In this interview we catch up with Hollywood based filmmaker Mayank Deogaonkar who is an award winning South Asian American filmmaker with a diverse background. Originally born in India, he has been raised in the United Kingdom, and the United States. This upbringing has made him appreciate the multifaceted and diverse world we live in. As such, he strives to tell stories that discuss the struggles and obstacles faced by an immigrant abroad.Mayank has worked as a writer, director, and video editor on multiple projects. In 2021, he has won Best Script for American’s at the New York Cinema Awards. Since, 2023 his debut short Butterscotch has had a successful festival run, garnering two awards along the way for Best Short Drama at the Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati and Best International Short Film at Yellowstone International Film Festival. Furthermore, it was just recently selected for the Oscar Qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival. Mayank recently began M.A.D. House Entertainment Limited with a goal of expanding the opportunities for South Asian filmmakers based in the US.

Chhaya has appeared on ABC's Big Sky, General Hospital, and Speechless and you can also catch her on Netflix's The OA, and BET's Sacrifice. Chhaya’s latest project and film ‘Kurta Pants’ is making waves at the Toronto International Film Festival. But Kurta Pants’ isn’t your typical film—it’s the latest installment in the television anthology series ‘Civil Disobedience’. Combining comedy with poignant social commentary, each episode tackles pressing issues of justice and prejudice. This particular episode explores the complexities of interracial dating within South Asian and Nigerian cultures, shining a humorous yet insightful light on inherent biases. Don’t miss this conversation with a rising star who is determined to continue bringing diverse stories and narratives to life in Hollywood and beyond!

Mrinalini Garv the Career Coach for South Asian Professional Women.   As a highly accomplished career coach exclusively for South Asian women Mrinalini uses a transformative approach to empower professionals so they can step into their full potential and command the recognition they deserve. In this episode Mrinalini shares her journey from feeling undervalued in her life and career to becoming a beacon of change. Discover how she helps women reclaim their voice, assert their leadership, and achieve unprecedented career milestones, all while maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. If you're ready to stop working 80 hours a week without recognition, and instead fast-track your career with confidence and strategy, you're in the right place. Join us as we unlock the secrets to professional success and personal fulfillment, exclusively with Mrinalini Garv.

Rohini is a production designer and art director with a professional background in architecture currently working in art departments of film and television projects in Los Angeles.​She has worked in multiple roles within the art department, as a production design assistant, researcher and digital asset manager, before taking on the challenge of production designing and art directing for multiple short films and music videos. She has worked on a couple of Netflix films, a HBO pilot, feature films with award winning directors both in India and the U.S. and even a design proposal for a $500 billion city proposed to be built in Saudi Arabia.​In her short time in Los Angeles, USA, she has collaborated with notable production designers and art directors like Oscar-nominated Guy Hendrix Dyas, David Lazan, Inbal Weinberg and Lauren Fitzsimmons, to name a few. Post that, she completed a stint in Mumbai, India working in art departments of major feature films with renowned directors like Anubhav Sinha and Umang Vyas as well as experienced production designers Nikhil Kovale and Shruti Gupte.  She completed her undergraduate studies in architecture and worked for over 2 years as an architect in a well-reputed design firm India before moving to complete her post-graduate degree in the Fiction and Entertainment program at SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture), Los Angeles.​Rohini is a highly visual person with an instinctive understanding of spatial design. Coupled with her love for cinema (Indian and World), she was eventually drawn towards designing for films. A wanderer at heart, she is inspired by her collection of experiences and observations of people, flavors, art and architecture around the world. Rohini loves the fast-paced world of cinematic design and hope to bring a fresh perspective to her craft of film-making. In this episode we discuss Rohini’s new project entitled Anokhi.  Anokhi sheds light on the silence and normalization of domestic abuse in patriarchal cultures and especially amidst the South Asian Diaspora.

With a background spanning the realms of business development, finance, and artistic vision, Megha Kadakia is a luminary in the world of independent filmmaking and media strategy. Her journey began with pivotal roles at Disney | ABC and Deloitte Consulting, honing her skills in business acumen and strategy. But it was in the realm of film production where Kadakia's star truly rose. From her tenure at Blue Velocity Pictures to co-founding the global media entertainment brand, SUPER AMAZING PRINCESS HEROES, she has been a driving force behind groundbreaking projects that captivate audiences worldwide. A recipient of prestigious fellowships and accolades, including Sundance's Momentum Fellowship and Film Independent's Producer's Lab, Kadakia's commitment to social impact media is unwavering. Her TEDx talk on Media and Diversity at UNC Chapel Hill stands as a testament to her dedication to driving meaningful change through storytelling. With an MBA from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Biochemistry and Business Specialization from UCLA, Kadakia brings a unique blend of expertise to every project she touches. Join us as we unravel the journey and insights of Megha Kadakia, a visionary at the intersection of business, media, and social impact.

In this episode we catch up with Actor, Producer and Model Divya Sethi and her equally talented partner and co-collaborator Shival Bajay who is also the Chief Investment Officer at Atlas.  Divya Sethi has an impressive bio and is known for Billions (2016), Bull (2016),  Extrapolations (2023) and most recently CSI.Shiv is the chief Investment officer at Atlas and together they are co-creators of Shark Bait. Shark Bait (Shark Bait: https://www.sharkbaitseries.com/) is a 6 episode limited series and we dive into questions about the series, diversity in Hollywood (or lack thereof) and how media consumption and habits are changing based on technology and streaming. Overall this is conversation that is sure to entertain and inspire listeners everywhere!

This week we are excited to welcome actor, writer and business owner Tansu Philip!  Tansu Philip is a third culture kid from Redlands, CA. After graduating from film school at Chapman University with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science, she opened Viva La Boba, a community coffee shop in San Bernardino, CA.She has improv training from Upright Citizens Brigade and is impassioned about storytelling and increasing diversity across the entire landscape of media and entertainment.  In this episode we discuss being ‘brown’ in Hollywood and the excitement and challenges associated with this career path.Thanks so much!

Author & Screenwriter Ashwini Prasad MBA is impassioned about storytelling & more importantly, about elevating stories focused upon marginalized groups and ensuring that these rich perspectives continue to be shared with the world more broadly and be celebrated.As a screenwriter, Ashwini cultivates safe spaces for storytelling and is a firm believer in lifting others up to move from surviving to thriving. Ashwini has her own podcast about Inclusive Screenwriting and is a published author with two Master’s Degrees and an MBA.

Dr. Gitika Talwar is a Psychotherapist & Immigrant Advocate whose goal is to facilitate collaborative conversations that have a unique focus on mind, body & spiritual wellness.   Gitika’s personal and professional experience working in the area of mental health in both India and the U.S. makes her uniquely equipped to understand the challenges facing our communities.

Rashmi Rustagi was Born and raised amidst the vibrant tapestry of Lucknow, India, and has brought stories to life since a young age, starting with radio plays and theater. Over the years, this passion led her to the silver screen, where she continues breathing life into film and television characters. You may have seen her in movies such as The Avengers, India Sweets and Spices, and TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Atypical, and Never Have I Ever, to name a few. She has written and produced several short films on narratives advocating social change. She aspires to inspire and motivate audiences to shape a better world. Rashmi recently wrote, produced, and acted in the feature film Designed by Preeti, which is currently in post-production  https://designedbypreetimovie.com.The film is a romantic drama about a woman’s journey from spouse abuse to personal and professional empowerment as she experiences real love for the first time with someone outside her rigid community. Inspired by true stories, Designed by Preeti addresses domestic abuse, mental health, and interracial romance. Outside of acting and writing, she is an avid gardener, loves to cook, and writes a popular Indian food blog.