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Menopause, Alcohol & Stigma with Sukhi Dhillon
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Let’s be honest—perimenopause isn’t exactly a hot topic at dinner, and alcohol’s role in our lives (and cultures) is often more complicated than we realize. In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia is diving into both with the help of Sukhi Dhillon is a dental educator, mom of two, and the voice behind OneSikhMom on social media, where she uses humor, heart, and reels to talk about everything from Sikhi and parenting to cycle-breaking, menopause, and yes—booze. She is a go-to community voice for honest conversations and cultural connection.
So what’s really going on when it comes to menopause in the South Asian community? Why do so many women feel blindsided by symptoms—and alone in dealing with them? Sukhi helps us unpack questions around health literacy, how culture shapes what’s considered “private,” and why it’s so hard to get support. We also dig into alcohol—how it’s celebrated and expected in many South Asian spaces, but stigmatized differently for women. And of course, we get into that tricky question: Why do we feel like fun has to come with a drink in hand?
From early onset menopause in South Asian women to the double standards around alcohol use, Sukhi sheds light on topics most people are too shy—or too uncomfortable—to bring up. She talks about the importance of culturally specific care, the role of peer pressure in adult drinking (yes, it’s still a thing), and the value of being “that person” who starts the hard conversations. If you’re curious about cycle-breaking, mental health, or talking to your kids about alcohol in a more honest way than just yelling “don’t do it!”—this is the episode for you.
Sukhi also shares her own journey—how years of confusing symptoms led her to research perimenopause herself, why she started speaking out online, and the powerful messages she receives from women every day who finally feel seen.
This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources—and maybe pass this episode along to a friend who needs to hear it.
Episode Highlights
00:01 Meet Sukhi: mom, educator, community organizer, content creator
01:50 Why she started speaking up about taboo topics in the South Asian community
03:30 The perimenopause denial phase—what she wishes she’d known sooner
04:30 Sharing symptoms publicly and the surprising response she got
06:00 Her DMs are full of important conversations (and ideas for future content)
07:00 Organizing mobile health clinics at the Gurdwara
08:30 Why reproductive health is still so hush-hush in our families
09:30 The impact of being told to “push through it” like our moms did
10:30 How menopause symptoms differ for South Asian women
11:00 The science behind early menopause—and why doctors often miss it
12:00 Traditional remedies, soy, and navigating food myths
14:00 Culture vs. religion when it comes to women's health
15:30 Alcohol as status, celebration—and coping mechanism
16:30 Aunties drinking publicly and the shift in expectations
18:00 The peer pressure to drink, even as adults
20:00 “You’re not drinking? What’s wrong with you?”
21:00 Stigma around sobriety and how it impacts recovery
22:00 The very real struggles South Asian women face in getting help
23:00 Resources that are culturally appropriate and trauma-informed
25:00 Intergenerational trauma, parenting styles, and how it all connects
27:00 How to actually talk to your kids about alcohol (without freaking out)
29:00 Why our parents didn’t prioritize self-care—and how we can
31:00 Teaching kids that emotions are not a weakness
32:00 The glamorization of drinking in pop culture and Punjabi music
34:00 Where to go for reliable South Asian health info
36:00 What Sukhi’s working on next—and how to follow along
Get in touch with Sukhi
Links
💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen
📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
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