Chai, Chat & Community

15/09/2026

What stays with me are the stories.

The woman who found support when she needed it most. The elder who felt less alone because someone reached out. The community members who came together to create safer, kinder and more inclusive spaces for others.

Community work isn't always visible, but its impact ripples through families and generations. I'm grateful to witness these stories and share them whenever I can.

the warmth in the room was unmistakable as members, volunteers, partners and supporters gathered for IndianCare’s 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM). Yet this was much more than reports and formalities. It was a celebration of community, belonging and the many lives touched by IndianCare’s work o...

12/09/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐲

When your child needs a big medical operation, the heavy words and busy hospital rooms can feel completely overwhelming. But what if understanding it all was as simple as a box of coloured pens?

On this week’s episode of Chai, Chat & Community, I sit down with Professor Gordon Thomas, a wonderful paediatric surgeon at the Children's Hospital at Westmead. We discussed how families can navigate difficult medical journeys with far greater understanding, trust, and confidence.

Professor Thomas shared why he sits down with young patients to draw out their procedures step-by-step in different colours—and how those same kids send him back paints and drawings when they get home.

Listen to the full episode to hear his reassuring advice for parents, on navigating high-stakes care and why you are never alone in the hospital.

10/09/2026

R U Okay? A simple question can help a person feeling down and out heard.

This was a podcast I did a few years ago, and how a simple question changed his life.

Content advisory: Mental health and suicidal thoughtsTimestamp: TW...

08/09/2026

Storytelling is an art—an art that took me years to master. My toddler, however, has learned this at 3 years of age. Whenever he's with me, I teach him songs that I love and share stories that I grew up with.

This was our conversation this afternoon:

Me: "Did you see the rats and how the Pied Piper played on his flute and took them to the ocean?"
Toddler: "Yes, Dimma, the Pied Piper came to Izzu's garden and Dimma's garden and played We Will, We Will Rock You on his flute, and all the rats from the backyard went with him and drowned in the ocean!"

Now, what could be better than combining Queen with a folktale from 1284?

Thanks to AI, I could get him a picture he so deserved.

05/09/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing fathers, grandfathers, uncles and mums who stepped up as fathers.

In today's Father’s Day episode, we’re tackling the great evolution of the modern dad.

We’re joined by:

Anindya: Deep in the chaotic trenches of raising two little girls

Kunal: Balancing a career and single-parenting two tween boys

Mouli: A granddad of five looking back on the beautiful chaos with pure wisdom.

From trading strict discipline for diplomatic negotiations to figuring out what on earth to pack in a school lunchbox, this episode is packed with big laughs and sweet moments.

Don't forget to call your father today and tell him how much he's loved. And for those of us who have lost our fathers, sit back and relive the beautiful moments you shared with him.

22/08/2026

In this interview, Saleha Singh speaks with ENT surgeon Dr Rithvik Reddy about the historic surgery that gave twin boys born deaf the gift of hearing on the same day. They discuss the science behind cochlear implants, the emotional impact on families, and the hidden signs of hearing loss in children and adults. Dr Reddy also tackles the stigma around hearing aids, the link between untreated hearing loss and dementia, and offers practical advice for tinnitus. A powerful conversation on sound, silence, and second chances.

19/08/2026

On World Photography Day sharing a recent picture of someone who keeps me on my toes all the time.

This packet of cookies was kept on the table for less than a minute and by the time I turned around it was gone 😆. And then the contrite look or not …

What is your photo of the day?

17/08/2026

What does it take to help twin baby boys hear their mother's voice for the very first time on the same day?

In our latest episode, I chat with Sydney ENT surgeon Dr Rithvik Reddy, who shares the story behind this landmark cochlear implant surgery—an Australian first.

We also discuss the early signs of hearing loss in kids, why glue ear gets missed, and how treating adult hearing loss protects long-term brain health.

Dr Reddy shares simple, practical ear health advice for our whole family.

Thank you, Rithvik Reddy

13/08/2026

An important conversation with SBS Hindi.

I share my thoughts on Crisis Housing Aid to 22K women and children.

Women and children escaping domestic and family violence face a shortage of safe housing across Australia. The federal government has announced $308 million for housing solutions, but advocates say the investment falls short of demand. In this podcast, we explore the housing challenges facing those....

27/07/2026

Get ready for Aus-Alert at 2pm this afternoon

Australia is about to get its first taste of a new nationwide emergency warning system, where millions of devices across the country are expected to sound off simultaneously later today.