Advertise on podcast: Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

Healing Trauma with Ancient Indian Feminist Wisdom in KeralaWhy am I leaving my safe London life, packing away my podcast awards and returning to the very culture that traumatised me? After 11 years in my beautiful canalside flat, I am giving away 70% of my belongings, shedding my "London Sangeeta" identity, and taking nothing with me but my mother’s burnt orange silk sari. I am going back to the lush green backwaters of Kerala. In this deeply vulnerable bridging episode, I am opening up about a mystical vision in a Kerala temple that changed the entire trajectory of my life. For years on Masala Podcast, we have talked about the cultural taboos that damage South Asian women. Now, we are entering a new era. Modern women are exhausted. We are burnt out by a misogynistic world that masquerades as progressive, constantly telling us we are never enough. To survive, we have to stop playing by their rules. Over the next six solo episodes, we are going to explore ancient Indian feminist wisdom to heal modern feminist issues. We will dive into the raw, unapologetic power of the fierce goddesses—and learn how to re-wild ourselves. The culture that hurt me is going to heal me. I want to be guided by the Goddess on this new path and I want to be your guide, if you’ll let me. In this episode, we explore: The emotional cost of decluttering and leaving my life in the UK.Why I rejected Kerala and the Malayalam language for 50 years.A profound spiritual vision of my grandmother that told me: "I am the temple."Escaping the traps of patriarchal brainwashing and capitalist wellness.What to expect in this brand new season of Masala Podcast. MY FREE 5-DAY "BAD DAUGHTER" COURSE! Resources & Links I've mentioned on this episode: ✨ My Substack piece on the power of female anger in the Serpent Temple: 📖 My inspiring memoir, Bad Daughter 🌿 Follow my journey moving to Kerala on Instagram: @SoulSutras Let me know what you think of this new direction! Email me at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram. ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 0:00 - The Burnt Orange Sari & Leaving London 01:30 - Decluttering 21 Years & Leaving My Trophies 03:15 - Why I Rejected Kerala For 50 Years 05:00 - A Mystical Vision in the Temple 07:30 - Shedding My "London Sangeeta" Identity 09:15 - Discovering Raw Goddess Energy 11:00 - Modern Feminist Issues & Patriarchal Brainwashing 12:45 - Re-wilding Ourselves with Ancient Wisdom 14:30 - What's Coming Next on Masala Podcast 15:30 - Taking My Mother Back to Kerala ABOUT MASALA PODCAST: Masala Podcast (winner of 6 British Podcast Awards, 1 Audio Product Award & Spotify SoundUp Award) is the UK's biggest South Asian feminist podcast. Created and hosted by Sangeeta Pillai, this is a highly respected podcast exploring intersectional feminist topics around culture, sex, sexuality, menopause, periods, trauma and fierce feminist rebellion. Sangeeta and Masala Podcast have been been featured extensively in the press from BBC Radio, Guardian, Metro, Cosmopolitan, Evening Standard, Stylist, Eastern Eye to Huffington Post. As well as on giant billboards in New York, London, Dublin, Cardiff & Glasgow.

Is It Culture or Is It Control? The Truth About 'Honour'-Based Abuse SPECIAL EPISODE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT What do you think of when you hear the words ‘Honour’-Based Abuse? If you think it doesn’t happen to people like you, in cosmopolitan cities like London, then this is a must-listen episode. This week, I, Sangeeta Pillai, am talking about something deeply important and often misunderstood: ‘Honour’-Based Abuse (HBA). This isn't just a distant headline; it's a reality for thousands of women in the UK, from all walks of life. I’ll share my own personal story of facing an arranged marriage, and we'll unpack the shocking statistics that show HBA is more common than you think. Let’s do what we always do on Masala Podcast. Let's grab a cup of chai, sit down, and talk about the things we’re not supposed to talk about. Because pressure, control, and fear are not our culture. Support Resources If you or someone you know is experiencing ‘honour’-based abuse, please know that you are not alone and confidential, free help is available. Karma Nirvana: A specialist charity for victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage.UK Helpline: 0800 5999 247 (Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm)Website: https://karmanirvana.org.uk/Forced Marriage Unit: +44 (0)20 7008 0151Southall Black Sisters: Providing information and support for Black and minority women experiencing violence and abuse.Helpline: 020 8571 0800Website: https://southallblacksisters.org.uk/Refuge (National Domestic Abuse Helpline): Free, 24-hour confidential support for women experiencing domestic abuse, including HBA.Helpline: 0808 2000 247Website: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/In an emergency, always call 999. In This Episode, We Talk About: What ‘Honour’-Based Abuse Really Is: Understanding the official definition beyond the headlines.My Personal Story: I share my own experience of being pressured into an arranged marriage at 18.The Shocking Reality of HBA in the UK: Exploring the latest statistics from Karma Nirvana, including the fact that cases have risen by 35% since 2022.Who Are the Victims?: HBA happens to educated, professional women (and men). We look at the data on age, location, and ethnicity.The Triggers for Abuse: From family disputes and having a boyfriend to simply "being female."Stories of Survival: Fictionalised but realistic stories of women like 'Layla' and 'Sonia' to show what coercive control and forced marriage can look like.Understanding Coercive Control: How abuse can be silent, emotional, and financial, leaving no physical bruises.The Burden of "Shame" and "Honour": Why these two powerful words stop so many women from seeking help.How You Can Help: Learning to spot the signs of HBA and understanding that culture is never an excuse for abuse. Thank you for listening to Masala Podcast. Please share this episode with your friends and family—you never know who might need to hear it. Connect with me on Instagram at @soulsutras or email me at [email protected] with your thoughts - I'd love to hear from you. This episode is edited by The Podcasting Company @https://www.linkedin.com/company/thepodcastingcompany/

Breaking the Cycle of South Asian Cultural Shame | Masala Podcast I'm peeling back the layers on a tough topic for South Asian diaspora experience: Cultural Shame. This isn't just about feeling "different"; it’s about the deep-rooted psychological burden of feeling that our culture, our bodies, and our very existence are "wrong" in a Western context. 1. Why We Feel Cultural Shame We didn't wake up with this feeling; it was designed. We explore the "why" behind our embarrassment and our "Log Kya Kehenge" thinking: The Colonial Hangover: Centuries of being told our traditions were "uncivilized" created a deep-seated internalized racism within all of us. It’s so deep-rooted that we don’t even know it’s there. Like everything we’re unaware of, it manifests in so many areas of our lives from school, to work to relationships. The Integration Trap: The pressure to "fit in" to survive and succeed in Western spaces means we learn (often subconsciously) to hide our true South Asian selves. We learn that being more Western, being more accepted in the world we live in. Generational Weight: Our parents' survival instincts taught them to also blend in and now draw attention to their more Desi parts. And growing up with those values, we turned into our cultural baggage. 2. How Cultural Shame Manifests in Our Lives Shame isn't just a feeling; it’s a set of behaviours that are deeply rooted in our bodies and minds. The "Log Kya Kahenge" Filter: We might learn that others are judging us and this might dictate our career, clothes, and relationships. Code-Switching: We feel the exhaustion of switching versions of ourselves between home and the outside world. And yet, sometimes this is so embedded in us, we don’t even realise that we’re doing it. Policing How We Look: The shame is subtle yet it’s there. It might surround our hair, our skin tone, and our physical presence. This would explain why we might style our hair to look more Western, why we might wear more “neutral” clothing. 3. What We Can Do to Change In this episode, I share how we can begin the work of reclaiming our identity: Radical Vulnerability: Speaking the "shameful" things out loud to strip them of their power and that might even mean admitting it to ourselves. Curating Our Own Culture: Perhaps we could start by picking and choosing those parts of our heritage that nourish us, those parts of ourselves that we have ignored for such a long time. This episode is an invitation to stop hiding, to embrace those beautiful parts of our identity. It’s time to move from shame to radical South Asian pride. I wrote a longer article here about cultural shame and some solutions: https://soulsutras.co.uk/unpacking-cultural-shame-south-asian-diaspora/ #MasalaPodcast #SouthAsianIdentity #CulturalShame #DesiMentalHealth #LogKyaKahenge #SouthAsianFeminism #HealingTrauma #DiasporaStories #SangeetaPillai #BrownGirlProblems #UnlearningShame

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: Why you can be in a room full of thousands of people and still feel entirely untetheredThe Health Cost: The shocking reality that loneliness is as damaging to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and its links to anxiety, heart health, and cognitive declineThe Price of Rebellion: How choosing to be a "Bad Daughter" and rejecting traditional cultural scripts—like getting married and "settling down"—can lead to a unique type of isolationThe Transformation Shift: Why your circle might change as you grow, and how to navigate the grief of losing old friendships that no longer fit the woman you’ve becomeFrom Loneliness to Solitude: Practical tips on losing the shame, sitting with your grief, and finally emerging into a world where you are truly seen and heard 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: Why we’ve been conditioned to settle and how to raise your standards for joy.[05:40] Sexual Self-Care & Wellness: Reframing self-pleasure as a fundamental pillar of women’s health.[09:12] Anatomy & Awareness: Breaking through the mental blocks to reach your full sensual potential.[13:45] Practical Pleasure Exercises: A step-by-step guide to mirror work, somatic breathing, and sensory mapping.[17:20] Communicating Your Desires: How owning your joy on your own makes you more powerful in your relationships. 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?

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: Why the mother-daughter dynamic is uniquely fraught with emotional triggers and high stakes.How we inherit trauma: How we unconsciously carry the unhealed wounds, anxieties, and societal limitations of the women who came before us.The "Bad Daughter" Narrative: Reclaiming your identity when setting boundaries feels like a betrayal.How to Heal: Actionable insights on how to break the cycle of trauma, practice radical empathy, and forge a new path toward reconciliation or self-peace. 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": Don't speak too loudly.Don't take up space.Don't question elders.Don't prioritise your dreams.Don't, don't, don't. 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: 56% of women feel pressure to be likeable versus 36% of men.65% women feel that being liked is core to their character.'50% of all women say they hold back their true opinions to be liked35% of women try to “smile more” to be liked 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: What "good daughter" rules did you learn growing up?Which of these rules still influence your choices today?What price have you paid for following these rules?What dreams, desires, or parts of yourself have you set aside to remain "good"? 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 AMAZON BUY ON MY WEBSITE 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?

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. Mentioned in this episode: Inspiring feminist memoir Bad Daughter Bad Daughter is my story of going from Mumbai’s slums to New York’s Billboards, with a healing stopover in Kerala. But it’s your story too. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter what happened to you. You still get to have the life you want. That's the message of this book. My memoir Bad Daughter is deeply personal. I talk about growing up in poverty. I talk about my father’s violence, my mother’s murder. I talk about how I turned my pain into power, navigating mental health, sexuality, spirituality & patriarchy. If you’re looking for a book to move you and inspire you to change your own life, buy this book on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/TDC7g. Or buy directly on my website: https://baddaughter.co.uk/about/ Bad Daughter is an essential feminist book, this inspirational memoir is for every woman who wants to break free. This powerful memoir is a reminder that the courage to be your authentic self can transform your own life – and the lives of those around you.

"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/ Mentioned in this episode: Inspiring feminist memoir Bad Daughter Bad Daughter is my story of going from Mumbai’s slums to New York’s Billboards, with a healing stopover in Kerala. But it’s your story too. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter what happened to you. You still get to have the life you want. That's the message of this book. My memoir Bad Daughter is deeply personal. I talk about growing up in poverty. I talk about my father’s violence, my mother’s murder. I talk about how I turned my pain into power, navigating mental health, sexuality, spirituality & patriarchy. If you’re looking for a book to move you and inspire you to change your own life, buy this book on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/TDC7g. Or buy directly on my website: https://baddaughter.co.uk/about/ Bad Daughter is an essential feminist book, this inspirational memoir is for every woman who wants to break free. This powerful memoir is a reminder that the courage to be your authentic self can transform your own life – and the lives of those around you.

"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/ Mentioned in this episode: Inspiring feminist memoir Bad Daughter Bad Daughter is my story of going from Mumbai’s slums to New York’s Billboards, with a healing stopover in Kerala. But it’s your story too. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter what happened to you. You still get to have the life you want. That's the message of this book. My memoir Bad Daughter is deeply personal. I talk about growing up in poverty. I talk about my father’s violence, my mother’s murder. I talk about how I turned my pain into power, navigating mental health, sexuality, spirituality & patriarchy. If you’re looking for a book to move you and inspire you to change your own life, buy this book on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/TDC7g. Or buy directly on my website: https://baddaughter.co.uk/about/ Bad Daughter is an essential feminist book, this inspirational memoir is for every woman who wants to break free. This powerful memoir is a reminder that the courage to be your authentic self can transform your own life – and the lives of those around you.

"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/ Mentioned in this episode: Inspiring feminist memoir Bad Daughter Bad Daughter is my story of going from Mumbai’s slums to New York’s Billboards, with a healing stopover in Kerala. But it’s your story too. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter what happened to you. You still get to have the life you want. That's the message of this book. My memoir Bad Daughter is deeply personal. I talk about growing up in poverty. I talk about my father’s violence, my mother’s murder. I talk about how I turned my pain into power, navigating mental health, sexuality, spirituality & patriarchy. If you’re looking for a book to move you and inspire you to change your own life, buy this book on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/TDC7g. Or buy directly on my website: https://baddaughter.co.uk/about/ Bad Daughter is an essential feminist book, this inspirational memoir is for every woman who wants to break free. This powerful memoir is a reminder that the courage to be your authentic self can transform your own life – and the lives of those around you.

"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: Inspiring feminist memoir Bad Daughter Bad Daughter is my story of going from Mumbai’s slums to New York’s Billboards, with a healing stopover in Kerala. But it’s your story too. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter what happened to you. You still get to have the life you want. That's the message of this book. My memoir Bad Daughter is deeply personal. I talk about growing up in poverty. I talk about my father’s violence, my mother’s murder. I talk about how I turned my pain into power, navigating mental health, sexuality, spirituality & patriarchy. If you’re looking for a book to move you and inspire you to change your own life, buy this book on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/TDC7g. Or buy directly on my website: https://baddaughter.co.uk/about/ Bad Daughter is an essential feminist book, this inspirational memoir is for every woman who wants to break free. This powerful memoir is a reminder that the courage to be your authentic self can transform your own life – and the lives of those around you.

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/ Mentioned in this episode: Inspiring feminist memoir Bad Daughter Bad Daughter is my story of going from Mumbai’s slums to New York’s Billboards, with a healing stopover in Kerala. But it’s your story too. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter what happened to you. You still get to have the life you want. That's the message of this book. My memoir Bad Daughter is deeply personal. I talk about growing up in poverty. I talk about my father’s violence, my mother’s murder. I talk about how I turned my pain into power, navigating mental health, sexuality, spirituality & patriarchy. If you’re looking for a book to move you and inspire you to change your own life, buy this book on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/TDC7g. Or buy directly on my website: https://baddaughter.co.uk/about/ Bad Daughter is an essential feminist book, this inspirational memoir is for every woman who wants to break free. This powerful memoir is a reminder that the courage to be your authentic self can transform your own life – and the lives of those around you.

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/ Mentioned in this episode: Inspiring feminist memoir Bad Daughter Bad Daughter is my story of going from Mumbai’s slums to New York’s Billboards, with a healing stopover in Kerala. But it’s your story too. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter what happened to you. You still get to have the life you want. That's the message of this book. My memoir Bad Daughter is deeply personal. I talk about growing up in poverty. I talk about my father’s violence, my mother’s murder. I talk about how I turned my pain into power, navigating mental health, sexuality, spirituality & patriarchy. If you’re looking for a book to move you and inspire you to change your own life, buy this book on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/TDC7g. Or buy directly on my website: https://baddaughter.co.uk/about/ Bad Daughter is an essential feminist book, this inspirational memoir is for every woman who wants to break free. This powerful memoir is a reminder that the courage to be your authentic self can transform your own life – and the lives of those around you.

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/