Balancing the Act- Bagpackerme - Travel Podcast
By Kevin Harding
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us"
Well, this is what I do with mine. I listen to stories get inspired and take on learnings from the wise.
I trust you will give this an ear and more importantly tell your story to the world.
Balancing the Act- Bagpackerme - Travel PodcastNov 14, 2020
Discovering a new world in the Indian Ocean- Maldives - Akanksha Maker & Kevin Harding || Ep. #3
Thank you for tuning into the second episode of Balancing the Act season 3. In this episode- Akanksha Maker a travel enthusiast at heart and the Travel Editor at Svasa Life. Talks about blending business and leisure travel. And how to pursue your passion!! Post-pandemic, workstations, and staycations have become almost second nature to corporate travelers, who miss that comfort of a hotel room! And luxury travel has evolved from being loud and over-the-top glitz to intimate and sophisticated minimalism. We talk in-depth about the various ways of getting to dive in the Maldives. Don’t believe me? Check the episode out! Lastly, like all our episodes this episode will also leave you with a very valuable life lesson. #bagpackerme #balancingtheact #podcast #season3 #travelpodcast Dm to tell us about your passionate travel experiences 🥰 or Write to us at Bagpackerme@gmail.com See you around 🤩
To Learn on a Vacation – The Goa Life chose Me| Aishwarya Taukari & Kevin Harding || Ep. #2
Thank you for tuning into the second episode of Balancing the Act season 3.
Do you want to learn and be on vacation? Do you want to explore the options of giving up your regular 9-5, then this episode is for you. Aishwarya will give you insights into these topics and shed light on why LinkedIn became so important to get connections and clients. She is now a part of the LinkedIn Creator Accelerator program.
This episode will take you to Goa and uncover some unusual questions about working and learning in Goa. Don’t believe me? Check the episode out! Lastly, like all our episodes this episode will also leave you with a very valuable life lesson. #bagpackerme #balancingtheact #podcast #season3 #travelpodcast Dm to tell us about your passionate travel experiences 🥰 or Write to us at Bagpackerme@gmail.com
See you around 🤩
To Travel the World For Free - A Walk to Kedharnath |Raghu Raahi & Kevin Harding || Ep. #1
A trek to the tip of Buran Ghati - Avni Gupta | Ep #9
Watch the episode to find out and hear about Avni’s journey.
Host- Kevin Harding - www.instagram.com/btwimkevin
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me
www.instagram.com/Avni.gupta11 to reach out to Avni
bagpackerme.com to submit your travel adventures!
Kashmir, yours locally- Abhishek Mande Bhot | Ep #8
Kashmir is blessed with a bounty of beauty but at the same time when we say Kashmir we often wonder about safety. Is it really safe? Is it as breathtaking as the pictures? Well having the first hand experience of Abhishek Mande Bhot who is an independent journalist who works with companies like Microsoft, GQ and the Washington Post. He is also a columnist for Moneycontrol.com.
So, which lense did he choose to show us when he visited Kashmir? Definitely not all the local tourist spots or usual go-to places. He chose to see Kashmir through a lense of culture, through the perspective of a native. And how does this version of Kashmir look and feel? Listen to the podcast for a whole new Kashmiri Experience.
Host- Kevin Harding - https://www.instagram.com/btwimkevin
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me
https://www.instagram.com/manicmande to reach out to Abhishek
https://bagpackerme.com to submit your travel adventures!
Getaway with your cheat days- Pashmi and Jash Shah | Ep #7
Spent hours in the gym and you want to have an ice cream tub but are too scared to indulge in it. Well this episode has got you covered, Jash and Pashmi are two entrepreneurs who have combined their love for fitness and the taste of delicious ice cream into one box of delight. How do you ask? Well listen to find out. But then again what inspired them to do this? Well ideas can come in the most random form and this time it was in the middle of our favourite thing to do, travel. So grab a bowl of ice cream, sit back and enjoy as we slide through their journey.
Host- Kevin Harding - https://www.instagram.com/btwimkevin
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me
https://www.instagram.com/acejash - to reach out to Jash
https://www.instagram.com/pashmi9 - to reach out to Pashmi
www.bagpackereme.com to submit your travel adventures!
Living it up in the mountain ranges- Peter Van Geit | Ep #6
Well for a lot of us India is our motherland right? But how does it look like from the perspective of someone from the west? In this episode we have Peter Van Geit, who is an explorer and a minimalist from Belgium who had his world turned upside down after what he calls “fate” called him to go to India for business. And you can’t imagine what happened next, Peter fell in love with the streets or the “galees” and the culture and natural beauty of India. Soon he started exploring the Western Ghats, the Himalayas and the other ranges in India. He also tried various kinds of modes of transport such as a motorbike, then dirt biking and finally ended up at hiking. Exploring the Himalayas isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.. especially because it requires a lot of strength, training and resilience and how does Peter do this? Listen to the podcast to find out Peter’s experience of the Middle Himalayas surrounded by nature and scenic beauty.
Host- Kevin Harding - https://www.instagram.com/btwimkevin
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me
https://www.instagram.com/petervangeit - to reach out to Peter
www.bagpackereme.com to submit your travel adventures!
Travel has no bounds when the worlds your family- Rajat Shukla Ep #5
Ever planned a trip and the only thing stopping you is your budget? Well in the fifth episode of Balancing the Act, we have Rajat Shukla, a bushcraft minimalist, who has travelled 17 states, 6 union territories and Nepal all with the one thing our mind most worries about!! Money! Having no budget and going wherever the road takes you has landed him in various places all across India. From forts to mountains he has seen it all and the travel is enriched by people. The experiences and life lessons shared with people is a constant change from the scenic views. So travellers, budget is not stopping you? Just get on the road and you’re good to go.
Host- Kevin Harding - https://www.instagram.com/btwimkevin To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me https://www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/ Rajat Shukla - https://www.instagram.com/yogirajatshukla
The Journey to find Oneness with Self! Deepa Shad EP #4
Do you know that dance was a form a meditation?
Have you heard about Neem Karoli Baba, Osho or Sadguru?
Look no further, this is an episode you must hear!
Host- Kevin Harding - www.instagram.com/btwimkevin
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/
Deepa Shad - www.instagram.com/artbydeepashad
www.instagram.com/aisaheehai/
Trip on, live on - Pallavi & Pradyuman Singh EP #3
Many a times being a tourist seems exciting but what is even more exciting is new lenses and perspectives. In the third episode of Balancing the Act we venture into Pushkar, along with Pallavi and Pradyuman to a new way of exploration. If you love picturesque sceneries and not being ‘usual traveller’ this episode is the right one for you. So what are you waiting for? Trip on, Live on
Pallavi https://www.instagram.com/modaninja
Host- Kevin Harding - https://www.instagram.com/btwimkevin
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me https://www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/
Strangers in a group, travellers at heart - Niyati Saxena| EP #2
Host- Kevin Harding
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/
Diamonds are woman’s best friends? Think again - Garima Pande Kalia & Akshat | EP #1
Whether you want to learn mixology or a take a private cooking class in Bali. Well looks like we got you covered. Season 2 of Balancing the Act starts with “Wandering Jane” or as the founders Garima and Akshit picture it; someone who is a vivid, wandering traveller who can enjoy the pleasantries hidden in the small crevices of local markets and the talent and vigour of cities. From local to your location is what you will get. Woman travelling together also increase the comfort and strive to do more. Scuba diving, trekking or exploring you got a companion with “Wandering Jane”. So what is stopping you from being yourself, the wandering you.
Host- Kevin Harding To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me https://www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/
Bishnupur: A Royal indulgence to Indian History – Souhardya De| Ep #20
Episode finale and here is what I had in store for you. A 16 years old Indian author of historical fiction and art! Souhardya De who is also a fellow podcaster - The podcast is entitled “Cosmographia: The Graeco Romans, the Egyptians and Us” on Apple, JioSaavn, Gaana, Google podcast!
We speak in details about how he became a writer at such an early age and what influences him to travel. In our conversation, you will here about the various passion he pursues and his trip to Bishnupur. The place will amuse you to show its rich architecture, music, textile! If you live near Kolkata this place seems a must visit.
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me https://www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/
Arunachal Pradesh: Wisdom from over 250 Villages in India- Akshay Varma | Ep #19
Further, we discuss in details the excitement of what they will learn in places like Tawang , Ladakh, Manipur, Rajasthan, Jaipur and many others.
The details of the living of these villages will blow your mind their means of living and their method to adapt and evolve are beyond your current expectations!
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/
Immersing in Palampur's Tea and Pottery - Samreen Tungekar | Ep #18
I get to a new slice to life with Samreen who currently is the assistant editor of Man’s World Magazine! She is doing something really cool to promote local food ventures – Check it out every Thursday – “Where to order dinner tonight” is the name, remember it! We discuss how experiences matter and what kind of the perks of being at editor position holds.
We also decode where can you next get your special Bombay coffees sorted from, so stay alert!
Stories to tell you about Dalhousie and Palampur where you will discover how “Yeah Chai Ki Aadat Mujhee Pradhan Marti Bankar Chodeygi”
We end this fun conversation with her life lessons! So, you got to wait it out till the end!
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me https://www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/
Holy Forking in Vietnam- Angie Dsouza | Ep #17
This episode, we are in a conversation with Angie D'Souza a customer retention specialist, a marketing professional, and a chef! Well we did speak about food but there is a lot more in this episode! Her Labor of love as she calls it is 5 years old this November and she is here to give away a few things to the people of Bombay, so listen till the end and stand a chance to win hampers!
In her travel escapades to Vietnam you will hear about place that you defiantly must visit and enjoy (Star fish beach, beer streets). Given the difference currency rates this trip can be affordable that anyone who wants to travel to a place after counties open up for tourism. You also will hear not one but two life lessons by the Chef herself, so check it out!
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me https://www.instagram.com/bagpackerme/
How being an Airbnb host can change your life! Son Doong Cave- Matthew Fraser | Ep. #16
Bali: How to get fit on your vacation - Tharun Sholarajan | Ep. #15
Fitness is a passion for many people. Today, we have the perfect combination of fitness passion and travel Tharun, who is the Head Coach of Gold Gym and is on a mission to transform 1 million lives. Learning about commitment and perseverance from his father he decided to make a career in fitness. This episode is a combination of food, fitness and travel. Travel with us to Bali, Sri Lanka and Goa. Learn about good food and health as well as how to lead a healthier lifestyle through the journey.
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar.
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Outside of agency hours in London – Ayesha Kapadia | Ep. #14
What is art? Do you wonder about it? Well this episode it for you!
In this journey of art, you will hear of Ayesha Kapadia AKA Komet Juice giving her learning, growing and explaining how things are done in real life.
Her life changing experiences in London was defined by her looking at Andy Warhol’s art at the Tate. However, we compared those to art galleries here in India. Now that we are in India, let Ayesha guide you to the Art Night Thursday in Colaba, Bombay is one place you need to know about if you are an artist and want to hang out with fellow artists!
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar.
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Paris: A dance workshop can touch your soul - Chandni Davda | Ep. #13
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Ayodhya: A life changing moment in history - Gaurav Sarkar | Ep. #12
We deep dive into various cases of reporting which Gaurav narrates in details. You will get an idea of what goes into featured writing and how long form articles are juice for your mind.
If you are a fan of Aamir khan or were keen to know about the verdict of Ayodhya as a citizen of India. This episode is for you!
However, if you wish to help someone- we will be happy to take up the help to find a 17-year-old autistic boy, Tarun Gupta who went missing from his home in Mumbai's Colaba on October 1 of last year. DM if you have any info
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Rajasthan will never lose its charm! – Dhaval Doshi| Ep. #11
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Think Goa! Think Workation- Unni Nambiar | Ep. #10
In this podcast we speak about how an engineer becomes a Copywriter. He also says that 2 wheels is what keeps him sane during his life. A solo ride from Mumbai -Kerala – Goa – Mumbai in 7 days is what we start our podcast with. The experience of a solo ride and what changed in his life is what one can listen to. The insights and the process of planning this trip is explained in detail.
The lockdown has taken a toll on our minds and bodies what better than to be in Goa. if you listen to what Unni has to say you will understand how a Workcation will simplify your life. The Budget and what planning is exactly is needed to make this possible is very well explained. If you hear the episode till the end you will understand how the Goa life is something that we all are missing.
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Dubai is for everyone - Meenakshi Iyer | Ep. #9
In the last episode, we understood about the jungle and rules that exist. This week in episode 9, I get to a Content and communications consultant - Meenakshi Iyer who previously worked with publications like Reuters, Mid-day, ELLE India.
In this podcast she will give us the insides on not only her journey as a journalist, the perks and the experiences but also talk about her travels to various places more specifically the modern city; Dubai. Get acquainted with both the local and the lavish lifestyle. On a trip one often has the questions of what should one do in a place like Dubai? She has some great tips on travel, cuisine and everything one could possibly thing of doing in the metropolitan Dubai.
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Africa's best kept secret- Shaun Dsouza | Ep. #8
How to 100% see the Northern Lights - Abhijeet Anand | Ep. #7
In the last episode, Akshata gave wanderlust goals to us. This week in episode 7, I get to you a story that all began in Jamalpur in the state of Bihar. I Speak to Abhijeet who is an engineer, a social entrepreneur, a mentor to many and a student of life.
We speak about Political Marketing and how a personal brand is everything that you need to start developing in your life, like starting right now. We deep dive into a way of life and how mentoring plays such an important place to achieve the success that we are looking for.
Well what are these episodes if we don’t speak about travel so ff you are from the north east – this episode will make you happy and also give insights to various people of what the real meaning of Atithi Devo Bhava is.
Last but not the least we speak about the northern light and how to get there and the important Do’s and Don’t’s! The end of the episode will leave you speechless as we hack a way to see the norther lights for sure!
Why you will never forget Varanasi - Akshita Shrivastava | Ep. #6
The week before this was a glorious bike ride into heaven, this episode I bring to you a story from a dreamer from Bhopal- Akshata. A 21-Year-old Traveller, who has been working in hostels and living in various parts of India (Jaipur, Varanasi, Dharamshala, Goa). She will enlighten you about what a travel bug is. Well, if that travel bug has not bitten you yet- you can check out the website that will give you a chance to volunteer and get real life experiences Worldpackers.com
The Discussion then leads into how she made it to her first trip and hitchhiking experiences that made all the differences in her life. We also talk about what she learnt and how she learned the tricks of survival. What happens in Banaras because its never about having a plan to go there but the place itself draws you too it. To understand things like a local, I broke down a few things that one must do and beware you won’t find these things on the internet. You will also know the right price to rent your next boat ride. Lastly, we speak about the place that one should visit after the lockdown and that one is a special recommendation.
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar.
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Ladakh heaven on a Harley Davidson - Sunil Budden | Ep. #5
We went up to Uttarakhand (India) in the previous episode, so why not a little further. In this episode, I spoke to Sunil, a media professional who thinks that heaven is someplace that mountains touch the sky while riding a bike. The Discussions begins with how he got closer to nature, how one internship leads to another and how one can hustle their way out of your work and travel to enjoy your life even while having financial responsibilities. We then chat about how travel changes you as a person and winning a contest hosted with white collar hippie along with buffalo clothing gave him a FREE TRIP to the Himalayas.
Magic of what a Gap year could do you and how it allowed Sunil to take 16 trips in 12 months. Going to Ladakh on a Harley Davidson is an experience and how better to do it with your best friend. Check out the episode to hear about what happened in Ladakh? What went wrong and much more.
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi, Amey Jichkar.
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me www.instagram.com/bagpackerme
Uttarakhand | A journey within - Ruturaj Phope | Ep. #4
We deepdive into how you can spend 15,000 for 10 days for a trip to Uttarakhand from Mumbai.
Below are the places that we visit in our conversations and explore what one can do in each of these place
- Mussoorie
- Rishikesh
- Haridwar
- Mukteshwar
My take away from this episode is that you can always figure a solo trip even with you are in a group because there has to be “a journey within” Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi , Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me bagpackerme@gmail.com
Daydreaming about food from Bombay to Goa - Yashodhara Roy | Ep. #3
In this episode, we talk about how the pandemic is changing the way people travel and how we must take this opportunity in hand to travels in the city that we currently live in.
We discuss what makes Bombay special and stand out- A walk down into memory lanes of Kotachi wadi that could remind you of the Goa in Bombay.
If your think you’ve eating it all in Bombay, well the dishes discussed might just get you drooling and hungry.
When we get to Goa, all I wanted to do is get you insights from Goa and I won’t leave you disappointed. This episode for food lovers and more important if you want to understand Goan food. You can thank me later.
We end the episode with some tips for Solo woman travels and life Lessons from solo travels.
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi , Amey Jichkar.
To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me bagpackerme@gmail.com
You start believing in yourself after a Trek in Kashmir - Aakash Singh | Ep. #2
Let me take you to the foothills of Kashmir. Once you are there things will feel different and better than they currently are. We talk in detail about the various aspects and culture of the amazing food that is served( Kashmiri Wazwan) . The good part of solo travelling and how it will start believing in yourself. But you need to hear about what happened in the rain-forest Kodai Canal that is 20 Km away from the City. Where Aakash went in search of Psilocybin mushroom! We further speak of How to balance your 24 leaves in a year and how to plan your travel in advance will make your travels more affordable.
Host- Kevin Harding Introduction- Mikhail Singh Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar Music - Amey Jichkar Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi , Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me bagpackerme@gmail.com
How to get featured in a travel Magazine - Rishab Tripathy | Ep. #1
Host- Kevin Harding
Introduction- Mikhail Singh
Introduction Music- Nihar Shembekar
Music - Amey Jichkar
Sound mixing - Prasad Joshi , Amey Jichkar. To share feedback, Information about your trips - Please reach out to me bagpackerme@gmail.com