Brown Women Health

Join anchor Ameek Bindra in this conversation with Washington, D.C.–based breast imaging radiologist Dr. Mansi Vaishnav (@themammogramdoc) as we tackle a critical, often unspoken issue in our community: breast cancer in South Asian women.

Research shows South Asian women are frequently diagnosed at younger ages and at later, more advanced stages than other populations. Yet, cultural taboos, unfamiliarity with family medical history, and procedural anxiety continue to delay early detection. In this episode, Dr. Vaishnav breaks down the clinical essentials, demystifies what actually happens during an imaging appointment, and outlines the proactive steps every woman should take to advocate for her health.

Calculate your lifetime risk using the Tyrer-Cuzick (IBIS) risk assessment tool:

Personal Lifetime Risk Calculator: https://magview.com/ibis-risk-calculator/

• Demystifying the Mammogram: What to realistically expect during your appointment and why routine annual screenings save lives.

• Younger Diagnoses & Advanced Stages: The clinical and systemic factors driving later breast cancer detection in South Asian women.

• Screening Guidelines vs. Personal Risk: Why the standard age 40 baseline may need tailoring, and how to assess individual risk.

• Dense Breast Tissue Explained: What breast density actually means on an imaging report, why it is prevalent among Asian women, and when to ask for supplemental ultrasound or MRI.

• Breaking Cultural Silence: Overcoming generational stigma, privacy taboos, and missing family cancer histories to normalize preventative screenings.

• Your Doctor’s Visit Action Checklist: Crucial, high-yield questions to ask your primary care provider or OB/GYN at your next checkup.

• Calculate Your Risk: Tyrer-Cuzick Model (IBIS) Breast Cancer Risk Tool

• Guest: Dr. Mansi Vaishnav, MD | Follow on Instagram: @themammogramdoc

What We Cover in This EpisodeConnect & Resources

In this episode of the Brown Women Health Podcast, Sruti and Esha sit down with Chanchal Garg, speaker, executive coach, Stanford Graduate School of Business facilitator, and author of Unearthed: The Lies We Carry and the Truths They Bury.

Together, they explore what it means for South Asian women to lead with authenticity while navigating cultural expectations, identity, ambition, and wellbeing. Chanchal shares her journey into executive coaching, her work in interpersonal dynamics, the role of mentorship and cultural background in shaping leadership, and the deeply personal process of writing her memoir.

This conversation reflects on how young South Asian women can redefine success on their own terms, build meaningful professional and personal connections, and create space for both high-impact careers and holistic health. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on self-inquiry, empowerment, and leading while honoring every part of who you are.

In this episode of the Brown Women Health Podcast, Ritika and Mariam sit down with Dr. Sara Tariq, an internal medicine physician with over two decades of experience in clinical care, medical education, and health advocacy. Together, we explore what it means to navigate healthcare systems as a South Asian woman—both as a patient and as a physician—and the often invisible biases that shape those experiences.

Dr. Tariq shares how her personal and professional journey led her to challenge systemic inequities in medicine, from academic culture to clinical practice. We dive into how medical training environments can reinforce (or disrupt) bias, and what that means for the future of patient care and physician identity.

The conversation also highlights her work in women’s health, mental health, and LGBTQ+ care, emphasizing a relationship-centered approach that prioritizes empathy, cultural understanding, and patient empowerment.

For students and early-career professionals, this episode offers thoughtful reflections on advocacy, identity, and the kind of change our healthcare systems truly need.

Whether you're interested in health equity, medical education reform, or simply learning how lived experiences shape better care, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of the Brown Women Health Podcast, we dive into the powerful intersection of athletics, medicine, and identity for South Asian women. Hosts Ritika and Esha sit down with Nehaa Sohail, the first Pakistani female Division I basketball player and current medical student, to explore what it means to pursue dual passions in spaces where representation is still limited.

Nehaa shares her journey from competing at the highest collegiate athletic level to navigating medical school, discussing the cultural expectations, discipline, and resilience required to thrive in both worlds. Together, we unpack common taboos around sports in South Asian communities, the parallels between athletics and medicine, the importance of role models, and how to balance personal well-being with professional ambition.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt torn between passions or told they had to choose just one path. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about redefining success, representation, and what it means to do it all—on your own terms.

In this enlightening episode of Brown Women Health, psychiatrist Dr. Rathisha Pathmathasan, DO joins us to explore the importance of mindfulness, mental wellness, and breaking cultural stigma in South Asian communities. We dive into her journey into psychiatry, the pressures of med school as a South Asian American, and the common signs of anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns.

Dr. Pathmathasan shares practical steps listeners can take before seeking professional help, how to communicate mental health struggles to older generations, and why many people feel intimidated by psychiatry. We also address topics like pill shaming, myths surrounding psychiatric care, and the role of holistic practices—including her own science-based Mindful Planner.

Join us as we unpack what mental wellness looks like for students, women, and people of color, and how mindfulness can support healing, resilience, and everyday balance.

Anchored by: Esha Aggarwal
Produced by: Esha Aggarwal & Mrinal Gokhale

In this episode of the Brown Women Health Podcast, host Ritika sits down with Dr. Sarvani Uppati, a radiology resident whose path to medicine is anything but conventional. From studying neuroscience to community service and pageantry, Dr. Uppati brings a multidimensional perspective to what it means to build a meaningful and balanced career in healthcare.

Together, they dive into what drew her to radiology, a specialty often misunderstood and underrepresented by women—especially women of color. Dr. Uppati breaks down the unique appeal of radiology, its evolving role in patient care, and why visibility and mentorship are essential to increasing diversity in the field.

Topics discussed include:

• The real story behind choosing radiology as a specialty

• How anatomy, problem-solving, and flexibility all come together in radiology

• Breaking down myths: radiologists aren’t just behind-the-scenes

• The importance of women in leadership within male-dominated fields

• Building confidence through pageantry and community engagement

• Strategies for responsibly sharing medical content online

• Her current interests in breast imaging and neuroradiology

If you’re a student navigating specialty decisions, a woman exploring less traditional paths in medicine, or simply curious about what radiology actually entails—this episode offers thoughtful insights, advice, and inspiration.

Follow Dr. Uppati on Instagram at @simplysarv
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @brownwomenhealth and X (Twitter) @brownwomenhlth.

In this episode of the Brown Women Health Podcast, host Ritika sit down with Dr. Sameena Rahman (@gynogirl)—board-certified OB/GYN, menopause expert, and sexual health specialist—to uncover the often-overlooked aspects of women’s healthcare. From tackling taboo topics like sexual dysfunction and menopause to discussing the challenges of the healthcare system, Dr. Rahman shares her journey from being a student at Duke University to founding her own practice.

We explore:
✨ What inspired Dr. Rahman to specialize in women's health
✨ Misconceptions about menopause and sexual wellness
✨ The importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treating women's health issues
✨ Her new podcast, "Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones"
✨ Advice for aspiring medical professionals in gynecology & sexual medicine

Join us for this insightful conversation as we break down barriers in women’s health and provide the education women truly deserve.

Follow @brownwomenhealth for more empowering content, and connect with @gynogirl to learn more about sexual health, menopause, and gynecology!

Do you wake up feeling rested? For many South Asians, the answer is “rarely.” Sleep issues like apnea, poor sleep quality, and cultural pressures to deprioritize rest are common but often ignored.

In this episode, we explore these challenges through the lens of the 2023 paper “Sleep disparities in Asian Americans: a comprehensive review” by Nandagiri et al. (J Clin Sleep Med, 19(2):393-402), and share practical, research-backed tips to improve your sleep.

Ready to boost your rest and focus? Try Magic Mind with 45% off using my link: magicmind.com/bwhpodjan. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Tune in to reclaim your rest—your health depends on it!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Nisha Patel, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Sobriety Coach, and the owner of TheNishe. Nisha is a dedicated professional passionate about guiding individuals toward healing and purpose. With a holistic and compassionate approach, she empowers her clients to create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

In this episode, we explore:

Whether you’re considering sobriety, curious about the sober movement, or looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with transformative stories and actionable advice.

Discover how sobriety can unlock new possibilities and help you thrive beyond recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, visit www.samhsa.gov for resources, support, and confidential assistance.

Join Ritika and Esha in this powerful episode in honor of Epilepsy Awareness Month (sorry we are a little late, but desi standard time?) as they sit down with Dr. Amee Shah, a successful dentist, mother, and wife living with epilepsy. Dr. Shah shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with a seizure disorder and navigating life with invisible challenges. Together, they explore how she works to combat the stigma surrounding epilepsy in the South Asian community.

Key Topics Discussed:

Tune in to hear Dr. Shah's inspiring story of resilience and advocacy. Learn how she uses her platform to educate and support the community while breaking down barriers and misconceptions about neurological disorders.

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