Toxic Masculinity | A Conversation with Clinical Psychology Student Paritosh Joshi

It's the last episode of That Desi Spark with Nehal as a host - but keep your eyes on TDS as it moves forward with Annika. Big things are coming!

5 years. 8 seasons. 130+ episodes. 140+ guests. 
The end of an era. And the beginning of another.

As of January, Nehal will be leaving That Desi Spark to chase her passion of becoming an entertainment-focused content creator, a passion she discovered on TDS.

When we met on a Facebook group, started a podcast, and built a business, lightning struck in a way that changed our lives. We created a lifelong sisterhood, a community that we are so grateful to be a part of, and friendships across the South Asian sphere that we cherish. We never saw it coming. And we can’t thank you enough for supporting us through our life changes - from situationships to babies! - and being a part of the community that we never dreamed would reach these heights. 

We hope you’ll continue to support Annika as she takes That Desi Spark forward on her own, and follow Nehal’s journey as doors continue to open for her as a content creator. New episodes and projects drop soon - and until then, keep lighting That Desi Spark.

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Kanika Chadda Gupta, host of That's Total Mom Sense (a hit podcast with guests like Chelsea Clinton!), joins TDS to talk through the career balance, deciding how to approach parenthood, and all the inspirational stories of incredible mothers across our diaspora and beyond.

You can hear her podcast here, and follow her on Instagram!

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

'Tis the season to give, and American India Foundation's NY-based CEO Nishant Pandey and Chief Development Officer Kalpana Kanthan are with That Desi Spark this week to discuss the outcomes for over 17 million people this non-profit has impacted, the social programs it innovates, women in non-profit leadership, and why we all have a stake in shaping the future of our homelands across South Asia!

Learn more about the American India Foundation's programs, follow them on Instagram, and visit on LinkedIn! Want to donate to the Light a LAMP Campaign? Do it here!

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

The way parents communicate with each other is HUGE in influencing the way we, as immigrants and children of immigrants, engage with our partners. Psychotherapist and founder of Being, Sadaf Siddiqi,  joins us for her second episode with TDS to talk about how we can unlearn some of the toxic behaviors and communication techniques we may have grown up with, amplify the healthier ones, and create happier relationships.

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Saumya Dave, MD, knows what South Asian women are up against - the psychiatrist and novelist is a staunch advocate for mental health, and explores what self-care really means (spoiler: it's MUCH more than than eating a brownie!) for burnout, anxiety, and societal expectations on this must-listen episode of TDS.

*This episode is sponsored by Therapy in Colour and Hachette Book Group*
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Therapy in Colour is a therapy practice that offers Telehealth appointments that blend psychological interventions with cultural understanding. Visit therapyincolour.com today.

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futuristic desert kingdom rests in the hands of a princess desperate for power and an assassin with a dark secret, this novel is a can't-miss!

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Masculinity and mental health have come under greater scrutiny by the South Asian community in recent years. Clinical Psychology student Paritosh Joshi, a contributor to Brown Girl Magazine, joins TDS to explore how toxic masculinity impacts relationships, upholds patriarchal values, influences mental health, and creates a less inclusive atmosphere for South Asian men to seek mental health resources.

Connect with Paritosh on LinkedIn!

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futuristic desert kingdom rests in the hands of a princess desperate for power and an assassin with a dark secret, this novel is a can't-miss!

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

1 in 5 girls in South Asia will drop out of school after the onset of their period. Period poverty is a global issue with wide-ranging impact. The Desai Foundation's President, Megha Desai, joins TDS to discuss their initiatives to provide access to education, period products, infrastructure, and more - and above all, dignity.

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futuristic desert kingdom rests in the hands of a princess desperate for power and an assassin with a dark secret, this novel is a can't-miss!

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

When journalist Ruchira Gupta traveled across India to find out what was happening to young girls across the country, she stepped into the world of prostitution, sex trafficking, bribes, death threats, and more. Her riveting account of sex trafficking, her founding of Apne Aap - an NGO helping women, girls, and their children in the red light districts of Mumbai, her work with the UN and Hillary Clinton, and above all, hope, are the focus of this episode of TDS.

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Imagine if you had a pair of glasses that did all the work for you by showing you every man’s true colors. 

Director and Media Critic, Aneesa Khan’s next short film, “Criteria Kya Hai?” needs your help in celebrating young Pakistani-American women no screen! There's one month left in the film’s Kickstarter campaign! Make a donation and be a part of making this film a reality for more accurate South Asian American media representation!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aneesakhan/what-is-the-criteria-criteria-kya-hai-a-short-film?ref=project_link
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The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futuristic desert kingdom rests in the hands of a princess desperate for power and an assassin with a dark secret, this novel is a can't-miss!

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Netflix' Never Have I Ever's central characters, the Vishwakumar family, were trailblazing for South Asians on screen. Star of the series Maitreyi Ramakrishnan joins TDS to discuss her journey on the show, representation as a South Asian, her favorite memories with Devi, and so much more on this engaging episode.

This episode is sponsored by Reti Swimwear, Recover Season, and Therapy in Color.

Reti Swimwear, inspired by the comfort of warm sand, is a desi-inspired swimwear line. Find them on Instagram at instagram.com/retiswimwear!

Therapy in Colour is a therapy practice that offers Telehealth appointments that blend psychological interventions with cultural understanding. Visit therapyincolour.com today.

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futuristic desert kingdom rests in the hands of a princess desperate for power and an assassin with a dark secret, this novel is a can't-miss!

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!

Sameera Qureshi, MS OTR, joins TDS to discuss her career with sexual health and Islam - what to do when values and lifestyles clash, issues around not exploring sexuality, how she's educated people about sex, and finding peace with sexual health.

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is on sale now! An action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futuristic desert kingdom rests in the hands of a princess desperate for power and an assassin with a dark secret, this novel is a can't-miss!

Follow TDS on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and catch up with the hosts, Annika and Nehal, on their personals. Until next time, keep lighting That Desi Spark!