S2, Ep7 – In conversation with Sejal Sehmi
11 November 2022
As Brown Girl Magazine’s U.K. Editor, Sejal Sehmi is a globally celebrated media insider – self-described as a ‘writer and full-time thinker’. Her passion for writing has ‘stemmed from challenging society defined rules created for women of her generation.’ Dr Reena invites Sejal to Harley Street to discuss topics further in depth and she reveals how her role within the industry has evolved since starting out.
At time where the 360-degree language of magazines and media has changed dramatically, Life & Smile #thepodcast was created to extend and evolve a new conversation. With the onset of digitalisation and consumerism demand for instant access Sejal Sehmi gives us the exclusive view of how this has helped and changed the way she has spoken up about certain topics to bring them to attention.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Dr Reena kicked off the episode by quoting Sejal, who had previously shared that her passion for writing “stemmed from challenging the societal rules created for women of my generation.” The conversation then delved into the evolution of Sejal’s journey, both personally and professionally, since she first entered the industry. Reflecting on her past, Sejal recalled how she added this quote to her website ten years ago, acknowledging her mixed heritage background. She explained how she and her sisters benefited from a dual cultural upbringing, contrasting it with her parents’ experiences in the ’70s.
Sejal went on to describe how she was raised with a strong sense of independence, which led to a liberating upbringing. The creation of Brown Girl Magazine was a serendipitous moment in her life, a venture that has since grown into “a global storytelling platform.” This platform gives South Asian men and women the space to tell their own stories, covering everything from identity and politics to culture, food, and beyond, offering a comprehensive, lifestyle-oriented perspective.
Her path as a writer and journalist began at a young age. As a child, Sejal was always immersed in books. She jokingly recalled how, during her GCSE English studies, her tutor informed her parents that Sejal didn’t need extra help, as she was writing essays for fun—an early indication of her passion. However, when it came to her A Levels and later university, Sejal, as the firstborn child and grandchild, felt an indirect pressure to pursue a “stable” academic career, such as medicine, accountancy, or technology.
Although Sejal initially followed this path, studying technology and business, and then moving into the financial services sector, she soon realised her true calling lay elsewhere. While she was content with her career at the time, personal and societal expectations began to weigh heavily on her. Growing up in a mixed community, Sejal didn’t feel the pressure to marry right away, but as she got older, she began to feel that pull as her peers started families. It was this societal pressure that led her to question her self-worth and fuelled her insecurities.
Sejal candidly shared how, after overcoming body dysmorphia in her thirties, she came to realise that many of her insecurities were actually projections from others. She actively challenged these influences, especially after her sister’s wedding, which coincided with her job loss. It was during this turning point that Sejal knew she wanted to carve out her own voice in the industry, speaking up on controversial issues that others might not have the platform to address, specifically the stigma surrounding cultural expectations.
Sejal also documented these themes through her work on The Evolution of the British Indian Woman, a mini-film series that explores the experiences of British Indian women through the lens of her own family’s three branches. This personal project helped her understand and define her identity, as she shared with Dr Reena how it shaped her both as a writer and a person.
When it comes to her daily habits, Sejal describes herself as “a writer and full-time thinker.” She took Dr Reena through her ideal day, which includes returning to basics with pen and paper, jotting down thoughts, and using voice notes to capture her best ideas—often in the middle of the night or at unpredictable hours. She finds reading other people’s work to be both inspiring and a way to avoid getting trapped in one particular style or perspective.
Although the editorial side of her work has dominated in recent years due to the busy nature of her career, Sejal is “slowly trying to get back into writing.” With her forward-thinking, global perspective, her evolving narrative is certainly one to watch.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Passion Makes Work Feel Like Play: When you love something and are passionate about it, work doesn’t feel like work.
Empowered by Writers: As an Editor, I am always both empowered and inspired by the writers I am surrounded by.
The Evolution of Self: Whether you’re a woman or a man, you never stop evolving.
The Story Behind the Book: When it comes to books, I love meeting authors because I want to know the story behind it.
Finding Your Platform: If you have a story to tell, find your platform—there will always be one available. That’s what we aimed to create with Brown Girl Magazine.
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