Pragya Agarwal: Are women pressured into motherhood? S4 EP2

Zarna Garg: Can brown mums be funny? S4 EP1: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

44 min listen

Pragya Agarwal: Are women pressured into motherhood? S4 EP2: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

48 min listen

Shani Dhanda: Disability & South Asian culture, S4 Ep9: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

48 min listen

Pallavi Barnwal: Sex & Intimacy, S4 EP6: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

37 min listen

Oorbee Roy: Aunty Skater in a Sari, S4 Ep7: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

34 min listen

Mridul Wadhwa: Becoming a trans activist, S4 EP4: 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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

44 min listen

Nina Ganguli: Can we talk about sexual abuse? S4 EP3: 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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

47 min listen

Dr Nighat Arif: Menopause & South Asian women, S4 EP5: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

49 min listen

Mona Arshi: Grief & Loss , S4 Ep8: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

49 min listen

Live in Germany: With Prasanna Oommen, Laxmi Manuela & Anu Ambasna , S4 Ep11: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

53 min listen

Poorna Bell: Strong South Asian women , S4 Ep10: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

48 min listen

S5 Ep2: Raveena Aurora - Music, spirituality & sensuality: Raveena Aurora is a massive music star & the first woman of Indian descent to play at Coachella. And she’s on Masala Podcast! A gorgeous mix of music, spirituality & sensuality, Raveena talks about the barriers of being a brown woman in the music business. Her genre-bending style mixes soul, jazz, Bollywood & R&B effortlessly. Raveena speaks about her music, the barriers she as a brown woman has to face and overcome in the music industry. And what it was like being the first woman of Indian descent to play at Coachella. Raveena’s magical personality shows in her music and shines through her when she speaks. Happy listening. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

51 min listen

Live in London: With Shazia Mirza, Salma El-Wardany & Seema Anand, S4 Ep12: “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 by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

63 min listen

S5 Ep3: Versha Sharma - Fashionable & feminist: Editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue Versha Sharma talks about the power of brown women in fashion and elsewhere. She focuses on covering social justice, culture, fashion and politics through the lens of young people. She also talks about the surge of incredible South Asian Americans creatives in the US. Varsha was named South Asian woman of the year in 2022 by the Howard South Asian Women's collective. Previously, she was managing editor and senior correspondent at Now This. Varsha has produced several short documentaries and has reported on many serious issues from all over the world. She won an Edward R. Murrow award with the Now This report team having got her start in journalism with an internship at Talking Points Memo in 2009. Varsha went on to cover the 2012 presidential election for MSNBC. This conversation with Versha has got me absolutely buzzing. Hope you enjoy it too. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

54 min listen

S5-Ep1-Varuna-Srinivasan-Being-Bisexual: Season 5 of the multi-award-winning Masala Podcast is a USA Special. Our first episode features the trailblazing sex educator, sexual health expert and advocate Dr. Varuna Srinivasan. Listen for a thought-provoking journey as we dive into the heart of sexual orientation, identity, and LGBTQ+ rights with Varuna. Varuna's story is incredible, and their empathy for others navigating their own journey through their sexual orientation & identity is astonishing. Varuna identifies as a queer, immigrant, South Asian woman. They are a sexual health expert, writer, and activist who's been featured in many publications like Elle India, Vogue, Business Insider, Cosmopolitan, and more. Varuna is the founder of Tara Health Media, a sexual health education and empowerment lead digital platform for POC communities. Varuna was named woman of courage by Serena Williams. In October 2022, Varuna was Cosmopolitan India's LGBTQ + coverstar. We are so inspired by Varu by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

49 min listen

S5 EP4: Reshma Saujani – Entrepreneur on why women need money: Reshma Saujani is a leading activist and the founder of Girls Who Code as well as founder and CEO of Moms First (formerly Marshall Plan for Moms. Reshma began her career as an attorney and Democratic organizer. In 2010, she surged onto the political scene as the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress. Reshma has spent more than a decade building movements to fight for women and girls’ economic empowerment, working to close the gender gap in the tech sector. Most recently, she has been advocating for policies to support moms impacted by the pandemic. Reshma is also the author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect, and her influential TED talk, “Teach girls, bravery not perfection,” has more than five million views globally. I found talking with Reshma Saujani so inspiring. I hope you do too. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

49 min listen

S5 EP6: Melanie Chandra - Hollywood celeb on why diverse stories matter: Melanie Chandra is an award-winning actress and producer passionate about bringing more empathy to this world through her work. She uses her platforms both on-screen and behind the camera to share powerful and diverse stories about women and minorities. I loved chatting with Melanie Chandra, we discovered our common Kerala heritage and explored our journeys towards our cultural identities. Melanie Chandra is best known for her role on the CBS drama Code Black. I also loved Mel in the hilarious comedy central movie, Hot Mess Holiday, which she co-created, executive produced and also starred in. It's the first buddy comedy on American TV to ever star two women of South Asian descent. It was awesome to watch two South Asian women near my age, playing the leads. A mechanical engineering student at Stanford University, Melanie traded her very successful corporate career for the arts and she hasn't looked back. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

61 min listen

S5 EP7: Michelle Ranavat - Beauty entrepreneur on South Asian rituals: Michelle is the founder of Ranavat, a skin and hair care brand, based on age-old Ayurvedic traditions. Leveraging her expertise in the pharmaceutical industry and her background in engineering, Michelle honors her South Asian heritage to create a line of beautiful skin and hair treatments. Founded in 2017, Ranavat became the first Ayurvedic skincare brand to launch at the iconic retailer Sephora. And is now even available at Harrods. The brand proudly donates 1% of proceeds to Desai Foundation, a non-profit organization in India that empowers women and children through community programs to elevate health and livelihood in India and the U.S. Michelle's journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur is so grounded in her South Asian culture and is super inspiring. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

48 min listen

S5 Ep 8 Tanya Gupta: NASA engineer turned artist on living a colourful life: Tanya Gupta was a NASA aerospace engineer, a childhood dream for so many of us and Tanya made it happen. She worked on a prototype aircraft, which now sits at the Smithsonian, and she also owns a software patent with Kennedy Space Centre. Born in the UK, she and her family moved to the US and spent some time in India too, all of which informs her work. These days, Tanya calls herself a New York based art director, multimedia artist and content creator. In 2021, Tanya became the first Indian American to join the Adobe Creative residency, after which she directed social campaigns for Tom Ford beauty, Disney, Toyota, and more. In 2022, Tanya was honoured on the Forbes 30 under 30 list. Her work has also been featured in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Teen Vogue. Tanya lives life in the fullest, brightest colours you can imagine. And that’s just brilliant. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

53 min listen

S5 EP5: Tanya Ravichandran – South Asian creator on shaking up fashion: Tanya Ravichandran is just 21 years old and incredibly wise. She is the South Asian creator, director and photographer making waves in the fashion and beauty industries. Tanya was photographing campaigns for well-known brands by the age of 15. She has amassed over one and a half million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Some of Tanya's recent partnerships include Fendi, Gucci, Dior, Alexander McQueen, Farfetch and many more. She has also been featured in Vogue India, Harper's Bazaar, and Coveteur to name a few. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

56 min listen

S5 Ep 9 Avantika Vandanapu: Hollywood star on loving saris: At just 18, Avantika is already a force as a well-known Hollywood actor and producer. She was the first ever Indian American lead in the Disney Channel Original Movies 'Spin'. She was named in Variety’s Young Hollywood 'Up Next' list in 2021. Avantika plays a lead role in the Sony Screen Gems feature 'Horoscope'. Avantika also starred opposite Rebel Wilson in a #1 movie on Netflix, Senior Year. She is also starring as 'Karen' in the Paramount feature 'Mean Girls Musical', for executive producers Tina Fey and Lorne Michaels. She is also currently developing a TV series adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel A Crown of Wishes, which she will star in and executive produce, for Disney+. Avantika is the future, and that future is diverse, talented, and young. Watch this space; you won’t want to miss what comes next. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

58 min listen

S5 Ep 10 Aparna Nancherla: Comedian on depression not being fun: Aparna Nancherla is an LA-based comedian, actor and writer who performs all over the US and worldwide. Her TV stand-up appearances include Netflix's 'The Standups,' HBO's 'Two Dope Queens,' and Comedy Central's 'The Half Hour.' Aparna was also a series regular on Comedy Central's 'Corporate,' and appeared many times on HBO's 'Crashing.' She's also made late-night appearances on 'The Late Late Show with James Corden' and 'Late Night with Stephen Colbert.' Aparna's book of personal essays called 'Unreliable Narrator' is out now. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

51 min listen

S5 Ep 12 Sangeeta Pillai: Why I became a South Asian feminist & podcaster: In this extra-special final episode, Masala Podcast creator Sangeeta Pillai becomes the guest. She is interviewed by Hollywood actor & producer Melanie Chandra about the importance of South Asian feminism. Sangeeta talks about her own personal and painful experiences growing up in the Mumbai slums with an alcoholic, abusive father. She talks about seeing her mother and other South Asian women being treated badly, which inspired her to become a feminist activist. Sanegeta also talks about why it’s important for women and girls to have safe spaces like Masala Podcast. And why she will keep being a South Asian feminist and activist until her last breath. by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

38 min listen

S5 Ep 11 Mira Jacob: Author on fighting racists with words & pics: Mira Jacob is a novelist, memoirist, illustrator and cultural critic. Her graphic memoir, 'Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations,' was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award, longlisted for the Pen Open Book Award, nominated for three Eisner awards, and named a New York Times notable book, as well as a Best Book of the Year by Time, Esquire, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal. Mira's writing and drawings have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, Electric Literature, Tin House, Literary Hub, Guernica, Vol. 1 and The Telegraph. Mira Jacob and Masala Podcast had the most wonderful conversation, going from colorism to racism to the joy of fashion. We hope you enjoy listening! by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

55 min listen

Fargo/Never Have I Ever star Richa Moorjani on beauty & South Asian identity: S5, Ep 13: Never Have I Ever & Fargo star Richa Moorjani is talking with me, Sangeeta Pillai, host of Masala Podcast! I'm thrilled to share my conversation with the exceptionally talented Richa Moorjani. We talk about challenging beauty standards, about the importance of representation, about our dual identities as South Asian women living in the West – and so much more. American actress Richa Moorjani hails from a South Asian family deeply rooted in music, her life filled with melodies and rhythms since her childhood. Her mother is a singer who lived in Mysore before migrating to the United States at the age of seven. A self-taught musical maestro, her father merged his love for music and community, creating bonds with fellow Indian immigrants. Together, they formed a band that celebrated their roots through the sounds of Hindi cover songs. Richa’s upbringing in America sowed the seeds of a cultural blend by Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

39 min listen

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Pragya Agarwal: Are women pressured into motherhood? S4 EP2

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