Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the ‘vote chori’ press conference by the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, issuing a seven-day ultimatum to Rahul Gandhi and anyone else casting doubts on the election process. Senior investigative journalist and Executive Editor of The Scroll, Supriya Sharma, joins them.
In the second part of the discussion, the hosts discuss the criminal trial of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, a powerful priest of the Catholic church. Franco was tried for rape, based on a complaint by a nun–the first ever such case in the country. They are joined by Nidhi Suresh, who spoke to the survivor nun, to trace her side of the story.
Read Nidhi Suresh's Story: Against God’s men: A nun, a bishop, and the trial of India’s Catholic Church
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the conviction of former Janata Dal (Secular) leader Prajwal Revanna in the first of four cases of rape against him. The panel, joined by TNM Karnataka bureau chief Anisha Sheth, weighs in on why the judgement is a milestone for survivors of sexual assault. In the second part of the discussion, the panel discusses the controversy surrounding the 71st National Film Awards and whether the awards are being excessively politicised to suit a Hindu majoritarian agenda. Former journalist and film producer Miriam Joseph joins the hosts to weigh in on whether the Awards have lost their credibility.
Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introductions
00:01:46: Support TNM
00:06:35 - Headlines
00:13:44 - Prajwal Revanna Conviction
00:35:15 - National Awards
01:10:43 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the Bajrang Dal attack and consequential arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh-- Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis--both part of the Sister Assisi Mary Immaculate Convent. They are joined by senior advocate and founder of the Human Rights Law Network, Colin Gonsalves, who speaks about the trend of right-wing attacks on Christians in the country. In the second part of the discussion, the panel looks at the TCS’s decision to lay off staff and whether big companies can force employees to leave. The panel also weighs in on whether AI plays a part in this, pointing towards an impending employment crisis. The hosts are joined by guests Sriram Rajagopal and A Welkin.
Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introductions
00:01:54: Support TNM
00:02:40 - Headlines
00:10:28 - Attacks on Christians
00:50:53 - TCS layoffs
01:24:21 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode of South Central, Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the life and legacy of V.S. Achuthanandan with environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan and senior journalist Sreejan Balakrishnan.
Then, they look at the recent gag orders related to reporting on Dharmasthala, and revisit older allegations and data on deaths in the temple town, with TNM’s Karnataka Bureau Chief Anisha Sheth.
Audio Timecodes
00: 00:00- Introduction
00:01:20- Headlines
00:08:09- Support TNM
00:09:50 - VS Achuthanandan's Legacy
01:10:02- Dharmasthala Case & Gag Orders
1:31:12- Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Leena Raghunath first discuss actor Vijay’s entry into Tamil Nadu politics. They are joined by senior journalist Kavitha Muralidharan and TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief Shabbir Ahamed, who speak at length about whether Vijay will impact the state’s politics and if his party’s followers, who are predominantly fans of his films, are politicised enough to give him an election win. In the second part of the episode, the hosts are joined by Captain Amit Singh and Captain Sam Thomas, who weigh in on the Air India Ahmedabad plane crash and the controversy surrounding what may have happened in the cockpit in the final moments.
Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Announcement
00:03:08- Introduction
00:03:35- Headlines
00:11:23 - Vijay in TN Politics
00:41:39- Air India Crash Report
1:22:26 - Recommendations
Watch or Listen to Let Me Explain| Bodies, Bones, and Silence: The Questions Haunting Dharmasthala
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the Vijay Mallya podcast and why political patronage for big businessmen is detrimental. Joining them is senior business journalist Sucheta Dalal. In the second discussion, the hosts delve into the Bharat Mata image controversy in Kerala and the impact of university VCs and Governors endorsing such symbols.
Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introduction
00:01:05- Announcements
00:05:40- Headlines
00:11:05 - Vijay Mallya’s Half-Truths
01:00:32- Saffornisation of Bharat Mata
1:16:47 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the tussle between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah over the state’s Chief Minister-ship. Professor Chandan Gowda joins them to unpack what this will mean for the state’s politics. In the second half, activist Shivasundar joins the hosts for a discussion on the hypocrisy of the RSS with respect to comments on the Preamble of the Constitution.
Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introduction
00:01:46- Announcements
00:03:31- Headlines
00:14:26 - Karnataka State Leadership
00:35:31- Preamble
01:13:08 - Letters
1:17:47 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Vignesh Manickam
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of South Central hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Leena Reghunath discuss the censorship on director Honey Trehan’s film ‘Punjab95’, based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and what the UDF’s win in the Nilambur polls in Kerala means for the state’s politics. Guests Honey Trehan, Amandeep Sandhu, and MG Radhakrishnan weigh in.
All this and more—tune in.
Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introduction
00:02:13- Announcements
00:03:20- Headlines
00:08:00 - Punjab 95 & Censorship
01:02:25- Nilambur Election
1:25:12 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 32 of South Central, Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna speak with journalist Sivapriyan ETB about why the Keezhadi excavation challenges the Union government’s narrative and how the DMK is politicising it ahead of 2026.
In the second half, lawyer Rohin Bhatt and journalist Leena Reghunath join to discuss the Sonam Raghuvanshi murder case in Meghalaya and what it reveals about caste, patriarchy, and forced marriages.
All this and more—tune in.
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 31 of South Central, singer Chinmayi Sripaada joins hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath to talk about her years of isolation after speaking out against sexual harassment in the Tamil film industry. From being unofficially banned despite hit songs to the emotional impact of her recent Thug Life performance, Chinmayi reflects on what it means to be remembered again for her music.
In the first half of the episode, the hosts also speak with senior journalist Nandini Chandrasekhar about the Chinnaswamy stampede in Bengaluru. As the Karnataka government distances itself from responsibility and the police are scapegoated, who is really accountable for the chaos that followed RCB’s IPL win?
All this and more—tune in.
Audio timecodes
00:01:52- Introduction
00:03.32 - Headlines
00:09:14 - RCB Chinnaswamy Stampede
00:19:43 - Chinmayi Sripaada
001:08:49 - Letters
01:21:12- Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of South Central hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the tragic stampede that occurred in Bengaluru during RCB’s post-win celebrations, and Kamal Haasan’s comment on Kannada’s origin. They are joined by journalists Venkat Ananth, Anisha Sheth and Professor Purushothama Bilemale.
Audio timecodes
00:00:00- Introduction
00:03.43 - Headlines
00.5.47 - RCB’s post-win tragedy
00.40.53 - Kamal Hassan vs Kannada
01.17.15 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 29 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the dichotomy of the BJP’s Muslim-messaging within India and abroad. In the second section, they also talk about whether art can be truly separated from the artist. Joining the discussion are The Wire’s editor Seema Chishti, Musician TM Krishna, and senior journalist Anna MM Vetticad.
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 28 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Sudipto Mondal discuss if Shashi Tharoor is at a breaking point with the Congress party, and TNM-Newslaundry series on police excesses and impunity across India. Joining the discussion are lawyer and activist Vinay Srinivasa and TNM’s Chennai Bureau Chief Shabbir Ahmed.
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Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introduction
00:02:04- Announcements
00:03:29- Headlines
00:19:12 - Shashi Tharoor and Congress
00:39:33- Police Excesses and Impunity
1:17:50 - Letters
1:20:42 - Recommendations
1:24:50 - Support TNM
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 27 of South Central, Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the India–Pakistan ceasefire following Operation Sindoor and examine the role of the media during military escalation. They speak with defence expert Sushant Singh and senior journalist Prem Panicker.
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Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introduction
00:01:58 - Announcements
00:02:38- Headlines
00:12:50 - India-Pakistan
00:41:25- Role of Media
1:12:34 - Letters
1:18:08 - Recommendations
1:24:18 - Support TNM
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 26 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss India’s Operation Sindoor, evolving military posture, diplomacy, and the challenges of reporting during heightened conflict. In the discussion are foreign affairs reporter Smita Sharma and Takshashila Institution co-founder Nitin pai.
On India’s airstrikes, Nitin Pai says, “The three points Uri, Balakot, and Sindoor form a straight line — one that is the new normal, which says that India will respond with military force to a terrorist attack above a certain threshold.”
Smita explains the strategic importance of the terrorist camps India targeted on May 7: “Bahawalpur was a breeding ground for Jaish-e-Mohammad. For India, it’s a big boost that Masood Azhar confirmed these strikes, saying 10 of his family members were killed.”
On Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling and its “tit for tat” strategy, Nitin says, “There are no terrorists in India. There's no equivalent of a militant group in India that is connected to the Indian army or Indian armed forces that Pakistan can attack in retaliation. If they have to respond, they will attack the Indian army or security force’s relatively small installations. And that becomes an escalation.”
Smita warns about the risks of domestic militarism in Pakistan, “They have been crying for attention. US president Donald Trump, in his last presidency, had cut off financial aid meant for Pakistan. So for them, why have they been talking today for the DGI SPR, the Pakistan Army spokesperson, to do a press conference and admit that Indians managed to injure four Pakistani soldiers in Lahore? It's because they want to present a case to the world that they have so far only acted in defense.”
The panel also critiques India’s own preparedness and political narrative. Dhanya and Pooja question why civilians in areas like Poonch weren’t evacuated in time, and why Indian media isn’t pressing harder for accountability.
The speakers also discussed many more issues like the threat of a nuclear war, the cost of war, and the complexity of reporting on military action in an age of misinformation.
All this and more—tune in.
Follow Smita Sharma's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@smitasharmajournalist
Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com
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Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introduction
00:02:21- Headlines
00:09:55 -Operation Sindoor
1:04:19 - Support TNM
Become a subscriber - Click here.
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the aftermath of the tragic killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, how should India respond — and what signals do recent government measures really send? Meanwhile, India has moved up in the World Press Freedom Index. But does this reflect actual change on the ground, or just a shifting global baseline?
On South Central Episode 25, Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath speak with international relations expert Professor Amitabh Mattoo and senior journalist Nirupama Subramaniam.
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Audio Timecodes
00:00:00- Introduction
00:01:57- Support TNM
00:05:30 -Headlines
00:10:23 -Pahalgam Attack
00:57:47- Press Freedom Index
01:19:55 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 24 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss Bengaluru’s migrants vs Kannadigas issue and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s criticism aimed at the Supreme Court’s powers. Also part of the discussion are comedian and writer Nithin Kamath, lawyer Suhrith Parthasarathy, and TNM’s Anisha Sheth.
On the Bengaluru debate, Dhanya says, “For many Kannadigas, this isn’t just about language. It’s really about erasure. There is a fear among locals that their city, culture, and identity is being sidelined.”
Anisha adds, “It’s become an argument over a fight for economic resources — land, water, all of these things. And that’s acquired a kind of belligerence on all sides.”
Nithin observes, “On social media, anything related to Kannada, Karnataka, or Bengaluru has become a keyword of sorts. People lace Kannada sentiments into any issue, like with the Shiladitya Bose road rage incident. By the time the facts come out, the damage is already done.”
As the conversation shifts to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar’s remarks on the Supreme Court, Suhrith Parthasarathy says, “Our constitutional design is such that the judiciary, which comprises an unelected body of members and judges, will act as a check on not just executive excesses but also legislative excesses.”
On the Supreme Court’s verdict on the role of governors, Leena points out, “What the court has done is just take the vision of the constitution-makers and say, do your job for what you were appointed. Be a constitutional head, a sagacious counselor, pour oil over troubled waters. That is not what is playing out now.”
All this and more—tune in.
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Audio Timecodes
00:00:36- Support TNM
00:01:01- Introduction
00:02:16 -Pahalgam Terror Attack
00:11:43 -Bengaluru Debate
00:51:05- VP vs. Supreme Court
01:15:21 - Letters
01:21:58 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 23 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s dig at Indian startups and the Supreme Court verdict on Tamil Nadu Governor that revived the debate on federalism. Joining them are chairman of Aarin Capital Mohandas Pai, political and policy consultant Tara Krishnaswamy, and TNM’s senior news editor Shabbir Ahmed.
On the startup debate, Pai says, “Delivery-based startups should not be demeaned, they are also a part of the innovation cycle. India has spent just USD 160 billion on startups since 2014. Compare that to China’s USD 845 billion. The problem isn’t delivery apps, it’s the lack of domestic capital and investment in research and development.”
Tara adds, “Amazon started as a delivery platform. To build a deep-tech ecosystem, we need to invest in education, research, and infrastructure. India doesn't lack talent, it lacks systems that support it.”
Pooja points out how only 8% of Indian startups make it beyond 10 years. “We talk about being a 1.4 billion market—but only a small fraction can actually afford these services,” she says.
As the conversation shifts to the State-Governor tussle, Shabbir says, “The recent Supreme Court verdict is a win for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other opposition-ruled states. Governor RN Ravi sitting on bills was a clear abuse of power.”
Tara highlights, ““Only 25% of governors have completed their terms. Most are either political appointees or retired judges. This is not sustainable.”
Dhanya points out, “In Kerala, the last governor sat on a bill for 23 months. The Constitution makers did not probably think that we are going to have governors who will sit on bills for months and not act on them.”
On whether the post of Governor serves a purpose, the panel agrees that reforms are overdue. Tara proposes, “Let’s have governors elected through an electoral college, like the President. Another option would be to abolish the post entirely.”
All this and more—tune in.
Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com
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Audio Timecodes
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:24 - Announcements
00:02:19 - Headlines
00:20:24 -Startups
00:49:41- Governors
01:21:58 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 22 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the US crackdown on Indian students through self-deportation notices and detentions and the implications of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 with Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor at The Hindu, and Senior Counsel Zafarullah Khan.
On the scale of the US crackdown, Suhasini says, “What we have seen in the last two months is... governments making it very clear they don't care if due process is followed or not. The idea that the US government now is essentially saying we don't care what's right and wrong… that's never happened before.”
Dhanya says, “There definitely is panic amongst the student community… especially that anything they post on social media, anything they do on their campuses, can come back to bite them.”
On the Indian government’s muted response, Pooja says, “Isn’t there such a mismatch between what we see — the kind of personality we see of Mr Modi in speeches in Parliament, this bravado — but the minute it comes to implementation of that foreign policy… Rest of it has been extremely meek, hasn’t it?”
As the conversation shifts to the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, Zafarullah says, “The present amendments do not address the shortcomings in the administration of the Waqf and its properties. The focus is on how to deprive the Waqf of their landed properties.
On the BJP’s claim of protecting the Muslim community’s interests, Dhanya says, “This is a party which did not give a seat to a Muslim. It stood and watched when Muslims’ homes were demolished; when there were hate speeches made against Muslims. And you want the community to suddenly believe that you want to protect their lands, you want transparency in the system, and that is why you have brought the Waqf Act? That is hypocritical. Nobody’s going to buy that argument.”
Zafarullah adds, “It is an economic deprivation of the community. That is the agenda. To deprive the community of its resources and thereby make them dependent and second-class citizens.”
Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com
Audio Timecodes
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:23 - Announcements
00:03:03 - Headlines
00:13:39 - US Deportations
00:44:51 - Waqf Amendment Act
01:09:13 - Letters
01:14:23 - Recommendations
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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 21 of South Central, hosts Pooja Prasanna and Leena Reghunath discuss the Empuraan controversy and the Telangana government’s use of bulldozers and police force to clear ecologically rich land near Hyderabad Central University, alongside TNM’s Nandini Chandrashekar, lawyer Nikhil Narendran, and environmental journalist Bahar Dutt.
On the outrage over Empuraan, Nikhil says, “What is the problem? If you make a movie using the name of a known convict – Babu Bajrangi – why should the Hindu sentiment be hurt?”
On Mohanlal expressing regret over the film’s contents , Pooja remarks, “If anybody could withstand pressure, it's a star like Mohanlal. There was no call for ban, not even from the BJP. So what was the need to buckle?”
Leena adds, “People like that – soft Hindutva insiders – you don’t need to threaten them with violence. Even a letter saying his honorary position as Lt Colonel will be removed is enough to shake them.”
As the conversation moves to the Hyderabad University land row and the student protests against it, Bahar Dutt says, “We are the land of Chipko. Here we have students who have decided they want to save the forest and the biodiversity in their backyard. Yet we are not celebrating it. Instead, we are lathi-charging and arresting them.”
Nandini, who is also an alumna of HCU, observes, “There is no reason [for the government to take this land.] It is not befitting the Chief Minister to call students cunning jackals.”
All this and more—tune in.
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Audio Timecodes
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:49 - Announcements
00:03:03 - Headlines
00:12:29 - Empuraan
00:41:34 - HCU Land Row
01:09:10 - Recommendations
Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.
Become a subscriber- Click here.
Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.
To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here
Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
