The Indian Edit
The Indian Edit is a series of in-depth interviews with inspiring entrepreneurs, educators, and culture-makers. Hosted by Nitasha Manchanda, the podcast explores stories of innovation and creativity within the Indian community. Each episode features conversations that delve into personal journeys and professional insights. The show aims to inspire listeners by highlighting diverse perspectives and achievements.
Episodes
Ep. 100: Bringing Indian Classics to us all with Harvard University Press's Editorial Director Sharmila Sen
“There's nothing dead about the Indian classics. It's not a revival of anything. It's not a museum piece. I think our classical tradition is alive through the stories our parents and grandparents told us…[and through popular culture]…..but with few exceptions, we don't know about the classics from our neighboring state, right? I always hope that the girl in Chandigarh can read a Mangal Kavya from
Mini-Edit 6: Readers and writers! Author Sonali Dev is back with a new book and lots of great tips
🎙️ The Indian Edit: Mini Edit with Sonali Dev – “There’s Something About Mira”Welcome back to The Indian Edit! In this special mini edit, award-winning romance author Sonali Dev returns to the podcast to discuss her newest novel, There's Something About Mira (Feb 2025). We dive into the inspirations behind the book, themes of identity, love, and community, and the layered characters that travel fr
Ep. 99: Leading with purpose with Pratham USA CEO Manisha Bharti
🎙️ New Episode Out Now!In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Manisha Bharti, CEO of Pratham USA, to explore what it takes to lead one of India’s largest education nonprofits.From her journey through Harvard to her work in HIV response and international development, Manisha shares powerful insights on:✨ Nonprofit leadership & global impact 🌍 Philanthropy in the Indian diaspora 📚 How Prath
Ep. 98: Rivers Between Us: Family, Heritage, and Storytelling with kidlit author Suma Subramaniam & illustrator Tara Anand
Rivers have been on my mind recently with some recent buzzy arrivals on their power (from Elif Shafak to non-fiction Robert Macfarlane). Join me with author Suma Subramaniam and illustrator Tara Anand to discuss their beautiful picture book My Name Is Long As a River. Inspired by Suma’s own heritage, the story celebrates the deep connections between names, family history, and cultural identity. To
Ep. 97: The craft of writing in the age of BookTok - with environmental lawyer turned author Farah Naz Rishi
Another long overdue episode with a FANTASTIC guest! Philly-based lawyer-turned-writer Farah Naz Rishi has written YA, sci-fi, romance, and a heartbreaking memoir ‘Sorry for the Inconvenience’. Pop in your airpods, grab a hot drink, go for a walk, listen how you please, but don’t miss how this Pakistani-American Muslim writer became a TikTok sensation, how she wrote the book that ‘broke Mindy Kali
Ep. 96: How to create a portfolio career with author, doctor, journalist and educator Seema Yasmin
And we are back! After a very long delay (you can read why here on the newsletter), I’m delighted to bring you this overdue episode with Dr. Seema Yasmin. Ignore my most awkward intro ever to hear how this brilliant Emmy-award winning journalist, author, medical doctor and professor managed to overcome a challenging childhood and Islamophobia in a small town in England to publishing multiple books
Mini-Edit 5: Mystery author Sujata Massey's tips for a fun-filled Back-to-School season
The dynamic author Sujata Massey joined me in conversation earlier this summer and shared her resolution to make it her best summer by “only reading pleasurable and escapist books”! Why not take this idea into the hectic ‘Back to School’ season too? Join us as Sujata shares more about her latest Perveen Mistry historical mystery set in 1920s India and don’t miss her fun suggestions for light readi
Ep. 95: Family stories as our most precious inheritance with writer Ritu Hemnani
“Why do people migrate?” was the question Ritu Hemnani’s daughter posed to her one day. A deeper look at her own family’s story of migration from Sindh to Hong Kong led this educator to explore the history of the Partition and to share this story with her family and beyond. Author of ‘Lion of the Sky’ a beautiful, middle grade novel in verse, Ritu joins me on this episode to discuss her family’s s
Ep. 94: The joy of children’s books with ‘Girls on Wheels’ author Srividhya Venkat
Another one for you book lovers out there!Many of us were introduced to the wonder of picture books only once we began reading them to our kids. My latest guest Srividhya Venkat fell in love with children’s books and never looked back (at her former career in accounting)! Srividhya began a second act in early childhood education, and then a third in children’s literature. Her beautiful books ‘Girl
Mini-Edit 4: A celebration of all our blended identities with "In This Family" creators Shelly Anand and Meenal Patel
Looking for a new picture book to read with kids in your life? This brand new one really made me think about all the tiny and large ways children develop their sense of belonging in a family and their sense of self in the world at large. The rich detail of what family members pass down to new arrivals is beautifully captured in this lovely book written by Shelly Anand, illustrated by Meenal Patel.
Ep. 93: Widening the lens: a look at Corky Lee's Asian America with historian Mae Ngai
Why does American history still exclude so many? My latest guest Mae Ngai is Lung Professor of Asian American Studies and History at Columbia University and has written award-winning books on immigration and the Chinese diaspora sharing stories of immigrants during the Gold Rush and other pivotal historical events. Before becoming a historian, Mae was a labor union organizer and educator in New Yo
Ep. 92: Author and educator Nina Sharma on black and brown love and allyship
Wondering where to start with learning more about black and brown solidarity? Or how to write about a difficult experience? Reading author and educator Nina Sharma’s wonderful debut “The Way You Make Me Feel: Love in Black and Brown” is a great first step. So grateful to Nina for her honest and elegant writing and for this amazing chat! Nina shares her sometimes rocky road to owning her writer id
Mini-Edit 3: Children's author Veera Hiranandani is back with 'Amil and the After', a sequel to her award-winning book 'The Night Diary'
What happens to families AFTER they’ve survived a traumatic historical event? Veera Hiranandani set out to explore this question in her sequel to the beloved Newbery-honor winning middle-grade novel ‘The Night Diary’. ‘Amil and the After’ now finds Nisha and Amil navigating a new life in Mumbai following their family’s migration from Sindh during the Partition of India in 1947. Join me as Veera ch
Ep. 91: Bringing the flavors of the Canary Islands to our tables with Simran Khiantani of SimranCooks
Ever wondered whether you should take that step to turning your hobby into a business? New York based Simran Khiantani (also goes by Namrata) shares her journey from Bombay to New York via the Canary Islands! Inspired by her MIL’s amazing sauces and her friends’ insistence that she start selling them, Simran recently launched her condiment brand after years of research and development. Try them no
Mini-Edit 2: A trip to Portugal with photographer and storyteller Christine Chitnis
Exploring her husband’s Goan and Portuguese heritage led writer Christine Chitnis to create a beautiful celebration of the visual culture of Portugal: “Patterns of Portugal”. Having successfully completed a similar project in 2020 with “Patterns of India”, Christine was inspired to share her view of the beauty of this small nation at the edge of Europe. Join me in this mini-Edit where Christine ta
Ep. 90: The rich history of South Asia and MIT with Ranu Boppana and Sana Aiyar
“You know, as Asian Americans, we often don't know our history. I myself have lived in the US more than 50 years, and yet a lot of people still think that you’ve recently come from India. This is not just about MIT, it's actually an important part of the history of South Asians in America.” - Ranu Boppana A physician and former President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology South Asian Alu
Ep. 89: On the craft of children's literature with author and teacher Sheela Chari
Ever wondered how an author takes a flash of inspiration and weaves a story from it? My guest Sheela Chari shares how she came to write her many wonderful children’s books, including the moment in college (as an economics major) that changed her life. Sheela now teaches writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts while creating new stories of her own, and she graciously breaks down the process beh
Ep. 88: How a rare disease diagnosis birthed a non-profit with The Sumaira Foundation’s Sumaira Ahmed
Sumaira Ahmed is a force! Upon being diagnosed with a rare neuroimmune condition (Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder/ NMOSD, whose symptoms can include vision loss, paralysis, and weakness), Sumaira couldn’t find the community she needed, so she went right ahead and launched a foundation (two months later!) to create that support for herself and patients around the world. The Sumaira Foundatio
Ep. 87: Understanding and celebrating neurodivergence with Chandana Singh, founder of 'Advocacy for Dyslexia'
My guest Chandana Singh is a lawyer, founder of ‘Advocacy for Dyslexia’, and of The Office of Learning Support at India’s leading liberal arts university Ashoka University. Join me in this chat as Chandana dives into what makes life challenging as a neurodiovergent learner and what we can do as parents, friends, and community members to both support these children and adults and also learn from th
Ep. 86: The joy of reinventing and pivoting with landscape designer Shoma Haque
Ever wonder what makes people take that leap and pivot into a second or even a third act? My Boston-based guest moved from a successful career in consulting to non-profit leadership, and now to landscape design! So inspiring to hear how this dynamic and passionate Bangladeshi-American has jumped into new fields and established her own business. I’m particularly partial to this topic as a plant and
Mini-Edit 1: What makes a work of art museum-worthy? With curator Laura Weinstein of the MFA Boston
Ever wonder how museums go shopping for art? What does a curator see when they look at a picture? What makes something special enough to spend a fortune on? Join me in this first mini-sode featuring Laura Weinstein, Ananda Coomaraswamy Curator of South Asian and Islamic Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as she gives us a ‘behind the scenes’ look at two recent acquisitions for the museum’s co
Ep. 85: On rethinking success and creating a new life in the Azores with entrepreneur and coach Rimi Chakraborty
Ready to re-evaluate what success looks like for YOU? To move toward a values-based career and life? My latest guest Rimi Chakraborty helps leaders create just that for themselves and their employees. Rimi shares how she took lessons from her MBA, her yoga studies, and her start-up jobs to overcome a difficult childhood and create new entrepreneurial ventures for herself (in the beautiful Azores!)
Ep. 84: Cosy mysteries and climate change with ‘Bangalore Detectives Club’ author & professor Harini Nagendra
I don't want to go look back at the end of my life and say “I wish I'd done this”!But how does she do it!? We all wonder about people with full-time, demanding careers who manage to keep their creative flame burning. My latest guest Dr. Harini Nagendra is a Professor of Sustainability and now a best-selling mystery writer. Join me as Harini shares how she first ‘had a visitation’ from Kaveri, the
Ep. 83: Diving into new opportunities without worrying too much about the future with investment manager Sweta Singh
Innovating in an old industry that’s dominated by men, my latest guest Portfolio Manager Sweta Singh shares how her curiosity and sense of adventure led her to join the founding team of a new investment management firm based in (and inspired by!) Sante Fe, New Mexico. Sweta and I chat about the big picture of working in finance, especially as a woman, pros and cons of remote work, and how not proj
Ep. 82: “Who says you have to choose?” Physician and children’s book author Rajani LaRocca on making time for what you love
“If there's something you really love, you need to make time for it. I think that was the first step for me, deciding that I wanted to do something for myself, for no other purpose other than I just wanted to make myself happy, to do something creative for me.”An absolute delight hearing the super-charged doctor and writer Rajani LaRocca talk about her love of literature and medicine! Join us as R
Ep. 81: Why spirituality and sexuality go hand-in-hand with Kaamna Bhojwani
My supercharged guest Kaamna Bhojwani helps people explore and express their sexuality by connecting more deeply with their inner selves. Are you ready for a shake-up of your relationship with your body (and hopefully your partner too)? Tune in to this chat where we explore South Asian attitudes toward sex, how to speak to your kids about it, and so much more!Listen now on your favorite podcast ap
Ep. 80: Shaking things up in the non-profit world with Megha Desai, President of The Desai Foundation
“What we needed was somebody who was willing to fail, somebody who was willing to experiment, and somebody who wasn't afraid to build the plane and fly it at the same time.”My latest guest Megha Desai brought her sense of adventure and decades of experience in the corporate world to her family’s foundation when she took the helm. She’s since propelled The Desai Foundation to new heights and heads
Ep. 79: A sensual and independent exploration of South Asian art history with critic and perfumer Bharti Lalwani
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, then living in London, Singapore and now India, my guest Bharti Lalwani believes her outsider status is key to ‘speaking truth to power’ - the job of an art critic. Now experimenting in art criticism through perfumery, Bharti brought Mughal and Rajput paintings to life through a study of their gardens, flowers, and scents with her collaborator Nicolas Roth. Join me in
Ep. 78: Being an American Desi with educator and children's author Jyoti Rajan Gopal
So many of us think “Why hasn’t someone created this already?” yet so few go ahead and create it ourselves. My latest guest Jyoti Rajan Gopal is an educator who began writing picture books when she found frustratingly little diverse choices for her kindergarten class. Jyoti taps into her international upbringing and deep experience with young children to create these gems. Having published two bea
Ep. 77: Engineering paper to tell stories - Karishma Chugani Nankani on the global influences that shape her multidisciplinary work
Growing up in Morocco, then studying in England, France and Spain have all shaped artist, writer, and illustrator Karishma Chugani Nankani in countless ways. Among the many stories she has shared is one of her widespread Sindhi clan which she tells through her art and her books. Karishma also guides others in connecting with their own stories and artistic expression through workshops in person an
Ep. 76: Say YES! Writer and academic Usha Raman on building a career on her own terms
Such a delight to meet someone who continues to pursue a wide range of interests while specializing enough to be a University Professor! Usha Raman is Professor of Communication at the University of Hyderabad, Vice President of the International Association for Media and Communication Research, Editor of ‘Teacher Plus’ magazine, writer for ‘The Hindu’, and a core team member of the Hyderabad Liter
Ep. 75: Going Global Chic with interior designer Vani Sayeed
Ready to cosy up your house this Fall? Boston-based interior designer Vani Sayeed joined me to share her love of art, textiles and design in this landmark Episode 75! Hear how Vani followed her doctor husband from India to the midwest, then San Francisco and finally to Boston, and managed to break into a notoriously closed industry in all these places as both an employee and independent designer.
Ep. 74: A 'normal person' with 3 careers: cookbook author, nurse, and real estate agent Ashia Ismail-Singer
Having lived across 3 continents (moving from Malawi to the UK and finally to New Zealand) and having had multiple fascinating careers, it’s no surprise my latest guest does not take NO for an answer! Join me in this chat with inspiring mother of two Ashia Ismail-Singer who has taken her passion for food and ‘can-do’ attitude to publishing TWO (traditionally published!) cookbooks while working fu
Ep. 73: Playing one of America's Founding Fathers on Broadway - breaking gender and race barriers with '1776' perfomer Sushma Saha
“Pan-gender to me means any gender expression that exists right now, I identify with in some way. So there are days where I feel more masculine, I feel more feminine, I feel non-binary. It depends on where I'm at internally. I don't like to limit myself to one gender. So pan-gender feels the most accurate.” — Sushma SahaEnergetic and inspiring, my latest guest Sushma Saha is one you don’t want to
Ep. 72: Creating magic in India's classrooms by teaching teachers with CEQUE founder Anju Saigal
“If some teachers can create magic in the classroom, then why not all?” Anju Saigal founded the non-profit CEQUE (pron. Seekhey) to upskill teachers in underprivileged communities in India after working in the education space for decades. Trained at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and in field work through Pratham (one of India’s largest education focused non-profits), Anju shares how obser
Ep. 71: Summer reading and gardening with 'Garden Variety' author and Gardenerd founder Christy Wilhelmi
“I was behind the desk, but my heart was really in the garden. So I tried to work as little as possible so that I could spend every free moment tending my garden.”Curious about gardening and growing your own food in small spaces? Or how someone published THREE books in three years!!? Join me as Gardenerd founder and debut novelist Christy Wilhelmi shares how she pivoted from a desk job to followin
Ep. 70: Turning dams and devastation into a debut thriller with journalist and author of 'The 86th Village' Sena Desai Gopal
Boston-based author Sena Desai Gopal is a long-time journalist and first-time novelist. She’s set her debut novel ‘The 86th Village’ in her ancestral village in Karnataka which has been devastated by flooding caused by the Upper Krishna dam project. Hundreds of villages have already been completely submerged, and Sena’s beloved hometown is next. She's taken her skills as a science and travel jou
Ep. 69: Looking beyond beauty for magic in the landscape with 'Wanderland' author Jini Reddy
“A witty, gentle, original and very modern quest for the magical (not the mythical) in Britain’s landscape, which both made me laugh and moved me.” - Robert MacfarlaneI was delighted to have this chance to speak with writer Jini Reddy about her yearning to connect with the landscape of Britain, her adopted homeland, which resulted in her delightful and thought-provoking book ‘Wanderland’. Jini’s b
Ep. 68: A tale of two start-ups with Ishu Dhakras founder of Ne Nepal and Marketing Manager Burma Burma!
An absolute delight to speak with a young Nepali entrepreneur working on TWO start-ups! Join me in this chat with Ishu Dhakras, co-founder of lifestyle brand Ne Nepal and marketing manager of restaurant group Burma Burma! Ishu grew up in Nepal, was educated in the US, and is now based between Bombay and Kathmandu. Loved hearing how she tried many start-up ideas before landing on the winning one wi
Ep. 67: Preserving family culinary heritage and memories with Heirloom Project founder Sri Bodanapu
Ever wanted to gather your family’s recipes to celebrate and pass on your unique home culture? My latest guest Sri Bodanapu took a lengthy Word doc and turned it into a beautiful, glossy, bound cookbook for her own family and has now started a company to help you do the same! Founder of Heirloom Project Co., Sri shares her journey into motherhood, nutrition consulting, and now entrepreneurship on
Ep. 66: Telling stories through movement with dancer and Thresh Performing Arts Collaborative founder Preeti Vasudevan
From Bharatnatyam in India to modern dance at the Guggenheim, my latest guest embodies both range and depth in her movement practice, insights which she now shares with young people in her role as an educator. Choreographer, performer, and founder of Thresh Performing Arts Collaborative, Preeti Vasudevan joins me in this chat about dance, identity, and story telling which will inspire you to move
Ep. 65: Sustainable investing and living with Shila Wattamwar, finance pro and founder of Sustainable Me!
Sustainability is on all our minds these days, but sometimes it’s hard to sift through the noise and the greenwashing to make choices that are truly earth-friendly. Shila Wattamwar helps me navigate this important topic by sharing both financial and lifestyle advice based on her expertise in sustainable investing and as founder of the Sustainable Me platform. Hear how this pre-med student veered i
Ep. 64: Bringing India's nature to life with children's author Leela Gour Broome
A great honor to bring you my latest guest author, musician, educator and environmentalist Leela Gour Broome who shares her love of the natural world with children through her books and teaching. Currently based on her farm outside Pune, she brings her deep knowledge of life on the tea plantations of South India to her books Flute in the Forest and The Anaishola Chronicle. Check out all four of he
Ep. 63: On saris, sustainability and style with designer and architect Amanpreet Birgisson
Happy 2022! To kick off this New Year, I’m delighted to bring you someone who has energized the online sari world with her style and substance! Amanpreet Birgisson joins me in this chat and shares her journey from her childhood in a Sikh family in Ranchi to designing homes in Washington D.C. where she lives with her Icelandic husband and two sons. Her thoughtful and beautifully styled posts on Ins
Ep. 62: Taking kids on global food adventures with Kalamata's Kitchen founder Sarah Thomas
Give kids the gift of an adventurous palate this holiday season! My New York based guest Sarah Thomas has followed her passions from the worlds of Renaissance literature to food and wine and now children’s picture books as founder of a new company Kalamata’s Kitchen. I love her commitment to sharing her knowledge and passion with kids and their grown-ups!Join me as we talk all things food, wine an
Ep. 61: On scent, memory and emotion with The Perfume Library founder Jahnvi Lakhota Nandan
Ever wondered what really goes into a bottle of fine fragrance? Join me down the rabbit hole of niche perfumery with perfume creator, entrepreneur, architect and author Jahnvi Lakhota Nandan. Now based in Paris and Goa, Jahnvi trained with master perfumers in France before launching her own line, available at Good Earth stores in India, and online, including bespoke orders. Learn about the world o
Ep. 60: Take a trip to 1920s India with Perveen Mistry and her award-winning creator Sujata Massey
Grab a cup of chai, a glass of champagne, or go for a walk and hear how my new favorite book series starring Perveen Mistry, lawyer and sleuth extraordinaire, was created! Author of this historical mystery series which includes The Widows of Malabar Hill, The Satapur Moonstone, and The Bombay Prince, Sujata Massey tells me her own story of journalism, Japan and more on the latest episode of the po
Ep. 59: Turning a passion for books into a business with entrepreneur, editor and podcaster Tara Khandelwal
How does someone with an Economics degree turn a love of stories into a career? Tune in to hear Bombay-based Tara, the founder of Bound India, share her journey from book-loving kid to publishing entrepreneur and podcaster. You maybe surprised by her favorite format and time of day for reading, and stay tuned until the end for reviews to find your next amazing read!Listen now on your favorite pod
Ep. 58: Postcard from Iceland's Westfjords with restaurant maven Shayan Pandole
Happy October! The podcast is back! Join me and my delightful new guest in a journey to the Great North - Shayan Pandole is a food & beverage industry veteran who found herself leaving New York and moving to Iceland to join her husband’s family restaurant in the remote Westfjords. The Soho House and Ritz Carlton seem a world apart from the fish restaurant in a medieval timber tavern where I me
Ep. 57: Romance in the real world with author Sonali Dev
I had so much fun speaking with author Sonali Dev, creator of Bollywood-style love stories with a multicultural cast of characters you will definitely root for! I love her Bay Area based, Jane Austen inspired series based on the Raje family - the latest of which just released and is a great end of summer read! Join me in hearing how this architect turned into a full-time author, how being too ch
Ep. 56: Crafting a community from Germany to Ladakh with Catherine Allie of WE ARE KAL
As I travel around the sheep-dotted fjords of Iceland, I’m reminded of the stunning landscape of a part of the world that my latest guest has made her home. Looking to work with a textile community, Catherine Allie moved from Germany to Ladakh in the High Himalayas, sandwiched between Tibet and Kashmir. Together with her Ladakhi husband and his nomadic family, she founded textile collective WE ARE
Ep. 55: "Giving children choice and autonomy" with Laxmi's Mooch author and human rights lawyer Shelly Anand
Georgia-based human rights attorney and newly minted Picture book author Shelly Anand joined me for this wonderful chat about body positivity and championing immigrant rights. Her new book Laxmi’s Mooch is out now and another one is due next year!Listen now on your favorite podcast app, Spotify or www.theindianedit.com and please take a second to rate us wherever you’re listening so the voices of
Ep. 54: Innovating the sari hand-in-hand with artisan craft clusters with Anavila Misra
From her childhood in a small town to leading an internationally known brand, Anavila Misra has grown her fashion design label while remaining grounded in both innovation and tradition. Anavila reinvented the sari by using linen, while maintaining a strong connection with the artisan craft clusters who create her beautiful clothing. Join me as she shares how she brought together all her experience
Ep. 53: "Learning how to gather the scattered energy of the mind" with meditation teacher Zeenat Potia
Teaching mindfulness in the US as a South Asian immigrant, my latest guest Zeenat Potia is working to make meditation instruction more inclusive and sustainable. She shares her journey from Bombay to the US, her own experiences with meditation and so many MANY wonderful and wise suggestions for us beginners. We discuss the reasons why people meditate, how to deal with some of the challenges we all
Ep. 52: Creating and launching a new children's magazine with Koolfi Club founder Nishika Patel
Curious how this British journalist and mother of three went from idea to (physical) product launch within a (global pandemic) year? London-based Nishika Patel shares how she recruited the right help to create a high-quality and fun kids magazine focused on India, Koolfi Club. I learned so much from the magazine and this chat, and stay tuned until the end when Nishika shares some wonderful new Bri
Ep. 51: Connecting people with their cultural heritage with Anu Sehgal and Shikha Malhotra
Two wonderful cultural entrepreneurs - Anu Sehgal of The Culture Tree in NYC and Shikha Malhotra of IFNet in Boston - share how and why they launched their organizations to bring South Asian cultural programming to their communities. Two different backgrounds and journeys, but the same passion for ensuring their and other families could connect with each other and with their heritage!Join the conv
Ep. 50: Changing people's perceptions of Afghanistan with Afghani-Australian restaurateur, activist, and author of the cookbook "Parwana" - Durkhanai Ayubi
The best sort of cookbooks (and conversations! ) expand your world view by taking you on a journey - whether it’s a new place, new techniques or just new ways of using age-old ingredients. I’m so grateful I got to have this chat with the Adelaide-based restaurateur, writer and activist Durkhanai Ayubi, who, along with her family, is bringing Afghan cuisine and culture to a world-wide audience thro
Ep. 49: Expanding the legacy of a heritage Indian jewelry brand with Noelle Van Gelder
A Dutch family’s love affair with heritage Indian jewellery began with their mother Bernadette and continues on with my latest guest Noelle Van Gelder and her sister Fleur. The challenges of finding and valuing vintage fine jewellery in India makes this family’s commitment to their work truly remarkable. Noelle takes us behind the scenes of how this unique family business based between the Netherl
Ep. 48: Charting her own path through a legacy of interior design with Sashya Thind Fernandes
I thought, “Wow! I can't imagine I'm in America and I have to make this choice — to either have a family or to work... and that's when I thought to myself.. this is what I needed, a kick in the pants to launch on my own.”My latest guest belongs to a lineage of independent, female interior designers, but has carved out her own unique style and design philosophy. Come experience the ‘Warm Minimalism
Ep. 47: Launching and growing an online fine jewellery brand with STAC Jewellery founder Aakriti Tapuriah
“If you have an idea, don't just sit on it, honestly just go for it! Don't be scared of failing!”Thrilled to bring you this energizing conversation with the founder of STAC Jewellery (and my cousin) Aakriti Tapuriah! Listen in as we chat about Bombay-based Aakriti’s start in the NGO world, her desire to create something independent from her family business, and her strategy for online success
Ep. 46: Parenting cross-cultural kids with teen health expert and author of "Raising Global Teens" Dr. Anisha Abraham
Drawing on her own American childhood as the daughter of immigrants from Kerala, and parenting her own kids as an expat in Hong Kong and Amsterdam, my newest guest Dr. Anisha Abraham has built on her training and expertise in adolescent health to create a fabulous resource for parenting cross-cultural kids. If you have or will have a teen in your home, or if you just know any, this chat is full of
Ep. 45: Powering through a career switch to launching multicultural kids brand Indigrow Kids with CEO Kshama Alur
“If I don’t back myself now, then who will?” My dynamic Singapore-based guest Kshama Alur left her corporate branding career to start Indigrow Kids along with her co-founder and child development expert Akhila Das Blah. They’ve set out to diversify kids’ playrooms with their sustainably produced, multicultural books and games focusing on India and other global cultures. We chat about entrepreneurs
Ep. 44: Finding freedom from diets and eating disorders with Lindsay Ronga, founder of Outshining ED
For so many of us, a New Year dawns with thoughts of restrictive eating and dissatisfaction with our bodies. I hope this conversation brings a healthy dose of caution, optimism and balance to start the year off on a more joyful, self-accepting note. My friend and Eating Disorders coach Lindsay Ronga shares how she overcame her own crippling anorexia and found purpose in helping others achieve the
Ep. 43: Reflecting the richness and diversity of our world in children's books with Namrata Tripathi, VP & Publisher of Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Have a kid? Know a kid? Were a kid? This final episode of 2020 is a must listen! Honored to have publishing powerhouse Namrata Tripathi (founder and publisher of Kokila Books) join me in this wonderful chat where she talks about the power of representation in children’s literature, how her international upbringing has shaped her, and what it’s like to create a picture book with His Holiness The Da
Ep. 42: LIVE Holiday Special 2020! What we're watching, reading, eating & drinking in December with Priya Giri Desai & Kanchan Koya
My dearest friends Priya, Kanchan and I had a little too much fun recording this live Zoom call where a few of you joined! We chat about holiday traditions, menus, gift ideas and of course what we are each reading, watching and listening to this December. Grab a chai or champagne and join us in this Happy Hour which was recorded live on Dec 4, 2020 with old friends and audience members joining us
Ep. 41: Honoring children’s imaginations with Sandhya Nankani, founder of inclusive kids media company Literary Safari & The Story Seeds Podcast
Growing up in a family of Sindhi entrepreneurs based in Morocco and Ghana, my guest Sandhya Nankani grew up speaking French, Twi, English and Sindhi. Join me as she shares what it was like growing up between Ghana, India and the US, and how she came to launch her children’s media production studio Literary Safari. Her studio focuses on using evidence-based research to inform its inclusive creation
Ep. 40: Building a greener future while 'doing right by the land' with architect and developer Anjali Mangalgiri
My guest in this episode is the ambitious, yet modest entrepreneur and architect, Anjali Mangalgiri, who has built her business Grounded on sustainable principles that she also abides by in her daily life. After training at premier institutions in India and the US, Anjali jumped in the deep end by launching her own practice in Goa to build hand in hand with nature. Tune in to hear how the Singapor
Ep. 39: On meditation, medicine and mothering with Rashmi Bismark, author of 'Finding Om'
“It is so important for our kids to be seen. The importance of seeing a Black-Indian girl exploring these traditions from South Asia, I think the value of that is intentional.”My chat with preventive medicine physician, meditation and yoga teacher, and mother of two young girls moved me to tears but was so hopeful! Rashmi shares both her journey as a doctor trying to expand modern medicine’s appro
Ep. 38: Crafting an independent cultural platform with Cocoa & Jasmine founder Sayali Goyal
“When I felt like I wasn’t growing in a job, I just left. I was not there for the comfort zone, I was not there to look good! My career graph!? Let’s just say a corporate wouldn’t hire me!”My latest guest embodies the entrepreneur’s need for freedom to pursue a vision, even when others can’t understand what it is. Delhi-based cultural entrepreneur, brand and travel consultant, Sayali Goyal, create
Ep. 37: On decolonization and resisting racism through art with Indo-Caribbean Dutch activist Pravini Baboeram
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 37:Pravini’s website and instagramThe Uprising full film on YouTubeBooks and other things we discussed:Jhumpa Lahiri’s The NamesakeIndian Matchmaking on NetflixFollow us on Instagram for more on Pravini and everything we mentioned in this episode!Special thanks to Varun Dhabe, Aman Moroney and the team @ Flying Carpet Productions for audio post-production engineering!
Ep. 36: Creating what's missing with Sydney-based artist and restaurant founder Gunjan Aylawadi
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 36:Gunjan’s art website and instagramFlyover Fritterie website and instagramBooks and other things we discussed:The Social Outfit (an Australian fashion label celebrating creativity & diversity, providing refugees 1st Australian jobs) where you can find Gunjan’s designs on scarves, notebooks and other cool stuffPodcast that Gunjan is loving right now: Good Food podcast by
Ep. 35: Growing into a leader while “doing right by people” with Arsenal Medical CEO Upma Sharma
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 35:Upma’s company Arsenal MedicalBooks and other things we discussed:Jhumpa Lahiri’s The NamesakeUpma’s Peloton obsession (we joked she would bring one in her car to a recentAir fryer for instapotFollow us on Instagram for more on Upma and everything we mentioned in this episode!Special thanks to Varun Dhabe, Aman Moroney and the team @ Flying Carpet Productions for audio pos
Ep. 34: Imagining a child's view of the Partition of India with Veera Hiranandani, author of The Night Diary
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 34:Veera’s books on IndieboundConnect with Veera on instagram or her websiteBooks and other things we discussed:Veera’s ground-breaking publisher Kokila BooksThe Bridge Home by Padma VenkatramanA Beautiful Lie by Irfan MasterVeera makes Sai Bhaji on KiLitTV (recipe also in The Night Diary)1947 Partition Archive - an incredible resource which Veera turned to in her researchFol
Ep. 33: Improving housing for India's urban poor with Rakhi Mehra
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 33:Rakhi and Marco’s social enterprise MicroHomeSolutionsMore on social enterprise and other things we discussed:Grameen BankBanker to the Poor by Grameen Bank’s founder Muhammad YunusAshoka FellowsRhodes ScholarshipA Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life by Jack KornfieldTeaching by Heart: One Professor's Journey to Inspire by Thomas DeLo
Ep. 32: Decolonizing the spice trade with Diaspora Co. founder Sana Javeri Kadri
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 32:Diaspora Co.’s website where you can find links to order their amazing single origin spices, and to Sana’s fantastic newsletter (highly recommended even if you’re not a spice fanatic!)Diaspora Co. on instagramSana’s Bombay restaurant favorites:SoamSwati SnacksBombay CanteenBOOKS and other things we discussed:Homegoing by Yaa GyasiAnts Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family
Ep. 31: A photographer’s love letter to Rajasthan and launching a book during the COVID-19 crisis with Christine Chitnis
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 31:Christine’s beautiful website where you can find links to her book and instagram accountOrder this fabulous book through her website and also hereBOOKS and other things we discussed:Station Eleven by Emily St. John MandelLittle Fires Everywhere by Celeste NgJhumpa Lahiri’s booksThe God of Small Things by Arundhati RoyFiona Caulfield’s Love Travel Guides to various cities o
Ep. 30: International's Women's Day Special: From robotics to plastic-free periods with Saathi Pads Founder & CEO, Kristin Kagetsu
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 30:Saathi Pads are chemical-free and biodegradable - they’re currently available in India directly from Saathi or here@saathipads on instagramMore on Kristin from the Cartier Women’s InitiativeBOOKS and other things we discussed:Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough & Michael Braungart - an important read for anyone creating new products!A travel guide to Ahmedabad’s Desi
Ep. 29: Postcard from London: an international childhood, romance, and motherhood with my college friend Piya Kochhar
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 29:F45 TrainingQuince Tree Cafe at Clifton Nurseries - so gorgeous if you’re ever in LondonBOOKS and SHOWS we discussed:A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer EganDucks, Newburyport by Lucy EllmannBecoming by Michelle ObamaSuccession on HBOCatastrophe on Amazon PrimeMozart in the Jungle on Amazon PrimeSex Education on NetflixFollow us on Instagram for more on Piya and everyt
Ep. 28: Lifelong learning and leadership in Silicon Valley with Sonya Pelia
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 28:Learn more about Maitri and support their work hereBOOKS we discussed:The 100-Year Life by Lynda Gratton & Andrew ScottThe Disruption Mindset by Charlene LiFollow us on Instagram for more on Sonya and everything we mentioned in this episode!Special thanks to Aman Moroney @ Flying Carpet Productions for audio post-production engineering!
Ep. 27: From Partition-era Lahore to contemporary Singapore with writer Akshita Nanda
SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 27:Connect with Akshita on instagramNimita’s Place on Amazon US and IndiaBeauty Queens of BishanOTHER BOOKS and STUFF we discussed:National Library of SingaporeEsplanade Performing Arts and more in SingaporeTerry Pratchett’s DiscworldLois McMaster Bujold’s Chalion Series https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780061134241Follow us on Instagram for more on Akshita and everything we
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