ROOH (Rising Over Obstacles and Healing)

Get ready to pull up a chair for a deeply personal story. This week, we’re kicking off a huge multi-part series with our guest, Sandeep. She came to the U.S. when she was just a little kid, and from day one, the pressure was intense to stay totally true to her Indian roots, which meant living under a super strict household while trying to grow up American.For Sandeep, "no dating" wasn't a suggestion—it was the law. So when her folks found out she was just talking to a guy? That was it. They packed her bags, flew her straight back to India, and suddenly, she was being married off to a total stranger.This first part of her story is all about that rigid upbringing and the absolute whirlwind of a forced wedding that changed her life overnight. Tune in, because trust us, you need to hear this one and realize you are so not alone.

Ever feel like your South Asian parents just couldn't say "I love you," or talk about what they were really feeling? You are definitely not alone! This week on ROOH, Sharin and I are sitting down to get honest about that emotional wall many of us grew up with. We’re discussing why that lack of openness is so common—maybe it’s connected to intergenerational trauma—and sharing exactly how we can finally stop passing that unexpressed love down to the next generation. It’s time to break the cycle and teach ourselves how to feel and talk about it all.

This week on ROOH, Sharin and I are talking about the comments that sting. You know the ones—the ones that are supposedly "just a joke" or "meant well." We'll be tackling those seemingly harmless remarks that cut deep, especially when they're about your weight, your career, or your family. Join us as we unpack the hidden harm in these words and share our stories, reminding each other that it's okay to feel hurt and that your feelings are valid. Let's create a space where we can heal from these everyday wounds, together.

This week on ROOH, we're talking about the lasting effects of a toxic marriage. Our guest shares her story of growing up with parents who stayed together for appearances, only to divorce and send her away at a young age. She opens up about how that experience shaped her, leading to anxiety, a habit of people-pleasing, and abandonment issues.But this isn't a sad story. It's about finding the strength to heal from the past and intentionally build a better, happier future on your own terms.

Get ready to dig in to a seriously good conversation! In this week's episode of ROOH, we're sitting down with the incredible Meena Singh, a nutritionist who has been helping people for over twenty years. We're talking about how food, love, and the pressure to eat everything on your plate intersect in South Asian culture. Meena is sharing tips for a healthier, happier you, proving that nourishing your body doesn't mean giving up on your favorite flavors. So, grab a cup of chai and get ready to rewrite your relationship with food, one story at a time.

In this episode of ROOH, I sit down with my mother-in-law for a heartfelt conversation about happiness across the generations. We reflect on what brought her joy when she was growing up, and how the definition of happiness has changed over time. We also dive into the pressure to always want "more" in today's social media-driven world and what it truly means to find lasting contentment. Join us as we explore the wisdom of a woman who has found profound peace in life's simple joys.

Hey, ROOH family!This week, we're sharing a really tough but important conversation. We're joined by a guest who bravely shares her anonymous story about something that happened to her as a kid—being inappropriately touched by a trusted adult.This is a story that, sadly, so many of us can relate to. We talk about how hard it is to speak up in our culture, how to heal from that kind of betrayal, and why it's so important to remember you're never, ever alone in your struggle.Heads up: This episode talks about sexual abuse and might be hard to hear. Please listen when you're in a good space and take care of yourself. If you need support, there are resources listed below.Resources:RAINN: 1-800-656-HOPENational Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPEThe Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI)

On this episode of ROOH, we're talking about a difficult but important topic: why we often stay silent when we've been wronged. Monica and I share personal stories about when we froze and stayed silent instead of confronting the perpetrator, and we'll explore the complex emotions behind that silence—from fear to societal pressure. We'll end the episode with a powerful message for a new generation: a "golden biscuit" on how we can empower our daughters to be strong, independent, and always ready to find their roar.

Ready for a glow-up? This week, we're diving into the world of skincare with Dr. Rimy Grewal, a fellow South Asian woman and medical aesthetics expert. From the turmeric masks our grandmas swore by to the latest clinical treatments, she's breaking down what works, what doesn't, and how to get that radiant skin you've always wanted. Get ready for an honest, no-filter chat about all things desi beauty.Dr. Rimy Grewal can be contacted at rimyg@thelouisvilleaesthetics.comSunscreen recommendations: https://www.laroche-posay.us/our-products/sunscreen/tinted-sunscreen/anthelios-mineral-tinted-sunscreen-for-face-with-spf-antheliosmineraltintedsunscreen.htmlhttps://www.ourself.com/products/mineral-sunscreen-broad-spectrum-spf-50-copyhttps://eltamd.com/collections/100-mineral-active-ingredients/products/uv-pure-broad-spectrum-spf-47

In this inspiring episode of ROOH, we sit down with an incredible guest who proves it's never too late to chase your dreams. For 30 years, she followed her family's wishes and worked in a "safe" career, all while dreaming of joining law enforcement. At the age of 48, she decided it was finally time to answer that call. She'll share her journey of taking the grueling exam, facing failure multiple times, and ultimately passing to become a police officer. Get ready to be inspired by her story of resilience, the power of belief, and how she manifested her dream into reality, proving that your passion has no expiration date!

This episode of ROOH features a candid conversation with my sister-in-law, Ritu, who grew up in an all-girl South Asian family. We dive into what that was like, especially in a culture that often treasures sons. But here's the cool part: Ritu shares how her unique upbringing actually made her and her sisters super independent and helped them truly see their own value. It's all about changing the conversation for South Asians—showing that daughters are a total blessing and parents who have them are incredibly lucky.

In this candid and heartfelt episode of ROOH, Monica and Jyoti dive deep into the nuanced experience of growing up Indian-American/Canadian. From navigating cultural expectations and straddling two distinct worlds, to the often humorous and sometimes challenging journey of forging a unique identity, they share personal stories of how their dual heritage has profoundly shaped who they are today. Join them as they explore the impact of tradition, assimilation, and finding belonging "in-between" — a conversation that's relatable, insightful, and perhaps, still a little bit "confused" in the best possible way.

Ever felt like you're constantly being compared to a sibling? In this episode, Monica and I, both the oldest in our families, chat about how we ended up being more "by the book" while our younger siblings were off having adventures. We even have Monica's sister, Priya, join us to share what it was really like being the youngest and constantly measured against Monica. Our big takeaway? It's time to stop the comparisons and let everyone just be their awesome, unique self.

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into ROOH! This week, Monica and I are getting really personal. We're opening up about something that deeply impacted both our lives: our fathers experiencing heart attacks. What's truly striking are the vastly different outcomes, and what we learned about symptoms that go way beyond the typical chest pain. Stick around, this is an important one for us South Asians. Truly the one episode you don't want to miss!

Ever feel like there's a huge unspoken thing in our South Asian homes? We're diving deep into anxiety – that silent struggle many of us face but never really discuss.In this episode of ROOH, we're joined by Shahruma, a fantastic South Asian Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She'll break down what anxiety actually is, especially how it shows up in our community. More importantly, Shahruma shares real, tangible steps you can take right now to manage it. It's time to talk, understand, and start healing. Tune in to find your calm.

In this heartfelt episode, Monica and I open up about our personal journeys through the often-unspoken realities of the fourth trimester. We're diving deep into our experiences after childbirth, sharing the joys and challenges of breastfeeding, from those initial struggles to finding our rhythm. We also candidly discuss navigating the emotional rollercoaster of the postpartum blues, offering a raw and relatable look at finding your footing as a new mom. Tune in for an honest conversation about nurturing yourself while nurturing your little one.

Courageous Kaur: Charting a Path with Understanding and CourageJoin us as Sharin, a truly Courageous Kaur, shares her inspiring journey of making brave, unconventional choices that often defied traditional Desi norms. Discover how she navigated these decisions, not just with immense courage, but also with deep understanding, forging and maintaining a beautiful, strong relationship with her family, even as she consistently pushed boundaries.Link to Courageous Conversations: https://shop.beacons.ai/sharinwhitty/c61a50e6-c4f8-4154-ae53-c9b3e8eb26b4Use Coupon Code "ROOH" to get the guide for free!

"Where Faith Found a Family: Neetu's Path to Motherhood" on ROOH is all about Neetu's incredibly tough but ultimately heartwarming journey to becoming a mom. She shares the raw truth about the many struggles and heartbreaks she faced while trying to have a baby. It's a deeply personal and inspiring story about perseverance, faith, and finally achieving her dream of motherhood after a lot of trials.

Join Monica and me on ROOH as we look back at the big move that brought us to NYC many years ago. We share the raw truth about the culture shock of landing in a sprawling city so different from our hometowns. But amidst the chaos, we found each other, forging an unbreakable bond. If you've ever moved somewhere new, faced the unexpected, or wondered how lasting friendships are made, this episode is for you. Discover how embracing the unknown and keeping an open mind didn't just lead to a new home, but a lifelong friendship. Tune in for a relatable story of unexpected connections and finding your tribe!

Join us for a super real chat with Sonia! She shares her incredible story of falling in love and marrying her husband, even when "love marriage" was a big no-no in the desi culture. Get ready to hear about the challenges she faced, the wild ride she experienced, and all the wisdom she gained along the way. It's a tale of love, defiance, and finding your own path!