The Indian American Experience Podcast

Bindia
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

In our country, Indian Americans are a group that defies being painted in one stroke, be it in political/ideological leanings, definition of identity, or perception of their place in society. So, why not then hear directly from a diverse group of Indian-Americans, or desis, their experience, through light-hearted, casual conversations, and see if we can find common threads, maybe shed some myths, and hear some interesting stories! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience

  1. 06/13/2025

    50: Tribeca Festival Spotlight: PINCH: Uttera Singh’s Powerful Take on Feminism and Culture

    Send a text On this podcast we have been talking about preserving the wonderful Indian values of prioritizing family, education, respectfulness and such virtues but we have not talked enough about the other side of Indian society such as women being objectified and finding themselves vulnerable and up against many obstacles when it comes to asserting their freedom and sometimes matters relating to something as basic as their personal safety. The film Pinch that debuted at the Tribeca Festival took it on. The film also marks the directorial debut of Uttera Singh who also wrote and starred in it as the lead.  The film’s final screening at the Tribeca film Festival will be on Saturday, June 14. According to IndieWire the film is a searing commentary about sexual harassment and the perils of letting it go unchecked. Uttera Singh takes on a small piece of this big topic, delivering not only a gripping and nuanced narrative but an astutely told directing effort. I asked Uttera about her experience making the film, her future aspirations, and how her background growing up in a small town of India, Indore, played into it. We also delve into her perception of Indian culture and what she misses most about life In India. Uttera Singh is surely one to watch. She lets her craft speak for itself, and her unassuming, sweet and humble demeanor belies the grit, courage, talent, and focus that she has exhibited through this film and her previous films. More about PINCH at https://youtu.be/fTyCaVm7S3M?si=qKgysj0t-BylWhQj @PinchTheMovie More about Uttera Singh at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4532052/ and https://www.instagram.com/uttera?igsh=MTkyYW0zY3pidHp5aA== Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com #UtteraSingh #tribecafestival #Pinchthemovie

    18 min

  2. 05/23/2025

    49: A Centenarian and his Son’s Reflections on the Indian American Experience

    Send a text In this unique episode I speak to two noteworthy people: Dr. Ratan Sinh Mehta, a centenarian, an amazing man who has left an indelible imprint on the lives of so many people in his life of 100 years and continues to be amazingly articulate, eloquent and a really good sport! He shares his wisdom and his priorities in the long life that he has lived as a brilliant cardiologist, neurologist and an overall disciplined, strong and inspiring man. I then speak to his son Deepak Mehta who epitomizes the Indian value of supporting and taking care of family over everything else and is already looking forward to being the steward of Indian heritage for his future grandchildren. It is an engaging, inspiring and a poignant story of a father and son stoutly living lives guided by strong Indian values, high ideals and gritty self discipline. Learn more about Dr Ratan Sinh Mehta’s life through these videos made to celebrate his milestone 100th birthday: https://youtu.be/ii8jHqypPBA?si=1l8Ujfx-fqga79ql & https://youtu.be/ii8jHqypPBA?si=dR_malcDdht7akdv Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

    38 min

  3. 04/16/2025

    48: Rashi: The Epitome of Compassionate Leadership

    Send a text In this podcast episode, I have a conversation with Rashi Livesey, an Indian American millennial pursuing a master's degree in social work. Rashi eloquently expresses her pride in her Indian heritage, discusses the challenges of maintaining her Indian identity in the US, and emphasizes the importance of embracing cultural roots while acknowledging its complexities. She also touches on the pressures and pitfalls of the 'model minority' stereotype and challenges the narrow definitions and divisive influences that come with that.  She shares her commitment toward passing down Indian culture to her children in a multicultural household and her strong conviction and noble aspirations to support and uplift immigrant communities through resource navigation and program development. We need more empathetic, compassionate and strong leaders like Rashi in our communities!! 00:00 Introduction to Rashi 01:01 Balancing Family and Education 01:44 Immigration Journey and Early Challenges 05:19 Embracing Indian Culture 07:05 Navigating Identity and Language 11:53 Model Minority Myth 16:12 Message to Young Indian Americans 17:41 Future Aspirations and Conclusion More about Rashi at https://www.instagram.com/rashi729?igsh=cmQzdWxlOHdpNDFs Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

    21 min

  4. 03/29/2025

    47: Rajvi: Navigating Heritage Delicately & Wisely

    Send a text In this episode, our guest is Rajvi, a 28 year-old software engineer at Microsoft living in New York City. Born and raised in New Jersey, with a stint in Seattle, Rajvi shares her journey of embracing her Indian heritage while growing up in America. From being raised vegetarian in a Jain household to adopting veganism, she reflects on the cultural influence her Indian upbringing had on her, including dance, music and cuisine, and how it shaped her identity amidst the challenges of racism and low representation in her school years. Rajvi shares her perspective on balancing her Indian heritage and American identity and emphasizes the importance of diversity and representation, particularly in fields like politics and media. She also talks about her life in New York, her time in Seattle, her work in tech, and her aspirations for the future, including raising her children with a strong sense of Indian culture. It is an insightful conversation on culture, identity, and living authentically. 00:00 Introduction to Rajvi 00:31 Exploring Veganism and Family Traditions 01:27 Embracing Indian Culture and Heritage 03:58 Navigating Identity 08:05 Balancing Work and Heritage 17:10 Future Aspirations and Personal Life More about Rajvi at https://www.instagram.com/rajvi_m1/ And https://rajvi.github.io/ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

    20 min

  5. 03/15/2025

    46: Mayor Ravi Bhalla: Modeling Honesty, Hard work and Humility

    Send a text In this captivating interview, Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken, New Jersey, serving as the city's 39th mayor since 2018, shares his journey from a civil rights lawyer to a two-term mayor. He discusses his childhood, his path to politics catalyzed by a grassroots campaign for Barack Obama, and the challenges and achievements during his tenure. Mayor Bhalla also speaks about the importance of identity and heritage, and his future aspirations, encouraging fellow Indian Americans to dream big and be proud of their roots.  His humility despite his accomplishments and undiluted integrity is sure to inspire deeply and evoke pride in The Indian American community. A 22-year resident of the City of Hoboken, Ravi Bhalla began his public service with eight years on the City Council before his mayoral election in November 2017. He built a career as a civil rights lawyer, nationally recognized by The New York Times for legal advocacy following a constitutional rights violation.  His City Council tenure saw significant fiscal reforms, improving Hoboken's bond rating, and establishing a responsible cash surplus. As Mayor, he prioritized climate resilience, signing a Climate Action Plan for net-zero energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Under his leadership, Hoboken became a national model for safe streets and multi modal transportation through implementation of the Vision Zero initiative to eliminate all traffic related fatalities and injuries by 2030.  His first term featured a citywide special improvement district and COVID-19 pandemic recovery. Educated at UC Berkeley, L.S.E., and Tulane Law School, Ravi, and his wife Bindya reside in Hoboken with their two children.  00:00 Introduction to Mayor Ravi Bhalla 01:49 Early Life and Background 03:13 Journey into Politics 07:17 Challenges and Accomplishments as Mayor 11:17 Identity and Heritage 14:10 Future Aspirations 16:05 Message to Indian Americans 18:21 Conclusion Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

    20 min

  6. 03/08/2025

    45: Samina Radia: The Aspirations of a Promising Young Gen-Z’er

    Send a text Samina Radia is a sophomore at Adelphi University majoring in political science, who, at just 19 years old, exemplifies dedication to public service, highlighted by her various roles such as interning at the New York City mayor's office, active involvement in the Student Government Association and engagement with The Innocence Project.  She shares her experience of growing up in diverse New York City, and the impact of being South-Asian American in striving to meet 'model minority' expectations.  The discussion delves into cultural identity, her involvement with cultural heritage groups at her university, and her vision for community support, mentorship and inclusivity. 00:00 Introduction to Samina Radia 01:12 Early Life and Cultural Background 02:15 The Model Minority Perception 06:05 Aspiring to a Career in Law 09:52 Community Involvement and Mentorship 12:17 Cultural Heritage and University Life 20:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts More about Samina at: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1ujulpor018gg&utm_content=29cety1  Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

    22 min

  7. 02/01/2025

    44: Shaun Vakil/DJ Paz’s Journey of Hospitality through Music

    Send a text In this interview, Shaun Vakil, also known as Paz, discusses his two-decade-long career in music as a DJ and music curator for Paz America. He shares his experiences working with top hospitality brands, Fortune 500 companies, and philanthropic foundations, as well as performing at intimate events worldwide. Shaun recounts his upbringing in central New Jersey, where he grew up in a diverse and idyllic Americana environment with supportive parents who encouraged him to find his passion. Although not musically inclined as a child, Shaun discovered his love for music during his teenage years, influenced by the explosion of 90s hip-hop in New York City. He talks about the importance of persistence and grit in his non-traditional career path and reflects on the impact of connecting with people through music. Shaun also delves into his Indian heritage, describing how it shapes his identity and influences his work. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and connection in his performances and discusses his current goal of setting a more active direction for his business. Lastly, Shaun encourages the Indian American community to be supportive toward one another and challenges every member of the community to define themselves as they choose to, unencumbered by assumed expectations. Find Shaun on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/305bananas More about Paz America: https://pazmerica.com/ The vogue write-up Shaun alluded to: https://www.vogue.fr/galerie/vrai-mariage-shivani-ravi-paris-indien-couple-los-angeles 00:00 Introduction to Shaun Vakil  00:57 Shaun’s Early Life and Upbringing 03:33 Discovering a Passion for Music 07:43 Challenges and Growth in the Music Industry 15:24 Impactful Events and Personal Reflections 22:46 Cultural Identity and Professional Perception 28:41 Final Thoughts and Message to the Community Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

    34 min

  8. 01/25/2025

    43: Anika's Journey as a Young Indian American

    Send a text In this episode, I chat with Anika, a first-generation Indian American and pharmaceutical market access consultant, who shares her remarkable journey of balancing her rich Indian heritage with a modern digital nomadic lifestyle. From her roots in New Jersey to her traveling adventures spanning across Seattle, London, and South America, Anika delves into her unique identity, the cultural significance of her name, and how her upbringing shaped her professional aspirations. She also reflects on her connection to her Indian heritage, her family's nuanced approach to cultural integration, and her personal thoughts on future aspirations, including potentially raising children. This engaging conversation is filled with insights into the experiences of a bright, balanced, young millennial navigating the intersection of tradition and contemporary life. 00:00 Introduction to Anika 00:42 Becoming a Digital Nomad 02:34 Exploring Identity and Heritage 08:04 Navigating Language and Culture 09:44 Career Path and Aspirations 12:35 Perspectives on the Model Minority 14:43 Thoughts on Parenting and Heritage 17:30 Leisure and Hobbies 19:13 Final Reflections and Advice Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

    31 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

In our country, Indian Americans are a group that defies being painted in one stroke, be it in political/ideological leanings, definition of identity, or perception of their place in society. So, why not then hear directly from a diverse group of Indian-Americans, or desis, their experience, through light-hearted, casual conversations, and see if we can find common threads, maybe shed some myths, and hear some interesting stories! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience

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