What happens when professional expertise meets creative self-expression? Shailja's story bridges seemingly different worlds – the structured environment of behavioral therapy and the vibrant freedom of dance.

In this powerful conversation, Shailja reveals how childhood experiences of racial bullying forced her to suppress her Indian identity, throwing away her lunch and lowering Bollywood music near school gates to avoid ridicule. This journey from cultural shame to proud self-expression informs both her professional approach and online presence, where she now confidently showcases her heritage through dance videos that celebrate femininity and cultural richness.

As a behavioral therapist working with individuals living with disabilities and mental health challenges, Shailja brings unique insights into human psychology. She takes us behind prison walls where she supports inmates, sharing fascinating details about security protocols and her approach to therapy in these controlled environments. Her perspective on helping people was transformed when a client with schizophrenia challenged the notion that she needed to change to fit society's definition of "normal" – leading Shailja to focus on changing environments rather than "fixing" people.

The contrast between her professional world and social media presence offers valuable lessons in authenticity. While facing criticism for her bold self-expression online, she draws on Buddhist wisdom to handle negativity: "If someone offered you a gift and you say no, whom does that gift belong to?" This philosophy allows her to create content that empowers women without absorbing others' judgment.

Whether you're struggling with cultural identity, wondering how to handle criticism, or looking to express yourself more authentically, Shailja's story reminds us that we don't need to choose between seemingly contradictory aspects of ourselves. By embracing all our dimensions – professional and creative, traditional and bold – we create space for others to do the same.

Guest : Shailaja Joshi

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Guest: Prerna Karnani  

What happens when workplace discrimination meets entrepreneurial spirit? For Prerna, founder of Shadis and More, being the only South Asian woman in decision-making roles throughout her decade-long fashion retail career sparked a remarkable transformation.

After a manager bluntly told her that her desire for advancement stemmed from being "an immigrant and a woman," Prerna began questioning whether corporate Australia had space for her talents. Taking stock of what truly fulfilled her—creativity, business strategy, cultural connection, and freedom—she realized no existing job could satisfy these diverse passions. This revelation, combined with her experience planning her own wedding from Melbourne for an event in India, illuminated a genuine market gap.

Shadis and More emerged as Australia's first comprehensive platform connecting people planning South Asian cultural events with vendors who understand specific cultural needs. Need a mehendi artist in Sydney who's available for multiple ceremonies? A florist who knows what a "vermala" is? A photographer comfortable with week-long celebrations? Prerna's platform now spans 13 categories across every Australian state, solving problems she personally encountered.

The journey wasn't straightforward. Navigating postpartum anxiety while launching a business required tremendous courage, especially when she discovered how workplace experiences of being made to feel "not enough" had affected her mental health. Yet these challenges only strengthened her resolve to create something meaningful.

Whether coordinating fashion shows, multi-vendor exhibitions, or helping brides find rickshaws for grand entrances, Prerna demonstrates how creating your own opportunities often proves more fulfilling than fighting to climb existing ladders. For anyone feeling stuck or undervalued, her advice resonates powerfully: "If you're not seeing the opportunities that you want, then it's time to create the opportunities."

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Guest: Angelica Silva 

When Angelica told people she wanted to pursue journalism, the response was often disbelief. "Why would you pick a career where you'll make no money?" they'd ask. As a South Asian Australian woman, she was expected to follow what she calls the "golden triangle" – medicine, law, or engineering – the only careers many deemed worthy of pursuit.

Today, Angelica stands firmly in her decision as an accomplished ABC journalist specializing in stories about the South Asian diaspora in Australia. In this captivating conversation, she reveals how cultural expectations shaped her early self-doubt and how finding her voice as a storyteller transformed not just her career, but her understanding of success itself.

"Success to me isn't how much money I make," she explains. "It's how meaningful my work is, how much it resonates with someone, whether it's making change." This perspective powers her groundbreaking reporting on issues affecting South Asian Australians – from women's health taboos to financial dynamics in relationships that challenge traditional gender roles.

Born in Australia to parents of Indian origin from Singapore, Angelica navigates complex cultural waters both personally and professionally. Her work exposes critical gaps in media representation, like her recent investigation into why South Asian women have the lowest cancer screening rates in Australia. Behind her success lies a stark reality: journalism isn't the glamorous career outsiders imagine. She details the grueling shift work, emotional toll of verifying distressing content, and constant pressure of public scrutiny.

For aspiring journalists from minority backgrounds, Angelica's journey offers powerful guidance: network relentlessly, seek mentors, develop thick skin against criticism, and remember your purpose. "You can't be what you can't see," she emphasizes, underscoring why diverse voices in media matter. Whether you're considering an unconventional career path or seeking authentic stories about multicultural Australia, this conversation will leave you inspired to challenge expectations and tell the stories that truly matter.

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Deepa's journey from corporate strategist to cultural entrepreneur showcases the powerful intersection of heritage, passion, and purpose. As founder of both Chandralaya School of Dance and POC Beauty, she has created platforms that celebrate and empower South Asian identity in Australia.

Her dance odyssey began at just five years old in Chennai, eventually blossoming into a school that serves students from age six to sixty. What makes Chandralaya special isn't just the teaching of Bharatanatyam—it's how Deepa has expanded it into artistic commissions, cross-cultural collaborations, and community building. For many adult students, the school provides not just cultural connection but therapeutic benefits, with some crediting the dance practice with helping them through significant life challenges.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Deepa reveals how her 25-year corporate background in IT strategy and transformation gave her the tools to succeed as an entrepreneur. The turning point came during motherhood when, working 60-70 hour weeks, she questioned her purpose and made the bold decision to launch her dance school. "If I fail, I fail," she recalls thinking, but those corporate skills proved invaluable in building her businesses.

Particularly compelling is Deepa's insight into her beauty brand. POC (Proud of Color) Beauty emerged from her frustration with mainstream skincare that doesn't address the specific needs of melanated skin. Her first product—a natural lip scrub with ingredients like fermented papaya and beetroot extract—exemplifies her philosophy of creating skincare-infused beauty products that work with the body's natural systems rather than against them.

Throughout our conversation, Deepa advocates passionately for embracing cultural heritage, recommending minimalist skincare routines over trending 10-step processes, and encouraging women to support each other professionally. Her parting wisdom resonates deeply: "Build slow, take your time, own your story, and don't be afraid to take up space." For anyone balancing multiple roles or contemplating entrepreneurship, these words offer a roadmap to authentic success.

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What does it really take to leave a successful corporate career and build your own business as a woman? Sangeeta, founder of Jumpstart Studios, doesn't sugar-coat the answer. Coming from three generations of entrepreneurs, she first climbed to senior leadership at ANZ Bank before realising something fundamental was missing in her career.

The entrepreneurial path wasn't straight for Sangeeta. After starting businesses in travel and food experiences (both interrupted by COVID), she discovered her true calling: helping other women make the leap from employment to entrepreneurship. Her clarity about why women struggle in both corporate and startup worlds is refreshing. "The current business world was not built by women, was not built for women," she explains, highlighting how existing structures fail to accommodate the multiple identities women carry simultaneously.

This understanding led her to create Press Play Ventures, a program that's already helped over 120 women founders. Unlike traditional approaches, Press Play recognises women's realities and provides flexible pathways into entrepreneurship without forcing them to choose between their various roles. The statistics speak to the need: women receive less than 5% of startup funding globally, and in Victoria, only about 1,000 women founders existed before her program began.

What makes Sangeeta's methodology particularly valuable is her practical approach to testing business ideas. Rather than starting with heavy investment, she teaches "pretotyping" – a concept from Google's former head of engineering that involves testing market interest before building anything. "Don't build first. Market first, sell it first, get some money and then deliver the product," she advises, saving founders countless resources on unvalidated ideas.

The success stories emerging from her program show the impact of this approach - her most important insight is that success looks different for everyone, and recognising when an idea isn't viable can be just as valuable as pushing forward.

Want to learn more? Sangeeta's award-winning book "Start Right" distills these lessons into practical exercises, or join her next Press Play cohort opening applications in April with up to 85% scholarships available.

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What happens when a young South Asian woman decides to challenge colorism, feminism, and mental health stigma head-on? In this powerful episode of Brown Queen Diaries, we sit down with Devni Vihara, the lawyer-turned-activist whose voice is reshaping conversations about beauty standards and gender equality in our community.

Devni's journey spans three countries -  Born in England, raised in Sri Lanka, and finding her independence in Melbourne, she brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to her advocacy work. Her pivot from biomedicine to social justice wasn't just a career change—it was an awakening. "I realized I had a passion for social justice. I really cared about these things, but I didn't have the language to articulate it," she reveals, explaining how university studies gave her the vocabulary to name the injustices she'd witnessed throughout her life.

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Devni shares her childhood struggles with colorism: "I used to stand in front of the mirror as a child and be like, 'Where else am I pretty? Because my skin is too dark.'" Her raw honesty about battling beauty standards that elevate fair skin while belittling darker tones reflects experiences shared by countless South Asian women. Today, she celebrates her complexion and advocates for representation that embraces our diversity.

 "We're all silently suffering and silently navigating these things, and if we just talked about it, we would feel less alone," she shares, challenging the silence that often surrounds mental health in South Asian communities.

Whether she's defining feminism in accessible terms, breaking down the difference between tokenistic representation and genuine inclusion, or teaching us Gen Z slang, Devni brings warmth, wisdom, and wit to difficult conversations. Her parting message resonates deeply: "You have a calling for a reason... Speak your truth, but be powerful, because we have so much power. We don't need to be empowered—it's there, we just need to do it."

Listen now to this inspiring conversation that will leave you questioning beauty standards, understanding feminism more clearly, and feeling empowered to embrace your authentic self.

Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

Directed by Sandeep Raj

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Concept & Host:  Priyanka Nomula
Designed & Directed: Sandeep Raj
Presented by: Aussie Talkies
Guest: Manisha Dagore

Manisha’s journey from a caring nurse to a vibrant dance influencer encapsulates the blend of passion, resilience, and creativity. Her evolution highlights the power of dance as a transformative form of self-expression and connection, providing insights into overcoming challenges while embracing individuality. 
Here are some of the topics we covered:
• Manisha shares her diverse background and early influences in dance
• The impact of COVID-19 influenced her decision to start creating content
• Building a community through dance workshops empowers women
• Navigating the challenges of negative feedback and social media scrutiny
• Overcoming an injury and the emotional journey of recovery
• Advice for aspiring content creators on finding their niche and maintaining consistency

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

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Presented by Aussie Talkies

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Concept & Host:  Priyanka Nomula
Designed & Directed: Sandeep Raj
Presented by: Aussie Talkies
Guest: Hima Naidu

Hima Naidu shares her captivating journey as a model and mother, exploring the intricate balance between career ambitions and familial responsibilities. She emphasises the importance of self-kindness and support systems while breaking stereotypes in both fashion and motherhood, inspiring listeners to embrace their unique journeys.

• Hima Naidu's background and transition from recruitment to modelling 
• Influence of motherhood on her modelling career 
• The evolution of inclusivity in the modelling industry 
• Navigating unsolicited opinions from society 
• Importance of fitness and self-care routines 
• Balancing personal life, passion, and profession 
• The role of a strong support system in her life 
• Insights into domestic life and sharing chores with her partner 
• Advice for women juggling motherhood and professional aspirations

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

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Concept & Host:  Priyanka Nomula
Designed & Directed: Sandeep Raj
Presented by: Aussie Talkies
Guest: Archana Koorthy

Join us for an inspiring exploration with Archana Kurthi, a dedicated dancer, behavior therapist, and advocate for individuals with disabilities, especially those with autism. Discover how her passion for dance led her to make meaningful connections with children facing developmental challenges, using her skills in ABA therapy to create positive change. Archana opens up about the profound satisfaction she feels witnessing her clients' progress and stresses the essential role of community work and inclusion. Her journey is not just about dance or therapy; it's about weaving together compassion, expertise, and advocacy to support those who need it most.

Through heartfelt conversations, Archana shares the invaluable lessons she's learned, offering motivational insights that captivate and inspire. Her story underscores the importance of early identification of autism and proactive approaches to developmental delays, providing a wealth of information for parents, educators, and anyone eager to make a difference. Tune in to be uplifted by Archana's dedication and passion, and gain a deeper understanding of autism and the transformative power of inclusion and support.

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

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Concept & Host:  Priyanka Nomula
Designed & Directed: Sandeep Raj
Presented by: Aussie Talkies
Guest: Anita Prasad

Join us for an inspiring story of resilience and ambition with Anita Prasad, a woman who transformed her life from beauty pageants to the vibrant world of music and production. Anita's journey began in Fiji and took her to New Zealand, where she represented her new homeland in international beauty competitions. A chance encounter in Miami ignited her musical passion, leading her to overcome visa restrictions and criticism as she pursued her dreams. Her persistence paid off with her music finally hitting the airwaves on Kiss FM, showcasing the power of tenacity and courage.

Anita's story doesn't stop there. She took a bold step by leaving a secure accounting career in New Zealand to start fresh in Melbourne, founding her production company, the House of Entertainment. Despite the financial and emotional sacrifices, Anita's 14-year journey is a testament to her determination and the challenges she faced in an industry riddled with gender and racial biases. Through candid insights, she shares the importance of equality and the reality of starting anew in a foreign land, offering hope to aspiring creators everywhere.

Balancing work, health, and success is no small feat, yet Anita manages to do so with strategic planning and a supportive network. She opens up about the importance of genuine communication and building meaningful relationships, especially in an industry that often undervalues women. Her advice extends beyond her personal experiences, encouraging women to seize opportunities in leadership roles and break through barriers. Anita's journey reminds us all of the power of persistence and the human spirit's capacity to overcome life's challenges with purpose and determination.

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

Directed by Sandeep Raj

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