In Sync

With conversations around menstruation still being so taboo, we often forget those that are even more vulnerable within these situations. Women with disabilities often face a much higher amount of shame and lack of access when it comes to menstrual hygiene management.  In today's episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined by Hourab Din , Pakistani gender and social development professional, feminist, and...

Who gets to tell our stories? Who wants to listen to our stories? And where do we as Pakistanis draw the line between staying true to ourselves while also staying relatable to all the diverse experiences our community faces, at home and abroad  In our latest episode host Anmol Irfan is joined author Safinah Danish Elahi to celebrate the launch of her third novel Chasing Shadows in Borrowed Light,...

Pakistan may be making progress in its legislation around sexual violence, but what's more important is how that change impacts survivors.  In our latest episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined by advocate Sahar Bandial , who authored Equality Now's recent report on the implementation of this legal response to sexual violence in Pakistan. Sahar, whose legal work has long revolved around access to just...

It feels weird when we say we can buy babies. But in many parts of the world, surrogacy - which allows prospective parents to pay a woman to have a baby for them is still allowed. Of course it's not as simple as that, so we dove into the complex world of surrogacy in our latest episode  In today's episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined by Lexi Ellingsworth of Stop Surrogacy Now UK, an advocate campai...

What is food for Pakistani's if not a companion in joy, grief and memory? How do we truly see food when it encompasses so many of our relationships and defining moments beyond just the act of eating itself?  With Masterchef Pakistan back, amidst a slew of criticism and support, host Anmol Irfan sat down with finalist Muhammad Zain for today's episode to take a deeper look at what food means to him...

Does the best writing come from rage? Pakistan's latest debut author seems to think so.  In our latest episode, host Anmol Irfan speaks to author and writer Arslan Athar about his debut book, 40 days of mourning, writing and publishing in Pakistan's rocky literary industry and the difference between fiction and non fiction writing. Arslan gets deep into how writing is impacted by his emotions, wha...

What does it mean for tech solutions to actually be made for diverse global communities of survivors? When the tech available genuinely caters to the needs of some of the world's most vulnerable communities?  In this episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined by Hera Hussain , founder of Chayn , an organisation developing tech led survivors for, and by, survivors of abuse. As a Pakistani based the UK, Hu...

What does it mean for our digital realities to take root offline? When does digital hate and violence become a danger to the rest of our lives?  As our digital reality increasingly takes over our lives, we all have concerns about our safety within these spaces, especially as online violence and cyber attacks against women and vulnerable groups continue to increase. That's why we're bringing you th...

Ever worry about what you're putting into the digital realm? Concerned about the kind of backlash you can receive or whether the online hate might cause some very really harm? You're not alone.  As our digital reality increasingly takes over our lives, we all have concerns about our safety within these spaces, especially as online violence and cyber attacks against women and vulnerable groups cont...

What do we mean when we say climate change is gendered? The truth is climate change doesn't impact everyone the same way - and that's why a gendered approach to climate action is crucial to a just, equitable and effective solutions. In today's episode host Anmol Irfan is joined by Aayisha Siddiqa, a development practitioner working with Baithak - Challenging Taboos on a more gendered approach to c...

Why do we still shy away from talking about periods? What happens when an already stigmatised issue is made worse by climate disasters? And why do we still struggle with listening to those who are living through the crisis?   In today's episode host Anmol Irfan is joined by Bushra Mahnoor, a period rights activist, founder of Mahwari Justice , and winner of the Diana Award. For Bushra, period just...

How far can we push cinema when we start understanding it as an art? Why is Cannes such a big deal? And who decides what cinema "makes it"?  In today's episode host Anmol Irfan is joined by Aleem Bukhari , a Pakistani filmmaker, and the writer-director of the short horror film, Karmash. Aleem's work pushes the boundaries of what many South Asians consider to be cinema, and asks a very important qu...

What does it mean to be "a woman in a man's world"? And in this day and age, how true is this cliche?  In today's episode host Anmol Irfan is joined by Sarosh Ibrahim , a digital creator, communications professional and podcast host, who's work has been creating space for Pakistani women to understand their bodies within the context of desi society.  By exploring her own journey as a woman in a pu...

In the race to fulfill all our roles, and put our best foot forward. How we do nurture the creativity within ourselves? Is it writing or art that drives you, or maybe both?   In today's episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined artist and writer Kehkashan Khalid , who is also the winner of the 2019 Salam Award. Talking about balancing motherhood with creativity and self, Kehkashan takes us through her o...

What does creating conversations through food really look like? And what does it mean to build a community through food?    In today's episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined by chef and global F&B consultant Mursal Saiq, who is also the co founder of Cue Point BBQ , a British-Afghan barbecue restaurant in London. Mursal's journey in food is focused on supporting immigrant communities through not...

Ever wonder what it looks like to work in human rights and really create sustainable support for those who need it? In today's episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined by award winning entrepreneur and human rights activist Rhiana Spring, founder of Spring ACT - who created the world's first AI powered chatbot for domestic violence survivors and learn about the on ground realities of human rights activ...

Struggling with getting to know yourself? Our latest episode may be just what you need to write your own colorful story.    In today's episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined by Bushra Sultan , the only Pakistani in the arts category in the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list for 2024. Not only is Bushra a talented artist, she's also a storyteller who creates her own films and brings brand visions to life al...

Can history be fun? Is social media content actually driven by passion? Are content creators more than what it seems on the surface?    In this latest episode host Anmol Irfan is joined by Hamza Iqbal aka Tarikhwala who answers all these questions and more. Hamza is known by his instagram handle Tarikhwala where he makes Lahore's historical sites accessible and fun for his followers online and all...

Ever think about what it's like to rediscover joy as an adult? Explore colours and new skills and re-envision the life you've been taught?    In today's episode, host Anmol Irfan is joined by Inzer Mubashar, an artist, content creator and current art student who also runs her own design venture, Studio IM. Known popularly through her handle Inzagram , Inzer shares her fresh take on how social medi...

Being a woman in tech can be intimidating. Glass ceilings and imposter syndrome are terms that seem all too familiar. But what really happens behind the scenes of projects wanting to move past all that In our latest episode, host Anmol Irfan talks to Dr Mehreen Alam, founder of UrduX to figure out what the complexities of tech and social justice really are. Dr Alam also talks about her new chatbot...

Looking for a sign to book your next trip? Here's the second part of our exploration of what it's like to be a woman in travel.    Join our host Anmol Irfan as she chats to Aneeqa, the founder of experiential  travel company The Madhatters on what it's like to be the one curating these amazing travel experiences in Pakistan for both local and international tourists. Learn more about how women can...

Today's episode is the first in a two part series celebrating women in travel. If you're looking to take the leap and finally take that solo trip, this one's for you.    Join us as host Anmol Irfan talks to traveler and content creator Hamnah about the decision to leave her comfort zone, go searching for new experiences and balance her online and offline worlds throughout the journey. Learn more a...

Our guest today describes herself as a dream weaver and mind alchemist. Join us for a conversation that gets you In Sync with your inner self, and what you believe in.    What does it mean for your faith to be a part of your wellbeing journey? Host Anmol Irfan explores just that that in today's conversation with Rahma Uneeb, an expert in Islamic psychotherapy and mental health practictioner who's...

Welcome to the first episode of In Sync, a podcast that lets you sit back with a cup of tea, slow down and think about the life you really want to live  For our first episode, host Anmol Irfan talks to award winning South Asian artist and mental health advocate Sravya Attaluri on how her creativity became an outlet for her passion and her self. Today’s episode is all about that intersection of art...