Respectfully Disagree

Did 2024 Deliver or Disappoint? A Cultural Recap

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For our final episode of Respectfully Disagree this year, we dive into the biggest cultural moments of 2024 — from Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to break...

Re-release: Can Friends Ever Be Like Family?

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing an episode as the year winds up. Tune in as we discuss friendship boundaries, community living, and if it's realistic to...

Is Nihilism the Mood of the Moment?

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What motivates us when everything feels meaningless? This week on Respectfully Disagree, we dive into nihilism as the mood of the moment—from climat...

Is Being 'Woke' Really Broke Now?

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Respectfully Disagree, we look at how woke culture has evolved, what's changed since last year and why. Besides the general ...

Are We Holding Space for Viral Weirdness This November?

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From lookalike contests to Ranbir Kapoor's latest faux pas, November gave us plenty to debate. This week on Respectfully Disagree, we ask why people a...

Will Maharashtra’s Election be a Cultural Gamechanger? Ft. Meghnad

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, YouTube creator Meghnad, aka 'Meghnerd,' joins us on Respectfully Disagree to break down Maharashtra's elections. We dive into the state’...

Is the Situationship Era Here to Stay?

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it’s Sabrina Carpenter's bedroom pop tunes or the OG sadboy Drake's melodies, situationships have turned into a full-fledged pop culture gen...

Re-release: Is Therapy Speak Harmful? Ft. Farah Maneckshaw

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-releasing our conversation with therapist Farah Maneckshaw who joins us to discuss why Indians struggle with setting boundaries, w...

Is Diwali a Pop-Culture Trope on American TV?

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Respectfully Disagree, we discuss whether American TV is in fact making space for South Asian representation with it's Diwali themed epis...

Can Dark Humour Help Cope With Dystopia? Ft. The Savala Vada

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, The Savala Vada joins us to discuss the backhanded compliment from The Onion, how to be funny during end times, the things we don't joke ab...

Does 'Objective' Journalism Exist? ft. Manisha Pande

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Manisha Pande — Managing Editor at The Newslaundry and host of media criticism show TV Newsance — joins us to discuss media literacy, T...

Is Indian Reality TV Failing to Entertain?

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Tribe just dropped, and The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives is on its 3rd season. But do these shows fail to entertain? This week we discuss whe...

How are GenZ and Millennials Shaping Internet Culture?

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Brody is having a big resurgence, thanks to Nobody Wants This, and shows like The OC, and One Tree Hill are making a comeback. In this week’s e...

Is Concert Culture Out Of Touch? Ft. Josh Fernandez

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Coldplay concert ticket scarcity crisis had rich-ish kids thinking about capitalism, as the reselling rates skyrocketed to the lakhs. Diljit Dosan...

Re-Release: Do We Need Four-day Workweeks?

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the pros and cons of a four-day workweek, work cultures in India, and the problem with how we measure productivity. Respectfull...

Does Fun Still Exist?

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Charli XCX gave us brat summer and Boiler Room is happening in Mumbai -- but is anyone really having fun? This week, we discuss whether anything's fun...

Did 'brat' Summer Bring Skinny Back? Ft. Urooj Ashfaq

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ozempic knock-offs have wormed their way into India and brat summer has glamorized thinness and cigarettes. Did everyone secretly want to be skinny al...

Is the Hema Committee Report MeToo's Second Wave? Ft. Parvathy Thiruvothu and Nidhi Suresh

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Malayalam film industry is going through an upheaval for the second time with the Hema Committee report's revelations. This week, actor Parvathy a...

Are Doctors Failing to Protect Their Own? Ft. Dr. Aqsa Shaikh

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, a professor and community medicine specialist, joins us to discuss the deep-rooted issues in India’s healthcare system e...

Do We Really Need Women Leaders? Kamala vs Hasina ft. Tanaïs

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, award-winning American novelist Tanaïs joins us to discuss their Bangladeshi roots, Sheikh Hasina's politics, the South Asian experience w...

What Is the Point of Sports?

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re discussing all things controversial and heartbreaking in sports. From Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification to gender discrimination i...

Is Kamala Brat or Is Intersectionality Dead? Ft. The Polyester Podcast

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Ione and Gina from The Polyester Podcast join us to discuss Venn Diagram enthusiast Kamala Harris, whether she’s brat, Charli XCX’s end...

Eat the Rich, or Are the Rich Eating? Elite Queer Slang ft. Katyayini Saksham

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Katyayini Saksham joins us to talk about everyone suddenly mothering and serving, why celeb culture overlaps with queer lingo so much, and ...

Is Pan Indian Cinema Secretly Queer? Ft. Humhu

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Humhu -- who plays Krane in 'Kalki 2898 AD' -- joins us to discuss Kalki as a queer dystopia, homoerotic undertones in RRR, how 'Pushpa' re...

What Defines Rodent Men?

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss 'Hot Rodent Men', standards and cultural perceptions around male beauty and why we inevitably categorise people into cookie cutt...

Is Art Dead? Ft. Ayesha Parikh

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we are joined by Ayesha Parikh, curator and founder of Art and Charlie, to discuss artistic freedom, the workings of the art world, and the...

Is Diversity a Dud? Ft. Priyanka Mattoo

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we are joined by Priyanka Mattoo, filmmaker and writer of the upcoming memoir Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones, to discuss diaspora identity, t...

Are We Tired of Bridgerton?

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we intellectualise and gossip about the latest pop culture phenomenon, Bridgerton. We discuss #polin, the Sharma sisters outfits, and how m...

Re-Release: Tollywood Versus Bollywood

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

'Kalki 2898 AD' is getting a lot of buzz. Amid the hype around yet another pan-India affair that really looks a lot like a Telugu film dubbed in othe...

What Does 2024’s Election Mean for India?

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we are joined by Balram Vishwakarma, while we attempt to break down what this election means to us, its effect on our media landscape, and ...

Are Love Triangles Still Interesting?

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the Challengers love triangle, how Twilight shaped us growing up, and how most love triangles are really just love corners. Resp...

Would You Rather Be Stuck With a Man or a Bear?

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we weigh in on the viral 'man or bear' TikTok debate, and why the internet can't seem to have a civil discussion about it Respectfully Disa...

Is It Good That the Rom Com Is Dead?

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, screenwriter Devika Bhagat joins us to discuss the process of writing a good rom com, why friends-to-lovers is the superior trope, and whet...

Is the Daddy Issues Trope Outdated?

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, filmmaker Ruchi Narain joins us to discuss 'daddy issues,' portrayals of father-daughter relationships, and how girlhood is depicted in Ind...

Can Friends Ever Be Like Family?

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss friendship boundaries, community living, and if it's realistic to dream about growing old with friends. Respectfully Disagree is...

Can We Be Friends With Our Siblings?

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss sibling relationships, whether we can grow into seeing our siblings as people, and if birth order really does matter. Respectful...

What Are the Limits of Feminist Activism?

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss Sri Reddy, the pressures of being the face of a movement, progressive activism, and if there is such a thing as the 'perfect fem...

Why Have Trad Wives Become Cool Again?

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why are trad wives internet icons? This week on 'Respectfully Disagree,' we discuss the phenomenon of trad wives, feminism in the kitchen, and the lac...

What Makes Us Enjoy Rich People Dramas?

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss class, opulence, and the optics of wealth. Why do we love Schitt's creek and why does The Menu miss the mark? Respectfully Disag...

Why Do We Love Flawed Characters?

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss Euphoria's reboot, unlikeable women, and why Anne Hathaway is the queen of our hearts. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’...

Re-Release: Are Royal Families Relevant Anymore?

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the world reels from Kate Middleton's disappearance, we revisit an episode from our archives where we discuss the relevance of royalty in India, an...

Is True Crime Exploitative? Ft. Nandita Gupta

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, documentary filmmaker Nandita Gupta joins us to discuss our fascination with true crime, the crazy stories from behind the scenes of making...

Have Romance Novels Ruined Love? Ft. Anuja Chauhan

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week writer Anuja Chauhan joins us to discuss the pride, the prejudices, the sense, and the sensibilities behind consuming romantic literature, w...

Does Indian TV Get Feminism Right? Ft. Gul Khan

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we invite writer, director, producer and all-around renaissance woman Gul Khan, to debate the ins and outs of creating a feminist character...

Is It Okay to Enjoy Luxury?

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the return of indie bollywood, discourse fatigue (read: Dune premier, celeb relationships), and if it's okay to enjoy luxury dur...

Is It Okay to Prioritise Love Over Your Career?

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss selling out to Valentine's Day, love languages, Tylor-Travis, and if it's right to prioritise romance over work. Respectfully...

Re-Release: Are We All 'Pick-Me' Girls?

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss Jennifer Lawrence, the ‘cool girl’ monologue from ‘Gone Girl,’ TikTok pick-me girl discourse, and whether the trope of t...

Love in the Time of Capitalism

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss relationship tests, feminist marriages, and why Sylvia Plath is the perfect dinner party guest. Respectfully Disagree is The...

Can Pop Culture Be Separated From Politics?

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss Barbie's Oscars nomination , disorienting social media content, and a certain temple consecration.

Are Bollywood Talk Shows Dead?

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss all the pop culture that has been dominating our feeds: 'Annapoorani’s' big ban, the Vanga-Kashyap bromance, the 'Fighter' tra...

Dating Dilemmas: Monogamy V/S Polyamory

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This month, we're discussing dating dilemmas – everything we hate about dating 'trends,' and the few things we don't. This week, monogamy vs polyamo...

What's In and What's Out - 2024

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For our first episode of the year, we bring you everything that we think we should carry over to 2024, and what trends are much better forgotten. Re...

2023's Pop Culture: Wrapped

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For our final episode of the year, we’re discourse-ifying everything from SRK, Mammooty, nepo babies, plus every other flashy and controversial pop ...

Exam Pressure: Can We Ever Escape?

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This month's theme is Back to School, where we're debating the most controversial aspects of high school life in India. This week - helicopter mums, m...

Dating in School: Gateway to True Love or True Trauma?

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This month's theme is Back to School, where we're debating the most controversial aspects of high school life in India. This week - charming seniors, ...

Coed v/s Single-Sex Schools: Back to School, Week 1

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This month, the theme is Back to School. This week, are coed schools in India better than single-sex schools? Credits: Featuring: Denise D’Souza, ...

North v/s South, Week 4: Whose History is India’s History?

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This month, we’re tackling the old North v/s South India debate. This week, we’re going back to the beginning – our history, and what gets remem...

North v/s South, Week 3: Is the Mainstreaming of Hindi Unfair or Practical?

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This month, we’re tackling the old North v/s South india debate. This week, perhaps the most controversial one of the series – Hindi, the "nationa...

North v/s South, Week 2: Whose Stereotypes Are Worse?

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This month's theme is the North v/s South India debate. Each week, we'll be dissecting different aspects of this cultural divide, and in this episode,...

North v/s South, Week 1: Tollywood Or Bollywood?

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This month's theme is the good old north v/s south India debate. Each week, we'll be dissecting different aspects of this cultural divide, and our fir...

Do Nice Guys Really Finish Last?

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss whether The Nice Guy really exists, through Aziz Ansari, Ross from Friends, and other guys who made a thing out of finishing la...

Is the Fuckboy Trope Outdated?

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss playboys, fuckboys, and the surprising impact that dating apps and the MeToo movement have had on how we perceive this trope of ...

Why Do Bad Romances Feel So Good?

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss how ‘Twilight’ made the ‘bad romance’ popular again, the difference between negging and banter, and whether hurtful rela...

What's So Bad About 'Bad Boys'?

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the resurgence of ‘bad guys’ in pop culture, its connections with BDSM and romance, and what Draco Malfoy and Daemon Targary...

What Makes Someone a "Good Feminist"?

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the women behind Chandrayaan-3, Swifty fandoms, ‘fake feminism’ allegations, and the binary of good v/s bad feminist. Resp...

What’s the Role of Men in Internet Feminism? ft. Nikhil Taneja

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, writer-producer Nikhil Taneja joins us to discuss why men don't talk about feminism online, how we pin feminist aspirations onto Shah Rukh ...

What’s Wrong With the ‘Girlification’ of the Internet? Ft. Sonia

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, podcaster-creative director Sonia Mariam Thomas joins us to discuss girl dinners, Barbiecore, and why we feel the need to reclaim 'girlines...

Has Internet Feminism Changed Bollywood For the Better? Ft. Shreemi Verma

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, writer-creator Shreemi Verma joins us to discuss how internet discourse shaped ‘Rocky Aur Rani,’ molestation as old Bollywood's love la...

Does 'Passing the Mic' Still Mean Something? Ft. Swati Kamble

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, anti-caste researcher and activist Swati Kamble joins us to discuss 'manels,' performative wokeness, and what ethical collaboration can loo...

Are Feminist Revenge Dramas Worth Saving?

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss death by crocodile à la Rekha, why ‘Kill Bill' was a dud, and which was the better subversive revenge film: 'Gone Girl' or 'P...

Can Preachy Content Be Entertaining? Ft. Made in Heaven

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we discuss ‘Made in Heaven,’ those monologues, and the challenges of social issue based entertainment. Respectfully Di...

Does ‘Pink’ Redeem Male Saviours?

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s ‘Blockbuster Feminism’ episode, we look back at the 2016 film Pink, Amitabh Bachchan getting the ‘male saviour’ trope right, ...

Barbie: Feminist Win or Setback?

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, writer-researcher Meenakshi Thirukode joins us for a deep dive into Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie,’ its feminism, its flaws, and how we enga...

Is There a Right Way To Break Up?

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss how breakups evolved from burning your ex’s photos a la ‘Jab We Met' to ‘conscious uncoupling,’ post breakup etiquette...

Re-Release: What Went Wrong With Wokeness? ft. Jyotsna

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of Ameesha Patel calling Netflix too woke, and Jonah Hill detractors calling him pseudo-woke, this week we revisit an episode from the arc...

Have OTTs Really Changed On-Screen Sex for the Better?

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss Lust Stories 2, Made in Heaven, how we went from the 'no kissing' clause to prestige TV sex, that hand on the frosted window in ...

Can Cinema Be Apolitical? ft. Sucharita Tyagi

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, film critic Sucharita Tyagi joins us to discuss the ideological impact of films from ‘Barbie’ to ‘Adipurush,’ ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai...

Can Friends Be Our Partners for Life?

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Shilpa Phadke and Nithila Kanagasabai join us to discuss the faux happy endings of 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Friends,' getting life insurance w...

Is the Rise of 'Girlfailure' TV Here to Stay?

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss ‘Never Have I Ever’ season 4, millennials’ exhaustion with the girlboss trope on TV, and the rise of the ‘girlfailure.’...

Swifties, SRK And Should Celebrities Take the 'Right' Stand?

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the team discusses the Swifty led #SpeakUpNow drama, why we feel strongly about Deepika Padukone’s politics, and whether we should expect...

Re-Release: Is Self-Care Inherently Selfish?

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we revisit an episode from the archives, where we discuss skincare routines, meditation apps, and the radical roots of self-care. Respectf...

Is Therapy-Speak Harmful?

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, therapist Farah Maneckshaw joins us to discuss why Indians struggle with setting boundaries, what it actually means to ‘be triggered,’ ...

Has Online Dating Ruined Romance? Ft. Indu Harikumar

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week artist Indu Harikumar (@induviduality) joins us to discuss the evolution of ‘cheap talks’ on dating apps, the art of romantic rejection,...

Are Hot Takes Diluting Discourse?

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the surprising origins of the hot take, how J.K. Rowling took a take too far, and why we don’t classify bad boomer op-eds as h...

Is the Era of Ghosting Over?

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the contested definitions of ghosting, disappearing on someone versus honest therapy-speak, and whether online dating has foreve...

Should Partners Know Our Sexual Histories?

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss ‘body count’ etiquette, urban legends about celebrity STDs, and what your partner should know about your sexual past.  Her...

Should Period Dramas Be Historically Accurate? Ft. Jubilee

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Jubilee director Vikramaditya Motwane and screenwriter Atul Sabharwal join us to discuss propaganda in films, the origin of Indian gaalis, ...

Re-Release: Why Is the Hype Around RRR Problematic?

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, to mark the release of The Swaddle's first longform investigative feature on Tollywood fandoms, we're revisiting an episode from the archiv...

Are We All 'Pick-Me' Girls?

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss Jennifer Lawrence, the ‘cool girl’ monologue from ‘Gone Girl,’ TikTok pick-me girl discourse, and whether the trope of t...

Have Documentaries Become Too Commercial?

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, documentary filmmaker Shilpi Gulati (Taala Te Kunjee, Qissa-e-Parsi) and film editor Vedant Joshi (All That Breathes, Fursat), join us to d...

What Can Feminist Sex Scenes Look Like?

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, actor and intimacy co-ordinator Naina Bhan, who played Koel Kalra in Netflix's 'Class,' joins us to discuss the rise of sex scenes in India...

Can Situationships Be Liberating?

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss the rise of the situationship, whether it’s an upgrade from being ‘friends with benefits,’ and why it gets a bad rep. Res...

India and Pakistan’s Shared Pop Culture Ft. Joyland

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joyland director Saim Sadiq and producer Apoorva Charan join us to discuss India-Pakistan's shared pop culture histories, and what it means...

Re-Release: Is There A Generation Gap in Feminism?

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we are re-releasing an episode from the archives, with guest Genesia Alves, who happens to also be the host of our new podcast 'The Best Pa...

Is Gaming Culture Innately Misogynistic?

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Tarana Reddy, a narrative designer and creative producer working in the gaming industry, joins us to discuss the controversy over Hogwarts ...

Indian TV Dramas: Regressive or Empowering? Ft. Gul Khan

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, writer-director Gul Khan joins us to discuss subversions in Anupama, Ekta Kapoor's impact on gender roles in TV, and understanding what the...

Is Veganism More Ethical Than Eating Meat?

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Dr. Sylvia Karpagam, a public health doctor and researcher, joins us to discuss the complicated ethics of veganism, the caste-based superio...

Re-Release: Can Hookup Culture Be Empowering?

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As dating apps turn a decade old in India, we revisit a conversation from 2022, where we discussed our hangups about casual sex, who shapes hookup cul...

Is AI Killing Creativity?

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Deepa Singh, AI ethicist, and Pooja Sreenivasan, digital artist/illustrator, join us to discuss why AI feels so dystopian, whether AI makes...

Have Girlbosses Ruined Feminism?

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss why the girlboss narrative became so popular online, the contradictions in girlboss feminism, and why it's not enough to be exci...