Colour Me Brave

In this solo episode, I reflect on a recent panel discussion I had the honour of contributing to, around the ups and downs of running a business. As an ode to immigrant women entrepreneurs, I share some personal road blocks and struggles I faced as a result of deep rooted cultural conditioning, and what I did to overcome them. There is a sense of purity and love in everything hand made. The minute a passion turns into a business, the daunting task of sustaining the business comes into sharp focus, demanding our attention and testing our resolve. I share some lessons I learned from my own journey that helped me face the obstacles that were beyond the looking glass. You will discover the power of the human mind, and how to change negative narratives and turn them into a power source for yourself, and some key practices you can implement now, to free up precious time to allow you to breathe, expand your mind, and cherish with loved ones. Topics covered include: recognizing obstacles beyond what you can see, the role internal saboteurs play in our minds and how they show up, prioritizing wins and acknowledging your priorities and how to overcome hurdles with the power of positive affirmation.

For more resources from this episode, hop on to www.soirette.com.

In this episode, I chat with LeLe Chan, an interdisciplinary artist based in Vancouver, BC. Inspired by a reconnection to her ancestral roots, she creates artwork that combines elements of tribal Filipinx designs with her own modern style. We cover the difficult and vulnerable truths about the younger days, where, as a young immigrant, she struggled to identify with her own culture, as she searched for a sense of belonging everywhere and anywhere else in her Vancouver community. It wasn't until the later years, in the wake of the pandemic and social change that sparked shortly after the tragic death of George Floyd in the U.S., that she began reflecting on what it was like to fall in love again with her Filipino culture she was so quick to hide from all those years back, and how it flourished into a transformation of her truth and that of her business purpose, and motherhood. This inspiring conversation of culture, identity and boldness encourages us to reflect on our own past, to take the learnings into our own hands and to be curious about our own relationship to our culture and how it can enrich our truth. Also, wear sunscreen, and love the colour of your skin! *Music credit: Love, by All Good Folks Topics covered include: Trusting business experts to shine in their craft, pressure of assimilating to surroundings and community, the value of connection through ancestral history, know your worth, intersectionality between brand identity and cultural roots, and acts of kindness. For more resources from this episode, hop on to www.soirette.com.

In part 2 of Garam Masala Diaries, we continue our conversation with Aman Dosanj, Chef and owner of Paisley notebook, a diaspora kid, adulting in the Okanagan, telling stories about her food immersed in her culture and heritage, while expressing her emotions unapologetically through her one of a kind pop up dinner series, SOURCED. She gets right into societal assumptions and what we can do, to help correct the narrative, as women of colour with courageous voices.

Aman's outlook is informed by her lived experiences. In this deeply emotional episode, we explore taking on the responsibility of creating opportunities for ourselves, and take charge of the keys to our future. She explains how she does this and holds her power through her intentions and actions of giving herself a chance to make a difference.

A poignant lesson she pulls from the beautiful festival of Holi (which she celebrates in one of her pop-up dinners annually), is the joy of evoking joy and laughter through the act of covering ourselves in a myriad of colours, while flattening the curve on all those pointers that sets us apart such as race, wealth, religious beliefs and cast - what better way to allow space for humanity to shine through.

Through Aman's captivating story-telling, you will discover ways you can stand up for what you believe in and find your path, no matter what life throws at you. Also, when it's mango season, enjoy as many mangoes as you can, and find joy in sharing the love!

Topics covered include:

Race, cultural perception and it's limiting beliefs, self-compassion, how and why representation matters,accountability, strength of community, imprints of generational parenting, and acts of humanity.

For more resources from this episode, hop on to www.soirette.com.

*In loving memory of Laticia Watson, who suddenly passed in between the recording of this episode and its airing*

In Part 1 of this 2 part episode, I talk with Aman Dosanj, and we cover some deep and emotional liberations and pain, as entrepreneurs, claiming space and amplifying the passion behind the work that she commits herself to.

What struck me with my conversation with Aman was her raw vulnerability and the courage she mustered to speak her truth and call out wrongs to make them right. I witnessed her pulling herself out of dark and twisted narratives to then flip them on its side to evoke a sense of power and gratitude over her story, and the strength in building community despite facing struggles of inclusion. She takes us on a journey through family treasures, food security, biodiversity, racial scars, immigrant life, the sore prints of colonization right through to little acts of kindness, the service of humanity and the exploration of the concept of home.

Leaning into and finding gratitude in the hurt and pain experienced as an immigrant, listen closely as the tensions, struggles, the forces of mother nature and human connection are weaved into her magical Pop-Up Dinner Series, SOURCED

Topics covered include:

Family legacy, gender inequality, race, immigrant life, concept of home, struggles of inclusion, acts of kindness, love of community.

For more resources from this episode, hop on to www.soirette.com.

Speaking up: Why is it crucial when it comes to staying true to ourselves and standing up for our identity, or for something we believe in? When we stay silent in the face of ignorance or disrespect, we allow others to define us. We become complicit in perpetuating a cycle that diminishes our worth. But when we find the courage to speak up, we reclaim our narrative and assert our right to be seen and heard. Whether it's correcting the mispronunciation of our names, challenging stereotypes, or sharing our stories, each act of speaking up contributes to the larger tapestry of social change. Speaking up requires vulnerability, resilience, and a strong sense of self. So, what can we do about this - how can we find the courage to cultivate the confidence to speak up? How do we shift the perspective of speaking up, from shame to shine? In this debut episode, I discuss what sparked my curiosity about speaking up, and how it serves us as leaders and parents. You will discover how to shift your narrative, and key practices you can implement now, to fund the courage to power up your voice, and to shine in your authenticity. Topics covered include: Evaluating your values Embracing culture and identity Modelling behaviour for your child Trusting your power to create change Let's live a life of colour and lead with freedom. For more resources for this episode, hop on to www.soirette.com

On the Colour Me Brave podcast, Shobna Kannusamy examines how you can embrace your true self and experience the powerful impact of courage, kindness, and self-compassion in life, and as a leader. Together, we dive into the intricacies of identity, culture, tradition, conditioning, and perception, exploring how you can live, love and lead with purpose and grace.