Sense of Self

What does it take to stop living the life you were handed and start building the one you actually want? In this episode of Sense of Self, Dr. Gowri Aragam sits down with Erin Gums, certified coach, breath work guide, and founder of Tap Into Your Wellspring, for one of the most honest, courageous conversations this show has ever hosted. Erin grew up in Oakland, California, the child of a Black fath...

Trigger warning: This episode contains open discussion of a suicide attempt, alcohol dependence, self-harm, and sexual assault. Please take care of yourself, if you choose to listen. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You are not alone. Jyoti Chand grew up the youngest child and only girl in a Punjabi immigra...

Pooja Bavishi grew up knowing exactly who she was at home. Gujarati Jain, deeply proud of her heritage, fluent in the language of her culture and her family. But the moment her family moved from an inclusive tight-knit community in Pennsylvania to Charlotte, North Carolina, something shifted. The world around her didn't accept her fully, and for years she couldn't fully explain why. In this episod...

KJ is the nickname she chose, the armor she built, the stage she never stopped standing on. But behind the confidence and the cultural commentary and the perfectly matched lipstick is Kristen: the middle child who felt like the ugly duckling, the founder who nearly didn't make it out, the mother whose daughter became her reason to keep going. In this episode of Sense of Self, Dr. Gowri Aragam sits...

Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa walked into plastic surgery residency as one of the most confident women she knew. The eldest daughter of Indian immigrant feminists, a person who had never once questioned her own capability. And then the system got to work. In this episode of Sense of Self, Dr. Gowri Aragam sits down with Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa, double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, micros...

"I was completely externally focused. Who likes me? Who is accepting me? Who's giving me attention? I did theater. I was on stages. I was very externally focused." - Janis Vogel Growing up mixed-race on Martha's Vineyard, filmmaker and coach Janis Vogel became a master of reinvention - transforming herself from skater to "homie" to clueless wannabe, all in pursuit of acceptance. But it wasn't unti...

Trigger Warning: The following episode contains discussion of sexual abuse. For 20 years, Chilean filmmaker Francisca Alegría carried a secret that shaped every relationship, every creative choice, and every moment of self-doubt. The sexual abuse she experienced at age six became a "dark well" that she thought would define her forever. Today, she's an internationally recognized filmmaker, soon-to-...

Sometimes the hardest job becomes your greatest teacher. Sumbul Siddiqui never expected that becoming Cambridge's first Muslim mayor would force her to confront the bullied child she once was - or that leading through COVID would become the ultimate confidence-building experience. In this raw conversation, she reveals how public service became an unexpected form of therapy, teaching her to trust h...

Discover Hetal’s powerful journey of self-discovery, identity, and resilience in this episode of "Sense of Self." Growing up in a large immigrant family in Bloomfield, New Jersey, Hetal navigated the complexities of cultural differences, love languages expressed through food, and the challenges of forming friendships in a predominantly white environment. Join hosts Gowri and Hetal as they delve in...

In this conversation, Dr. Kayla Shabre, a clinical psychologist, professional choreographer, and former cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers, shares her journey of self-discovery, Kayla shares her journey from heightened body awareness in her teenage years to becoming a competitive cheerleader for the 49ers while pursuing her psychology studies. She discusses the impact of her athlete mindset,...

We made it to the finale of our first season, and it's a really good one. We had the opportunity to do a deep dive into Shay's journey of self-discovery and transformation. A first-generation Nigerian immigrant and doctor, Shay shares her powerful story of breaking free from the expectations and pressures placed upon her by her family, society, and herself. Shay opens up about the impact of racism...

Ria Tobaccowala, a former Google employee turned screenwriter and director. Ria shared her journey of self-discovery, starting from her childhood in Chicago to her experiences as a primary caregiver for a loved one. We delved into how she navigated being an outsider after a traumatic incident in high school involving photography and law enforcement. Ria also discussed her path to rediscovering her...

Cierra Glaude , also known as “ Shooter ,” Cierra is an accomplished director and filmmaker from Mobile, Alabama . She initiated her career under the guidance of Ava DuVernay , beginning with a role on the film Selma . Cierra’s passion for filmmaking ignited during her tenure at the University of Alabama, where she was instrumental in launching the Black Warrior Film Festival , an experience that...

Joy Melody Woods Bennett, Ph. D. is a scholar and strategist in interpersonal communication that empowers brands, organizations, athletes, and creatives of color to cultivate impactful cultural capital . Outside of work, she dedicates her time and expertise to advocating for Black women and reproductive health . Through speaking engagements at conferences, consultancy work for various organization...

Welcome to Sense of Self, a podcast where we explore the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what happens when those stories stop working. In this episode, I had the privilege of chatting with Akemi Look , a multi-talented actor, producer, and writer based in Los Angeles. Akemi's journey is one of resilience, healing, and self-discovery. We delved into Akemi's childhood, where she share...

Sense of Self invites listeners to reflect on their own self-narratives and explore the forces that shape their identities. Through these conversations, we hope to inspire listeners to embrace their true selves, question the stories they tell themselves, and embark on their own journeys of self-discovery. A note from our host Dr. Gowri Aragam: I had the privilege of exploring the stories of women...