Desi By Default

Dishita Y. Patel

Welcome to a space where we engage in deep, honest conversations about the untold experiences of South Asians living in America. This podcast is your invitation to join me as we peel back the layers of tradition, culture, and the unspoken struggles we face in a world that often feels like it’s caught between two identities. From societal pressures to the desire for self-expression, we’ll break down generational barriers, challenge norms, and spark dialogue on the issues that affect our communities. Tune in and let’s start this journey of breaking silence—together.

Episodes

  1. 24 July

    Two Voices, One Me

    You know the voice. The phone rings, it's an unknown number, and suddenly — "Hello, this is she." Who is that? This episode is about code-switching: the work voice, the family-function voice, the one that only comes out around your parents, and that reflex where you change mid-sentence because someone walked past your desk. Is it fake? Is it fluency? And why is it so exhausting? Follow the show and leave a rating if this one hit home.

  2. 18 July

    The C Doesn't Stand for Confused

    They call it the "C" in ABCD — confused. But what if you were never confused at all? This episode digs into the label so many of us grew up hearing, sometimes from strangers, sometimes from our own parents. We get into where "confused" really comes from, why adapting to the culture around you was never the same as abandoning your roots, and how that same fear gets pointed at everyone — the kid born here and the person who moved here and keeps hearing "don't forget where you came from." Here's the truth underneath all of it: adapting isn't confusion, and that word usually says more about someone else's fear than it does about you. So claim your identity back. However your mix looks — 100%, 50/50, whatever it is — you get to build your own values, and no one can take that from you. You are not confused. You are loved, needed, capable — and exactly enough. Follow the show and leave a rating if this one hit home.

  3. 10 July

    My Kem Cho Counts Too

    Been told your Gujarati sounds "too white-washed," or that your mother tongue isn't "proper" enough? This episode is for you. We get into the guilt and identity spiral of speaking your heritage language your own way, the question of whether your "first language" is the one you were born into or the one you actually live in, and why — however you say it — your kem cho counts too. Follow the show and leave a rating if this one hit home.

  4. 1 July

    Taking My Name Back

    New name, same badass. After three years away, Desi by Default returns with an episode about names — why we let people get ours wrong, and how to stop. Say it again, louder.

  5. 19/10/2023

    Shattered Reflections

    Beauty standards vary across cultures, and South Asia is no exception. Our diverse region has its own unique set of ideals, often perpetuated by media, traditions, and societal expectations. Let's break down these standards and how they've evolved over time.

  6. 25/01/2021

    Deeply Rooted: Self-Worth

    In this episode, we dive deep into why self-worth is so focused on image and what that does to us externally and internally.

  • 6 Episodes

About

Welcome to a space where we engage in deep, honest conversations about the untold experiences of South Asians living in America. This podcast is your invitation to join me as we peel back the layers of tradition, culture, and the unspoken struggles we face in a world that often feels like it’s caught between two identities. From societal pressures to the desire for self-expression, we’ll break down generational barriers, challenge norms, and spark dialogue on the issues that affect our communities. Tune in and let’s start this journey of breaking silence—together.

Information

  • Creator
    Dishita Y. Patel
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dishita Y. Patel
  • Show Website
    Desi By Default