ROOH (Rising Over Obstacles and Healing)
by Jyoti and Monica
ROOH (Rising Over Obstacles & Healing) is a safe haven for South Asian women to share their extraordinary journeys of resilience. Through storytelling (some anonymous, some not), we delve into the depths of human experience, uncovering stories of triumph, heartbreak, and growth. Whether it’s overcoming immense challenges, finding strength in vulnerability, or discovering invaluable life lessons, our guests share their experiences with raw honesty and courage. By creating a platform for open dialogue, ROOH aims to inspire, uplift, and empower listeners to rise above obstacles and embark on their own healing journeys. Join us as we celebrate the indomitable spirit of South Asian women.
Episodes
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Diwali, Your Way
Some of our favorite childhood memories are of Diwali — a house full of guests and mithai in India for Jyoti, family traditions in Canada for Monica. Then life got busy, and Diwali got quiet. Nobody handed us a template for celebrating it here. Now our kids are growing up with Diwali everywhere,...
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I Said Nothing...and They Believed Me
We've all played “low maintenance” — especially around birthdays. We say we want “nothing,” then feel hurt when people take us at our word. Through forgotten cakes, mismatched birthday meals, and the everyday work no one sees, Monica and I talk about why mothers minimize their own needs, how that...
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Be Bold and Colorful In a Beige World (with Sandeep)
Sandeep is back! Grab a cup of chai and hang out with us while we talk about stuff that is on our minds. For example...how sneaky is social media pressure? Why does everything feel so copy-pasted and neutral nowadays? Beige decor and homogenized beauty standards...we are easily losing our own...
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Raising "Good Kids" Isn't Enough
In this episode, Monica and I discuss the Cornell 7 incident and why just raising "good kids" isn't enough anymore. We talk about how group dynamics override values, why institutions fall short, and how to start real, honest conversations at home about consent, peer pressure, and accountability....
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Protect Your Inner Peace
This week on ROOH, Monica and I talk through what it actually takes to protect your energy when life gets loud or negative. We share practical ways to set boundaries, break out of bad thought spirals, and use gratitude to shift your mindset when things feel heavy. Grab a cup of chai or coffee and...
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Lattes, Quirks, & the Hot Seat
This week on ROOH, Monica and I sit down to see how well we actually know each other through a fun Q&A. We talk about our quirks, first impressions, and random food aversions, and share what it takes to show up authentically with the people closest to you. Bottom line: Always be yourself, quirks...
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A Quiet Breakup
Ever feel like a friend breakup hurt just as much as a romantic one—or maybe even more? In this episode, we open up about a platonic friendship that quietly faded out, the deep grief that came with it, and why we need to give ourselves permission to mourn lost friends. It's about accepting that...
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Permission to Dance Like Nobody's Watching
When was the last time you completely let loose and danced like nobody was watching? In this episode of ROOH, Monica and I are breaking down the cultural rules, the fear of judgment, and all those silly self-imposed limits that keep us from stepping into our full joy. We’re sharing our own…
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Are You a Bad Parent? (Or Just Human?)
If you’ve ever laid awake at 2 AM wondering if you’re failing as a parent, you’re not alone. In this episode of ROOH, Monica and I get honest about parental guilt, middle-of-the-night anxiety, and the pressure to get everything right. Together, we break down why trying to shield our kids from…
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Shared Sorrow is Half a Sorrow: Overcoming Silence & Health Stigmas in South Asian Communities
Ever notice how we're quick to broadcast our wins, but the second a health scare hits, everyone goes silent? In this episode of ROOH, Monica breaks down her recent surgery, her husband's health scare, and why the "we don't talk about that" culture in South Asian communities is doing us zero…
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Permission to Rest: Choosing a Lived-In Home Over Perfection with Sukhi Dhillon
Permission to rest granted. 🤍 How many of us grew up believing that rest had to be earned? Or that a spotless house mattered more than a calm one? On the latest episode of ROOH, Sukhi Dhillon (@onesikhmom) breaks down why she’s intentionally teaching her kids a different story: that it is okay…
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Will We Ever Stop Judging? The Art of Caring Less With Sandeep
Sandeep is back on ROOH! After her raw 4-part story in Season 2, we’re sitting down to talk about what actually happens after you put your truth out into the world. The reality? Opening up brings incredible support, but it also brings judgment. In this episode, we tackle community backlash…
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More Than Fashion: Mani Jassal on "Doing You, For You"
We are so excited to share a raw and unfiltered Mani Jassal as she talks about building a global brand, raising a family, and prioritizing her well-being, as well as breaking generation trauma. It's as real as it gets! Grab a cup of chai and possibly learn a thing or two from the powerhouse that…
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Summer...Summer...Summertime -- Bring Back '90s-Style Summers
Remember when summer meant waking up with zero plans, riding bikes until the streetlights came on, and complaining you were bored until you magically invented a new game? In this episode of ROOH, we’re going back to those carefree days. We dive into our favorite childhood summer memories and talk...
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C is for Confidence!
C is for Confidence... but no one teaches us how hard it is to maintain it when social media and external validation enter the chat. In this episode of ROOH, Monica and I talk about the pressure to fit in and why we constantly look for approval from the outside world. We look back at how…
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Life Lessons from the NBA Champs!
Five decades of waiting are officially over, and the New York Knicks are NBA Champions! But this isn't just a sports recap, cuz we're two desi moms and how much do we really know about basketball? In this episode of ROOH, we talk about how Jalen Brunson’s relentless work ethic and the team’s...
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You Want to Be a Soccer Writer? Huh?
While the outside world might look at a Desi woman and go, "You want to be a soccer writer? Huh?", Pardeep Cattry’s reality was totally different. Turns out, she had full support from her family and friends from day one. The real challenge wasn't her inner circle—it was breaking into a sports…
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How Dare You Change?
People get so uncomfortable when you start evolving—like, how dare you, right? In this episode, Monica and I talk about the messy reality of growth, why society tells us to stay the same, and why our loved ones sometimes resist our changes. We share some of our own stories and a bit of science to...
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Just Between Us: Coffee & Chaos
Grab a cup of coffee or Chai and join us for a super casual chat. Think of it as your weekly date with your two best friends -- it's light, relatable, and the exact reminder you need that you are never alone in this beautiful mess of everyday life. Let's catch up!
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Happily Divorced!
This week, Gagan joins us for a conversation that we desperately need to have more openly: divorce. She shares her own journey, the cultural pressure she dealt with, and what it actually takes to walk away when a marriage just isn't working. We look at why our culture treats divorce as a failure,...
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From Victim to an Inspiration: The Power of Neharika's Kahani
Quick Reminder: We will be discussing childhood sexual abuse and maternal neglect. Please take care of yourself while listening. Last week, we heard about the secret. This week, we talk about the healing. Neharika opens up about what life actually looks like after you finally speak your truth. It...
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A Routine Exam, A Buried Secret -- Neharika Gambhir Story
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of childhood sexual abuse, maternal neglect, and eating disorders. Please listen with care and put your well-being first. Sometimes, the things we carry are so heavy that our minds find a way to tuck them away just so we can keep going. This week…
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Bestie...Soul-Sister...Free Therapist?
Ever wonder why we call them soul-sisters? It’s because they meet us where the world doesn't—in that deep, judgment-free zone. A truly meaningful conversation doesn’t just lift your mood; it physically releases the stress and tension we carry inside. This week, we’re exploring why your best…
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Therapy? What's That?
We’ve all heard the jokes—or the heavy silence—around therapy in our community, so I brought Riya on to actually talk about it. She’s finishing her masters in marriage counseling, and we got into the real reasons why we get stuck in the same old patterns with our partners. We’re breaking down...
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Our Kahani: The Messy Truth Behind Our First Year
It’s been a whole year since we started this, and honestly? It hasn’t always been pretty. This week, we’re sharing what actually goes on when the mics are off—from the technical headaches to the reality of trying to build a community while juggling everything else. It’s about finally taking the...
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Write Your Kahani
"Ek pyar ka nagma hai, maujon ki ravaani hai... Zindagi aur kuch bhi nahi, teri meri kahani hai." This week is all about our take on what we learned from Alka and Roop. One thing is for sure...life is nothing but a story so let's write a beautiful one! What does your next chapter look like?
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Love After the Storm: Immense Courage & Genuine Love (Part 2)
Okay, if Part 1 was the struggle, Part 2 is the triumph. Roop gets into the nitty-gritty of rebuilding—standing on her own two feet, saying 'no' to the wrong people, and finally finding her way to a beautiful new chapter. It’s a story of immense courage, a mother's love, and proof that your life...
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Love After the Storm: Why You Deserve a Beautiful Second Act!
There’s so much pressure in our culture to look a certain way, marry at a certain age, and—if things aren't working—to just stay in it for the sake of 'Loki Ki Kehnge.' This week, Roop is sharing how she found the strength to leave a toxic arranged marriage for the sake of the daughter her…
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Dating Your Husband
Who were we before the kids showed up? This week on ROOH, we’re sitting down with Preet to talk about the one thing that usually slips to the bottom of the to-do list: our marriage. We’re getting into the incredibly challenging juggle of motherhood and why "dating your husband" isn't a…
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Bending Without Breaking
Why does the word "compromise" often feel like a threat to our identity? In this episode, Monica and I sit down to unpack the messy, beautiful reality of finding middle ground. We explore why so many of us—especially as South Asian women—find it hard to bend. Is it because we never saw healthy...
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Marriage: Kabhi Arranged...Kabhi Love...Kabhi Both!
In our community, we’re often told that love happens after marriage—like it’s a switch you just flip once the gold jewelry comes off. But for today’s guest, that switch took work, intention, patience, and a whole lot of heart. Whether you call it arranged or love, Alka is here to tell us how she...
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10,000 Swipes, 0 Vibes (Guys Edition)
We vented about the ghosting and the '0 vibes' on our end last week—but what are the guys actually thinking? This week, we sat down with two single South Asian men to get the unfiltered truth about their side of the apps. We’re talking about the pressure to provide, the expectations, and why it...
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10,000 Swipes, 0 Vibes
Today on ROOH, we’re talking to two South Asian women in their 30s who are navigating dating in this digital jungle. We’re discussing why the pool feels larger, but the water feels shallower—and why, at the end of the day, your 'rich life' doesn't depend on a swipe. Grab your cha, tea, or...
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Don't Just Post It, Power It!
As South Asian women, we’re often conditioned to keep our heads down and mind our own affairs. But with everything happening in the US right now—like the shooting of Alex Peretti—it’s time we finally speak up. Posting stories on IG to create awareness is a great start, but in this episode, Monica...
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Gucci...Prada...or Nada?
Does a designer label actually change how you feel about yourself, or are we just buying into a standard that wasn't built for us? This week, Monica and I explore the high-stakes world of luxury consumerism and the pressure to "keep up." We’re looking past the price tags to discuss why material...
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New Year, New Worth: The Fiber of Our Being
This week, Jyoti and Monica celebrate Lohri and discuss why the secret to a better year isn't just a resolution—it’s recognizing our worth, setting firm boundaries, and maybe adding a little more fiber to the mix. Come for the light-hearted sisterhood; stay for the big ideas that will empower…
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The Heck with LKK: Owning Your Happiness in 2026
Have you ever made a choice—about your career, your relationship, or even your outfit—not because you wanted to, but because you were afraid of what "they" would say? In this episode of ROOH, Jyoti and Monica take a deep look back at the past year and the invisible shadow that follows so many…
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Desi Weddings, Then and Now: It's All About Connection
Desi weddings have evolved so much over the years. This week, Monica and I take a trip down memory lane to talk about the simplicity of weddings back in the day and what truly mattered then versus now. Despite all the changes and the pressure for extravagance, we discuss why it’s so important to...
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ROOH Gets Real: The Private Struggles Behind the Podcast Mic
This week on ROOH, Monica and I are turning the microphone on ourselves and getting super real about the stuff we usually just talk about with our guests. We're "walking the walk" on vulnerability and sharing our own private struggles—everything from the chaos of career changes to that constant...
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Mango Lassi Shooters and Wisdom: Simmy's Recipe for Breaking the Mold
Hey ROOH fam! This week, Monica and I are dishing out some sweet, sweet career truth with the incredibly inspiring Simmy, owner of 12th Avenue Bakery. Simmy skipped the typical South Asian career path and went all in on French pastries—but with a delicious, Indian-spiced twist. We're talking...
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Our Perspective: Making Space When Living With In-Laws
Welcome back to ROOH! This week, Monica and I are tackling a huge, and often complicated, topic for South Asian women: life in a joint family household. We know it's tough. Living under one roof often means balancing immense love and tradition with a real lack of privacy, which can definitely…
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Concrete Jungle Farewell: Making the Leap to New Beginnings
Guess who's back?! After a long hiatus, Monica is officially back in the ROOH studio, and we're neighbors again! In this week's chat, we’re diving into what it was actually like moving out of the big city, where Monica disappeared to, and how we finally ended up back in the same place. It's a…
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Divorce & The Stigma: A Legal Conversation
Let's get real about one of the most difficult topics to talk about in the South Asian community: divorce. The stigma surrounding separation can feel paralyzing, but silence doesn't serve anyone. On this episode, we're cutting through the shame and sitting down with Matrimonial and Family Law...
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Sandeep, Part 4: The Architect of Her Own Happiness
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes brief mention of suicidal thoughts. If you need help, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately. Please listen with care. This is it: the powerful final chapter of Sandeep's journey! She's been through the absolute most—a…
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Sandeep, Part 3: Delivered, Divorced, and Disowned
The monster is finally out of Sandeep's life, she is now left to give birth to a baby by herself, grapples with suicidal thoughts and has to pick up the pieces of her life. As soon as she starts to gain some independence and try to find her own happiness, she is basically kicked out of her home.…
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Sandeep, Part 2: Arranged to a Monster
[CW: Explicit discussion of physical abuse and marital rape] Hey, ROOH listeners. This is the intense second chapter of Sandeep’s journey. In Part 2: Arranged to a Monster, Sandeep shares the devastating truth about her marriage, detailing the relentless physical abuse and sexual violence she...
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Sandeep, Part 1: Arranged, Not Agreed
Get ready to pull up a chair for a deeply personal story. This week, we’re kicking off a huge multi-part series with our guest, Sandeep. She came to the U.S. when she was just a little kid, and from day one, the pressure was intense to stay totally true to her Indian roots, which meant living…
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Inherited Silence: Breaking the Cycle of Unspoken Love
Ever feel like your South Asian parents just couldn't say "I love you," or talk about what they were really feeling? You are definitely not alone! This week on ROOH, Sharin and I are sitting down to get honest about that emotional wall many of us grew up with. We’re discussing why that lack of...
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The Weight of Words
This week on ROOH, Sharin and I are talking about the comments that sting. You know the ones—the ones that are supposedly "just a joke" or "meant well." We'll be tackling those seemingly harmless remarks that cut deep, especially when they're about your weight, your career, or your family. Join…
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My Parent's Marriage, My Anxiety
This week on ROOH, we're talking about the lasting effects of a toxic marriage. Our guest shares her story of growing up with parents who stayed together for appearances, only to divorce and send her away at a young age. She opens up about how that experience shaped her, leading to anxiety, a…
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About this show
ROOH (Rising Over Obstacles & Healing) is a safe haven for South Asian women to share their extraordinary journeys of resilience. Through storytelling (some anonymous, some not), we delve into the depths of human experience, uncovering stories of triumph, heartbreak, and growth. Whether it’s overcoming immense challenges, finding strength in vulnerability, or discovering invaluable life lessons, our guests share their experiences with raw honesty and courage. By creating a platform for open dialogue, ROOH aims to inspire, uplift, and empower listeners to rise above obstacles and embark on their own healing journeys. Join us as we celebrate the indomitable spirit of South Asian women.
Hosted by
Jyoti and Monica