- 18
- Episodes
- 10
- Ratings
- Bi-weekly
- Cadence
- 2024
- First episode
About Dirty Brown
Dirty Brown is a feminist podcast unlearning patriarchy, one bold take at a time. Host Kriti J dives into the messiness of societal norms and cultural contradictions that shape South Asian women. From calling out the misogyny baked into media, to celebrating feminist books and unpacking patriarchal narratives dominating pop culture and tech, Dirty Brown is about sharp commentary, personal stories, and zero sanskaari filters This is a space for anyone who's ever been called too much, too loud, or too difficult — and decided to lean in anyway.
- Publisher
- Kriti J
- Category
- society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- Yes
- First episode
- 10 Dec 2024
- Latest episode
- 30 Sept 2026
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.

30 Sept 2026
How Jyulz Rebuilt Her Life After Divorce and Loved Again
Jyulz got married in India, got divorced in India, and then found the courage to fall in love and marry again - this time in Canada. In this episode, she opens up about the moment she realized she'd been compromising herself away, and why choosing to leave her first marriage became the hardest and most important decision of her life. Host Kriti J talks to Jyulz about the early signs for the relationship not working, the weight of family and cultural expectations, and the slow, quiet process of rebuilding trust in her own judgment. Jyulz describes what it actually felt like to sit her parents down and tell them she was getting a divorce, what daily life looked like as a divorced woman in India, and the fear of being alone that came with starting over. Jyulz shares her story with honesty and humor, offering a real look at what it takes to walk away from a marriage that looks right on paper, heal on your own terms, and find love again when you least expect it. If you've ever stayed somewhere too long, questioned your own instincts, or wondered whether life after heartbreak can still hold love - this conversation is for you. Connect with Dirty Brown: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCFxyY8xM2hz0zg_r3qoukA) Connect with Jyulz: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thepawshpups.com_/) Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jyulz' Story 00:53 What Marriage Meant to Jyulz Before Her First Marriage 02:42 Recognizing the Signs That Things Were Not Working 04:17 The Difference Between Self-Abandonment and Compromise 06:52 The Scariest Part of Leaving a Marriage 07:36 Family Reactions and Acceptance of Divorce 10:53 Living as a Divorced Woman in India and The Move Abroad 14:20 Loss of Pets and Emotional Support 15:19 Finding Love Again and Unlearning Fear 17:37 Reflections on Healing and Moving Forward 20:39 Badchalan Energy Quiz 23:25 Final Reflections 24:37: Behind The Scenes

16 Sept 2026
From Scared Indian Girl to A National Boxer ft. Mallika Bhatia
She hid her boxing career from her Indian parents for years - until a family group chat gave her away. In this episode of Dirty Brown, host Kriti J sits down with Mallika, a South Asian boxer, to talk about competing in secret, losing the biggest fight of her career at nationals, and why that loss taught her more about self-belief than any win ever did. In this episode, you'll discover: How boxing became Mallika's outlet for emotional release and overcoming fear Why she competed in secret and how her parents actually found out and what happened next The mental game behind her toughest fight: losing at nationals, and what it taught her about self-belief The role of discipline, emotional regulation, and authenticity in pursuing a passion your family doesn't fully understand Her vision for Rani Rose Club, the all-female boxing community she's building after leaving a stable corporate career Connect with Dirty Brown: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCFxyY8xM2hz0zg_r3qoukA About Mallika Bhatia: Malika is an amateur boxer, founder of Rani Rose Club, dedicated to empowering women through martial arts, and an advocate for building character and confidence through sport. She combines her passion for boxing with her expertise in people development and leadership, creating a community where women rise together.Connect with Mallika: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raniroseclub/

14 Sept 2026
Season 2 coming soon
Dirty Brown is back for Season 2. Real, unfiltered testimony from South Asian women who made the choice their family didn't approve of - and are still standing.New episodes premiere Sep 16. Subscribe so you don't miss them.In this season:🥊 A boxer who found her voice by refusing to be afraid💍 A woman who divorced in her 20s and found love again on her own terms🌍 Leaving India, choosing Sweden, and unlearning the "perfect" script🌹 Building an all-female boxing club from scratch👨👩👧 A father who never quite accepted his daughter's choice⚭ A woman changing the narrative of marriage and partnership Episodes will drop biweekly Wednesdays! Let's gooo!

20 May 2026
I Quit My Big Tech Job and Why I Don't Feel Free
I quit my big tech job at 37 with no backup plan - just savings, a podcast, and a feeling that something in me was dying. I thought I'd feel free. Instead, I felt lost. This is the episode nobody talks about: what actually happens after you make the brave choice. One month in. No KPIs. No performance reviews. No one telling me where I stand. What I didn't expect was that the hardest part wouldn't be the financial fear or the beginner mistakes at 37 - it would be the voice in my head asking: do I even deserve to want this? That voice has a name. It's the Good Girl script. And it doesn't go quiet just because you took the leap. If you're a brown woman who has blown up a life that looked good on paper - or is standing at the edge of it - this one is for you. Not the highlight reel of the brave choice. The actual cost of it. Chapters: 00:00 Why Quitting Didn't Feel Like Freedom 03:54 What My Colleagues' Reactions Actually Revealed 05:20 The Hidden Cost of Losing Your Corporate Identity 06:18 The Good Girl Script Nobody Warned Me About 08:38 The Three Unexpected Gifts of Quitting 11:43 Unlearning the Script, One Episode at a Time 12:09 If You're Standing at the Edge of Your Own Leap 12:55 Celebrating progress and announcement Connect with Dirty Brown: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCFxyY8xM2hz0zg_r3qoukA)

6 May 2026
The Art Of Performing - Why I Chose To Be 'Unpalatable' To My Family ft. Reet German
At age seven, Reet German was brought from India to Canada by a father she had never met, leaving her mother behind. In this episode of Dirty Brown, Reet joins host Kriti J to discuss how that moment of "shock" birthed a lifelong performance of being the "Good Girl" - and the radical, "besharam" choices she made to burn that script down. From checking herself into a hospital alone at her lowest point, to selling everything and world-schooling her daughter across 20 countries, Reet's story is what it actually looks like to stop performing and start living on your own terms. Connect with Dirty Brown: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCFxyY8xM2hz0zg_r3qoukA) Connect with Reet German (https://www.instagram.com/reignitewithreet/) Chapters 00:00 Introduction: "I Was In Shock": Uprooted From India at 7 01:04 Meet Reet German: The Woman Behind Reignite with Reet 01:24 Growing Up in Punjab: A Childhood Full of Love and Roots 04:20 The Day Everything Changed: Brought to Canada by a Stranger 07:38 "Someone Pulled the Rug Out": The Trauma of Displacement 09:09 Learning the Art of Performing: The Good Girl is Born 14:00 The Checklist Life: Marriage, House, Baby - and Emptiness 21:00 Hitting Rock Bottom: Checking Herself Into Hospital Alone 23:20 People Pleasing to Free: Selling Everything and Starting Over 27:28 Going Back to India After 31 Years 28:38 Trusting Her Gut: Finding Her Mother in a Punjab Village 34:06 "It Didn't Happen TO Me. It Happened FOR Me." 36:21 Closing: She Came With the Real Story

22 Apr 2026
"Maybe I Just Am Crazy" - A Brown Woman In Her 50s Who Refused Every Script, ft. Manisha Solomon
What does it actually cost a brown woman to choose herself - for decades? Manisha Solomon is an Indian woman in her 50s, unapologetic, and refuses to be invisible. In a culture that expects brown women to fade into the background after 50, Manisha has spent her entire life doing the opposite - and paying the price for it. In this episode of Dirty Brown, Manisha opens up about growing up with an emotionally absent mother, being forced to become independent at age 8, and writing a declaration at 12 that she would never get married. From cycling alone to Muay Thai to acting in her late 40s, she has never once asked for permission. We also get into: What it's like to be estranged from your mother as a brown woman How she raised her son as the complete opposite of how she was raised Why she has never once felt invisible - even in her 50s Keeping her last name, having a child outside of marriage, and not caring what the community thinks The Badchalan Energy Quiz - how her answers changed from her 20s to her 50s Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: "Maybe I Just Am" 00:25 Meet Manisha Solomon: The Brown Woman Who Refuses to Fade 02:22 Forced to Grow Up at Eight: The Cost of a Broken Home 05:04 Estranged From Her Mother: Why She Never Looked Back 07:02 Grieving a Mother Who's Still Alive: The Kit Kat Theory 10:32 Acting in Her Late 40s: A Brown Woman Choosing Visibility 14:25 How She Dresses, How She Defies: Style as Rebellion at 52 16:42 She Wrote a Declaration at 12: No Marriage, One Child 17:58 Having a Kid Outside Marriage & Keeping Her Last Name 20:46 The 12-Year-Old Who Wrote the Rest of Her Life 22:04 Raising a Professional Archer Instead of a Doctor or Engineer 24:00 The Badchalan Energy Quiz: Age 20 vs Age 52 28:04 What She'd Tell Her Teenage Self About the Woman She Became 30:55 Kriti's Closing Reflection: What Unlearning Actually Costs

8 Apr 2026
Meet the woman behind Dirty Brown | Celebrating 10+ episodes
She's spent 11 episodes asking the questions. This time, she's answering them. In this special milestone episode, your host Kriti J switches seats and Shruti Sridhar takes the mic. What follows is one of the most honest conversations on the podcast yet: why Dirty Brown started from a place of anger and why Kriti is glad she waited, what it really means to be a brown woman living between two worlds, and the cultural script she's been quietly rewriting for the last decade. Plus: the Badchalan Quiz makes a return — and this time, the host is in the hot seat. In this episode: The real story behind the name Dirty Brown Why COVID cracked everything open What's coming next for the podcast - including the naughty stuff Kriti's vision for what Dirty Brown can become Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:19 Dirty Brown Turns 10: The Host Gets Interviewed 01:06 15 Years in Tech, H1B Dreams and Why COVID Changed Everything 03:42 What Is Dirty Brown and Where Did the Name Come From? 05:07 How the Badchalan Aurat Series Was Born 08:30 Indian Woman Abroad: Identity, Marriage Pressure and the Cost of Freedom 13:56 What Makes Kriti - Hobbies, Books and the Feminist She Became 17:24 Have You Led a Full Life? Taking Risks and What's Coming Next 24:57 Badchalan Energy Quiz: Is Kriti a Certified Badchalan? 27:30 Outro Connect with Dirty Brown: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/)

25 Mar 2026
Part II: Raised to be Free, Pressured to Settle: The Reality for Modern Brown Women
Is life for Indian women better abroad? In Part II of our deep dive into the "India vs. Abroad" debate, host Kriti J and guest Sugandha S move from the safety of the streets to the safety of the systems we live in. If Part I was about the physical "Safety Tax," Part II is about the "Negotiation Tax." We explore sexism at workplace and systemic issues in India vs Abroad. We also get deeply personal about the "Marriage Script." In a culture that often views a woman’s 30s as a deadline, how do we use financial independence to reclaim our autonomy? From healing after emotional abuse to finding a "frequency match" in a partner, we discuss why choosing to stay unmarried isn’t a pause - it’s a move toward a more authentic life. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:29 Sexism in Global Workplace 02:19 Paternity Leave & The Caregiver Trap 03:55 Normalizing Period Leave in the Office 05:28 Marriage Pressure and Family Expectations 08:29 Financial Independence & Female Autonomy 09:49 Red Flags: Dating Apps & Modern Feminism 12:33 Relationships, Trauma & Healing 14:29 Part I & II conclusion 17:03 Outro

11 Mar 2026
Part 1 - India vs Abroad: Is life for Indian Women Better Abroad?
On paper, lives of these two Indian women are remarkably similar - both are independent, childfree women working on their passions. However, their daily "negotiations" with physical space look very different. From the audacity of Uber drivers in Gurgaon to the subtext of racism and isolation in Toronto, host Kriti J and her long-time friend Sugandha explore the invisible "Safety Tax" that women pay just to exist. In this conversation, we discuss: Why Sugandha feels she had to buy her safety by purchasing a car and paying a premium for gated housing. The psychological "bubble" Kriti creates to ignore unwanted attention in public spaces. The reality of harassment while running outside, from night-time training to ultra-marathons. How the "Tax" of living abroad often involves navigating microaggressions and the feeling of being an "other." This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Next episode available in two weeks. Make sure to follow! Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Unmarried, Childfree, Independent 01:27 The Freedom Myth: Comparing Life in Toronto & Gurgaon 04:15 Why Independence in India Costs a Premium 06:50 The Runner's Dilemma 09:03 Street Harassment 13:00 The Racism Tax for Brown Women Abroad 15:08 Strategy of Avoiding "Lustful Eyes" 17:51 Navigating Freedom and Societal Pressures 19:50 What's next Follow Dirty Brown on socials (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/)

25 Feb 2026
Why This Indian Woman Chose Ultramarathons Over MBA
What happens when a "good girl" trades an MBA for ultramarathons and designer career paths for desert dust? In this episode of Dirty Brown, Sugandha Singhal joins host, Kriti J to discuss how endurance training became her ultimate tool for self-discovery and social rebellion - from defying the "settled" timeline of her 30s to overcoming self-image issues. It’s a conversation about reclaiming your body, your time, and your right to be "difficult. 00:00 - Intro 00:16 - Meet Sugandha Singhal 00:34 - Reality of Ultra Running 05:27- Why most people quit (and she stayed) 07:35 - The 12-hour daily grind 11:36 - The "Bulky" Myth: Women's fitness in India 16:05 - UPSC/MBA dreams vs reality: No regrets 19:36 - Badchalan Energy quiz 23:58 Part II Teaser 24:42 - Bloopers Follow on socials Instagram: @_sugs_ (https://www.instagram.com/_sugs_), @moveasy.co (https://www.instagram.com/moveasy.co/) Instagram: @_dirtybrown_ (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/)

11 Feb 2026
The Billion Dollar Complex: India’s Obsession with Fair Skin
India’s complex relationship with fair skin - From the "Fair and Lovely" ads of our childhoods to the 4,000-year history of the caste system and colonial rule, we explore the "trifecta" of forces - colonialism, capitalism, and media - that fuel the obsession with light skin.Listen to personal stories of navigating family pressure and "ghostly" makeup shades, and sit down with cosmetologist Dr. Priyanka Mall to learn why skin-lightening remains the most requested treatment in Indian clinics today. Join us as we sweep away the myths and move toward a safe space of radical self-love.00:00 Intro01:02 What's with chai making us darker!03:10 The faces of Fair & Lovely05:25 Media Representation and Colorism07:59 History of colorism and Trifecta of colonialism, capitalism & media11:58 Conversation with Dr. Priyanka Mall 25:03 Current State of Colorism and Activism26:46 Media Representation and Its Effects28:22 Self-Acceptance and Ongoing InsecuritiesInstagram: @_dirtybrown_ (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/)About Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines.Some images by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/Music byKamalesh Siddu (https://pixabay.com/users/kamaleshsiddu-21599688/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=14284), Mykola Odnoroh (https://pixabay.com/users/lkoliks-48415707/)

3 Dec 2025
Mita Patel - Comedy, Rebellion and Refusing the script
A brown woman in her 40s refusing every "good girl" expectation - that's Mita. In this first episode of the Badchalan Aurat series, host Kriti J talks to Mita about her life as a stand-up comedian, activist, and blogger. Mita shares her journey starting stand-up in midlife , navigating societal pressure with humor, and redefining nurturing, purpose, and womanhood on her own terms. Listen as they discuss Mita's dark humor and the hilarious results of the "Big Badchalan Energy Quiz". Plus, Mita gives a sneak peek into her upcoming stand-up gig in Ottawa.Check out her blog: https://shescomeundone.orgMita's IG: @mitadoingthingsInstagram: @_dirtybrown_Chapters:00:00 Intro01:13 Welcome Mita Patel03:46 Breaking Stereotypes: The Life of a Brown Woman11:36 The Journey of a Comedian14:55 Badchalan energy quiz20:53 Impact of blogging and activism25:09 it’s Bolly o’clockAbout Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines.Music byKamalesh Siddu (https://pixabay.com/users/kamaleshsiddu-21599688/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=14284) Mykola Odnoroh (https://pixabay.com/users/lkoliks-48415707/)Nigori kaisi jawani hai (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiZucsVVCp8)

1 Oct 2025
Good Woman, Bad Woman - Bollywood's Obsession
If you’ve ever been shamed for choosing yourself, this episode is for you! Host Kriti J is joined by our fav guest Shruti S where they delve into the portrayal of female characters in Bollywood, discussing the prevalent tropes of the 'Abla Nari' and 'Badchalan Aurat'. They explore nuanced characters in modern films, who exactly is the badchalan aurat and the importance of reclaiming the 'Badchalan' identity. Check out this exciting episode with an exciting announcement at the end! Chapters: 00:00 Slurs 00:24 Episode introduction 01:41 Abla nari and badchalan tropes 05:49 Nuanced Female Characters in Bollywood Films 08:56 Is Bollywood becoming feminist!? 10:21 Importance of Reclaiming the Narrative of Badchalan 11:57 THE ANNOUNCEMENT - Dirty Brown presents Badchalan Aurat!! 12:56 Closing Thoughts 14:06 Behind the scenes/Bloopers About Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines. Movie/song videos - Cocktail (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgiYA04X3cE), Piku (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeiKUlUUNQ8), Thappad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBw_Eta0HDM), Girls like to swing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTWGBaTV_Ig) Music by - Kamalesh Siddu (https://pixabay.com/users/kamaleshsiddu-21599688/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=14284), Mykola Odnoroh (https://pixabay.com/users/lkoliks-48415707/) from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=294105) Instagram: @_dirtybrown_ (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/)

19 Aug 2025
[Bonus episode] Aap Jaisa Koi – Feminism, Tropes, and Kusum Bhabhi's badass arc
In this bonus episode, host Kriti J is joined again by Shruti S and they share their take on the new movie Aap Jaisa Koi . They break down the clash of conservative and progressive values, the underdeveloped main characters, and the slow pacing that makes parts of the movie a slog. Amid the clichés and missed opportunities, Kusum Bhabi emerges as the real hero, reclaiming agency and driving change in her world. A short, candid review that highlights gender, patriarchy, and feminist arcs, along with the saris, jewelry, and visual treats that make it worth a watch. About Our Clips - We use short excerpts from various media in this episode for discussion, review, and commentary, consistent with fair use guidelines. Official song videos - Aap Jaisa Koi trailer [1 (https://youtu.be/IC_2jSsWpZk?si=6v7m0f4gif_TTI5s), 2 (https://youtu.be/H5TvCLajhRA?si=fqVOdTWbNIuuiCJu)] Music by - Kamalesh Siddu (https://pixabay.com/users/kamaleshsiddu-21599688/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=14284), Mykola Odnoroh (https://pixabay.com/users/lkoliks-48415707/) from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=294105) Instagram: @_dirtybrown_ (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/)

5 Jun 2025
Can Item Numbers Be Feminist?
Host Kriti J and Shruti S analyze Bollywood item numbers through a feminist lens, developing the Dirty Brown Test to evaluate songs like "Choli Ke Peeche" and "Sheila Ki Jawani" in this interview episode.

1 May 2025
Breaking the Kármán ceiling
Host Kriti J unpacks media’s messy reaction to Blue Origin’s all-female spaceflight. Why did a mission featuring trailblazers like Amanda Nguyen and Aisha Bowe get reduced to Katy Perry memes and "rich girl" shade? Kriti dives into the nuance, calls out the quiet patriarchy, and reclaims the narrative. It’s about more than celebrity—it’s about who gets to belong in the cosmos. Chapters: 00:00 Celebrating Milestones and Community Support 01:15 The Controversy of Space Tourism 07:14 The Double Standards in Celebrity Space Flights 09:35 The Nuance of Representation in Space 11:04 Concluding Thoughts on Space and Gender Dynamics Images from Blue origin instagram (https://www.instagram.com/blueorigin/p/DGgPFIKzZ6s/) and Heute.at (https://www.heute.at/i/angewidert-stars-kritisieren-all-flug-von-perry-co-120102929/doc-1ioukkk0a4) Music by: Alehandro Vodnik (https://pixabay.com/users/kulakovka-47183261/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=268400), Ivan Ohanezov (https://pixabay.com/users/pumpupthemind-19969411/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=241274), Felix_quinol (https://pixabay.com/users/felix_quinol-24608446/) from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=241274) Instagram: @_dirtybrown_ (https://www.instagram.com/_dirtybrown_/)

25 Feb 2025
Uneducated & Bleeding - The period problem no one prepared us for
Host Kriti J explores the experiences and challenges surrounding menstruation in a conversation with the guest speaker, Toni Knight. The speakers share personal stories about their first periods, cultural perspectives on menstruation, and the stigma associated with it. They discuss the importance of education, the potential impact of diet on menstrual health, and the need for open conversations about these topics. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:10 - Messy first period stories & support for young girls 17:25 - Lesser know period facts, painful cramps & menstrual health 30:35 - Breaking the stigma Show notes: Rupi Kaur’s instagram post Books/articles that speakers have read to better understand periods The better period food solution by Tracy Beckerman (book) You can have a better period by Le’Nise Brothers (book) Self-care down there by Taq Kaur Bhandal (book) Blood by Dr. Jen Gunter (book) In the flo by Alisa Vitti (book) Padded assumptions: A critical discourse analysis of patriarchal menstruation discourse (journal) Music by: Alehandro Vodnik and Ivan Ohanezov from Pixabay Instagram: @_dirtybrown_

10 Dec 2024
Fuckboy or not?
Professor Kate Manne joins Dirty Brown to dissect the misogynistic underpinnings of 'fuckboy wisdom' and expose the emotional unavailability behind the romanticized concept.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 1 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 12
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 32
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