iHeartPodcasts, Vaaka Launch "Boys & Girls" Podcast
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:49pm CT |
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 Boys And Girls |
iHeartPodcasts and Vaaka Media have debuted "Boys & Girls," a new original podcast exploring the complexities of arranged marriage and the search for "desi love" within South Asian communities worldwide. Hosted by Radhika Viswanathan, the weekly series launched February 19 and is available on the iHeartRadio app and major podcast platforms.
The show examines the cultural dynamics behind arranged marriages, a practice chosen by 93% of Indians, where factors such as caste, class, family ties and geography often stand in for traditional notions of compatibility. These relationships are frequently facilitated by extended family members, matchmakers and astrologers, with romantic love sometimes developing later.
In many desi communities, marriage remains a defining milestone, with unmarried adults often still viewed as "boys" or "girls," regardless of professional or personal accomplishments. The podcast seeks to give voice to those who have navigated that experience.
Viswanathan, who draws on her own time in the arranged marriage system, said the process can feel overwhelming. "I was just beginning to explore who I was. Choosing breakfast was hard enough, so choosing a life partner made my head spin," she said. "It felt like I was in a fishbowl, watched by everyone around me."
Produced alongside Samyuktha Varma and Menaka Raman, the series will feature conversations with individuals who have gone through the arranged marriage process, sharing perspectives on expectations, identity and autonomy.
The first episode introduces listeners to the structure and traditions behind arranged marriages. New episodes will be released weekly on Thursdays.
