This week on the heels of Fashion Month across the globe, we’re having a fashionable conversation with a very stylish guest. Sujata Assomull is a renowned figure in the Indian and luxury fashion industry as the founding editor-in-chief of Harpers Bazaar India, a contributing editor to Vogue India, and an author with a sharp eye for analyzing Indian style trends. She truly has an incredible personal style and such a refreshing and honest perspective on the Indian fashion industry. In our conversation, we dive into the recent growth of Indian fashion, the promotion of slow and sustainable clothes by Indian designers, and the role of aging in the fashion world.

Sujata has become increasingly vocal about ageism issues in the industry throughout recent years. We discuss how our culture is fixated on youth, the lack of representation of older people in the industry, and how to balance personal style with trends. 

Plus, Sujata shares her expert tips and tricks for building an Indian fashion capsule wardrobe and her expert advice for anyone looking to break into the Indian fashion scene. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

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Topics Covered:

• The recent growth of the Indian fashion industry
• How Indian designers are promoting the slow fashion movement 
• Sujata’s perspective on re-wearing pieces, the rental market, and buying vintage 
• Ageism in a society and industry obsessed with youth 
• Finding a balance between staying true to your unique style and keeping up with trends 
• Advice on just being you when it comes to fashion

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The majority of millennial women I talk to, including myself and especially those raised in South Asian households, face constant and exhausting body image issues. I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t hyper-aware of my body from a very early age. Today, I’m in conversation with Dee Gautham, who has dedicated her life to changing the narrative of diet culture, especially within the South Asian community. Dee is the founder of Boss Body Revolution, a coaching company that helps women build and maintain their confidence through fitness and health. In this episode, we discuss the all-too-common relationship with disordered eating, the nuances of body image and our upbringing, and practical strategies for maintaining a healthy routine while unlearning the lifelong normalization of unrealistic beauty standards.

Dee shares her personal journey with body image, which started at the age of 13 when she began her first diet. Her experiences motivated her to found The Boss Body Revolution and address the gap in the market for health and fitness coaching tailored to South Asian women. She shares her brilliant advice and actionable tips for understanding the root of emotional eating, practicing body neutrality, building healthy habits, and shifting self-criticism into self-love. 

Topics Covered:

• Dee’s history with disordered eating and how she repaired her relationship with food 
• The extremes of diet culture and how to find a middle ground for a healthy body image 
• Understanding emotional eating and actionable tools for separating it from physical hunger
• How to build a linear and consistent routine and maintain healthy nutritional habits
• The normalization of body shaming in South Asian culture 
• Practicing body neutrality to help develop a balanced perception of your body as a whole 
• Strategies for shifting self-criticism to self-love 
• The role social media plays in body image, especially for millennials 
• Undoing the negative yet lifelong ingrained beauty standards 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow along @themodernmillennialpodcast on Instagram.

Resources mentioned 

• Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

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• The Boss Body Revolution 

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I first discovered CTZN Cosmetics when their website crashed after a viral TikTok, and I've been a huge fan ever since – their lipsticks are worn by Beyoncé (my queen), SZNA, and Megan Fox.  In this episode, I sit down with the sisters behind the brand in a Career Chat to learn about their journey in creating such a groundbreaking brand that's all about inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry. We dig into the details about the initial launch of CTZN, tips for working alongside family, advice for aspiring beauty entrepreneurs, and so much more. 

One of the things that sets CTZN apart is their commitment to considering complexion in every aspect of your beauty routine, from nude lipsticks to eyelid pigmentation to blush and contour. They also really understand the needs of their demographic, particularly millennials and Gen Z. Throughout our conversation, we discuss how important it is to use your platform to share important messages and the steps they've taken to create a brand committed to making a change.

Aleena, Aleezeh, and Naseeha are truly redefining the standards of the beauty industry and their approach to developing incredible and innovative products is so inspiring. So, if you're looking for a culturally responsive brand with approachable and authentic founders, CTZN is the perfect addition to your makeup collection. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow along @themodernmillennialpodcast on Instagram and sign up for our Newsletter. 

Topics Covered:

• Founding CTZN Cosmetics on the need for inclusivity and representation in the beauty industry 
• The sisters’ process for developing their products 
• How they use “Culture-Torials” to merge makeup tutorials with cultural awareness
• The importance of having an open mindset towards inclusivity and welcoming feedback 
• How they have humanized the brand experience and strive for authenticity 
• Insights and lessons from their initial ideas to launching a startup 
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs entering the beauty space or working with family 
• Why you should always stay true to your values and mission

Resources mentioned 

• CTZN
• Is the Beauty Industry a Mean Girl?
• Are We The Mean Girls? 

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POV: You're FaceTiming with me on a Sunday. Listen in for pop culture updates & reccs, thoughts on Filmare Awards, the "Pookie" episodemic, Lovers & Friends Music Tour, an official skincare routine reveal, and lot's more.

Music:

Lovers & Friends Playlist

TV Shows/Movies:

Abbott Elementary Season 3 (Feb 7th)

Heeramandi

12th Fail

Animal

Products Mentioned:

Owala Water Bottle

Uriage Thermale Serum

Klorane Micellar Water

Avene Hydrance Gel Moisturizer

Avene Cicalfate Restorative Cream

Summer Fridays Jetlag Mask

Arrae Constipation

Fashivly Personal Styling

Welcome to our 50th episode celebration! It's been an amazing two-year journey filled with so many ups and downs, and I'm extremely grateful for all the growth, lessons, and positive change TMM has brought into my life. I've learned so much from the amazing guests I've had on the show, and each season has been unique, filled with topics that reflect where I was in that exact moment. It has truly been so special. Today, I’m sharing the biggest lessons and insights I've gained over these two super transformative years as I’ve navigated the complexities of being a millennial woman with all of you. 

I've had the privilege of chatting with over 40 incredible guests, each offering so many valuable lessons and perspectives. From choosing my own “heart” to embracing my insecurities and failures to strengthening relationships, my worldview has completely expanded from where I was when I started this podcast. Plus, as an Indian American millennial woman, it's such an honor to acknowledge our unique cultural background on my platform and how it affects the conversation about wellness, career, relationships, and mental health. 

As we're still adjusting to the New Year, I also highlight my new goal of having more fun and the non-negotiables I'm taking with me into 2024. Thank you so much for being part of the TMM community, and here's to many more episodes filled with authenticity, laughter, and wellness! 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow along @themodernmillennialpodcast on Instagram and sign up for our Newsletter. 

Topics Covered:

• The beauty of the opportunity to choose your heart
• Why there’s power in accepting your insecurities 
• How to learn from failure and embrace trial and error 
• Prioritizing more joy and fulfillment in your daily routine
• The true meaning of being a “multi-hyphenate”
• Understanding that asking for help and taking your health seriously is a great thing
• The best advice for strengthening your relationships in 2024
• My new non-negotiables influenced by the last two years 
• My version of an “award show” thank you

Resources mentioned 

• New York Times article: 9 Ways to Improve Your Relationships in 2024
• Episode 24: How To Reframe Expectations and Create Standards For Yourself 
• The Power of Fun by Catherine Price

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I've been obsessed with The Real Housewives franchise on Bravo since the very first season and excited to welcome Jessel Taank from the newest cast. , and I can't express how excited I was when my guest today, Jessel Taank, joined the cast of The Real Housewives of New York. It's truly been amazing to see Jessel breaking barriers as the first Indian and South Asian housewife on the show and being unapologetically herself the whole way through. In our chat, we talked about her journey to joining the show, her new fashion venture, ŌUSHQ, and how she manages to stay true to herself with all those cameras following her around, fashion, parenting in NYC and more.

Jessel opens up about the challenges of being put under the reality TV microscope and shares some brilliant tips for staying mentally healthy on social media and with the press. Jessel also talks about her passion for the fashion industry and how she has committed herself to making beautiful South Asian and Middle Eastern brands more accessible to everyone through her upcoming curated catalog. We also touch on some of her favorite designers as of late, how she landed in Jenna Lyons’ circle, and what she predicts for the future of the industry.

This episode is such a refreshing and inspiring way to kick off our 2024! Jessel is so authentic and grounded in her beliefs, so I know you will adore our conversation.

Topics Covered:

• Jessel's IVF journey and how she navigated sharing her story 
• The way Jessel is representing South Asian authenticity and breaking stereotypes on Bravo
• Why Jessel decided to join the cast 
• The ups and downs of navigating life with cameras following her every move
• How Jessel adjusts her daily routines on and off of the show 
• Life advice for moms raising their children in big cities 
• How Jessel is making Indian fashion more accessible 
• The emerging fashion designers Jessel is currently loving

Resources:

• ŌUSHQ

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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow along @themodernmillennialpodcast on Instagram and sign up for our Newsletter.

I’m joined by the incredibly inspiring mindset expert and speaker Parul Somani. She shares her journey beginning in tech, to then receiving a breast cancer diagnosis shortly after her second child was born, and how she cultivated mindset techniques to overcome cancer in community. 

Parul walks us through her four-step framework to truly live with intention. I can say from experience her approach changed my perspective over the past few months at a time when I needed it most. Intention setting is about jumping into the future, considering what you want your future self to feel and have experienced, and then working backward to inform your decision-making. Parul is a strong believer that the more you can articulate the life you want to lead, the more you can manifest that reality. 

One of the key tenets of Parul’s intentional living framework is making decisions. Decision-making can bog us down at the best of times. From her own experiences, Parul illustrates how choosing the path of least regret can offer the most peace of mind and eliminate feeling stuck in the middle.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• How Parul’s breast cancer journey became a lesson in self-advocacy and approaching health care with strong intention
• The four steps to living with intention
• How to recognize you’re at a decision point and change your reality
• Introducing Life Strategy Sessions to reframe overwhelm and the burden of responsibility
• Why achievable aspirations are an antidote to passive manifesting
• How the path of least regret can simplify decision-making

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• Website

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In this episode, I’m rounding up some of my recent routine favorites and new additions as we kick off 2024. I want to keep things light and relaxed and share some of my recent favorites that have made my days a bit more exciting and my routine a bit more fun. I've got you covered, from skincare products to wellness tips to yummy snacks and much more! Some of my favorite podcast episodes are when the host gets real about the little things in their day-to-day that bring them some extra joy.

Topics Covered:

• My current skincare go-tos
• Lipsticks and blushes I’ve been loving
• The best routine to set your makeup 
• How I rekindled my love for reading 
• The TV shows and movies that are lighting me up 
• Recent routine, wellness, and food recs 
• What I’m doing to feed my coffee addiction 
• The best wine for the pinot noir fans 

Resources mentioned 

BEAUTY

• Creme De La Mer Moisturizer 
• E.L.F. Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wand
• CTZN Lipsticks 
• One Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder
• Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
• L’Oreal Lumi Lotion

READS

• The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
• Don't Let Her Stay by Nicola Sanders
• Verity by Colleen Hoover
• It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
• Blowing My Way to the Top by Jen Atkin

WATCH

• Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (Netflix)
• The Looming Tower (Hulu)

FOOD

• Friendship Whipped Cottage Cheese
• Good Culture Cottage Cheese
• Barebells Protein Bars
• Momofuku Prepared Noodles
• nutpods Creamers
• Ropiteau Pinot Noir
• Deep Flaxseed Para

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow along @themodernmillennialpodcast on Instagram and sign up for our Newsletter. 

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As this year wraps up, I know I’m not alone in feeling pressured to make outrageous goals and sudden life overhauls, but this conversation with Hitha Palepu, a writer, creator, CEO of a pharmaceutical company, mother of two, and overall one of my favorite multi-hyphenates, is a balm to resolution urges. Hitha is so well versed in all things rest, wintering, and creating intentional rituals that her descriptions of adding more comfort to our lives are like meditations. 

We discuss how to determine what wintering means to each of us by honoring the needs of the season we are in. Wintering looks different for everyone, but the through line is always finding lower-impact things, making fewer plans, refreshing our cozy nooks, and shifting focus to easing into the new year instead of rushing in to create drastic change. By keeping our life visions close to our hearts, it becomes simpler to identify priorities and let the rest fall away.

Hitha shares her experience of how a recent hysterectomy surgery, along with other major life events, forced her to consider what it means to pause. We must remember that after change, there is no going back to old versions of ourselves. Take the time to consider who you want to be in the next chapter. 

One of my favorite ways to do this is to read what makes me happy! I recommend beginning with something you love, like reading cheesy romance novels and asking yourself how you can layer more soothing rituals on top. Wishing everyone gentleness and ease during this winter season.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• How to normalize being not ok, especially at the end  and beginning of the year
• Why “new year, new you” is an outdated way of thinking
• The importance of questioning all narratives accepted as truth to ensure deep alignment
• Ways to live a softer life
• How to acknowledge the different seasons of life and consciously pause what’s not in season
• Tips for winter well-being 
• Following what makes you happy instead of what you think you “should” be doing

Resources mentioned 

• Wintering by Katherine Mae

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This week's episode is a solo one and wraps up season 3 of the podcast as we head into the end of the year. We're covering our "Not Another Gift Guide" gift guide and spotlighting unique gifts, understanding our core values and why this are important to identify, some random chit-chat, and of course TV recommendations & more. 

• Not Another Gift Guide (all the gifts & more linked here)
• Article mentioned on 99 Things Money Can't Buy 
• Great IG Follow @smarterinasec
• Understanding core values (excercise & explanation)
• The Chutney Life Ricotta Dip
• Easy Icebox Cake Recipe

TV Reccs:

• The Railway Men (Netflix)
• Lessons in Chemistry (AppleTV)
• Aarya Season 1 (Hotstar on Hulu)

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