Faith & Chai

Join Kevin and Caroline as they unpack some of their favorite moments, learnings, and hot takes from season 3 of the Faith and Chai Podcast! Chai time!Credits:Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiHosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturekev)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Divya Putty & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

Grab your chai and listen to our convo with Grammy Award-winning artist Maryanne George!Maryanne is multi-faceted artist, Christian musician and songwriter. Maryanne grew up in New York, the child of Malayalee immigrants. She graduated from University of Missouri - St. Louis with her Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Afterwards Maryanne decided to pursue music full-time. She was a member of the Maverick City Music collective. In 2021, Maryanne recorded and released her debut EP, Not Just Stories. It was a culmination of her spiritual journey with Jesus and it charted nationally.Credits:Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiSpecial Guest: Maryanne George @maryannejgeorgeHosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturekev)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Divya Putty & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

In this episode we are talking with social media influencer Bilal Bhatti! Bilal is a Toronto-based culinary content producer and social media celebrity. Bilal has accumulated nearly 7.5 million followers and billions of views and impressions across his library of content. He draws his inspiration for recipes from his Pakistani heritage, often including members of his family in his content.Credits:Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiSpecial Guest: Bilal Bhatti @golden.gullyCheck out Bilal's forthcoming cookbook - Beyond MeasureHosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturekev)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Divya Putty & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

In this episode we welcome Taiba Zahir to the living room!Taiba is a Muslim Pakistani-American, born in New York and raised in Massachusetts where she currently lives. She did her undergrad studies as Boston University and completed a Masters of Public Health from George Washington University. She is currently an epidemiologist and the Global Health Coordinator at Butterfly Network and a Health Equity Advisor for the Maine CDC.Credits:Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiSpecial Guest: Taiba ZahirHosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturekev)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Divya Putty & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

On this episode we talk with Shreya Ramachandran!Shreya is a second generation, Indian American. She was born in Chennai and moved to the United States at the age of 2. She grew up in a Hindu family and became a Christian in middle school. She has a BA in Linguistics and is currently pursuing her MA in Theological Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary at the intersection of race, post colonialism, and Asian diaspora studies. Recently, Shreya published her first poetry book, Revival, reflecting on her journey as an Indian American Christian. Mentioned on Today's Episode:Check out Shreya’s poetry book! - RevivalBook recommendation from Shreya: Redeeming Mulatto by Brian BantumAre you a South Asian woman in the theology/biblical studies space? Hit us up in our DMs  @faithandchai to connect with Caroline and Shreya!Credits:Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiSpecial Guest: Shreya Ramachandran @shreya.faithHosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturekev)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Divya Putty & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

On this episode we invite Nabeela Iqbal to join us in living room! Nabeela is an activist in peacebuilding and works in the intersection of women’s rights and minority rights in Sri Lanka. She co-directs a civil society organisation for young Muslim women which she founded called Sisterhood Initiative. Her work for human rights is recognized by Amnesty International and the UN Youth Envoy as a young human rights defender in the face of the pandemic. Currently, she is pursuing her postgraduate studies in Human Rights at University College London as a recipient of the Chevening Award for 2023.Mentioned on Today's Episode:Sisterhood Initiative Credits:Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiSpecial Guest: Nabeela Iqbal @nabeelaxiqbalHosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturekev)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Divya Putty & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

We are back with SEASON 3! In this season we explore the question: What should I do with my life? Through candid conversations with guests from various South Asian faith backgrounds, we uncover the profound impact that faith and culture have on our understanding of purpose. Our guests share the journeys that led them to where they are today. We talk about societal pressures, family expectations, and cultural norms while expanding our imaginations about what to do with our lives.On this episode we chat with Dr. Monica Bodd. Monica is the child of South Indian immigrants, and was born and raised in San Jose, California. She did her undergrad at Rice University, studying anthropology and global health. After she went to Duke for Medical school. While at Duke she also completed a MTh at Duke Divinity with a focus on liberation + disability theology as it relates to our care of persons with facial disfigurement. Currently she lives in Palo Alto and is doing a Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery residency at Stanford.Mentioned on Today's Episode:Monica Bodd: Strengthening my Vocation to Health CareBooks: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul KalanithiThis Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us by Cole Arthur RileyAfter Virture by Alasdair MacIntyre Credits:Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiSpecial Guest: Monica Bodd @monicahimaaniHosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturekev)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Divya Putty & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

Comedian Hasan Minhaj says "Immigrants love secrets." Our hosts discuss the propensity for South Asian families to keep secrets and what impact protecting the family's honor has on our identities. Enjoy the last episode of the season with a cup of chai as we spill the South Asian tea! Credits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline LancasterFollow us on instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity @intervarsity.sa

Depression and mental illness are real but more often than not South Asian communities can ignore or deny those realities. Join our hosts as they discuss their experiences with depression in college, what they feared their parents would think and how their view of mental health has been shaped by time, culture and faith. Plus, during our biscuit break find out who ran for student council to hide being sad. Mental Health Resources: *Check your college's mental health office for local resources that are FREE to students. *South Asian Therapists Directory -  southasiantherapists.org *Asian Mental Health Collective -  asianmhc.org *Chicago + Denver-based South Asian Therapist -  https://optimumjoy.com/ruth-nathaniel/ *Books from a Christian perspective about inviting God into your mental health journey -  https://www.ivpress.com/browse/resources-for-mental-health  Mentioned on Today's Episode: *The Silence About Mental Health in South Asian Culture Is Dangerous:  https://newrepublic.com/article/122892/silence-mental-health-south-asian-culture-dangerous  Credits: Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian) Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex Waters Design: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster Follow us on instagram @faithandchai Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity @intervarsity.sa

What happens when we decide to leave our South Asian family's faith to practice another? Join our co-hosts as they welcome SPECIAL GUEST Divya Putty for a vulnerable and honest conversation about the challenges, beauty and healing that can come in navigating this major social stigma in the South Asian community. For more info about the South Asian InterVarsity Support Network mentioned on today's episode visit: https://www.southasianintervarsity.org/south-asian-support-network.htmlCredits:Special Guest: Divya Putty (@divya_putty)Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline LancasterFollow us on instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity @intervarsity.sa

Remember the last time your parents told you stay out of the sun? Grab your cup of chai and let's go there! Fair and Lovely creams to clouds of talc powder, South Asian women vs men's experiences of colorism, and how faith intertwines it all. Caroline and Kevin dive deep into the prejudices towards having darker complexion in the South Asian community. Also, find out what biscuit our hosts think best resembles their complexion! Credits:SPECIAL THANKS to Khayali (Kevin's sister).Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline LancasterFollow us on instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity @intervarsity.sa

Join Kevin and Caroline as they dissect dating and marrying outside of their South Asian communities. Laugh along as they process how their families responded, the role faith played, gender dynamics and how they navigated this major "what will people think" moment.Credits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline LancasterFollow us on instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity @intervarsity.sa

Welcome to SEASON 2 of the Faith and Chai podcast! Whether its an exam, a class, or some other aspect of life, failure hits deep for South Asians. Join our hosts as they process their fails in light of their ethnic and faith journeys and how failure elicits the big question of this season: "What will people think?".Credits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline LancasterFollow us on instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity @intervarsity.sa

Make yourself a cup of chai and join us for this special BONUS episode of the Faith and Chai Podcast! We’ll be hearing a spoken word poem, submitted by one of our listeners reflecting on her South Asian American cultural and faith journey.  Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa) Check out the lyrics to the poem:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AtlvkkoTpvGo_Z4iaI6uRUH_9r3e9QiEEcIEmaAbgzw/edit?usp=sharingCredits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

You know that aunty that asked you this at every family gathering. Caroline and Kevin dive in to every South Asian family’s favorite cultural expectation: marriage. From arranged marriages to interracial dating, they reflect on how they navigated this season of their lives. Also, don’t miss out on a chance to cringe hearing about their worst dates during this episode’s biscuit break. Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Go Deeper:ARTICLE - Seen Yet Unseen: Singleness as a South Asian Womanby Maureen Mathewhttp://thewell.intervarsity.org/reflections/seen-yet-unseen-singleness-south-asian-womanCredits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersTheme: Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

Hear Kevin and Caroline unpack how their faith differs from what they inherited from their parents, experiences with those of other faith backgrounds, and which family member fell asleep at obligatory family religious gatherings?Follow us on Instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Credits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersTheme: Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

The South-Asian experience as it relates to family is simultaneously complex, messy, and beautiful. We carry our family's voices and opinions with us even when we’re apart and can affect us in ways that we are not often aware of. Kevin and Caroline talk about these dynamics and the impact on their lives. They also share honestly and vulnerably about both the pain and reconciliation they have experienced with their families. Brought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Follow us on Instagram @faithandchaiCredits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersTheme: Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

Family expectations, personal career aspirations, and faith convictions collide in this very REAL conversation about the seemingly simple question, "What do you do?" Listen in as Kevin and Caroline discuss finding our sense of worth at the intersection of all these. Plus, hear how Kevin scored on the quiz: "How close are you to achieving the South Asian American Dream"Take the quiz: "How Close Are You To Achieving The South Asian American Dream!?" - https://www.buzzfeed.com/carolinesusie/how-close-are-you-to-achieving-the-south-asian-ame-c9psrrbc7c?bfsource=bfocompareoffShare your results on our Instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa) Credits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersTheme: Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

Remember the last time someone asked you this and how you felt? How does location affect the South Asian experience? How does faith affect our understanding of home and "place"? In this episode of Faith & Chai, Caroline and Kevin talk about how they've experienced this question and what it taught them about where we find a sense of home.Follow us on instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Go Deeper:The Gift of Gershom: God's Call to the Alien Experienceby Ritu Singhhttp://thewell.intervarsity.org/reflections/gift-gershom-gods-call-alien-experienceBook referenced in episode:Beyond Homelessness: Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacementby Brian J. Walsh and Steven Bouma-PredigerCredits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersTheme: Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster

Why are two white people hosting this podcast? Hear Kevin and Caroline process their "white-sounding" names in light of their South Asian identities and navigate the tension of cultural insecurity, history, and faith that arises in our names. Follow us on Instagram @faithandchaiBrought to you by South Asian InterVarsity (@intervarsity.sa)Credits:Hosts: Caroline Lancaster (@carolinesusie) & Kevin Wilson (@crossculturechristian)Production: Arul Karunanidhi, Kyle Lee & Alex WatersTheme: Alex WatersDesign: Lisa Matsui & Caroline Lancaster