Third Culture Heart

In this first episode of Ami & Amal Series, we reflect on the meaning of individual freedom - انفرادی آزادی - and what it actually looks like in everyday life. Through a mix of personal observations and cultural conversations, we explore how freedom is experienced differently depending on where you grow up, the expectations placed on you, and the relationships you navigate. From the dramas we watc...

A tiny needle changed my life for several weeks (potentially months) but it also changed my perspective. In this episode, I reflect on the unexpected lessons that came from injury: why health isn’t a straight line, how every season of life requires a new definition of “normal,” and why comparing your injured self to your healthiest self only leads to frustration. I also talk about the incredible i...

Last week on June 5th, a routine day took an unexpected turn when a simple step led to a minor accident, emergency visits, uncertainty, and eventually surgery. In this episode, I share the full story, from the accident itself to the emotional rollercoaster of navigating pain, medical appointments, and recovery.

How was my Eid? Why is my thyroid suddenly acting dramatic? And why do so many of us immediately reach for the phone when we’re upset? In this episode, I share my Eid reflections, talk about my experience with hyperthyroidism, and explore the connection between emotional suppression and physical health. I also dive into emotional regulation - how to handle big feelings without turning every friend...

In this episode of Third Culture Heart, we talk about the versions of ourselves we often judge the hardest; the ones that were simply trying to survive. Why do we emotionally shut down during difficult seasons of life? Why do some childhood memories feel blurry? Why do we keep moving the goalpost instead of celebrating our achievements? I open up about my own coping mechanisms, the fear of fully e...

Special Episode with my friend, Amber. This week, I sat down with Amber to talk about the messages we absorb in childhood; the ones that make us hesitate, avoid, shrink ourselves, or automatically say “no” to experiences before we even give them a chance. We unpack how past experiences shape the way we move through life, often without us even realizing it, and how those experiences can become the...

In this episode, I start with something light but very real - my “weather FOMO” and the pressure I feel to make perfect use of good days. But it quickly opens up into something deeper: my relationship with emotions and intuition. I talk about how disconnected I used to be from both; how I was taught to ignore what I felt and override my inner voice in the name of being “practical” or “logical.” An...

In this episode, I talk about what sense of home and belonging looks like for expats. I also talk about something many of us grew up with but rarely unpack: body shaming in South Asian culture. From childhood comments that stick with you, to the pressure around beauty, weight, and marriage potential, I reflect on how these ideas that are passed down and normalized. I also share my own experiences...

In this first episode, I will be sharing a brief intro about myself 👋🏻 I will also be sharing something I’ve been learning the hard way; that emotions don’t come one at a time. You can feel grateful and lost. Loved and lonely. Happy and still… a little sad. We’re so used to labeling feelings as “good” or “bad” that we end up fighting parts of ourselves instead of understanding them. This episode...