For our final episode of Respectfully Disagree this year, we dive into the biggest cultural moments of 2024 — from Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to breakout films this year; to celeb (read:influencer) culture, and a spur of conservative internet phenomenons. Join us as we unpack what made waves, what fizzled out, and what left us questioning everything.

Here are some articles published through the year on some topics we've discussed:

https://www.theswaddle.com/sights-and-sounds-from-boiler-room-and-hanumankind-in-bombay

https://www.theswaddle.com/notes-on-a-failed-brat-summer

https://www.theswaddle.com/all-we-imagine-as-light-tells-the-truth-about-mumbai

https://www.theswaddle.com/why-are-sally-rooney-s-women-like-that

https://www.theswaddle.com/voyeur-nation

https://www.theswaddle.com/pop-culture-is-in-its-feudal-era

Credits:-

Featuring: Shrishti Malhotra

Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Rohitha Narharisetty

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

This week, we're re-releasing an episode as the year winds up. Tune in as we discuss friendship boundaries, community living, and if it's realistic to dream about growing old with friends. Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on.

Featuring: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Shrishti Malhotra

Co-Producers: Neha Shetty, Rohitha Naraharisetty

Cover Art: Neha Tewari

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

What motivates us when everything feels meaningless? This week on Respectfully Disagree, we dive into nihilism as the mood of the moment—from climate catastrophe TikToks to dark humor in TV, and how shared dread has reshaped our culture. Plus, we play a bonus game to unpack this year’s most existentially absurd moments.

Credits:-

Featuring: Alexa De Souza, Neha Shekhawat

Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Rohitha Narharisetty

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

In this week's episode of Respectfully Disagree, we look at how woke culture has evolved, what's changed since last year and why. Besides the general cultural fatigue with sincere discussions around feminism, body positivity, mental health, and inclusion, we discuss 'wokeness' in politics and dissect the real question: is woke culture over?

Credits:-

Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Alexa De Souza, Rohitha Narharisetty

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

From lookalike contests to Ranbir Kapoor's latest faux pas, November gave us plenty to debate. This week on Respectfully Disagree, we ask why people are suddenly “holding space” for everything, dissect the 'Chuttamalle' phenomenon, and try to crown the real Telugu anthem. Is it Ooo Antava or Kissikku? Tune in to find out!

Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on.

Credits:-

Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Alexa De Souza, Rohitha Narharisetty

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

This week, YouTube creator Meghnad, aka 'Meghnerd,' joins us on Respectfully Disagree to break down Maharashtra's elections. We dive into the state’s political faction splits, how electoral politics has historically shaped Mumbai’s culture, and the myth-making of political personas beyond their ballot promises.

Credits:-

Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Rohitha Narharisetty

Featuring: Meghnad

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

Whether it’s Sabrina Carpenter's bedroom pop tunes or the OG sadboy Drake's melodies, situationships have turned into a full-fledged pop culture genre. This week, we unpack situationship-inspired music and TV tropes, dating fatigue in 2024 and why women are increasingly choosing celibacy

Chapter Timestamps:-

00:00 - 01:16 - Intro

01:17 - 05:04 - Dating Fatigue in 2024

05:05 - 08:18 - Val-core dating

08:19 - 15:36 - Are people aligning on political and social values before dating?

15:37 - 17:39 - Situationship inspired music

17:40 - 19:25 - Are dating apps hiding the 'good' people?

19:26 - 25:31 - The 333 Rule of Dating

25:32 - 36:07 - Situationship or Serious? A game on TV's popular couples

36:07 - 38:16 - Who's your dinner party guests

Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on.

Credits:-

Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Alexa De Souza, Shrishti Malhotra

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

This week, we're re-releasing our conversation with therapist Farah Maneckshaw who joins us to discuss why Indians struggle with setting boundaries, what it actually means to ‘be triggered,’ and the dangers of seeing therapy as bias-free.

Respectfully Disagree is The Swaddle Team’s very own podcast series, in which we get together to discuss and dissect the issues we passionately differ on.

Credits:-

Featuring: Farah Maneckshaw

Co-Producers: Shrishti Malhotra, Rohitha Naraharisetty

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

This week on Respectfully Disagree, we discuss whether American TV is in fact making space for South Asian representation with it's Diwali themed episodes, why everyone is in designer clothes this festive season, and whether the commercialisation of Diwali has inadvertently impacted how we celebrate it.

Credits:-

Featuring: The Savala Vada

Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Rohitha Naraharisetty

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman

This week, The Savala Vada joins us to discuss the backhanded compliment from The Onion, how to be funny during end times, the things we don't joke about enough (oppressors), the things we wouldn't ever joke about (the oppressed), and how we might all be hallucinating. Bonus: This is the (somewhat) official voice reveal of The Savala Vada.

Credits:-

Featuring: The Savala Vada

Co-Producers: Vasudhaa Narayanan, Rohitha Naraharisetty

Edit & Sound Design: Vibhav Saraf

Cover Art: Hitesh Sonar

Art Director: Neha Shekhawat

Executive Producer: Karla Bookman