Masala Podcast

“What do you get when you put four of the baddest betis (daughters!) on a stage to discuss what it means to break the mould as a South Asian woman? A whole lot of love, laughter & inspiration!” Season Four of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast ends with a brilliant season finale recorded live at the Women’s Podcast Festival. This special show featured three amazing guests. Shazia Mirza, the award-winning British stand-up comedian and writer. Salma El-Wardany, author, poet, TED speaker & BBC presenter. And Seema Anand, a Mythologist & Storyteller, who’s an expert on the ancient erotic literatures of India. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Masala Podcast: Live in London

“What do you get when you put four of the baddest betis (daughters!) on a stage to discuss what it means to break the mould as a South Asian woman? A whole lot of love, laughter & inspiration!” Season Four of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast ends with a brilliant season finale recorded live at the Women’s Podcast Festival. This special show featured three amazing guests. Shazia Mirza, the award-winning British stand-up comedian and writer. Salma El-Wardany, author, poet, TED speaker & BBC presenter. And Seema Anand, a Mythologist & Storyteller, who’s an expert on the ancient erotic literatures of India. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Masala Podcast: Live in London

“How are we expected to present ourselves as women from South Asian culture? Together, we discuss our experiences as South Asian womxn living all over Europe and what it means to be South Asian feminists today.” The fiercely feminist Masala Podcast goes international! This very special live episode was recorded in Cologne, Germany. Sangeeta Pillai chats with three amazing guests: Prasanna Oommen, Laxmi Manuela & Anu Ambasna as part of the INDERNET festival. We talk about Being (European) Bad Betis (Daughters) living all over Europe and being South Asian feminists. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Masala Podcast: Live in Germany

“How are we expected to present ourselves as women from South Asian culture? Together, we discuss our experiences as South Asian womxn living all over Europe and what it means to be South Asian feminists today.” The fiercely feminist Masala Podcast goes international! This very special live episode was recorded in Cologne, Germany. Sangeeta Pillai chats with three amazing guests: Prasanna Oommen, Laxmi Manuela & Anu Ambasna as part of the INDERNET festival. We talk about Being (European) Bad Betis (Daughters) living all over Europe and being South Asian feminists. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Masala Podcast: Live in Germany

“Who’s a strong South Asian woman? Meet Poorna Bell who talks about getting into powerlifting and how that helped her see her body and herself differently.” We’re talking about strong women on this episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Sangeeta Pillai chats with Poorna Bell, an award-winning journalist & author who is also a powerlifter. Poorna won her first powerlifting competition aged 40. Poorna and Sangeeta talk about the concept of womxn being physically strong. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Poorna Bell Masala Podcast

“Who’s a strong South Asian woman? Meet Poorna Bell who talks about getting into powerlifting and how that helped her see her body and herself differently.” We’re talking about strong women on this episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Sangeeta Pillai chats with Poorna Bell, an award-winning journalist & author who is also a powerlifter. Poorna won her first powerlifting competition aged 40. Poorna and Sangeeta talk about the concept of womxn being physically strong. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Poorna Bell Masala Podcast

“Disabled people are often forgotten. We all need to highlight the need for support and to make the world a more inclusive place for those living with disabilities.” Shani Dhanda, the award-winning disability rights activist is on this episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Its creator Sangeeta Pillai chats with Shani Dhanda, one of the UK’s most influential disability activists, helping organisations integrate inclusion into their business frameworks. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Shani Dhanda Masala Podcast

“Disabled people are often forgotten. We all need to highlight the need for support and to make the world a more inclusive place for those living with disabilities.” Shani Dhanda, the award-winning disability rights activist is on this episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Its creator Sangeeta Pillai chats with Shani Dhanda, one of the UK’s most influential disability activists, helping organisations integrate inclusion into their business frameworks. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Shani Dhanda Masala Podcast

“Grief. Sometimes we just can’t find the words for the intensity of our emotions. Talking about grief can be difficult in any language. And for those of us whose language of birth is different to our adopted language, this can be even harder.” Grief is the theme on this episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Sangeeta Pillai chats with Mona Arshia: a poet, novelist and essayist. Mona is a regular on the radio & her work has been published in several prestigious publications. In this episode, Mona & Sangeeta talk about grief, navigating our language and culture around it. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Mona Arshi Masala Podcast

“Grief. Sometimes we just can’t find the words for the intensity of our emotions. Talking about grief can be difficult in any language. And for those of us whose language of birth is different to our adopted language, this can be even harder.” Grief is the theme on this episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Sangeeta Pillai chats with Mona Arshia: a poet, novelist and essayist. Mona is a regular on the radio & her work has been published in several prestigious publications. In this episode, Mona & Sangeeta talk about grief, navigating our language and culture around it. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Mona Arshi Masala Podcast

“We’re never too old to do whatever we want to do. We don’t have to fit into a box because our upbringing or culture says so. Meet the Aunty Skater who took up skating in her 40s.” This episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast features a sari-wearing skater who’s a TikTok sensation. Sangeeta Pillai chats with Oorbee Roy who’s also known as Aunty Skater. Having started skating at 43, Oorbee Aunty Skates shows us that we’re never too old to do whatever we want to do. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Oorbee Roy Masala Podcast

“We’re never too old to do whatever we want to do. We don’t have to fit into a box because our upbringing or culture says so. Meet the Aunty Skater who took up skating in her 40s.” This episode of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast features a sari-wearing skater who’s a TikTok sensation. Sangeeta Pillai chats with Oorbee Roy who’s also known as Aunty Skater. Having started skating at 43, Oorbee Aunty Skates shows us that we’re never too old to do whatever we want to do. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Oorbee Roy Masala Podcast

“As women, we carry within us infinite pleasure & the capacity to experience orgasms. But our cultural baggage, with its ideas of ‘shame’ or the sense of feeling ‘dirty’ around sex has stopped us accessing our own pleasure.” Let’s talk about sex, betis! Sangeeta Pillai, from the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast, chats with Pallavi Barnwal, a globally renowned sex & intimacy coach. She has counselled thousands of people helping them understand, navigate, and improve both their sex lives and intimate relationships. On this episode, we explore why sex and pleasure are still so difficult for us within South Asian culture. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Pallavi Barnwal Masala Podcast

“As women, we carry within us infinite pleasure & the capacity to experience orgasms. But our cultural baggage, with its ideas of ‘shame’ or the sense of feeling ‘dirty’ around sex has stopped us accessing our own pleasure.” Let’s talk about sex, betis! Sangeeta Pillai, from the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast, chats with Pallavi Barnwal, a globally renowned sex & intimacy coach. She has counselled thousands of people helping them understand, navigate, and improve both their sex lives and intimate relationships. On this episode, we explore why sex and pleasure are still so difficult for us within South Asian culture. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Pallavi Barnwal Masala Podcast

“The menopause is still taboo in our culture & we talk through the various stages of the menopause, how it affects our bodies & minds and what we can do about it.” The fiercely feminist Masala Podcast continues as Sangeeta Pillai chats with Dr. Nighat Arif, a GP specialising in women’s health and the menopause & a regular on our TV screens. The Menopause is even harder for South Asianwomen, as it’s such a taboo. In this episode, we explore menopause symptoms and how the menopause affects our bodies & minds. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Dr Nighat Arif Masala Podcast

“The menopause is still taboo in our culture & we talk through the various stages of the menopause, how it affects our bodies & minds and what we can do about it.” The fiercely feminist Masala Podcast continues as Sangeeta Pillai chats with Dr. Nighat Arif, a GP specialising in women’s health and the menopause & a regular on our TV screens. The Menopause is even harder for South Asianwomen, as it’s such a taboo. In this episode, we explore menopause symptoms and how the menopause affects our bodies & minds. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Dr Nighat Arif Masala Podcast

Please note that the topic of this podcast might be triggering for some listeners. Feel free to skip this episode if this is difficult for you. “Mridul shares what it was like growing up in India as a trans woman. She speaks eloquently about her transition journey and all the difficult paths she had to navigate along the way.” On this episode, Mridul Wadhwa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre talks to Sangeeta Pillai, creator of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Mridul grew up in India & talks about her transition journey and all the difficult paths she navigated along the way. Mridul has worked in the gender based violence sector in Scotland since 2004. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Mridul Wadhwa Masala Podcast

Please note that the topic of this podcast might be triggering for some listeners. Feel free to skip this episode if this is difficult for you. “Mridul shares what it was like growing up in India as a trans woman. She speaks eloquently about her transition journey and all the difficult paths she had to navigate along the way.” On this episode, Mridul Wadhwa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre talks to Sangeeta Pillai, creator of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast. Mridul grew up in India & talks about her transition journey and all the difficult paths she navigated along the way. Mridul has worked in the gender based violence sector in Scotland since 2004. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Mridul Wadhwa Masala Podcast

Please note that the topic of this podcast might be triggering for some listeners. “Nina speaks so openly about being abused by her father. I was struck by how eloquently and compassionately she talked about the incredibly tough circumstances of her life.” Sangeeta Pillai, from the feminist favourite Masala Podcast, talks with Nina Ganguli. Nina is a survivor of sexual abuse, who has dedicated her life to helping others. Listening to Nina talk about the sexual abuse she suffered in her childhood is tough but hearing her talk about her journey is also incredibly inspiring. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For useful resources & transcript, please visit: Nina Ganguli Masala Podcast

Please note that the topic of this podcast might be triggering for some listeners. “Nina speaks so openly about being abused by her father. I was struck by how eloquently and compassionately she talked about the incredibly tough circumstances of her life.” Sangeeta Pillai, from the feminist favourite Masala Podcast, talks with Nina Ganguli. Nina is a survivor of sexual abuse, who has dedicated her life to helping others. Listening to Nina talk about the sexual abuse she suffered in her childhood is tough but hearing her talk about her journey is also incredibly inspiring. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For useful resources & transcript, please visit: Nina Ganguli Masala Podcast

“Motherhood and the pressure around it are such important topics for us women. In this episode, we talk about society's obsession with all women being certain kinds of mothers.” On this episode of Masala Podcast, two fierce feminists, Sangeeta Pillai & Pragya Agarwal, discuss motherhood. Pragya Agarwal is a behavioural and data scientist, two-time TEDx speaker & renowned author. Together, Pragya and Sangeeta explore nuances around modern motherhood & society's obsession with all women becoming mothers. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Pragya Agarwal Masala Podcast

“Motherhood and the pressure around it are such important topics for us women. In this episode, we talk about society's obsession with all women being certain kinds of mothers.” On this episode of Masala Podcast, two fierce feminists, Sangeeta Pillai & Pragya Agarwal, discuss motherhood. Pragya Agarwal is a behavioural and data scientist, two-time TEDx speaker & renowned author. Together, Pragya and Sangeeta explore nuances around modern motherhood & society's obsession with all women becoming mothers. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Pragya Agarwal Masala Podcast

“The funny brown auntie we all wish we had, is taking over the world with her brand of Indian mum comedy.” Season four of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast returns with Sangeeta Pillai chatting with international comedian & TikTok star Zarna Garg. Zarna describes herself as an Indian immigrant wife, mom, lawyer, screenwriter, producer, stand-up comedian & overbearing Indian auntie. In this episode, we explore how we as womxn need to be valued (and paid!) for our time & efforts. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Zarna Garg Masala Podcast

“The funny brown auntie we all wish we had, is taking over the world with her brand of Indian mum comedy.” Season four of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast returns with Sangeeta Pillai chatting with international comedian & TikTok star Zarna Garg. Zarna describes herself as an Indian immigrant wife, mom, lawyer, screenwriter, producer, stand-up comedian & overbearing Indian auntie. In this episode, we explore how we as womxn need to be valued (and paid!) for our time & efforts. Masala Podcast, winner of British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021 & 2022 is a Spotify Original created & presented by Sangeeta Pillai @soulsutras For show notes & transcript, please visit: Zarna Garg Masala Podcast

“The First Live LGBTQ Marriage Proposal, the sense of sisterhood, the love….” This very special episode of Masala Podcast Live recorded at Kings Place London on Sat 11th Sept as part of the London Podcast Festival. Our Bad Betis took over Kings Place, we had a wonderful live audience. The sense of sisterhood and support across the room was electrifying. We had four incredible guests. Raga D’Silva, LGBTQ activist. Farah Kabir, co-founder of female focussed sexual wellness brand HANX. Dr. Rageshri Dhairyawan, HIV and Sexual Health activist. As well as Dr. Tina Mistry, clinical psychologist specialising in South Asian mental health. We had the first ever LGBTQ South Asian marriage proposal live on a podcast where guest Raga D’Silva proposed to their long-time partner Nicola Fenton. It was just so moving. We shed tears, we danced a little to some Indian Shaadi (wedding) music. We were witness to the most beautiful moment of love. Not just among the couple but also the huge love from the Masala Podcast community who turned up to support the podcast. READ MORE

“The First Live LGBTQ Marriage Proposal, the sense of sisterhood, the love….” This very special episode of Masala Podcast Live recorded at Kings Place London on Sat 11th Sept as part of the London Podcast Festival. Our Bad Betis took over Kings Place, we had a wonderful live audience. The sense of sisterhood and support across the room was electrifying. We had four incredible guests. Raga D’Silva, LGBTQ activist. Farah Kabir, co-founder of female focussed sexual wellness brand HANX. Dr. Rageshri Dhairyawan, HIV and Sexual Health activist. As well as Dr. Tina Mistry, clinical psychologist specialising in South Asian mental health. We had the first ever LGBTQ South Asian marriage proposal live on a podcast where guest Raga D’Silva proposed to their long-time partner Nicola Fenton. It was just so moving. We shed tears, we danced a little to some Indian Shaadi (wedding) music. We were witness to the most beautiful moment of love. Not just among the couple but also the huge love from the Masala Podcast community who turned up to support the podcast. READ MORE

“I’m sitting in my brown-ness and actually enjoying it…” For this very special episode of Masala Podcast, Masala Podcast interviewed the women behind South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM). On this episode, we talk about what it means to be a South Asian woman in Britain today, particularly during COVID times as well as the rich bits of our culture that excite us the most. Think saris, samosas & music. READ MORE

“I’m sitting in my brown-ness and actually enjoying it…” For this very special episode of Masala Podcast, Masala Podcast interviewed the women behind South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM). On this episode, we talk about what it means to be a South Asian woman in Britain today, particularly during COVID times as well as the rich bits of our culture that excite us the most. Think saris, samosas & music. READ MORE

“We’re the pride of our families, we’re the shame of our families. Put a foot wrong and you’re out!“ On this episode, Anita talks about all the pressures & pains of being the “right sort” of South Asian woman. As well as the pleasures of being part of this incredible culture. Having grown up in Bradford, Anita is a proud mix of her Yorkshire and Punjabi roots. Her brand new memoir, The Right Sort of Girl, explores both those aspects of her. As well as exploring many thought-provoking & taboo-busting topics. I loved chatting with Anita for Masala Podcast, the conversation warmed my soul and made me tear up a little.Let’s hear it for this Badass Brown Girl, who is exactly The Right Sort of Girl for us all! READ MORE

“We’re the pride of our families, we’re the shame of our families. Put a foot wrong and you’re out!“ On this episode, Anita talks about all the pressures & pains of being the “right sort” of South Asian woman. As well as the pleasures of being part of this incredible culture. Having grown up in Bradford, Anita is a proud mix of her Yorkshire and Punjabi roots. Her brand new memoir, The Right Sort of Girl, explores both those aspects of her. As well as exploring many thought-provoking & taboo-busting topics. I loved chatting with Anita for Masala Podcast, the conversation warmed my soul and made me tear up a little.Let’s hear it for this Badass Brown Girl, who is exactly The Right Sort of Girl for us all! READ MORE

“My husband kicked me out of the house with less than £10 in my pocket…” Meet Vandana Shah who went through a horrific divorce herself then went on to become an award-winning divorce lawyer, author, columnist and social entrepreneur. After being thrown out from her husband’s home in the middle of the night with just Rs. 750 in her bank account (around 10 pounds), Vandana rebuilt her life and became a successful lawyer, author and role model for women going through abusive marriages. Vandana is also the author of the bestseller ‘Ex Files’: The story of my divorce’ published by Penguin which looks at divorce through a humorous lens. The book is now a part of the Judicial College syllabus. READ MORE

“My husband kicked me out of the house with less than £10 in my pocket…” Meet Vandana Shah who went through a horrific divorce herself then went on to become an award-winning divorce lawyer, author, columnist and social entrepreneur. After being thrown out from her husband’s home in the middle of the night with just Rs. 750 in her bank account (around 10 pounds), Vandana rebuilt her life and became a successful lawyer, author and role model for women going through abusive marriages. Vandana is also the author of the bestseller ‘Ex Files’: The story of my divorce’ published by Penguin which looks at divorce through a humorous lens. The book is now a part of the Judicial College syllabus. READ MORE

“I was told I had Vitiligo at 20 & told there was no real cure for it…” Meet Joti Gata-Aura, a Body Positivity Spokesperson & Social Media Advocate. Joti was diagnosed with Vitiligo at a young age. But she turned a difficult situation into a fantastic body. positivity movement. In this episode, Joti & Sangeeta talk about why our culture only offers space for a very limited beauty aesthetic. And how important it is for younger and older people to feel comfortable in their own skin. READ MORE

“I was told I had Vitiligo at 20 & told there was no real cure for it…” Meet Joti Gata-Aura, a Body Positivity Spokesperson & Social Media Advocate. Joti was diagnosed with Vitiligo at a young age. But she turned a difficult situation into a fantastic body. positivity movement. In this episode, Joti & Sangeeta talk about why our culture only offers space for a very limited beauty aesthetic. And how important it is for younger and older people to feel comfortable in their own skin. READ MORE

“People making condoms haven’t considered that these things go INTO women’s bodies!” Meet Farah Kabir, co-founder of HANX, who tackles the taboo around female contraception & women’s intimate sexual health. In this episode, Sangeeta & Farah talk about why women taking charge of their own contraception and pleasure is important. Farah co-founded HANX in 2017, spurred on by the desire to smash taboos around sex, pleasure and intimate health. READ MORE

“People making condoms haven’t considered that these things go INTO women’s bodies!” Meet Farah Kabir, co-founder of HANX, who tackles the taboo around female contraception & women’s intimate sexual health. In this episode, Sangeeta & Farah talk about why women taking charge of their own contraception and pleasure is important. Farah co-founded HANX in 2017, spurred on by the desire to smash taboos around sex, pleasure and intimate health. READ MORE

“The Kamasutra was the first text to talk about independent female pleasure…” Meet Seema Anand, a mythologist and storyteller, specialising in women’s narratives with a focus on the erotic literatures of Ancient India. According to her, this book is the first text to talk about the Kamasutra as a platform of equality for women, to acknowledge their right to pleasure and to articulate their right to consent. I loved chatting with Seema about the Kamasutra, a text from the third century CE, which is still relevant to the discussion around female sexuality in South Asian culture. We also talked about other South Asian mythologies and stories, many of which have women’s narratives at the heart of them. READ MORE

“The Kamasutra was the first text to talk about independent female pleasure…” Meet Seema Anand, a mythologist and storyteller, specialising in women’s narratives with a focus on the erotic literatures of Ancient India. According to her, this book is the first text to talk about the Kamasutra as a platform of equality for women, to acknowledge their right to pleasure and to articulate their right to consent. I loved chatting with Seema about the Kamasutra, a text from the third century CE, which is still relevant to the discussion around female sexuality in South Asian culture. We also talked about other South Asian mythologies and stories, many of which have women’s narratives at the heart of them. READ MORE

“We should get rid of the shame we feel asking for our pleasure, prioritising our pleasure.” Meet Leeza Mangaldas, India’s foremost sex-positive content creator. Leeza’s work is all about normalising conversations around sexuality, sexual health, gender and the body – with a particular focus on women and pleasure. I interviewed Leeza for Masala Podcast, we talked about why sex & female pleasure is still a taboo in Indian and South Asian culture. READ MORE

“We should get rid of the shame we feel asking for our pleasure, prioritising our pleasure.” Meet Leeza Mangaldas, India’s foremost sex-positive content creator. Leeza’s work is all about normalising conversations around sexuality, sexual health, gender and the body – with a particular focus on women and pleasure. I interviewed Leeza for Masala Podcast, we talked about why sex & female pleasure is still a taboo in Indian and South Asian culture. READ MORE

“Stop cutting our girls, is that too much to ask?” Meet Aarefa Johari, a passionate activist working to end the practise of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) in her Dawoodi Bohari community. She experienced FGC in her own childhood, being “cut” at the age of 7. And has dedicated her life to ensuring that young girls are no longer subjected to this horrific practise. Speaking to Aarefa for Masala Podcast in her Mumbai flat was such an incredibly inspiring experience. I found Aarefa to be this quietly powerful force creating a revolution in her community, changing minds and stopping a terrible practise that has gone on for generations. READ MORE

“Stop cutting our girls, is that too much to ask?” Meet Aarefa Johari, a passionate activist working to end the practise of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) in her Dawoodi Bohari community. She experienced FGC in her own childhood, being “cut” at the age of 7. And has dedicated her life to ensuring that young girls are no longer subjected to this horrific practise. Speaking to Aarefa for Masala Podcast in her Mumbai flat was such an incredibly inspiring experience. I found Aarefa to be this quietly powerful force creating a revolution in her community, changing minds and stopping a terrible practise that has gone on for generations. READ MORE

"For me, coming out at 50 was all about being true to myself..." In this episode, Raga & Sangeeta talk about what it means for South Asian womxn to own their sexuality, in a culture that often represses our sexuality. We also talk about how being true to yourself is all important, and why it’s such a struggle for most womxn. Raga grew up in a traditional Indian family, and came out as queer at age 50 after decades of living the life of a married Indian woman, wife & mother. Raga’s journey of owning her truth is a truly inspiring one. READ MORE

"For me, coming out at 50 was all about being true to myself..." In this episode, Raga & Sangeeta talk about what it means for South Asian womxn to own their sexuality, in a culture that often represses our sexuality. We also talk about how being true to yourself is all important, and why it’s such a struggle for most womxn. Raga grew up in a traditional Indian family, and came out as queer at age 50 after decades of living the life of a married Indian woman, wife & mother. Raga’s journey of owning her truth is a truly inspiring one. READ MORE

"Talking about life for women in South Asian culture and how society treats older women." Meet Shobhaa De, one of THE most well-know names in India. A fiery, feisty 70-something woman. Super successful & super confident. In this episode, Shobhaa talks about life for women in South Asian culture and how society treats older women. Hint: not well. Shobhaa De is a best-selling novelist, a journalist, an editor, a publisher, a socialite, a scriptwriter, a mother, a grandmother…the list goes on. READ MORE

"Talking about life for women in South Asian culture and how society treats older women." Meet Shobhaa De, one of THE most well-know names in India. A fiery, feisty 70-something woman. Super successful & super confident. In this episode, Shobhaa talks about life for women in South Asian culture and how society treats older women. Hint: not well. Shobhaa De is a best-selling novelist, a journalist, an editor, a publisher, a socialite, a scriptwriter, a mother, a grandmother…the list goes on. READ MORE

“We talk about our shared cultural heritage, taking ownership of our bodies as womxn & the sexual harassment we’ve faced in our own lives.” In this episode, I speak with Anoushka Shankar, one of the world’s biggest names in Indian classical music. Daughter of the renowned Ravi Shankar, Anoushka is an incredible musician in her own right as well as a writer, as well as being a music composer & a proud feminist. We talk about taking ownership of our bodies as womxn & the sexual harassment we’ve faced in our own lives. We also discuss our shared cultural heritage, as well as the joys and the pains of being South Asian. READ MORE

“We talk about our shared cultural heritage, taking ownership of our bodies as womxn & the sexual harassment we’ve faced in our own lives.” In this episode, I speak with Anoushka Shankar, one of the world’s biggest names in Indian classical music. Daughter of the renowned Ravi Shankar, Anoushka is an incredible musician in her own right as well as a writer, as well as being a music composer & a proud feminist. We talk about taking ownership of our bodies as womxn & the sexual harassment we’ve faced in our own lives. We also discuss our shared cultural heritage, as well as the joys and the pains of being South Asian. READ MORE

"Being Sri Lankan in America is to unapologetically claim my space as a South Asian..." The final episode of Season Two is a special that was recorded, on campus, at UC Berkeley, California interviewing young South Asian American womxn about their experiences. I talked to Sitara Bellam, Emma Desilva, Medhavi G & Shenali Pilapitiya, Students from The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley ’20 & ’21). They spoke about their identity, their individual struggles, about being South Asian and being American – and how the two fit together. We discussed the taboos faced by all South Asian womxn growing up worldwide: Not being able to dateHaving to hide your sexualityHaving to lead double livesIssues around female sexuality and periodsFighting to become strong powerful women Fabulous, fierce South Asian American womxn... Sitara Bellam: @sitarabellam “I think that as South Asian Americans we have to not only uplift the creatives and change-makers across our Diaspora but remain equally critical in how we engage with our culture and what stories we tell about our identities.” Emma DeSilva: @emmaadesilvaa “I hope South Asian Americans will have the confidence to go after their passions and interests, while not sacrificing their South Asian identities. And we’ll see more South Asian American representation in areas, like film, music, media, and politics.” Shenali Pilapitiya: @ _shenali “Being Sri Lankan in America is to unapologetically and proudly claim my space as a South-Asian woman, and to contribute to the culture, knowledge and stories of WOC that shape the foundations of America.”

"Being Sri Lankan in America is to unapologetically claim my space as a South Asian..." The final episode of Season Two is a special that was recorded, on campus, at UC Berkeley, California interviewing young South Asian American womxn about their experiences. I talked to Sitara Bellam, Emma Desilva, Medhavi G & Shenali Pilapitiya, Students from The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley '20 & '21). They spoke about their identity, their individual struggles, about being South Asian and being American – and how the two fit together. We discussed the taboos faced by all South Asian womxn growing up worldwide: Not being able to dateHaving to hide your sexualityHaving to lead double livesIssues around female sexuality and periodsFighting to become strong powerful women Fabulous, fierce South Asian American womxn... Sitara Bellam: @sitarabellam “I think that as South Asian Americans we have to not only uplift the creatives and change-makers across our Diaspora but remain equally critical in how we engage with our culture and what stories we tell about our identities.” Emma DeSilva: @emmaadesilvaa “I hope South Asian Americans will have the confidence to go after their passions and interests, while not sacrificing their South Asian identities. And we'll see more South Asian American representation in areas, like film, music, media, and politics.” Shenali Pilapitiya: @ _shenali “Being Sri Lankan in America is to unapologetically and proudly claim my space as a South-Asian woman, and to contribute to the culture, knowledge and stories of WOC that shape the foundations of America.”

"An ordinary salwar-kameez clad young woman fights sex trafficking..." In this episode, I talk with Ram Devineni & Dipti Mehta, who are the creators of the Priya Shakti comic book – which has made the topic of sex trafficking really accessible to younger people. Their project was named “Gender Equality Champion” by UN Women. This is the first ever Indian comic book series tackling serious issues like sexual violence and trafficking of young women by using Augmented Reality technology to appeal to younger audiences. MORE ABOUT RAM DEVINENI Ram is the creator of the Priya’s Shakti comic book series and named by UN Women as a “gender quality champion”. He is a filmmaker who produced, edited and directed the feature documentary, “The Karma Killings,” which was shot in India and released on Netflix. Recently, he produced “The Russian Woodpecker,” which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. MORE ABOUT DIPTI MEHTA Dipti is an award winning, actor and writer of the interactive comic book, “Priya and the Lost Girls.” She wrote “HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan,” which is an attempt to give voice and a face to brothel dwellers bringing their humanity to encounter that of her audiences, and is now touring internationally, creating awareness about the issues of trafficking and human rights. She best known for her portrayal of Reina in “Life! Camera Action,” which brought her multiple international awards and nominations. MORE ABOUT THE PRIYA SHAKTI SERIES http:// https://www.priyashakti.com/ RESOURCES If you’ve been affected by the themes of this episode, please check out these resources: APNE AAP ANTI-SLAVERY MODERN SLAVERY SEX TRAFFICKING