What happens when a "good girl" trades an MBA for ultramarathons and designer career paths for desert dust? In this episode of Dirty Brown, Sugandha Singhal joins host, Kriti J to discuss how endurance training became her ultimate tool for self-discovery and social rebellion - from defying the "settled" timeline of her 30s to overcoming self-image issues. It’s a conversation about reclaiming your body, your time, and your right to be "difficult.

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:16 - Meet Sugandha Singhal
• 00:34 - Reality of Ultra Running
• 05:27- Why most people quit (and she stayed)
• 07:35 - The 12-hour daily grind
• 11:36 - The "Bulky" Myth: Women's fitness in India
• 16:05 - UPSC/MBA dreams vs reality: No regrets
• 19:36 - Badchalan Energy quiz
• 23:58 Part II Teaser
• 24:42 - Bloopers

Follow on socials

• Instagram: @_sugs_ , @moveasy.co
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@_dirtybrown_⁠

India’s complex relationship with fair skin - From the "Fair and Lovely" ads of our childhoods to the 4,000-year history of the caste system and colonial rule, we explore the "trifecta" of forces - colonialism, capitalism, and media - that fuel the obsession with light skin.Listen to personal stories of navigating family pressure and "ghostly" makeup shades, and sit down with cosmetologist Dr. Priyanka Mall to learn why skin-lightening remains the most requested treatment in Indian clinics today. Join us as we sweep away the myths and move toward a safe space of radical self-love.00:00 Intro01:02 What's with chai making us darker!03:10 The faces of Fair & Lovely05:25 Media Representation and Colorism07:59 History of colorism and Trifecta of colonialism, capitalism & media11:58 Conversation with Dr. Priyanka Mall 25:03 Current State of Colorism and Activism26:46 Media Representation and Its Effects28:22 Self-Acceptance and Ongoing InsecuritiesInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@_dirtybrown_⁠About Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines.Some images by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/Music byKamalesh Siddu⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Mykola Odnoroh⁠⁠⁠

A brown woman in her 40s refusing every "good girl" expectation - that's Mita. In this first episode of the Badchalan Aurat series, host Kriti J talks to Mita about her life as a stand-up comedian, activist, and blogger. Mita shares her journey starting stand-up in midlife , navigating societal pressure with humor, and redefining nurturing, purpose, and womanhood on her own terms. Listen as they discuss Mita's dark humor and the hilarious results of the "Big Badchalan Energy Quiz". Plus, Mita gives a sneak peek into her upcoming stand-up gig in Ottawa.Check out her blog: https://shescomeundone.orgMita's IG: @mitadoingthingsInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@_dirtybrown_⁠Chapters:00:00 Intro01:13 Welcome Mita Patel03:46 Breaking Stereotypes: The Life of a Brown Woman11:36 The Journey of a Comedian14:55 Badchalan energy quiz20:53 Impact of blogging and activism25:09 it’s Bolly o’clockAbout Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines.Music byKamalesh Siddu⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Mykola Odnoroh⁠⁠⁠Nigori kaisi jawani hai

If you’ve ever been shamed for choosing yourself, this episode is for you! Host Kriti J is joined by our fav guest Shruti S where they delve into the portrayal of female characters in Bollywood, discussing the prevalent tropes of the 'Abla Nari' and 'Badchalan Aurat'. They explore nuanced characters in modern films, who exactly is the badchalan aurat and the importance of reclaiming the 'Badchalan' identity.

Check out this exciting episode with an exciting announcement at the end!

Chapters:

00:00 Slurs

00:24 Episode introduction

01:41 Abla nari and badchalan tropes

05:49 Nuanced Female Characters in Bollywood Films

08:56 Is Bollywood becoming feminist!?

10:21 Importance of Reclaiming the Narrative of Badchalan

11:57 THE ANNOUNCEMENT - Dirty Brown presents Badchalan Aurat!!

12:56 Closing Thoughts

14:06 Behind the scenes/Bloopers

About Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines.

Movie/song videos - Cocktail, Piku, Thappad, Girls like to swing

Music by - ⁠⁠Kamalesh Siddu⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Mykola Odnoroh⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@_dirtybrown_

In this bonus episode, host Kriti J is joined again by Shruti S and they share their take on the new movie Aap Jaisa Koi . They break down the clash of conservative and progressive values, the underdeveloped main characters, and the slow pacing that makes parts of the movie a slog. Amid the clichés and missed opportunities, Kusum Bhabi emerges as the real hero, reclaiming agency and driving change in her world. A short, candid review that highlights gender, patriarchy, and feminist arcs, along with the saris, jewelry, and visual treats that make it worth a watch.

About Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines.

Official song videos - Aap Jaisa Koi trailer [1, 2]

Music by - ⁠Kamalesh Siddu⁠, ⁠Mykola Odnoroh⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@_dirtybrown_

We love dancing to them, but are we also complicit in the male gaze? In this episode, host Kriti J is joined by longtime friend and fellow Bollywood nerd Shruti S to unpack the complicated world of item numbers - the seductive, high-energy songs Bollywood can’t seem to quit.

Together, they create the Dirty Brown Test — a feminist lens for evaluating whether item songs like Choli Ke Peeche, Oo Antava, and Sheila Ki Jawani are empowering or just... problematic. Spoiler: the answers aren’t as obvious as you think. Tune in for hot takes, cultural commentary, and some serious Katrina Kaif appreciation.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro to episode

01:34 Introduction to Item Numbers in Bollywood

02:22 Defining Feminism in Item Numbers

04:08 The Dirty Brown Test: Evaluating Item Numbers

06:51 Choli ke peeche - A feminist perspective

12:18 Ooh Antava: A Contrast in Representation

20:43 Sheila ki jawani - Duality of empowerment and objectification

25:14 The role of female choreographers

27:58 Item numbers are here to stay. So, what now?

About Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines.

Official song videos - Choli ke peeche, Sheila ki jawani, Ooo antava

Music by - Kamalesh Siddu, Mykola Odnoroh from Pixabay

Instagram: ⁠@_dirtybrown_

Host Kriti J unpacks media’s messy reaction to Blue Origin’s all-female spaceflight. Why did a mission featuring trailblazers like Amanda Nguyen and Aisha Bowe get reduced to Katy Perry memes and "rich girl" shade? Kriti dives into the nuance, calls out the quiet patriarchy, and reclaims the narrative. It’s about more than celebrity—it’s about who gets to belong in the cosmos.

Chapters:

00:00 Celebrating Milestones and Community Support

01:15 The Controversy of Space Tourism

07:14 The Double Standards in Celebrity Space Flights

09:35 The Nuance of Representation in Space

11:04 Concluding Thoughts on Space and Gender Dynamics

Images from Blue origin instagram and Heute.at

Music by: Alehandro Vodnik, Ivan Ohanezov, Felix_quinol from Pixabay

Instagram: @_dirtybrown_

Host Kriti J explores the experiences and challenges surrounding menstruation in a conversation with the guest speaker, Toni Knight. The speakers share personal stories about their first periods, cultural perspectives on menstruation, and the stigma associated with it. They discuss the importance of education, the potential impact of diet on menstrual health, and the need for open conversations about these topics.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

02:10 - Messy first period stories & support for young girls

17:25 - Lesser know period facts, painful cramps & menstrual health

30:35 - Breaking the stigma

Show notes:

• Rupi Kaur’s instagram post
• Books/articles that speakers have read to better understand periods
  • The better period food solution by Tracy Beckerman (book)
  • You can have a better period by Le’Nise Brothers (book)
  • Self-care down there by Taq Kaur Bhandal (book)
  • Blood by Dr. Jen Gunter (book)
  • In the flo by Alisa Vitti (book)
  • Padded assumptions: A critical discourse analysis of patriarchal menstruation discourse (journal)

Music by: Alehandro Vodnik and Ivan Ohanezov from Pixabay

Instagram: @_dirtybrown_