Brown Queen Diaries

What happens when a young South Asian woman decides to challenge colorism, feminism, and mental health stigma head-on? In this powerful episode of Brown Queen Diaries, we sit down with Devni Vihara, the lawyer-turned-activist whose voice is reshaping conversations about beauty standards and gender equality in our community.
Devni's journey spans three countries - Born in England, raised in Sri Lanka, and finding her independence in Melbourne, she brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to her advocacy work. Her pivot from biomedicine to social justice wasn't just a career change—it was an awakening. "I realized I had a passion for social justice. I really cared about these things, but I didn't have the language to articulate it," she reveals, explaining how university studies gave her the vocabulary to name the injustices she'd witnessed throughout her life.
The conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Devni shares her childhood struggles with colorism: "I used to stand in front of the mirror as a child and be like, 'Where else am I pretty? Because my skin is too dark.'" Her raw honesty about battling beauty standards that elevate fair skin while belittling darker tones reflects experiences shared by countless South Asian women. Today, she celebrates her complexion and advocates for representation that embraces our diversity.
"We're all silently suffering and silently navigating these things, and if we just talked about it, we would feel less alone," she shares, challenging the silence that often surrounds mental health in South Asian communities.
Whether she's defining feminism in accessible terms, breaking down the difference between tokenistic representation and genuine inclusion, or teaching us Gen Z slang, Devni brings warmth, wisdom, and wit to difficult conversations. Her parting message resonates deeply: "You have a calling for a reason... Speak your truth, but be powerful, because we have so much power. We don't need to be empowered—it's there, we just need to do it."
Listen now to this inspiring conversation that will leave you questioning beauty standards, understanding feminism more clearly, and feeling empowered to embrace your authentic self.

Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

Directed by Sandeep Raj

Presented by Aussie Talkies

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Concept & Host: Priyanka Nomula
Designed & Directed: Sandeep Raj
Presented by: Aussie Talkies
Guest: Anita Prasad
Join us for an inspiring story of resilience and ambition with Anita Prasad, a woman who transformed her life from beauty pageants to the vibrant world of music and production. Anita's journey began in Fiji and took her to New Zealand, where she represented her new homeland in international beauty competitions. A chance encounter in Miami ignited her musical passion, leading her to overcome visa restrictions and criticism as she pursued her dreams. Her persistence paid off with her music finally hitting the airwaves on Kiss FM, showcasing the power of tenacity and courage.
Anita's story doesn't stop there. She took a bold step by leaving a secure accounting career in New Zealand to start fresh in Melbourne, founding her production company, the House of Entertainment. Despite the financial and emotional sacrifices, Anita's 14-year journey is a testament to her determination and the challenges she faced in an industry riddled with gender and racial biases. Through candid insights, she shares the importance of equality and the reality of starting anew in a foreign land, offering hope to aspiring creators everywhere.
Balancing work, health, and success is no small feat, yet Anita manages to do so with strategic planning and a supportive network. She opens up about the importance of genuine communication and building meaningful relationships, especially in an industry that often undervalues women. Her advice extends beyond her personal experiences, encouraging women to seize opportunities in leadership roles and break through barriers. Anita's journey reminds us all of the power of persistence and the human spirit's capacity to overcome life's challenges with purpose and determination.

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

Directed by Sandeep Raj

Presented by Aussie Talkies

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What if balancing a thriving career and motherhood didn't have to feel like an impossible juggling act? Join us for an eye-opening conversation as we promise to equip you with strategies and insights that can transform your approach to managing work and family life. We sit down with Kalyani Valluri, a dedicated IT professional who courageously shares her heartfelt experiences of stepping away from her career for maternity leave and the emotional whirlwind that followed. From the guilt and anxiety of leaving her child in childcare to the professional setbacks she faced, Kalyani's story is a testament to the resilience required to navigate these personal and professional landscapes. With candid honesty, she encourages mothers everywhere to embrace this new chapter with confidence and strength.
Further into our discussion, we explore the broader dynamics of returning to the workforce after maternity leave, emphasizing the vital role that support systems play in this transition. Our conversation touches on the importance of planning both at home and work, addressing the psychological impact of career breaks, and celebrating the growth that comes from these challenges. Priyanka joins us to share her inspiring journey back to work, underscoring the power of personal stories to foster a supportive community. Together, we aim to create a platform where women's voices are heard and appreciated, providing hope and encouragement to mothers balancing their careers and family life.
Concept & Host: Priyanka Nomula
Designed & Directed: Sandeep Raj
Presented by: Aussie Talkies
Guest Name: Kalyani Valluri

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

Directed by Sandeep Raj

Presented by Aussie Talkies

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https://www.instagram.com/thebrownqueendiaries/
https://www.facebook.com/thebrownqueendiaries
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPjW_Zw62eWa4QcQNJW3yHw76rlkqGr72&si=zUrI5wzOPV-k1gjE

Episode 1: Strength in Independence
Concept & Host: Priyanka Nomula
Designed & Directed: Sandeep Raj
Presented by: Aussie Talkies
Guest Name: Ruchi Arora

Welcome to the very first episode of Brown Queen Diaries! In this episode, we dive into the empowering theme of "Strength in Independence" with our remarkable guest, Ruchi.

Join us as Ruchi shares her inspiring journey of overcoming challenges after moving from India to Australia. From navigating a new culture and language to tackling feelings of loneliness during the pandemic, Ruchi’s story is one of resilience and growth.

She reflects on her milestones, including landing her first corporate job, transitioning to independent living, and even buying her own home as a single woman. Ruchi’s experiences highlight the unique struggles and triumphs women face, especially when forging their own paths in unfamiliar environments.

As we wrap up the episode, Ruchi offers invaluable advice on building confidence and the importance of a strong support system. Tune in to hear her wise words and get inspired to embrace your own journey!

Thank you for joining us on this adventure. Stay tuned for more empowering stories in our upcoming episodes!

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

Directed by Sandeep Raj

Presented by Aussie Talkies

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https://www.instagram.com/thebrownqueendiaries/
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What does it really take to leave a successful corporate career and build your own business as a woman? Sangeeta, founder of Jumpstart Studios, doesn't sugar-coat the answer. Coming from three generations of entrepreneurs, she first climbed to senior leadership at ANZ Bank before realising something fundamental was missing in her career.
The entrepreneurial path wasn't straight for Sangeeta. After starting businesses in travel and food experiences (both interrupted by COVID), she discovered her true calling: helping other women make the leap from employment to entrepreneurship. Her clarity about why women struggle in both corporate and startup worlds is refreshing. "The current business world was not built by women, was not built for women," she explains, highlighting how existing structures fail to accommodate the multiple identities women carry simultaneously.
This understanding led her to create Press Play Ventures, a program that's already helped over 120 women founders. Unlike traditional approaches, Press Play recognises women's realities and provides flexible pathways into entrepreneurship without forcing them to choose between their various roles. The statistics speak to the need: women receive less than 5% of startup funding globally, and in Victoria, only about 1,000 women founders existed before her program began.
What makes Sangeeta's methodology particularly valuable is her practical approach to testing business ideas. Rather than starting with heavy investment, she teaches "pretotyping" – a concept from Google's former head of engineering that involves testing market interest before building anything. "Don't build first. Market first, sell it first, get some money and then deliver the product," she advises, saving founders countless resources on unvalidated ideas.
The success stories emerging from her program show the impact of this approach - her most important insight is that success looks different for everyone, and recognising when an idea isn't viable can be just as valuable as pushing forward.
Want to learn more? Sangeeta's award-winning book "Start Right" distills these lessons into practical exercises, or join her next Press Play cohort opening applications in April with up to 85% scholarships available.

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Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

Directed by Sandeep Raj

Presented by Aussie Talkies

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Support the show

https://www.instagram.com/thebrownqueendiaries/
https://www.facebook.com/thebrownqueendiaries
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPjW_Zw62eWa4QcQNJW3yHw76rlkqGr72&si=zUrI5wzOPV-k1gjE