5 best homegrown girl-talk podcasts to tune into

India's podcast scene is buzzing with fresh energy, driven by some incredible female voices. Covering everything from mental health and relationships to career struggles and everyday musings, these podcasters are stirring conversations we didn’t know we even needed. Having spent a fair share of my life on the internet, I’ve gone through many podcast phases of plugging into slice-of-life realities, binge-listening to mindless pods, and absorbing heartfelt chats that have sent me into a state of introspection. Amongst all I commonly noticed, these audio shows are striking a chord with so many women looking for spaces of entertainment and emotion, that it’s time you gave them a shot too. 

Back in 2019 when Spotify officially launched in India, the transition of podcasts from YouTube to audio streaming platforms was gradual but so mindfully done. One of the first homegrown all-girl podcasts I listened to and absolutely loved (still do) was Agla Station Adulthood by the funniest Rytasha Rathore and the wittiest Ayushi Amin—two SoBo besties yapping about the best and worst parts of female adulthood that no one tells you about. They spoke about everything from managing credit card bills to losing jobs, being democratic but also being your own boss, sweet sisterhood and rough relationships. Their satire-filled candid conservations left me in splits as a baby adult and also organically got me listening to more female-led podcasts. 

Fast forward to 2024, I am now spoilt by choice and can’t make up my mind when it's time to take my pick while doing my routine chores. After trying and testing a bunch of podcasts, I’ve come to realise I keep going back to a certain few that you will love too. These Indian women-run podcasts talk to a vast demographic of moods and minds, so you’re sure to find what you want in this edit. Happy listening! 

Moment of Silence 

If you're looking for a podcast that's equal parts unfiltered and unhinged, Moment of Silence is where it's at. Hosted by content creator Sakshi Shivdasani and actor Naina Bhan, these two self-certified yappers spill the tea on everything from the current dating scene and career dilemmas to pop culture hot takes and life’s existential crises. It’s like eavesdropping on your most interesting friends while they vent, joke, and offer unexpectedly profound insights with guests on board. 

In their latest episode, the Moment of Silence (MoS) duo—Shivdasani and Bhan speak to fellow content creator Kusha Kapila to dive into some real talk. From the wild world of content creation (and a peek into the dark side of Reddit), relocating to a new city, to handling the best of fame and of criticism too. They also touch on love, Mumbai vs Delhi cultural dynamics, and more in the most relatable and humorous way—perfect for when you need that virtual girl gang vibe that feels like a comforting chat with your coolest friends. MoS also completed a year of yapping, and we only want more! 

The Faye D’Souza Show 

The Faye D’Souza Show, often called the “anti-podcast” by the journalist herself, is a compelling series on her YouTube channel that delves into the critical yet underappreciated topic of failure. Through candid discussions with personalities from different backgrounds, Faye unpacks the profound lessons found in setbacks and explores the resilience required to rise above them. The is particularly personal and embraces vulnerability while providing thought-provoking insights on navigating life’s challenges. 

One of my favourites was when actress and activist Shabana Azmi was in conversation with D'Souza and reflected on her extraordinary 50-year journey in the Hindi film industry. She opens up about growing up in a communist household, manoeuvring her path as an outspoken woman in Bollywood, witnessing the industry’s transformation over the decades and more. Azmi also shares insightful perspectives on feminism, social justice, artsy films, and the persistent challenges of achieving gender equality. 

#PREACH 

The Papaverse just got bigger, blending fashion, art, conversation, and community into one dynamic cosmos! Hosted by the founder of Papa Don't Preach by Shubhika Sharma, this podcast is all about "the messy reality of artistic pursuits." Sharma explains the series as a backstage pass to the raw, unfiltered stories of creative trailblazers. #PREACH brings the creators, disruptors, and magic makers with stories that will leave you inspired and ready to shout, preach! 

The episode that kept me engaged till the last minute was the latest one with sexuality educator and author Leeza Mangaldas on the show. Mangaldas spoke to Sharma about breaking barriers with Leezus, her inclusive sex toy brand while challenging societal taboos and even taking on social media’s rigid censorship rules. Mangaldas redefines the way everyone talks about pleasure, orgasms and everything in between. This wasn’t just a podcast—it was a whole movement shaking up the way we see desire and the forces trying to hush it. 

Chapter 2 by Rhea Chakraborty

Rhea Chakraborty's Chapter 2 on Spotify and YouTube dives into themes of reinvention, personal growth, and starting over. The name symbolises Chakraborty's own journey of finding strength in life’s curveballs and coming out stronger on the other side. Each episode feels like a heart-to-heart with personalities who’ve been through it all, sharing raw and real insights that will leave you inspired to tackle your own chapter two. Hit play and feel ready to turn the page! 

This is one of those podcasts where the episodes stretch over an hour, but you won’t even notice because they feel so relatable and easy to tune into. One such episode that I personally thought had many dimensions of friendship, relationship and second chances, was the one with Shibani and Farhan Akhtar. It's a cosy sit-down intimate conversation that offers a peek into their everyday lives, childhood memories, and the serendipity of meeting each other. The three also explore introspective topics like innate negative bias, the push for a zero-tolerance society, and what it means to stay authentic in today’s social media-driven world.

So Positive By Ananya Panday

Ananya Panday's So Positive is the newest podcast on the block that is all about getting real with mental health in the age of social media. In this space, Panday opens up about the trial and errors of living life online—from the constant pressure of cancel culture to the perks of connecting with like-minded people. The show brings on creators who share their raw stories on things like cyberbullying, social media burnout, and how they stay balanced in this overstimulated world. Each episode is a no-holds-barred look at staying true to yourself while navigating the chaos of digital life.

Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughs with stand-up comedian Sumukhi Suresh, and actor and host Ananya Panday, where they chat about dating self-exploration, and mental health on the internet. Suresh also opens up about how comedy often comes from a place of sadness and how she turns that into her superpower because that works for her! As the two have inclusive conversations about therapy, Panday surprises the listeners with her signature "So Positive Homework," a little mental health challenge. It's fun, it's just enough positivity, and makes for a great quick podcast. 

*The opinions expressed in this article are solely of the writer. 

Lead image credit: Netflix 

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