Between Friends: Conversations with Maitri

Welcome to Policy Matters, a quarterly presentation from Maitri Policy Advocacy, where we discuss public policies that shape the prevention, intervention, and overall attention to domestic violence within our communities. In our Fifth presentation of Policy Matters, we will be addressing the intersections of gun violence and domestic abuse, a policy priority for Maitri. Zakia Afrin leads the polic...

In this insightful episode, Simi Markar, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, joins our host, Nandini Ray, to explore the realities of couples counseling and partner relationships. What exactly is couples counseling, and when should couples consider seeking support? What are the early warningsigns of a toxic or unhealthy relationship? How do family interference, cultural expectations, and tra...

In this powerful episode, Jagbir Kaur Kang joins our host Nandini Ray to share a story of extraordinary strength and resilience. Facing domestic violence, uncertainty of the future, and self-doubt, she refused to give up and transformed her pain into a journey of growth and renewal. From surviving to thriving, Jagbir now uses her voice to uplift others. In her book Blooming Through the Cracks, she...

Chains and Strength: Women in Bengali Literature In this podcast episode, Zakia Afrin and Nandini Ray of Maitri come together for a heartfelt conversation on the portrayal of women in Bengali literature. Drawing from their favorite short stories, novels, and poems from both Bangladesh and India, they explore how women characters have endured inequality and oppression while also embodying courage,...

Policy Advocacy: Part 4: What every domestic violence survivor & advocate should know about Artificial Intelligence. In our fourth Policy Matters presentation, we interview Adam Dodge, founder of EndTAB.org, about what every survivor and advocate should know about Artificial Intelligence. This episode was curated by the Maitri Policy Advocacy Program and facilitated by Smitha Chandrasekhar, a...

South Asian Men in the Gender Justice Movement: Did you know that in 2023, over 51,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or family members? (UN Women) Violence against women is often seen as a “women’s issue”, but it’s not! Since most acts of gender-based violence are committed by men, men must also be part of the solution. In this episode of the Maitri Podcast , we...

In this Maitri podcast episode, Chanchal Garg opens up about the spiritual and sexual abuse that shook her identity and forced her to confront a life shaped by duty and sacrifice. She courageously shares her journey of personal transformation—unearthing hidden truths that have been buried under cultural obligations, spiritual trauma, and the silence often expected of women. This moving conversatio...

As a new school year begins, thousands of students arrive on campus full of excitement and possibility. But alongside that hope lies a difficult truth: sexual assault remains a seriousissue on college campuses nationwide. In this episode, we sit down with Smitha Chandrasekhar, Alex Fu, and Shreya Vishwanath to discuss why awareness matters, how students can support one another, and the steps neede...

With Menaka Iyengar Cooke – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient. From surviving domestic violence in a foreign land with no family support…to becoming an award-winning social justice activist, author, and HR leader. In this powerful episode of the Maitri Podcast , Menaka Iyengar Cooke shares her extraordinary journey of post-traumatic growth . Her story is a reminder that while the roa...

This episode focuses on the cultural conflicts between South Asian parents and their children. Whether it’s clashing over career choices, dating, emotional expression, or even mental health itself, these tensions often leave deep emotional marks, sometimes even lead to abuse and violence. We’ll explore how intergenerational cultural conflicts affect our mental health, and what healing can look lik...

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re bringing you a powerful conversation that reminds us: our mental health is just as important as our physical health. In this episode, we shine a light on the often-unspoken emotional toll of unrealistic familial expectations, especially within in-law relationships. From subtle put-downs to emotional manipulation and controlling behaviors, these dynamics ca...

Welcome to Policy Matters, a quarterly presentation from Maitri Policy Advocacy, where we discuss public policies that shape the prevention, intervention, and overall attention to domestic violence within our communities. In our third presentation of Policy Matters, we interview Casey Swegman of Tahirih Justice Center on the prevalence of child marriages in the US and learn about the upcoming fede...

Join us for a powerful episode of the Maitri Podcast featuring Anisha Durve—survivor, author, and motivational speaker—who is dedicated to raising awareness against gender-based violence. In this compelling discussion, we uncover the red flags of abusive relationships, explore the critical role communities play in either enabling or preventing partner abuse, and highlight the resilience and healin...

Welcome to Policy Matters, a quarterly presentation from Maitri Policy Advocacy, where we discuss public policies that shape the prevention, intervention, and overall attention to domestic violence within our communities. In your Second Episode, we revisit the need for funding Domestic violence services in CA. Earlier in January of this year, Governor Newsom announced the budget for the upcoming f...

Domestic abuse isn’t just physical—it can also shatter a person’s financial stability. Financial abuse often goes unnoticed, yet it deeply impacts victims by limiting access to money, sabotaging financial independence, and creating lasting economic dependency. It’s a hidden form of control that can affect anyone, regardless of income or background. In this episode, we dive into this critical yet u...

Welcome to Policy Matters: A quarterly presentation from Maitri Policy Advocacy, where we discuss public policies that are at the heart of shaping the way prevention, intervention, and overall attention to domestic violence within our communities. In our first presentation, we look at the medical mandate of reporting domestic violence that has been in the minds of survivors and advocates alike for...

In this podcast, Nazeehah Khan, a sexual assault survivor, activist, and the founder of Restraining Orders Without Borders had an in-depth conversation with our host Nandini Ray. Nazeehah shared her ordeal, hopes, and how she transformed her pain into power. Listen to the episode here: Nazeehah Khan is the Founder of Restraining Orders Without Borders (ROWB), a national legislative campaign expand...

Statistics suggest that marital rape happens in 10-14% of all California marriages. However, the silence surrounding marital rape leaves many victims unaware that they can seek help. In this episode of “Between Friends” Zakia Afrin and Indira Chakravorty discuss Indira’s Article on Marital rape as a tool for domestic violence in the recently published “Khadr Dhare Ghor”/ an edited book of essays o...

Join Maitri volunteers Davinder Kaur Atwal and Arvinder Dhalla as they engage in a profound conversation that challenges widely-held perceptions about domestic violence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in breaking the stigma surrounding domestic violence, supporting survivors, and fostering a community culture that does not tolerate abuse. Don't miss this enlightening and e...

Presenting a special episode of the Maitri podcast in Punjabi! Join Maitri volunteers Davinder Kaur Atwal and Arvinder Dhalla as they engage in a profound conversation that challenges widely-held perceptions about domestic violence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in breaking the stigma surrounding domestic violence, supporting survivors, and fostering a community culture that...

Commemorating Women’s History Month! Tune in to our latest podcast episode where four South Asian women come together to discuss misogynistic behaviors and attitudes that we women face every day. From overtly offensive behaviors to subtle, normalized attitudes, we delve into the spectrum of experiences women face daily. Join us in identifying and confronting misogynistic attitudes and behaviors. T...

Are South Asian youth comfortable sharing their dating experiences with their parents? Do they receive enough guidance and support from their families in understanding the concept of healthy partner relationships? To discuss these questions we invited 3 South Asian youth community members. Hajra Usman, Sid Barathi, and Nidhi Satyagal joined us to shed light on the unique challenges South Asian you...

Female genital cutting/ mutilation has been recognized as a human rights violation by the World Health Organization. This topic is highly controversial due to its roots in cultural and religious practices so we should have multiple conversations to have community awareness around it. To discuss how we can end this oppressive practice and bring positive social change, we invited Mariya Taher, the c...

Mariam Azimi, a survivor with her courage and resilience not only paved her future with safety and dignity, but also gave support, guidance, and emotional confidence to many survivors that they needed after suffering from domestic violence. Mariam has been working relentlessly to break the stigma of divorce. In this Maitri podcast episode, Mariam shares her journey and hope. Mariam Azimi is the fo...

We invited Yasmin Azad, the author of Stay, Daughter on our podcast to talk about her experience and reflection on the dilemmas that Muslim women faced and are facing in balancing the rules of orthodox Islam with the freedom and innovations of the modern world. Fahria Khan, our Donor Engagement Manage had an in-depth conversation with the author. Please listen to the episode here! Yasmin Azad  gre...