Shows
Breaking the Browndary Podcast20: I Quit Law to Be a Full-Time Content Creator (with Ria)In this episode of Breaking the Browndary Podcast, we sit down with Ria Lakhani, a creator and brand founder redefining what it means to be a modern South Asian woman. She’s the visionary behind On Cloud Dine, a feel good food platform that celebrates culture through recipes, restaurant finds, and her beloved “Dad Hacks” series. Ria opens up about her journey from pursuing a traditional law career to following her passion for cooking, freelancing, and content creation.We discuss: 💼 Leaving law & breaking South Asian stereotypes🍳 Building a career as a full-time content creator
2025-10-2453 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast19: Bringing Ancient Healing to a Modern World (with Anisah)Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse and trauma. Please listen with care.In this powerful episode of Breaking the Browndary, we explore what it truly means to come back home to your body. I’m joined by Anisah, a holistic therapist specialising in somatic healing, trauma recovery, and nervous system regulation.We don't hold back- diving straight into intergenerational trauma, cultural shame, and the conditioning that’s kept so many of us stuck in cycles of control, people-pleasing, and emotional suppression. But we come out of the other sideto explore how we can start re...
2025-08-081h 04Breaking the Browndary Podcast18: Listen to This If You Feel Stuck: Life Coaching with Bhavya AroraFeeling stuck in your life, career, or relationships? Let's break it down and give you some practical, tangible steps to get un-stuck. I promise you this episode isn't just waffle- it's full of frameworks we can use to actually get un-stuck and overcome our limiting beliefs. Meet Bhavya Arora , a certified life transformational and career coach, and author of “Where The F**k Do I Go From Here?” (yes, that’s the actual title). She’s helped hundreds move from stuck to glowing and grounded – and now she’s coaching us.This isn’t just another fluffy...
2025-07-291h 10Breaking the Browndary Podcast17: Becoming "That Girl": South Asian Edition – Feminine Energy & Inner WorkThis episode is for the South Asian woman who is healing, glowing & building her soft, rich girl life. ✨ This is all about real self-development, womanhood, and healthy habits—from a South Asian lens.In this juicy episode, I sit down with Rishani—a self-development YouTuber and podcaster with 80K+ subscribers—who’s become the big sister figure for so many women navigating their 20s and 30s. We’re unpacking what it really means to become that girl—not just aesthetically, but from within. We talk about:💫 Breaking out of survival mode, creating a safe space from to...
2025-06-151h 05Breaking the Browndary Podcast16: Dating in 2025: ghosting, breadcrumbing, what is a healthy relationship?Today, we have a JUICYYY episode which is all about dating. In a world where South Asians are often caught between tradition and modernity, dating can feel more confusing than ever. Our special guest is Niti, a South Asian dating coach, who’s here to help us navigate the complexities of dating in today’s world.We’re diving into how to date with intention, avoid burnout, and set boundaries that feel empowering, all while staying true to yourself. Niti shares key insights on how to align your dating intentions, build trust in the early s...
2025-04-011h 05Breaking the Browndary Podcast15: Trust Yourself: How to Think Critically & Live on Your Own TermsIn this episode i'm joined byShilpa, a London-based management consultant, writer and the founder of Kahaani Collective,a platform dedicated to fostering professional and creative growth for South Asians. Shilpa opens up about her journey of navigating cultural identity, career challenges, and personal growth as a South Asian woman. We dive into topics such as self-validation, breaking free from family expectations, and the influence of social media on self-perception and worth. Shilpa emphasises the need for young South Asian women to reclaim authority over their lives and make decisions that align with their true selves, despite societal expectations.Th...
2025-02-1352 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast14: How to build wealth with your 9-to-5? Personal Finance 101Heyyy lovelies! Let’s kick off the year with some real talk about MONEY! It’s time to reset your finances in 2025 and make this year your most prosperous yet. 💸✨
In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Sanskriti Nigam— founder of @brownwomanwealth, Financial Wellness Coach, Chartered Accountant, and Investor. With 15 years in the Big 4 and a passion for empowering others, Sanskriti’s here to help you take control of your money and break through financial barriers. You're going to want to take notes.
We dive into her journey of navigating money in immigrant communities, bu...
2025-01-181h 07Breaking the Browndary Podcast13: The forgotten stories of the Indo-Caribbean communityWelcome back to another episode Breaking of the Browndary! 🎙️ In this episode, we dive into the history and cultural identity, as well as the present day of the Indo-Caribbean community with Vinay Harrichan,
founder of The Cutlass Magazine. From personal stories of resilience to the cultural legacies of Indian indentured laborers, this episode is a heartfelt homage to a heritage often overlooked. 🌍❤️
Vinay shares stories of the Indo-Caribbean diaspora, discussing the impacts of Indian indentureship, his family's heritage, and the historical and social challenges faced by Indo-Caribbean descendants today.
Together, we explore the significant cultural journey from Indi...
2024-10-201h 13Breaking the Browndary Podcast12: Connecting with Your Body: How to Reclaim and Redefine PleasureIn this empowering and feel-good conversation, we sit down with Rakhi Sachdev, an empowerment and embodiment coach for Women of Colour (WOC). Rakhi shares her insights on how women can deepen their relationship with their bodies, reclaim pleasure, and challenge the perfectionistic and people-pleasing tendencies ingrained in them. As a first-generation British-born Gujarati woman, Rakhi’s unique perspective on cultural and societal expectations sheds light on the importance of self-trust, vulnerability, and authentic self-expression. Listen to understand the transformative power of connecting to our bodies, how we can redefine and connect to our bodies and pleasure, and value ourselves....
2024-09-0350 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast11: Unmasking Autism: A South Asian PerspectiveJoin us in this eye-opening episode of 'Breaking the Browndary' as we explore the unmasking journey of being autistic within the South Asian community.
Meet Niraj, a financial consultant working in London, who has autism, is an open neurodiversity advocate, and established public speaker, having spoken at several universities and Autism Conferences. His written work sheds light on the diverse facets of life with autism through his own newsletter 'Niraj's thoughts'
Discover his personal story, advocacy insights, and the unique intersectionality of culture and neurodiversity. Tune in to 'We All Mask: A South Asian Perspective
on A...
2024-06-1952 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast10: 5 things i wish i knew before turning 25 (and i'm still learning)In this special 10th episode of "Breaking the Boundary," I take a moment to reflect on my personal journey, and I'm eager to share with you five key insights that I wish I had grasped before I turned 25.
My intention for these valuable lessons is for them to help you navigate your own life more effectively. The episode is a blend of life advice, personal anecdotes, and practical tips that may help you navigate your 20s and beyond.
Topics covered:
(00:01:24) Investing in Myself
Financial, health, and self-development investments for personal growth a...
2024-04-0418 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast9: Vogue's Trailblazer: Tamil Nadu's First Male Fashion Model (with Kaviraj)Meet Kaviraj: A 5'7 model, actor & filmmaker from the vibrant landscapes of Tamil Nadu, South India. Breaking stereotypes as the first male fashion model from Tamil Nadu, Kaviraj has graced the pages of Vogue, Atmos, and been featured on billboards in London without any initial connections to the fashion industry.
His story is truly inspiring and we discuss his journey and how he fought against industry norms as the shortest male model in his state. Join us for an intimate conversation with Kaviraj, as he breaks barriers and redefines standards in the world of fashion.
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2024-03-0441 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast8: India's surge of 'Influencer' Marketing (with Prachi & Harsh- @twoticketstofreedom)Today, we have a special Valentine's Day episode. We're delving into the stories of the amazing travel couple Prachi & Harsh, known as @twoticketstofreedom
They've built an online community of over 350,000 people by sharing what they love. The dynamic duo took a bold risk transitioning from full-time Pharma corporate roles to being full-time travel content creators.
They're here to spill all their secrets creating authentic content that captivates audiences, sharing the story of how they pivoted their careers, and their thoughts about the rise of Indian creator economy as well as the industries that are really...
2024-02-1456 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast7: Being a South Asian Freelancer: DJing, Building a Community & Sustainable Design (with Sarith)Hey lovelies- here is the last episode of 2023!
Join us in a rich conversation with Sarith, a Sri Lankan creative currently in London. We discuss the creative force behind Dhaga—a South Asian collective making waves in London. From navigating rejection to finding inspiration in sustainable design, Sarith's journey is a testament to resilience and creativity. 🎨 Dive into her story as she shares insights on DJing, therapy through music, and the origins of Dhaga. This conversation delves into the diverse aspects of creativity, personal growth, and the resilience found in pursuing one's passion.
Sarith Ratnayake (she/h...
2023-12-2149 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast6: Managing PCOS & Body Image: A South Asian Health Coach’s PerspectiveThis episode is one of my most vulnerable yet. It is an authentic and unfiltered discussion shedding light on the realities of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)—what it is and truly entails, as well as effective management strategies and insightful tips to stay on course.
This episode features Chita, our incredible guest who is a Gujarati women's health coach. Join us as we explore her unique health journey, sharing personal experiences with PCOS and navigating the challenges of body image.
Our conversation goes deeper into the unique aspects of handling PCOS as a South Asian. Fr...
2023-11-301h 11Breaking the Browndary Podcast5: Life After ‘The Apprentice’: Breaking Free From the Corporate World & EntrepreneurshipIn this episode, we learn all about Avi Sharma, the youngest contestant on the BBC Apprentice 2023. Stay tuned to discover the top 3 things Avi learned from Lord Sugar- one of Britain's most celebrated business moguls- and how took one of the largest risks to quit his corporate banking job at Barclays to join a UK reality show: The Apprentice.
We also dive into his upbringing as a Punjabi born in the UK, how he got into Entrepreneurship and built a personal brand, advice on networking, and touch on controversial topics such as how the UK media portrays...
2023-11-1451 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast4: Interracial Dating, Sex before Marriage & Politics (with Sarina)Today we have an extremely exciting and loaded conversation with Sarina Kiayani of Pakistani descent. Sarina is the Women's Officer of Young Labour and creator of TikTok news channel sarinadoespolitics.
We dive into supposed 'taboo' topics, such as Sarina's experience with interracial dating, the guilt and shame of sex before marriage, and the complexities of relationships and family, as well as the challenges of embracing South Asian Identity. We explore her insights on casual relationships and the delicate balance between South Asian and Western identities. Sarina also discusses the complexities of being a Muslim in a world m...
2023-09-281h 05Breaking the Browndary Podcast3: Multifaceted Creativity, Neurodiversity, and South Asian Success (with Hena)Meet Hena Sharma, a versatile creative with a global upbringing currently working at Universal Music Group. We explore her journey as a writer, fashion designer, musician, as well as a champion of culture and travel.
We discuss Hena's South Asian upbringing, growing up in Ghana, Sri-Lanka, Bhangladesh, and London, and her ability to adapt and pivot her creative ventures. We look at the creative process behind her music and fashion brand "rasa", how she found mentors in the music industry and pushed past barriers including balancing creativity with family expectations, the lack of representation of South Asians...
2023-09-0651 minBreaking the Browndary Podcast2: Pivoting Careers, AI, and the future of South Asian Millennials (with Advait)Today we are talking with Advait Naik, a multidisciplinary creative with roots in Mumbai, who is making waves as a designer and strategist at an East London design studio.
We discuss Advait's diverse journey and the challenges he faced as an international student living in multiple countries, as well as how he pivoted his career aspirations from Engineering to Industrial Design and now Strategy. We delve into his mindset and how he continues to pursue his creative interests without labels.
The conversation also explores philosophy and future thinking topics, such as AI, the cultural diffusion...
2023-08-1748 min
Breaking the Browndary Podcast1: What does it mean to be South Asian?🎙️ Welcome to the first episode of "Breaking the Browndary" podcast.
In this episode, it's just you and me – your host Rhea. I discuss the exciting vision behind 'Breaking the Browndary', and what it means to be South Asian. Then, we'll dive into my personal story, growing up as a first-generation South Asian in London and the challenges I've faced, and discovering how I broke free from some of the barriers that once held me back.
Topics covered:
🔹 South Asian culture
🔹 Navigating parental expectations
🔹 Being an overachiever
🔹 Overcoming mental blocks
...
2023-08-0712 min