ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Are you able to tell the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation? Is it a fine line, or is the distinction clear? Now be honest: is it a line you have walked? If you have ever found yourself interested by a song, a practice, style, or a way of being that isn't entirely of your own heritage, you may relate to the concept of cultural appreciation. But when does this interest become something unhelpful, hurtful, or even harmful? The answer is rarely simple. In this episode, Dr. Shainna sits down with Australian Kirtan artist Premanjali for the layered, honest conversation that explores how at a glance cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation can overlap, and with deeper reflection they become distinct.
Together, Dr. Shainna and Premanjali explore what makes music one of the most healing forces we have, why the voice is such a vulnerable and powerful instrument, and nuances of cultural complexity.
This is a conversation for anyone who values music and is learning how to cultivate respect a culture that isn't entirely their own with reverence, humility, and integrity.
More about Premanjali
Premanjali is an Australian Kirtan artist raised in the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) tradition at the New Govardhan community in Australia. She has been singing since she could speak and was educated in Sanskrit, the Bhagavad Gita, and daily Kirtan through her school years, receiving her spiritual name from her teacher Indradyumna Swami in 2017. Her global journey has taken her through Vrindavan, London, New York, and Mumbai, where she now lives and creates. Her body of work weaves ancient devotional practice with Bollywood influence and original songwriting in English and Hindi, aiming to help listeners feel deeply and reflect on life a little more.
More about Dr. Shainna
Dr. Shainna is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, author, and advocate dedicated to destigmatizing mental health counseling and helping individuals worldwide cultivate mental wellness. She is the creator of multiple resources that make mental health support more accessible, including the best-selling The Self-Love Workbook and her highly anticipated new release, Generational Healing. She is the host of The Mental Wellness Practice Podcast and has been featured in Vogue, ABC, CBS, NPR, The Washington Post, Parents, and Insider.
Dr. Shainna is the owner of The Mental Wellness Practice LLC, a strengths-based clinical mental health and consulting practice in Central Florida. She serves on the board of To Write Love on Her Arms, is a former Board Director of The Mental Health Association of Central Florida, and is past president of the Florida Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development. Her honors include the Association for Specialists in Group Work's Al Dye Award, the Pete Fischer Humanitarian Award, and UCF's 30 Under 30 and Noble Knight distinctions.
Follow Dr. Shainna on Instagram and Facebook → @drshainna Find more resources, workshops, and support → www.drshainna.com
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This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder, please consult with a licensed professional.
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