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 personal experiences. From coming out to yourself and your family to differences in dating men and women, join their insightful and open conversation. They also delve deep into the story of Saumyaa Vohra's book "One Night Only" – one of the few Indian novels to feature a bisexual protagonist. Find out how she came up with the idea and why she portrayed her character deliberately flawed and "the least likeable." Tune in now!Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Saumyaa Vohra's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saumyaavohra/Credits:Produced by: Patricia Szilagyi (DW), Charulata Biswas (IE)Research & Guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi (DW)Project Manager: Patricia Szilagyi (DW)Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava (IE), Khyati Rajvanshi (IE)Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck (DW Life & Style), Anant Nath Sharma (IE)Sound Editor: Suresh Pawar (IE)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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com/

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 sexual empowerment look like within the Indian context? And how does female pleasure pivot between “rapture and distress”?Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Amrita Narayanan’s X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmritaShrinkCredits:Produced by: Patricia Szilagyi (DW), Charulata Biswas (IE)Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi (DW)Project Manager: Patricia Szilagyi (DW)Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava (IE), Khyati Rajvanshi (IE)Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck (DW Life & Style), Anant Nath Sharma (IE)Sound Editor: Suresh Pawar (IE)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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com/

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 society learn from queer perspectives? Tune in to hear about these topics and many more.Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Anish Gawande’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anishgawande/?hl=en Credits:Produced by: Patricia Szilagyi (DW), Charulata Biswas (IE)Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi (DW)Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler (DW)Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava (IE), Khyati Rajvanshi (IE)Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck (DW Life & Style), Anant Nath Sharma (IE)Sound Editor: Suresh Pawar (IE)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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com/

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 this sensitive subject; looking at how society romanticizes motherhood, the obsession with having biological children as well as finding purpose and kinship beyond being a parent. Join them in their candid and insightful conversation.Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Amrita Nandy’s book - Motherhood and Choice: Uncommon Mothers, Childfree Women - https://amzn.eu/d/64MsN7xCredits:Produced by: Patricia Szilagyi (DW), Charulata Biswas (IE)Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi (DW)Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler (DW)Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava (IE), Khyati Rajvanshi (IE)Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck (DW Life & Style), Anant Nath Sharma (IE)Sound Editor: Suresh Pawar (IE)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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com

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/dwasiahttps://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 Convenor of the Global Campaign for Dalit Women. They also tackle questions like - how does endogamy shape the way we see what is deemed desirable and how do power imbalances based on caste affect the real-life experiences of interpersonal relationships and can they be addressed? And much much more.Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Christina Dhanuja’s Website: https://christinadhanuja.com/Credits:Produced by: Patricia Szilagyi (DW), Charulata Biswas (IE)Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi (DW)Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler (DW)Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava (IE), Khyati Rajvanshi (IE)Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck (DW Life & Style), Anant Nath Sharma (IE)Sound Editor: Suresh Pawar (IE)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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com

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 and Founder of Agents of Ishq, in this episode of Love Matters, as they explore these questions and more in a candid conversation about attraction, pleasure, and rejection. How do these factors shape our relationships, and can we redefine the way we perceive them in a consensual world?Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Paromita Vohra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bombay.rosie/Credits:Produced by: Patricia Szilagyi (DW), Charulata Biswas (IE)Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi (DW)Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler (DW)Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava (IE), Khyati Rajvanshi (IE)Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck (DW Life & Style), Anant Nath Sharma (IE)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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com

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 adulting.Credits:Produced by: Patricia Szilagyi (DW), Charulata Biswas (IE)Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi (DW)Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler (DW)Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava (IE), Khyati Rajvanshi (IE)Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck (DW Life & Style), Anant Nath Sharma (IE)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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com

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: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Jaya Sharma’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jayanotes?lang=enCredits:Produced by: Patricia SzilagyiResearch & guest acquisition: Sana RizviProject Manager: Sonja Kaun-TrenklerSound Editor: Suresh PawarEditorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Khyati RajvanshiExecutive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style, Anant Nath Sharma"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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com

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+ community rights in India with the help of Saurabh Kirpal, a Senior Advocate.Note: This episode of Love Matters about Love and the Law was recorded in August 2023, at which point the Supreme Court had not yet reached a verdict on marriage equality. We did not know at the time of recording what the verdict would be.Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Saurabh Kirpal’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saurabh_kirpal/Produced by: Patricia SzilagyiResearch & guest acquisition: Sana RizviProject Manager: Sonja Kaun-TrenklerSound Editor: Suresh PawarEditorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Khyati RajvanshiExecutive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style, Anant Nath Sharma"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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com

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 complexities of modern relationships.Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/Anurag Minus Verma’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anuragminusverma/Anurag Minus Verma Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/19bjmIcW7eNKccki8LwO2rProduced by: Patricia SzilagyiResearch & guest acquisition: Sana RizviProject Manager: Sonja Kaun-TrenklerSound Editor: Suresh PawarEditorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Khyati RajvanshiExecutive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style, Anant Nath Sharma"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/dwasiahttps://www.dw.com

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: https://www.instagram.com/dr_cuterus/ Produced by: Axel Scheele, Sally McGrane Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Sound Engineer: Gerd Georgii Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style

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. Evelyn Sharma's InstagramNidhi and Shikhar Singh`s InstagramProduced by: Axel Scheele, Sally McGrane Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Sound Engineer: Gerd Georgii Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style

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 living-in, in India today. Evelyn Sharma's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelyn_sharma/ Sandeep Baswana: https://www.instagram.com/baswanasandeep/ Ashlesha Savant: https://www.instagram.com/ashleshasavant/?hl=en Produced by: Axel Scheele, Sally McGrane Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Sound Engineer: Gerd Georgii Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style

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 Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style

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: @saysnidhigoyalResearch & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Sound Engineer: Gerd GeorgiiProject Manager: Sonja Kaun-TrenklerEditorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style

Do you find talking about money in your relationships unbearably awkward? Well, you’re not alone. But luckily for us, one couple has made it their mission to help us tackle this topic – together – for happier, healthier relationships. Today, we talk to Shivani and Pawan Agarwal about when, where and how to have these tricky conversations. Evelyn Sharma's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelyn_sharma/ Shivani & Pawan’s book: The Little Book on Financial ClarityResearch & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-TrenklerEditorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style

Having a baby is exciting. But for some moms, it can trigger post-partum depression. Today’s guest, the actress, writer, producer, and model Chhavi Mittal, talks to Evelyn about her own experience with PPD, how new moms can get through post-partum depression, and what a loving partner can do to help. Evelyn Sharma's InstagramChhavi Mittal`s InstagramProduced by: Axel Scheele, Sally McGrane Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Sound Engineer: Gerd Georgii Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style

Whether it’s just a flicker of red in the distance, or it’s suddenly waving violently in your face, the dreaded "red flag" of modern dating is not always easy to spot. In this episode, Evelyn chats to relationship expert Shahzeen Shivdasani about what a red flag actually is, what it isn’t, and how understanding the difference will help you date better, love deeper and have important conversations when you need to.Show notes: Evelyn Sharma's Instagram handle: @evelyn_sharma Shahzeen Shivdasani’s handle: @avec_shaz Shahzeen’s book: Love, Lust & Lemons: Your go-to guide for relationships, dating & everything in-between! Sound Engineer: Gerd Georgii Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style

Online dating apps tend to get a bad rap. But today’s guest Surbhi Bagga takes just the opposite point of view: She thinks online apps are great for finding love. In fact, the stand-up comic, TV writer and podcast host met her current partner on not one, but two different dating apps. So whether you‘re already looking for love on Tinder, Bumble or OkCupid, or you‘re considering signing up, this is an episode especially for you.Evelyn Sharma's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelyn_sharma/ Surbhi Bagga`s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surbhi.bagga/?hl=de Produced by: Axel Scheele, Sally McGrane Research & guest acquisition: Sana Rizvi Sound Engineer: Gerd Georgii Project Manager: Sonja Kaun-Trenkler Editorial Support: Shashank Bhargava, Anant Nath Sharma, Khyati Rajvanshi Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck, DW Life & Style