Strange Flavors

Incase you decided to do yourself a favor and stay off of social media the last week, Will and Jada Smith have popularized the word “entanglement” from a sticky situation. And speaking of sticky, apparently everything around us is made of cake! In this Strange Exchange, we kick back to answer some of your submitted questions and catch you up about what we’ve been up to, including finding out that...

Many people wait for opportunity to come to them but few march straight into the admissions office at their dream school and take it. That may be very specific but that’s exactly what our stranger today, WAJEEH WEST (Wajeeh Mahmood) did when he “flipped the switch” to manifest his goal. Wajeeh has created quite the following for himself on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram but we look beyond that tod...

Fame is not as rare to acquire anymore with more and more social media apps letting anyone have their shot to shine. The rare part is finding someone who knows how to handle it. Our stranger this week, IMRANYE, is a TikTok star especially popular amongst the Muslim community for his hilarious videos as a “relatable imam.” He talks to us about navigating the foreign territory of internet fame while...

Many people live for the weekend, few think about going hard on Monday. Our stranger this week, ATIF ATEEQ, may have had his business come to a temporary halt during the coronavirus pandemic, but it doesn’t stop him from innovating and adapting to the climate every day. Atif is the founder and creative director of a content production studio called HAPPYMONDAY. We talk to him about working with th...

Immigrant stories are becoming much more popularized in America all thanks to a group of people who started a cultural revolution in music and arts. Our stranger this week, HASEEB, talks to us about the impact that African-American artists had on finding his own passion for music and writing. We also talk about growing up as a desi in Southern California, the success of his album "Growth," touring...

As a “Bollywood fanatic, tandoori chicken connoisseur, king of trivial matters, and self proclaimed love doctor,” he may be a popular face in the South-Asian social media sphere, but that doesn’t mean he gets any passes from Bollywood big-shots or Twitter itself. We sit down with our creative friend SALMAN AKA CHAI PAPI to talk about his not so politically correct views, bizarre experiences in Sau...

A young Queens native is making room for his name on the ballot as he uses his cultural and educational background to be a voice for an often unheard community. Our stranger this week, MAHFUZUL ISLAM, talks to us about starting a tasty street food group called Jhal to help Bengali mothers, New York’s current COVID-19 situation, running for New York State Assembly at just 28 years old, and much mor...

After he was eliminated in the first round of Netflix’s “Next in Fashion,” ISAAC SAQIB faced lots of backlash and criticism for his approach and behavior on the show. He explains what went down behind the scenes of the reality TV show and how he deals with the ongoing hate as a result. We also talk about his inspirations, making masks during COVID-19, and future plans for his brand Mercy X Mankind...

What separates an “elite” brown person from the “utter garbage?” There’s a list going around on brown Twitter of famous South-Asian people and we are dissecting what the criteria is. Our friend, Ayyan joins us to talk Ramadan 2020 in isolation, the GOAT debate resurfacing after Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” documentary series, and much more! This is the 109th episode of Strange Flavors, brought to...

Men are supposed to eat meals and not appetizers or desserts, according to this Twitter user. On our 4th quarantined episode of Strange Flavors, we’re talking about classic Disney shows, independent artists thriving in lockdown vs struggling industries, post-corona changes, and much more. This is the 108th episode of Strange Flavors, brought to you by Alif Theory. _________________________________...

While everybody is stuck in quarantine, it’s no surprise that apps like TikTok, Netflix, and YouTube are being used to keep us entertained. Our med-student friend Aleshba aka Muffy joins us as we talk about some of the best content coming out during this time and some of the biggest flops. This is the 107th episode of Strange Flavors, brought to you by Alif Theory. ________________________________...

Now that we’re all here together in this COVID-19 global pandemic, let’s figure out the best approach to getting through it. Our friends who specialize in mental health and biology join us to talk about the best practices while in quarantine along with what to avoid. We also give perspective on what it’s like for introverts/extroverts to be going through this, traditional 9-5 workers vs. people in...

We’re coming to you AND each other virtually this week because even if you live under a rock, you still know the impact the coronavirus has had on the world. We’re breaking down the reactions, the facts, and all the conversations happening around COVID-19. We’re also hitting topics about awkward encounters and the strain of social media on mental health and career choices. Amber returns from Hawai...

Let’s go back to the root of what makes hip-hop “fun” and cool.” Our stranger this week, EMAN THE HEARTBREAK, is an artist who has used heartbreak in his life to channel vulnerability into his music. We talk to him about growing up in a Nigerian home filled with cartoon/anime inspirations, his vision to shed a little light and a lot more love to his hometown with his colorful raps, and much more!...

Did you know that there’s a gum you can give to cure people of Islamophobia? Well…no, not really, but it is a funny campaign created by the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) to poke fun at the current state of Islamophobia in this country. Our stranger this week, DR. ZAINAB CHAUDRY, is the Maryland Director for CAIR along with being a civil rights and political activist. She tells us ab...

Being pulled into the military industrial complex at a young age can be a traumatic experience, especially after living a troubling childhood. Our stranger this week, CHRIS, is a war veteran who watched his parents struggle with heroin and abusive relationships before putting his body on the line for nationalistic beliefs he would later question. He talks to us about the mental impact of war, how...

What happens when you are in a different country and suddenly have to partake in a funeral of a different culture? Our stranger this week, LANAEA C. FEATHERSTONE, is probably one of the best equipped people to handle a situation like this. Lanaea runs an award winning nonprofit with her husband which helps educate and integrate immigrant communities. She is a well traveled executive helping to bri...

On the 100th episode of Strange Flavors, we sit down to talk about some of our favorite memories, biggest regrets, and take on all the sweet and spicy questions you guys sent in. We’re also announcing the winner of the giveaway so listen to see if you won! This is the 100th episode of Strange Flavors, brought to you by Alif Theory. _____________________________________________ Email Us / Send Musi...

A couple of bizarre life experiences could definitely have you questioning your purpose on Earth. Our stranger this week, HADI aka POLOMAN, is the “cool uncle” who has saved a life and seen some taken away in front of his eyes, been in the middle of an ISIS attack, and even seen Putin’s underwear. He talks to us about how connecting to people around traveling the world, finding confidence, the tro...

A private celebrity chef gives us his favorite and least favorite cultural cuisines. This week, ONE PAN PAPI aka Munchy Luciano, shares how cooking helped him fight his inner struggles and find his calling. We also get him to tell us some of the top celebrities he’s cooked for, give us his take on famous chefs, pick his brain about turning a passion into smart business, and much more! The Strange...

What is life like for a white American who decides to get up one day and spontaneously move to Japan? Our stranger this week, PHILIP ROSZAK, tells us all about what it takes to adjust to a totally different culture and system of life. We also discuss funny language situations, finding love in Japan, the crazy foods and candies, and much more! The Strange Squad talks about drugs, cougars, the thing...

Is it really a problem if you find something attractive about every person you ever encounter? Our guest this week, ANASTASIA ZACK, is a Russian party host who tells us about her passion of spreading positivity amongst people of all backgrounds and cultures. She shares what it was like to be on her own since she was 15, being a singer/songwriter, and much more! The Strange Squad talks about being...

Not only that, but he is a skydiving, fire-spinning attorney taking on Trump! Our strange this week, PETER DENNIS, is an ordained minister, a lawyer in Washington D.C., and heavily involved in the Burning Man scene. Peter has been actively trying to educate people and get the attention of congress to open an impeachment inquiry on Donald Trump after the official documents he took the time to read...

A pretty awkward situation unfolded in Amber’s love life after her date heard something she said on the podcast. But let’s continue getting ourselves in trouble by answering questions you guys sent in! Plus, what finally made Faras breakout and cry?! Did Drake deserve getting boo’d off stage, T.I. taking his daughter for virginity tests, Kanye’s religious awakening, and much more! *** NEW merch wh...

After getting past high school cliques, the trend of separation seems to continue into college when we exclude exchange students according to one of our listeners. On this Strange Exchange, we discuss fear of foreigners in school and marriage. In the midst of #WorldMentalHealthDay, we talk about the Sandy Hook Back to School commercial and Sesame Street tackling difficult topics for children. We a...