Show notes
Ambika sits down with Sahaj Kaur Kohli, MAEd, LGPC, founder of @browngirltherapy and author of “But What Will People Say” to discuss (as her book’s subtitle so perfectly articulates), navigating mental health, identity, love, and family between cultures. This episode centers South Asian experiences, but topics apply to intersectional multicultural and immigrant experiences. Show Notes00:24 The Impact of Brown Girl Therapy01:28 Journey to Writing a Groundbreaking Book01:49 Navigating Cultural Identity and Mental Health04:31 The Birth of Brown Girl Therapy and Its Evolution05:43 Exploring the Book’s Themes and Personal Resonance09:03 Understanding the Psychological Impact of Being a Second-Generation Immigrant13:25 The Role of Impression Management in Cultural Identity16:16 External Validation and Its Influence24:00 Exceptionalism and the Pressure to Overcompensate26:20 Navigating Relationships with Other Indian Women26:53 Exploring the Impact of Internalized White Supremacy28:38 The Struggle with Trust and Competition within Communities28:52 The Journey of Brown Girl Therapy and Facing Challenges31:20 Cultural Scapegoats and the Cycle of Exceptionalism36:31 Navigating Difficult Conversations and Emotional Validation46:16 Reflecting on Parenting and Cultural Legacy47:01 The Healing