Understanding Autism in the South Asian Community

Understanding Autism in the South Asian Community

In today’s episode, Dr. Sheeza Mohsin & Durriya Shamsi have an important conversation about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a special focus on the South Asian community. Durriya brings years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with neurodiversity and helps us understand what autism truly is, how it shows up across the spectrum, and why our cultural frameworks around "normalcy" can get in the way of getting our loved ones the support they need. Whether you're a parent, a sibling, an extended family member, or simply someone who wants to show up with more compassion — this episode is for you. Durriya Ahmed Shamsi is a BCBA (board-certified behavior analyst) and has worked with children, adolescents, and adults with neurodiversity.  She is currently pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology 🌐 Connect with Durriya: durriya shamsi on facebook and deeshamsi on Instagram ⏱ TIMESTAMPS: 1:38 — What is Autism? Neurodiversity explained 4:05 — Autism in the South Asian community: late diagnosis & under-representation 5:01 — Cultural stereotypes, stigma & the silence around ASD 7:38 — Supporting families: managing shame, guilt & grief after diagnosis 9:16 — High-functioning children on the spectrum & building inclusive communities 13:07 — Why early intervention matters — the brain science explained 14:26 — Levels of Autism: symptoms, behaviors & strengths 16:43 — Impact on the family system: parents, couples & siblings 18:22 — Marital strain & how couples can support each other 19:27 — Practical tips for extended family members 21:25 — Mental health stigma & the role of media and community 22:46 — A message for anyone feeling isolated and unsupported 🔔 Make sure to subscribe to “Dil Ki Recipes by Dr. Sheeza Mohsin” to tune in weekly or follow us on IG @drsheezamohsin & TikTok @dilkirecipes 🧠 Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment below! Produced by HAZZE MEDIA | A part of the HAZZE MEDIA Podcast Network | To Learn More, visit: www.hazzemedia.com [http://www.hazzemedia.com] #AutismAwareness #SouthAsianMentalHealth #NeurodiversityMatters #DesiCommunity #BreakTheStigma #AutismParenting #DilKiRecipes

Coaching vs Therapy for South Asian Mental Health

In the newest episode of Dil Ki Recipes, Dr. Sheeza Mohsin sits with Zeinab Masud Agha to explore one of the most important, and misunderstood, topics in mental health: the world of professional coaching. They cover the difference between coaching and therapy, why supervision is non-negotiable, and what it really means to be an ethical coach working with South Asian clients. From navigating men caught between their spouse and parents, to why South Asians resist celebrating their own wins, to the dangers of untrained coaches in Pakistan and India. Zeinab Masud Agha is a Seattle-based Behavioral Coach, Writer and Public Speaker 🌐 Connect with Zeinab: https://zeinabmasudagha.com/ ⏱ TIMESTAMPS: 4:41 — Why Supervision Is Essential for South Asian Coaches: The importance of case consultation, checking biases, and protecting clients 7:05 — Therapy vs. Coaching Dual Training: How being trained as both a therapist and coach shapes sessions and the value of a humanistic lens 10:10 — When to Refer Out 12:59 — Coaching Standards: North America vs. South Asia 16:07 — Behavioral Coaching & the Tiny Habits Method 19:23 — Coaching Men Caught Between Spouse and Parents 23:22 — Gender in Coaching 24:14 — The Coach-Client Relationship: Trust, confidentiality, and finding the right fit 27:14 — Client Fear of Gossip in the South Asian Community 30:46 — What Is a Golden Behavior? 31:22 — Why South Asian clients struggle to celebrate their win & the role of toxic shame 33:45 — When Behavioral Coaching Isn't Working 35:20 — Supporting Clients Through Divorce 39:09 — Coaching vs. Therapy Defined Clearly: Goals, scope, emotional regulation vs. action plans, and why both disciplines matter 🔔 Make sure to subscribe to “Dil Ki Recipes by Dr. Sheeza Mohsin” to tune in weekly or follow us on IG @drsheezamohsin & TikTok @dilkirecipes 🧠 Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment below! Produced by HAZZE MEDIA | A part of the HAZZE MEDIA Podcast Network | To Learn More, visit: www.hazzemedia.com #CoachingAndTherapy #SouthAsianDiaspora #MentalHealthMatters #SouthAsianWellness #TinyHabits #ExecutiveCoach #CoachingLife #MindsetCoach #HabitCoach #SouthAsianRelationships #MarriageCounseling #FamilyDynamics #BiculturalIdentity

Challenges of Mental Health: AI, Poor Resilience, Addiction, Trauma, & More (Ft. Dr. Umar Latif)

In the newest episode of Dil Ki Recipes, Dr. Sheeza Mohsin sits with Dr. Umar Latif (triple board-certified in psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and addiction medicine) to discuss mental health challenges in the South Asian/Desi immigrant community. The episode covers topics from cognitive dissonance between outward success and inner struggles, generational trauma, cultural stigma around mental health, the intersection of faith and psychiatry, addiction as a brain illness, men's mental health, and the sandwich generation caring for both children and aging parents with dementia. 🌐 Connect with Dr. Latif: https://noesisclinic.com/ [https://noesisclinic.com/] | https://www.linkedin.com/in/umarlatifmd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/umarlatifmd/]  📖 Subscribe to his newsletter: https://blog.umarlatifmd.com/subscribe [https://blog.umarlatifmd.com/subscribe] ⏱ TIMESTAMPS: 3:10 - Challenges in South Asian community: cognitive dissonance, achievement culture 4:50 - How cultural values perpetuate emotional disconnection 6:00 - Intergenerational trauma: mothers perpetuating misogynistic patterns 7:30 - FOMO culture and social anxiety across generations 8:00 - Teen suicide crisis: social media impact and mental health 9:30 - Intersection of faith, spirituality, and psychiatry 10:30 - Why spirituality matters in healing (bio-psychosocial-spiritual model) 12:00 - The problem with confusing religious leaders with mental health professionals 13:50 - Overcoming family resistance to psychiatric medication 15:00 - Biology of mental illness explained (functional impairment) 17:00 - Addiction as brain illness (not moral failure) 18:00 - Process addictions: work, food, porn, gaming, people-pleasing 19:30 - Dopamine and the neuroscience of addiction loops 20:30 - Love addiction and trauma bonding in abusive relationships 21:00 - Fight, flight, freeze, and fawning / culturally rewarded trauma response 22:00 - Toxic masculinity vs. good men underrepresented in mental health 23:00 - Creating safe spaces for men to be vulnerable 24:30 - Loneliness epidemic in high-achieving men (health impacts) 26:00 - Sandwich generation: caring for aging parents and children 26:30 - Early detection of dementia and mild cognitive impairment 27:30 - Caregiver burden, guilt, and anticipatory grief 29:00 - Elder abuse and role reversal in dementia care 30:00 - When to seek psychiatric help immediately (safety concerns) 🔔 Make sure to subscribe to “Dil Ki Recipes by Dr. Sheeza Mohsin” to tune in weekly or follow us on IG @drsheezamohsin & TikTok @dilkirecipes 🧠 Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment below! Produced by HAZZE MEDIA | A part of the HAZZE MEDIA Podcast Network | To Learn More, visit: www.hazzemedia.com #MentalHealthAwareness #SouthAsianMentalHealth #DesiCommunity #Psychiatry #BreakTheStigma #GenerationalTrauma #MensMantalHealth #ImmigrantMentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #TherapyMatters #IslamAndMentalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #EmotionalWellness #CulturalStigma #HealingJourney

Why Your Job Title Isn't Who You Are | Kimia Penton on Authentic Leadership | LEARN GROW THRIVE

Are you leading from overflow or depletion? 🌟 In this powerful conversation, a bonus for DKR listeners, executive coach Dr. Sheeza Mohsin sits down with corporate leader and author Kimia Penton to discuss her upcoming book "Power on Purpose: Where Authenticity Becomes Radical Leadership." In this episode, you'll discover:✨ Why authenticity is radical in today's leadership landscape✨ The REAL Framework: Reclaim, Embody, Alignment, Lead✨ How to break free from the identity trap of roles and titles✨ Why high achievers burn out (and how to prevent it)✨ The art of setting boundaries without sacrificing kindness✨ What to unlearn to step into your authentic power ⏱ TIMESTAMPS: 1:08 - Why "Power"?  2:31 - Why being authentic is radical in systems that reward conformity 3:58 - Identity Beyond Roles 6:25 - The Motherhood Identity Trap 7:17 - Career Gaps & Being "Unhirable" 8:09 - The REAL Framework Introduced: Reclaim, Embody, Alignment, Lead - a living cycle for authentic leadership 10:09 - Power vs. Output: Reframing power to prevent burnout in high achievers 11:08 - The 20/80 Problem: Why high performers carry the load and how to set boundaries 12:28 - Setting Boundaries Softly: How to hold accountability without sacrificing kindness 14:30 - Unlearning to Learn 15:37 - "Why Not Me? About Kimia Penton: Dallas-based corporate leader, musician, and community advocate whose work invites us to rethink what power truly means. 📖 Book Launch: February 16th on Amazon 🌐 Connect: kimiapenton.com | @kimiapenton on Instagram If you're ready to stop playing small and lead with authentic power, this episode is for you. 💪 🧠 Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment below! Produced by HAZZE MEDIA | A part of the HAZZE MEDIA Podcast Network | To Learn More, visit: www.hazzemedia.com Leadership #AuthenticLeadership #PowerOnPurpose #WomenInLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #Burnout #WorkLifeBalance #LeadershipDevelopment

Un-Instagramable Love | Marriage Advice for Desi's (Ft. Farheen Raza)

This week on Dil Ki Recipes, we peel back the filters and talk real marriage, not the Instagram version. From “trad wife” trends to financial expectations, unrealistic expectations, social media comparisons, pressures, setting healthy boundaries, “trad wife” ideals to in-laws, money, and the myth of perfection in marriage, this conversation is to provide insight for anyone in a marriage, especially Desi couples. 💬 Guest: Farheen Raza (@authentic.unfiltered)🌐 https://www.farheenraza.com/ [https://www.farheenraza.com/] ⏱ TIMESTAMPS: 2:14 - Instagrammable marriage vs. reality 3:04 - How social media affects marriage expectations (reels vs. real life) 5:48 - Unrealistic expectations from social media reels 6:29 - The "trad wife" trend and gender expectations 7:30 - Domestic help differences between South Asia and Western homes 8:14 - What couples think marriage is vs. what it actually is 9:11 - Unreasonable expectations in marriage (ideal responses, perfectionism) 10:30 - The problem with "winning" arguments in marriage 11:54 - Giving each other grace and communication 13:30 - Expectations audit for couples (othering the issue vs. blame game) 14:54 - Valentine's Day bag story - managing expectations 16:33 - Money expectations and symbolism in relationships 17:24 - Values vs. budget conversations 18:30 - Codependency and maintaining individuality in marriage 20:30 - Financial pressure and social media comparisons 21:11 - Women's education and changing gender dynamics 22:30 - Values-based approach to weddings and experiences 24:41 - The "if-then" vs. "AND" formula in relationships 25:30 - Traditional vs. modern marriage templates 26:27 - Over-functioning and unreasonable expectations from parents 27:53 - Money symbolism and generational differences 28:30 - Marketing your spouse to in-laws 29:31 - Cultural criticism vs. praise in South Asian culture 31:37 - Mothers-in-law perpetuating unrealistic expectations 32:18 - Setting boundaries with intrusive in-laws 33:43 - "Your family, your mess" - protecting your partner 35:34 - Inequity in effort with in-laws 36:10 - Treating each other's family as a love language 37:42 - Healthy boredom in marriage 38:50 - Simple daily rituals vs. grand gestures 40:30 - Equity and balance in separate activities 42:10 - Social media consumption and mental health 43:31 - Myths about marriage (happy couples don't fight, etc.) 🧠 Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment below! ✨ If you have any questions regarding other topics? Please email info@dilkirecipes.com 🔔 Follow Dil Ki Recipes everywhere at @dilkirecipes or visit www.dilkirecipes.com & listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & more by looking for "Dil Ki Recipes" on your preferred streaming platform Produced by HAZZE MEDIA | A part of the HAZZE MEDIA Podcast Network | To Learn More, visit: www.hazzemedia.com