Brown Girl Broadcast

What does it mean to find your place in the world when you’re constantly navigating between cultures, expectations and different versions of yourself?

In this episode, we sit down with Meghana Karanjkar, fiction writer and author of First Generation, to explore the complexities of growing up between cultures, the pressure to succeed, and the emotional realities that often get left out of the immigrant story. We talk about family expectations, cultural identity, the guilt that can come with building a life of your own, and whether you can push back against parts of your culture while still deeply loving where you come from.

Meghana also shares the inspiration behind First Generation and how fiction can bring immigrant experiences, identity and belonging to life.

If you’ve ever felt caught between two worlds or wondered where you truly belong, this conversation is for you.

Buying a house, building wealth and figuring out what financial success actually looks like can feel overwhelming, especially when you grow up with the classic Desi expectations of making it big.

In this episode, we sit down with Murtaza, a real estate agent and business owner, to talk about everything from renting vs. buying and the real costs of homeownership to the pressure Brown men face to be financially successful. We get into family expectations, buying a home your parents love versus one you actually want, and the realities of building a career in real estate that people don’t always see online.

Whether buying your first home is on your mind or you’re still figuring out your financial future, this episode is full of honest conversations and advice to help you feel a little more confident about your next move.

Get to know us a little better with 73 questions, Vogue style From our childhood memories and current obsessions to Desi family chaos, dating hot takes and life in our 20s, we’re answering everything from the serious to the completely random. Expect honest answers, questionable opinions and probably a few stories we didn’t plan on telling.

After 73 questions, you might just feel like you know Mariya and Nafisa a little better.

What does it really mean to build your own path when you grow up with a very specific idea of what success is supposed to look like?

In this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur and technology executive Shabbir Karimi to talk about going from working in tech to building companies, taking risks, dealing with failure and redefining what success means along the way. From building Panopta and its acquisition by Fortinet to starting SpotGenius and diving into AI, Shabbir shares what he’s learned about entrepreneurship, leadership and knowing when it’s time to take the leap.

We also get into the Desi definition of “making it,” family expectations, money, titles and what it looks like to choose a less traditional path.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re supposed to play it safe or bet on yourself, this one’s for you.

Every Brown girl knows a girl who fits one of these personalities. The responsible daughter, the family translator, the wedding socialite, the therapist friend or the chaos queen.

In this episode we break down the Brown girl personality types we’ve noticed in our own lives, share stories and debate which ones we actually are. From the girl who knows everyone’s business but never posts to the one who somehow becomes an auntie before 30, we’re putting our entire friend groups on the spot.

Which personality are you?

Growing up Desi often meant hearing a lot about women’s health without actually being taught about it.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Maliha Sayla, an Obstetrician Gynecologist, to talk about what every Brown girl should know about her health. We get into periods, PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, pregnancy, birth control, sexual health and the questions many women are too embarrassed to ask.

We also unpack the health advice and myths passed down through Desi families and talk about what women should actually be paying attention to in their 20s and 30s.

A conversation about breaking the silence, knowing your body and feeling more confident advocating for your health.

What happens when the version of success you were taught growing up no longer feels like enough?

In this episode we sit down with Shazad Carbaidwala, a former professional bodybuilder, author, personal trainer, championship mindset coach, project manager and philanthropist. We talk about his journey from bodybuilding to building a life centered around purpose, discipline and helping others.

Shazad opens up about growing up Desi, navigating expectations around success and masculinity, and what it really means to transform both physically and mentally. We also get into fitness in the South Asian community, emotional health for Brown men and why success is about so much more than titles and achievements.

A conversation about becoming the person you want to be while staying true to where you came from.

Join us as Hamna shares her journey into skincare, her perspectives on beauty standards, and practical advice for embracing your natural beauty at any age. This episode offers insights into skincare routines, cultural influences, and how to navigate beauty expectations in a diverse world.

What starts as a simple conversation with a stranger can turn into something unforgettable. This week we're joined by the creator of Human Archive to talk about building one of social media's most compelling interview platforms while still in college. We dive into the story behind the project, what it's like interviewing strangers, the moments that have stayed with him, balancing content creation with school, navigating expectations as a South Asian creator, and what he's learned about people and himself along the way.

Money can feel intimidating but it doesn't have to. This week we're joined by accountant and business owner Mariam Ezzy to talk about building wealth as a Brown girl. We cover her journey to entrepreneurship, what it's like being a woman in finance, the biggest money mistakes we see in the Desi community, and why every woman should understand her finances no matter her stage of life. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to feel more confident with money, this episode is full of practical advice you can actually use.