Host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits with Richa Joshi, who helps quiet voices get loud – especially women of colour who have been muted by systems, labels, and cultural expectations. In this episode, Richa shares her personal journey of (un-)learning to “shrink” to fit in and how parenthood became the catalyst for breaking generational cycles of silence. The conversation delves into the messy but essential work of “unmuting” – a process of unlearning harmful conditioning, challenging internalised narratives, and healing from self-erasure. Richa challenges the idea that integration is a one-sided task migrants must perform alone, reframing belonging as mutual adaptation where everyone evolves. Together, they explore the power of deconstructing our own cultural biases and moving beyond limiting labels and stereotypes – like the model minority myth – to embrace our evolving, intersectional identities.
Chapters:
• 0:00 – Introduction
• 3:00 – Identity Formation and Migration
• 11:56 – The Emotional Process of Unmuting
• 23:00 – Cultural Adaptation vs. Assimilation
• 42:04 – Deconstructing Cultural Norms and Challenging Labelling
• 48:54 – Power, Privilege, and Mutuality
• 1:06:41 – The Role of Authenticity and Self-Reflection
• 1:18:02 – Conclusion
Resources mentioned:
– “The Good Immigrant” by Nikesh Shukla
– “The Leader unwritten: Becoming who you’re meant to be” by Premila Jina
Connect with X:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richajoshi1978/
Website: unmutingyou.com
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I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!
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This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.
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Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience, disability, and transformation.
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– Golden Threads — stories of disability & resilience | hosted by Dan Dougherty
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