Voice It Out Podcast with Amrita

Digital illustrator and visual storyteller Vik Kainth joins Amrita in this episode and opens up about his creative journey. He shares how he draws inspiration from his South Asian heritage—reimagining Mughal-era artwork, modernising classic Punjabi folklore, and placing empowering female figures right at the heart of his pieces. He also weighs in on the rise of AI across the creative scene, explaining why he thinks that true craftsmanship can never truly be replaced by tech. Vik also talks through his upcoming book, Tradigital, which showcases years of his digital prints, as well as collaborating with Khaani to illustrate Rising Rani, a vibrant 36-card affirmation deck. Beyond the canvas, Vik gets refreshingly candid about his own mental health and the topic of men's mental health as a whole. He reflects on navigating vulnerability in a culture where silence is often the default, and the importance of checking in with yourself and recognising your triggers.

In this episode, singer-songwriter Shashaa Tirupathi joins Amrita to talk about her new single, 'Raynnn', from her upcoming EP, 'Maahirr'. A National Award winner for Best Female Playback Singer, Shashaa speaks candidly about the creative process behind her new EP, how it marks her comeback and shares her journey in composing and writing each track. She also offers a heartfelt look into her wider musical journey — from moving from Canada to India to working with legendary composer AR Rahman as well as doing playback across multiple languages. Shashaa also opens up about the personal side of her artistry: navigating life with ADHD, prioritising mental health, and honouring the memory of her late father through her music. Shashaa brings remarkable openness and vulnerability to this conversation, offering listeners an intimate, unfiltered look into both her music and her mind.

In this episode, Traitors' star Ash Bibi is the guest. Known for her outspoken and fiercely authentic personality, Ash sits down to discuss what it really takes to live life entirely on her own terms. Ash talks about the raw struggles of leaving home at 16 to finding the grit to take massive risks. She opens up about navigating heavy criticism, particularly the cultural expectations within the South Asian community, especially after her appearance on First Dates, and the importance of building a strong support network. While she is immensely dedicated to embracing life with both hands, she doesn't shy away from the mental hurdles, revealing how she navigates the opportunities that have come her way, overcoming self-doubt and being clear on the non-conformity. Sharing her unfiltered thoughts on single life and her refusal to be boxed in, Ash opens up about how she finally stopped chasing approval, which is also a message she is deeply passionate about passing on to the next generation of young women.

In this episode, Dr Navjot Sawhney, founder of The Washing Machine Project, shares his powerful journey from being a young boy dreaming of becoming an engineer to launching a global humanitarian movement. Navjot opens up about how a simple promise to build a manual washing machine for his neighbour, Divya, in India, blossomed into an initiative that has now reached 15 countries, providing flat-pack washing machines to underprivileged villages and refugee camps. Throughout this chat, he highlights the profound influence of the women in his life who empower his work, while sharing his mission in prioritising life-changing innovations where they are desperately needed. This episode offers a vulnerable look at Navjot’s personal battle with burnout as a social entrepreneur, underscoring his deep, unwavering desire to use engineering as a force for genuine, positive change in the world.

In this episode, actors Amar Chaggar and Amit Dhut join Amrita to discuss their new British Asian, indie film, Never Had A Chance, which recently screened at the UK Asian Film Festival. Beyond the film’s poignant story of two friends caught in a cycle of substance abuse, both actors explore the weight of portraying such heavy subject matters alongside the happy moments the characters face. Amar stars as the protagonist, Ravi, who struggles to leave a life of crime behind, while Amit plays Guj, a local drug dealer. The actors also dive deep into their own experiences with mental health, offering a nuanced look at the cultural stigmas surrounding vulnerability for men within the British Asian community. Reflecting on their paths in the industry, they share the personal challenges and moments that are shaping their careers and share their experience in making Never Had A Chance, which reflects the real struggles that the young Punjabi community face today.

This week, Amrita is joined by broadcaster, host and DJ Harpz Kaur for a candid chat exploring the realities of achieving her dreams. From her humble beginning in local radio to her 7-year stint at the BBC Asian Network, Harpz pulls back the curtain on the pressures of fame, the demands of corporate life, and the impact her journey had on her mental health. She also reflects on her path of self-discovery, sharing her deep pride in her Punjabi culture and how it shapes her identity today. Beyond her career, Harpz speaks openly about the grief of losing people close to her and how her role as an ambassador for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has provided not only a vital space for her but also given her a voice to try and make a difference to those who most need it. Harpz gives a deeply humbling and insightful take on staying grounded, protecting your energy, and choosing the path that truly brings you joy.

This week, women's physiotherapist Meera Joshi joins Amrita and speaks about filling the gap in women's health and wellbeing and how her work developed to focus on pregnancy and postpartum recovery, when the pandemic presented an unexpected opportunity, allowing her to build a community and launch her own practice. A passionate advocate for those women in the perinatal period (before and beyond), Meera shares her take on the unique physical and mental vulnerabilities that new motherhood can come along with. Through her extensive clinical expertise and deep understanding of how mental and physical health are connected, she also shares some insights about her own experience as a new mum, and how she was able to try and test the tools she has often helped others with.

From the stage of Britain’s Got Talent to the cinematic world of Harry Potter, Krupa Chavda-Derodra has built a formidable career as a dancer and choreographer. Now, she is merging her two greatest passions of dancing and writing in her debut children’s book, The Dance Map: Anaya’s Indian Adventure. In this episode, Krupa gets candid with Amrita about her journey through an "unconventional" profession in the creative industry which started from her love of music and movement, the inspiration behind her writing, and the hurdles she overcame to find success on her own terms. Beyond the spotlight, Krupa discusses her drive to inspire the next generation, sharing how her desire to be a positive role model for young minds has ultimately led her to becoming a storyteller.