Love Matters With Evelyn Sharma Express Audio

In this episode, we hear from listener Kheyali, who is struggling with wearing the "divorcee" label as a young woman in India. The divorce rate may have doubled in the country over the past two decades but at around 1%, it's still very low – and widely frowned upon. Women bear the brunt of society's judgement. They're most often blamed for marriage breakdowns and find themselves penalized for being without a husband even in seemingly simple things like trying to get their own apartment. Kheyali asks how she can overcome labels attached to being single and divorced at 30? How can she stand up to those who blame her for the end of her marriage? To help answer these questions, comedian and actor Kaneez Surka joins Evelyn to provide her insights into tackling the stigma and shame associated with being divorced India, the strength it takes to leave a marriage, and the joy and freedom one can find in learning to be on their own again.
Tune in!
Show notes:
Evelyn Sharma's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelyn_sharma/
Kaneez Surka’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaneezsurka/

Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck
Lead Producer: Jennifer Collins
Producer and Lead Research: Sana Rizvi
Assistant Producers: Nicolas Martin
DW Format and Product Development: Laura Döing
Sound Engineer: Thomas Schmidt
Editorial Support: Snigdha Sharma, Anant Nath Sharma, Shashank Bhargava

This week we hear from a listener struggling with feelings of shame about his sexuality because of society’s narrow and degrading views on homosexuality. While India overturned the colonial-era law that made same-sex relations illegal in 2018, discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community is rampant in the country, and acceptance is a long way ahead. So, in this episode, drag artist and LGTBTQ+ activist Sushant Divgikar joins Evelyn Sharma to give some heartfelt advice to our listener. Sushant also talks about how they overcame their struggles to become a "staunch believer in believing" in themselves and how they stopped letting the opinion of others dictate their life.

Stay tuned for the surprise at the end.

Show notes:
Evelyn Sharma's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelyn_sharma/
Sushant Divgikar's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushantdivgikr/

Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck
Lead Producer: Jennifer Collins
Producer and Lead Researcher: Sana Rizvi
Assistant Producer: Nicolas Martin
DW Format and Product Development: Laura Döing
Sound Engineer: Thomas Schmidt
Editorial Support: Snigdha Sharma, Anant Nath Sharma, Shashank Bhargava

Our listener has an awkward moment after her mom finds the morning after pill in her bag. She also wonders how to reassure her boyfriend she's having a good time in bed. In this episode, Evelyn Sharma speaks to sex positivity influencer Leeza Mangaldas to get advice for our listener. Leeza, a popular sex-positivity influencer on Instagram, answers questions on everything from female pleasure to safe sex. Her aim is to normalize conversations around sex and Evelyn and Leeza don't shy away from the subject!

Tune in!

Show notes:

Leeza's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leezamangaldas/?hl=de

Leeza's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Leezamangaldas1

Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck
Lead Producer: Jennifer Collins
Producer and Lead Researcher: Sana Rizvi
Assistant Producer: Nicolas Martin
DW Format and Product Development: Laura Döing
Sound Engineer: Thomas Schmidt
Editorial Support: Snigdha Sharma, Anant Nath Sharma, Shashank Bhargava

How do I keep my relationship going when I'm thousands of miles from my boyfriend? How do we communicate and trust each other? Gauri, a 22 year-old student from Bangalore sent us these questions and in this episode, we tried to help her find answers. Listen to host Evelyn Sharma as she speaks to her friends Benny Dayal, the playback singer, and Cathy, his entrepreneur wife, about dealing with the challenges of a long-distance relationship. The couple let us in on the secrets of how they make it work and also give Gauri some advice. And, there's a little surprise at the end of the show. 

Tune in!

Show notes:

Benny's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bennydayalofficial/?hl=de

Cathy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinedayal/?hl=de

Studies on long distance relationships used in this episode's quiz:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249719474_Idealization_reunions_and_stability_in_long-distance_dating_relationships

https://www.kiiroo.com/blogs/articles/how-to-make-your-long-distance-relationship-work-1

Executive Producer: Melanie von Marschalck
Lead Producer: Jennifer Collins 
Producer and Lead Researcher: Sana Rizvi 
Assistant Producer: Nicolas Martin  
DW Format and Product Development: Laura Döing
Sound Engineer: Thomas Schmidt
Editorial Support: Snigdha Sharma, Anant Nath Sharma, Shashank Bhargava 

Want to talk about sex openly? Are you figuring out how to be happily single? Or are you at odds with your family over your partner choice? Love Matters is here to help you navigate the ups and downs of love — with the help of celebrity guests and influencers!

Each week, Bollywood actress, entrepreneur, mother and wife Evelyn Sharma hears from a listener with a relationship challenge and speaks to well-known Indians, who open up about their own experiences of love.

The podcast provides a space to talk about the love and relationship topics that are important to Indians. So tune in and email us at lovematters@dw.com to have your relationship challenges features!

Love Matters is a collaboration of The Indian Express and DW, Germany's international broadcaster.