The Brown Girl Podcast

In this episode, Julie and Sonya Patel, host of Your Big Sis! Podcast dive into all things friendships and maintaining adult friendships.    We discuss the following:  Friendship Breakups and our personal stories, what led to the breakups, how they unfolded, and how we feel about them now. Outgrowing Friendships: What are the signs that a friendship is no longer serving you? Pet Peeves in Friendsh...

In this episode, Julie and sustainability expert Shila Wattamar dive into practical steps for living sustainably and discussing how our daily choices—from fashion to food—impact the planet.  Topics explored: Introduction – Meet sustainability expert Shila and learn what inspired her sustainability journey. Why Sustainability Matters– Simplifying sustainability and why it's critical today. How our...

In this solo episode, we dive into: The podcast's return after a long break Julie's reflections on being recently engaged  The importance of embracing your single years Differences between dating in your 20s vs. 30s Perspectives on biological clocks and fertility testing Dating non-negotiables and Pre Nuptial Agreements  Balancing privacy and authenticity on social media while navigating relations...

In episode 54, Julie speaks with Arshiya Kherani.  Arshiya is a Leadership Coach who partners with rising leaders with hyphenated backgrounds through her program, Niyah Coaching. She is a storyteller & entrepreneur at heart, and is a Co-Founder at Potluck Stories, an LA-based community organization that hosts monthly interactive storytelling events that amplifies underrepresented voices.  Tune...

In episode 53, Julie speaks with Jenova Juliann Pryor on her Blindian relationship journey.   Jenova, a Malayalee Indian American, and her husband, Denzel Pryor, became an internet sensation after their wedding video — showcasing Denzel reciting parts of his vows in Malayalam — went viral in 2022. In this episode, we discuss Jenova's upbringing and cultural community How she met her husband Wh...

In Episode 52, Julie chats with Sonya Patel, host of  Your Big Sis podcast.   We discuss all things dating faux pas and talk through various submissions from listeners of things that are immediate turn offs! We discuss vaping, confidence, table manners, bragging, infidelity, and more.   Thank you to our SPONSOR: Pajama Sutra , a South Asian owned loungewear brand on a mission to inspire women to l...

In Episode 51, Julie records a solo episode diving into 5 habits she adopted in 2023 that she will carry into 2024. Time Management Hacks - The Two Minute Rule and the Pomodoro Method Maxing out my 401k contributions and Increasing all my other general investments Nighttime routine  Blocking use of social media apps in the morning Normalizing delayed text messages Resources discussed: Download my...

In episode 50, Julie speaks with relationship coach Natasha Mahtani.  Natasha is a certified Relationship Coach and accredited Divorce Coach. Coming from a South Asian background and having lived in Liberia, England, Nigeria, Ireland, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan,  she understands the cultural nuances within relationships and more specifically, the limiting narratives and beliefs that surface in re...

In episode 49, Julie chats with fashion entreprenuer, Megha Rao,  founder behind the renowned Indo Western fashion brand,  holiCHIC by Megha .   In this chat, Julie and Megha discuss: Inception of creating holiCHIC while working a full time corporate job How she found her business partner and co-founder Making the transition from side hustle to full time business Pivoting the business in the pande...

In episode 48, Julie meets again with Shital Patel, known for her appearances on Indian Matchmaking (IMM) Season 2 and Season 3.  Shital originally came on our podcast in 2022 and I'm so thrilled to have her back today.  In this episode, Shital opens up about life post IMM Season 3. We mainly discuss the ending of the relationship that we saw on TV; what she learned through it, how she healed...

In episode 47, Julie meets with her Fall in MalayaLove (FIM) co-founder, Matt George to discuss details and behind the scenes of planning the first ever FIM Speed Dating event for Malayalee Christians. Tune in to hear Matt and Julie discuss the following:  Origin story and why they started FIM Initial fears or uncertainties regarding whether there would be enough interest Negative reactions or bac...

  In episode 46, Julie meets with her friend Rachel Varkey, also the host of the It's Fine Podcast with Rachel Varkey. Rachel opens up about her experiences with infertility and the various treatment options she underwent to pursue a path toward motherhood. We learn about: Rachel's background and desires for motherhood growing up Process she underwent with IUI and IVF and what you can expe...

Julie records a solo episode reflecting on the summer, featuring road trips, missing flights, and speed dating event planning.  She also discusses the concept of cohabitation before marriage, while sharing her own experiences and opinions.    Subscribe to our NEWSLETTER HERE GET IN TOUCH WITH US: Connect with The Brown Girl Podcast  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebrowngirl_podcast/ Connect with...

In episode 44, Julie chats with Annika Sharma.  Annika is co-founder and co-host of That Desi Spark podcast, one of the largest independently run South Asian podcasts in the world, which has led to appearances on the BBC, Forbes, and on a Spotify billboard campaign.  Annika is also an author and her debut romcom novel, “Love, Chai, and Other Four-Letter Words,” the first in the Chai Masala Club se...

In Episode 43, Julie chats w/ Arti Lalwani from Netflix's latest Season 3 of Indian Matchmaking. You might remember her from a quick appearance in Season 2, but now she's back and sharing even more of her story in Season 3. Tune in to hear Julie and Arti chat about: How the opportunity for Indian Matchmaking came up Arti's experience being on Indian Matchmaking and working with Sima Au...

In this episode, Julie chats w/ Bobby Seagull from Netflix's Indian Matchmaking Season 3.  If you watched the show, you know Bobby is filled with loads of enthusiasm and excitement for life, especially for the subject Math!   Prior to Indian Matchmaking, Bobby has appeared several times on British television, including the quiz show University Challenge and the BBC documentary series Monkman &...

In Episode 41, Julie chats w/ Aishwarya Balaji, founder and CEO of A Fresh Sip Aishwarya is a serial entrepreneur who is experienced and passionate about building businesses in alignment with personal values and  goals She is the CEO and co-founder of  A Fresh Sip,  which is an alcohol-free beverage platforms that allows people to easily discover and access non-alcoholic spirits, wines, and bevera...

In Episode 40, Julie speaks with Shilpa Cacho.  In this episode, we get raw and real on the topic of infidelity, divorce, eloping, and ultimately finding freedom and authentic living. We know these are highly stigmatized topics in the South Asian community. Thank you, Shilpa for sharing your story so candidly. Shilpa shares with us: her experiences going through divorce from her first husband the...

In Episode 39, Julie speaks with married couple, Shelly Sood and Nikhil Torsekar. Shelly Sood is an author, speaker, mother of 3, wife, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Untether Your Life. Her husband of 20 years, Nikhil, had suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder for two decades, leading to massive devastation emotionally, mentally, and financially. After becoming suicidal, and ultimately gett...

In Episode 38, we are delving into the journey of more trailblazing South Asians. Julie speaks with Tina Singh. Tina is an occupational therapist, digital content creator, mom of 3, and most recently, an entrepreneur. Tina's latest adventure is being the founder of Bold Helmets , a business that makes helmets for Sikh kids in mind to accommodate their hair.  Tina comes from a Sikh background...

In Episode 37, Julie shares her tangent thoughts on paid dating apps. Then she shares a few memorable online dating stories, including the time she got stood up,  got called a psycho, and had an interesting DM on Offer Up. Reference Episode 14 - Our Online Dating Scam Stories Connect with The Brown Girl Podcast on Instagram Connect with Julie on Instagram and Youtube Sign up for our b-weekly...

In this episode, Julie speaks with Matt George. Matt is the comedic genius behind the political satire comedy account @mallutrump! Matt shares his unique upbringing and then answers a Q&A from @mallutrump fans including: What led him to start the parody account The opportunities and connections that have come from the platform How he's dealt with negativity & hateful messages from the inte...

In episode 35, Julie speaks with Dee Gautham. Dee is the founder and CEO of The Boss Body Revolution, a health coaching company with a mission to help women transform their confidence through fitness and health. Julie and Dee discuss Dee's background and how she got into health coaching, why South Asians have a harder time adhering to fitness and nutrition, myths that exist around diet culture, an...

Julie records a solo episode reflecting on turning 32. She talks through some changes she's made in 2022, a few of her personal goals/intentions for 2023 , and also answers some of the questions submitted via IG question box. Questions include skincare routines, tips for maintaining weight loss goals into the new year, and what has surprised her the most about being a podcaster.  Subscribe to...

In episode 33, Julie talks with Renee Kar Johnson! Renee works full time in Product Management, is currently doing her MBA at the University of Chicago, AND is the founder and CEO of RKJ Designs, which is an Indo western fashion line that focuses on clothing that can be worn anytime but with a desi twist. In this episode, Julie and Renee talk about : Renee's background and upbringing as half Malay...