Sakura, Sikhi & Strength
Welcome to Sakura, Sikhi & Strength - a podcast about finding strength in the space between cultures and thriving through life's constant changes. I'm Asees Sethi Anand, your host, and as someone born in Japan, raised in Los Angeles, educated globally and now living in New York City, I understand what it means to navigate life between worlds. This podcast is for anyone building careers, starting families, caring for loved ones, and writing their own definition of success - all while honoring the beautiful complexity of multicultural identity. Whether you're a third-culture kid, second-generation immigrant, or simply someone who feels caught between cultures, this show is your space to feel seen, understood, and empowered. Join me for honest conversations about resilience, growth, and finding your strength in the spaces that make you uniquely you.
New episodes coming weekly. Subscribe now so you don't miss a single story.
Connect with me:
Instagram: @sakurasikhistrength
Email: hello@sakurasikhistrength.com
Sakura, Sikhi & Strength
Episode 10: Climbing Trees and Building Character - Life Lessons from my Nanima
In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with my maternal grandmother, Veena Singh (Nanima), for an intimate conversation spanning 84+ years of wisdom, resilience, and unwavering faith.
Born in what was then part of India, Nanima's early years took her from her birthplace to Persia and eventually to 1940s Delhi, where she witnessed incredible social and historical changes while building a life rooted in Sikh values and unconditional love.
Wisdom That Transcends Generations:
- The difference between "raising children" and "child rearing" - why intentional parenting matters
- How understanding that "nothing is permanent" becomes a source of strength during life's inevitable challenges
- Why stable, loving homes create confident adults who can navigate any circumstance
- A mother's boundless love in action: extraordinary stories of creative problem-solving and determination
- Maintaining cultural and spiritual identity while adapting to changing times
Unforgettable Stories: From climbing over 200 trees as a fearless child in Delhi to hosting legendary 1970s dance parties (complete with grandfather's floor-clearing tango performances!), Nanima's stories span the delightful to the dramatic. Her account of retrieving medical equipment for her blind son's surgery demonstrates what becomes possible when love drives action.
Timeless Insights: "Nothing is permanent" - Nanima's beautiful comparison of life's challenges to the sun's daily journey offers perspective for anyone facing difficulties. Her legacy wisdom about holding your identity and self-esteem regardless of circumstances speaks to universal human struggles.
Whether you're seeking parenting guidance, spiritual grounding, or inspiration from a life fully lived, this conversation offers insights that deserve to be preserved across generations.
Connect with Sakura, Sikhi & Strength 🌸☬️💪:
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Instagram: @sakurasikhistrength
Tiktok: @sakurasikhistrength
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sakurasikhistrength
Send your thoughts: hello@sakurasikhistrength.com