Chris Nowinski is a former football player at Harvard University and professional wrestler with WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment. After enduring a career-ending head injury, Chris has dedicated his professional life to serving patients and families affected by brain trauma, particularly Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that develops after repeated head injuries. Jay and Chris discuss the state of head injuries in American athletics, the difference between advocating for head safety at youth and professional levels, Chris’ newest research, and much more. Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:50) changes in the culture around concussions in the past two decades (02:39) padded helmet technology (03:55) concussion reporting in the NFL (10:35) Chris’ career path and concussion history (14:52) connecting with activists who haven’t themselves suffered a traumatic brain injury (17:42) SHAAKE - a new sign to identify concussions (20:53) Unions can help players advocate for safety policies (23:10) final thoughts and goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/…
A podcast interviewing trailblazers, experts, leaders and prominent voices around the world with a special spotlight on the South Asian community. We discuss the messiness of childhood, have honest conversations about personal and professional journeys, talk about projects that currently fulfill our souls, and discuss all those things that make us tuckered out. Because let's face it, being Tuckered Out is universal.
A podcast interviewing trailblazers, experts, leaders and prominent voices around the world with a special spotlight on the South Asian community. We discuss the messiness of childhood, have honest conversations about personal and professional journeys, talk about projects that currently fulfill our souls, and discuss all those things that make us tuckered out. Because let's face it, being Tuckered Out is universal.
Hugh Forrest is the President and Chief Programming Officer of South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the world’s leading festivals celebrating music, film, technology, and innovation. A native of Austin, Texas, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s creative and entrepreneurial identity. Joining SXSW in its early days, he leveraged his background in publishing and technology to help grow the festival into an internationally recognized event. Under his leadership, SXSW has expanded beyond music to include industry verticals such as health tech, transportation, and artificial intelligence, all while staying true to its mission of fostering creativity and connection. His contributions to Austin’s cultural and business landscape have earned him numerous accolades, including being named Austinite of the Year and receiving the Diversity Champion of the Year award. Passionate about collaboration and innovation, Hugh remains committed to the power of in-person interactions, emphasizing their importance in an increasingly digital world. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of SXSW’s evolution, recounting its early days in the 1980s when Austin’s club owners took a chance on a fledgling festival during spring break—a decision that would shape the city’s global reputation. He discusses SXSW’s transformation from a music-focused event into a multidisciplinary hub for film, interactive media, health tech, and transportation. Addressing concerns that the festival has become too corporate, he argues that while SXSW has grown, its core mission of celebrating creativity and community remains unchanged. Throughout the conversation, Hugh also shares his personal journey, reflecting on how his deep ties to Austin have influenced his leadership and vision for one of the world’s most influential cultural events. Ami’s life update and travel adventures: Ami shares her recent travels, including attending the Grammys and the Super Bowl, before introducing Hugh (0:30) How Hugh Forrest got involved with SXSW: Hugh recalls his early days in Austin, his background in publishing, and how he was hired for his desktop publishing skills (4:10) The birth of SXSW: A festival born from rejection: Hugh shares how SXSW came to be after a failed partnership with a New York music event, and how Austin club owners reluctantly gave them a chance (6:42) SXSW’s evolution: From music to tech, film & beyond: The festival’s expansion beyond music to include film, interactive media, health tech, and transportation—shaped by Austin’s growth (10:21) Balancing corporate growth and grassroots creativity: Hugh addresses criticisms that SXSW has become too corporate, explaining how they balance big brands with indie creatives (14:54) Navigating controversies: DEI, social issues and speaker curation: Discussion on how SXSW handles political and social challenges, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (1:13) Personal highlights: Bruce Springsteen, David Byrne and memorable moments: Hugh shares one of his biggest regrets—missing most of Bruce Springsteen’s keynote—and reflects on other standout festival moments (24:20) Austin’s transformation and SXSW’s role in the city’s growth: The impact of SXSW on Austin’s economy and identity, and Hugh’s thoughts on the city’s evolution (28:11) Hugh’s perspective: Success, creativity and the future of SXSW: Rapid-fire Q&A on success, creativity, and what excites him about the future of SXSW (35:26) Connect with Hugh Forrest : LinkedIn X Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
Dr. Andrew Newberg is a neuroscientist and pioneer in neurotheology, exploring the relationship between brain function and spiritual experiences. As Director of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health and a physician at Jefferson University Hospital, he has conducted extensive brain imaging studies on practices like prayer, meditation, and rituals. Board-certified in internal and nuclear medicine, Dr. Newberg has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles and 14 books, with his work featured in major media outlets and programs like "Dr. Oz" and "Good Morning America." Renowned globally, he was named among the "30 Most Influential Neuroscientists Alive Today." In this episode, Dr. Andrew Newberg provides an in-depth overview of neurotheology, explaining how it bridges science and spirituality to address critical questions about consciousness and the human experience. He discusses the biological underpinnings of religious and mystical experiences, the interplay between rituals and mating behaviors, and the neurological parallels between spiritual ecstasy and sexual bliss. His research on integrative medicine underscores the value of combining traditional medical practices with lifestyle changes and alternative therapies. Andrew also addresses the societal divisions arising from differing belief systems and proposes that understanding the neurological basis of our connections and differences can foster greater unity. His insights draw from decades of research, personal curiosity, and a desire to help people navigate the complexities of spirituality and health. Defining Neurotheology and Integrative Medicine: neurotheology is the study of the relationship between the brain and spirituality, it’s a two-way approach + integrative medicine is a holistic approach combining traditional medicine with alternative practices (3:54) The Role of Stress and Lifestyle in Health: how stress impacts health + the connection between mental and physical well-being + the importance of personalized, integrative healthcare (9:15) Andrew's Early Curiosity About Reality: Andrew reflects on his childhood questions about religion, reality, and consciousness, which led to his interest in neuroscience and philosophy (13:58) Sex, God, and the Brain: Exploring Connections: the biological and neurological overlap between religious, spiritual, and sexual experiences, including findings from orgasmic meditation studies. (24:47) The Interplay of Rituals, Spirituality, and Biology: the evolution of rituals, their grounding effects + their connections to both human and animal mating behaviors + their role in spirituality (31:21) Patriarchy, Religion, and the Separation of Sex and Spirituality: how patriarchal structures have historically separated sexuality from spirituality + the potential for reconnecting these elements (41:38) Rituals as Neutral Technologies: Dr. Newberg describes rituals as tools that can be used for both positive and negative purposes, illustrating their power to shape beliefs and behaviors (47:44) The Challenges of Evolving Beliefs and Societal Divisions: how ancient brain processes struggle with modern complexities + the importance of openness to alternative perspectives to bridge societal divides (49:06) Rapid Fast Round (53:44) Connect with Andrew Newberg: Website Instagram Get Andrew’s books ! Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media…
Dan Slepian is an Emmy-winning journalist, producer, and storyteller with nearly 30 years at NBC News. Known for his investigative work on Dateline , Dan has exposed injustices, solved cold cases, and helped exonerate the wrongfully convicted. His acclaimed podcast, Letters from Sing Sing , chronicles his 20-year fight to prove the innocence of John Adrian “JJ” Velazquez. A 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist, Dan recently published The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a 20-Year Fight for Justice . Beyond journalism, he is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, focusing on the human cost of mass incarceration. Dan discusses the systemic flaws in the justice system, including racial bias, prosecutorial misconduct, and the lack of accountability for wrongful convictions. He brings a deeply personal and professional lens to the conversation, emphasizing his commitment to truth over personal recognition. He shares insights into the realities of mass incarceration, describing how systemic failures—from flawed eyewitness procedures to prosecutorial pressure—lead to wrongful convictions. Dan also explores his relationship with JJ, which has evolved into a profound bond that underscores the human toll of these injustices. He speaks candidly about his investigative process, the importance of humanity and empathy, and his enduring advocacy for those wrongly imprisoned. His accounts of JJ’s case and his Voices from Within program highlight the potential for transformation and healing within and beyond prison walls. Dan dives into his recent book, The Sing Sing Files, and the forthcoming documentary series The Sing Sing Chronicles, which humanizes those affected by the system. Dan’s Reluctance Toward Self-Promotion: Dan discusses his discomfort with being in the spotlight + he reflects on the challenges of public advocacy while maintaining journalistic objectivity (3:26) Upbringing and Family Influence: Dan shares his childhood experiences + He credits his mother for instilling grit and resilience and his father for teaching empathy and the value of fighting for others (6:37) Navigating Advocacy and Family Dynamics: Dan recounts the depth of his 20-year connection with JJ + how Dan’s work evolved from investigative reporting into a deeply personal mission for truth + how Dan’s family became an integral supporter of JJ (9:52) Journey into Journalism: Dan recounts the early days of his career + He shares formative moments, like witnessing Michael Jordan before a game and the lessons they imparted about professionalism. (19:11) The Case of Robert Roberson: Robert Roberson’s case, a man on death row convicted of killing his daughter + science have debunked much of the evidence used against Roberson + Dan emphasizes the racial and procedural inequities in death penalty cases and critiques the system’s inefficiencies, high costs, and lack of deterrence (22:20) The Roots of Wrongful Convictions: Systemic issues leading to wrongful convictions + eyewitness misidentification, coerced confessions, and improper courtroom dynamics + JJ Velazquez’s case exemplifies these failures + the need to humanize those impacted by wrongful convictions (34:53) Voices from Within and JJ Velazquez’s Journey: Systemic bias in the justice system, , pointing out how former prosecutors often become judges in the same jurisdictions, fostering a “club-like” atmosphere + Dan’s and JJ’s collaboration on Voices from Within + challenging myths like “everyone in prison claims innocence + the long-lasting trauma caused by wrongful incarceration (45:00) The Emotional Catalyst for Justice: the emotional impact of his first encounter with JJ’s children + Dan developed a familial bond with JJ’s children + the lifelong impact of losing a parent to incarceration (51:56) The Pathology of Mass Incarceration: The Sing Sing Files, and the emotional impact of the documentary series The Sing Sing Chronicles + education and vocational training in prisons + need to treat prisoners with dignity and reintegrate them into society + mass incarceration as a moral failing of society (55:02) The Innocence Project and Personal Reflections: Dan credits the Innocence Project + Dan maintains his discomfort with being labeled as a trailblazer (1:111:07) Rapid Fast Round (1:12:46) Connect with Dan Slepian: Instagram LinkedIn Get Dan’s book - The Sing Sing Files ! Listen to Dan’s podcast - Letters from Sing Sing ! Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
Debbie Millman is a writer , designer, educator, artist , brand consultant and host of the podcast Design Matters .Design Matters is one of the world’s very first podcasts. Broadcasting independently for 19 years, the show is about how the world’s most creative people design the arc of their lives. On top of it all, she has authored 6 books, her latest one called Love Letter To a Garden comes out in April and is a definite shift from her previous works. Which is no surprise to me because Debbie is the very definition of evolution, constantly learning, changing, growing and all the while, having a blast. Debbie recounts her journey as a OG podcaster and explains her process of preparing deeply researched interviews that uncover her guests' stories with authenticity and depth, emphasizing the importance of respect and engagement in meaningful conversations. Debbie also opens up about her latest book, Love Letter to a Garden , a visual and personal exploration of her quest to cultivate greenery in her life. She discusses how gardening became a source of connection and creativity during the pandemic and how this new venture has inspired her future projects. We also talk about what makes New York City kids so unique, why we’re both glad we didn’t peak in high school, how she designed her high school prom, and why she is still keen to keep walking up the mountain. A Love Letter to Gardening: Debbie introduces her latest book + She shares how the project began during the pandemic and how it combines illustrations, photographs, and stories (2:53) The Mental Health Benefits of Nature: The therapeutic value of gardening + practical advice for beginners + how gardening has enriched Debbie’s creative process and daily routine (5:56) The Origins and Evolution of Design Matters: Debbie recounts the early days of Design Matters and describes its growth over 20 years + chapters of the podcast’s evolution (9:29) The Art of Interview: Debbie shares her approach to conducting meaningful interviews + She reveals the challenges of navigating interviews with unengaged guests and maintaining authenticity (12:27) Advice for Aspiring Podcasters: Debbie offers candid advice for podcasters, emphasizing the importance of passion, preparation, and perseverance + she advises maintaining a day job to sustain creative freedom and avoiding the pressure of chasing trends or chart (20:45) Debbie’s Creative Roots and New York City Upbringing: Reflecting on her childhood in New York City + how her high school and college experiences shaped her career path (24:39) Living a Creative Life Without Peaking: Debbie’s reflections on her ever-evolving career and her aspiration to continue climbing her creative "mountain." (38:36) Rapid Fast Round: (39:13) Connect with Debbie Millman: Website Instagram LinkedIn X The Design Matters Podcast! Get Debbie’s books ! Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
Nasreen Shahi is a well-known fashion and lifestyle influencer, celebrated for her vibrant online presence and a community of over half a million followers on social media. Through her platform, Hey Nasreen, she shares style inspiration, wellness tips, and personal insights, offering her audience an authentic look into her life. Beyond her role as an influencer, Nasreen is a resilient advocate for breast cancer awareness. Diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer at 40, she has courageously shared her journey, empowering women by speaking openly about her health battles and challenging the cultural stigmas that often surround such diagnoses in South Asian communities. In this episode, Nasreen speaks candidly about the emotional and physical toll her diagnosis has taken and describes her initial shock, especially given her healthy lifestyle before the diagnosis. She talks about her ongoing treatments, the challenges of choosing between different therapies, and the side effects she endures. Nasreen shares her perspective on the need for a more proactive approach to women’s health and highlights the lack of open discussion about breast cancer. She recounts stories of South Asian women who keep their diagnoses private due to cultural stigma, hoping to inspire others to speak openly and seek support. Nasreen also touches on the joys of motherhood and how her journey has led her to a more present and intentional life. Despite the challenges, she has continued her work as an influencer, driven by her desire to help others through her openness and authenticity. Living with a Metastatic Diagnosis: Nasreen describes the unexpectedness of her diagnosis + the early stages of treatment + living with metastatic breast cancer means being on indefinite therapy + importance of early detection + Nasreen opens up about the difficult side effects + the difficult choices patients face between various treatment options and the unpredictable effects of each therapy (2:56) A Proactive vs. Reactive Healthcare Approach: Contrasting the two approaches + how societal expectations often cause women to self-blame after a health diagnosis (8:00) Cultural Stigma in the South Asian Community: The cultural stigma surrounding breast cancer in the South Asian community + anecdotes of women who keep their diagnoses private out of fear + Nasreen urges more open conversations to break these stigmas + setting an example for the younger generation (10:52) The Things Cancer Can Teach: Nasreen reflects on how her experience has changed her perspective on life and motherhood (15:28) Navigating Work as an Influencer with Cancer: Explaining the flexibility needed to accommodate treatments + the support Nasreen receives from her audience and brands + emphasizing the importance of authenticity in her journey + Nasreen discusses moments of joy she has experienced + gratitude for the support network she has gained through sharing her journey (20:32) Rapid Fast Round (24:25) Final Reflections and Advice: Nasreen offers advice to listeners, encouraging them to let go of others’ judgments + the importance of breaking free from cultural shame (26:00) Connect with Nasreen Shahi: Website Instagram TikTok Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
Davy Gardner started his career as an audio writer and creator whose work can be found on networks like Radiotopia, Wondery, and Audible, among others. He has won multiple awards and honors valuing his work as a writer in various genres such as comedy and audio drama. He was a playwright and performer for six years at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. For over two years now, Gardner has been the Head of Tribeca Audio and Curator of Audio Storytelling at Tribeca Enterprise. He made a great contribution to taking the “Film” out of the Tribeca Festival and pushing it further towards a multimedia festival that it has been for a while. In this episode, Davy discusses the evolution of the Tribeca Festival into a multimedia event and emphasizes the importance of audio storytelling. He highlights the challenges independent podcasters face, such as discoverability, and the role of curatorial entities like Tribeca in promoting innovative content. He also shares his journey from writing for the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater to his current role, stressing the need for creative risks and the value of public recognition. Finally, reflects on personal experiences, including the impact of his mother's death and the importance of recognizing and managing feelings of being "tuckered out." “I Don't Have A Billboard On Times Square”: The challenges that independent podcasters face + audio storytelling as an emerging genre parallel to what comes to everyone’s mind when podcasting is mentioned + the disproportionate recognition the audio art form gets in the public eye and ways entities such as Tribeca can play a role in this. (04:49) Getting Audio On The Red Carpet : Emphasizing the importance of recognizing audio creators + getting the first Getty Image and the word out there about one’s podcast (14:12) Improv Guided My Life: Davy explains how he got into performing after being on the writing side + how improv comedy got him out of depression after his mother’s passing + the way performing and improv can support a writer’s journey (17:45) State of Podcasting and Independent Creators : Discussing the challenges of audio as a whole is going through for decades now + the importance of creative risk-taking while not being ruled by the money tap + Davey encourages independent creators to focus on their artistry and not get discouraged by financial difficulties (22:01) Growing Up in New York City: Davy tells about his upbringing and experiences being a high schooler in NYC + NYC as a melting pot of people from diverse backgrounds + not ending up dead as a teenager and rubbing elbows with the Ivy League kids (28:39) Attending The Happiest College: The challenges of adjusting to the new environment both literally and figuratively + forming career-defining connections throughout the years in college (35:55) Being “tuckered out”: The way to sustain anything is if it brings you joy + no shame in being in and out of feeling “tuckered out” when there is a constant pressure of getting back to happy + Davy shares his experiences with grief and how they shaped his perspective on life (39:00) Concert Highlights: Davy Gardner shares his experience seeing Arcade Fire and the impact it had on his career + having a complete concert experience while watching the live recording of LCD Soundsystem's "Dance Yourself Clean" (48:42) Connect with Davy Gardner: LinkedIn Instagram Official website Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
“So much of what Bash and I do through our work is what we call this Revised Americana…we’ve had such a Euro-Centric what American storytelling is, but how can we change that narrative through the films that we make, through the commercials that we make, through all of the content that we put out there…I think Breakin’ was an opportunity to do that…” Breakdancing? At the Olympics? Hell. Yes. Today is a watershed moment for the @dynamicrockers and @rocksteadycrew1977 who were just kids at the time they created this dance movement in a NYC that was going through a tumultuous time. Welcome to another special episode where I will be interviewing trailblazers from all backgrounds. Because let's face it, being Tuckered Out is universal. Jamaal Parham and Bashan Aquart are known as the Brooklyn-based directing team JamsBash and have spent the last decade crafting award-winning TV shows, commercials, documentaries, music videos, and a film. They worked with people like Michael B. Jordan, Robert DeNiro, Mindy Kaling, Samuel L. Jackson- just to name a few. Their work is driven by their innate desire to tell stories of the authentic American experience, infused with magical realism and rooted in a love of boundary-pushing design and classical filmmaking technique. We discuss breakdance's origins and growth, its cultural relevance, and whether it should be considered sport, art, or both (it’s a topic my friends), how hiphop and breaking grew together in parallel, their relationship with art and storytelling, and all agreed that stories that begin and end in NYC are stories that could never happen anywhere else or be replicated anywhere else. We dive into their latest documentary, "Breakin' On the One," they share their thoughts on the challenges of doing comedy in "sensitive times," the importance of preserving African American cultural heritage through dance, how communication through a cypher of movement it is such a beautifully uniquely black and brown thing, and what our Bboy names would be if we could all actual breakdance. Mine is Trick Tucker. Also, Bashan was attacked by a beetle during the interview. He survived. Early Creative Influences: Jamaal and Bashan's diverse backgrounds + family expectations influencing their creative careers (7:20) Finding their Place in the Creative Realm: The moment Jamaal and Bash discovered their calling for storytelling and filmmaking (12:00) Inclusivity, Humor, and Career Building: Making people laugh without offending them + transition from theater to film and TV + the importance of building long-term relationships with clients (27:00) "Breakin' On the One" and the NY Competitive Spirit: Creating a documentary on breakdance + New Yorkers against NY + breakdance as a life saver (38:20) Breakdance is Art or a Sport, its Global Spread: Jamaal details the European tour of breakdancing crews + the artistic elements of breakdance + acceptance of breakdance in Eurocentric cultures (48:30) Connect with Jamall Parham: Visit Jams and Bash's website LinkedIn IMDb page Connect with Bashan Aquart: LinkedIn IMDb page Let's Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media…
Rianjali is an award-winning, NYC-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter/composer. Previously working as a former domestic violence and teacher, Rianjali found her “pinch me moment” when Oscar award-winning musician A.R. Rahman invited her to work with him And she hasn’t looked back. From composing music for hit shows on Amazon Prime and Netflix to collaborating legends such as U2, Bishop Briggs, and Shawn Mendes, Rianjali’s big mission in life is to change the perspectives of South Asian musicians’ perspective in the diaspora and to encourage women to explore careers within music and film, and she does this with humor and heart through her Mild Mannered and Timid Podcast, which Rianjali co-hosts and produces, sharing her no-holds-barred views on the society, music, and culture of the South Asian diaspora. Rianjali’s production company is Mild Mannered Timid whose short films include Seeing God, which won Best Documentary at the South Asian Film Festival of America, and Saltwater, which was officially selected for the Wisconsin Film Festival and Chicago South Asian Film Festival of America. This drive to break barriers and defy traditional expectations and stereotypes defines every aspect of her life from her marriage to her music to her films. She is a true trailblazer and and yes, now my soul sister Rinajali shares her crazy ride and lets us into her darkest moments, the challenges she faced taking care of her parents and South Asian expectations, and her decision to follow AR Rahman to Chennai. She reveals how AR Rahman became her personal Mr Miyagi and what he’s like up close and personal. We talk about how her marriage to Kunal by a queer Hindu priestess inspired her first doc; how her latest short film, Saltwater, explores communication in South Asian families; and how her film work helped her connect with her own family. The Mild Mannered and Timid Podcast: Challenging the stereotype of South Asian women + using humor to deal with pain +wanting to support South Asian community + the freedom to be honest about South Asian culture + fear of being shamed five years from now (04:48) Breaking the Film Barrier: Making debut movie with $800 + getting married + the tattooed, weed-smoking queer Hindu priestess + Saltwater and how Indian fathers communicate + having your film used in film classes (12:42) Rianjali and Kunal - How the Crazies Found Each Other: Rianjali details her husband’s talents as an attorney and musical creative + how she and Kunal connected through music + how their parents thought they were crazy + how Kunal supports and complements her. (20:11) Rianjali’s Dark Journey: Rianjali’s early love of singing and how her teacher pushed her to musical high school + Giving up singing for college and being diagnosed with depression + Getting polyps on vocal cords and fighting back + Getting a “realistic” job and the stress of helping battered women. (24:44) Enter AR Rahman: Rianjali tells how a singing clip on Facebook led to her meeting AR + how she had to care for her sick parents + Singing for AR while he videoed her like a dad + the offer of a lifetime to go to India + Deciding to go and the guilt of “abandoning” her parents. (30:12) Rianjali’s Journey Begins: Joining AR Rahman in Chennai as a purple-haired girl in a traditional Indian community + the intensity of being mentored by AR and learning on the fly + how AR took care of her like a father + her first triumphs with Amazon and Netflix and Bollywood (41:34) Returning to Earth: Rianjali talks about finding her musical voice, being South Asian but wanting to do her own thing + the joy she took in becoming a full-time teacher + how the pandemic forced her to switch from gigging to writing music + advising people on the hard realities of the music business + the South Asian impulse to be realistic about career choices and how it clashes with following your dream. (50:32) Rianjali and U2: Rianjali recalls her jamming session with Bono, the Edge, and AR Rahman. (59:01) Current and Future Projects: The excitement of making documentaries with Academy Award-Winning Vanessa Roth + plans to showcase traditional South Asian recipes and moving beyond South Asian food + having her dad star in a pilot episode, how he shared his life story with her on camera, and her love-hate relationship with him + the clash of generational attitudes towards family and ambition in South Asian culture (01:01:16) What Now for Rianjali? Rianjali reflects on her changing goals in life and work + her desire to be known as just a female composer + the importance of getting more women into making music and film + the pleasure of helping people on their own music journeys. Connect with Rianjali: Rianjali's Official Website Instagram Mild Mannered and Timid Podcast Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media…
Welcome to the first special episode where I will be interviewing trailblazers from all backgrounds. Because let's face it, being Tuckered Out is universal. Bill Teck is a writer, producer, director, and the founder of the Generation ñ Media brand. His films include One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich & the Lost American Film (2014 ). A Cuban-American who grew up in Miami, Bill has been named by Newsweek Magazine as One of 20 Latinos to Watch and by Hispanic Business Magazine as One of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America. His amazing new HBO documentary, Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Chronicling the legendary Stevie Van Zandt, it features a wealth of never-before-seen footage that traces Van Zandt's career as a producer, musician, songwriter, activist, actor, and a whole lot more. For those who know Stevie best as consigliere to Bruce Springsteen and Tony Soprano, Bill beautifully captures the story of a true Renaissance man and amazing human being. In this episode, Bill recalls his Miami days as an out-of-place rock and roll fan in a disco town, and we bond over our love of British invasion music. Bill dives deep into the making of the documentary, revealing the challenges of keeping up with a man who never stops creating and the thrill of finding lost footage that even Stevie didn’t know he had. Bill describes how Stevie’s driving force is his passion for rock ‘n’ roll as a force for social change. Finally, he shares what observing up close Stevie’s musical originality, his fifty-year-old marriage to Maureen, and his close lifelong relationships have taught him about life and himself. Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple debuted on JUNE 22 (8:00 p.m.–10:25 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. Talking Stevie Van Zandt: Falling in love with Stevie + the British invasion music scene + how Bruce Springsteen and Stevie “lived the legend” as lifelong friends (04:12) Landing the Dream Job: How Bill’s early love of Van Zandt inspired the documentary + the years of rejection before being accepted by Stevie’s “powerhouse” wife + being inspired by Stevie and Maureen’s touching relationship (08:53) Hanging out with the Legends: Learning the secret to a great band + talking Stevie with fans Bono and Paul McCartney + singing with Eddie Vedder at 4 a.m (10:41) Back in the Day: Bill misses wild rock stars flying everywhere, but welcomes the new diversity of voices in the music industry (13:58) “This Beard Was Not Gray When I Started:” Touring Barcelona one day and going to a trial in DC the next (15:57) Rock and Roll Evangelist: Bill reveals Stevie’s unique way of linking music to political change (17:40) The Unseen Stevie Van Zandt: Stevie and Maureen’s rock and roll wedding + film of the couple falling in love + the Stevie and Mandela tape lost in a drawer (19:50) Quiet Pioneer: How Stevie combined hip hop with punk before Run DMC and Aerosmith, and his Grammy-winning reggae song (22:39) Lessons Learned: Bill relates how observing Stevie taught him not to compromise in work (24:09) Stevie the Mensch: Convincing Stevie to appear in the film + filming Stevie with his family + Stevie inviting fans to eat with him + how Ami doesn’t mind Stevie wearing a Ganesh shirt (25:16) Lessons From Stevie: If your first dream dies, just stay with it, because you never know what's gonna happen + how even a two and half hour film doesn’t do justice to Stevie’s career (27:07) Miami and Music: Bill recalls reading Rolling Stone while his friends were into disco + learning to love all music + why the Smiths are so popular with Latinos (33:32) Concert Stories: Bill’s most epic concert + seeing Stevie and Bruce before Hollywood stars + how Bono stopped a fight at his concert (35:30) What Next for Bill: (40:01) Connect with Bill billteck.com Bill's IMDb page Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media…
Anjali Virmani is the Global Head of Creative Solutions at Time Out Media. Shuttling between 10 global offices with a brief of 333 cities, she crafts and implements the Time Out global brand story, strategy, and identity, building bridges between the Time Out brand and its consumers globally. Anjali’s passion for diversity, uniting, and empowering people of all ages and cultures shines through in her life and career. She sees her role at Time Out as a gateway to building bridges between brands and consumers and fostering connections worldwide. And she is in a unique position to unite diverse communities through the shared experiences of food, culture, and general joy. Anjali shares her incredible journey from her childhood, always feeling out of place, to finally finding her home in New York and Time Out. She reveals the challenges and the exhilaration of managing the amazingly diverse Time Out brand. We dive deep into the evolving nature of DEI, race, and what it means to be South Asian for our generation compared to our parents. We go into breaking out of the mold of Good Indian Girl and the importance of learning new things. Finally, we reflect on being the freest South Asian generation and look forward to a new era of diversity for our children even if we still have a long way to go. The Lowdown on Time Out: Time Out’s story from its humble origins as a free magazine to its rise as a global brand + the excitement of creating food spaces and music festivals in Lisbon, Abu Dhabi. and New York + the challenges of appealing to Gen Z (5:38) Spreading the Time Out Message: The challenges of combining local, national, and global brands + traveling in Asia and Europe + future expansion of Time Out into Barcelona and Budapest (12:45) “Indians Come In All Shades, Right?”: Anjali shares her story of growing up in Manchester and the US as the only brown girl, not knowing if she’s white or black, and finding her voice in the “blonde hair” publishing world + the joy of living in New York and having a mix of everything + the shift from “multicultural” to “mainstream” marketing and uniting diverse cultures rather than emphasizing “otherness” (20:03) Our Parents and Us: Anjali on moving to the United States at 10 years old + Anjali and Ami envy their parents’ social lives and sense of community + how parents allow their children freedom while keeping them grounded + how the price of freedom can be loneliness (27:48) Back In The Day: - Anjali shares her early days of acting and tending bar and always wanting to do new things + backpacking and worrying her poor parents + how South Asian parents give their children freedom while keeping them grounded (31:13) Rapid Fast Round: (38:11) Anjali’s Bucket List: (39:39) Connect with Anjali: LinkedIn Profile Time Out Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
Utkarsh Ambudkar, aka UTK, is an actor, rapper, and singer and is featured in the CBS hit show Ghosts. He is also known for his roles in Pitch Perfect , The Mindy Project , and Never Have I Ever . Kaly, aka Kunal Patel, is a highly-respected rapper who has collaborated with artists such as Indian musical composer and Oscar winner A.R. Rahman. As a side hustle, he also happens to be an attorney. These guys have been friends forever, but they've never really worked together. Now, in collaboration with their producer, Shankar Tucker, they have released their independent seven-track EP titled Too Grown Men , exploring themes of heartbreak and struggle and defying stereotypes. In this episode, we dive into the familiar theme of growing up on the fence between American and South Asian cultures, their own personal growth and experiences as artists, what they each bring to their music, and their plans for the future. Utkarsh discusses his early years in the music scene with MTV Desi, the BTS of his epic Oscar Performance with Questlove, why he hasn't been to an ashram in India to find himself yet, and the potential plans for going on tour. Kaly tells me about growing up Jersey without any brown people around him, why he is a rappers rapper, how he still keeps his east coast roots living in LA, and what it has been like working with the legendary A.R. Rahman. The Story of Too Grown Men: Utkarsh and Kaly dive into the creation of the EP and the theme of growing up between cultures and achieving a sense of freedom + Don’t Care , the first album Utkarsh and Kaly worked on together + how Utkarsh’s writing compliments Kaly’s prolific output + getting married and having kids + their producer Shankar and white people who are more Indian than Indians (03:45) Back in the Day: Utkarsh talks about leaving college, VJing for MTV, and his first break + the early Indian music scene and meeting Karsh Kale and future Grammy winners Goldspot(13:10) Indian Music Scene: Kaly celebrates his good luck in working with A.R. Rahman + Punjabi rappers going viral on TikTok + Indian artists who now write for mainstream performers (16:52) Out on the Road: Utkarsh lays out his movie and TV schedule for the next six months + how he’d love to tour with Kaly and his wife + not getting enough Indian food in the White House + the age and beauty of Indian culture (19:01) Growing up Indian and American: Kaly talks about not growing up in India and seeing his relatives in India every six months + Ami and Utkarsh go deep into what makes a healthy attitude to being South Asian and American, proudly wear the flag on your chest or just relax and operate as a human being + Utkarsh describes being relaxed about taking roles originally for white and black people, and being less worried about what people think + Kaly and Ami discuss growing up brown and being ignored rather than discriminated against + the importance of a natural, organic pride in South Asian culture (23:40) Organic Chemistry in the Studio: The story of the song Bring in the 808s. From thinking up the first line driving into the studio to writing the whole song in less than an hour (30:53) Rapid Fast Round: Highlights include rapping at the Oscars, asking Tom Hanks' wife permission to use the restroom and changing in a janitor’s dressing room (35:24) Connect with Utkarsh: Instagram IMDB page Connect with Kaly: Instagram YouTube channel Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
Maryanne J. George is a Grammy Award-winning artist and a clinical mental health therapist. With five Grammy wins and nine nominations attributed to her collaborations with Maverick City Music, her impact on the music industry is undeniable. Together with Maverick City Music, she has helped redefine the boundaries of contemporary Christian music (CCM) earning critical acclaim, widespread recognition, and a dedicated fan base. Maryanne has released a brand new independent track called Labor, just in time for Mother's Day, and this song really captures the journey not just of motherhood but womanhood and personal growth. In this episode, we talk about motherhood and the journey we thought it would be, the journey that it is, and all the beauty and ugliness of it. We talk about how motherhood is the hardest thing you'll ever do, and the most rewarding. Finally, we go deep into how we navigate the expectations of being South Asian, career, and motherhood, and how they shape the lessons we teach our children. What We Talked About: A Labor of Love: Maryanne reflects on being a mom at the height of her career, the expectations and judgments about motherhood, and her desire to give a gift to her daughter inspired her new song, Labor (4:48) The Great Journey of Motherhood: Maryanne and Ami talk frankly about the challenges of motherhood, including not wanting children and a career, difficult pregnancies, and post-partum depression, and how they would never go back and make a different decision + motherhood as the highest form of growth: how being a parent helps you reflect and heal in your own life, how children teach you what matters + Maryanne describes being a mother has made more confident and comfortable in her skin than she has ever been (7:42) South Asian Motherhood, Then and Now: Ami and Maryanne acknowledge how the sacrifices of their South Asian parents enabled them to pursue their dreams + the conflict between the traditional expectations of South Asian motherhood and the need to be happy and fulfilled for oneself and one’s children + how their pursuit of career and motherhood can help their children grow and live their dreams + how Ami is being a cool mom (11:47) Growing Up Brown in America: Maryanne opens up about the expectations of her culture and her constant fear of how her decisions would impact her wider family + the balance between being American and celebrating and defending her culture + navigating the music and gospel worlds while being neither white nor black (17:13) “You Know What, Girl? There's No Typical South Asian:” Maryanne celebrates her multiple identities of being South Asian, Christian, a female artist, and a mother all in one (19:53) Connect with Maryanne: https://maryannejgeorge.com/ Instagram Twitter/X YouTube Channel Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media…
Zarrar Khan is an award-winning Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker. Born in Karachi and currently based out of Toronto, Zahra’s works have been screened and awarded in over 100 festivals, including TIFF, Bocarno, and BFI London. In Flames, his genre-bending feature directorial debut, premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival as part of the Director's Fortnight. A story about Pakistani women, about resilience, it’s a perfect mixture of education, entertainment and thriller, and has garnered critical acclaim and prizes worldwide. In this episode, Zarrar delves deep into the process of creating In Flames and its subsequent controversy, and the importance of portraying Pakistan in all its complexity. He passionately expresses the importance of telling stories of Pakistani women at a time of worldwide crisis for women’s rights. He shares his thoughts on the state of Pakistani cinema. Finally, he shares his insights into living as both a Canadian and a Pakistani and learning to fall in love with all of Pakistani culture. Zarrar is truly committed to telling stories that amplify historically marginalized communities, about voices that need to be heard. In Flames comes out April 12th across North America What We Talked About: The Birth of In Flames: Zarrar describes how he developed the idea for In Flames through his early short films + the strong relationships he forged with his female cast + the urgency to show this film to the world at this time of crisis in women’s rights from Iran to Roe vs Wade (3:28} Pakistani Culture and the Making of In Flames: Zarrar explains how he combined the genres of thriller, family drama and supernatural to capture the fear-filled lives of women in the religious society of Pakistan + why the Pakistani Oscars called the film a “lasagna” (5:56) Stirring the Pot: Zarrar describes how the film generated controversy across Pakistan + navigating the censors through the controversial parts + how the film has resonated with young people and how the old guard's objections are “a badge of honor.” (9:23) Seeing Pakistan in A New Light: Zarrar discusses the value of an outsider’s perspective in exploring traumatic issues + how being a male director helped him tell the stories of Pakistani women + how female directors can bring the same outsider’s perspective to shining a light on toxic masculinity (11:48) Shooting Karachi: Zarrar describes the challenge of capturing the unique beauty of his birthplace on a microbudget + his pride in debuting his Karachi-born female lead + fleming the racier scenes in closed sets and the importance of having females in the crew (13:53) “They’re Actors - They Can Act:” Zarrar opens up about filming the racier scenes in closed sets + how his process of making cast feel safe and relaxed contrasts with the legacy of “traumatizing” actors (17:53) Shining a Light On Pakistan: The challenge of representing Pakistan in film without stereotypes + pride in showing the lives of Pakistani women in their complexity and diversity (21:14) A Karmic Moment: Zarrar shares the joy of shooting their take in a pregnancy ward at the same time a man’s wife had a baby (22:55) A Renaissance in Pakistani Cinema: Zarrar reflects on Pakistan’s first attendance at the Cannes Directors Fortnight for 40 years + how Pakistani cinema emerged from the “dark ages with the help of the internet and social media” (24:21) Between Two Worlds: How Zarrar divides his time between Canada and Pakistani + how his children have lived in four different cities + he describes his idyllic childhood and his gratitude to for his family’s support for his career in the arts + the joy of reuniting with Pakistani culture as a member of the diaspora (27:05) Pakistan And Me: Celebrating the diversity of Pakistan’s subcultures + Zarrrar’s relationship with religion and his take on Islamophobia (33:29) Rapid Fire Round: (36:08) Zarrar’s Bucket List: (41:32) Connect with Zarrar: Instagram Company website Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
Anu Seghal is a children's author and the founder of The Culture Tree, a cultural literacy and language education company that celebrates South Asian culture. Priya Krishna is a food reporter and video host for the New York Times and the best-selling author of multiple cookbooks, including Indian-Ish and Cooking at Home. Her latest book is Priya's Kitchen Adventures. The Culture Tree will be hosting their first annual AAPI Children's Literary Festival in collaboration with the Asia Society. This is a unique gathering place for writers, illustrators, publishers, and fans of AAPI literary works. It features readings, meet-and-greet sessions with authors like Priya, illustrators, panel discussions, and writing workshops, engaging the youth with the full diversity of South Asian culture. Anu and Priya delve deep into how The Culture Tree and the AAPI Literary Fest will help immerse children in South Asian culture through the love of reading and food. We talk about the importance of food in our culture and what comfort food we still love, Anu shares her journey with The Culture Tree , and Priya discusses how her dad gets stopped at Costco to discuss his recipes that are now shared worldwide. The AAPI Children’s Literary Festival will be in person Saturday, May 11th from 1 to 5 p.m. at 725 Park Avenue, New York City. What we talked about: Growing the Culture Tree: Anu breaks down the Culture Tree’s mission of celebration and education + the importance Anu places on the languages of South Asia + how South Asian culture is one of the most diverse in the world and the need to celebrate it all + the heartwarming support the Culture Tree receives from the wider community (3:28) Anu’s Journey: Growing up in an inter-religious, multilingual family and her passion for teaching South Asian languages + how having children inspired her to challenge South Asian stereotypes + her pride in seeing her kids haggling in a Delhi bazaar (7:33) Lit Fest: Putting Kids First: The original inspiration for the Lit Fest + TikTok and teaching middle schoolers the lost art of recipe reading + having children do their own writing and illustrating + how children run their panel discussion in the Festival (18:12) Priya's Kitchen Adventures: How Priya’s created an interactive cookbook that normalizes South Asian cooking from a young age + how she came to be involved in the Lit Fest + how she refused to bring Indian food to school so she could fit in + how she first promoted Indian cooking + celebrating the support she has received from Madhur Jaffrey and other South Asian cooking experts (23:15) Priya’s Further Adventures: Priya describes how her local Mutai shop was her first New York Times project + Her pride in her YouTube videos highlighting the unseen labor in the food industry + her latest project exploring identity beyond the South Asian American paradigm + her parents suddenly becoming famous (30:51) Final Goals: Anu and Priya express their hopes to promote the Lit Fest annually for children as young as five as well as middle schoolers + their wish for parents to join in the fun (35:17) Rapid Fire Round: (37:43) Anu’s Bucket List: (40:39) Priya’s Bucket List: (40:46) Connect with Anu: Linkedin The Culture Tree Instagram Connect with Priya: Website Instagram Linkedin Twitter YouTube Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
Rochelle Pinto is the head of editorial content for Vogue India. She has had quite a career and is exactly how you think a Vogue head would be-poised, intelligent, well-spoken, beautiful, and as a bonus, she’s totally down to earth. In case you were also wondering if she does gets to work with and receive advice from Anna Wintour, the answer is yes. Yes she does. Rochelle shares her insights into what is currently happening in Indian fashion, content, beauty, and all things Vogue. She speaks frankly about the challenges of representing India in all its diversity and richness and describes growing up in Goa free of gender stereotypes, how her parents keep her grounded, and the ways Vogue India is currently uncovering untold and fascinating stories all over the country. What we talked about: Walking The Vogue Tightrope: Rochelle talks about the need to balance a younger audience without alienating Vogue’s original supports + appealing India’s growing market outside of Delhi + the ever-changing role of editor-in-chief and having to deal with twitter wars (2:38) The Vogue Sisterhood: Rochelle talks all about learning every day from the legendary Anna Wintour and getting to see her work up close + She expresses her gratitude for the support and advice of her predecessors Megha Kapoor and Priya Tanna (8:56) Tapping into the Indian Zeitgeist: How the boom in the fashion scene and demand for Indian luxury goods in even small towns reflects the growing pride in Indian identity + discovering pride marches in small Indian towns + Indian artists not needing validation from America (22:06) Current Projects: Balancing 64 projects across multiple time zones + the booming beauty industry in India + celebrating the third year of Forces of Fashion (23:46) Rochelle’s Learning Curve: Being the youngest columnist in Hindustan Times and what she wouldn’t get away with on today’s social media + Co-authoring Kareena Kapoor Khan's first book + Adapting to the age of cancel culture and the perspective from her mother “You’re not that important.” Working with Twinkle Khanna: Rochelle shares her experience as founding editor of Tweak, and how Twinkle taught her to stand by her convictions (34:05) Growing Up in Goa: Rochelle celebrates learning to change tires as well as diapers + the inspiration she draws from her parents (37:56) Keeping a Shanti Over You: How staying with her parents and sleeping in her old bed keeps Rochelle’s perspective + not letting your identity be defined by your job (45:17) Rapid Fire Round: (48:20) Rochelle’s Bucket List: (49:36) Connect with Rochelle: Linkedin Instagram Let’s talk Connect: Instagram This podcast is produced by Ginni Media .…
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