The Curious Case Of... with Ira Khan

Ira Khan
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
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Hosted by Ira Khan, the show invites you to slow down and get curious about the complexities of mental health and mental illness — not just as clinical terms, but as real parts of real life. In a world flooded with advice, opinions, and endless content, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and walk away with more confusion than clarity. This podcast is a counter-space. A space for asking instead of assuming. For listening instead of scrolling. For wondering why we think, feel, and behave the way we do. Joined by psychologists, artists, caregivers, people with lived experience, and fellow question-askers, Ira explores the many layers of the human experience — from how we cope and connect to how we break and rebuild. Each episode offers a space to go deeper — whether it’s through experiences, stories, science, or shared vulnerability. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just room to explore the questions that matter. Because maybe the most powerful thing we can do — is stay curious.

  1. The Curious Case of… Living on Hope ft. Amrit Bakhshy

    4 DAYS AGO

    The Curious Case of… Living on Hope ft. Amrit Bakhshy

    What does it mean to show up for someone you love when the path ahead is turbulent and unclear?   In this episode, Ira talks to Amrit Bakshy about his journey as a father to a daughter living with Schizophrenia. He reflects on the early days — when information was scarce, fear was high, and every decision was consequential and how all those experiences slowly reshaped his life, his priorities, and his own understanding.   Over time, his personal journey grew: doing his best to support his own child, helping other families walking similar paths. It’s a conversation about learning as you go and what it can look like to care deeply in the face of uncertainty.   Because even in uncertainty, curiosity means hope.   00:00 Intro — A Father’s Role as Caregiver   01:37 When His Daughter’s Illness First Appeared   05:50 Learning about Schizophrenia With No Information available   08:55 Medication Struggles & Early Treatment Mistakes   12:00 Turning to Faith, Stigma & Family Strain   14:30 Moving Cities to Support Long-Term Care   17:05 Finding the Right Medication & Stability   19:50 Life Now — Ongoing Care & Future Worries   21:50 Living Without Shame or Hiding the Illness   27:15 It’s the Illness, Not the Person   41:40 When a Loved One Refuses Treatment   49:25 Why Medication Is Often Non-Negotiable   51:40 The Importance of Early Intervention   52:50 Hope, Awareness & Support in Schools   54:00 Emotional Hygiene Exercise & Closing     For more information, click here. CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan    Agatsu Foundation Team  Research: Rohini Sen  Art Design: Neeta Borkar Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar  Editorial Assistance: Devanshi Chandak, Rachna Sukuru Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil   Recorded at Grey Spark Audio Academy, Pune Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

    47 min
  2. The Curious Case of… post-therapy Kenny ft. Kenny Sebastian

    25 JAN

    The Curious Case of… post-therapy Kenny ft. Kenny Sebastian

    What makes someone start therapy? And what actually changes when you stay with it? In this episode, Ira talks to Kenny Sebastian about his personal journey with therapy — what got him started, how he navigated the taboo in the early days, and how therapy helped him understand himself more clearly. It’s a conversation rooted in lived experience. Through Kenny’s candour and humour, it helps set expectations around what therapy can offer, and just as importantly, what it can’t. Because understanding ourselves is a journey, and it unfolds when we approach it with curiosity.   For more information, click here.   CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan    Agatsu Foundation Team  Art Design: Ayushi Lilani Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil   Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

    50 min
  3. The Curious Case of… Normal ft. Divyanshu Ganatra

    11 JAN

    The Curious Case of… Normal ft. Divyanshu Ganatra

    Why do we use labels for understanding people? What does “normal” mean — and who decides what’s normal for someone else?   In this episode, Ira talks with Divyanshu about how the meaning of “normal” shifts across contexts — from evolutionary needs to social expectations. They explore why labels continue to exist despite being limiting, and how questioning them can help us reframe our experiences and live more fully on our own terms.   It’s a conversation about language, identity, and empowering ourselves by asking better questions.   Because, if you really think about it, ‘normal’ is a curious word.   For more information, click here. CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan    Agatsu Foundation Team  Research: Rohini Sen  Art Design: Neeta Borkar Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar, Quoyina Ghosh Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai   Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

    44 min
  4. The Curious Case of… No Other Way To Be ft. Dr Sushama Nagarkar

    07/12/2025

    The Curious Case of… No Other Way To Be ft. Dr Sushama Nagarkar

    What does it mean to love and respect your child — fully, exactly as they are?   In this episode, Ira talks to Sushama about her journey as a mother to a child with autism. She shares how she never asked “Why me?” or “Why now?”. Instead, she focused on her role as the parent. What she could do to equip her child to best deal with the world that might not always be kind to her. Because some struggles come not from the person but from the way our world is currently designed.    It’s a conversation about acceptance, perspective, and allowing yourself to make mistakes. Along the way, you might also discover unexpected, unnoticed beauty hiding in plain sight.   This is Sushama's invitation to approach all - especially the neurodivergent - with love, respect and curiosity.   For more information, click here.   ​00:00 – Introduction: Sushama and Aarti's Early Story 01:22 – Aarti’s Birth & Early Health Challenges 07:39 – ​Family Life and Support 14:14 – Processing Expectations, Grief & Acceptance​ 17:43 – Mountains, Yoga & Finding Inner Balance 20:12 – Aarti’s Insight, Language Challenges & Strengths 24:48 – Moving to the ​U​S: ​Navigating the Culture and Challenges of Limited Support 29:50 – ​D​ivya's Experience as Aarti's Sibling 33:56 – Returning to India & Rebuilding Life 35:01 – Can Caregivers Have a Life? 36:22 – Preparing Aarti for Independence 41:45 – Respect, Diversity & Early Lessons in Equality 45:52 – Why Relationships With Disabled People Are Hard for Many 53:57 – Focusing on What We Can Control 55:20 – Emotional Hygiene 56:08 – ​Closing Remarks and Resources   CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan    Agatsu Foundation Team  Research: Rohini Sen  Art Design: Neeta Borkar Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar, Quoyina Ghosh Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil   Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

    49 min
  5. The Curious Case of… Whatever It Takes ft. Anissa Khanna

    23/11/2025

    The Curious Case of… Whatever It Takes ft. Anissa Khanna

    In this episode Ira talks to Anissa about her journey as a mother to a child with OCD — at first, simply responding to what was in front of her without realising how severe things were.    Even with financial resources, it took time, mistakes, and learning to understand the illness and the weight of caregiving.   Because curiosity is what turns confusion into understanding.   For more information, click here.   CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan    Agatsu Foundation Team  Research: Rohini Sen  Art Design: Neeta Borkar Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta Producer: Quoyina Ghosh, Ruchi Sawardekar  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil   Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai   Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

    53 min
  6. The Curious Case of… Happy Face, Sad Face feat. Vijay Nallawala

    09/11/2025

    The Curious Case of… Happy Face, Sad Face feat. Vijay Nallawala

    In this episode, Ira talks with Vijay Nallawala about his journey with Bipolar Disorder. Together, they reflect on what happens when pain gets romanticised, why early treatment matters, and how hope can still coexist with struggle.   It’s a conversation about honesty — about seeing things as they are, not as they’re often portrayed or what we may like them to be.   Because understanding starts with awareness. And awareness begins with curiosity.   For more information, click here. CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan    Agatsu Foundation Team  Research: Rohini Sen  Art Design: Neeta Borkar Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta Producer: Quoyina Ghosh, Ruchi Sawardekar  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil   Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

    1 hr
  7. The Curious Case of… Blaming Your Parents ft. Nuzhat Khan

    26/10/2025

    The Curious Case of… Blaming Your Parents ft. Nuzhat Khan

    How much of who we are comes from where we come from? And how do we make peace with the parts of our story that began before we had a say?   In this episode, Ira sits down with Nuzhat Khan to explore the complicated relationship between our parents, our past, and the people we grow up to be. Seen through a psychoanalytical lens, it emerges as a conversation about understanding without resentment, and healing without losing accountability.   Because blame is unhelpful. And curiosity works like a charm.   For more information, click here.   CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan    Agatsu Foundation Team  Research: Rohini Sen  Art Design: Neeta Borkar Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta Producer: Quoyina Ghosh, Ruchi Sawardekar  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil   Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

    53 min
  8. The Curious Case of… “But Why?” ft. Swanand Kelkar

    12/10/2025

    The Curious Case of… “But Why?” ft. Swanand Kelkar

    Why is it so hard to find a clear reason when it comes to the mind? In this episode, Ira talks with Swanand Kelkar about his experience, being the child of someone living with a mental illness and how his understanding of mental health has shifted over the years. From searching for neat explanations to recognising that sometimes, there isn’t a simple “why.” It’s a conversation about letting go of the need to make everything make sense, and finding peace — and even strength — in that uncertainty. Because sometimes, curiosity isn’t about answers. It’s about learning to sit with the questions. For more information, click here.   CREDITS: Host: Ira Khan    Agatsu Foundation Team  Research: Rohini Sen  Art Design: Neeta Borkar Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha  Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)   This is a Maed in India production Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha  Visual Designer: Alika Gupta Producer: Quoyina Ghosh, Ruchi Sawardekar  Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil   Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

    57 min
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About

Hosted by Ira Khan, the show invites you to slow down and get curious about the complexities of mental health and mental illness — not just as clinical terms, but as real parts of real life. In a world flooded with advice, opinions, and endless content, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and walk away with more confusion than clarity. This podcast is a counter-space. A space for asking instead of assuming. For listening instead of scrolling. For wondering why we think, feel, and behave the way we do. Joined by psychologists, artists, caregivers, people with lived experience, and fellow question-askers, Ira explores the many layers of the human experience — from how we cope and connect to how we break and rebuild. Each episode offers a space to go deeper — whether it’s through experiences, stories, science, or shared vulnerability. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just room to explore the questions that matter. Because maybe the most powerful thing we can do — is stay curious.

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