I first thought about interviewing today’s guest soon after I saw her Instagram channel when, I must say, I was shocked by some of its contents. We finally spoke last week, and I was certainly impressed by what I heard.
We’ll get to our chat in a minute, but first a quick word about this podcast. The feedback we’ve received about Nepal Now in the past 18 months has all been positive, but frankly we’ve haven’t yet hit a point where this work is sustainable. Simply put — we need more listeners. So if you enjoy the show, and haven’t already done so, could you let your friends know about us? Alternatively, you can rate and review us on Apple podcasts. I know that many of you — more than half in fact — do not listen to the show on Apple, but because it’s such a popular platform, it apparently does give us a boost throughout the podcast world if we’re well-known there. To make it easier, I’ve pasted the Apple podcasts link to the show. Thank you for doing what you can. Now on to today’s episode.
There is a saying that I like a lot: change is the only constant in life. Undoubtedly, change is not always easy, especially if it entails you giving up something — be it power, prestige, money, or all of those — but in general I think it’s healthier to adapt than to resist.
These days, however, it seems that resistance to change is hardening. Perhaps that’s because change is happening faster than ever. Or maybe it’s affecting a group of people who are not used to giving up their advantages. In any case, I’m sure there are many people studying change currently who can enlighten you further.
Today’s guest experienced one of life’s major changes — getting married — and began to wonder why, as a Nepali woman married into a Nepali family, various things were done in certain ways. Speaking to friends, she learned that they were also questioning some traditions they were expected to follow as new brides (or buhari in Nepali). Thinking there must be even more women living similar experiences, she started the Instagram account Tales of a Modern Buhari. Today, after just over one year, she has an impressive 20,000 followers — and some influence on many lives, more than half of them unmarried women (and a few guys as well).
We spoke about her desire to expand this work, but also the burden that it delivers, both as an investment of time and also on her emotional well-being. I was glad to hear that most opposition to the ideas expressed in her posts and discussions is delivered respectfully, not in hateful diatribes. Perhaps that’s because young people are more open to change?
Please listen now to my chat with Modern Buhari. To preserve her anonymity we’ve disguised her voice.
Resources
Tales of a Modern Buhari Instagram page
Nepal Now on Apple Podcasts
Nepal Now social links
LinkedIn
Thanks as always to Nikunja Nepal for advice and inspiration.
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