Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast

Author: Soul Sutras Language: English Episodes: 66
There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when the formalities drop away and real talk begins-the kind that tackles what's often whispered about but rarely discussed openly in many communities. That's the space Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast occupies. Created by Soul Sutras, this multi-award-winning series deliberately turns its attention toward cultural taboos, from sex and sexuality to periods, menopause, and the complexities of mental health. It moves beyond surface-level discussions to dissect shame, sexual harassment, and porn through a specific, vital lens. What you'll hear is a rich exploration of intersectional feminism as it's lived and understood by South Asian women, making it a standout in its field. Each episode brings forward the voices and views of some of the world's most inspiring South Asian women, offering stories and analysis that are both deeply personal and broadly resonant. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a necessary, candid dialogue that challenges silence and redefines narratives. The conversations are as nuanced and varied as the experiences they represent, creating a collective sense of understanding and progress. It’s more than just a listening experience; it’s an immersion into perspectives that are crucial, often overlooked, and powerfully transformative.
Episodes
Is the Kamasutra even relevant today? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:04
“The Kamasutra was the first text to talk about independent female pleasure…” Meet Seema Anand, a mythologist and storyteller, specialising in women’s narratives with a focus on the erotic literatures of Ancient India. A…
Why is South Asian female pleasure still a taboo? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:18
“We should get rid of the shame we feel asking for our pleasure, prioritising our pleasure.” Meet Leeza Mangaldas, India’s foremost sex-positive content creator. Leeza’s work is all about normalising conversations around…
Female Genital Cutting - Why are we still cutting our girls? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:47
“Stop cutting our girls, is that too much to ask?” Meet Aarefa Johari, a passionate activist working to end the practise of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) in her Dawoodi Bohari community. She experienced FGC in her own chi…
Coming out as a queer South Asian woman at 50 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:22
"For me, coming out at 50 was all about being true to myself..." In this episode, Raga & Sangeeta talk about what it means for South Asian womxn to own their sexuality, in a culture that often represses our sexuality. We…
Why are older South Asian women less valued? - With Shobhaa De [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
"Talking about life for women in South Asian culture and how society treats older women." Meet Shobhaa De, one of THE most well-know names in India. A fiery, feisty 70-something woman. Super successful & super confident.…
Being American & South Asian (Recorded at UC Berkeley) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:44
"Being Sri Lankan in America is to unapologetically claim my space as a South Asian..." The final episode of Season Two is a special that was recorded, on campus, at UC Berkeley, California interviewing young South Asian…
South Asia Sex Trafficking and Sexual violence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:05
"An ordinary salwar-kameez clad young woman fights sex trafficking..." In this episode, I talk with Ram Devineni & Dipti Mehta, who are the creators of the Priya Shakti comic book – which has made the topic of sex traffi…
Cancer & other major illness taboos in South Asian Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:13
"My daughter asked if she could choose my wig after chemo..." In this episode, I speak with Susmita Bhattacharya. She’s an award-winning author with many books to her credit. Her debut novel, The Normal State of Mind, wa…