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

 

Why do we use labels for understanding people?
What does &ldquo;normal&rdquo; mean &mdash; and who decides what&rsquo;s normal for someone else?
&nbsp;
In this episode, Ira talks with Divyanshu about how the meaning of &ldquo;normal&rdquo; shifts across contexts &mdash; 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.
&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a conversation about language, identity, and empowering ourselves by asking better questions.
&nbsp;
Because, if you really think about it, &lsquo;normal&rsquo; is a curious word.
&nbsp;
For more information, click <a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DAG8_D3u7gY/vWWUZ1ixDMMQLbyjq57kFg/view?utm_content=DAG8_D3u7gY&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link2&amp;utm_source=uniquelinks&amp;utlId=h6dd4cdecbc">here</a>.
 
CREDITS:
Host: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/khan.ira/">Ira Khan</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Agatsu Foundation Team&nbsp;
Research: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sen_rohini/?hl=en">Rohini Sen</a>&nbsp;
Art Design: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/borkar.neeta/">Neeta Borkar</a>
Creative Consultant: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sahabime/?hl=en">Abhishek Saha</a>&nbsp;
Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)
&nbsp;
This is a <a href="https://www.maedinindia.in/">Maed in India</a> production
Head of Production: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en">Mae Mariyam Thomas</a>
Project Manager: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome">Shaun Fanthome</a>
Director &amp; Video Editor: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/short___round/">Jishnu Guha</a>&nbsp;
Visual Designer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/">Alika Gupta</a>
Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/">Ruchi Sawardekar</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/quoyina/">Quoyina Ghosh</a>
Mix Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en">Kartik Kulkarni</a>
Asst. Sound Recordist &amp; Sound Editor: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">Nihar Temkar</a>
Production Coordinator: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesocialnatwork/">Natasha Vakil</a>
Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai
&nbsp;

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.

Hosted by Ira Khan, the show invites you to slow down and get curious about the complexities of mental health and mental illness &mdash; not just as clinical terms, but as real parts of real life.
In a world flooded with advice, opinions, and endless content, it&rsquo;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 &mdash; from how we cope and connect to how we break and rebuild.
Each episode offers a space to go deeper &mdash; whether it&rsquo;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 &mdash; is stay curious.