Millennial Musings with Anurag
By Anurag Ram Chandran
Millennial Musings with AnuragAug 04, 2020
27.0: On becoming a DJ and everything dance music with sharma
On the latest episode of Millennial Musings, host Anurag welcomes onboard his good friend and DJ, Divyae Sharma, aka sharma, to discuss all things dance music. They discuss sharma's journey into becoming a DJ, his fascination with dance music, its history, and how it continues to be a close-knit and deeply engaged community.
Having grown up in Dubai and lived in the UK and US; sharma intends to jump genres while enticing people into the beautiful community of dance music and explore the culture. During the day, Divyae dons a different hat - working as a design engineer in the medical device sector.
*Explicit language warning*
Follow Divyae on:
Instagram: @divyaesharma
Check out some of his sets here: https://www.mixcloud.com/sharma/
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Twitter: @AnuragRC
LinkedIn: Anurag Ram Chandran
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
26.0: On how Magic Bus provides meaningful livelihoods to India's vulnerable youth with Anuj Alphonson
As one of the most impactful and influential NGOs in India, Magic Bus has transformed the lives of over one million children and young people living in poverty. This week's guest, Anuj Alphonson, who is the Director of Livelihood programs at Magic Bus, shares with Anurag in great detail, the work that his organization does on empowering and helping young, vulnerable people access sustainable livelihood opportunities. They discuss many of Magic Bus's Livelihoods programs, explore how these interventions create impact, and in closing, look ahead to the goals and objectives that Magic Bus has set for the upcoming years.
Anuj Alphonson is Director-Livelihoods at Magic Bus India Foundation. He is passionate about working with youth from all walks of life, guide them on holistic development, and prepare & connect them with the right livelihood opportunities. He is an avid reader, ardently follows parallel cinema, and actively engages in Outdoor sports including Badminton, Volleyball and Football.
Founded in 1999 by Matthew Spacie, Magic Bus is a non-profit organisation that works with children and young people, living in poverty, in India, taking them from a childhood full of challenges to a life with meaningful livelihoods. They equip children and young people in the age group of 12 to 18 and above with the skills and knowledge they need to grow up and move out of poverty.
Magic Bus's youth-centered Livelihoods Programme connects the aspirations and potential of young people to available livelihood opportunities. Since the Livelihood programme began in 2015, more than 60,000 young men and women have so far been supported with high impact skills training and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The programme has over 50 livelihood skilling centres and 8 entrepreneurship incubation centres in high-need strategic locations in India.
Support Magic Bus by making a donation here. All donations to Magic Bus are eligible for 50% tax exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.
If you enjoyed the episode, support us by liking, sharing, and subscribing :)
Follow Magic Bus on:
Website: https://www.magicbus.org/
Facebook: @magicbusindia
Twitter: @MagicBusIndia
LinkedIn: @Magic Bus India Foundation
Instagram: @magic.bus
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Twitter: @AnuragRC
LinkedIn: Anurag Ram Chandran
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
MMS 1.0: The most epic fourth of July celebration (with the Foo Fighters)
Introducing Millennial Musings Shorts (MMS), my stories, thoughts, and rants - in under 5 minutes!
Today is the fourth of July and while reminiscing all the unforgettable memories I've had on this day while living in the United States, I wanted to share my most epic experience celebrating the American Independence Day - with my favorite rock band, The Foo Fighters at their 20th Anniversary celebration in Washington D.C. in 2015.
What did you think of this new format? I'm experimenting with short form audio and would love to hear from you - what did you like, what did you not, and how can I make it better :)
Follow me on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Twitter: @AnuragRC
LinkedIn: Anurag Ram Chandran
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
25.0: On normalizing and de-stigmatizing divorce with Shasvathi Siva
The institution of marriage is often propped up to be this sacred, unbreakable bond between couples (and in some cultures, their families) and places unhealthy and sometimes dangerous expectations on individuals. Due to these inflated expectations, when a relationship begins to fail, the individuals are often left in an incredibly difficult position, especially in countries like India, where taking the step towards divorce is largely frowned upon. On today's episode, Anurag and Shasvathi discuss normalizing and de-stigmatizing divorce in India, and how Shasvathi's personal experience led her to becoming a champion for others through her movement #DivorceIsNormal and the subsequent support group it spawned. Among many other topics, they discuss societal pressure of being in a marriage, dealing with the trauma of divorce, the arduous legal journey of seperation, and how allyship matters in normalizing divorce.
Shasvathi Siva is a Chennai girl settled in Mumbai. After her divorce in 2018, she started vocalizing her thoughts about it, and is now on a mission to normalize divorce in every household. She also runs a support group for the same. Shasvathi is a TedX speaker, and is publishing her first book titled 'Divorce Is Normal' in 2022.
If you enjoyed the episode, support us by liking, sharing, and subscribing :)
Follow Shasvathi on:
Instagram: Shasvathi | #Divorceisnormal
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Twitter: @AnuragRC
LinkedIn: Anurag Ram Chandran
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
24.0: On Understanding generation Z (Gen Z), their relationship with technology, and the future of marketing with Vishal Raj Menon
We're departing from our usual approach in this episode. In fact, we are shining our light on yet an another misunderstood generation - Generation Z. Many recall Tik Tok dances and other social media trends when thinking about this generation, but they are a whole lot more than that. In just a few years, they will grow to be one of the most influential generations, if not already. So in today's episode our host Anurag and the show's first Gen-Z guest, Vishal, talk all things about this generation. Additionally, they explore the relationship of this generation with the internet and technology, as well as how marketable they have already become. They close out the conversation with a deep dive into how the future of marketing will change - given Vishal's experience as the founder and Managing Partner of fireflies, a dynamic marketing and advertising agency, focused on Gen-Z.
Vishal has been in the branding, marketing and events space since his freshman year of university. From co-founding the first and only licensed youth social organization in UAE, running concerts and working in the edtech space to conceptualizing and executing campaigns for global brands like American Eagle, Bath and Body Works, Yamaha, Upfield and Logitech through his Gen-Z brand fireflies, he's always been chasing the big goals.
Vishal also does workshops for schools and Universities in the region. He's keen to get into the non-profit space and is exploring opportunities with the UNWFP. Apart from this, he works on his music, enjoys working out, and loves chocolate milk.
If you enjoyed the episode, support us by liking, sharing, and subscribing :)
Follow Vishal on:
LinkedIn: Vishal Raj Menon
Instagram: @VISHALRMM | @FIREFLIESME
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Twitter: @AnuragRC
LinkedIn: Anurag Ram Chandran
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
23.0: On "Where are you really from?" with Rohit Bhatnagar
Following a prolonged hiatus, Millennial Musings is back with a brand new episode. Recorded in mid-2020, host Anurag and guest Rohit Bhatnagar discuss the challenges of growing up as a third culture kid, the difficulties in defining where home is, and navigating the often painful yet frequently encountered question, “Where are you really from?” Additionally, they chat about the benefits of such an upbringing and how it has influenced them in specific ways.
In 2016, Rohit graduated with an economics degree from New York Uuniversity and moved home (?) to India, capping off a colorful 15 years living and studying in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States. He’s spent the years since working a management consultant in New Delhi, first with EY and now with Dalberg, putting him face-to-face with his identity crises as a cultural and professional generalist.
If you enjoyed the episode, support us by liking, sharing, and subscribing :)
Follow Rohit on:
LinkedIn: Rohit Bhatnagar
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Twitter: @AnuragRC
LinkedIn: Anurag Ram Chandran
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
22.0: On Child & Adolescent Rights with Havovi Wadia, CEO, Save The Children India
In the first episode of 2021, host Anurag and guest Havovi Wadia discuss in depth, all things pertinent to child and adolescent rights in India. They discuss the difficulty of being a child during the transition into adolescence and adulthood, as well as the way society dictates the agency afforded to them. Additionally, they dive deep into the prevalence and rampant existence of child abuse in India, as well as avenues for rescue and rehabilitation for survivors. Finally, they also chat about the state of affairs in the development sector today, specifically with regards to children and adolescents.
Havovi is an often inefficient, mostly happy, rather verbose person who loves local trains, is addicted to detective fiction (especially of the modern kind), and cannot function without a cup of tea made by her husband first thing in the morning. She is a sporadic writer and in her years in the development sector, has become a better listener than she was. She currently leads Save The Children India and continues to believe that we will have a world where children and women will not be infantilised, and where participation and protection are not seen as conflicting rights.
If you enjoyed the episode, support us by liking, sharing, and subscribing :)
Follow Havovi on:
LinkedIn: Havovi Wadia
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Twitter: @AnuragRC
LinkedIn: Anurag Ram Chandran
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
21.0: On imposter syndrome & how to navigate it with Eusebius McKaiser
We're back! Season 3 is now live and we kick it off with an in depth exploration on imposter syndrom with author, broadcaster, and Rhodes Scholar Eusebius McKaiser. Anurag and Eusebius open up about their constant struggles with imposter syndrome, and how it has impacted their lives. They explore their first experiences of feeling like an imposter, the ways in which it limited their abilllities to own the spaces they were in, and ultimately how they are trying to curtail its impact on their everyday lives.
Eusebius McKaiser is a Broadcaster, Author, Political Analyst, Debate and Public Speaking Coach, Lecturer, and Rhodes Scholar. He has studied law and philosophy, and specialised in moral philosophy with particular interest in whether or not people are morally responsible for the beliefs they hold. He has also lectured in various areas of academic philosophy in England and South Africa.
Eusebius is the author of three best-selling books, the most recent being Run, Racist, Run. He has previously written columns for Business Day and New York Times. His essays have appeared in many local and international media. He has also appeared as an analyst on many platforms including CNN, BBC and others. Eusebius hosted radio and television shows for many years and is currently completing his fourth book, provisionally entitled Searching for Sello Duiker.
If you enjoyed the episode, support us by liking, sharing, and subscribing :)
Follow Eusebius on:
Twitter: Eusebius McKaiser
Instagram: @eusebius_mckaiser
Facebook: Eusebius.McKaiser
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Twitter: @AnuragRC
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
20.0: On Fighting the Odds, Assimilating to your Environment, and Taking Risks to Follow Happiness with Sarvesh Singh
In this milestone episode of Millennial Musings, Sarvesh shares his inspirational story - about his difficult childhood, his mother's strength and many sacrifices, the need to assimilate to different environments, and his journey against all odds to fight the numerous challenges that were thrown his way, and still take risks in the pursuit of happiness. Anurag and Sarvesh further discuss the state of India, the development sector, cancel culture, and more!
Sarvesh Singh is a strategy consultant from Mumbai. His journey from Chartered Accountant to Teach for India fellow to development consultant has been as unusual as his journey from small-town Kon gaon to the bustling cosmopolis that is Central Mumbai. In keeping with his unconventional voyages in life, he has his unique take on just about anything - from Urdu literature to international politics to fine wine
If you enjoyed the episode, support us by liking, sharing, and subscribing :)
Follow Sarvesh on:
LinkedIn: Sarvesh Singh
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
19.0: On Building a Healthy Snacks Startup in China as a Foreigner: from the dorm room to national supermarket bestseller with Tomas Fuentes Benitez (Founder of STOKES)
Building a business in China is one of the most notoriusly difficult tasks to accomplish. Now doing that as a foreigner? Next to impossible! Argentinian national Tomas Fuentes Benitez, however, begs to differ with convention. He is accomplishing the impossible though his startup, STOKES, the first and only all-natural beef jerky statup in China - which is well on its course to disrupt a US$ 3B category. In this episode of Millennial Musings, Anurag chats with Tomas on how he grew STOKES from a makeshift food lab he built in his dorm room, to now becoming one of the hottest food products in Chinese supermarkets - largelly all by himself. Along the way, he has attracted investments and support from massive names, such as football legend Javier Mascherano. The rocketship rise definitely has had many ups, but also several challenges. But at its core, this is truly a story of perseverence, dogged persistence, and rising up to the occasion. Make no mistake, Tomas is an absolute inspiration for budding entrepreneurs around the world.
About Tomas: Tomas Fuentes Benitez is a business lawyer turned entrepreneur from Argentina. He has lived in China for several years, where he founded STOKES, the first all-natural beef jerky startup in this market. Because of his experience in doing business in China, he also serves as the Investment Advisor of Argentina's Embassy in Beijing.
About STOKES: Founded in the dorms of Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University, STOKES is the first and only all-natural beef jerky startup in China. Based in Beijing and with factories in Shanghai, we are disrupting a US$3B category. Our products are on the shelves of supermarkets across China and have become category best-sellers in only a few months. Among our investors is football legend Javier Mascherano, former captain of FC Barcelona.
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
18.0: On protests, addressing and combatting systems of oppression, and growing up black in America with Willie Thompson and Justin Bryant
The protests that have broken out in the United States following the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minnesota by a white police officer has led to a lot of uncomfortable, yet overdue conversations about race relations, police brutality, and systems of oppression, amongst others. On this episode, Anurag chats with two young black leaders, Willie Thompson and Justin Bryant to unpack some of these conversations that are finally happening now. They discuss what it was like to grow up black in America, how as young people, we can work to address and combat systems of oppression, and how they took initiative to bring about tangible change in a community that they are active members of - the Schwarzman Scholars Program.
Willie J. Thompson grew up in Griffin, GA and earned his B.A. in Economics with a minor in Chinese Studies from Morehouse College. After graduating summa cum laude / Phi Beta Kappa from Morehouse, Willie worked as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Taichung, Taiwan with the Fulbright Program. Upon finishing his service as an ETA, Willie worked as an Associate Consultant for The Bridgespan Group, a nonprofit consulting firm that works with non-profits and philanthropists to address society's most pressing needs and challenges. Willie spent a year as a member of the Schwarzman Scholars Program, where he earned a Master’s in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Willie returned to Bridgespan, where he currently works on impact investing, philanthropic prizes, and workforce development as an Associate Consultant. He is also an avid jazz fan, having played drums for the Morehouse College Jazz Band all four years of his college career. Connect with Willie on LinkedIn.
Justin is a second-year J.D. candidate at Stanford Law School. He has a B.A. in Public Policy from Duke University, an MSc in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, where he was a Schwarzman Scholar, and an LL.M in European and International Business Law from the University of Vienna School of Law. Justin focuses on the intersection of law and technology and seeks to create ecosystems in which individuals can experience the benefits of technology without suffering harm. He advanced this mission during his time at ALT Advisory in Johannesburg, where he built Data Protection Africa. Justin was a cyberlaw fellow at the law firm Orrick, Herrington, and Sutcliffe in Menlo Park, California, and he previously worked at Microsoft in Beijing and San Francisco on projects concerning cybersecurity, government relations, and civic uses of technology. He will be working at the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project in New York this summer. Connect with Justin on LinkedIn.
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Cover Art obtained from Unsplash: Photo by James Eades on Unsplash
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
17: On growing up in poverty, never giving up, and building a foundation to educate thousands of vulnerable children in Nepal with Surya Karki
Surya Karki is one of the most inspirational people you will ever come across. He was born and brought up in poverty by a single mother in a village where education was a rare sight and schooling was a 2.5 hours walk to-and-from the school. He left his family and his village at 8 years old to study in the capital of Nepal and went on to study at the United World College of Venezuela, finished his undergraduate from the College of the Atlantic in Maine and his Masters Degree as a Schwarzman Scholar in China. Recognizing the opportunity he had, he dedicated his life to educating those with a similar background to him--building over 34 schools and educating over 5200 vulnerable children in Nepal, through his organization, United World Schools in Nepal.
In this episode of Millennial Musings, Anurag chats with Surya about his incredible journey, and tries to understand the mentality, dedication, and perseverance of one of the most impactful young leaders in the world today. They further discuss some of their experiences as Schwarzman Scholars in Beijing, a year that bonded them for life.
While Surya does not like to discuss his awards and recognition, Anurag has no problem revealing it. For his work in education and sustainable development, in 2014, he was awarded the Prince of Wales and UNILEVER Sustainable Living Young Entrepreneurs Award; in 2016, he was recognized as one of 30 under 30 International Literacy Association leaders; and in 2017, he was listed in the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia.
Follow Surya and his work:
United World Schools Nepal Website
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
16.0: On mental health in the time of coronavirus and social distancing with Ruchita Chandrashekar
In this episode, Anurag and his guest Ruchita chat about the mental health consequences of social distancing in the time of coronavirus. They chat about many of Anurag's recent struggles, including break from routine, isolation from friends and family, as well as the difficulty in seperation between work and personal life. They also discuss several global trends being observed, and culminate the chat with Ruchita's recommendations to tide over these difficult times.
Ruchita Chandrashekar is an independent psychologist with a specialisation in traumatic stress and violence recovery. Her approach is to politicise mental health, integrate identity politics, encourage the destigmatisation of mental health in South Asian communities and aid the discussion of cross cultural issues from a psychoeducational lens. You can follow her on Twitter @roocheetah
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
15.0: On Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with Samir and Shalaj
SPOILER ALERT: There is a lot of banter!
Anurag, Shalaj, and Samir are childhood friends who grew up in Dubai, UAE. They are currently scattered in the US, UAE, and India.
*This podcast is not monetized. The use of image here is for illustrative purposes only.
14.0: On living in China during the time of Coronavirus, successfully navigating social isolation, raising awareness and combatting misinformation with Jonathan Lopez
Jonathan Lopez lives and works in Beijing, China, where he just recently completed his 50th day in self-imposed social isolation. With Anurag, he shares his experience of living in a China that is plagued by Coronavirus, and how he has mastered the art of effectively living in social isolation. Additionally, he breaks down some of the myths and media narratives around life in China currently, how China has now effectively controlled the spread through stringent measures, and also discusses how and why he set about raising awareness through his social media posts. Finally, he shares his advice for all of us who are just about embracing social isolation and working from home.
Jonathan Lopez was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia, and migrated to Montreal, Canada for his Bachelor's at McGill University. In Canada, he embraced an identity of global citizen, learning several languages and travelling to 60+ countries. Subsequently, he was chosen as a Schwarzman Scholar to complete a Master’s degree at Tsinghua University in China. Currently, he resides in Beijing, China, and works at ByteDance, the world’s most valued start-up, as a Content Strategy Manager for a key SaaS product. He shares his daily updates on living in a China (Beijing) plagued by Coronavirus on his Instagram account. Ultimately, Jonathan aims to become an entrepreneur and investor; an inspirational figure and leader; a philanthropist; a Colombian diplomat, and eventually, President.
Follow Jonathan Lopez on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanlopez-ca/
Instagram: @jonathanlopez.ca
Follow Anurag on:
Instagram: @anuragrc and @millennialmusings_podcast
Title music Ikson-Alive is obtained from the artist's website, and used with due credit given. Support Ikson's music on https://soundcloud.com/ikson
13.0: On India's 2019 World Cup Run, Strategizing the Future of Indian Cricket & Dhoni's Legend Status with Shalaj Lawania
Apart from being a life-long cricket fan, Shalaj Lawania works at the intersection of technology and education in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. You can find his acclaimed blog, Dark Oblivion at www.sadisticshalpy.com
Link to Shalaj's recent article on cricket: www.sadisticshalpy.com/2019/07/the-cricket-world-cups-of-our-lives.html
Follow Anurag:
Twitter: twitter.com/AnuragRC
Instagram: www.instagram.com/anuragrc/
Follow Millennial Musings:
www.instagram.com/millennialmusings_podcast/
12.0: On Battling a Life-Threatening Disease & Decoding Healthcare Policy in America with Anirudh Srirangam
In 2017, Anirudh was diagnosed with a rare blood disease that threatened to derail his life. Anirudh shares the incredible story of how he battled the disease twice, receiving two bone marrow transplants, before setting on his path to recovery. As a rising star in the healthcare policy field, and having experienced first hand the challenges of healthcare in America, Anirudh is one of the best young voices on healthcare policy reform. Anurag and Anirudh chat about America's healtcare system, a move towards value-based healthcare, and other innovations in the field.
Anirudh Srirangam works at Roivant Sciences, a healthcare company based in New York City. His mission is to increase access to high quality, high value healthcare for patients in need.
11.0: On Being a Game-Changing Visual Artist, Doing It Yourself (DIY), and the Journey of a Young Woman Entrepreneur with Mehek Malhotra
Mehek shares her inspirational story of her work as a game-changing visual artist, and the founding of her studio, Giggling Monkey. Anurag and Mehek also chat about the power and importance of trying to do a task yourself, as well as the challenges of being a young woman entrepreneur in India.
Mehek Malhotra is an award winning designer and visual artist who is the founder and CEO of Giggling Monkey Studio, based in Mumbai, India. You can follow her work on Instagram @giggling_monkey.
10.0: On Leadership and Fighting Systemic Injustice with Payton Head
Payton Head is a rising community leader in the United States, student at the University of Chicago, and an international speaker. In his work, Payton details the adversities caused by race, gender and sexual orientation discrimination to facilitate open dialogue and embrace marginalized communities. He served as the student body president of the University of Missouri, and led a student movement to fight systemic injustice that inspired the country.
9.0: On Being a Teacher in America, Founding a Successful EdTech Startup, and Democratic Socialism with Varun Gulati
Varun Gulati is a New Yorker and a child of Indian immigrants. He is a former public school teacher who has worked a variety of roles in education technology, including as co-founder and CTO of a startup. Varun is a proud Democratic Socialist, and an advocate for racial justice and equity in public education.
8.0: On Making Space for Kindness, Finding Balance, and Beating Burnout in our Daily Lives with Varunya Venkatesh
Anurag and Varunya discuss the importance of making kindness a part of our daily lives, and the challenge of finding balance between the many hats we wear. Varunya shares her insights on how to find this balance, while at the same time avoiding burnout. She shares the experience of her 25 week awareness initiative, #Project25, where she used her art as a medium to discuss topics that are considered "taboo" in our society.
Varunya Venkatesh works at The Boeing Company, and has made kindness a central part of her daily life. She is based in Dubai, and can be found spreading smiles by giving out heart-shaped pins to people she meets.
7.0: Indian Elections 2019, Inside the Mind of a BJP Supporter with Ravindra Kenchappa
Anurag chats with Ravindra to understand what makes him a big supporter of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Set in the backdrop of the 2019 Indian general elections, they chat about a wide range of topics, all the while emphasizing on the importance of having respectful conversations with those across the political aisle.
Ravindra Kenchappa is a writer, actor, and dancer originally from Bangalore, but currently based in Mumbai.
6.0: On Michael Jackson, Sexual Assault Allegations, and the Art vs. Artist Separation with Newman D'Silva
Anurag and Newman discuss the impact and legacy of Michael Jackson, as well as the sexual assault allegations that have resurfaced due to the new HBO documentary, Leaving Neverland. Having been greatly influenced by Michael Jackson's artistry, they discuss whether it is possible to separate the artist from the art, and the difficulty of continuing to consume the work of a disgraced artist.
Newman is an artist, and a former dancer-choreographer, based in Mumbai, India. You can follow and support his art on Instagram @indrathe2nd.
5.0: On the India-Pakistan Conflict, Politicization of War, & the Role of Media and Journalism with Shalaj Lawania
Anurag and Shalaj chat about the Pulwama terror attack, and the resulting conflict between India and Pakistan that has gravely escalated security concerns in the Indian Subcontinent. They cover various dynamics of the conflict including the politics and diplomacy, as well as the reactions and influence of media and journalism. Other topics covered include Trevor Noah's controversial segment on the conflict, as well as the evolving nature of social media.
Shalaj Lawania works at the intersection of technology and education, and is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. You can follow his acclaimed blog, Dark Oblivion at www.sadisticshalpy.com
4.0: On Addiction, Sobriety, and Making a Film on Recovery with Andrea Gonzales-Paul
Andrea opens up about her struggles with alcohol addiction, her journey in sobriety, and how she turned the camera on herself to film an incredibly beautiful and vulnerable documentary on her journey seeking a liver transplant, and an unexpected discovery that changed the course of her treatment.
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Andrea Gonzales-Paul is a writer, filmmaker, and journalist. She recently completed her documentary, Live or Failure, which chronicles her journey seeking a liver transplant that she didn't end up needing. You can connect with her on Instagram @andreagonz_
3.0: On Founding a Tech Startup, Moving to America, and Taking Risks with Farhaj Mayan
Anurag and Farhaj talk about an eclectic range of topics including growing up in Dubai, moving to the United States, joining a fraternity, traveling around Europe with nothing but RedBull cans, and the founding and growth of Farhaj's company.
Farhaj Mayan is the Co-founder and CEO of FADE, a personalized barber marketplace for men. He is a World Robot Olympiad Champion, Red Bull Can You Make It? Finalist, and MassChallenge Alumni. Find out more about his company on www.fadenow.com.
2.0: On Moving for Love, Facing Challenges, and South Africa with Ami Bhatt
In the second episode of Millennial Musings, Anurag and Ami chat about South Africa, and the challenges of moving to a new country for love.
Ami Bhatt is a doctoral student at Claremont Graduate University, and had spent the better part of the last four years living and working in South Africa.
1.0: On Climate Change, Energy, and Policy with Narayan Subramanian
In the first episode of Millennial Musings, Anurag and Narayan discuss climate change, energy, and policy making in today's global context.
Narayan Subramanian is a Joint MPA/JD Candidate at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs and Columbia Law School. He is a rising star in the climate action field, and has previously worked extensively in policy and diplomacy.