That Desi Spark (formerly The Woke Desi)

After a long 5 month hiatus...we are back with an update! We've been acquired!That Desi Spark has been acquired by Prince Bhojwani of Asana Voices (AV), and TDS and AV have entered a strategic partnership. What does that mean? Annika stays on as host, Nita Bhojwani joins as CEO, and this episode covers all of Annika's thoughts on TDS' latest move. As for the rest, listen and find out! We're up to big things over here. We can't wait to see you along for the ride.In the mean time, check out The Greatest Hits, a selection of the most listened-to episodes of TDS through its first 8 seasons...and stay tuned for the 9th!Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Asana Voices on IG. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Relive some of the highest-rated, most listened-to episodes of That Desi Spark on The Greatest Hits!Raja Kumari is a force - a Grammy-nominated artist who has collaborated with Fall Out Boy, Gwen Stefani, and more, the face of Mac Cosmetics, nominated three times for the MTV European Music Awards for Best India Act, and made her own label album debut with The Bridge. Speaking to TDS about her career, she jumped into her South Indian roost, what it took to succeed, and how South Asians are having more than a moment. Listen now to this interview with Raja Kumari conducted during Season 8.Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Asana Voices on IG. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Relive some of the highest-rated, most listened-to episodes of That Desi Spark on The Greatest Hits! Maitreyi Ramakrishnan shot to fame as lead Devi Vishwakumar on Netflix' Never Have I Ever. Season 4, the final season of the show, aired in May of 2023. Maitreyi joined TDS for an interview that ran over time (sorry, Netflix!) discussing representation, how she coped with the haters, the love she had for the show, and what she hoped to achieve out of her career. Listen now to this interview with Maitreyi from Season 8.Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Asana Voices on IG. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Relive some of the highest-rated, most listened-to episodes of That Desi Spark on The Greatest Hits! Divya Robin's mental health advice on Instagram has been a blessing. And her conversation and thoughtful consideration around drawing boundaries with South Asian families was a hit. From baby steps to huge changes, she dove into alllll the considerations around drawing lines in your life for your mental health and made this episode one for the books.Listen now to this interview with Divya conducted during Season 7. Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Asana Voices on IG. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Relive some of the highest-rated, most listened-to episodes of That Desi Spark on The Greatest Hits! Ramya Chunduri, LMSW, has been a social worker, counselor, advocate, and founder of Saurya Media. Her extensive work in the South Asian community and with women's centers produced a wealth of knowledge about domestic violence and gender-based violence, particularly during the pandemic. Diving into signs most people don't realize and hidden elements of these situations that we can learn about, she provided all of us with the knowledge that could save a life. Though the pandemic is over, many of the issues discussed in this episode are still relevant, leading it to remain one of the most listened-to shows even in 2024.Listen now to this interview with Ramya, conducted during Season 6 (then The Woke Desi).Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Asana Voices on IG. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Relive some of the highest-rated, most listened-to episodes of That Desi Spark on The Greatest Hits! Jasvinder Sanghera came home from school at the age of 14 to find out she was promised to be married. Running away at great personal risk, she was supported by her sister, who herself was married young and died by suicide after suffering from abuse. These experiences led to the founding of Karma Nirvana, an organization in the UK that has helped over 30,000 people, most of whom are of South Asian descent, escape from honor-based violence, forced marriage, and domestic abuse situations.Listen now to this interview with Jasvinder, conducted during Season 3 (then The Woke Desi). Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Asana Voices on IG. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Relive some of the highest-rated, most listened-to episodes of That Desi Spark on The Greatest Hits! Richa Moorjani has lit up television screens since her attention-grabbing role as Kamala, cousin of Devi, on Netflix' groundbreaking series, Never Have I Ever. Since then, she's gone onto work on Fargo, and is a proud advocate of veganism and humanitarian causes. She remains one of this show's favorite interiews.Listen now to this interview with Richa Moorjani, conducted during Season 3 (then The Woke Desi).Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Asana Voices on IG. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Relive some of the highest-rated, most listened-to episodes of That Desi Spark on The Greatest Hits! Brown Girl Therapy, created by Sahaj Kohli, has become synonymous with immigrant mental health. Sahaj offers compassion, understanding, and validation for hundreds of thousands of South Asians on Instagram, through her workshops, conversations, events, and with her new book, "But What Will People Say?" which came out in May of 2024. In fact, the Amazon blurb of her book offered a near-perfect description of her work: "Sahaj offers advice and tools for everything from navigating generational trauma, guilt, and boundaries, to breaking down stigmas around therapy and celebrating cultural duality. Democratizing and decolonizing the way we think about mental health and self-help, Sahaj's incredible work is nothing short of a revolution." Listen now to this interview with Sahaj, conducted during Season 4 (then The Woke Desi). Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Asana Voices on IG. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

It's the last episode of That Desi Spark with Nehal as a host - but keep your eyes on TDS as it moves forward with Annika. Big things are coming!5 years. 8 seasons. 130+ episodes. 140+ guests. The end of an era. And the beginning of another.As of January, Nehal will be leaving That Desi Spark to chase her passion of becoming an entertainment-focused content creator, a passion she discovered on TDS.When we met on a Facebook group, started a podcast, and built a business, lightning struck in a way that changed our lives. We created a lifelong sisterhood, a community that we are so grateful to be a part of, and friendships across the South Asian sphere that we cherish. We never saw it coming. And we can't thank you enough for supporting us through our life changes - from situationships to babies! - and being a part of the community that we never dreamed would reach these heights. We hope you'll continue to support Annika as she takes That Desi Spark forward on her own, and follow Nehal's journey as doors continue to open for her as a content creator. New episodes and projects drop soon - and until then, keep lighting That Desi Spark.Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Kanika Chadda Gupta, host of That's Total Mom Sense (a hit podcast with guests like Chelsea Clinton!), joins TDS to talk through the career balance, deciding how to approach parenthood, and all the inspirational stories of incredible mothers across our diaspora and beyond.You can hear her podcast here, and follow her on Instagram!Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

'Tis the season to give, and American India Foundation's NY-based CEO Nishant Pandey and Chief Development Officer Kalpana Kanthan are with That Desi Spark this week to discuss the outcomes for over 17 million people this non-profit has impacted, the social programs it innovates, women in non-profit leadership, and why we all have a stake in shaping the future of our homelands across South Asia!Learn more about the American India Foundation's programs, follow them on Instagram, and visit on LinkedIn! Want to donate to the Light a LAMP Campaign? Do it here!Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

The way parents communicate with each other is HUGE in influencing the way we, as immigrants and children of immigrants, engage with our partners. Psychotherapist and founder of Being, Sadaf Siddiqi,  joins us for her second episode with TDS to talk about how we can unlearn some of the toxic behaviors and communication techniques we may have grown up with, amplify the healthier ones, and create happier relationships.Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Saumya Dave, MD, knows what South Asian women are up against - the psychiatrist and novelist is a staunch advocate for mental health, and explores what self-care really means (spoiler: it's MUCH more than than eating a brownie!) for burnout, anxiety, and societal expectations on this must-listen episode of TDS.*This episode is sponsored by Therapy in Colour and Hachette Book Group*-Therapy in Colour is a therapy practice that offers Telehealth appointments that blend psychological interventions with cultural understanding. Visit therapyincolour.com today.The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futuristic desert kingdom rests in the hands of a princess desperate for power and an assassin with a dark secret, this novel is a can't-miss! Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Masculinity and mental health have come under greater scrutiny by the South Asian community in recent years. Clinical Psychology student Paritosh Joshi, a contributor to Brown Girl Magazine, joins TDS to explore how toxic masculinity impacts relationships, upholds patriarchal values, influences mental health, and creates a less inclusive atmosphere for South Asian men to seek mental health resources.Connect with Paritosh on LinkedIn!Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

1 in 5 girls in South Asia will drop out of school after the onset of their period. Period poverty is a global issue with wide-ranging impact. The Desai Foundation's President, Megha Desai, joins TDS to discuss their initiatives to provide access to education, period products, infrastructure, and more - and above all, dignity.Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsored For the love of colorful skies, tan lines, and South Asian-inspired resort wear, Recover Season is a brand with purpose, employing physically challenged heroes in India to create unique styles. Use the discount code "SUNSET20" to get 20% off your first purchase at recoverseason.com today!Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

When journalist Ruchira Gupta traveled across India to find out what was happening to young girls across the country, she stepped into the world of prostitution, sex trafficking, bribes, death threats, and more. Her riveting account of sex trafficking, her founding of Apne Aap - an NGO helping women, girls, and their children in the red light districts of Mumbai, her work with the UN and Hillary Clinton, and above all, hope, are the focus of this episode of TDS.____Imagine if you had a pair of glasses that did all the work for you by showing you every man's true colors. Director and Media Critic, Aneesa Khan's next short film, “Criteria Kya Hai?” needs your help in celebrating young Pakistani-American women no screen! There's one month left in the film's Kickstarter campaign! Make a donation and be a part of making this film a reality for more accurate South Asian American media representation!https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aneesakhan/what-is-the-criteria-criteria-kya-hai-a-short-film?ref=project_link____ For the love of colorful skies, tan lines, and South Asian-inspired resort wear, Recover Season is a brand with purpose, employing physically challenged heroes in India to create unique styles. Use the discount code "SUNSET20" to get 20% off your first purchase at recoverseason.com today!Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Netflix' Never Have I Ever's central characters, the Vishwakumar family, were trailblazing for South Asians on screen. Star of the series Maitreyi Ramakrishnan joins TDS to discuss her journey on the show, representation as a South Asian, her favorite memories with Devi, and so much more on this engaging episode.This episode is sponsored by Reti Swimwear, Recover Season, and Therapy in Color.Reti Swimwear, inspired by the comfort of warm sand, is a desi-inspired swimwear line. Find them on Instagram at instagram.com/retiswimwear!Therapy in Colour is a therapy practice that offers Telehealth appointments that blend psychological interventions with cultural understanding. Visit therapyincolour.com today.This episode is sponsored by Recover Season. Use the discount code "SUNSET20" to get 20% off your first purchase at recoverseason.com today!Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Sameera Qureshi, MS OTR, joins TDS to discuss her career with sexual health and Islam - what to do when values and lifestyles clash, issues around not exploring sexuality, how she's educated people about sex, and finding peace with sexual health.This episode is sponsored by Recover Season. Use the discount code "SUNSET20" to get 20% off your first purchase at recoverseason.com today!Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Actress from movies like ABCD, bestselling author of "Always Anjali," and "Bravo Anjali," and outspoken activist about all politics but especially those around children, multi-hyphenate Sheetal Sheth joins TDS to discuss anti-AAPI narratives, why book bans are a problem, and how diverse literature changes lives.Annika's book, Sugar, Spice, and Can't Play Nice, is available at all bookstores including Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon! Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Clinical Neuropsychology PHD resident Nawal Mustafa joins TDS to chat through how to recognize emotional triggers and manage emotions to strengthen relationships around you and increase your emotional intelligence.Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

What does representation on television and streaming REALLY mean? VP of Global Communications at Nielsen, Patricia Ratulangi, and CEO and Founder of Marginal Mediaworks, Sanjay Sharma, join TDS to discuss statistics found on Nielsen's recent study of television around women and AAPI representation, whether there's been progress made, how and why AAPI players may be overlooked, and so much more.Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Psychotherapist Sadaf Siddiqi (@your.being) joins TDS to discuss inner child healing, parental boundaries, learning to set limits, attachments, and why South Asian children of immigrants may feel difficulty in speaking up for themselves.Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

From working with Fall Out Boy and being nominated for a Grammy to 2023's Coachella, Raja Kumari talks to That Desi Spark about her album, The Bridge, how she broke into music, her classical Indian dance background, remaining true, and so much more.Annika's book, Sugar, Spice, and Can't Play Nice, is available at all bookstores including Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon! Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Seema Hari joins TDS to discuss how colorism and caste are deeply intertwined and how colorism in the South Asian diaspora (and the globe) is a much bigger intersectional issue than we realize.You can follow Seema, her activism, and her writings on Instagram.Annika's book, Sugar, Spice, and Can't Play Nice, is available at all bookstores including Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon! Go to https://betterhelp.com/thatdesispark for 10% off your first month of therapy withBetterHelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help! #sponsoredFollow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting that Desi spark!

Influencer, writer, and comedian Jyoti Chand joins TDS to discuss motherhood in the spotlight, what she'd do differently from her own parents, what she loves about South Asian families, and more on this episode of That Desi Spark.

Simran Jeet Singh's bestselling book, "The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life," is a testament to why he was named one of Time Magazine's "sixteen people fighting for a more equal America" and is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute's Program on Religion & Society. His compassion, pride in his faith, storytelling, and above all, his lessons in leadership and love, are a must-listen on this episode of That Desi Spark. You can follow him on Instagram. And follow That Desi Spark on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

South Asian communities have a longstanding habit of celebrating boys' births, assigning responsibilities to people because of gender, and creating roles and expectations that can result in mental health struggles later in life. Dr. Shanta Kanokollu joins TDS to discuss the impact of gender socialization, how it presents itself in the ways people cope, how to undo some of the damage, and what we, collectively, need to work on. You can follow That Desi Spark on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and follow Dr. Kanukollu on Instagram.

It's a Valentine's Day special with actress, content creator, and powerful woman Joty Kay, who began her career on Vine before moving to multiple other mediums. Tune in for a conversation around relationship red flags, green flags, Kegels, sex, hookups, and so much more!

When religion and sex come together, particularly in South Asian communities, guilt, shame, patriarchy, and talks of honor and cleanliness aren't far behind. Dr. Sarika Persaud, a PsyD who specializes in issues of sexuality, Tantra, and Vedanta joins TDS to break down those misconceptions, have a meaningful conversation on how the two can coexist, define the tantric practice, and give listeners some food for thought.   Follow Sarika on Instagram at @doctor.samosa and follow TDS at @thatdesispark on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter!

1 in 5 South Asian women experience PCOS, a reproductive disorder of the ovaries that can cause a number of symptoms - so many, that diagnosis can often be challenging or confused with other comorbid diseases. South Asian women also see a higher incidence of PCOS than other ethnicities. Anita Mirchandani, MS, RD, and CDN, joins TDS on the Season 8 premiere to discuss a healthy diet as part of PCOS management, how weight is not a metric to determine health, and swaps to make with South Asian foods to increase nutritional value without losing the cultural attachment to them.

Home for the holidays and in need of boundaries with family? TDS has got you covered, alongside Divya Robin, LMHC (@mindmatterswithdiv) who specializes in mental health with South Asian populations and offers an episode full of tips on how to decide if a boundary is right for you, how you should speak up, when you should draw a line, and tips to make it easier because we all know the guilt is real.

Ranika is a product manager in tech and got her eggs frozen earlier this year at the age of 30. Conversations around fertility are still stigmatized in the South Asian community and Ranika navigated this short but intense process on her own. Now she is passionate about sharing her journey, normalizing the conversation, and encouraging women to take control of their future and speaks to TDS about the process, the physical effects, factors that influenced her decision and so much more!

The ENTIRE South Asian reality television-watching world has opinions on Cutie-gate, the wild conclusion to Love is Blind Season 3 on Netflix! TDS speaks with Zanab Jaffrey, one of the stars of the show, about her experience, mental health, competition amongst South Asians on all the things, what the show didn't include, and so much more.

Speaking up for survivors of gender-based violence is more than providing logistical support as they leave harmful situations: it also involves mental health counseling for families, behavioral therapies, access to resources and more. The Bhatia Foundation (led by Anita Bhatia) and Sakhi (led by Kavita Mehra) have partnered to create programs and share their insights on domestic violence within the South Asian community.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Anjali Ferguson, an expert in racial equity, cultural competence, and trauma - particularly with children - joins TDS to discuss a wide range of subjects: from parenting and advocating for children of color, to trauma-informed therapy, to what cultural competence should look like across settings. 

It's back to the core TDS hosts this week as Annika and Nehal explore adult friendships, how breakups of friends can be even more devastating than amorous relationships, how to cope, and how to end a friendship gently.

Burhan, a Pakistani non-binary activist, speaks up about the transphobia across the South Asian diaspora, their experiences in both continents, and how we can change the way we speak, act, and think about what transphobia looks like.

Dr. Natasha Sriraman (@natasha.mom.md) is a pediatrician, postpartum advocate, and author of "Back to You," a book for moms, support systems, and how to make sure moms are taken care during their most vulnerable time.

Attachment styles influence every one of our relationships, from family to platonic to romantic - Israa Nasir of Well Guide joins TDS to discuss how these influence our connections, how they can change, and yes, the desi mama's boy stereotype.

Nehal took LA and had the chance to interview Love is Blind: After the Altar stars Deepti Vempati and Natalie Lee about their stories after the show wrapped, Kyle and Deepti's friendship-to-love story, her upcoming book, and so much more!

South Asians make up 25% of the world's population and 50% of the world's cardiac health burden. That statistic alone is staggering, and on this week's episode, we explore initiatives aimed at including more South Asians in healthcare research, the help of Medicare in reaching our parents' generation, cardiac health risk, and more, alongside Dr. Meena Seshamani (Director of the Center for Medicare) and Prince Bhojwani (CEO and Co-Founder of ASANA Voices).

Aparna Shewakramani turned heads and raised questions in her 2 seasons of starring on Netflix' Indian Matchmaking. She has served as a rallying point for conversations about double standards, women and their villainous portrayal on television for being independent, feminism, the actual realities of reality television, and so much more. An author, a matchmaker herself, a screenwriter, a future producer, a lawyer, a future TED talker...she gets real with TDS this week about who she is. And trust us. She's loveable.

When Avani Modi's brother reached out to her about creating plush toys based on Hindu dieties, she thought, "Are you crazy?" Four years later, she leads Modi Toys, a successful, homegrown venture that provides mantra-singing plush toys. She shares her journey, her vulnerabilities, and her goals with That Desi Spark on this week's episode.

It's WEDDING SEASON! No, not just the time of year full of South Asian weddings but the Netflix hit romcom - screenwriter Shiwani Srivastava and producer Swati Shetty join TDS to talk creative journeys, how the movie went from script to screen, what kinds of stories are being told, and what's coming next!

The internet broke for Diwali 2021 when all the celebs from Chrissy Teigen to Mindy Kaling wore a label that Annika and Nehal have loved for YEARS: Papa Don't Preach by Shubhika Sharma - and she joins TDS this week to talk empowerment in fashion, the issue of copying and how it impacts creatives, her reading list, her next big reveal, and more.

When Dr. Mrinalini Garv realized her career path wasn't full of passion or purpose, she quit - and now she coaches South Asian women to help female executives and professionals bust through their income ceiling, get valued as a leader, and create the fulfilling career they have always wanted. 

Miscarriage occurs in 25% of pregnancies - it's an everyday tragedy. On this candid, vulnerable, and raw episode of TDS, Annika shared her recent loss with Nehal and the isolation, the weird and unique stages of grief, the missing-someone-you-never-met, the way partners handle it differently, the stats, some of the feelings that might help you support someone, the reproductive rights element, and the healing…all with a little humor, compassion, and hope.

Author, pharma CEO, investor, and woman of influence Hitha Palepu joins TDS to discuss multi-hyphenate identity, learning from history, owning your multitudes, and (of course) romance book recommendations. You can find Hitha's book, "We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: How to Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, and Own Your Story," on Amazon. Find Hitha on Instagram. And follow That Desi Spark on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter! 

Founder of ShethePeople.TV, feminist, and gamechanger Shaili Chopra joins TDS to talk about women's rights, women's health in India, and  She The People, India's first women-only platform focused on content, community, and skill development.

Director, producer, writer, actress, and all-around phenom Sujata Day joins TDS to discuss acting, representation, her journey to writing, directing, and producing "Definition, Please," for Netflix, and more. Follow Sujata on IG and follow That Desi Spark (and Annika and Nehal!) on IG, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Relationships researcher and professor Aditi Paul and artist Kahani join TDS to discuss data-backed insights into Gen Z's hookups, dating, and sexual behaviors.