Writing Like Nobody’s Watching

What happens when we step outside our own understanding of identity and embrace the messy, beautiful, and sometimes contradictory stories that shape us? In this episode of Immigrantly, host Saadia Khan sits down with writer and television executive Nayantara Roy to explore the intersections of storytelling, belonging, and cultural memory. From navigating multiple worlds as an immigrant to uncovering the power of secrets in fiction, Nayantara shares insights from her acclaimed novel, The Magnificent Ruins, and her upcoming book, Sisters of a Halved Heart (coming Spring 2026). She also discusses the complexities of code-switching, the joy of language, and how her work in television influences her creative process.  Nayantara and Saadia dive into the emotional weight of representation, the evolving nature of happiness, and whether some stories are best left untold. It’s a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation that will leave you reflecting on your own narratives. We invite you to join us in creating new intellectual engagement for our audience. For more information, visit http://immigrantlypod.com. Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: [e-mail] Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [e-mail] Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can also follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices