The Brown Box

Dipa Swaminathan, founder of It's Raining Raincoats, is in our podcast chair this weekend! 🎙️A Harvard-educated lawyer, mother of 2 boys, Dipa is also Akka (big sister) to thousands of migrant brothers here in Singapore. This episode is about building dignity for those who build our cities. Press play to hear about:🟤 Dipa the bossy child (and a ruler-wielding moment you won't forget) 🟤 Her father — her best friend 🟤 Waiting tables at a steakhouse in Nashville 🟤 The origin story of It's Raining Raincoats — with a detail she's never shared before 🟤 The heart and power of her volunteers 🟤 Why she's in awe of the younger generation 🟤 Migrant workers — their resilience, pride, and love for their families 🟤 The dangers migrant workers face and Dipa's prayer for them 🟤 Burnout and the real toll of caregiver fatigue 🟤 What's next for IRR — and for Dipa herself Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who gets to stand under the spotlight makes a difference. In this episode of The Brown Box, we sit with Grace Kalaiselvi — theatre actor, director and educator. We talk about family, absence and survival, and how theatre became a way to make sense of it all — and how Grace, when she couldn’t see herself in the stories on stage, began creating them herself.🎧 Listen to hear about: • Grace’s early family struggles and how theatre became her escape • Her journey from Tamil theatre to English theatre, and the challenges she faced • Her realisation that there was little space for brown faces in English theatre • The founding of Brown Voices to tell more Indian stories • Her creative process — from idea to opening night • Her most recent play, ‘Invisible’ • Advice to other aspiring actors who want to join her under the spotlightListen now — link in bio.#thebrownboxpodcast #singaporetheatre #sgpodcasts #singaporeartists #southasianvoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sofie talks about the word celup, as she grapples with her own celup-ness and what it means to not fit neatly into the Malay box of the CMIO.Listen to hear about:what celup means, and Sofie’s journey towards understanding her own celup-nessher complex heritage — Javanese, Boyanese and Indian — and why her name leaves her with many unanswered questionsa grandmother who was given a Malay identity card despite being of Chinese and Indian heritagebecoming super duper halal as a form of teenage rebellionfinding belonging in a P. Ramlee filmmusic in her family, a grandfather with a music room, and a household where everyone had to learn an instrumenther admiration for her mother’s fierceness, and her belief in the power of her own softnessthe pain of having to put her Malayness in her back pocketthe lack of roles — and nuance — for brown actors in Singaporeher advice for others struggling with their own celup-ness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sit with Kamini Ramachandran, a storyteller, educator, and creative force behind MoonShadow Stories and Storyfest Singapore.🎧 Listen to hear about:* Her grandfather, the storyteller: a planter from Kerala who lived in Malaya, from whom Kamini learnt to love stories* The wildness of nature 🐍: a cobra encounter at four, the love of a dog named Bobby 🐕, and how he protected her* Cherishing books 📚 that allowed her to travel into her imagination, and magazines that allowed her to travel everywhere else* The living, breathing art of oral storytelling, and why it matters beyond childhood* Why she disdains the idea of “moral endings” in stories, asking her audience to find meaning that is personal and discovered* Nights spent with the Elders of the Temiar, and her time visiting the Orang Asli* The importance of sharing stories — sharing with permission, consent, and acknowledgement* Working with AI 🤖 and realizing that she no longer fears it* Immersive storytelling through projects like Harry Potter and Jurassic World 🎭* The power of stories to remind you that you are not alone — to ground, connect, and heal 💛 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your family history live in its favourite foods? Do you see food not just as sustenance, but as legacy, identity, and history — passed from hand to hand, from kitchen to kitchen? If so, this podcast is for you.In this episode, we speak to Chef Devagi, the Spice Queen of Singapore. She shares recipes, yes — but more importantly, stories of resilience and reinvention.
Listen to hear about:* migration stories that stretch from India and East Timor to Burma and, finally, Singapore* glimpses of 1950s Singapore — kampung life, Waterloo Street hawkers, and walking to Paya Lebar airport to wave at strangers* the letter to The Straits Times, signed “poor student”, that would fund her education* United Nations food rations turned into pancakes, payasam, gulab jamun* HDB stories of food crossing corridors: Chinese, Malay, and Indian families exchanging dishes and ideas* the three women who shaped her — her grandmother, mother, and periamma — and their thosai stalls* how she went from school clerk to cooking teacher, to becoming the Spice Queen of Singapore* original recipes and stories of Singaporean Indian dishes: Thanni saaru, tahu sambal, pink condensed-milk kesari, appam jala/roti jala, and an Indian-style mutton rendang* resilience and reinvention — how Chef Devagi kept moving forward and stayed hungry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Brown Box, we chat with Yulianna Frederika, co-founder of Lepak Conversations — an online advocacy platform bringing vital Malay Muslim issues into the mainstream.This is a deeply personal conversation, with Yulianna consciously moving away from the version of herself that tried to fit into the moulds people expected, and towards a more authentic and truthful way of being.We speak about:• Growing up in an interfaith family, with Muslim prayers and Christian music woven into daily life• Her Indonesian heritage — a great-grandmother with royal roots, and a great-grandfather who was an artist• The auntie who shared her room and opened up the world for her• A difficult relationship with her mother, who used her Malayness against her, and whose love language was food• Wearing the hijab, and later understanding the prejudice hijab-wearing women face• Starting Lepak Conversations• Its work supporting Malay/Muslim mental health through campaigns like You Ok Bro?• Speaking up for Palestine• Batik — and finding her way back home through its patterns and stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Brown Box, we chat with Shibani Mahtani, investigative journalist with The Washington Post.We talk about:• Political discourse at the dinner table — her father’s relentless questioning of the PAP vs her mother’s gratitude and how this made her curious about the world• The journey from straightening her curls to embracing them — a two-year process of making peace with who she is, and what that says about belonging in Singapore• “Indians are smelly” — the phrase her Chinese friends taught her, and the jarring gap between lived experience and Singapore’s ‘Racial Harmony Day’ narrative• Being Sindhi — growing up in a tiny diaspora community with no homeland and extended family across the world, and how that showed her there’s a whole world out there waiting to explore• PropertyGuru, curry, and Singapore’s rental racism — uncovering housing discrimination that contradicted the fair and equal HDB quota system Singapore is known for• Reporting in Myanmar, the US, and Hong Kong — how each place taught her something different about racism, resistance, community, and what’s possible• Finding community in Hong Kong’s streets — witnessing shopkeepers opening their doors during tear gas, people buying burgers for strangers, and discovering a kind of solidarity Singapore doesn’t seem to have• What living away, taught her about hope and the fight for a better Singapore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making Space in Singapore: Pooja Nansi's StoryIn this episode of The Brown Box Podcast, we sit with Pooja Nansi, poet, educator, and former director of the Singapore Writers Festival.In this episode, we talk about:* Pooja's childhood in a creative household and her mother's sacrificed dreams as a classical dancer* How poetry found her—from writing about her math teacher to discovering Sylvia Plath's intensity* The electric energy of hip-hop clubs and slam poetry venues * Mustafa Centre, Mysore Sandalwood soap, and the everyday spaces that mean everything to immigrant communities* Literary gatekeeping and making space for all storytellers at the Singapore Writers Festival* The exhaustion of constantly explaining yourself, of not fitting into neat CMIO boxes* Navigating controversy with nuance—from the Books Actually incident to tensions within her own Indian communityListen to this episode if you believe in the power of poetry, the importance of communal spaces, and the possibility of loving a place deeply while demanding it be better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Brown Box Podcast, we sit with Sapna Kewalramani Maholtra, Founder of Rise and Thrive. A charity that helps mothers running home businesses through mentorship and skills training.In this episode, we talk about:• Sapna’s childhood in Nigeria and early memories of Deepavali• How her parents’ values of giving shaped her idea of “paying it forward”• The inspiration behind Rise and Thrive• The realities mothers face while balancing caregiving, work, and survival• Simple ways to volunteer or partner with Rise and ThriveListen to this episode if you believe in the power and potential of mothers — to nurture, to create, to rise and to thrive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Brown Box Podcast, we sit with Sharon Ismail - actress, writer, teacher, and storyteller. In this episode, Sharon shares:• Kampong nights of hide-and-seek, ghost stories and clouds of talcum powder mischief• What it was like being “the only Malay in the school” while studying in a Chinese kindergarten• Her mother’s adoption story, revealed through a birth certificate • The grandparents who believed education was “the biggest inheritance” and how that drew her to a path of teaching • Stumbling into theatre by accident and discovering a lifelong love for stage and screen• Why she believes “ambition is not a dirty word” and why women, especially those from minority communities, should never apologize for taking up spaceYou may have seen Sharon on screen or in the classroom. Now hear the story behind it all. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.👉🏽 Follow The Brown Box Podcast for more stories from brown women in Singapore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Brown Box Podcast, we sit down with Sasja Sidek, a Malay Singaporean trans advocate and activist based in Australia.Sasja opens up about her journey of:• Growing up in Singapore and running away from home at sixteen• Facing discrimination, wrongful arrests, and rejection from family• Exploring identity through nightlife, drag, and sex work• Gaining empowerment through adult modelling and self-expression• Becoming a community organiser and creating safe spaces for queer people in AustraliaThis is an empowering story of identity, resilience, and activism - one that shows the fight to belong in the face of rejection and discrimination. From survival to advocacy, Sasja’s journey is a powerful reminder that trans voices matter.Hit play and be part of this conversation. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Brown Box Podcast, we sit down with Nisha Rai, an intersectional feminist and passionate advocate for safer, more equal spaces for everyone.From joining a martial arts class to questioning patriarchal traditions, Nisha shares how she became a feminist and made it her mission to support victim survivors. We explore:• How early experiences and family shaped her views on allyship and equity• The horrors of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) • Why a little disruption is needed for change to happen• The importance of bystander interventionIf you’ve ever been a victim of online abuse or wondered why, when our streets are safe, our online world is not, if you hope for more equality in this world - then this conversation is for you. Tune in on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault that some listeners may find distressing. You can skip from 20:51 to 26:56 if you wish to avoid this part.In this powerful episode of The Brown Box, we sit down with activist, author, and entrepreneur Liyana Dhamirah. Through her extraordinary journey, she shares how life’s challenges can be a catalyst for healing and advocacy.We explore:• Childhood memories shaped by poverty, an absent father, and a home that didn’t look like the ones on TV• How dance felt like freedom - but also brought unwanted attention and led to abuse• Early pregnancy, being forced into marriage, an unfaithful husband• Her experience living in a tent on Sembawang Beach while pregnant• The stigma surrounding single mothers and homelessness in Singapore• Her healing journey through inner healing and entrepreneurship• What inspired her to write Homeless, run for political office, and co-found a financial literacy initiativeLiyana's story is one of hope and her message will stay with you long after the episode ends. Listen now for an unforgettable story of loss, motherly love, and the strength to choose joy - even in the darkest moments.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this heartfelt episode of The Brown Box, we sit down with Nuryanee Anisah, founder of Commenhers, a Singapore-based social enterprise that transforms discarded textiles into meaningful products.Inspired by her father’s entrepreneurial drive and her mother’s compassion, Yanee shares how Commenhers supports marginalised women while championing sustainability.We talk about:• Her love for secondhand objects and the stories they carry• Why slowing down is part of sustainability• The emotional cost of being misunderstood as a dyslexic child• How her father’s music carried Malay poetry all the way to the White House• What Rana Plaza taught her about fast fashion and responsibility• And why care must be central to how we build, work, and liveIf you care about sustainability, social impact, or simply finding beauty in what’s been overlooked, this one’s for you.Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anita Kapoor - TV host, writer, and activist - joins The Brown Box Podcast for an honest, moving conversation about growing up, growing older, and growing into yourself. From her childhood arrival in 1970s Singapore to her groundbreaking career on English-language television, Anita reflects on what it means to be seen and to be free.We talk about:• What it means to age with vulnerability and wisdom• Colourism, privilege & media representation in Singapore• Growing up Indian and female in a multi-ethnic society• Caregiving, loss, and healing generational wounds• Embracing joy, grief, and the quiet power of Shakti In this episode, we unpack her journey through beauty and body image, privilege and visibility, grief and healing. Anita opens up about caregiving for her mother, navigating race and representation in media, and what her Shakti - feminine strength - means today.If you’ve ever struggled with identity, aging, or belonging as a brown woman in a world that wants you to shrink, this episode is your reminder that your story, your body, your voice matters.Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor, dramaturg, and writer Sindhu Kalidas has worn many hats, but in this episode, she wears her heart on her sleeve. From her earliest days as a child actor on Hip-o & Friends to calling out brownface in a beloved local film, Sindhu opens up about what it means to grow up brown, outspoken, and tender in Singapore. In this episode we discuss: impact of parental love on how we love othersthe power of verbatim theater as a tool for cultural truth-telling the tug-of-war between following your passion and fulfilling your dutyhow personal values can guide us through life’s hardest decisions.She also unpacks "Psychobitch" and "Happy Indian Women" — two fearless plays, one grappling with the stigma of emotionalism, the other searching for brown joyAnd through it all Sindhura reminds us that kindness is its own kind of power - and that sometimes, speaking up is how we take up space in a world that tries to shrink us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amrita Chandradas doesn’t just take pictures — she captures life in all its raw, beautiful complexity. In this podcast, she shares how her father’s love for photography guided her journey, and opens up about how over- protective parents and the stress of exams shaped her early years. She talks about leaving Singapore to learn, and then coming back to tell the stories of her home. Through it all, it’s her deep love for community, her roots, and her identity as a Singaporean-Tamilian that lights up her work and her lens. Listen as she shares the stories behind her photos and the powerful moments that have shaped her work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a child arguing on the void decks of Singapore, to a woman leading one of its most recognised advocacy organisations, the SPCA —Aarthi Sankar has never been afraid to speak her mind. In this episode of The Brown Box, she opens up about finding her voice through books, dance, and relentless advocacy. Aarthi challenges stereotypes, confronts exclusion, and reclaims the label of “angry brown woman” with pride.In this conversation, we talk about:Growing up as the youngest with two older sistersLife with a cleft lip and the confidence it shapedChildhood reading habits and bookish quirksThe power of dance in shaping identityColourism, exclusion, and early experiences of biasWhat it means to be Singaporean-Tamilian todayStereotypes of the “angry brown woman”Her decade in public service and burnoutWhy she joined the SPCA without being an “animal person”Speciesism, advocacy fatigue, and what still needs to changeRedefining success, softness, and strength Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Yagnya—a theater maker and a woman shaped by a lifetime of stories.We talk about the power of stories—the ones that shape us, and the ones that are thrust upon us. We speak about schoolyard bullies, about being Indian, about caste, and about the search for spaces where we can truly be ourselves.This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered about the stories we carry—and the ones we choose to tell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

✨ In this episode of The Brown Box, we sit down with Nilanjana Sengupta.📖 Author. 🏛️ Historian. 💛 Fully Bong. 🌧️ A monsoon lover. 🕰️ A collector of nostalgia.Our conversation takes us on a journey from the chaotic streets of Kolkata 🇮🇳 to writing herself into Singapore’s history 🇸🇬. We talk about motherly love 🤱, the wonder that is Durga Puja 🏵️, and the beating heart of Singapore. But most of all, we delve into the stories of women—their struggles, their resilience—their voices, captured in her latest book Chickpeas to Cook and Other Stories 📚. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.