In this candid episode of Blinidan Brown Girls we dive deep into the topic of adult friendships, especially as we navigate motherhood and the intersections of our lives. We explore the nuances of friendships that grow, change, or sometimes fade away, and how these relationships shape our journey. From the challenges of finding like-minded mom friends to understanding the dynamics of friendships that no longer serve us, we get real and raw about what it means to maintain meaningful connections in a world that’s constantly shifting…. And becoming more disconnected with each day.

Whether you're balancing relationships, dealing with life's transitions, or simply looking for a space to reflect on your own friendships, this conversation is for you. Tune in as we unpack the layers of trust, connection, and the different roles that friendships play in our lives, all while keeping it real and relatable. Don't miss out on this heartfelt discussion—hit play and let's get into it!

What we discussed:

• Cultivating Friendships in a New place
• Grieving friendships that were lost over time or distance
• A dating app for mom friends - we wish!

Connect with Us:

Join us for more real conversations on navigating mixed-race relationships, motherhood, and culture. Follow us on Instagram @BlindianBrownGirls for updates and more insights!

Subscribe:

Don’t miss out! Subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review!

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we talk about how where you grow up can change how you look and act. Can you tell where someone is from just by looking at them? We discuss how traits like hair, mannerisms, and even the energy people give off can hint at where they come from. We also explore the idea of epigenetics – how your environment affects your physical traits over time.

We touch on the differences between growing up in individualistic societies, like the U.S., and collectivist cultures, like India, and how this shapes people's confidence and behavior. The conversation also covers the unique experiences of raising mixed-race children and the importance of names, looking at how names can impact how people see and treat you.

What We Discussed:

• Can you tell if someone is from India, Africa, or elsewhere just by their appearance?
• How the environment you grow up in affects your physical traits, like hair.
• The difference between growing up in collectivist versus individualistic cultures.
• Raising mixed-race children and helping them shape their own identity.
• The importance of names and how they influence people’s perceptions.

A Few Things We Said:

• “I can almost always tell if someone’s Indian and grew up in India, just by their hair and mannerisms.”
• “We come from an individualistic society, but we’re bringing collectivist ideas from our parents. That shifts the way we show up in the world.”
• “Epigenetics is the mix of our genes and our environment, which decides how certain traits, like hair, are expressed.”
• “Raising mixed-race children, especially when they’re part Black, is a different experience from raising kids who are part White.”
• “So much of how we act is influenced by how other people see us. It's hard not to be affected by that.”

Connect with Us:

Join us for more real conversations on navigating mixed-race relationships, motherhood, and culture. Follow us on Instagram @BlindianBrownGirls for updates and more insights!

Subscribe:

Don’t miss out! Subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review!

In this episode of Blindian Brown Girls, we dive into the unique challenges of raising mixed-race kids, especially when it comes to navigating hair and identity. From daughters wanting hair like Elsa’s to sons proudly rocking their curls & their mixed race heritage, we explore how beauty standards, societal expectations, and even family opinions shape our children’s perceptions of themselves.

We talk about the differences in how boys and girls are treated when it comes to hair, how parents' and grandparents' views influence their sense of identity, and what it means to raise children who are proud of every part of who they are.

Things get raw as we share personal stories about our own struggles with hair growing up and how we’re trying to instill confidence and pride in our children’s natural beauty. Whether it’s dealing with cultural beauty standards, supporting our kids through identity questions, or finding a balance between cultural traditions and self-expression, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the intersections of race, identity, and parenting.

What We Discussed:

• The struggle of helping our mixed-race daughters love their curly hair when they want it to look like Elsa's straight braid.
• How boys’ curls are often praised while girls face stricter beauty expectations.The cultural and family pressures that come with hair and beauty standards, and how these influence our kids’ self-perception.
• The impact of societal beauty standards on our children’s sense of identity, especially for Black and mixed-race kids.
• Raising kids with pride in their mixed heritage and helping them navigate the pressures of cultural expectations.

A Few Things We Said:

• “She’s four years old and she’s watching all the Disney movies and it's beautiful because I love her love for herself, but it’s still such an innocent thing because she’s starting to grapple with, ‘Why can’t I have Elsa’s hair?’”
• “Boys with curls? People flock to them. Girls with curls? It’s like the standard is so much higher for them.”
• "My daughter has curls, but they don’t grow that long. I pull it out straight, and it’s still not where other kids' hair is. And long hair is the standard”

Please Connect with Us!

We’d love to hear your stories and thoughts! Follow us on Instagram @BlindianBrownGirls and join the conversation. Share how you’re navigating hair and identity with your kids and let’s keep this important dialogue going.

Subscribe:

Stay updated and never miss an episode! Subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. If you’re enjoying our show, drop us a review—your feedback keeps us inspired and helps us grow!

In this episode of Blindian Brown Girls, we dive headfirst into the world of fast fashion and its far-reaching impacts on our planet and our closets. We’re unpacking the messy truth behind those irresistibly cheap clothes and exploring whether we can truly balance style with sustainability.

We get real about the environmental and ethical toll of fast fashion, from the appalling working conditions to the mountains of waste. But it’s not all doom and gloom—we’re also sharing our love for secondhand shopping gems like Buffalo Exchange and how these treasures can elevate your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Our chat takes a cultural twist as we challenge the outdated stigma around secondhand clothes and discuss how attitudes are shifting. We’ll give you practical tips on revamping your closet with what you already own, and how to make mindful fashion choices

Tune in to find out how you can stay stylish while being kinder to the earth. Because yes, you can look cute and be conscious!

• Our journey from trend-followers to classic piece lovers and how we keep our style fresh.
• Why we adore secondhand stores like Buffalo Exchange and how they offer high-quality finds.
• The harsh realities of fast fashion, including its environmental damage and exploitation of workers.
• The shift in cultural views on secondhand clothing and the move away from outdated stigmas.
• Tips for making the most of your wardrobe, and finding joy in what you already have.

• “I guess I have to admit, I don't keep up with trends as much, so I could give a shit"
• “There’s still an association with poverty and poor people that wear secondhand clothes”
• “When you see that site, you're like - this is not fashion."

Connect with Us!:

We’d love to hear how your cultural background has influenced your parenting or education choices.

Send us a voice memo! We’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Tanya

Connect with Aumatma

Subscribe!:

If you loved this episode, please take 15 seconds to subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on your favorite podcast platform to catch every new episode - they drop every week! And we'd appreciate it if you would leave us a review 🙏🏽 - it's going to help us bring amazing guests and topics in the future.

In this episode of Blindian Brown Girls, we dive into how our cultural backgrounds influence our parenting styles and views on education. We chat about the pressures of being part of the "model minority" in Asian communities and share personal stories of our own rebellious moments against these expectations, when we were kids, and now as mothers. We discuss how cultural identity influences academic performance, and the impact of racially-specific incidents at school that our own kids have experienced. Plus, we explore how different cultures balance strict parenting with letting kids enjoy their childhood, and question whether college is still the ultimate path to success in today’s world.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The impact of racial awareness on academic performance and the implications of the model minority myth.
• How cultural expectations and stereotypes shape childhood experiences and academic outcomes.
• The subtle yet significant social dynamics at play in childhood friendships and school environments, especially amongst culturally diverse groups
• The role of parents in either reinforcing or breaking down racial and cultural barriers for their children.
• The challenges of raising mixed-race children in environments with deeply rooted biases and systemic racism.
• The critical importance of open conversations about race and identity in the home.

Notable Quotes:

• "Comparing kids can totally kill their motivation."
• "There are so many ways to succeed now that don’t involve a college degree."

Connect with Us: We’d love to hear how your cultural background has influenced your parenting or education choices.

Send us a voice memo! We’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Tanya

Connect with Aumatma

Subscribe:

If you loved this episode, please take 15 seconds to subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on your favorite podcast platform to catch every new episode - they drop every week! And we'd appreciate it if you would leave us a review 🙏🏽 - it's going to help us bring amazing guests and topics in the future.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Blindian Brown Girls, we dive deep into the complexities of divorce, especially for women in their 30s and 40s, and explore how cultural and personal identities shape our relationships. Join us as we have an unfiltered conversation about the emotional rollercoaster of post-divorce life, the impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships, and the unique challenges faced by those in mixed-race relationships. We also touch on topics like the influence of religion, navigating toxic family dynamics, and the unexpected lessons that come from life’s toughest moments.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The emotional and practical challenges of divorce for women in their 30s and 40s.
• How childhood experiences and cultural expectations influence adult relationships.
• The importance of self-awareness in navigating relationship difficulties.
• Understanding and dealing with narcissistic behavior in a partner.
• The role of religion and spirituality in relationships.
• The impact of toxic family dynamics on personal growth and relationships.
• The transformative power of hardship and how it can lead to personal growth.

Why You Should Listen: If you’re navigating the complexities of relationships, especially in the context of cultural expectations and personal growth, this episode offers relatable stories and insights that will resonate. Whether you’re dealing with divorce, mixed-race relationships, or just trying to find your footing in a challenging world, we’re here to remind you that you’re not alone and that there’s always life on the other side of hardship.

Listen and Subscribe: Don’t miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on [Apple Podcasts], [Spotify], or your favorite podcast platform. Join us on this journey of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and real, raw conversations.

Connect with Us:

Share your thoughts on this episode and let us know how you navigate the intersections of culture, relationships, and personal growth.

Send us a voice memo! We’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Tanya

Connect with Aumatma

*If you loved this episode, take 15 seconds to subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on your favorite podcast platform to catch every new episode - they drop every week! And we'd appreciate it if you would leave us a review 🙏🏽 - it's going to help us bring amazing guests and topics in the future.

In this episode of Blindian Brown Girls, Tanya and Dr. Aumatma dive deep into the world of gift-giving and the (fun) stress that often comes with it. We're talking about whether there are more holidays where 'men' feel the pressure to give gifts than 'women' do, and how these traditions play out in our lives.

We'll chat about the emotional rollercoaster of receiving expensive gifts from your partner – why it can be tricky, and what those gifts really mean. Plus, we’re getting real about kids' birthday parties, their gift expectations, and the whole culture of giving presents to kids. Are we raising little gift monsters or teaching gratitude?

Key Topics:

• Are guys more often the gift-givers on holidays?
• How society shapes our gift-giving habits.
• What do gifts really say about our relationships?
• How do we each value and interpret gifts?
• Why pricey presents can be a mixed bag of emotions.
• The psychological side of receiving extravagant gifts.
• When did birthday parties become SO expensive?
• Managing kids' high expectations and entitlement.
• Balancing fun and materialism with your kids
• How different people view holidays.
• The role of culture and personal experiences in shaping holiday traditions.

Connect with Us!:

Share your thoughts on gift-giving, holidays, and kids' birthday parties with us on social media using #BlindianBrownGirls.

Send us a voice memo! We’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Tanya

Connect with Aumatma

Subscribe!:

If you loved this episode, please take 15 seconds to subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on your favorite podcast platform to catch every new episode - they drop every week! And we'd appreciate it if you would leave us a review 🙏🏽 - it's going to help us bring amazing guests and topics in the future.

Tanya & Aumatma's relationship stories, our backgrounds, and how we ended up here- in Texas. We are literally telling all - from meeting on Tinder, to dating, and long-term partnerships/marriage. You're going to love this episode!

We will also get into blended families, stepping out of traditional boxes, and even parenting.

*Share your thoughts on this episode with us on social media using #BlindianBrownGirls.

Send us a voice memo! We’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Tanya

Connect with Aumatma

*If you loved this episode, take 15 seconds to subscribe to Blindian Brown Girls on your favorite podcast platform to catch every new episode - they drop every week! And we'd appreciate it if you would leave us a review 🙏🏽 - it's going to help us bring amazing guests and topics in the future.