and its silent prominence within the South Asian community. In the first 40 minutes, she talks to psychologist Gayle Paul, MFT, to understand the psyche of domestic abuse situations and how the victim experiences it. They cover ways to safely support a friend or loved one going through this. https://gaylepaul.comNext, she speaks with Kavita Mehra, executive director of Sakhi, to dive into why domestic abuse and violence IS truly a South Asian problem, and why our community needs to participate in broader conversations around gun violence in the US.Sakhi is committed to serving survivors through a combination of efforts including—but not limited to—direct services, advocacy and organizing, technical assistance, and community outreach. (https://www.sakhi.org).Follow Down to Brown on IG @downtobrown_

What exactly is Ayurveda? Who has the right to practice it? Teach it? Lahari Rao talks to CEO and founder of Sahajan, Lisa Mattam. Lisa shares what she knows about Ayurveda, how she founded Sahajan, and her journey to celebrate this South Asian wellness practice on a global stage. They also get into the potential risks of popularizing Ayurveda, and "who" is truly an expert in it. You won't want to miss this conversation!

Down to Brown host Lahari Rao talks to the fabulous, superfat queer bisexual non-binary sex therapist Sonalee Rashatwar (they/he) !! They cover fatphobia, sexual trauma that exists in South Asian communities, what colonization has to do with the way we feel about bodies and sex, gender and sexual fluidity, how some people love sex and others are meh…aka everything! This episode we replace the chup chup rapid fire round to ask audience submitted questions at the end. Listen and follow Down to Brown on IG @downtobrown_

On our 50th episode of Down to Brown, Lahari reflects on what she's learned and unlearned about the podcast's intention and impact. Tune in at 07:00:00 to meet Namrata Rohack, our special guest today.Namrata lives in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and two cats. As she went through her journey to become pregnant, she learned so much about herself. She learned what mattered to her, how not to be a people pleaser and find joy in her life. Through her journey of becoming pregnant, she realized she wanted to help women who have been in her position (trying to get pregnant, loss of a pregnancy, and pregnancy after loss) and created her company Tranquil Lotus Yoga. Through her company, she uses Yoga tools to help people bring some peace to their life.Follow @downtobrown_ on Instagram!

Kamala Avila-Salmon is the first ever Head of Inclusive Content for Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. Kamala and Mana Yamaguchi, VP for Inclusive Marketing and Business Strategy for the same team, join Lahari it talk about what their team at Lionsgate is doing to address the gaps between authentic and inclusive storytelling in movies. We ask tough questions: does Hollywood really care about POC storylines? Should we "just be happy" with tokenized representation? What does it mean to show a full story about a character? How will we talk about multiracial stories one day?Join us to hear all the wisdom from Kamala and Mana, and don't miss our blast of a rapid fire round (Chup Chup round) at the end! Follow the podcast on IG @downtobrown_

Within the brown community, our love stories are diverse, complex, and beautiful. This episode spotlights 3 brown women who share brown and brown love, queer brown love, & interracial brown love. Listen to Jolly Singh, Sofie Khan, and Roshni Kamta share their stories. Follow us on IG @downtobrown_

Oorbee Roy is better known on the internet as "Aunty Skates," with her badass videos of skating in a sari and helmet (safety first!) Oorbee and Lahari talk about how we might've come to the "Toxic Aunty Culture" we came to know in the US, and ways to shift that as we interrupt the cycle. We discuss British Colonialism, white supremacy, the patriarchy's way of turning women against each other, and being the "hero" of our own stories. Follow us on IG @downtobrown_

Sareena Rama, Portland-based fitness and wellness professional, talks to Lahari about wellness in these "unprecedented times." She shares her philosophy on shifting the perspective of fitness, pulling from traditional South Asian practices. We also cover yoga taught by those outside of the South Asian diaspora and the relationship between brown communities and fitness. Follow us on IG @downtobrown_About our guest: Sareena is a fitness and wellness professional based in Portland, Oregon. She is a loving dog-mom, plant-based human, a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and an advocate for accessible wellness.

Sahiti Karempudu and Lahari Rao review the latest revival, 'And Just Like That,' of the beloved TV series, 'Sex and the City.' Sahiti is a former lawyer, current public servant in her hometown of Austin, TX, and claims to have a shoe collection that rivals Carrie Bradshaw. Sahiti and Lahari discuss what the show might be accomplishing, and the diversity that it's desperately trying to include. Of course, you bet we tackled that Diwali episode. Follow the podcast on @downtobrown_ on IG!

Down to Brown is welcoming 2022 with cautiously optimistic arms. In this short introduction into Part 1 of 2022, Lahari talks about her wedding and the feelings (of utter confusion) it inspired in her as a brown gal. She also announces a few changes coming up for this season. Stay tuned for our next episode and follow Down to Brown at IG @downtobrown_

In the 2021 Down to Brown finale, Lahari talks to Christine Chitnis, writer, photographer , and four-time author. We anchor our conversation on her book "Patterns of India: A Journey Through Colors, Textiles, and the Vibrancy of Rajasthan". We start with her love story with her Indian husband and how it sparked her appreciation of Indian culture and stories. We then cover what it means to be working through your identity as first-generation vs. as interracial parents, raising multiracial kids, the South Asian male identity, masculinity as experienced by women, and more!

Anila Yadvalli is a STEM Program Coordinator with Mt. Tamalpais College leading mathematics educational programs for San Quentin State Prison. A big part of what we cover is the humanity of people and the right to a good education - something that can feel a bit more nuanced when we consider the stigmas surrounding the carceral system. We discuss what attracted her to this role, her teaching and leadership experiences with incarcerated people, and how she views her role in this American system as a South Asian-American.

Aisha Rawji, CEO & founder of Shop Kynah, had a vision to redefine the way women customize, shop and wear Indian attire. 4 years later, she's building a strong brand that offers a personalized experience that empowers women through South Asian (SA) fashion. Lahari and her talk about the increasing mainstream popularity of SA wear, cultural appropriate vs. appreciation, entrepreneurship, and FaceTiming the Duke of Hastings himself. Follow us on @downtobrown_ on IG for more.

Sabrina Lakhani is a behavioral scientist who went through a tumultuous marriage and divorce with her best friend before the age of 30. She rigorously deconstructed her belief system and transformed her insecure attachment pattern. Now, she's on a mission to help clients fast-track their healing journey, especially with the lesser known and researched patterns that apply to South Asians and other collectivist cultures. On Down to Brown, we talk about what about the South Asian - American experience uniquely interacts with our attachment formation, and how our parents/families can model both positive and negative patterns.Follow us on @downtobrown_ on IG for more.

Down to Brown's Lahari talks to Fatima Aslam and Zareen Abbasi, co-founders of Shop Kishmish. Fatima and Zareen are an infectious duo, who shine their love for community in their products that inspire nostalgia and connection to South Asian moments. We cover what it's like going into business with your best friend, breaking into underrepresented spaces while also understanding competition, and the dynamics of being Pakistani-American entrepreneurs in the South Asian space. You won't want to miss this one!

Lahari Rao of Down to Brown talks to Natasha Khawja, founder of 'Purpose and Chai.' Lahari & Natasha hone in on the 4 factors that define self identity, and how they experienced them as brown women. They cover the purpose of shame and pain, how the outlets of repression in brown society, and the nuance of "divorcing" family. Natasha also shares with us her journey with her now-husband, coming from different backgrounds. Follow us at @downtobrown_

Lahari Rao, host of Down to Brown, tries something new: a solo episode. After her parents' visit from India, she talks about a breakthrough with her dad on generational trauma. She also talks about why we need to normalize the conversation to function better as humans, especially as look at balancing multiple identities.

Shabnum Gulati, host of Cultured or Nah, and Lahari continue their conversation in a new direction: Shabnum's year in Mumbai auditioning for Bollywood. They cover the experience she had living her childhood dream, approaching research and networking, acting/speaking in Hindi, body dysmorphia, and more. We ask the question...how does a brown, American-Indian gal make it in Bollywood?

Part 2 of Down to Brown 2021 kicks-off with Meera Beauty Co founder, Harsh. Together, Lahari and Harsh talk inclusive beauty and ask big questions. How does Meera Beauty Co tackle diversity in a world where there's always a point of view we might miss? Can we ever truly represent all experiences? What is the relationship between the beauty industry and the LGBTQIA+ community? How can we challenge some of our “age old” ways of thinking? Listen for answers!Follow us on IG on @downtobrown_

Finale of Down to Brown, Part 1 of 2021. Sabrina Molu, editor-in-chief of Hey Simply, might've just created one of the few corners in the internet that remain positive and sincere. Sabrina talks to Lahari Rao, host of Down to Brown, about her identity as both Pakistani and Indian, why she founded herself creating her own brand and publication, and how she approaches her work.Learn more at www.downtobrown.com

Pooja Bavishi of Malai ice cream in Brooklyn, NY, talks to Lahari about how her personal journey of being a Desi immigrant shaped the stories she wanted to tell about her identity and culture. She turned to a creative outlet to tell this story - ice cream. We cover the joy of giving joy to others, finding a place you feel understood, and loads of facts about ice cream! Listen to this episode curious and hungry.Follow the podcast on https://www.instagram.com/downtobrown_/

Shikha Kaiwar is a writer, pastry chef, and tech gal living in London. She visits Down to Brown to review season 2 of Netflix's 'Never Have I Ever' with Lahari, where they chat about how a show with strong diversity and South Asian representation challenged them to see friendships, family, love, the diaspora, and themselves, differently. You won't want to miss this short and fun review. Learn more about Shikha Kaiwar on her website, www.shikhalamode.com

Lahari of Down to Brown gets a chance to talk to Priya Mareedu, model and adventurer. On Instagram, Priya is known as @thewildindian girl, and has a 168K+ following tracking her outdoor lifestyle, gorgeous modeling, and global travels. Priya talks to Lahari about how she identifies with her South Asian identity and where she connects with and honors her parents, while living a seemingly "alternative" lifestyle. She goes into traveling as a lone woman, including some of the details we take for granted. Most importantly, they get into the joy of taking risks and seeing failures as pivots, standing up for your own passions, and being your most authentic self.

Sanjana Jhaveri is a manager at Facebook, co-founder of Privosa, and a fusion fashion blogger/creator. She and Lahari talk about their careers in their respective points of it - early and mid. They ask how their South Asian identities uniquely influenced their desire to honor their parents' hopes and dreams, while also carving their own paths. They both discuss tech, networking, building confidence, moving forward, etc.

Lahari Rao talks to Instagram star Cas Jerome (@casjerome,) represented by Slash Management. We talk about how hard it is to be a brown woman trying to be the person they "should" be according to South Asian AND American society, approaching it from the lens of messages from social media and the influencer world. We talk touch on racism in the influencer community, what it means to deviate from the conventional South Asian woman's look/feel, dating as an influencer, and being unafraid to be your most authentic self.Follow the podcast on @downtobrown_

Part 1 of 2. In their first collaboration together, podcasts Down to Brown's and Cultured or Nah's hosts, Lahari Rao & Shabnum Gulati respectively, come together to talk about Bollywood. Shabnum, who spent a year auditioning for Bollywood in Mumbai, and Lahari healthily critique the impact of the films they watched growing up in the 90s as kids: the role women played and the agism they observed, relationships and marriage, and divorce.Follow Down to Brown on Instagram @downtobrown_

Roz Kaur is a 54- year-old creative stylist and a pro-diversity and age advocate. Currently, she is a senior stylist at Anthropologie, but has a rich past of working in fashion. We talk about where her inspiration comes from, owning "desi" style, crediting cultures in fashion, working at Anthropologie, Roz's relationship with her age, and what true style is.

saahil m. (Brown Girl Mag editor for the Brown Boy section, Fullbright scholar, & starting their MFA in Creative Writing this year,) talks to Lahari about their journey to understand who they are. They talk about the tension of belonging - how one can reject and accept oneself on their path to examining their intersectional identities. They touch on their ethnolinguistic minority community, Bhagnari (now in modern-day Karachi, Pakistan.) We also cover the power of language, unlearning to learn, and extending grace.

Anita Kalathara, actress, and Lahari of Down to Brown talk about colorism and its impact in our lives. We cover the challenges of being brown-skinned in the entertainment industry, as well as what it did to our self-esteem and sense of identity. We also cover the implications it has for jobs, desirability, dating, family, and more. Ultimately, we identify the ultimate danger of colorism: racism and white supremacy. You won't want to miss this one! Follow us on IG @downtobrown_

Longtime friend Mina Toor and Lahari Rao approach mental health from the perspective of 2 friends diving into how the topic was discussed in their families. They talk about how they learned to express their mental state despite upbringings that didn't always teach them that, loved ones they've lost to mental health struggles, and how one can find a therapist. This is a bonus episode, in honor of May's Mental Health Awareness and AAPI Heritage Month.

Reena Bhansali, founder of 'Hindi by Reena' and Lahari Rao of Down to Brown center their conversation about language, and how it can - or not - help one feel better connected to their culture. Reena and Lahari also talk about how they found partners with people outside of their cultures - Greek and Russian - and how that determined conversations futures, family, and children. They also cover vulnerability and communication, the foundation for any community, whatever language you speak.Follow us on IG at @downtobrown_

In observation of May's Mental Health Awareness & Asian and Pacific Islander Month, Down to Brown partners with Radha Dalal of Pink Rose Wellness. We cover burnout and how it can uniquely show-up for South Asians. Most importantly, we discuss strategies to improve the way you talk to yourself to help mitigate the effects.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion about suicide, depression, anxiety, and sexual assault/violence. Down to Brown's Lahari Rao talks to Niralli D'Costa, Psychotherapist/MFT, about mental health in the South Asian space. In addition to getting to know the wise Niralli, we talk about mental health themes in the South Asian community, stigmas against therapy, the LGBTQ community, getting help, and insights to move us forward as a collective. We also cover anxiety, depression, suicide, & domestic violence.

Down to Brown's Lahari Rao sits with Ayan Sanyal, co-founder of Kolkata Chai Co, a chai company with a cafe in NYC and online marketplace. We discuss the vibrant community their chai shop hosts, what the history of this drink is, and what it means to us today - especially as children of immigrants. We also get into brown boy and brown girl culture, and how we can support each other as we learn how to break long existing cycles of misogyny and patriarchy in our societies.Follow @downtobrown_ on IG for more info/updates!

Dr. Najwa Javed, Podiatrist-turned-entrepreneur, talks to Lahari about Imposter Syndrome, a commonly occurring feeling that one will be exposed as a "fraud" or "phony", despite external evidence. When coupled with the stigmas and messages internalized by brown women, this can result in a lot to unpack and work on so that women can own their successes and navigate their life with a strong sense of self. We cover what it is, why it occurs, how to mitigate, and how Dr. Javed has experienced this in her life as a woman, a professional, and mother.

Hanifa Abdul Hameed, known as Colors of Honey, rose to popularity in 2020 when her digital art went viral. You may recognize her from the "Kamala Aunty for VP" sweatshirts sold by Meena Harris on Phenomenal. Lahari talks to Hanifa about who she is behind her art: the uprise of digital art/illustrations, Hanifa's upbringing, identifying with culture and/or religion, negative and positive reactions, exploring the division in South Asian society, our first times learning about caste, and the pressure to represent all of the South Asian and American experience.Follow us on @downtobrown_ on Instagram!

Lahari talks to Dr. Gaya Murugappan, MD, at Stanford Hospital, about fertility, sex, and vaginismus. We start with egg freezing is and the scientific process, comparisons to previous generations, sex vs. reproduction. and the privilege of affording newer fertility treatments. The second half of the conversation brings us to raising awareness on vaginismus, specifically the secrecy, hurt, and shame associated with it. We go into how it happens, how to support someone who has it, what treatments are available, and why we should care about this - whether or not you identify as a woman. Follow us at @downtobrown_

Shanehi Shah, social impact strategist, and Lahari talk about being a Bad Indian Daughter. What do we mean by that? The concept of becoming your true self after examining and challenging internalized messages of what "good" looks like growing up as South Asian women. In addition, we cover: guilt and conflict, the pain of letting go, "cautionary tales" about women we should refrain from identifying as, not wanting kids, conversations about race with parents, and conflict avoidance and obedience.Follow the podcast on @downtobrown_

Lahari sits down with Richa Shukla Moorjani, actress, dancer & activist best known for her role of "Kamala" on Netflix's Never Have I Ever. They cover Richa's journey pursuing acting, especially as she navigates success, failure, and, most importantly, the times in between. We dive into the dualities she has to balance between her Indian and American community, both in the support she receives and the pressure she feels from expectations, criticism, etc. Plus, she talks about her passion for environmental and animal activism. Richa is a great example of how to focus on what you can do/control, and doing the best you can so that the rest can fall into place - you won't want to miss this conversation!Follow us on IG: @downtobrown_

Heejin (Irene) Koo, of the changemaker platform Revolutionnaire, and Lahari talk about what the Asian-American community is experiencing with increased violence and hate in the recent year. Irene helps us understand the history leading up to today, why elderly Asian-Americans are being targeted, and what it's like to process this as a Korean-American in NYC.Follow us at downtobrown_ for more updates.

Priya Sawhney is a co-founder of the global animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). Her investigatory work has been featured in The New York Times and Washington Post, and has reached tens of millions via social media.Since she first was exposed to animal conditions in Punjab and after immigrating to the US, Priya has passionately advocated to liberate animals from abuse and violence. We talk about how understanding animal liberation only helps us better understand the fundamentals of human liberation - that no body is better than the other. (Especially in connection with the Black Lives Matter movement). On top of that, she is an advocate for women to have the choice to be who they are, daring to be the bold, courageous, and badass Priya that she is.Follow us on Instagram at @downtobrown_

Sarika Shah, MS, RD is known as "The Indian Nutritionist" on Instagram. On her platform she helps her clients and followers understand how to nourish themselves best, without giving up cultural roots. She covers how and why she got into the nutrition space, the emphasis of foods and movement in Indian and American culture, and Q&A on commonly wondered myths about food.Follow Down to Brown on IG: @downtobrown_(Timestamp: 0:00-2:30 is the introduction, 2:30 onward includes discussion with guest.)

Priya Macpherson and Lahari discuss a woman's choice to freeze - or not - freeze her eggs. We cover motivations for freezing, the privilege associated w/ family planning, Wired's article on the implications for women's careers, and the concept of "social freezing".Note: We're not doctors, so this conversation is based on personal experience/opinion and articles/research. We'll be following-up with an episode featuring a medical expert next!

Part 2 of 2. Roshanda Smunt, Copywriter and Story Strategist, talks to Lahari about how she found her voice and story as a Black and Indian woman. Rosh shares heart-pulling experiences of how she navigated love, divorce, identity, and therpay as a Blindian gal on the search to belong.