I Am Speaking

We Are Speaking with Dr. Sheetal Kircher

Dr. Sheetal Kircher is a GI oncologist at Northwestern Medicine. She’s brilliant. She’s insightful. She’s kind. And Shailushi and Kosha are so lucky that she’s also their cousin. 

Your co-hosts talk to Dr Sheetal Kircher on their first episode of I Am Speaking w/ Expert Voices. As an oncologist of GI-based cancers, Dr. Kircher’s discussions with her patients often involve end-of-life wishes, hospice care, and acceptance of hard truths. Her work is vital and fulfilling, but bringing people to acceptance of their mortality takes a toll also, which she discusses in depth with us. Dr. Kircher shares with us what’s she’s learned over the years, her complicated relationship with words like “gratitude” and “hope”, and why she’s sometimes tired of hugging her kids so damn hard. 

Dr. Kircher, thank you for joining us on our inaugural episode of I Am Speaking w/ Expert Voices. Your story is not only fascinating and poignant, but we also think it will encourage our listeners to take moments for themselves, discuss their end-of-life wishes with their loved ones, and open themselves up to understanding their own journey forward. 

Greg Tinkler Is Speaking

What is toxic masculinity? How do you recognize this toxicity in yourself and be open to change? How do you impact change around you?

Shailushi and Kosha sit down with their good friend, Dr Greg Tinkler, to hear his take on these issues. Adopted as an infant, Greg was othered within the family from the start. Not having an ethnic/DNA identity, he was able to forge his own path, reject the racism and covert misogyny he saw around him and commit to act as an ally. 

Greg discusses what he does in his classroom to promote equity and discourage toxic masculinity, how he welcomes when his family calls him out and what he hopes his kids will grow up in these tumultuous times. 

Susun Matta Is Speaking

And just like that, we enter Season 3. 

Season 3 of I Am Speaking with Shailushi and Kosha will focus on bucking gender norms and expectations. Just as in every aspect of life, there are a billion ways to do that. And we are going to explore some of those ways. Each guest will have a story that connect to this thread.

First Up: Susan Matta, lawyer and advocate extraordinaire. If you know her, you know she’s tough, direct and a freaking good lawyer. Yet, she (half) jokingly says she must have to serve it up with a pie. Often people don’t know what to do with a FEMALE tough, direct, good lawyer. Susan talks to us about how she combats her opposition commenting about her tone and her shoes, how she knows the difference between assertive and aggressive, and how she knows certain men would never talk to other men the way they talk to her and her female colleagues. 

As an episode 1, we couldn’t have asked for better. Thank you, Susan, for your candor and vulnerability. Also, your muffin familect kept us laughing long after we ended recording. 

We Are Reflecting

Your cohosts have a conversation together as they close out Season 2 of I Am Speaking with Shailushi and Kosha. 

This last season has been filled with joy, proverbial gut punches, words of wisdom from our incredible guests, and moments of validation that we are on the right track with this podcast project of ours. Today, Shailushi and Kosha recap and reflect on all of those moments and memories, plus some fun examples of their own familect. Also Kosha decides to try out a few theme songs of her own. 

Shailushi and Kosha have no plans of stopping. More stories, more voices, more of everyone saying “I am speaking.” Your cohosts announce the theme for Season 3 and officially announce their NEW project (a sister podcast) which they are very excited about. This episode is filled to the brim. Don’t miss it! 

Darien Marion-Burton Is Speaking

Darien Marion-Burton. He/him. HBIC.

Wondering what HBIC stands for? You won’t question it once you listen to this episode. 

Darien is a young Black gay man who has navigated life in the intersections. He speaks to us about that intersectionality, what is expected of him, and how he uses emotional intelligence and a certain level of code switching to work through those expectations. Darien is larger than life, insightful and hilarious. Our time with him flew by, and now we need him to help style us. 

After listening to this episode, you’ll know what HBIC is, and you won’t question that Darien Marion-Burton is the HBIC. 

Gretchen Is Speaking

We are so lucky to have found Gretchen. 

Gretchen is a young woman from a very small conservative town where she could not be herself. She spent years hiding who she was, denying her identity and dodging homophobic slurs. Until she did a very scary and brave thing, and moved herself out of her small world into the big city, so she can begin living her truth. We can all benefit from channeling Gretchen to become a bit more brave, even when we are scared. 

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of self-harm and suicide.

DISCLAIMER: I Am Speaking is for information, education and entertainment purposes only. In no way is I Am Speaking intended to provide medical advice or substitute for mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are feeling suicidal, thinking about hurting yourself or concerned that someone you know may be in danger of hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or call 911.

Rekha Rajkumar is Speaking

EPISODE REVISIT - listen to one of our first episodes with Rekha Rajkumar. 

What a joy it was to talk with our good friend, Rekha (well, Shailushi's good friend. Kosha poached her. You learn about Kosha's friend-poaching habits in this episode.)

Rekha Rajkumar is a first generation American whose parents immigrated from South India. She has 2 kids of her own now, and is coming full circle in managing to balance between two cultures. She shared her experience growing up in an predominantly white suburb, her thoughts on the Indian matchmaking system and how she knew someone else had written her partner's "bio data."

Calling all Indians (be they immigrant, first-generation or anything else), please submit YOUR enchilada recipe. This is vital research we must do. Listen to find out why. We also learn that Kosha is weird about other people's French fries.

Rekha is insightful, smart and hilarious. Enjoy Rekha Rajkumar is Speaking.

Mark Perry Is Speaking

What a joy it was to spend some time talking to Mark Perry. Mark and Kosha went to high school together - 2 years apart in grade but connected through theater. Mark is a lawyer, a dramaturgist (Google that, or just listen to the episode), a brother, a son and a friend. He has been with his now husband, Michael, for nearly a decade. Oh also, he is hilarious. The sharp wit that Kosha remembers from 25 years ago has not worn off. 

And so importantly, Mark is a true ally. Throughout our conversation Mark shows himself to be willing to do the work to learn, connect, grow and put his privilege on the line to be better and do better. We were inspired by this man. For someone who is part of the “old guard” Mark has plenty to tell us, including the fact that he resents that we call him old at all. 

This one is not just one to listen to, it’s one to pass on for someone else to listen to. Someone who might need some reassurance that it really does get better  

Zoxox, 

Shailushi, Kosha and our special guest Mark 

 

Kelsey Is Speaking

A huge part of the joy of doing this podcasting is listening and sharing the stories of our guests. And when one of those guests is Kelsey, the joy comes fairly easily. 

You have heard ABOUT Kelsey, if you listened to Dave Is Speaking. Kelsey is Dave’s wife, within the polycule of their polyamourous life. And now you will hear FROM Kelsey, in this episode, Kelsey Is Speaking. 

She loves axolotls (not bridges), gets in and out of the gym as quickly as possible, and simply wants to elevate every relationship within her polycule with love and joy and support. This conversation was certainly illuminating. Thank you, Kelsey, for speaking about your truth that you live. 

Anna DeShawn Is Speaking

“We deserve.”

Anna DeShawn is a powerhouse and a poet, on her way to becoming a media mogul. 

Born and raised in Chicago’s south side, Anna didn’t allow herself to question her sexuality until college. Living her truth as a queer Black woman meant also realizing that if she wanted to be in “The Room Where It Happened,” she would have to open the door to a whole new room. Her newest project, The Qube, is a curated media platform for BIPOC and QTPOC musicians and podcasters.  

“The Qube is a place for people to be inspired by the various ways Black, Brown, QTPOC people show up in the world. Life attempts to put us in boxes and limit us to particular labels, but inside The Qube we are three-dimensional. We are showing our depth & breathe by speaking our truth, sharing our wisdom, and spreading our joy.” 

Listen to Anna. She speaks her truth, she shares her wisdom and she spreads her joy.