Tuckered Out with Ami Thakkar
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Rochelle Pinto is the head of editorial content for Vogue India. She has had quite a career and is exactly how you think a Vogue head would be-poised, intelligent, well-spoken, beautiful, and as a bonus, she’s totally down to earth. In case you were also wondering if she does gets to work with and receive advice from Anna Wintour, the answer is yes. Yes she does. Rochelle shares her insights into what is currently happening in Indian fashion, content, beauty, and all things Vogue. She speaks frankly about the challenges of representing India in all its diversity and richness and describes growing up in Goa free of gender stereotypes, how her parents keep her grounded, and the ways Vogue India is currently uncovering untold and fascinating stories all over the country. What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Rochelle: __ __ Let’s talk Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/.
We're going to Broadway! Today, I am talking with the two South Asian leads in a very beloved Broadway show: Michael Maliakel and Sonya Balsara, who play Aladdin and Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin on Broadway. Michael made his Broadway debut with Aladdin in September 2021. He has had theater experience, including being part of the national tour of the Phantom of the Opera. Sonya also made her Broadway debut as Jasmine in Aladdin and has recently worked on the pre-Broadway lab of The Karate Kid, Sense and Sensibility, and West Side Story in Tokyo, Japan. In this episode, we talk about South Asian representation, what working on Broadway has really meant to them, and they also share some super fun behind-the-scenes stories. What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Michael: __ __ Connect with Sonya: __ __ Let’s talk Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
In honor of SXSW coming up next week, I wanted to share a previous episode with one of the keynote speakers for the conference! Rohit Bhargava is the Founder and Chief Trend Curator of the Non-Obvious Company and is widely considered one of the most entertaining and original speakers on trends and marketing in the world. Rohit believes the world needs more Non-Obvious thinking. He helps leaders and professionals to be more open minded, see what others miss and learn to anticipate the future. He is the author of seven popular business books, including his signature Non-Obvious Megatrends which has been read or shared by more than 1 million people and was a #1 WSJ bestseller + USA Today bestseller earlier this year. Outside of speaking and consulting, Rohit is also the co-founder of Ideapress Publishing - a fast growing independent publisher that specializes in working with top authors to publish beautiful business books. We talk about what a Futurist does, why he is the trend guy, what the Human Mode trend is and why it's here to stay, how starting a publishing company kept him from becoming an a&&hole, and the reasons he wanted to start supporting the South Asian community.
Kavita Mehta is a a non-profit leader with 20 years of service and a deep commitment to fostering cultural change, organizational transformation, and movement building. Kavita is the Executive Director for Sahki for South Asian Women, a survivor-led gender justice organization whose goal is to eradicate gender-based and domestic violence. Sakhi is the second largest organization of its kind in the US, and celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. It has really changed the conversation on gender-based violence in our community while uniting survivors and institutions to work together. In our conversation, Kavita delves into how Sakhi provides a safe space and community for survivors; the high rate of gender violence in the South Asian diaspora, the challenges in overcoming it, and its connections to South Asian culture and beliefs. We talk about South Asian family dynamics and how they have impacted us, She generously opens up about her own trauma, how it drove her to do the job she does, and how she overcomes trauma to this day WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT: __ __ CONNECT WITH KAVITA: __ __ LET’S TALK CONNECT: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
When I met my next guest for the first time after getting to know her on social media, I felt like I’d known her forever. Akruti Babaria is the founder of Kulture Khazana , a business is dedicated to sharing Indian culture with children through educational and play activities. Her story began in 2018 after the birth of her son, Ayaan. When Akruti realized that the diverse places she has lived in had no sign of her culture or community, so she decided to do something about it Now through Kulture Khazana, Akruti is able to shares the South Asian culture with children around the US and all of its beautiful treasures. Kulture Khazana has a variety of incredible Indian toys and Diwali gifts as well as games, puzzles and online story albums for kids of all ages. Kulture Khazana is also is now the first Indian cultural toy brand founded in target.com and nordstrom.com, and now will be launching with macys.com this year! As a mother of two little girls who is trying to share our culture as much as possible . I could not recommend checking out Kulture Khazana more. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT: __ __ CONNECT WITH AKRUTI: __ __ LET’S CONNECT: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tuckeredoutpodcast/?hl=en This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
How is it February already?? While we are working on a few other projects these past few weeks, we're going to share an episode from the end of last year that we also submitted for The Webby Awards this year. Please do go watch "To Kill A Tiger", it's one of the most powerful documentaries I've seen Nisha Pahuja is a writer, an artist, and director and now an Emmy-nominated filmmaker. Her passion for social impact is marked by a quiet courage towards exploring complex social issues that often breed division through the lens of her camera. We chat about her latest award-winning documentary "To Kill a Tiger," which has won 19 awards from prestigious festivals such as TIFF, Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Canadian Screen Awards, and Doc Aviv and has names like Dev Patel and Mindy Kaling attached to it. The film earned its way on The New York Times Most Anticipated Fall Releases list and Anne Thompson at the IndieWire’s Oscar Contenders list. I had the pleasure of moderating the premier of the film here in Dallas with some of the executive producers and was absolutely blown away by the film. Nisha's storytelling prowess goes beyond this latest project, with notable credits like the Emmy-nominated "The World Before Her," the documentary "Bollywood Bound," and the insightful series "Diamond Road." Her work doesn't just capture stories; it sparks conversations and challenges perspectives, especially around themes of cultural evolution, the reality of stereotypical depictions, and the grip that shame has on so many of us. As an immigrant from India to Canada, Nisha's unique vantage point enriches her narratives, bridging diverse worlds with empathy and insight. Her journey is not just about making films but also the art of fostering understanding, catalyzing change, and alchemizing adversity into inspiration. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Nisha Pahuja __ __ Let’s talk Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
Nick Rathod has been thinking a lot about the power of culture and using it as a platform for change. And he has some experience with that. Over the span of his 20-year career, Nick Rathod has built successful campaigns, businesses, governmental and non-governmental institutions and been a key advisor to the nation's leaders. Nick has served as special assistant to the President and Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs in the White House, and was also the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Obama-Biden transition team. Nick has also built a number of nonprofit organizations. Most notably, Nick was the founder and first Executive Director of the State Innovation Exchange. Nick has most recently served as the campaign manager for Beto's race for governor of Texas. He is now the President of Impact and a founding partner in the People of Culture Studios in Hollywood, California. Nick shares his vision of affecting real change by using Hollywood culture to connect people of color to the mainstream, how he brought his 20 years of experience in politics to bear on the upcoming election, and his fascinating journey of growing up brown in rural Nebraska. Nick is also currently a partner in building the first ever sneaker and streetwear museum in Houston, TX. NBD. Honestly, Nick is one of those undercover badasses that has done so much in his professional journey, is sincerely the kindest to everyone, and really never asked for the spotlight. We need more people like Nick in this world. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT: __ __ CONNECT WITH NICK: __ __ LET’S TALK CONNECT: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
Dr. Aditi Nerurkar is a Harvard physician, stress expert, speaker, national television correspondent, and host of the podcast, Time Out with Eve Rodsky. She is also a lecturer at Harvard Medical School in the Division of Global Health and Social Medicine, and serves as the co-director of the Clinical Clerkship in Community Engagement. She has spoken at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, the HBS Women's Conference, and many other events. Most importantly, her new book,, came out this past week, where she focuses on how to maintain healthy levels of stress. In our conversation, we reflect on how the pandemic and other traumatic events of the last three years have impacted us all. Aditi shines a light on the unique challenges that make us more stressed out than our parents and opens up about the insights into stress she gained on her journey as a patient and as an expert while sharing practical tools for navigating the new normal. Reading this book was probably the best thing I've done for myself to start out the year! What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Aditi Nerurkar: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
We're back! It's the new year and we hope everyone had a safe and peaceful holiday....and we also hope you're ready to get Tuckered Out this year! And what a way to start off 2024... Megha Tolia is the President and COO of Shondaland as well as a beacon of ingenuity and leadership. Her professional journey began at Neutrogena and spanned over 20 years, where she honed her expertise in building mission-driven, consumer-centric brands. Her trajectory took a thrilling turn when she leaped into the media universe, bringing her strategic prowess to Shondaland, the brainchild of the legendary Shonda Rhimes. Megha shares her transition from the structured world of consumer goods to the vibrant and unpredictable realm of television production. It's a narrative of embracing new challenges and the excitement of stepping into the unknown. In our conversation, Megha delves into her personal journey, reflecting on her rich Indian heritage and the influence of her family’s immigration story. We also discuss navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry, her role in supporting Shonda Rhimes’ vision, and her efforts to implement structure and strategy in a creative powerhouse. As we reflect on the year and look ahead, Megha's journey provides an inspiring example of balancing tradition with innovation, and structure with creativity. We talk about: __ __ Connect with Magha: __ __ Let’s talk Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/ .
Today, in the last episode of 2023, I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who makes this podcast possible: my hubby and our girls, our amazing production team Ginni Media, and of course, to you. Thank you for your company, support, and for pretending to laugh at my jokes. Before you go, I need to ask you a favor. Tuckered Out has been recognized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences as a finalist for the Anthem Awards! What do I need from you? A simple vote to help this underdog podcast take a win home. Hugs and high fives, see you in 2024! Resources: __ __ Let’s Connect! __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/.
Falguni Lakhani Adams is an Emmy Award-winning producer and executive with Vice TV and another one of my long-lost soul sisters. She is the epitome of a multi-hyphenate, a mom, a director, a writer, a mindfulness coach, and an entrepreneur, and she has more than 20 years of experience producing creative nonfiction stories for broadcast TV, digital media, and long-form audio documentaries. She has worked on projects such as Unknown Amazon with Pedro Andrade, The Search For Q, Too Soon: Comedy After 9/11, and Black Market with Michael K. Williams. You also may have heard of the very popular United Shades of America, as well as Belly of The Booth. She also just happens to have a very long list of credits for NBC News, and MSNBC, including 10 years at Dateline NBC. Her focus on production and community has earned her space in Veronica Beard’s Make It Happen campaign. She is also an active member with Chief, Co-Creator of Getting Hotter, and CEO of Sorry, Not Sorry, Productions. I'm sorry, because I don't know how this woman is standing up. I mean, she is doing it all. And she has fantastic hair. I hope you guys enjoy as we peel back the layers of her illustrious 20-year career, which is as colorful as it is impactful. I really loved our conversation, where every turn was a story, every anecdote a lesson, and every laugh a memory. Tune in and let’s get Tuckered Out together with the incredible Falguni Lakhani Adams. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Falguni: __ __ Let’s talk Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/.
Today's guest is none other than Raja Kumari, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, and India’s top female rapper. Known as Svetha Rao to loved ones, she brings an otherworldly fusion of Eastern and Western music that's completely reshaping the industry. In our chat, Raja Kumari takes us on a journey through her album 'The Bridge’. Released worldwide in April 2023, this album is a work that not only showcases her unique blend of cultures but also marks her debut under her own label that launched two years prior, Godmother Records. Talk about trailblazers, guys, this woman is fearless. She has such a charismatic personality and is truly a natural-born storyteller, who by the way now has over 43 million monthly Spotify streams. I had such a blast interviewing her as she shared captivating insights into her transition from classical dance to hip-hop, her struggles with American labels, and her groundbreaking move back to India, where she found an audience that immediately resonated with her music. We also touch on her collaborations with absolute legends in the industry like John Legend, her approach to songwriting, and her vision for empowering women in music. Join us as we dive into Raja Kumari's world, where music is an expression of identity and a tool we can use to decorate time. Her experiences, from performing at India’s biggest music festival to working with all sorts of iconic figures, highlight her journey as an artist and a cultural innovator. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Raja: __ __ Let’s talk Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/ .
Nisha Pooja is a writer, an artist, and director and now an Emmy-nominated filmmaker. Her passion for social impact is marked by a quiet courage towards exploring complex social issues that often breed division through the lens of her camera. We chat about her latest award-winning documentary "To Kill a Tiger," which has won 19 awards from prestigious festivals such as TIFF, Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Canadian Screen Awards, and Doc Aviv and has names like Dev Patel and Mindy Kaling attached to it. The film earned its way on The New York Times Most Anticipated Fall Releases list and Anne Thompson at the IndieWire’s Oscar Contenders list. I had the pleasure of moderating the premier of the film here in Dallas with some of the executive producers and was absolutely blown away by the film. Nisha's storytelling prowess goes beyond this latest project, with notable credits like the Emmy-nominated "The World Before Her," the documentary "Bollywood Bound," and the insightful series "Diamond Road." Her work doesn't just capture stories; it sparks conversations and challenges perspectives, especially around themes of cultural evolution, the reality of stereotypical depictions, and the grip that shame has on so many of us. As an immigrant from India to Canada, Nisha's unique vantage point enriches her narratives, bridging diverse worlds with empathy and insight. Her journey is not just about making films but also the art of fostering understanding, catalyzing change, and alchemizing adversity into inspiration. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Nisha Pahuja __ __ Let’s talk Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
Manu Raju is a Chief Congressional Correspondent for CNN and an anchor of Inside Politics Sunday. He has covered Capitol Hill for over seven years with Politico before taking on his current role at CNN. With a career spanning from Congressional Quarterly to inside Washington publishers, he's a familiar face to anyone following political news. Award-winning and always at the heart of the action, Manu's work is driven by a passion for uncovering the stories that matter. His on-the-ground reporting during the January 6 Capitol attack was so impactful, that it awarded him the David Blum Award. I learned so much from listening to him recount the events and provide his perspective on what it takes to develop a story of that magnitude. Manu has a truly awe-inspiring career and his journey is a testament to the evolving landscape of South Asian representation in media. Manu discusses the challenges and nuances of reporting complex political stories, offers insights into the news-making process, and shares his experiences as a South Asian journalist navigating a pivotal era in American politics. It was a fascinating conversation exploring the intersection of South Asian identity, journalistic integrity, and the relentless pursuit of truth in an era of divided media. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Manu Raju: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
Swati Sharma is the powerhouse Editor-in-Chief of Vox, a leading platform for explanatory journalism. I recently had the pleasure of sharing a panel with her earlier this year and felt an instant connection. As the Editor-in-Chief of Vox, she’s on a mission to demystify the complexities of the world by helping her audience move out of ignorance into knowledge, no matter their background. Throughout her storied career, she's been a force at renowned news institutions like The Atlantic, Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. She has overseen digital coverage through pivotal events like the pandemic, racial reckonings, Trump's presidency, and an historic election. Beyond her editorial prowess, she's a Bay Area native with a passion for travel and all things Bollywood. No doubt that Swati was meant to write and tell stories and is a true trailblazer in journalism. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Swati: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
Nisha Ganatra, is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actress of Indian descent. And of course, is also my now new cousin. I first got to know her after watching Chutney Popcorn back in 99, which she wrote, directed, and produced herself. Ganatra has directed numerous television shows including Transparent, You Men Her, Better Things, Dear White People, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She also directed the comedy-dramas Late Nights and The High Note. She is the founder of Lady's Car Production. And you know, it's just an overall badass with such an amazing 25-year journey working in Hollywood. And guess what guys? She is just ramping it up. To me, Nisha could have very well written “To be, or not to be” but could Shakespeare have written for Disney Channel’s The Cheetah Girls: One World movie? I think not, but I’ll let you guys be the judge! So don’t miss out on this crazy fun episode with Nisha Ganatra. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Nisha: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/ .
We're coming at you LIVE! from the inaugural summit of SALUTE in my favorite city, NYC baby. The SALUTE (South Asian Ladies Unite To Empower) mission is to build an impactful community of South Asian women focused on innovation, unity, and progress. Members of this community are rising leaders in their fields, who are making decisions to shape the present and influence the future. Guys, I can't tell you how much I love this community. The founders have built something very special and profound for South Asian Women. The summit itself was not only impactful, but it felt incredibly warm and intimate, which is not easy to pull off. I had a blast talking to so many amazing South Asian women who are just dominating in their fields, checking out all their amazing brands, and also running into all sorts of friends. It felt like one big reunion, so I hope you enjoy this very special Live episode honoring the women of SALUTE. In today’s episode, I talked with: __ __ Connect with SALUTE: __ __ Let's Connect: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tuckeredoutpodcast/?hl=en
Rooshy Roy is the founder and CEO of Aavrani, a holistic skincare line that uses clean, effective cosmetics rooted in Indian agent beauty rituals, which she saw her grandmother using as a young girl in India. As an adult searching for an easier way to access non-toxic formulas, Rooshy reconnected with her roots by creating the beauty products she wished she had as a young Indian girl growing up in the Midwest. I deeply resonate with this because growing up in Texas, I only saw brands like AVON or Revlon, and none of it was created with my skin in mind. It’s definitely a beautiful thing when the journey to find a solution, molds us into the resource we once set out to find and that’s the nature of Rooshy’s story. Her recent partnership with Lilly Singh on her upcoming haircare line is proving that Rooshy is ready to bring these ancient rituals to the mainstream and share the beauty of the Indian culture. Join the conversation and hear all about this incredible partnership, Rooshy’s path to her current success, how she is harnessing the most powerful beauty rituals of the Ayurvedic tradition, and more. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Rooshy: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/.
Gotham Chopra is an American sports documentarian, media entrepreneur, producer, podcast host, director, journalist, and author. He is the co-founder of Religion of Sports, Liquid Comics, Chopra Media, and the Chopra Well. Gotham is known for his sports-centric films, having worked with athletes such as, Tom Brady, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Simone Biles, and in today’s episode, he talks with me about his latest project with Serena Williams. We discuss his current role as co-founder of Religion of Sports, a sports-focused media company that was founded in 2016 by Chopra, Michael Strahan, and Tom Brady. Gotham opens up about his incredible journey up till now, what it was like growing up with a famous father, and what he believes is the sign of true greatness. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Gotham: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/.
Neelu Kaur is an author, facilitator, NLP and executive coach, and a wellness and burnout management expert. She combines leadership development, neurolinguistic programming, and burnout management to offer her clients a healing hybrid of research-based professional development skills intricately intertwined with the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda. Neely’s book, , is an Asian and South Asian woman’s cultural, psychological, and spiritual guide to self-promoting at work to get your professional needs met. Guys, this book is a must-read, even if you're not in a corporate environment. Join me as I sit down with Neelu to discuss her unique approach to focusing on the mind in the workplace, healing our relationship to mental health, and how she continues to overcome the cultural, psychological, and spiritual challenges we all face daily. We talked about: __ __ Connect with Neelu: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
As a genderqueer Sri Lankan American novelist and riveting short story writer, SJ Sindhu is one of the most exciting young voices out there today. Her first novel, won the Publishing Triangle Edmund White Award for debut fiction and was named an American Library Association, Stonewall Honor Book. SJ’s upcoming book, , is a collection of stories that focus on queer joy, as well as shocking cruelty. You know we love a good paradox. In today’s episode, we talk about her upbringing in Sri Lanka, her memories of the Sri Lankan war, and how much that trauma is incorporated into her writing. And I obviously couldn't resist asking her if she loves MIA as much as I do. Find out how she navigated the many intersections of ‘other” she found herself within, the hilarious last-ditch effort she made to throw her Brown parents off her deviant trail, and what she hopes to inspire in younger generations through her work. WE TALKED ABOUT: __ __ Connect with SJ: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
Once labeled as the ‘Face of Failure’ by The New York Times, Suneel Gupta is a best-selling author, renowned speaker, Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, and host of a global documentary series (presented by American Express Business Class). Suneel has studied leaders around the world to discover and share simple, actionable habits that lift our performance and deepen our state of well-being. He is also the founding CEO of Rise, a breakthrough wellness company, and has recently released , a guide through 8 essential practices for finding success and joy in what you do. A very penetrative and digestible read based on Hindu philosophy, I cannot stress enough on how relevant, healing, and insightful it was to for me. He joins me today to talk all things dharma (your essence or your calling), concepts we formulate around successes and failures, and if in fact, everyone does find what their true calling is. What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Suneel: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/ .
My next interview for our South Asian author series is with the indomitable Hitha Palepu. Hitha Palepu is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, CEO of Roshan Pharmaceuticals, and a lover of all things Mr. T and Taco Bell. From a young age, Hitha’s parents encouraged the belief that she didn't have to be just any one thing but her dreams would require hard work and diligence no matter what. Today we discuss how she wrote her book, , in two months, why your relationship with your partner is the second most important, the clever way we can borrow confidence, and her experiences with the Vice President. What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Hitha: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
Priti Tanna is the author of a coming-of-age story turned memoir that explores Priti’s journey through navigating the dichotomy of being a first-generation Indian American. It is an incredibly insightful book about growing up South Asian and having to walk the tightrope between two seemingly opposing cultures. Today, we talk more about her book and how Priti found her path as a writer, what her childhood was like, the pearls of wisdom that came out of her healing journey, her approach to dating and marriage, and why our lives our so parallel. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT: __ __ CONNECT WITH PRITI: __ __ LET’S CONNECT: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/.
To honor and celebrate Pride Month, you are in for a treat! This week, I am bringing back three episodes near and dear to my heart. Get ready to listen to the third episode of the mini-series, with Maneesh Goyal, where we're talking true hospitality – Indian style. I have been following my next guest for quite a while now through social media and mutual friends. He has been doing some amazing work and also.... throwing some amazing parties- I definitely was trying to get invited to one. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, MANEESH GOYAL https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/23/nyregion/maneesh-goyal-sona-temple-bar.html is a self-acclaimed "insatiable people-person," and was determined to open the next great restaurant in NYC, which had to be Indian given his roots. That idea mixed with his desire to fulfill his father's legacy, one that started in the 80s with the first Indian restaurant—India House—in Texas, led him on a journey of self-discovery of who he truly is and love for where he comes from. Maneesh is the Founder & Partner at SONA https://www.sona-nyc.com/ & SONA HOME https://sonahomenyc.com/and has partnered with global icon PRIYANKA CHOPRA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priyanka_Chopra- some of you may have heard of her- to bring Indian hospitality and food to the next level. We talk about growing up in Texas as South Asians, the challenges he faces in the restaurant scene that people may not know about, and how he wants to be remembered by those he loves. He tells me how he and Priyanka ended up working together, his favorite memory at SONA so far, and what the true glamour of global India is today. Here is to hoping for a future SONA Dallas to open up! What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Maneesh: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ Produced and Edited by Ginni Media https://www.ginnimedia.com/. Made Offbeat.
To honor and celebrate Pride Month, you are in for a treat! This week, I am bringing back three episodes near and dear to my heart. Get ready to listen to the second episode of the mini-series, with Zameer Kassam, where we're talking diamonds – the kinds that tell your story. With a background as unique as the jewelry he designs, including time at McKinsey & Company, Harvard Business School, and De Beers Louis Vuitton, Zameer Kassam has emerged as one of the global jewelry industry’s most innovative thinkers and artists. He is the Founder and CEO of Zameer Kassam Fine Jewelry, which he launched in 2011. Through every iteration of his career, one thing has remained constant: his passion for storytelling. We talk about his parents' unique immigration story, how his training really started with his family jewelry business, and why he didn't feel Indian "enough" growing up. Zameer talks about how personalizing the jewelry industry truly incorporates everything he is passionate about, what his 3-part process entails, and his genuine connection with each of his clients. He shows me some of the beautiful sketches he produces for each piece, talks about his partnership with Forevermark and explains traceable diamonds, the fantastic celebrities he has worked with (Ashley Judd, Hasan Minhaj), and the heartwarming story behind his family heirloom. Recently, Zameer Kassam Fine Jewelry has become an official Harvard Business School case!! Grab a glass of champagne (I did), it's time to talk diamonds! What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Zameer: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/.
It's always nice to interview someone who has nicer equipment than you. Today I talk to fellow podcaster, Ginni Saraswati https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#. She is Founder and CEO of Ginni Media https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#, a podcast production company whose motto is, “Made Offbeat”- which I can relate to. She is also a contributor to Entrepreneur Media https://www.linkedin.com/feed/# and Rolling Stone https://www.linkedin.com/feed/# Magazine. We talk about everything podcasting, her thoughts on the industry, and where she sees it going in the next 5 years. She also talks about growing up brown in Australia, coming out to her family, and what she would like to be known for at the end of her career. Most importantly, we figure out who the OG influencer really is and I talk about the time I shook Madonna's hand, which can be a whole other podcast episode. What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Ginni: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
In honor of the Indian American Impact Summit we attended last week, we're bringing back to your ears the amazing interview we had a while back with Communications Specialist and my college friend Parag V. Mehta. We start off our interview discussing our University of Texas at Austin days as dandia/raas champions (of course) to how the story of Matthew Shepard changed his life. We then get into Parag's impressive and expansive experience in the D.C. political scene. He addresses many important issues such as South Asians in government and their evolution as activists, questions regarding Proposition 8, his reflections on Hillary Clinton's devastating loss, what happened when Vivek Murthy (our first Indian Surgeon General) was "relieved" of his duty and how to find hope in our crazy political atmosphere today. He also highlights the story of falling asleep while taking the MCAT's, attending the first White House Diwali party organized by his friend Kal Penn, his upcoming big fat Indian wedding, Texas style of course, with his partner Vaibhav and how lotion became a subject matter when he first met with President Obama. What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Parag: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/ .
Anita Verma-Lallian is the CEO and founder of Arizona Land Consulting, a Phoenix-based land investment consulting company that specializes in commercial real estate. But like a true boss, Anita couldn’t stop there. She is also the founder of Arizona’s first South Asian and first female-owned film production and entertainment company, Camelback Productions. Their mission? Focusing on South Asian and minority community storytelling by uplifting the voices of those who belong to these groups. What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Anita: __ __ Let’s Connect: __ __ This podcast is produced by Ginni Media http://www.ginnimedia.com/
It's a special LIVE episode coming to you from East coast! The lovely and brilliant Sheetal Sheth hosted our team for her Always Anjali event, where she talked to kids from the tri-state area about her book and answered all their insightful, and honest, questions. Her co-host, Hasan Minhaj is an actor, comedian, writer, and political commentator who uses his prowess in the art of storytelling to uplift and advocate for the stories of the unique. However, before Hasan is anything else, he is a father and a family man. So it makes sense he would see the value and necessity of Sheetal Sheth’s children's book Always Anjali because guess what, he too has had his Always Anjali moments. He also told me he can make some mean eggs. Frustrated by the uncommonness of her name, the story follows a young Indian girl's journey to embracing the beauty of being different, teaching her how to be creative and courageous when life doesn't accommodate your unique individuality. I interviewed them both to discuss all things Anjali, parenthood, and what’s next for Sheetal Sheth. What we talked about: __ __ Connect with Sheetal: __ __ Connect with Hasan: __ __ Let's Connect: __ __
