Diasporaa

Coast to Coast: Umang Chaudhary's Immigrant Adventure

Coast to Coast: Umang Chaudhary's Immigrant Adventure | Diasporaa Podcast Episode 40 In the season one finale of Diasporaa, host Aditya Mehta discusses the intricate journey of Umang Chaudhary, an immigrant from Haryana, India. Arriving in the US for higher education, Umang shares his experiences across various American cities, including Massachusetts, Austin, and Seattle, and his transition from student life to a professional career in tech. The episode delves into the challenges and cultural contrasts encountered as an immigrant and the inception of Umang Abroad, a platform aimed at supporting prospective and current immigrants by offering genuine insights into living and working in the US. The episode also touches on advanced visa strategies and contrasts the cultural atmospheres of the East Coast, West Coast, and Texas. List of Resources: 3 Idiots: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Idiots  Bhangra: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhangra_(dance)  Bigha: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigha  Faridabad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faridabad  FIITJEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIITJEE  Haryana: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haryana  NCR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Capital_Region_(India)  Vellore institute of technology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vellore_Institute_of_Technology  Yamunagar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamunanagar  About the Podcast:  Diasporaa was Aditya's third startup based in Vancouver, BC. It focused on helping new immigrants in Canada find their feet, get off to a running start and ease their assimilation into Canadian life. A big part of the platform were conversations, community and support. Though the startup stopped growing once Aditya moved to Seattle, WA - it remained alive in the form of several discussion groups and online communities. Now, Diasporaa has been resurrected in the form of a podcast focused on uncovering and sharing interesting immigrant stories from the South Asian diaspora. It is available on YouTube, all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc. and is also broadcast as a radio show on Alternative Talk 1150 AM and 98.9 FM HD Channel 3 on Wednesdays from 2-3pm PST.  About Aditya Mehta: Aditya is a Bombay boy who has lived in Austin, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Vancouver before making it to his current home in Seattle. He has degrees in marketing, urban planning, real estate and strategy but has spent his career in financial services, social media and now real estate - mostly as an entrepreneur and partly as an employee at Amazon. He balances Indian, Canadian and American culture, loves helping those who are new to North America and looks forward to the interesting stories that his interview guests bring each week. When not podcasting, he is helping his wife Prachi build her pharmaceutical business or hanging out with his son Arjun. Connect with Diasporaa: -Instagram: @diasporaapodcast -YouTube: https://linke.to/dspyoutube  -Bio Link: linke.to/diasporaa  -Listen on Spotify: https://linke.to/dspspotify -Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://linke.to/dspapple  -Diasporaa Podcast on KKNW Alternative Talk Radio: https://linke.to/kknw1150 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Powering Change: Jay Shah’s Immigration Story

Powering Change: Jay Shah’s Immigration Story | Diasporaa Podcast Episode 39 Welcome to Diaspora, the show where we share the remarkable stories of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. In this episode, host Aditya Mehta interviews Jay Shah, a director in the energy sector at National Grid with a focus on net zero and energy transition. Jay shares his journey from New Delhi to the US, including his educational stints at Yale and Columbia University. He discusses the cultural adjustments, the role of policy and regulations in energy systems, and his passion for sustainable practices and infrastructure. Jay also reflects on his personal experiences, from the nuances of cultural assimilation to his love for solo travel, especially his memorable trips to Bali and Hawaii. Don’t miss his insightful story about blending heritage and professional expertise. Tune in for a compelling conversation that explores identity, innovation, and global perspectives. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the South Asian Diaspora! List of Resources: Chitralekha: https://chitralekha.com/  Devidayal Solar Solutions: https://ddsolar.in/en/  High-context and Low-context culture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-context_and_low-context_cultures  Komodo Dragon national park: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_National_Park  Mauna Kea Observatory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea_Observatories  New Delhi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Delhi  Quit India movement: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quit_India_Movement  Sardar Patel Vidyalaya: https://spvdelhi.org/  TERI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Energy_and_Resources_Institute  Vibrant Gujarat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibrant_Gujarat  About the Podcast:  Diasporaa was Aditya's third startup based in Vancouver, BC. It focused on helping new immigrants in Canada find their feet, get off to a running start and ease their assimilation into Canadian life. A big part of the platform were conversations, community and support. Though the startup stopped growing once Aditya moved to Seattle, WA - it remained alive in the form of several discussion groups and online communities. Now, Diasporaa has been resurrected in the form of a podcast focused on uncovering and sharing interesting immigrant stories from the South Asian diaspora. It is available on YouTube, all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc. and is also broadcast as a radio show on Alternative Talk 1150 AM and 98.9 FM HD Channel 3 on Wednesdays from 2-3pm PST.  About Aditya Mehta: Aditya is a Bombay boy who has lived in Austin, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Vancouver before making it to his current home in Seattle. He has degrees in marketing, urban planning, real estate and strategy but has spent his career in financial services, social media and now real estate - mostly as an entrepreneur and partly as an employee at Amazon. He balances Indian, Canadian and American culture, loves helping those who are new to North America and looks forward to the interesting stories that his interview guests bring each week. When not podcasting, he is helping his wife Prachi build her pharmaceutical business or hanging out with his son Arjun. Connect with Diasporaa: -Instagram: @diasporaapodcast -YouTube: https://linke.to/dspyoutube  -Bio Link: linke.to/diasporaa  -Listen on Spotify: https://linke.to/dspspotify -Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://linke.to/dspapple  -Diasporaa Podcast on KKNW Alternative Talk Radio: https://linke.to/kknw1150 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

From Finance to Fame: Lekshmi Sreedharan's Canadian Chronicles

From Finance to Fame: Lekshmi Sreedharan's Canadian Chronicles | Diasporaa Podcast Episode 38 In this episode of Diasporaa, host Aditya Mehta sits down with Lekshmi Sreedharan, a banking professional originally from Trivandrum, Kerala, who moved to Toronto, Canada in 2021. Lekshmi shares her experiences of adapting to a new culture, challenges she faced, and how she continued her career in the capital markets. She also discusses her journey in beauty pageants, including her titles of Miss India World Universal 2025 and Canada Business Elites Top 40 Under 40. Lekshmi offers insights into the multicultural environment of Toronto, the process of making new friends, and the differences in work culture between India and Canada. Additionally, she touches on her advocacy for child education and cancer awareness, and her future aspirations. The episode concludes with nostalgic memories from her childhood in Kerala, highlighting cultural sounds and smells that still resonate with her. List of Resources: Bangalore: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengaluru  Miss World Universal: https://www.pageantplanet.com/event/miss-ms-world-universal-2025  Rita Gangwani: http://www.ritagangwani.com/  Trivandrum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruvananthapuram  About the Podcast:  Diasporaa was Aditya's third startup based in Vancouver, BC. It focused on helping new immigrants in Canada find their feet, get off to a running start and ease their assimilation into Canadian life. A big part of the platform were conversations, community and support. Though the startup stopped growing once Aditya moved to Seattle, WA - it remained alive in the form of several discussion groups and online communities. Now, Diasporaa has been resurrected in the form of a podcast focused on uncovering and sharing interesting immigrant stories from the South Asian diaspora. It is available on YouTube, all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc. and is also broadcast as a radio show on Alternative Talk 1150 AM and 98.9 FM HD Channel 3 on Wednesdays from 2-3pm PST.  About Aditya Mehta: Aditya is a Bombay boy who has lived in Austin, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Vancouver before making it to his current home in Seattle. He has degrees in marketing, urban planning, real estate and strategy but has spent his career in financial services, social media and now real estate - mostly as an entrepreneur and partly as an employee at Amazon. He balances Indian, Canadian and American culture, loves helping those who are new to North America and looks forward to the interesting stories that his interview guests bring each week. When not podcasting, he is helping his wife Prachi build her pharmaceutical business or hanging out with his son Arjun. Connect with Diasporaa: -Instagram: @diasporaapodcast -YouTube: https://linke.to/dspyoutube  -Bio Link: linke.to/diasporaa  -Listen on Spotify: https://linke.to/dspspotify -Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://linke.to/dspapple  -Diasporaa Podcast on KKNW Alternative Talk Radio: https://linke.to/kknw1150 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

From Marble to Meta: Suchir Agarwal’s Successful Career Story

From Marble to Meta: Suchir Agarwal’s Successful Career Story Welcome to Diasporaa, the show where we share the remarkable stories of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. In this episode, host Aditya Mehta interviews Suchir Agarwal, who shares his journey from growing up in various cities in Rajasthan, pursuing his education at IIT Delhi and XLRI Jamshedpur, to leading an AI product team at Meta in the USA. Suchir compares Jaipur to Chicago, explains the various spellings of his surname 'Agarwal,' and discusses the diverse regions within Rajasthan. He reflects on the shift in India's sports culture and deep dives into the educational and career opportunities in India and abroad. The episode also highlights Suchir's views on AI's future and the evolving entrepreneurial landscape. Join us for an insightful conversation that spans across cultural heritage, educational milestones, and technological advancements. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the South Asian Diaspora!  List of Resources: Baniya community: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bania_(caste)  Chappan Dukan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chappan_Dukan  Gaurav Gupta: https://www.youtube.com/@gauravgupta6685  Indian Institutes of Technology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institutes_of_Technology  Jamshedji Tata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamsetji_Tata  Jamshedpur: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamshedpur  Kota Factory TV Series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kota_Factory  Maharaj Agrasen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrasen  Rajasthan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan  Sachin Tendulkar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar   Sanjay Manjrekar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanjay_Manjrekar  Shreenathji: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinathji_Temple  Trevor Noah: https://www.youtube.com/trevornoah  Udaipur: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udaipur  UPSC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Services_Examination  XLRI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLRI_%E2%80%93_Xavier_School_of_Management  About the Podcast:  Diasporaa was Aditya's third startup based in Vancouver, BC. It focused on helping new immigrants in Canada find their feet, get off to a running start and ease their assimilation into Canadian life. A big part of the platform were conversations, community and support. Though the startup stopped growing once Aditya moved to Seattle, WA - it remained alive in the form of several discussion groups and online communities. Now, Diasporaa has been resurrected in the form of a podcast focused on uncovering and sharing interesting immigrant stories from the South Asian diaspora. It is available on YouTube, all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc. and is also broadcast as a radio show on Alternative Talk 1150 AM and 98.9 FM HD Channel 3 on Wednesdays from 2-3pm PST.  About Aditya Mehta: Aditya is a Bombay boy who has lived in Austin, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Vancouver before making it to his current home in Seattle. He has degrees in marketing, urban planning, real estate and strategy but has spent his career in financial services, social media and now real estate - mostly as an entrepreneur and partly as an employee at Amazon. He balances Indian, Canadian and American culture, loves helping those who are new to North America and looks forward to the interesting stories that his interview guests bring each week. When not podcasting, he is helping his wife Prachi build her pharmaceutical business or hanging out with his son Arjun. Connect with Diasporaa: -Instagram: @diasporaapodcast -YouTube: https://linke.to/dspyoutube  -Bio Link: linke.to/diasporaa  -Listen on Spotify: https://linke.to/dspspotify -Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://linke.to/dspapple  -Diasporaa Podcast on KKNW Alternative Talk Radio: https://linke.to/kknw1150 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The Impactful Immigrant: Sanjeev Joshipura’s Non-Profit Endeavour

The Impactful Immigrant: Sanjeev Joshipura’s Non-Profit Endeavour | Diasporaa Podcast Episode 36 In this episode of Diasporaa, hosted by Aditya Mehta, Sanjeev Joshipura shares his enriching journey from Mumbai to the U.S. and his impactful work with Indiaspora. Sanjeev discusses his experiences adjusting to life in different countries, his varied career path through corporate and nonprofit sectors, and the significant role Indiaspora plays in connecting and empowering the global Indian community. He also reflects on the changes in India’s global standing, the challenges around immigration policies in the U.S., and the increasing importance of the Indian diaspora in influencing bilateral relations and socio-economic development. Tune in for a deep dive into the life stories of immigrants and the broader narrative of the Indian diaspora. List of Resources: Dr. Manmohan Singh: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manmohan_Singh  High-context and Low-context culture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-context_and_low-context_cultures  Indiaspora: https://indiaspora.org/  Narendra Modi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narendra_Modi  Ronald Reagan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan  Rotman School of Management: https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/  S. Jaishankar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._Jaishankar  About the Podcast:  Diasporaa was Aditya's third startup based in Vancouver, BC. It focused on helping new immigrants in Canada find their feet, get off to a running start and ease their assimilation into Canadian life. A big part of the platform were conversations, community and support. Though the startup stopped growing once Aditya moved to Seattle, WA - it remained alive in the form of several discussion groups and online communities. Now, Diasporaa has been resurrected in the form of a podcast focused on uncovering and sharing interesting immigrant stories from the South Asian diaspora. It is available on YouTube, all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc. and is also broadcast as a radio show on Alternative Talk 1150 AM and 98.9 FM HD Channel 3 on Wednesdays from 2-3pm PST.  About Aditya Mehta: Aditya is a Bombay boy who has lived in Austin, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Vancouver before making it to his current home in Seattle. He has degrees in marketing, urban planning, real estate and strategy but has spent his career in financial services, social media and now real estate - mostly as an entrepreneur and partly as an employee at Amazon. He balances Indian, Canadian and American culture, loves helping those who are new to North America and looks forward to the interesting stories that his interview guests bring each week. When not podcasting, he is helping his wife Prachi build her pharmaceutical business or hanging out with his son Arjun. Connect with Diasporaa: -Instagram: @diasporaapodcast -YouTube: https://linke.to/dspyoutube  -Bio Link: linke.to/diasporaa  -Listen on Spotify: https://linke.to/dspspotify -Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://linke.to/dspapple  -Diasporaa Podcast on KKNW Alternative Talk Radio: https://linke.to/kknw1150 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].