American Born Chatty Desis (A·B·C·D)

Journey with me and my mom, Marlon Najam, as we trace our family's footprints from India to America. This is a tale woven with excitement, anticipation, and heartfelt decisions. Remembering my mother's youthful dreams of living in Canada, her love for Leonard Cohen, and the sacrifices made to give her children a life in the U.S, we paint a vivid picture of our transition. Our episode is...

Does the thought of a Hollywood without writers give you the creeps? This episode is sure to keep you on your toes as my co-host Omar Najam and I take a critical look at the ongoing Writer's Guild of America strike. We'll tackle the tough issues - from the stark reality of managing a creative career in Hollywood, to the pressure studio heads are under. You'll gain deep insights into...

Don't you just love how certain beloved characters from childhood can influence our cultural identities? Let's discuss Apu from The Simpsons and how this character shaped us. We take you through our journey of growing up with Apu, addressing issues, controversies and sharing some personal anecdotes about navigating through racist situations. We also introduce a fresh new segment, 'S...

Who knew gaming and desi culture could mix so well? On today's episode, my co-host Omar Najam and I, Sandeep Parikh, bring you a delightful combination of fun, culture, and gaming — like a hot, steaming plate of Biryani with a side of controller. Picture the scene: my hands clutching a gaming controller, Omar's voice providing a lively commentary, and between us, an intense debate — who&...

Remember the magic of growing up in a multilingual household? Join me and my special guest host, my mom Marla Najam, as we stroll down memory lane, navigating the linguistic labyrinth of our home, with English reigning supreme, giving way to Bengali during family visits. We also tackle my own attempts at learning Hindi in college - a journey filled with more than a few bumps in the road. Delve int...

Can you believe it? One of our stand-up clips has officially gone viral with a staggering 1.4 million views on Instagram! Join me, your host Omar, my co-host Tom, our technical director Delvin, and special guest Tom Deepari as we ride this rollercoaster of virality. We'll be navigating the often rough waters of cultural identities, and of course, we'll be introducing a new segment called...

Hola, food enthusiasts! Ready to have your taste buds tingled and your culinary curiosities piqued? Tighten your apron strings as we whisk you away on a flavorful adventure, decoding the cultural significance of South Asian cuisine. From the comfort of family meals to the nostalgia of missing a favorite dish, we dish out our food-related memories, and their influence on our cultural identities. We...

Join us, your spirited ABCD co-hosts, as we embark on a hilariously enlightening journey of self-discovery and navigating the cultural labyrinth of being Indian-American. From exploring the art of walking the tightrope between two diverse cultures to unmasking the intricacies of identity, we offer a uniquely unfiltered perspective. All while throwing in some good old-fashioned humor, because what&...

Get ready for a heartwarming chat with the acclaimed actor and writer, Parvesh Cheena. This episode is a trip down memory lane as we talk about his journey in the acting world, working in popular shows like Outsourced, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, and even taking exciting ventures into the Star Wars universe with The Mandalorian. From his early days at the celebration theater on Santa Monica Boulevard to...

Hold onto your headphones, folks! Are you ready to tackle some hard-hitting topics as we navigate the intricate maze of our identities, and get knee-deep into what being a team player truly means? We promise you'll leave with a deeper understanding of yourself and your teammates as we explore the power of effective communication and empathy in the world of sports and beyond. Ever heard of Kab...

Have you ever wondered how your cultural identity shapes your view of intimacy and relationships? Let's embark on a fascinating journey as we navigate through the intriguing world of diverse cultural identities, and dissect the intricacies of intimacy within these. Our conversation begins with a rich comparison of traditional North American and South Asian weddings, providing insightful glimp...

Ever felt that uncanny sense of being a misfit, a diaspora caught in the crossfire between Bollywood and Hollywood? Ever wondered why you chuckled at Disney's marketing stint for Jack Frost? Or pondered over the snowfall in Los Angeles? That’s our world – a confusing blend of American and South Asian identities. Join us as we unpack these complexities in an engaging discussion, shedding light...

Ever had your heart pound and palms sweat at the thought of performing in front of a crowd? You're not alone. Join us as we unpack our battles with stage fright, revealing our hiccups in taming this beast and how we've managed to find solace in breathing exercises and a shift in intentions. We promise to offer you a deep-dive into performance anxiety, giving you the tools and tips to ove...

Ready to kick-start the year with a sense of freshness and organization? Well, strap yourselves in! We're diving straight into the tranquil world of bullet journaling, examining how embracing inefficiency can actually be beneficial. You'll learn how to structure your days while keeping in mind that what works for Instagram influencers might not necessarily work for you.  But hold on to y...

What would you choose - the comforting flicker of a candle or the twinkling magic of Christmas lights? Buckle in as Omar and I, your hosts, unpack the heart of this festive debate, float through World Cup stories, and drop into the fascinating rabbit hole of New Year's resolutions. Weaving in energetic updates and our shared disappointment about missing a New Year's bash, we give you a f...

Prepare to be taken on a whirlwind tour as your hosts Omar, Sandeep, and their special guest, Jasmine, navigate through a diverse array of topics. Jasmine, a game master, writer, and streamer, brings in her expertise to add depth to our eclectic conversations. We talk about everything from the delicate art of balancing life, work, and inner criticism, to the thrill of football fandom in Kerala, In...

Picture yourself at a holiday party, the room abuzz with chatter. Now imagine you're in the corner, laughing heartily over the idea of a man-bat metal band and discussing the pros and cons of telling your kids about Santa Claus. That's the kind of wild ride we're taking you on in this latest episode. We're also digging into the pressures and joys of holiday gift-giving, reminis...

Get ready to challenge your political assumptions as we dissect the recent elections and the ripple effects they could have on our democracy, with nuanced insights from Mushtaq Gunja of the American Council on Education. We promise an engaging conversation that digs into the absence of the anticipated "red wave", why this could be a cause for optimism, and the emotional factors that may...

Ever wondered how it feels to juggle between two cultures while growing up? Make way as your hosts Omar and Sandy take you through an engaging journey of being American Born Confused Desis (ABCDs). This episode throws light on the bittersweet experiences of being an ABCD, the constant pull between cultures, and how this shapes our unique perspectives. We share delightful anecdotes and hilarious en...