124 episodes
That Desi Spark (formerly The Woke Desi) ANS Entertainment LLC
-
- Society & Culture
-
-
4.4 • 115 Ratings
-
That Desi Spark, formerly known as The Woke Desi, is a bold podcast created by three founders who recognized a space void of color and conversation around the topics that impact dual-identity, South Asian millennials the most. From education to entertainment and social justice issues to social media trends, That Desi Spark approaches each episode with compassion, advocacy, and information, bolstered by subject-area experts and unfiltered celebrity moments.
Founded by healthcare manager/author Annika Sharma, marketing whiz/lifestyle blogger Nehal Tenany, and hedge fund trader/producer Sridhar Pisupati, That Desi Spark ignites conversation, illuminates learning, and sparks a community to own their stories, rise up with confidence, and blaze a path forward. The podcast has been featured in the Times of India, at BBC’s CDX, and on Forbes. They have been featured speakers at multiple conferences, ViacomCBS, and universities.
They can be found on the web, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
-
The Light We Give | A Conversation on Sikhism and Compassion with Social Justice Activist and Author Simran Jeet Singh
Simran Jeet Singh's bestselling book, "The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life," is a testament to why he was named one of Time Magazine's "sixteen people fighting for a more equal America" and is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Program on Religion & Society. His compassion, pride in his faith, storytelling, and above all, his lessons in leadership and love, are a must-listen on this episode of That Desi Spark.
You can follow him on Instagram. And follow That Desi Spark on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. -
Gender Socialization in South Asians | A Conversation with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Shanta Kanukollu
South Asian communities have a longstanding habit of celebrating boys' births, assigning responsibilities to people because of gender, and creating roles and expectations that can result in mental health struggles later in life. Dr. Shanta Kanokollu joins TDS to discuss the impact of gender socialization, how it presents itself in the ways people cope, how to undo some of the damage, and what we, collectively, need to work on.
You can follow That Desi Spark on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and follow Dr. Kanukollu on Instagram. -
Galentine's Special: A Conversation with creator and talent Joty Kay
It's a Valentine's Day special with actress, content creator, and powerful woman Joty Kay, who began her career on Vine before moving to multiple other mediums. Tune in for a conversation around relationship red flags, green flags, Kegels, sex, hookups, and so much more!
-
Sexuality & Religion | A Conversation with Dr. Sarika Persaud on the Intersection of Vedanta, Tantra, and Psychology
When religion and sex come together, particularly in South Asian communities, guilt, shame, patriarchy, and talks of honor and cleanliness aren't far behind. Dr. Sarika Persaud, a PsyD who specializes in issues of sexuality, Tantra, and Vedanta joins TDS to break down those misconceptions, have a meaningful conversation on how the two can coexist, define the tantric practice, and give listeners some food for thought.
Follow Sarika on Instagram at @doctor.samosa and follow TDS at @thatdesispark on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter! -
PCOS and Nutrition | A Conversation with MS, RD, CDN Anita Mirchandani about South Asian Women, Diet, and PCOS Management
1 in 5 South Asian women experience PCOS, a reproductive disorder of the ovaries that can cause a number of symptoms - so many, that diagnosis can often be challenging or confused with other comorbid diseases. South Asian women also see a higher incidence of PCOS than other ethnicities. Anita Mirchandani, MS, RD, and CDN, joins TDS on the Season 8 premiere to discuss a healthy diet as part of PCOS management, how weight is not a metric to determine health, and swaps to make with South Asian foods to increase nutritional value without losing the cultural attachment to them.
-
Boundaries with Families | A Conversation with Therapist Divya Robin on Establishing and Setting Boundaries within South Asian Families
Home for the holidays and in need of boundaries with family? TDS has got you covered, alongside Divya Robin, LMHC (@mindmatterswithdiv) who specializes in mental health with South Asian populations and offers an episode full of tips on how to decide if a boundary is right for you, how you should speak up, when you should draw a line, and tips to make it easier because we all know the guilt is real.
Customer Reviews
Needs to be less scripted
Glad they’re willing to talk about what can be taboo topics in the culture but their presentation of the material needs to improve. They obviously write scripts and go line by line making the commentary feel like the news for most of the podcast. I’d recommend a format like the comments by celebs podcasts where they give the “news” but give actual thoughts/opinions so it feels authentic and is fun to listen to. I also hate the intro music but thats probably just be a personal preference.
Toxic
This is a HELLLA toxic podcast
Awakening
I found this podcast recently after reading Annika Sharma’s book, “Love, Chai, and Other Four-Letter Words” (I loved the book and looking forward to the next in the series) and enjoy it immensely. Although I’m not of South Asian descent, the topics are relevant and help me be a more understanding and inclusive person. Thank you so much!