Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast
bySoul Sutras
EducationSelf-ImprovementSocietyCulturePersonalJournals
This multi-award-winning South Asian feminist podcast is all about cultural taboos. Everything from sex, sexuality, periods, menopause, porn, mental health, shame, sexual harassment & more. Considered the biggest South Asian feminist podcast representing the voices & views of South Asian women, exploring intersectional feminism from a South Asian lens, Masala Podcast features some of the world's most inspiring South Asian women. Masala Podcast is the winner of multiple British Podcast Awards 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023. Masala Podcast has been featured in the Guardian, BBC Radio, the Observer, Evening Standard, Cosmopolitan, Stylist, Eastern Eye, Huffington Post, BBC Sounds, Brown Girl Magazine, Women’s Health Austria, Deccan Herald In...
Episodes(40 episodes)
E45 - The power of Brown women in US Fashion: South Asian fashionistas in America
Teen Vogue Editor Versha Sharma on brown fashion power: S5 Ep3Editor-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...
Published: Sep 14, 2023Duration: 54:54
E44 - Can music be spiritual & sensual? With Coachella musician of Indian descent, Raveena Aurora
Raveena Aurora on music, spirituality & sensuality: S5 Ep2Raveena 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 wom...
Published: Sep 7, 2023Duration: 52:21
E43 - Bisexual & South Asian: Being LGBTQ & Desi is complicated
Dr. Varuna Srinivasan on Being Bisexual & South Asian: S5 Ep1Season 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...
Published: Aug 31, 2023Duration: 49:40
E42 - Kamasutra, Comedy & Poetry: Live in London with Shazia Mirza, Salma El-Wardany & Seema Anand
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 literatu...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 1:04:17
E41 - Bad Betis take over Europe sharing South Asian feminism (Recorded live in Cologne, 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 Britis...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 54:14
E40 - Powerlifting and physically strong South Asian women
“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<...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 48:51
E39 - Disability rights & inclusion in businesses with South Asian activist
“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 @soulsutrasFor sho...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 48:30
E38 - Grief in South Asian culture: communicating it in an adopted language
“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 Arshi: 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...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 49:48
E37 - Skater in a Sari - TikTok's "Aunty Skates" Oorbee Roy
“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 Skates. 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...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 34:48
E36 - Sex & Intimacy: understanding intimate relationships in South Asian culture
“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...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 37:02
E35 - Menopause & South Asian women with TV Doctor
“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...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 48:52
E34 - Growing up in India as a trans woman: Mridul Wadhwa
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 t...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 44:43
E33 - Surviving sexual abuse in childhood (Trigger warning)
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...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 48:01
E32 - Are South Asian women pressured into motherhood?
“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 @soulsutrasFor show notes & transcri...
Published: Sep 27, 2022Duration: 49:25
E31 - Can brown Indian mums be funny? TikTok star Zarna Garg
“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<p...
Published: Sep 26, 2022Duration: 45:17
S3E12 - Bad Betis take over + LGBTQ marriage proposal - Masala Podcast Live - S3 Ep12
“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...
Published: Sep 21, 2021Duration: 1:02:31
E30 - Bad Betis take over London - LGBTQ marriage proposal (Masala Podcast Live at London Podcast Festival)
“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...
Published: Sep 21, 2021Duration: 1:03:31
S3E11 - South Asian Heritage Month Special - S3 Ep11 - Masala Podcast
“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.
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Published: Sep 21, 2021Duration: 1:08:29
E29 - Being a South Asian woman in Britain - South Asian Heritage Month
“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 MOREMentioned in this episode:Inspiring feminist memoir Bad DaughterBad Daughter is my story...
Published: Sep 21, 2021Duration: 1:09:29
E28 - Who’s the right sort of South Asian woman? With Anita Rani
“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 c...
Published: Sep 21, 2021Duration: 48:58