Can you spell 'Ohdillock'? Join us as we plunge headfirst into a linguistic labyrinth in a thrilling spelling bee, designed to test our South Asian American English skills! From sharing heartfelt anecdotes about our cultural identities to discussing our philosophies on studying and test-taking, this episode is a wild ride of emotions, fun, and friendly competition. Ever wondered how far parental pressure can go to ensure a child's success? As we recount our stories, you'll hear about an...

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the kids are screaming ~ you guessed it! Summer's finally here ☀️ That being said, Sandeep and Omar are having trouble deciding what'll be for lunch ~ Tandoori or good old classic BBQ. The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras with their thoughts on Summer family vacations, play a new 'Would You Rather' Summer Version game ~ where they...

Remember those family trips growing up with quirky traditions and unexpected adventures? I do, and this week on ABCD, we're painting a nostalgic picture of these experiences, especially those of us with immigrant parents. We'll be sharing the unique activities we engaged in, the connections we forged, and why these experiences were so special.  Ever had a Tandoor in your backyard? Yeah, we'll be talking about that too. We'll be diving into the fiery debate between Tandoori and Barbecue, and...

Kids...what really goes on in their active little minds? Sandeep and Omar are on a mission to find out based on what kids consume these days for content. The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras with their thoughts on kids TV shows, play a new 'March Madness' type game called The Show-Down ~ where they pit their favorite kids TV shows against each other and give a shout out to...

Do you remember the kid shows that captured your imagination and taught you valuable life lessons while growing up? Join us on this nostalgia-filled episode of ABCD as we revisit our favorite childhood TV shows, engage in a thrilling March Madness-style showdown to find the ultimate winner, and discuss the importance of representation and diversity in children's media! Along the way, we'll explore our experiences with commercials and product placement and how they shaped our choices as young...

We're back with another bonus episode of EffinFunny's 'American-Born Chatty Desis (A·B·C·D)' as our beloved co-host, Omar Najam, interviews the most important person in his life... His mother ~ Marla Najam for Mother's Day! Listen in as they reminisce over their past Mother's Day celebrations, growing up in a Desi household and finding out more about Marla's juicy family stories 👀 Make sure to find and follow us on our other platforms! DISCORD: https://discord.gg/3Jveu32WG9 TWITCH:...

Journey with me and my mom, Marlon Najam, as we trace our family's footprints from India to America. This is a tale woven with excitement, anticipation, and heartfelt decisions. Remembering my mother's youthful dreams of living in Canada, her love for Leonard Cohen, and the sacrifices made to give her children a life in the U.S, we paint a vivid picture of our transition. Our episode is a tribute to those who dare to dream and cross borders in search of better futures. Our conversation...

The WGA Union Strike has shut down several productions across the country in support of proper representation for writers. But the show must go on with ABCD and Sandeep and Omar are here to present their views and encouragement towards the current writing hiatus. The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras with their thoughts on the Writer's Strike and how it'll affect the...

Does the thought of a Hollywood without writers give you the creeps? This episode is sure to keep you on your toes as my co-host Omar Najam and I take a critical look at the ongoing Writer's Guild of America strike. We'll tackle the tough issues - from the stark reality of managing a creative career in Hollywood, to the pressure studio heads are under. You'll gain deep insights into the implications of the strike on creatives and the talent pool for studios. But it's not all serious - we've...

Don't you just love how certain beloved characters from childhood can influence our cultural identities? Let's discuss Apu from The Simpsons and how this character shaped us. We take you through our journey of growing up with Apu, addressing issues, controversies and sharing some personal anecdotes about navigating through racist situations. We also introduce a fresh new segment, 'Spin Off, Rewrite, Cancel' and discuss how some actors have depicted characters in brownface.  We're not done...

Apu has been a staple Indian animated character showcased across the world...so what happens when 2 Desi comedians dig deeper into its image and face value towards the Desi community? The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras with their thoughts on growing up with Apu, play a new game called Spin-Off, Reboot, Cancel ~ where they study non-Desi individuals playing Desi characters in...

Gaming is fun, Gaming is cool...but is Gaming really Desi enough? Find out as Sandeep and Omar tackle the Gaming culture within the Desi culture! The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras with their thoughts on gaming in Desi culture, pit each other on their American Born side versus their Desi Side in a death match debate over Mario v. Link and give a shout out to their 'Desi of...

Who knew gaming and desi culture could mix so well? On today's episode, my co-host Omar Najam and I, Sandeep Parikh, bring you a delightful combination of fun, culture, and gaming — like a hot, steaming plate of Biryani with a side of controller. Picture the scene: my hands clutching a gaming controller, Omar's voice providing a lively commentary, and between us, an intense debate — who's more desi, Mario or Link? But that's not the only surprise we have in store for you. Remember Omar's mom...

Remember the magic of growing up in a multilingual household? Join me and my special guest host, my mom Marla Najam, as we stroll down memory lane, navigating the linguistic labyrinth of our home, with English reigning supreme, giving way to Bengali during family visits. We also tackle my own attempts at learning Hindi in college - a journey filled with more than a few bumps in the road. Delve into some of the more gripping aspects of cultural identity as we discuss my mom's life experiences...

You're all in for a treat with this bonus episode of EffinFunny's 'American-Born Chatty Desis (A·B·C·D)' as our beloved co-host, Omar Najam, interviews the most important person in his life...his mother ~ Marla Najam!!! Listen in as they reminisce over how Marla raised her family in a Desi household, her thoughts on Tabletop Games and how she met Rod Stewart during her third year in nursing school 👀 Make sure to find and follow us on our other platforms! DISCORD:...

Can you believe it? One of our stand-up clips has officially gone viral with a staggering 1.4 million views on Instagram! Join me, your host Omar, my co-host Tom, our technical director Delvin, and special guest Tom Deepari as we ride this rollercoaster of virality. We'll be navigating the often rough waters of cultural identities, and of course, we'll be introducing a new segment called Whoops! where we read your comments and share our thoughts. Ever wondered how the term 'Namaste' has made...

If there's one thing that Sandeep and Omar dislike, it's negativity ~ they'd rather reply back with happiness and love. So what better way than to check out a viral hit that has a mixture of both sentiments? The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras with their thoughts on going viral, read and comment on the top comments on one of Sandeep's stand up and give a shout out to their...

Hola, food enthusiasts! Ready to have your taste buds tingled and your culinary curiosities piqued? Tighten your apron strings as we whisk you away on a flavorful adventure, decoding the cultural significance of South Asian cuisine. From the comfort of family meals to the nostalgia of missing a favorite dish, we dish out our food-related memories, and their influence on our cultural identities. We'll also serve up a spicy discussion on the communal nature of meals in our culture, reminding...

Who doesn't love food? Sandeep and Omar certainly love it. In fact, they love it so much - they wanted to basically talk food throughout this whole episode! The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras with their thoughts on Desi cuisine, pit each other on their American Born side versus their Desi Side in a death match debate over Chutney v. Ketchup and give a shout out to their...

Join us, your spirited ABCD co-hosts, as we embark on a hilariously enlightening journey of self-discovery and navigating the cultural labyrinth of being Indian-American. From exploring the art of walking the tightrope between two diverse cultures to unmasking the intricacies of identity, we offer a uniquely unfiltered perspective. All while throwing in some good old-fashioned humor, because what's life without a bit of laughter, right? Ever contemplated the power dynamics between polytheism...

Get ready for a heartwarming chat with the acclaimed actor and writer, Parvesh Cheena. This episode is a trip down memory lane as we talk about his journey in the acting world, working in popular shows like Outsourced, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, and even taking exciting ventures into the Star Wars universe with The Mandalorian. From his early days at the celebration theater on Santa Monica Boulevard to landing roles in phenomenal shows, Parvesh's journey is as inspiring as it gets. We'll be...

Whether you believe in one God or many Gods, Sandeep and Omar are here to tell you that they truly have no idea what's after this life.  The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras for how they apply their Desi culture into their stories, pit each other on their American Born side versus their Desi Side in a death match debate over Polytheism v. Monotheism and give a shout out to...

Hold onto your headphones, folks! Are you ready to tackle some hard-hitting topics as we navigate the intricate maze of our identities, and get knee-deep into what being a team player truly means? We promise you'll leave with a deeper understanding of yourself and your teammates as we explore the power of effective communication and empathy in the world of sports and beyond. Ever heard of Kabbadi? Strap in as we discuss the ins and outs of this exciting seven-player game that's all about...

If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to fall in love in the Desi community, you're in luck! We have two trained professionals who claim to know quite a bit about the topic of romance 😂  The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras for how they deal with intimacy and relationships in a Desi culture, pit each other on their American Born side versus their Desi Side in a death...

In light of the Oscars coming up, we're here to remind everyone that Bollywood is still going strong! 💪 The infamous duo makes sure to entertain you all through the lens of two Desi individuals living in America. Join in as they check on each others chakras for their connection with Bollywood films, pit each other on their American Born side versus their Desi Side in a death match debate over Hollywood v. Bollywood and give a shout out to their 'Desi of the Week' - world renowned Indian...