Conversations with Chai

In this episode, we engage with Divya Robin, a licensed psychotherapist and wellness educator based in New York City and Hoboken, NJ. Specializing in anxiety, life transitions, and millennial challenges, Divya offers her expertise on effectively navigating conflicts in various aspects of life. Utilizing evidence-based techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy, she provides practical strategies for managing disagreements constructively. Divya emphasizes the importance of understanding personal and cultural values in conflict resolution, equipping listeners with tools to foster healthier relationships. Learn more about Divya Robin.

Apology: We regret to inform our audience that due to technical issues, the video recording of this episode was corrupted. However, we believe the content is valuable and are pleased to present it in audio format. Thank you for your understanding.

In this episode, we delve into the globalization of basketball and its impact on South Asian athletes with Gautam Kapur, CEO and Founder of Brown Ballers, Sarju Patel, former Cornell basketball captain, and Varun Ram, former University of Maryland guard. We explore the NBA's global reach and discuss India's potential to embrace the sport (12:33). The conversation shifts to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, analyzing the underrepresentation of South Asian athletes in this arena (30:43). We also highlight the India Rising team and their upcoming documentary, which features personalities like Jeremy Lin and NAV, aiming to showcase the underdog journey of South Asian athletes.

In this episode of Conversations with Chai, Ihram sits down with Mashnun and Mohuya, hosts of the Difficultish podcast, to dive deep into the intricacies of being South Asian creators. They explore what it means to navigate the creative industry as Bengalis, the challenges of being boxed in as "brown creators" instead of just creators, and how competitiveness shapes the brown creative space.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Rohma Siddiqui as she shares her terrifying experience with filler removal that nearly cost her life. Rohma opens up about her rare autoimmune response to dissolving fillers, a journey filled with pain, uncertainty, and a drastic shift in her mindset. Join us as we dive deep into the unexpected dangers of cosmetic procedures, the life lessons Rohma learned through this ordeal, and how it transformed her perspective on beauty, health, and self-acceptance. An eye-opening story of resilience, self-discovery, and the strength found through struggle.

In this episode of Conversations with Chai, we sit down with Sufi Malik to go beyond the headlines and explore her journey through fame, online criticism, and her perspective on love and life. Join us for a candid conversation about navigating public life, finding silver linings, and what the future holds for Sufi.

In this special ADDA edition of Conversations with Chai, I sit with the homie Wolf Taylor from the Half Way Up Podcast. We get real about some of the latest headlines. First, we reflect on Liam Payne’s tragic death and call out TMZ for their inconsiderate reporting—yet again (4:00). Then, it’s all about J. Cole as we break down his new track, “Port Antonio,” and debate his place in hip-hop’s Big 3 (13:22). To wrap it up, we dive into Drake’s lyrics—could there be hints of a more sinister persona lurking in his music? (24:10). You won’t want to miss this one!

In Episode 55 of Conversations with Chai, host Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Farooq Got Audio, a London-based music producer and composer known for his remixes of classic Bollywood hits and his influence in the South Asian music scene. Together, they explore the regionalization of music, Farooq's journey, and the future of making money in the industry.

In Episode 54 of Conversations with Chai, host Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Yung Sammy, a Nigerian-origin, Delhi-based rapper signed to Desi Trill, the genre-bending label co-founded by Shabz Naqvi and Ty-Ty Smith. Yung Sammy shares his journey through the highs and lows of the music industry, his recent performance for On the Radar, and meeting with Hot 97 in New York City. This conversation dives deep into the personal and professional aspects of Yung Sammy’s life, exploring his resilience and his growing role in the South Asian and global hip-hop scene.

In Episode 53 of Conversations with Chai, Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Jashima, founder and CEO of Ode, a talent and creative agency representing numerous South Asian musicians. Together, they explore the evolving South Asian creative community and the music industry's direction in 2024.

Welcome to Episode 51 of Conversations with Chai. In this episode, Ihram Chowdhury brings together an ensemble of podcasting powerhouses: John Scafiddi Jr., Creative Director of AtWarWorldwide and host of The Journey Podcast; Wolf Taylor, host of the Half Way Up Podcast; and TheRealWhyEli, host of the DailyRapUpCrew. Together, they dive deep into the heart of the podcasting world, discussing some of the most pressing topics in the industry today.