What is lived experience — and what is the role of lived-experience of a mental illness in our regular understanding of mental health and illness?

 

In this episode, Ira speaks with Dr. Kavita Arora about how reflecting on personal experiences can open up doors that science alone can't access. How engaging in conversations about lived-experience shapes how individuals and caregivers navigate their treatment and recovery - be it treatment decisions or just forging a path to better understanding. And how professionals learn, train, and evolve — not just in theory, but in the quality of care they’re able to offer.

 

Because sometimes, the most powerful shift begins by asking:

What was it like for you?

And being curious enough to truly hear the answer.

 

For more information, click here.

 

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Research: Rohini Sen 

Art Design: Neeta Borkar

Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha 

Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)

 

This is a Maed in India production

Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha 

Visual Designer: Alika Gupta

Producer: Quoyina Ghosh, Ruchi Sawardekar 

Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

 

Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai

Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

What is therapy — and does it work?

What should you expect from it? And what’s expected of you?

 

If you've ever been curious about starting therapy (or unsure if it’s “for you”), this is a space to explore the basics — without judgment, pressure, or jargon.

 

In this episode, Ira chats with Radhika Bapat to discuss what therapy really is, what one should and should not expect from it, how understanding the process can help you take better care of yourself and why it’s okay if your therapist does not want to have coffee with you.

 

For more information, click here.

 

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Research: Rohini Sen 

Art Design: Neeta Borkar

Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha 

Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)

 

This is a Maed in India production

Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha 

Visual Designer: Alika Gupta

Producer: Quoyina Ghosh, Ruchi Sawardekar 

Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate

Hosted by Ira Khan, the show invites you to slow down and get curious about the complexities of mental health and mental illness — not just as clinical terms, but as real parts of real life.

In a world flooded with advice, opinions, and endless content, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and walk away with more confusion than clarity. This podcast is a counter-space. A space for asking instead of assuming. For listening instead of scrolling. For wondering why we think, feel, and behave the way we do.

Joined by psychologists, artists, caregivers, people with lived experience, and fellow question-askers, Ira explores the many layers of the human experience — from how we cope and connect to how we break and rebuild.

Each episode offers a space to go deeper — whether it’s through experiences, stories, science, or shared vulnerability. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just room to explore the questions that matter.

Because maybe the most powerful thing we can do — is stay curious.

Support the show: https://www.agatsufoundation.org/donate