Middle Fingers Up

We sit down with celebrity makeup artist and CEO, Christina Flach, to explore her philosophy of "Beauty from the Inside Out." Christina shares her insights on self-care, mental health, and finding joy in life, reminding us that true beauty starts with how we treat ourselves. From her personal routines like discipline, waking up early, and food preparation to her hard-line stance on what...

Grab your chai or favorite comfort snack and join me for our new segment, It’s Good to Gup Shup. In this edition, we’re embracing a new way to deepen our connections and explore personal stories, struggles, and insights. Gup Shup is a Punjabi term for gathering with friends and loved ones for real, honest conversations—sometimes light-hearted, sometimes deep, but always genuine. It’s also a chance...

Today we are thrilled to welcome a very special guest, Urmi Hossain. Urmi is Bengali by blood, Italian by birth, and now resides in Canada. She’s a leader in the financial services industry, a self-published author, speaker, blogger who is deeply passionate about women’s empowerment. Urmi recently published her book, Discovering Your Identity, where she opens up about the challenges of growing up...

Welcome Dr. Anne Hussain, a renowned naturopathic doctor and period literacy advocate, to discuss the often-overlooked aspects of menstrual health and education. Dr. Hussain, the author of The Period Literacy Handbook and founder of The Period Literacy School—an online platform dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge to better understand and manage their menstrual health—brings her...

MFU Podcast is all about you, our amazing listeners. We have had enough feedback now to know you're  curious to learn more about the host. That's why we're flipping the script in this special episode and I am the guest! Join us as we bring you a gem from the Bruvcast podcast. I had the incredible opportunity to be their guest as they interviewed me.  As you recall we had them on Mid...

In this thought-provoking episode of Middle Fingers Up, we sit down with Madison, the host of the podcast Bloodstained, to explore the deep-seated issues that shape our understanding of history, racism, and the power of words. Madison, known for her deep dives into the dark history of slavery and colonization through a true crime lens, brings a fresh perspective to the conversation, taking us back...

Today, we go on a journey of music, representation, and mental health with the talented Sonya Pittalwala, a South Asian woman who is courageously pursuing her dreams of singing in New York City. Together, we explore her experiences growing up in North America, the challenges of breaking into the arts world, and the crucial importance of representation for underrepresented communities. In addition...

Today we sit down with Anusha, a dedicated Mental Health Therapist based in Dallas, Texas, and co-host of the podcast "Talk South Asian to Me." I first discovered Anusha through an insightful comment she made on a post by a fellow South Asian mental health advocate, and after looking her up, I was impressed by her commitment to supporting South Asians with issues like anxiety, guilt, and...

Part Two of a Three-Part Series: Newlyweds and Their First Year Together as a Married Couple In this series, we are following a couple's journey through their first year of marriage. The first year can be incredibly challenging, even for couples who have been together for a long time before getting married. The wedding often takes precedence over the marriage, leaving couples to navigate a my...

Today we sit down with Dr. Shazma Mithani, a dedicated ER doctor from Edmonton, Alberta. Dr. Mithani shares her journey into medicine, the story behind her educational platform on social media, and her mission to improve health literacy. She discusses the critical role of health literacy in preventing unnecessary ER visits and the importance of being critical consumers of health information, espec...

Today, we're thrilled to sit down with Alfred Kainga, the 2023 Breakout Comedian of the Year, who has been making waves in the comedy scene from Zimbabwe to Dallas. I had the privilege of catching Alfred's show here in Calgary and was blown away by his wit and genuine presence. I laughed so hard I knew I had to reach out and meet the man who had the entire theater laughing from the momen...

Today we are thrilled to welcome Neha, the founder of Ninja Nari, a platform dedicated to celebrating South-Asian roots and empowering women. This conversation came at a pivotal time for me, as Neha and I explore the complexities of navigating multiple identities and the responsibilities of discussing race. We also discuss the work upon us as POC to learn how to speak up in these situations and ma...

In this special episode, I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to sit down with my very first male role model, the person who has influenced my understanding of male relationships at every stage of my life—from girlhood, through young womanhood, to womanhood. I am honored to welcome to the podcast, my Papa Varinder Singh Randhawa a South Asian immigrant. Together, we reminisce about his...

In this episode, we welcome back Doreen, who previously joined us in Episode 17. During her first appearance, Doreen shared her experiences as a first-generation Canadian navigating body image, diet culture, and finding self-love in her 40s. Today, we’re thrilled to have her back to talk about what has been on our minds lately. Episode Highlights Life in Your 40s: Doreen reflects on turning 40 and...

In this episode I sit down with the hilarious and insightful Grand Komanda, a Nigerian comedian making waves in Calgary. Grand shares his journey into comedy, highlighting the highs and lows of performing on stage. He discusses the role of comedians as social commentators and the endless possibilities in delivering a single joke in countless ways. Together, we explore important themes such as ment...

This episode features Sunny Chopra, host of the 'South Asian Healing Podcast.' Sunny dives into the challenges faced by South Asian men regarding mental health and well-being.  We explore the impact of cultural expectations and intergenerational trauma, while offering tips for fostering open communication and healthy boundaries. The conversation today includes: The unique struggles of So...

In this compelling episode, we welcome Harjeet Kaur, who confronted a rare and aggressive cancer with extraordinary courage and determination.  Diagnosed with stage IV Subcutaneous Panniculitis T-cell Lymphoma at 32, Harjeet battled through immense challenges, including isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the stigma of cancer in her South Asian community. Harjeet's journey isn't j...

In this special dedication to mothers, we are excited to have Hira, a first generation immigrant imparting her valuable perspectives. This installment celebrates the resilience and perseverance of mothers who have immigrated, drawing inspiration from Hira’s personal journey and her gratitude for her own mother’s silent sacrifices—a common thread among many immigrant mothers. We look into the compl...

In this episode, we sit down with Meg Khan, the visionary behind "Seen the Stories." We explore the  impact of storytelling and visibility, diving into how Meg's photography project amplifies the voices of those often left unheard. Meg shares personal insights, from her father’s journey from Pakistan to London in search of a better life to breaking inter-generational trauma through...

Join us for a much-needed conversation with Jeeti Pooni, a survivor, motivational speaker and author as she shares her remarkable journey of healing after trauma. Jeeti's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of advocacy. Alongside her sisters, she made history by confronting their abuser in one of Canada's highest-profile sexual abuse criminal cases....

In this episode  join us as we learn about the journey of Poonam Toor, the creative force behind Sugar Shimmer Bake Shop. From her roots in India to her thriving bakery in Canada, Poonam's story is a demonstration of the power of passion and perseverance.  As we uncover the layers of her journey discover how she has captured the hearts and taste buds of many with her delectable creations, par...

As I sit here reflecting on our 75th episode, I'm overwhelmed with pride and gratitude. I'm proud of the unwavering commitment from both our guests and our listeners, who come together week after week to engage, to listen, and to learn from each other's stories. And I'm grateful for the opportunity to create a space where storytelling isn't just valued—it's celebrated...

In this episode we have returning guest Kien. Together we explore the concept of self-identity, particularly as it intersects with body image and fitness.  Join us as we peel back layers of self-discovery, empowerment, and reclaiming one's narrative through the lens of Kien’s  personal journey. He shares his experience of navigating self-identity amidst societal pressures and expectations, es...

It all started from a text: Kiran: Any topics come up for you lately or you are hearing about? Aman:  The regret I have that I abandoned my culture.... Join us as we navigate the intricacies of identity, heritage, and the challenges of assimilation faced by many in the BIPOC community. Through candid conversations and personal anecdotes, our guests share their experiences of growing up in environm...

In this episode, we explore blind spots that often go unnoticed in both life and work, uncovering the nuances of cultural understanding in therapy. Our guest, an experienced therapist, shares insights on the importance of recognizing these blind spots and the utility of having an outside perspective. But the conversation doesn't stop there. We explore the critical aspect of choosing the right...