Respectfully Disagree
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Should People Be Accountable for Their Partners’ Transgressions?
29 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From secret debts to sex scandals, in this week’s episode, we explore why people love to blame the person caught in their partner’s 'mess.' Credi...
Can Art Critique Religion Without Being Offensive?
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss Tandav, The Satanic Verses, and the many times art has offended religious sentiments. Credits: Co-Producers: Shrishti Malhotra...
Should Homemakers Be Paid a Salary?
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we discuss pop culture depictions of the homemaker, why women are conditioned to do unpaid housework, and what it would take...
Is Eating Meat Ethical?
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we discuss the ethics of eating animals, changing perceptions of veganism, and why food is political. Credits: Co-Producer...
The Worst and Worst of 2020
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we look back at the year we lost, when 'imma bounce' became a criminal conspiracy, dalgona coffee was a thing, and the spirit of resistance...
Should Teens Be Accountable for Their Behaviour Online?
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss teen cyberbullying, drawing the line in adult-teen interactions, and how liable teenagers are for what they do on the internet. ...
Can Jealousy Ever Be a Good Thing?
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, we discuss the trope of the 'jealous woman,' why jealousy is seen as an attribute of romantic love, and how we can deal with j...
What Does It Mean to Be 'Anti-National'?
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the team dissects how the label 'anti-national' has evolved in its purpose and meaning, and how societal perceptions of what is anti-nation...
Does Society Benefit From Fan Cultures?
27 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Do fan cultures help us create a sense of belonging, or do they lead to problematic hero worshipping? This week, we’re delving into whether fandoms ...
How Responsible Are We for Others’ Mental Health?
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, we discuss how much a person can be held responsible for another's mental health, the gendered dimensions of caregiving, and d...
What's the Problem With Public Nudity?
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After two celebrities were charged for public nudity in Goa last week, The Swaddle team is discussing the line between nudity and obscenity, and India...
Is It Ever Okay To Not Practice What You Preach?
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss Arnab Goswami’s arrest, AOC's opulent clothes on a magazine cover, and the psychology behind why we call out hypocrisy in publ...
Is It Okay To Comment on Others' Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices?
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss the line between concern for people's health and shaming them, and how cultural contexts impact our ideas of good health. Credi...
What Makes Relationships Toxic?
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we discuss the origins of using the word ‘toxic’ to describe human relationships, the difficulties of cutting off people who are ‘bad...
Should Brands Take Positions on Social Justice Issues?
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore why brands use social justice messaging for selling products, the problems with femvertising and pinkwashing, and what it ...
Is Snitching Wrong?
09 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we explore the trope of the ‘tattletale,' how pop culture treats snitches, and whether whistleblowing is more noble than s...
Should All Women Uplift All Women?
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we discuss the boundaries of female solidarity and the need for intersectionality in feminist sisterhoods. Credits: Co-Pr...
Does the Context of a #Metoo Accusation Matter?
25 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we discuss what it means to believe survivors, and whether the MeToo movement needs to shift its focus away from social medi...
Can Women Be Misogynistic?
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we discuss the problem with the ‘parlour didi’ trope, dealing with our internalised misogyny, and how women in power som...
Is Vanity Always a Bad Thing?
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we discuss the depictions of vain women in pop culture, how social media has changed our relationship with vanity, and the l...
Is Chivalry Dead? (And Should It Be?)
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, the team is heavily divided on how we feel about chivalry. Tune in for an honest discussion on the gendered nature of chival...
Do Friends and Family Need To Approve of People You Date?
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, the team discusses whether friends should help us spot red flags in romantic relationships, whether family expectations for ...
Can Mockery Ever Be a Sign of Affection?
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, the team discusses insult humour, the line between friendly mocking and bullying, and the gendered dynamics of roasting frie...
Is the Notion of Inheritance Flawed?
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we discuss pop culture depictions of generational wealth, whether inheritance is a major cause for inequality, and if legaci...
Re-Release: Do Friendships Require Emotional Boundaries?
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the spirit of our collective struggle with setting emotional boundaries during this pandemic, we’re re-releasing an older episode. In this, we d...
Is It Time We Stop Worshipping Our Elders?
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, the team discusses what Indian TV shows taught us about ideal ‘bahus,’ why young people can’t talk back to uncles and ...
When Is Flirting Creepy and When Is It Flattering?
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, the team breaks down thirst comments, where to draw the line between objectification and compliments, and whether there can be...
Is Social Media Killing or Elevating Public Discourse?
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, the team breaks down how social media has changed public debate, whether our tone in calling people out matters, and if dunk...
Can Kink Help Us Better Understand Consent?
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, two founding members of Kinky Collective talk to us about misconceptions around kink and what kink communities can teach us ...
Is It Time to Change How We Talk About Infidelity?
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, the team breaks down our perceptions of infidelity, the gendered pop culture 'cheating' tropes, and why it's time to reframe t...
Should Long-Term Romantic Partnerships Be a Life Goal?
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, the team dissects notions of romance in pop culture, the pros and cons of a long-term romantic partnership, and how we can nor...
Who Is Responsible for Educating People About Social Justice?
12 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, pioneering trans rights activist Grace Banu and the director of Mariwala Health Initiative, Raj Mariwala join us to discuss w...
Is Violence a Valid Form of Protest?
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As protests in support of Black Lives Matter gained strength this week, some parts of the U.S. experienced looting and destruction. This raised questi...
Capitalism: Broken Economic System or Convenient Scapegoat?
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Respectfully Disagree Freaky Friday is our all new RD format, where The Swaddle team members switch sides to argue against their own opinions. First u...
In Conversation With the Women Behind ‘Four More Shots Please’
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rangita Nandy, Devika Bhagat and Nupur Asthana - the creator-producer, writer and director (Season 2) behind Amazon's web series 'Four More Shots Plea...
Special Episode: Pakistani Feminists Talk Desi Activism
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, some special guests join us from Pakistan to dissect desi culture, the politics of ‘besharami’, and feminist activism in...
Can Sexual Harassers Or Abusers Be ‘Good’ Men?
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With the Boys Locker Room incident, the discussion has been about raising boys right, to be ‘good’ men. But how does society define a ‘good’ m...
Will Lockdown Change Beauty Norms For Good?
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is the lockdown really going to change beauty norms forever, or is this just a temporary vacation? In this week’s episode, the team discusses celeb ...
Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories Special
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode the team takes a detour from disagreeing, and respectfully comes together to discuss some of the biggest conspiracy theories ...
Has Lockdown Made Us Reconsider the Work From Home Fantasy?
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this edition of Remote Respectfully Disagree, the team talks about the national work from home experiment during lockdown, and whether it will impa...
Has the Lockdown Made Celebrities More #Relatable?
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From Katrina Kaif doing jhaadu and bartan to Gal Gadot posting an embarrassing “Imagine” celebrity montage, has the coronavirus pandemic and the n...
Is Fighting the Coronavirus Pandemic an Individual or State Responsibility?
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From panic stockpiling, to quarantining, to communicating information, in this week’s episode, the team thinks through the pandemic and the role of ...
Is Catfishing Okay?
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ever since the internet took over our lives, catfishing has been an integral part of online interactions. But is it okay to fake your virtual identity...
Should We Circulate Images of Violence on Social Media?
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After the anti-Muslim riots in Delhi, social media was awash with images and videos of gruesome violence that have played an important role in documen...
Conspiracy Theories Special
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From whether the moon landing was a hoax, to if Subhas Chandra Bose is still alive, who doesn’t like a good conspiracy theory? In this week’s epis...
Should We Care About Politicians’ Romantic Lives?
21 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When the Aam Aadmi Party swept the Delhi elections last week, an unexpected talking point was the way Arvind Kejriwal celebrated the victory with his ...
Is Celebrating Valentine’s Day an Act of Rebellion in India?
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Extremist groups are attacking Valentine’s Day again. This year, the Bajrang Dal in Hyderabad have threatened to disrupt celebrations, asking the yo...
Is Heckling a Valid Form of Dissent?
07 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, comedian Kunal Kamra heckled conservative Republic TV news host Arnab Goswami on a flight, and it became national news. While the reaction ...
Is Cancel Culture Harmful?
31 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The way early 2020 is shaping up, cancel culture is going to continue to play a part on our social discourse. In this week’s episode of #Respectfull...
Is Celebrity Gossip Harming Our Social Discourse?
24 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone seems to get drawn in by celebrity gossip today. But does it have any cultural impact? And what does the way we gossip tell us about where we...
Is Monogamy Outdated?
17 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The team weighs in on monogamy’s place in our current conversations around love and desire, in this week’s episode of #RespectfullyDisagree. Cred...
Does Social Media Aid or Dilute Protest Movements?
10 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Social media has undoubtedly played a major role in enabling mobilization, discourse, and discussion around the ongoing anti-NRC and -CAA protests her...
Is the RomCom Still Relevant in 2020?
03 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From the Hugh Grant regurgitations of the past to recent RomComs like The Big Sick, the RomCom has become an embattled film genre — is it dead or is...
The Year‑End Special
27 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Respectfully Disagree, we revisit this year in pop culture — from the hot priest to ‘Happy Birthday Shloka.’ Credits: Co-Producer...
Can the Body Positivity Movement Ever Be Truly Inclusive?
20 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of Respectfully Disagree, the team discusses the origins of body positivity, the problem with icons, the corporatization of c...
Should Rape and Sexual Violence Be Portrayed in Film and on TV?
12 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mardaani 2, the sequel to the intense cop drama starring Rani Mukerji, is a ‘women-centric’ Bollywood movie dealing with sexual violence. This got...
Does ‘Men Are Trash’ Rhetoric Help or Hurt the Fight for Gender Equality?
06 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
From your favorite feminist internet memes to your go-to WhatsApp group for venting, the ‘men are trash’ rhetoric is everywhere. But many feminist...
Do Friendships Require Emotional Boundaries?
29 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Remember the ‘I’m at capacity’ meme? This week, we take inspiration from the polarised opinions regarding whether friendships should have bounda...
Is Ghosting Ethical?
22 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ghosting is a phenomenon that has become an integral part of modern dating and relationships. In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind it, its...
When Is It Ethical to Stand By a Friend or Family Member Accused of Sexual Harassment?
15 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
From Hillary Clinton to Mallika Dua, many women have stuck by family members when serious claims of sexual harassment have been made against them. In ...
How Okay Is It to Date Someone Much Younger?
08 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
From Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra to Jay-Z and Beyoncé, age gaps in relationships are always the subject of a lot of speculation and conversation, ...
Should All Cultural Content Be Viewed From a Social Justice Perspective?
01 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
From Indian twitter fervently debating the misogyny of Kabir Singh to the world at large discussing the influence of problematic content creators beca...
Has the MeToo Movement in India Been Successful?
25 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been two years since Raya Sarkar came out with the List of Sexual Harassers in Academia. And the #MeToo movement broke out in a big way in Indi...