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In this episode of Middle Fingers Up, host Kiran Randhawa sits down with community consultant, speaker, and Catalyst podcast host Nike Aurea for a deep dive into what it truly means to build and belong in community—beyond convenience and into real responsibility. As a first-generation daughter of West African immigrants, Nike shares how her upbringing in Atlanta shaped her unapologetic approach to advocacy and self-advocacy. "I always knew where I was from. I always knew about the food, the culture, language and with that also the history," she reflects, crediting her parents for instilling a strong sense of self through intentional storytelling and exposure to global histories, like films on South African apartheid.

The conversation explores the intersections of education, care, and strategy, challenging listeners to rethink belonging. Nike disrupts common narratives around "mammification"—the expectation placed on Black women to carry endless emotional labor.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on unlearning stereotypes, setting boundaries with grace, and why "clarity is care" in fostering thriving spaces. If you've ever questioned your role in community or felt the weight of unspoken expectations, this episode will leave you empowered to show up authentically.

Instagram: nikeaurea

If you like what you hear please click on "subscribe" or "follow" - It's free and you will get notified when the newest episodes are posted! Check us out on Instagram, X, and YouTube @mfupodcast. Give feedback, middle finger recommendations as well as random thoughts to info@mfupodcast.com. Thank you for listening!

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

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Join host Kiran Randhawa on Middle Fingers Up for a heartfelt conversation with Shagun Sharma, registered psychotherapist and founder of Lotus Pathways. In this episode, Shagun shares her journey from a curious six-year-old in downtown Toronto's Cabbagetown neighborhood—where she first witnessed the realities of homelessness and mental health struggles—to becoming a trailblazer in culturally sensitive therapy.

"I wanted to be a therapist since I was six years old,"

Shagun reflects, inspired by her older sister's guidance and her own immigrant roots as a South Asian woman. Together, they dive into dismantling mental health stigmas in immigrant and South Asian communities, exploring barriers like self-judgment, high costs, and generational pressures that prioritize "protection, protection, protection" over open emotional discussions.

Shagun emphasizes creating "spaces that are culturally safe and validating where people can genuinely begin to untangle" intergenerational burdens, while addressing how social media and collective cultural norms often leave individuals feeling isolated. Whether you're navigating your own mental health path or seeking to understand systemic challenges, this episode offers validating insights on building rapport, normalizing therapy, and fostering community support. Tune in for an honest look at why "get over it" narratives persist and how we can collectively tackle them.

Instagram: lotuspathways

Linktr.ee: lotuspathways

Website: lotuspathwayspsychotherapy.com

If you like what you hear please click on "subscribe" or "follow" - It's free and you will get notified when the newest episodes are posted! Check us out on Instagram, X, and YouTube @mfupodcast. Give feedback, middle finger recommendations as well as random thoughts to info@mfupodcast.com. Thank you for listening!

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

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In this episode of Middle Fingers Up, host Kiran Randhawa sits down with Kam Bassier—fitness and life coach, father, husband, and self-proclaimed student of life—to unpack the emotional and physical toll of burnout and the radical power of rest.

Kam’s story begins in Guyana, shaped by intergenerational trauma, hustle culture, and the immigrant grind. But what makes this conversation unforgettable is Kam’s vulnerability and wisdom as he reflects on his journey from survival mode to intentional living.

Together, Kiran and Kam explore how our childhood scripts—especially those rooted in immigrant households—shape our adult lives. From the glorification of hustle to the shame around rest, Kam challenges listeners to rethink what it means to be productive.

This episode is a masterclass in nervous system regulation, inner child work, and redefining self-worth. Kam shares tangible tools for getting unstuck, including the power of sleep, body scans, and intentional boundaries.

Whether you’re a burnt-out parent, a high-achieving professional, or someone simply trying to feel better in your body, this conversation will leave you full—like a nourishing meal that doesn’t need dessert.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why rest is harder than hustle—and how to change that
• How immigrant narratives shape our relationship with work
• The link between nervous system regulation and emotional resilience
• Practical ways to disrupt your daily patterns and reclaim your energy
• Why healing requires conscious engagement, not just reflection

Guest Info: Follow Kam Bassier on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @kambassier. Kam helps burnt-out adults build sustainable routines that support their physical, emotional, and relational health.

If you like what you hear please click on "subscribe" or "follow" - It's free and you will get notified when the newest episodes are posted! Check us out on Instagram, X, and YouTube @mfupodcast. Give feedback, middle finger recommendations as well as random thoughts to info@mfupodcast.com. Thank you for listening!

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.