Between Friends: Conversations with Maitri

Hosted by Maitri

Business

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

About the show

Maitri's prevention and awareness initiative, where we will talk to field experts and community members (both adults and youth) on various topics related to domestic/intimate partner violence, and how social norms and power dynamics foster gender inequity and abuse in relationships. We hope to share insights and resources that will help move the needle on the prevention of violence in our society, while also helping those that are directly impacted by it. Help us create a safe society! Music: https://www.bensound.com [Cosmic Revelation, Jascha Dachter Arian]

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 26, 2026Episode 838 min

The Truth About Couples Counseling

In this insightful episode, Simi Markar, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, joins our host, Nandini Ray, to explore the realities of couples counseling and partner relationships.What exactly is couples counseling, and when should couples consider seeking support? What are the early warningsigns of a toxic or unhealthy relationship? How do family interference, cultural expectations, and traditional gender roles shape couple relationships in the South Asian community — and how can couples navigate these pressureswithout harming their bond?Tune in for a thoughtful conversation filled with professional insights, practical guidance, and culturally grounded perspectives on building healthier relationships.About Simi Markar: Simi Markar, MFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the Bay Area. She has been in practice for the last 20 years and is the founder of Mindset Counseling Group. This is a group practice that has a diverse team of clinicians and serves clients all throughout California. Herwork has been focused on supporting the South Asian community on issues related to: marriage, parenting, divorce, and co-parenting. She is passionate about reducing the stigma around mental health and making counselingservices easy to access. More info can be found on the website: www.mindsetcounselinggroup.com

March 24, 2026Episode 741 min

S7 Ep7: Breaking - Healing - Becoming! A Conversation with Jagbir Kaur kang

In this powerful episode, Jagbir Kaur Kang joins our host Nandini Ray to share a story of extraordinary strength and resilience. Facing domestic violence, uncertainty of the future, and self-doubt, she refused to give up and transformed her pain into a journey of growth and renewal.From surviving to thriving, Jagbir now uses her voice to uplift others. In her book Blooming Through the Cracks, she courageously revisits her trauma to offer hope to those suffering in silence.A moving reminder: domestic violence is never the victim’s fault—everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to heal. About Jagbir Kaur Kang: Jagbir Kaur Kang is a survivor–proof that perseverance and persistence may lead to a path of healing and growth. She is an author of the #1 New Release bestseller “Blooming Through the Cracks” on Amazon and holds a master's degree in psychology from Harvard University Extension Studies. She is an international speaker, a yoga and meditation teacher, and regularly delivers webinars on mental health and domestic violence. She is the founder of @ihealandgrow and has embarked on a quest to help other survivors shine through their adversities.

February 20, 202654 min

S7 Ep 6: শৃঙ্খল ও শক্তি: বাংলা সাহিত্যে নারী: Chains and Strength: Women in Bengali Literature

Chains and Strength: Women in Bengali LiteratureIn this podcast episode, Zakia Afrin and Nandini Ray of Maitri come together for a heartfelt conversation on the portrayal of women in Bengali literature. Drawing from their favorite short stories, novels, and poems from both Bangladesh and India, they explore how women characters have endured inequality and oppression while also embodying courage, resilience, and resistance to patriarchy.These unforgettable characters in Bengali literature has long mirrored women’s struggles and celebrated their strength. Tune in, reflect with us, and join the conversation.What stories moved you? Which women characters have stayed with you?We’d love to hear from you, email us at maitri@maitri.org. এই পডকাস্ট পর্বে মৈত্রীর জাকিয়া আফরিন ও নন্দিনী রায় এক আন্তরিক আলাপচারিতায় একত্রিত হয়েছেন বাংলা সাহিত্যে নারীর উপস্থাপনাকে ঘিরে। বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের ছোটগল্প, উপন্যাস ও কবিতা থেকে উদাহরণ টেনে তারা আলোচনা করেছেন—কীভাবে নারী চরিত্ররা বৈষম্য ও নিপীড়নের মুখোমুখি হয়েছে, আবার একই সঙ্গে সাহস, সহনশীলতা ও পিতৃতন্ত্রের বিরুদ্ধে প্রতিবাদের প্রতীক হয়ে উঠেছে।বাংলা সাহিত্যের এই অবিস্মরণীয় নারী চরিত্রগুলো দীর্ঘদিন ধরে নারীদের সংগ্রামের প্রতিচ্ছবি হয়ে আছে এবং তাদের শক্তিকে উদযাপন করেছে।আমাদের সঙ্গে শুনুন, ভাবুন, আর আলোচনায় যোগ দিন। কোন গল্পগুলো আপনাকে স্পর্শ করেছে? কোন নারী চরিত্রগুলো আপনার মনে স্থায়ী হয়ে আছে?আপনাদের মতামত জানাতে ইমেইল করুন: maitri@maitri.org।In conversation between:*Zakia Afrin, Director, Survivor Advocacy at Maitri is also Founder of Auditiya, a social and cultural platform promoting feminism, human rights and social Justice issues in Bangladesh and the diaspora. www.auditiya.com *Nandini Ray, Sr. Manager, Outreach, Prevention & Policy Advocacy and the host of the Maitri Podcast, Between Friends, Conversation with Maitri (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAXam2z_Ro4JhXZqOQH7OyIjKDD1szHOb)Books we discussed: Streer Patra (The Wife's Letter) is a short story written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1914.Noshtoneer or Nashtanir, (The Broken Nest) is a 1901 Bengali novella written by Rabindranath Tagore.Ghôre Baire (At home and outside) is a 1916 novel by by Rabindranath Tagore Dahan, a novel by Suchitra Bhattacharya, published in 1996Draupadi, a short story by Mahasweta Devi was published in 1978 You can find All Tagore books here: https://archive.org/search?query=Tagore সুলতানার স্বপ্ন / Sultana’s Dream (Performance by Auditiya at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco)লাল সালু /Lal Shaluআমি বীরাঙ্গনা বলছি/ Ami Birangona Bolchi (Auditiya Interview on the English Translation, War Heroines Speak)আমি দ্রৌপদী/ Ami Droupodi

January 30, 202621 min

S7_ Ep 5: What every survivor & advocate should know about Artificial Intelligence

Policy Advocacy: Part 4: What every domestic violence survivor & advocate should know about Artificial Intelligence. In our fourth Policy Matters presentation, we interview Adam Dodge, founder of EndTAB.org, about what every survivor and advocate should know about Artificial Intelligence. This episode was curated by the Maitri Policy Advocacy Program and facilitated by Smitha Chandrasekhar, a Maitri volunteer who is deeply invested in promoting the rights of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to their own bodies and autonomy.The United Nations Program for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, reported in November 2025 that approximately 16 to 58 percent of women worldwide are impacted by technology-facilitated violence, an issue only being amplified by the onset of AI-powered online abuse. AI and large language models that have been trained on content containing gender stereotypes and are now integrated into many everyday platforms, such as X’s Grok AI or Meta AI. These platforms are now being used to further propagate the spread of gender based abuse in an even more violent and widespread manner than before.Since the boom of artificial intelligence via ChatGPT in 2023, AI has become a household name and topic across the globe. In this new reality, both new challenges and new opportunities are at the forefront of the conversation for domestic violence survivors and advocates alike.Our guest is Adam Dodge. As the founder of EndTAB.org (Ending Technology-Enabled Abuse), and the Tech-savvy parent (https://www.thetechsavvyparent.com/) Adam’s work is characterized by his dedication to addressing the existing and future threats posed by technology to victims of crime and gender-based violence. He haswritten extensively on technology-enabled abuse, non-consensual pornography, and created the first resource guide for victims of Nonconsensual Deepfake Pornography. Adam spends a great deal of his time delivering innovative technology-enabled abuse presentations to organizations around the world. He is also a special advisor to the Coalition Against Stalkerware and sits on the World Economic Forum’s Pathways toDigital Justice Advisory Committee. Adam has been interviewed on the subject of tech-enabled abuse for Vogue, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal. SELF Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Gizmodo, GQ, and the MIT Technology Review. A licensed attorney in California, he earned his JD by way of McGeorge and HastingsCollege of the Law.

November 14, 2025Episode 438 min

S7 Ep 4: South Asian Men in the Gender Justice Movement

South Asian Men in the Gender Justice Movement:Did you know that in 2023, over 51,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or family members? (UN Women)Violence against women is often seen as a “women’s issue”, but it’s not! Since most acts of gender-based violence are committed by men, men must also be part of the solution.In this episode of the Maitri Podcast, we sit down with two inspiring community leaders — Dr. Dasharath Yata, Executive Co-Director of SEWA-AIFW (Asian Indian Family Wellness), and Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of the South Asian Network (SAN). Together, they explore how men can engage in the movement for gender justice and help build safer, more compassionate communities.This conversation is a reminder that ending gender-based violence requires all of us — and that change begins in the everyday moments: in our homes, friendships, and communities. Please share this interesting conversation with all men in your networks. Our Guest speakers: Dr. Dasharath Yata, Executive Co-Director of SEWA-AIFW (Asian Indian Family Wellness) is a passionate advocate for the South Asian community in Minnesota, leading programs that promote health, wellness, and social justice. SEWA-AIFW has been dedicated to bringing “Total Family Wellness” to the Twin Cities community since 2004. We have continued to expand and adapt to meet the needs of our community. Visit: https://www.sewa-aifw.org/ Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of the South Asian Network (SAN) brings decades of experience organizing and empowering minority communities, advocating for civil rights, and building interfaith solidarity. South Asian Network is a community-rooted resource serving, supporting, & advocating for the South Asian community: Visit: https://southasiannetwork.org/#Maitri Podcast Host: Nandini Ray, Sr. Manager, Outreach, Prevention & Policy AdvocacyMaitri is a free, conﬁdential, nonproﬁt organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that primarily helps families and individuals from South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives) facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, or family conﬂict. Visit: www. maitri.org

October 9, 2025Episode 327 min

S7 Ep 3: Moving Past Trauma, Stigma and Unspoken Pain with Chanchal Garg

In this Maitri podcast episode, Chanchal Garg opens up about the spiritual and sexual abuse that shook her identity and forced her to confront a life shaped by duty and sacrifice. She courageously shares her journey of personal transformation—unearthing hidden truths that have been buried under cultural obligations, spiritual trauma, and the silence often expected of women.This moving conversation offers courage and hope for anyone navigating cultural pressures, intergenerational conflicts, or the weight of victim-blaming.Chanchal Garg is a speaker, author, executive coach, and conscious leadership facilitator. For over eight years, she has facilitated a course on interpersonal dynamics at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Chanchal is also the author of Unearthed: The Lies We Carry and the Truths They Bury. 🌐 Website: chanchalgarg.comBook link: https://www.amazon.com/Unearthed-Lies-Carry-Truths-They/dp/B0F8LLD48L

September 4, 2025Episode 235 min

S7_Ep 2: Students Against On-Campus Sexual Violence

As a new school year begins, thousands of students arrive on campus full of excitement and possibility. But alongside that hope lies a difficult truth: sexual assault remains a seriousissue on college campuses nationwide.In this episode, we sit down with Smitha Chandrasekhar, Alex Fu, and Shreya Vishwanath to discuss why awareness matters, how students can support one another, and the steps needed to build safer communities on campus.Tune in for an honest, urgent, and empowering conversation.

July 25, 202536 min

S7_Ep1: Surviving to Leading

With Menaka Iyengar Cooke – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient.From surviving domestic violence in a foreign land with no family support…to becoming an award-winning social justice activist, author, and HR leader.In this powerful episode of the Maitri Podcast, Menaka Iyengar Cooke shares her extraordinary journey of post-traumatic growth. Her story is a reminder that while the road from trauma to healing is long, community support can be the lifeline that changes everything.🔗 Tune in to hear how Menaka broke the cycleof abuse and turned her pain into purpose.💜 A must-listen for anyone who believes inresilience, justice, and the power of standing together.About Menaka: Menaka came to Australia in 1973, became a single parent soon after. She got an administrative job but went to night school to educate herself, reinventing herself as an HR professional, retiring as HR Director at the end of a 35+ year corporate career. As a result of her own experiences with sexism, racism, and ageism, she found her passion in retirement advocating for women’s and community matters, including women’s health (mental and physical), Aboriginal groups, and victims of Domestic Violence, Elder abuse, and bringing the achievements of migrants to light viaher podcast ‘Colours of Australia’. Over the years, she has received various awards: Fellowship of the Australian Human Resources Institute, Prime Minister’s Award for employing people with a disability, Business Review Weekly award for ‘Family Friendly Policies’, the Prof. Shirley Randall-Women Chiefs of Enterprises Australia Award in 2021 for Social Contribution, The International Alliance of Women - World of Difference Award in 2022 and now an Order of Australia in the King's Birthday Honours List 2025.

June 26, 202529 min

S6 Ep 8: Roots & Rifts: Intergenerational Cultural Conflicts

This episode focuses on the cultural conflicts between South Asian parents and their children. Whether it’s clashing over career choices, dating, emotional expression, or even mental health itself, these tensions often leave deep emotional marks, sometimes even lead to abuse and violence. We’ll explore how intergenerational cultural conflicts affect our mental health, and what healing can look like when both generations are ready to listen.Our guest is Shalini Dayal, a licensed family therapist with thirty years of clinical experience in the mental health profession. She has worked extensively with South Asian youth and adults navigating issues related to relational disconnect, communication problems, depression, grief, stress, cultural adjustments, parenting, divorce, and couples counseling.More about Shalini Dayal: https://shalinidayalmft.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalinidayalmft/More about Maitri: www.maitri.org

May 29, 202538 min

S6 Ep7: Inlaws and Inner Peace

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re bringing you a powerful conversation that reminds us: our mental health is just as important as our physical health.In this episode, we shine a light on the often-unspoken emotional toll of unrealistic familial expectations, especially within in-law relationships. From subtle put-downs to emotional manipulation and controlling behaviors, these dynamics can deeply impact couples' well-being and mental peace.• How can we recognize these patterns?• How do we respond with dignity and protect our emotional safety? Join us and our guest, Sushma Trivedi, LMFT, as she shares valuable insights and tools to navigate these challenges and support healthier, more respectful relationships. Sushma Trivedi Bio:Sushma Trivedi's first career was as a physicist. She obtained her Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from IIT, Delhi. She worked in academia and the high-tech industry for more than twenty years before starting a career in the field of mental health. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and sees clients remotely and in person at her offices in Los Altos and Sunnyvale. Because of her cultural and professional background, she likes to integrate science and Eastern philosophy in her counseling work. Sushma believes that all clients have the resources within them to resolve the social and emotional challenges they are presented with in life. She pays close attention to her clients' belief systems, thinking styles, and patterns of relationships and how these are affecting their current life situation. She helps the client identify their goals and become aware of their strengths and resources.You can find out more about her at her website: https://www.sushmatrivedi.com#mentalhealthawarenessmonth #MaitriPodcast #SouthAsianMentalHealth #HealthyRelationships #EmotionalWellbeing #inlaws #EndDV #sushmatrivedi