It's Preeti Personal | South Asian Stories

Growing up, we didn't see enough people who looked like us on screen and the representation we did get was often stereotypical and wasn't one we recognised ourselves in which is why this episode means a lot to me as I sit down with the cast and director of a new British South Asian film called Never Had a Chance. 

Never Had A Chance is an award-winning British Asian film set in the heart of the Punjabi community in Hounslow, West London. It is directed by Jazz Bhalla and stars Tina Sharma and Amar Chaggar. The film follows Ravi (Amar Chaggar), a young man navigating the weight of his past while trying to build a future. When a new connection offers a glimpse of something more stable and meaningful, he finds himself at a crossroads but those closest to him threaten to pull him back into the life he's trying to leave behind.

In this episode we talk about:

🍿 What went on behind the scenes to bring this film to life

🍿 The importance of British South Asian representation in film and TV

🍿 Navigating life as an actor, actress and director

🍿 Whether the moment for South Asians in film and TV has arrived or is still to come?

🍿 Why we need more people telling stories that matter to our community

Honestly, one of my dreams is to do press junkets and be able to interview movie directors and actors (hopefully this is the first of many) so thank you Media Hive  for the opportunity! 

In the episode: 

00:00:00 intro

00:01:58 the story behind Never Had A Chance

00:05:05 the cast's reaction to reading the script

00:06:45 meet Ravi & Sukhi: the characters behind the film

00:10:10 the process of casting British Asian talent

00:15:46 getting into character

00:17:22 life on set filming a indie film

00:19:11 filming in Hounslow

00:23:25 childhood film inspirations

00:25:15 the impact of Bend it like Beckham

00:26:10 staying true to the British South Asian experience

00:27:03 behind the scenes: shooting, rehearsals & improvisation

00:29:21 is this our moment? south asians in film & tv

00:34:22 navigating life as a actor

00:37:30 why you need to watch Never Had A Chance

00:39:45 how to break into acting & directing

Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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THE CAST OF NEVER HAD A CHANCE:

Jazz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhalla_jazz/ 

Tina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamtinasharma/ 

Amar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amarchaggar/ 

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

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Have you ever felt stuck in a job that looks good on paper but doesn't with align you, then this episode is for you. Today we are talking about career switching and how to actually change your career to a job that’s more aligned to you. Growing up, I was told that you should pick a career and stick to it but the world of work has changed and so has the way we see our careers/jobs. 

I’m joined by Priya Raj, a fashion and lifestyle journalist who has written for Vogue India and worked at Business Insider and The Telegraph among other big global publications. Both me and Priya started our careers in Finance and in our 20s realised that it wasn't what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives so we decided to change. It wasn’t easy to start a new career in our 20s, but in this episode we are going to share how we did it, what motivated us to take that leap, how we keep our imposter syndrome in check and whether or not we regret it. 

So if you are someone who’s struggling with their career or having a little bit of a career crisis and don’t know what to do- then this is the episode for you! 

In the episode: 

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:37 Why did we start working in Finance? 

00:05:29 What made us want to change careers? 

00:12:27 Mental Health at work 

00:14:07 How have careers changed in 2026?

00:15:23 The rise of portfolio careers

00:16:14 How to change your career- practical steps

00:17:41 Priya’s journey to writing for Vogue India

00:20:42 Balancing working in Finance and Fashion 

00:21:37 Dealing with imposter syndrome 

00:23:10 Career switching internally in tech 

00:27:55 The importance of good co-workers

00:30:38 Dealing with rejection

00:31:12 How to build confidence in a new career

00:34:24 Telling family about being a journalist 

00:37:46 Priya’s experience on BBC News 

00:40:16 Corporate 9-5 to creative career 

00:44:58 How to reach out to journalists to pitch your brand?

00:48:40 What is a press release?

Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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PRIYA: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pr1.png 

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

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The Met Gala is one of the biggest nights in fashion and finally as South Asians we are seeing ourselves being represented on the fashion red carpet. 

In this episode I’m joined by Fashion journalist Priya Raj who has written for Vogue to break down South Asian representation at the Met Gala from the iconic moments, the controversies and what it means for the global South Asian Diaspora. 

We talk about: 

💫 Shah Rukh Khan not being recognised by Vogue reporters on the red carpet

💫 Diljit Dosanjh's regal look and the controversy around the Prince of Patiala necklace

💫 What it felt like seeing this representation as South Asian Women 

💫 Our favourite Met Gala looks

💫 Who we want to see on the red carpet this year 

This is only part of our conversation as Priya will be back on the podcast very soon! 

In the episode: 

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:32 What is the Met Gala?

00:02:50 Theme of 2026 Met Gala 

00:04:19 South Asian representation at 2025 met gala 

00:05:10 Shah Rukh Khan not being recognised by Vogue reporters

00:05:37 Diljit Dosanjh’s iconic Met Gala look 

00:09:08 The Prince of Patiala necklace 

00:13:58 Predictions for the Met Gala 2026

Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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PRIYA: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pr1.png 

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

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Being a brown girl (or South Asian girl) means celebrating how far we’ve come but also feeling like there is still so much left to achieve. 

With International Women’s day coming up, I sat down with Rhea Somaiya, the host of a South Asian Feminist podcast called Unapologetic by Silver Jay to have a honest girl talk of what it means to be a modern day Asian girl living in the UK or the global west.  We talk about being the first generation with financial freedom, the pressure to succeed, the history of women’s rights and lack of funding when it comes to women’s health research. 

In the episode:

00:00:00 Introduction

00:04:37 What does it mean to be a modern woman?

00:09:08 What do you love about being a girl?

00:11:23 Vogue article: Is having a boyfriend embarrassing? 

00:13:15 Women advocating for themselves 

00:14:40 Female friendships 

00:18:41 The feminist movement 

00:20:05 What I love about being a girl: getting ready 

00:23:40 The story of Suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh

00:26:45 Women who inspire us 

00:31:51 Women’s safety 

00:37:26 Female health 

00:38:37 What we don’t like about being a girl 

00:39:37 The pressures we face as women 

00:42:25 Girboss culture and corporate girls 

00:45:55 Historical facts about women’s right in the UK 

00:47:54 The importance of allyship 

00:49:43 South Asian Feminism

Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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RHEA: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheasomaiya 

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5L0IlR1OYKZOVU40SpXNS1?si=9ee0ff83f970485e 

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

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MUSIC:  

Upbeat-party by scottholmesmusic.com

Being single on valentines day can be tough, especially if all your friends and family are in relationships and you are the only one celebrating it alone. It can shine a spotlight on insecurities you didn't know were there and make you feel you are not good enough because you are not in a romantic relationship, trust me you are not alone! 

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Virali, a self-love and somatic embodiment coach and we have a very honest chat about celebrating valentines day alone, the pressure to find the perfect relationship and how to actually sit down with your feelings and come out feeling empowered and excited about where you are in your journey to find love. 

In the episode:

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:18 Buy yourself flowers

00:03:48 Our thoughts on Valentine's Day

00:08:58 Celebrating Valentine's Day single

00:13:30 How to show yourself love

00:16:35 Is singleness being redefined?

00:20:55 Finding happiness from within

00:22:15 The pressure to find love by a certain age

00:26:55 Finding the right partner

00:29:43 How to get to know yourself better

00:33:35 How to spend time with yourself

00:37:10 Build fences, not walls

00:39:01 Don't be afraid to love again

00:41:31 Advice for single girls on Valentine's Day

If you are feeling anxious about celebrating Valentines Day alone then Virali has a FREE Reclaiming Love Guide which you can download here: https://site.viralipatel.co.uk/download-reclaiming-love-pdf 

Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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VIRALI: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealcoachvirali 

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

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MUSIC:  

Upbeat-party by scottholmesmusic.com

Welcome back to the first podcast episode of 2026! In this solo episode, I’m sharing some goal-setting frameworks and techniques that will help you make 2026 goals you will actually stick to.

If traditional goal-setting methods like SMART goals have never really worked for you then this episode offers a different approach. I’ll be breaking down three goal-setting frameworks based on the different personality types (Type A, Type B and Type C) so you can set goals in a way that actually works for you.

and.. I’ll also be sharing some of my 2026 goals because why not be completely delulu and put my 2026 goals out there in the universe 

In the episode: 

00:00:00: intro

00:04:30: how to set goals if you are Type A 

00:06:00: how to set goals if you are Type B 

00:08:32: wheel of life exercise

00:11:56: my 2026 goals 

If this episode resonated, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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WHEEL OF LIFE:  

https://nowandbeyond.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Creating-a-wheel-of-life.pdf 

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2025 REFLECTION:  

https://open.spotify.com/episode/18GRLn7zIEBx3pG3nGhqfg?si=R8oopoVYQAGcWG_JPpRdJQ 

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to subscribe and follow @itspreetipersonal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or the place you listen to podcasts

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MUSIC:  

Upbeat-party by scottholmesmusic.com

As 2025 comes to an end, I thought I would record a solo episode and share my personal reflection of 2025. 

Now I don't know about you but 2025 has been a YEARRR! One with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and in this episode I’m going to be reflecting back on the significant events that happened this year, what life lessons it taught me and some of the questions I used to reflect back this year in case you wanted to do a little 2025 reflection for yourself but don’t know where to start.

Spoiler alert: this episode gets “preeti” personal and honestly I was a little scared to release this but I also believe in the power of being vulnerable and sharing stories because maybe whatever I’ve learnt this year can help another person. 

Wishing you all a very happy new year and can’t wait to speak to you all in 2026! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00- intro

00:03:03- how would I describe this year?

00:03:40- significant moments of 2025 

00:20:52- life lessons from 2025 

00:27:05- journal prompts for a yearly reflection

If this episode resonated, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to subscribe and follow @itspreetipersonal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or the place you listen to podcasts

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MUSIC:  

Upbeat-party by scottholmesmusic.com

Today we’re talking all things health and fitness with Dilan, a women’s health coach and the founder of DNA Fitness. So many of us struggle to prioritise our health and fitness and in this episode Dilan shares his own journey- from being an overweight kid at school to becoming a fitness coach and what actually helped him change his life.

We dive into the real blockers that stop so many women, especially South Asian women from starting their health and fitness journey: cultural expectations, putting everyone else first, emotional eating, mindset, accountability and the pressure to look a certain way. We also explore how our South Asian genetics and upbringing affect the way we view our health and why reaching out for help is often the hardest step. 

On a personal level, I grew up as a chubby kid too. For a long time, I felt insecure in my body and had no idea how to start my own fitness journey. Even though health and fitness is now a huge part of my life, I know exactly how overwhelming those early steps can feel. Everyone’s journey is going to look a little bit different, but the most important thing is just to start!

If you’re looking to make a change, feel more confident in your body, or just want to start prioritising your health, this episode is for you. 💛

Timestamps:

00:00:00- intro

00:02:17- earliest memories of health + fitness 

00:03:29- growing up as a chubby kid 

00:07:43- the south asians mindset with food and emotions

00:09:30- what made Dilan start prioritising his health? 

00:13:37- the all or nothing mindset 

00:17:23- the generational behaviours that get passed down around food

00:22:27- how south asian genetics affect our health 

00:23:56- comparison culture + comments from “the aunties”  

00:29:00- what does health actually mean?

00:33:02- what stops us from prioritising our health? 

00:36:24- the importance of just starting 

00:39:40- finding your “why?”

00:41:54- the importance of accountability 

00:44:51- consequence vs incentives 

00:46:40- how to build a sustainable routine

00:50:34- habits that will help us in old age 

If this episode resonated, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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DILAN:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dnafitnessuk

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to subscribe and follow @itspreetipersonal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or the place you listen to podcasts

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MUSIC:  

Upbeat-party by scottholmesmusic.com

October is Breast Cancer awareness month and did you know that 58% of people in the UK (31 million people) hold 'outdated’ views about cancer with that rising to 77% of people from ethnically diverse backgrounds according to Macmillan Cancer Support, one of the UK’s biggest cancer support charities. 

Cancer is not commonly spoken about in the south asian community and there is still a lot of stigma around the topic which those affected by cancer might not have anyone to turn to get the right support or have the right information. 

Macmillan is warning that with more people living with cancer than ever before it’s never been more important for people to be aware of the accurate and trusted support available. 

For information, support or just someone to talk to, call Macmillan’s free, confidential Support line 7-days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk/whateveryouneed. 

Today I’m joined by Priyanka Pandya, a mother of two and children’s life coach who was diagnosed with Grade 3 triple negative breast cancer in May 2022 who joins the podcast to share her story with battling Breast Cancer and tackling the stigma of cancer within the South Asian Community. 

Timestamps: 

00:00:00 intro

00:01:56 what is breast cancer?

00:02:28 priyanka’s cancer diagnosis 

00:08:44 putting on a brave face 

00:10:40 how priyanka told her children about her cancer diagnosis 

00:16:26 navigating cancer as a family 

00:18:38 tests after cancer diagnosis

00:19:26 chemotherapy and cold capping

00:24:10 mental health during chemotherapy 

00:25:00 writing a children's book about cancer

00:26:02 the side-effects of chemotherapy 

00:27:21 misconceptions of cancer in the south asian community 

00:28:27 advice to people going through cancer 

00:29:29 becoming cancer-free 

00:32:24 how cancer changed her outlook on life 

00:32:41 life after cancer 

If this episode resonated, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other South Asian girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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MACMILLAN CANCER:  

Website: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/ 

Cancer stats + new research

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PRIYANKA:  

Buy her book here: https://amzn.eu/d/ihgVNOE 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyankapandya.lifecoach/

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to subscribe and follow @itspreetipersonal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or the place you listen to podcasts

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MUSIC:  

Upbeat-party by scottholmesmusic.com

Happy Diwali and Bandi Chorr Divas! ✨

We are trying something new on the podcast this week and doing a South Asian holiday deep dive and breaking down why different religions like Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism celebrate Diwali and Bandi Chorr Divas. 

Growing up in the UK, unfortunately all these festivals are sometimes bucketed into one celebration when each community celebrates for a slightly different reason. I find it really interesting to learn more about different cultures and hopefully you find it interesting too. 

So today we are learning more about Diwali and Bandi Chorr Divas! If you are celebrating, wishing you loads of love and light 💛

Love, 

Preeti 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) intro

(02:45) why is diwali called the festival of light?

(03:34) why does the date always change?

(04:20) hinduism

(05:37) sikhism

(06:29) jainism

(07:18) growing up british asian celebrating diwali & bandi chorr divas

(09:59) what diwali and bandi chorr divas means to me 

If this episode resonated, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to It’s Preeti Personal and leave a 5★ review as it helps other Brown girls find the podcast and feel a little less alone 💛

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ABOUT IT’S PREETI PERSONAL:  

This podcast is all about sharing South Asian stories and having everyday conversations but from the lens of being a brown girl so expect girl talk episodes covering topics like love, career, mental health, finances, friendships, female health and living life in our 20’s and 30’s. 

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SOCIAL MEDIA:  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetipersonal/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@itspreetipersonal⁠

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSvmbM63/

Email: [email protected]

Don’t forget to subscribe and follow @itspreetipersonal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or the place you listen to podcasts

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MUSIC:  

Upbeat-party by scottholmesmusic.com