When you think of bereavement, what three words spring to your mind?
I’m joined by Callsuma Ali, host of Bereavement Room podcast. We look at the positives and negatives of how bereavement is addressed within the South Asian, and particularly British Bangladeshi community. Drawing from our own bereavement experiences, we both share our positive sentiments of the sense of togetherness and its symbolism through food. By contrast, we recognise the double standards which often prevent women from attending funerals, coloured by the stereotype that they grieve too hysterically. We examine its historical basis, both from a cultural and religious perspective.
Counselling and psychotherapy are rarely spoken about among ethnic minorities due to the stigma of publicising vulnerability. Given her background in counselling and bereavement support, I ask Callsuma about whether attitudes to needing ‘help’ are shifting.
There are assumptions around South Asian family dynamics, including intergenerational living, with younger family members helping their elderly parents. This can be a barrier to accessing external help, for example a visiting nurse, home care assistance or hospice care. We look at how to make our voices heard so that such misconceptions no longer continue.
Season 6: Ep 45 - Neelam Heera Shergill on advocating for better reproductive health outcomes in marginalised communities
Season 6: Ep 44 - In conversation with Mitali Dargani on outward success, inner flaws, and straddling stability with taking risks
Season 6: Ep 43 - The motherhood juggle: redefining the narrative and finding ways to enjoy the present
Season 6: Ep 42 - Seetal Kaur on motherhood: learning and unlearning from traditions, defying complete selflessness and setting good examples
Season 6: Ep 41 - In conversation with Sairish Hussain on finding inspiration, original storytelling and navigating the publishing industry
TRAILER: Season 6
Season 5: Ep 40 - March Muses founders Alison Burton and Natalie Duvall on Dragons’ Den, and balancing entrepreneurialism, motherhood and creativity
Season 5: Ep 39 - Navigating “mum-guilt”, anxiety and life as a stay-at-home mum
Season 5: EP 38 - In conversation with Jane Chelliah: Feminist mothering, identity loss and empty nest syndrome
Season 5: Ep 37 - Pregnant Then Screwed Founder Joeli Brearley on pregnancy discrimination, fixing childcare and creating a fairer workplace for mothers
TRAILER - Season 5
Season 4: Ep 36 - Dina Begum on the symbolism of food, Bangladeshi hospitality and our favourite dishes
Season 4: Ep 35 - Urban planning, spatial inequalities and feminist cities
Season 4: Ep 34 - Dr Lisa Mckenzie on being a Working Class Academic, the myth of Social Mobility, and defining “Cultural Capital”
Season 4: Ep 33 - In conversation with Nijjor Manush: the Gentrification of Brick Lane, British-Bangladeshi Identity and the media's invalidation of Muslim women.
Season 4: Ep 32 - Modern Dating, long-term relationships, and the importance of slowing down post-pandemic
Season 4: Ep 31 - How do we build a more diverse, representative and fairer teaching curriculum?
TRAILER - Season 4
Season 3: Ep 30 - Raising the visibility of disability through advocacy, accessibility and destigmatisation
Season 3: Ep 29 - Why Queer South Asian storytelling matters
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