Brown Game Strong

In this episode, we sit down with Shahili, co-founder of The Design Collective; a space dedicated to Sri Lankan and South Asian designers. In a world where we want to shop homegrown more, but often wonder whether it's even affordable, The Design Collective is here to challenge our preconceived notions about slow fashion. The best part is that you can catch them in person this week! The Design...

In this episode we sit with Sai, one of three co-founders (Sai, Utkarsh and Sachit) behind Rahasya Fragrances, a brand born in Singapore, rooted in India, and slowly making their mark around the world. As it turns out, Rahasya means mystery, not just in Sanskrit, but in Bahasa too; a celebration of the multiple cultures that have shaped their lives. Whether it’s delivering their fragrances in dabb...

In this episode, we sit with Akhil Patel, founder of Amala Chai, a London-based chai brand built on his grandmother's recipe and a mission to bring authentic masala chai to the UK. We talk about how what started with a trip to the Himalayas has since grown into a brand serving chai across six stalls in London, serving two Prime Ministers, working directly with farmers across India, and this Octobe...

In this episode we sit with Nikita Dawda, self proclaimed Chief Avocado Officer and co-founder of Omega Pressery, a cold-press oil brand bringing Kenyan avocado and macadamia oils to UK shelves. In this episode, we talk about growing up in Kenya, building a business with your spouse, the reality of successfully pitching to retailers such as Waitrose, the impact of seeing success arguably a little...

In this episode, we are joined by Mishika Narula and Srisruthi Ramesh, founders of Brown Girl Bookshelf, during their recent trip to London. We talk about how what started as a passion project has since grown into a global community of over 40,000 readers, all united by a love of literature and a curiosity to discover a diverse range of stories. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction(02:35) How Brown Girl...

Today we sit with Anshu Ahuja, the founder of DabbaDrop, to explore how she took inspiration from the traditional Dabbawala system to cater to a modern, busy but conscious audience. We talk about how over the past 7 years she has spent building a 7-figure values-led meal delivery business rooted in culture, community, and sustainability. (0:00) Introduction(5:00) Anshu’s childhood and upbringing(1...

In this conversation, we welcome Niki Mahon, founder of jewellery brand NIKITA. Fourteen weeks into her pregnancy, she offers some of her most candid reflections on a decade of entrepreneurship. Niki reveals the evolution from spreading herself thin across every aspect of her business to embracing the ‘inch wide, mile deep’ philosophy - focusing on what truly drives returns in a product-led enterp...

Creative director and choreographer Bhavini Jagpal, founder of Bespoke the Company believes that movement should be for anyone and everyone. We deep dive into her early days as the eldest of three sisters, her experience training and performing with dance companies in London since the age of 16, and the gaps she noticed in the industry that she has made it her mission to fill through her company,...

In this episode, we sit with Vinay Jobanputra, the founder of Bollyqueer, London’s first fully gender non-conforming Bollywood dance company. They discuss the origins of Bollyqueer, the intention behind creating inclusive dance spaces, and the balance between loving Bollywood films and holding the industry accountable. Vinay reflects on his early experiences with dance, navigating gender norms, an...

In the third episode of our Mumbai series, we sit down with actress Vedika Pinto, widely recognised as “that girl from that music video”, the iconic Liggi by Ritviz. You might remember her gallivanting through a haveli in a bridal lehenga, the morning after her wedding, while her new husband lay asleep. In just a few minutes of screen time, her effortless charisma and presence made many, myself in...

In the second episode from our Mumbai series, we sit down with Namrata Soni, one of India’s most celebrated makeup artists and the creative force behind some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic looks, from Main Hoon Na to Aisha and beyond. In this conversation, Namrata opens up about her two-decade journey in beauty and film, and what it took to fight for her place in Bollywood at a time when women were...

In this episode, we sit down with Sana Javeri Kadri, founder and CEO of Diaspora Co., the single-origin spice company reimagining what an equitable, decolonised spice trade can look like. Growing up in 90s Bombay in a mixed-heritage, progressive family, Sana witnessed firsthand the power of food and culture in shaping identity. After moving to the U.S., she uncovered the lack of transparency in th...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Rathika Marsh, aka The Spiritual Psychologist, whose work bridges psychology, spirituality, and embodied healing. With over 17 years of experience, she left behind a traditional psychology career to create her own transformational framework, helping people step into radical responsibility, faith, and freedom. We dive into her spiritual awakening journey, what it...

How do you make sense of the complexities of your mind to build a life where you thrive and prioritise yourself? In this week’s episode, we sit with Soni, a third culture kid who grew up in Gran Canaria, moved to the UK for university and work, and at 31 made the decision to move to Australia by herself. She joins us to unpack the unspoken hierarchy of ‘adulting’ - study, work, marriage, kids, and...

In this wholesome episode, I sit with both the Founder and Director of Storytelling of Surmeyi, Manasvi and Sathvika, during their recent visit to London. Surmeyi is known for its storytelling and thoughtful craftsmanship, but few know the voices of the women who power the brand. Both Manasvi and Sathvika are dear friends, and we had the joy of collaborating with them on our very first pop-up in J...

To kick off our BGS Mumbai series, introducing someone whose work you have seen before you've met him. Siddharth Sharma is the founder of House On The Clouds, the iconic editorial wedding photography and filmography team behind the stunning soft photos under the sun you saw from Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s intimate wedding at their home.  Rejecting the term ‘celebrity weddings’, he chooses inst...

One of my personal idols growing up, Juhi Pande, sits with us in this wonderfully reflective episode to talk about her eclectic career as a TV host, presenter and VJ on Channel V, and what exactly prompted her to leave that career and make the move from Bombay to London. We dive into the highs of early media life (casually interviewing the likes of Rakhi Sawant and Sanjay Leela Bhansali as part of...

In this episode, we sit with Heleena Theodore, also known as Heleena Tattoos. In her first ever in-person podcast interview, she shares with us what it was like being one of the first South Asian, Gujarati tattoo artists for miles, how she didn’t feel accepted in the community of tattoo artists, how her work has been pivotal in shaping the face of cultural appropriation in this industry in the UK....

We sit with Henika Patel, founder of the School of Sensual Arts and author of Sensual. We dive into the themes of her new book, learning that mindfulness is actually a Western packaging of Eastern practices, we learn about the true essence of Tantra beyond its westernised lens, and how we can start to embrace and process big emotions through practical methods such as breathwork. Henika shares her...

Meet Amaan, the 21 year old visionary behind the disruptive jewellery brand Basliq. He recently launched an official collection at Bloomingdale’s for Wicked The Movie—a collaboration that stemmed from a chance encounter with Cynthia Erivo (the actress who plays Elphaba in the film) at the Loewe store on Bond Street, leading to an unexpected friendship. Amaan shares with us how he’s built his brand...

In this episode, we sit with Nina, the first South Asian woman to be crowned Miss America in history. This year, she celebrated 10 years since being crowned, and we spend some time reflecting on those days as well as discussing all the advocacy work she now does to help women embark on their self-love journey.  When Nina became Miss America, it never occurred to her that she would face immense bac...

Celebrating our 50th episode and 10 years of Sedoso aka Silky being a social media creator, this girly, lighthearted and Bollywoodpan-filled conversation was one of the most fun this year.  To be the first to get updates on new episodes, please do give us a subscribe or follow!

Sravya is an award winning illustrator and art director who places a huge focus on impact and activism in her work, particularly around topics involving mental health. In this conversation, she shares her experiences as a third culture kid of Telugu descent having grown up in Hong Kong and how she has infused those experiences in her artwork. From having designed for Coachella to Ariana Huffington...

In this conversation (featuring an adorable furry friend) we sit with Avisha, the founder of Friendsline, a UK based charity that for the past 10 years has been running mental health, mindfulness and yoga workshops for women and girls in India and Nepal who have faced gender-based violence. Avisha has tirelessly worked on this initiative for the majority of her 20s, and now having stepped into her...

This week we sit with Sreesha, the founder of Shop Lune, a contemporary jewellery brand based in Mumbai and Goa. If I told you that her designs have been worn by Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif to name a few, and she has not spent any money on PR, would you believe it? Having grown up as a South Indian in Goa and lived across Pune, Bangalore, London, Birmingham and no...