I’m so excited to be speaking today with Prarthana Mohan: an award-winning director and storyteller redefining what it means to see yourself on screen. Originally from Chennai and now making her mark in Hollywood, Prarthana brings bold vision and emotional depth to every project she touches. From her breakout debut The MisEducation of Bindu to her current slate of thought-provoking features, she’s building a body of work that’s as unapologetically honest as it is cinematic.

What stands out about Prarthana is her fearless storytelling. She doesn’t just make films; she creates worlds that make you feel seen. Today, we’ll dive into her creative process, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and how she’s paving the way for the next generation of South Asian filmmakers.

Let’s get into it.
Welcome, Prarthana!

To contact Prarthana for mentorship, she can be reached via Instagram @prarthana_mohan1

I’m so excited to be speaking today with Harini Nilakantan, an extraordinary dancer, movement artist, and choreographer whose journey spans continents and traditions. Originally from Chennai and now based in Chicago, Harini has spent over 20 years studying styles from the classical elegance of Bharatanatyam to the electric energy of Waacking, Hip Hop, and most recently baby-stepping into Chicago Footwork.

She has headlined World of Dance twice, is the lead choreographer for Movement of Desis, a competitive dance team in Chicago, and Program Head of Dance at Kalapriya.

What I love about Harini’s story is how seamlessly she moves between worlds—whether it’s her early debut in Bharatanatyam, her championship title at RedBull Dance Your Style, or her work building spaces for South Asian artists to thrive. Beyond performance, she’s a teacher, a leader, and the founder of a collective that pushes dance forward while staying deeply rooted in heritage. Today, we’ll talk about her path, the communities she’s building, and how dance can be both a personal expression and a powerful force for representation. Let’s get into it!

Welcome, Harini!

To reach Harini for mentorship, her email is: harininilakantan@gmail.com

I’m so excited to be speaking today with Adharsh Kumar, the creative genius behind Not Your Amma’s Kitchen—an Instagram sensation that’s redefining how we see South Indian cuisine. Through his stunning videos and down-to-earth approach, Adharsh invites us into his kitchen and his heritage, proving that cooking is not just about recipes—it’s about identity, connection, and reclaiming the flavors that shaped us. Whether he’s sharing a family heirloom recipe or putting his own spin on a classic, Adharsh is blending tradition with modern flair, making sure every bite—and every story—feels like home. Today, we’ll chat about his journey, the stories behind his dishes, and how food can be a powerful way to honor your roots while carving out your own path. Let’s get into it!

Welcome, Adharsh!!

To reach Adharsh for mentorship, his Instagram handle is @notyourammaskitchen and emails are nyak@sparkmedia.la and notyourammaskitchen@gmail.com

What does breaking the barrier mean for Aparna? Redefining success on your own timeline

I’m so excited to be speaking today with Aparna Shewakramani, a South Asian author, speaker, and unapologetic voice for women choosing to live life on her own terms. You may recognize her from Netflix’s Indian Matchmaking, where she quickly became a standout for her honesty, self-assurance, and refusal to settle. Since then, Aparna has sparked global conversations about modern dating, cultural expectations, and redefining what it means to be "too much." As the author of She’s Unlikeable, she dives deeper into her journey—sharing raw, witty, and powerful reflections on love, ambition, and identity. We’re excited to talk about everything from navigating public perception to embracing individuality and power. Let's dive right in. Welcome, Aparna!

In this episode we cover:

- The role of honesty in representation, navigating public perception, and reclaiming your narrative with grace

- The journey of writing a memoir

- Her future endeavors in storytelling

- The impact of social media on perception and leveraging it to amplify your voice

- The importance of rest and incubation

-Navigating fame and its challenges, including dating while in the spotlight

Thank you so much Aparna for coming on the show and breaking the barrier. She can be reached via Instagram @aparnashewakramani for mentorship

What does breaking the barrier mean for Milan? Being loud in a space that didn’t allow that for us

I’m so excited to be speaking today with Milan Mathew, a force in the beauty and content world who’s redefining what it means to shine in your own skin. From bold makeup looks that celebrate melanin-rich tones to scroll-stopping TikTok and Instagram reels that mix humor with heart, Milan brings color, confidence, and charisma to everything she does - so much so that she just released her feature with Vogue India - an incredible win for our South Asian Malayali community!

But behind the camera, Milan’s journey is one of self-discovery including solo traveling to Thailand to learn Muy Thai, creative risk-taking, and learning how to embrace her voice in an industry that wasn’t always built for people who looked like her.

In this episode we cover:

Her journey from working in corporate for 11 months, experiencing virality on Tiktok, and taking the leap of faith to going full time in content creation

The role of management in content creation, navigating brand deals, and advice for aspiring creators

The spark of solo travel and lessons from her four months abroad

Support from her family, especially as she became featured on Vogue Magazine!!

Reflections on a five year journey and future projects including an ebook, group coaching, and her own future fashion line!!

Thank you so much Milan for coming on the show and breaking the barrier. She can be reached via Instagram @milan.mathew and website milanmathew.co for mentorship

What does it mean to Nimesh to break the barrier? Just start doing

I’m so excited to be speaking today with Nimesh Patel, a comedian and Emmy-nominated writer. Nimesh made history in 2017 as the first Indian American writer for Saturday Night Live. Beyond SNL, Nimesh has written for events like the academy awards and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, working alongside big names like Chris Rock and Hasan Minhaj.

In this episode we cover:

1. His journey from graduating with a finance degree at NYU to getting the blessing from Chris Rock which lit the fire in him to pursue comedy full force

2. His first stand up gig and early experiences, including navigating expectations from his family

3. His breakthrough: being the first Indian American writer for SNL and its aftermath

4. His resilience in the face of setbacks and the role of social media in career growth

5. His personal defining moments of success

6. A day in the life, including balancing fatherhood with comedy and being a husband

7. Future projects (including tidbits from his upcoming Netflix special, Instant Karma, airing soon!) and advice for aspiring comedians

So let's dive right into it. Welcome, Nimesh!

To reach Nimesh for mentorship or guidance, his Instagram account is @findingnimesh

I’m so excited to be speaking today with Payal Desai: a wife, mother, and a former middle school teacher turned full time content creator on social media. After her hilarious “no dusty sons” videos went viral on Instagram, she amassed a 349K following and took the leap of faith to pursue her passion full time. As a true teacher at heart, Payal is passionate about using her platform to deconstruct parenting myths and gender stereotypes while amplifying South Asian voices. She has many gems to share with us regarding her journey, and during this episode we’ll get to learn about her in a way that we can’t off of social media, including her exciting future endeavors! Let’s dive right into it.

Welcome, Payal!

To connect with Payal for mentorship or guidance, she can be reached via Instagram @payalforstyle

I’m so excited to be speaking today with Rene Subash, a South Indian Malayali food blogger whose cooking videos have been a viral sensation. She’s on a mission to make authentic traditional recipes less intimidating and more fun. Based in Liverpool, UK, Rene shares recipes passed down through generations of her Indian family, all while showing that South Indian cuisine doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. Her approach is all about breaking things down, keeping it simple, and making traditional cooking accessible to everyone. We’re excited to dive into her story, her tips for stress-free cooking, and, of course, learning about her from a lens we can’t just see on social media. Let’s dive right into it.

Welcome, Rene!

To reach Rene for mentorship, her Instagram is @renes.cravings and her e-mail is renes.cravings@outlook.com

Thank you all for tuning in to the Break the Barrier podcast. If you liked this episode, please feel free to leave a review and share on your social platforms!