In honor of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and AAPI Heritage Month, host Vanessa talks with Neha Ruch, Founder of Mother Untitled, about choosing yourself, unsubscribing from judgements and self-doubt, and finding growth and clarity in times of transition. As modern, ambitious, Asian American women raising mixed-race families, Neha and Vanessa share their perspectives on nonlinear career journeys and deconstruct the narratives behind the “stay-at-home” vs. “working” moms debate. We discuss redefining success metrics, "having it all," and healing racial and intergenerational trauma.

Neha shares her personal journey as an Indian-American mother navigating motherhood, entrepreneurship, and activism, and how she finds joy in purpose and passion. Plus: we nerd out over the best pasta in NYC, interior design, and the most valuable lessons that are NOT taught in business school.

Prefer to watch the podcast? Watch the full interview video on YouTube here.

About Vanessa Shiliwala (she/her): Vanessa is the Founder/CEO of Thrive Spice Media, a mental health podcast and leadership platform that seeks to amplify and empower AAPI leaders, creators, and changemakers. She is also an award-winning DEI advocate, speaker, senior marketing leader, mother, and NYU graduate. You can find her on instagram @thrivespice. To learn more about her Mental Health Masterclasses and Diversity & Inclusion leadership development workshops for AAPI, BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ ERGs and corporate groups, please go to https://www.thrivespicemedia.com.

Resources for Maternal Mental Health Week 2023:

The Blue Dot Project

Postpartum Support International - dedicated groups are available for South Asian and AAPI moms and birth parents

Postpartum New York - PPD, PMAD (Perinatal Mood Disorders, the #1 complication related to childbearing)

Research and Resources for AAPI Moms - Motherly

Thrive Spice episode on destigmatizing postpartum depression (PPD) with comedian Alyce Chan

Thrive Spice episode on pregnancy loss and adoption with author Lyn Liao Butler

Research report - AAPI women are at higher risk of PPD than White, Black or Hispanic women

#MMHWeek2023 #apahm #aapiheritagemonth #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthformoms #AsktheQuestionNY #Project62NY #maternalmhmatters #aapimentalhealth #asianmentalhealth #aapimoms #asianmoms

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