Learning Stories

On Episode 88 of the #LearningStories podcast we chat with Shruti Sah. She is an entrepreneur, documentary film maker, branding professional, community builder and baker. She completed an undergraduate degree in English Literature at Delhi University, followed by a graduate degree in Mass Communication at Christ University. She then spent eight years in the corporate world as a branding, PR and communication professional. During this time she also started building and working on projects that brought people together around food, books and public spaces. Theses projects include the Third Base Bakery, Bookmark Dating App and Pint of View Club. Apart from these projects she co-founded, Cubbon Reads and steered the silent reading movement across the globe with 120+ chapters in 70+ cities. She also works independently as a documentary film maker. In this episode we spoke about her professional journey and stories from her childhood and college years that shaped her thinking over time. You can find her on Instagram and Linkedin. Show Chapters(00:05) - Podcast Introduction (00:30) - Guest Background(01:10) - Stories from your childhood(01:15) - "I was quite a rebel kid"(02:00) - "Me and my sister learned Bharatnatyam from a young age"(04:00) - How did you develop a passion for baking from a young age?(06:10) - What made you chose English Literature as a college major?(09:10) - What was your experience studying Mass Communication at Christ University?(11:10) - Taking a career break to explore other projects and interests(12:00) - How did you learn documentary film making from scratch as an adult?(13:00) - How did you grandfather influence and shape your thinking?(16:00) - My first childhood business project of selling toffees(18:20) - How did your parents influence and shape your thinking?(20:20) - My childhood friends and nurturing those bonds(21:20) - "Allahabad was a very small town and everyone knew everyone then"(22:00) - Memories of Early Life in Allahabad(27:10) - What was your experience studying English Literature at Delhi University?(28:10) - "Allahabad and Delhi are very different cities"(29:10) - On college friendships(31:10) - "English Literature does not offer you a clear career path"(32:10) - What extra curricular activities were you involved in at Delhi University?(34:10) - What books do you remember reading and studying at university?(38:10) - What was your experience in the corporate world for eight years?(39:10) - "I knew I get bored and could not do the same thing for long"(40:10) - "I worked at Edelman in Gurgaon for three years(41:10) - What was your experience working in a Public Relations roles for 3 years?(43:10) - What was your experience working as a Brand Strategist at LBB?(47:00) - What was your experience working as brand manager for 3 years?(48:00) - "I had a lot of work life balance and explored other projects during this time"(50:00) - What is the story behind Cubbon Reads?(54:50) - Why did people from other cities want to recreate Cubbon Reads?(55:50) - The power of silent reading communities(58:20) - "Bringing people together brings me so much joy"(58:40) - The story behind my home bakery project (59:15) - The story behind the Bookmark Dating App(59:35) - "I love talking to people and meeting new people(1:02:40) - Documentary Film Recommendations(1:09:30) - Book Recommendation(1:11:30) - Closing NotesShow LinksShruti on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrutisah/Shruti on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shrutisah/Third Base Bakery - https://www.instagram.com/thirdbase.bakery/Cubbon Reads - https://www.instagram.com/cubbonreads/Pint of View - https://www.instagram.com/pintofview.club/Bookmark App - https://www.instagram.com/bookmarkappco/Show Description#LearningStories is an audio and video show where we interview a diverse set of learners from the 21st century.

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 NotesShow LinksHarsh 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_SnehanshuPint 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 NotesShow Links1. Unibrow Stories Website - https://www.unibrowstories.com/2. Unibrow Publications - https://www.unibrowstories.com/novels3. Sukriti on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suki_unibrow/4. Sukriti on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukriti-yj-1820201b/5. 'The Lehenga Games' Book - https://amzn.in/d/dvXjqqX6. 'Gold Digger: Treasure of Son Bhandar' Book - https://amzn.in/d/aXq8EOi7. 'Beta Builder: Mumbai in the Metaverse' Book - https://amzn.in/d/88mhBEh8. 'Love on a Visa' Webcomic - https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/love-on-a-visa/list?title_no=10017179. 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 NotesLinksChuck's Website - https://www.chuckofalltrades.in/about-meRough Paper Website - https://www.roughpaper.in/The 6% Club Website - https://www.thesixpercent.club/Chuck on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chuckofalltradesChuck 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 NotesLinksRanjana 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_ActingRecommendation 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237328.The_Art_of_ActingRecommendation 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 NotesLinksAmrita 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/DescriptionThis 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 NotesLinks1. Diya on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diya-sengupta-410b5213/2. Juhu Reads Instagram Page - https://www.instagram.com/juhureads/3. Author Page on Scroll.in: https://scroll.in/author/238534. 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-23525485DescriptionThis 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 NotesLinksDevayani's Website - https://www.devayanikh.com/Devayani on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/devayani-khareGeosophy 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 RecommendationsLinksSuchin’s Reviews on The Hollywood Reporter India - https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/author/suchin-mehrotraSuchin’s Reviews on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suchin545Suchin’s Reviews on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@suchinmehrotraStreaming Show Playlist - https://bit.ly/thestreamingshowDescriptionThis 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.