Shows
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingZubaani: Stories of ConflictWelcome to Season 2 of the Zubaani podcast by nonprofit Peerbagh. Season two takes a deep dive into the topic of intergenerational storytelling with writers Salma Hussain and Upasna Kakroo as cohosts.Episode 5, Season 2: Stories of ConflictIn this podcast episode, we talk about stories of internalized or external conflict that are often hidden in families. Books we discuss may work as tools and resources to help navigate through these complex journeys in our families.Books and other trivia discussed in this episode:The Secret Diary of Mona Hassan (Sal...2025-06-2534 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingZubaani: Festivals & FolkloreWelcome to Season 2 of the Zubaani podcast by nonprofit Peerbagh. Season two takes a deep dive into the topic of intergenerational storytelling with writers Salma Hussain and Upasna Kakroo as cohosts.Episode 4, Season 2: Festivals & Folklore In this podcast episode, we talk about festivals and folklore from South Asia in today's times. Festivals present an easy entry point into sharing culture and the region's diversity. We also talk about folk and our cultural pasts that are all in fact changing and adapting with newer context. Books we discuss present these ideas with imaginative and inclusiv...2025-06-1832 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingZubaani: Rewriting NarrativesWelcome to Season 2 of the Zubaani podcast by nonprofit Peerbagh. Season two takes a deep dive into the topic of intergenerational storytelling with writers Salma Hussain and Upasna Kakroo as cohosts.Episode 3, Season 2: Rewriting NarrativesIn this podcast episode, we discuss retellings that are being written for South Asian settings. We also talk about what makes these retellings authentic. The episode also talks about the colonial impact in defining hierarchies in art and writing. This has led to an odd othering of South Asian stories in the West, and we talk about desi wri...2025-06-1133 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingZubaani: Food MemoriesWelcome to Season 2 of the Zubaani podcast by nonprofit Peerbagh. Season two takes a deep dive into the topic of intergenerational storytelling with writers Salma Hussain and Upasna Kakroo as cohosts.Episode 2, Season 2: Food MemoriesIn this podcast episode, we discuss the role of food in storytelling and building cultural identities. We also feature children's books that bring this aspect of South Asian culture for kids and families. Mangoes are included :-)Books and other trivia discussed in this episode:100 Chapatis – Picture Book, by Derek Mascarenhas (Author), Shantala Robinson (Illust...2025-06-0433 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingZubaani: The Stories We CarryWelcome to Season 2 of the Zubaani podcast by nonprofit Peerbagh. "Zubaani" in Hindustani translates to "through the language" or "by means of language". Season two takes a deep dive into the topic of intergenerational storytelling with writers Salma Hussain and Upasna Kakroo as cohosts.Research shows intergenerational storytelling is like a resource (similar to air, clean water) but it is inequitably distributed. Whether you live in the subcontinent or the diaspora, colonial rule and its subsequent conflicts have left the South Asian subcontinent wounded. There is intense loss of human stories that tell the...2025-05-2731 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingS1 Ep 5: HindustaniEpisode 5: Hindustani
In this episode of Zubaani by Peerbagh, we speak to Urdu educator and influencer, Tamania Naqi. The episode is in Hindustani and English. We talked about contextualizing and modernizing language and stories for children in a new generation and those in the diaspora. Naqi talks about raising multilingual children that helps wire their brains to be more creative. She also shared the colonial impact on South Asians that has historically created a need to be English-speaking over giving importance to regional and local languages. We talk about tips and ideas for parents who are willing...2024-12-0220 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingS1 Ep 4: Born Confused?Episode 4: Born Confused?
In this episode of Zubaani by Peerbagh, we talk about the experiences of families in the diaspora that straddle two worlds between the subcontinent and the immigrant culture they're a part of. Researchers believe that the community-oriented culture of South Asians often clashes with the individualistic experiences in the West with elders and youth having different preferences toward their host culture. We spoke to author and influencer Jyoti Chand popularly known as Mamajotes about her experiences of being a part of an Indian-Burmese family with multiple languages and a very blended cultural setup. Chand...2024-12-0219 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingS1 Ep 3: Passing the TorchEpisode 3: Passing the Torch
This episode of Zubaani by Peerbagh talks about the tools and resources parents can use to encourage storytelling and creative imagination in kids. We spoke to educator and children's book author, Natasha Padhiar who shared how children imitate their family members and how family storytelling can develop a love of stories and reading. We also discussed the role of diverse stories for South-Asian diaspora families including stories from a host culture along with stories from their heritage culture to learn from.
Natasha questioned the tokenism that may be...2024-12-0121 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingS1 Ep 2: Roots of WisdomEpisode 2: Roots of Wisdom
This episode of Zubaani by Peerbagh delves into intergenerational storytelling and how memory-sharing helps parents or elders pass on wisdom to the next generation. Researchers argue that intergenerational storytelling is a developmental resource and is often inequitably available. This injustice impacts everyone but marginalized communities that need them the most.
We speak to writer and publisher Anusha Velluswamy. She talks about this topic through the lens of her children's book about a sweet bond between a child and her grandmother. Anusha shares her life experience as a child...2024-12-0119 min
Zubaani: South-Asian Parenting Tips and StorytellingS1 Ep 1: Far From the TreeThe first season of Zubaani is produced by Peerbagh with Upasna Kakroo as the host. "Zubaani" in Hindustani translates to "through the language" or "by means of language." The first season talks about South-Asian parenting tips and storytelling for our future- showcasing folk, personal, and regional stories that build our common myths and community as people.
Episode 1: Far from the tree
This episode delves into the complicated experiences of South-Asian immigrant parents or those who grow up away from their heritage cultures. We talk about the challenges parents face in teaching their child...2024-12-0119 min
Storytelling with Shweta“Wake up, Kumbhakarna, Wake up” - A Ramayana StoryIn this episode of Storytelling with Shweta, we will hear a story from the ancient Ramayana. Today’s story is about waking Kumbhakarna the Asura up from his enchanted sleep. Kumbhakarna is an iconic character in Indian mythology. He is the brother of Ravana and enemy of the gods. This story was performed live at the Peerbagh Varta Festival at the Ann Arbor District Library. This was a South Asian literary event that focused on oral storytelling traditions. The story was originally written for a live audience with lots of interaction with the listeners, but it’s been adapted for...2024-10-1714 min
Give Back EconomyPeerbaghUpasna Kakroo is the CEO-USA of Peerbagh located in Austin, Texas. Check out
https://www.peerbagh.com/ re books.
Find out more at https://give-back-economy.pinecast.co2024-02-0325 min
The Teacher StoryEp.72-Season 3 Finale: A Gratitude Message to My Guests & A Reading from The Guided Teacher-Jackie ScullyIn the Season 3 finale, I share a heartfelt gratitude message to the incredible guests who made this journey memorable. This season was filled with stories about innovation and entrepreneurship in education. I share a special moment by reading an excerpt from my book, The Guided Teacher. This segment focuses on the moral of the story and unveils my vision for education. It's a moment of reflection, gratitude, and a glimpse into the core principles that guide my work. I look forward to sharing more stories and insights in Season 4, which kicks off January 7th, 2024!Check out my...2023-11-2612 min
The Teacher StoryEp.66-Empowering Young Voices: Diverse Storytelling-Peerbagh CEO, Upasna KakrooIn this episode, we're joined by Upasna Kakroo, an innovative marketing and communications leader who has spent nearly two decades at the forefront of brand strategy. With a remarkable career that's unfolded across four global markets, she's been instrumental in shaping the narrative of brands and creating captivating stories that resonate with diverse audiences.She is currently the driving force behind Peerbagh, an organization with a unique mission—to ignite the imaginations of children and families through storytelling inspired by the rich tapestry of South Asia.We discover her passion for children's books—she's a publ...2023-10-1535 min