Chai Me A River with Shane Lamba

Shane Lamba

Got a taste for hot chai and hotter takes? Sip slow, because Shane Lamba is spilling it all — the drama, the desire, the deep stuff. From being queer and Indian to navigating messy friendships, mistaken identities, pop culture chaos, and identity crises served with a side of sass, Chai Me a River blends humor, heart, and heat in every episode. Unfiltered, unbothered, and unapologetically real — this is the chai spill you didn’t know you needed.

  1. 3d ago

    I AM A PUBLISHED AUTHOR!

    In this episode, Shane discuss his recent LGBTQ+ disability publication, the perils of job applications, why customer service sucks nowadays, and should you get with your professor after your graduate!If you liked this episode of Chai Me a River, make sure to subscribe and hit follow!! :)IMPORTANT LINKS BELOWCOOKT Meal Prep:Need ready-made Halal meals for your busy life, check out COOKT meals. They provide ready at your DOOR entrees for your busy lifestyle. Get 10% off your next order (CODE: SHANE332); use my ambassador link here: https://getcookt.com/SHANE332. Recent research publications:Perceived mental health needs among LGBTQ+ adults living with spinal cord injuries and disorders: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/....Identifying Social Determinants of Health Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual US Veterans Using Primary Care Services in the Veterans Health Administration, 2021–2022: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi....Self-Reported Barriers to Care Among Sexual and Gender Minority People With Disabilities: Findings From The PRIDE Study, 2019–2020: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi....

  2. May 21

    Am I (still) Just a Dumb Jock?

    In this episode of Chai Me a River, Shane talks about the impending doom of the job market, the US economy, Indian DL men marrying women, and the fact that he is still a dumb jock!? Comment below your favorite part of the episode!! Got hot spicy chai? Want to share it with Shane for him to read your tea and give his 2 cents on an upcoming episode of Chai Me a River? Then fill out this form: https://forms.gle/tBk5X8ktCsuoRNQg6. Subscribe to Chai Me a River podcast on Spotify, Apple, or Youtube. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chai-me-a-river-with-shane-lamba/id1810562539Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/6BSrO9opTEne8ymJn9jtst?si=533d20eadc9042b8#chaimeariver #lgbtq #bi #indian #desi #dlmen #DL

  3. Apr 1

    Michael Henry Talks Gay Culture & Hung Bottoms

    This week on Chai Me a River, I sit down with comedian and actor Michael Henry for a candid, funny, and slightly unhinged conversation about navigating gay life, identity, and success. We talk about how he got into acting, his hot takes on gay culture (including the “hung bottoms” debate), and the tension between online personas and real-life authenticity. A mix of humor, honesty, and chaos you won’t want to miss!!!

  4. Feb 4

    Are You Gonna Be a "Good Boy" Like Me?

    A new year comes with new resolutions... reading more, joining clubs, losing some weight, and trying to be more intentional about how I live my life. In this episode of Chai Me A River, I reflect on the pressure to be a “good boy”, disciplined, productive, agreeable, and what that idea really means. I also open Pokémon cards for the first time and share my very unserious opinions, before venting about a few things that already have me irritated: personal trainers who use paper plates, the new nutritional pyramid, and Indian people who don’t stand up for something. Thoughtful, chaotic, and honest, this episode blends self-improvement, cultural critique, and humor, because growth doesn’t have to be quiet or pretty. #ChaiMeARiver #NewYearResolutions #SelfImprovement #IntentionalLiving #QueerPodcast #DesiPodcast #CulturalPressure

    Are You Gonna Be a "Good Boy" Like Me?

  5. Jan 21

    2 Queer Punjabis Unpack Religion, Shame, and Self-Acceptance (with Joey Algier)

    In this episode of Chai Me a River, host Shane Lamba sits down with guest Joey Algier for an honest conversation about the intersection of religion, queer identity, and cultural expectations. Together, they unpack the lasting impact of religious upbringing, navigating faith as a queer person, and the pressure to perform authenticity within family and society. This episode explores what it means to grow up queer in religious or culturally conservative environments, how shame and belonging are shaped early on, and the ongoing journey toward self-acceptance, healing, and personal growth. Whether you’re questioning your faith, reclaiming your identity, or unlearning cultural expectations, this conversation offers vulnerability, nuance, and reflection. Perfect for listeners interested in queer podcasts, LGBTQ+ stories, religion and sexuality, cultural heritage, and emotional growth. #ChaiMeARiver#QueerPodcast#LGBTQPodcast#ReligionAndSexuality#QueerIdentity#CulturalHeritage#SelfAcceptance#QueerHealing

  6. 12/24/2025

    Masculinity, Dating Apps & Delusion: What 2025 Taught Me

    I’m bisexual, brown, and tired. Tired of this year, tired of the delusion, and very ready to let 2025 fade away... In this end-of-year episode of Chai Me A River, I spill the final tea of 2025 and reflect on masculinity, dating apps, queer identity, and the biggest lessons this year forced me to learn. This episode recaps some of my favorite moments and themes from the season. Being the token Indian person at the gay bar. Falling into the trap of desirability without commitment in LOOKING. Realizing that being bi enough or Indian enough somehow still is not enough when you are brown. MASC 4 MASC culture, gay delusions, and the ghouls and gremlins that thrive in queer dating spaces. I get honest about dating app burnout, validation addiction, commitment avoidance, and why softness and femininity still feel like liabilities in queer culture. I talk about community, loneliness, unlearning performance, and what it means to show up more honestly with yourself and others. Then I step onto my soapbox. We unpack the biggest queer delusions of 2025. Thinking the hyper-masculine man is going to save you. Thinking the DL man is secretly committed to you. Thinking hookup culture comes without consequences. Thinking femininity is bad and that you must aspire to being masc, fit, and boring. Not supporting queer events, creators, and community that actually matter. Thirsting over fitness culture while avoiding emotional growth. Relying on supplements instead of therapy. Traveling to escape a reality you refuse to fix at home. Acting like drag and queer art are “too much.” I close the episode with 2026 intentions, not resolutions. Making more money. Socializing with intent. Growing Chai Me A River and expanding my creative reach. This isn’t a polished recap or performative healing. It’s an honest 2025 reflection on masculinity, dating culture, queer identity, brownness, burnout, and choosing truth over performance. Welcome to the Chai Me A River 2025 Tea Spill ☕️

    Masculinity, Dating Apps & Delusion: What 2025 Taught Me

  7. 12/10/2025

    Let's Be Honest! Brown Men Don’t Cry, We Just Go on Grindr!

    Brown boys can send n*des in 0.2 seconds, but ask us to say “I’m not okay” and suddenly it’s impossible. In this episode, I dive into the messy, hilarious, and painfully relatable reasons why vulnerability still feels illegal for so many Brown men — especially queer South Asian men trying to survive culture, community, and club culture at the same time. I unpack why we were raised to be stoic, “strong,” and emotionally silent in conservative desi households… only to grow up performing masc online, hiding our softness, and pretending everything is fine while our group chats say otherwise. We get into: ✨ Why Brown men fear emotional honesty more than sending nudes ✨ How conservative Indian norms teach boys to shut down feelings early ✨ “Masc” performance in queer spaces — even when you’re secretly femme ✨ The mentally ill desi struggle: attachment issues, chaos, over-functioning ✨ Grindr-at-the-club culture and the fear of being seen as “too much” ✨ The disconnect between online façades vs. real emotional needs ✨ How queerness exposes the cracks — and offers softness as a way out This is part cultural critique, part chaotic storytelling, part group therapy for Brown boys who pretend they don’t need group therapy. If you’ve ever been the “strong” son, the masc-coded queer, the emotionally constipated Brown adult, or the gay at the club scrolling through Grindr while dissociating… this one’s for you.

    Let's Be Honest! Brown Men Don’t Cry, We Just Go on Grindr!

  8. 11/26/2025

    Wicked Had Me Gooning for Good

    In this episode of Chai Me A River, I watched Wicked For Good, and yes, it had me GOONING for good. I break down the movie’s biggest themes, from Glinda’s people-pleasing perfection, to Elphaba’s “othered” identity, to why these characters hit so deeply for queer, brown, and Desi viewers. I talk about how Wicked reflects real experiences of cultural expectations, belonging, and identity pressure, why some of us grow up as Glindas, and why Elphaba’s defiance still resonates. Plus: Michelle Yeoh doing tai chi, the politics of being “good,” and the Desi struggle of trying to fit roles that were never made for us. If you love musical commentary, pop culture analysis, queer perspectives, Desi identity conversations, or chaotic overthinking with heart — this episode is for you.

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Got a taste for hot chai and hotter takes? Sip slow, because Shane Lamba is spilling it all — the drama, the desire, the deep stuff. From being queer and Indian to navigating messy friendships, mistaken identities, pop culture chaos, and identity crises served with a side of sass, Chai Me a River blends humor, heart, and heat in every episode. Unfiltered, unbothered, and unapologetically real — this is the chai spill you didn’t know you needed.

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