WHEEOOOPPP this episode we're joined by the supremely fab Natasha Lama aka 'Brown Girl Sexology'. She's a content creator whose work is all about celebrating our bodies, embracing our sexuality, and prioritising pleasure. Earlier this year, she came out to talk about her herpes diagnosis in her quest to smash the stigma. I sat down with her to talk about her journey, the shitty stigma against STIs, and we learn that 90% are actually carriers of HSV1. Oop. Not that rare at all. You can follow Natasha Lama on Instagram at www.instagram.com/browngirl.sexology and you can follow us at www.instagram.com/unculturedpod

We're back after a well-needed season break, sniffly nose and all. This episode we dive into my experience in a bhangra team over 5 years ago: wait was I in a cult? All the shittiness surrounding my bhangra horror story explored, plus we delve into YOUR stories that you shared on Instagram - classical dance, Bollywood, the whole shebang. For many of us, dance is the only thing keeping us connected to our culture. But for many of us, it's also the source of ~trauma~ xxxxxxx If only we could just fkn dance. One day baby, one day. Links: Aruna Sayanam's articleDrea Choreo on Instagram

This week is a heavy one so I'm starting it with a content warning! CW: sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment + violence - all of which are described in graphic detail. During her time in law and politics in the 2010s, Indian-Australian Dhanya alleged two separate instances of sexual assault at the hands of senior members of her workplace. We sit down today for a raw conversation; discussing the incident itself, why there was an added layer of complexity in reporting the crime as a woman of colour, and why voices like hers and ours are silenced against those of Grace and Brittany. What needs to change? *this episode is sponsored by Wrapped Gestures, a gift-hamper curation service that makes gift-giving so much easier and pleasant rather than confusing and stressful. You can find them on Instagram at @wrapped_gestures*

Love Island Australia's Ari Kumar is strong, independent, and does whatever she wants. It started with moving out of home at 18, travelling, moving to Australia from New Zealand, and more recently - hopping on national TV to look for love. We sit down to talk about sex positivity and embracing your sexuality as a brown person, normalising cosmetic surgery, and looking for love in your 20s on a show where she was one of the very few women of colour. What's it like jumping into the deep end and not necessarily being everyone's 'type'?FOLLOW THE PODCAST AT @unculturedpod on Instagram*This episode is sponsored by Niyam Wellness, a newly launched luxury hair and skincare brand primed to refresh the skin, hair and spirits of Australia's beauty mavens. Niyam offers a blend of traditional Indian alchemy with modern science; redefining 'wellness' for so many Aussies. Find them at niyam-wellness.com or @niyamwellness*

Okay people. It's time for a group self reflection sesh. Why do we look at diversity in the corporate world, in sports, on screen - but conveniently turn a blind eye to our individual preferences when it comes to dating??? Is it because dating is a touchy topic and 'we can't help who we like'? I've narrowed it all down and spoiler alert - yeah we're kinda racist. So what do we do about it?FOLLOW THE PODCAST AT @unculturedpod *This episode is sponsored by Niyam Wellness, a newly launched luxury hair and skincare brand primed to refresh the skin, hair and spirits of Australia's beauty mavens. Niyam offers a blend of traditional Indian alchemy with modern science; redefining 'wellness' for so many Aussies. Find them at niyam-wellness.com or @niyamwellness*

IT'S EPISODE 3 OF ARE THE AUNTIES LISTENING AND OUR FIRST EPISODE OF THE NEW YEAR BITCHESSSSS. Priya moved to Singapore for 2 months! Kripa started stand up comedy! Kripa started a podcast during a pandemic and Priya shares her life with 1.2 MILLION followers on TikTok. We both still make so many decisions we're scared of but the best ones? They're based on pure passion baby. *This episode is sponsored by Niyam Wellness, a newly launched luxury hair and skincare brand primed to refresh the skin, hair and spirits of Australia's beauty mavens. Niyam offers a blend of traditional Indian alchemy with modern science; redefining 'wellness' for so many Aussies. Find them at niyam-wellness.com or @niyamwellness on Instagram*

How does being adopted out of your culture alter your sense of identity? Powerhouse @ruchipage talked about her life with so much candidness and vulnerability, going into her journey where she channelled her experience into modelling. Ruchi was born in Calcutta and adopted as a baby by white Australian parents. We talk about cultural identity, whether she's curious about her birth parents, how her adopted parents supported her through experiences with racism, and making waves as a curvy model of colour.*This episode is sponsored by Niyam Wellness, a newly launched luxury hair and skincare brand primed to refresh the skin, hair and spirits of Australia's beauty mavens. Niyam offers a blend of traditional Indian alchemy with modern science; redefining 'wellness' for so many Aussies. Find them at niyam-wellness.com or @niyamwellness*

This week's episode is a 1 hour rant on the biggest thing in this week's pop culture news cycle: Brooke Blurton, Australia's first Indigenous, pansexual Bachelorette, her close friend Abbie Chatfield, and how Abbie 'hard-launching' her relationship came at the expense of entire communities of First Nations people, people of colour, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Heads up, this isn't an episode vilifying Abbie or trying to 'cancel' her - this is about white privilege, the impact of the media, and the importance of listening to First Nations voices. Don't know the first thing about the Bach? Don't worry - I've got you covered. The entire shitshow is explained in the episode.

Content Warning: domestic violence, murder. After his sister's murder in 2015, Tarang works tirelessly as an activist, anti-violence campaigner and mental health advocate to ensure there is #notonemoreniki. Tarang has gone through more than the average person would in 10 lifetimes, yet has mobilised a movement towards eliminating gender based violence, racism, and general internet douche-baggery.  Despite his heavy story, we were able to chat absolute shit on this episode, about men’s fashion, consent education, why the stereotypes around 'made in Asia' need to change - we went an hour longer than we should’ve! What a wonderful, inspirational and kind human - thank you Tarang for your voice and time, and I cannot wait for you guys to tune in. This one is for you, and for the other men in your life. 1800 RESPECT for DV assistance @tarangchawla on Instagram Tarang Chawla on Facebook**This episode is sponsored by @puprikaboutique - your one-stop shop for South Asian wear for your furry pals! Everyone thinks they have the best dog... and none of them are wrong. For many, a bestfriend or a therapist is of the furry kind. Puprika Boutique was created for all dogs big and small, brindle and golden, four-legged, three-legged, two-legged, timid and bold. To include them on all your life-altering occasions, memories and celebrations. These unique designs are desi inspired; the first and most fabulous of its kind. Visit https://puprikaboutique.com/  now**

Maria Thattil joins us this episode, she's a speaker, writer, advocate, and ... Miss Universe Australia. Maria doesn't mirror the 'blonde beach waves' bombshell Australian stereotype - she's Indian-Australian, with darker skin and she wouldn't meet the height requirements in many countries for Miss Universe. She's changed the game in beauty - why SHOULD her height or skin colour stop her from being a role model to young Australians? It was a pleasure to listen and learn from her and I hope you enjoy it too. PS. I made her cry and I think I'm ready to retire now xx *This episode is sponsored by Niyam Wellness, a newly launched luxury hair and skincare brand primed to refresh the skin, hair and spirits of Australia's beauty mavens. Niyam offers a blend of traditional Indian alchemy with modern science; redefining 'wellness' for so many Aussies. Find them at niyam-wellness.com or @niyamwellness on Instagram*

This week we sit down with Influencer Nawal Sari, Instagram phenomenon, activist, modest fashion advocate, and model! We talk about her decision to wear the hijab at 15 and how it changed her perspective on fashion, what needs to change in representation and how she expresses herself as a mixed race hijabi woman. Tune in now!****This episode is sponsored by Chit Chaat. Are you bored of having the same desi food at every event you go to? Sydney's Indian catering scene hasn't seen any variety in so many years. At least not until Chit Chaat (@chitchaatco on Instagram). Chit Chaat is changing the Indian food catering game one event at a time with their modern Indian fusion grazing tables - the first of their kind in Sydney. Be prepared to salivate! Their carefully curated menu combines delicious Indian flavours with the ease and accessibility of finger food. Imagine fried butter chicken sliders, channa masala tacos, vada baos [a twist on the traditional vada pav], katori chaats, and so much more! Reach out to them on Instagram or visit their website, www.chitchaatco.com, to check out their menu and treat your guests to a modern Indian fusion grazing table at your next event!****

Episode 2 of Are the Aunties Listening? is LIVE with @himynameispriya and Kripa from @unculturedpod. This episode we talk about the tragic but wildly viral murder of influencer Gabby Petito, the blunder made by Priyanka Chopra, Usher and Julianne Hough for being judges on a super problematic reality TV show, and we end the episode with a rant on hair removal and WHY WE NEED TO STOP TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR BODIES! If you have any questions or stories, contact us at @unculturedpod on Instagram, or email us at askuncultured@gmail.com.#AD This episode of Uncultured is sponsored by @shimmerbazzar. Visit https://shimmerbazaar.com/ Get event ready with Shimmer Bazaar! Shimmer Bazaar is a first-of-it’s-kind marketplace for the desi millennial audience. It brings together multiple fashion, jewellery and accessory brands run by other South Asian entrepreneurs all around Australia under the one roof. Online shopping used to be intimidating for desi attire with quality guarantee being a major issue, but at Shimmer Bazaar every business is carefully vetted to ensure customers are only getting the best quality products. They provide all the perks that you’d expect from a great online shop, including $9.99 flat rate shipping, new products added weekly and excellent customer service. Take advantage of the code SBFAM at checkout for free shipping on your first order!

Influencer and content creator Rowi Singh joins us this week and I'm still pinching myself. We talked growing up Indian in Australia, Singapore & America, how she became secure in her cultural identity, feeling less brown for not knowing her mother tongue, why brown women are expected to dress modestly, Rowi's relationship with colour, and some JUIIICYY wedding goss. Tune in for the best time! Follow on Instagram: @unculturedpod and @rowisingh

There's a lot more than meets the eye to Australian Sri Lankan Logie Award winning, ABC Utopia actor, "I'm a Celebrity get me out of here" contestant and renowned comedian Dilruk. When getting fired from accounting firm KPMG at the beginning of his career launched him into the world of comedy, Dil had no idea how high his backpacker gigs would take him. At 125kg in 2018, he took control of his life and health and went on to lose 40kg, the journey teaching him so much about loving himself at both sizes and the importance of male self love. Years of therapy and unprecedented success has brought Dilruk to where he is now, and it was such a pleasure to talk to him about it. It's our longest episode yet because it was hard to edit out all his brilliant golden nuggets so strap in for a good one.Follow Dilruk on Instagram: @dilrukjFollow us on Instagram: @unculturedpodThe gratitude journal Kripa recommended: https://shop-us.kurzgesagt.org/products/gratitude-journal

IT'S THE FIRST EPISODE OF ARE THE AUNTIES LISTENING! Tiktok sensation Priya Sharma (@himynameispriya) is co-hosting the Are the Aunties Listening podcast with Uncultured's host Kripa! Tune in every second week for a bit of gossip to even out the seriousness. We're just chatting shit for an hour, so OF COURSE YOU'LL JOIN! We read your nightmare dating stories and explore everything there is about online dating. All podcast updates on @unculturedpodEmail us at askuncultured@gmail.comWE'RE SO EXCITED!

This week we sit down with the amazing Yamuna Shivananda from @saffron_weddings, Australia's biggest South Asian wedding directory. We talk strict parents, unlearning this moral superiority complex some of us might have grown up with, the different treatment of siblings based on gender, parents living vicariously through their kids and how marriage opened Yamuna's eyes up to freedom. TUNE IN! CW: mentions of su*cide

I sat down with funny man Neel this week! We talked about his meteoric rise to fame on the internet, whether political correctness has a place in comedy, why  the diversity checkbox can sometimes be demeaning, and advice to comedians entering the scene.Instagram: @unculturedpod

TW: this episode contains mentions of abortion and pregnancyThis week we sit down with Pria Camilla Shiam, who saw two lines on her pregnancy test at the young age of 19. Today, Pria is the mother to her beautiful 3 year old son, is a dancer, singer, gone through a wedding, marriage, a divorce, university, moving cities - all while being the best mum to Jahaan. Tune in for her story.

This week's episode is a SOLO one and it's more ~intimate~ than ever. Kripa talks about her first period, we deep dive into the menstrual taboo in South Asia, and we react to some of the wild period stories you guys sent through on Instagram. Woop woop! Follow @bijaruh on Instagram Sources: https://tabooau.co/2019/03/30/hindu-culture-and-menstruation/https://theswaddle.com/from-riches-to-rags-the-evolution-of-menstrual-taboos-in-india/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_and_menstruationhttps://theswaddle.com/from-riches-to-rags-the-evolution-of-menstrual-taboos-in-india/https://www.shethepeople.tv/top-stories/opinion/period-shaming/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52830427 The Menstrual Taboo and Modern Indian Identity by Jessie Norris Western Kentucky University, jessiernorris@gmail.com

Masterchef's Depinder Chhibber joins Uncultured this week to talk about her journey. We talk about how food is such an integral part of culture, her favourite food travel adventure, what it was like on the set of Masterchef and what's in store for her coming up!Follow Depinder on instagram: @depinder_