10 Should-Pay attention Feminist Podcasts Of 2022

As podcasts proceed to achieve reputation worldwide, we now have witnessed a spurt of recent podcasts which have spectacularly widened the vary of informative feminist content material in India. The primary few (and nonetheless iconic) feminist podcasts in India targeted on popular culture, physique positivity, and dwelling feminist lives. The brand new and upcoming ones have widened the vary, diving into gender coverage, monetary independence, and ladies occupying area: in places of work and laboratories, in sexual encounters, and in public areas. 

Here’s a record of podcasts that stood out this 12 months for not solely shining a lightweight on ladies’s points and realities in India, however empowering ladies with the data to make well-informed selections for themselves. 

1. Ladies in Labour

From unpaid work to emotional labour to being undermined on the workplace, ladies have at all times borne the burden of labour that isn’t thought-about as ‘actual work’. Comic Aditi Mittal and filmmaker Christina MacGillivray unpack the realities of girls’s work and dealing ladies on this brutally sincere comedy podcast ‘Women in Labour‘. With visitors like Ragini Das (co-founder of leap.membership, an expert networking platform for girls) and Christina Dhanaraj (Dalit Historical past Month co-founder), this podcast is for anybody who desires the reply to: ’What’s retaining ladies away from India’s workplaces?’

2. Metropolis Of Ladies

What does navigating an Indian metropolis actually seem like for girls? What huge and small obstacles do they face to easily exist and be happy? City of Women paperwork the struggles, methods and rebellions of on a regular basis ladies on the streets of Bangalore. From buses to hostel gates, terraces to theatres, the podcast options brief first hand accounts from nameless on a regular basis ladies and interviews with outstanding ladies like economist and creator Shrayana Bhattacharya and Tamil creator, poet and exercise, Salma. 

3. The Intercourse Podcast

When Indian faculties fail to offer us with intercourse training, what selection do we now have however to show to podcasts? In style intercourse constructive content material creator and creator of ‘The Intercourse E-book’, Leeza Mangaldas, has began her personal Hindi intercourse ed podcast in December 2021, ‘The Sex Podcast‘. The podcast supplies protected intercourse and hygiene practices, demystifies the elusive g-spot and (much more tragically elusive) clitoris, and busts myths like ‘intercourse makes your vagina free’. A superb refresher within the ABCs we by no means actually learnt from a dependable supply. Leeza additionally not too long ago spoke about her e book, podcast and work with FII. Hearken to the dialog here.

4. In Perspective

The Swaddle‘s In Perspective presents a deeply nuanced perspective on India by means of conversations with teachers who’ve spent years, if not many years, finding out explicit sides of our historical past and tradition. From Tamil ladies writing about want within the Nineteen Twenties, start of Cabaret in Mumbai to the event of the North East, the podcast spans many years, areas and feminist considerations like voting rights, intercourse work, sati, reproductive rights, queer love and consent. A must-listen for individuals who need to perceive extra about historical past, actions, and themselves. And people who love these sorts of deep-dives may have a look at Swaddle’s different two podcasts: The Final Courtesans of Bombay and Respectfully Disagree. 

5. Ladies That Make investments 

Investing specialists Simran Kaur and Sonya Gupthan are on a mission to assist ladies everywhere in the world achieve full monetary autonomy and make GOOD selections with the ‘Girls That Invest‘ podcast. From insurance coverage to side-hustles, these South Asian millennials are right here to demystify heavy monetary jargon, and assist ladies navigate advanced conditions like loaning cash to a buddy or planning for a divorce. An incredible worth add for girls who need to perceive the ABCs of investing and scale back the gender wealth hole!

Additionally learn: Advocacy, Ardour And The Past: A Podcast Exploring Changemaking

6. 28ish Days Later

In 28 episodes, this cleverly titled podcast takes you thru the method of a menstrual cycle, from bleeding to bleeding once more! India Rakusen covers the cycle in excruciating element, focusing not simply on the interval, however on bodily and hormonal adjustments, ovulation, contraceptives, PMS, endometriosis and extra. Perceive all the pieces you ever needed to find out about your interval with this podcast that deconstructs the historical past, science and politics of menstruation. 

7. Rumors: Darkish Lore From India 

Written and narrated by horror creator Chandrima Das, Rumors explores native legends and myths throughout India, with out claiming them to be true or false. Not like most mainstream Indian horror, the podcast doesn’t present traditions of marginalised communities as ‘horrifying’ however goes out of its method to function totally different perception techniques just like the ritualistic Bhootakola dance of Tulunadu, the tiger god of the Sundarbans, and the magic practices of Mayong village in Assam. 

From uncovering the realities of witch-hunting in India to the colonial hangover of worshipping of ‘White Gods’, the podcast is ready to present a bigger socio-cultural perspective on the fears and beliefs that drive Indians at the moment. 

8. Misplaced Ladies Of Science

Because the title suggests, Lost Women Of Science uncovers the contributions and groundbreaking discoveries of girls scientists who haven’t acquired the popularity they deserve. Began on the finish of 2021, this distinctive podcast has launched 3 seasons to this point, that includes pathologist Dorothy Anderson, programmer Klára Dán von Neumann and mechanical engineer Yvonne Y. Clark. Every season has 4-5 episodes masking the life and socio-cultural context of 1 scientist and the present implications of her work. 

Does India want its personal podcast celebrating ladies scientists or maybe Woman Docs? Completely. However within the meantime, this podcast is the go-to for girls searching for inspiration to pursue science. 

9. Masala Podcast 

I solely not too long ago found this award-winning podcast that has been closely featured in worldwide publications. Now in its 4th season, the podcast is hosted by South Asian intersectional feminist and activist Sangeetha Pillai, who’s on a mission to defy the strain on South Asian ladies to be ‘applicable’. By interviews with medical specialists, drag queens, activists and queer people, she breaks the taboos round each probably ‘shameful’ matter below the solar: together with masturbation and nipple hair. 

10. Unhealthy Gays

This historical past podcast turns your typical LGBTQ+ podcast on its head. From Alexander the Nice to J. Edgar Hoover, Anne Bonny to Jeffery Dahmer, Bad Gays options controversial and influential historic figures who’re recognized for a lot of issues, however not their sexuality. With this intelligent idea, the podcast not solely combats the straight-washing of previous icons, but additionally urges individuals to see queerness as impartial. To not simply bear in mind queer heroes, but additionally queer villains. 

It’s, as soon as once more, set within the US and predominantly options males, however that may be a limitation we should bear with till we begin making a LOT extra feminist podcasts right here in India. 

Honourable point out: In 2022, FII additionally produced three podcast exhibits. FII debuted two new exhibits, ‘Women and Work: Why it Matters!‘ with Worldwide Centre for Analysis on Ladies (ICRW) and ‘Advocacy, Passion & Beyond: Voices from the SI Leader Lab‘ with the Swedish Institute. FII additionally introduced again its flagship podcast ‘Intersectional Feminism—Desi Style!‘ for its third season. Stream the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.

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So right here’s me trying ahead to an exquisite 12 months of extra obstacles damaged, and extra empowering (and entertaining) feminist content material accessible to all the ladies and marginalised people of India. 

Additionally learn: 10 Feminist Podcasts We Beloved In 2021


Disclaimer: That is in no way an exhaustive or consultant record. Recommendations so as to add to the record are welcome within the feedback part.