Alok Vaid-Menon: Accepting Yourself - How to Not Let the Judgement of Others Mold Who You Are

Real compassion breaks down the barriers that divide us. It's not just about doing nice things, it's about creating a safety net of care. True compassion blurs the lines between "me" and "you." It's about understanding that we're all connected and that looking out for each other is what really matters. Today, I welcome Alok Vaid-Menon, a writer, performer, and advocate known for their activism in the LGBTQ+ community. They're recognized for their insightful discussions on gender, identity, and social justice. Alok's work often challenges societal norms and perceptions, aiming to promote acceptance and equality for all genders. Their powerful storytelling and performances resonate with audiences worldwide, sparking important conversations about inclusivity and self-expression. In this episode of A Really Good Cry, Alok and I talked about how they were able to live authentically and how they found confidence through writing. We also explore finding beauty in the little things and how we connect in this digital world. Alok shares insights on dealing with hate using compassion and where all that hate might actually come from. Make sure to sit back and relax as you listen to this insightful and inspiring conversation with Alok!    What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:29 Living authentically 02:15 Finding confidence through writing 06:17 Growing up different in Texas 08:24 Cultural influence on parenting 14:20 Appreciating parent’s sacrfices 16:34 The beauty in the mundane 20:24 Connection and community in a digital age 24:35 Handling hate with compassion 29:44 Where does hate come from? 33:33 What is true compassion? 39:38 Embracing every emotion in our growth 48:27 The intersection of religion, spirituality, and gender 52:19 Balancing masculine and feminine energies 55:52 Living your truth 58:12  Love across religious divides 1:01:14 The last time Alok had a good cry 1:04:12 What kind of crier is Alok? Follow Alok: https://www.alokvmenon.com/ https://www.instagram.com/alokvmenon/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG_G2mCoGdNUIOPaPrgorHg https://www.tiktok.com/@alokvmenon Follow Radhi: https://www.instagram.com/radhidevlukia/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWe9A4kMf9V_AHOXkGhCzQ https://www.facebook.com/radhidevlukia1/ https://www.tiktok.com/@radhidevlukia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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This podcast won’t solve all your problems, but it WILL go through them with you. Radhi Devlukia brings you a new weekly show called A Really Good Cry, a space where we can embrace the real, the messy and the beautiful parts of life that can be difficult to digest alone, together. Tune in for a good ole’ laugh, maybe shed a tear or two, and join a community where you can have a really good cry! There's no small talk here, we are diving straight in and it’s gonna get real. Whether it’s raw, unfiltered conversations, debate and discussions of different perspectives and life experiences or going on an emotional rollercoaster. A Really Good Cry is there for you to learn, connect, and find comfort together - that allows us to see the world and ourselves with a new perspective.  Some episodes will also feature surprise guests, including celebrities, scientists, experts and more. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Tag @areallygoodcry on Instagram with your best crying face for a chance to be featured on our social media channels. Like, comment and follow @areallygoodcry on Instagram if you want the chance to be featured on episodes. You can also subscribe to get exclusive and bonus content. Radhi will give listeners the opportunity to be part of the show by responding to dms, comments, questions and more.