The Curious Case Of... with Ira Khan

What does it mean to build a life with a mind that doesn't always feel predictable?

In this episode, Ira talks to Rishi about his lived experience with Schizoaffective Disorder — from first noticing that something felt different, to finding the right diagnosis, the right therapist, and eventually, the right support. He reflects on how the illness shapes his relationships, his work, and the everyday choices that help him stay grounded.

It's a conversation about finding your footing, learning what works for you, and discovering that recovery is rarely a straight line.

Because sometimes the most important thing isn't having all the answers—it's staying curious enough to keep looking for them.

CREDITS:
Host: Ira Khan

Agatsu Foundation Team
Art Design: Ayushi Lilani
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
Visual Designer: Alika Gupta
Producer: Rachna Sukuru
Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Production Supervisor: Arnesh Ghose
Director of Photography: Devanshu Dey
Editor: Rohan Matheshiya
Asst. Cameraperson: Rahul Shirke

Thank you to Monica Punjabi/Gourav Verma from Indore Deaf Bilingual Academy.

Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai

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

In this episode of The Curious Case of…, Ira sits down with Dr. Amit Malik to talk about the mental health system — what’s missing, what’s delayed, and what still needs to change.

But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Because if you’re someone struggling right now, knowing the system isn’t perfect doesn’t tell you what to do today. It doesn’t make it easier to take the first step.

So they ask a more immediate question: given the system we have, how do you actually find help — and find it early?

They explore what it means to navigate care in a practical way — how to recognise early signs, what to look for in the help you’re receiving, and when it might be time to keep searching. The conversation also reflects on the realities of the system in India today, and where it still needs to evolve.

Because even if the system takes time to change, your need for support is here, now.

Stay curious.

 

Resources:

Mental Health and Additional Resources Directory ​​

What is Therapy?

What is a Safe Space? 

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Art Design: Ayushi Lilani

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: 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

Ira talks to Nikhil and Bakul about the growing use of mental health terms — how they’ve become more accessible, and at times, misused. They explore when labels can help us make sense of our experiences, and when they might limit us or shift responsibility.

 

It’s a conversation about finding balance — and learning how to engage with these terms more thoughtfully.

It’s a conversation about language, meaning, and the space between understanding and oversimplifying.

 

Because the way we use words shapes the way we see ourselves — and that’s worth approaching with curiosity.

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Art Design: Ayushi Lilani

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: 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

Ira talks to the guest about their journey with mental health, shaped by growing up in an environment where abuse was normalised. Space is held for their experiences with suicidality and self-worth, which continue to influence who they are today. They discuss what healing, rebuilding relationships and moving forward has looked like.

 

It’s a conversation about survival, understanding, and living with what we’ve been through.

 

Even through trauma, curiosity can keep you going.

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Art Design: Ayushi Lilani

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: Ruchi Sawardekar 

Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

 

Recorded at Agatsu Foundation Community Centre, Mumbai

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

Ira talks to Dr. Abhijit Nadkarni about understanding addiction — how to tell the difference between deeply enjoying something and being unable to step away from it, and what that distinction really means.

 

They explore the biology of addiction, while also asking where our scope for change lies — often in the psycho-social spaces of support, structure, and daily choices. The conversation turns to what help actually looks like in practice, and how to operationalise advice or treatment instead of just talking about it.

 

They reflect on the often misunderstood point: quitting is a single decision but staying away is often an everyday choice.

 

It’s a conversation about agency with accountability and replacing shame with compassion.

Because even when the going gets really hard, curiosity helps!

 

Chapters:

00:00 The Hidden Risks of Casual Drinking

00:47 What Is Addiction?

01:35 Enjoyment vs Compulsion: Understanding Addiction

06:46 Substance vs Behavioral Addictions

10:49 Alcohol and Its Health Risks

12:39 The Biology of Addiction: Dopamine & the Brain

17:47 Genetics vs Environment in Addiction

21:13 Why People Start Drinking

28:27 The Spectrum of Alcohol Problems

33:38 How to Recognize Risky Drinking

42:52 Why Early Drinking Increases Addiction Risk

55:23 Treatment, Recovery, and Staying Sober

 

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Art Design: Ayushi Lilani

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: 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

Ira talks to her guest about navigating divorce while raising young children — making the decision to separate, holding personal pain, and still creating stability for the kids. They reflect on the added responsibility of parenting, and the effort it takes to set aside feelings about a partner so children can continue to see their father simply as their father, while constantly trying to understand what they need and how best to show up for them.

It’s a conversation about care, resilience, and finding steadiness in the midst of change.

Because even life’s hardest transitions call for curiosity.

 

For more information, click here.

 

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Art Design: Ayushi Lilani

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

Visual Designer: Alika Gupta

Producer: 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 does it mean to show up for someone you love when the path ahead is turbulent and unclear?

 

In this episode, Ira talks to Amrit Bakshy about his journey as a father to a daughter living with Schizophrenia. He reflects on the early days — when information was scarce, fear was high, and every decision was consequential and how all those experiences slowly reshaped his life, his priorities, and his own understanding.

 

Over time, his personal journey grew: doing his best to support his own child, helping other families walking similar paths. It’s a conversation about learning as you go and what it can look like to care deeply in the face of uncertainty.

 

Because even in uncertainty, curiosity means hope.

 

00:00 Intro — A Father’s Role as Caregiver  

01:37 When His Daughter’s Illness First Appeared  

05:50 Learning about Schizophrenia With No Information available  

08:55 Medication Struggles & Early Treatment Mistakes  

12:00 Turning to Faith, Stigma & Family Strain  

14:30 Moving Cities to Support Long-Term Care  

17:05 Finding the Right Medication & Stability  

19:50 Life Now — Ongoing Care & Future Worries  

21:50 Living Without Shame or Hiding the Illness  

27:15 It’s the Illness, Not the Person  

41:40 When a Loved One Refuses Treatment  

49:25 Why Medication Is Often Non-Negotiable  

51:40 The Importance of Early Intervention  

52:50 Hope, Awareness & Support in Schools  

54:00 Emotional Hygiene Exercise & Closing  

 

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: Ruchi Sawardekar 

Editorial Assistance: Devanshi Chandak, Rachna Sukuru

Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

 

Recorded at Grey Spark Audio Academy, Pune

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

What makes someone start therapy?

And what actually changes when you stay with it?

In this episode, Ira talks to Kenny Sebastian about his personal journey with therapy — what got him started, how he navigated the taboo in the early days, and how therapy helped him understand himself more clearly.

It’s a conversation rooted in lived experience. Through Kenny’s candour and humour, it helps set expectations around what therapy can offer, and just as importantly, what it can’t.

Because understanding ourselves is a journey, and it unfolds when we approach it with curiosity.

 

For more information, click here.

 

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Art Design: Ayushi Lilani

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: 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

Why do we use labels for understanding people?

What does “normal” mean — and who decides what’s normal for someone else?

 

In this episode, Ira talks with Divyanshu about how the meaning of “normal” shifts across contexts — from evolutionary needs to social expectations. They explore why labels continue to exist despite being limiting, and how questioning them can help us reframe our experiences and live more fully on our own terms.

 

It’s a conversation about language, identity, and empowering ourselves by asking better questions.

 

Because, if you really think about it, ‘normal’ is a curious word.

 

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: Ruchi Sawardekar, Quoyina Ghosh

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 does it mean to love and respect your child — fully, exactly as they are?

 

In this episode, Ira talks to Sushama about her journey as a mother to a child with autism. She shares how she never asked “Why me?” or “Why now?”. Instead, she focused on her role as the parent. What she could do to equip her child to best deal with the world that might not always be kind to her. Because some struggles come not from the person but from the way our world is currently designed. 

 

It’s a conversation about acceptance, perspective, and allowing yourself to make mistakes. Along the way, you might also discover unexpected, unnoticed beauty hiding in plain sight.

 

This is Sushama's invitation to approach all - especially the neurodivergent - with love, respect and curiosity.

 

For more information, click here.

 

​00:00 – Introduction: Sushama and Aarti's Early Story

01:22 – Aarti’s Birth & Early Health Challenges

07:39 – ​Family Life and Support

14:14 – Processing Expectations, Grief & Acceptance​

17:43 – Mountains, Yoga & Finding Inner Balance

20:12 – Aarti’s Insight, Language Challenges & Strengths

24:48 – Moving to the ​U​S: ​Navigating the Culture and Challenges of Limited Support

29:50 – ​D​ivya's Experience as Aarti's Sibling

33:56 – Returning to India & Rebuilding Life

35:01 – Can Caregivers Have a Life?

36:22 – Preparing Aarti for Independence

41:45 – Respect, Diversity & Early Lessons in Equality

45:52 – Why Relationships With Disabled People Are Hard for Many

53:57 – Focusing on What We Can Control

55:20 – Emotional Hygiene

56:08 – ​Closing Remarks and Resources

 

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: Ruchi Sawardekar, Quoyina Ghosh

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