TALK JHAAL MISHTI | SEASON 5 | EPISODE 3: “Thaak...Let Them”
We are all guilty of "kutnami" and sometimes it feels cathartic to let out everything that's in our heads and hearts but is it okay or is this a toxic trait woven into our "deshi-ness?"
A space for opinions and shared experiences as Bangladeshi-American women; laughing and discussing the jhaal, mishti & what our moms never spoke of!

We are all guilty of "kutnami" and sometimes it feels cathartic to let out everything that's in our heads and hearts but is it okay or is this a toxic trait woven into our "deshi-ness?"
Are platonic relationships possible? What about after getting married? We asked Fuad Almuqtadir to join us in this conversation because: 1) he has an interesting perspective 2) he was friends with Bushra and Mehreen before he met Maya and 3) it’s complicated. #talkjhaalmishti #banglish #podcast #relationships #neverhaveiever #interview #celebrity #bangladeshi #platonic #situationships...
How we show up for work is important. The pressure can be even greater being a POC. Have you ever felt the pressure?
NEW EPISODE!! Do you prefer to be called Apu/Bhaiya or Bhai/Bhabi or any other formal title?? Do you know when to use what for whom? Does it make a difference in the relationship? Janina bhai 😜, at a certain age, it could get complicated! Share your thoughts!!!!
Wouldn’t you want to help out if someone was in need? Especially if it was Maya??
A viewer asked if we could talk about what it's like living with in-laws. It's not always so easy. But sometimes we have to do it. We're also getting to an age to take care of our own parents as they age. What is the right thing to do? How do we live up to all the expectations?
NEW EPISODE!!! You know we had to share our opinions on all the Ambani shenanigans! (We also spill a little 🫖 that intrigues Maya and now her algo is all about the rich Desi life 😝
On this episode we discuss the dynamics of ambitious individuals and their fate.
This has to be our most requested episode. We breakdown how we handle our finances as a couple and what we have been taught by our culture.
This week we discuss the Harrison Butker speech and have some varying opinions on our take. We believe that no matter which lens we see the world through, discussion is always better than judgment. Follow us on Instagram for more content!
In this episode we talk about our experiences becoming Naturalized Citizens of the US and what if feels to belong here (or not…)
Where do you feel at home? Is home where the heart is or is it in the aroma of mom's cooking? Is home in the hustle and bustle of the city life or in hearing your mother language being spoken all around you? We have a short chat about where we feel at home. Join in the conversation and share where you feel at home.
On this episode we briefly chat about unwelcomed comments and criticisms about our bodies. How to navigate this terrain of crassness and when is this appropriate and well meaning and when is it out of line?
Can we talk about the awkward but araam massage and spa experiences?! Is it just us deshis who are uncomfortable?! 🥴
Trigger Warning Sexual abuse discussed on this episode. This subject is common across cultures but in a deshi context there is a lot of brushing the subject under the rug when it comes to sexual abuse, harassment and unwanted interaction. We discuss some of our experiences and also on how we would do things differently.
This is a light episode where we talk about traveling while we were youngins; the strange, silly and potentially dangerous situations we put ourselves in. As parents now, would we allow our kids to do the same? You tell us!
This is part 2 of the two part episode with Kahkasan Akhi. On this episode we dig deeper into her art business and the journey that it has taken her across the seas to Bangladesh and how the experience was for her as a mother of two little children.
This is part 1 of a 2 part episode where we chat with Kahkasan Akhi and her small business "Intense Pursuits". She beautifully weaved Bangladeshi culture and language into art that got her work featured on HBO. We discuss her journey with migrating to the US and her pursuit into the creative field.
This week we are back with Shams and part 2 of our conversation. We talk about all the progress made in Bangladesh including fashion, food and transportation. This episode is truly a love letter to Bangladesh.
On This episode we chat with Bushra's cousin Shams Ahmed who also happens to be an Emmy award winning music producer who received the honors after producing the acclaimed "Ragged Old Flag" for the 2023 NFL Super Bowl. We chat with him about his journey from finance to music.
Is there Unity in our Community?This episode, we discuss the lack of support from our own people. Why do we have a hard time being happy for someone else? It's time we not only rise up ourselves but also support all of our peers that are rising as well.
We talk about our experiences traveling to Bangladesh and and what migration is like for many people…
It's wedding season in Bangladesh and we are having serious FOMO! Tell us your favorite wedding traditions from the past and what you love and love to hate.
On this episode we discuss the elephant in the room for many deshi families... Mental Health and seeking therapy. This is a subject that is always swept under the rug but it is critical in our development and to break away from generational trauma to be able to process our emotions and to have an outside perspective on the things that stress us out and often hold us back.
On this episode, we touch on our experiences with pregnancy, birth, postpartum and all the stigmas around caring and feeding a baby. The relationships with our mothers can often change after we go through pregnancy and motherhood ourselves. As our parents used to say "nijer ta jokhon hobe, tokhon bujhba". What motherhood or parenting tips have you embraced from your previous generation and what do you think need to retire?
This week we touch on the subject of expectations and boundaries about health issues. When we are dealing with an illness in the family or grieving a death or loss how much bandwidth can we have to maintain our own mental health and also be accountable to others who are sharing their thoughts and feelings with us. We also have a chuckle over everyone diagnosing all our ailments with a medicine for each disease at the tip of their mouths.
When you listen to our next guest's music, you can't help but sit up. He has redefined the sound of Bangla music, infusing different genres into his song and making the lyrics unforgettable. At Talk Jhaal Mishti, our goal is to bring attention to the remarkable contributions of Bangladeshis who are shaping our cultural landscape. Meet Farooque Bhai Project.
On this episode we respond to a few anonymous questions sent from our listeners. There is banter, a lot of laughter and our experiences. Disclaimer-We are not experts and these are our personal opinions and not to be generalized. Thank you for sending in questions-we love to see the engagement coming from all over the globe.
THIS NEW EPISODE features our first guest Tazeen. We explore conversations around sexuality, taboos around queer relationships and navigating what dialogue looks like and CAN look like as a deshi. We get candid on accepting who we are and giving permission to step out of the norm.
Self care is essential for all of us. This is also something that we neglect the most. This episode gets down to the nitty gritty about self care. From weight loss medication, cosmetic procedures we open up about all the different ways we can care for ourselves.