Meenal's World
76 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago -Thank you for joining me on this podcast! My name is Dr Meenal Viz and I'm an NHS doctor and activist.
My love for sharing stories and using that as a medium to help people is one that brings me a lot of joy and it all ties in with the one dream I had as a child - to serve the global community.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I campaigned for the protection of healthcare workers and was recognized internationally for my activism and campaigning.
Through this podcast, I speak to the greatest thinkers of our generation. Each and every one of us has the potential to create change - I hope this podcast brings you the ray of hope you've been looking for.
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Episodes
Episode 70: Zion Lights
June 14, 2022 06:30 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBZion Lights is an environmental activist and previously worked with Extinction Rebellion to advocate for climate change. Zion is an expert in science communication and she noticed how a lot of the messaging around climate change can be alienating and threatening - one of the main reasons why she left Extinction Rebellion. We discuss alternatives to living a greener life and why big corporations are spending billions to manipulate the reality of the impact of climate change.
Episode 69: Christine Armstrong
June 02, 2022 23:00 - 27 minutes - 25.7 MBChristine's life turned upside down in 2009 after she gave birth to her first child. She found it difficult to juggle her new life as a mother and continue to excel in her career. Things didn't get any easier as her family grew. Christine decided the only way to find answers was to conduct research on how mothers balance their life at home with their careers. The results were shocking - the truth was, most mothers struggled and Christine wasn't alone. The Mother of All Jobs was published...
Episode 68: Lauren Currie OBE
May 19, 2022 21:08 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBLauren Currie is the founder of Upfront - a movement that seeks to change confidence in women around the world. We discuss the realities of building a brand straight from scratch and the personal cost this all comes with. Lauren grew up in a working class family in Glasgow and through her hard work and sacrifices, she's built a life where she can enjoy the revolution she is creating and soak in quality time with her family. UPFRONT has just opened its doors to Bond 6 - this is one cour...
Episode 67: Live at Byline Festival
May 12, 2022 22:46 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBThis live podcast was recorded at the Byline Festival in Notting Hill - I was joined by Dr Julia Grace Patterson, Lord Victor Adebowale, and Lorraine Collins. Dr Julia Grace Patterson is the founder and chief executive of Every Doctor, a campaign group advocating for better working conditions for NHS staff and her team have worked tirelessly to protect the well-being and future of doctors and nurses across the country. Lord Victor Adebowale is the chair of the NHS Confederation and has w...
Episode 66: Patsy Stevenson
May 05, 2022 22:24 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBPatsy Stevenson was detained at the Clapham Common vigil for Sarah Everard - the moment that changed her life forever. Her photo went viral online and overnight, her life changed forever. She is now dealing with the Metropolitan Police and taking her case to the High Court, all of which comes at a great personal cost. We discussed violence against women, receiving death threats, and her newfound passion for activism.
Episode 65: Rupinder Kaur
April 28, 2022 23:00 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBRupinder Kaur is the award-winning founder of Asian Women Mean Business. Her vision is to create a community of South Asian women who feel empowered to build their dream businesses and excel in their respective fields. Building this business has been one of the most challenging projects for Rupinder, especially when she decided to cut her losses and fully focus on this project right before lockdown. We dived deep into motherhood and Rupinder tells me about her traumatic birth with her seco...
Episode 64 - Sian Norris
April 21, 2022 23:06 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBSian Norris is a writer and author of her first non-fiction book, Birth Violence. We discussed how the far right has had an impact on women's reproductive rights and the extent of her research in writing this book. Sian has a very optimistic view of the future. She's campaigned with many groups and has written extensively on the issues surrounding gender equality and feminism - she believes in the power of the people and how everybody can play a small part in shaping democracy. You can f...
Episode 63: Daniel Guinness
April 15, 2022 07:09 - 57 minutes - 53.3 MBDaniel Guinness runs Beyond Equality, an organisation that promotes positive masculinity, disrupts negative expectations and stereotypes and empowers men to be better allies to women and girls. Daniel has an academic background in Anthropology and has also conducted research on issues of gender and masculinity. Beyond Equality has been running for over 10 years and throughout this time, they’ve broken cultural barriers and expectations to create a generation of men and boys who are now pa...
Episode 62 - Joeli Brearley
April 07, 2022 00:09 - 47 minutes - 44.1 MBJoeli is the founder of Pregnant Then Screwed. She started campaigning after she lost her job when she fell pregnant -an experience that changed her life forever. A one-woman battle has now become a huge organization helping thousands of women across the country. We reflect on the last two years and the heavy responsibility she had to help protect pregnant women from the virus. Her workload increased by almost four times on the day lockdown was announced - a one-woman show has now evolved...
Episode 61: Iain Overton
March 25, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBIain Overton is an investigative journalist and author. He has travelled around the world sharing stories of war and the human cost of violence. We discussed his writing career and how he believes that the role of journalists goes beyond the main headline - his work has covered the most fascinating stories from suicide bombers to gun violence in America. Follow Iain on Twitter Find all of Iain's work and books on his website
Episode 60 - Jess Jones
March 18, 2022 00:51 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBJess Jones A.K.A. The Fat Funny One is a mum of four and a lifestyle blogger. Jess is known for spreading awareness on self-confidence and has recently released her book, Own It - a practical guide to learning how to love yourself in your own skin. We discuss her life as she grew up in a council estate without her biological father and how that shaped her journey into self-discovery and motherhood. Follow Jess on Instagram Order Own It
Episode 59 - Asma Khan
March 11, 2022 00:00 - 47 minutes - 44.2 MBAsma Khan is one of the UK's most prominent female chefs and an unstoppable force for social change in the food industry. We discuss her life before coming to the UK and why she felt the need to explore her identity and culture through her cooking. The process of going from having dinner clubs at home to opening a restaurant at the most prestigious sites in London was full of many challenges - but nothing that Asma couldn’t take on. As well as creating a place for Indian food, Asma has...
Episode 58 - Gina Martin
March 04, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBWe all know Gina Martin as the woman who changed the law in 2019. Taking this step came at a huge personal cost and Gina is still processing the turmoil she went through for something which seemed so simple at the time - women's safety. Gina talks about her life before becoming an activist and author. We dive deep into the role she hopes to play in this world as a feminist and how she wants to use her platform to raise the voices of others fighting similar battles. You can follow Gina on ...
Episode 57 - Deepti Gurdasani
February 25, 2022 11:46 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBDeepti is a clinical epidemiologist and throughout the pandemic, she has been very vocal about the lack of data the British government has been providing to the public. Deepti has used her own platform to speak truth to power and raise alarm bells with the government's handling of the pandemic. But this isn't the first time she decided speaking up was important - Deepti previously worked at the Sanger Institute where she had to face terrible consequences for challenging her managers. We di...
Episode 56 - George Monbiot
February 18, 2022 00:53 - 55 minutes - 51 MBGeorge Monbiot is a writer and activist. Throughout his years as an investigative journalist, he uncovered some of the greatest stories of mankind. Despite the resistance he faced to publish his stories in mainstream media, George always had his mind set on making people aware of the truth. We discuss how his love for the environment started from a very young age and how he always felt different from the rest of the crowd, especially when he went to boarding school. Politics was at the hea...
Episode 55 - Dr Gavin Francis
February 11, 2022 11:27 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBDr Gavin Francis is an award-winning writer and GP. His latest book explores how - and why - we get better, revealing the many shapes recovery takes, its shifting history and the frequent failure of our modern lives to make adequate space for it. We dive into his learnings as a doctor and how despite such a hectic career, he’s found time to pursue his passion for writing and teaching. Order Recovery on Amazon Follow Dr Gavin Francis on Twitter
Episode 54 - Jaspreet Kaur
February 04, 2022 17:31 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBIt was a pleasure having Jaspreet back on the show! As she prepares to release her new book, Brown Girl Like Me, we discuss: - Her writing process - Why it's important to have South Asian voices in the writing world - How she's learnt the art of self-love and compassion over the most stressful period of her career. Pre-order Brown Girl Like Me: www.browngirllikeme.com Follow Jaspreet on Twitter: @behindthenetra Follow Jaspreet on Instagram: @behindthenetra
Episode 53 - Jamie Klingler
January 28, 2022 16:12 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBJamie Klingler has had an eventful year - not only through her activism, but also through her journey of weight loss and quitting alcohol. We discussed how she's found a new purpose through her work as an activist and how none of this would have been possible if she hadn't made the bold decision to quit alcohol and lead a healthier lifestyle. Jamie is a bundle of energy and passion and you can hear it as she speaks on this episode - a lot of gems here that I'm sure will help you in your ow...
Episode 52 - Otto English
January 21, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 63 MBOtto English is the pen name for author and writer Andrew Scott. In his book, Fake History, he dissects the greatest lies told by the world that shaped our society. Andrew's take on Brexit and our current political landscape is eye-opening and throught-provoking. We discuss politics, the role journalists play in shaping our society and of course, his fascinating book, Fake History. Follow Otto on Twitter Order Fake History here
51: Catherine Mayer - Author & Co-founder of Women's Equality Party
January 13, 2022 23:28 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBCatherine's insight into our political landscape is thought-provoking and inspiring. We discussed Catherine's case against Time Magazine for sex and age discrimination. This was an extremely challenging period of her career, but she knew this wasn't just for her - it was a fight for the future of women in journalism. In a world where we are witnessing the rise of the far-right, we discuss how the progress we've made as a generation might be undone and what this means for our future. Setting...
Episode 50: Two Years On
January 07, 2022 00:15 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBIt's been two years since I released the very first episode of Meenal's World - life has changed significantly since I recorded my first episode. In this episode, I touch upon why I felt I needed a break and how podcasting has helped me in my own healing and understanding of the world. Thank you to everyone for showing me your love and support - welcome to a journey of learning and unlearning with me.
48: Kajal Odedra
April 08, 2021 21:03 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBKajal Odedra is the UK Director of Change.org – a platform that enables people everywhere to start campaigns, mobilise supporters, and work with decision-makers to drive solutions. It has become the world’s leading platform for change with over 200 million people in 196 countries creating change in their communities. You can get in touch with Kajal on Twitter @KajalOdedra1 and Instagram @KajalOdedra
47: Women's Day Special!
March 07, 2021 23:00 - 29 seconds - 456 KBCelebrating all the incredible women who have inspired us and blazed the trail for people like me and the generations ahead of us - cheers to all the ladies who've joined me on my own journey!
47: Women‘s Day Special!
March 07, 2021 23:00 - 29 seconds - 456 KBCelebrating all the incredible women who have inspired us and blazed the trail for people like me and the generations ahead of us - cheers to all the ladies who've joined me on my own journey!
Episode 46: Dr Amit Patel
March 04, 2021 23:25 - 4 minutes - 4.29 MBAmit Patel, a medical doctor, lost his vision at the age of 32, just 18 months after he married the love of his life. We discuss how he found a new purpose through this life-changing experience. Now raising a family in London, Amit tells me about his most challenging days and how his resilience is a constant work in progress.
Episode 46: Dr Amit Patel
March 04, 2021 23:25 - 4 minutes - 4.29 MBAmit Patel, a medical doctor, lost his vision at the age of 32, just 18 months after he married the love of his life. We discuss how he found a new purpose through this life-changing experience. Now raising a family in London, Amit tells me about his most challenging days and how his resilience is a constant work in progress.
45: Lauren Currie, OBE
February 18, 2021 22:39 - 43 minutes - 40.5 MBLauren Currie is the CEO of Stride - their mission is to democratise leadership development. Lauren is also the founder of UPFRONT, and her mission is to help hundreds of women find their inner confidence. Lauren has spent the last five years building her empire and still to this day, works extremely hard to make sure she uses her platform to raise other women. We talk about her life as an entrepreneur, a mother, and a changemaker. You can read more about Lauren's work and contact her h...
44: Maryam Namazie - Humans rights activist
February 06, 2021 00:53 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBMaryam's work has focused on human rights violations against refugees, and has actively campaigned against sharia law. Maryam became well known for her critique of the treatment of women under Islamic regimes. We talk about her family history and her views on the right to speak up and appreciating the freedom we have in the west to voice our opinion. This episode is much more than Maryam the activist, she tells me about her childhood, and the future she wants to create for all the young gir...
43: Misan Harriman
January 29, 2021 13:28 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBMisan was the first black photographer to shoot the cover of British Vogue in it's 104-year history. I met Misan last summer when he photographed me for the September issue of British Vogue and after a brief chat, I was in awe of his passion and determination to share the stories of those who have suffered at the hands of social injustice. We talk about his life-changing year and the responsibility he feels he has to create generational change through every one of his photos.
42: Vicki Broadbent
January 22, 2021 09:32 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBVicki is a writer, director, and bestselling author of MumBoss. Working in the film industry as a female, she has had to overcome so many obstacles in balancing her career as an award-winning filmmaker and a mother of two young boys. We talk about empowering other women through their journey as new mothers and we have a special guest appearance with Radhika at the end! You can get in touch with Vicki here: www.honestmum.com
41: Dr Nisreen Alwan, MBE
January 17, 2021 09:08 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBDr Nisreen was born and raised in Iraq and lived through two different wars. She lived in a world where speaking up wasn't as easy and she understands the value of freedom of speech. This is why she uses her platform to empower, educate, and speak truth to power. Dr Nisreen was honoured with an MBE and also listed in BBC's top 100 women of 2020 for all her research and dedication during the pandemic. We talk about her childhood, navigating negative comments on social media and the world s...
40: Tuesday Morning Podcast
January 11, 2021 23:35 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBI ramble on about trying to keep up with literally every single news headline being thrown at us and I answer your questions!
39: Hardeep Matharu
January 08, 2021 16:42 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBAs a journalist, Hardeep talks about the responsibility she feels she has of informing the public on the realities of our society. We talk about her work in the field of journalism after qualifying in law at Cambridge and how she faces the challenges of misinformation. Born in a traditional Sikh household, we talk about identity and what that really means to us in shaping our lives and future. You can find Hardeep on @Hardeep_Matharu on Twitter and follow her work!
38: Tuesday Morning Podcast
January 05, 2021 11:25 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBI ramble on about lockdown 3.0, our victory against the government and I answer your questions!
37: Tuesday Morning Podcast
December 14, 2020 23:32 - 39 minutes - 35.8 MBI ramble on about meeting my hero, self-criticism, and answer your questions!
36: Femi Oluwole - Political Campaigner
December 10, 2020 23:01 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBFemi left his law degree to fully dedicate his time and energy to campaign for Britain to remain in the EU. Despite the death threats and hardships that revolve around such a big stand, he believes that someone needs to be out there taking control and educating the public on what our politicians don't tell us. He started off with 20 followers on Twitter but he still believed his voice could make a change. Now with almost a quarter of a million of followers online, he's become an inspiratio...
35: Tuesday Morning Podcast
December 08, 2020 08:53 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBI ramble on about the vaccine, the new year, and answer your questions!
34: How I Lost 9kg in My Fourth Trimester
December 04, 2020 19:17 - 26 minutes - 25 MBTimes are tough. We are in a pandemic, we have less support than expected, but I made sure that I didn't let that get in my way. I couldn't let it get in my way, because if I did, I wouldn't be giving my best to my family. I knew what I wanted from the start and I made it happen. There is still so much more work to do - onwards and upwards from here.
33: Tuesday Morning Podcast
November 30, 2020 21:11 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBI ramble on about Bollywood wives, trash TV, and answer your questions.
32: Beyond Politics - Understanding The System
November 26, 2020 22:13 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBThis week, I explore how politics plays a pivotal role in your life. Yes, we all have food on our plate and a roof over our head, but that doesn't mean that the political system that you live under doesn't impact your life. I give you personal examples of how I feel my vote makes a personal difference to me personally. I hope this gives you a moment to reflect on your personal life and how the system that's ruling your country can impact you.
31: Tuesday Morning Podcast
November 23, 2020 23:14 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBI ramble on about this second lockdown, Instagram doctors, and my non-existent sleep schedule.
31: Tuesday Morning Podcast
November 23, 2020 23:14 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBI ramble on about this second lockdown, Instagram doctors, and my non-existent sleep schedule.
Episode 30 - Why I Started Meenal's World
November 20, 2020 07:52 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBA lot of you may know that prior to starting Meenal's World, I co-hosted my very first podcast, Desi Outsiders for two years. I started this podcast in medical school when I was trying to figure out the path in life I wanted to take. But things didn't work out as planned, and I have learnt so many lessons that I want to share with you because I know it can help so many people who are also in the same boat.
Episode 30 - Why I Started Meenal‘s World
November 20, 2020 07:52 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBA lot of you may know that prior to starting Meenal's World, I co-hosted my very first podcast, Desi Outsiders for two years. I started this podcast in medical school when I was trying to figure out the path in life I wanted to take. But things didn't work out as planned, and I have learnt so many lessons that I want to share with you because I know it can help so many people who are also in the same boat.
Episode 29: Jasvinder Sanghera - Survivor of Forced Marriage
November 13, 2020 06:20 - 57 minutes - 53 MBAt 14, Jasvinder Sanghera ran away from home to break the chain of forced marriage that she saw in her elder sisters. One of her sisters was married at the age of 15 and ended up committing suicide as the abuse she was facing was unimaginable. On that day in 1981, she had two options: to give into a life of abuse and torture, or to start her own path towards freedom and happiness. Throughout the last couple of decades, time has made things easier, but it's never fully erased the pain. Ja...
Episode 28: Jussi Sidhu - Life in Foster Care
November 06, 2020 12:26 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBJussi lost her father at the tender age of six to suicide. Her mother struggled to take care of Jussi and her three siblings which meant that they had to be taken into foster care. Being raised in foster care meant that she was separated from her siblings and rarely communicated with her mother. In this episode, we talk about the reality of being taken into care and how this experience shaped her life. Jussi works to bring light to more of these conversations and help many other young ...
Episode 27: Juggy Sidhu - From Pain To Passion
October 31, 2020 10:19 - 1 hour - 63.4 MBIn his early twenties, Juggy was diagnosed with clinical depresssion. He struggled and fought hard to find a way out. One day, he was tired of figuring things out and his thoughts translated into a physical act that changed his whole life. Bodybuilding and coaching aside, this man has endured pain and suffering in so many forms. The great thing about Juggy is that he celebrates these moments of hardship. Achieving greatness is a lifelong mission and Juggy has learnt to fall in love wit...
Episode 26: Gurinder Mann, Part 2
October 22, 2020 23:34 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBLast week, we left off with Gurinder talking about dealing with the loss of her father as well as her very difficult pregnancies. She was rushed to hospital on her 6th pregnancy at just 5 months. After so many gruelling hours of contractions and confusion, she finally gave birth to Jiya. But Jiya was born sleeping. Gurinder's resilience and message of hope has been life-changing for many women. An incredible story with an incredible woman.
Episode 25: Gurinder Mann - Baby Loss, Miscarriage and Hope.
October 16, 2020 07:20 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBYouTube Feature Interview Special: As we come to the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week, I've come to realize how so many of us forget the different facets involved in any pregnancy. Gurinder shared her story of seven miscarriages, and the birth of her miracle baby, Simran. Not only did Gurinder face the loss of her children, but she was also devastated to hear of her Dad's passing during the one pregnancy where she had managed to reach quite far ahead. From early miscarriages to having a...
Episode 24: Tricha Kumar - Cultural Activist & Filmmaker
October 01, 2020 23:33 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBTricha is an international choreographer and filmmaker, born and raised in the USA. Her love for Indian culture and her experience in Bollywood has led her to work on her own film and her hard work and passion to continue to learn is contagious! Working as a Bollywood dancer is not as glamorous as it seems, neither is making your own film - especially in the middle of a global health crisis.