Love-ly: Exploring Modern Relationships

This week on Love-ly, Mehak sits down with sex educator and pleasure expert Danielle Bezalel—host of Sex Ed with DB. Together, they unpack the motifs that shape our earliest understandings of intimacy: immigrant households where sex was whispered, cultures that mistake silence for safety, and school systems that replace curiosity with misinformation. From Danielle’s Afghan Jewish upbringing to Mehak’s own cultural reflections, this episode explores how identity, religion, shame, and generational expectations influence the way we date, desire, and perceive ourselves. Danielle also shares the turning point that led her into public health and sex education, the emotional stakes of bad sex ed in the U.S., and why pleasure still feels like a radical act—especially for women of color. We end with a Love-ly signature: a modern dating detour into why everything—including romance—feels so aesthetic now, and what it would mean to return to our bodies instead of performing our lives for the camera. This is an episode about unlearning, reclaiming, and finally giving ourselves permission to want what we truly desire. Check out Sex Ed With DB @sexedwithdbpodcasts on IG and on the website, www.sexedwithdb.com Hosted by: Mehak ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@whathemehak⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on TikTok and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@whathemehak_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on IG Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Hyphenly⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this episode or any other episode, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@immigrantlypods (IG)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@immigrantly⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (TikTok) | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@love_lypod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How are substance addiction and love addiction connected? In this episode of Love-ly, host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mehak⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ welcomes licensed therapist Kendall Bierman, who shares her personal journey through anxiety, substance addiction, and the path to sobriety. She reflects on the influence of her family dynamics, competitive upbringing, and the turning points that led her to pursue a career in therapy. The discussion dives into dating while sober, attachment styles, and the cultural pressures that shape our choices. Kendall also offers professional insights on cultivating emotional resilience and overcoming self-sabotage. Hosted by: Mehak ⁠⁠⁠⁠@whathemehak⁠⁠⁠⁠ on TikTok and ⁠⁠⁠⁠@whathemehak_⁠⁠⁠⁠ on IG Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Hyphenly⁠⁠⁠⁠,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this episode or any other episode, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@immigrantlypods (IG)⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@immigrantly⁠⁠⁠⁠ (TikTok) | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@love_lypod⁠⁠⁠⁠ Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Love-ly, we’re sharing some sage wisdom from Sex Ed with DB — your go-to show for smart, science-backed sex education. Each episode delivers trusted insights from top experts on sex, sexuality, and pleasure. In this episode, DB talks with Dr. Lexx about the many different kinds of pleasure — and how to keep pleasure centered in a long-term monogamous relationship. It’s not always just about sex; pleasure can come from all parts of our lives, our senses, and our connections with others. ✨ Enjoy this convo, and tune in next week for a brand-new episode of Love-ly. SEX ED WITH DB  Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Danielle Bezalel (DB) (she/her) | Communications Lead: Cathren Cohen (she/her) | Growth Marketing Manager and Producer: Wil Williams (they/them) | Theme Music: Hook Sounds | Background Music: Bright State by Ketsa | Ad Music: Soul Sync by Ketsa; Always Faithful by Ketsa; Soul Epic by Ketsa. Instagram: ⁠@sexedwithdbpodcast⁠ | TikTok: ⁠@sexedwithdb⁠ | Twitter: ⁠@sexedwithdb⁠ | Threads: ⁠@sexedwithdbpodcast⁠ |YouTube: ⁠Sex Ed with DB ⁠Email: sexedwithdb@gmail.com LOVE-LY Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Hyphenly⁠⁠⁠,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this episode or others, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠@immigrantlypods (IG)⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠@immigrantly⁠⁠⁠ (TikTok) | ⁠⁠⁠@love_lypod⁠⁠⁠ Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Love-ly, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mehak⁠⁠⁠⁠ sits down with psychotherapist and @well.guide founder Israa Nasir to discuss life as a third-culture kid and why she doesn’t feel guilty about not having children, despite parental expectations. Their conversation also takes a turn into the future of digital mental health care, inspired by Israa’s essay, “Outsourcing Emotional Labor to ChatGPT,” and how we should be using AI for in therapy (hint: definitely not your Hinge replies). Hosted by: Mehak ⁠⁠⁠@whathemehak⁠⁠⁠ on TikTok and ⁠⁠⁠@whathemehak_⁠⁠⁠ on IG Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Hyphenly⁠⁠⁠,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this episode or others, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠@immigrantlypods (IG)⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠@immigrantly⁠⁠⁠ (TikTok) | ⁠⁠⁠@love_lypod⁠⁠⁠ Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is building human connection so difficult in modern dating? This week on Lovely, ⁠⁠Mehak⁠⁠ talks to Aubrey Aust, researcher and podcast host of Hint of Trauma, to decode the complexities of modern relationships. They explore how cultural norms have warped our perceptions of love (and boyfriends) and dive deep into the cycles of hyper-independence versus people-pleasing. This episode is a masterclass on why vulnerability is the essential, non-negotiable key to building truly secure connections. Aubrey shares her personal journey of navigating non-traditional relationships, offering a path to finding fulfillment and relational trust in today's hyperconnected digital age. Don't miss this must-listen guide to understanding what human connection is actually all about. Listen to Hint of Trauma and follow Aubrey's work at www.aubreyaust.com. Hosted by: Mehak ⁠⁠@whathemehak⁠⁠ on TikTok and ⁠⁠@whathemehak_⁠⁠ on IG Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan 🔗 ⁠⁠Subscribe to Hyphenly⁠⁠,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this episode or others, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: ⁠⁠@immigrantlypods (IG)⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠@immigrantly⁠⁠ (TikTok) | ⁠⁠@love_lypod⁠⁠ Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Mehak opens up about being in her “in-between era,” a space where she’s rediscovering herself. After a recent breakup, she reflects on emotional maturity, intuition, and the lessons that come with letting go. From unlearning survival habits to recognizing relationship patterns, Mehak shares what it means to stop romanticizing potential and start honoring her inner voice. She also gets candid about reentering the dating world — including her experience on the exclusive app Raya — and the performative side of modern dating. This episode is about slowing down, growing alone, and finding comfort in your own company before diving back into love. Hosted by: Mehak ⁠@whathemehak⁠ on TikTok and ⁠@whathemehak_⁠ on IG Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan 🔗 ⁠Subscribe to Hyphenly⁠,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this episode or others, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: ⁠@immigrantlypods (IG)⁠ | ⁠@immigrantly⁠ (TikTok) | ⁠@love_lypod⁠ Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Love-ly, Mehak sits down with Samir Mourani, host of Gent's Talk, to explore masculinity, men’s mental health, and emotional healing. Samir shares his personal journey breaking the stigma around male vulnerability, how his divorce reshaped his views on manhood, and the role of self-awareness and male friendships in his growth. Together, they unpack how men heal—and how women can support without taking on all the responsibility. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan 🔗 Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👉 Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) | @immigrantly (TikTok) | @love_lypod Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com What happens when TikTok’s Dumb Blonde Diary Lara Simonot brings her wildest dating stories to Love-ly? From Ukrainian roots to Toronto nightlife, Lara shares how she balances independence, music, and the chaos of modern dating. We delve into her "league" of men, her Bahamas love story, a concert first-kiss moment, and why being single can be a powerful experience. Additionally, we discuss confidence, cringe culture, and her brand new country single, Shoulda Been Mine If you’ve ever laughed through a late-night debrief, questioned dating apps, or wondered how to spot a green flag in a partner, this episode is for you.  Stream now for relatable dating chaos, Toronto hot spots, and a reminder that being “too confident” is never too much. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com What does it take to walk away from cultural expectations and finally choose yourself? In this raw and empowering episode of Love-ly, host Mehak sits down with TikTok creator and confidence coach Shazmeera Qadri. From growing up in a Pakistani immigrant household to navigating a toxic marriage and reclaiming her independence, Shazmeera shares how she rebuilt her life with courage and self-respect. She unpacks the guilt immigrant daughters carry, why decentering family opinions isn’t disrespect—it’s self-respect—and the power of surrounding yourself with confident women.  If you’ve ever questioned whether you can rewrite your story, this conversation will show you that you can. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producers: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://immigrantlys-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠ Why do we shy away from conflict when it might actually bring us closer?? This week, Mehak (@whathemehak) sits down with conflict resolution expert Dr. Jen Fry (jenfrytalks.com) to explore how disagreements—whether in families, romantic relationships, or the workplace—can be powerful tools for growth and intimacy. Dr. Fry shares personal stories from her upbringing that shaped her views on boundaries and communication, along with practical strategies for handling tough conversations in professional settings. Through their conversation, Mehak and Dr. Fry reveal how conflict—when faced head-on—doesn’t have to pull us apart. Instead, it can deepen trust, spark transformation, and open the door to stronger relationships and authentic love. _______ Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak I Editorial Review: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ApplePodcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com  Follow us: @love_lypod & @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://immigrantlys-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠ Love-ly host Mehak sits down with relationship therapist and content creator Laura Caruso in one of the show’s most memorable conversations; it’s so powerful, it’s being re-released. Recorded while Laura was in the middle of a breakup, literally waiting on a text that could end her relationship, the episode captures the raw emotions behind the timeless question: Should I stay or should I go? This re-release offers listeners both vulnerability and hope, with an inspiring update on where Laura is now. For anyone navigating love, loss, or the messy process of healing, Mehak’s conversation with Laura is a reminder that endings can also be beginnings. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak I Editorial Review: Saadia Khan I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ApplePodcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com  Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com In this episode, host Mehak explores the complexities of adult friendships with journalist and author Anna Goldfarb, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, The Cut, and more. Anna’s latest book, “Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections,” offers a practical toolkit for building stronger, more intentional relationships. Mehak and Anna discuss why friendships can feel so fragile, the tiers of intimacy that shape our social lives, and how to show up with more clarity and wholeheartedness for the people who matter most. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you'd like to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, you can contact info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com Dating in 2025 feels harder than ever; apps are exhausting, hookup culture dominates, and rejection is everywhere. In this episode of Love-ly, host Mehak sits down with her friend Eric, a former competitive figure skater turned entrepreneur, to talk about love, dating, and connection in today’s world. Eric shares his journey growing up as an only child, coming out, navigating family expectations, and why he’s waited for the right relationship instead of settling. Together, Mehak and Eric unpack the complexities of hookup culture, the allure of long-distance sparks, self-awareness in love, and why saying hello to strangers feels nearly impossible in modern dating. If you’ve ever felt like the dating bar is “in hell” but still crave authentic connection, this heartfelt and funny conversation will remind you what love can look like in 2025. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com What do Pedro Pascal, a bad Hinge date, and the rom-com Materialists have in common? They all expose the messy math of modern love. In this solo episode of Love-ly, Mehak spills on the good, the cringe, and the downright bizarre of dating in 2025, from men asking for exclusivity after a single dinner to the exhausting cycle of deleting and redownloading apps. Along the way, she breaks down Materialists (starring Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans) and why movies keep trapping women in false binaries between money and passion, stability and desire. Spoiler: the real power move isn’t choosing him, it’s choosing yourself. Funny, raw, and painfully relatable, this episode is for anyone who’s ever thought “if he wanted to, he would” and then realized capacity matters more than desire. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling tired, moody, or breaking out for no reason? We thought it was just burnout—until we tried Function Health. Function tracks over 160 biomarkers, including hormones, stress, Vitamin D, and more, to help users understand what’s going on inside. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.functionhealth.com/LOVELY⁠⁠⁠⁠. She’s back and she’s bringing the truth bombs! In her return to Love-ly, attorney, comedian, and Muslim Matchmaker star Yasmin Elhady sits down with Mehak for a hilarious, heartfelt, and brutally honest conversation about modern love. From dismantling silly dating “icks” to exposing overconfidence, Yasmin shares how self-trust, spirituality, and the “three A’s” attraction, admiration, and adoration shape healthy relationships. She opens up about protecting your energy, setting standards without closing your heart, and why confident women attract exactly the kind of partners they deserve. Whether you’re single, dating, or just here for the laughs, this one’s a must-listen. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling tired, moody, or breaking out for no reason? We thought it was just burnout—until we tried Function Health. Function tracks over 160 biomarkers, including hormones, stress, Vitamin D, and more, to help users understand what’s going on inside. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠www.functionhealth.com/LOVELY⁠⁠⁠. This week on Love-ly, Mehak sits down with Izz, a Haitian-born, Montreal-based Muslim woman with a story that’s anything but predictable. From growing up between cultures to converting to Islam in her 20s, Izz shares how embracing faith helped her redefine her self-worth, navigate heartbreak, and ultimately walk away from a year-long situationship. They get into the messiness of dating while trying to honor their values, what it means to set real boundaries, and why choosing yourself is the most underrated love story of all. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling tired, moody, or breaking out for no reason? We thought it was just burnout—until we tried Function Health. Function tracks over 160 biomarkers, including hormones, stress, Vitamin D, and more, to help users understand what’s going on inside. Learn more at ⁠⁠www.functionhealth.com/LOVELY⁠⁠. Why do so many emotionally available men still feel lost in the dating world? This week on Love-ly, host Mehak sits down with Kavitha Ajwani, founder of Dashing Date, to unpack the myth of the “nice guy,” modern masculinity, and why emotional depth is the new dating currency. Kavitha shares her deeply personal story of love and loss — and how it shaped her powerful, purpose-driven coaching approach that helps men form genuine, lasting relationships. Special Offer: Kavitha is gifting our listeners free access to her exclusive two-part masterclass, normally a paid program. You'll learn how to break out of Nice Guy Syndrome, embody “Kind King” energy, and confidently connect with women without the cringe. To access, DM our host’s name to @dashingdate on Instagram.  Tap play for an honest, heartfelt, and profoundly empowering conversation about dating, identity, and the courage to be seen. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling tired, moody, or breaking out for no reason? We thought it was just burnout—until we tried Function Health. Function tracks over 160 biomarkers, including hormones, stress, Vitamin D, and more, to help users understand what’s going on inside. Learn more at ⁠www.functionhealth.com/LOVELY⁠. Why is female pleasure still a whisper topic? This week on Love-ly, host Mehak sits down with Anna and Meredith Sweet from Tempt, a female-focused audio erotica app designed to close the pleasure gap and normalize intimate storytelling. From closed-door romance to steamy werewolf fantasies, Tempt offers a judgment-free zone for women to explore their desires on their terms. They dive into immigrant identity, intergenerational shame, and how romance novels are helping women reconnect with themselves and their partners. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whatthemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling tired, moody, or breaking out for no reason? We thought it was just burnout—until we tried Function Health. Function tracks over 160 biomarkers, including hormones, stress, Vitamin D, and more, to help users understand what’s going on inside. Learn more at www.functionhealth.com/LOVELY. In this episode of Love-ly, host Mehak sits down with Leanne Yau, British sex and relationship educator and the voice behind @polyphiliablog, to unpack the nuances of polyamory. From her first open relationship at 17 to living non-hierarchically with multiple partners, Leanne shares her journey, debunks common misconceptions (like “polyamory is just for people bad at monogamy”), and explains terms like relationship hierarchy, relationship escalator, and relationship anarchy. Whether you’re monogamish, poly-curious, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers a thoughtful and judgment-free look at how we define love, connection, and commitment. You can find Leanne's content on YouTube (@PolyPhilia) and Instagram (@polyphiliablog). Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whatthemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com. Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Hyphenly,  our new newsletter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com This week’s Love-ly episode is a real one—like, voice-memo-real. When listener and freelance podcast producer Teja Pallikonda reached out with a recent dating story, we knew we had to share it. It starts like a modern fairytale: hours-long phone calls, a dreamy first date, and the kind of potential that gets you hopeful. But then… came the slow ghost. Excuses. Cancellations. Confusion. Teja brings receipts — literally. She plays us the actual breakup voice memo she sent this Hinge man (yes, he heard it, and now so will you), and unpacks what it taught her about communication, self-worth, and managing dating anxiety. Our host, Mehak, offers her hot takes on why she never gives strangers the benefit of the doubt, and what it means to set standards in the age of soft boys and disappearing acts. Romance, realness, and voice notes? Hit play. Hosted by: Mehak @whathemehak on TikTok and @whathemehak_ on IG Producer: Saadia Khan and Shei Yu | Content Writers: Mehak | Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Love-ly Theme Music: Lou Raskin | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover art design: Josephine Chai | Executive Producer: Saadia Khan  Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  Don’t forget to subscribe!  If you want to share your thoughts about this or other episodes, reach out at info@immigrantlypod.com  Follow us: @immigrantlypods (IG) |@immigrantly (TikTok) Love-ly is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices