The film documents Selena’s struggles with fame, physical illness and mental health. Selena shows us it’s OK to NOT be OK. She shows it by sharing her vulnerabilities. Selena Gomez is a successful actor, producer and philanthropist. Trigger warning: talk of suicide, mental health and chronic illness --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha832/support

I got the opportunity to meet and talk with Nagarjuna!! He is an Indian movie superstar! He has been a leading actor for the past 40 years. The legendary film actor has also been an entrepreneur, television presenter, producer, philanthropist, and studio owner. He has acted in over 100 films and has received many awards over the years. It was an honor speaking with him; he was very kind and welcoming. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha832/support

I interviewed Aleena from WEAVE (When Everyone Act Violence Ends). Aleena is Community Educator/Youth Advocate from WEAVE. Aleena received two bachelor degrees from the University of California, Davis in Psychology and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies. Aleena is passionate about prevention education especially when it comes to talking to youth about consent and building safe/healthy relationships. When Aleena is not engaging with the community, they can be found enjoying a farmer’s...

I talk about how people in India prefer having sons over daughters. https://youtu.be/ZwjU_zuXazQ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRVCLK29/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRVCMtvg/ https://youtu.be/q68P2iNk9as https://youtu.be/fo2yDJdyIu https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRgyo7Cu/ https://youtu.be/_UAj-kqwKh https://youtu.be/TE7NE1qw0mI --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Zara and I met through Desi Rainbow, which is an organization for South Asian queer people and their parents. It’s an amazing organization and I’m glad To be a part of it. I got to meet so many wonderful people like Zara. Zara Ahmed is non-binary Pakistani educator, organizer, and advocate for inclusion and equity in the media industry. Zara had held leadership roles in multiple fields, including documentary filmmaking, youth media, public school education, refugee resettlement, and small...

I talk about the importance of Indian representation in main stream media. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Over the past few years I’ve been going on a journey to find my true self. I talk about my experiences. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I can’t believe I have fans!! That’s so cool!! I went to my cousin’s wedding last week, at event I met two of my biggest fans. They messaged me over Instagram, but this was the first time I met them in person. I decided to do an impromptu interview with them. Sorry for all the background noise, it was really loud at the wedding venue. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

During this episode my friends and I have a conversation about the differences between South Indian and North Indian culture. Here are the links  I mention, if you’re interested in watching https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdyPTcnE/.  https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdyGC2tK/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This episode is about suicide. I talk about the movie “A Long Way Down”, it was made in 2014. I give away most of the plot. Four strangers meet on the top of a building and are about to jump, but they don’t because of each other. This is a very serious episode, if this is something that you’re uncomfortable listening to, that's totally OK.   https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines    -International Suicide...

This episode I talk about how things are not always what they seem. We should ask questions and try not to judge. SPOILER ALERT I talk a lot about the show "Unreal", and give away some interesting events. I also talk about some scenes from the shows "Switched at birth" and "Ordinary Joe". They are all really good shows by the way, you should watch them! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On Instagram I posted a Q&A box for anyone to ask me questions. I answer three of those questions in this episode. "Who is your role model and why?" , "How do you manage your time?" and  Questions about my podcast process. If any of you have more questions for me and would like more Q&A episodes, let me know.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

During this episode, I talk about mental health and how it is dealt with in Indian culture. It's important to have a safe space to express all your emotions. I talk about different characters in Media and books.  Spoiler alert: I talk about the movie "The Duff" TV show "Home Economics" and the book "Midnight Library". --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

During this episode I talk about the concept "What will people think?", how others' opinions of us influence our decisions. Especially people in the Indian community. I also talk about Bollywood movies, Hasan Minaj, Lily Singh and Jay Shetty. How it's difficult to not follow the traditional path of becoming a doctor or engineer and do something different, like something in the arts. Spoiler Alert: I give away the plots to the 3 Indian movies I talk about, "Hum dil de chuka sanam", "Kabhi...

Welcome back to Season 2 of American Desi! During this episode I interview my friend Prerna. We talk about their identity and their experience discovering themselves. Prerna is Indian and identifies a they/them.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I talk about the power of words, how words can really hurt you. We should all be kind to one another. I quote Selena Gomez's song "Kill 'em with kindness" and I talk about Jay Shetty, who is a Podcaster, former monk and author.  This is the last episode of season, I'll be back in September. I want to thank you all for listening. I really appreciate all your support. If you have any questions, ideas  or comments for next season, you can email me at [email protected]  --- This...

I interviewed my friend Emily and we talk about mental health issues. It's not a topic that is generally discussed in the Indian community, but it is very important to educate ourselves and remove the stigma around it.  Trigger Warning: We talk about suicide rates in Asian countries vs. Western countries. We also talk about suicide in the LGBTQ community.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I interview my friend Maria, whose family is from Bolivia. We talk about our immigrant experiences with regard to education, race and gender.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode I talk about the pressure to succeed in Indian culture. I mainly analyze the movie "Candy Jar"  (SPOILER ALERT: I give away the whole movie!) I also talk about a scene from the show "Never have I ever". --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I have a conversation with my friend Shakthi about our chronic pain, being Indian and our friendship. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I talk about how in Indian culture, we are not very expressive with our emotions. I discuss when sometimes people try to make you feel gratitude, they inadvertently make you feel guilty. I also touch on failure, success, conflict, judgement and vulnerability.

I talk about how I sometimes felt like a burden to my friends and family. I had a hard time fitting in at school, but I did have a few really good friends. SPOILER ALERT:  "Stranger Things" - I give away the main plot of Season 1 and part of Season 2. 

I talk about how my abdominal pain started and progressed. From High School through College, along with the remedies that helped me. I touch on some other health issues as well. 

This episode I introduce myself and the topics I will talk about in this podcast. I talk about my dyslexia and experience. I also talk about how being Indian affects my experiences.