ROOH (Rising Over Obstacles and Healing)

Why does the word "compromise" often feel like a threat to our identity? In this episode, Monica and I sit down to unpack the messy, beautiful reality of finding middle ground. We explore why so many of us—especially as South Asian women—find it hard to bend. Is it because we never saw healthy compromise modeled for us growing up? Or because we’re afraid that giving an inch means losing ourselves...

In our community, we’re often told that love happens after marriage—like it’s a switch you just flip once the gold jewelry comes off. But for today’s guest, that switch took work, intention, patience, and a whole lot of heart. Whether you call it arranged or love, Alka is here to tell us how she built a romance on her own terms. After hearing her story, some of you may give arranged marriages a ch...

We vented about the ghosting and the '0 vibes' on our end last week—but what are the guys actually thinking? This week, we sat down with two single South Asian men to get the unfiltered truth about their side of the apps. We’re talking about the pressure to provide, the expectations, and why it feels like we’re all just swiping in circles. Just real talk and some much-needed perspective. Grab your...

Today on ROOH, we’re talking to two South Asian women in their 30s who are navigating dating in this digital jungle. We’re discussing why the pool feels larger, but the water feels shallower—and why, at the end of the day, your 'rich life' doesn't depend on a swipe. Grab your cha, tea, or coffee—it’s time for 10,000 Swipes, 0 Vibes!

As South Asian women, we’re often conditioned to keep our heads down and mind our own affairs. But with everything happening in the US right now—like the shooting of Alex Peretti—it’s time we finally speak up. Posting stories on IG to create awareness is a great start, but in this episode, Monica and I talk about what should come next. We’re diving into how we can move past the screen and collecti...

Does a designer label actually change how you feel about yourself, or are we just buying into a standard that wasn't built for us? This week, Monica and I explore the high-stakes world of luxury consumerism and the pressure to "keep up." We’re looking past the price tags to discuss why material highs are so fleeting—and how to reclaim a sense of worth that social media can’t touch. You'll want to...

This week, Jyoti and Monica celebrate Lohri and discuss why the secret to a better year isn't just a resolution—it’s recognizing our worth, setting firm boundaries, and maybe adding a little more fiber to the mix. Come for the light-hearted sisterhood; stay for the big ideas that will empower your healing journey in the new year!

Have you ever made a choice—about your career, your relationship, or even your outfit—not because you wanted to, but because you were afraid of what "they" would say? In this episode of ROOH , Jyoti and Monica take a deep look back at the past year and the invisible shadow that follows so many South Asian women: the "Log Kya Kahenge" (LKK) Syndrome . We’re peeling back the layers on why we priorit...

Desi weddings have evolved so much over the years. This week, Monica and I take a trip down memory lane to talk about the simplicity of weddings back in the day and what truly mattered then versus now. Despite all the changes and the pressure for extravagance, we discuss why it’s so important to not lose sight of what actually counts: connection, honoring your vows, and the union of two people. We...

This week on ROOH, Monica and I are turning the microphone on ourselves and getting super real about the stuff we usually just talk about with our guests. We're "walking the walk" on vulnerability and sharing our own private struggles—everything from the chaos of career changes to that constant feeling of needing to balance everything as modern women. We also dive into how social media messes with...

Hey ROOH fam! This week, Monica and I are dishing out some sweet, sweet career truth with the incredibly inspiring Simmy, owner of 12th Avenue Bakery. Simmy skipped the typical South Asian career path and went all in on French pastries—but with a delicious, Indian-spiced twist. We're talking cardamom, rose, and saffron everything! This is a totally candid, light-hearted chat about what happens whe...

Welcome back to ROOH! This week, Monica and I are tackling a huge, and often complicated, topic for South Asian women: life in a joint family household . We know it's tough. Living under one roof often means balancing immense love and tradition with a real lack of privacy, which can definitely lead to stress and cultural trauma. We're going to get pretty honest about the daily struggles—from manag...

Guess who's back?! After a long hiatus, Monica is officially back in the ROOH studio, and we're neighbors again! In this week's chat, we’re diving into what it was actually like moving out of the big city, where Monica disappeared to, and how we finally ended up back in the same place. It's a fun, honest banter session about change, new chapters, and giving ourselves permission to just go for it....

Let's get real about one of the most difficult topics to talk about in the South Asian community: divorce . The stigma surrounding separation can feel paralyzing, but silence doesn't serve anyone. On this episode, we're cutting through the shame and sitting down with Matrimonial and Family Law Attorney Ravi Cattry ! Ravi gives us a foundational, no-nonsense look at what it actually means to initia...

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes brief mention of suicidal thoughts. If you need help, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately. Please listen with care. This is it: the powerful final chapter of Sandeep's journey! She's been through the absolute most—a devastating arranged marriage, being disowned by her parents, and a painful second divorce. In this episode,...

The monster is finally out of Sandeep's life, she is now left to give birth to a baby by herself, grapples with suicidal thoughts and has to pick up the pieces of her life. As soon as she starts to gain some independence and try to find her own happiness, she is basically kicked out of her home. A quick note for listeners: This episode discusses difficult topics, including a brief mention of suici...

[CW: Explicit discussion of physical abuse and marital rape] Hey, ROOH listeners. This is the intense second chapter of Sandeep’s journey. In Part 2: Arranged to a Monster, Sandeep shares the devastating truth about her marriage, detailing the relentless physical abuse and sexual violence she suffered. She walks us through those darkest, most isolated moments, showing us exactly what it took for h...

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 suggest...

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 fin...

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 oka...

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 stren...

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 y...

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...

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,...

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:...