What does it mean to live with anxiety in a culture where mental health is rarely spoken about — and often dismissed?

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, I sit down with Masomah Alam Chohan, author of "Take Your Lunch Break Now", an American of Pakistani descent who has lived with anxiety disorder for much of her life.

We dive into what it's really like to carry anxiety through life’s most intimate and defining moments — from pregnancyand motherhood, to navigating love and dating, to setting boundaries in a culture that resists them.

Masomah shares:

The internal war between cultural expectations and emotional needs

The unspoken pressure on South Asian women to be “strong” and “resilient” at the cost of their mental well-being

How anxiety impacted her sense of self — and how she found the language to heal

Why talking about mental health in South Asian communities is no longer optional — it’s essential

This is more than a conversation about anxiety — it’s about reclaiming power, normalizing vulnerability, and giving voice to what too many are told to stay silent about.

If you’ve ever felt alone in your struggle, or unsure how to talk about mental health with your community, this episode is for you.

Hit play. Share it with someone who needs to hear this. Let’s break the silence together.