Love Matters With Leeza Mangaldas

What happens when love crosses religious lines? In this episode of Love Matters, Leeza Mangaldas speaks with writer Alina Gufran, author of No Place to Call My Own, about growing up in a Hindu–Muslim household, navigating identity, and dismantling stereotypes around interfaith love. How does faith influence who we choose to love? What do identity, belonging, and family expectations mean in modern...

What happens when you stop looking for someone to complete you and start embracing the idea of being whole on your own? In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas sits down with globetrotting diver and travel content creator Sharanya Iyer. From quitting a stable 9-to-5 at 27 to navigating life as a single Indian woman in her 30s, Sharanya speaks candidly about dealing with societal pres...

Are we really more connected—or lonelier than ever? And have we all forgotten how tob e good friends? In this episode of Love Matters, Leeza Mangaldas sits down with artist, illustrator, and feminist thinker Priyanka Paul for an unfiltered conversation about the friendship crisis of our times. From ghosting and “polite friendships” to the impact of social media and doomscrolling, they explore why...

Is not posting about your partner on social media a major red flag? What is a "soft launch" in relationships? And is AI making us worse at dating? Author and cultural commentator Ria Chopra joins sexuality educator Leeza Mangaldas on Love Matters for a deep dive into how the internet has become the sixth love language of Gen Z – shaping how young people date, express affection, and negotiate bound...

Amol Parashar joins Leeza Mangaldas on Love Matters for a refreshingly honest conversation about intimacy, masculinity and the myths around sex. From awkward first experiences to confidence, communication, boundaries and consent — Amol shares his take on what men want and how intimacy evolves with experience. Watch for grounded insights, funny confessions, and a reminder that sex is about connecti...

Actor and writer Shreya Dhanwanthary joins Leeza Mangaldas to unpack how dating, sex, and self-worth shift from your 20s to your 30s. From first dates and people-pleasing habits to embracing self-confidence, body positivity, and dating apps in your 30s, they explore the lessons learned along the way. Shreya shares her journey of rejecting societal conditioning, defining her own femininity, and fin...

Journalist Isha Bhatia Sanan joins Leeza Mangaldas to discuss how parents can initiate open, age-appropriate conversations with their children about sex, puberty and periods, normalizing these topics and removing the associated shame. Not only is Isha Bhatia the host of shows such as "BaeBaak Isha" on DW Hindi and Jansatta, she is also the mother of a nine-year-old. She therefore draws on both pro...

On this episode of  Love Matters , stand-up comedian and creative writer Supriya Joshi talks about her experience with Living Apart Together (LAT) – a modern relationship style where couples choose to maintain their own spaces while staying emotionally connected. From balancing independence, freedom, and love, to the challenges and joys of long-distance connections, Supriya shares candid insights...

In this candid conversation, actor Shahana Goswami opens up about her journey of owning her sexuality, body positivity, and the freedom to explore desires without shame. From discovering sexual energy at a young age to embracing polyamory, Shahana discusses how family, friendships, and supportive environments shaped her understanding of intimacy. She talks about the importance of connection over p...

Comedian Kenny Sebastian gets real about fatherhood, emotional dads, and the struggles of modern parenting in this episode of Love Matters with Leeza Mangaldas. From his own relationship to his parents to the invisible “dad guilt” that many fathers feel, Kenny shares candid stories about raising a child, supporting his partner, and unlearning traditional ideas of masculinity. Discover why trying t...

Honest, bold, and never boring – Love Matters is back with a brand-new season. Hosted by Leeza Mangaldas, India’s leading voice on sexuality education and pleasure positivity. Open conversations about love, dating, desire and all the juicy bits in-between. The first episode drops on October 4th. Make sure to tune in on your favorite podcast platform! #dwlovematters

How does your mental health affect your relationships? What’s it like to have a partner who suffers from a mental illness? And how can we support each other, balancing mental health issues and personal needs? In this candid episode of Love Matters, Leeza Mangaldas and Ira Khan, founder of the Agatsu Foundation, explore emotional resilience, self-awareness, and navigating vulnerability. Ira also ta...

How do societal expectations shape who we are? In this powerful episode of Love Matters, Leeza Mangaldas and Writer and Curator, Aroh Akunth explore gender, identity, and breaking free from labels. Learn how to embrace your authentic self while navigating societal pressures. Listen now on your favourite podcast platform! Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/?hl=en  ...

Is sexual dissatisfaction in long-term relationships inevitable? In this episode of Love Matters, Storyteller and Mythologist Seema Anand and Leeza Mangaldas tackle the challenges of sexless marriages, sexual shame, and rebuilding intimacy. Discover practical advice on communication, redefining pleasure, and keeping the spark alive. Listen now on your favourite podcast platform! Leeza Mangaldas’ I...

How do traditional gender roles around money impact modern relationships? In this episode of Love Matters, Leeza Mangaldas and Nikhil Taneja discuss navigating finances in partnerships, breaking patriarchal norms, and embracing equality in love. From splitting bills to addressing societal pressures, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone rethinking relationship dynamics. Tune in on your fav...

In this episode of Love Matters, host Leeza Mangaldas welcomes writer Karuna Ezara Parikh for an intimate conversation about a woman’s relationship with her body. Known for her acclaimed works, including The Heart Asks Pleasure First, Karuna shares her deeply personal journey, from navigating the pressures of the media’s gaze to being diagnosed with lung cancer. Together, they discuss self-care, s...

Unlock love's cosmic secrets and discover how astrology, numerology, tarot and cosmic intuition shape relationships and your own existence. Love Matters host Leeza Mangaldas and astrologer Zohra Shakti explore divination's insights into love, self-discovery and modern relationships. Watch this episode for an enlightening cosmic journey.  Leeza Mangaldas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezam...

Love Matters is back! Listen to all the episodes of your favourite podcast now! Love Matters is a podcast produced by The Indian Express and DW, Germany's international broadcaster - that explores love, sex, and relationships in India. Currently hosted by Leeza Mangaldas, India’s top sexuality educator, Love Matters features conversations with remarkable guests whose unique expertise and lived exp...

In this episode of Love Matters, Dr. Karan Rajan, NHS surgeon and the internet’s favourite doctor, joins host Leeza Mangaldas to tackle men’s sexual health myths head-on. From masturbation and penis size to erectile dysfunction, Dr. Karan debunks pervasive misinformation. They dive deep into the psychological and cultural pressures men face around body image, performance pressure and masculinity....

We've all been there- curled up in bed, feeling like the world is crashing down after a breakup. But what if the breakup is actually an opportunity for growth? Join Leeza Mangaldas and content creator, actor and writer Merenla Imsong in another episode of Love Matters. They dive into the messy yet transformative world of breakups. From understanding self worth to closures, here's a fresh perspecti...

What happens when you discover your true sexuality after tying the knot in a traditional marriage? In this episode of Love Matters, Leeza Mangaldas speaks with standup comedian Anshita Koul about her groundbreaking personal journey. Married in her 20s in a heteronormative setup, Anshita later came out as queer in her 30s. They discuss the complexities of navigating identity, love, and societal exp...

Love Matters is launching a new season soon, featuring amazing guests and exciting topics! We're also thrilled to announce a special podcast episode that will be recorded live at a podcast festival in Berlin, Germany. For the first time ever, our cherished listeners can join the audience for this live recording. So, if you're in Berlin or will be there at the end of August, listen up!

Love Matters is launching a new season soon, featuring amazing guests and exciting topics! We're also thrilled to announce a special podcast episode that will be recorded live at a podcast festival in Berlin, Germany. For the first time ever, our cherished listeners can join the audience for this live recording. So, if you're in Berlin or will be there at the end of August, listen up!

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 thi...

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 ab...