What We Think

In this episode, Sarrah and guest host Ayesha sit down with Adrija Jana, a high school senior from Kolkata, India to discuss menstrual hygiene,  inequities, and taboos. Listen as they discuss the Pink Tax, period taboos in Desi and Desi-American cultures, educating men on periods, and lack of access to menstrual hygiene products in American and Indian schools. Specific time stamps are included below!

Period poverty definition -  (7:00)

How did you find out about periods? (8:20)

Period taboo & Desi cultural stigma - (13:15) & (40:28)

Educating men on periods - (22:03)

Pink Tax & period products accessibility - (26:05) & (30:40)

COVID-19's impact on period poverty/menstrual stigma - (29:00)

Menstural hyegine in schools in the U.S. & India - (36:39)

In this episode, Sarrah and Mandira (virtually) sit down to discuss the stigma behind mental health in Desi-American communities compared to the stigma surrounding it in India. They speak to Adrija Jana, a student from India, who shares her experiences coping with life during the pandemic and her struggle with mental health and accessing help. Also, a quick debate between ras gulla, gulab jamun, and jalebi!

note: some of Adrija's audio is shaky until the 24:00 mark 

In the first episode of season two, Sarrah and Mandira rant about the current college application process they (along with the rest of the class of 2022) are currently suffering through. They also compare the pros and cons of the American college app system and weigh in on what their peers thought was the worse thing about the college application process. Timestamps to hear about specific topics: pressure to start - (2:30); writing essays - (19:00); career & doing adult things - (39:00)

In this episode, Sarrah and Mandira discuss the dark side of makeup, specifically the complex business of the mica industry, a key element in makeup products. They also discuss Mandira's upcoming 16th birthday, and how they feel about movies that wrongly portray high school and teenage years. Spoiler Alert: your life doesn't change when you turn 16. 

In this episode, Sarrah and Mandira discuss how Climate Change affects every aspect of our lives and the world and why so many teens are passionate about this issue. They learn different ways to make an impact-- and somehow manage to tie in the evolution of Zac Efron into the conversation!

In this extended episode, Sarrah and Mandira discuss the lack of diversity in today's media and how it affects teens. They end off the episode by talking about the amazing influence that celebrities and influencers have on their audience, and why that needs to be harnessed for good. 

This week, Sarrah and Mandira learn about the influence Gen Z has on the economy! They're taught by Shantanu Roy, CEO of Zeta Management Consulting, a company that helps businesses understand Gen Z. They also talk about a new reality TV show to hit Netflix, all about the Desi culture of arranged marriages and the hysterical drama that ensues!

Ttoday Sarrah and Mandira attempt to be life coaches and give advice on YOUR fears about the future. Skip to these timestamps if you want to hear specific topics: money - (2:30); happiness & relationships - (19:00); career & doing adult things - (39:00)

Today Sarrah and Mandira dissect their favorite (and not-so-favorite) romcoms from the 80s and 90s. They attempt to give rotten tomatoes ratings for all the movies, talk about the unrealistic standards, and how just how creepy (or downright sexual assault) some of the movie tropes are. 

This week, Sarrah and Mandira reflect on the 2020 presidential election: the good, bad, and ugly. They were joined by the founders of Gen. Z Daily, who break down daily news headlines, and Karran Mehta, an "edgy neo libertarian". They discussed cancel culture around voting for Trump or Biden, how it was like to live in Pennsylvania during the election (where Gen. Z. Daily is based),  and whether or not the "soul of America" was really on the line (plus a side-debate on gun control, which is always fun).