On Purpose with Jay Shetty - Maitreyi Ramakrishnan ON: Imposter Syndrome & How to Navigate Self-Doubt In Any Stage of Your Journey

Episode Date: December 13, 2021

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan chats with Jay Shetty about her acting journey. Breaking through the film industry requires a lot of hard work and a lot of people don’t actually take into consideration the amount of work she has put in to continuously play the title role. Add in a good amount of luck and her will to stand for herself and never shy away from asking questions.Maitreyi is best known for portraying Devi Vishwakumar, a 15-year-old high school sophomore, in Netflix's hit series, Never Have I Ever. She created her audition tape at a local library, using her mother's camera, eventually being asked to send four more videos, before having a screen test in Los Angeles and being offered the role. Maitreyi is very vocal about diversity and standing up for yourself.   Get your copy of Think Like a Monk today by clicking this link!https://thinklikeamonkbook.com/What We Discuss:00:00 Intro02:45 Breaking through Hollywood with a South Asian heritage07:07 Raised to speak up your mind10:00 “I didn’t like myself.”14:51 Generational talk divides us16:53 Having a grandma as your best friend18:54 When you have family and friends that listen22:30 The strong passion for acting25:44 The day she filmed the audition tape29:48 Always give it your best shot30:43 The first day and the first scene shoot34:25 Dealing with impostor syndrome37:38 Everything happened in different ways for people41:05 “Respect existence, expect resistance.”43:42 Not enough representation of true diversity50:02 The story she stood up for someone53:14 Maitreyi on Final FiveLike this show? Please leave us a review here - even one sentence helps! Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us so we can thank you personally!Episode Resources:Maitreyi Ramakrishnan | InstagramMaitreyi Ramakrishnan | TwitterMaitreyi Ramakrishnan | TikTokMaitreyi Ramakrishnan | FacebookAchieve success in every area of your life with Jay Shetty’s Genius Community. Join over 10,000 members taking their holistic well-being to the next level today, at https://shetty.cc/OnPurposeGeniusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm Jay Shetty and on my podcast on purpose, I've had the honor to sit down with some of the most incredible hearts and minds on the planet. Oprah, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Hart, Louis Hamilton, and many, many more. On this podcast, you get to hear the raw real-life stories behind their journeys and the tools they used, the books they read, and the people that made a difference in their lives so that they can make a difference in hours. Listen to on purpose with Jay Shetty on the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Join the journey soon. What if you could tell the whole truth about your life, including all those tender and visible things we don't usually talk about?

I'm Megan Devine. Host of the podcast, it's okay that you're not okay. Look everyone's at least a little bit not okay these days, and all those things we don't usually talk about, maybe we should. This season, I'm joined by Stellar Gas like Abbermote, Rachel Cargol, and so many more. It's okay that you're not okay. New episodes each and every Monday, available on the iHeartRadio app, or wherever you listen to podcasts. The therapy for Black Girls podcast is your space to explore mental health, personal development, and all of the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

I'm your host, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, and I can't wait for you to join the conversation every Wednesday. Listen to the Therapy for Black Girls podcast on the iHart Radio app Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast take good care. It's like self love like you got the confidence one day of like yeah I deserve this I'm very proud of myself but then the next day it's oh god oh no people think I'm a joke that could be sparked because you see one comment and I used to do this I'm gonna be honest I would scroll through comments until I found a joke. That could be sparked because you see one comment, and I used to do this, I'm gonna be honest. I would scroll through comments

until I found a negative one. Scroll through thousands of positive until I found a negative one, and that would be when I would turn off my phone, which is so unhealthy. I'm so happy. I'm so happy. I'm so happy.

I'm so happy. I'm so happy. Hey everyone, welcome back to On Purpose, the number one health podcast in the world, thanks to each and every single one of you who come back every week to listen, learn and grow. Now you know that I'm always on the lookout to speak to people that I find interesting, fascinating, and often people that we don't know so much about them as a human, as an individual. We see them on the big screen, we watch them at home,

we see them on our phones, but we don't know too much about them. And today's guest is someone who I've been watching, binge watching, religiously, on Netflix, on her show Never Have I Ever. I'm talking about none other than my three, Ramakrishnan, who's an actress, known for her leading role as David Vishwakumar

in the Netflix teen comedy series Never Have I Ever. In 2019, she was chosen by Mindy Kaling out of 15,000 candidates that applied for an open casting call for the show. She created her audition tape at a local library using her mother's camera, eventually being asked to send four more videos before having a screen test in LA and being offered the role in 2019. Today she's been named as one of the 18 groundbreakers, a list of girls who were breaking down barriers and changing the world in 2021 and she was named a breakout actor in time 100's most influential people.

She was back for a second season in Never Have I Ever and it was also announced that she will start in the Netflix romantic comedy The Netherfield Girls. Welcome to the show, my three, Ramakrishnan, my three. Thank you so much for doing this. Thank you for having me. I've really been looking forward to this because I remember when season one came out and me and my wife literally watched the whole season in one night. And we were both just like, oh my gosh, the show is so addictive. And you know, for us, it was interesting watching it because my wife and I, both from South Asian backgrounds, were born and raised in London. And so to see the somewhat South Asian experience portrait through the show in the United States

was a learning curve for us. It was, you know, it was unique for us. It wasn't the same at all. I wanted to ask you, show us side. Tell us about what it was like growing up as a South Asian young woman in the United States. I'm sorry, in Canada for you. For me, it was a little different to Davie because I was blessed to have people from all sorts of backgrounds in class with me, which was really awesome because I got to learn about everyone's backgrounds and cultures and identities and just life stories in general, which exposed me to a lot. But then also really pushed me to figure out, okay, how do you identify as a Tamil Canadian? Like what does that actually really mean to you?

And I'm really thankful for my upbringing and I have to give a shout out to my parents. I wouldn't have said this like however many years ago, but I realize now very quickly with everything that's happened, I'm only like half of what I am or like even a quarter of what I am like without them. You know what I'm saying? Like I need them to be who I am so. Yeah. I love that. Tell us about something growing up. Like you said that you would have felt like all my parents are weird or I don't really connect with them or I don't agree with them and now you're like, oh, you were so right. Like, tell me about something that changed. I'm actually glad you asked that

because usually I get asked the question like, oh, were your parents like supportive of you going into acting, which is super valid as a question as, you know, reality has a lot of South Asian parents. Armored, right? It's a very, you know, tricky field to go into the entertainment.

When my parents are very supportive, my dad growing up was always like, yeah, whatever you need, like we'll figure it out. We'll get you there. We'll do whatever you got. Do whatever you want, be whoever you want, but just be the best you can be at it. But despite all that, now looking back, I realize how supportive and like how much they were there for me, growing up as like a kid, I always felt like the outsider, you know, like in my family. Like sort of like the black sheep because my brother, he's two years older than me, I'm the younger one. So I'm like the stereotypical, you know, younger rebellious sibling.

And my brother was the good, studious one, and who loved reading books while I'd rather just go to like an amusement park, you know, I'm not gonna read a book, whatever. So I was like, I couldn't connect with my family for the longest time until I realized, like, wait, my home's like really cool to talk to you. And I, it's like, you know, I don't have, like, you've experienced as I'm sure you have. I feel like a lot of kids have, It's that moment where you stop necessarily idolizing your parents thinking like, oh my god, they're everything

and they're amazing, they couldn't do nothing wrong. And then maybe you see them cry ones and you're like, what, that's a little gross. Or like, they do something and you're like, oh, I actually disagree with you on that. And I think when those moments started happening, I started humanizing them. And I'm like, yeah, I think that's it. That's my little tangent.

Yeah, no, I love that. That's a great answer. I really appreciate you opening up and letting us in because I love the character you play on the show, but on this show, on on purpose, my whole focus is on you as a human and an individual. So I'm excited to get to know, you know, my three, like, that's the person that I'm really interested in and fascinated by and in your journey. So thank you for being so open already and sharing stories.

And now that we all know that your brother's this super intelligent book. Oh my God, he's such a nerd. He's also like, like, he's the book smart one, but I'm the street smart one and he knows it. Got it, got it. Well, it's funny because I have a younger sister. What's your age different, two years, you said? We are, two years.

So my younger sister's four years younger than me. And it's the other way around. I'm the rebel, I'm the kid who got into trouble. I experimented and she's like just the sweetest soul. So we traded places. But no, I love what you're saying. And I think it's so important to recognize that. Like you said, it's always easy to look back

and point fingers at our parents and be like, oh, they didn't let me do that. Or they were wrong about this. But to be able to say, and I feel the same way as you, I look back at the things my parents forced me to do and now I look back and I'm just like, wow, I'm so glad you forced me to do that. And I think it's a good reflection.

I wanted to talk about what were you like growing up as a child? Have you always been outgoing and you said rebellious? I wanna hear a bit about that rebellious side. Like what was your rebellion leading you to? Yeah, I mean, I've always been like an extroverted person. I always would talk to everyone. Growing up, my mom's rule was,

if she didn't know their parents, I wasn't going over their house. Not happening. So quickly my game cube, my Nintendo game cube became my best friend, and so I'm like pretty good at all those video games, but that's why I also picked up a bunch of different like hobbies like drawing and painting and singing and playing piano and you know, just doing these things by myself. And which I'm, you know, just doing these things by myself. And, which I'm, you know, one of those things I'm very thankful for, because I have all those skills now. But in terms of, like, the rebellious side,

that's actually from my parents, too, in the sense it's, like, the sense of justice. My parents have always raised me to speak about what I believe in. If I see an injustice, speak up for it. If I see someone in trouble or getting bullied or just picked on wrongfully, doesn't matter if you don't know them, go stand up for them, speak your mind. And the whole term of code switching

that many people of color do, I never did that. And that's truly because my mom especially raised me to believe you don't have to. You just do you. Be who you are. Don't be a brat. But be who you are. You don't need to hide yourself or not speak your mind in a family party or in this professional setting. If you see something wrong, you speak up. My mom literally raised me as a kid and said, if someone ever punches you, you have one punch back. Make a count. That's what my mom would say to me.

So. Did you ever exercise that advice? Did you ever use that advice? No, I don't think I ever like did. Unless you're probably with a fight against my brother or something, or maybe with my cousins, but definitely that energy was very much so there where my friends knew like, okay, my tree stands up for what she believes in. I was very well acquainted in high school with the principal's office, not for bad things.

The principal and I got along very well actually, but if I saw something go down with a teacher and a student, like, I'm there and I'm like, this is what's happening. You need to figure this out. This is wrong. You know? I love that. I love that. Yeah, we need more people who speak up and stand up and don't just let things happen by the sides. I mean, Treet, you said that you developed a lot of skills

because your parents were like, if I don't know their parents, you're not allowed to go out. I wonder, did you get quite comfortable, even though you're an extraver, I'm interested, did you get comfortable spending time alone? And do you think that has stayed the same, or are you kind of like, no, no, no, I don't like being alone? Oh, okay.

So that's, thank you for asking that too, because this is something I always wanted to talk about as well. Like, I, up until probably my last year of high school hated being alone. Like I hated it. I had sitting with my own thoughts. I hated just sitting with myself, having to talk to myself, have to entertain myself, because I didn't like myself for the longest time. I would rather be anyone else, you know?

And throughout like, you know, school, I would always surround myself with like a bunch of different people And throughout like, you know, school, I would always surround myself with like a bunch of different people just to like, you know, hang out with. And the more people I had met, the more opportunities to go out, the more stories and like conversations I could have that weren't with myself until, you know, in grade 12,

I was forced to have the conversations with myself and realize I really don't like being alone. This is not fun. The whole reason I did after school theater was because I wanted something to do after school that would keep me at school and not send me home. That was the reason I started it.

And then I obviously so thankful, but that's how I got into acting. Wow, that's amazing. I love hearing that. That's awesome that you were able to find something through actually being like, oh, I'm just using this as an escapism, but it actually became your life. It caught up to me. I had to learn how to like sit in my own silence,

which now I'm better at. I'm not perfect at it. And I don't think anyone really is. It's a growing journey because you're changing yourself. But I'm less harsh on myself as an individual in that way. Still in general, very hard on yourself. But yeah. Yeah. I wanted to know you said that earlier, you were like, you know, up until you finished high school, you were like, oh, I really didn't enjoy being my myself. You're like, I didn't like myself. Tell us a bit about that because I think

that's a very common experience, but it's not commonly talked about because we don't hear people say that. Like for you to have the courage to just say right now, like I didn't like myself. Like, and now that you're, that's transitioning. And I loved how you said it's not perfect. It's not like you figured it out,

but you've been transitioning. Tell us why you didn't like yourself. Like what made you feel that way? What put you in that position? I feel like being able to talk about it, first of all, actually comes from the show. Like one of the things that when people like talk about Davey, just really quickly, like when they say,

oh, she's so confident yet she's a nerd. She is very confident still, like 100% she's loud, she's outspoken, but confident about herself? No. She's confident when it comes to grades and being book smart, but confident about her own thoughts, her own worth, herself worth? No way. And it was like this like weird experience of playing this character that I deeply care about like a younger sister seeing her go through this, but also just knowing that a bunch of people, a whole writers room wrote this. And that made me realize this isn't such an individual rare experience. So many people go through it and we should talk about it more. I feel like

people go through it, and we should talk about it more. I feel like loving yourself is so hard, because one day you could be there. You're on your shit. You're like, yeah. Mm. How do great day. Next day, terrible, gone. And that could be because of something as small as getting

a pimple right in the middle of your face or getting into a fight with someone and you feel just like a terrible human being. So true. It's so true. Yeah. And I think, you know, I think if spot on, I mean, I look back to being, and I love how you said that Davey's like a younger sister to you in the way that you see the role.

I think that's such an interesting way to put it. And when I look back at my own self, it's 16. And if I honestly, I think a lot of people around me would have said I was pretty confident, but I think you're right. Like if I really look inward, where you really? No, I wasn't.

I don't think I was at 16. I mean, 16 is a really tough age to be actually confident. I mean, you barely know who you are, and I find that a lot of people obviously, I mean, you're 19 now, I believe. So I feel a lot of people obviously, I mean, you're 19 now, I believe. So I feel a lot of people also, what I love about what the show is done is that it's opened up this like multi-generational conversation. Like it's not, even though it's called a teen comedy series, it's like, I'm not a teen

and I watch it, my wife's not a teen and she watches it. And then I also know like, full on parents, adults and uncles and aunties that are watches it. And then I also know, like, full on parents, adults, and uncles and aunties that are watching it. When you look at things generationally and you look at yourself growing up too, do you think that I feel like we always feel that the next generation doesn't get it? But we were that same generation when we were at that age.

Do you ever feel like that when you're looking at Davies your little sister, you're now 19, you're working with her? Do you ever feel like that when you're looking at David's your little sister, you're now 19, you're working with her? Do you ever feel that way? Does that make sense? For me, it's so interesting whenever people, whenever people talk about like Gen Z versus Gen X versus millennials versus boomers.

And sometimes I just have to close my ears about it and just like just say shut up. Because at the end of the day, it's just the year you were born and how the world was when it when you were born when you were a kid when you were at your coming of age Netflix YA moment and that is totally valid and fair it's a 100% a different experience like my parents don't get what it means to grow up with technology in your school, right? But they went through things that you wouldn't get. But there's a lot that we can all universally understand, like this idea of loving yourself,

like this idea of self-confidence, just in general, mental health, that is really universal and it sucks because now, what I'm finding is that the generation conversation is starting to divide people of like, oh, that's such a millennial mentality We're like oh these like Gen Zers think they have it all together They think they're like the bees knees and it's like no, you know what like to my fellow Gen Z We're not the bees knees. We're not better. We're just

Humans and we all are at the end of the day So why can we just all be better despite what year we were born in go where your neon 80s outfit go where your 50s Who scurts like I don't care just be nice and just talk about these things because there's not that many differences My grandma learned so much from me. I learned so much from her like we talk to like my best friend And I talked to her all the time. She learned so much from me and I learned a lot from her and that's like my best friend and I talked to her all the time. She learned so much from me and I learned a lot from her and that's what matters. Well said, I love that. That's such a great way of putting it and sharing it. Tell me about some of the things. I love hearing about this because my wife's also extremely close to

her grandmother. Exactly how you just said, they're like best friends. I wanted to know, what are some of the things you've shared with each other or learned from each other? Some of the things you've taught her, some of the things she's taught you. I'd love to hear about some of that. Yeah, I mean, so like I said like before, when I was younger in my house,

I felt like there was no one I could really talk to because I knew if I was gonna talk to my brother and tell him a secret, that was gonna go right back down to Amma, Amma was gonna find out, I'm gonna be in trouble and I'm going to get real mad. But my grandma, she's goaded. She was like my best friend would always like hang out with me. And now it's like she's like she's got Twitter right. She'll see something about Twitter. And she'll like I mean she mainly just follows me but like you know she'll see something

or like something that someone replies and like it'll be a slang term or like whatever kind of term Maybe it's something about like the LGBTQIA community and she'll say like what is this? So I'm like, yeah, I'm all teach you and then she like knows about it. She's like, okay, cool Like things like that and then I get to learn of course about how she grew up of course But then also just where she's coming from as someone who takes care of my grandfather and someone who has her own challenges. And I'm like, huh, we're not so different. Like, we're really not.

But yeah. I love that. It's great. You know, those conversations take time in patience because I'm sure that when she's asking you a question, you're having to then see it from her perspective and you know, think about it. It's not just like, you know, because like you said, she's come from a different time.

She's had different experiences. It's amazing that you've developed that. Where do you think you developed that ability to be patient, to be empathetic? The way you're talking, like when I'm hearing you, you know, there's so much maturity in the way you're sharing how you are navigating this, which is beautiful to see. I'm not surprised at all, you know, it's awesome,

but I wonder where do you think that came from? Was there an experience that happened in your life or was it through your parents who you're giving so much love and credit to? Where did that come from? Or where is that developed from? Is the question. I'm Jay Shetty and on my podcast on purpose, I've had the honor to sit down with some of the most incredible hearts and minds on the planet.

Oh, pro. Everything that has happened to you can also be a strength builder for you if you allow it. Kobe Bryant. The results don't really matter. It's the figuring out that matters. Kevin Haw. It's not about us as a generation at this point. It's about us trying our best to create change.

Louren's Hamilton. That's for me being taken that moment for yourself each day, being kind to yourself, because I think for a long time, I wasn't kind to myself. And many, many more. If you're attached to knowing, you don't have a capacity to learn. On this podcast, you get to hear the raw real-life stories behind their journeys and the tools they used, the books they read,

and the people that made a difference in their lives so that they can make a difference in hours. Listen to on-purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Join the journey soon. This is what it sounds like inside the box card. I'm journalist and I'm Morton in my podcast City of the Rails. I plunged into the dark world of America's railroads searching for my daughter Ruby who ran off to hop train.

I'm just like stuck on this train, not where I'm gonna end up and I jump. Following my daughter I found a secret city of unforgettable characters I'm just like stuck on this train, God knows where I'm going to end up. And I jump. Following my daughter, I found a secret city of unforgettable characters, living outside society, off the grid, and on the edge. I was in love with a lifestyle and the freedom, this community. No one understands who we truly are. The Rails made me question everything I knew about motherhood, history, and the thing we call the American dream.

It's the last vestige of American freedom. Everything about it is extreme. You're either going to die, or you can have this incredible rebirth, and really understand who you are. Come with me to find out what waits for us in the city of the rails. Listen to city of the rails on the I Heart Radio app Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast or cityoftherails.com. A good way to learn about a place is to talk to the people that live there. There's just this sexy vibe and Montreal, this pulse, this energy. What was meant is seen as a very snotty city. People call it bozangeless. New Orleans is a as a very snotty city. People call it Bois Angeles. New Orleans is a town that never forgets its pay.

A great way to get to know a place is to get invited to a dinner party. Hi, I'm Brendan Francis Newton and not lost as my new travel podcast where a friend and I go places, see the sights, and try to finagle our way into a dinner party. Where kind of trying to get invited to a dinner party. It doesn't always work out. I would love that, but I have like a Chihuahua who is aggressive towards strangers. I love the dogs. We learn about the places we're visiting, yes, but we also learn about ourselves. I don't spend as much time thinking about how I'm going to die alone when I'm traveling, but I get to travel with someone I love. Oh, see, I love you too. And also, we get to eat as much air as it's here.

I love you too. Mike's a lot of therapy goes behind that. You're so white, I love it. Listen to not lost on the iHeart radio app or wherever you get your podcasts. I mean, I'm still a 19 year old loser. Like, I'm still a loser. 19 year old video game, you're not a loser,

but you're a 19 year old video game player, yes. Yeah, but you're 19 year old video game player. Yes. Yeah Still that that's the cool off my biggest flex, but like I'm still just 19 and like you know whatever But I think the idea of like maybe listening to people I'm not gonna lie and say like oh yeah, I listen to everyone give them like everyone my full heart There's times where it's like hey, yeah steering clear from you you, you know, but when it comes to like sitting down with the people I care about to hear them out, answer all their questions, hear where they're coming from their perspective, I guess it's just me thinking like, Hey, when the tables turn, please hear me out. Because there's been times like I've gone through

moments in like school when I was growing up where I wasn't heard out, you know, and it's like, damn, I really sucks. And now with the industry, like being thrown into this industry, having no friends, family who are in this industry at all, whether they're an actor, writer, director, producer, like, no one has done this in my family or in my circle. And it's such a unique experience that like I have, when I talk to them about it, when I have like, you know, my own issues about it and I'm, you know, ranting about something, I want them to listen to me, you know? I want them to like try their best to put themselves in my shoes, try them their best to empathize and understand

because that's all they can do. They're never going to know what it's like exactly, but they can empathize and like a little bit of a tangent here, but when it comes to acting, I always get asked like, what's your method? Habermethod. I genuinely don't have a method. Like I've never done an acting class in my life, but my process is that here's a character. You're going to play this character. In order to play this character, you have to believe in every single one of their decisions. You're basically their lawyer, and you're going to have to defend them.

So when Dave is doing crazy, crazy things, and she's making terrible choices at times, I have to empathize and understand, okay, kid, why are we making this choice? Like, we're gonna do it, but why? Where are you coming from? So it's empathy on another level of like, okay, because now I'm gonna have to live this. Now I'm gonna have to make it believable,

because it's one thing to pick, packed in over Eleanor and Fabiola, but there's another thing to pick, packed in over Eleanor and Fabiola, but there's another thing to pick, packed in, believably, and make the audience still actually believe that Davey feels she's making a right choice and have the audience understand that, yeah, this kid generally thinks this is the right choice, it's a bad choice, but we're going to all empathize with her together, you know? I think what you're saying there about knowing why the character would do something and applying that in real life.

Like if we, instead of, you've just said something beautiful there, instead of looking at what people do around us, if we listen to understand why they're doing it, then that's gonna help us a lot more because what people do doesn't always equate with why we think they're doing it. And even as an actor, as you're saying right now, understanding why your character wants

to do something is what makes it believable. And it's spot on. That's exactly what makes a difference. I want to ask you a bit more about that when you talked about acting, obviously it started as this escape. And so you didn't have to go home. So that you could be there at after school. Did you have a and you said no one in your family's ever done this before? Did you have a plan B from acting or was acting you were like, I'm

all in, I'm gonna make this happen. This is gonna be my thing. So when I was 10, I decided I wanted to be like a Disney animator for Pixar. That was the dream. That was the dream for the longest time up until my last year in high school. And then I realized drawing on other people's time made me miserable. Like I could not do it. And I was like, oh my god, like what am I gonna do now?

I felt like such a disappointment with myself because I ran around school saying like, yeah, I'm gonna be a Pixar animator. I'm gonna, like everyone knew, oh my tree's dream job is to be an animator. And then I like didn't do it because I was like, I can't. I'm gonna be miserable. I still like went through with my portfolio because I'm stubborn, but I was not happy. And then suddenly I was like, oh my God, what am I doing with my life?

I basically just let down 10-year-old me. I went to Disney World and got all the inspiration that a 10-year-old could ask for. But while I was applying to universities, my mom, she was the one that said, hey, like, my three, like, why don't you toss in, like, a application for theater? Put her in there. Put her in the mix. I was like, oh, all right, like fine, it's extra work, but maybe I'll regret it if I don't, could be fun, whatever. My mom recognized my passion for theater before I did. In high school, it was truly just a fun thing. And it was a fun thing that I also went into

for like writing my own plays and directing my own play than being in a musical, multiple musicals, multiple plays. But I was like, yeah, it's just fun times. Like, I'm not going to be a big actor. But then eventually after I realized, you know, there was one of the first times in my life, I was ever proud of myself. I finished my grade 12 drama exam and I was really proud of myself. And I was like, you know what? I do have skill. Like, I am not a failure and that's great. So I accepted theater and that was the plan but the plan wasn't to become a big actor, go work at Netflix. The plan was, we'll see what happens. Maybe community

theater is cool, which is awesome, or just in Toronto, like the local theater scene there, that would be great. That would be the ideal. That's beautiful. I love hearing how real that is. That's awesome to hear. And also to recognize just how beautiful that would have been,

if that's what was meant for you. And you were prepared for that. I think so many times we hear now, it's almost like, well, if I can't do that, then I don't want to do it. It's like, well, if I can't do that, a pit of me peak moment, then I don't want to do it at all because it's not good enough.

And it's almost like, I love hearing from you. You're at the opposite where it's like, hey, if this is all it is, then that's fine. Yeah, that's fine. Yeah, yeah. My logic was, if I do just theater in Toronto, that is fine because I would have fun and I would meet cool people. And then I would also have like the priority in my life might be different where I'm just meeting new people and that's where I

get joy in my life. It might not be from my career. It might be from friends or, you know, family, whatever it may be, right? Yeah. How did you pluck up the courage to send that first audition tape in? Because I feel the reason why I'm honing in on that moment is I think doing something like that for the first time with your mom's camera without any prep or plan. It's not like you had your acting coach in the room. And I think that all of us struggle with firsts and all of us struggle with starting.

Like I'm sure you speak to tons of people who say to you, like, oh, I'm not sure, I'm not good enough, I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough, I'm not beautiful enough. How did you pluck up the cart? What, tell me that process, like take us into your mind on that day. So let me start off by saying I was depressed.

I was very depressed in my last year of high school. We took a long while for me to come to terms with. Like I didn't think I was, I was definitely. And I almost took a nap that day instead. My best friend texted me and they said, hey, I saw this tweet from Mindy Kaling. Like, let's do this. I didn't even know how to use Twitter. I didn't understand the differences between a retweet and a

like. They're basically the same thing. And basically, you know, my best friend, Shahara, texted me. And I almost said, no, I almost said, hey, man, I'm really tired. I think I'm just going to take a nap. And then something in me just said, you know what? I haven't hung out with my best friend in a long bit. I'll just, I'll go hang out with Sharra. Sharra is the best. So I said, okay, cool. We'll figure out a time and we'll go to the community center

because my house is way too loud. There's no way we're going to film a video that's like even decent in here. So we went to the community center. We figured out after an hour how to work my mom's camera because kept shutting off. So annoying. And then we googled up what a slate is. I didn't know what that was. But then we were flying. We were making our tapes. And the logic was to me, honestly was, okay, we're gonna send it through this portal.

Like it's not even going out in public on like the internet or whatever, but like we're sending this through this portal. They might not ever even look at it. Generally, I was like, there's a good chance like they'd never check it out. There'd probably be like people all around the world auditioning for this. I have no experience.

I made my acting resume on Canva. Like the free, like here canva plus my guess. I made my acting resume on Canva. My headshot was a photo that my best friend took, like outside of my high school wall and my eyes are squinty because of the sun. It's so messed up. So I didn't think people would look at it. And

with all that in mind, the fact that people all around the world are auditioning for this, I was like, okay, I'm probably not going to get this. I have literally no job experience at all. I can't even say it's like, you know, done retail. So who cares? I'm going to just do the best possible job I can because why not? And it's funny, I have the text from that day with my best friend where we literally say, hey man, that was really fun. Thanks for hanging out with me.

And they were like, you know what? We can say we were a part of something bigger when this show takes off. We can technically say we contributed to it. And then I said, yeah, you know what? Maybe we'll get royalties for that, like as a joke. And then I said, but it would be pretty sweet if you went to Hollywood, right? And then we were like, who knows, one day, man, maybe one day.

And then that was it. That's amazing. I love that story. Thank you for sharing that with us. I know you've shared it before, but I love it. I love it. It's such love that story. Thank you for sharing that with us. I know you've shared it before, but it's such a great story and I have to have you share with our audience and community because it's, it just, you know, I just love how happy you were with what you were doing and how if it didn't go anywhere, it wasn't a thing. It was just like, well, we tried. We put it out there into the world. Like, we'll give you a chance.

We did, you know? Yeah. I wasn't going to put out something like I didn't believe it because then in my mind, I'd be like, uh, I didn't give it my best shot. I'm not an athletic person. But if I'm going to play a basketball game with someone, you best know I'm going to try my best.

Will there be a lot of sweating? Very much so. Probably a lot of falling, knees being skid, maybe a bit of blood, but I will try. You know? Yeah, absolutely. And my mom says, like, I'm now just living my life purpose and she can see it. She saw it honestly in high school when I was doing all my performances because she came to every single one.

She saw the joy that it gave me and I'd have to agree. I feel like acting, being in this creative industry of film and TV, it is my life purpose. Yeah, I love that energy. That's awesome. And it shines off of your face. Like, even though we're not even sitting in front of each other right now, I can totally see it.

It's so real and your passion's so true. And it's so authentic. I love it. Tell me about how that translated to then being on your first day on set. Because that's a whole other like, that's a whole different ball game now because it's like you've gone from being with your best friend

to making a video to now being on set. Where was the first set? Where was it shot? And tell me about that experience from your perspective, not Davies perspective of yours. Yeah. We always shoot on the universal law in LA. Awesome.

So, we didn't actually to entirely was shot on law. We didn't know locations anywhere else because of COVID. So, we got very crafty with both, you know, bots and different sets. But the first day, I remember the scene exactly. It was the scene where Davies telling telling Fabiola and Elinor that she has chosen attainable yet status enhancing boyfriends for each of us to date. And that was the first scene we ever shot

the entire show. And I remember being so excited that we did one take and Lang Fisher says, OK, so you just, you gotta slow down a little. You gotta slow down a little and she's like, maybe you're a little nervous. And I was like, honestly, I'm not nervous at all. I'm just really excited to be here. I was introducing myself to everyone,

saying like, hi, I might trade around with Christian, like what's your name? Trying to like get to know everyone. And my mentality was, the two first things I learned, like really quick, was number one, trust everyone to do their job, and then you stick and focus on yours. When you trust and then respect everyone for their job,

you'll be swimming because then they will respect you to do yours and they'll be your biggest champions. Don't worry about what the sound guy's doing. Don't get in the business of the lighting guy. Let them do their thing because they're respectfully the masters of their own craft. So when you respect them and you take interest in a genuine authentic way of actually caring about what they do, they'll recognize that. And then they're going to let you and mic you up and get the best angle of you that they possibly can because now they're on your team, right? And then

the second thing that I like, you know, kept in mind at all times was stay alert and learn everything you possibly can. Not many get this opportunity. You have the best co-op in the world. Learn everything. Don't be afraid to ask question. And now this is credit to Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher because they make such a great atmosphere where I never felt stupid. I was the only like cast member, number one the youngest cast member, but also the one that has never in their life been on a set. And despite that, I never felt stupid for it. Were there times where I was like, oh God, I have to cry now.

I've never cried on command before, and Sondal is here, and he's on like the flash or something, and I have to cry. And this is a lot. Yeah, that happened. But I never felt dumb. And I never felt dumb for asking questions. I never felt dumb for asking for help.

And yeah, that's how we got through the days. That's beautiful. That's, it's so hard, isn't it? Because like imposter syndrome, so real. And you can often just feel completely out of your depths. But those lessons, actually, I was gonna ask you, how would you deal with imposter syndrome if you felt it? But those two pieces of advice you gave us,

two lessons that you take away, actually make a lot of sense and actually come as great pieces of insight for anyone who's struggling with imposter syndrome. And I'm guessing that's not changed. I mean, now you're on, you know, front covers of magazines, like you invited to all these beautiful events as you should be rightly. I love that you're bringing your excitement everywhere. Has imposter syndrome ever crept in or have you been really, like, yeah, tell us about that process?

100% accrues in like every so often. Sometimes, like, it's like self love. Like, you got the confidence one day of like, yeah, I deserve this. I am very proud of myself. Amazing. But then the next day it's, oh God, oh no, I messed up. I'm terrible. Like, people think I'm a joke. And it could, that could be sparked because you see one comment. And I used

to do this. I'm going to be honest, I would scroll through comments until I found a negative one. Scroll through thousands of positive until I found a negative one. And that would be when I would turn off my phone, which is so unhealthy. But maybe Impostor Syndrome is sparked because you heard someone say, oh, I wish she would un-nuncie it more. Like, she speaks weird. And I'm like, you know what, maybe you're right.

Maybe I should just get a dialect coach for my own voice and my own sound. Maybe I should do that. But you realize that a lot of people go through it, a lot of people go through Imposterous Syndrome, and then you're like, huh, I mean, we can't all be imposterous, right? Like that's something that some of us have to be genuine. And some of the most genuine people I know go through that. But I remind myself that I have worked hard and while I used to

piss me off in season one was when people would say, oh my god, you're so lucky that you got picked. You're so lucky. And I'm like, yeah, 100%. A good bit of fame is a lot about being at the right place at the right time for sure. But I also worked really hard. Luck, sure, was getting my audition tape sent in at the right time, for sure. But I also worked really hard. Luck, sure, was getting my audition tape senting at the right day, at the right time, and somehow I got landed on their screens. And, you know, I did all that, but I did work really hard during the audition process.

But, you know what, even if you wanna call the whole audition luck, you can't call the season luck. Netflix comes out with so many shows a day But we're one of the biggest shows. That's hard work Yeah, you know, yeah, when I write in the middle of that I'm like, you know what? I'm not that big of an imposter that I can relax today Yeah, I don't I don't think it's a tool. I think so first of all when I first watch the season I would never have been able to tell whether you'd acted before or not like it I would never have been able to tell whether you'd acted before or not.

I would never have been able to tell. Like no, no, I couldn't say, I couldn't have watched them, been like, oh, she doesn't look like a real. And like you would never have said that. You're great from episode one. Like you always appear completely comfortable. And I believe you, as in I have to really talk,

I had to prepare today by going, I am not interviewing Davie, I have to really talk, I have to prepare today by going, I am not interviewing Davie, I'm interviewing my three. Like, I had to literally be like, do not think of her as Davie. Like, you have to, I've got to, as an interviewer, I have to stop thinking you're this character because I believe you're this character. Like, I don't have any doubt that you are Davie

when you're playing Davie. And I think that is a, you know, that to me is credit to your skills. And I always say to people like, the people that have success, they should see it as fortune and joy, but everyone else who see it as hard work. Because when you see someone else's success as luck, you then think you're unlucky. And then it stops you from working hard. When actually when you see someone's success as hard work, you go, okay, I know what I need to do now. And it sets you up. Does that make sense? I'm Danny Shapiro, host of Family Secrets. It's hard to believe we're entering our eighth

season. And yet, we're constantly discovering new secrets. The depths of them, the variety of them continues to be astonishing. I can't wait to share 10 incredible stories with you, stories of tenacity, resilience, and the profoundly necessary excavation of long-held family secrets. When I realized this is not just happening to me, this is who and what I am. I needed her to help me.

Something was annoying at me that I couldn't put my finger on, that I just felt somehow that there was a piece missing. Why not restart? Look at all the things that were going wrong. I hope you'll join me and my extraordinary guests for this new season of Family Secrets. Listen to season 8 of Family Secrets on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Our 20s are saying is this golden decade. Our time to be carefree, full in love, make mistakes, and decide what we want from our life. But what can psychology really teach us about this decade? I'm Gemma Speg, the host of the

psychology of your 20s. Each week we take a deep dive into a unique aspect of our 20s, from career anxiety, mental health, heartbreak, money, friendships, and much more to explore the science and the psychology behind our experiences, incredible guests, fascinating topics, important science, and a bit of my own personal experience. Audrey, I honestly have no idea what's going on with my life. Join me as we explore what our 20s are really all about, From the good, the bad, and the ugly, and listen along as we uncover how everything is psychology,

including our twenties. The psychology of your twenties hosted by me, Gemma Speg. Now streaming on the iHot Radio app, Apple podcasts, or whatever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Debbie Brown. And my podcast deeply well is a soft place to land on your wellness journey.

I hold conscious conversations with leaders and radical healers and wellness and mental health around topics that are meant to expand and support you on your journey. From guided meditations to deep conversations with some of the world's most gifted experts in self-care, trauma, psychology, spirituality, astrology, and even intimacy. Here is where you'll pick up the tools to live as your highest self. Make better choices. Heal and have more joy. My work is rooted in advanced meditation, metaphysics, spiritual psychology, energy healing, and

trauma-informed practices. I believe that the more we heal and grow within ourselves, the more we are able to bring our creativity to life and live our purpose, which leads to community impact and higher consciousness for all beings. Deeply well with Debbie Brown is your soft place to land to work on yourself without judgment, to heal, to learn, to grow, to become who you deserve to be.

Deeply well is available now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Big love. Namaste. Yeah, 100% like get inspired by it. Don't let it defeat your own goals, your own worth, your own journey in life, right? I feel like whenever people ask me like, how do I get into acting? Like, how do I do this? In my head, my response is always, I mean, you're on the lookout for the

next tweet, I guess. Like, that's why I did it. But reality is, everything happens in different ways for people, especially in the creative industries, like music, acting, whatever. It is so unique for everyone. So, you can't get yourself discouraged when you see someone else succeed at this age. You know, you can't compare yourself. You should appreciate and respect them for their hard work that they did. And then maybe even be inspired by it. You know? But don't let it take down your own self-worth.

But I was gonna say, I hope talking to me,, don't let it take down your own self-worth. But I was going to say, I hope talking to me, I don't seem like Davy. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It was really funny. When season one came out, it was very funny because some people would look at my success, like you said, as luck. And then they would take it as themselves as they're unlucky. And then that could turn to the other way and then become jealousy. And that was rough. But then people just, you know,

would either come out of the woodwork to be like, oh my God, my shirt, I'm so proud of you. I'm like, we have not talked in ages. What? But then some people would just start being passive aggressive. Like, oh, you're too big time for us. Or just say some jokes that would just be like, hey, dude, I'm not like a changed person.

I'm still me. Literally the show even came out in quarantine. I've been stuck in the same house that you guys come over for like my birthday parties, man. Like, what? But yeah, the best way I know of finding out like who actually know me is when they say like, oh my god, I walked season one and I was asking myself,

were you even acting? You're so much like the character. And I'm like, okay, thank you. So, what if there's that? Yeah, yeah, that's not what I was saying. I was saying that because we've never met before, my only perspective of you is this character which you play so believably.

And I wanted to make sure today that I'm talking to you and asking questions about you and not about Davie. And so for me, it was more about the saying how believably you play this character, hence your skills as opposed to thinking you're lucky because if you were lucky, I wouldn't believe that you were Davie in the show.

I would just be like, this is weird, like, you know, like that would be the, whereas I don't feel that way. So, and getting to know you today, yeah, I mean, saying you're like, Davey is like really stereotyping and just, I mean, there's no, there's no, like,

everyone has so much more depth than layers and even today I've discovered so much more about you that I would never have known. And that's what I'm hoping my community will, too. But tell us about, I love everything you've been sharing. I love the messages that you're sharing with people, especially because it's so hard. And in our South Asian community, it's harder

because we've been less exposed to this happening to people around us and these opportunities being given. So people find it harder to react. You had in your Instagram bio, respect existence or expect resistance. I wanted to understand what inspired that statement and what you connected to deeply in your life. Yeah, I think I saw that statement somewhere

on the internet back when I was in high school somewhere and I thought, oh my god, wordplay. That is so smart. That was my first thing. But then I was like, yeah, you know what? That's really awesome. And for my grade 12 art exam, we had to make a mural. And like if you scroll back far enough on my Instagram feed now, there's a picture of it It's this gigantic mural I painted By myself of this brown girl and you know, she's got these like rainbow hearts all around her Gold background and at the top it says respect existence or expect resistance and the whole idea was like you know Here's this brown girl rainbow hearts, you know

idea was like, you know, here's this brown girl, rainbow hearts, you know, symbolizing like the LGBTQI community, and just the idea of respect people, you know, and it's this woman, you know, and I just like it as my Instagram bio because it's, it makes so much sense to me, you know, respect people's existence. And if you don't get ready for people to be upset and get ready for that backlash because you need to respect other people for who they are. You need to respect the fact that when I say there isn't enough South Asian representation in film, get ready and respect it because if you're going to resist it, you're going to be behind the curve.

And suddenly, if you're a writer that isn't willing to add true diversity, not token diversity to your scripts, no one's going to want to work with you. Because the world's changing. And honestly, it's getting with the ride of getting the car of respecting people for who they are, treating people with respect, like the golden rule, or just get out. Yeah.

I don't have time for people with that attitude. Yeah, well, I love the distinction between true and token diversity. I think that's such an important, that's so huge because we hear statements that are token diversity statements all the time. I was literally just talking to someone last week and they were told by an agency

that they wouldn't be signing them because they already have someone who is a brown person in that niche that they're in. And they were like, we already have one of you. And I was just like, and I literally that conversation happened last week. And they were asking me what I thought about that and how to navigate it.

And I wanted to ask you, how is your view on that on diversity changed? Having been someone, obviously, developing their career to now being on the other side where you have a successful show, you're in the industry, people know you, you know people, has getting closer to the industry, made you feel more excited about what's happening,

or are you actually seeing more? And you're like, okay, wow, this team, Mindy and this team's got it right, but actually there's a lot of work that needs to be done. I want to know how your views changed from before and after. Definitely the latter. I actually realized how used to and just conditioned I became to not seeing people like myself,

South Asian women, on screen, until after, never have I ever season one came out. Up until that point, I was just okay, I guess, with the fact that people like me were background characters, quirky best friends that were sexually deprived, because that's a lovely stereotype, or that they're just comedic relief, they're shy, they're awkward, they can't talk to women unless they're drunk. You know, you get used to that and then the show came out. I met people in the industry and it made me, yeah, hopeful that things are changing but honestly, I had this anger in me of like, this sucks. If I didn't make it into the industry, I would have anger in me of this sucks.

If I didn't make it into the industry, I would have maybe just been okay with it all this time. This is not okay. And we run around saying diversity, diversity, diversity, we say it so much, but we have to. It's like what other choice do we have? It's become this fluff word, but it's such a mandatory fluff word. You know, it is very important because it's not happening fast enough in my opinion. Yeah, the needle is moving inch by inch, not even inch, millimeter by millimeter. Let me go

with my lovely Canadian system. But you know, it's moving a little bit by little bit, but I get so angry sometimes where I just want to push it, you know, because it's not fair to expect a whole community of people to look at Davey and feel represented. I used to think, oh no, you don't feel represented by the show, but we worked really hard on it. It's a really good show. We do so much. But then I was like, no, that's selfish of me. I'm falling into the trap that

reality is the white dominant, you know, industry of Hollywood film TV wants me to to make these people just deal with it. But they shouldn't. And I shouldn't. I shouldn't have to settle with Davey being my one, you know, main character role that was truly birthed by a leader in the industry, Mindy Kaling, I shouldn't have to settle for that. I shouldn't be able to get all the roles, you know, and keep going with my career. Audience, audiences shouldn't have to settle for just Davy or Anolini or Kamala or even a Nissan season two. They should be able to get all the different kind of characters. If you are so proud in your identity, if you're so proud of it, and that is how you identify, it means it's a story worth telling, and

nobody can say otherwise. It is definitely worth screen time in some way or another, you know? Yeah, that's so powerful. Thank you for sharing that, my thriller. It's such a powerful statement. And really, you know, it's emphatic in the way you said it. It's strong. It's powerful. It's bold. And that's the way it needs to be said. I remember when I first moved to LA, and I'm obviously born and raised in London, hence the British accent and all the rest of it. But when I moved to LA, I remember going to get my hair cut. And I remember my hairdressers saying to me, they were just like, where are you from? And that's normal. I always get asked out because of how I look at my accent.

And they were like, they didn't know that Indian people sounded any different or looked any different to Apou in the Simpsons. Like that was their take on, what Indian people are. And so they were just like, are you Indian, are you sure? And I was like, yeah, I'm Indian. My parents were both Indian. Yeah, I'm sure.

Yeah. Let me go back, check. I'll be right back, then you can cut my sure. Yeah. Let me go back, check. I'll be right back, and then you can cut my hair. Okay. And it was so funny because I was just like, I couldn't believe, I was like, and I sat back to think about it. I moved to L.A. three years ago,

and I sat back to think about it. And I was like, yeah, wow, like for a certain generation, I grew up on the Simpsons too. And I was like, yeah, anyone who watched the Simpsons, like that was the only character that they saw being Indian. Right? And so...

Yeah, it is. Realmen TV influenced what we see in the world. It is a reflection of what our world is like, right? So, yeah, it makes sense that they're coming in thinking that's the reality. I mean, if they ever just checked out any article or just maybe come sense or just understood like, you know, just maybe common sense or just understood colonialism, you know, maybe.

But if they only ever watched cartoons, then that would be what they think. Exactly, exactly. But what's beautiful is that you've not only, you know, you're not only doing things on screen. I love how you're speaking about these things off screen and interviews and using your platform for a higher purpose. I know that you also did the amazing table read recently for the fundraiser for India, you know, supporting. You're amazing fundraiser, that was so awesome.

Well, it was, I mean, now I wish I asked you to be a part of that, could have interviewed you then, but it's, I just thought it was so amazing to just see, just so many people using their platform, especially, you know, what you and the whole team did. I think it was amazing because, you know, I think for so many people, you are representing. And I love your, I love what you're saying. Like what you just said was so humble and so beautiful about how you don't want to get caught up in the way people want you to think that it's enough. And there should be, I love that. But at the same time, you are also through the show doing an amazing service and effort as well.

Like, you know, it's important for me to say that. And I, I love the way you're saying it, but I want to acknowledge that. But then for you and the team to do that, for India, I thought that was such a beautiful offering. And I wanted to get an understanding from you. Like you seem to constantly want to use your platform and your ever growing platform for higher purpose, for, you know, fighting for the right for education, for standing up. Like you said, your mom told you to always stand up.

I wanted you to tell me about something that, what was one of the first things you tried to stand up for back in the day or something someone that you tried to stand up for and it maybe didn't go how you wanted or maybe you learned something interesting from it. I mean like, yeah, with all the activism that does stem from how my parents raised me like that has always been who I am before the show came out. I actually had a picture of like a walk out that I did for public cuts to public education

on my Instagram, like there's some photos. And I had some people ask me, are you gonna take that down? And I'm like, no. No, why not? That's still my stance. Don't cut public education. Education is the cornerstone to any thriving society.

But yeah, I mean, I'm still just a 19 year old kid that's learning every day and is very much so capable of mistakes. Whenever I talk about this, I realize it contributes to the pedestal that I feel like I start putting myself on and then the farther the fall becomes. But I have to always remind myself, you're just 19, you can make mistakes and when you're older, you can still make mistakes. We all can still make mistakes. But back to your original question. Okay so one of my close friends, I don't actually remember this, but they vividly do and they love to bring it up every single time we meet new people. And apparently so my friend, fellow, thermal girl, she would always dress up in her traditional

clothing, have a book to like, she was, you know, braided up. That's how she came to school every day in elementary school. And her mom was like always taking her home for lunch and, you know, she's the best, shout out to Varsha. But some people would make fun of her for that. I saw her and was like, oh, okay, cool. Like, I would wear my brother's hand me downs. That was like how my family rolled.

We weren't gonna buy new clothes for me. You just get a baggy, you know, monster car shirt. That's cool, I don't care. But I'd see her and I'd be like, okay, cool. You basically like, look like one of my cousins. So that's nifty. But then these girls were picking on her. I saw one day they were picking on her and they're like bullying her and like just making fun of

her and like getting really up in her space. And I saw that she was getting anxious apparently. I keep saying apparently because I don't remember this. But apparently I went up to them. And it's important to mention shout out to my cousins. They all taught me lovely colorful language at like the age of seven. So I went up to them, cursed them out and said, just leave her alone. And yeah, then they got like, they were like, all right, fine, whatever. Like, my true use, like, whatever, you can go mad. And then they walked off. And then I just apparently said, you good?

She was like, yeah. And then I'm like, okay. And then I walked away. I was like, runs with her at the time. We became friends in like high school. But I was like, okay, cool. Thanks. And then I just left.

She vividly remembers this. So there you go. There's my time. I love that. I love that. I love that. I love that. My three has been so much fun talking to you. I know you've got an extremely busy schedule

and so many interviews you're doing. So we're so grateful you spent time with the on-purpose community. But I want to end with our fast five. So we end every interview with the fast five round that has to be answered in one word to one sentence maximum. So no longer answer. You're not noticing to one sentence maximum. So no longer. You don't notice how much I talk. I love that. I love that you talk. It was great. I love that you

too. All right. So my three Ramakrishnan, these are your fast five. The first question is, what is the best advice you've ever received? Stick to your morals. Don't take no for an answer. Yeah, that's two sentences. Crap. That's fine. What is the worst advice you've ever received? I don't know. Bad advice. I feel like I would probably want to get rid of that out of my brain as quickly as possible. You know what? Bad advice. Don't make a fuss about it. Like that's not even like advice. Like not like I even took it. Yeah. Don't make a fuss about it. Like, that's not even like advice. Like, it's not like I even took it. Yeah, don't make a fuss about it.

Great, yeah, that's a good answer. All right, question number three. What's the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night? Oh, really unhealthy, go on my phone. What are you doing? Oh, oh, oh. It's either a watching cartoons or TikTok, social media,

but mainly cartoons. Amazing, I love it. All media, but mainly cartoons. Amazing, I love it. All right, question number four. What's the biggest lesson you've learned in the last 12 months? It's okay to make mistakes. You're a work in progress. And that's because my mom always calls me that.

She always says, whenever anyone praises me to my mom and says, your daughter's so lovely, oh my gosh, I love her. My mom just says, huh, is so lovely. Oh my gosh, I love her. And mom just says, huh, she's a working progress. He's unfazed. It could be a compliment from Mindy herself. And my mom just says, huh, working progress.

Next time I see your mom, I'm gonna try the opposite. Well, first time I see your mom, I'm maybe not the first time I see your mom. I think I'll be good to first time see your mom. I think if I ever get to be a mother again, if I get the wonderful fortune, I'll say, I think my three is a work in progress. I wanna see what I see for you.

Yeah, yeah, just spin it on here. Yeah, no, I love that. That's beautiful. And I, one of the things I really appreciated in this conversation is how much you kept repeating, hey, I can make mistakes, I'm 19, I'll make mistakes. Hey, even if you're older, you can make mistakes. And I love that because I completely agree with you like we're all doing things that we were never trained to do. We were never

sure we were going to do and we don't know how. Women weren't meant to be watched by millions. Totally. We can all unequivocally agree on the fact that in the evolution, you know, timeline. Humans were never conditioned or trained or, you know, evolved to see and be viewed by millions of people. It's just the facts. Yeah, yeah, I love that. All right, fifth and final question. It is, if you could create one law that everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be?

If you buy ice cream, you should buy one for your friend. Everyone, my three, Robert Krish Krishna, make sure you go and watch. Never ever, I'd also love for you to tag me and my three on Instagram to let us know. I'm on Twitter, of course. Let us know, what were your favorite parts? What were the things that she said that stood out, that resonated and connected with you? I love seeing what truly stays with you when you listen to these episodes. And I'd love for her to see it as well.

My three, you've been amazing. I really do look forward to meeting you. You have an open invite to my wife and I's home whenever you're in L.A. So please come over and hang out. And we are older than you. So you can treat us as your older, whatever you want to call us. But we truly mean that and look forward to meeting you and thank you for taking the time.

Thank you so much. This is actually really fun. Like, you might have talked about all these things that I haven't been able to before. So thank you. That means a lot to me. I laughed a lot today. So I'm glad I had a lot of fun too.

I was laughing the whole time and I meant it. I really wanted to get to know you today and I'm grateful that you let us do that. So thank you so much. If you want even more videos just like this one make sure you subscribe and click on the boxes over here. I'm also excited to let you know that you can now get my book think like a monk from thinklikeamunkbook.com. Check below in the description to make sure you order today. What if you could tell the whole truth about your life including all those tender invisible things you order today. The world of chocolate has been turned upside down.

A very unusual situation. You saw the stacks of cash in our office. Chocolate comes from the cacao tree. And recently, varieties of cacao, thought to have been lost centuries ago, were rediscovered in the Amazon. There is no chocolate on Earth like this. Now some chocolate makers are racing deep into the jungle, to find the neck of the tree. And then, the next day, the cacao tree,

the cacao tree, the cacao tree, to Cal, thought to have been lost centuries ago, were rediscovered in the Amazon. There is no chocolate on Earth like this. Now some chocolate makers are racing, deep into the jungle, to find the next game-changing chocolate, and I'm coming along. Okay, that was a very large crack it up. Listen to obsessions while chocolate. On the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcast. I am Dr. Romani, and I am back with season two of my podcast, Navigating Narcissism. This season, we dive deeper into highlighting red flags and spotting a narcissist before they spot you. Each week, you'll hear stories from survivors who have navigated through toxic relationships, gaslighting, love bombing, and their process of healing.

Listen to navigating narcissism on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.