Tuckered Out with Ami Thakkar

We're going to space guys! I grew up in the NASA area in Houston and my neighbor was Mike Mullane, an astronaut who flew the Space Shuttle missions in the 80's and 90's. So the idea of talking to someone who is helping revive space exploration was beyond exciting for me.Tejpaul Bhatia leads revenue generation and monetization strategy for the commercial development of space as Chief Revenue Officer at Axiom Space. Axiom Space is a private space company developing its own module for the International Space Station and building the first commercial space station.Axiom Space revealed its team of four first-time astronauts who have each paid $55m to spend eight days on the International Space Station launching on March 30th. Axiom Space AX-1 crew will travel to the ISS in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule and will spend eight days carrying out experiments. This is the first time an all civilian crew has visited the ISS at the same time.We talk about the history of the ISS and what the station has given humankind, what a commercial space station really means, what he says to those people that think spending money on space programs a waste of money, how the private/public partnerships has recharged the program, why have an all civilian crew, and how space exploration is the one place in our world where there are no borders and where there is always hope.

BONUS-While our team is busy getting the next slate of VERY exciting episodes ready, here's one of our favorites from last year! I don't remember laughing so hard in a interview...Zarna Garg is an Indian immigrant, mom, and lawyer turned New York comedian and TikTok star (https://www.tiktok.com/@zarnagarg) with more than 20 million views on the platform. She has performed standup at sold-out clubs across the country and headlined her own show My American Dream at the famous Carolines on Broadway. Unwilling to let the pandemic stop her, Zarna has kept audiences laughing with online comedy shows (which were recently profiled in the New York Times) and impromptu sets outside major landmarks across New York City including Central Park and The Met.Her debut romantic comedy screenplay “Rearranged” won the Best Comedy Screenplay Award at the 2019 Austin Film Festival (placing #1 out of 11,000 scripts), and was also a 2019 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Semi-Finalist. The script has been optioned by Marginal Mediaworks.

Deepa Purushothaman is a former senior executive, a corporate inclusion visionary, and co-founder of nFormation, a company for women of color by women of color where they provide a brave, safe, new space for professional women of color. This is a first-of-its-kind community that is a vetted, membership-based technology platform for high-performing WOC that seeks to reimagine traditional power structures to not just help more WOC take their seat at the table but to change the way the table is formed.Deepa’s book, The First, The Few, The Only-How Women of Color Redefine Power in Corporate America, will be published by Harper Business in March 2022.Prior to this, Deepa spent more than twenty years at Deloitte and was the first Indian-American woman and one of the youngest people to make partner in the company’s history.We discuss how it's time for all WOC to come together with our shared challenges to support one another, what it will really take to advance WOC, how many WOC tend to manifest physical ailments because they are not in their full voice, and what leadership will look like in the future.

Sujata Day is an American actress, model, and screenwriter. You may know her as CeeCee in the Issa Rae web series, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl (2011-2013) and Sarah in Insecure. In 2019, it was announced that Day will direct a film called Definition, Please, for which she also wrote the script. It stars Ritesh Rajan and Jake Choi and was shot on location in Greensburg, Pennsylvania in the summer of 2019.Definition Please is one of two titles from South Asian female filmmakers debuting on Netflix from Ava DuVernay's ARRAY.We talked about growing up in a small town as a brown girl, what really needs to change in Hollywood to get more South Asian representation, why we both love coming-of-age films, how the model minority myth affected us personally, and the spelling bee word that will haunt her foreverThe film dropped on Netflix last week and here to do a special introduction is her childhood friend and one of my dear friends. Monica Jindal Mehta.

So 2022 has been...déjà vu?I decided to kick off 2022 talking to stand-up comedian and humor writer, Meg Indurti. Indurti writes for The New Yorker and Reductress and is a headline contributor for The Onion. In 2019, she was featured in the NBC Breakout Comedy Festival and in 2020, she was featured in the San Francisco Sketchfest.She performs regularly at Laugh Factory, Zanies, Comedy Bar, and Comedians You Should Know. In 2019, she was a writer for a comedic short directed by Natasha Lyonne featuring John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph, Melinda Gates, and more.We talk about the real reason her parents immigrated to the US, why most Indians need to go through steps to figure out their "Indianness", our prom and first dance stories, how Nicholas Cage got her a job interview, and how finally feeling confident led her to a book deal.

This is our final episode of the year! So I started this podcast back in 2017 after listening and being inspired by the first season of Serial, the most downloaded podcast of all time. I could not think of a better guest to round out this year than the woman who brought Adnan Syed's case to light, Rabia ChaudryRabia Chaudry is a Pakistani-American attorney, author and podcast host. A childhood friend of Adnan Syed, subject of the podcast Serial (2014), Chaudry subsequently wrote a book about his case called Adnan’s Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial (2016), which became a New York Times best seller.Chaudry co-hosts 3 podcasts- Undisclosed, a podcast on Syed's case and many others, which has now 360 million downloads, The 45th, which followed the crazy that was Trumps presidency, and The Hidden Djinn, showcasing the folklore and history behind the legends of the djinn, and connecting the tales through Islamic, Christian, and Jewish sources. She is also an Executive Producer of a four-part HBO documentary "The Case Against Adnan Syed."She tells me how she feels about Serial now looking back and how she is still not giving up hope, how Adnan and his family are doing now and the case as it stands, and her personal theory on what really happened.We also talk about her personal struggles at home during her first marriage and how law school saved her, the Safe Nation Collaborative, which she founded, and it's focus on CVE (countering violent extremism), Undisclosed, the biggest wrongful conviction podcast in the world, which has now helped exonerate nearly a dozen defendants, and her future innocence work with the Aspen Institute/ADL Civil Society Fellow.Rabia's second book, "Fatty Fatty Boom Boom", a memoir on food, fat, and family, is due to be out in 2022.There was so much to talk about, I have a feeling there may be a part two to this! So please enjoy my final episode of 2021 with Rabia Chaudry.www.rabiachaudry.com

Guys, the holidays are about to get messy. Welcome to a very special holiday bonus episode!Today I chat with producers and stars of Comedy Centrals South-Asian led film, Hot Mess Holiday, Melanie Chandra and Surina Jindal!Hot Mess Holiday helps get audiences into the festive season and features a largely South Asian cast including Kal Penn, Ravi Patel, Richa Moorjani and many more.The film, which debuts on December 11th, revolves around two best friends, a young banker, Melanie (Chandra), who is unceremoniously dumped by her cheating fiancé, Rishi (Ritesh Rajan), during the Diwali holidays, and her free-spirited best friend, Surina (Jindal), who is determined to help her get lit. Along with their outrageous crew, they embark on a wild holiday adventure across Chicago, but when they come into possession of a multimillion-dollar diamond, their messy antics place their entire team in danger.I chat with the ladies about their journey together up till now, working 16 hours a day on set, some of they crazy moments they recall while filming, why this film in particular is so relevant for the South Asian community, and some of their upcoming projects.We also play a little "do you really know your best friend" game- there may be some dancing involved as well.So sit back, grab your chai, and enjoy our bonus holiday episode!https://www.cc.com/topic/hot-mess-holiday

Well guys, it's the end of the year and of course that means reflecting back on 2021 and thinking, why did I eat my kids (both of them) entire birthday cake this year?I get it, trust me, I already yelled at myself in the mirror this week. And that's why I so needed to talk to my next guest!Dr. Amy Shah is a renowned wellness expert, immunologist, nutritionist, and author. After years of practicing nutrition and immunology, it was a personal scare in 2012 that made Shah turn to Ayurveda and take more holistic approaches to health which involves clean eating, intermittent fasting, balancing hormones, and strengthening the gut. Basically, all the things that we know we're suppose to do but just don't have time to do it!She has written a book, I’m so Effing Tired, which highlights some of the things we can tweak to help reach our peak mind and body health. We talk about how one huge scare back in 2012 changed her journey, why we grew up thinking taking a break for ourselves was considered selfish, how its the little tweaks that we need to make that really make the difference, and why we are so addicted to Starbucks.If you’ve been struggling to achieve your health goals, follow Dr Amy Shah on Instagram (@fastingmd) for some honest and thoughtful advice.www.amymdwellness.com

Michelle Ranavat founded RANAVAT, a global skincare line inspired by Indian beauty rituals in 2017. The award-winning line is known for its luxurious skin treatments and counts the World's top retailers: Neiman Marcus, Blue Mercury and Credo as partners. Michelle and RANAVAT have been consistently featured in publications including Allure, Glamour and VOGUE, where Michelle was named one of the "Top 50 Influential Global Indians."This company not only helps take care of our planet, they also give back. As part of its "Claim Your Crown" platform, RANAVAT has partnered with the Desai Foundation (a non-profit) to provide educational programs to men, women and children in rural India.She talks about growing up in Wisconsin as a first generation Indian-American and wanting to "belong", how she started embracing her roots more and celebrating our culture, how her 2010 trip to India with her father changed the course of her journey, and why she believes in Ayurvedic ingredients.We also talk about starting your own business after kids, why it's never too late for anyone to figure out their calling, why failures (many) are so important to experience, how working with her dad growing up was really the best education she received, her favorite RANAVAT products, trolling on social media and why South Asians still can't seem to support each other, and how she's going to take me to Paris Fashion Week one of these days!www.ranavat.com

BONUS- The Tuckered Out team is taking a Thanksgiving break and is thankful to our terrific throngs of Tuckered Outians. Please check out one of the first episodes we did this year with co-founders of Product of Culture!I chat (and laugh) with the co-founders of Product of Culture, Archana Jain and Monika Sharma!Product of Culture (#POCNation) empowers South Asian creatives and innovators to grow and thrive globally. The organization is a WOC founded and funded collective that amplifies Brown brands + creatives with strategy, content, and experiences rooted in culture.We discuss how the co-founders met, why they work well together, the story behind their very first pop-up event, and the upcoming POC Fest, which includes the South Asian Film Fest of America and The Founder's Summit.We talk about building opportunities for Brown brands, why numbers don't matter in social media, and how I may be potentially hosting their dating event at POC Fest.Based in New York City and Los Angeles, these women are changing the way South Asian creatives work and grow together. #supportbrowncreativeswww.productofculture.org

This episode is for all you bad betis & besharam bibis!Today I catch up with activist, writer & speaker, Sangeeta Pillai, who is the the founder of Soul Sutras. Soul Sutras is the South Asian feminist platform that is all about tackling taboos in South Asian culture, creating safe spaces where South Asian women can explore everything from sex to mental health.Their projects include Masala Podcast, featuring interviews with fierce South Asian women about taboo topics and Masala Monologues, a series of writing workshops and theatre shows in the UK & the US.Starting life as a blog, Soul Sutras now boasts a range of projects from podcast, theatre shows, webinar to books & beyond.She has become a key voice in British South Asian feminism speaking at the Women of the World (WOW) 2020 and has been featured in the Huffington Post, BBC Asian Radio, Brown Girl Magazine and is the winner of British Podcast Awards 2020 & 2019.She tells me about living life in the slums of Bombay, her volatile relationship with her father and the affect it's had on her throughout life, the complicated relationship between culture and identity, and how it's so refreshing to see the younger generation of South Asian women speak up.http://www.soulsutras.co.uk/

Editor's Note- This is a live podcast so please excuse all the extra background noise.We had the honor to attend Diwali On The Hudson this year, NYC's premiere Diwali event hosted by The Desai Foundation. And let me tell you, we had some good times. Diwali On The Hudson celebrates love, light and of course the very important work of The Desai Foundation.This year, appearances by the talented Falu and The Resistance Revival Chorus graced the stage and we had some fantastic jams courtesy of DJ Suhel!The Desai Foundation’s main focus for over 20 years has been empowering women and girls through community programs to elevate health and livelihood in India & U.S. During the 2021 COVID crisis, they shifted their focus to address the needs of the communities we serve, while also leveraging the programs that were already in place.The foundation is currently operating in 1000 villages, and has reached a population of over 3.4 million people. Their work cultivates dignity so that everyone can dream beyond their circumstances.To donate or learn more, please go to thedesaifoundation.orgA BIG THANK YOU to all my guests for being brave enough to step up to the mic. You made this episode. Megha DesaiSindya ValloppillilMonica Jindal MehtaHeena JainFaluAmi ShethSuraj PatelTrisha Sakhuja-WaliaMegha Rao and Pooja Desai Shah-Holi ChicMeera ShahAkash Jain

Snehal Patel, M.D., J.D. is the CEO at MyDoc, Asia’s leading patient-centric digital healthcare platform delivering personalized continuous care across key markets in the region. Snehal is a Kauffman Fellow, a Forbes 30 under 30 Judge, and a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Has been invited to and spoken on numerous panels related to entrepreneurship and healthcare globally.We discuss the rise of health tech in Singapore, what we need to know about the healthcare system in Asia, why the healthcare system is so expensive in the US, the power dynamic between patients and doctors, and how the pandemic has shifted the relationships between governments and healthcare start-ups.We also discuss his recent piece in Think Global Health and the 10th anniversary of his bar, 28 HongKong street in Singapore, which is often credited as the bar that gave rise to the craft cocktail scene in Singapore and Asia. If you ever visit, you must definitely check it out!https://my-doc.com/https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/solutions-covid-19-crisis-asiahttps://www.drinkmagazine.asia/2021/10/09/celebrating-a-decade-of-28-hongkong-street/

A brand strategist with a purpose, Vipe Desai is an award-winning executive and thought-leader.With more than 30 years of marketing, branding and leadership experience along with 20 years of governance serving on a dozen boards, Vipe has a proven track record for leading organizational change, brand re-positioning and process change within the boardroom and a passion for inspiring, mobilizing, and empowering support for underserved communities.On October 6th, 2021, a pipeline failure sent at least 126,000 gallons of oil into the Pacific off the coast of Orange County, creating a 13-square-mile slick. Dead fish and birds washed ashore in some areas.On Monday, October 18th, Vipe testified in front of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources joint oversight hearing titled, “Southern California Oil Leak: Investigating the Immediate Effects on Communities, Businesses, and the Environment.Vipe talks about the immediate and long term affects of these oil spills, if these spills are reversible, whether the state of California will move away from fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy, why it's so important for the community, businesses and the environmental groups to work together, and how this specific ecological disaster is personal for him.He tells me how he opened up a surf shop right after graduation, his love affair with surfing, why he decided to write a children's book focusing on protecting our oceans, and the one lesson he's learned through it all.Please check out his recent TESTIMONY VIDEO: https://lnkd.in/gXGWTTNX

One of the foremost global leaders on social impact and innovation, Sonal Shah has started and led social impact efforts in academia, government, and the private and philanthropic sectors for over twenty-five years. She is the President of TAAF-The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), a convener, incubator, and funder committed to accelerating opportunity and prosperity for AAPI communities. TAAF supports advocates and organizations committed to AAPI causes so that together they can more effectively take action against hate and violence, and build the infrastructure needed to improve AAPI advocacy, power, and representation across American society.We talk about the huge spike of anti-hate crimes against the Asian American community the past few years, the main focus areas for TAAF, and how far back the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders goes in the United States.We also talk about our own childhood growing up in Houston as South Asians, how our generation perhaps internalized those feelings of being "the other", and why our own parents may have not had the bandwidth to comprehend racism when they immigrated to this country.Sonal discusses the importance of the Asian American narrative and certain cultural ideas that need to change, her own journey working with Obama and Mayor Pete Buttigieg, what she ultimately wants to be known for, and why she's ready to start a band.www.taaf.org

This past month, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and act that would have created national standards for policing in an effort to increase accountability, sadly couldn’t reach a bipartisan deal-leaving it dead in the water. We all have heard about the horrific killing of George Floyd, the protests that occurred after, and the many stories that have been shared over social media. Today, I interviewed Rahul Dubey, one of Time Magazine's Heroes of 2020 who simply, as he puts it, opened the door to those in need.On June 1, Rahul Dubey was at home in Washington, DC, as demonstrators filled the streets to protest the killing of George Floyd. After a 7 p.m. curfew, he noticed crowds in the street outside who were seemingly trapped and being pepper-sprayed by police.We talk about his story of housing 70 protestors overnight to help them avoid curfew, the fear and pure terror he felt for himself and the demonstrators, and how that one night changed his life. Recent News-Today, a Texas parole board recommended posthumous pardon for George Floyd.https://www.wsj.com/articles/george-floyd-should-receive-posthumous-pardon-for-drug-charge-texas-parole-board-says-11633461144

So there are a few (hundred) topics that South Asians tend to not discuss, divorce being one of them. When I read Shibani Joshi’s ELLE article called "The Other Side of Divorce", I knew I had to have her on the pod.Shibani Joshi is an experienced journalist who has covered business, technology and general news for global media outlets including ABC News, Fox News Channel, Yahoo! Finance and Huffington Post. Shibani Joshi is a writer, speaker and lecturer focused on bleeding-edge tech, grounded excellence and tactical business concepts that enhance everyday life.Previously, Shibani anchored a daily markets show and had her own dedicated technology segment on TV called “Joshi on Tech” on the Fox Business Network in New York City. In her almost 6-year tenure, she evolved into the dedicated on-air technology reporter at both Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.We of course talk about her journey writing and publishing the ELLE article as well as her newsletter, Boldly-Forward, but we also get into so much more. It was SO refreshing to talk to a South Asian woman who is not only so accomplished, but who is also so open, vulnerable, and real. I think most of you ladies out there will resonate with this one.www.shibanijoshi.com

Now that I am in my..ahem...proper adulthood age, things are starting to work a bit...differently. The fall routine has begun and I know that my daily routine is pure madness and with that, I tend to ignore my own well-being. This is why I had to get some advice from a professional!Anita Mirchandani, M.S, R.D, C.D.N received a B.A. from NYU and a M.S. in Clinical Nutrition from NYU. After completing a dietetic internship at New York-Presbyterian hospital, Anita became a Registered Dietitian in 2011. Anita also maintains current fitness certifications in indoor cycling, kickboxing, group exercise, and personal training. She is also an AFPA certified prenatal and postnatal exercise specialist.We talk about growing up in Texas and in the 80s where portion control was not a concept, how we're both alive after eating Pop-Tarts 5 times a day growing up, launching India's first Greek yogurt and how Indians in general are starting to understand our common chronic diagnosis. Anita also has a passion for women’s health and intuitive eating and gives her top 3 pieces of advice to South Asian women about how to eat “well”.I ask her about different diets and why they don't work, what the deal is with "gluten-free", and why balance is key to every diet. I also talk to her about my own inflammatory issues and we talk about things that I need to adjust in my day-to-day routine. Basically, I am totally convinced that talking to a dietician can change your life.Follow @FitNutAnita for interesting updates of fitness and nutrition content and check out her site, www.anitamirchandani.com for updates on ARM Nutrition.

The first episode of the fall season is officially here! Feels good to be back! I thought the best way to start off the podcast this fall is to talk to someone who has been working in journalism for over 15 years.Sriram Iyer is editor in chief of Business Insider India. He tells me why he chose the path of journalism versus the "traditional" Indian career path, how journalism has become a lot more discerning, and why journalist need to be more than just a one-trick pony in order to succeed today.We dive into how social media and "fake news" has affected journalism in India, his thoughts on how the Indian government has been trying to control online speech and content coming out of the country, why the concept of "hyper-personalization" has become an issue with the media industry, and if he himself is ever worried about publishing certain stories that could potentially be polarizing.We go over important topics such as cryptocurrency, the COVID crisis in India, and women in the workforce. I ask him about his growth strategy for the publication, why "labels are lazy", and who he ultimately would love to work with.Please also check out THE FUTURE OF WORK, hosted by Business Insider India, happening Sept 16th and 17th.https://fow.businessinsider.in/https://www.businessinsider.in/

BONUS EPISODE!!Before we begin our fall interviews in September, we wanted to post some of our favorite chats from this past year for the next 5 days. The final episode for our "highlight" series is my interview with actress and author, Lisa Ray. Thank you for your support and for subscribing to our podcast. We'll see you next week with all new episodes!Internationally acclaimed performer, philanthropist, author, and public speaker Lisa Rani Ray does not shy away from a challenge. With a career that spans three decades and several continents, this trailblazer has a reputation for taking on issue-orientated films with courage and grace. The two of us get a chance to play catch-up after 18 years (I basically was a chaiwallah on her movie set) and talk about it all. From her first taste of public attention, to working in Bollywood in the 90's, to how serendipity has really played a major role throughout her career. We talk about how all the unexpected turns in her life, including her multiple myeloma diagnosis, led her to completing her memoir, Close to the Bone, and her plans to continue writing in the future. From motherhood to breaking it down with Govinda to pet names for our hubby's, we pretty much cover it all. Let me tell you guys, I would be a chaiwallah for this fascinating woman any day.

BONUS EPISODE!!Before we begin our fall interviews in September, we wanted to post some of our favorite chats from this past year for the next 5 days. Next in line for our "highlight" series is my interview with chef, restaurateur, author Maneet Chauhan.Maneet Chauhan knows a thing or two about best-laid plans...they often tend to go awry. From India to Nashville, we talk about her journey and relationship with food, what it is really like building a business with her husband, how she didn't know she was going to have twins and why she was born to be a judge on Food Network's Chopped.We discuss her upcoming book CHAAT and the epic train ride through India that inspired it as well as her support for the #BLM movement and what it felt like to open up a few of her restaurants in the time of Covid. After this interview, a road trip to Nashville will be happening.

BONUS EPISODE!Before we begin our fall interviews in September, we wanted to post some of our favorite chats from this past year for the next 5 days. Next in line for our "highlight" series is my interview with author, Alka Joshi.Alka Joshi was born in India and raised in the U.S. since the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. At the age of 62, Joshi published her debut novel, The Henna Artist, which immediately became a New York Times bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub pick, was long listed for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and is being developed into an episodic series by Miramax TV starring Frieda Pinto. The sequel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, premieres June 2021, and will be followed by the third book in the trilogy in 2022. We talk about what it was like growing up in India and the transition to Iowa, how her family viewed dating and relationships, why she decided to break the glass ceiling on her own terms, and how she became an "accidental writer". She talks about the origins of The Henna Artist and how the main character, Laxmi, is an ode to her mother, her mother's own journey finding herself, why she believes women are better leaders, and how she hopes these books will be her legacy. www.alkajoshi.com

BONUS EPISODE!!Before we begin our fall interviews in September, we wanted to post some of our favorite chats from this past year for the next 5 days. Next in line for our "highlight" series is my interview with comedian and writer, Nimesh Patel.For my last interview of the year, I stand-up with my guest, Nimesh Patel, and talk all things comedy. Nimesh is the first Indian-American to write for SNL, where he was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for his work.We talk about growing up brown in New Jersey, how he actually did try the whole doctor route, what it was like seeing Chris Rock laugh at his jokes, and why Hasan Minhaj was sleeping on his dirty couch. Nimesh talks about his passion for comedy and writing, how SNL was the Harvard for a comedic education, how he got away with working in finance while pursuing his real passion, and who he thinks are the funniest people in his life.He is currently a staff writer for the 2nd season of 'A Little Late with Lilly Singh' and has launched a new adult animation series called Zooidiots. This one made me laugh. The series and the interview.www.zooidiots.com@findingnimesh

BONUS EPISODE!Before we begin our fall interviews, we wanted to post some of our favorite interviews from this past year for the next 5 days. First up, my interview with Manpreet Singh.India’s six-month-long farmer protests, which has recently gained global attention, has been on the forefront of news around the world. With the recent attacks on protestors and a government shutdown of the Internet, the international community is left wondering what exactly is happening there.I chat with my friend, Manpreet Singh, trial attorney and board member of the Sikh Coalition as well as the ACLU, about the history of the Sikh community in India, what she understands about the protests, and what deregulation means for farmers in India.She also talks about the outpouring of international support, why farmer suicides have been such a big issue, what we can do from here to support the cause, and why we should always remember "no farmers, no food".Please check out these two organizations for more information:https://www.sikhcoalition.org/https://www.khalsaaid.org/

Premal Dharia has spent the last twenty years dedicated to challenging injustice in the criminal system and nearly 15 years as a public defender. She has tried dozens of cases and supervised lawyers at various levels of practice. Premal will be joining Harvard Law School as the inaugural Executive Director of the Institute to End Mass Incarceration, launching this summer. The Institute’s mission is to end mass incarceration in the United States through a movement-centered, action-oriented organizing and advocacy program with a bold and ambitious innovation institute.We talk about the history of mass incarceration and the current situation as it stands in the United States. She discusses why prisoners are disproportionately Black and Latino, her work as a public defender and civil attorney, why she thinks public defenders are key to systemic change within the criminal system, founding and directing the Defender Impact Initiative, and what we need to know about post-colonialism and the impact it has had on people of color.We discuss her upbringing as a South Asian woman, what she is most excited about in he new role as Executive Director, and why public defenders have the reputation they do.To learn more, please check out-https://endmassincarceration.org/https://inquest.org/

It's time for an update people!We've done over 60 episodes, brought on big names, shared fantastic stories, and undoubtedly have some new listeners to the show from all around the world . So, I wanted to take this week to re-introduce myself a bit, as well as re-introduce the show -- what we're all about here at Tuckered Out, what we're trying to accomplish, and where we're hoping to go with everything.I started this show because I wanted to tell the stories of South Asian voices around the world and share all the amazing contributions my community is a part of. I also wanted to hear their journeys and how they found their calling because frankly, I was Tuckered Out (see what I did there) from trying to find what mine was.The hope for this podcast is simply this- to share stories for underrepresented voices, to share lessons to those who are figuring out what their mission really is, to share what our culture and heritage represents, and of course to share laughs. Because let's face it, I gots the jokes.Also, I need some help from you guys! I NEED YOUR VOTE for Best Asian Hosted Podcast! Please log on to www.podcastawards.com and vote. I WOULD SO APPRECIATE you rating and reviewing on Apple. It really does help support the podcast and let's face it, it helps my ego.I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT my website and sign up for upcoming emails I'll throw your way. I promise, they'll be entertaining.I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! You guys, I need to hear your voices, your thoughts, your random uncle jokes. Please email me or DM me to ask questions about the podcast, if you have suggestions on people I should interview, if you want to collaborate, or even if you have direct questions for my guests! I'm sure I can make that happen. I think.THANK YOU AGAIN FOR LISTENING AND SUPPORTING!!! I love doing this and appreciate each and every one of you. [email protected]@tuckeredoutpodcast

My next guests have built an organization that is not just starting the conversation around menstrual hygiene in India, but they are educating people across India and changing the way menstruation has been talked about in the past and even today.Tarun Bothra and Kristin Kagetsu are co-founders of Saathi, a purpose driven manufacturing company that makes eco-friendly hygiene products. Their mission is to create hygiene products that are good for the body, environment, and community. Saathi pads are biodegradable and compostable, using plant-based materials for the leak-proof outer layers of the napkin.Kristin has been featured on Forbes 30 under 30 as well as the Women Economic Forum. I have no doubt that these are the kinds of ideas and the people that will help change our world for the better.www.saathipads.com

Pallavi Sharda knows what chasing your dreams is all about. Growing up in Melbourne Australia, she knew from a very young age she wanted to become a Bollywood actress.We talk about making the decision to move to India to fulfill her dreams of working in Bollywood, her biggest takeaways from her time there and what she learned about herself, what she would tell other young women who want to make their mark on the world's largest film industry, and her relationship to Bollywood now.She discusses why there is still a lack of diversity and representation for South Asian women in the film industry, how being an Indian-Australian forced her to redefine herself time and time again, and the reason coming back home to Melbourne helped reclaim her voice and identity.An honors graduate from the University of Melbourne Law, Arts and Languages schools, Pallavi is an advocate for India-Australia relations and the strengthening of intercultural links between the two countries. She was named on the list of forty most influential Asian-Australians at the inaugural Asian-Australian Leadership Summit.Her film credits include Oscar nominated film Lion (2016), Bollywood films Begum Jaan (2017) and Hawaizaada (2015), and comedy Australian film Save Your Legs! (2012). She has worked in Hindi films like My Name Is Khan, Dus Tola, and Besharam.This year, she starred in Tom Jerry and The One, now streaming on Netflix. She also has two feature films coming out in 2022- Black Site and Wedding Season.

In honor of Pride Month, I had the honor of interviewing my friends, Parag Mehta and Vaibhav Jain, a couple who has not just inspired the LGBTQ+ community, but also the South Asian community around the world.Last March, they tried to register their marriage with the Indian Consulate in NYC under India’s Foreign Marriage Act, which is a pretty standard process for Indian citizens who get married abroad (Parag is from Texas and Vaibhav is from Delhi). This is their story, their journey really, from the time they got denied the registration at the NYC consulate to filing a precedent-setting petition with the Delhi High Court, urging the Indian government and its Ministry of External Affairs to recognize same-sex marriages.We talk about the history of gay rights and laws in India, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, attorneys Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju, the faces behind the historic Section 377 verdict in 2018, and other gay couples who are fighting for equal and inclusive rights in India.Parag and Vaibhav discuss their family's journey of acceptance and love, how they met at Vaibhav's first Pride parade in DC and how they were able to support each other, why we all need to understand how mental illness can play a big role for many young kids who don't have the support they need, and why it is so important for them to represent the LGBTQ+ voices in India that are not being heard, even while they worry about the safety of their own families.And while their case is still going on, one thing is for sure-Parag and Vaibhav love their country. They see progress and they see a positive shift towards acceptance. They have faith in the Indian government, they have faith in the people, and most importantly, they have faith in true Indian values.

Sharbari Zohra Ahmed is a Bangladeshi-American writer and was on the writing team for the ABC show Quantico, making her the first woman of Bangladeshi origin to write for a network show.We talk about why she never thought she would get picked to walk into the writers’ room for the show, why the show didn’t focus on Priyanka Chopra’s cultural background, the reason she was heavily trolled online for an episode she didn’t write, why there is still a lack of diversity behind the scenes and how that affects stories revolved around minority families, and the reasons South Asians still have a hard time supporting one another when it comes to the arts.We discuss the reason her family fled from Bangladesh while she was just 3 weeks old, how that move shaped her life and inspired her creative journey, and why identity and a strong female protagonist has been a central theme in a lot of her writings.She discusses her debut novel, Dust Under Her Feet, and her current projects including Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Bose Perkins, which she adapted for the screen.

The India Covid crisis has devastated the country and has affected many of us living in the US. I chat with Megha Desai, President of The Desai Foundation, about their efforts to help thousands in need and what we can do to support the cause.We also talk about the Asani Sanitary Napkin Program, which trains women in rural India to manufacture and distribute sanitary products. We talk about why there has been such a negative stigma in our culture when it comes to women’s menstrual cycles and how we need to help change the conversation.The Desai Foundation was born in 1997 as a family foundation started by Samir A. Desai and Nilima Desai. The Foundation had one simple goal: to serve the communities that had served them. After ten years of successful partnerships, the Desai Foundation found itself getting more and more involved in its partner organizations.The Desai Foundation is now a robust public and programmatic organization working to empower women and children through health and livelihood in India and the U.S. The Foundation believes that empowering local community members to run projects leads to the best results. And that restoring dignity is at the center of helping people to dream beyond their circumstances.www.thedesaifoundation.org

Recognized among TIME Magazine’s 16 people fighting for a more equal America, Simran Jeet Singh is Senior Adviser for Equity and Inclusion at YSC Consulting, a professor at Columbia University, a Senior Fellow at the Sikh Coalition, a 2020 Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, an author, a father, and a devout San Antonio Spurs fan. We talk about his American story, the reasons that pushed him to embrace advocacy, his new book, Fauja Singh Keeps Going, and his upcoming book, More of This Please, which talks to audiences about his unique experiences of racism, and shares how Sikh teachings give us a model for engaging hate without internalizing it.We dive into his experiences growing up Sikh in San Antonio, Texas, how his faith helped him respond to racism all his life, why he wrote about the oldest marathon runner in the world, and his deep work focusing on empathy-building as an approach for personal development and social change.www.simranjeetsingh.org

As immigrants to this country from India, Reshma and her family had to build a new life from the ground up and make every dollar work for them. A graduate of MIT, Reshma was an advisor to the NYC Comptroller’s office for almost a decade, including during one of the City’s darkest moments, 9/11.This past year has laid bare a failure of government on many levels and highlighted that NYC is not serving all of its people equally. Reshma is running for NYC Comptroller because right now our City needs to be able to stretch a dollar far like her parents taught her and to make sure that, as we rebuild, all New Yorkers are part of the solution.Listen in as Reshma's talks about using her skills to fight for equity for all and why she has never wavered. Her commitment to service has remained steadfast and she is ready to apply that experience and vision to the NYC Comptroller job from day one. www.reshma2021.com

Nitin Pandey is the founder and CEO of Parentune.com, a pro-parent network supporting parents in India to do more for their child. Parents can find trusted advice, validated solutions and real time support on the platform. Their vision is to be the must-have support for each parent and believe that an empowered pro-parent community is crucial to improve the quality of child development. Parentune supports parents to overcome their day-to-day challenges and achieve more for their child within their limitations at various life stages.The startup has grown rapidly and has been recognized by Nasscom Design Awards, the Wall Street Journal Global startup showcase, Superstartups by Superbrands, Smart50CEO, HOTTECH100, and as BusinessWorld Techtors-Technology company to watch out for.Parentune is also doing ground-breaking work by helping to open up conversations around children's mental health, autism, sexual wellness, high-risk pregnancies and much more.They are building the future of India, one healthy child at a time.www.parentune.com

Sharan Dhaliwal founded, developed and now runs the UK’s leading South Asian magazine Burnt Roti, which is a platform for young creatives to showcase their talent, find safe spaces and destigmatise topics around mental health and sexuality, amongst others. Her particular interests focus on discussing the representations of young women, South Asian women and queer women.She is the Director of Middlesex Pride and creator of Oh Queer Cupid, a queer speed dating and comedy night.She has had bylines in i-D, HuffPost, the Guardian and was on the list of global influential women for the BBC 100 Women 2019.She is currently writing her debut non-fiction, Burning My Roti, to be released in Feb 2022 by Hardie Grant.www.burntroti.com

Smita Sharma is an award winning photojournalist and visual storyteller based in Delhi, India, reporting on critical human rights and social issues in her own community as well as in the Global South on assignments for Human Rights Watch, National Geographic Magazine, and other publications.From documenting the effect of pregnancy on girl’s education in Kenya to child marriage in Nepal, and sex-trafficking across India and Bangladesh, Sharma is committed to representing people with dignity and telling underrepresented stories with impact. Sharma is an IWMF Reporting Fellow and a TED Fellow. Her work has been exhibited and shown globally including at the UN Headquarters in New York.Smita is a member of Women Photograph and Diversify Photo and has taken HEFAT training in Mexico City organized by IWMF. She is a graduate from the photojournalism and documentary photography program of International Center of Photography, New York and has a post graduate diploma in Journalism from University of Pune.In 2016, Smita organized a bicycle campaign along with non-profit PVCHR in Varanasi and donated bicycles to abuse survivors who were assaulted on their commute to school. The campaign was a way to de-stigmatize and reintegrate the girls in their communities and help them to continue their education. http://www.smitasharma.com

One of my favorite things about doing this podcast is reconnecting with people who have been part of different phases in my life. Dr. Sumun Pendakur and I met 20 years ago when I was a production assistant on her hubby’s film set. Needless to say, I knew she was a rock star even then.She is a #dei strategist, consultant and trainer who has spent the last 20 years focusing on building community strength as well as institutional capacity for #socialjustice and #racialjustice in the #highereducation sector.She was the #chieflearningofficer @uscraceequity center and has built programs that address underserved needs and communities.We talk about the influence her parents had on her career, how they were definitely both “woke” back in the day when a lot of #southasianimmigrants were not, how she got involved in amplifying the #asianamerican voice, and the history and true meaning of the term “model minority”.I admit that I have had a certain narrative in my head about the South Asian community, we discuss the awful violence against out #aapi brothers and sisters, and she tells me what she finds so shocking about it all, even after being on the frontline for so long.This episode is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the #indianapolis #oakcreekgurdwara and #atlantaspa #massshootings #balbirsinghsodhi , #vilmakari and to all of those who have suffered because of these heinous #hatecrimes 💔www.sumunpendakur.com

I could not think of a better guest for EPISODE 50 🥳then the Founding CEO of Times Bridge, Rishi Jaitly.Beginning late 2016, Rishi envisioned, architected and scaled a new business to help purposeful ideas travel more evenly around the world. Today, Times Bridge, the global investment and partnership arm of Times Group, is the U.S.'s largest venture firm bringing the world's best ideas and technology to India and Asia.We talk about our relationship with our Indian identity as Indian-Americans and how it’s evolved through the years, how we both made soulful decisions when it came to our professional journeys, how his interest in India was more of a anthropological one versus a social one, and what it means to be a place-based person.We of course discuss about how we were both surprisingly fell in love with cricket and what his team at Times Bridge considers when meeting and talking to entrepreneurs.WE ARE SUPPORTED by RocketClub, a the virtual entrepreneurship, coding, and robotics academy for kids aged 7-14! Please check them out by using the link below.https://lnkd.in/eEVuV-N#southasiantrailblazers #tuckeredoutwithami #tuckeredoutpod

Zarna Garg is an Indian immigrant, mom, and lawyer turned New York comedian and TikTok star (https://www.tiktok.com/@zarnagarg) with more than 20 million views on the platform. She has performed standup at sold-out clubs across the country and headlined her own show My American Dream at the famous Carolines on Broadway. Unwilling to let the pandemic stop her, Zarna has kept audiences laughing with online comedy shows (which were recently profiled in the New York Times) and impromptu sets outside major landmarks across New York City including Central Park and The Met.Her debut romantic comedy screenplay “Rearranged” won the Best Comedy Screenplay Award at the 2019 Austin Film Festival (placing #1 out of 11,000 scripts), and was also a 2019 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Semi-Finalist. The script has been optioned by Marginal Mediaworks.

Pat Shah has had his ear pressed against the audio industry for awhile now. He is the Head of Content Acquisition and Development for Audible, a membership service that provides customers with the world's largest selection of audiobooks as well as podcasts, exclusive originals, and more.We talk about how both of our dads would teach us math nightly using white boards, how he initially thought about taking the doctor route but found out early that wasn't the right path for him, and how our parents dealt (or didn't deal) with dating and relationships growing up.Pat talks about his remarkable career path- from Wall Street to his own start-up to working at Universal, Spotify, and Twitch-and his takeaways from each role, his experience working side-by-side with Paul Allen, and why he currently has the best job in the world.He tells me what he looks for in storytellers, why the past 3 years have been a watershed moment for the audio industry, how he's excited about the future with NFT's, and we discuss who should be India's version of Joe Rogan (cough, cough).Pat mentions that it is an exciting time for creators and to remember one thing during the journey- always chase the energy.

Alka Joshi was born in India and raised in the U.S. since the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. At the age of 62, Joshi published her debut novel, The Henna Artist, which immediately became a New York Times bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub pick, was long listed for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and is being developed into an episodic series by Miramax TV starring Frieda Pinto.The sequel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, premieres June 2021, and will be followed by the third book in the trilogy in 2022.We talk about what it was like growing up in India and the transition to Iowa, how her family viewed dating and relationships, why she decided to break the glass ceiling on her own terms, and how she became an "accidental writer".She talks about the origins of The Henna Artist and how the main character, Laxmi, is an ode to her mother, her mother's own journey finding herself, why she believes women are better leaders, and how she hopes these books will be her legacy.www.alkajoshi.com

When Siyona Vikram realized there were few Indian podcasts specifically for children, she decided that it was time to start one herself.Siyona’s podcast is called Little Mind Chats and focuses on helping kids breakdown the news, current events, and important topics. She covers everything from science, the environment, politics around the world, and important figures in history such as Gandhi.We talk about what it's like to work with her partner, her mom, on the podcast, how it's been learning remotely this past year, and what she envisions herself doing with the podcast.She also talks about her Change.org petition focusing on banning plastic toys, who her dream interview would be with ( hint, hint Elon Musk), and also helps me out with a few interview tips!Her slogan, "Minds Are Little, Not Our Thoughts", is spot on. One thing is for sure, Siyona is proving that we should never underestimate the power of a child's mind.www.littlemindchats.com

The #BlindianProject is the "meeting place for Black x South Asian communities". Started as a passion project in 2017, the project drew its inspiration from an incident in which street mobs attacked African students in Noida, New Delhi.Restarted at the beginning of 2020, the events of this year have seen the community grow enormously. The #BlindianProject aims to normalize Black x South Asian relationships while dismantling anti-Blackness and believes in removing negative stereotypes by creating experiences that unite our communities and inspire solidarity. To date, the #BlindianProject has been featured in international publications such as: The BBC World News, The Lily (Washington Post), The Times of India, BBC Asian Radio, and many others.​@blindianprojectwww.blindian-project.com

As part of my podcasting fellowship with On Deck (beondeck.com) , I had the chance to interview On Deck fellows Nivi Jayasekar and Paula Hernandez Forero about their peer coaching platform for women called YaYa.joinyaya.com

Dr. Saya Nagori is a Digital Health Executive who is passionate about telehealth and innovation in healthcare. She is widely known in the health tech space for her early work in telemedicine and increasing access to healthcare through innovative patient solutions.In 2015, Dr. Nagori created the first remote telemedicine eye exam. Since 2015, her company Simple Health (previously known as Simple Contacts) has grown from a team of 3 to a team of over 70 people who are passionate about increasing access to birth control and reproductive health care. Femhealth was founded by Dr. Nagori in 2019 to educate and empower individuals through evidence-based information direct from doctors.This free resource and physician community is helping to stamp out misinformation in medicine so people have a place to find information with ease and confidence. @doctor.sayawww.femhealthproject.com

India’s six-month-long farmer protests, which has recently gained global attention, has been on the forefront of news around the world. With the recent attacks on protestors and a government shutdown of the Internet, the international community is left wondering what exactly is happening there.I chat with my friend, Manpreet Singh, trial attorney and board member of the Sikh Coalition as well as the ACLU, about the history of the Sikh community in India, what she understands about the protests, and what deregulation means for farmers in India.She also talks about the outpouring of international support, why farmer suicides have been such a big issue, what we can do from here to support the cause, and why we should always remember "no farmers, no food".Please check out these two organizations for more information:https://www.sikhcoalition.org/https://www.khalsaaid.org/

Rajiv Satyal is a Los Angeles-based comedian/host with over 50 million views on YouTube. From stand-up performances, to going on tour, to hosting talk shows, events, and podcast, this one-man band has done it all.We talk about how Pete Sampras' advice impacted his comedy career, what it was like closing for Jerry Seinfeld, whether he would open up for Prime Minister Modi again, and why he believes in keeping his act "clean".He tells me why dating apps really do work, why his tour No Man's Land changed his life, what his opening monologue would be if/when he hosts the Oscars, and all about his new game show, Desi Chain, now playing on Facebook.Rajiv has a lot more up his sleeve, but don't worry, he won't be pulling out any curse words...at least not [email protected]

Jia Wertz is a South Asian true crime documentary filmmaker and director.. Her debut film, Conviction, recently released on Amazon Prime and, selected at 11 film festivals around the world, and won 3 awards. The documentary sheds light on the shortcomings of the criminal justice system through Jeffrey Deskovic's wrongful conviction of a rape and murder in New York. In addition, Jia is a featured writer for Forbes, and the Founder and fashion designer of Studio 15. https://www.jiawertz.com/

I chat (and laugh) with the co-founders of Product of Culture, Archana Jain and Monika Sharma!Product of Culture (#POCNation) empowers South Asian creatives and innovators to grow and thrive globally. The organization is a WOC founded and funded collective that amplifies Brown brands + creatives with strategy, content, and experiences rooted in culture.We discuss how the co-founders met, why they work well together, the story behind their very first pop-up event, and the upcoming POC Fest, which includes the South Asian Film Fest of America and The Founder's Summit.We talk about building opportunities for Brown brands, why numbers don't matter in social media, and how I may be potentially hosting their dating event at POC Fest.Based in New York City and Los Angeles, these women are changing the way South Asian creatives work and grow together. #supportbrowncreativeswww.productofculture.org

CEO & Founder of Mango and Marigold Press (formally Bharat Babies) Sailaja Joshi sits down and chats with me about building her company literally starting from scratch.Joshi founded Mango and Marigold Press in 2014, a publishing company that aims to fill bookshelves across America with age-appropriate, culturally sensitive and visually vibrant books that tell tales of brown kids growing up in diasporic communities. @mangoandmarigoldpresswww.mangoandmarigoldpress.com