December 14, 2022 • 23 mins
Eva is one of those humans that when I met her, I just knew we were kindred spirits. We first interacted on the in-person set of a virtually broadcast conference. Next thing I knew, we were zooming across the floor in office chairs, talking deeply, and enjoying each other's personhood. And this is exactly what we're talking about today: being welcoming.
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Joy Blue (00:10):
Welcome to Here We Are.
The podcast where we celebratethe beauty of being a nerd by
learning about nerdy things fromfellow nerds.
I'm your host, Joy Blue.
Oh goodness.
I am so excited for you to meettoday's guest.
I met her earlier this year on alive to virtual production set,
(00:31):
and right away we hit it off.
So much of it is due to the verysubject we're discussing today,
being welcom.
The more you get to know her,the more you'll experience the
true gift of her inclusivity andwarmth.
Without further ado, here's EvaSaha to talk with us all about
what it means to be welcoming.
Eva Saha (00:51):
Hi, I am Eva Saha.
I am a professional host, emcee,and moderator, well, that's my
current career.
I've changed it quite a bit andI'm a Gemini.
Joy Blue (01:01):
Congratulations.
Okay, I met you on a job sitewhere you were an emcee/ host
for a virtual event, which inand of itself is an interesting
thing because you're notactually seeing the audience,
but even though you didn't seethe audience, I experienced
incredible warmth from you.
(01:21):
I experienced genuineenthusiasm, which I cannot
manufacture enthusiasm.
So that in and of itself isfascinating to me.
But you're genuinely welcoming.
I don't know how you do that.
Okay.
So many things.
Eva Saha (01:37):
You know, Joy, you are so uniquely you and whatever's
authentic to you, then itdoesn't matter.
There's not like one personalitytype or one kind of person who
attracts other people, right?
Like you and I connected andwe're very different.
But...if you're your authenticself, people will respond to
that.
And my authentic self happens tojust be a lover of human beings
and somebody who wants toconnect with people.
(01:58):
Like my dad used to joke when Iwas little that he, he said that
he just remembers me runningacross the playground when I was
a little kid and going up topeople and saying, hi, my name's
Eva.
What's your name?
Tell me all about yourself.
Literally.
Yeah.
And I don't know whether heheard that from my mom or
whether he really remembers it,but the point is, that's the way
(02:19):
I was born.
I was born to connect withpeople.
I have a genuine interest inhuman beings.
Like some people like computersmore than they like human
beings.
I'm the opposite.
Like I wish that I could stillhave my day planner and write in
it because technology andeverything else, I know it helps
the world.
But I just like human to humancontact.
So all this like social mediaand advancements in technology
(02:40):
that kind of kind of separate usis not comfortable for me.
So then I get to in my job.
And I came upon it.
I didn't even know this jobexisted, but that I came into
this job and I get to connectwith people, learn about what
they're doing, find out aboutwhat companies are doing to make
the world go round, whichultimately comes back to,
(03:01):
helping people.
I, I truly am genuinelyfascinated.
And so it's almost like my dadjoked around.
He said, I can't believe you nowget paid to talk.
You know, making fun of me cuzthat's, I always got in trouble
for talking too much in school.
But really what he means is hecan't believe I came into this
job that is perfectly suited forme.
Joy Blue (03:20):
Yeah.
I feel similarly about myself.
My mom always said I would be ina job where I would be telling
people what to do, and
Eva Saha (03:29):
you're the boss.
Joy Blue (03:30):
here we are.
Okay.
I love this.
So what I just heard you say isthat a through line of who you
are is the ability to see othersand be curious about them.
Where has that gotten you?
Eva Saha (03:42):
Huh, it's gotten to me to where I am today.
Joy Blue (03:44):
What are some way points along the way?
How did that develop?
Eva Saha (03:48):
gosh, that's a really good question.
This is why you're a podcasthost.
I think that because I am justfascinated by people and I like
to connect with people, it meansthat I haven't really had to
plan my life so much.
So I think a lot of people haveall kinds of ideas about what
they should do and how theyshould do it.
I hear all the time people goalsetting and I've been seeing it
(04:09):
all over the internet.
Coaches on LinkedIn saying, makea plan, write it down.
What are your goals for nextyear?
I've sort of lived a life of Idon't know what the master plan
is.
How can back up a little bit?
Part of that has to do with, Iwas born into the Hindu religion
and Hindus believe thateverything is predetermined.
(04:29):
Obviously you have to makecertain choices and it will lead
you in certain directions, butsort of the ultimately the
places you'll go in life are predetermined.
And maybe that's sort ofsomewhere in the back of my
head.
Or maybe it's my personality andlike you said, just somebody who
just likes to connect withpeople and go with the flow.
I've never really had a masterplan.
Joy Blue (04:47):
Hmm.
Eva Saha (04:48):
Whatever I have liked and responded to, that's the
direction that I take.
In college I didn't do as wellin biology as I did in
accounting and econ.
So I ditched my master plan tobe a doctor and went to business
school.
In business school, I liked mybusiness law class the best.
So I went to law school.
And then in law school I sortof, I don't like to have
(05:11):
conflict with people, so Ididn't wanna be a litigator.
So I went into corporate law,you know?
and then well, and then now I'mhere and I know that that's like
a big leap, but I've just sortof followed what I respond to,
what I like, and then I just gofrom there.
And so I think that in someways, the kind of person that I
am, and what you just identifiedand my personality and my way of
being has just led me in thisdirection that I don't need to
(05:34):
worry too much about planningand goal setting and all that
kind of stuff.
I, I let other people help mewith that and I just do what I
like to do and I say yes tothings that I feel like, oh
yeah, that would be fun.
Let me do it.
Joy Blue (05:46):
that is truly beautiful.
I feel very similarly, and Igrew up in, in the mindset of a
lot of, you know, Westernthinking of you need to be able
to plan five years ahead.
You do need to have all thosegoals.
You do need to have like, whatdo you wanna be?
And I was like I, I don't know.
I've never known what I wantedto be.
But similarly to you, I followmy curiosities
Eva Saha (06:10):
Mm-hmm.
Joy Blue (06:10):
and that led us to each other.
Eva Saha (06:12):
Yeah.
Joy Blue (06:14):
And that's beautiful.
I haven't heard many people whowere like, yeah, I mean, I don't
know what the plan is, but Idon't know.
That looks shiny.
I guess I'll go over there.
Eva Saha (06:22):
that's ex, you're so brilliant yourself, cuz that is
so right.
And people will ask me all thetime, well, where do you wanna
be in five years?
And I'm like, right now I'm justreally enjoying where I am and
in my life.
I I just told you that I was anaccountant and a corporate
lawyer.
I didn't plan this.
This isn't that job.
It's just I said yes to thingsthat seemed to resonate with me
or seemed curious to me and it'sled me along this path.
(06:45):
And there's something about itthat gives you a freedom to not
worry too much.
Cuz I'm a worrier by nature.
I have a general anxiety, so Idon't need to be worrying about
what's happening in 10 years.
I just say, well, I like whatI'm doing now.
And then if it leads tosomething else that I discover
is just another right directionto go in, then I will.
Joy Blue (07:03):
But that's also the ability to be present.
Because what I just heard yousay is you and I are both also
anxious people.
I do like to plan.
I do like to know what's coming,but also there is so much
freedom in being able to be hereand now, me in the present.
Eva Saha (07:20):
Yeah.
I'm such a Buddhist.
Joy Blue (07:22):
That's great.
So another thing that came tomind as we were talking was like
you followed your curiositythrough all of those different
trails, but also what I'veexperienced of you is your
ability to read a room and to bewelcoming.
But I also heard you say thatwith what you said, with your
childhood you were that kid thatran up and was like, hey, who
(07:46):
are you?
Do you want to come play withme?
has the journey of welcominglooked like to you?
Who modeled that for you?
How has it morphed along theyears to where you are now?
Because that's essentially whatbeing an emcee is.
Eva Saha (08:03):
I hope that I don't start crying cuz as soon as you
asked, who modeled that for you,I got the chills.
All over because it's my mom andmy mom died
Joy Blue (08:09):
Hmm.
Eva Saha (08:09):
in 2016, so I have all the feels right now.
Joy Blue (08:12):
Yeah.
Eva Saha (08:13):
But my mom was just that person.
She did everything selflessly.
She connected with peoplealways.
My dad told me the story thatthey flew into Seattle and they
were on their way to Canada,somewhere around there.
I can't remember the exactdetails, but whatever it was,
their flight got delayed orsomething Got delayed.
And my mom literally opened thephone book and went to the, like
(08:33):
the Bengali names in the phonebook and just started calling
people until somebody answered.
Then somebody probably namedChakra BTI or something like
that, answered the phone andthey said, hi, we're the Sahas
we're stuck here.
Do you wanna have us over fordinner?
And
Joy Blue (08:47):
What?
Eva Saha (08:48):
I cannot tell you the number of times that happened
and how many lifelong friends myparents made because of that.
and she was just, I guess it's adifferent day and age.
And so if somebody called, you'dbe like, no, and you'd lock your
doors.
But my mom was just that personwho was like, nobody is a
stranger.
And we shouldn't be.
We're all humans put on thisearth to love and to connect and
(09:09):
be together and serve eachother.
And so I think that I definitelylearned that from both of my
parents, this idea to sort ofserve and connect with people,
but especially my mom.
Who just, she just never knew astranger and so much good came
out of it in her life.
when you grow up seeing that andseeing her connect with people
and do for people and alsoreceive from people, you're
(09:30):
like, that is the richest life.
Cuz no matter how much money youhave, no matter how many
resources you have, if she cancall someone on a phone book
when they had no money when theyfirst moved to this country and
connect with people like thatand have dinner, right?
Bread, I mean, are you kiddingme?
All the time these days,especially young folks are
looking on the internet andbeing like, I just wanna connect
with people.
Everyone else is having a betterlife.
Joy Blue (09:49):
Yep.
Eva Saha (09:50):
My dad always told me like, you know, when you're
laying on your deathbed, youdon't worry about all the work
that you did, and all you thinkabout are the people that you
love and the connections thatyou made and the experiences
that you've had, you know?
so I think that it's just, it'smodeled by my mother for sure,
and it has really brought me toa place where I get to learn
from so many other people and Iget to connect with people.
(10:10):
And there's no better feelingthan that in the whole world.
You know?
No Prada bag can bring you thatkind of joy.
Joy Blue (10:16):
What I heard you say in your description of your
mother, Is something I havereally only heard Brene Brown
talk about of you can only trulygive help when you are first
able to receive help.
And what I heard you say aboutyour mom in that moment was not
only like the female trope sooften is just the selfless giver
(10:40):
and that's it, and then you'rerun out at the end of the day.
But I think what I also heardyou say is that it was two-way.
Eva Saha (10:47):
Oh.
Joy Blue (10:48):
What I heard you say was your mom knew her value and
from that place of knowing thatshe's a human that belongs in
the world just because sheexists.
So then we're back to the topicof following your curiosity and
following what feels warm andwow.
I'm so glad she modeled that foryou.
Eva Saha (11:07):
I keep getting the chills all over.
You have these beautiful truthnuggets.
Like you should be Brene Brown,you should post everywhere and
everyone should follow you, Joy.
Cuz I love what you take fromthe spew that comes out of my
mouth.
Uh, That's amazing.
Joy Blue (11:20):
Who else has been with you on your journey?
Eva Saha (11:22):
Oh my gosh.
So a lot of people remark thatthey love our family, like this
extended family of mine, myfather, my mother, my brother,
my sister, all of our crazyaunts and uncles and cousins and
everything like that, as well.
We're just again it boils downto connection.
And it's funny cuz.
my brother, my sister, and Ihave all commented that friends
of ours tell us, oh my gosh,your family is so close.
(11:43):
Even in high school, I remembermy girlfriend being like, you
can tell your mom anything.
You can talk to her aboutanything.
What must that be like?
Because she's like, I barelyever talked to my dad.
That was just her example.
And so everyone in my family oforigin has been a big part of my
life in shaping who I am.
My brother and my sister arethese phenomenal people who,
they are doctors who serve theworld.
(12:04):
My sister's an addictionmedicine doctor and has worked
all her life to try to changesystems.
Like black men going to prisonfor drug offenses and things
like that.
And my brother has spent hisentire life trying to achieve
equity.
And his more narrow avenue ofdoing that in his career is he
is a doctor who has fought forequity in medicine.
(12:28):
And so they've been inincredible role models and
inspirations to me.
And always like, you know, thebrother sister bond.
We just, were always talking onthe phone, we're always texting,
we're always visiting eachother.
And then I married the mostamazing man, Brian, and we have
two adult daughters.
And I could not be more proud ofthem.
It's just like constant support.
I'm about to get knee surgery, Iand I said, I'm gonna do it at
(12:48):
Thanksgiving.
And they're like, that's theperfect time.
So you have holidays to rest andnot have to work, and we're just
gonna take care of you.
And I was talking to mytherapist post virtual
appointment about the kneesurgery and I shed a few tears
cause I started getting anxiousand my younger daughter, who's
home right now, came to the roomand she gives me a big hug and
she's like, mom, you're gettinga new knee.
And by the way, did I tell youI'm taking over Thanksgiving and
(13:10):
starts telling me all of herplans.
And then my surgery date gotchanged and so I'm gonna have to
leave this house at 3:30 in themorning.
Joy Blue (13:18):
Ooh.
Eva Saha (13:18):
and then we're gonna be there until like about 12:00
PM that day.
And I said, you know what?
A lot of people just Uber, I'mgonna go there and then they'll
call you and you'll pick me up.
And he is like, Nope.
You know?
And it's just, there's just noquestion in my family.
And my girls were like, mom, ofcourse he's going, of course
he's gonna stay with you theentire time.
Like, Wow, there's an Oakbrookshopping mall, baby go shopping.
And they're like, no, he's notgonna go shopping.
(13:39):
He's gonna be sitting in thatroom in case anything happens.
Just waiting for you.
Joy Blue (13:43):
right.
Eva Saha (13:44):
in every way.
I get that from both of my girlsand my husband.
And so I, yeah, I just, I'mfeeling a lot of love right now.
You're gonna make, you're likethose interviewers who make
people cry, like when they'retogether.
I'm just, I'm like, again, I'mfeeling all the feels cuz Yeah,
I just have amazing family andof course friends as well, but
who are just with me all thetime.
Joy Blue (14:03):
Yeah.
I mean that still comes back tothe theme of welcoming.
Like what I'm hearing you sayabout your family is you start
from a place of humanness first.
What I heard you say with, youknow, you could tell your mom
anything, that implies thatthere's an environment of low
judgment and high curiosity.
Like, especially parentally,being able to ask questions back
(14:25):
to the kid of, well, what do youthink about that?
I'm not just gonna tell you.
Which then has such an impact onwho you are and how you see the
world.
And so that curiosity hasfollowed you.
Sounds like the same curiositiesin your siblings.
Same curiosities in your kids.
That is a legacy that you can'tpay money for.
That goes farther than almostanything.
(14:48):
The ability to truly show upcurious and see people as human,
that's what changes our society.
Eva Saha (14:55):
Yeah.
I used to tell people when thegirls were little, it was so
funny cuz I'd go into their bedsand read their books and stuff
with them and my husband too.
And I would ask them things likewhen they were three years old,
do you have a crush on anyone atyour preschool?
And my husband used to laugh andhe was like, they're three.
And I'm like, I know, but I wantthem to know that they can talk
to me about anything.
And while they were growing up,I would ask them all these
questions, probing questions allthe time so that they would talk
(15:16):
to me and be able to sharethings with me.
And I remember for so long I'dbe like, are you dating anyone
at school?
Do you have a crush on any boysor any girls?
And the girls used to tell me,they're like, mom, you can stop
asking the girl part becauseneither one of us are lesbians.
And I said, okay, fine.
But if you ever change yourmind...
And my daughter, because this isnot personal information, and
she shares it with the world.
My second daughter um, came outrecently, the last couple of
(15:38):
years as as sort of herpreferences are for anybody, you
know, for males and females.
And she goes, mom, I promiseyou, I did not know.
I was not lying when you askedme.
I really did not know.
And I said, well, that's why Ikept asking.
you know what I mean?
And even my older one isactually engaged to a man and I
still ask her, is everythinggoing okay?
Do you crushes?
And now I don't because she andChris are gonna get married and
(15:59):
they're the most beautifulcouple.
And she would not betray him inthat way.
But, I asked them for so longuntil finally Shrea told me,
yeah, actually I do like a girl.
I, you know, you and I spokeabout how everyone is not always
accepting of all human beings.
Oh, did you see that?
Candace Cameron Burough talkabout how she's got a channel
that's not Hallmark, whereshe'll be doing movies with like
(16:20):
traditional marriage only.
And there's all this likebacklash about her.
I was like, seriously?
And then today she wrote thislong thing about how she loves
everyone.
I'm like, oh my God, you'vegotta be kidding me.
And literally my youngerdaughter and I were talking
about this and we're like how,who are these people?
I don't get these people, but ifwe all just looked at each other
as humans and didn't judge, likeyou're saying,
Joy Blue (16:40):
right?
Eva Saha (16:40):
the world would be just so much more infinite and
open to all of us
Joy Blue (16:44):
Yeah.
Eva Saha (16:45):
you know, There would just be so much more love than
there is now.
Joy Blue (16:47):
Yeah.
Eva Saha (16:48):
Was a long rambling, I don't know what, but
Joy Blue (16:50):
No, I totally get that.
And I'm gonna yes/and it.
Every year I go to a local highschool and I share with a bunch
of ESL students about myexperience going to the country
of Jordan and interacting withrefugees.
And one of the things that Italk about, or I found myself
talking about a lot this yearwas the difference between
Western thinking and indigenousthinking.
(17:11):
Western thinking is often I'mgoing to come, I want that, I'm
going to take it, that is goingto be mine.
It is a culture of personalproperty.
But yet indigenous culture says,I am because of you.
Everything is a circle.
I take care of the earth, theearth takes care of me.
It's not about possession andtaking and gaining and dominion.
(17:33):
It's a mindset of we are becauseof each other.
And also, that gives permissionfor evolution.
So what I'm hearing you say inyour continual asking of that
question over and over again isgiving your kids permission to
evolve.
I don't expect you to stay thesame.
I expect you to evolve and Iwanna know more about you as you
(17:54):
change.
Tell me more.
How'd you come to that?
Eva Saha (17:57):
I gotta tell you on that note, boy, have they
changed.
They just, yes, mommy toeverything when they were
growing up and now they havetheir own opinions, they're
adults and everything.
I'm like, now I have to hear itfrom them if I don't get it
right.
Which I hope that I created thatin them, because it was not a
dictatorship in this house gosh.
I'm learning so much from you inthis podcast, Joy.
Joy Blue (18:15):
But that comes back to the same environment that your
mom created of curiosity, andlow judgment, and the ability to
be able to ask questions andsay, I don't know.
What do you think?
And also, thanks for yourfeedback on that.
I'm gonna think about it.
Eva Saha (18:30):
Do you know what you just said is what the job of a
host/emcee is?
Like what you just said.
So I think that it was, youknow, my mom modeled this for me
and she thought, you know, maybeI'll be a doctor or a lawyer,
which I then was a lawyer.
But really, truly I came back towhat she modeled in me and what
is like at the deepest core ofmy heart to do in life.
You know, Connect with people,ask for their input, learn from
(18:53):
it, and then, not have judgment,but learn and understand and
then both of us be at a higherplace.
And that's what I get to do inmy job, which is just so
awesome.
I get to do that all the time.
Joy Blue (19:02):
You do.
and you get to do it on crazystages.
Eva Saha (19:06):
I know.
Isn't that fun?
Joy Blue (19:07):
It really is.
What is that like for you goingfrom being a corporate lawyer to
now being on the stage?
Eva Saha (19:15):
Oh my gosh.
It's so fun.
I have to say, I did like beinga corporate lawyer.
I loved the work.
But again, the thing that Iloved most was not drafting
documents.
Which some people would love tojust sort of analyze and draft
documents.
And I think I was pretty good atit, but I loved the part where I
got to talk with CEOs and CFOsand advise on how to run their
business and negotiate deals.
(19:36):
And when we're all in a roomconnecting, I swear, I can see
it just all go back.
And I remember my friendShannon, she said, what you're
doing now is what was yourfavorite part of your old job.
And you just get to do it allthe time.
I mean, I was just on a stagewith Grant Hill, the basketball
player, and a lot of people knowhim just as a basketball player.
He is this incredible humanbeing who's done all this great
(19:57):
philanthropic work.
He's led all these differentorganizations as a board member
and an investor.
And he is so smart and he has somuch good stuff to say.
And so I get the job of beingable to pull all of that out of
him and show the world howamazing Grant Hill is outside of
being this phenomenal basketballplayer.
(20:17):
And then a lot of the times youtalk about being on the stage, I
don't like to actually seemyself because I don't it, it's
not for me.
I'm not like, yes, I starteddoing this little acting gig and
that's what propelled me here,but, that's not what I like to
do.
I hate to see myself on camera.
It's really about connectingwith the people.
So for me, it's not about beingon a huge stage and being in
front of an audience.
It's about getting to highlightsomeone else.
(20:40):
And it's about getting theaudience connected to whatever
we're talking about.
And it's about letting otherpeople understand why diversity,
equity, and inclusion in theworkplace is important and why
we should all be super excitedand invested in environmental
and social and governanceconcerns.
Do you know what I mean?
Joy Blue (20:57):
Yes.
Because when one of us wins, allof us win.
Eva Saha (21:00):
Totally.
Yes.
Yes.
The rising tide lifts all boats.
Let's do a whole bunch ofcliches.
Joy Blue (21:06):
I'm here for it.
I am here for it.
And I think that's anotherreason you and I connected.
Because that's.
What I love doing on thispodcast.
I've been through so manyiterations of how I'm doing this
podcast.
But what I really landed on is Ijust like talking to people and
celebrating something they love.
I am so grateful you took timeto come be with me on this
(21:27):
podcast today.
Eva Saha (21:28):
Aw, me too.
I'm, I'm grateful that you askedme.
Joy Blue (21:31):
We speak the same language of the heart, and I am
ever so grateful for you beinghere and sharing and just
hanging out.
You're a solid human.
Eva Saha (21:40):
you are too Joy.
Thank you.
Joy Blue (21:43):
So here we are.
What a journey.
We just went on in the span of20 some minutes.
I loved going on this curiositydive with Eva.
I learned so much.
All about how important it is tobe a model of the values we
hold.
Of truly putting forth and beingthe examples of diversity,
equity, and inclusion.
(22:04):
Of making space to celebrate thegoodness that exists right here
and right now in all of us.
Eva, it was such a gift to spendtime with you in this way.
So grateful for you and thebeauty that you bring to the
world.
If you've got a flavor of nerdthat you want me to celebrate, I
would love to hear all about it.
So go ahead and email me atherewearethepodcast@gmail.com,
(22:27):
and tell me everything.
I love taking time to sit andmake space for nerd to be
celebrated.
If you know of somebody elsethat I need to interview, send
me an email.
I need all the connections I canget.
If you really like this podcast,and want to financially support
what I'm doing, head on over topatreon.com, search for Here We
(22:47):
Are The Podcast, and sign up forone of the many beautifully
written support tiers little Iwrote myself.
So until next time, don't forgetthat curiosity wins and the
world needs more nerds.
Bye.
Welcome to Here We Are.
The podcast where we celebratethe beauty of being a nerd by
learning about nerdy things fromfellow nerds.
I'm your host, Joy Blue.
Oh goodness.
I am so excited for you to meettoday's guest.
I met her earlier this year on alive to virtual production set,
(00:31):
and right away we hit it off.
So much of it is due to the verysubject we're discussing today,
being welcom.
The more you get to know her,the more you'll experience the
true gift of her inclusivity andwarmth.
Without further ado, here's EvaSaha to talk with us all about
what it means to be welcoming.
Eva Saha (00:51):
Hi, I am Eva Saha.
I am a professional host, emcee,and moderator, well, that's my
current career.
I've changed it quite a bit andI'm a Gemini.
Joy Blue (01:01):
Congratulations.
Okay, I met you on a job sitewhere you were an emcee/ host
for a virtual event, which inand of itself is an interesting
thing because you're notactually seeing the audience,
but even though you didn't seethe audience, I experienced
incredible warmth from you.
(01:21):
I experienced genuineenthusiasm, which I cannot
manufacture enthusiasm.
So that in and of itself isfascinating to me.
But you're genuinely welcoming.
I don't know how you do that.
Okay.
So many things.
Eva Saha (01:37):
You know, Joy, you are so uniquely you and whatever's
authentic to you, then itdoesn't matter.
There's not like one personalitytype or one kind of person who
attracts other people, right?
Like you and I connected andwe're very different.
But...if you're your authenticself, people will respond to
that.
And my authentic self happens tojust be a lover of human beings
and somebody who wants toconnect with people.
(01:58):
Like my dad used to joke when Iwas little that he, he said that
he just remembers me runningacross the playground when I was
a little kid and going up topeople and saying, hi, my name's
Eva.
What's your name?
Tell me all about yourself.
Literally.
Yeah.
And I don't know whether heheard that from my mom or
whether he really remembers it,but the point is, that's the way
(02:19):
I was born.
I was born to connect withpeople.
I have a genuine interest inhuman beings.
Like some people like computersmore than they like human
beings.
I'm the opposite.
Like I wish that I could stillhave my day planner and write in
it because technology andeverything else, I know it helps
the world.
But I just like human to humancontact.
So all this like social mediaand advancements in technology
(02:40):
that kind of kind of separate usis not comfortable for me.
So then I get to in my job.
And I came upon it.
I didn't even know this jobexisted, but that I came into
this job and I get to connectwith people, learn about what
they're doing, find out aboutwhat companies are doing to make
the world go round, whichultimately comes back to,
(03:01):
helping people.
I, I truly am genuinelyfascinated.
And so it's almost like my dadjoked around.
He said, I can't believe you nowget paid to talk.
You know, making fun of me cuzthat's, I always got in trouble
for talking too much in school.
But really what he means is hecan't believe I came into this
job that is perfectly suited forme.
Joy Blue (03:20):
Yeah.
I feel similarly about myself.
My mom always said I would be ina job where I would be telling
people what to do, and
Eva Saha (03:29):
you're the boss.
Joy Blue (03:30):
here we are.
Okay.
I love this.
So what I just heard you say isthat a through line of who you
are is the ability to see othersand be curious about them.
Where has that gotten you?
Eva Saha (03:42):
Huh, it's gotten to me to where I am today.
Joy Blue (03:44):
What are some way points along the way?
How did that develop?
Eva Saha (03:48):
gosh, that's a really good question.
This is why you're a podcasthost.
I think that because I am justfascinated by people and I like
to connect with people, it meansthat I haven't really had to
plan my life so much.
So I think a lot of people haveall kinds of ideas about what
they should do and how theyshould do it.
I hear all the time people goalsetting and I've been seeing it
(04:09):
all over the internet.
Coaches on LinkedIn saying, makea plan, write it down.
What are your goals for nextyear?
I've sort of lived a life of Idon't know what the master plan
is.
How can back up a little bit?
Part of that has to do with, Iwas born into the Hindu religion
and Hindus believe thateverything is predetermined.
(04:29):
Obviously you have to makecertain choices and it will lead
you in certain directions, butsort of the ultimately the
places you'll go in life are predetermined.
And maybe that's sort ofsomewhere in the back of my
head.
Or maybe it's my personality andlike you said, just somebody who
just likes to connect withpeople and go with the flow.
I've never really had a masterplan.
Joy Blue (04:47):
Hmm.
Eva Saha (04:48):
Whatever I have liked and responded to, that's the
direction that I take.
In college I didn't do as wellin biology as I did in
accounting and econ.
So I ditched my master plan tobe a doctor and went to business
school.
In business school, I liked mybusiness law class the best.
So I went to law school.
And then in law school I sortof, I don't like to have
(05:11):
conflict with people, so Ididn't wanna be a litigator.
So I went into corporate law,you know?
and then well, and then now I'mhere and I know that that's like
a big leap, but I've just sortof followed what I respond to,
what I like, and then I just gofrom there.
And so I think that in someways, the kind of person that I
am, and what you just identifiedand my personality and my way of
being has just led me in thisdirection that I don't need to
(05:34):
worry too much about planningand goal setting and all that
kind of stuff.
I, I let other people help mewith that and I just do what I
like to do and I say yes tothings that I feel like, oh
yeah, that would be fun.
Let me do it.
Joy Blue (05:46):
that is truly beautiful.
I feel very similarly, and Igrew up in, in the mindset of a
lot of, you know, Westernthinking of you need to be able
to plan five years ahead.
You do need to have all thosegoals.
You do need to have like, whatdo you wanna be?
And I was like I, I don't know.
I've never known what I wantedto be.
But similarly to you, I followmy curiosities
Eva Saha (06:10):
Mm-hmm.
Joy Blue (06:10):
and that led us to each other.
Eva Saha (06:12):
Yeah.
Joy Blue (06:14):
And that's beautiful.
I haven't heard many people whowere like, yeah, I mean, I don't
know what the plan is, but Idon't know.
That looks shiny.
I guess I'll go over there.
Eva Saha (06:22):
that's ex, you're so brilliant yourself, cuz that is
so right.
And people will ask me all thetime, well, where do you wanna
be in five years?
And I'm like, right now I'm justreally enjoying where I am and
in my life.
I I just told you that I was anaccountant and a corporate
lawyer.
I didn't plan this.
This isn't that job.
It's just I said yes to thingsthat seemed to resonate with me
or seemed curious to me and it'sled me along this path.
(06:45):
And there's something about itthat gives you a freedom to not
worry too much.
Cuz I'm a worrier by nature.
I have a general anxiety, so Idon't need to be worrying about
what's happening in 10 years.
I just say, well, I like whatI'm doing now.
And then if it leads tosomething else that I discover
is just another right directionto go in, then I will.
Joy Blue (07:03):
But that's also the ability to be present.
Because what I just heard yousay is you and I are both also
anxious people.
I do like to plan.
I do like to know what's coming,but also there is so much
freedom in being able to be hereand now, me in the present.
Eva Saha (07:20):
Yeah.
I'm such a Buddhist.
Joy Blue (07:22):
That's great.
So another thing that came tomind as we were talking was like
you followed your curiositythrough all of those different
trails, but also what I'veexperienced of you is your
ability to read a room and to bewelcoming.
But I also heard you say thatwith what you said, with your
childhood you were that kid thatran up and was like, hey, who
(07:46):
are you?
Do you want to come play withme?
has the journey of welcominglooked like to you?
Who modeled that for you?
How has it morphed along theyears to where you are now?
Because that's essentially whatbeing an emcee is.
Eva Saha (08:03):
I hope that I don't start crying cuz as soon as you
asked, who modeled that for you,I got the chills.
All over because it's my mom andmy mom died
Joy Blue (08:09):
Hmm.
Eva Saha (08:09):
in 2016, so I have all the feels right now.
Joy Blue (08:12):
Yeah.
Eva Saha (08:13):
But my mom was just that person.
She did everything selflessly.
She connected with peoplealways.
My dad told me the story thatthey flew into Seattle and they
were on their way to Canada,somewhere around there.
I can't remember the exactdetails, but whatever it was,
their flight got delayed orsomething Got delayed.
And my mom literally opened thephone book and went to the, like
(08:33):
the Bengali names in the phonebook and just started calling
people until somebody answered.
Then somebody probably namedChakra BTI or something like
that, answered the phone andthey said, hi, we're the Sahas
we're stuck here.
Do you wanna have us over fordinner?
And
Joy Blue (08:47):
What?
Eva Saha (08:48):
I cannot tell you the number of times that happened
and how many lifelong friends myparents made because of that.
and she was just, I guess it's adifferent day and age.
And so if somebody called, you'dbe like, no, and you'd lock your
doors.
But my mom was just that personwho was like, nobody is a
stranger.
And we shouldn't be.
We're all humans put on thisearth to love and to connect and
(09:09):
be together and serve eachother.
And so I think that I definitelylearned that from both of my
parents, this idea to sort ofserve and connect with people,
but especially my mom.
Who just, she just never knew astranger and so much good came
out of it in her life.
when you grow up seeing that andseeing her connect with people
and do for people and alsoreceive from people, you're
(09:30):
like, that is the richest life.
Cuz no matter how much money youhave, no matter how many
resources you have, if she cancall someone on a phone book
when they had no money when theyfirst moved to this country and
connect with people like thatand have dinner, right?
Bread, I mean, are you kiddingme?
All the time these days,especially young folks are
looking on the internet andbeing like, I just wanna connect
with people.
Everyone else is having a betterlife.
Joy Blue (09:49):
Yep.
Eva Saha (09:50):
My dad always told me like, you know, when you're
laying on your deathbed, youdon't worry about all the work
that you did, and all you thinkabout are the people that you
love and the connections thatyou made and the experiences
that you've had, you know?
so I think that it's just, it'smodeled by my mother for sure,
and it has really brought me toa place where I get to learn
from so many other people and Iget to connect with people.
(10:10):
And there's no better feelingthan that in the whole world.
You know?
No Prada bag can bring you thatkind of joy.
Joy Blue (10:16):
What I heard you say in your description of your
mother, Is something I havereally only heard Brene Brown
talk about of you can only trulygive help when you are first
able to receive help.
And what I heard you say aboutyour mom in that moment was not
only like the female trope sooften is just the selfless giver
(10:40):
and that's it, and then you'rerun out at the end of the day.
But I think what I also heardyou say is that it was two-way.
Eva Saha (10:47):
Oh.
Joy Blue (10:48):
What I heard you say was your mom knew her value and
from that place of knowing thatshe's a human that belongs in
the world just because sheexists.
So then we're back to the topicof following your curiosity and
following what feels warm andwow.
I'm so glad she modeled that foryou.
Eva Saha (11:07):
I keep getting the chills all over.
You have these beautiful truthnuggets.
Like you should be Brene Brown,you should post everywhere and
everyone should follow you, Joy.
Cuz I love what you take fromthe spew that comes out of my
mouth.
Uh, That's amazing.
Joy Blue (11:20):
Who else has been with you on your journey?
Eva Saha (11:22):
Oh my gosh.
So a lot of people remark thatthey love our family, like this
extended family of mine, myfather, my mother, my brother,
my sister, all of our crazyaunts and uncles and cousins and
everything like that, as well.
We're just again it boils downto connection.
And it's funny cuz.
my brother, my sister, and Ihave all commented that friends
of ours tell us, oh my gosh,your family is so close.
(11:43):
Even in high school, I remembermy girlfriend being like, you
can tell your mom anything.
You can talk to her aboutanything.
What must that be like?
Because she's like, I barelyever talked to my dad.
That was just her example.
And so everyone in my family oforigin has been a big part of my
life in shaping who I am.
My brother and my sister arethese phenomenal people who,
they are doctors who serve theworld.
(12:04):
My sister's an addictionmedicine doctor and has worked
all her life to try to changesystems.
Like black men going to prisonfor drug offenses and things
like that.
And my brother has spent hisentire life trying to achieve
equity.
And his more narrow avenue ofdoing that in his career is he
is a doctor who has fought forequity in medicine.
(12:28):
And so they've been inincredible role models and
inspirations to me.
And always like, you know, thebrother sister bond.
We just, were always talking onthe phone, we're always texting,
we're always visiting eachother.
And then I married the mostamazing man, Brian, and we have
two adult daughters.
And I could not be more proud ofthem.
It's just like constant support.
I'm about to get knee surgery, Iand I said, I'm gonna do it at
(12:48):
Thanksgiving.
And they're like, that's theperfect time.
So you have holidays to rest andnot have to work, and we're just
gonna take care of you.
And I was talking to mytherapist post virtual
appointment about the kneesurgery and I shed a few tears
cause I started getting anxiousand my younger daughter, who's
home right now, came to the roomand she gives me a big hug and
she's like, mom, you're gettinga new knee.
And by the way, did I tell youI'm taking over Thanksgiving and
(13:10):
starts telling me all of herplans.
And then my surgery date gotchanged and so I'm gonna have to
leave this house at 3:30 in themorning.
Joy Blue (13:18):
Ooh.
Eva Saha (13:18):
and then we're gonna be there until like about 12:00
PM that day.
And I said, you know what?
A lot of people just Uber, I'mgonna go there and then they'll
call you and you'll pick me up.
And he is like, Nope.
You know?
And it's just, there's just noquestion in my family.
And my girls were like, mom, ofcourse he's going, of course
he's gonna stay with you theentire time.
Like, Wow, there's an Oakbrookshopping mall, baby go shopping.
And they're like, no, he's notgonna go shopping.
(13:39):
He's gonna be sitting in thatroom in case anything happens.
Just waiting for you.
Joy Blue (13:43):
right.
Eva Saha (13:44):
in every way.
I get that from both of my girlsand my husband.
And so I, yeah, I just, I'mfeeling a lot of love right now.
You're gonna make, you're likethose interviewers who make
people cry, like when they'retogether.
I'm just, I'm like, again, I'mfeeling all the feels cuz Yeah,
I just have amazing family andof course friends as well, but
who are just with me all thetime.
Joy Blue (14:03):
Yeah.
I mean that still comes back tothe theme of welcoming.
Like what I'm hearing you sayabout your family is you start
from a place of humanness first.
What I heard you say with, youknow, you could tell your mom
anything, that implies thatthere's an environment of low
judgment and high curiosity.
Like, especially parentally,being able to ask questions back
(14:25):
to the kid of, well, what do youthink about that?
I'm not just gonna tell you.
Which then has such an impact onwho you are and how you see the
world.
And so that curiosity hasfollowed you.
Sounds like the same curiositiesin your siblings.
Same curiosities in your kids.
That is a legacy that you can'tpay money for.
That goes farther than almostanything.
(14:48):
The ability to truly show upcurious and see people as human,
that's what changes our society.
Eva Saha (14:55):
Yeah.
I used to tell people when thegirls were little, it was so
funny cuz I'd go into their bedsand read their books and stuff
with them and my husband too.
And I would ask them things likewhen they were three years old,
do you have a crush on anyone atyour preschool?
And my husband used to laugh andhe was like, they're three.
And I'm like, I know, but I wantthem to know that they can talk
to me about anything.
And while they were growing up,I would ask them all these
questions, probing questions allthe time so that they would talk
(15:16):
to me and be able to sharethings with me.
And I remember for so long I'dbe like, are you dating anyone
at school?
Do you have a crush on any boysor any girls?
And the girls used to tell me,they're like, mom, you can stop
asking the girl part becauseneither one of us are lesbians.
And I said, okay, fine.
But if you ever change yourmind...
And my daughter, because this isnot personal information, and
she shares it with the world.
My second daughter um, came outrecently, the last couple of
(15:38):
years as as sort of herpreferences are for anybody, you
know, for males and females.
And she goes, mom, I promiseyou, I did not know.
I was not lying when you askedme.
I really did not know.
And I said, well, that's why Ikept asking.
you know what I mean?
And even my older one isactually engaged to a man and I
still ask her, is everythinggoing okay?
Do you crushes?
And now I don't because she andChris are gonna get married and
(15:59):
they're the most beautifulcouple.
And she would not betray him inthat way.
But, I asked them for so longuntil finally Shrea told me,
yeah, actually I do like a girl.
I, you know, you and I spokeabout how everyone is not always
accepting of all human beings.
Oh, did you see that?
Candace Cameron Burough talkabout how she's got a channel
that's not Hallmark, whereshe'll be doing movies with like
(16:20):
traditional marriage only.
And there's all this likebacklash about her.
I was like, seriously?
And then today she wrote thislong thing about how she loves
everyone.
I'm like, oh my God, you'vegotta be kidding me.
And literally my youngerdaughter and I were talking
about this and we're like how,who are these people?
I don't get these people, but ifwe all just looked at each other
as humans and didn't judge, likeyou're saying,
Joy Blue (16:40):
right?
Eva Saha (16:40):
the world would be just so much more infinite and
open to all of us
Joy Blue (16:44):
Yeah.
Eva Saha (16:45):
you know, There would just be so much more love than
there is now.
Joy Blue (16:47):
Yeah.
Eva Saha (16:48):
Was a long rambling, I don't know what, but
Joy Blue (16:50):
No, I totally get that.
And I'm gonna yes/and it.
Every year I go to a local highschool and I share with a bunch
of ESL students about myexperience going to the country
of Jordan and interacting withrefugees.
And one of the things that Italk about, or I found myself
talking about a lot this yearwas the difference between
Western thinking and indigenousthinking.
(17:11):
Western thinking is often I'mgoing to come, I want that, I'm
going to take it, that is goingto be mine.
It is a culture of personalproperty.
But yet indigenous culture says,I am because of you.
Everything is a circle.
I take care of the earth, theearth takes care of me.
It's not about possession andtaking and gaining and dominion.
(17:33):
It's a mindset of we are becauseof each other.
And also, that gives permissionfor evolution.
So what I'm hearing you say inyour continual asking of that
question over and over again isgiving your kids permission to
evolve.
I don't expect you to stay thesame.
I expect you to evolve and Iwanna know more about you as you
(17:54):
change.
Tell me more.
How'd you come to that?
Eva Saha (17:57):
I gotta tell you on that note, boy, have they
changed.
They just, yes, mommy toeverything when they were
growing up and now they havetheir own opinions, they're
adults and everything.
I'm like, now I have to hear itfrom them if I don't get it
right.
Which I hope that I created thatin them, because it was not a
dictatorship in this house gosh.
I'm learning so much from you inthis podcast, Joy.
Joy Blue (18:15):
But that comes back to the same environment that your
mom created of curiosity, andlow judgment, and the ability to
be able to ask questions andsay, I don't know.
What do you think?
And also, thanks for yourfeedback on that.
I'm gonna think about it.
Eva Saha (18:30):
Do you know what you just said is what the job of a
host/emcee is?
Like what you just said.
So I think that it was, youknow, my mom modeled this for me
and she thought, you know, maybeI'll be a doctor or a lawyer,
which I then was a lawyer.
But really, truly I came back towhat she modeled in me and what
is like at the deepest core ofmy heart to do in life.
You know, Connect with people,ask for their input, learn from
(18:53):
it, and then, not have judgment,but learn and understand and
then both of us be at a higherplace.
And that's what I get to do inmy job, which is just so
awesome.
I get to do that all the time.
Joy Blue (19:02):
You do.
and you get to do it on crazystages.
Eva Saha (19:06):
I know.
Isn't that fun?
Joy Blue (19:07):
It really is.
What is that like for you goingfrom being a corporate lawyer to
now being on the stage?
Eva Saha (19:15):
Oh my gosh.
It's so fun.
I have to say, I did like beinga corporate lawyer.
I loved the work.
But again, the thing that Iloved most was not drafting
documents.
Which some people would love tojust sort of analyze and draft
documents.
And I think I was pretty good atit, but I loved the part where I
got to talk with CEOs and CFOsand advise on how to run their
business and negotiate deals.
(19:36):
And when we're all in a roomconnecting, I swear, I can see
it just all go back.
And I remember my friendShannon, she said, what you're
doing now is what was yourfavorite part of your old job.
And you just get to do it allthe time.
I mean, I was just on a stagewith Grant Hill, the basketball
player, and a lot of people knowhim just as a basketball player.
He is this incredible humanbeing who's done all this great
(19:57):
philanthropic work.
He's led all these differentorganizations as a board member
and an investor.
And he is so smart and he has somuch good stuff to say.
And so I get the job of beingable to pull all of that out of
him and show the world howamazing Grant Hill is outside of
being this phenomenal basketballplayer.
(20:17):
And then a lot of the times youtalk about being on the stage, I
don't like to actually seemyself because I don't it, it's
not for me.
I'm not like, yes, I starteddoing this little acting gig and
that's what propelled me here,but, that's not what I like to
do.
I hate to see myself on camera.
It's really about connectingwith the people.
So for me, it's not about beingon a huge stage and being in
front of an audience.
It's about getting to highlightsomeone else.
(20:40):
And it's about getting theaudience connected to whatever
we're talking about.
And it's about letting otherpeople understand why diversity,
equity, and inclusion in theworkplace is important and why
we should all be super excitedand invested in environmental
and social and governanceconcerns.
Do you know what I mean?
Joy Blue (20:57):
Yes.
Because when one of us wins, allof us win.
Eva Saha (21:00):
Totally.
Yes.
Yes.
The rising tide lifts all boats.
Let's do a whole bunch ofcliches.
Joy Blue (21:06):
I'm here for it.
I am here for it.
And I think that's anotherreason you and I connected.
Because that's.
What I love doing on thispodcast.
I've been through so manyiterations of how I'm doing this
podcast.
But what I really landed on is Ijust like talking to people and
celebrating something they love.
I am so grateful you took timeto come be with me on this
(21:27):
podcast today.
Eva Saha (21:28):
Aw, me too.
I'm, I'm grateful that you askedme.
Joy Blue (21:31):
We speak the same language of the heart, and I am
ever so grateful for you beinghere and sharing and just
hanging out.
You're a solid human.
Eva Saha (21:40):
you are too Joy.
Thank you.
Joy Blue (21:43):
So here we are.
What a journey.
We just went on in the span of20 some minutes.
I loved going on this curiositydive with Eva.
I learned so much.
All about how important it is tobe a model of the values we
hold.
Of truly putting forth and beingthe examples of diversity,
equity, and inclusion.
(22:04):
Of making space to celebrate thegoodness that exists right here
and right now in all of us.
Eva, it was such a gift to spendtime with you in this way.
So grateful for you and thebeauty that you bring to the
world.
If you've got a flavor of nerdthat you want me to celebrate, I
would love to hear all about it.
So go ahead and email me atherewearethepodcast@gmail.com,
(22:27):
and tell me everything.
I love taking time to sit andmake space for nerd to be
celebrated.
If you know of somebody elsethat I need to interview, send
me an email.
I need all the connections I canget.
If you really like this podcast,and want to financially support
what I'm doing, head on over topatreon.com, search for Here We
(22:47):
Are The Podcast, and sign up forone of the many beautifully
written support tiers little Iwrote myself.
So until next time, don't forgetthat curiosity wins and the
world needs more nerds.
Bye.
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Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.