Don't Butcher It with Upasna Barath
On this self-help podcast for creatives, writer and actress Upasna Barath shares her experiences - lessons she's learned, mistakes she's made, and moments that have impacted her most. With a no-bullshit attitude and interviews with one-of-a-kind guests - artists, leaders, and game-changers - this podcast might help you find an excuse to change your life. Podcast art by Madeleine Welsch. Music by Kahlil Irfan Hanafi. 2021 Spotify Next Wave Winner.
Episodes
21 episodes
I'm Going Through Changes (with Tanitha Pereira)
Upasna talks to Indian Italian model, art director, stylist, and founder of the Tiramisu Party, Tanitha Pereira (she/her). Tanitha discusses her relationship with change, her schooling experience in India, her time on reality television, and mo...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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26:28
Remember Who You're Fighting For (with Mynk Richardson-Clerk)
Upasna talks to activist, athlete, and friend Mynk Richardson-Clerk (she/her) about her kneeling during the national anthem at her lacrosse games, her experience with college activism, lessons from protesting, and more. Mynk also shares advice ...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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37:59
To Be a Person on The Internet (with Tavi Gevinson)
Upasna talks with writer, actress, and founder of Rookie Mag Tavi Gevinson (she/her) about her motivation behind the Life Skills by Rookie podcast, Gossip Girl and her perspective on reboots, cancel and call-...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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37:04
You've Got No Context
In this episode, Upasna explains context collapse and its relationship with self-diagnosing through social media.
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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17:27
Don't Look Back (with Willis Weinstein)
Upasna talks to Willis Weinstein (she/her), a gender fluid actor, director, and writer from Chicago, Illinois. They talk about her short film solvitur tondendo, empowering others through creating art, how they deal with self-doubt, and...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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28:46
Know Your Boundaries
Upasna talks about why boundaries are important and shares her experience with boundaries (aka not having them for most of her life). She also gives an overview of how you can establish and maintain your boundaries. The Vice article: "The...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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21:21
You're Not An Imposter! (with Kelsey J. Barnes)
Upasna talks to Kelsey J. Barnes - longtime internet friend and music and culture writer - about imposter syndrome, the impact of romantic relationships on your sense of self, how we choose to post on social media, and stalking crushes. You can...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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24:55
The "Old You" Is Still You
Upasna talks about experiencing grief, making mistakes, overcoming regret, and taking accountability.
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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21:32
Unbury Yourself (With Jina Ballenger)
Upasna talks to multi-hyphenate Jina Ballenger (she/her) of Chicago Hip-Hop/R&B duo ConSoul. Jina shares advice on how to let your art evolve, how to deal with failure, how to move on when you're stuck on a project, and more. You can follow...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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24:01
This Podcast Will Not Change Your Life
In the first episode of this season, Upasna discusses why it's important to center intersectionality on Don't Butcher It. She also talks about why self-help will not change your life and how to use self-help tools effectively.
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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14:21
Go Against The Grain (With My Mom)
Upasna's mother, Rajini, shares her story of becoming a single mother and the wisdom she's gained through the tough times.
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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23:15
You Don't Need Trauma, You Need Convictions
In the final episode of the first season of Don't Butcher It, Upasna explains why trauma doesn't - and can't - define you.
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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14:01
You're Not What You Do (With Emily Robinson)
In this episode, Upasna talks to actress, writer, director, and producer Emily Robinson (she/they) (Film: Virgin Territory, Unicorn Store, Private Life, Eighth Grade, Dark Was the Night; TV: Transparent, Saturday Night Live, CSI: N...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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35:54
To All The White Friends I've Had Before
In this episode, Upasna discusses whiteness and friendship. She also narrates a personal essay entitled "To All The White Friends I've Had Before."
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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24:55
Do It Your Way (With Nikhil Rao)
In this episode, Upasna interviews Nikhil Rao (he/him), frontman of Washington D.C. based post-punk/rock hybrid band Bottled Up. They discuss the impact of being raised by Indian immigrants, their creative processes behind making music and writ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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37:04
Embrace Your Bad
In this episode, Upasna answers a question about a formal greeting that has lost all meaning. She also talks about shadow work and how to get to know your shadow self.
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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18:13
It's All in Your Head (With Josh Simmons)
In this episode, Upasna talks to Josh Simmons (he/him), an AmeriCorps Member at United Way of Metro Chicago. They discuss internalized whiteness, the difference between fetishization and preference, and Josh's experience as a Black man on a PWI...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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42:42
Fake It Till You Break It
In this episode, Upasna talks about the cons of living by the phrase "fake it till you make it." She discusses why she's used the phrase in the past and how it fails to serve people who use it.
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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16:10
I'm Indian, In Case You Forgot (With Siri Chilukuri)
In this episode, Upasna talks to Siri Chilukuri (she/her), a reporter, essayist, and scientist based in Chicago. They discuss growing up Indian-American and being raised by single mothers, navigating grief associated with the loss of a parent, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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42:58
You're Just Not That Into You
In this episode, Upasna explains why choosing emotionally unavailable people as romantic interests is a symptom of lack of self love. She discusses her experience with pining and gives advice on how to be honest with yourself in order to break ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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25:36