Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

Have you ever looked at your life and thought it looked perfect on the outside—maybe even "Instagrammable"—yet felt a deep, invisible ache inside? In this episode of the Masala Podcast, host Sangeeta Pillai gets more personal than ever to break the silence around a global epidemic: Loneliness. Sangeeta shares the raw reality of her own "peak" moment—standing in London’s Leicester Square looking at her own face on a giant billboard, only to realize she had no one to call and share the news with. We dive into why so many South Asian women feel like they are living inside a "glass bubble," disconnected even when surrounded by family, friends, or a partner. In this episode, we discuss: The "Invisible" Epidemic:The Health Cost:15 cigarettes a dayThe Price of Rebellion:"Bad Daughter"The Transformation Shift:From Loneliness to Solitude: This is a conversation for every woman who has ever felt like she was "carrying a beautiful story with no one to tell it to". It’s time to stop the numbing and start the healing.

The Pleasure is All Yours: Stop Waiting & Start Owning Your Fire Why is female pleasure still the ultimate taboo? In our community, we talk about marriage, children, and duty—but we rarely talk about a woman’s right to her own sexual satisfaction. This week on the Masala Podcast, we’re exploring the psychology of pleasure and the biology of bliss. This episode is a deep dive into sexual agency—the radical idea that you are the primary driver of your own enjoyment. We are moving past the silence and into a space of embodied empowerment. What We’re Unlocking Today: [02:15] Ending the Pleasure Gap:[05:40] Sexual Self-Care & Wellness:self-pleasure[09:12] Anatomy & Awareness:sensual potential[13:45] Practical Pleasure Exercises:mirror work, somatic breathing,sensory mapping[17:20] Communicating Your Desires: Practical Takeaways: This episode is packed with practical intimacy tips and body-connection exercises. I’m sharing the exact tools I used to unlearn shame and reconnect with my erotic self. From pelvic floor awareness to mindful touch, this is the toolkit you didn't get in school. KEY TOPICS: Female Sexuality, Sexual Agency, Pleasure Ownership, Masturbation Taboos, South Asian Women, Somatic Pleasure, Orgasm Equality, Self-Discovery. Mentioned in this episode: The Anti-Retreat in tropical Kerala Real Kerala spirituality. Real sisterhood. No wellness BS. 8 Days, 7 Nights | 4-11 Feb 2026 | Kerala Backwaters Welcome to The Anti-Retreat. None of the usual yoga babes clutching “chai” lattes here! Just a real reatreat in a beautiful Kerala backwaters resort. You start and end your days with chanting and meditation in sync with the rhythms of Mother Nature. You soak up the energy of this bewitching land land with walking meditations, ancient Kerala rituals & visits to sacred goddess temples. You feast on traditional Kerala food. You connect deeper with yourself every day through a series of daily workshops. You connect with your sisters through a series of practises. The best bit? You connect with local women and women-led businesses (because your money supports them!) You’ll experience things that no tourist ever would. Are you ready?

Trauma Healing: It's more than just therapy For most of my life, I thought being a "strong" South Asian woman meant carrying my burdens in silence. I thought if I just worked harder, ignored the tightness in my chest, and kept moving, the ghosts of the past would stay where they belonged. But our bodies don't forget. In this week’s episode, I’m being super vulnerable to talk about trauma—not as a clinical term, but as a lived experience. I'm sharing the moments I felt broken, the exhaustion of a constantly "on-edge" nervous system, and the realisation that "just talking about it" wasn't going to be enough to set me free. I’m walking you through my personal "healing map"—a journey that took me beyond the therapist’s couch and into the world of somatic and holistic recovery. I share what it really felt like to try: EMDR:Craniosacral Therapy & Acupuncture:Hypnotherapy:Tantra: This isn't a "how-to" guide; it’s a my personal healing story. It’s an invitation for you to stop "coping" and start truly thriving. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, or like you’re carrying a weight that isn’t yours to hold, this episode is for you. RESOURCES FOR THE THERAPIES I MENTION IN THIS PODCAST EPISODE EMDR: https://emdraa.org/emdr-resources/ https://www.traumatherapistinstitute.com/blog/Essential-Techniques-for-Effective-EMDR-Resourcing HYNOTHERAPY: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22676-hypnosis ACUPUNCTURE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532287/ CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY: https://share.google/KQg4WcYwi1XZ8SPch TANTRA: https://somananda.org/tantra/ Topics covered on this podcast: South Asian Mental Health, Somatic Healing, Intergenerational Trauma, Inner Child Work, EMDR Therapy, Tantra for Healing, Holistic Recovery, Nervous System Regulation, Feminist Podcast.

Can you ever truly be a "good" daughter while staying true to yourself? In this episode: understand the the Mother Wound, learn how to stop passing it on. The bond between a mother and daughter is often described as sacred, but for so many of us, it's a complex battlefield of unspoken expectations, inherited trauma, and deep-seated guilt. In this raw and revealing episode of the Bad Daughter miniseries, I get vulnerable, revealing my own pain around my mother - so you can understand yourself better and start exploring how to heal your own mother-daugher wound. In this episode, we peel back the layers of the most influential relationship in a woman’s life: the one with her mother/daughter. We go deep into the "Mother Wound"—the intergenerational pain passed down through lineages of women particularly South Asian women—and explore how cultural pressures can turn love into a burden. From the weight of "log kya kahenge" (what will people say) to the silent sacrifices our mothers made, we discuss why this relationship often feels like a tug-of-war between loyalty and liberation. Inside this episode, we explore: Our emotional triggers:How we inherit trauma:The "Bad Daughter" Narrative:How to Heal: Whether you are navigating a strained relationship, grieving a connection you never had, or trying to ensure you don’t pass the same patterns to your own children, this conversation is a vital step toward emotional freedom. We’re talking about the trauma we inherit without asking for it, and how to set boundaries without feeling like a "bad daughter." It’s time to stop the cycle. 🛑 Enjoyed my book extract? Here's where you can buy my book Bad Daughter: https://baddaughter.co.uk/about/ Join me on my women only "Anti-Retreat" in tropical Kerala: https://baddaughter.co.uk/kerala-retreats/ Mentioned in this episode: The Anti-Retreat in tropical Kerala Real Kerala spirituality. Real sisterhood. No wellness BS. 8 Days, 7 Nights | 4-11 Feb 2026 | Kerala Backwaters Welcome to The Anti-Retreat. None of the usual yoga babes clutching “chai” lattes here! Just a real reatreat in a beautiful Kerala backwaters resort. You start and end your days with chanting and meditation in sync with the rhythms of Mother Nature. You soak up the energy of this bewitching land land with walking meditations, ancient Kerala rituals & visits to sacred goddess temples. You feast on traditional Kerala food. You connect deeper with yourself every day through a series of daily workshops. You connect with your sisters through a series of practises. The best bit? You connect with local women and women-led businesses (because your money supports them!) You’ll experience things that no tourist ever would. Are you ready?

Masala Podcast is back with the Bad Daughter miniseries. Where we carry on exploring taboo topics, have provocative conversations and challenge patriarchy. Let's go! GOODBYE GOOD GIRL, HELLO BAD DAUGHTER! Are you constantly editing yourself, tweaking yourself, minimising yourself to fit into what the world wants you to be? In this episode, I’ll be exploring Good Girl vs Bad Daughter. In fact, we're throwing the good girl script out the window. Because I promise you, when we own our Bad Daughter self - that’s when we really start living our lives. Are you ready? I was taught so many rules about being the "good daughter": It's not just in South Asian culture, women in every culture are taught to be a good girlfriend, a good sister, a good wife, good colleague and so on. HOW DOES THIS GOOD GIRL IDEA AFFECT US? Women grow up in a world that teaches us to shrink ourselves, to make ourselves smaller in order to be more palatable to everyone else. Here are some stats: Source: Good Girls Report © Good Shout Community 2025 WHAT PRACTICAL STEPS CAN YOU TAKE? It feels like an uphill battle but there are things you can do. We start by going to the source of where our beliefs where shaped. Take a piece of paper and write a few things down: Now choose ONE "good daughter" rule that you're ready to question. Write it down on a piece of paper, exactly as you learnt it. For example: "Good daughters always ………. Here comes the fun bit: tear that paper up and see how good it feels! WANT MORE? CHECK OUT MY BOOK BAD DAUGHTER I was called a “Bad Daughter” for defying the rigid expectations placed on “good Indian girls.” But in my rebellion, I found my voice. Nothing could stop me. Not a harrowing childhood in a Mumbai slum, not my father’s violence, not even my mother’s brutal violence. With a fire in my belly, I battled patriarchy, built a new life in London, creating a successful podcast & platform to inspire other women to find their own freedom. I also went on a massive healing journey with psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, EMDR, acupuncture to Tantra as well as going back to my roots in tropical temples in Kerala (I share all the details in my book!) Bad Daughter is a feminist story of resilience and unapologetic survival as well as a rousing, inspiring invitation to go after your dreams. BUY ON...

Tantra and Kamasutra secrets - plus Three Interactive Sensual Meditations SPICY LIVE EPISODE WITH TANTRA & KAMASUTRA EXPERTS, RECORDED AT LONDON PODCAST FESTIVAL Explore the power of pleasure and learn how to tap into own your own body’s innate sensuality. Hint: it’s not about sex positions. Learn Tantra and Kamasutra secrets - plus Three Interactive Meditations to activate your sensuality! All, in one super spicy Masala Podcast episode recorded in front of a live audience at the London Podcast Festival 2023. Meet my two amazing pleasure warrior guests: Tantra Sexuality Shaman Amba Kahly and Kamasutra Expert Seema Anand. They will teach you ancient Indian pleasure secrets & how to use your sacred sexuality to enrich every area of life. On this podcast, you'll learn Three Sensual Meditation techniques: 1) The Jingling Girdle mediation 2) The Sensual Chocolate meditation 3) The Full Body Tantra meditation. You’ll learn how to unlock your body’s natural pleasure channels. Top tip: keep a square of chocolate handy for this interactive meditation session. No, it's just about Tantric Sex or about about Kamasutra positions. Or just about having sex. Explore the power of pleasure and learn how to tap into own your own body’s innate sensuality. Hint: it’s not about Kamasutra positions. Ready? Get set to feel all tingly & amp up your pleasure in this live and interactive episode of Masala Podcast.

"Can I be a feminist and ask a man to get rid of mice?" An fun, light hearted episode asking questions about feminism. And mice infestations. Are you a strong feminist? Are you proud of what you've achieved? I know that I am. I own my own house, I pay my own bills, I buy my own jewellery. But when a mouse crept into my bedroom - I suddenly wanted a man to come get rid of it. In this episode, I talk about being a strong feminist and yet screeching like a little girl when I mouse dared to come into my bedroom. I talk about wanting a man to come sort out the mouse for me. I ask the question: can you be a strong feminist and still ask for help? This is the latest episode of my new season called Masala Podcast Unfiltered. Where I, your host Sangeet Pillai, will be more raw, more unfiltered. I want to explore the usual Masala Podcast themes: from feminism, motherhood, sex, patriarchy, menopause, bodies, mental health and much more. These short episodes will go deep and personal, using a rich story telling format. Expect evocative stories, taboo topics and thoughtful musings that ask deep questions about what it means to be a South Asian feminist today. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. More about Masala Podcast: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/about-masala-podcast/

"But where are you really from?" An episode investigating South Asian identity and belonging. Do you feel like you belong? And where do you feel like you belong the most? Belonging often gives us a sense of fitting in or feeling like we are part of something bigger, that we really fit in one place more than any other. I’ve often struggled with that sense of belonging – and in this podcast episode I talk about fitting in – or rather not fitting in. I talk about sitting on a little beach by the Thames in London - and wondering about where was home? It started me thinking about where we, as immigrants, feels at home. In this episode, I share how I never quite fit in - whether in India where I spent most of my life or in the UK where I've now spent close to two decades. This is the latest episode of my new season called Masala Podcast Unfiltered. Where I, your host Sangeet Pillai, will be more raw, more unfiltered. I want to explore the usual Masala Podcast themes: from feminism, motherhood, sex, patriarchy, menopause, bodies, mental health and much more. These short episodes will go deep and personal, using a rich story telling format. Expect evocative stories, taboo topics and thoughtful musings that ask deep questions about what it means to be a South Asian feminist today. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. More about Masala Podcast: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/about-masala-podcast/

"Why does resting make me feel guilty?" - Rest feels radical for women, particularly South Asian women. Because we're brought up to work, to serve, to always say yes. We've seen our mothers and grandmothers exhaust themselves endlessly looking after everyone else. And so we normalise being tired, overworked and overwhelmed. On this episode of Masala Podcast Unfiltered, I talk about going on holiday to Corfu to rest and recover but being unable to fully relax - because my mind kept reminding me of my to-do lists. I know I'm not alone. Many feminists and South Asian women in particular feel this guilt and inability to really relax. So many women find resting so difficult, because patriarchy and capitalism have us stuck on an endless productivity treadmill. This feminist podcast is here to tell you that resting is a feminist act. Resting is about preventing burnout. Resting is about self love. Are you exhausted by the endless to-do lists in your own life? Are you knackered but unable to really, deeply rest? If so, you'll love listening to this feminist podcast episode. MASALA PODCAST UNFILTERED This is the second episode of my new season called Masala Podcast Unfiltered. Where I, your host Sangeet Pillai, will be more raw, more unfiltered. I want to explore the usual Masala Podcast themes: from South Asian women, feminism, motherhood, sex, patriarchy, menopause, bodies, mental health and much more. These short episodes will go deep and personal, using a rich story telling format. Expect evocative stories, taboo topics and thoughtful musings that ask deep questions about what it means to be a South Asian feminist today. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. More about Masala Podcast: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/about-masala-podcast/

"Where are your kids?" - South Asian women are expected to be mothers, they're told that is the very purpose of being a woman. In fact, society expects all women in all cultures to be mothers. On this episode of Masala Podcast Unfiltered, I talk about a very personal episode in my life where a stranger stopped me on the street, demanding to know where my kids were. It started me thinking about how society expects all women to want kids, to have kids. In this episode, I get very vulnerable, very personal. Because I want us all to talk about the stigma surrounding women like me, who choose to not have kids. Let's also think about women who may not be able to have kids. Are you tired of the constant pressure on women to be mothers? Do you believe that every woman's choice should be celebrated? If so, you'll love listening to this episode. MASALA PODCAST UNFILTERED This is the first episode of my new season called Masala Podcast Unfiltered. Where I, your host Sangeet Pillai, will be more raw, more unfiltered. I want to explore the usual Masala Podcast themes: from feminism, motherhood, sex, patriarchy, menopause, bodies, mental health and much more. These short episodes will go deep and personal, using a rich story telling format. Expect evocative stories, taboo topics and thoughtful musings that ask deep questions about what it means to be a South Asian feminist today. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. More about Masala Podcast: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/about-masala-podcast/ Mentioned in this episode: Girls Will Be Girls Movie Click link: https://www.modernfilms.com/girlswillbegirls A fab film about mothers and daughters - and the ups and downs of navigating teenage sexuality as a young woman in a boarding school in North India. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Richa Moorjani on South Asian Beauty & 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 that would later influence Richa's own artistic endeavours. But this episode isn’t all about music, TV and the arts. We’re going to get very serious, and make some impact on the cultural divides between Hollywood, and Bollywood. We're going to confront a critical issue that hits close to home for many of us: the dominance of Western beauty standards and their profound impact on our South Asian cultural ideals. Women, in particular South Asian, really struggle with the Western beauty ideal of “skinny” that is at odds with our very genetics. In sharing our personal stories, we’ll dissect the intense pressures to conform and the struggle for acceptance, all while highlighting the nuanced racism that we face and our collective yearning for true representation in the media. You're in for a treat as we reminisce about the familial ties fostered on the beloved show "Never Have I Ever," where Richa brings life to the character of Kamala. She'll share the beauty of her real-life friendship with Poorna Jagannathan and the heartfelt connection shared with the diverse cast mates. Plus, we'll delve into the cultural impact of the show and Richa's exciting role as Indira in the hit series "Fargo." I'm especially excited for what Richa has to share today – wisdom to her younger self and all the South Asian women out there about owning your light and seizing the endless possibilities. I'll shed some light on the transformations within our South Asian communities in the UK and the US, celebrating the progress and new paths that are emerging for South Asian women. Join us as I take you through Richa's incredible story, from a child enamoured with classical dance to a shining presence in the acting world, underscoring the essential need for real representation and the empowering effect of stories that embrace our cultural intricacies. So settle in as I, Sangeeta, lead you through a conversation filled with not just the challenges but the remarkable victories and advancements for South Asians in the media and beyond, all here on the Masala Podcast. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/fargo-never-have-i-ever-star-richa-moorjani-s5-ep-13/

Why I became a South Asian feminist activist: Guest Sangeeta Pillai: S5 Ep 12 In this extra-special 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. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/masala-podcast-season-5/

Author Mira Jacob on Fighting Racism with Books: S5 Ep 11 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! Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-ep-11-mira-jacob-author-on-fighting-racists-with-words-pics/

Comedian Aparna Nancherla on Depression & Jokes: S5 Ep 10 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. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-ep-10-aparna-nancherla-comedian-on-depression-not-being-fun/

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. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-ep-9-avantika-vandanapu-hollywood-star-on-loving-saris/

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. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-ep-8-tanya-gupta-nasa-engineer-turned-artist/

S5 EP7 Michelle shares her beauty secrets as 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. Michelle's journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur is so grounded in her South Asian culture and is super inspiring. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-ep-7-michelle-ranavat-the-power-of-beauty-rituals/

Melanie Chandra on Diversity & Equality in Hollywood: S5 EP6 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. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-ep-6-melanie-chandra-hollywood-celeb-on-why-diverse-stories-matter/

Tanya Ravichandran, making waves with sustainable fashion: S5 EP5 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. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-ep5-tanya-ravichandran-south-asian-creator-on-shaking-up-fashion/

Reshma Saujani On Why Women Need Money: S5 EP4 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. Masala Podcast has won 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Production Award & the Spotify SoundUp 2018 award. Also featured on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow. For more on this episode: https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-ep4-reshma-saujani-why-women-need-money/