Learning Stories: Recent Episodes
Abhishek Ashok Shetty
This is a podcast show where we interview a diverse set of learners from the 21st century. Each guest profiled here has a unique story to share about how they acquired a set of valuable skills and knowledge in a creative and innovative manner. In the process we hope to uncover a new understanding of learning as conceptualized, narrated, and imagined by our guests.
On Episode 87 of the #LearningStories podcast we chat with Harsh Snehanshu. He is a technology entrepreneur and community builder. He built Your Quote which was India's largest writing platform that is home to over 7 millions writers and 200 million posts. He also built the Bookmark Dating App. Apart from startups he co-founded, Cubbon Reads and steered the silent reading movement across the globe with 120+ chapters in 70+ cities. Of late he is scaling his newest community, Pint of View - a lecture series movement in bars and pubs across the world. You can find him on YourQuote, Instagram and Linkedin.
Show Chapters
(00:05) - Podcast Introduction
(00:30) - Guest Background
(02:00) - "My father worked in SBI and we moved around a lot"
(02:20) - "Eventually we settled in Dhanbad (Jharkhand)"
(03:30) - What was your favourite subject at school?
(05:00) - When did you decide to become an engineer?
(06:05) - "A lot of the learning in high school was curiosity driven"
(08:20) - What was the influence of your father (banker) on your journey?
(12:20) - What was the influence of your mother (academic) on your journey?
(13:50) - "When you merge creativity with enterprise it is magical"
(16:30) - How did you crack the IIT JEE entrance exam?
(21:00) - How to critique your ideas?
(23:00) - What was your experience studying at IIT Delhi?
(28:50) - How did you publish your first book in college?
(29:50) - "In my third year I was making 3-4 lakhs as royalties from book sales"
(30:40) - "I studied Engineering Physics for 4 years at IIT Delhi
(31:00) - Why did you love reading biographies of scientists?
(32:00) - Why did you love reading biographies and books by saints?
(36:40) - What was your relationship to books as a student
(38:55) - The importance of believing in yourself as a creator
(39:45) - The letter feature on Bookmark Dating App
(41:10) - Why Cubbon Reads got such a positive response?
(41:40) - "I want to solve for myself and then others"
(42:00) - The benefits of reading literary fiction
(43:00) - Why I believe my core skillset is writing?
(45:00) - "Startups and Publishing were on the rise in the 2010's"
(46:00) - How did you write and publish four books right out of college?
(48:00) - How do I make money from my one-liners and #WittyShit?
(49:30) - The story behind the T-Shirt Startup I co-founded in college
(51:00) - How did books shape your thinking?
(54:00) - Why you wanted to study the arts after engineering?
(57:00) - How did you fund your plan to travel around India for a year?
(59:45) - What places did you visit when you travelled around India for a year?
(1:02:00) - Dealing with a health crisis as a young adult
(1:04:00) - What was your experience as a student at Young India Fellowship?
(1:08:30) - What was your experience working as a full time journalist?
(1:12:30) - "Your Quote was not my first startup idea"
(1:14:00) - How did you deal with startup failures?
(1:14:30) - How did you create and build YourQuote?
(1:19:25) - What were your struggles with YourQuote?
(1:21:40) - Why entrepreneurs and creators have to be critical by default?
(1:28:00) - The story behind Cubbon Reads
(1:34:00) - The problem with Engineering Graduates
(1:36:00) - Love for bird watching
(1:38:00) - How you think about startups and communities?
(1:45:00) - Love for old cars
(1:49:00) - Closing Notes
Show Links
Harsh on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harshsnehanshu/
Harsh on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshsnehanshu/
Harsh on Goodreads -https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3404537.Harsh_Snehanshu
Pint of View Club - https://www.instagram.com/pintofview.club/
Cubbon Reads - https://www.instagram.com/cubbonreads/
Your Quote - https://www.yourquote.in/
Bookmark App - https://www.instagram.com/bookmarkappco/
Pretty Old Cars - https://www.instagram.com/prettyoldcars/
Show Description
LearningStories is an audio and video show where we interview a diverse set of learners from the 21st century.
On Episode 86 of the #LearningStories podcast we chat with Sukriti YJ. She is an author, screenwriter and webcomic producer based in Mumbai. Her indie production company is called Unibrow Stories. Sukriti's three novels include the, 'Gold Digger' (an action adventure set in Bihar), 'Beta Builder' (a sci-fi novella set in Mumbai) and 'The Lehenga Games' (a treasure hunt through India's fashion history). Her webcomic, 'Love on a Visa', a campus rom-com between an Indian girl and a Korean boy is ongoing on Webtoon and Tapas, earning 20,000 views. You can find her on Instagram @suki_unibrow.
Show Chapters
(00:05) - Podcast Introduction
(00:20) - Guest Background
(01:50) - Stories from your childhood
(02:00) - "I grew up in a family full of teachers"
(02:25) - "A lot of people loved reading at home"
(03:20) - What were the first books you loved reading?
(07:10) - What subjects did you love learning at school?
(08:05) - "I did not want to become a writer until I tried out other fields"
(09:50) - What were the first writing assignments you remember enjoying as a student?
(11:30) - What was your experience studying Literature in the IB Curriculum?
(13:50) - How did your high school teachers shape your thinking about reading and writing?
(16:00) - The Power of Stories
(17:50) - What was your experience as a student at London School of Economics?
(20:50) - Advice for anyone going abroad
(22:00) - Learning from other cultures and contexts
(25:40) - The co-curricular life of a university student
(27:50) - Why did you decide to pursue an MFA in Creative Non Fiction in New York?
(28:40) - "I took a year off after my first degree"
(28:50) - What is Creative Non-Fiction?
(30:30) - On peers in a writing program
(31:30) - What did you like about living in New York?
(33:30) - What kinds of writing assignments do you complete in an MFA program?
(33:40) - "There were lectures, seminars and workshops
(34:00) - What were your favourite courses in the MFA program?
(36:00) - What was special about learning how to write in a writing workshop?
(40:00) - Why 'Lehenga Games' took me seven years to complete?
(42:00) - How 'Gold Digger' took me three months to write
(45:00) - How did you navigate the early years of your career after your university years?
(45:10) - "The long term dream was to be a famous and popular writer"
(45:30) - "My ghostwriting job after university paid really well"
(46:00) - "I spent 2 years working and researching my novel when I moved to Denver, Colorado"
(48:10) - What are the S.P.I.C.E. trades?
(51:10) - How to introduce yourself as a creative professional?
(53:10) - How to talk about finances as a creative professional?
(55:55) - Why did you start, 'Unibrow Stories' (a creative studio for modern Indian novels, webcomics, and screenplays)?
(57:00) - Navigating legal rights and distribution as a creative professional
(59:00) - "Indian stories that are not very high brow or low brow"
(1:00:00) - Why all our stories have screenplay adaptations
(1:00:30) - "I would love to produce these for Youtube or Instagram"
(1:03:30) - The Economic Realities of Writing and Publishing in India
(1:05:00) - "Scrolling is now our Dickens"
(1:10:00) - What did you learn about Indian textiles while researching for, 'The Lehenga Games'?
(1:17:00) - Book Recommendations
(1:20:00) - Closing Notes
Show Links
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Unibrow Stories Website - https://www.unibrowstories.com/
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Unibrow Publications - https://www.unibrowstories.com/novels
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Sukriti on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suki_unibrow/
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Sukriti on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukriti-yj-1820201b/
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'The Lehenga Games' Book - https://amzn.in/d/dvXjqqX
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'Gold Digger: Treasure of Son Bhandar' Book - https://amzn.in/d/aXq8EOi
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'Beta Builder: Mumbai in the Metaverse' Book - https://amzn.in/d/88mhBEh
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'Love on a Visa' Webcomic - https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/love-on-a-visa/list?title_no=1001717
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SPICE Trades Newsletter - https://spicetrades.substack.com/
On Episode 85 of the #LearningStories podcast we chat with Deepak Gopalakrishnan. He is a marketing consultant, strategy guy, entrepreneur, podcaster and writer. He runs a strategy studio called Rough Paper. He also co-founded 6% Club a creator coaching program for working professionals. He was the host of 3 podcasts and writes 2 newsletters. He writes the, 'Things of Internet' newsletter where he explores topics are the intersection of technology, culture and humanity. He also loves music. In this episode we spoke about his early years in Bahrain, transitioning from engineering to communications and the purpose of content projects. We also spoke about how you can discover parts of yourself through music.
Timestamps
(00:05) - Podcast Introduction
(00:20) - Guest Background
(01:45) - What was it like to grow up in Bahrain in the middle east?
(02:20) - "I spent a lot of time on my own in those early years"
(03:00) - "My love for music started in Bahrain because we did not have cable"
(03:50) - What were the first songs you loved listening to as a student?
(04:10) - What was your relationship to sports as a student?
(04:30) - The Story of Cable TV, Sachin Tendulkar and the Electronic Repair Shop
(06:30) - "Life had a slow pace in the Gulf"
(07:00) - What were your memories of reading comic books as a student?
(08:30) - How did you navigate the transition from Bahrain to Cochin?
(12:30) - What was your first content project?
(13:00) - "I used to love cartooning and drawing"
(16:30) - The purpose and importance of content projects
(19:30) - What is the acid test for content projects?
(21:00) - Why do people remember stories?
(23:00) - Why did you study engineering and communications in university?
(23:10) - "I got into engineering because of chemistry and a secure future job"
(23:45) - "Sometime during engineering I learned about advertising"
(25:00) - What was your experience as an engineering student?
(27:00) - What was your experience at MICA as a graduate student?
(27:40) - Why is happiness what you make of it?
(30:00) - How has your relationship to music changed over time?
(31:40) - "Music is helping me figure out everything else in life"
(32:10) - What was the impact of learning Carnatic Music for 8 years?
(33:00) - "My love for melody came from that early experience"
(34:00) - How did popular music enter your life?
(34:30) - "I started listening to English songs in college"
(34:45) - "When you play an instrument, you start listening to music differently"
(36:10) - Why was it magical to make music as a college student?
(36:30) - What was the role of live concerts and better audiophile gear?
(37:00) - How to think about the music you love?
(39:20) - "I felt this compulsion to keep up with a lot of music"
(42:00) - How letting go helped you rediscover a love for music?
(47:00) - How music changed your internal algorithm for life?
(56:00) - Watching 'Blackstrat Blues' play live
(58:50) - Why listen to music that moves you?
(1:01:10) - Music and Identity in your 20's, 30's and 40's
(1:04:00) - "I am deeply fascinated by how technology impacts culture"
(1:07:30) - What you love about, 'Opeth'?
(1:13:20) - What you love about, 'The Beatles'?
(1:16:00) - What is Rough Paper (brand consulting)?
(1:18:00) - What is The 6% Club (coaching for creators)?
(1:24:00) - Closing Notes
Links
Chuck's Website - https://www.chuckofalltrades.in/about-me
Rough Paper Website - https://www.roughpaper.in/
The 6% Club Website - https://www.thesixpercent.club/
Chuck on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chuckofalltrades
Chuck on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckofalltrades/
'Things of Internet' Newsletter Archives - https://thingsofinternet.substack.com/archive
'Simblified' Podcast - https://www.chuckofalltrades.in/simblified
'Getting Meta' Podcast - https://www.chuckofalltrades.in/getting-meta-podcast
'The Origin of Things' Podcast - https://www.chuckofalltrades.in/the-origin-of-things
On Episode 84 of #LearningStories we chat with Ranjana Aanjjan Srivastava on Theatre and Design. She has 14 years of live theatre experience and 7 years of work experience in the design industry. As a graphic designer and visual consultant she has worked with brands like Asian Paints, Catrol, Lakme Fashion Week, Papa Johns, Pedigree and Whiskas. She also grew up immersed in the world of theatre as a young child and has acted in over 200 live performances of plays like Shatranj Ke Mohre, Drishtidaan, Bilquis Begum Ka Baada and Ek Aur Dronacharya. She has also shown her versatility as an actor through music videos and print work. In this episode we spoke about her childhood influences, life as a theatre actor and her experiences working on brand campaigns as a designer.
Timestamps
(00:10) - Podcast Introduction
(01:10) - Guest Background
(03:00) - Who was Ranjana as a student?
(03:50) - What subjects did you find interesting in school?
(05:15) - Why did you like History as a subject?
(08:00) - What was it like growing up in a family that worked in the arts?
(09:50) - "I always wanted to explore the things I could be good at"
(10:00) - How I thought about choosing my career?
(11:00) - "I did my first audition for a street play at St. Xaviers"
(11:35) - "I used to attend a lot of theatre rehearsals growing up"
(12:00) - What was different about acting as a career?
(13:00) - "As an actor I use my inferences from life experiences and observations"
(13:10) - How to find your space and voice as an actor?
(15:10) - What is the purpose of theatre as an art form?
(15:40) - What is the story of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA)?
(17:15) - "'Natak' is audio and visual combined"
(18:05) - "Empathy is one of the most important things for an art form"
(18:35) - What is the responsibility of an artist?
(19:30) - How has theatre changed in the modern times
(21:30) - "The audience will connect with your heart and soul"
(22:30) - The skills of theatre actors
(23:15) - What have you learned from other theatre actors and theatre directors?
(25:30) - What did I learn from Aanjjan Srivastava?
(27:00) - What did I learn from observing M.S. Sathyu's set designs?
(28:35) - What did I learn from observing Naseeruddin Shah's plays?
(32:00) - What was your experience as a student at St. Xaviers and KC College?
(32:20) - What degree and specialization did you complete in college?
(32:40) - "St. Xaviers gave me my knack for acting"
(32:50) - "KC gave me my early experiences in design"
(33:20) - "You study 36 different subjects over 3 years in the BMM program"
(34:00) - How did you learn about design in college?
(35:00) - "I would take up design projects from agencies and peers"
(35:20) - How did you apply your design skills in the world of theatre?
(42:30) - What professional experiences did you acquire after university?
(43:30) - What was your experience working on a food festival campaign?
(46:20) - "Alignment and Harmony is important for any campaign"
(48:45) - What are the different kinds of design professionals?
(55:20) - How to study and acquire skills in the field of design?
(58:20) - What are your favourite brands and products as a designer?
(1:01:10) - "Good designers focus on functionality and aesthetics"
(1:01:40) - What are some roles you have worked on as an actor in plays?
(1:03:00) - How do you prepare for a play as an actor?
(1:08:50) - What are the three main jobs of an actor?
(1:13:00) - Challenges of the acting profession
(1:17:45) - Recommendations and Closing Notes
Links
Ranjana on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ranjana.aanjjan/
Ranjana on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranjana-aanjjan-srivastava-332797b8/
IPTA Mumbai Plays - http://iptamumbai.com/PlaysRecommendation 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/382702.On_Acting
Recommendation 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237328.The_Art_of_Acting
Recommendation 3 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21818816/
On Episode 83 of #LearningStories we chat with Amrita Singh. Amrita is a neuroscientist; she earned a PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 2023 and currently works at as a clinical research scientist. She has always been interested in writing. She runs a blog called 'Learning To Be Happy' where she writes about various topics of interest including, but not limited to, popular science and mental health. She is also working on writing fiction. Since April 2023, she has volunteered for CEGIS, an organization that aims to improve the governance of Indian states. She loves playing board games, singing, and dabbling in all kinds of art. In this episode we spoke about her childhood influences, life as a scientist and her love for reading and writing.
Timestamps
(00:10) - Podcast Introduction
(01:10) - Guest Background
(02:40) - How has your perspective on Science changed as a neuroscientist?
(03:25) - "I wanted to be a scientist from a very young age"
(03:30) - "My parents are both scientists"
(03:32) - "I grew up on a university campus in Mumbai"
(04:15) - What were your earliest memories of neuroscience in a lab?
(05:30) - "In college I got much more interested in the biology of the brain"
(05:50) - What are some challenges of working in academia?
(08:30) - "There is a lot of pressure to publish papers for any individual scientist"
(10:45) - How to make science fun, accessible and engaging for children?
(15:30) - How can parents help their children develop an excitement for Science?
(16:00) - "A lot of kids in schools develop a very negative association of Science"
(16:05) - "Science is difficult because they don't understand the fundamentals"
(17:00) - "Kids are naturally curious"
(19:00) - How can libraries or museums inspire children
(19:40) - "I remember going to Nehru Planetarium as a child to see the dome with stars"
(20:30) - What were the first books you loved reading as a student?
(21:30) - "I read voraciously as a kid"
(23:00) - Why were you obsessed with the Harry Potter Series?
(24:00) - What were two books you loved reading as a young adult?
(25:00) - What was your relationship to libraries as a student?
(25:40) - "In college and during my PhD reading took a hit
(26:00) - How audiobooks got you out of a reading slump?
(27:00) - Why is reading as an adult much more difficult
(28:30) - What did you like about, 'Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss?
(29:00) - What keeps you motivated to read as an adult
(30:00) - How do you discover and find new books to read?
(33:00) - How did you discover 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud?
(34:10) - "I have read several books by authors from different nationalities"
(35:10) - "I get recommendations from my book club here in New York"
(39:10) - When did you first start writing? What did you write about?
(41:00) - "A bunch of us kids decided to write a storybook
(42:00) - "I liked writing short stories and essays"
(44:00) - How did you end up enrolling in an online writing course?
(45:00) - "In 2023 the way to write is to create a Substack
(46:00) - What were the stories behind your first essays on Substack?
(49:50) - "I love writing and now it is the best part of my week"
(52:00) - Why did you write an essay on music lyrics?
(58:00) - What is the connection between art and neuroscience?
(1:02:50) - What is the evolutionary purpose of art?
(1:07:00) - Podcast and Music Recommendations
(1:09:00) - Tell us about your work with public policy and governance
(1:13:00) - Closing Notes
Links
Amrita on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrita-singh-5546568b/
Amrita on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amoose_art
'Learning to be Happy' Substack - https://learningtobehappy.substack.com/
Description
This is an audio and video show where we interview a diverse set of learners from the 21st century. Each guest profiled here has a unique story to share about how they acquired a set of valuable skills and knowledge in a creative and innovative manner.
On Episode 82 of #LearningStories we chat with Diya Sengupta. Diya is the founder and co-curator of Juhu Reads, a silent reading community in Mumbai. She is also a Sustainability Strategy leader in a global strategy and consulting firm. She was born in Durgapur in West Bengal. She grew up across mining towns in Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh owing to her father's transfer prone job with Coal India Limited. Her reading and writing comes from fond memories of growing up in India's hinterlands. She is an avid reader and passionate book reviewer. In this episode we spoke about her childhood, her love for books and how she nurtured and built a silent reading community in the fast paced city of Mumbai.
Timestamps
(00:10) - Podcast Introduction
(01:10) - Guest Background
(02:00) - About Juhu Reads
(03:30) - Stories from your Childhood
(03:38) - "I am always happy to talk about books and childhood"
(03:58) - "I grew up in small mining towns"
(04:00) - What did your parents do?
(04:35) - What did your grand parents do?
(04:45) - "I was born in Durgapur, West Bengal"
(04:50) - "I spent the first seven years of my life in Asansol, West Bengal"
(05:30) - What were your first memories of books as a child?
(05:55) - "My parents were both avid readers of Bangla and English Literature"
(07:40) - "I remember climbing mango and guava trees with my books"
(08:45) - What did your mother and father love reading?
(10:30) - "My parents had a large home library"
(12:40) - What were your memories of growing up in small mining towns as a teenager?
(16:57) - "I would have to buy books from larger cities"
(17:40) - "I moved to Calcutta for further education at the age of 17"
(19:00) - What did you decide to study in high school and university?
(19:32) - "If I chose Arts I would be looked down on as Science was prioritized"
(22:22) - "I completed my Bachelor in Commerce from University of Calcutta"
(23:00) - "I moved to Mumbai for a finance job in the mid 2000s
(23:30) - How did you transition into a career in the field of sustainability?
(24:30) - "In between I took a year off to complete an executive MBA"
(26:30) - What were your memories of living & working in Mumbai in the 2000s and 2010s?
(29:45) - What is your idea of home?
(32:30) - "I am a country and provincial girl at heart"
(34:00) - What is the day to day life of a consultant?
(37:00) - How reading fiction can help you professionally
(39:00) - What is a silent reading community? What are its origins?
(41:00) - What is the story of Juhu Reads and its readers?
(43:30) - What were some challenges you faced in the first few months of Juhu Reads?
(47:20) - What were some joyful stories of readers you meet at Juhu Reads?
(52:40) - What are some book recommendations?
(53:00) - "Since 2022, I developed an interest in contemporary Indian writers"
(53:50) - Why read, 'The Firebird' by Saikat Majumdar?
(54:10) - Why read, 'A Speck of Coal Dust' by Rohit Manchanda?
(54:55) - Why read, 'The Last Song of Dusk' by Siddhant Dhanvant Sanghavi?
(55:35) - Why read, 'Blue Women' by Anukriti Upadhyay
(56:00) - How I write book reviews? Why they matter
(59:20) - How has reading added value to your life?
(01:02:00) - Closing Notes
Links
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Diya on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diya-sengupta-410b5213/
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Juhu Reads Instagram Page - https://www.instagram.com/juhureads/
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Author Page on Scroll.in: https://scroll.in/author/23853
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Article on Juhu Reads 100th session - https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/world-book-day-2025-its-100-how-mumbais-silent-reading-communities-continue-to-engage-readers-23525485
Description
This is an audio and video show where we interview a diverse set of learners from the 21st century. Each guest profiled here has a unique story to share about how they acquired a set of valuable skills and knowledge in a creative and innovative manner.
On Episode 81 of #LearningStories we chat with Devayani Khare. She is a communications consultant and geomorphologist. Through her career in communications, she has worked in fields as diverse as fundamental biology, translational research, biodiversity and conservation, and even as a travel writer. At present, she is an environmental advocacy communicator for an organisation called Break Free From Plastic. For the past 4 years, she has also been running a newsletter called Geosophy, that explores geoscience topics. She has always believed that landscapres contain clues to the past and present. You can find her on Linkedin and Substack.
Timestamps
(00:10) - Introduction and Background
(02:00) - Stories from your Childhood
(02:10) - "As a child, I guess I was just as wild and curious"
(02:20) - "My school campus was very far away from the city"
(03:10) - "The school was very experimental and hands on"
(03:40) - What are your earliest memories of learning geography in school?
(05:30) - What was your experience in high school?
(06:20) - "I did not study geography in 11th and 12th"
(06:40) - What subjects did you want to study in university?
(07:20) - When did you choose to specialize in geography?
(08:40) - What is involved in the study of geography at university?
(08:50) - "At the undergraduate level it is focused on human geography"
(09:20) - "At the master's level I studied geomorphology"
(10:30) - How do you define geography?
(11:20) - "Geography is a snapshot of everything related to landscapes"
(13:30) - How is geographical information used in a government and industry context?
(18:00) - What are some examples of geo heritage sites around the world?
(20:50) - What bodies regulate geological and geo heritage sites around India?
(23:00) - How to transition from academic to on the job learning?
(23:30) - "It was difficult to find jobs after my degree in Geography"
(25:00) - Working for the Western Ghats Biodiversity Portal in Pondicherry
(25:30) - "Communications was the common theme across all my jobs"
(28:00) - Job of a communications consultant on a day to day basis
(33:00) - What is the story behind the 'Geosophy' newsletter?
(39:00) - How do you research and write your essays and articles?
(40:10) - Writing about geo heritage sites in India
(42:50) - "Sometimes it takes me 10-20 hours of research for one piece"
(43:00) - "With geography there are no definite answers"
(45:00) - On the Lonar crater in Maharashtra
(45:30) - On the Gandikotta fort in Andhra Pradesh (see article linked below)
(48:30) - On the Geosophy Bookshelf and Book Recommendations
(51:40) - How to teach children Geography in our schools?
(56:30) - What have you learned and observed from your travels as a geomorphologist?
(1:01:00) - Closing Notes
Links
Devayani's Website - https://www.devayanikh.com/
Devayani on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/devayani-khare
Geosophy Newsletter Archives - https://substack.com/@geosophy/posts
On Episode 80 of #LearningStories, I interviewed Suchin Mehrotra. Suchin is a critic and film journalist who covers streaming for The Hollywood Reporter India. He's also the host of The Streaming Show podcast on his own YouTube channel, and has written for publications like Film Companion, News9 and The Hindustan Times among others. An unabashed mainstream cinema junkie, he sincerely believes that movies and storytelling can change the world. You can find him on Instagram, Spotify and Youtube.
Timestamps
(00:10) - Introduction and Background
(02:10) - Stories from your Childhood
(02:15) - “I moved between Mumbai, Bengaluru and London”
(02:50) - “My dad was a lawyer and mom was a housewife”
(03:20) - Where did you complete your schooling?
(03:40) - What did you study at university?
(03:45) - Why did you study economics at university?
(04:20) - “I worked in banking for 2 years in London”
(06:30) - What are some key childhood and teenage memories with films?
(08:00) - When did you realize you loved movies a bit more than just another hobby?
(09:03) - What happened when you watched ‘Haider’ in 2014?
(09:20) - “I just wanted to write about this movie”
(09:50) - “I used to watch, ‘The Front Row’ with Anupama Chopra.”
(10:40) - “I then started a blog on films”
(11:50) - What are some observations on film journalism in India?
(12:00) - “I believe Film Journalism is an art form”
(12:30) - “Film Culture in India is insane”
(12:50) - On Film Journalism in the west
(13:40) - “There are few publications that take films seriously in India”
(14:50) - “Scroll, The Hindu, Mint, Frontline have good writing on films”
(15:20) - What have you learned from other film journalists in your trade?
(16:20) - Difference between trade journalists, film journalists and film critics?
(18:10) - “Anupama Chopra and Baradwaj Ranjan are the north stars for most critics”
(18:30) - On Rahul Desai’s film criticism
(18:50) - On Uday Bhatia’s film criticism
(19:07) - On Gayle Sequeira’s film criticism
(19:20) - On Pratyush Parasuraman’s film criticism
(19:40) - On Vishal Menon’s film criticism
(20:20) - On Sidhant Atlakha’s film criticism
(20:40) - On David Ehrlich’s film criticism
(21:45) - How did you transition from banking in London to journalism in Mumbai?
(22:40) - “There are few courses on film criticism”
(23:40) - “Film Critics need to love films, love writing and love writing about films”
(25:00) - What happens to the film critic in the world of social media?
(26:00) - What was your experience being a freelance film journalist?
(26:50) - “For a year, I just watched films every Friday and wrote about each film”
(29:00) - How do film reviews change in the video and print form?
(32:00) - How can publications support film critics?
(34:00) - The pressure of earning a living as a film journalism
(34:20) - On the star rating system of reviewing films
(35:00) - How film reviews affect films in India?
(39:30) - How film critics can throw light on the work of other technicians in the film industry?
(41:40) - What was your experience as a programme coordinator at the MAMI film festival?
(43:35) - On the role of film festivals for independent and world cinema
(48:10) - On the era of streaming and the rise of OTT shows in India
(49:10) - “The finest story telling in India is on the streaming space”
(59:10) - Film and Show Recommendations
Links
Suchin’s Reviews on The Hollywood Reporter India - https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/author/suchin-mehrotra
Suchin’s Reviews on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suchin545
Suchin’s Reviews on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@suchinmehrotra
Streaming Show Playlist - https://bit.ly/thestreamingshow
Description
This is an audio and video show where we interview a diverse set of learners from the 21st century. Each guest profiled here has a unique story to share about how they acquired a set of valuable skills and knowledge in a creative and innovative manner.
On Episode 79 of #LearningStories we chat with Arjun Hemmady. Arjun is a full time treasury finance professional, two time published author and freelance sports journalist. His most recent bestselling sports based fiction novel is called, 'Captain Khadoos'. This book explores themes like mental health, training time and media attention in the life of an athlete. Arjun is also an avid memer. He enjoys guiding and mentoring aspiring authors. You can find him on Instagram and Linkedin.
Timestamps
(00:10) - Introduction and Background
(02:10) - Stories from your Childhood
(02:14) - "I was encouraged to read from a very young age"
(02:20) - "My grandfather had got the world book encyclopedia for us as children"
(02:40) - "My grandmother was a librarian"
(03:00) - What are your earliest memories as a reader?
(04:10) - What did you study in high school and university?
(04:20) - "My day job involves managing money and forex exchanges"
(04:40) - "I did a Bachelor in Commerce and MBA degree"
(05:35) - How did you write and publish your first book?
(06:30) - "I had this strong urge to tell and write this story"
(06:50) - "I would write stories for my school and community magazine"
(07:20) - "I did not know much about publishing before releasing my first book"
(07:50) - What are some common mistakes first time authors make?
(08:40) - "I edited my second book everyday for three months"
(09:35) - "I always take time to encourage and guide new authors"
(10:10) - What are finances and costs involved in publishing a book in India?
(10:20) - Why is it hard to make a living as a writer in India?(11:10) - What are some frustrations in the life of an author?(11:25) - "Being an author is a lonely journey"
(11:37) - "Authors will face a lot of failures"
(12:48) - "Writers should find joy in getting their story into the world"
(13:00) - What are the methods of publishing a book in India?
(13:30) - "Most big publishing houses need a literary agent to back your book"
(14:50) - What is the marketing process for an author in India?(19:40) - On getting feedback from readers
(22:50) - On the sports fiction genre in India
(23:30) - On how sports fiction is connected to the real world
(24:30) - "I used to play cricket a lot in my colony"
(24:40) - "The first tournament I remember watching was the 1996 world cup"
(25:00) - What was your experience as an Indian cricket fan?
(26:50) - "Sports has always been there for me since a young age"(27:30) - "The main character Suraj Bhatkal talks openly about mental health struggles"
(28:00) - Who are your favourite cricketers?
(32:30) - How athletes navigate media attention, lack of privacy and fandom?
(34:00) - "Athletes can be lonely and find it hard to trust others"
(36:20) - "Athletes have to focus on things that are in their control"
(37:00) - How to face criticism as an author?
(38:50) - How do you design the book cover and promotional material for a book?
(41:00) - Why you chose to write your book in English?
(41:05) - "I know English more than my mother tongue"
(42:30) - How has reading helped you navigate personal challenges and setbacks?
(44:00) - On thinking and mental health
(45:40) - "Sticking to a daily routine helps with mental health struggles"
(46:30) - How to support a friend that is struggling with their mental health?
(47:00) - On dealing with emotions in your life
(48:50) - "Sometimes you have to pat yourself on the back"
(49:55) - "Everyone is struggling with something"
(51:00) - Book Recommendations(53:00) - Closing Notes
On Episode 78 of #LearningStories we chat with Neha Modi. Neha is a Chartered Accountant by profession and an academician and book blogger by passion. While teaching was her childhood dream, it only truly called out to her after a brief stint in the corporate world. She soon transitioned to academia, joining a Management Institute as a finance faculty. Motherhood brought with it new priorities, and for over a decade, Neha worked with a private coaching setup. Three years ago, she took the leap to start her own private tuitions from home—a venture driven by a simple yet powerful idea: to support students who struggle in traditional classroom settings. Her sessions offer more than just academic guidance; they’re built around boosting confidence and nurturing individuality. When she’s not teaching, Neha is immersed in the world of books. A thriller before bedtime is her non-negotiable brain workout, and her book blog is a vibrant expression of that love. She curates book recommendations, creates engaging literary content, and connects with fellow bibliophiles who share her passion for reading. You can find her on Instagram.
Timestamps
(00:10) - Introduction and Background(02:50) - Stories from your Childhood
(02:55) - "I grew up in Jaipur"
(03:10) - "My mom used to save money to buy books for us"
(03:40) - "My father loves reading too"
(04:00) - "It is like a mini book club at home"
(04:50) - What was your experience at school?
(05:45) - What was your school library experience like as a student?
(06:20) - "Our librarian had to tell me to read books a little slow"
(07:15) - What languages you spoke at home?
(07:20) - "In school and home we spoke English"
(08:40) - What was your high school experience?
(08:50) - "My father was a chartered accountant"
(09:30) - "I told my father I wanted to pursue fashion designing"
(10:53) - What was your experience training to be a chartered accountant?
(12:25) - "It took me five years to complete my CA training and exams"
(14:50) - On choosing between the corporate world and teaching?
(14:57) - "Teaching came very naturally to me"
(15:10) - What were your first teaching experiences and memories?
(16:55) - "I worked in a management institute for three years"
(18:30) - "I took a break when I became a mother"
(18:50) - "I started working in a private coaching setup"
(19:00) - What was your experience as a tutor for over 10 years?
(20:00) - When did you start your own tutoring business and academy?
(20:10) - "I got my first student because of my son"
(21:00) - Building trust in the tutoring business
(21:50) - "You want to work with students that are really struggling"
(22:50) - What are some stories of good teaching from your journey?
(28:20) - How do you build strong relationships with your students and parents?
(30:00) - How to slowly encourage and build the reading habit in children?
(32:10) - How to encourage young readers in the digital age?
(32:20) - Do you read in front of your kids?
(33:10) - "In our house we have a one hour daily limitation on technology use"
(33:40) - "Replace mall visits with book purchases"
(35:00) - How do parents access age appropriate books for their children?
(37:40) - "Bookstores do book swaps and book readings for children"
(41:00) - What are the various phases of your life as an adult reader?
(41:20) - "I used to do reading challenges with children"
(42:40) - What was your experience as a book instagrammer?
(45:00) - How does reading bring joy to your life?
(45:10) - "You understand other people's point of view after reading"
(45:30) - "Reading also brings people together"
(49:00) - Book Recommendation 1 (Thrillers)
(49:30) - Book Recommendation 2 (Young Adult Book/ Historical Fiction)
(50:10) - Book Recommendation 3 (Thriller/Illustrated Book)
(50:50) - Book Recommendation 4 (Historical Fiction)
(51:40) - How do you discover and find new books?
(53:10) - What is your advice for new book instagrammers?
(55:50) - Closing Notes
On Episode 77 of #LearningStories we chat with Vikram Shah. Vikram is an independent editor and writer. He has previously worked as an associator editor at narrative journalism magazine FiftyTwo, as a copy editor at Mint Lounge and as a commercial lawyer at the firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. He has also co-researched and co-written a non-fiction podcast called ‘Barefoot Boys’, about the football club Mohan Bagan’s unlikely win in a colonial football tournament. One of his short stories has been published in Mint Lounge and another is forthcoming in an anthology published by the administrators of the Deodar Prize for short fiction. You can find him on Substack and Linkedin.
Timestamps
(00:10) - Introduction and Background
(02:45) - Stories from your Childhood
(04:10) - "I grew up in Mumbai"
(04:20) - "Both my parents are doctors"
(06:00) - "I loved the Social Sciences"
(06:15)- "I loved learning about different places"
(06:45) - On Anthony Bourdain's Television Shows
(08:30) - On travelling with my parents in the summers
(09:30) - On my love for sports and football
(10:15) - On quizzing
(14:00) - What is your relationship to books?
(14:20) - "I was always a very interested reader as a kid"
(14:35) - "I used to get really excited about school book fairs"
(15:00) - On 'The Count of Monte Cristo' by Alexander Dumas
(18:00) - On 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie
(21:00) - On 'Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew' by Shehan Karunatilaka
(24:00) - On 'Sly Company of People who Care' by Rahul Bhattacharya
(25:18) - "I used to read a lot in college"
(25:30) - On meeting authors in bookstores in London
(26:50) - On reading books about places you visit
(27:50) - "Over the last couple of years I haven't read as much"
(31:43) - On being a law student
(32:08) - "I did a five year law course at the National Law School in Bengaluru"
(32:45) - What was defining about studying law in Bengaluru?
(33:00) - "In the first few years you study a lot of Social Science subjects"
(35:30) - On constitutional law
(36:50) - On the socratic mode of learning in law classrooms
(37:10) - On how parents can influence your career decision
(40:30) - On your linguistic and cultural identity
(42:40) - "Kutchi is my father's language and Tamil is my mother's language"
(43:20) - "We spoke Hindi or English at home"
(44:20) - "My mother's father grew up in Kerala"
(44:30) - "I grew up with a cosmopolitan view of cities and cultures"
(46:30) - "I am curious about this country and the way it works"
(48:00) - Why did you transition from law to journalism and writing?
(49:25) - "There was always a sense that I wanted to work with words"
(49:40) - "I rarely read or write for leisure"
(50:00) - What was your first writing assignment?
(52:20) - On jobs to pay bills versus work that fuels your creativity
(54:00) - On your early writing jobs
(1:00:00) - On writing about Virat Kohli's cricket career
(1:14:00) - On writing a spy story titled, 'Kukri'
(1:26:00) - Film Recommendations
(1:29:30) - Television Show Recommendation
(1:32:30) - Podcast Recommendation
(1:34:50) - Musician Recommendation
(1:36:00) - Closing Thoughts
Guest Image Credit
M.S. Gopal from Mumbai Paused
On Episode 76 of #LearningStories we chat with Eshna Benegal. For Eshna, dance is her first love and everything else comes secondary. She has been training in two forms of Indian classical dance, Odissi and Kathak, for the last 17 years. She works as a freelance writer and video editor by day, and a dance teacher and practitioner by night. Her formal training is in filmmaking and her Substack, the Deep Cut, is a place where she combines her two loves of film and dance. The platform is a space where she analyses, critically appreciates and fangirls over dance on screen. This year, her obsession with dance becomes official as she prepares to do her masters in the field of dance research. She hopes that through her research and her physical practice she can explore how dance can create meaning off the stage and how the form can be a space where all man-made boundaries can come to rest. You can find her on Substack, Youtube and Instagram.
Timestamps:
(00:10) - Introduction and Background
(02:30) - What are your earliest memories of dance?
(02:53) - "Dance is one of my favourite things in the world"
(03:00) - How did Bollywood influence your love and passion for dance?
(03:40) - "There is this joy of moving to music"
(04:30) - What dance forms did you first learn?
(04:45) - "I started training for dance at the age of 10"
(04:50) - "My mother first put me in a music class"
(05:35) - "In school I was constantly being picked for the dance groups"
(06:00) - "I realized dance makes my brain sing"
(06:05) - What are the common Indian dance forms?
(06:30) - How did you find your first dance teacher?
(07:00) - "I started with Odissi and then also started Kathak six years laters"
(08:00) - What are the eight Indian classical dance forms? (Manipuri is the eighth one)
(08:40) - "Each dance form is different based on the region they come from"
(08:50) - "Many dance forms originated in temples"
(09:00) - How is Kathak different from the other dance forms?
(09:20) - What is the importance of the Natyashastra to Indian dance traditions?
(09:50) - "All these dance forms are made to tell stories"
(10:00) - What is the difference between narrative and non narrative dance?
(10:30) - "In Bharatnatyam you will hear Carnatic Music"
(10:35) - "In Kathak you will hear Hindustani Music"
(10:40) - How is Indian dance different from Western dance?
(11:55) - What is Odissi and what is its historical relevance to Orissa?
(13:40) - "Dance was like the theatre of that age"
(14:15) - What was the experience of watching dance performance in ancient royal courts?
(14:50) - "Dance was a way for people to commune to enjoy art"
(14:58) - "In the classical world there is a problem with the word entertainment"
(16:00) - Was dance used to comment about social and political realities of the time?
(16:40) - "Dance research was not very well documented"
(18:30) - What was the importance of religion, royalty and language in dance?
(21:30) - What were you curious about at school apart from dance?
(21:50) - "I went to an alternative education school in Bengaluru"
(22:30) - "My school would push us to question things"
(24:30) - What is the relationship between authority, teaching and art?
(25:50) - "I was very curious and enjoyed learning"
(26:40) - "I studied psychology, biology, history and art in high school?"
(27:00) - What can dance teach you about the world?
(29:00) - Why did you study film making for four years at university?
(32:00) - How was film and dance connected for you as an artist?
(32:40) - "I wanted to write or edit films in the long term"
(33:00) - What films did you watch at film school?
(35:00) - What films would you recommend to other film lovers?
(40:00) - What is unique about story telling in India?
(43:00) - How stories change in different contexts and mediums?
(45:00) - Tell us about your creative projects (youtube channel, podcast, newsletter)?
(50:12) - Why do you write about dance in cinema in your newsletter?
(55:00) - Closing Thoughts
On Episode 75 of #LearningStories we chat with Saqib Ahmad. He is from Lucknow, and is a working professional who considers himself to be a big time ‘Generalist’, balancing multiple passions—from dancing and cooking to fitness, sports, and gaming—throughout his life. He works as a manager at an insurance company in his day job. However, his love for books eventually took center stage, especially after launching his Instagram book review account, saqib_bookstafied. As his community grew, he gained recognition as a thoughtful critic, and their encouragement inspired him to write a story of his own. Saqib credits the completion of this book to them, marking the beginning of his journey as an author. His book is titled, 'Heartbreak - The Weight of One Goodbye'. You can find Saqib's reviews on Instagram at @saqib_bookstafied and purchase his book on Amazon.
On Episode 74 of #LearningStories we chat with Minaz Ansari. She is an architect, urban researcher, academic and writer. She is a keen traveller, art and history nerd, book and nature lover, and an incurable optimist. She is currently a professor at the Rizvi College of Architecture in Mumbai, India. She received her Bachelor in Architecture from Pune University and a Masters in Architecture (Urban Design) from the University of Mumbai. She is the author of 'Nesting in Nature', a monograph of an architect, 'Paani Party' a picture storybook and soon to be released 'The Heritage Handbook: A Walk Through Mumbai Suburbs'. She writes personal essays on her Substack newsletter titled, Spread Love, Only Love. You can find her on Instagram @minazansari , Substack- www.minazansari.substack.com, Facebook and LinkedIn.
On Episode 73 of #LearningStories we chat with Neha Garg. Neha is a communications strategist, podcast host, and founder of several heartfelt initiatives that blend purpose with creativity and care. With a strong background in advocacy, sustainability, and storytelling, she brings a deeply personal and grounded approach to everything she does—whether it's leading meaningful conversations on her podcast Parenthoot with Neha, building brand and communication units for impact sector organizations through her consulting services, or coaching professionals to align their work and identity through her leadership programs. Neha’s work is shaped by her belief in slow living, fairness, and emotional honesty. A mother to a spirited toddler and four beloved rescue dogs, she lives in Faridabad and finds her rhythm in composting, growing her own food, writing, and dreaming up kinder systems. At her core, Neha is always seeking joy in the everyday and meaning in the mess, while helping others do the same. You can find her on Youtube, Linkedin and Instagram.
On Episode 72 of #LearningStories we chat with Karthik. He has been writing poems, essays and stories since he was a in primary school growing up in Bengaluru. As a teenager, the allure of living the ‘good life’ got him to pursue Engineering and then Management. He worked at Warner Bros. India in Marketing and Distribution of films for nearly ten years before quitting the job and leaving Mumbai city. He returned to Bengaluru and enrolled into Azim Premji University for an MA in Education. For two years, he engaged with questions on equity, children’s wellbeing and the role of literature in classrooms. On graduating, he joined Gubbachi Learning Community – a Bangalore-based NGO that is working towards providing quality education to out-of-school children. Since 2023, Karthik has been writing the ‘Reading This World’ newsletter on Substack where he writes personal essays, social commentaries, short fiction, poems and also, personal essays as a response to films – the kind of writing he is now known for. You can find him on Substack.
On Episode 71 of #LearningStories we chat with Suverchala Kashyap. She is a seasoned educator, journalist and storyteller. Her training and educational qualifications include a M.Sc. Honours, B.Ed., M.Ed. and a Diploma in Journalism among other certifications. She began her career as a teacher at a residential boarding school and as a journalist for the Indian Express. She then spent 12 years as the founder principal of a school in Vadodara where she also taught Science and English. In 2013 she founded Intelliscape Edventures through which she conducted training programs in several countries. In 2019 she wore the entrepreneurial hat again and founder Parivartan: SK's Transformational Hub which is an educational consultancy focusing on changing the lives of students, parents and teachers. In addition to this she has written and published 4 books as an author and has won national recognition for her work in education. Today she is here to share her story and a talk about a few things she has learned and observed along the way. You can find her on Linkedin and Instagram.
On Episode 70 of #LeaningStories, we chat with Mansi Shah. She is the founder of Happy Feet Home Foundation. Founded in August 2014, this is a paediatric palliative care centre that offers free-of-cost emotional, psycho-social, educational/ vocational and nutritional support. To make this possible, they work closely with Lokmanya Tilak General Hospital, popularly known as Sion Hospital, to provide day-care services that enable the mental, nutritional, medical, educational, vocational and spiritual well-being of children under palliative care. Their services include a day care centre, a hospital outreach program, a community outreach program and a home care program. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
On Episode 69 of #LearningStories we chat with Mukta Naik on making cities lovable and livable. Mukta is a Gurgaon based researcher who investigates urban informality, housing and migration. She makes meaning of her multi faceted life through her writing practice which she holds dear to her heart. She trained as an architect and urban planner. Her work experience spans research, policy, advisory, advocacy and participatory design. She has worked with diverse stakeholders and taught in university programs. You can find her on websites like LinkedIn and Academia. She publishes her writing at, 'Rambling in the City' on Substack.
On Episode 68 of #LearningStories we chat with Professor M.S. Rao. He is a leadership coach, researcher and writer who is considered the Father of Soft Leadership. He is the founder of MSR Leadership Consultants. He has 42 years of experience in this space. During this time he published 54 books, 1000 articles and 300+ research papers. Previously he served in the Indian Air Force in the lowest rank of corporeal for 12 years. Post this he pursued a career as an educator, researcher and writer. He loved learning and studied hard to acquire qualifications like a B.Sc., M.A., M.B.A. He completed his Ph.D from 2007 to 2011. He brings a strategic eye and long-range vision given his multifaceted professional experience. He is passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of others. He started a non profit called, 'Vision 2030' to train a new generation of leaders through leadership education and publications. He has reached 50,000 students up to now. You can find him on Linkedin and Youtube. You can find posts and updates about his work on the blog - https://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/.
On Episode 67 of #LearningStories we chat with Ash Tooray. Ash is a life coach and youth justice practitioner. She has 20 years of experience working in Youth Justice utilizing trauma based approaches to assist the healing and betterment of young people. She got a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology from Middlesex University after completing her A Levels in Psychology, Sociology and Communication Studies. She specializes in coaching adults, families and individuals with visible and non visible disabilities. She started 2RaysHope, a non-profit organisation to support those in need in India and the U.K. Through 2RaysHope she has worked with organizations like Kranti, and Happy Feet Home. You can find her on Linkedin and Instagram.
On Episode 66 of #LearningStories we chat with Sarthak Dev on writing, sports and music. Sarthak is a writer and music composer. In a previous life he was a software engineer, though not a very good one. He writes a substack called, 'Lines on the Grass' about sports, music, books and more. He also sporadically puts out some of his music on either Youtube or Instagram depending on how his coffee tasted that morning.
On Episode 65 of #LearningStories we chat with Abhishek Singh on writing. Abhishek is a product manager and writer. He was born and raised in Ghaziabad. He followed the sacred Indian life path of school, then engineering and then MBA. Thankfully somewhere along the way he also stumbled upon writing. He has been writing for over 10 years, sometimes regularly, sometimes like a surprise cameo in a sitcom. But since joining Substack in August 2024 he has been more consistent by sharing humorous pieces that make people chuckle, nod and occasionally short laugh. His newsletter 'anotherblog' captures light hearted, non productive and gluten free thoughts on just about everything life throws at him. You can find Abhishek on Instagram, Linkedin and Substack.
On Episode 64 of #LearningStories we chat with Rohit Kumar about his journey as an educator in India. Rohit is the CEO at Apni Shala Foundation. Transitioning from being a software engineer with Tata Consultancy Services, Rohit holds a double master's in education and software systems. However he believes his most important learning came from working with students and teachers at the Akanksha Foundation, American School of Bombay and the Apni Shala Foundation. He is an educator with 18+ years of experience in various learning environments. Currently he leads Strategy, Social Emotional Learning design and Organizational Development and Advancement at Apni Shala. Rohit also consults with the SEED project (USA), co-facilitating diversity workshops for educators, leaders and organisations in India and USA. In the recent past, Rohit has published on themes such as organisational wellbeing, fundraising, SEL and Mental Health on forums such as India Development Review (IDR), ILSS-web and Teacher Plus. You can find Rohit on Linkedin and Instagram.
On Episode 63 of #LearningStories we chat with Shilpi J. Chawla about her journey as an author and writer in India. Shilpi's body of work comprises of non fiction books in the self help and parenting genres. She has also released sets of well being oriented deck of cards inspired by her travels. He strength lies in listening to people's journeys, picking up cues and helping them make better sense of it. She has been exploring healing modalities like Reiki, Hypnosis, EFT, Vipassana, Art of Living, Angel Therapy and Buddhism. She is inspired by the teachings of Joe Dispenza and Louise H. Hay. Through 'Well Being Whispers', she wants to help people discover their truths through published products, workshops and a supportive community. You can find her on Instagram and Amazon.
On Episode 62 of #LearningStories we chat with Amin Sheikh about his journey from the streets of Mumbai to becoming a social entrepreneur and writer. He is the founder of the Bombay to Barcelona Library Cafe in Mumbai, India. He was born in Bombay in 1980. He was only five years old when he ran away from home as he could not take the beating of his stepfather and the eight to ten hours work shifts in a streetside tea shop. He learnt to survive on the streets of Bombay by begging, polishing shoes, singing and eating out of the garbage. He survived many threats, abuses and bad treatments and lived this way for three years. He was then rescued by the team from the Snehasadan Orphanage that gave him a home and place to grow. He wrote a book about his journey and then used the proceeds from the sales of the book and his talks to open a library- café in Mumbai where all the boys and girls employed are youngsters at the risk of social exclusion, coming from slums or orphanages. He wants to help the Street children and youngsters from the Streets of Mumbai to avoid social exclusión and to help them achieve a worthy and happy life. You can learn about his story at https://www.iambecauseofyou.com.
On Episode 61 of #LearningStories we chat with Akshay Menon. He is a music composer, producer and pianist. He believes that music has the power to transport us to another time and place. Akshay loves to harness that power with a broad audience of fellow music lovers and passionate musicians alike and has found great joy and satisfaction in making music and sharing it with fans and people all over the world, with over 200 advertisements and innumerable music productions. Apart from being in the studio, producing music, he is also a trained pianist and has performed in more than 15 countries. You can find him on Instagram and Youtube and can listen to his music at https://www.akshaymenonmusic.com/.
On Episode 60 of #LearningStories we chat with Aditi Taswala. Aditi is the writer behind, #FilteredKapi a newsletter that explores the intersection of history and money. Her writing covers a range of topics such as who profited from building the Suez Canal, uncovering the financial reasons behind the French Revolution and sharing inspiring stories of Indian women throughout history. Aditi began her career as a Chartered Accountant and has experience in tax filing, accounting, finance and startup consulting across Mumbai and Hong Kong. This diverse experience provides her with a unique perspective on business and economics. By connecting the past with the present, she offers insights into how historical events continue to influence our world today. Her firm belief that stories makes the world go round is what inspires her to write. She also loves to read and play sports especially Badminton. You can find her on Twitter, Linkedin and Substack.
On Episode 59 of #LearningStories we chat with Rohan Banerjee on his Life as a Lawyer and Writer. He is a lawyer by training and writer/idler by choice. He received his law degree from NUJS in 2010 and moved to Mumbai. He has been working in the same firm since 2010. From 2010 to 2021 he was a securities lawyer advising institutions and listed companies on financial regulations. He grew through the ranks and made partner in 2019. In 2021 he resigned and transitioned into a part time learning focused role because he wanted to pursue writing. He writes 'More Letters, Less News' newsletter on Substack that is about travel, humour, running and books with a new issue every fortnight. His work has also been published and featured in Indian Express, Scroll.in, Wire.in and Times of India. You can find Rohan on Substack, Linkedin and Twitter.
On Episode 58 of #LearningStories we chat with Utsav Mamoria on Consumers, Travel and Content Creation. Utsav is a behaviour researcher by training and slow traveller by passion. He has built a successful career in the space of consumer insights/market research. But he dons many hats as he is also an Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Youtuber and long form Writer. He is also learning how to sketch, practice origami and mentor 100+ people towards starting their own content journeys. He has learned all this in the last 15 years while holding a full time job. His principle of learning is too err is divine. Utsav believes that the real joy of life is immersing yourself and going deep into things you enjoy, no matter what your age is or how alien the subject is to you. You can find Utsav on Substack, Linkedin and Instagram.
On Episode 57 of #LearningStories we chat with Piyush Jain on his career as a Graphic Designer and Art Director. Harsh is a visual storyteller who has navigated the journey from graphic designer to art director with creativity and strategy. With a sharp eye for design and branding, he has led diverse projects, pushing creative boundaries. Today, he shares his insights on evolving in the ever-changing world of design. You can find Harsh on Linkedin.
On Episode 56 of #LearningStories we chat with Tanmayee Thakur on Days at the Book Garden Bookshop. Tanmayee is the owner of Book Garden, a bookshop and reading room in Vile Parle, Mumbai. She is a screenwriter by training and worked as a writer before opening this haven for books. Her grandfather instilled the love for reading deep within her. She grew up in Vile Parle and wanted to give back to the community by creating this reading room and curated bookstore. She named the store Book Garden because she wanted her customers to feel like they were coming to a garden to pick books that were like flowers. In this episode, she talks about the early days of the bookshop, managing daily finances, creating content, curating books, speaking to customers and finding space for herself in this world. You can find Tanu and Book Garden on Instagram @book_garden_
On Episode 55 of #LearningStories we chat with Piyush Jain on his journey from Engineering to Data science. He is an engineer by qualification who turned to data science by nature of curiosity. As a data scientist he enjoys playing with new technologies and identifying possible use cases in the real world. He has experience in finding insights in data using statistical, inferential and predictive analytics. He got a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electronics and Telecommunication from University of Mumbai and a Masters of Science in Analytics and Data Science from Georgia Institute of Technology. He currently works as a senior AI specialist for a company based out of Singapore. You can find Piyush on Linkedin.
Show Chapters
(00:10) - Introduction and Background
(02:00) - Childhood Stories, Observations and Adventures
(02:30) - "I grew up in Mumbai and never travelled out much"02:40 - "I would segregate my life into three parts"
(02:50) - When and why did your family move to Mumbai?
(04:00) - What was your experience growing up in a city like Mumbai?
(05:00) - What did you learn from your family's struggles?
(06:50) - When did you first discover the world of computers?
(08:10) - What were your memories from your time at University for 5-6 years?
(09:20) - What was your daily life like during the University Years?
(10:10) - "My day would starts at 6 am and end at 10 pm"
(12:00) - "In my engineering I made a deal with my dad"
(13:30) - "I was not a A grade student but would just pass my engineering exams"
(14:20) - When and why did you start Homeforgeeks.com (side hustle 1)?
(14:50) - We created 'How To Guides' on all things technology on this website?
(15:35) - Why did your college professor reprimand you and call your parents in?
(17:50) - "My friends were the most important part of my journey at University"
(20:00) - "In 12th Grade, I wanted to become a doctor and not a engineer"
(21:00) - How did you learn about computers as a student at school and university?
(24:00) - What projects did you build in your first company?
(25:00) - "We started building websites for college festivals and events"
(26:15) - When and why did you start XORAVE (side hustle 2)?
(28:00) - "I did courses as and when I saw gaps in my skill set at college and work"
(28:10) - "I studied at NIIT, Udacity, Georgia Institute of Technology"
(28:40) - "My learning was focused on what I need"
(29:00) - How do you get a job after engineering college?
(29:50) - "Try to find an internship or job in your second year of college"
(30:00) - "I got a lot of job opportunities because of my first college business"
(31:40) - "I got a letter from Accenture and Infosys after college"
(33:35) - What did you learn from your first job after college in a Big 4 company?
(41:20) - What did you learn from your second job after college in a smaller startup?
(43:30) - Why did you opt for a Data Science nano degree from Udacity?
(43:50) - How did the Data Science nano degree from Udacity help you find jobs?
(46:00) - How did you find your third job from a Hackathon at IIT Bombay?
(47:00) - What is Data Science? How is it different from Engineering?
(51:00) - What was your experience pursuing an online Masters Degree in Data Science
(54:50) - "This was an online course and I did it at home while I had a baby"
(55:00) - What becoming a father taught you about life and work?
(57:00) - Closing Thoughts
On Episode 54 of #LearningStories we chat with Shaunak De on Why Study Engineering? Shaunak De received the B.E. Degree in electronics engineering from the University of Mumbai, in 2012, graduating as a gold medalist. He got his Ph.D. degree at the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering (CSRE), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India. His research interests include polarimetric SAR, machine learning, and information theory. He is currently a senior radar engineer at Capella Space, where he leverages his PhD in machine learning for radar remote sensing. His work aims to provide high-resolution radar imagery from space for various applications, such as urban planning, disaster management, and environmental monitoring. We chat about stories from school, his undergraduate years, his doctoral studies, the world of academia and the role of radar remote sensing in the world today. You can find Shaunak on Linkedin.
Show Chapters
(00:10) - Introduction and Background
(01:55) - Childhood Stories, Observations and Adventures
(02:03) - "I am very stereotypically an engineer"
(02:18) - "I liked science as much as engineering"
(03:35) - "I loved science but did not have the patience for science"
(03:50) - What kind of learning you enjoyed the most?
(04:50) - Why I hated exams and cram schools?
(05:10) - "I got a tutor who was a working scientist"
(05:45) - How did your parents guide you as a student?
(06:00) - "My uncle got his PhD around the same time"
(06:45) - "I would have had a worst outcome if I got better grades"
(07:00) - "I was terrible at Maths at school"
(09:00) - Why did you chose a vocational education path in high school?
(09:45) - What science projects did you work on at school and university?
(11:10) - What did you learn from the inventor of the IGBT transistor?
(11:40) - "Education System should not be a sorting algorithm"
(12:00) - What was your experience teaching students?
(15:00) - Why should you understand the connection between education, history and colonization?
(17:50) - "Scientists are trying to make the world a better place"
(18:50) - What is the art of learning?
(19:00) - Why is it important to be open to ideas from parallel disciplines?
(20:05) - "There is so much overlap in human knowledge"
(20:30) - "In the western system you can switch areas of study at university"
(21:00) - Why I had to learn geography in my engineering doctoral studies?
(23:00) - "My greatest source of learning is Wikipedia, Open Books and Youtube"
(23:05) - How I learned Advanced Remote Sensing on Youtube
(24:20) - What can we learn from the life of Leonardo Da Vinci
(28:10) - How I used hacking to learn new skills and knowledge
(29:00) - "Putting things together in creative ways can reap you lots of rewards"
(30:00) - What was my experience studying at an engineering school?
(30:30) - "I started an electronics business in university"
(32:00) - "Everything I needed to learn was in the textbooks"
(32:20) - What was your experience job hunting after your undergraduate degree?
(33:40) - "I started working on a research project with a professor at IIT Bombay"
(34:00) - How did a mentor shape my career decision to pursue a PhD Program?
(35:20) - "It took me 7-8 years to complete my PhD"
(36:00) - What was your experience job hunting after your doctoral degree?
(37:00) - "My niche academic research got me a niche industry job"
(39:40) - Why doing random things is important early on in your career?
(43:40) - Why is radar remote sensing important for humanity?
(50:00) - Why creating a digital twin of Earth can help with research?
(54:00) - Recommendations and Closing Thoughts
On Episode 53 of #LearningStories we chat with Lovish Raheja on Teaching and Research as a Career in India. Lovish is currently a research scholar at IIT Bombay - Monash Research Academy working in the field of Circular Economy in the Context of Food Supply Chains. He was born and brought up in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. Prior to his doctoral studies he completed a M.Sc in Environmental Studies and Resource Management from TERI School of Advanced Studies and an integrated B.Sc/B.Ed in Chemistry and Mathematics Education from Parishkar College of Global Excellence. He has written 30+ research articles and has presented his research in local and national conferences. He has majorly worked in the areas of sustainable development spanning across various facets of environment and education and their nexus. You can find Lovish on Linkedin.
On Episode 52 of #LearningStories we chat with Samira Gupta about Life as a Creative Professional in India. Samira started her design career in 2008 after graduating from the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology (Bengaluru). After teaching design and consulting independently, she then co founded Studio Eksaat with Dhritiman Deb Pillai. Studio Eksaat is now a collaborative graphics and environments studio based out of New Delhi. Their work encompasses all aspects of design and communication. Over 14 years, she has looked at design with a multi pronged approach immersing herself in writing for brands, writing for theatre, writing books and collaborating with designers. She has published two books and is currently working on Naqab, a year long writing project that looks at the various masks she has worn as an Indian woman. You can find Samira on Substack, Linkedin and Instagram.
On Episode 51 of #LearningStories we chat with Devendra Kumar about the Life of an Information Technology Professional in India. Devendra is a Senior IT Consultant, certified Yoga Instructor, and advocate for sustainable weight loss and holistic well-being. From 2007 to 2013, he completed a Bachelor in Technology in Electronics and a Masters in Technology in Mechatronics. Since 2013, he has worked as an Information Technology Professional in the Logistics Consulting space for companies like IBM, Tieto, Flo Group, ITC Infotech and Accenture. He has also worked on startup ideas and projects in the fields of Robotics (TechRobo) and Ayurveda (Dirghayu). He has a passion for teaching and sharing his experiences with the world through ebooks, social media and courses. After transforming his own health and overcoming challenges with weight loss he released a digital weight loss guide where he draws on personal experiences to empower readers on their journey to better health. You can follow his journey on Linkedin.
On Episode 50 of #LearningStories, we chat with Anamika Suresh about building a career in the social development sector in India. Anamika is an aspiring social entrepreneur, program designer, educator, traveller, feminist, trekker and experimenter. From 2012 to 2016, she completed an integrated MBA (BBM and MBA) from the Dayalbagh Educational Institute in Agra. With a strong leadership, curriculum development and capacity building background she has led impactful initiatives for students, teachers and social workers across multiple states in India. From 2018 to 2020, she was a Teach for India Fellow based in Chennai. Her journey in the social sector started during this fellowship. From 2020 to 2021, she was part of the core team at Ed Zola Techologies, that creates technology solutions for non-profits. From 2022 to 2024 she was the Administrative Director at Akshar Foundation, an organisation founded on the belief that quality education is the undeniable right of every child. She is currently exploring building sustainable and resilient communities. You can follow Anamika and her journey on Linkedin.
On Episode 49 of #LearningStories, we chat with Yajur Lath about how he created a board game to teach entrepreneurship in India. Yajur is an entrepreneur, lawyer and board game designer. He is the founder of EntrePi, a startup making games to teach entrepreneurship in a fun and engaging way. He is focused on impact in three fields of education, entrepreneurship and gamification. He created Start Up High, a light strategy board game based on the startup life. He is a lawyer by profession with a BBA LLB from the National Law University in Jodhpur. He stays in Gurugram and loves playing sports in his free time. You can follow Yajur and his journey on Linkedin.
इस एपिसोड में, हम भारत में एक लेखक के जीवन पर मयूर राकेश मंजरे के साथ बातचीत करते हैं। मयूर मुंबई, भारत में स्थित एक लेखक और फिल्म निर्माता हैं। वे मुख्यतः हिन्दी में लिखते हैं। वह कविताएँ, पटकथाएँ, उपन्यास, उपन्यास और लघु कहानियाँ लिखते हैं। 2022 से 2024 के बीच उन्होंने ऊपरवाले की लाठी (उपन्यास), मेरी जमापूंजी (कविता संग्रह) और मेरे हिंदी विचारों का संग्रह (विचार संग्रह) प्रकाशित किए हैं। वह अपने यूट्यूब चैनल, स्पार्कलिंग पी फाउल फिल्म्स पर वीडियो और लघु फिल्में भी बनाते हैं। उन्होंने खोद (मराठी), हूज़ डॉग (मराठी) और कमेंसमेंट (हिंदी) जैसी लघु फिल्मों का संपादन किया है। 2019 से 2024 के बीच, उन्होंने पर्व (हिंदी), तुझत मी (मराठी) और आई अनसूया (मराठी) जैसी फिल्मों में सहायक निर्देशक के रूप में काम किया। 2015 से 2020 के बीच उन्होंने निर्देशन, कास्टिंग, वेशभूषा, ध्वनि संचालन और वीडियो संपादन जैसे क्षेत्रों में भी कार्य अनुभव हासिल किया। उन्हें सभी माध्यमों में कहानियां कहने का शौक है। आप उन्हें इंस्टाग्राम @a_lover_of_stories_mayur पर पा सकते हैं|
Zain Memon is a visionary game designer who has created 'SHASN' and 'AZADI' - the award-winning political strategy board games that have become India’s most successful tabletop IP. Zain’s games and authorship have introduced India to modern board games and created a new culture in the country. SHASN is now played in over 70 countries across the globe. SHASN and AZADI have also won some of the highest honors in the industry, including the ‘Games For Change’ award and the ‘IndieCade Award for Social Impact’. You can find him on Instagram at @z_ai_n.bot
On Episode 46 of #LearningStories, we chat with Anisha Lalvani about publishing her first novel in India. Anisha is a communications specialist and writer. She has lived in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and London. She has a Master's of Arts degree in English Literature from Mumbai University. She has worked in publishing, on various literary projects including literary television programme, 'Kitabnaama: Books and Beyond' and the Jaipur Literature Festival. She currently works in communications at a leading think tank that engages with the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. 'Girls Who Stray' is her first novel. The book is published by Bloomsbury India and will be released on November 18th 2024. It is a gripping tale of a woman’s return to India, where she lands herself into unexpected trouble. It is a coming of age thriller about a character caught between family chaos, an illicit affair, and a double murder, Through the book we dive into dark choices, fractured love, and a hypermodern city that mirrors the main character's turmoil. You can follow Anisha about her journey as an author on Instagram @anisha.lalvani.54.
Shruthi is a PhD scholar, environmental educator and conservationist. Early in her career, she worked on a Sacred Grove conservation project in the Thane tribal block of Maharashtra. That experience inspired her to become an environment educator and conservationist. She completed her BSC in Botany and MSc in Environmental Science from the Shivaji University in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. She then completed her PhD from Savitribhai Phule University in Pune, Maharashtra. Her PhD thesis was a study on butterflies and birds as bio indicator species in the Manoli reserve forest and Amba regions of Maharashtra. She worked as a project officer for Center for Environmental Education for 2 years. She also worked as an Associate and Senior at KPMG for 3 years. She then spent a year working as an Associate Consultant for Directorate of School Education Nagaland. She has worked with 70 schools and 700 students through her conservation and awareness work. You can find her on Linkedin.
On Episode 44 of #LearningStories, we chat with Manoj A. Panicker about becoming a film maker in India. He is an emerging film maker and architect with a passion for story telling. A graduate of College of Architecture, Trivandrum (2016 - 2021). Manoj then worked as an architect in Oman for two years cultivating his creative expertise. He continued watching films and learning about film making in his free time. In 2024, Manoj made his directorial debut with his short film, 'Sombre Skies' or 'Mekha Vritham'. This debut short film, made in collaboration with the Dying Art Collective marked the beginning of his film making journey. With a strong foundation in design and a keen eye for detail, Manoj aims to bring a unique perspective to the film industry. He reviews films on Letterboxd.
On Episode 43 of #LearningStories, we chat with Sthitharagyan Mohanty about becoming a full stack marketer in India. He is a full stack marketer, entrepreneur and poet. He was born in Baripada, Orissa. He studied Engineering Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and later earned a degree in Advertising and Corporate Communication from Birla School of Communication. He started his career as an entrepreneur with Indexify. He then transitioned to a career in marketing by working for companies like L&T, BOI, Innoplexus and Carbon Minus. He is currently working at High Radius, a Global AI Fintech company as a full stack marketer. He is also known for his poetry and published two books of poems. He writes about Indian brands and Indian entrepreneurs on Linkedin.
On Episode 42 of #LearningStories, we chat with Priyanka Achhpeliya about being a fashion entrepreneur in India. Priyanka is a fashion entrepreneur on a mission to rebrand Made in India by bridging the gap between Indian Heritage textiles and the youth through Aasman. She is a strong design professional with a 4 year Bachelor of Design degree in Fashion Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology Hyderabad and a 2 year Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design from Raffles Millennium International. She is currently pursuing a 2 year Post Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from IIM Vishakapatnam. Her experience at NIFT, coupled with her exposure to various craft clusters, instilled in her a strong desire to preserve and uplift traditional Indian crafts. She founded Aasman in 2021 as a casual wear brand with an aim to bridge the gap between heritage Indian textiles and the youth. The team at Aasman sources these textiles directly from the artisans and converts them into apparel that is relevant. You can find her on Linkedin and Instagram.
On Episode 41 of #LearningStories, we chat with Jaikishaan Sharma about how an accident changed his life. He is an entrepreneur, digital marketer and mindset coach. He moved to Australia in 2007 and completed a Business Degree from the University of Ballarat. He then acquired 8 years of experience in sales and marketing and became the CEO of a successful Direct Sales Agency in Australia. But in 2015, Jaikishaan hit rock-bottom when he got into an accident and was bound to the wheelchair. With the support of his family he recovered from the accident and then founded Sharmatricks, Dream Chair Club and J’YUG Australia. He is here to share his story and you can find him on Linkedin, Youtube and Instagram.
On Episode 40 of #LearningStories, we chat with Salil Bajaj about bootstrapping a small business in India. Salil has over three years of experience in the entrepreneurial world. He previously built a hiring company that achieved a revenue of approximately INR 2 crore within 1/1.5 years, securing deals with notable brands such as Swiggy, Jupiter, Lenskart, and Giant Eagle. Currently, he is focused on becoming a creator, runs Badaam Lessons as growth newsletter and building a newsletter company on a side. You can find him on Linkedin, Twitter and Substack.
On Episode 39 of #LearningStories we chat with Hillori Desai Awasthi. Hillori is from Surat, Gujarat, and studied at Bhulka Bhawan School, a well-known Gujarati medium school. From the 9th grade, she dreamed of joining IIT and started preparing for it in Surat and Kota. She cleared her JEE Advanced and then completed her B.Tech in Biotechnology from IIT Roorkee. Her career began at Microland, an IT MNC in Bangalore, where she worked as a software developer for three years, later taking up roles as a DevOps engineer and project manager. Now, she’s been a senior software engineer for over a year at Floworks, a startup focused on generative AI. With hands-on experience in designing, developing, and deploying SaaS products, Hillori is deeply passionate about how technology can drive transformational change and is motivated to make an impact in the world. When she’s not working, she enjoys reading and traveling, which help fuel her curiosity and creativity. You can find her on Linkedin.
On Episode 38 of #LearningStories we chat with Agraj Rathi. He is an Adventurer, Conservationist, and Science Writer. He traded the corporate grind for a life of adventure, swapping spreadsheets for survival skills and boardrooms for breathtaking landscapes. He grew up in Bengaluru and is now based in Vancouver. He completed a 4 year Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Western University and then spent 5 years working in the Corporate Sector. However he always had a passion for Nature and decided to transition to a career in Conservation. He is currently pursuing a two-year technical program from British Columbia Institute of Technology that prepares graduates for fieldwork in conservation and resource management, focusing on outdoor skills and knowledge. Currently based on Canada’s west coast, Agraj is getting lost in conservation biology, blending his love for nature with his passion for storytelling. Through his blog, "The Pathfinder’s Diary," he shares stories of self-discovery, environmental insights, and the scientific wonders of our planet, inspiring others to embrace their wild side and reconnect with the natural world. You can follow him on Medium and Linkedin.
On Episode 37 of #LearningStories we chat with Siddharth BothraSiddharth is a Chartered Accountant and Finance Professional with 6 years of experience in the industry. Apart from his day job, he is incredibly passionate about the stock markets. He writes a blog where he engages in fundamental analysis of listed companies called 'Investing in India'. He wants to help people build their financial acumen by learning how to invest in the markets. He is curious about how to achieve financial freedom in India and hosts two podcasts on Spotify to find answers to his questions that are called 'Vyapar' (Business) and 'Bazaar' (Markets). And he has a fire in his belly to keep learning new things. You can follow him on twitter @siddybeee.
On Episode 36 of #LearningStories we chat with Arun Mulloth. He is a Sports Management Professional and Engineer from India. Arun is currently Head of Business Development for Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation-a non profit that runs Gun For Glory-India’s premier Shooting Academy. His job is to engage in partnerships and collaborate with central and state government bodies as well as private institutions to promote the academy and athletes that train under it. The foundation has produced over 150 International athletes in the Olympic sport of Shooting-winning 332 medals. Prior to this role he was Chief Operating Officer at VeloCT, a multi sport academy where he managed multiple verticals including Football, Cricket, MMA and Shooting. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Management from SMRI, Kochi and a Bachelor in Computer Science Engineering from College of Engineering, Chegannur. He is passionate about developing the sports ecosystem in India and is a former football player and competitive shooter himself.
On Episode 35 of #LearningStories we chat with Dwayne Dias. He is a Marketing Research Professional and aspiring Social Entrepreneur based in India. Dwayne was born and brought up in Oman but is now based in India. He moved to Mumbai to complete a Bachelor in Accountancy and Finance. His professional career converted him into a market research professional. He has worked with top brands like Nielson and L'Oreal Paris. Dwayne is also a Type 1 diabetic. He actively tries to advocate for chronic conditions and is passionate about busting myths and spreading awareness on Type 1 Diabetes. He has also been active in the social entrepreneurship segment ever since he moved to India and does pro bono consulting for social enterprises in his free time. You can follow him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwaynedias/.
On Episode 34 of #LearningStories we chat with Goutham Jayaprakash. He is an Entrepreneur who co-founded Just Shawarma and Just X. Goutham grew up in Bahrain. He then moved to Bengaluru to complete his Bachelor in Commerce degree from Christ University. He also pursued a Chartered Accountancy qualification simultaneously. However he was always interested in Business because of his grandfather's stories that he had heard over the years. In 2014, he co-founded a quick service restaurant brand called Just Shawarma with his friends from college. Now the company is called Just X, where they are focusing on building multiple brands in the QSR industry. He loves playing badminton and cricket in his free time. You can follow him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/goutham-jayaprakash/
On Episode 33 of #LearningStories we chat with Aniket Varankar. He is a CUA certified UX designer with a natural inclination towards designing user friendly solutions to meet business goals keeping in mind the technical feasibilities. Between 2007 to 2013, he completed a Bachelors in Information Technology and a Masters of Computer Applications from India. He started his career as a .net developer with a Healthcare IT solutions firm in Mumbai but moved to the niche field of UX back in 2014. He recently completed 10 years in the field of UX design. His work on a day to day basis involves understanding customer and client requirements, refining the same, conducting user research, identifying market segments which lead to defining personae of relevant end users to plan an efficient design strategy. You can follow him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniketvarankar/.
On Episode 32 of #LearningStories we chat with Thomas Koshy. He is an Entrepreneur who founded #Flekt and #EntraMechatronics. He is also a mechatronics graduate from SRM University. He was smitten by the entrepreneurial bug right out of college and experimented and dabbled with multiple businesses, but always found an opportunity in the #salon and #grooming industry. Learning everyday, he is inspired by a quote that drives him from a movie called Circle starring Emma Watson. When her charctaer was asked what is your biggest fear in life, the answer was 'unfulfilled potential'. Thomas is aiming to be better everyday and reach what he feels is his potential. With #Flekt, he wants to transform an untapped 1000 year old industry with #innovation and #salontechnology. You can follow him on Instagram at @thomas_koshy94 and @flekt.india.
On Episode 31 of #LearningStories we chat with Dr. Aakash Lengde. He is an orthopedic surgeon. He is as much of an artist at heart as he is a doctor. Although he grew up in the U.A.E, he is now practicing in India, combining his love for the human body with his passion for movement and healing. He completed his MBBS from KLE University and his Master of Orthopaedic Surgery from Nitte University. When he is not in the OR or consulting with patients, you'll find him beatboxing, creating digital art, or capturing life through his lens. Fitness isn't just a hobby for him it's a way of life, and he is deeply invested in the science of sports medicine and recovery. He is excited to share a bit of his journey as a Doctor in India, his thoughts on the intersection of art and science, and everything in between. You can find him online at https://www.instagram.com/doc.legend/.
On Episode 30 of #LearningStories we chat with Nikhil Kurhe. He is a computer engineer and entrepreneur based out of Pune, India. Since 2019 though, Nikhil has been building an Open Data company called Finarkein and they've been instrumental in building, scaling and driving adoption for the next wave of India's Public Digital Infrastructure around Open Finance, Health & Identity. As the co-founder and CEO of Finarkein, Nikhil now wears multiple hats and each new day brings a new learning experience. Nikhil is also a proud cat dad, plays hours of badminton weekly, a voracious reader and extremely curious around all things human behavior, decision making, game theory and generally around what makes us and the world tick. You can find him online at https://twitter.com/formatterr.
On Episode 29 of #LearningStories we chat with Manish Khushalani. Manish is a Cinematographer, Film Director and Musician. He completed his Bachelor of Mass Media from Kishanchand Chellaram College at Mumbai University. He then completed a Conservatory in Cinematography at New York Film Academy. He was recognised as the Best Indie Film Maker for ETUDE - Los Angeles Film Festival 2020. As a cinematographer, his debut feature, ‘Middle Class Love’, directed by Ratna Sinha and produced by Anubhav Sinha’s Benaras Media Works and Zee Studios released on 16th September 2022. You can find him online at his website at https://www.manishkhushalani.com/.
On Episode 28 of #LearningStories we chat with Shagufi Habib. She is a Year 2 B.Ed. Teacher Candidate at Western University in London, ON. She graduated from York University (Toronto, ON) with an Honors B.A. in English Literature. Her interests include reading, cooking, watching films, and spending time with her family. As an aspiring educator, Shagufi aims to empower students to find their strengths and create positive change within themselves and subsequently, the world around them. She considers herself a lifelong learner and looks forward to what the future holds. You can find her online on Twitter at @MsHabib_S.
On Episode 27 of #LearningStories we chat with Priscilla Matthews. She is a third year medical student at McMaster University. Before medical school, she completed her Bachelor of Medical Sciences and Master of Management of Applied Sciences at Western University. In her spare time, Priscilla enjoys running her own small art business, CillaCreates, spending time with her dog, and exploring new places. You can find her creative work online at https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CillaCreates.
On Episode 26 of #LearningStories we chat with Surel Ingale. He is a musician and music producer based out of Mumbai. Taking forward the music legacy of his family into the 6th generation, Surel is a versatile musician who has especially shown his expertise in the field of film scoring and background music composition. Having completed his formal education in music from the prestigious Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Los Angeles, he has worked on a variety of projects originating from both India and United States. Surel is a classically trained Piano player who has been very active as a music educator for a long time. Surel’s music leans a lot towards orchestral arrangements and composers like John Williams, Alexander Desplat and Hans Zimmer have been a major influence on his musical style. Surel loves spending time nerding out on the latest music production softwares and instruments and is always up for a chat with anything related to music or food! You can find his work at https://www.surelingale.com.
On Episode 25 of #LearningStories we chat with Divieta Sahajwala. She is a dancer currently living in New York City. She graduated from the Certificate Program at Peridance Center in the Ballet/Contemporary track, in June 2021. With a background in Odissi (Indian classical dance form), Jazz, Contemporary movement and street/commercial forms, she has now started to venture out into Ballroom dancing as well. A performer and an instructor, she hopes to take on various venues of dancing in one of the capitals of dance in the world! You can follow her journey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/divieta207/.
On Episode 24 of #LearningStories we chat with Karishma Galani. She has spent the last decade in the educational technology space. With a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, research at MIT’s Media Lab, and time spent teaching coding and entrepreneurship at an international school, her passion for education grows each day. Having founded two startups using artificial intelligence to enhance a child’s learning, Karishma has travelled the world for her work: from Boston, San Francisco, Singapore and Bombay. As of June 2022, she lives and works in London, UK, as COO of an edtech startup called Educai.io. Here she works to leverage AI to personalise the maths tutoring experience for children. You can follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karishmagalani/.
On Episode 23 of #LearningStories we chat with Grachel Monis. She is a teacher, mother, wife, voracious reader, avid anime watcher, closet writer/ amateur poet, artist (exclusively for loved ones) and ‘enthusiastic eater' code: for PCOS struggler. She is a full time wife & boy mum and is currently an IB Business Management and IGCSE Global Perspectives teacher by day. She has corporate experience in department coordination, Business Development, Marketing, Copywriting, PR, social media account management. She completed a Bachelors in Commerce (major accounting and management) at university. Having studied in 3 curriculums - IGCSE, Maharashtra state, CBSE across 3 countries over 2+ decades - it's safe to say that w/ and w/o volition it's been a fun ride wherein she was 100% Grachel across all trades and walks of life thus far.
On Episode 22 of #LearningStories we chat with Dhananjay Yellurkar. He is a Chief Risk Officer, Long Distance Runner and Author. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electronics from Karnatak University and a Master of Business Administration from North Eastern University. He then worked in the Infrastructure, Finance and Risk industry for over thirty years at companies like NIIF infrastructure Finance Limited, IDFC Infrastructure Finance Limited, L&T Infrastructure Finance Co Ltd, Crisil Risk and Infrastructure Limited, ICICI Bank and Ernst and Young. At the age of 46 he had to undergo a open heart surgery, after which he then decided to take up long distance running. He has now run a marathon on 6 continents and documented his inspiring journey in the book, Fuel for My Journey. You can follow him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhananjay-yellurkar/.
On Episode 21 of #LearningStories we chat with Michelle D’Costa. Michelle D'costa is a poet, podcaster, Human Resource professional and editor from Mumbai. She was born and raised in Bahrain. She is trained as a Human Resource Professional with a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration degree. However she has always been an avid reader and writer and recently made the professional transition to the publishing and editing industry. Gulf (Yavanika Press, 2021) is her debut poetry chapbook. She co-hosts one of India’s top author interview podcasts titled, Books and Beyond With Bound where she has interviewed over 40 prominent writers and thinkers. Her fiction and poetry can be found in several journals like Litro UK, Berfrois, Out Of Print, The Bombay Literary Magazine and many more. Her poetry was longlisted for the TOTO Award For Creative Writing (2021). In her free time she loves teaching and mentoring writers. You can find Michelle’s writing on her blog at https://michellewendydcosta.wordpress.com/.
On Episode 20 of #LearningStories we chat with Jujhar Singh. He is a business technology professional by training and a chef by passion. He is currently in culinary school working towards his dream of becoming a chef and restaurateur. He grew up in Oman and Bahrain and is currently based out of Ottawa, Ontario. Jujhar completed a Bachelor's degree in Business Technology Management from Wilfrid Laurier University. He worked as a Sales and Business Development Representative for two years after that program. That being said, he believes his culture and his background have long brought him to this moment to be in this hospitality sector. He is currently enrolled at the culinary school - Le Cordon Bleu in their year long Grand Diplome program and wants to be a chef and restaurateur. You can follow Jujhar’s journey on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jujhar--singh/.
On Episode 19 of #LearningStories we chat with Shreya Vajpei. She is a lawyer by training and education. She currently works with the Innovation team at one of India's biggest law firms. She completed a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the Army Institute of Law in Mohali. In addition to working at some of India’s top law firms, she also closely tracks the evolution of the legal profession and is the Prime Mover at Prolawgue.com. Prolawgue is attempting to democratize the information around the new-age careers and skills for the lawyers in APAC region. She works at the intersection of law and everything else and focuses on identifying, building, and promoting better technology and process solutions with the aim of improving the practice of law. You can find Shreya on Twitter at @shreya_vajpei.
On Episode 18 of #LearningStories we chat with Kiran Reddy. He is a lawyer, social entrepreneur, activist and community builder who is a big proponent of pursuing Voluntary, Nonprofit and For Profit engagements in parallel. He pursued and completed a law degree from the Symbiosis Law School in Pune, India from 2008 to 2013. He has spent the last eight years working in the space of leadership development, community engagement and grassroots capacity building with organisations like Helm of Eight, Risevertise Media, Start Up Grind, Headstart Network, Catalyst 2030 and Students for Liberty. You can reach out to Kiran on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibereddy/.
On Episode 17 of #LearningStories we chat with King Sidharth. He is a Designer, Entrepreneur, Youtuber and Public Speaker from India. For the past ten years he has solved interesting design, user experience and product problems at various organisations like Growth School, Headout, Instamojo, Clear Tax and Web Mutiny. King Sidharth also actively speaks about startups, careers, design, UX and products on his Youtube channel and in his 40+ talks. You can access all of his work online at https://www.kingsidharth.com/. Share your thoughts about this episode on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #LearningStories.
On Episode 16 of #LearningStories we chat with Shivani Gorle. She is a cultural strategist based in New York who is interested in how businesses tap into the zeitgeist to bring us together and influence our brand choices in a digital age. Shivani is currently a senior manager for Creative Strategy and Cultural Intelligence at Velocity Viacom CBS. She began her career in design as the first ever Cultural Strategist at ThoughtMatter, an award-winning strategic design and branding studio where she built identities for purpose-driven brands, planned creative campaigns and wrote articles about emerging cultural trends. She holds an M.A. in Communication and Journalism from the University of Mumbai and a Masters in Branding from the School of Visual Arts where she graduated with honors and received the Brand Master award for exceptional academic achievement and contribution. You can read her articles and listen to her podcast at https://www.shivanigorle.com/.
On Episode 15 of #LearningStories we chat with Dr. Traci L. Scheepstra. Traci is a teacher educator, educational researcher, and personal development coach practitioner. With close to three decades of teaching experience in a variety of educational settings with learners of all ages, Traci’s work focuses on curriculum, pedagogy and research in the fields of arts-based education, restorative justice practices, conflict resolution and communication, bullying initiatives, and gender-based school violence. You can find out more about Traci’s work on the website of her non-profit organisation, ‘Embodied Learnings’ linked here - https://embodiedlearnings.com/.
On Episode 14 of #LearningStories we chat with Radhika Zahedi. She has been working in the field of education since 2005 and currently serves as the School Director at The Green Acres Academy, and the Centre Director for The Acres Foundation Centre for Teaching and Educational Leadership. She has a wide range of experiences which include serving as School Principal, teacher-coach, teacher and curriculum head in a variety of settings including IB, IGCSE, Special Needs Schools, plus a few short but valuable stints in Municipal schools in Mumbai, Public schools in New York City, and a rural school in the north east of India. As an educator she is passionate about building learning organizations - schools with a culture of continuous learning and innovation filled with empowered leaders, teachers, parents and students. SAHE has used her decade of experience in the classroom working directly with students and teachers, to champion curricular programs and teacher development that focuses on deep, meaningful learning. Radhika spent the first 5 years of her career as a high school mathematics teacher with a passion for promoting learning with understanding, and learning for all students. Radhika has a Master’s (MA) Degree in Mathematics Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, USA and Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from Mumbai University. You can read her writing on Education at her blog linked here - https://radhikazahedi.blogspot.com/
On Episode 13 of #LearningStories we chat with Giada Ferucci. Giada is a PhD student in Media Studies at Western University, with a BA in Economic Development and International Cooperation from the University of Florence, Italy, and an MA in International Relations from Aarhus University in Denmark. Her doctoral research focuses on social movements and environmental activism and how they translate in policy. Her research interests include environmental communication, media activism and social movements, and access to information on environmental justice matters with a particular focus on the Latin American region. Currently, she is working as a research assistant for the project Surviving Memory in Postwar El Salvador, a collaborative research initiative to document the Salvadoran Civil War. You can find her on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giada-ferrucci-732569133/?originalSubdomain=ca.
On Episode 12 of #LearningStories we chat with Kritika David. She is an abstract artist and an aviation engineer with over five years of experience in the facilities management and engineering consulting sectors. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management and Engineering from Coventry University in the United Kingdom. She then acquired valuable work experience with organisations like the National Health Service Supply Chain, ISS Facility Services U.K and Coventry University. She grew up in Bahrain and India and can reportedly speak over ten languages. Kritika is also a mental health advocate and youth worker. She uses art to express some of her deepest emotions and believes in the concept of art as therapy. You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kritikadavidarts/.
On Episode 11 of #LearningStories we chat with Aamoye Chaudhary. Aamoye Chaudhary is an artist based in Mumbai, India. He expresses himself through artworks, sketches, photos and poems. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Art from the Viva College of Art and Design. You can find him on Instagram @revolution_aamoye.
On Episode 10 of #LearningStories we chat with Vinod Krishnan. He is a visual development artist and animator based in Los Angeles, California. He has established his career in the art and entertainment industry is currently an Animation Technical Director at Disney Television Animation. He grew up in Bahrain. From 2015 to 2017 he pursued an MFA in Animation from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). After graduating from the program he worked with several animation studios including Walt Disney Animation, Dreamworks Animation, Netflix Originals Animation and Sony Pictures Animation. He was part of the art direction team in projects like Annabelle Comes Home (2019), Avengers: End Game (2019) and Rick & Morty. He has worked on music videos for artists like Billie Ellish and Taylor Swift. As a professional, he is enamored by the art of storytelling and narrative building and wants to continue using his artistic skills to tell stories. In 2019, he directed, edited, and produced a short virtual reality film called ‘Blue Bird’. You can find him on Instagram at @vinod.kr and review his work on his website https://www.vinodkr.com/.
On Episode 9 of #LearningStories we chat with Sandesh Kini. Sandesh is a computer engineer by training who aims to use his skillset and knowledge to solve interesting real world problems. He is currently a senior product manager at Shopify and is based out of Toronto, Canada. He was born and brought up in Bahrain and then completed a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science and Engineering at the Manipal Institute of Technology. He then acquired 7 years of experience in the software and product development space at companies like Shopify, ZipGo, Just Code, Jobspire (co-founded) and 622 Solutions (co-founded). As an entrepreneur he co-founded and sold Jobspire and Invoice Falcon (through 622 Solutions). Jobspire is a visual and experiential job search platform. He created Invoice Falcon at 622 Solutions which is an automated and customised invoice generating service for the Shopify Platform. In the past 5 years he scaled Jobspire to 1000+ clients, led product development for India’s biggest office commute platform, built one of Shopify’s best invoicing apps and is now solving interesting challenges at Shopify. On the creative side he has directed and acted in plays, produced short films and started a Youtube Channel focused on sketches and tech review that reached 1.5 million views in 6 months. Outside of work he spends his time training and following up on competitive building. In 2013, he underwent a major body transformation and dropped from 110 kgs to 72 kgs. He values solving interesting problems, unique life experiences and being the strongest best version of himself. You can find him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeshkini/.
On Episode 8 of #LearningStories we chat with Arunita Praharaj.
Arunita Praharaj is a Communications Specialist during the week and a Foreign Correspondent on weekends.
She is currently based in Bahrain and has experience in the fields of Journalism, Advertising and PR across two continents. More informally, she refers to herself as a Qissago of South Asian stories and she uses her Instagram account and blog to express herself creatively on a variety of different issues she feels strongly about like immigrant life, books, movies, sustainable fashion and the world of branding. She has an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance from Newcastle University and a graduate degree in Global Journalism from The University of Sheffield. Having trained and worked under the Press Association of the United Kingdom, writing thought-provoking pieces, media relations, public speaking and content creation is where she shines best. She is currently the head of Corporate Communications at Raaes + Co and has a personal mandate of making the world a better, more tolerable place with stories. You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/arunitapraharaj/.
On Episode 7 of #LearningStories we chat with Sanjana Paramhans. Sanjana is an Interior Architect and Social Designer. She is an alumnus of Pratt Institute in New York with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Research for Spatial Design at the University of Arts in London. Over the past few years, she has worked on a variety of residential, commercial, and retail mixed-use projects. As an interior architect she is interested in creating optimal habitable spaces inspired by human interactions with their environment. She strongly believes that design stimulates people to behave a certain way – it can condition and control their actions and reactions. According to her, interior design is not just about pretty lights and wallpapers, it is an enabler of social change. You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sprmhns/.
On Episode 6 of #LearningStories we chat with Dr. Vinayak Prakash Thattaruparambil. Vinayak is in the process of training to accomplish his lifelong dream of being a fetal surgeon. He completed his MBBS from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar. Apart from his profession, He's also passionate about painting and dancing. He also expresses himself through writing with poetry being his favorite. He loves gardening and is a star-crossed animal activist. He believes that one day he can pioneer in saving lives even before they are born. You can follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vp_doc/.
On Episode 5 of #LearningStories we chat with Janak Rathod. Janak is a photographer and photojournalist based out of Mumbai. He was born and raised in Bahrain where he completed my schooling until 12th grade. He studied for a BFA with photography at Symbiosis University, Pune, and further ahead enrolled himself for a diploma course to study photojournalism at the Udaan School Of Photography in Mumbai. He then interned for 'The Indian Express', and is now currently working as a freelancer in Mumbai. As a photographer and photojournalist, he enjoys making observations that either become photographs or notes in his journal. He sees poetry hidden almost everywhere and tries his best to put that in a photograph. You can follow him on Instagram at _janak_rathod_.
On Episode 4 of #LearningStories we chat with Carissa D'Almeida. Carissa D’Almeida is a Lawyer by training and a Disc Jockey by passion. She grew up in the Middle East and then completed her Bachelor of Laws degree from Christ University in Bengaluru, India. She has been part of the legal team at Accenture for the last four years. But Carissa is a full-time disc jockey too. She is part of the awesome music crew at the Dynamite Disco Club. She has played live at venues around India like the Indiranagar Social, Sherlocks, Kitty Ko, Grub Arena, and the Dynamite Disco Club. She produces music on her Soundcloud Profile and her Mixcloud podcast titled, ‘Care Package’. As a disc jockey, she focuses on disco, house, and deep house music.
On Episode 3 of #LearningStories we chat with Kunal Bhan. Kunal Bhan is a Computer Engineer by training and a Professional Actor by passion. As an actor, he is known for his roles as Prince Nasir in Imperfect (2018) and Dr. Rahil Shekhar in Sanjivani (2019). He is the co-creator of short films like Meka and Azaad. Building on his background in computer engineering and video production, he also founded a digital video production company that provided advertisement film-making services for startups and corporate organizations. In today's discussion, we hope to understand what learning is like for acting professionals through Kunal's experiences in the field.
On Episode 2 of #LearningStories we chat with Vikramjeet Sinha. Vikramjeet Sinha is an Arts-based therapist, an Arts based Educator and Dramatist. He has 20 years of work experience in the social development sector and mainly uses the arts to create psycho-social change. He has directed over 25 plays in schools, colleges and in Festivals. Vikram holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature, a graduate degree in Social Anthropology. He is an ABT Practitioner from the World Center for Creative Learning. Vikramjeet has many other professional qualifications, which include his training in Clinical Hypnotherapy from Californian School of Hypnosis and training in Trauma healing. He also holds a five-year diploma on watercolor therapy from the art loft in the Margeret Haushcka school of art therapy, based on the principles of Rudolph Steiner. He is a founder of Building on Art Therapy or B.O.A.T (https://www.buildingonart.com/) which offers arts-based therapy training programs for schools and organizations.
On Episode 1 of #LearningStories we chat with Jatan Mehta. Jatan is a science writer passionate about humanity's future in space. He was the former science officer at TeamIndus Moon Mission. His writing portfolio can be found at jatan.space and you can find him on Twitter @uncertainquark. He writes the popular substack newsletters, 'Moon Monday' and 'Space Impact'. He is currently a contributing editor to Planetary Society.