Lyca XTRA

What does matriarchy look like within the South Asian community? How do family structures, upbringing and changing gender roles influence the way women lead their lives, raise their children and challenge societal expectations?   In this episode, Jay is joined by Sophina Rafique and Ayesha Nayyar for a thoughtful conversation about matriarchy, family values, women's independence and the experience...

What does matriarchy mean in a South Asian household, and how does it shape the women we become? 👀   Hosted by Jay, this episode brings together Sophina Rafique, Lawyer and Lecturer, and Ayesha Nayyar of Nayyars Solicitors for an open conversation about family values, challenging traditions and the changing roles of women.   From growing up in households where mothers took on leadership roles and...

Fitness is about more than building muscle or achieving a certain physique. It's about understanding your body, looking after your health and recognising the importance of both physical and psychological wellbeing. Hosted by Riz Khan, this episode brings together Basim Hafiz, Combat Coach; Raza Syed, Coach; Salman Shah, Owner and Personal Trainer; and Raiyaan Shah, Owner and Personal Trainer, for...

Is it really just about building muscle, or is there much more to men's health and fitness? 💪👀 From getting started with exercise and navigating traditional South Asian diets to the pressures of achieving the perfect physique, this conversation goes beyond the gym. Hosted by Riz Khan, with Basim Hafiz, Raza Syed, Salman Shah and Raiyaan Shah, the episode explores fitness, men's mental health, so...

What does true wellbeing look like beyond physical health? And how can women navigate life's challenges while protecting their mental and emotional wellbeing?   Hosted by Deep Rajah, this episode brings together Padma Coram, Founder and Managing Director of PC Ltd; Sheena Shah, Yoga Teacher; and Lyca Radio presenters Khush and Ashwini for an open conversation about mental health, resilience and th...

What does it take to put yourself first, break barriers and protect your peace? 👀✨   From the power of yoga and mental wellbeing to the pressures women face in society, this conversation explores what it means to find balance, rediscover yourself and bounce back from life’s challenges.   Hosted by Deep Rajah, with Padma Coram, Sheena Shah, Khush and Ashwini, this episode dives into the importanc...

How has Bollywood shaped the way generations of women see beauty, body image and themselves?   From iconic beauty trends to the pressure of looking a certain way, Bollywood has influenced generations of women. But as social media changes the beauty landscape, are we really becoming more accepting, or are the expectations simply evolving?   Hosted by Khush, this episode brings together celebrity ma...

Bollywood shaped our beauty standards. Instagram is rewriting them. But who decides what women should look like? 👀🔥 Khush brings together celebrity makeup artist Richa Vasisht, social media creator Rina Malah, Ruby Raza and Gunjan from Lyca Radio for a candid conversation about beauty, Bollywood and the pressure on women to fit in. From Kajol’s iconic unibrow and the size-zero craze to Instagram...

What does it really take for women to become financially independent? Financial independence is about more than having an income. It is about understanding money, making informed financial decisions and having the confidence to shape your own future. In this episode, Meenal Sambre joins Deep Rajah to discuss how women can take greater control of their finances and develop the knowledge and skills...

Financial independence is more than earning money. It’s about having the power to make your own choices. 👀   Meenal joins Deep Rajah for an important conversation about empowering women to take control of their finances, build confidence with money and work towards financial independence.   From learning essential financial skills to exploring how organisations can support women on this journey,...

What happens when four Lyca Radio Network personalities sit down for a completely unfiltered conversation? 👀   Hosted by Sandy Shah from Lyca Gold Radio, this episode brings together Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network, Deep Rajah from Lyca Gold, Lyca Radio Midlands and Lyca Radio Greater Manchester, and Vish Bhatnagar from Lyca Radio for a conversation packed with strong opinions, disagreemen...

Four presenters. One conversation. And absolutely no holding back. 👀🔥   Sandy Shah puts Raj Baddhan, Deep Rajah and Vish Bhatnagar in the hot seat for a conversation that gets opinionated, personal and unapologetically honest.   Are women better radio presenters? Should influencers really get a shot behind the mic? Is being a radio presenter actually as glamorous as it looks? And should presente...

What does it really take to become a foster carer? And what support is available once you do? 👀   In this episode, we dive into the world of foster care with Shashank Sharma, Registered Manager at Attuned to Children Fostering, Syed Hayat from Attuned to Children, Aasia Qayium, Director and Responsible Individual, and Amina Ahmed, a Foster Carer.   They break down the difference between fostering...

Could you become a foster carer? And what does the journey actually involve? 👀   From fostering vs adoption and the approval process, to financial support and the support available to carers, this episode gets into the questions people often have but don’t know who to ask.   Hear directly from foster care professionals and a foster carer about what it really takes to open your home, support a chi...

What does it really take to be the CEO of Lyca Radio? 👀   In this special 5-Year Showcase, Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio, sits down with Doni Brasco and Ruby Raza to take us behind the scenes of his journey into leadership.   From the nerves and responsibility of becoming CEO at a young age, to navigating senior presenters, making key changes and building relationships across the organisation, R...

From stepping into the role of CEO to leading one of the UK’s biggest Asian radio networks, Raj Baddhan opens up about the journey behind the title.   In this special 5-Year Showcase, Raj sits down with Doni Brasco and Ruby Raza to talk about becoming CEO of Lyca Radio, the nerves and responsibility that came with taking on the role, and the changes he wanted to bring to the organisation.   Ruby r...

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses harassment, intimidation, and experiences of physical and mental abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.   Harassment can take many forms. It can be subtle or overt, verbal or physical, and sometimes it can remain unspoken for years.   In this episode of Lyca XTRA, host Deep Rajah is joined by Sangeeta Pandey from IIW and Gayatri Shenoy, Principal Business A...

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses harassment, intimidation and experiences of harassment.    Harassment isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it goes unspoken for years.   In this episode of Lyca XTRA, Deep Rajah is joined by Sangeeta Pandey (IIW) and Gayatri Shenoy, Principal Business Analyst, for an honest conversation about the different forms harassment can take, why...

What if the right debt could actually help your business grow faster?   In this episode, Khush sits down with Meenal Sambre, Founder and Director of Samaria Global Finance Limited, to challenge the common misconceptions around business debt, funding and growth.   Meenal explains why businesses should think about funding before cash flow becomes a problem, what lenders really look for beyond the nu...

Is Debt Really Bad for Business? Debt often gets a bad reputation in business, but what if the right debt could actually help a company grow faster? In this episode, Khush sits down with Meenal Sambre, Founder and Director of Samaria Global Finance Limited, to break down the myths around business debt, funding and growth. From why businesses should plan funding before cash flow becomes a problem,...

From a childhood surrounded by music to building a remarkable career in the industry, Mohammed Vakil’s journey is one of passion, dedication and a lifelong love for singing.   In this special episode, host Ravi Sharma sits down with renowned artist Mohammed Vakil to explore the story behind his musical journey. Vakil Ji shares how the culture of music in his household inspired him from a young age...

A voice shaped by childhood, carried by passion and perfected through years of practice. 🎶   The Mohammed Vakil Special is coming soon!   Host Ravi Sharma sits down with renowned artist Mohammed Vakil to take us through his incredible journey, from growing up in a home surrounded by music to reaching remarkable heights in the industry.   Vakil Ji shares memories from his journey with Jagjit Singh...

The Story Behind The Diwali Story | Ramayana, Culture & Creativity  What makes the Ramayana still relevant to a new generation?  In this episode, Nishit Kotak, Nitin Palan, Samir Bharma and Shruti Shah join us to explore the significance of the Ramayana and the inspiration behind The Diwali Story.  The conversation goes beyond the familiar story of Shri Ram and Sita, exploring Ravana’s charact...

The Ramayana isn’t just a story. It’s a lesson for every generation. ❤️ Nitin Palan MBE, Nishit Kotak, Samir Bharma and Shruti Shah take us behind *The Diwali Story*, exploring why the Ramayana still matters today.   From Ravana’s unexpected opening scene to the emotional journey of Ram and Sita, the team brings this timeless story to life in a way that feels fresh, powerful and relatable.   Nitin...

What started with the British Asian Trust’s first major fundraising event, a rain-soaked India vs Pakistan cricket match in Glasgow in 2006, has since grown into an organisation that has reached 18.8 million people across South Asia. In this episode, Deep Rajah sits down with Hitan Mehta, CEO of the British Asian Trust, to explore how the organisation creates lasting impact across education, menta...