Talking about taking on the issues of race with a graphic novel Mira Jacob is a novelist, memoirist, illustrator and cultural critic. Her graphic memoir, ‘Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations,’ was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award, longlisted for the Pen Open Book Award, nominated for three Eisner awards, and named a …
S5 Ep 11 Mira Jacob: Author on fighting racists with words & pics Read More »
Comedian talks about depression and mental health issues – and how culture makes things more complicated Aparna Nancherla is an LA-based comedian, actor and writer who performs all over the US and worldwide. Her TV stand-up appearances include Netflix’s ‘The Standups,’ HBO’s ‘Two Dope Queens,’ and Comedy Central’s ‘The Half Hour.’ Aparna was also a …
S5 Ep 10 Aparna Nancherla: Comedian on Depression Not being Fun Read More »
The 18-year old Hollywood actor and producer on embracing her South Asian culture At just 18, Avantika is already a force as a well-known Hollywood actor, and producer. She was the first ever Indian American lead in the Disney Channel Original Movies ‘Spin’. She was named in Variety’s Young Hollywood ‘Up Next’ list in 2021. …
S5 Ep 9 Avantika Vandanapu: Hollywood star on loving saris Read More »
Successful art director, multimedia artist and content creator talks about living a colourful life Tanya Gupta was a NASA aerospace engineer, a childhood dream for so many of us and Tanya made it happen. She worked on a prototype aircraft, which now sits at the Smithsonian, and she also owns a software patent with Kennedy …
S5 Ep 8 Tanya Gupta: NASA engineer turned artist Read More »
Successful entrepreneur talks about the power of ancient South Asian beauty rituals and traditions Michelle is the founder of Ranavat, a skin and hair care brand, based on age-old Ayurvedic traditions. Leveraging her expertise in the pharmaceutical industry and her background in engineering, Michelle honors her South Asian heritage to create a line of beautiful …
S5 Ep 7 Michelle Ranavat: Beauty entrepreneur on South Asian rituals Read More »
Award-winning actress & producer talks about the importance of diverse stories in Hollywood Melanie Chandra is an award-winning actress and producer passionate about bringing more empathy to this world through her work. She uses her platforms both on-screen and behind the camera to share powerful and diverse stories about women and minorities. I loved chatting with Melanie …
S5 Ep 6 Melanie Chandra: Hollywood celeb on why diverse stories matter Read More »
South Asian director & photographer making waves in fashion Tanya Ravichandran is just 21 years old and incredibly wise. She is the South Asian creator, director and photographer making waves in the fashion and beauty industries. Tanya was photographing campaigns for well-known brands by the age of 15. She has amassed over one and a …
S5 EP5: Tanya Ravichandran – South Asian Creator on Shaking up Fashion Read More »
Successful entrepreneur on economic empowerment for women Reshma Saujani is a leading activist and the founder of Girls Who Code as well as founder and CEO of Moms First (formerly Marshall Plan for Moms. Reshma began her career as an attorney and Democratic organizer. In 2010, she surged onto the political scene as the first …
Teen Vogue Editor on Brown Women Power Editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue Versha Sharma talks about the power of brown women in fashion and elsewhere. She focuses on covering social justice, culture, fashion and politics through the lens of young people. She also talks about the surge of incredible South Asian Americans creatives in the US. …
Music icon on spirituality & sensuality Raveena Aurora is a massive music star & the first woman of Indian descent to play at Coachella. And she’s on Masala Podcast! A gorgeous mix of music, spirituality & sensuality, Raveena talks about the barriers of being a brown woman in the music business. Her genre-bending style mixes …
S5 E2: Raveena Aurora: Music Spirituality Sensuality Read More »
Being a Queer South Asian American Season 5 of the multi-award-winning Masala Podcast is a USA Special. Our first episode features the trailblazing sex educator, sexual health expert and advocate Dr. Varuna Srinivasan. Listen for a thought-provoking journey as we dive into the heart of sexual orientation, identity, and LGBTQ+ rights with Varuna. Varuna’s story …
Strong South Asian womxn The first time I’d heard of Poorna Bell was when I read her book Chase the Rainbow all those years ago, I remember how moved I was by the honesty and vulnerability in that book. Chatting with Poorna for Masala Podcast was a wonderful nurturing experience. I loved exploring with Poorna …
