In this episode of Friends With Benefits, we sit down with Preba (Just Another Akka) for a deep, honest conversation about spirituality, faith, and what it really means to find yourself.

We talk about what a spiritual journey actually looks like beyond trends and aesthetics and get real about questioning God, unlearning beliefs, and navigating your own truth. We also unpack and debunk common myths around Hinduism and spirituality, exploring where these ideas come from and how they show up in modern life.

This is a safe space for curiosity, doubt, growth, and self-discovery.

If you’ve ever felt confused, disconnected, or like you’re searching for something deeper… this conversation is for you.

✨ Topics we cover:

• What is a spiritual journey?

• Is it okay to question God?

• Debunking common Hindu and spiritual myths

• Healing, growth, and self-discovery

• Finding your own truth

Let us know your thoughts in the comments - do you think questioning God is part of growth?

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this conversation 🤍

#spiritualjourney #spirituality #questioninggod #healingjourney #selfdiscovery #hinduism #podcast

In Episode 2, we're joined by Theshanya Pillay, the founder of Maha Haircare, for an open and inspiring conversation about the realities behind entrepreneurship and personal healing.

Theshanya shares her journey of creating Maha Haircare, the inspiration behind the brand, and why hair loss is about so much more than what's visible on the surface. We also dive into the emotional realities of postpartum depression, navigating grief and loss, and finding the strength to rebuild through life's most challenging seasons.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Theshanya's journey to founding Maha Haircare
• Hair loss and its impact on confidence and identity
• Postpartum depression and maternal mental health
• Grief, loss, resilience, and healing
• Building a purpose-driven business

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a mother, someone experiencing hair loss, or simply looking for an honest conversation about resilience, this episode offers insight, hope, and encouragement.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe to support the podcast and help us reach more listeners.

Follow us for more inspiring conversations every week.

#HairLoss #MahaHaircare #TheshanyaPillay #Podcast #PostpartumDepression #MentalHealth #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #Healing #Motherhood

Welcome back to Season 2 of Friends with Benefits with your hosts, Yulea and Priyanka!

We're so excited to be back and kicking off a brand-new season with plenty of laughs, honest banter, and a little bit of chaos. In this episode, we reveal who got engaged, unpack the realities of ADHD, dive into marriage and family drama, and even spark a heated debate about football.

Grab a drink, get comfortable, and join us for another fun-filled episode of Friends with Benefits!

In today’s off-season car chat, we’re talking about something heavier than our usual content — because South Africa is heavy right now. On 21 November, women across the country will take part in the G20 Shutdown in solidarity with the fight against GBVF, led by Women for Change South Africa.

In this episode, we unpack what gender-based violence really is (beyond what people normally assume), how deeply it affects everyday life in SA, the heartbreaking timeline of cases that pushed this movement into existence, and why this shutdown matters more than another hashtag or awareness day.

We also dig into how the movement started, who’s behind Women for Change, the stories that shaped it, and what real support looks like — from men, from communities, and from each of us individually.

This is an unfiltered, emotional, but necessary conversation.
Because no woman should have to live like this. And no one should be silent.

🎆 Diwali: Light, Meaning & Memory ✨

In this special episode, we dive into the glowing celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights — not just as a cultural tradition, but as a living memory that shaped our childhoods and continues to inspire our present.

Join us as we reflect on what Diwali means to us, beyond the diyas and fireworks. We talk about the values it represents — light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance — and how those themes show up in our lives today. From family rituals and pujas to decorating the house with rangoli and twinkling lights, we revisit the magic and meaning of how we grew up celebrating.

Of course, no Diwali is complete without sweets! 🍬 So we’re also dishing out some sweet meat trivia (yes, that’s a real phrase — and we’re here for it). Ever wondered where gulab jamun really comes from? Or why kaju katli is shaped like diamonds? We’ve got some fun facts and flavorful stories around the beloved mithai that makes Diwali delicious.

Whether you're lighting your first diya or your hundredth, or just curious to learn more about this radiant festival, this episode is a warm, welcoming space to connect, reflect, and celebrate.

🪔 Light a candle, grab a ladoo, and let’s talk Diwali.

📖 Episode Description (extended, reflective)

This episode is the beginning of our season finale — Part 1 of a two-part conversation where we reflect on our roots as South African Indians. We dive into the story of indentured labourers, our ancestors who came to South Africa under contracts of hardship and survival. From long ship journeys to gruelling days in the cane fields, they endured conditions that tested both body and spirit — yet they built lives that carried forward resilience, culture, and faith.

We’re not historians or experts — we’re simply two women learning, piecing together what we know, what we’ve heard, and what has been passed down through family, community, and culture. This conversation is about remembering, questioning, and keeping those fragments alive so that they’re not lost to silence.

Our hope is to honour the sacrifices of the generations before us, who worked tirelessly to give their children and grandchildren opportunities that were once unimaginable. We also want to spark more conversations in families and communities — to ask questions, to learn, and to share.

Because while we may not have all the answers, we believe it’s important to keep the story alive. To remember that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us — and to be proud of the roots that shaped us.

Success. We all chase it, but few of us ever stop to ask what it actually means. Is it the job title, the salary, the car, the relationship, the house… or is it something softer, like peace of mind, freedom, and living on your own terms?

In this episode of Friends with Benefits, we sit down and get brutally honest about the myths and realities of “making it” in your 20s and 30s. We talk about:

🎓 The pressure of chasing traditional markers of success (Big 4 jobs, degrees, promotions).

💡 The messy transition from what success was sold to us as kids vs. what it looks like in adulthood.

🥂 The small wins that count more than the highlight reel — from paying rent on time to surviving toxic work culture.

🪞 How comparison to friends, family, and social media can trick you into thinking you’re behind.

🌱 Why redefining success might be the key to actually feeling fulfilled.

This conversation is part laughter, part therapy session, and part wake-up call. By the end, you might just realize that success isn’t a destination — it’s the tiny everyday moments you never gave yourself credit for.

Conflict happens everywhere — with partners, friends, family, even coworkers. 😅 But here’s the thing: it’s not about avoiding conflict, it’s about learning how to handle it without burning bridges (or slamming doors).

In this episode of Friends With Benefits, we dive into the messy, unavoidable, and sometimes hilarious world of conflict resolution in relationships of all kinds. From petty arguments over WhatsApp replies to big disagreements that shake entire friendships or families, we’re breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and why some fights leave scars while others bring you closer.

👀 What we get into:

• Why conflict isn’t always bad (and can actually be healthy)
• The difference between resolving a fight vs. “winning” one
• Common mistakes people make when arguments get heated
• How to handle silent treatments, overreactions, and miscommunication
• The role of ego, pride, and timing in any conflict
• Our personal stories of fights with partners, friends, and even coworkers (yes, it gets real)

⚡ Spoiler: conflict is inevitable, but drama is optional. The way you show up in tough conversations says more about your growth than the fight itself.

💬 Comment below: How do you handle conflict? Are you the peacemaker, the over-thinker, the ghoster, or the “let’s talk right now” person? We want to hear your survival strategies (and your funny fight stories).

✨ New episodes of Friends With Benefits drop every week — hit subscribe and tap the bell 🔔 to stay in the loop for more raw, relatable, and sometimes chaotic conversations.

#ConflictResolution #Relationships #FriendsWithBenefitsPodcast

Welcome back to Friends With Benefits! 🌿

This is Part 2 of our wellness series.

In this episode, we’re getting into the heart of what health really means to us—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. It’s not about chasing perfection or sticking to strict rules. It’s about learning how to take care of ourselves in ways that actually feel good—and sustainable.

We’re talking:

✨ How our relationship with food and health has evolved over the years

✨ The small habits (around eating, movement, and mindset) that make a big difference

✨ Why nourishment is about more than what’s on your plate

✨ Letting go of guilt, pressure, and wellness “shoulds”

This isn’t a detox. It’s not a diet. It’s a real conversation about how food, self-awareness, and intentional choices can support your overall well-being—without the burnout.

If you’ve ever felt confused by mixed messages around health and eating, this episode is your permission to slow down, tune into what works for you, and redefine what “healthy” really looks like in your life.

Let’s get into it. 🥑💛

In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest episode, the conversation dives into the evolving relationships we have with food, identity, and conscious living.

What begins with a story of a vegan awakening unfolds into a much wider reflection on how what we eat connects to how we see ourselves, the world around us, and the values we choose to live by. It’s a conversation about shifts—not just in diet, but in mindset, spirituality, self-awareness, and intention.

Together, we explore the “why” behind these choices: the small moments that plant the seeds, the ethical and emotional wake-up calls, and the cultural and personal reckonings that come with doing things differently.

Of course, the journey isn’t always easy. We get real about the awkward conversations, the social and family pressures, the internal conflicts, and the discomfort of making conscious choices in a world that often runs on autopilot.

But we also share the beauty of what’s gained: deeper self-connection, more mindful eating, unexpected clarity, and a greater sense of alignment in life.

Whether you’re plant-based, curious, or simply craving a more intentional way of living—this episode is for anyone navigating the messy, meaningful middle of figuring it all out.

So… lettuce turn you on to a whole new way of thinking about food, values, and what it really means to live in alignment.