N.R.I. Woman

We couldn’t have picked a more informative episode to end our season with. Sanya Sharma is a 19-year-old law student based in the UK and the founder of the global organization Scarlet Udaan. The aim of the organization is to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation. The team has members from different parts of the world including India, UK, Indonesia, US, Canada and many more.The World Health Organization estimates that 200 million females around the world have undergone FGM/C. The name Scarlet Udaan, comes from the word 'Scarlet'- a brilliant red colour which signifies the strength in one's womanhood; and the word 'Udaan'- is a Hindi word which means 'to soar' or 'to fly': It symbolizes freedom and the limitless possibilities that exist for an individual. Through the organization, she hopes to bring awareness of Female Genital Mutilation and the impact it has on the lives of females belonging to different communities all around the world. She believes, together, we can end Female Genital Mutilation.This is Sanya sharing an untold story and we hope you'll listen. Connect with the guests:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sanya-Sharma/100011979015019LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanya-sharma-9a72291ab/Please help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on our social and please rate us wherever you’re listening so more people can find us. Thank you and we are so grateful for your support. Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2pCredits:This episode is edited by Eric Heidbreder

Pooja Tripathi is a first-generation Indian American actor, filmmaker and violinist based in New York City. She grew up in Pittsburgh & NYC, and studied at Carnegie Mellon University.  Pooja is the co-creator of new Dutch American dramedy series Amsterdam Ave. which was created by a 90% female crew and takes place in The Netherlands and NYC. Having a predominantly female crew was an intentional choice as she believes, the industry does not provide enough opportunities for women in filmmaking. Even though Pooja has played the violin since she was three, Pooja never thought herself to be an artist. She grew up thinking she would have a stable corporate career and dabble in arts as a hobby. After working at corporate jobs in top fashion houses, Pooja realized she was unhappy. She found the courage to quit and get into filmmaking with the help of her friend Dionne. Today, Pooja considers herself an artist first, and this is Pooja's charming story of letting the artist in her shine! Connect with the guests:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poojatripathi4Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winnie_thepooj/Website: https://www.pooja-tripathi.com/ Please help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on our social and please rate us wherever you’re listening so more people can find us. Thank you and we are so grateful for your support. Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2pCredits:This episode is edited by Eric Heidbreder

Yashi, as she's popularly known, is a Connecticut based homeopath with nearly three decades of experience in the medical field. Yashi's way of practising homeopathy is a bit different from the traditional way. She strives to empower and educate families that are looking for a safer, alternative way to good health. She does this by teaching them the basics of homeopathy so that they can manage everyday ailments themselves. Over the years, Yashi has helped hundreds of families and thousands in need. Her practice was non-profit until 2017. The fee was to "Pay it forward" by supporting non-profits close to her heart. Since 2018, new families have been paying for her time, while #payitforward families that are part of the Homeopathic community continue to donate instead of consultation fees. Enjoy Yashi's heartwarming story of using her qualification and experience to make a difference in the world. Connect with the guests:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yashasvi.jhangianiEmail: [email protected]: https://thinkhomeopathyfirst.org/ Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2pCredits:This episode is edited by Eric Heidbreder

Karthika Gupta's career has been a wonderful mix of corporate, technology and creativity. Currently based in Chicago, but having lived and worked in many parts of the world, she was always surrounded by so many amazing people who brought a rich cultural diversity into her life. And these interactions led her to want to know more about not just her culture but about other cultures too.After a successful 15 year career in banking, finance and management, she turned to photography 8 years ago as a way to creatively share compelling real-life stories for her clients. She wants to showcase the beautiful and diverse world we live in, by way of conversations, narratives, visuals and hands-on experiences through her platform ‘culturally ours’.This is Karthika's wonderful story of trying to build a more empathetic world. Connect with the guests:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/culturallyours/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culturallyours/Website: https://www.culturallyours.com Support our sponsor: Mehta JewelleryClick on the link and fill the form to receive exclusive offers from Mehta Jewellery: http://mehtajewellery.com/nri-woman/ Please help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on our social and please rate us wherever you’re listening so more people can find us. Thank you and we are so grateful for your support. Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2pCredits:This episode is edited by Eric Heidbreder

Anahata Meher is a Shamanic practitioner based in Goa. Before finding Shamanism, she was a city brat living a comfortable life with no worries or ambition. Despite having all the comforts, Anahata found that she was angry all the time, to the extent that her husband suggested she seek help to manage the anger. She sought help from a hypnotherapist, but it was a trip to the mountains that truly changed her life. It was here that her journey of seeking began and led her to Shamanism which she believes changed her very existence. Shamanism recognises and honours three worlds: the lower world, where one connects with mother Earth and the animal spirit guides. The middle world, which is one's reality and the upper world, which is the home of the celestial and spirit guides; a Shaman travels through these three levels to heal. One experiences healing through energies present in nature like plants, humans, crystals and stones. Anahata is a Shamanic healer and this is her mystical and magical story!Connect with the guests:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anahatameher/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anahatameherEmail: [email protected] Support our sponsor: Mehta JewelleryClick on the link and fill the form to receive exclusive offers from Mehta Jewellery: http://mehtajewellery.com/nri-woman/ Please help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on our social and please rate us wherever you’re listening so more people can find us. Thank you and we are so grateful for your support. Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2pCredits:This episode is edited by Eric Heidbreder

Water is the most important natural resource in the world; without it, life cannot exist. 2.1 billion people across the world lack access to clean drinking water. Marita Peters, the Executive Director of Surge UAE chapter, is determined to change that. Marita's childhood friend, Shilpa Alva, is the founder of Surge. Growing up together, they had a shared dream to do something that makes a difference in the world. Both Shilpa and Marita shared similar lives growing up. They were NRI kids who mostly visited India only during the holidays. It was during these trips they realized that running water was not available to everyone and the thought that they must do something about it occurred to them. It was this thought that later led to Shilpa setting up Surge, a non-profit organization that focusses on providing clean water and sanitation in water-stressed areas. Since its inception Surge has impacted over a million people across the world. Marita shares her wonderful story of fulfilling a childhood dream with her best friend, Shilpa and how their bond is now enriching the lives of so many across the world. Connect with the guests:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marita.petersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/surgeforwaterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/surgeforwaterWebsite: https://surgeforwater.org/ Support our sponsor: Mehta JewelleryClick on the link and fill the form to receive exclusive offers from Mehta Jewellery: http://mehtajewellery.com/nri-woman/ Please help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on our social and please rate us wherever you’re listening so more people can find us. Thank you and we are so grateful for your support. Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2pCredits:This episode is edited by Eric Heidbreder

Dipti Mehta is a scientist, entrepreneur, writer and an award-winning artist based in New York. She grew up in a conservative, patriarchal family in India. But she was not one to keep quiet; she questioned everything, especially why she was treated differently from her brothers. At twelve, an All India Radio executive discovered Dipti at an elocution competition and offered her a ten-minute slot on the radio. She used this opportunity to share her budding feminist ideas.Since then, Dipti has used art for social transformation, for being the voice of those who have none, and towards changing the deeply patriarchal patterns that exist in our culture. Dipti shares her inspiring story of understanding patriarchy, breaking social stereotypes, and purposefully championing gender equality. Connect with the guests:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diptijmehta/Website: https://www.diptimehta.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/diptimehtaComic: https://www.priyashakti.com/priya-lost-girlsPlease help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on our social and please rate us wherever you’re listening so more people can find us. Thank you and we are so grateful for your support. Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2pCredits:This episode is edited by Eric Heidbreder

“Don’t you have long sleeves you can wear while you’re outside?”, “I brought a new brightening face scrub for you to try.”, “Try not to stay in the sun too long, you’ll get dark." South Asian kids listen to these kinds of comments all the time. And not from outsiders but people close to our hearts. This was also the case for Anu Kumar. Born in New York to Indian Immigrant parents, from Southern India, Anu moved and was raised in Knoxville, TN. Anu was confused when she realized that people, who are like her of Indian descent didn't like their dark skin and people who are from around the world who have much lighter skin wanted to become darker. Anu shares her story of growing up in almost two different worlds, one where her skin colour was appreciated, even desired—the other where she was constantly reminded that it was something undesirable and in need of being fixed. She talks about how she overcame Colorism, identifying and accepting her inner thoughts on this subject and working on being comfortable in her own skin. Connect with the guests:Email: [email protected] help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on our social and please rate us wherever you’re listening so more people can find us. Thank you and we are so grateful for your support. Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2p

Avani Modi Sarkar is the co-founder of Modi Toys a family-owned small business, that honours her Indian roots. They're the first-ever makers of the original and mantra-singing Baby Ganesh, Baby Hanuman and Baby Krishna plush toys, which are both fun and cultural. Avani shares her story about building a generational brand that she hopes will help maintain and pass on the Indian culture. She, like so many others, wants children to be aware of their roots. Avani hopes to do this by sparking curiosity about their culture. Her story is awesome just like her - we hope you enjoy it! Connect with the guests:Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/moditoys/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModiToysForTotsWebsite: https://www.moditoys.com Please help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on our social and please rate us wherever you're listening so more people can find us. Thank you and we are so grateful for your support. Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2p

Today, Vandana Shah is amongst the top divorce lawyers in India. The story of how she got there is unique. Vandana was in an abusive marriage and only got out of it because her in-laws pushed her out of the house one night. With only 10 dollars in her account, Vandana rebuilt her life taking every opportunity that came her way. When she found that she was running around in circles as a litigant, because of her limited understanding of the law, she decided to study law. She chose to document her journey as a litigant in a book to help others who may be in similar circumstances. The book, The Ex-Files: The Story of my Divorce is a best-seller and currently part of the judicial college syllabus. Vandana shares her story of triumphing over adversity while keeping a positive outlook towards life and inspiring other victims of domestic abuse find the courage to rebuild their lives. Connect with the guests:Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/360degreesbacktolife/ Email: [email protected] help the voices of our guests be heard by sharing this podcast with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We promise not to bore you!  Subscribe!Apple Podcast AppGoogle PodcastsSpotifyCastboxStitcherTuneIn Get in touch.Instagram: @nriwomanpodcastTwitter: @nri_womanFacebook: NRI WomanEmail: [email protected]: http://bit.ly/2WSSQ2p