Meenal's World

Zion Lights is an environmental activist and previously worked with Extinction Rebellion to advocate for climate change. Zion is an expert in science communication and she noticed how a lot of the messaging around climate change can be alienating and threatening - one of the main reasons why she left Extinction Rebellion. We discuss alternatives to living a greener life and why big corporations are spending billions to manipulate the reality of the impact of climate change. 

Christine's life turned upside down in 2009 after she gave birth to her first child. She found it difficult to juggle her new life as a mother and continue to excel in her career. Things didn't get any easier as her family grew. Christine decided the only way to find answers was to conduct research on how mothers balance their life at home with their careers. The results were shocking - the truth was, most mothers struggled and Christine wasn't alone. The Mother of All Jobs was published in 2018 and it brings together the wisdom of the women who opened up about everything into a manifesto for happy professional families. Her book shines a light on the damage social media can have on new mothers and brings them hope that having children and a successful career is possible. Follow Christine on Instagram and Twitter.

Lauren Currie is the founder of Upfront - a movement that seeks to change confidence in women around the world. We discuss the realities of building a brand straight from scratch and the personal cost this all comes with. Lauren grew up in a middle-class family in Glasgow and through her hard work and sacrifices, she's built a life where she can enjoy the revolution she is creating and soak in quality time with her family.  Upfront has just opened its doors to Bond 6 - this is one course that can change your life forever. Trust me, I've taken part in it myself! Sign up here - use promo code MEENAL10 for a 10% discount! Lauren also has her own podcast, UPFRONT Moment with Lauren Currie where you can find more tools to navigate your own confidence revolution. 

This live podcast was recorded at the Byline Festival in Notting Hill - I was joined by Dr Julia Grace Patterson, Lord Victor Adebowale, and Lorraine Collins. Dr Julia Grace Patterson is the founder and chief executive of Every Doctor, a campaign group advocating for better working conditions for NHS staff and her team have worked tirelessly to protect the well-being and future of doctors and nurses across the country. Lord Victor Adebowale is the chair of the NHS Confederation and has worked extensively in the field of health inequalities. My third panelist, Lorraine Collins is a psychotherapist and qualified cognitive-behavioral therapist. Her work in mental health proved to be extremely challenging throughout the pandemic. We all believe there are many lessons to be learned since the start of the pandemic. More importantly, is enough being done or are we just receiving empty promises from our ministers and leaders? Make sure you follow and support Dr Julia Grace Patterson, Lord Victor Adebowale and Lorraine Collins - they're doing some incredible work! A huge thank you to the team at Byline and Byline Festival for all their hard work to make this happen!

Patsy Stevenson was detained at the Clapham Common vigil for Sarah Everard - the moment that changed her life forever. Her photo went viral online and overnight, her life changed forever. She is now dealing with the Metropolitan Police and taking her case to the High Court, all of which comes at a great personal cost. We discussed violence against women, receiving death threats, and her newfound passion for activism.

Rupinder Kaur is the award-winning founder of Asian Women Mean Business. Her vision is to create a community of South Asian women who feel empowered to build their dream businesses and excel in their respective fields. Building this business has been one of the most challenging projects for Rupinder, especially when she decided to cut her losses and fully focus on this project right before lockdown. We dived deep into motherhood and Rupinder tells me about her traumatic birth with her second child and how an unexpected diagnosis left her in a very dark place. You can be a part of Asian Women Mean Business and join a community of women who will help you find the strength and passion to live your dreams.

Sian Norris is a writer and author of her first non-fiction book, Birth Violence. We discussed how the far right has had an impact on women's reproductive rights and the extent of her research in writing this book. Sian has a very optimistic view of the future. She's campaigned with many groups and has written extensively on the issues surrounding gender equality and feminism - she believes in the power of the people and how everybody can play a small part in shaping democracy. You can find all information on Sian and her writing here.

Daniel Guinness runs Beyond Equality, an organisation that promotes positive masculinity, disrupts negative expectations and stereotypes and empowers men to be better allies to women and girls. Daniel has an academic background in Anthropology and has also conducted research on issues of gender and masculinity. Beyond Equality has been running for over 10 years and throughout this time, they've broken cultural barriers and expectations to create a generation of men and boys who are now part of the movement for creating a more equal world. You can find out more about Beyond Equality and work with them here. 

Joeli is the founder of Pregnant Then Screwed. She started campaigning after she lost her job when she fell pregnant -an experience that changed her life forever. A one-woman battle has now become a huge organization helping thousands of women across the country. We reflect on the last two years and the heavy responsibility she had to help protect pregnant women from the virus. Her workload increased by almost four times on the day lockdown was announced - a one-woman show has now evolved into a charity that's helping women from all pockets of society in the UK. Follow Pregnant Then Screwed on Instagram. Follow on Twitter Work with Pregnant Then Screwed. Order Joeli's book, The Truth About The Motherhood Penalty. 

Iain Overton is an investigative journalist and author. He has travelled around the world sharing stories of war and the human cost of violence. We discussed his writing career and how he believes that the role of journalists goes beyond the main headline - his work has covered the most fascinating stories from suicide bombers to gun violence in America. Follow Iain on Twitter Find all of Iain's work and books on his website

Jess Jones A.K.A. The Fat Funny One is a mum of four and a lifestyle blogger. Jess is known for spreading awareness on self-confidence and has recently released her book, Own It - a practical guide to learning how to love yourself in your own skin. We discuss her life as she grew up in a council estate without her biological father and how that shaped her journey into self-discovery and motherhood. Follow Jess on Instagram Order Own It

Asma Khan is one of the UK's most prominent female chefs and an unstoppable force for social change in the food industry.  We discuss her life before coming to the UK and why she felt the need to explore her identity and culture through her cooking. The process of going from having dinner clubs at home to opening a restaurant at the most prestigious sites in London was full of many challenges - but nothing that Asma couldn't take on. As well as creating a place for Indian food, Asma has made Darjeeling Express into much more than a restaurant. It's a platform for social change – a place where every woman is celebrated and empowered. Watch Asma Khan on Netflix's Chef's Table Pre-order Ammu Follow Asma on Twitter & Instagram

We all know Gina Martin as the woman who changed the law in 2019. Taking this step came at a huge personal cost and Gina is still processing the turmoil she went through for something which seemed so simple at the time - women's safety. Gina talks about her life before becoming an activist and author. We dive deep into the role she hopes to play in this world as a feminist and how she wants to use her platform to raise the voices of others fighting similar battles. You can follow Gina on Instagram and Twitter. Order her book, Be The Change: A Toolkit For The Activist In You

Deepti is a clinical epidemiologist and throughout the pandemic, she has been very vocal about the lack of data the British government has been providing to the public. Deepti has used her own platform to speak truth to power and raise alarm bells with the government's handling of the pandemic. But this isn't the first time she decided speaking up was important - Deepti previously worked at the Sanger Institute where she had to face terrible consequences for challenging her managers. We discuss Deepti's upbringing and how she went against all odds to marry the man she  fell in love with during her time at medical school. Subscribe to Meenal's World on iTunes, Spotify and any other podcast app! Follow Deepti on Twitter

George Monbiot is a writer and activist. Throughout his years as an investigative journalist, he uncovered some of the greatest stories of mankind. Despite the resistance he faced to publish his stories in mainstream media, George always had his mind set on making people aware of the truth. We discuss how his love for the environment started from a very young age and how he always felt different from the rest of the crowd, especially when he went to boarding school. Politics was at the heart of his family and George used this knowledge to his advantage to work his way around the system to speak up against corruption and educate people on the realities of the systems that control us. This has to be one of my favourite episodes - someone who has achieved so much in one lifetime, yet so humble and generous with his time and energy. You can read more about George and his work on his website. Pre-order his latest book, Regenesis. Follow George on Twitter 

Dr Gavin Francis is an award-winning writer and GP. His latest book explores how - and why - we get better, revealing the many shapes recovery takes, its shifting history and the frequent failure of our modern lives to make adequate space for it. We dive into his learnings as a doctor and how despite such a hectic career, he's found time to pursue his passion for writing and teaching. Order Recovery on Amazon Follow Dr Gavin Francis on Twitter

It was a pleasure having Jaspreet back on the show! As she prepares to release her new book, Brown Girl Like Me, we discuss: - Her writing process - Why it's important to have South Asian voices in the writing world - How she's learnt the art of self-love and compassion over the most stressful period of her career. Pre-order Brown Girl Like Me: www.browngirllikeme.com Follow Jaspreet on Twitter: @behindthenetra Follow Jaspreet on Instagram: @behindthenetra

Jamie Klingler has had an eventful year - not only through her activism, but also through her journey of weight loss and quitting alcohol. We discussed how she's found a new purpose through her work as an activist and how none of this would have been possible if she hadn't made the bold decision to quit alcohol and lead a healthier lifestyle.  Jamie is a bundle of energy and passion and you can hear it as she speaks on this episode - a lot of gems here that I'm sure will help you in your own journey of activism and finding your purpose.  Follow Jamie: https://twitter.com/jamieklingler Follow Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photogirluk Follow Reclaim These Streets:  https://twitter.com/ReclaimTS 

Otto English is the pen name for author and writer Andrew Scott. In his book, Fake History, he dissects the greatest lies told by the world that shaped our society. Andrew's take on Brexit and our current political landscape is eye-opening and throught-provoking. We discuss politics, the role journalists play in shaping our society and of course, his fascinating book, Fake History. Follow Otto on Twitter Order Fake History here

Catherine's insight into our political landscape is thought-provoking and inspiring. We discussed Catherine's case against Time Magazine for sex and age discrimination. This was an extremely challenging period of her career, but she knew this wasn't just for her - it was a fight for the future of women in journalism. In a world where we are witnessing the rise of the far-right, we discuss how the progress we've made as a generation might be undone and what this means for our future. Setting up @WEP_UK alongside @sanditoksvig was pivotal in creating a level playing field in our democracy. We also discussed her latest book, Good Grief - Catherine and her mother, Anne Mayer Bird were widowed within 41 days of each other on the eve of the pandemic. Throughout lockdown, they shared their grief and celebrated the lives of their beloved husbands. For more information on Good Grief and Catherine Mayers work - https://www.catherinemayer.co.uk Follow Catherine on Twitter: @catherine_mayer  Follow Catherine on Instagram: @mayeroflondon

It's been two years since I released the very first episode of Meenal's World - life has changed significantly since I recorded my first episode. In this episode, I touch upon why I felt I needed a break and how podcasting has helped me in my own healing and understanding of the world. Thank you to everyone for showing me your love and support - welcome to a journey of learning and unlearning with me. 

Kajal Odedra is the UK Director of Change.org – a platform that enables people everywhere to start campaigns, mobilise supporters, and work with decision-makers to drive solutions. It has become the world’s leading platform for change with over 200 million people in 196 countries creating change in their communities. You can get in touch with Kajal on Twitter @KajalOdedra1 and Instagram @KajalOdedra 

Celebrating all the incredible women who have inspired us and blazed the trail for people like me and the generations ahead of us - cheers to all the ladies who've joined me on my own journey! 

Amit Patel, a medical doctor, lost his vision at the age of 32, just 18 months after he married the love of his life. We discuss how he found a new purpose through this life-changing experience. Now raising a family in London, Amit tells me about his most challenging days and how his resilience is a constant work in progress.

Lauren Currie is the CEO of Stride (https://stride.inc/) - their mission is to democratise leadership development. Lauren is also the founder of  UPFRONT, (https://www.weareupfront.com/) and her mission is to help hundreds of women find their inner confidence.  Lauren has spent the last five years building her empire and still to this day, works extremely hard to make sure she uses her platform to raise other women. We talk about her life as an entrepreneur, a mother, and a changemaker.  You can read more about Lauren's work and contact her here: https://laurencurrie.co/

Maryam's work has focused on human rights violations against refugees, and has actively campaigned against sharia law. Maryam became well known for her critique of the treatment of women under Islamic regimes. We talk about her family history and her views on the right to speak up and appreciating the freedom we have in the west to voice our opinion. This episode is much more than Maryam the activist, she tells me about her childhood, and the future she wants to create for all the young girls who will follow in her footsteps. www.maryamnamazie.com Twitter: @maryamnamazie

Misan was the first black photographer to shoot the cover of British Vogue in it's 104-year history. I met Misan last summer when he photographed me for the September issue of British Vogue and after a brief chat, I was in awe of his passion and determination to share the stories of those who have suffered at the hands of social injustice. We talk about his life-changing year and the responsibility he feels he has to create generational change through every one of his photos. 

Vicki is a writer, director, and bestselling author of MumBoss. Working in the film industry as a female, she has had to overcome so many obstacles in balancing her career as an award-winning filmmaker and a mother of two young boys.  We talk about empowering other women through their journey as new mothers and we have a special guest appearance with Radhika at the end! You can get in touch with Vicki here: www.honestmum.com

Dr Nisreen was born and raised in Iraq and lived through two different wars. She lived in a world where speaking up wasn't as easy and she understands the value of freedom of speech. This is why she uses her platform to empower, educate, and speak truth to power. Dr Nisreen was honoured with an MBE and also listed in BBC's top 100 women of 2020 for all her research and dedication during the pandemic.  We talk about her childhood, navigating negative comments on social media and the world she hopes to see in the future. Follow Nisreen on Twitter: @Dr2NisreenAlwan

I ramble on about trying to keep up with literally every single news headline being thrown at us and I answer your questions! 

As a journalist, Hardeep talks about the responsibility she feels she has of informing the public on the realities of our society. We talk about her work in the field of journalism after qualifying in law at Cambridge and how she faces the challenges of misinformation. Born in a traditional Sikh household, we talk about identity and what that really means to us in shaping our lives and future. You can find Hardeep on @Hardeep_Matharu on Twitter and follow her work!

I ramble on about lockdown 3.0, our victory against the government and I answer your questions! 

I ramble on about meeting my hero, self-criticism, and answer your questions!

Femi left his law degree to fully dedicate his time and energy to campaign for Britain to remain in the EU. Despite the death threats and hardships that revolve around such a big stand, he believes that someone needs to be out there taking control and educating the public on what our politicians don't tell us.  He started off with 20 followers on Twitter but he still believed his voice could make a change. Now with almost a quarter of a million of followers online, he's become an inspiration to many young people across the country. 

I ramble on about the vaccine, the new year, and answer your questions!

Times are tough. We are in a pandemic, we have less support than expected, but I made sure that I didn't let that get in my way. I couldn't let it get in my way, because if I did, I wouldn't be giving my best to my family.  I knew what I wanted from the start and I made it happen. There is still so much more work to do - onwards and upwards from here. 

I ramble on about Bollywood wives, trash TV, and answer your questions. 

This week, I explore how politics plays a pivotal role in your life. Yes, we all have food on our plate and a roof over our head, but that doesn't mean that the political system that you live under doesn't impact your life.  I give you personal examples of how I feel my vote makes a personal difference to me personally. I hope this gives you a moment to reflect on your personal life and how the system that's ruling your country can impact you. 

I ramble on about this second lockdown, Instagram doctors, and my non-existent sleep schedule. 

A lot of you may know that prior to starting Meenal's World, I co-hosted my very first podcast, Desi Outsiders for two years. I started this podcast in medical school when I was trying to figure out the path in life I wanted to take. But things didn't work out as planned, and I have learnt so many lessons that I want to share with you because I know it can help so many people who are also in the same boat.

At 14, Jasvinder Sanghera ran away from home to break the chain of forced marriage that she saw in her elder sisters. One of her sisters was married at the age of 15 and ended up committing suicide as the abuse she was facing was unimaginable. On that day in 1981, she had two options: to give into a life of abuse and torture, or to start her own path towards freedom and happiness. Throughout the last couple of decades, time has made things easier, but it's never fully erased the pain.  Jasvinder's family disowned her completely. This meant that she had to sleep in cars, clean houses to feed herself and create her own destiny towards womanhood.  At the age of 55, she still has no contact with her family, but she's gained so much more and helped so many women along her journey since her escape. 

Jussi lost her father at the tender age of six to suicide. Her mother struggled to take care of Jussi and her three siblings which meant that they had to be taken into foster care.  Being raised in foster care meant that she was separated from her siblings and rarely communicated with her mother.  In this episode, we talk about the reality of being taken into care and how this experience shaped her life.  Jussi works to bring light to more of these conversations and help many other young and vulnerable children in our community. You can follow her on Instagram @jksidhu_92

In his early twenties, Juggy was diagnosed with clinical depresssion. He struggled and fought hard to find a way out. One day, he was tired of figuring things out and his thoughts translated into a physical act that changed his whole life. ⁣ ⁣ Bodybuilding and coaching aside, this man has endured pain and suffering in so many forms. The great thing about Juggy is that he celebrates these moments of hardship. Achieving greatness is a lifelong mission and Juggy has learnt to fall in love with the process.⁣ ⁣ Lean Indian academy is Juggy's passion project. He's given every fibre of his being to create this space and I'm sure that in 30 years time, his kids will look back and burst with pride.⁣ ⁣ Tune in to find out how Juggy fought and strived to create the life he wanted.⁣ Follow @theindianbodycoach (https://www.instagram.com/theindianbodycoach/)  on Instagram to find out more about his work!  ⁣ Available on iTunes Spotify and all other podcast apps.⁣ ⁣ www.meenalsworld.com

Last week, we left off with Gurinder talking about dealing with the loss of her father as well as her very difficult pregnancies. She was rushed to hospital on her 6th pregnancy at just 5 months. After so many gruelling hours of contractions and confusion, she finally gave birth to Jiya. But Jiya was born sleeping.  Gurinder's resilience and message of hope has been life-changing for many women. An incredible story with an incredible woman.

YouTube Feature Interview Special: As we come to the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week, I've come to realize how so many of us forget the different facets involved in any pregnancy. Gurinder shared her story of seven miscarriages, and the birth of her miracle baby, Simran.   Not only did Gurinder face the loss of her children, but she was also devastated to hear of her Dad's passing during the one pregnancy where she had managed to reach quite far ahead.  From early miscarriages to having a stillbirth, this story is one of hope and courage and it got the whole team at Meenal's World in tears.

Tricha is an international choreographer and filmmaker, born and raised in the USA.  Her love for Indian culture and her experience in Bollywood has led her to work on her own film and her hard work and passion to continue to learn is contagious!  Working as a Bollywood dancer is not as glamorous as it seems, neither is making your own film - especially in the middle of a global health crisis. 

Manjit founded the very first period charity in the UK and in India. Manjit's experience in the business industry helped her sell her vision of making sure that every girl bleeds with dignity. Period poverty is all around us, even in developed countries where resources are much more readily available. Period shame is also omnipresent - but we just don't talk about it enough.  How did Manjit convince a priest in a Gurudwara to allow women who are menstruating to enter during prayers? How has Manjit tackled this taboo to help create a generational change in this conversation? Tune in to find out! This episode is a feature special and also available on YouTube where you can watch the full conversation. 

Raising three children is tough. Raising three children during a pandemic will make any mother lose her sanity!  I spoke to Tina a few years ago on Desi Outsiders, but I was a medical student back then. Now, as a new mother, I can't imagine having my own baby, plus another two! Tina talks me through the last few months of what it's been like for mothers during the pandemic. Tina's YouTube channel shows her beautiful family's life and she uses her platform to empower other women to share their stories of motherhood and marriage. We talk about how as women, we can get lost in our role of mothers and forget that we have our own individual personality too - Tina is just starting to find herself again after almost eight years. 

Post partum depression is a topic many men and women shy away from. But we have to acknowledge that many women around us will put a brave face on, but deep down are desperate for help. Dr Punam talks about her journey with her first born and how it took her years to acknowledge the fact that she needed help. Her first delivery was very traumatic physically and mentally and since then, it has changed her whole outlook with patient care as a GP.  This conversation gave me the confidence to open up, and I hope it encourages other women to start this conversation in their own homes and communities. 

This week, I will share my journey with you and why it's important to have these conversations. So many women struggle after giving birth and we just don't talk about it enough.  The last 7 weeks have been an uphill battle, but I've acknowledged it and I want to change things and help myself - but not everyone opens up, and that's why I hope this episode gives you an idea of what it's really like to give birth. 

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Kreena. We talk about how her dreams to grow her family after having her first child, Amala, came crashing down after she found out that her embryos were discarded.  Kreena talks me through her journey of how she found a way to make things work and how her resilience has grown after every obstacle that's thrown her way.  Finding an egg donor wasn't easy for Kreena, and now she's expecting twins! Tune in to find out how it all happened!