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Everyone makes it seem like your 30s come with a checklist: career sorted, relationship locked in, life perfectly figured out. But… who actually decided that timeline?In this episode of What Would The Auntie Say, we’re talking about why you’re not behind, even if your life doesn’t look like everyone else’s highlight reel. From career pressure to relationship timelines, comparison culture to self-doubt, we break down where that “I should be further by now” feeling really comes from — and how to let it go.If you’ve ever felt like you’re running out of time, this one’s your reminder that your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s to be meaningful, successful, or beautiful. My Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-would-the-aunties-say/anchal-seda/9781398505605CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anchal/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anchalxx?is_f...

Happy New Year! We get into how it feels going into the new year, if we really need to give in to the pressure to rebrand ourselves and I'm responding to all the things you told me we are NOT bringing into 2026! My Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-would-the-aunties-say/anchal-seda/9781398505605 CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram:  / anchal  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anchalxx?is_f...

As we slow down before Christmas, I'm discussing how we don't need to feel the pressure to re-brand your life while we have a chilled, chatty catch up and I react to a few of your brown girl problems while giving you my honest opinions and advice. My Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-would-the-aunties-say/anchal-seda/9781398505605CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram:  / anchal  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anchalxx?is_f...

Why does this one sentence have so much power over our lives?In this episode, we’re unpacking the fear of being talked about - by aunties, by family, by friends, and by people who don’t even know us that well. From the choices we don’t make, to the dreams we shrink and to the versions of ourselves we keep hidden… all because we’re scared of what other people might think.We talk about how this mindset is passed down, why it hits harder in brown and collectivist cultures, and the emotional toll of constantly living for external approval. I share personal stories and the slow (very imperfect) process of unlearning people-pleasing and choosing myself instead.If you’ve ever paused your life because of “log kya kahenge,” this episode is for you. Consider this a gentle reminder that other people’s opinions are loud - but they don’t get to run your life.My Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-would-the-aunties-say/anchal-seda/9781398505605CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram:  / anchal  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anchalxx?is_f...

What does self love ACTUALLY mean? We hear this term all the time, and often people relate it to the aesthetic style of self love you see on the internet. In this episode I'm discussing how to do the inner work to TRULY love yourself. If you're on your healing journey, or ready to do the work on yourself to change your life, this episode is for you! CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram:  / anchal  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anchalxx?is_f...My Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-would-the-aunties-say/anchal-seda/9781398505605

This is my story of surviving a narcissist that not only love bombed me, but stole millions of pounds from people and put me through an extremely traumatic time in my life by stalking and harassing me. It has taken me years to find my voice again and share my story. In South Asian culture, we shy away from talking about negative events publicly because of shame, however I no longer carry the shame for what someone else did to me. I am sharing to help inspire you to choose yourself, to always  speak up and to show you that you can re-build yourself. My Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-would-the-aunties-say/anchal-seda/9781398505605CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram:  / anchal  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anchalxx?is_f...

After a long break, I feel it's only right to re-introduce myself and allow you to get to know me all over again before we dive into some heavier topics in upcoming episodes

Season 3 is officially in session! We unpack identity, culture, womanhood, and the glow-up that comes from finally choosing yourself. This season, we’re going deeper, laughing harder, and healing out loud. If the aunties are talking, we might as well join the chat.

"How will you find a husband with that weight?", "put some lipstick on", "you must wax your hair.". These are some things you might hear a South Asian Auntie say when talking about body image. Model and activist Neelam Kaur Gill joins me to discuss the pressures of looking marriage ready and meeting the South Asian standard.

"You will never find a husband in this job, be a doctor", "Indian girls never make it in those industries", "You will never make money in a creative job". When talking to South Asian Aunties about getting into a creative career, these are some of the things you might hear them. I'm joined by BBC Women's Hour presenter and broadcaster Anita Rani. We discuss her experiences as a brown woman in a predominantly white industry and the pressures of following a particular career path.

“Isn’t there a cure?!”, “I hope they get well soon”, “so sorry, she will never have a normal life”, “Your childs illness is paying for your bad karma”. These are some of the things you may hear from a South Asian Auntie when seeing a child or person that may have a disability. This is a huge taboo topic within the culture, and my special guest Manal from @wakeupandmakeup shares the experiences of having a sister with cerebral palsy.

"Let him drink, this is what men do", "He’s drinking because of you", "Girls don’t drink” - these are some of the phrases you might hear from a South Asian Auntie on the topic of alcohol. In this episode, we’re discussing alcohol culture, predominantly in the Punjabi culture, whether there is a hidden problem, ways of dealing with alcoholism, and hearing the experiences of my special guest Dipz Danjal and how he was able to turn his life around.

"Girls only leave the home once they’re married", "It’s shameful to live with a boyfriend", "Why would you want to leave your parents? Don’t you love them?" These are some of the things you might here from the Aunties when if you’re thinking about moving out of your South Asian family home before marriage. In this episode I’m joined by Niki Mahon where we discuss why the Aunties disapprove so much and how to tackle your parents when dealing with this topic!

"My daughter-in-law doesn't listen", "She's taking him away from the family”, “Live with us beta, and come and learn our families way." These are some of the things the Aunties might say when talking about their daughter-in-law. Dealing with your in-laws can be challenging if you don't have the best relationship. In this episode, I'm joined by psychotherapist Dr. Reenee Singh to discuss how to set boundaries, how to improve in-law relationships, and whether you should live with them after marriage.

“He’s so good, he even changes his child's nappy”, “She wants to tear my son away from his family”. These are some of the lines you might hear from an Auntie that thinks her role as woman is to be submissive and not fight for equality. I am joined by Harsharin, the co-founder of the popular instagram page The Indian Feminist to discuss if the Aunties could be anti-feminist?