Brown Don't Frown Podcast

What is Foreign Policy? How can it be Feminist? Does it only work for one sex or can it work for everybody? How do the states and institutions which claim to be the proponents of feminist foreign policy ensure it is ethical and inclusive?

Climate Change Journalist Sharlene Gandhi and I examine how feminist foreign policy can be a tool to reshape our conventional thinking: from balancing production and climate change, to the delicacy of trade relations, to the significance of women’s participation in global peace talks, and everything in between. Using Canada and Sweden as examples, we look at the positives and negatives of feminist foreign policies. We also critique how capitalistic ideals have pushed for women’s economic independence without their participation or feedback, or regard for their cultural livelihoods, health and safety, or their children’s well-being.

We advocate an intersectional approach to foreign policy which has regard to the historical structural power relations as well as gender inequality, and one that continually adapts the narrative in line with the world’s rapidly-changing priorities.

The disruption caused by Coronavirus only signals what’s yet to come. In the hopes of reassuring you that you are not alone in the challenges you face, in this special episode, my friends and family from different backgrounds and countries share their Whatsapp voice notes. They talk about how they have been impacted and provide tips on staying sane, managing mental and physical health, looking out for others and maintaining productivity during self-isolation.

Hopefully, the COVID-19 pandemic will enable us to reflect and practise greater gratitude for our access to home comforts, food and technology. And who knows, perhaps it will be a catalyst for resetting the world as we know it altogether...

In the final episode of Season 1, I’m joined by Katie Taylor, Junior Editor of a publishing house focussing on books about mental health and well-being. Although the publishing industry is largely dominated by women, we look at how their prevalence dissipates at the senior and executive levels. We question tick-box BAME representation in publishing, rattle the cage on toxic masculinity, and explore writing as a safe space. I also grill Katie on the criteria for getting a book published. 

We want to live life with purpose and good intentions, but social media, uncapped advertising and capitalism have left many of us feeling vulnerable when it comes to our self-acceptance, as we find ourselves on the hamster wheel of external approval to validate our own existence.

Join myself and Hanita, as we explore our jouneys through self-reflection, from being young teenage rebels to feeling comfortable in our own skin today.

Join me with my friend and former colleague, Immigration Barrister Zoe Bantleman as we discuss the UK Immigration System's impact on women. We start off with domestic violence and asylum and end with the challenges faced by both migrant women in work and British women with migrant partners, such as the gender pay gap, migrant worker salary requirements, maternity leave, the EU Settlement Scheme and of course, life post-Brexit. 

Recent ONS figures reveal that the number of women not having children has nearly doubled within a generation. Bianca Mihaes and I unpack societal norms and take a detour from the well-trodden path of marriage, children and the traditional family unit. As the definition of family widens through cohabitation, adoption, late parenthood, same-sex marriage and single-parenting, we also discuss our own interpretations of family and its cultural significance as Bengali and Romanian women.

In this episode, I'm joined once again by Zed and Ali of www.canttouchmycrown.com.  We talk about that ever-pressing question we get asked. Join us as we explain where we're "really" from. 

Disclaimer: In case it wasn't clear enough in the podcast, Zed and I don't side with Nigerians or Ghanaians when it comes to Jollof rice. We like both. 

Having both lost a parent, Heather Waterfield and I talk about the impact of losing my mother as a child and Heather tells me about the anxiety and sadness she experienced when her father was mentally unwell. We dissect the gender stereotyping projected on society which clouds the ability to grieve on our own terms. We also explore the sentiments behind "moving on" and "getting over it" and consider whether the 'stiff upper lip' mentality enables toxic masculinity and male suicide.