The Sisterhood of MummyImperfect Podcast

My guest in the last episode of At This Big Age is a woman that I've admired for some time. Dr Falguni Vasavada literally brightens up my social media feed as well as giving me food for thought. Based in Ahmedabad, Falguni is a professor in Strategic Marketing, a fashion blogger,  and a body positivity advocate.  She talks to me about the importance of breaking gender stereotypes, how she deals with negativity, and why she's more content than ever at the age of 49.

"The only thing that's permanent is change". A phrase that my guest in this episode keeps at the forefront of her mind. It's a phrase that can be applied to our attitudes towards ageing too. Deepa Sapra is a Yoga Therapist and Empowerment Coach and she joins me in this third instalment of my special podcast series 'At This Big Age'. Deepa tells me about her yoga came into her life, what it means to her, and how she uses yoga to look after her mind, body and soul. We talk a lot about looking inward, centring ourselves, life lessons and motherhood. I learnt a lot from this episode and hope you do too.  

In the second part of At This Big Age I speak to the fabulous Suzi Grant - a broadcaster, instagram influencer, a qualified nutritionist, and the author of three health books. As well as top tips for staying healthy as we age, Suzi shares her life lessons with me, talks about how moving from London to Brighton fulled her passion for fashion, and how she is embracing her age at 74.

It's been a while but I'm back with this four part birthday special. Yes I'm turning 45 this week and to celebrate this momentous occasion I decided to speak to four wonderful, beautiful and inspirational women who are ageing the way I want to age....with style, with purpose and with confidence. In this episode I speak to Make Up Artist and Pro-Ageing Influencer Huji Hayre, AKA The Grey Indian. We discuss the fine line between self-improvement and self-acceptance, how Huji decided to ditch the dye and embrace her grey hair, and how being an older mum took it's toll on her body.

We often hear the saying "it's a mans world" but who made men the boss of everything? How did patriarchy seep its way into so many cultures? and how can we as women deconstruct this to gain back the power that is rightfully ours? My guest this episode is award winning journalist, broadcaster and author. Angela Saini. Her latest book 'The Patriarchs: How Men Came To Rule' was published in spring this year, and is a finalist for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing. In this eye opening and thought provoking conversation, Angela breaks down the themes in her book, we discuss South Asian culture and patriarchal traditions, and what feminism means to us.

The course of true love never runs smoothly....but actually it can! In this episode I'm joined by Siobhan Copland, a professional Matchmaker and Relationship Expert featured in Bloomberg, Metro, BBC Radio, GB News and Daily Mail. Siobhan talks to me about how to successfully find love and stay in love.  We discuss what women need from men in a relationship and vice versa, how ego and desire for personal success can impact a relationship, and how and why you should change the way you speak to your partner.  

My guest this episode is Amreet Kaur, the woman behind coaching service Kaur Confidence.  In 2022 Amreet moved from the UK to Angola with her partner. She fills me in on the reality of moving abroad for love, from language barriers to having a support system.  Amreet also helps South Asian women who are in interracial relationships and are struggling with guilt, shame and family pressure.  Have a listen to our chat.

My guest this episode is a certified life coach, mindset coach and growth mentor. Farhana Hussain, AKA The Rooted Observer, mentors women and teenagers and helps people to start thriving instead of just surviving. Farhana herself survived a difficult divorce, one where she kept her separation hidden from her parents because she was so ashamed. We discuss Farhana's experiences of healing after divorce, overcoming trauma and shame, how her divorce affected her three children and what advice she would give to other women in similar situations. 

The Power Panel (Rena, Rummy and Kirat) come together again to discuss female focused news and entertainment stories and trends from the past couple of weeks. In this episode we'll be talking: Cheating - is it a relationship deal breaker? or are there times where we should turn a bling eye to infidelity? Covering up to feel safe - more and more women are wearing "subway shirts" (i.e. baggy oversized shirts or t shirts) on public transport in order to avoid creepy men staring at them. And saree not sorry! - With more and more celebrities (South Asian and non-Asian) choosing to wear a saree to high profile events, is it time to reclaim our cultural dress? Do we feel pride or shame when we rock traditional dress to non-asian events? Feel free to drop us a comment with your thoughts. Share this episode and make sure you've subscribed!

The third season of super popular reality TV series Indian Matchmaking was released on Netflix a few weeks ago. It saw Sima Aunty ("Sima from Mumbai") arrive in the UK and help several British Asian singletons find their perfect match. Amongst them was the lovely Priya Ashra who joins for a chat in this episode. If like me, you've already binge watched the whole series you'll be dying to know what happened next. Did Priya and Vim find love? What was it like being filmed while on a date? And what was Sima Aunty like in real life? Tune in! Subscribe and share.

This episode is all about the fascinating, and sometimes complicated, world of female friendships. I'm joined by broadcasters Two Chickpeas In A Podcast, AKA sisters Natasha and Nikita. We discuss girl code, mean girls, women supporting women and what that actually means, and how our experiences of friendship at school can impact us through adulthood. Plus what do you do about that friend who always shows up when life isn't going well for you but finds it hard to congratulate you when you're successful? and is it really more difficult to make friends as we get older?

My guest this episode is actress and writer Harvey Virdi. You might recognise her as Misbah Maalik in Hollyoaks. A veteran in the arts and entertainment scene, Harvey has starred in Coronation Street, Casualty, Holby City, Doctors, Citizen Khan, The Windsors, and my personal favourite, Class Dismissed! She's also written several stage plays and has just revived the hugely successful 'Happy Birthday Sunita' for Rifco Theatre Company.  Harvey tells me about her journey into acting, what it was like working with Shabana Azmi, why she wants to play a baddie, and what we can expect from 'Happy Birthday Sunita' the 2023 tour which begins on 5th May.    

It's the end of the month so it's another Power Panel episode. Rena, Rummy, and Kirat discuss whether or not therapy talk is making us more selfish. Do terms like"triggering", "boundaries" and "self care" get thrown around to justify selfish behaviour and cause us to back away from our own families sometimes? If your family are immigrants, what is the importance going back to your motherland? Are we too British to care now or is visiting the country our parents/grandparents are from help us form a stronger sense of who we are? And Hen Do season has begun. Apparently Healthy Hen-Dos are all the rage now (what are they? you ask!) But has it become too expensive to attend these festivities now and should we go back to the old days of wearing a veil and L plates in the local pub rather than a 5 night trip to Dubai?

My guest this episode is  award winning journalist, broadcaster, brand consultant and author, Anita Bhagwandas. I've been reading her beauty columns for years and have just finished her new book 'Ugly - Giving Us Back Out Beauty Standards'.  Anita and I talk about the lasting impact of being called 'ugly', toxic beauty trends and where they came from, beauty anxiety, social media and it's effects on self-esteem, and how we really feel about ageing and looking older.

Have you even struggled to find your sense of purpose? Ever questioned why you're here and how to find true fulfilment? And how do you know when it's time to change track? This episode might give you some answers.  I talk to Dharma and Life Coach, Ush, AKA Unlimited Urvashi about how to uncover our life purpose and soul purpose.  Ush helps me discover my Dharma Archetype and talks me through her own journey from experiencing trauma and shame, to healing and becoming a personal trainer and wellness coach for women, and now a manifesting generator and Life Coach.  

My guest this episode is Sandeep Kaur, the author of a new book called 'Love & Prejudice: Unlearning Anti-Blackness as a South Asian'. As an Indian-American woman, Sandeep spent much of her youth holding prejudice against the Black community, unaware of her own anti-Blackness until she left her marriage and walked away from her Punjabi community. She then fell in love with Mel, a Black man, and the two now have a baby together. Sandeep shares the main themes of her book, how her family reacted to her relationship with Mel and how we can change racist attitudes in the South Asian community. This episode is also one of the few times I've opened up about my own interracial marriage and the challenges I faced. Sandeep and I spoke about the about the similarities and differences in our stories and the challenges and joys of raising children that are both Black and Indian.

In this episode I'm joined by the leading lady of new British Asian film ‘Little English'.   Rameet Rauli plays ‘Simmy', a young Punjabi bride who finds herself locked away in her husband's family home in Slough.    Rameet shares what drew her to the role, how having a famous father inspired her to become a performer, her journey from Nickelodeon to the silver screen, and how she feels about risqué scenes. 

It's another Power Panel episode of the podcast with Rena Rummy and Kirat. Here's what we'll be discussing: Gwyneth Paltrow recently shared what she eats in a typical day (spoiler alert: it's not much!) and has faced a huge backlash. Does her diet promote disordered eating? And how does it compare to our version of healthy eating? A new study has found that 26 is the age that we finally start listening to our mums. We share the age that we started taking our mums advice and discuss whether we all eventually turn into our mums. And as we come to the end of Women's History Month we talk about women that we admire who have shaped history or are currently changing the game for other women.

It's Mother's Day in the UK this Sunday and we're celebrating here on The Sisterhood of MummyImperfect by telling the truth about Motherhood! My guests this episode are Journalist and founder of celebrity PR company Sahdev Media, Nisha Sahdev, and Award Winning Media Professional, founder of Ikonz magazine Reena Combo Kainth. We discuss the highs and the lows of motherhood, the lessons we've learnt, the kind of mum we thought we were going to be Vs the kind of mums we are in reality. And as women who have spent 20 years building our careers, we answer the question 'it possible to have it all?'   

It's International Women's Day and as always on this podcast we celebrate women who are game changers and are doing fabulous things to uplift other women. My guests this episode are GP, Dance Teacher and Body Positive Influencer Doctor Nirja Joshi, Author and mum of two daughters Amy Beeson, and student and campaigner, 11 year old Ava Beeson Uddin. Nirja talks about how important it is that every girl gets a period positive education and what can be done to ensure they get the support they need in schools. Ava explains how she started a campaign at her school after being inspired by Period Positive founder, teacher and author Chella Quint. And Amy shares the approach she takes when it comes to discussing periods with her daughters.  Plus we talk about the effectiveness of period pants (did you know there are also period swimming costumes?), we hear from other school girls about their experiences of getting their period in school, and we shares our favourite things about being women. Wishing you a happy International Women's Day. Please share this podcast as it's time girls stopped living in shame about periods. #periodpositive

In this special episode celebrating World Book Day, I'm joined by self-confessed bookworm and Columnist for Eastern Eye, Priya Mulji. We discuss our favourite female authors, books we think all women should read, our top 3 books of all time and what we're currently reading. We celebrate British South-Asian female writers too and share what we love about their writing. From wholesome and fluffy rom-coms, to gritty thrillers, and non-fiction that will enhance your life, we've covered it all in this episode.  Share it, save it, make notes. This is your reading list for 2023!

Crystal healing is nothing new but thanks to celebrities and social media, it's having a resurgence at the moment.  But what exactly is crystal healing? which stones should you go for? and how do you use them? My guest this episode is Nia Finlay, a Crystal and Spiritual Healing Practitioner (MAIR) and Crystal jewellery creator. We discuss Nia's own journey from having therapy in her twenties, how crystals came into her life, and how she coped after giving birth to her son 3 months early during the pandemic. Nia explains crystal healing and shares tips on how to harness the power of crystals to feel grounded, to calm anxiety and soothe stress.

My guest this episode is actor, choreographer and dancer, Raheem Mir who recently starred in Bollywood film 'Tara Vs Bilal'. Raheem shares his journey from Kathak dancer, to creating his drag alter ego Dosa Cat, and breaking boundaries by playing gay dancer Ritz in 'Tara Vs Bilal'. As well as that we talked gender fluidity, identity, our love for 'Mughal E Azam', and how good friends (and straight talking Nani's!) keep you humble.

What's the best way to meet someone these days? The Dating Apps aren't working so what next? How do you bring back that spark in your relationship? How important is sex in a relationship? What is the secret to a happy marriage In this special Valentines episode Dating Expert Amit Sodha (AKA The Love Doctor) and I will be answering all these questions and more! Amit shares his expert tips on how to meet that special someone, love languages and whether there really is such a thing as Happily Ever After?...or does lasting love require a lot of hard work?

It's that time again! The Power Panel (Rummy, Kirat and I) have assembled to take you through the topical news and entertainment stories of the past couple of weeks. In this episode we are discussing ageing in Bollywood - Shah Rukh Khan's 'Pathaan' released in cinemas last week. He is 57 and flaunts his 6 pack in the film and also romances a woman almost half his age (not for the first time!). We talk about Emily Atack's new documentary 'Asking For It' and whether as women we blame ourselves when men send us unwanted explicit messages. Also, Organisation Guru Marie Kondo says she's given up on tidying up after the birth of her third child. We come clean about how messy our houses are. Feel free to share your thoughts with us and drop us a comment.

If your struggling to get through mid-winter slump (or even just the midweek slump!) then you need this episode in your life! I'm joined by cookbook author, chef and health practitioner Mira Manek and we discuss which foods can boost our mood, and how we can incorporate Ayurveda into our busy lives to feel healthier and happier. Mira also talks about the inspiration behind her books Saffron Soul and Prajna, and shares the rituals, foods and practices got her through a dark time in her life.  

I'm back with the first podcast of 2023! My guest this episode is Business Media Strategist and Business woman, Am Golhar. Am is a trained SynaGus Practioner in Human Behaviour, Psychometrics and Clarity Power Coaching. We talk about the secrets of successful women, how to balance your masculine and feminine energy, and we share tips on the best way to achieve your goals this year. If you've made list of objectives for the year and are struggling to find the motivation to move towards these goals, then this episode is for you! 

It's the last episode of the year! 2023 is nearly upon us, but sometimes it's good to look back at how far you've come before looking forward. I got together with Fitness Coach Ush and one half of The Native Immigrants, Joyti. We discussed our expectations Vs reality of 2022, goals for next year, and what we are leaving in 2022. (spoiler alert: scarcity mindset, grey interiors and endless social media scrolling are defo getting ditched!) Has 2022 gone the way you wanted it to? Or are you still reeling from the way that things have turned out? 

There is a whole industry built on our insecurity about ageing and whilst we all want to look and feel good, why is it we fear getting older?     My guest this episode is Body Confidence Coach Mina Kumari. She's in her 50s, is as confident and fabulous as ever and is helping other women to feel the same.   We have an honest discussion about the pros and cons of getting older - thinning hair, wobbles in confidence, and Mina losing her husband last year and having to discover who she is again - we talk body positivity, and the many positive things about getting older, including life experience and a learning to love yourself.

It's TPP time! and it's the last Power Panel episode of the year so we thought we'd have a bit of fun and discuss the current Gen Z obsession with all things Y2K. As women in our early 40s we are the OG wearers of late 90s and Y2K fashion, but which trends would we be happy to rock again? and which do we think should be left in Y2K?...along with dial up internet! We also share our feelings on being asked "but where are you really from?" as yesterday The late Queen's lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey  apologised and resigned after she repeatedly asked a black British charity boss this question.

It's coming to the end of the year and some of us are already making plans for 2023. But it's worth keeping in mind that sometimes it's the smallest changes in habits that can end up having a big impact on our lives.....mentally, physically and even in terms of our careers. In this episode I'm joined by Roma, founder of More Me fashion brand and also a teacher and author. We discuss small changes we made to our lives this year, what worked, what didn't and what we hope to put in place for 2023. We also hear from listeners about small lifestyle changes that have had a positive impact on them. From waking up half an hour earlier in the morning to making a vision board, we hope you find some useful tips in this episode and would love to hear yours. Feel free to drop us a comment.  

I used to feel really nervous about recording solo episodes. I just recorded this one live on instagram and didn't think twice about it! It's been a year of challenges and challenging ourselves is one thing that we need to start doing more of when we turn 40. In this episode I go through a list of all thing things I think you should start doing when you turn 40. From changing up your skincare and the way you eat, to learning to say no, I share my own life lessons with you and also read what the listeners/my insta followers sent in.  Be prepared to take notes/add a pinch of salt! Cos really it's all about what feels right to you. 

"Stop dieting and lose weight" - sounds too good to be true doesn't it? Well it's a theory my guest swears by! Nutritionist Manisha joins me on the podcast to share her own health journey, talk about foods that women should be eating, how to change the way you eat to change your life, and how to have a healthy menopause/peri-menopause.

How does life change when you find/re-discover your faith? Do you have to find a whole new set of friends? Does it affect what you look for in a partner? My guest this episode is Navrup Kaur is a mum of four, a doula, and the co-founder of www.seekparenting.com. Navrup shares her journey of how she went from party girl to a baptised Sikh. We discuss how Navrup's family and friends reacted to her newfound interest in Sikhi, how she met the love of her life, how Sikhism saved their marriage, and how she is choosing to raising her children grounded in faith.

It's the end of the month so The Power Panel has assembled again! Rummy, Kirat and I discuss female focused news and entertainment stories from the past couple of weeks. In this episode we discuss how Whitney on Married At First Sight UK "broke girl code". What exactly is girl code and which of us has broken it? It's menopause month so we discuss our hopes and fears around "the change" and go through the things we can look forward to in menopause. And since it's getting colder and energy prices are crazy high, we talk money saving tips for keeping warm this winter. 

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I invited Dr. Nirja Joshi back on the podcast for a boob check 101 and we went live on YouTube. In this special episode we give you the lowdown on why you should check your boobs, what to do if you find something unusual, how often you should check your breasts and how to do it. Plus Dr Nirja answers questions from listeners/viewers on breast pain, the pros and cons of underwired bras, breast asymmetry, and breast changes due to contraception.  Please share this episode with as many women as you can. You could be helping someone out more than you know.

9-15 October is Baby Loss Awareness Week. 1 in 4 people in the UK experience pregnancy or baby loss and this week is aimed at raising awareness about the key issues affecting those families. My guest this episode is Jess Mahun and she shares her experiences of miscarriage and still birth, the things that got her through and where other people affected by baby loss can go to for help. It's a difficult thing to talk about but these experiences need to be heard and we need to be ok talking about them and supporting each other. https://sands.org.uk/ https://www.tommys.org/    

October is World Menopause Month...and yes we do need a month dedicated to raising awareness about menopause because we just don't talk about it! Women in their 40s and 50s are often at the pinnacle of their career and are the anchors of their families. They then have to wade through the mystery surrounding the 'M word' and work out what is happening to their bodies and how to manage this change.  My guest this episode is Heather Jackson, the co Founder of GenM www.gen-m.com the Menopause partner of brands, and someone who is also going through the peri-menopause. Heather spoke to me about how brands are now trying to do better to serve menopausal women, and where women can go for help and information. I've also revisited an episode from last year 'The M Word' where Career Coach Manjeet and Make Up Artist Veena talk honestly and openly about their experiences of the menopause. Share this episode and get in touch if you have anything to say on mummyimperfect@gmail.com

The path less travelled is often a difficult one. Especially if you're a South Asian female going into the arts and marrying someone your family doesn't approve of! My guest this episode is L.A. based actress, blogger and content creator Natasha Khawaja, AKA Purpose and Chai. Natasha shares her experiences of leaving home and struggling to make it as an actress, being disowned by her family for marrying her African American husband, and how healing and therapy is making her stronger.  

Since the pandemic began, more of us are now experiencing social anxiety. Whether that's overthinking things that you said at a social gathering, avoiding the gatherings altogether, or relying on alcohol to get through social events. But what can we do about it? My guest this episode is a powerhouse of well-being. Mita Mistry is a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapist & Coach, an Acupuncturist, and. practitioner of many other therapies like cupping and Gua Sha. She's also the author of a new book called ‘How to Understand and Deal With Social Anxiety'. Mita shares her own childhood struggles with social anxiety and practical steps to manage it.

As three South Asian women born and brought up in the UK, Rummy, Kirat and I, discuss our feelings after the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II. We talk about whether brown people should be mourning the Queen, what the Queen represented to us and the women in our lives that we look up to and revere. Everyday Queens and their legacies.

From an overweight kid who was always picked last for teams in P.E., to a 43 year old mum of three who works out almost every day, I've learned a lot on my fitness journey, and it's a journey that I'm still on. From being consistent, knowing when to change things up, to protecting your energy - there are certain life lessons that I've learnt from working out. Lessons that can be applied to career goals, relationships and friendships, lessons that have saved me and stopped me from giving up. Lessons so valuable that I want to shout them from the roof tops....or from this podcast! Here are ten life lessons that reps, sweat and tears taught me.

My guest this episode is Roma Dhameja, the founder of the More Me fashion brand, a teacher and a published author.  In this episode Roma and I talk threads....yes, clothes (beautiful and unique clothes at that!), but also the threads that tie us to our past and hold onto us just enough to let us spread our wings and fly. Roma talks about how she went form sewing labels in her parents factory to stepping away from becoming a headteacher, and creating a clothing brand that fuses together western and South Asian style.  What are the threads that tie your story together? Is there a passion or a project you want to explore? A story that you want to tell? Roma shares her motivational tips and also puts the call out for your stories! Have a listen, share this episode and get in touch mummyimperfect@gmail.com

The world and its wife seems to have an opinion on what women should and should not be doing. In this episode I take a deep dive into the list of the most annoying "women should/should not" phrases chosen by you the listeners. "Women should cover up if they want to avoid trouble", "women should not be drinking and smoking", "women should know how to take care of their husband and family"....and the list goes on.  Why are these views so problematic? and is there any truth to them? WARNING: This episode may contain unpopular opinions. Don't @ me!

It's another TPP episode! The Power Panel have assembled to go through female focused news and entertainment stories from the past couple of weeks. In this episode we discuss: Sushmita Sen and Lalit Modi - why is it that some people think she's a gold digger?...and the other half think he's after a trophy wife?! Ranveer Singh and those photos! Becky Hill and the backlash over her Euro 2022 outfit - Does it devalue your talent (or your personality) if you step out in skimpy clothes? 'Darlings' - we review the latest Alia Bhatt movie release on Netflix. Trigger Warning! - we do go into descriptions of domestic abuse. Let us know your thoughts on the above too. Drop a comment/review or get in touch on mummyimperfect@gmail.com

This week a group of fourteen South Asian women are embarking on the journey of a lifetime....climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. These are mums, grandmas, wives, daughters, all with responsibilities. But they've chosen to take two weeks out of their lives to challenge themselves and to achieve something that will inspire generations to come.  In this episode I'm joined by two of these women, Kiran Kaur Kondal and Simran Kaur Nyote. We talk pre-expedition nerves, finding a sisterhood, and what the trip means to each of them....the mountain is a metaphor for so much more.  

"Women are worse drivers than men", "women don't know the first thing about cars"....there are so many stereotypes when it comes to women and cars and in this episode my guest and I attempt to bust some of these myths. Randeep Reehal is the founder and CEO of The Pink Garage Company, an initiative designed to encourage women into the trade and promote car safety. Randeep talks about how her relationship with her dad shaped her career path, the car first aid that all women should know, and how The Pink Garage Company is changing fear into fun and confidence.

My guest this episode is Zina Kular, an entrepreneur, an author, a coach and mentor for Mumpreneurs, and a mum of two. Zina talks to me about how and why she decided to to change her career from teacher to entrepreneur. We discuss how to find purpose, and the best way to balance career goals with motherhood. If you've ever felt like you were stuck in a rut, or have struggled to find balance between having a baby and climbing the career ladder, then this episode is for you. Please subscribe and share.

If you were in any doubt about global warming and climate change, the recent heatwave in the UK probably made it very real! But did you know how much of an impact our shopping habits have on the planet? Particularly fast fashion! My guest this episode is Patsy Dhir, a Personal Stylist, Colour Expert, TV Presenter, and owner of successful styling business Style Fix.  Patsy is passionate about promoting sustainable and ethical fashion brands, she's full of tips on how to shop more responsibly whilst still looking stylish and not breaking the bank. Listen and share!      

"When I grow up I want to be an Influencer"....this is a legit goal for a lot of young people now....and also fully grown adults! But what does it actually involve? How can you grow your social media following? And how and when can you start earning money from your content? Blogger, content creator and influencer, Anjli, AKA Anjli's Look Book returns to the podcast to share her top tips and trade secrets for how to win followers and influence people. Listen and take notes!

My guest this episode is someone who is a true survivor. She has experienced tragedy and has beaten the odds time and time again.  Tulsi Vagjiani is an Influential Speaker, a Pilates Teacher, a Confidence Coach, and a Campaigner for those with visible differences. Despite dealing with bullying, health issues, and personal loss, Tulsi is one of the most positive people around and wears her scars with pride. This is the story behind those scars.