Drop It Like It's Hot. Names, That Is.
Happy Holi everyone!!
The Hindu festival of colors, of love, of spring is here and I just wanted to send all of you some positive energy today. It is a day to forgive yourself for past errors and to make peace with those you have conflict with. It’s a day to forget and forgive. And a day to dance, always.
Ok so for this museletter, I’m just going to throw up everything that’s been happening and then to be honest, name drop just a bit. I don’t get to do that often so just go with it.
I had to chance to interview Joya Dass last week and was so inspired by her story. She grew up in a home of domestic violence where she had no voice, left at 18 to make it on her own, and literally built her career focusing on amplifying her voice. I mean, talk about grit. She emphasizes how she had to build her own network to create her career but realized many women aren’t taught how to do this. Enter Women’s Leadership Academy
She graciously invited me to her IWD 2022 Dinner in Hartford (which I just assumed would be like an hour from me but CT is much bigger than I thought, who would have known) and I’ll be honest, I was skeptical. I’m all about connecting and networking with other women but honestly I was questioning whether it was worth going or if I should finish season 2 of Love Is Blind and then email Shake’s mom to let her know I loved her. It was worth it.
It’s been a minute since I’ve been to a networking dinner, let alone a dinner with 9 other women I’ve never met. But man, was it refreshing. No, we weren’t all just chattering away drinking our wine book club styles. Joya had thoughtfully created a roadmap for the evening and asked all of us some thought-provoking questions which helped open up the conversation- to not only understand what our needs and fears were but also our strengths. I mean, I kinda have an idea of mine but it’s definitely therapeutic to let it all out.
A few days later, I found myself backstage at Greenwich High School talking to my old “boss” Kal Penn, he was in town promoting his new book, You Can’t Be Serious (so good).
Now let me be clear, I was definitely the best production assistant he’s ever had. We met 20 years ago on the set of one of his earliest films initially titled “The Arrangement” and then was changed to “Ball and Chain”-don’t ask (also I don’t know where you can watch it, maybe Youtube?).
Kal and I exchanged some amazing Gujju (Gujurati) one-liners those few months on set and as part of my duties, I served him some chai and took him jet-skiing (I ended up fracturing my shin bone which I gently reminded him of). I honestly didn’t think he would remember me-I mean, he’s worked in White House- but it was such a sweet reunion, I felt like I was seeing an old friend again. Yes, I asked him to do the podcast. Stay tuned.
I then decided that one famous actor/comedian wasn’t enough for me that week so when I got a chance to harass Vir Das on Saturday night at Soho Grand hotel, I 100% took it (thank you to my girl Sital for that). I literally tapped him on the shoulder, told him I wasn’t a serial killer or some fangirl (I am), and that he had to do the podcast because 1) I had interviewed his opening act Zarna Garg the year before 2) because I wanted to spread the funny.
Uh, what? I don’t know man, I had like 3 minutes before he was going to peace out on me. He didn’t, was very kind, took the selfie with me and said yes. The next day, I look at my phone only to realize I had written down an email that wasn’t an email. Vir.da.#@gamil.com.
F*&K.
Um Vir, if you’re listening, holla back.
And finally, I’m going to be flying to LA next week for the biggest podcast conference like ever. I’ll be hosting the first South Asian podcast panel appropriately called “Brown Table Talks, South Asian In Podcasting” at Podcast Movement this year and have some awesome peeps that will be joining me on stage. Check it.
If you’re in the LA area and want to hang out with the audio world, we are known to be the coolest, definitely give me a shout!
Or at least give me a ride to the airport, that damn LA traffic.