Respectfully Disagree

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 breakout films this year; to celeb (read:influencer) culture, and a spur of conservative internet phenomenons. Join us as we unpack what made waves, what fizzled out, and what left us questioning everything. Here are some articles published through the year...

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 dream about growing old with friends. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on. Featuring: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Shrishti Malhotra Co-Prod...

What motivates us when everything feels meaningless? This week on Respectfully Disagree, we dive into nihilism as the mood of the moment—from climate catastrophe TikToks to dark humor in TV, and how shared dread has reshaped our culture. Plus, we play a bonus game to unpack this year’s most existentially absurd moments. Credits:- Featuring: Alexa De Souza, Neha Shekhawat Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Nar...

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 cultural fatigue with sincere discussions around feminism, body positivity, mental health, and inclusion, we discuss 'wokeness' in politics and dissect the real question: is woke culture over? Credits:- Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Alexa De Souz...

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 are suddenly “holding space” for everything, dissect the 'Chuttamalle' phenomenon, and try to crown the real Telugu anthem. Is it Ooo Antava or Kissikku? Tune in to find out! Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in whic...

This week, YouTube creator Meghnad, aka 'Meghnerd,' joins us on Respectfully Disagree to break down Maharashtra's elections. We dive into the state’s political faction splits, how electoral politics has historically shaped Mumbai’s culture, and the myth-making of political personas beyond their ballot promises. Credits:- Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Rohitha Narharisetty Featuring: Meghnad Edi...

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 genre. This week, we unpack situationship-inspired music and TV tropes, dating fatigue in 2024 and why women are increasingly choosing celibacy Chapter Timestamps:- 00:00 - 01:16 - Intro 01:17 - 05:04 - Dating Fatigue in 2024 05:05 - 08:18 - Val-core dati...

This week, we're re-releasing our conversation with therapist Farah Maneckshaw who joins us to discuss why Indians struggle with setting boundaries, what it actually means to ‘be triggered,’ and the dangers of seeing therapy as bias-free. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on. Credit...

This week on Respectfully Disagree, we discuss whether American TV is in fact making space for South Asian representation with it's Diwali themed episodes, why everyone is in designer clothes this festive season, and whether the commercialisation of Diwali has inadvertently impacted how we celebrate it. Credits:- Featuring: The Savala Vada Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Rohitha Naraharisetty Ed...

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 about enough (oppressors), the things we wouldn't ever joke about (the oppressed), and how we might all be hallucinating. Bonus: This is the (somewhat) official voice reveal of The Savala Vada. Credits:- Featuring: The Savala Vada Co-Producers: Vasudha...

This week, Manisha Pande — Managing Editor at The Newslaundry and host of media criticism show TV Newsance — joins us to discuss media literacy, Tata obituaries, the pros and cons of fixating on terminology in journalism, and whether "objectivity" exists. Credits:- Featuring: Manisha Pande Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Rohitha Naraharisetty Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf Cover Art: Hitesh S...

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 whether the new crop of Indian reality tv feels too scripted, and whether they miss the authenticity and drama required to keep viewers hooked. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and...

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 episode of Respectfully Disagree, we discussed all things Gen Z and Millennial, particularly on the internet; and whether these two generations have more in common than we thought. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in...

The Coldplay concert ticket scarcity crisis had rich-ish kids thinking about capitalism, as the reselling rates skyrocketed to the lakhs. Diljit Dosanjh's gig on the other hand just has expensive tickets by default. Is concert culture in India out of touch? This week, Josh Fernandez aka JBABE and lead singer of the F16s, joins us to discuss what an authentic, accessible and democratic music scene...

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. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on. Credits: Co-Producers: Shrishti Malhotra, Rohitha Naraharisetty Art Director: Neha Shekhawat Executive Prod...

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 anymore, "organic" mehfils, the red solo cup party-cool aesthetic available on Swiggy, blurry photos, and why always being documented has ruined actual fun. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get togethe...

Ozempic knock-offs have wormed their way into India and brat summer has glamorized thinness and cigarettes. Did everyone secretly want to be skinny all along? This week, comedian Urooj Ashfaq joins us to discuss whether fashion is over body positivity, if desiring skinny is a pop culture aesthetic and whether the Kardashians are a 'true' representation for plus-sized beauty standards. Respectfully...

The Malayalam film industry is going through an upheaval for the second time with the Hema Committee report's revelations. This week, actor Parvathy and journalist Nidhi, who have both been at the forefront of respectively organizing and reporting on the "power mafia" in Mollywood, discuss the learnings from the first wave, the idea of imperfect feminists, changes in newsrooms covering MeToo, and...

This week, Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, a professor and community medicine specialist, joins us to discuss the deep-rooted issues in India’s healthcare system exposed by the RG Kar case, the overlooked intersectionality in gender-specific protests, and the current state of health workers in the country. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss an...

This week, award-winning American novelist Tanaïs joins us to discuss their Bangladeshi roots, Sheikh Hasina's politics, the South Asian experience with women heads of state, and Indians hijacking desi representation. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on. Credits:- Featuring: Tanaïs...

This week, we’re discussing all things controversial and heartbreaking in sports. From Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification to gender discrimination inherent to Olympic history, and why men aren’t synchronised swimming as yet. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on. Credits:- Featuring: S...

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 endorsement tweet, and whether ‘intersectionality’ has disappeared from our collective consciousness. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on....

This week, Katyayini Saksham joins us to talk about everyone suddenly mothering and serving, why celeb culture overlaps with queer lingo so much, and why people in Bandra need to vogue. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on. Featuring: Katyayini Saksham Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayan...

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' reminds us of the surprising roots of wrestling, and whether the queer undertones in blockbusters can make up for their hypermasculinity. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and disse...

This week, we discuss 'Hot Rodent Men', standards and cultural perceptions around male beauty and why we inevitably categorise people into cookie cutter templates on the Internet. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on. Credits: Featuring: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Shrishti Malhotra and Neh...