In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas welcomes writer Karuna Ezara Parikh for an intimate conversation about a woman’s relationship with her body. Known for her acclaimed works, including The Heart Asks Pleasure First, Karuna shares her deeply personal journey, from navigating the pressures of the media’s gaze to being diagnosed with lung cancer. Together, they discuss self-care, societal expectations, and reclaiming agency over one’s body. Karuna also reflects on how her...

Unlock love's cosmic secrets and discover how astrology, numerology, tarot and cosmic intuition shape relationships and your own existence. Love Matters host Leeza Mangaldas and astrologer Zohra Shakti explore divination's insights into love, self-discovery and modern relationships. Watch this episode for an enlightening cosmic journey.  Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/ Zohra Shakti's Social handles: Instagram -...

Love Matters is back! Listen to all the episodes of your favourite podcast now! Love Matters is a podcast produced by The Indian Express and DW, Germany's international broadcaster - that explores love, sex, and relationships in India. Currently hosted by Leeza Mangaldas, India’s top sexuality educator, Love Matters features conversations with remarkable guests whose unique expertise and lived experiences are sure to strike a chord. Each episode will navigate a complex and often taboo topic,...

In this episode of Love Matters, Dr. Karan Rajan, NHS surgeon and the internet’s favourite doctor, joins host Leeza Mangaldas to tackle men’s sexual health myths head-on. From masturbation and penis size to erectile dysfunction, Dr. Karan debunks pervasive misinformation. They dive deep into the psychological and cultural pressures men face around body image, performance pressure and masculinity. Plus, they discuss the rise of Viagra misuse among young men and the vital link between mental...

We've all been there- curled up in bed, feeling like the world is crashing down after a breakup. But what if the breakup is actually an opportunity for growth? Join Leeza Mangaldas and content creator, actor and writer Merenla Imsong in another episode of Love Matters. They dive into the messy yet transformative world of breakups. From understanding self worth to closures, here's a fresh perspective on healing from a heartbreak. Leeza Mangaldas’...

What happens when you discover your true sexuality after tying the knot in a traditional marriage? In this episode of Love Matters, Leeza Mangaldas speaks with standup comedian Anshita Koul about her groundbreaking personal journey. Married in her 20s in a heteronormative setup, Anshita later came out as queer in her 30s. They discuss the complexities of navigating identity, love, and societal expectations while in a committed marriage. How does coming out shift the dynamics of a...

Love Matters is launching a new season soon, featuring amazing guests and exciting topics! We're also thrilled to announce a special podcast episode that will be recorded live at a podcast festival in Berlin, Germany. For the first time ever, our cherished listeners can join the audience for this live recording. So, if you're in Berlin or will be there at the end of August, listen up!

Love Matters is launching a new season soon, featuring amazing guests and exciting topics! We're also thrilled to announce a special podcast episode that will be recorded live at a podcast festival in Berlin, Germany. For the first time ever, our cherished listeners can join the audience for this live recording. So, if you're in Berlin or will be there at the end of August, listen up!

Being bisexual is often met with a whole lot of stereotypes, and there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding that topic, coming from both the heteronormative society and within the queer community. What are the unique challenges of coming out as a bisexual woman in India? What prejudices do bi people confront? And what is it like to navigate straight and queer spaces when you're bisexual? In this episode of Love Matters, Leeza Mangaldas talks to writer and editor Saumyaa Vohra about her...

Female pleasure and sex positivity are not often talked about very openly. What does sexual agency look like for women in contemporary India? And how does it differ from the ubiquitous images we see in media coverage and pop culture of the sexually liberated western women? In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas is in conversation with book author and psychologist Amrita Narayanan about the many nuances of women’s sexuality in the context of a patriarchal society. What can...

What’s it like dating as a gay man? And how does it compare to loving men as a cis-hetero woman? In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas is comparing notes on “loving men” with writer, translator and co-founder of Pink List India, Anish Gawande. From meeting potential partners to power structures within relationships and their personal red flags when dating men. What are the differences and commonalities in relationships with current and previous lovers? And what can mainstream...

Being a mother often seems to be the inevitable and most desirable role a woman can have in India. The question is never if, but when and how many children a woman will have. But why is this considered the “natural” destiny and the one and only true fulfillment of a woman’s life? How can there be a choice for - or against - motherhood? And what are the challenges for those who do not want to have children? In this episode of Love Matters host Leeza Mangaldas and writer Dr. Amrita Nandy unpack...

Dear Listeners, Love Matters is going on a short break and the next episode featuring the incredible Amrita Nandy will be available on the 6th of January. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love Matters with Leeza Mangaldas is a cooperation between The Indian Express and DW, Germany’s international broadcaster. Learn more about DW: https://www.facebook.com/dwasia https://www.dw.com

What determines who we love and desire? Is it just down to personal preference? Or isn’t it rather ingrained in our minds through what we learn and see growing up and through pop culture all around us? And when it comes to love and relationships in India: aren’t societal forces shaping the way we love much more than we’d like to think? In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas explores these questions and many more with the help of Christina Dhanuja, Writer, Researcher and...

Public discourse around sexual consent is often rigidly configured around “Yes” and “No”. But how can we go beyond just this basic binary framework to make room for the more complex and nuanced emotions we may experience in our sexual lives? Can we create an environment of such radical kindness that we can make room for maybe, so we can explore our desires as they unfold instead of having to always preempt them for fear of our safety? Join Leeza Mangaldas and Paromita Vohra, Filmmaker, Writer...

Why is it so important that we continue to nurture meaningful friendships and carve out time for fun and play, even as adults? Despite busy schedules, marriage and kids, and changing priorities, how can we ensure we make and keep friendships thriving throughout our lives? In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas explores all this and more with Comedian and Writer, Rohan Joshi, who shares his personal experiences, and how he has navigated friendship while...

What does it mean to be Desi and kinky? What can we learn about consent from the kink community, and what unique possibilities for self-expression and self-discovery does kink afford its practitioners? In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas discusses all this and more with Jaya Sharma, founding member of The Kinky Collective. Jaya is a kinky queer feminist activist and writer who's worked on issues of gender and education for over 20 years. Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram:...

Why was homosexuality a crime in India till 2018? Why is it that marital rape is still legal, while gay marriage is not yet legal? How does the legal system continue to shape our sexual rights, particularly for women and queer people's lives? Is constant vigilance the true price of liberty? In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas explores the impacts of patriarchy, laws, norms and the journey from 1950 to 2023, assessing the progress and challenges of women's and LGBTQ+...

Is love truly free, or do those old caste boundaries still play a role in influencing whom we love? Can we challenge these age-old norms and create love stories that break the mold? How is the 'Bollywoodization' of weddings impacting society? In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas delves into the intricacies of contemporary love, addressing one question at a time. Joined by Anurag Minus Verma, a writer, filmmaker, and host of the Anurag Minus Verma Podcast, they unravel the...

Do you feel comfortable talking about what goes on in your bedroom? Why is it still such a taboo to speak about sexual health and well-being? Evelyn explores all this and more, with the help of a “Millennial Doctor” who has made it her mission to speak to the next generation about sex and health openly – both in her practice and on her incredibly popular Instagram account, @dr_cuterus. Evelyn Sharma's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelyn_sharma/ Dr Tanaya Narendra`s Instagram:...

When you’re married, you’re a team. But what happens if you decide to take your duo professional – and start a business together? In this episode, Evelyn talks to Nidhi Singh and Shikhar Singh, a couple who decided to quit their biotech jobs and go into business together – founding a hugely successful chain of samosa restaurants. She gets down to the nitty-gritty of what it’s like to work with your spouse. Is it just more of a good thing? Or way too much of one? Listen in to find out....

When it comes to a couple living together without being married, India has seen a lot of change. What used to be taboo is now gaining more acceptance, especially with Gen Z. In this episode, Evelyn talks to actress Ashlesha Savant, and her partner, actor Sandeep Baswana, who have been living-in for fifteen years. They talk about why they decided to go the live-in route, and how it’s shaped their love for each other. They also reflect on the attitudes of their families and society towards...

This week we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from Season One, in which Evelyn Sharma speaks to sex positivity influencer Leeza Mangaldas about sexual pleasure, women’s bodies, and how to talk about the stuff that is usually swept under the rug. Show notes: Evelyn Sharma's Instagram: @evelyn_sharma Leeza Mangaldas’s Instagram: @leezamangaldas Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Producers: Jennifer Collins & Nicolas Martin Sound Engineer: Thomas Schmidt...

Everyone wants connection. But not everyone is welcome in the online spaces we create for people to connect. In this episode, Evelyn chats to Nidhi Goyal about how we can remedy that (spoiler: it’s not hard!), and they reminisce on some hilarious, dubious encounters with dating apps, plus how Nidhi built a relationship with her partner. Evelyn Sharma's Instagram: @evelyn_sharma Nidhi Goyal’s Instagram: @saysnidhigoyal Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Sound Engineer: Gerd...