Red White & Brown

In this episode of Red, White, and Brown, Prerak and Sofia revisit one of the defining ideas of the Desi-American experience: "Lokiya Kahenge" - the age-old question of "What will people think?"

Six years after first discussing this topic, they explore how social media, content creation, shifting cultural norms, and a new generation of South Asians may finally be changing the conversation. Is the fear of judgment fading, or has it simply evolved into new forms?

From sharing personal experiences with YouTube and Instagram to discussing family expectations, gender roles, AI's impact on career prestige, and practical ways to build confidence, this episode examines what it really takes to live authentically while balancing individual dreams with community values.

Whether you've hesitated to post your first video, pursue an unconventional career, or simply worried about what your relatives might say, this conversation is about learning to choose your own path instead of living for someone else's approval.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro + Revisiting "Lokiya Kahenge" in 2026
00:02:33 — Has Gen Z Changed the Desi Mindset? The Social Media Effect
00:05:17 — Starting YouTube, Instagram & Overcoming Fear of Judgment
00:08:42 — Family Expectations vs. Authentic Self-Expression
00:12:58 — Why "Just Start" Is the Best Advice for Creators
00:15:33 — Gender Expectations & Double Standards in Desi Culture
00:18:40 — AI, Prestige & Will Traditional Careers Still Matter?
00:22:15 — Breaking Free from "Lokiya Kahenge"
00:23:21 — Building Confidence Through Action, Not Validation
00:24:40 — Choosing Joy Over Other People's Opinions

In this episode of Red, White, and Brown, Prerak and Sofia dive into the complicated relationship between creativity, ambition, and the pressure to constantly monetize our lives.'

Why does every hobby suddenly feel like it needs to become a business? Why do so many South Asian Americans feel like creativity is something you “earn” only after achieving stability?

We explore the cultural forces shaping the modern Desi-American mindset-from immigrant survival mentality and practical career expectations to the rise of hustle culture, content creation, and productivity obsession.

Timestamps:

In this episode of Red, White, and Brown, we’re trying something new - breaking down the biggest stories shaping the Desi-American experience right now. From Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days as NYC’s mayor to the growing dominance of South Asian founders at Y Combinator Demo Day, it’s clear that Desis are making waves across politics, tech, and culture.

We also dive into the rise of global South Asian representation- from Triptii Dimri becoming a major brand ambassador to Victoria's Secret to Deepika Padukone earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Timestamps:

This episode is equal parts celebration, reflection, and reality check.

New year, new goals… but why do so many of us fall off track within weeks? In this episode of Red, White, and Brown, Prerak and Sofia break down the psychology of New Year’s resolutions and why the traditional way of setting goals might actually be setting you up for failure.

We dive into the difference between outcome-based vs input-based goals, the science behind why telling people your goals can reduce motivation, and how to use the SMART framework to create goals that actually stick.

We also talk about the pressure within the Desi community to constantly achieve more—balancing ambition with rest, navigating comparison with peers, and learning how to truly “run your own race.” From fitness and finances to career and relationships, this episode is about building a system that works—not just dreaming about results.

If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or stuck… this one’s for you.

Timestamps:

In this episode, we discuss the milestone that hits a little harder than expected: turning 30.

We also discuss societal shifts like people having kids later, buying homes later, and why traditional milestones are happening later than ever before.

Article Mentioned in Episode

- New York Times Article: Why American Women Everywhere Are Delaying Motherhood https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/us/declining-birthrate-motherhood.html This article discusses how more Americans are delaying having children due to education, careers, financial stability, and changing social norms, contributing to declining birth rates and shifting life timelines.

Timestamps:

In this episode of Red, White, and Brown, Prerak and Sofia tackle one of the most complex topics in the Desi American community: Politics. Since we last spoke in 2020, the landscape has shifted dramatically. South Asians are no longer just participating in the political process—they are at the very forefront of it, making headlines from Washington D.C. to the United Kingdom.

We dive deep into the data behind the 40% surge in South Asian voter turnout (source here) since the 2021 primaries and explore what is driving this newfound civic passion. Is it a result of increased representation, or is the community finally finding its voice as it moves up the socioeconomic ladder?

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Ramaswamy/Usha/Mamdani Effect" & The Second Lady: What does it mean for our community to see names like Usha Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy on the national stage, regardless of their party affiliation?

The Immigrant Identity Crisis: Prerak shares his personal experience of feeling "othered" by politics before gaining citizenship, and how the transition from immigrant to citizen changes your stake in the American dream.

The Myth of the Monolith: We break down why it is impossible to lump the South Asian vote into one bucket, discussing the diversity of religion, income, and national origin that shapes our viewpoints.

The Gen Z Revolution: From 10-year-olds reading Time for Kids to Gen Z activists organizing on TikTok, we look at how the younger generation is pushing their parents and grandparents to be more politically active and less "othered."

Civic Responsibility & Social Justice: Sofia explains the duty of the younger generation to educate our elders on U.S. history and the civil rights movements that paved the way for our success today.

Timestamps:

Why is it that South Asians seem to be at a higher risk for heart disease and diabetes, even when they look "fit"? In this episode, Prerak and Sofia tackle the unique challenges of fitness and nutrition within the Desi-American community.

As two doctors who recently survived the grueling 80-hour work weeks of medical residency, we share our personal journeys with health—from Prerak’s transition from a non-athletic kid to a marathon runner, to Sophia’s discovery of weightlifting as a way to build strength she never thought she had.

They dive deep into the medical "Skinny Fat" phenomenon, explaining why BMI can be a deceiving metric for South Asians. They also get real about the struggle to get our parents active, offering creative (and slightly cheeky) strategies like "grandchildren bargaining chips," religious appeals, and the power of Garba as cardio. Finally, they break down what "whole foods" actually means and how to overcome the "activation energy" needed to hit the gym after a long day at work.

TIME STAMPS: 

After a three-year hiatus, Prerak and Sofia are finally back behind the mic! A lot has changed since our last episode in 2022—we’ve finished our medical residencies, hit the big 3-0, and seen the world of Desi-American representation explode in ways we never imagined.

In this episode, we’re catching you up on everything you missed. Prerak shares the story of his residency at Stanford, his recent marriage, and how he went from medical student to marathon runner. Sofia fills us in on her time at NYU, her world travels to places like South Africa and Japan, and her new-found love for weightlifting.

We also dive into the "Identity Shift" that happens when you enter your 30s—from managing finances and politics to the pressure of staying fit and avoiding "Uncle/Auntie status." Plus, we discuss the massive shift in the Desi-American landscape, including the rise of South Asian figures in the U.S. government and the "London-fication" of the NYC dining scene.

We’re so excited to be back with weekly episodes. Let's get into it!

TIME STAMPS: 

In today’s day and age, it is getting harder and harder to stand out. Traditionally, we as desi people have always put a huge premium on education, but after a certain point, does more education really help us stand out? What are the ways that we can stand out in today’s competitive world? In this episode, we discuss the ways that individuals can stand out in an increasingly competitive world.

Relevant Memes and Bollywood Scenes: 

NOTE: We've hyperlinked the memes referenced in the show below. Enjoy!

01:23 – Why are Desi People so Obsessed with Education?

03:07 – [MOVIE Reference] – “Life is a race” via 3 Idiots (Compete or DIE?!)    

07:31 – [STUDY Reference] – Is the World More Competitive Today than Ever Before? (feat. College Admissions (1995 vs. 2020: How College Admissions Has Changed Over the Past 25 Years))

08:10 – How is “Standing Out” in Today’s World Different than “Standing Out” in the Past?

18:36 – [SCENE Reference] – Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address – Sometimes life will hit you in the head like a ton of bricks – do not lose faith. The only way to do great work is to LOVE what you do.

26:50 – Spaced Repetition – This is one of the best ways to improve your memory and learn more about topics that are really important to you. Prerak has created a TON of videos related to this topic, and you can find them here (Anki: ALL YOU WILL EVER NEED)!

Last time we did a Q&A, we got far more questions than we could answer. So, to make sure we could answer a few more of them, we are doing another Q&A. The details for each of the questions and the scenes referenced in the episode can be found below!

Relevant Memes and Bollywood Scenes: 

NOTE: We've hyperlinked the memes referenced in the show below, but they are usually only "click-able" when you listen to the podcast via Apple podcasts on your phone.

01:03 – Inside the mind of a master procrastinator via Tim Urban – shows you how to deal with procrastination like a boss!

01:57 – How we deal with Procrastination (& Sofia’s blog post on productivity)

06:50 – Toxic Productivity: What is it and how to manage it?

12:19 – [BOOK Reference] - Atomic Habits (One of the BEST Productivity Books of ALL TIME, please check it out!)

13:18 – SCREW Goals and Focus on Systems Instead (feat. Ali Abdaal)  

14:41 – What are the Factors to Consider When Picking College/Medical School? (feat. Prerak’s Video: Picking a Medical School? Here's What You Need to Consider!)

22:24 – What We’d Change About Our Experience in College and Medical School